Digital Commons Network^™

Metaproteomics Profiling Of Gut Microbiota In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients, Shahd Ezz El Din

Theses and Dissertations

The gut microbiota is the collection of microorganisms that harbor the human gastrointestinal tract. The relation of microbiota and cancer is an emerging field as several studies have linked the gut microbiota to cancer. Such findings opened the door towards a new era of studies aiming to reveal the role of the microbiota in cancer initiation and progression. Although several metagenomic studies have provided insights into the gut microbial composition in health and diseased state, the microbial functional characteristics is still poorly understood. With current advances in mass spectrometry, comprehensive understanding of microbiota proteome became possible. In this vein, the …

Association Of Gut Microbiota Composition With Alzheimer’S-Like Disease In A Rat Model, Hana Heiba

Theses and Dissertations

With many countries turning ‘grey’ and facing an issue with aging populations, the risk of developing one form of neurodegenerative disease is increasing. Dementia, being the most common syndrome resulting from neurodegeneration, severely affects memory and cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, with an estimated 615,000 new cases will be added to the existing 5.7 million by 2030 (Alkasir et al., 2017).

In the current study, we establish a sporadic AD-like rat model by injecting STZ intracerebrally. Stool samples were collected at two time points; after three weeks for the acute stage, and 3 months …

The Death And Rebirth Of The Feminine Muse: Edgar Allan Poe And Sylvia Plath, Noha Ibrahim

Theses and Dissertations

While drawing on mythology and a literary history that associated women with death as well as creativity, Edgar Allan Poe and Sylvia Plath experimented with binary oppositions such as masculine/feminine, composition/decomposition, and death/(re)birth. They gained inspiration from the same source, the dead muse, but how do they transform traditions that derive from classical and medieval literary precedent, perhaps in ways that are inherently critical of patriarchal modes of gender dynamics? Why is Poe fixated on a feminine dead muse while Plath is inspired by what she calls her “father-sea-god muse”? How do both authors represent the female body, and how …

Language Borrowing Among Syrians Speaking Arabic In The United States: Arabization Of English Words, Joanne Stephen

Theses and Dissertations

Immigration to the United States from different Arab countries have been occurring for the past couple of centuries. Arabs from many countries are still migrating to different States in America. Getting adapted to a whole new place, new culture, and especially a new language could be difficult. Cultural and language contact in some cases causes what is called “language borrowing”. This study identified and examined different words that Syrian Arabic speakers in the United States of America borrow from the English language and arabize them. This study investigated the different approaches that native Arabic speakers follow in order to adapt …

Preliminary Perspectives On Information Passing In The Intelligence Community, Jeremy E. Block, Ilana Bookner, Sharon Lynn Chu, R. Jordan Crouser, Donald R. Honeycutt, Rebecca M. Jonas, Abhishek Kulkarni, Yancy Vance Paredes, Eric D. Ragan

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

Analyst sensemaking research typically focuses on individual or small groups conducting intelligence tasks. This has helped understand information retrieval tasks and how people communicate information. As a part of the grand challenge of the Summer Conference on Applied Data Science (SCADS) to build a system that can generate tailored daily reports (TLDR) for intelligence analysts, we conducted a qualitative interview study with analysts to increase understanding of information passing in the intelligence community. While our results are preliminary, we expect that this work will contribute to a better understanding of the information ecosystem of the intelligence community, how institutional dynamics …

The Role Of School Libraries In Curbing The Decay In Reading Habits Among Secondary School Students In Nigeria, Inemesit Udom Udoh Mr., Nse Emmanuel Akwang Phd, Cln

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study explored the role of school libraries in curbing the decay in reading habits among secondary school students in Nigeria. It adopted the conceptual research approach by relying on existing literature. The study discovered that reading makes a knowledgeable student, and facilitates self-discovery, vocabulary expansion, development of effective communication skills and students’ overall academic success. It also revealed that effective reading habits is a crucial skill that students should possess as it adds value to life; frees the mind from the shackles of information poverty and enriches their problem-solving skills. The study showed that the causes of decay in …

Historical Trauma: Literary And Testimonial Responses To Hiroshima, Mariam Ghonim

