Digital Commons Network^™

Religious Freedom And The Fertilized Egg, Rabea N. Benhalim

Publications

Anti-abortion activism and litigation have challenged established caselaw on the legality of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the legal treatment of IVF fertilized eggs. These challenges rely on conservative Christian ideologies that full personhood occurs at fertilization. Litigation has primarily arisen out of wrongful death suits and divorce proceedings, wherein a party either has destroyed or seeks to dispose of frozen blastocysts. Some legislatures now seek to regulate the treatment of IVF fertilized eggs vis-á-vis legislation, as politicians increasingly seek to ban any destruction of human fertilized eggs by legally defining human life as beginning at fertilization. However, the question …

Multiple Implant Placements With Simultaneous Soft Tissue Augmentation Using A Volume-Stable Collagen Matrix Compared To Autogenous Connective Tissue Graft: A Clinical And Histological Pilot Study, Jamil Boulos, Abdel-Rahman Kassir, Gabriel Menassa, Nada Naaman

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: The use of soft tissue grafts has been a key component in periodontal and implant surgeries for the past five decades, aiming to increase the width of keratinized tissue and soft tissue volume.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a three-dimensional volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX) compared to subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) in increasing soft tissue thickness and volume during multiple implant placements.

Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with four patients and eight implants. Patients were allocated to the SCTG or VCMX group, with soft tissue augmentation performed simultaneously with implant placement. …

Oral Lesion As The Initial Presentation In The Diagnosis Of Histiocytosis X: A Case Report With 16-Month Follow-Up, Wassim Al Manhal, Georgio Saad, Charbel Anka, Valerie Aftimos, Michael Daccache, Sophie Abi Raad, Georges Boujaoude

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare neoplastic disease that comes from the abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells (LCs). It presents with a broad clinical spectrum, varying from involvement of a single organ system to multisystem disease, and frequently affects children, although cases in adults have been reported. Oral manifestations of LCH are non-specific and may mimic common periodontal conditions, posing a diagnostic challenge for dental practitioners.

Case Presentation: A 63-year-old female patient presented with complaints of periodontal problems. She was initially diagnosed with periodontitis, but symptoms persisted despite treatment, prompting a referral for further evaluation. Histopathological …

Inadequate Healthcare For Women In The United States, Grace Loveless

Ballard Brief

Barriers to adequate healthcare for women stem from a lack of research on their specific health needs, gender-based biases in healthcare, and harmful societal norms. One key aspect highlighting these disparities is the menstrual cycle—a topic unique to women. Menstrual health, defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, illustrates the urgent need for greater focus on reproductive health. Despite its significance, the dialogue and knowledge about reproductive health remain limited, exacerbated by societal attitudes of secrecy and shame. These attitudes create barriers that hinder many women in the United States from accessing adequate healthcare. As a …

The Effects Of Color, Framing, And System Certainty Information On Human-Machine Teaming, Bryanna S. Hamblin

Theses

This study examined the effects of socially learned predispositions, such as framing and color, on the use of certainty information from an automated teammate in the context of human-machine teaming. Participants were randomly assigned to a color condition (red, green, black) and saw a series of 30 certainty icons (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) in each framing condition (success, failure). A 2 x 5 x 3 mixed subjects design was used to analyze the effects of each of these factors on the acceptance rates of the automation’s suggestion and the decision response time. The analysis found that color, framing, and …

Investigation Into Floral Structure Traits In Miscanthus, Wren Jenkins

Theses

Awns and callus hairs are significant dispersal traits of Miscanthus - understanding them will be essential in domesticating this crop. Due to their small size, these structures can be challenging to phenotype. To aid this, a method has been developed for automated length measurement via computational image analysis in Python. Lengths for both structures have been collected and processed for all plants in both the Mississippi State University and Alabama A&M University research fields. The measurements from both sites were compiled and mapped against the Miscanthus genome to create multiple Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) maps of inflorescence trait-affecting genes. Chromosomes …

