Digital Commons Network^™

Integrative Approaches In Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers And Ai-Driven Hypothesis Generation For Early Diagnosis And Drug Resistance, Heliang Yin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early diagnosis being critical for improving patient outcomes. This study addresses two key aspects of CRC research: understanding its etiology and prognostic biomarkers and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating hypotheses for early diagnosis. In the first project, we analyzed prognostic biomarkers in CRC, revealing a significant negative correlation between TP53 and CD56 mutations, which have opposing effects on patient survival. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is frequently mutated in CRC, while CD56, a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, may act as a cancer enhancer. …

Synthesis And Design Of Clpp Activators As Novel Antibiotics, Schyler Odum

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. Design and synthesize novel compounds to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections by targeting the dysregulation of the Casein Protease P, ClpP. Methods. Utilize established chemical methods to synthesize ureadepsipeptides, small-molecule ClpP activators, and ureadepsipeptide hybrids. Assess their effectiveness by using minimum inhibitory concentration assays and in vitro biochemical assays for ClpP activation. Explore their potential as antibiotics through mitochondrial toxicity tests, glucose/galactose assays, and biophysical measurements related to metabolism and clearance, including thermal shift and surface plasmon resonance assays. Results. Synthesized and tested 33 novel compounds, comprising a total of 80 synthetic steps. Conclusion. The three-part conclusion from the dissertation …

Characterization Of Novel Hantaviruses In Paraguay, Ifebuche Nnamani

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The genus Orthohantavirus, is a group of tripartite, negative-sense RNA viruses of which some members are the etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or orthohantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Old and New Worlds, respectively. Sampling of wild rodents for these viruses has increased our knowledge of their host range and continues to lead to the discovery of new orthohantaviruses species and strains. HFRS and HPS have case fatality rates of up to 15% and 40%, respectively. And in some years, morbidity rates of up to 100,000 cases can be reached, globally. The epidemiological evidence of human-to-human …

Utilization Of Model-Based Approaches To Maximize Efficacy Of Antibiotics For The Treatment Of Mycobacterium Abscessus Pulmonary Infection, Hyunseo Park

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Prevalence and incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) pulmonary infections have increased and been recognized as a major cause of mortality, particularly in certain patient populations, such as cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Due to the intrinsic multidrug resistance mechanisms and biofilm (BF) formation properties of Mab, effective treatment remains challenging, as these factors significantly diminish the antibacterial activity of drugs. Current treatment guidelines recommend prolonged therapy, generally more than 12 months with a multidrug combination of at least four agents. However, no optimal combination, regimen, or treatment duration has been universally established for Mab pulmonary infections (Mab-PI). Therefore, the selective and …

Protein Kinase D1 In Myeloid Cells Promotes Disease Progression And Severity In S. Rectivirgula Induced Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, John David Snyder

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammation driven interstitial lung disease characterized by inflammation of the interstitium, bronchioles, and alveoli of the lung that leads to granuloma formation. Myeloid lineage immune cells play a critical role in the early and late stages of the disease, and this activity is mediated through toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed by these cells. Protein kinase D1 (PKD1) has previously been identified as a critical signaling molecule in the TLR signaling pathways of all TLR family members except for TLR3. Our previous research found that activation of protein kinase D1 (PKD1) in the lungs following exposures …

Incorporating Social Determinants Of Health Into A Screening Tool Using Machine Learning To Predict Lung Cancer Diagnosis Among High Risk Patients, Bianca Jackson

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This research aims to assess the impact of incorporating social determinants of health (SDoH) into prediction screening models for predicting lung cancer among high risk-patients. Lung cancer is typically diagnosed at a later stage when surival and health outcomes are poor. Screening guidelines are currently in place; however, patients at high risk can be missed. There is a need for short-term predictions, to better identify patients at an earlier stage. SDoH features, such as socioeconomic satus, can provide social context that improves identification of patients who might have otherwise been overlooked. The proposed framework includes developing an early detection tool …

Cook Martin Poulson, P.C. V. Daniel G. Smith, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (2020 –)

Reply Brief of Appellant
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Hay Comida En La Casa: Study On Food Inaccessibility In Nyc, Crystal A. Secaira , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ Perspectives On Behavioral Classroom Expectations Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Jennifer E. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) were failing in general education courses. The purpose was to investigate how teachers’ perceptions and biases influenced EBD students. Participants included five teachers (two special education teachers and three general education teachers) from each of Grades 6, 7, and 8 recruited from social media. The study was guided by the case study research design, and the interview instrument was the Indepth Interview Protocol. Data analysis was guided by a coding system that facilitated searching the interview responses for themes.

