Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Proteins Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Risk In Diverse Racial And Ethnic Populations, Shuai Liu, Jingjing Zhu, Hua Zhong, Chong Wu, Haoran Xue, Burcu F Darst, Xiuqing Guo, Peter Durda, Russell P Tracy, Yongmei Liu, W Craig Johnson, Kent D Taylor, Ani W Manichaikul, Mark O Goodarzi, Robert E Gerszten, Clary B Clish, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Heather Highland, Christopher A Haiman, Christopher R Gignoux, Leslie Lange, David V Conti, Laura M Raffield, Lynne Wilkens, Loïc Le Marchand, Kari E North, Kristin L Young, Ruth J Loos, Steve Buyske, Tara Matise, Ulrike Peters, Charles Kooperberg, Alexander P Reiner, Bing Yu, Eric Boerwinkle, Quan Sun, Mary R Rooney, Justin B Echouffo-Tcheugui, Martha L Daviglus, Qibin Qi, Nicholas Mancuso, Changwei Li, Youping Deng, Alisa Manning, James B Meigs, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Lang Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Aims/hypothesis: Several studies have reported associations between specific proteins and type 2 diabetes risk in European populations. To better understand the role played by proteins in type 2 diabetes aetiology across diverse populations, we conducted a large proteome-wide association study using genetic instruments across four racial and ethnic groups: African; Asian; Hispanic/Latino; and European.

Methods: Genome and plasma proteome data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study involving 182 African, 69 Asian, 284 Hispanic/Latino and 409 European individuals residing in the USA were used to establish protein prediction models by using potentially associated cis- and trans-SNPs. The models were …

Perceived Stigma's Influence On The Association Between Suicide Risk Severity And Help-Seeking For Suicidal Crises, Donna Zastrow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Unfortunately, research examining help-seeking for suicide is limited. This study examined age, race, gender, suicide risk severity, and perceived stigma as predictors of formal and informal help-seeking behaviors individuals engage in during suicidal crises, and explored perceived stigma as a moderator of the relationship between risk severity and help-seeking. Method: Data from 80 college students who had experienced a past suicidal crisis were analyzed using two moderation analyses. Results: Rates of formal (67.5%) and informal (86.2%) help-seeking were high in the study sample. Higher suicide risk severity was positively associated with formal help-seeking (b = …

Association Of Common And Rare Variants With Alzheimer’S Disease In More Than 13,000 Diverse Individuals With Whole-Genome Sequencing From The Alzheimer’S Disease Sequencing Project, Wan-Ping Lee, Seung Hoan Choi, Margaret G Shea, Po-Liang Cheng, Beth A Dombroski, Achilleas N Pitsillides, Nancy L Heard-Costa, Hui Wang, Katia Bulekova, Amanda B Kuzma, Yuk Yee Leung, John J Farrell, Honghuang Lin, Brian W Kunkle, Adam Naj, Elizabeth E Blue, Frederick Nusetor, Dongyu Wang, Eric Boerwinkle, William S Bush, Xiaoling Zhang, Philip L De Jager, Josée Dupuis, Lindsay A Farrer, Myriam Fornage, Eden Martin, Margaret Pericak-Vance, Sudha Seshadri, Ellen M Wijsman, Li-San Wang, Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project;, Gerard D Schellenberg, Anita L Destefano, Jonathan L Haines, Gina M Peloso

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common disorder of the elderly that is both highly heritable and genetically heterogeneous.

METHODS: We investigated the association of AD with both common variants and aggregates of rare coding and non-coding variants in 13,371 individuals of diverse ancestry with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

RESULTS: Pooled-population analyses of all individuals identified genetic variants at apolipoprotein E (APOE) and BIN1 associated with AD (p < 5 × 10

DISCUSSION: We observed that complementary pooled-population and subgroup-specific analyses offered unique insights into the genetic architecture of AD.

HIGHLIGHTS: We determine the association of genetic variants with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using …

Relative Muscular Effort In The Older Adults During The Sit-To-Stand Task: Monitoring Neuromuscular Reserve And Movement Limitations, Nayun Ahn, Michael H. Haischer, Cara L. Lewis, Kristof Kipp

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Due to lower maximum strength, older adults purportedly need to exert greater muscular effort to stand up from a chair. This study investigated joint-specific muscular effort during a sit-to-stand by calculating relative-muscular-effort and investigating differences between healthy older and young adults.

