Measurement, Modelling And Optimisation Of Renewable Technologies And Energy Storage Systems On Dairy Farms, Fergal Buckley

Theses

Advancing the economic and environmental performance of dairy farms requires a comprehensive assessment of renewable energy systems (RES), energy storage technologies, and demand side management (DSM) techniques. This thesis aimed to address these needs by conducting a thorough assessment of RES, DSM techniques, and energy storage systems on dairy farms, through the development of a state-of-the-art simulation tool, trained and validated using modern energy data collected from a range of commercial dairy farms as part of this project. The research was conducted in three stages. Firstly, extensive data collection was undertaken across 26 commercial dairy farms employing herringbone and rotary …

Effects Of Antecedent Choice On Academic Engagement And Disruptive Behavior In The Classroom, Ivy Grace E. Morgan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The number of students enrolled in public school systems receiving special education services continues to increase. Students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those classified with emotional disturbance (ED) often engage in challenging behaviors such as inappropriate outbursts, disruptive behaviors, and off-task behavior that distract other students from learning. These behaviors can negatively impact educational outcomes for both the student and their classmates. Unfortunately, teachers often lack adequate training in addressing disruptive behavior in the classroom and have limited access to feasible interventions. Across-activity choice is a feasible antecedent intervention teachers can use in the classroom. It allows students …

The Enduring Lessons Of Vietnam: Implications For Us Strategy And Policy, Martin G. Clemis

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

This article argues that the Vietnam War is a useful case study for assessing an enduring flaw in America’s approach to war. The United States suffered defeat in Vietnam because it privileged military strength and the pursuit of victory on the battlefield over other elements of national power. As in Vietnam, the wars America will likely face in the future will blend conventional and unconventional methods and use a carefully calibrated mixture of military and non-military means. The United States must situate its demonstrated strengths in conventional war fighting within a holistic framework or face similar strategic outcomes.

Crispr-Dcas9 Genomic Engineering For Boosting The Therapeutic Potential Of Extracellular Vesicles, Iker Martinez Zalbidea

Theses

Degenerative disc disease is a major contributor to low back pain, characterized by inflammation of the intervertebral disc (IVD), degradation of the extracellular matrix, loss of hydration, and cell death. Current therapies fail to address these underlying mechanisms, underscoring the need for regenerative strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory and regenerative potential, but their efficacy is hampered by the harsh microenvironment of the degenerated IVD. Acellular MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown therapeutic potential and offer a promising alternative for IVD regeneration. Here, we explore CRISPR-dCas9 mediated activation of TSG6 and STEAP3 to boost the therapeutic potency and biogenesis …

Potential Strategies For Reducing Mortality And Morbidity In Acute Ischemic Cardiogenic Shock, Richard Smalling, James Mccarthy, Tim Henry, Ali Denktas

Journal of Shock and Hemodynamics

Cardiogenic shock is predominantly caused by acute ischemic myocardial injury. Despite advancements in reperfusion strategies, outcomes remain poor, with the duration of ischemia before reperfusion playing a crucial role in the development of irreversible damage. This review synthesizes insights from animal models and human studies, highlighting the limited myocardial salvage beyond 90 minutes of ischemia. In light of the high mortality rates associated with cardiogenic shock, this review proposes re-evaluating pre-hospital fibrinolysis, exploring left ventricular unloading strategies before reperfusion, and assessing the potential role of endothelin antagonists. These approaches aim to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

The Cellular Mechanisms Of Alzheimer's Disease Protection By The Pilra G78r Variant, Wenhan Cheng

Theses and Dissertations

Microglial dysfunction is increasingly linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Immune receptors like TREM2 and CD33 play opposing roles in microglial activity. TREM2 activation triggers immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signaling to promote microglial activities, including amyloid-β clearance, but variants in TREM2 such as R47H that impair its function increase AD risk. In contrast, CD33 is an inhibitory receptor that contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) which transmits signals that suppress microglial function. An AD-protective variant in CD33 alters CD33 activity, potentially enhancing TREM2 function. PILRA is another inhibitory immune receptor expressed by microglia that contains an ITIM. A naturally …

Aproximaciones A La Cultura Contemporánea: Un Encuentro De La Visualidad, La Narrativa, La Semiótica Y Su Didáctica, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Iván Ávila-González Phd, Emilce Beatriz Sánchez Castellón Phd, Gabriel Segundo Iguarán Montiel Msc, Juan Carlos González Vidal Phd, Ximena Díaz-Santillán B.A., Andrea Alejandra Echeverría Barrios B.A, Diana Estefanía Martínez Dagnino B.A, Edgar Ávila González Phd, Diana Esperanza Álvarez Campos B.A, Aurora Mariazell Romero Martínez Msc, José Abraham Mitre Lázaro Msc

STEM for Success Resources

Este volumen reúne reflexiones críticas y propuestas analíticas que convergen en tres ejes:

La voz, la identidad y el cuerpo.