Research Question 1 queried about forms …

Teacher Perception On The Implementation Of A Culturally Responsive Ela Curriculum, Erica Tate Dial

Theses and Dissertations

While the principles of culturally responsive and culturally relevant teaching hold transformative potential, they can only be fully realized if educators are genuinely equipped and empowered to implement them. This qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of an English Language Arts curriculum through the lens of culturally relevant and culturally responsive teaching. A diverse group of teachers, varying in experience, age, gender, and race, were interviewed to gather a range of perspectives on the implementation of this curriculum. The study focused on addressing the following research questions: 1. What are teachers’ perceptions of culturally responsive and culturally relevant instruction and academic …

The Impact Of Structural Gamification On Student Motivation And Engagement In A Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Natalie Campbell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Engagement through gamification can play a crucial role in enhancing student motivation. Gamification provides direct feedback, makes learning interactive, fosters collaboration, and makes learning more autonomous (Kuh, 2001; Reeve & Tseng, 2011). Including game-thinking and game mechanics in the classroom adds an aspect of engagement that may otherwise be lacking.

This action research study explored the impact of structural gamification on student engagement and motivation when incorporated in a middle school language arts classroom. Using a mixed-methods approach, the researcher measured student engagement and motivation. It reported detailed perceptions of participants through survey responses, examined achievement data from summative assessments, …

An Examination Of Middle School Girls’ Perceptions And Preferences Of Reading From A Device Versus Paper, Debra Kisch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Schools have been impacted by the technological advancements of the world. With these changes, students have been increasingly using technology, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of devices to read, both for pleasure and academically, have increased, especially since the introduction of Amazon’s Kindle in 2007 (Ashburn, 2024). Additionally, schools have started issuing devices for students to use and it is reported that forty-five percent of schools have a computer for each student (National Center for Education Statistics, 20). They found an extra 37% reported having a computer for each student in some grades or classrooms. States are also …

Socioeconomic Status And Educational Opportunities Through The Eyes Of Students And Teachers: Diverse Realities, Shared Insights, Jill Schany

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Sowl and Crain (2021) argue that despite recognizing the uniqueness of the place when it comes to rural demographics and needs, policies regarding education and the economy often prioritize urban areas, defining rural in opposition to urban without adequately addressing the specific needs of rural youth. Studies examining geographical disparities in educational outcomes traditionally concentrated on achievement gaps within urban and suburban areas, highlighting more startling gaps in cities with heightened racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequality and segregation. Literature also extensively discusses neighborhood effects on educational outcomes in densely populated regions, offering valuable insights into the distribution of educational opportunities …

Understanding The Problem Of The Modern-Day Teacher Shortage: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Stories Of Teachers In The Profession, Adam R. Magliari

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The present study explored phenomenological research on teachers leaving the profession. This qualitative study examined the real-life experiences of teachers contemplating departure from the field of education. Additionally, it investigates how principals in schools with high retention rates support teachers in their craft, focusing on practices for retaining and recruiting during these challenging times. The researcher conducted interviews with four teachers and four principals using guiding questions, creating a case study for each participant. The collected artifacts were coded and thematically analyzed to address the three central questions of this research. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, this study examines its …

More Than Just A Game: What Higher Education Can Learn From Player Agency, Kyle Haiman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Higher education presents students with the challenge of balancing institutional expectations for autonomy with the need for community and support. In a world that is becoming more individualized and less empathetic, agency, or engaging in intentional action,plays a crucial role in navigating this tension. Agency has been linked to academic success and real-world problem solving, yet its development among college-aged students remains an ongoing challenge. Games and game-based learning offer a unique lens through which to explore agency, as players regularly engage in decision making, problem solving, and self-directed learning.