Theses and Dissertations

The concept of trauma is controversial in literature. While one may be able to come up with ways to describe trauma in fiction, representing historical trauma is a hard task for writers. Some argue that trauma can not be described through those who did not experience it, while others claim that, provided some elements are added, one can represent trauma to the reader. This thesis focuses on twentieth-century historical traumas related to a nuclear catastrophe and explores the different literary and testimonial responses to the catastrophic man-made event of Hiroshima (1945). In this thesis, Kathleen Burkinshaw’s historical fiction The Last …

Association Of Health Literacy With Demographic Features, Health-Related Behaviors, And Health Risk Indicators Among Egyptian Adults: Online Cross-Sectional Study, Rana Gamal Hassan

Theses and Dissertations

Health literacy is recognized as a significant determinant of health. Limited health literacy is a growing issue worldwide. It has a significant role facing the rising trends of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through improving its modifiable risk factors. Therefore, studying the association between health literacy and different health-related behaviors is very important to guide both healthcare professionals and policy makers to set up the proper interventions. Our study aims to a) examine the health literacy levels among Egyptian adults, b) investigate the association of health literacy relative to socio-demographic features, health related behaviors, and self-reported health status. This is a cross-sectional …

An Analysis Of Speech Acts In Egyptian Billboard Advertising, Wissam Abdelkareem

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the realization of speech acts in 80 Egyptian billboard advertisements from five different locations in Greater Cairo, in an attempt to identify the most dominant types of speech acts utilized in such billboard advertising. Further examination of the linguistic elements in advertisements is conducted to identify the most salient syntactic structures constructing them. The study starts with a quantitative approach and ends with a qualitative content analysis based on framework of Searle’s (1969) Speech Act Theory. The findings of the study reveal that the most frequently employed speech act types are representatives, directives, commissives, and expressives …

The Role Of E-Governance On Corruption In The Mena Region: A Panel Data Analysis, Doaa Abdelwareth

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to understand the role of e-governance on corruption in Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. The study also links the adoption of e-governance to the promotion of sustainable development. The panel data of 17 MENA countries were collected from various secondary sources from 2003 to 2020. This study's empirical result was estimated using the Generalized Method of Moments econometric approach. This study has achieved four objectives by using the different proxies of e-government, namely the human capital index (HCI), the online service index (OSI), the e-participation index (EPI), and the e- government development index (EGDI), for …

Reparation For The Irreparable: Is Punishing International Crimes A Universalist Hoax?, Kholoud Hafez Hassan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis challenges the conventional discourse on international punishment that emphasizes the development of a single, unified system of international criminal justice. Instead, it advocates for a pluralistic approach that recognizes the fragmented nature of international punishment, which involves various actors, including permanent courts, special tribunals, internationalized tribunals, and domestic courts exercising universal jurisdiction. The sui generis nature of international crimes demands a comprehensive approach to punishment that considers multiple perspectives and norms of diverse actors involved. Rejecting the notion of universalism in determining punishment rationales and promoting accounts of sentencing consistency, the author asserts that a global framework can …

Mother’S Coping While Caring For A Child With Cancer And Its Relationship With Mother-Child Relationship, Alaa Nasr

Theses and Dissertations

Having a child with cancer is one of the most stressful situations families can experience. This study sheds light on mothers’ stress and coping with pediatric cancer in the Arab world, with a specific focus on Kuwait. The first aim of this study was to examine mothers’ stress and how it related to the quality of mother-child relationship, and subsequently the child’s behavioral problems. The second aim was to explore mothers’ main stressors, resources and services that help or could help with alleviating the stress experienced from having a child with cancer. A total of 102 mothers living in Kuwait …

Inoculation For Neutralizing Misinformation: Replication Of An Experiment On The Effect Of The Fake Experts’ Strategy In Climate Change Communication’S Context, Joseph Abdalla

Theses and Dissertations

Low acceptance of climate change and low support for its mitigation efforts can be due to public misconceptions towards climate change. Climate skeptics use a communication strategy of fake experts to spread misinformation through spokespersons who are not experts in the field. Inoculation can be a protective approach for tackling the misinformation’s effect. Previous research was conducted in the United States and Germany and was never conducted in Africa. This study aimed to complement the previous research findings with results for Egypt by replication an experiment by Cook et al. with a 2 × 2 between-subjects design. A total of …

