Digital Commons Network^™

Validation And Simulation Of The Bare Steel Foundation Pile Cathodic Corrosion Protection System, Chuang Ching, Yao-Hung Fan, Hung-Hua Sheu, Ming-Yuan Lin, Tsung-Feng Wu, Tai-Wen Hsue, Hung-Bin Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study conducted validation and simulation analysis of the cathodic corrosion protection system for bare steel foundation piles in marine environments, focusing on its protective performance and long-term stability. The study selected S355J2H high-strength low-alloy structural steel as the pile material and employed the sacrificial anode cathodic protection method, with aluminum alloy used as the anode material. During the research process, field experiments and BEASY CP software simulations were used to track and compare corrosion potential and current density over an extended period, while also evaluating the impact of marine biofouling on the cathodic protection system. Results showed that after …

Racial-Ethnic Differences In The Associations Between Functional Disabilities And Subsequent Depression Among Community-Dwelling Midlife And Older Adults In The Us, Debasree Das Gupta, Uma Kelekar, Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, Sidney Carl Turner

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: The intersection of race/ethnicity with disability is a critical dimension of mental health outcomes in later ages that remains under-investigated.

Objective: We examined the role of race-ethnicity in moderating the associations between functional disabilities and subsequent depression among Americans 51 and older and stratified into the two age-groups of midlife (51-64) and older adults (≥65).

Methods: Using a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling Americans (≥51; n=7,475) in the 2016-2018 Health and Retirement Study, we conducted bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Racial-ethnic groups included non-Hispanic (NH) Black, Hispanic, and NH White and a binary (0/1) outcome defined subsequent depression in …

Body Perception Attributes As Reflected On The Holistic Wellness Mirror, Priscilla Njeri Gitimu, Rudolph T. Bedeley, Lucy W. Gichaga, Caroline Kobia Kobia, Andie N. Day, Carmi Bobwealth-Omontese, Shinina Shani

Funded Scholarship

Pressure about body perception impacts well-being, and adopting holistic wellness promotes lasting health. The purpose of this study was to explore how body perceptions relate to holistic wellness by modeling a holistic wellness mirror based on the human triad of the body, mind, and spirit. The survey research method and convenient sampling were used, yielding 317 respondents from college classes and social media platforms. The survey was a combination of body perception scales and questions about holistic wellness: healthy eating, happiness, and religiosity. Analysis of variance results indicate that body appreciation and neutrality are significantly higher for individuals with higher …

Delinking Development: Material And Epistemic Justice And Caribbean Reparations, Tavis D. Jules, Nigel Brissett

Sustainability and Social Justice

In this conceptual paper, we consider novel avenues for development in the Anglophone Caribbean by addressing the historical heritage of chattel slavery, Indigenous dispossession, and extractive capitalism and their pivotal roles in shaping capitalist modernity. Our analysis encompasses the historical configurations of the development paradigm, elucidating the impact of colonial violence, extractive and racial capitalism, and the resulting material and epistemic repercussions. Positioned within the conceptual framework of reparations, we propose restructuring the aid system and asserting the right to epistemic autonomy as two strategic avenues for reshaping the current developmental trajectories of Caribbean societies.

The Potential For Albedo-Induced Climate Mitigation Using No-Till Management In Midwestern U.S. Croplands, Xian Wang, Mallory Barnes, Landon Yoder, Christopher A. Williams, Jennifer Tank, Todd Royer, Shellye Suttles, Kim Novick

Geography

No-till management is often recognized for its environmental and economic benefits, but its potential to reduce climate warming is still uncertain. Beyond ongoing debate over its effects on soil carbon storage, no-till also leaves plant residue on the surface, which can reflect more sunlight. This increase in surface reflectivity, called albedo, may help mitigate climate change by reducing the energy absorbed by the land. Here, we assessed this climate benefit of no-till across the U.S. Corn Belt using conservation survey records, county-level tillage data, and satellite observations. We found that no-till increased land surface brightness during the dormant season, reducing …