This qualitative study examined how college students at a regional, …

Operationalizing Intersectionality Analysis For Urban Agriculture In Quito, Ecuador, Laine N. Young

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis outlines the results of a case study in Quito, Ecuador with the municipally led participatory urban agriculture project, AGRUPAR, an internationally recognized project that promotes women’s empowerment, traditional knowledge, agroecology, and livelihoods. It works to improve the lives of those experiencing high levels of poverty in Quito. This dissertation applies an intersectional analysis to urban agriculture research to enhance attention to power relations, social justice, and equity within its scholarly and practical realms. Intersectionality is an understanding that people have unique experiences of oppression based on their unique social location (what intersecting social categories they belong to) and …

Multi-Lingual And Cross-Domain Frontiers In Machine-Generated Content Detection, Gurunameh Singh Chhatwal

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and their multilingual capabilities, has significantly blurred the distinction between human-authored and machine-generated content. This technological evolution introduces critical challenges concerning the detection and attribution of textual authenticity and authorship, exacerbating societal issues like misinformation proliferation and compromising academic and professional integrity. Traditional detection methodologies, predominantly monolingual and heuristic-based, have demonstrated inadequate generalizability and efficacy against the sophisticated, multilingual capabilities of contemporary generative models.

This thesis addresses two major problems arising from these advancements. Firstly, it introduces novel multilingual detection methodologies explicitly designed to differentiate …

The Perceived Frequency And Effects Of Multilingual Communication In Youth And Adolescent Soccer, Simao M. Araujo

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In professional soccer, the topic of multilingual communication has been widely researched; however, there appears to be a gap in the literature concerning how multilingual use is perceived by athletes and coaches at the youth and adolescent level of the sport. In the present study, male soccer athletes ages 10 to 18 years old and their coaches completed a questionnaire in which they rated both perceived frequency of use and perceived effects of using multilingual communication in youth and adolescent soccer. Specifically, these questionnaires elicited quantitative information regarding categories such as tactical advantages, words of encouragement, general expressions, and group …

Examining The Impact Of Early Literacy Interventions On Teachers’ And Parents’ Learning And Perceptions Of Early Literacy Development, Abigael Mary Hogarth Todd Miss

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Parents and teachers play a vital role in fostering early literacy development; however, many require additional training to enhance their understanding of alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness. This study examined the effectiveness of two instructional videos—one on phonological awareness and one on evaluating alphabet books—in increasing teachers’ (n = 35) and parents’ (n = 34) perceptions about these domains and the practical application of information covered in the videos. The 69 participants viewed each video, and results indicated a general decrease in confidence following exposure to these videos, likely reflecting an increased awareness of the complexity of the …

Special-Purpose Governments, Conor Clarke, Henry Hansmann

Scholarship@WashULaw

When one thinks of government, what comes to mind are familiar general-purpose entities like states, counties, and cities. But more than half of the 90,000 governments in the United States are strikingly different: They are “special-purpose” governments that do one thing, such as supply water, fight fire, or pick up the trash. These entities have expanded far more rapidly than any other form of government. Yet they remain understudied, and they present at least two puzzles. First, special-purpose governments are difficult to distinguish from entities that are typically regarded as business organizations—such as consumer cooperatives—and thus underscore the nebulous border …

Venturing Into Health, Rachel Sachs

Scholarship@WashULaw

In recent years, the landscape of venture capital (VC) investment in healthcare technologies has been altered by the introduction of new types of VC firms: those that have emerged from hospital systems and health insurers. However, the legal literature has not yet analyzed these new VC firms, the role they may play in healthcare innovation, and how innovation law and policy ought to consider their involvement. Hospital system and health insurer VC firms operate very differently than do traditional VC firms, even those that have historically developed healthcare specializations. Instead of simply investing capital into start-up firms, hospital system and …

A New Framework For Drug Pricing Law And Policy, Rachel Sachs

Scholarship@WashULaw

Scholars and policymakers have expressed concern about the impact of high prescription drug costs on patients and healthcare budgets. This Article presents a new theoretical framework for evaluating both the problem to be addressed by drug pricing reforms as well as the efficacy of potential solutions. In seeking to solve “the drug pricing problem,” our legal system has given primacy to competition rather than regulation to drive down drug prices. This Article disaggregates the broader concept of “the drug pricing problem” into four steps, each of which must be addressed and each of which elevates different institutional actors to key …

Algorithmic Governance And Nondiscrimination Rights In The Workplace, Pauline Kim

Scholarship@WashULaw

This chapter analyzes existing legal responses to the problem of discriminatory algorithms in the workplace. As firms increasingly rely on algorithms or automated decision systems, a type of artificial intelligence, to manage their workforces, concerns have grown that these tools can systematically exclude historically disadvantaged groups. One response is to rely on traditional anti-discrimination law. These laws clearly prohibit certain forms of algorithmic discrimination; however, the complex, opaque nature of algorithms makes identifying and proving discriminatory harms challenging. Another response looks to broader frameworks of data protection and algorithmic regulation to protect against workplace discrimination. These initiatives are promising, but …