Methods

Fifteen older (age: 69.9 ± 3.5 years) and 15 young (age: 22.2 ± 2.6 years) adults performed five self-paced sit-to-stand trials. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected and used to calculate inverse dynamics net joint moment. Peak isometric knee and hip extensor torques were measured and used as inputs to regression models that predicted angle- and velocity-dependent …

A Graph Motif Adversarial Attack For Fault Detection In Power Distribution Systems, Dibaloke Chanda, Nasim Yahyasoltani

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Fault detection is an integral part of the protection system in a power distribution network. Due to advanced computational capabilities, deep learning-based algorithms can significantly outperform traditional methods. However, these deep learning models are prone to adversarial attacks which are not well-addressed as traditional cyber attacks in distribution systems. More specifically, to capture the structure of distribution systems, graph neural networks (GNNs) are employed. Leveraging the backdoor attack model, we propose a novel graph-based adversarial attack algorithm for fault detection in power systems. It is further shown that the adaptable structure of GNN can make them vulnerable to adversarial attacks …

Artificial Intelligence Uncertainty Quantification In Radiotherapy Applications – A Scoping Review, Kareem A Wahid, Zaphanlene Y Kaffey, David P Farris, Laia Humbert-Vidan, Amy C Moreno, Mathis Rasmussen, Jintao Ren, Mohamed A Naser, Tucker J Netherton, Stine Korreman, Guha Balakrishnan, Clifton D Fuller, David Fuentes, Michael J Dohopolski

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/purpose: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiotherapy (RT) is expanding rapidly. However, there exists a notable lack of clinician trust in AI models, underscoring the need for effective uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods. The purpose of this study was to scope existing literature related to UQ in RT, identify areas of improvement, and determine future directions.

Methods: We followed the PRISMA-ScR scoping review reporting guidelines. We utilized the population (human cancer patients), concept (utilization of AI UQ), context (radiotherapy applications) framework to structure our search and screening process. We conducted a systematic search spanning seven databases, supplemented by manual …

Student Misbehaviors, University Instructors’’ Mental Health, And Trauma Management: A Phenomenological Study, Abdul Karim, Bineeta Rahman, Muhammad Kamarul Kabilan

The Qualitative Report

The present study aimed to unpack student misbehaviors that instructors face inside the university campus. It also intended to unfold how student misbehaviors affect instructors’ mental health and how they overcome the trauma engendered by student misbehaviors. Adopting a phenomenological approach, we explored the phenomenon to answer the research questions by conducting semi-structured interviews with six teachers. Through a thematic analysis, we found that university instructors experience various misbehaviors presented by students inside the university campus, and as a result, their mental health suffers. However, instructors tend to ignore their mental health and focus on academic activities to overcome the …

Real-Time Network Simulations For Ml/Dl Ddos Detection Using Docker, Luis D. Garcia

Master's Theses

As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within cybersecurity continues to

grow, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models are increasingly used to

detect cyber attacks. However, these models are rarely evaluated in real-time attack

scenarios to see how subtle changes from the real networking environment can affect

their predictions. To address this issue, we propose a scalable, platform-independent

Docker testbed specifically designed for simulating real-time Distributed Denial of

Service (DDoS) attack scenarios that allows researchers to deploy and evaluate their

pre-trained, ML and DL detection models. Our framework is simple to configure

and can run across Intel and …

Practical Model Of A Labview Controlled Active Magnetic Bearing On A Bently Rotor Kit Validated With Matlab And Msc Adams, Luis Herrera-Delgado

Master's Theses

This thesis aimed to model a rotor supported by an active magnetic bearing (AMB). The magnetic force equation due to a single electromagnet was first derived which served as the basis of AMB modeling. The finalized model utilized Matlab, Simulink, and MSC Adams to simulate a rotor supported by an AMB. Matlab and Simulink were used to model the AMB control system and actuator output. MSC Adams was used to capture the dynamics of a flexible rotor. This model was verified by comparing the model’s simulated vibration to real vibration data measured from a modified Bently Nevada rotor kit equipped …

The Application Of Generative Ai For Sketch-To-Image Conversion, Jeremy J. Kozlowski

Master's Theses

Sketches have historically been the primary way to identify individuals when images are unavailable. Most commonly, this appears in a police investigation, where the police release a sketch to the public in an attempt to find a suspect. However, sketches occasionally do not provide much detail due to the limitations of both the witness and the artist. A poor sketch greatly hinders the public’s ability to identify someone, decreasing the chances they will be found. To improve upon this inefficient way of identifying individuals, we propose a new pipeline that leverages deep generative artificial intelligence models to create detailed images …

