Digital Commons Network^™

Education Attainment And Health: Outside The Gender Binary, Brianna Patterson

All ETDs from UAB

Transgender and gender nonbinary individuals, hereafter referred to as trans, report worse health outcomes than trans individuals whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth, hereafter referred to as cisgender (Bauer, Hammond, Travers et al. 2009, Cicero, Reisner, Merwin et al. 2020). Past research has indicated that social determinants of health, such as education attainment, may be responsible for these inequities (Low 2006, The Lancet Public 2020). Education’s influence on health is well known from previous research, but the association is not distributed equally. In the United States (US) educational system, state and local governments have control, not the …

Crown Fatigue Resistance And Enamel Wear Of 3d Printed Resin Compared To Lithium Disilicate, Pranit Vasant Bora

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the wear characteristics and fatigue resistance of two dental crown materials: SprintRay Ceramic Crown, a 3D-printed resin material, and IPS™ e.Max CAD, a lithium disilicate material. Methods: This study evaluates wear and fatigue characteristics of dental crowns made from Ceramic Crown (SprintRay) and IPS e.max CAD LT (Ivoclar). For fatigue testing, custom fatigue devices were utilized to subject the crowns to cyclic loading, simulating occlusal forces. The specimens underwent 100,000 cycle intervals until 1.5 million cycles at a load of 40N of fatigue loading, with inspections conducted for signs of debonding, …

Predictive Modeling Using Clinical Data And Compositional Microbiome Data, Li Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation focuses on developing predictive modeling using data from two areas: clinical data and microbiome data. Compositional data in real life are mainly represented by relative proportions. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, researchers can now collect a large volume of metagenomic sequencing data, which is valuable for investigating associations between the microbiome and host diseases. Current methods for dealing with such data are either constrained by generalization or limited by application. In the first part, to address this, we propose Bayesian compositional generalized linear models for analyzing microbiome data (BCGLM). This model incorporates a structured regularized …

“Then Let Them Use Us Well”: How The Folger Edition Of Shakespeare’S Othello Limits Sexuality And Character Agency, Ann Elizabeth Mulherin

All ETDs from UAB

Since Shakespeare’s first folio and quartos were initially published directly after his death in the early seventeenth century, various editors have altered his plays for their desired goals. With this in mind, the primary focus of my thesis centers around the Updated Folger edition of The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine, which was published in 2017. The Folger edition repeatedly points out that they have tailored their rendition of Othello to allow modern audiences to understand Shakespeare’s language; they present the intention to accurately and helpfully gloss confusing, antiquated, or significant …

Exploring The Associations Between Cognitive Training, Social Determinants Of Health, And Driving Behaviors: A Longitudinal Analysis Of The Active Study, Katie Wheeler

All ETDs from UAB

As the average lifespan increases, older adults are remaining independent into older ages than before. The ability to drive a vehicle is an essential part of daily living that helps older adults maintain independence. Cognitive training, specifically speed of processing training (SOPT), is an intervention that has consistently shown to benefit older adult’s driving abilities and driving behaviors. This dissertation examined the longitudinal association between cognitive training and primary driving location on crash risk across 20 years (Paper 1), investigated the effects of cognitive training and dosage on driving mobility across 10 years (Paper 2), and explored social determinants of …

Unmasking Molecular Mechanisms Of Multiple Maladies Through Multiomic Methodologies, Luke Potter

All ETDs from UAB

Much modern biomedical research is invested in determining causative molecular mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutics within human disease or injury. Traditional experiments such as over-expressing or “knocking out” the level of a gene’s abundance can determine the specific contribution of a single gene to a pathology and are a vital component of scientific research. However, taking a big picture approach through the application of ‘omics technologies can lead to a broader overall understanding of a pathology and can potentially generate numerous specific hypotheses to be tested using the more traditional molecular approaches. In this dissertation, transcriptomic and epigenomic technologies, measuring …

Fundamentals Of Vehicle Modeling For Mobility And Maneuver, Jordan Whitson

All ETDs from UAB

The direction of research for off-road ground vehicles is an ever-growing interdisciplinary field. The strategies and modeling methods range from simple terramechanics mathematical models to complex terramechanics that involve the use of high-performance computing (HPC) systems with varying vehicle metric and performance analysis and information extraction. Current advanced methods based on terrain properties and dynamic models utilize conventional performance metrics that have been supported through decades of research. As automated driving systems (ADS) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) research and development progress, more complexities are unraveled and present the need for novel directions of research. Whereas on-road vehicles have the …