Producto de la colaboración entre la Uniguajira y la Facultad de Letras de la Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Aproximaciones a la Cultura Contemporánea: un encuentro de la visualidad, la narrativa, la semiótica y su didáctica articula un corpus interdisciplinario que examina fenómenos culturales actuales desde perspectivas semióticas, literarias, pedagógicas y visuales.

A través de una estructura rizomática, el libro desborda los límites tradicionales de los campos académicos para ofrecer una cartografía flexible de lectura, en la que …

Implications Of The Mind’S Active Participation In The Formation Of Perception, Maikel Adel Samy Michael

Theses and Dissertations

The mind-body problem, particularly the issue of qualia, remains a fundamental challenge in understanding the nature of the mind and its relation to the body. In this thesis I argue that the problem is epistemic, stemming from how we perceive and know ourselves as physical and mental beings. This argument will be explored through the respective of idealisms proposed by George Berkeley and Immanuel Kant. Berkeley's idealism suggests that reality is rooted in perception, offering a major steppingstone by demonstrating the major role perception plays in understanding and acquiring knowledge. Kant contributes by asserting that the "thing-in-itself" is beyond our …

Microglial Phagocytosis In Epilepsy: Mechanisms And Impact, Abhijeet S Barath, Long-Jun Wu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Microglia are resident immune cells critical in maintaining brain homeostasis via their surveillance and phagocytosis function. Under disease contexts such as seizures and epilepsy, microglial phagocytic signalling is activated in response to both inflammatory and non-inflammatory cell death. This process involves a range of well-characterized 'find me' and 'eat me' signals, phagocytic receptors, and less well-characterized intracellular signalling pathways. In addition, epigenetic and transcriptional regulators orchestrate microglial responses to seizures, including the integration of phagocytic and inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, although inhibiting phagocytosis has been shown to improve neuronal survival and cognitive performance after seizures, it paradoxically increases the risk of …

Reparative Cuteness: Summer Camp Island’S Obfuscated Streaming Distribution Reveals Our Dependence On Monetary Care, James R. Hanjian

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Summer Camp Island exhibits the culmination of the animation styles and ethics of dependent care produced within contemporary Cartoon Network animations. As part of the production cycle of Warner Bros. animated television programs following Adventure Time, Julia Pott’s animated program depicts networks of collaborative care informed by the lived realities of the creator-animators. By employing a reparative reading of the narratives and cute aesthetics which appear in the program, I maintain that the care networks presented within the diegesis of Summer Camp Island depict alternatives to the precarious economic and industrial realities that actively shaped the show’s production and distribution. …

“Perfect Hearts And Pure Pages”: The Transmission And Recitation Of The Qur’An In Mamluk Cairo—The Shāṭibiyya As A Case Study, Jonathan Hearn

Theses and Dissertations

The Ḥirz al-Amānī wa-Wajh al-Tahānī of Abū al-Qāsim b. Fīrruh al-Shāṭibī (d. 590/1193) became one of the most widely studied texts associated with the recitation of the Qur’an. A didactic versification of Abū ʿAmr al-Dānī’s (d. 444/1053) Kitāb al-Taysīr fī al-Qirāʾāt al-Sabaʿ, the Shāṭibiyya was composed in Ayyubid Egypt and transformed the discipline of the variant readings (qirāʾāt). Despite its popularity and acknowledged impact upon the discipline, the Shāṭibiyya remains a relatively untapped resource for understanding the Qur’an in its recited form. This thesis studies the recitation of the Qur’an in Mamluk Cairo through the Shāṭibiyya, …

Future Of Work: Implication Of Green Economy On Employment Dynamics In Egypt, Sarah Adel Elgohary

Theses and Dissertations

Is Egypt's green economy a reality or just a policy-level aspiration? This thesis explores the tangible impact of the green economy on Egypt's labor market by examining key sectors—automotive, agriculture, and renewable energy. Through qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with private sector representatives, the study assesses the true implications of the green transition from a business-level perspective, beyond the propaganda and hype surrounding climate policies. What is the current scale of the green economy in Egypt's labor market? What existing policies and regulatory frameworks are in place to support the green economy transition? how urgent is the transition to …

The Social Standing Versus The Mind Standing Of Older Adults In Egypt: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of The Relationship Between Social Capital And Cognitive Functions, Shaza H. Shinaishen Dr

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Egypt's population, much like that of other countries, is expected to age considerably over the course of the coming decades. Although biological and socioeconomic predictors of cognitive function have been studied widely, personal level social capital remains unexplored, especially in LMICs.

