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Generative Imaging For Computational Pathology, Md Jillur Rahman Saurav

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining remains central to cancer diagnosis, providing morphological information essential for pathological assessment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and newer multiplexed imaging technologies complement H&E by revealing molecular information critical for accurate tumor subtyping and treatment decisions. In practice, however, H&E and IHC are obtained from different consecutive sections that are not spatially aligned, comprehensive multiplexed panels are expensive and tissue-consumptive, and not all stains are available at every clinical site, limiting comprehensive molecular profiling and the full diagnostic potential of these technologies in clinical practice. This dissertation addresses these gaps through three complementary generative deep learning studies in …

Should The Illiberal Arts Be Servile In A Classical Christian Education, Nadine B. Kong Mrs.

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

The purpose of this thesis is to research the role and position of the illiberal arts in a classical Christian education (CCE).  The current climate of growth for CCE makes it a fitting moment to consider what bearing the illiberal arts should have on paideia formation.  To answer this question, the historical context of CCE and the illiberal arts is presented.  This leads to a complex issue around the various imprecise terms and historical attitudes surrounding the illiberal arts.  Some synonymous terms have demeaning connotations: ‘servile arts’ or ‘illiberal arts,’ and others less negative, such as ‘common arts’ or ‘mechanical …

Litigating The "Forever Chemical" Problem Through The Endangered Species Act, Charlotte A. Ramirez

Emory Law Journal

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of man-made, resiliently bonded chemicals, cause harm to both humans and animals. These “forever chemicals” can compromise immunity, increase cancer risks, and cause reproductive harm. Addressing the harms caused by PFAS variants is crucial to protect public health, environmental health, and biological diversity. However, the United States’ current regulatory scheme takes a disjointed approach to PFAS regulation. This is complicated by the frequent development of new PFAS variants, whose effects and environmental presence are largely unknown and understudied. While even the protections provided for humans under the current regulatory scheme fall short of …

Addiction To Constitutionally Protected Activity: Speech, Press, And Religion, Eugene Volokh

Emory Law Journal

Recent statutes and lawsuits have sought to restrict social media or video game design practices that supposedly cause some users to become “addicted.” Are such restrictions consistent with the First Amendment?

This Article begins by asking what would happen if the same arguments were applied to religious practices (whether or not the arguments’ supporters would seek to so apply them). Say some religious practice was viewed as causing emotional or financial harm—e.g., by leading some adherents to feel guilty about their sexuality, to distance themselves from family members, or to give substantial portions of their assets to the religious organization. …

Predicting Next-Day Eur/Usd Direction Using News Sentiment And Technical Indicators With Finbert And Xgboost, Darshan Sanjaybhai Khunt

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Forecasting exchange-rate movements is a challenging task because currency prices are influenced not only by macroeconomic and financial variables but also by market sentiment reflected in financial news. This thesis examines whether financial news headlines can be used to predict the next-day directional movement of the EUR/USD exchange rate by applying finance-specific natural language processing and machine learning techniques.

The study uses a dataset of approximately 466,000 finance-related English-language news headlines collected between 2021 and 2025, aligned with daily EUR/USD closing prices. After preprocessing and temporal alignment, the data are used to construct a binary classification task in which the …

Mindfulness Practice And Increases In Gray Matter Density, Gray Matter Volume, And Cortical Thickness: A Scoping Review, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been linked to psychological and cognitive benefits, yet evidence for their impact on brain structure remains sparse. Neuroimaging suggests MBIs may alter gray matter volume (GMV), density (GMD), and cortical thickness (CT). The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate structural neuroplasticity following MBIs. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2023 that used structural MRI to assess structural brain changes in subjects after receiving MBIs. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, including five randomized controlled trials. Results: Mindfulness interventions ranged from 10 h of training to long-term practice …

Geoscience, Geology And Geography

Program Revisions/Additions

No abstract provided.