Using A Research-Based Approach To Develop An Updated Claim, Evidence, And Reasoning (Cer) Writing Rubric For A High School Science Department, Robin Ashley Thaisen

Graduate Research Papers

All students must be proficient in reading and writing, and science materials present an added layer to these skill areas. Both national and Minnesota state standards require students to show their understanding of science content through certain practices, including constructing evidence-based arguments. A common instructional approach is a claim - evidence - reasoning (CER) framework for writing scientific conclusions. While there are many sources of CER rubrics and guidelines, both commercial and non-commercial, there is a wide range of language or word choice and formatting, among other differences, and none have been tailored to the ninth grade level. By using …

Life Stories Of Garment Workers In India: Toward A Labor-Centric Labor Regimes Framework, Siobhán Mcgrath, Madhumita Dutta

Geography

This article contributes to a recent wave of literature formulating a renewed labor regimes framework as a means to understand the processes, relations, actors, and institutions through which conditions of work are produced under contemporary capitalism. This scholarship (partially) incorporates a feminist lens highlighting the centrality of social reproduction to the construction and persistence of particular labor regimes, and further calls for “labor-centric” analyses to counter a “capital-centric” tendency. We take up this call through analyzing the life stories of three garment workers in India, centering their own perspectives about their labor and motivations for entering and exiting particular labor …

Analysis Of The Menstrual Product Initiative At The University Of Northern Iowa, Catrina Marie Tounjian

Honors Program Theses

Period poverty is defined as the inability to access menstrual products or adequate feminine hygiene due to economic vulnerability. This ultimately can cause social, political, and educational barriers. In the USA, 1 in 5 menstruating students will miss school since they are unable to obtain period products. The relationship between period poverty and educational disparities is not well understood but needs to be addressed to ensure equitable education. The provision of free menstrual products in public restrooms has slowly become more prevalent as a potential interventional approach. At the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, there is …

A New Application Of The Coimbra Method On Cranial Entheseal Changes, Emily Marie Carlo

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Dei Initiatives Through The Eyes Of Young Consumers: Analyzing Gen Z And Gen Alpha Brand Perceptions, Rachel Stephany

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Who Owns The Dead: The Unequal Access To Repatriation In Us Law, Sydney Blum

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Differences In Long Covid Severity By Duration Of Illness, Symptom Evolution, And Vaccination: A Longitudinal Cohort Study From The Inspire Group, Michael Gottlieb, Huihui Yu, Ji Chen, Erica S. Spatz, Nicole L. Gentile, Rachel E. Geyer, Michelle Santangelo, Caitlin Malicki, Kristyn Gatling, Sharon Saydah, Kelli N. O'Laughlin, Kari A. Stephens, Joann G. Elmore, Lauren E. Wisk, Michelle L'Hommedieu, Robert M. Rodriguez, Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Ralph C. Wang, Kristin L. Rising, Efrat Kean, Jonathan W. Dyal, Mandy J. Hill, Arjun K. Venkatesh, Robert A. Weinstein

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Although short-term outcomes of Long COVID have been described, longer-term physical and mental health outcomes of Long COVID are less well-established. This study sought to assess differences in long-term physical and mental health outcomes extending up to three years among those with current, resolved, and no Long COVID, as well as duration of Long COVID and vaccination status. Methods: This was a prospective, multisite, study of participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12/7/2020-8/29/2022, with data collected through 4/2/2024. Surveys included validated tools for physical and mental health. Data were analyzed by Long COVID status (never-had, resolved, current), Long COVID duration …

Multimodal Imaging Of Protein-Based Biomaterials For Delivering Chemo-Agent Cargo For Glioblastoma Treatment In A Murine Model, Orin Mishkit

Dissertations and Theses

Protein-based self-assembling biomaterials, known as Thermo-Responsive Assembled Proteins (TRAP), present meaningful potential as drug delivery carriers. These materials enable the controlled, slow release of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (Dox), while potentially reducing systemic off-target effects. In collaboration with multiple NYU labs, this study evaluated the efficacy of two TRAP variants—TRAP and F-TRAP—as drug delivery carriers in a xenograft mouse model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