Purpose: This study primarily investigates the relationship between individual social capital and cognitive functioning among older adults aged 65 years and older in Egypt using the structural and cognitive components of social capital, including group membership, civic engagements, and caregiving roles.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 363 older individuals in different geographical and demographic segments of Egypt using …

Ways Of Living And Knowing, Reem El Hassan Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

After decades of sedentarization, the Muzeina tribe in South Sinai now has new generations born into sedentary lifestyles, never experiencing nomadism like their ancestors once did. This shift has impacted their knowledge system, traditionally shaped by interactions and kinship with nature. Exposure to social media is influencing younger generations' ways of living, raising the older generations’ concerns about their Bedouin identity. Despite being one of the largest tribes in South Sinai, the Muzeina are rarely represented in literature.

This ethnography explores the impact of sedentarization and contextual developments on the Muzeina's knowledge system, inherited from their ancestors. Muzeina’s relationship, and …

Exploring The Role Of Religious Media In Shaping Public Perceptions Towards Climate Change In Egypt, Hebatullah Ashour Abdel Fatah Ibrahim Ashour

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change poses significant threats globally, with particular vulnerability noted in developing nations like Egypt. While effective communication is crucial for societal engagement, the role of influential actors like religious media within specific cultural contexts remains under-explored. This thesis investigates the role and communication practices of religious media (Islamic and Coptic Christian) concerning climate change in Egypt, a country where religious institutions command significant public trust and influence. Existing literature highlights gaps in understanding how these specific media outlets navigate and frame climate change discourse.

Employing Framing Theory and Communication for Development (DevCom) Theory as a combined framework, this study …

Science Communication Through Cool Critters: An Informal Learning Experience For Youth, Jamila L. Bajelan, Mary J. Harner

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

There are numerous ways to communicate science and assess the effectiveness of that communication. One approach focuses on increasing awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and/or understanding of science. For this study, we created an informal learning experience for youth to communicate the science of animals in Nebraska. We developed Cool Critters, a weeklong summer camp for elementary school-aged students, to increase participants' enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals. In 2023, Cool Critters was led in three educational settings in central Nebraska and reached sixty-six participants. Surveys were used to determine the camp's success in effective science communication and whether …

Mucin4 (Muc4) Antibody Labeled With An Nir Dye Brightly Targets Pancreatic Cancer Liver Metastases And Peritoneal Carcinomatosis, Sunidhi Jaiswal, Siamak Amirfakhri, Javier Bravo, Keita Kobayashi, Abhijit Aithal, Sumbal Talib, Kavita Mallya, Maneesh Jain, Aaron M. Mohs, Robert M. Hoffman, Surinder K. Batra, Michael Bouvet

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of deaths related to cancer. It is a highly aggressive malignancy and often metastasizes quickly to other parts of the body and organs. The most effective cure is surgical resection, which also is limited by tumor identification and clear tumor margin visualization. Previously, we used MUC4 antibodies labeled with IRDye800CW (anti-MUC4-IR800) to target primary human pancreatic cancer in orthotopic cell line mouse models.

METHODS: In the present study, we established a pancreatic cancer liver metastasis mouse model by implanting a tumor fragment in the liver and a peritoneal carcinomatosis mouse model by …

Learning To Support Science: Gender Differences In How Scientific Literacy Mediates Formal Education's Effect On Us Adults' Public Support For Science, Kevin Mark Roessger, Arie Todd Greenleaf

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Scientific literacy is targeted by the knowledge deficit model, which predicts that increased scientific literacy improves public support for science. The model, in part, assumes formal education drives scientific knowledge, which, in turn, drives support for science. To date, though, this relationship is unclear, and research shows that, while formal education is associated with adults' public support for science, scientific literacy maintains only a small relationship with support for science, one that may differ by gender.Methods Using a conditional process analysis, we drew on 2018 General Social Survey data to examine whether scientific literacy mediates education's effects on support …

Integrating Endocannabinoid Signaling, Cck Interneurons, And Hippocampal Circuit Dynamics In Behaving Animals, Shreya Malhotra, Florian Donneger, Jordan S Farrell, Barna Dudok, Attila Losonczy, Ivan Soltesz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The brain's endocannabinoid signaling system modulates a diverse range of physiological phenomena and is also involved in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. The basic components of the molecular machinery underlying endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic signaling have been known for decades. However, limitations associated with the short-lived nature of endocannabinoid lipid signals had made it challenging to determine the spatiotemporal specificity and dynamics of endocannabinoid signaling in vivo. Here, we discuss how novel technologies have recently enabled unprecedented insights into endocannabinoid signaling taking place at specific synapses in behaving animals. In this review, we primarily focus on cannabinoid-sensitive inhibition in the hippocampus in …

Recovery Of A Fly, A Louse, And Mites From A Rotting Ovenbird (Seiurus Aurocapilla) Carcass, Lawrence Hribar

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Snakes As Prey Of Foraging White Ibis (Eudocimus Albus) In Seminole County, Florida, Erich Hofmann