287(G) Or Not 287(G)? That Is The Question: Nevada’S Role In Regulating Local-Federal Cooperation On Immigration Enforcement, Zachary Sweetin, Elizabeth Swenson

Nevada Law Journal Forum

This White Paper aims to examine the authority of local agencies and institutions in Nevada to enter into cooperative 287(g) agreements with ICE without state approval. Part I provides an overview of the history and structure of 287(g) agreements, including the recent adoption of this cooperative model by four Nevada jurisdictions. This Paper will also explore sections of Nevada Re- vised Statutes that may affect the legality of 287(g) agreements, focusing in Part II on Nevada’s modified Dillon’s Rule and in Part III on Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 228.206. Using pending American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada (ACLU) litigation against …

The Influence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Female Violent Offending: A Scoping Systematic Review, Alexis M. Wolgemuth

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Female-perpetrated violence has exhibited concerning data trends in recent years. Prior scholarship indicates that past victimization and trauma in childhood, known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are highly prevalent among women offenders. However, the research concerning ACEs and violent females is scattered. This thesis provides a scoping literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) updated 2020 guidelines. A systematic database search was conducted using Academic Search Complete, SAGE Journals, Springer Nature Link, and HeinOnline to identify relevant peer-reviewed journal articles. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are established, focusing on studies published after January 2015. These …

Chancellor’S Award For Excellence In Teaching (Caet) Committee, State University Of New York At Cortland

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Forecasting Precipitation In Cuba Using Graph Based Deep Learning, Taufiqul Islam

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Daily precipitation forecasting remained a challenging problem in regions characterized by strong spatial heterogeneity, nonlinear atmospheric dynamics, and intermittent rainfall behavior. Cuba represented a particularly complex case due to the combined influence of tropical cyclones, easterly waves, mesoscale convective systems, and orographic effects, which produced highly variable rainfall patterns in both space and time. Conventional statistical and machine-learning models typically treated stations independently and therefore overlooked spatial dependencies that strongly influenced rainfall variability across the island.

This study developed a spatiotemporal deep-learning framework for daily precipitation forecasting across 40 spatial nodes in Cuba using data from 1979 to 2023. The …

A Descriptive Study Of Culturally Responsive Practices In Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In West Virginia Elementary Schools, Janna Rae Coleman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This descriptive mixed-methods study examined elementary teachers’ implementation and perceived effectiveness of culturally responsive practices within existing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) systems in a West Virginia school district. Guided by Leverson et al.’s (2021) Culturally Responsive PBIS (CRPBIS) framework, the study explored five components of culturally responsive practice: identity, voice, supportive environment, situational appropriateness, and data for equity. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 86 elementary teachers using the researcher-developed Culturally Responsive Practices in Existing PBIS Survey. Findings indicated that teachers reported frequent implementation and perceived effectiveness across all five components, with the supportive environment receiving …

Endocranial Morphological Affinities Of The Early Holocene Individuals From Lagoa Santa And Implications For The Peopling Of The Americas, María Clara López-Sosa, Hugo Reyes-Centeno, Lumila Paula Menéndez, Rodrigo Elias Oliveira, Claudio Campi De Castro, André Strauss

Anthropology Faculty Publications

The ectocranial morphology of early Holocene humans from Lagoa Santa, Brazil has been described as exhibiting a ‘Paleoamerican’ form with affinities to African and Australasian individuals, in contrast to past and present Native Americans, who predominantly exhibit ‘Amerindian’ form. While this interpretation remains disputed, its led to the ‘Two Main Biological Components Model’, which proposes separate dispersals from Asia into the Americas. This study aims to assess whether the endocranial morphology of Lagoa Santa individuals similarly reflects these affinities. For this study, the overall endocranial morphology, as well as the temporal bones of the crania of twenty individuals from Lagoa …

Candidate Interaction Partners Of Calpain-5 Suggest Clues To Its Involvement In Neovascular Inflammatory Vitreoretinopathy, Jozsef Gal, Vimala Bondada, Rachel Crasta, Dorothy E. Croall, Calvin P. Vary, James W. Geddes

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

Although calpain-5/CAPN5 is widely expressed in mammals, little is known regarding its functions. Pathogenic mutations of CAPN5 are causal for a devastating autoimmune eye disease, neovascular inflammatory vitreoretinopathy (NIV). To provide insight into both the physiological and pathological roles of CAPN5, it is essential to identify candidate interaction partners and possible substrates. Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, transfected with full-length catalytically dead (Cys81Ala) CAPN5-3×FLAG, were used for anti-FLAG co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and quantitative proteomics using Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS). Fifty-one proteins were enriched at least four-fold, p < 0.01, relative to cells transfected with an empty FLAG vector. A high proportion (24/51) of candidate CAPN5 interaction partners are associated with protein quality control, including components of the chaperonin, chaperone, and ubiquitin–proteasome systems. Additional candidate interactors include tubulins, kinases, phosphatases, G proteins, and mitochondrial proteins. CAPN5 interactions for 14 of the candidate proteins were confirmed by co-IP and immunoblotting. Of these 14 proteins, 11 exhibited in vitro calcium-induced proteolysis following co-IP with WT CAPN5-3×FLAG. Impaired calcium-induced proteolysis of co-IP proteins was observed for the pathogenic CAPN5 variants R243L and R289W. Further studies are needed to validate the association of candidate CAPN5 interactors with proteins and complexes suggested by the SWATH-MS and co-IP results, and the possible role of CAPN5 within such complexes. The possible involvement of CAPN5 in protein quality control is relevant to NIV, as defects in protein quality control have been implicated in inherited retinal disorders. Proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD068008.