Performance Of Multi-Composite Materials With Corrugated And Cell Geometries Under Low-Velocity Impact, Lukas S. Kolbl

Master's Theses

Composite structures have demonstrated great potential to improve mechanical performance in various applications, including ballistics protection. This study demonstrates that the integration of geometrically optimized composites into core-face sheet assemblies provide great impact resistance. The research investigated the performance of two composite manufacturing methods under low-velocity impact through residual strength and damage comparisons. Corrugated core composites were produced with traditional manufacturing methods, namely compression molding, using twelve stacking sequences. These stacking sequences were chosen to represent four laminate groups, where a unique fiber orientation scheme was employed across three laminate thicknesses (6, 8, and 12 layers). In contrast, honeycomb and …

Finite Element Analysis And Verification Of Transverse Mechanical Properties Of Generally Cylindrical Orthotropic Constitutive Modeling Of 3-Phase Nanocomposite Unit Cell, Christopher J. Hawkins

Master's Theses

Fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly popular due to their specific strength and stiffness, making them ideal for high-performance applications. However, these materials primarily exhibit superior properties in-plane, while their out-of-plane characteristics remain comparatively weaker. Previous research has shown that the most effective method to enhance out-of-plane properties involves the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. Experimental tests have demonstrated significant improvements in properties such as tension, flexural, short beam shear, and fracture toughness. Alongside these experimental studies, analytical equations have been developed to predict the behavior of these composites under various loading conditions, including tension, bending, shear, and fracture. Existing models primarily address …

Bonsai Merkle Tree Streams: Bulk Memory Verification Unit For Trusted Program Verification System, Richard J. Rios

Master's Theses

Today, all modern computing systems are undoubtedly vulnerable to numerous types of attacks that could be targeted toward any layer of the system from dedicated hardware to highly abstracted software. Unfortunately, many devices and systems naturally contain inadequately protected components or software modules that un- dermine their security as a whole. Additionally, security is heavily variable system to system, and has a huge dependence on adequate implementation and ongoing support from device and software manufacturers. To address these various security issues in a very general way, TrustGuard, a containment security system utilizing an external device called the Sentry that would …

Photophoretic Optical Particle Trapping Improvements Using Beam Reflection, Ian A. Garcia, Xiaomin Jin Phd., Kun Hua Phd.

Master's Theses

Current research has shown that photophoretic optical trapping (POT) is a promising method for creating true three-dimensional holograms. A landmark study by Smalley et. al. at BYU was able to generate a full hologram within a 2 cm edge cube with remarkable success. However, a key drawback to this method is its poor ability to hold trapped particles within the focal point of the laser for an extended period of time. An investigation from our group presented at SPIE Photonics West 2023 sought to improve these results by varying the focal length of the trapping and the wavelength of the …

Joseph Moxon: Fueled By Science, Extinguished By Class. How A Forgotten Middle-Classed Early Modern English Puritan Printer Mathematician And Globe-Maker Helped Forge The Scientific Revolution And Democratize Knowledge Among The Trades, Kenneth L. Macro Jr.

Master's Theses

Joseph Moxon, raised within the trades, elevated into the middle-class, was an inducted Fellow of the Royal Society, Hydrographer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, Printer, Author, Translator, Maker of Globes and of Spheres, Maker of Maps and of Mathematical Instruments, Engraver, and Entrepreneur. Moxon was the quintessential Renaissance Man. A tradesman living in a time of great scientific intrigue and discovery, Moxon, acknowledged by few mid-seventeenth century historians, rightfully contributed his scientific discoveries—in the forms of tutorials and manuals written for the common man—as a testimony to all printers who have helped in the progression of the Scientific Revolution. …

Ultrasound Denoising And Speckle Reduction Using Artificial Neural Networks, Mark Atttaalla

Master's Theses

This paper focuses on improving speckle reduction and denoising performance in ultrasound images by leveraging neural networks. A dataset of simulated ultrasound images was created using Field-II simulation software based on CT scan images, to create clean and noisy image pairs. Various Convolutional Neural Network models based on U-Net and generative adversarial networks were developed and tested. Peak Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measurement (SSIM) were used as metrics along with qualitative assessment. Results show that our tuned U-Net generator network outperformed traditional filtering such as Lee and BM3D.