[Mis]Representing “India” And Other Colonial Territories In Donne’S Poetry: An Insight Into Colonialism’S Multifaceted Aspects, Urnisha Dutta

All ETDs from UAB

Colonial objects in Donne’s poems embrace multifaceted attributes, offering diverse reading perspectives. Considering their multifaceted aspects, it becomes impossible for a reader to ignore his poems’ interdisciplinary qualities. They often embrace philosophical, religious, political, and historical connotations. The colonial objects, appearing as “black” characters, silent women, or colonized territories in his poems, generate East-West binaries, Western subject consciousness, Eastern [mis]representations, world polarizations, and color contrasts. His female bodies’ misogynistic/sexual portrayal frequently ends in pulling up colonial references, associating their bodies with colonial landmasses. They often associate with his spiritual consciousness, complicating reading and textual interpretations. Critics thus cannot take a …

A Thematic Analysis Of Health Literacy And Education Disparities Regarding Medical Needs For Transgender Individuals, Rachel Mcmullen

All ETDs from UAB

Transgender individuals experience many challenges within the healthcare system including discrimination, socioeconomic struggles, financial strains, a lack of educated healthcare providers, and a health system framework that makes it even more challenging for them to receive their medical needs (Korpaisarn and Safer). One contributing factor to this lack of education is that on average medical schools in the United States only spend approximately five hours total on the health needs related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals (Miller et al.). Another contributing factor is the stigma around LGBTQ individuals within the medical community. The stigma is concerning …

Multi-Enclave Blockchain Architecture Integrating Useful Work For Member Selection In Committee-Based Consensus, Shawn C. Adams

All ETDs from UAB

Blockchains offer an alternative approach to centralized systems for data and record storage by using independently operated nodes in a distributed and decentralized network. Within a blockchain network, each node maintains an identical version of all data, without being directly controlled or managed by any centralized entity. Nodes maintain the synchronization of data through the network's consensus mechanism, a protocol built into the nodes to determine which node is given the right to append data to the network. Once chosen, the data added by the node is propagated to other nodes which update their local records to maintain synchronization. Common …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions, Attitudes, And Beliefs On Use Of The Modern Classrooms Project: A Case Study, Christina Arriagada

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how early childhood educators perceive the use of Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) in their classrooms. MCP is an instructional model that promotes blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning with ties to constructivist teaching ideals. Data were collected using a teacher interview, observations, and the review of teacher resources such as lesson plans and student learning paths. Previous research found MCP was effective at the secondary level. Findings of this study showed that early childhood educators found MCP to be an effective instructional model to use in their classrooms. I identified three themes: …

Temporal And Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Dietary Phytochemicals In Breast Cancer Prevention, Andrew Brane

All ETDs from UAB

Breast cancer (BC) is a widespread malignancy that, despite advancements in treatments and improvements in survival, had an estimated 297,790 new cases and 43,170 mortalities in 2023. With around 1 in every 8 women in the US expected to be diagnosed with BC at some point in their lives, the economic, societal, and healthcare burdens associated with this disease cannot be understated. Because of this, treatments and preventions that are affordable, efficacious, and easily administered are in high demand. Preventive therapies have shown great promise in reducing disease burden with relatively few serious side effects. BC prevention through the consumption …

Barbara Dane: The Forgotten Activist, Jacob Kennedy

All ETDs from UAB

Barbara Dane is best understood as an unsung hero of the New Left and Folk Revival because since her graduation from high school in 1945, she has used every resource at her disposal to support and grow various movements. She has picketed for the labor movement, canvassed for the Progressive party, traveled to Mississippi to perform for the civil rights movement and SNCC, marched for peace as part of the anti-war movement, and performed and advocated for the Feminist movement throughout her lifetime. Dane has traveled the globe from war-torn Prague in 1947, Cuba in 1966, and Northern Vietnam in …

Filing The Serial Numbers Off: The Role Of The Author In Fanfiction Published As Original Fiction, Lauren Mcinnis

All ETDs from UAB

With the increase of authors altering and publishing fanfiction as original works of fiction, the practices and attitudes of fan communities cross over into the realm of traditional fiction. Throughout its history, fandom is a community built on the shared love of a piece of media or celebrity. The importance of community appears in fanfiction through Author’s Notes and comments sections; both of which traditionally published novels generally lack. When authors choose to make the transition to traditional publication which provides legitimacy that fanfiction lacks, they must remove most of their own identity and the fan-community that they originally relied …

Comparative Enzymatic Analysis Of Different Isoforms Of Group A Streptococcal Bacteriophage H4489a Hyaluronidase, Urvi Prakash Rawal