Beyond Weak Ties In Prison: An Investigation Of Core Support Networks Of Incarcerated Persons, Siyun Peng, Martha Tillson, Maria Rockett, Marisa Booty, Carrie B. Oser

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Tie formation has been a core interest of network researchers. However, most existing research on tie formation in prisons has focused on weak ties, assuming that a core network approach is less applicable within total institutions such as prisons. Drawing on egocentric network data from 389 incarcerated individuals and 1352 named network members, this study demonstrates that relationships between incarcerated persons can be examined using a core support network framework. We find that about 20 % of participants include at least one incarcerated peer in their core support networks, with these ties providing both practical and emotional support comparable to …

An Exploratory Study To Determine The Feasibility And Processes Needed To Implement The Immunization Neighborhood To Increase Hpv Vaccination Among African American Adolescents And Adolescents In The General Population: A Multi-Partner Perspective, Jennifer Cunningham-Erves, Freneka Minter, Pamela C. Hull, Amanda F. Dempsey, Alexandria Demons, Mariya Chalise, Consuelo H. Wilkins

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Limited education and healthcare access are major contributors to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities among African American adolescents. The Immunization Neighborhood (IN) involves enhanced communication and collaboration among providers to address people’s needs by expanding access points and education to increase vaccination. Because needs of immunization providers and parents to effectively collaborate are unknown, this study explored the feasibility of and processes needed for IN utilization across key partners: pediatricians, pharmacists, school nurses, health department staff, and African American parent–child dyads. We conducted a semi-structured interviews in a qualitative, descriptive study with a purposive sample of 30 African American parent–child …

Extended-Release Vs Sublingual Buprenorphine In Pregnancy Through 12 Months Post Partum: A Randomized Clinical Trial, T. John Winhusen, Michelle R. Lofwall, Frankie Kropp, Daniel Lewis, Marcela C. Smid, Jessica L. Young, Candace Hodgkins, Elizabeth E. Krans, Zachary Hansen, Elisha M. Wachman, Davida M. Schiff, Constance Guille, Vania Rudolf, Tara Chowdhury, Lawrence Leeman, Mitra Lewis, Abigail G. Matthews, Gerald Cochran, Jacquie King, Christine Wilder, Carmen Rosa

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Importance: Treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy with sublingual buprenorphine is an evidence-based practice, but it has disadvantages that could be addressed with an extended-release formulation.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of extended-release buprenorphine vs sublingual buprenorphine for OUD in pregnancy through 12 months post partum.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This 2-group, open-label, noninferiority, randomized clinical trial was conducted between July 2, 2020, and October 30, 2024, among adults with OUD and a singleton pregnancy of 6 to 30 weeks’ gestational age at 13 outpatient cross-disciplinary peripartum OUD treatment sites.

Interventions: Randomization to sublingual or extended-release buprenorphine …

Formative Research To Identify Contributors To Risky Drinking And Adapt An Alcohol Reduction Intervention Among Young Adults Vulnerable To Hiv: Qualitative Focus Group Study, Fidelis Y. Sesenu, Sally Kirklewski, Bryce Takenaka, Jaime Brown, Erin Nicholson, Kimberly Haney, Kaylia Carroll, Arjee Restar, Donte Travon Boyd, Keisa Fallin-Bennett, Trace Kershaw, Carolyn Lauckner

Communication Faculty Publications

Background: Across populations, risky drinking has been demonstrated to increase HIV risk behaviors. This is of special concern for sexually minoritized cisgender men and gender-diverse young adults (aged 18‐34 years), who report greater incidence of hazardous drinking (as defined by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption criteria) and HIV compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers.