Qualitative Insights Into School Improvement Practices: Stakeholder Perceptions In Ghanaian Junior High Schools, Mark Quansah Dr., Emmanuel Erastus Yamoah Dr

The Qualitative Report

This study aims to explore diverse perspectives on strategies for enhancing academic performance in Ghanaian Junior High Schools (JHSs). Recognizing the importance of context and stakeholder input, the research investigates the perceptions of teachers, headteachers, and school improvement support officers (SISOs) regarding effective school improvement practices. The study examined two Ghanaian districts using a qualitative case study design within an interpretive paradigm. Purposive sampling with maximum variance was used to target 20 participants, including 10 teachers, five headteachers, and five SISOs. Semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering, and the results were subjected to thematic analysis to find trends and …

Digital Footprint Management: Youth And Social Media On Protecting Your Online Identity And Reputation, Jorge Aguiar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Fifty percent (50%) of youth between the ages of 8 and 17 have been discovered to use the internet and social media services on a daily basis. This (50%) also demonstrates the rising issues between digital footprints, cyberbullying, and cybercrime rates against these types of youth. It was discovered that youths, between the ages of 8 and 17 years old, are savvy with technology, based on gender, grade, and socioeconomic status, but also lack the awareness of their own digital footprint and how to manage it. Researchers have discovered that issuing cybersecurity awareness school lesson plans and parental controls may …

Personalities Of Victims: A Look Into What Makes The Human Mind More Susceptible To Social Engineering, Matthew Ulloa

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social engineering is a frequent attack used to steal information from victims. This attack has plagued businesses worldwide for many years and continues to get worse every year as it deals with the human aspect of cyber security, something often ignored in cyberspace. Humans have been deemed as the weakest link in cyber security. Previous researchers have taken it upon themselves to discover links between the human mind and social engineering. This graduate research paper was conducted on the foundation of these research papers, based on the Five Factor Model of Personalities (FFM) and susceptibility to social engineering. This research …

The Effects Of Wildfires On Predation Risk, Perch Selection, And Background-Matching In Western Fence Lizards, Elmer Ernesto Gutierrez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Fires are a naturally occurring phenomenon, driving a range of behavioral, reproductive, and morphological adaptations in wildlife. However, we are now living in a new geological epoch—the Pyrocene—characterized by human-induced extreme fire behavior. This shift results in a need to understand how animals survive and adapt in post-fire environments. In this study, we investigated the following questions: (1) Does predation risk increase in burned habitats after a fire? (2) How does dorsal darkness morphology vary between burned and unburned habitats? and (3) Do animals select perches that enhance their background-matching in post-fire environments? We used the Western Fence Lizard ( …

Exploring Secure Methods For Ensuring Data Integrity: A Theoretical Analysis Of Cryptographic And Detection Techniques, Haryam Garcia Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigates cryptographic methods to ensure data integrity within cloud environments, with a particular focus on comparing the security, performance, and efficiency of MD5 and SHA-256 hash algorithms. Data integrity is critical for protecting sensitive information, especially in sectors like healthcare, where cloud storage solutions are increasingly prevalent. Through a theoretical analysis, the study evaluates the advantages and limitations of MD5 and SHA-256, emphasizing SHA-256’s stronger security capabilities in preventing collision attacks compared to MD5, albeit with higher resource consumption.

The literature review draws from recent advancements in cryptography, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, presenting a comprehensive view …

The Practical Adoption And Application Of Blockchain Technology Within The Beverage Industry, Alexander Adams Jr

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Abstract

The beverage industry is facing heightened scrutiny as the demand for transparency and accountability reaches new heights. In the age of information technology, companies must prioritize enhanced traceability to ensure product safety, comply with government regulations, maintain customer trust, and protect brand integrity. This thesis explores the potential of blockchain technology as a solution to these challenges, focusing on its ability to decentralize data, improve traceability, and expedite response times during safety recalls. The research provides an overview of the evolution of food safety regulations, beginning with the first establishment by Upland Sinclair, and examines current traceability practices and …

Exploring The Impact Of Leaders’ Emotional Intelligence On Employee Retention And Job Satisfaction: An Employee-Centric Perspective, Stacia Mccambridge