The primary objective was to compare the effectiveness of TRAP-loaded Dox (TRAP-DOX) to free Dox in achieving tumor extravasation and accumulation, facilitating sustained drug release. We hypothesized that the leaky vasculature of GBM …

A Study Exploring The Use Of Artificial Ligaments To Enhance The Human-Robot Interface Via Force Distribution Manipulation In Biomimetic Cuff Systems, Adifet Cejovic

Dissertations and Theses

Comfort is among the main priorities when designing a wearable assistive device that needs to be used for long sessions. There is a growing need for wearable systems that provide aid to patients with an injured knee. In addition, there has been an effort to incorporate cable-driven designs rather than rigid attachments. This change in design decreases the overall weight of the system and can allow the cable to adapt to a user’s change in gait patterns. This thesis investigates a cuff system centered around the knee and the design of a testing rig. This system incorporates elements from pre-existing …

Adaptation Of The Biodent For Spherical Microindentation To Determine Elastic Modulus In Small Rodent Bones, Mixame E. Jerome

Dissertations and Theses

Mechanical and material properties of bone are essential for understanding both normal skeletal function and the progression of bone-related diseases. Microindentation has become a widely used method for evaluating tissue mechanical properties of bone, as it samples the contributions of microarchitecture and composition. Microindentation using a standard pointed tip inherently introduces both elastic and plastic deformation into the material. In contrast, indentation with a spherical tip can be operated entirely in the elastic range, providing for a non-damaging test that has significant advantages over sharp indentation techniques. Moreover, a key advantage of using spherical indentation lies in its operation under …

Explorations Of Dna-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interactions To Develop Multiplexed Molecularly Specific Biosensors For Inflammation, Amelia K. Ryan

Dissertations and Theses

Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) are central regulators of immune signaling and key biomarkers of disease, yet existing assays for their detection remain slow, invasive, and lack multiplexing ability. This dissertation advances the development of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) optical nanosensors capable of real-time, multiplexed, and molecularly specific cytokine detection through innovative use of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) interfaces.

First, an IL-6-specific DNA aptamer was employed as both a dispersing agent and recognition probe for SWCNT fluorescence sensing. Sequence modifications, including anchor domains, truncations, and thermally induced refolding, were systematically tested to optimize sensitivity and selectivity. The …

Wearable Disposable Elecetrotherapy, Mohamad Fallahrad

Dissertations and Theses

Non-invasive electrotherapies offer promising treatments for a wide range of conditions such as pain, headaches, depression, addiction, cognitive decline, wound healing, and drug delivery. However, patient compliance remains low due to the high initial cost, cumbersomeness and inconvenience of existing technology compared to pharmaceuticals. Current electrotherapy devices are often bulky and require users to connect disposable electrodes, initiate programs, and manage charging cycles, which hinders widespread adoption.

We address these challenges by designing and validating a novel electrotherapy platform that is single-use, disposable, low-cost, and wearable. Activated automatically upon skin contact, the device delivers a preset dose of controlled electrical …

Classification Of Variable Stars Using Convolutional Neural Network, Abhina Premachandran Bindu

Dissertations and Theses

This research focuses on developing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), for the process of classifying and identifying variable stars through the analysis of unprocessed light curves from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). As astronomical data is becoming increasingly complex, and as advanced missions deploy sophisticated instruments for data collection, both the quality and quantity of the data are improving at a rapid pace. This has created an urgent need to automate the analysis process using efficient and effective methods, such as those based on machine learning. While previous research has explored machine learning approaches, there has been limited focus on implementing …

Characterization Of The Intrinsic Neural Timescale Indices As A Reliable Fingerprint Of Brain Dynamics, Helya Honarpisheh

Dissertations and Theses

Intrinsic neural timescales (INTs) characterize the persistence of neural activity over time and offer insight into the brain’s temporal hierarchy. This thesis evaluates and compares six autocorrelation-based INT metrics—AR(1) Coefficient (Autoregressive Coefficient at 1), First Zero Lag, Lag at ACF = 1/e, Sum of Positive ACFs, ACF at Half Lag, Exponential Decay Constant (τ)— using resting-state fMRI data from 400 cortical regions across a large, lifespan sample (ages 6– 85) from the NKI-Rockland dataset. A discriminability analysis revealed that the AR(1) coefficient provided the highest test-retest reliability and individual specificity across repeated scans, establishing it as the most reliable INT …