Sex And Eugenics : A Memoir In Poetry And Prose, Amy Vaillancourt

Theses

This memoir is a work of hybrid creative nonfiction which incorporates the genres of essay, memoir and poetry. The memoirist uses multiple forms to address topics from their experience with Turner Syndrome, accessing medical care, medicine and coming to identify as disabled among many aspects of themself. The memoir asks the question; how do we live in a world where both sex and eugenics exist? It starts with the local -- the experience of one individual and expands into something farther reaching – the experiences of others over time. It begins with the perspective and understanding of the author’s own …

Characterization And Comparison Of Skin And Exoskeleton Microbiomes Of Stygobiotic Fauna And The Influence Of Environmental Variables On Microbiome Diversity And Composition, Bjorn Van Peterson

Theses

Caves and other subterranean ecosystems are among the most understudied ecosystems globally and house unique and ecologically important biodiversity. While several studies have characterized the microbial communities of respective cave systems, research on microbiomes of cave fauna has been limited. This study investigated microbiomes for aquatic cave fauna in the southern Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Alabama, USA. Exoskeleton and skin swabs were taken from three species of cave-dwelling crayfishes, two species of salamanders, and one cavefish. Bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified in microbiomes of hosts included primarily members of the phylum Pseudomonadota, but also the phyla Acidobacteriota, Actinomycetota, …

Expression, Purification, And Characterization Of The Angiopoietin-Like 4 Protein N-Terminus, Alexis Leann Paskach

Theses

This research focused on developing protocols to express and purify the N-terminus of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (nANGPTL4), and identify its structural characteristics to understand its possible contribution to cancer metastasis. Bacteria expression was optimized by adding magnesium, calcium, and glycerol to the initial Luria-Bertani (LB) broth incubation, then transferring to Terrific Broth (TB) for induction. Purification was enhanced through overnight nickel resin suspension, extended sonification, and buffer adjustments. Protein recovery was further improved by transferring size exclusion columns to G50 superfine resin. Protein purity was analyzed using SDS-PAGE and native gel electrophoresis, while protein content was determined through UV-Vis spectroscopy. …

Subterranean Drought Classification And Ecological Risk In Karst Systems, Shaelyn Deal

Theses

Cave ecosystems depend on stable groundwater inputs, yet no standard method exists for detecting subterranean drought. This study develops a framework to define and monitor drought in karst cave systems by adapting surface-based hydrologic indicators. Using long-term water level data from Bobcat Cave in northern Alabama, we identified drought events through percentile-based thresholds and evaluated multiple surface metrics, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and deep-layer soil moisture, as predictors of cave drought severity. Random Forest models supported the selection of key indicators and informed classification thresholds. These thresholds were then applied across the Middle Tennessee Elk watershed to map …

Multi-Factor Mathematical Optimization For Healthcare Referral And Facility Placement, Mitchell Moody

Theses

This thesis addresses the challenge of optimizing patient referrals in healthcare systems by integrating clinical needs, geographic proximity, and dynamic infection risk. Healthcare referral networks (HRNs), which capture patient transfers between hospitals, serve as the foundation of the study. First, a recommendation algorithm is developed to assign patients by jointly considering clinical compatibility and logistical considerations like travel distance, striking a balance between quality and accessibility. Building on this, a reinforcement learning framework is proposed to dynamically adjust referral strategies for vulnerable patients by incorporating the evolving risk of hospital-acquired infections. Finally, long-term planning is explored through methods that recommend …

Use Of Augmented Reality For Mosquito Breeding Sites Identification, Venant Niyonkuru, Sylla Sekou, Jimmy J. Sinzinkayo

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

An augmented reality app is used for detecting the possible breeding locations of mosquitoes in different settings precisely. With the aid of the advanced augmented vision technology, the AR system recognizes water-containing containers that are frequent breeding places for mosquitoes according to the visual information obtained through a head-mounted display. It then overlays visual highlights and labels directly onto these containers within the user's field of view, allowing one to instantly identify and spot breeding sites in real time. By combining state-of-the-art AR functionality with powerful computer vision algorithms, the method provides real-time visual feedback for identifying and tagging mosquito …