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis) Preying On A Brown Anole (Anolis Sagrei), Stephen Spotte

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Ai Avatars In Hospitality Employee Training: Transforming Learning Through Innovation, Eulanda A. Sanders, Nikol K. Lopez Llantuy, Li Jiang

ICHRIE Research Reports

The hospitality industry faces challenges in delivering consistent, engaging, and scalable training. Traditional training often fails to address cost, efficiency, and learner engagement. Organizations are turning to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance employee development, including AI-driven avatars. Drawing on recent literature in microlearning, avatar-mediated education, and technological adoption models, this study examines the potential of AI avatars to personalize instruction, enhance accessibility, reduce costs, and enhance learning outcomes. Content analysis of fifteen YouTube videos reveals ten themes associated with the use of AI avatars in real-world hospitality settings. The report includes implementation guidelines for integrating AI avatars into …

State Constitutional Prohibitions Against Unnecessary Rigor In Arrest And Confinement, Kristen Bell

Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

The Common Law And Sec Rule 10b-5(B): Narrowing The Securities "Fraud" Exception To The First Amendment, Matthew Lambertson

Florida Law Review

Courts have read Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and regulations promulgated thereunder as requiring less than every element of common law fraud. In particular, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 10b-5(b), which prohibits merely false or misleading statements about securities, often proscribes and deters speech that does not constitute common law fraud. Namely, in prosecuting a Rule 10b-5(b) claim, the SEC currently does not need to prove reliance, causation, and harm—three essential elements of common law fraud. Though the First Amendment generally protects false speech, it does not shield fraud. Upon adopting the First Amendment, …

The Big Cost Of Small Farms, Tammi S. Etheridge

Florida Law Review

Americans love meat. We celebrate our independence with steaks on the grill, we enjoy our favorite pastime with hot dogs, and we give thanks with turkey. Our love of meat is so ingrained in our culture that, historically, small increases in meat prices have driven the populace to riot. Today, meat prices are rising. Simultaneously, the largest meat processors and packagers are seeing record profits. Consumers, in turn, are outraged. Their emotions are being fueled by politicians who blame rising profits on a pandemic of greed and collusion and then argue that rigid antitrust enforcement is the only solution.

This …

The Chilling Effects Of Dobbs, Jonathon W. Penney, Danielle Keats Citron, Alexis Shore Ingber

Florida Law Review

The Supreme Court’s evisceration of the federal constitutional right to abortion has raised the specter of criminal and civil liability for abortion providers and patients. Police and prosecutors have easy access to commercial reservoirs of intimate data. As individual accounts made clear in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, corporate surveillance of intimate life chilled expressive activities, such as searching for information about reproductive health and using period tracking apps. Health professionals did not feel safe to speak out about the impact of new abortion laws. Harassment and threats directed at abortion clinics and at …

Assessment Of The Relationship Between Serum Vitamin D Levels And Its Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Study, Reza Madadi, Sina Bakhshaei, Arian Tavasol, Mahmood Gorjizad, Rouhollah Hemmati, Masood Zangi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Introduction: Cardiovascular events are the most common cause of mortality worldwide. Various studies have shown the relationship between serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels and cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study is to investigate the meta-analysis of the relationship between serum 25(OH) D levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic disease in the population. Method: Using valid keywords and searching the Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, and web of sciences databases, 22 papers were compiled. Data analysis was performed in the group of people with low serum 25(OH)D …

Bilingual Buddy, Adian Alvarado, Farhaan Pishori, Luis Villalta, Andrea Yao, Ekam Singh

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

Bilingual students often face challenges in mathematics not due to a lack of ability, but because of linguistic barriers that hinder their understanding of math-specific terminology and consequently their problem-solving language ability. This project addresses that issue through the development of a mobile application designed to support English language acquisition in the context of mathematics for Spanish-speaking students. Rather than teaching mathematical concepts directly, the app focuses on vocabulary, syntax, and contextual comprehension through scaffolded lessons, gamified elements, and an integrated AI chatbot.

Built using Flutter for cross-platform compatibility, the app prioritizes accessibility, simplicity, and engagement for young users. Ethical …

Exploring The Association Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency And Dental Health In Older Adults, Man Hung, Amir Mohajeri, Jacob Marx, Corban Ward, Martin S. Lipsky

Institute on Aging Publications

Background

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in overall health, yet its impact on dental health, particularly dental caries, remains underexplored. Older adults are at an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and dental disease, but the relationship between these two factors is not well understood. This study examines the association between serum vitamin B12 levels and dental health in older adults using data from the NHANES 2011–2014 cycles.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using NHANES data from 1,907 participants aged 65 and older. Serum vitamin B12 levels were categorized as normal (>221 pmol/L), marginal (148–221 pmol/L), and …