Objective: This study aimed to examine alcohol perceptions, patterns of use, and the role that anti-LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) policies and discrimination played in alcohol risk behaviors for sexually minoritized cisgender men and gender-diverse individuals. Results were used to inform …

Non-Contact Optical Spectroscopy For Metabolic And Vascular Characterizations Of Orthotopic Tongue Cancer Models In Vivo, Md Zahid Hasan, Jing Yan, Sumit Sarker, Pranto Soumik Saha, Caigang Zhu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Most tissue optical spectroscopy platforms use a fiber probe for light delivery and collection, while the inconsistent probe-sample contact could induce significant distortions in the measured optical signals, which consequently bring analysis errors. Moreover, it will be practically difficult to use a fiber probe for measurements in some cases such as oral cancer investigations using small animal models. To address the critical challenge, we report a portable, lens-based, optical spectroscopy device capable of quantifying key vascular and metabolic parameters in vivo without probe-sample contact. We combined lenses based diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy into one portable platform to enable multi-parametric …

Combined Autofluorescence And Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy For Rapid Metabolic And Vascular Characterizations Of Orthotopic Tongue Tumors In Vivo, Pranto Soumik Saha, Jing Yan, Sumit Sarker, Zahid Hasan, Caigang Zhu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Precise label-free quantification of tissue metabolic and vascular dynamics in vivo represents a critical challenge for cancer therapy prediction and longitudinal treatment assessment. In this study, we demonstrated a portable autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy device along with novel spectroscopic algorithms to quantify tissue vascular and metabolic parameters of orthotopic head and neck cancer models in vivo. Tissue-mimicking phantom studies were used to verify the dual-modal optical spectroscopy and easy-to-use spectroscopic algorithms for rapid and accurate estimation of tissue oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin contents, and intrinsic optical redox ratio. Animal studies were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of our …

Noninvasive Diffuse Optical Monitoring Of Cerebral Blood Flow And Oxygenation Responses To Intermittent Hypoxia In Neonatal Rats, Pegah Safavi, Mehrana Mohtasebi, Chowdhury Azimul Haque, Faezeh Akbari, Xuhui Liu, Yiqi Yuan, Li Chen, Lei Chen, Guoqiang Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Significance: Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is common in preterm neonates and can cause hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. Simultaneous monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygenation is essential to detect oxygen delivery-extraction mismatches and guide intervention.

Aim: We aimed to adapt and test an innovative diffuse speckle contrast flow oximetry (DSCFO) system for continuous monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics during IH in neonatal rats, a model approximating human neonates.

Approach: Two compact laser diodes and a miniature CMOS camera were integrated into a fiber-free probe for continuous monitoring of changes in relative CBF (rCBF) and oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations (Δ[HbO₂] and …

Understanding Workplace Psychological Safety Among Latina Professionals: An Exploration Of Intersectional Experiences, Michal Tapia

Theses and Dissertations

Latina professionals represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce, yet they remain disproportionately underrepresented in executive and C-suite roles. This disparity reflects structural conditions that shape access to voice, support, advancement, and decision-making authority.

This mixed-methods study examined psychological safety among 145 Latina professionals across the United States, defined as the belief that one can speak up, ask for help, disagree, or raise concerns without fear of negative consequences (Edmondson, 1999, 2019). The study explored how identity, relationships, leadership, workplace support, inclusion, mentorship, and structural barriers shape psychological safety at work.

Quantitative analyses showed that workplace support …

Effects Of Rnai Of Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Beta, And Peptidylprolyl Isomerase A In Acyrthosiphon Pisum, Brandon L. Kennemer

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Three genes found in the Unfolded protein response, Ribophorin 1, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta, and Peptidylprolyl isomerase A are thought to be potential targets for RNA Interference (RNAi) in Acyrthosiphon pisum.  Ribophorin 1 (RPN1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that assists in anchoring ribosomes to the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane.  It acts as a substrate-specific chaperone.  It facilitates N-glycosylation by delivering newly synthesized proteins to the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex.  Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 beta (eIF2B) is a key component of the eIF2 heterotrimer that facilitates protein synthesis initiation by binding GTP and recruiting a specific transfer RNA to …

Buzzes Over Burrows: Bats And Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs In Western Kansas, Patrick L. Geyer

