Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Electrical And Piezoresistive Properties Of Carbon Black/Polyurethane Nanocomposite For Strain Sensing Applications, Nihal A. Youssef, Tamer Z. Wafy, O.R Abdelsalam, Nariman E. Elbaly, O.M. Dawood

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Nanocomposite sensors are gaining importance due to their cost-effectiveness and the ability to modify their properties for various applications. This study investigates the electrical and piezoresistive properties of polyurethane (PU)/carbon black (CB) nanocomposites for strain-sensing applications. Nanocomposite films were prepared by mixing varying weight percentages of CB (3-6 wt %) using a direct method, followed by sonication and screen printing. The characterization of carbon black (CB) particles and nanocomposite microstructure were examined using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while their thermal stability and degradation behavior were assessed by Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) under different temperature conditions. The …

To Explore Potential Targets And Their Natural Inhibitors To Combat Diabetes, Rishita Dey, Sisir Nandi, Asmita Samadder

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people around the globe. Prolonged hyperglycemia, abnormal metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, oxidative damage, and a high incidence of microvascular diseases are the common hallmarks of diabetes and its complications. This condition has been shown to hasten the onset of several other disorders, including peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiomyopathy, pulmonary arterial disease, and coronary artery disease, thereby necessitating exploration of different avenues of medicinal regimen to address / delineate the complications. The subject matter for this review has been gathered from a range of research publications, review papers, and book …

Genetic Mutations Affecting Dentin Formation: Molecular Insights And Therapeutic Strategies, Mohamed Yehia Abdelfattah, Yara Sameh Said, Shimaa A. Elsaady, Shahenda A. Abdallahahmed, Wael Abou-Zeid

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Writing a comprehensive review on gene mutations affecting dentin mineralization requires thorough research and organization, as each section examines how specific mutations influence this process, supported by relevant findings. Mutations in genes such as DSPP, DMP1, andMEPE impair dentin structure and mineralization by disrupting odontoblast function, dentin matrix integrity, and mineral deposition. These genetic alterations interfere with key biological processes, including odontoblast differentiation and matrix formation, through altered signaling pathways such as Wnt/β- catenin and TGF-β, contributing to dental disorders like Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI). Gaining molecular insights into these disruptions enhances our understanding of dentin biology and supports early diagnosis, …

The Development Of A Children’S Book Designed To Use Bibliotherapy And Mindfulness Skills To Promote Interoception In Young Children With Insecure Attachment As A Result Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Zenaida Agramonte

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

One third of children in the United States have experienced trauma known in the literature as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The long-term outcomes of ACEs have a higher likelihood of reducing interoceptive awareness—the ability to sense internal body signals like heart rate, hunger, pain, and emotions. Research suggests that interventions, such as mindfulness and attachment therapies are useful for increasing interoceptive awareness, regulating emotions, and fostering secure attachment in adults. However, apart from attachment, interventions are lacking for young children. Bibliotherapy is one such intervention designed for young children which potentially fosters secure attachment between child and adult storytellers and …

Narrative Inquiry Into The Socio Economic Integration And Resilience Of The Mien Community In The United States, Teresa M. Saefong

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the socioeconomic integration of the Mien community, a refugee minority sometimes overlooked in research and policy discussions, in the United States. Five participants shared their experiences through in-depth interviews and community observations. The study utilizes narrative inquiry and is informed by community cultural wealth and resilience theory. The analysis incorporated restorying, comparative, and performative approaches. The findings suggested that Mien integration depended on intergenerational storytelling, clan-based networks, multilingual skills, and the adaption of traditional practices within U.S. institutions. Community organizations were important for keeping culture alive and filling in the gaps in institutional services by giving …

From Philosophy To Nlu: Evolving Definitions With Research Hypotheses, Jian Wu, Sarah Rajtmajer

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Over the past decades, alongside advancements in natural language processing, significant attention has been paid to training models to automatically extract, understand, test, and generate hypotheses in open and scientific domains. However, interpretations of the term hypothesis for various natural language understanding (NLU) tasks have migrated from traditional definitions in the natural, social, and formal sciences. Even within NLU, we observe differences defining hypotheses across literature. In this paper, we overview and delineate various definitions of hypothesis. Especially, we discern the nuances of definitions across recently published NLU tasks. We highlight the importance of well-structured and well-defined hypotheses, particularly as …