Metasurfaces And Their Applications In Photonic Devices, Shuwei Guo

Dissertations and Theses

Metasurfaces are flat artificial optical elements composed of dielectric and/or metallic nanostructures. They can manipulate light in unprecedented ways by altering amplitude, phase, and polarization at subwavelength scales. The ability of these two-dimensional elements to perform multiple optical functions within compact optical systems—while offering high functionality, small form factors, and easy integration into optoelectronic devices—has sparked significant interest across various fields and industries. These applications span imaging, sensing, nonlinear and quantum optics, optical computing, automotive technology, augmented and virtual reality, and more.

In this dissertation, we explore and design new multifunctional metasurfaces with a focus on manipulating spectral responses. First, …

Multi-Material Adhesive Bonded Joints Under Static And Dynamic Loading, Gizem Derya Demir

Dissertations and Theses

Adhesively bonded joints present significant potential for reducing structural weight and enhancing performance in modern and future engineering structures. By enabling the elimination or reduction of traditional mechanical fasteners and facilitating the integration of dissimilar materials, adhesives can contribute to more efficient, lightweight designs. However, to fully leverage these benefits—especially in high-performance applications—adhesive materials must exhibit robust behavior under both static and dynamic loading conditions, such as ballistic impact. Despite their promise, the failure mechanisms of adhesives under such high-strain-rate scenarios remain insufficiently understood.

This dissertation investigates the performance of adhesively bonded multi-material joints subjected to static loading and ballistic …

Generation And Characterization Of Human Blood-Brain Barrier Models For Investigating Neuropsychiatric Disorders And Tumor Metastasis, Yunfei Li

Dissertations and Theses

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is important in the normal function of the central nervous system (CNS). An altered BBB has been described in various neuropsychiatric disorders. The brain-specific microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC) is an essential structural component of the BBB. To test if integrity of the BBB formed by BMECs is compromised in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (also called DiGeorge syndrome), which is one of the validated genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, a 2D iBBB (induced BBB) on a Transwell filter was generated from human microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) derived from the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) out of patients with …

A Hierarchical Bayesian Meta-Regression Model For Incorporating Exposure Range Variability, Xiaotong Xu

Public Health Theses

Accurately synthesizing evidence from epidemiologic studies is essential for understanding complex environmental risk relationships and establishing causal relationships. However, the majority of meta-analyses in this area ignore the possibility of variability in risk due to differences in study-specific exposure levels while typical dose-response statistical methods assume a single dose amount per study and not a distribution or range of doses (i.e., exposures). We develop a novel hierarchical Bayesian meta-regression framework that incorporates functional averaging over study-specific exposure ranges and models the underlying exposure-response relationship using a flexible Gaussian process. Using a low-rank predictive process formulation, our approach efficiently projects functional …

Enhancing Dengue Forecasting With Remotely Sensing-Derived Vector Proxies And Random Forest Models: A Case Study For Sri Lanka, Shuyu Ye

Public Health Theses

Dengue fever is a growing global public health threat, especially in tropical and subtropical regions such as Sri Lanka, where seasonal outbreaks impose recurring burdens on health systems. Accurate and timely forecasting of dengue incidence is essential for public health preparedness, yet most existing models suffer from key limitations: they rely on historical case trends without accounting for real-time ecological dynamics, and often require entomological surveillance data that is not consistently available. This thesis addresses these gaps by proposing a machine learning forecasting framework that integrates remote sensing-derived environmental proxies to estimate latent mosquito vector abundance.Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), …

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (Pdufa): The Design, Evolution, And Challenges Of User Fees And The Reauthorization Process, Therese Ziaks