All ETDs from UAB

The Hyaluronate Lyase derived from Group A streptococcal bacteriophage H4489A gene (HylP) is known for cleaving the glycosidic bonds of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA), a substance often overexpressed in certain types of cancer cells. This enzymatic action produces HA oligosaccharides. Previous research, conducted by our team, has demonstrated that these oligosaccharides play a significant role in reducing the invasion, migration, and proliferation of breast cancer cells. This effect occurs through the disruption of Erk1/2 activation and RhoA expression. This bacteriophage hyaluronate lyase (HylP), a 40kDa protein, possesses a unique collagen-like sequence, consisting of 30 amino acids in a …

Physical And Optical Properties Of Material Used For Injection Molding, Nadia Christine Farias Machado

All ETDs from UAB

Background: This project investigates the materials used in injection molding dental resin composites which involves injecting flowable composite into a clear mold. Understanding the physical and optical properties of both the resin composite and the clear mold material is crucial for successful clinical outcomes. For the clear mold material, its translucency, curing light transmission, and rigidity are vital factors. Correlations may be present between trans-lucency and curing light transmission. For the resin composite, comparing wear, hardness, translucency, radiopacity, shrinkage stress, flexural strength, and modulus will affect mate-rial performance. Finally, the depth of cure of the material will be dependent on …

Understanding Disparities In Hypertension Treatment Cascade And Validating Blood Pressure Measurement Among Persons Living With Or At Risk For Hiv, Jessica Blair

All ETDs from UAB

In the United States, 44% of adult women >18 years have hypertension. Although non-Hispanic Black adults were more likely to be aware of and treated for hypertension compared to non-Hispanic White adults, Black individuals had the highest prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Persons living with HIV have a higher prevalence of hypertension, which is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Similar to the geographic distribution of hypertension in the US, people living in the South have higher incidence of both hypertension and HIV diagnoses compared to other US regions. Furthermore, accurate diagnosis of hypertension and initiation of treatment is …

Mechanical Behaviors Of Additively Manufactured Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites, Yu-Chao Shih

All ETDs from UAB

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are advantageous in small-batch manufacturing and prototyping functional parts, due to their cost-effectiveness and customizability. Using fiber-reinforced plastic composites (FRP) in extrusion-based AM can significantly improve the mechanical properties compared to neat thermoplastic. However, the two-fold anisotropy introduced by the multiple constituent materials and the layer-by-layer mesostructure can introduce undesired structural weaknesses. Investigating the mechanical behavior and failure mechanism is the key to understanding the synergistic effect of the constituents in FRP and assessing the structural integrity of AM-made FRP. This research work aims to experimentally, analytically, and numerically assess the mechanical behaviors of AM composite …

Entity Information Extraction And Normalization From Scientific And Clinical Texts, Abdullateef Ibrahim Almudaifer

All ETDs from UAB

In the analysis of scientific and clinical texts, the extraction of named entities and their relevant information, such as modifiers, play a pivotal role. Recent advancements in natural language processing (NLP), particularly through the application of transfer learning from pre-trained Transformer models, have greatly enhanced the performance of entity extraction tasks. However, challenges persist with nested entities. This thesis investigates the impact of transfer learning on extracting nested entities and their modifiers, using Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as a prototype. By adopting a multi-task training strategy, this work enhances the model's capacity to discern and categorize overlapping entities, a task …

Evaluation Of Feed Intake, Growth, And Reproduction In The Zebrafish, Danio Rerio, Fed A Gel-Based Diet, Thomas Logan Holfelder

All ETDs from UAB

EVALUATION OF FEED INTAKE, GROWTH, AND REPRODUCTION IN THE ZEBRAFISH, DANIO RERIO, FED A GEL-BASED DIET THOMAS LOGAN HOLFELDER BIOLOGY ABSTRACT The zebrafish, Danio rerio, is a valuable pre-clinical model, aiding human health understanding and translational aquaculture. Comprehensive documentation of the culture of this model exists, with ongoing efforts to optimize husbandry requirements, particularly in the areas of diet and nutrition. Labor or mechanical costs related to feeding are high in most laboratories and alternative protocols to reduce feed handling would be beneficial and could allow the capability to monitor feed consumption. A commercially produced gel-based diet has a high …

Nivolumab For Patients With High-Risk Oral Leukoplakia: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial, Alessandro Villa

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Platform-Independent Estimation Of Human Physiological Time From Single Blood Samples, Yitong Huang, Rosemary Braun