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The native grasslands of the Great Plains and the organisms that inhabit them are threatened by the anthropogenic disturbance of land-use change; prairie dogs (Genus Cynomys) are one such example. These mammals are considered ecosystem engineers due to their behaviors that physically modify the areas they inhabit, directly affecting the resources available to surrounding organisms. Much research exists on established or potential relationships between black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and other taxa; until recently, one taxon group absent from mentions of an association with black-tailed prairie dogs was bats (Order Chiroptera). Results of acoustic studies in eastern …

Genomic Characterization Of A Novel Bloom-Forming Cyanobacterial Species From Western Kansas., Louisa Acquah

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are a danger to freshwater systems, particularly in water limited regions such as western Kansas, yet the genetic identity and diversity of bloom-forming taxa in this region remain poorly characterized. In this study, I investigated a cyanobacterial bloom in Horsethief Reservoir (Kansas, USA) in summer 2024 with the aim of resolving the taxonomic identity and genomic features of the dominant organism. Bloom water samples were collected, and the dominant cyanobacterium was enriched and rendered nearly axenic through controlled cultivation and repeated subculturing. Preliminary 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated affiliation with the genus Limnothrix, but with notable …

The Effects Of Childhood Maltreatment On Executive Functioning: The Difference Between Cumulative Trauma, Abuse Severity, And Neglect, Kelly Krehbiel

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Childhood maltreatment is prevalent in the United States with around 558,899 children being victims of abuse in 2022 (U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2024). Neglect is the most common form of abuse with around 74 percent of abused children being neglected; however, neglect tends to be the least researched form of abuse. Childhood maltreatment has long-term effects on a person’s mental, physical, and cognitive health. Previous research suggests that childhood maltreatment leads to severe deficits in executive functioning skills such as working memory and cognitive flexibility. Executive functioning skills are important for almost every aspect of life including …

Simulation And Characterization Of Fuel Cell System Incorporated Internet Of Things, Ahmad N. Alhjouj

Mechanical Engineering Theses

Small air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems are increasingly relevant for portable and distributed applications, yet practical modeling and monitoring methods remain limited: high-fidelity physics-based models are too costly for real-time use, while purely data-driven models discard physical interpretability. This thesis develops an experimentally grounded gray-box framework for the characterization, reduced-order modeling, and IoT-enabled monitoring of a small hydrogen PEMFC system. A low-order nonlinear state-space model couples an electrochemical voltage layer to a lumped thermal layer, with parameters identified in stages using self-adaptive differential evolution. Identifiability analysis shows that static loss parameters are well constrained, while dynamic parameters …

Bridging The Gap In Patient Attendance: A Dnp-Led Quality Improvement Project To Reduce No-Show Rate By Implementing Text Message Reminders, Charles D. Rogers

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Missed medical appointments contribute to revenue loss, workflow inefficiencies, increased staff burden, and reduced patient access to care in primary care settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an automated text message (SMS) reminder system on no-show rates in a privately owned, medium-sized family practice in a rural setting, aiming to reduce the baseline no-show rate of 11.4% to 10% or less. Guided by the Model for Improvement and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, automated SMS reminders were sent 48 hours prior to scheduled appointments. Existing 24-hour phone call reminders were maintained. Formative assessments …

Barriers To Creativity: Addressing Anxiety And Self-Doubt In Secondary Visual Arts Students, Wenlai Fang

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a crucial stage for self-development and creativity development. During this period, middle school students will experience creative anxiety and self-doubt about creative expression in multiple dimensions. To help students manage the uncertainties inherent in the creative process and build confidence and resilience, this study, based on Rhodes' (1961) 4P creativity framework (Person, Process, Press, and Product), systematically investigated the obstacles to the development of adolescent creativity and identified teaching intervention measures for fostering a supportive creativity ecosystem.
This study demonstrated that the development of adolescent creativity is a result of multi-faceted and multi-dimensional interactions from the 4P creativity …

Examining Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology And Maternal Functioning During The Postpartum Period: Implications For Disclosure And Assessment, Meghan Collins

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Maternal mental health is a significant global health concern, with nearly one in five new mothers experiencing a mental health disorder during the perinatal period. Timely screening, assessment, and treatment are critical for the well-being of both mother and infant, given the potential adverse effects of unaddressed mental health concerns. While much of the existing literature has focused on perinatal depression and anxiety, research specifically examining obsessive-compulsive symptoms and unwanted or intrusive thoughts remains limited. The present study investigated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and maternal functioning, as well as experiences related to the assessment and disclosure of intrusive thoughts. …