Public Health Theses

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) has had a critical role in funding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the form of industry user fees since 1992 with user fees comprising 48% of the FDA’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. As the FDA faced pressure from Congress and the pharmaceutical industry to reduce drug application review times, the legislation was enacted to provide a funding source in addition to Congressional appropriations so the agency could meet proposed review time goals. As the FDA began to hire additional review staff, reduce application review times, and increase the number of pharmaceuticals …

Dnabert Reveals Tf Motifs Information In Dna With Attention, Zetong Zhao

Public Health Theses

Traditional motif discovery tools often do not capture cooperative interactions between transcription factors (TFs). This study employs DNABERT, a transformer-based deep learning model, to analyze TF binding sites (TFBS) using attention mechanisms and k-mer tokenization. Fine-tuned on ENCODE ChIP-seq data, DNABERT achieved high predictive accuracy and could identify co-binders such as FOS and JUND through motif enrichment analysis. The model inferred position weight matrices (PWMs) aligning with JASPAR motifs and highlighted the regulatory importance of sequences near gene start regions. Comparisons with BPNet showed strong correlations, which validated DNABERT’s ability to capture TF-specific patterns. While constrained by dataset biases and …

Evaluating The Impact Of P. Falciparum Genetic Diversity On Pfrh5 Blood Stage Vaccine Protection Through A Multi-Method Approach, Alyssa Agarwal

Public Health Theses

Malaria remains a major global health threat as control efforts have stalled in recent years. Recently, theWHO began recommending two vaccines, RTS,S/AS01 and R21, both of which target the pre-erythrocytic stage of malaria. However, these vaccines are only partially protective and do not protect against the blood-stage of malaria where clinical disease begins. Therefore, a more broadly protective vaccine is still needed. Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) is a leading candidate for next-generation blood-stage malaria vaccines with the most advanced formulation, RH5.1/Matrix-M, recently entering Phase 2b clinical trials. However, historically, malaria vaccine development has been challenged by the …

Period Poverty And The Politics Of Refusal: Building Menstrual Equity Beyond The State Through Mutual Aid, Alanah Armstead

Public Health Theses

This thesis examines period poverty as a consequence of systemic neglect, disproportionately affecting those made vulnerable by intersecting structures of racial, gendered, and economic injustice. Situating menstruation as a public health crisis shaped by policy failure, social stigma, and institutional disregard, this research critiques dominant legal and policy frameworks that approach menstrual equity through a limited scope that overlooks deeper structural inequalities rooted in race and class. This thesis explores how marginalized populations experience legal and welfare systems as sites of surveillance and moral judgment in the context of menstrual equity. Through seven semi-structured interviews with menstrual justice organizers, this …

Cost-Effectiveness Of New Monoclonal Antibody And Maternal Immunization For The Prevention Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Rsv) Disease In Infants: A Systematic Review, Yuwei Che

Public Health Theses

AbstractIntroduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among infants and young children worldwide. Given the lack of specific therapeutic treatments for RSV that are suitable for universal use, the development of effective prevention strategies is of paramount importance. Previously, palivizumab was utilized for long-term prophylaxis of RSV infections; however, it was only recommended for specific populations due to its high cost and limited overall effectiveness. In 2023, the U.S. FDA approved RSVpreF maternal vaccine (Abrysvo™, Pfizer), and nirsevimab (Beyfortus™, Sanofi and AstraZeneca) for the prevention of RSV to newborns. Two newly developed interventions have …

Assessing Impact Of Maternal Proximity To Unconventional Oil And Gas Wells On Neonatal Birthweight In Ohio: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2010–2017), Alan Cao

Public Health Theses

AbstractBackground: Unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) has expanded rapidly in the United States, particularly in states like Ohio, which is home to approximately 5,000 horizontal shale wells and more than 80,000 hydraulically fractured wells since 1952. Although oil and gas extraction has occurred in Ohio for over 60 years, the recent surge in UOGD activity has raised renewed public health concerns about environmental exposures during pregnancy. While previous studies have linked maternal proximity to UOGD with adverse birth outcomes, evidence remains limited regarding its association with birthweight and fetal growth indicators in high-production states such as Ohio.

Methods: We …