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

Abundant epidemiological evidence links circadian rhythms to human health, from heart disease to neurodegeneration. Accurate determination of an individual's circadian phase is critical for precision diagnostics and personalized timing of therapeutic interventions. To date, however, we still lack an assay for physiological time that is accurate, minimally burdensome to the patient, and readily generalizable to new data. Here, we present TimeMachine, an algorithm to predict the human circadian phase using gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a single blood draw. Once trained on data from a single study, we validated the trained predictor against four independent datasets with …

School Monitors: A Quantitative Study On The Support Needed For These Professionals, Sara Goldberg

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Minimal research has been focused on the role of school monitors in the public-school setting. This study explored the perspectives of school monitors on preparation, training, communication, and feedback. The study looked to examine if these aspects contribute to the overall role of school monitors and to identify specific areas where they require guidance and support to assist students throughout their day. Additionally, the study determined if schools who use a social emotional curriculum have school monitors who feel more supported in their role. Preparation, support, communication, and feedback was investigated using a 27 statement Likert-scale survey and three open-ended …

4. Robotic Babies - Data, Didactics And Ethics In Social Work, Mads Lund Andersen, Vivi Friis Søgaard, Karin Christiansen, Heike Felzmann, Almundena Navas, Miriam Abietar

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

No abstract provided.

6.Can Social Robot Teaching Assistants Innovate The Irish Primary Education System, John Pender, Debbie Woodward

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

No abstract provided.

8. Facilitating Reflection On Social Robots In Care: Ethics And Pedagogy, Heike Felzmann, Almudena Nava, Miriam Abietar, Esperanza Meri, Karin Christiansen, Mads Lund Andersen, Vivi Søgaard

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Familiarity And Stigma Associated With Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, And Autism In Ireland: A Pilot Study, April Hargreaves, Gerard Loughnane, Gabriela Grasso, David Mothersill

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

The relationship between familiarity with mental health conditions and mental health stigma is complex, with mixed findings reported in the literature and little research conducted in Ireland to date. This pilot study examined knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism in Ireland, between individuals personally familiar with these conditions (by having a diagnosis themselves, or a loved one having a diagnosis) and individuals unfamiliar with these conditions. The study used a correlational, cross-sectional design, recruiting 307 adults in Ireland to complete a survey examining knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. To examine the …

Relationship Between Professionalization And Impact Research – Effects Of Knowledge And Orientation Stocks Of Youth Social Workers On Their Acting, André Epp

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

Despite a shortage of skilled workers in Germany, adolescents can still experience difficulties transiting into vocational training. Although fundamental examinations of influences which hinder this transition process exist, little is known about how pedagogical workers who support adolescents perceive and construct the transition process. Therefore, this article deals with perspectives and views – the practical theories (Subjektive Theorien) – of youth social workers whose main task is to support adolescents during this transition process. Using empirical data, I outline two different theory orientations. Furthermore, I argue as to what extent the practical theories of youth social workers affect their acting. …

Development Potential Of Smes In Poland Selected Aspects Of Age, Diversity And Intellectual Capital Management, Elwira Gross-Gołacka, Izabela Warwas, Justyna Wiktorowicz

Monografie/Monographs

Monografia o charakterze teoretyczno-empirycznym przybliża funkcjonowanie małych i średnich firm w Polsce przez pryzmat wybranych aspektów kapitału ludzkiego. Autorzy szczególną uwagę poświęcili zaprezentowaniu determinant rozwoju oraz czynników sukcesu małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw, roli kapitału ludzkiego w budowaniu trwałej przewagi konkurencyjnej przedsiębiorstw oraz prezentacji różnorodnych zasobów i relacji pomiędzy kapitałem intelektualnym a zarządzaniem różnorodnością

This theoretical and empirical monograph presents the functioning of small and medium-enterprises in Poland through the prism of selected aspects of human resources. The authors devote particular attention to presenting the determinants of development and success factors of small and medium-enterprises, the role of human resources capital …

Interplay Of Antibody Responses To Closely Related Viruses And Autoimmunity, Chun-Yang Lin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Antibodies produced by B cells are crucial for eliminating infectious pathogens and preventing secondary infection. However, antibodies may also bind to self-antigens and contribute to autoimmune disease. While pathogen infections have been associated with development of autoimmune diseases, the precise contributions of viral infections to autoimmunity remain elusive. The presence of autoreactive antibodies is associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune disease. Thus, analyzing the impact of viral infection and vaccination on the development of autoreactive antibodies will provide essential insight into mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune disease.