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Employee retention and job satisfaction are crucial for the success of higher education institutions, as turnover incurs high costs and disrupts operations. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how leaders’ emotional intelligence, as defined by self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management emotional intelligence, impacts employee satisfaction and retention in university settings in Southern California. The theoretical framework used for this study was the emotional intelligence theoretical framework of Goleman et al. (2002), which includes self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management competencies to conduct surveys and interviews. The two research questions that guided this study of how employees described, based …

Project Tracking With Mobile Devices, Mike Son

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This innovative project tracking with mobile devices provides comprehensive access to project information, modernized communication, and effective work management from any device. Through a simple interface, it enables real-time collaboration, work delegation, and progress monitoring, making project management simpler everywhere. A standout feature of this application is its provision of a dedicated API (Web Programming Interface) for mobile devices, enabling seamless integration and synchronization between the web application and mobile platform apps. This guarantees a consistent and integrated user experience across all devices, allowing for quick task updates, and information sharing. The web application emphasizes security, with secure encryption and …

The House Elena Built: Historical Archaeology Of Las Violetas (Ca-Sdi-4674), Sue Hagen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Las Violetas, also known as the Dear Adobe, is a late 19th century structure in Escondido, California, that was nearly lost to history. Elena Couts Dear, her husband Parker, and their five sons lived on the property from 1895 to 1904, and it is Elena who will be the primary focus of this project. She grew up in a wealthy, well known family in San Diego County, and Parker Dear owned a large rancho in what is now Riverside County. However, their fortunes changed, and they settled in this small home and property, a stark contrast to the life they …

Penny-Wise But Not Pound-Foolish: The Second Circuit Limits The Scope Of Scheme Liability For Securities Fraud In Sec V. Rio Tinto Plc, Julia Sullivan

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Link Between Over-The-Counter Pain Medication Use And Hypertension Risk, Maheen Zahidi, Saira Saeed Khan, Sadaf Naeem, Anosh Tahir, Gufran Ullah Khan, Maryam Mehmood, Afshan Bano

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both non-selective and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, are among the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide. NSAIDs alter renal function if given in high enough doses, reducing renal blood flow and the glomerular filtration rate and causing sodium retention. An issue of interest is the association between the consumption of self-medicated over-the-counter (OTC) drugs analgesics, specifically NSAIDs and hypertension (HTN), which is considered as a cardiovascular risk factor. Objectives: This research aims to establish the relationship between the frequent use of OTC NSAIDs and an increased risk of hypertensive disease, emphasizing the implications of …

Addressing The Teen Mom Situation In Thailand: A Systematic Review On Challenges, Initiatives And Recommendations For Improvement, Junkkrit Wunggrath, Phinphot Phrommasen, Wanchalerm Ritthimon

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Teenage pregnancy in Thailand poses significant public health challenges with implications for societal welfare and economic development. This systematic review analyzed the challenges faced by teenage mothers in Thailand, evaluated existing initiatives, and proposed evidence-based recommendations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases and others focusing on literature from 2016 to 2023. Keywords included “teenage pregnancy,” “teen mom,” “unwanted pregnancy,” and “unintended pregnancy” resulting in the selection of 36 studies. The PRISMA framework was followed to ensure a systematic approach. Data extraction focused on societal, educational, economic, and health-related challenges as well as …

Exploring The Content Of Introductory Quantitative Methods Courses For Education Doctoral Students, Samantha Brooke Patterson

Dissertations

Quantitative methods training is an integral part of an Education Doctoral Degree (EdD). Students tend to struggle with the content of these courses and consequently their quantitative proficiency has suffered. Currently, there is no consensus on the learning outcomes of introductory quantitative methods classes, leaving instructors to individually decide the content and teaching methods of their classes. The aim of this study was to capture the content of introductory quantitative methods course and determine their alignment with current best practices in statistics education.

• Q1 What curricular and pedagogical techniques are used in introductory quantitative methods course for EdD students?
• Q2 …

The Inheritance And Breakthrough Of Twentieth-Century Harpsichord Music: Stylistic Analysis And Performance Guide Of Selected Works, Hanguang Wang

Dissertations

The twentieth century saw a notable revival of early music, with the harpsichord, one of the key instruments in this movement, gradually gaining attention as a vehicle for new compositions. However, most research still focuses primarily on early music, leaving the phenomenon and specific works of modern harpsichord music underexplored, despite the substantial body of compositions it has inspired.

This dissertation traces the development of harpsichord music across four historical periods, while also examining the stylistic and technical shifts in compositions from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. By analyzing Bohuslav Martinů’s Deux Pièces pour Clavecin, H. 244, and …