Landscapes Of State Capitalism: Reconciling The Vernacular, National Development Imaginaries, And Green Capital Accumulation, Sol Andrew Stokols

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This article theorizes ‘state capitalist landscapes’ as a unique spatial form shaped by state-owned developers that reconcile economic goals with national development imperatives and symbolic national imaginaries. State capitalist landscapes, I argue, integrate economically productive spaces with natural spaces to symbolize imaginaries of the nation. Through an inductive case study methodology, this article surveys three industrial zones developed and/or under development by state owned developers: Singapore's Jurong, China's Xiong’an New Area, and Thailand's Wangchan Valley. In each of these cases, natural landscapes are integrated into new economic zones in order to construct specific symbolic and/or political imaginaries of the nation: …

Application Of Machine Learning To Predict Ultrasound Wave Propagation In Biphasic Fluid–Solid Media, Jahnavi Dandamudi

Theses

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the application of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict ultrasound wave propagation in the cartilage tissue of the knee joint. The learning data necessary for the ML algorithm has been generated through finite-element method (FEM)-based simulations for solving the Biot theory equations governing the propagation of continuous ultrasound through the cartilage. Specifically, we computed the ultrasound-induced dilatations and displacements in the microscale cartilage that is represented as consisting of four zones, namely the chondrocyte cell and its nucleus, the pericellular matrix (PCM) that forms a layer around the chondrocyte, and the extracellular …

From Ink To Code, From Binary To Boundless Reality—Until All Returns To Emptiness, Weitong Sun

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the entangled relationship between language, memory, and technology through the lens of immigrant experience. Moving from programming to visual storytelling, I investigate how dyslexia, bilingualism, and cultural displacement have shaped my ways of reading, writing, and coding.

Beginning with personal reflections on switching from computer science to art, I trace how code offered a form of clarity and expression where written language had once failed me. Yet as I ventured into real-time simulation and XR storytelling, I encountered new forms of mistranslation—where narratives dissolved, mutated, or resisted coherence altogether.

Through a series of experiments in code-driven art, …

Comparative Evaluation Of Three Endodontic Rotary File Systems In S-Shaped Root Canals: An In-Depth Analysis, Mudher Bahar

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study compares three endodontic file systems—XP‐3D Shaper⁺, EdgeFile X7 and WaveOne Gold in S‐shaped simulated canals in resin blocks. It aimed to quantify canals volumetric changes post‐instrumentation to guide clinical selection of a system that preserves tooth structure while efficiently shaping root canals.

Methods: Thirty S‐shaped canals in resin blocks were divided into three groups (n=10) for instrumentation with XP‐3D Shaper⁺, EdgeFile X7 or WaveOne Gold using the crown‐down technique and manufacturers recommended settings. A no‐treatment control provided a baseline for volumetric changes measured via CBCT scans analyzed with ITK‐SNAP. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test …

Between "Hippies In Suits" And "Money Is The Name Of The Game": Farm Animal Advocates' Analyses Of Political Power In The Farm Bill, Jeff Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The animal agriculture industry annually slaughters roughly ten billion land animals in the United States. What can be done to improve their welfare and lessen their suffering?

Over the past decade, the problem of farm animal welfare and suffering has drawn increasing interest from the effective altruism community, a loose movement of utilitarian advocates seeking technocratic solutions to social problems (Singer, 2015). As effective altruism has become a more potent driver of the animal welfare movement, an increasing number of nonprofits have begun engaging in political advocacy for farm animal welfare. Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz’ Open Philanthropy is the largest …

Dosimetric Validation Of An Electron Monte Carlo (Emc) Algorithm For Small Cutouts And Extended Ssd’S: Assessing Emc In Small Field Dosimetry, Anil Basavaaraju

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis validates the accuracy and limitations of Electron Monte Carlo (eMC) simulations in Eclipse treatment planning systems for small-field electron dosimetry and extended source-to-surface distances (SSDs). Systematic measurements were performed using a microDiamond detector across various electron energies and field sizes. The study examines the discrepancies between measured and calculated (eMC) dose distributions, validating challenges due to lateral scatter disequilibrium and extended air gaps. Our findings provide systematic data for eMC dose calculations and demonstrate that eMC performs within clinical tolerances, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the precision and safety of radiation treatments.