Ocean Acidification Mitigation: Potential Expansion Of Sav Restoration Strategy In The Chesapeake Bay, Cree N. Taylor

UROP Posters

Zostera marina is a species of marine macrophyte that has been largely prioritized in past submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration initiatives within the Chesapeake Bay because of its 1) previous abundance, 2) demonstrated carbon burial abilities, and 3) observed ability for meadows of Z. marina to ameliorate low pH conditions. Due to the temperature variability and poor water quality associated with anthropogenic disturbances in the Chesapeake Bay, Z. Marina beds have experienced several die-off events with limited capacity for regrowth. This systematic review explored the possible benefits of focusing future SAV recovery initiatives on ensuring a diverse variety of SAV …

Systematic Co-Culture Of Ipsc-Cm And Ipsc-An Promote Co-Maturation In Vitro, William Gregory Terrell Jr.

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

The cardiac microenvironment is a complex system of multicellular interactions that enables proper heart function. In native heart muscle, sympathetic neurons (SN) and parasympathetic neurons (PSN) modulate the beat rate of cardiomyocytes (CM) to maintain homeostasis. Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into CM, but differentiated CMs are fetal-like, with a high beat rate, and lack organized sarcomeric structure. Recent reports of co-cultured pluripotent CM/SN pairs have reported electrophysiological changes in the SN (increased upstroke velocity). However, interpretation of these results are obscured by the differences in co-culture parameters between studies (stage of development, co-culture duration, etc.). The goal of this …

Analyzing The Benefits Of Artificial Intelligence To Racially Inclusive Democracy, Spencer A. Overton

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Over the past two decades—as the United States has grown more ethnically diverse—the U.S. Supreme Court has dismantled key voting rights protections, and state legislatures have erected a record number of voting restrictions. Largely oblivious to this growing gap in legal protections, several artificial intelligence (“AI”) optimists have claimed that AI can help usher in a more inclusive, participatory, and unbiased democracy. Such an outcome, however, is far from guaranteed. This Article is the first to comprehensively examine the extent to which AI—and the legal frameworks that regulate it—can advance racially inclusive democracy. It responds to the AI optimism literature …

Feature Comment: Institutional Amnesia And The Neglect Of The Federal Acquisition Workforce, Jessica Tillipman, Steven L. Schooner

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Public procurement regimes may be constrained by rules, but people - procurement professionals - animate the process. Despite spending over $750 billion last year on federal contracts, the U.S. Government continues to deprioritize the professional capacity of its acquisition workforce. This article bemoans and critiques the persistent failure to recruit, develop, and retain procurement personnel, a failure exacerbated by politically driven downsizing, inadequate investments in workforce development, and misplaced reliance on procedural reform—most recently evidenced by the so-called “Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.” Drawing on historical data, case studies, and recent Government Accountability Office reports, the authors document how decades of underinvestment …

Ai And Doctrinal Collapse, Alicia Solow-Niederman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Artificial intelligence runs on data. But the two legal regimes that govern data—information privacy law and copyright law—are under pressure. Formally, each regime demands different things. Functionally, the boundaries between them are blurring, and their distinct rules and logics are becoming illegible.

This Article identifies this phenomenon, which I call “inter-regime doctrinal collapse,” and exposes the individual and institutional consequences. Left unchecked, the data acquisition status quo favors established corporate players and impedes law’s ability to constrain the arbitrary exercise of private power. Through analysis of pending litigation, discovery disputes, and licensing agreements, this Article exposes two dominant exploitation tactics …

Mahmoud V. Taylor: Cause Or Effect Of Disruptions In The Public Schools?, Richard Katskee, Ira C. Lupu

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Mahmoud v. Taylor represents an extraordinary departure from long-standing constitutional norms about the rights of parents of children in public schools. In Mahmoud, the Supreme Court upheld a Free Exercise Clause claim by parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who sought to have their children (grades K–5) excused from readings that contain LGBTQ characters and themes. The majority opinion by Justice Alito rests on a highly controversial reading of Wisconsin v. Yoder.