Measuring Income And Income Inequality, Conor Clarke, Wojciech Kopczuk

Scholarship@WashULaw

Income inequality is important, but attempts to measure it arrive at strikingly different conclusions. Why? We use recent disputes over measuring United States income inequality to return to first principles about both the income concept and inequality measurement. We emphasize two broad points. First, no measure of the income distribution is truly comprehensive, or could attempt to be comprehensive without making controversial choices. We document the practical and conceptual problems that the standard ideal—comprehensive Haig-Simons income—raises. Second, much of the controversy in this area turns on the many tradeoffs between starting with individual tax data versus more expansive income concepts. …

Defending Battered Survivors With Brain Injuries: An Educational Guide For Advocates In North Carolina, Kelly Newcomb

Campbell Law Review

In the 1980s, the concept of "Battered Woman Syndrome" (BWS) was introduced into U.S. courtrooms, typically as a defense in homicide cases where survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) killed their abusers. Traditional BWS theories largely center around psychological not physiological impacts of IPV Since then, researchers have begun to recognize the prevalence of brain injuries (BIs) in IPV survivors.

While most BI research centers around male subjects, emerging studies suggest that the effects of BI may be especially severe in women IPV survivors due to anatomical, hormonal, psychological, and socio-economic factors. These developments may support decreased culpability for female …

Child Abuse By Serious Emotional Damage: An Invitation For Repulsive Arguments, George Sparks Bennett

Campbell Law Review

The purpose of this Comment is to call attention to the need to eliminate the definition of "serious emotional damage" as defined in North Carolina General Statutes section 7B-101(1)(e). This Comment uses a recent case from the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the ensuing denial of a petition for discretionary review by the Supreme Court to highlight how the statute invites parents to argue, in matters as sensitive and awful as child abuse, that the emotional damage inflicted upon a child is not severe enough. This Comment discusses the procedural processes for investigating instances of reported child abuse and …

Affirming Independent Judgment: The End Of Agency Deference In North Carolina, Jake Parker

Campbell Law Review

In the summer of 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Chevron doctrine, which required federal courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. While the debate about agency deference in federal litigation generated significant attention in the legal community and from media outlets, the use of agency deference in state courts has received relatively little fanfare. This Article examines how the concept of agency deference entered North Carolina's administrative law jurisprudence and the North Carolina Supreme Court's recent efforts to reject the use of deference in the state's courts. This Article supports the court's project …

Tides Of Power: Coastal Conservation Association V. State And The Clash Of Environmental Rights, Legislative Authority, And Judicial Limits In North Carolina, Dylan Long

Campbell Law Review

Environmental policy in North Carolina has primarily been within the discretion of the General Assembly. There has been little judicial determination as to what duty, if any, the state has in maintaining its natural resources for public use. North Carolina courts have provided limited judicial input on the General Assembly’s minimum, constitutionally required duty to protect the state’s natural resources. The courts’ sparse decisions have been inconsistent on what the legislature’s minimal obligations are. A recent and ongoing case has brought this issue to a head. The courts will soon be required to rule on the merits of this issue, …

Incitement, Enthusiasm, And The Dangers Of Negligent Protest, John D. Inazu

Scholarship@WashULaw

This Article explores the murky line between protected speech and assembly on the one hand, and harmful incitement on the other. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Oliver Wendell Holmes’s dissent in Gitlow v. New York, it explores Holmes’s famous dictum that “every idea is an incitement” as a conceptual starting point. By analyzing the relational and temporal dynamics between speaker and listener, the Article highlights how meaning and effect are often shaped by the listener’s agency and other circumstances beyond the control of the speaker. Two contemporary cases illustrate these dynamics. The first is the Fifth Circuit …

Ai Ethics, Law, And Policy, Pauline Kim, Ryan Durrie

Scholarship@WashULaw

AI technologies promise many benefits, but they can also have significant negative impacts on human health, safety, well-being, and fundamental rights. This chapter explores the different governance tools that have been considered for guiding developments in AI in socially beneficial ways, examining the relevance of ethics, law, and policy. Each of these approaches offer tools to address these concerns; however, each has limitations, and none provides a complete solution in itself. Statements of ethical principles can articulate high-level values and goals to guide behavior but are usually quite vague and difficult to operationalize. They also lack any enforcement mechanism. In …