Assessment Of Drivers Of Light Attenuation In Virginia Reservoirs, Jackson Barnett

Theses and Dissertations

Water clarity in aquatic ecosystems is crucial for submerged vegetation and algal dynamics. We investigated the factors influencing light attenuation (kd) by measuring total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll-a (CHLa), and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) across thirteen stations located in seven reservoirs. Average kd was 1.69 m^-1 (range: 0.37-3.99 m^-1), with photic depths averaging 3.27 m (range: 1.15-12.43 m). TSS was the primary predictor of light attenuation (R² = 0.57, P = 0.003, SE = 0.053). Average TSS values for each site were multiplied by the slope of the kd-TSS relationship to find the proportion of kd …

Infinite Finite: A View On Human Progression Through Emergent Generative Systems, Fatima Abbas

Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary crises reveal an imbalance in human progression, prioritizing material advancement while neglecting ethical, compassionate, and spiritual dimensions. This thesis examines natural progression through the lens of emergence, where simple interactions produce complex outcomes. Analyzing natural patterns across different scales, from cosmic formations to neural interactions, underscores emergence's universal nature.

Within this context, Infinite Finite introduces a generative digital tool simulating emergence through iterative cycles of construction and deconstruction. Depicting a century of human progression informed by historical behaviors via simulated cellular interactions, the tool visually differentiates ethical from unethical progression. This is represented through ten data visualization tiles composed …

Subgingival Microbiomes Of Healthy And Periodontitis Subjects, Tareq Abdulrasoul

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease triggered by the dysbiosis of the subgingival microbiome. 16s rRNA sequencing has been used to profile the subgingival plaque samples in healthy and periodontitis subjects. Here, we have collected subgingival plaque samples from subjects and analyzed the microbiome profile from 16s rRNA sequencing. We hypothesized that periodontitis patients will have a different subgingival microbiome profile than that of healthy subjects.

Methods: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from periodontitis and healthy subjects who were indicated for periodontal surgeries (osseous resective and regenerative surgery for periodontitis patients or crown lengthening for healthy …

Development Of A Mediation Model Of Pain Cognition In Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Daniel M. Sop

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a hallmark of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic hemoglobinopathy characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion, and organ damage. While acute vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) have been extensively studied, the mechanisms underlying chronic pain and its interplay with brain function remain unclear. This dissertation investigates the relationships between cerebral blood flow (CBF), fluid cognition, and pain sensitivity in adults with SCD, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and validated assessment tools.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were employed to measure CBF and brain activity, respectively. Pain sensitivity was assessed using the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), and …

The Trauma-To-Prison Pipeline: A Multi-Level Theoretical Framework Exploring The Intersection Of Inequality, Trauma, And Exclusionary Discipline, Dana Ainsworth

Theses and Dissertations

The school-to-prison pipeline (STPP) is a widely recognized and extensively studied metaphor used to describe the process by which school discipline policies increase the risk of juvenile justice system involvement, particularly among historically marginalized populations. While it has been instrumental in shaping educational policy, the STPP framework has not evolved to account for the critical impact of trauma on learning and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, it overlooks the role of systemic inequality that increases trauma exposure and produces concentric patterns of marginalization.

Drawing on research across the fields of education, public health, sociology, and criminal justice, this study proposes a theoretical …

Investigating The Temperature Effects On Aedes Aegypti And Dengue Virus In Central Argentina: Perspectives From Mathematical Modeling, Morgan H. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Dengue virus (DENV) causes over 390 million infections and around 40,000 deaths worldwide each year. DENV is primarily transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and both the life cycle of these mosquitoes and DENV transmission are significantly impacted by temperature. In the temperate region of Central Argentina, where dengue outbreaks first began in 2009, outbreaks only occur following new introductions of DENV from other regions. Due to the relationships between temperature and DENV and temperature and Ae. aegypti, the risk of an outbreak changes throughout the year. Here, we develop and analyze mathematical models for both mosquito population dynamics and …