Part I of the paper provides the doctrinal and historical backdrop to Mahmoud, which reflects the acute tension between a once-narrow understanding of Yoder and the post-Obergefell backlash against …

Whose Burden Is It Anyway? A Comprehensive Proposal To Reshape Food Safety Review By Treating Food As Medicine, Katya S. Cronin

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

With more than sixty percent of U.S. adults struggling with at least one diet-related health condition, the relationship between nutrition and public health has never been clearer. Indeed, for the first time in over a century, food has a prominent place on the national political stage and is one of the exceedingly few issues that has garnered bipartisan support. The recent rise in popularity of "Food Is Medicine" initiatives, which seek to provide medically tailored or healthy meals to vulnerable populations, underscores the critical importance of food to public health. Yet, while "Food Is Medicine" is shifting the insurance, business, …

Prima Facie Regulatory Capture: Lessons From Epa’S Regulation Of Glyphosate And Pfas ‘Forever Chemicals’, Jason Maclean

Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

No abstract provided.

Aniela (2025), Blanca Vadillo Sánchez

Grado en Diseño de Moda

Hay cosas que no se dicen, pero permanecen. Una prenda, a veces, es eso: una forma de quedarse, de insistir sin imponerse, de sostener algo que aún no tiene nombre. Este proyecto no propone una respuesta, sino una serie de aproximaciones a través del diseño, el cuerpo y el tiempo. Se parte de una pregunta simple pero insistente: ¿qué significa permanecer cuando todo parece pensado para desaparecer? En un contexto marcado por la velocidad del consumo, por el ritmo acelerado de una industria que produce sin pausa y olvida con rapidez, Aniela propone otra temporalidad. Una más atenta, más situada. …

Land, Labor, Legacy: Historic Family Farms In Licking County Journalistic Analysis Of Rural Heritage Through Historic Family Farms, Delaney Susan Brown

Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Reproducibility And Repeatability Of 18f-(2s, 4r)-4-Fluoroglutamine Pet Imaging In Preclinical Oncology Models, Gregory D Ayers, Allison S Cohen, Seong-Woo Bae, Xiaoxia Wen, Alyssa Pollard, Shilpa Sharma, Trey Claus, Adria Payne, Ling Geng, Ping Zhao, Mohammed Noor Tantawy, Seth T Gammon, H Charles Manning

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Measurement of repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) is necessary to realize the full potential of positron emission tomography (PET). Several studies have evaluated the reproducibility of PET using 18F-FDG, the most common PET tracer used in oncology, but similar studies using other PET tracers are scarce. Even fewer assess agreement and R&R with statistical methods designed explicitly for the task. 18F-(2S, 4R)-4-fluoro-glutamine (18F-Gln) is a PET tracer designed for imaging glutamine uptake and metabolism. This study illustrates high reproducibility and repeatability with 18F-Gln for in vivo research.

Methods: Twenty mice bearing colorectal cancer cell line xenografts were injected with ~9 …

Selective Inhibition Of Canonical Stat3 Signaling Suppresses K-Ras Mutant Lung Tumorigenesis And Reinvigorates Anti-Tumor Immunity, Michael J Clowers, Zahraa Rahal, Sung-Nam Cho, Avantika Krishna, Bo Yuan, Leticia G Hamana Zorrilla, T Kris Eckols, Moses M Kasembeli, Samuel Liu, Stephen Peng, Marco Ramos-Castaneda, Annamarie L Thompson, Carlos Ignacio Rodriguez Reyna, Katherine E Larsen, Maria T Grimaldo, Shanshan Deng, Nastaran Karimi, Cody Chou, Walter V Velasco, Melody Zarghooni, Sayan Alekseev, Luisa M Solis Soto, Edwin J Ostrin, Humam Kadara, Suhendan Ekmekcioglu, David J Tweardy, Seyed Javad Moghaddam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: K-ras mutant lung adenocarcinoma (KM-LUAD) is a difficult-to-treat cancer subtype in which chronic inflammation pervades the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Pro-inflammatory pathways dampen the response to treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, necessitating therapies that target this inflammatory signaling network in the TIME. One of the lynchpins of chronic inflammation in KM-LUAD is signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).

Methods: Here, we tested the anti-tumor and early immunotherapeutic efficacy of TTI-101, a selective small-molecule inhibitor of canonical STAT3 signaling, in a K-rasG12D mutant lung cancer mouse model (CC-LR).