The Contribution Of The Pediatric Oncology Healthcare Spaces To The Psychosocial Wellbeing Of Mothers In The Egyptian Context, Yara Adly

Theses and Dissertations

This study sheds light on the significant contribution of the pediatric oncology healthcare spaces to the psychosocial wellbeing of mothers in the Egyptian context. The research focuses on understanding the experiences of mothers in the different encountered stages during the hospitalization of their children to identify their psychosocial needs and wants. The complexity of healthcare facilities drives the designers to give the humane aspects such as the psychological and social wellbeing second priority. Despite the significant parental role in promoting their children’s health and wellbeing, only few studies explored the contribution of the built environment in response to the parental …

The Influence Of Bolded Keywords In Online News Texts On Reading Speed And Comprehension For Heritage+ Learners Of Arabic, Marwah Khost Aljarkas

Theses and Dissertations

Learners and readers of Arabic, especially Heritage Language Learners, suffer more than ever from the lack of focus while reading online texts. This becomes a challenge that negatively impacts their overall learning process. This paper explores the influence of one salience feature - bolded keywords - over reading speed and comprehension amongst Heritage+ Learners of Arabic. Heritage+ refers to Arabs living in the Arab world, but who have minimum exposure to the language. Thirty-two students, who are Heritage+ Learners of Arabic, currently studying at the American University in Cairo and belong to Generation Z (18-25 years), participated in the study. …

Teacher Perceptions Of Teaching Enjoyment And Student Foreign Language Enjoyment And Anxiety, Nourhan Marei

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research is to explore teachers’ perceptions of foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), foreign language enjoyment (FLE), and foreign language teaching enjoyment (FLTE). This study targeted answering three research questions inquiring about teachers’ perceptions of FLCA and FLE, the influence of FLTE on FLCA and FLE, and teachers’ different experiences with these emotions. A mixed-method approach was employed in this exploratory study by using two instruments to collect data: a questionnaire and interviews. The total number of teachers who participated in this study was 54. The questionnaire aimed to quantitatively measure teachers’ perceptions of FLCA, FLE, and …

Instructional Alignment In The Curriculum To Address Learner Diversity: The Case Of High Schools In Egypt, Shrouk Elshiekh

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims at exploring the connection between the instructional activities used by high school teachers to support diverse students, and the students’ readiness for college. This is accomplished by considering teachers’ awareness of their students' strengths and weaknesses and teachers’ collaboration with college counsellors. Both from the review of the literature and based on my experience as a high school teacher and college counsellor, it has emerged the necessity of addressing the diverse high school learners' needs through the application of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. The preparation of students for college through a precise alignment of …

Proletariat Cinema: The Representation Of The Working Class In Egyptian Cinema Over 80 Years, Reham Emam

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the representation of the working class “Proletariat” in Egyptian Cinema. One of the main goals of the thesis is to investigate how the working class were depicted in the Egyptian Cinema and film industry over 80 years (1940-2020). What picture of the working class was conveyed to the mass audience, and what messages were eventually hoarded throughout the years? This is a qualitative descriptive study that conducts in-depth interviews with four categories of stakeholders in the Egyptian film industry including film directors, film critics, and film and media scholars. The study explores what values of working-class people …

The Egyptian Private-Climate Nexus: Private Sector Perceptions On The Green Transition, Yehia Shaheen

Theses and Dissertations

The issue of climate change poses the most pressing threat for humanity. This is especially the case amongst developing countries who, while emitting the minority of global emissions, are forecast to bear the most damage. Such is the case with Egypt, who suffers from marked water scarcity and is vulnerable to climate change driven detriments across a number of levels. As climate finance and private sector investments are key towards the green transition; transitioning to a green economy to fight the adverse impacts of climate change, this thesis aims to analyze the perceptions of private sector actors on the issue …