Cannabis Use Among Cancer Survivors And The Impact On Cancer-Related Pain, Tiffanie A. Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

With a growing population of older adult cancer survivors—many of whom experience cancer-related pain—interest in medical cannabis as a pain management strategy has increased. This secondary analysis used data from the 2022 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine cannabis use behaviors among cancer survivors and assess associations with cancer-related pain. The study had three aims: (1) to describe 30-day cannabis use (prevalence, intensity, and administration routes) by chronic health condition and cancer diagnosis, focusing on non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma, and other cancers; (2) to compare demographics, health characteristics, and tobacco use by cannabis use status among cancer …

Modeling Synergistic Effects Of Integrin And Tgf-Β Signaling In Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition, Prerak Thakkar

Theses and Dissertations

The induction of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is initiated by a

number of protiens and growth factors, one of which is the profibrotic cytokine Trans-

forming Growth Factor β (TGF-β). Within the extracellular matrix (ECM), TGF-β

is found in a latent, inactive form bound to proteins such as fibronectin (FN). For

TGF-β to contribute to EMT induction, it has to be extracted from the latent com-

plexes into a soluble form. This soluble, activated TGF-β can then bind to receptors

on the cell membrane, which causes the transduction of signals that begin EMT. Re-

search has shown that the release …

Existing In The Context: A Conjunctural Analysis Of Kamala Harris Memes, Amaya Mcneal

Theses and Dissertations

Political memes have become a common way for people to express their political views online, helping politics reach young adults who weren’t previously interested. Consequently, politicians have begun sharing and creating memes themselves. The memeification of American politics has diminished debate about ideas, ideals, issues, and people’s vital interests, debasing voters by treating them not as citizens but as passive “consumers” and “spectators” of mediated politics. This paper helps make sense of this crisis, focusing on the example of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Vice President Kamala Harris' memeified presidential campaign during the 2024 U.S. election targeted voters through a …

Investigating Mitochondrial Stress Response Mechanisms In Aging, Aileigh E. Daniel

Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondrial dysfunction is widely recognized as a key contributor to aging and age-related diseases. The concept of mitohormesis suggests that low levels of ROS can activate stress-responsive transcription factors, promoting adaptive mechanisms that enhance longevity. We hypothesized that changes in protein abundance under conditions of mild mitochondrial stress reflect an adaptive response, and that commonly altered proteins across diverse genetic backgrounds of mitochondrial stress can help identify key regulators of stress resilience and aging. Our study identified conserved mitochondrial stress response pathways and highlighted candidate regulators for further investigation. These regulators appear to impair mitochondrial energy production by downregulating ATP …

Substrate Preference And Foraging Behavior Of Two Declining Warblers In Appalachian Shrublands, Samantha Fishman

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Shrubland and early successional habitats (ESH) support a diversity of wildlife, including many declining songbirds. However, nonnative shrubs increasingly dominate these habitats, potentially altering habitat quality by influencing prey availability. Habitat quality can be assessed by observing foraging behaviors of songbirds and identifying preferred and avoided substrates as well as testing the predictions of optimal foraging theory; specifically that birds will maximize their energy gain relative to the costs. We examined foraging behaviors of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera; GWWA) and Chestnut-sided Warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica; CSWA) in ESH on private lands in Virginia with varying amounts …

Unleashing Serine Palmitoyltransferase In Test Tubes And Mice, Matthew W. Peart

Theses and Dissertations

Canonically known both for structural contributions to lipid bilayers and roles in cell signaling, the sphingolipids comprise a dynamic, multifaceted class of molecules which are studied to understand homeostatic cell biology as well as pathophysiology. Sphingolipids contribute to tissue-specific structures such as myelin, a multilayer membrane that allows for rapid conduction of action potentials along neuronal axons. All sphingolipids are downstream products of the rate-limiting and initiating enzyme in the de novo sphingolipid synthesis pathway, Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). Demonstrative of its status as the enzyme that catalyzes a crucial step in a biochemical pathway, SPT activity is strictly regulated. This …