Results: Treatment of CC-LR mice with TTI-101 resulted in reduced …

Inhibition Of Nitric Oxide Synthase Transforms Carotid Occlusion-Mediated Benign Oligemia Into De Novo Large Cerebral Infarction, Ha Kim, Jinyong Chung, Jeong Wook Kang, Dawid Schellingerhout, Soo Ji Lee, Hee Jeong Jang, Inyeong Park, Taesu Kim, Dong-Seok Gwak, Ji Sung Lee, Sung-Ha Hong, Kang-Hoon Je, Hee-Joon Bae, Joohon Sung, Eng H Lo, James Faber, Cenk Ayata, Dong-Eog Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

The Ethical Theory Of Enrique Dussel: An Investigation Of Violence And Coercion In His Three Foundational Principles, Eric Antonio Del Valle Cruz

Dissertations

Problem

Enrique Dussel's ethics proposes addressing global inequality through legitimate coercion as a means of liberating the poor, contrasting it with the violence of the current system. However, the inclusion of life-threatening acts, such as armed revolution, as coercion raises practical challenges for the Christian community, including ethical-political dialogue, inclusion of opposing parties, and potential dehumanization, which need further exploration in light of Dussel’s use of Scripture in support of his proposals.

Purpose

This dissertation aims to assess Dussel's philosophical principles and their connection to coercion and violence, ultimately establishing a framework for a conservative Christian proposal that combines the …

Quantifying Biodiversity In The Absence Of Taxonomic Data: A Study Of Thailand’S Economic Development Zones, Nikorn Mahawan, Wanpen Charoentrakulpeeti

Applied Environmental Research

The biodiversity status measures the ecological capacity of a given area. However, biodiversity assessments in developing countries are limited by the absence of taxonomic data on plants and animals. By developing methods to evaluate biodiversity via alternative data, it is now possible to quantify the ecological carrying capacity in areas where taxonomic data are lacking. The relationship between forest ecosystem health and biodiversity values can be used to estimate biodiversity values by considering the proportions of different land use types that are associated with forest ecosystem abundance. The biodiversity value of the area can be assessed by adding the abundance …

Using A Water Quality Index To Assess The Impacts Of Heavy Metals Contamination For Sustainable Water Management: A Case Study Of The Bang Pakong River, Thailand, Khin Yadana Soe, Pokchat Chutivisut, Wilailuk Niyommaneerat

Applied Environmental Research

Anthropogenic activities such as improper waste disposal, excessive fertilizer use, and industrial effluents cause heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and the atmosphere. Herein, the water quality index (WQI) was used to characterize heavy metal (i.e., cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg)) contamination in the Bang Pakong River, Thailand. Specifically, water samples were collected during the dry season from four stations along the river from 2012–2022. The heavy metal concentrations in the samples were analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and WQI values were calculated on the basis of standard water quality parameters. At the four sampling stations, high As …

Halotolerant Biodegradation And Detoxification Of Synthetic Dyes By Marine-Derived Penicillium Oxalicum M6a: Metabolite Profiling And Ecotoxicity Assessment, Ugochukwu Okechukwu Ozojiofor, Mohammed Sani Abdulsalami, Nkechi Eucharia Egbe, Ahmed Ali Haroun, Yakubu Magaji

Applied Environmental Research

The complex aromatic structures of synthetic dyes in contaminated water bodies make them difficult to degrade, posing a serious environmental challenge and representing a significant emerging pollutant that warrants urgent intervention. This study evaluated the biodegradation and detoxification potential of a halotolerant, marine-derived fungal strain, Penicillium oxalicum M6A, isolated from the Nigerian coastline, against Indigo carmine (IC) and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR). The effects of pH, temperature, salinity, and dye concentration on degradation efficiency, alongside enzymatic activity, were assessed. FTIR and GC‒MS analyses were employed to identify degradation products and predict metabolic pathways, whereas toxicity was evaluated in three …

Investigating Spatial And Temporal Changes In Vegetation Via Remote Sensing Indicators And Revealing Their Trends In The Central Desert Of Iran, Peyman Akbarzadeh, Shima Nikoo, Mehran Akbarzadeh

Applied Environmental Research

Vegetation changes can significantly affect the conditions and productivity of ecosystems. Consequently, studying vegetation dynamics across various temporal and spatial scales has emerged as a critical environmental concern. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in vegetation cover via vegetation indices, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and difference vegetation index (DVI), derived from multitemporal Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite images processed via the Google Earth Engine. The study area is located in the Damghan arid and desert watershed, which represents the central desert of Iran. Furthermore, …