A Comparative Assessment Of Approvals And Discontinuations Of Systemic Antibiotics And Other Therapeutic Areas, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, John H. Powers Iii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Since 1980, the US Congress has passed legislation providing several incentives to encourage the development and regulatory approval of new drugs, particularly antibiotics. We assessed long-term trends and characteristics of approvals and discontinuations of all new molecular entities, new therapeutic biologics, and gene and cell therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as reasons for discontinuations by therapeutic class, in the context of laws and regulations implemented over the past four decades. In the period 1980–2021, the FDA approved 1310 new drugs, of which 210 (16.0%) had been discontinued as of 31 December 2021, including …

Lifelong Fitness In Ambulatory Children And Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy Ii: Influencing The Trajectory, Susan V. Duff, Justine D. Kimbel, Marybeth Grant-Beuttler, Theresa Sukal-Moulton, Noelle G. Moreau, Kathleen M. Friel

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Physical activity of at least moderate intensity in all children contributes to higher levels of physical and psychological health. While essential, children with cerebral palsy (CP) often lack the physical capacity, resources, and knowledge to engage in physical activity at a sufficient intensity to optimize health and well-being. Low levels of physical activity place them at risk for declining fitness and health, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle. From this perspective, we describe a framework to foster a lifelong trajectory of fitness in ambulatory children with CP (GMFCS I–III) as they progress into adolescence and adulthood, implemented in conjunction with a …

Evolutionary And Functional History Of The Escherichia Coli K1 Capsule., Sergio Arredondo-Alonso, George Blundell-Hunter, Zuyi Fu, Rebecca A. Gladstone, Alfred Fillol-Salom, Jessica Loraine, Elaine Cloutman-Green, Pål J. Johnsen, Ørjan Samuelsen, Anna K. Pöntinen, François Cléon, Susana Chavez-Bueno, Miguel A. De La Cruz, Miguel A. Ares, Manivanh Vongsouvath, Agnieszka Chmielarczyk, Carolyne Horner, Nigel Klein, Alan Mcnally, Joice N. Reis, José R. Penadés, Nicholas R. Thomson, Jukka Corander, Peter W. Taylor, Alex J. Mccarthy

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Escherichia coli is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in humans. Capsule polysaccharide has an important role in bacterial pathogenesis, and the K1 capsule has been firmly established as one of the most potent capsule types in E. coli through its association with severe infections. However, little is known about its distribution, evolution and functions across the E. coli phylogeny, which is fundamental to elucidating its role in the expansion of successful lineages. Using systematic surveys of invasive E. coli isolates, we show that the K1-cps locus is present in a quarter of bloodstream infection isolates and has emerged …

Management Challenges Around Vacancies, Jessica Garner, Karen Doster-Greenleaf

University Libraries: Faculty Presentations

In this conversation, participants will have the opportunity to share ideas and hear from their peers on a variety of topics related to management in academic libraries. The first portion of the discussion will be management issues around vacancies, morale issues, conflict, and DEIA initiatives

Method For Comprehensive Evaluation Of Urban Smart Traffic Management System Based On The 2-Tuple Linguistic Neutrosophic Numbers, Yaping Liu, Huicong Wang, Dong Li, Yanqi Hou

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Integrity And Domination Integrity In Neutrosophic Soft Graphs, R. V. Jaikumar, R. Sundareswaran, Said Broum

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

An Efficient Framework For Evaluating The Usability Of Academic Websites: Calibration, Validation, Analysis, And Methods, Basma K. Eldrandaly, Ahmed A. Al, Ripon K. Chakrabortty, Mohamed Abdel-Basset

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Generalized Neutrosophic Sampling Strategy For Elevated Estimation Of Population Mean, Subhash Kumar Yadav, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

New Control Chart Based On Neutrosophic Maxwell Distribution With Decision Making Applications, Faisal Shah, Muhammad Aslam, Zahid Khan

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

A Neutrosophic Based C-Means Approach For Improving Breast Cancer Clustering Performance, Ahmed Abdelhafeez, Hoda K. Mohamed, Ali Maher, Ahmed Abdelmonem

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Neutrosophic Dicom Image Processing And Its Applications, D. Nagarajan, S. Broum

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.