Assessment Of The Carbon Stock Of Trees In Selected Urban Green Spaces Of Davao City, Philippines, Daiseree Cuabo, Yves P.M. Montero, Daryl S. Salas, John P.M. Viernes

Applied Environmental Research

The combined impacts of deforestation, tree cover loss, and urbanization in urban and suburban areas significantly reduce the capacity of natural carbon sinks to sequester and store carbon. Hence, this study assessed the aboveground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock of trees in the selected green spaces of Davao City. A purposive sampling technique was employed in placing quadrats, with data collected from 27 plots categorized by size. AGB was estimated via an allometric equation, and aboveground carbon (AGC) was derived from the AGB values. A total of 358 individual trees from 25 species, 24 genera, and 13 families were documented. …

Spatial And Temporal Trends In Surface Water Quality And Pollution Sources In Ben Tre, Vietnam: A Principal Component Analysis/Factor Analysis-Based Approach, Nguyen Xuan Tong, Luu Tang Phuc Khang

Applied Environmental Research

Surface water quality is vital for maintaining ecological health and supporting sustainable development, particularly in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, where water is heavily utilized. However, rapid urbanization and economic activities have led to water pollution. This study assessed the spatial and temporal variations in surface water quality in Ben Tre Province from January 2022 to December 2023 using 384 samples collected across dry and rainy seasons and two zones (headwater streams and cities). The water quality index (WQI) was calculated on the basis of 15 parameters, and principal component analysis/factor analysis was applied to identify pollution sources. Five key factors …

Development Of Highly Effective Sulfonic Acid–Functionalized Nr/Ms Nanocomposites For Biodiesel Production, Sakdinun Nuntang, Satit Yousatit, Toshiyuki Yokoi, Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai

Applied Environmental Research

The acidic natural rubber/wormhole-like mesostructured silica nanocomposites (NR/WMS-SO3H) were successfully functionalized with propylsulfonic acid and arenesulfonic acid via a cocondensation method using 3-mercaptopropyl trimetho-xysilane (MPTMS) and 2-(4-chloro-sulfonylphenyl) ethyltrimethoxy silane (CSPTMS), respectively. Compared with organosulfonic acid-functionalized wormhole-like mesostructured silica (WMS-SO3H), NR/WMS-SO3H demonstrated increased hydrophobicity while maintaining mesoporosity and a large surface area. The catalytic performance of the synthesized solid acids was subsequently evaluated via batch esterification of palmitic acid with methanol to generate fatty acid methyl esters for biodiesel synthesis. Compared with WMS–SO3H, NR/WMS–SO3H demonstrated superior catalytic activity, which was attributed to the synergistic interaction between the strongly acidic functional groups …

U.S. Bison Industry: An Analysis Of Production, Health, And Market Dynamics, Morgan A. Young

Research Papers

The bison market has been becoming increasingly popular within recent years. However, this market is challenging for producers due to disease concerns, aggressive bison behaviors, nutritional and facility requirements and market risks for bison operations. Since most bison data began in 2020, forecasting bison meat prices remains difficult. This raises an important question: can bison meat cut prices be effectively hedged by using live cattle futures prices? This paper examines USDA bison meat cut price data and live cattle futures prices to determine potential correlations. A regression analysis, along with a dummy variable approach is utilized to evaluate the relationship. …

A Systematic Review Of Biomonitoring Microplastics In Environmental Matrices: Emphasis On Airborne Particles, Dry Deposits, And Comparative Analysis With Traditional Methods, Faezeh Jahedi, Neamatollah Jaafarzadeh Haghighi Fard, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The use of plastics continues to rise each year due to their versatility and essential role in industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and food packaging. However, plastics present a serious environmental challenge because they take over 500 years to decompose. During this time, they break down into tiny particles known as microplastics (MPs), which are now found everywhere, water, soil, and even the air we breathe. Recently, researchers have even detected MPs in clouds, making their presence in the atmosphere a growing concern for both the environment and public health. Traditional methods for sampling MPs in the air, such as active …

Solving Standing Is Simply The Start: Climate Litigation Lessons Learned From The Evolution Of Rights Of Nature, Madeleine L. Kim

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

The global climate crisis continues to worsen. The Sixth Synthesis Report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2023 unequivocally stated that “[w]idespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred” and that “[h]uman-caused climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.” This report expressly states that climate change has “led to widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people” and that the “projected adverse impacts and related losses and damages from climate change escalate with every increment of global warming." However, …