Digital Commons Network^™

Structure And Function Of Type 1 Pilus Assembly Machinery In Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli, Ryan Bitter

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Gram-negative bacteria produce chaperone-usher pathway (CUP) pili, which are extracellular adhesive protein fibers critical for host-pathogen interactions. An outer-membrane usher protein, together with a periplasmic chaperone, assembles thousands of pilin subunits into a pilus fiber. Each pilus is tipped by an adhesin that mediates host and tissue tropisms by binding to receptors with stereochemical specificity. Type 1 pili expressed by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are essential virulence factors in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and facilitate attachment to mannosylated glycoproteins on bladder epithelial cells. Although type 1 pili have been extensively studied, critical gaps remain in our understanding of the molecular …

Learning Structure With Multivariate Information Bottleneck And Exploration Of New Methods In Sequential Decision Making, Volodymyr Makarenko

Master's Theses

Research in useful information extraction has been motivated by the increasing demand to extract insights from unstructured data, and by the need to store and transmit great volumes of information, often originating in unstructured data such as videos. Research in rate distortion and information bottleneck paved the path for understanding and guiding the design of lossy encoders, capable of extracting relevant information. Independently, research in deep representation learning has enabled numerous applications for unstructured high-dimensional data such as images. However, the interpretability of the deep learning methods remained limited. Several desired properties of learned representations have been suggested, including disentanglement. …

Challenges And Opportunities In Medical Tourism, Nizar Zein

Visions in Leisure and Business

Medical tourism is a rapidly expanding industry, with an increasing number of patients traveling abroad for medical treatments and procedures. This trend is expected to continue as the industry evolves to meet shifting patient demands and preferences. People are motivated to seek healthcare outside their home countries for various reasons, such as access to advanced technology, faster treatment, higher quality care, or more affordable options available in the destination country. Patients today are more informed and selective about their healthcare choices. They seek not only cost-effective treatments but also high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience. The future of medical …

Introduction, Fang Wang, Katey Price, David Groves

Visions in Leisure and Business

No abstract provided.

The Spoon In The Sand: Cripping The Adventure Narrative To Reclaim Autonomy, Maggie Morehart, Fang Wang

Visions in Leisure and Business

Disabled and chronically ill adventure travel - and the digital storytelling that accompanies it - can act as both a deeply personal and a political statement that resides at the intersection of empowerment, rebellion, and performative pressure. Platforms like Instagram amplify the narrative of overcoming, while shifting perceptions of what disabled adventure looks like. These narratives simultaneously have the potential to challenge stereotypes or reinforce unrealistic expectations of disabled bodies. This paper explores the value of adventure and its portrayal as a means of asserting independence, pushing limits, and reclaiming agency in an ableist world.

La Emboscada Postpoética De Agustín Fernández Mallo: Física, Cognición, Contemporaneidad, Entropía, Candelas Gala

Purdue Studies in Romance Literatures

La emboscada postpoética de Agustín Fernández Mallo: física, cognición, contemporaneidad, entropía analyzes the poet’s proposal to rescue, with his Postpoetry, official poetry from its sclerotic stagnation due to its fidelity to worn-out premises, to recover a language connected with matter, and to renew its cognitive value. By means of byways (or drifting) through different disciplines, Postpoetry shares space with television, pop music, videos, the Internet, cinema, the arts, publicity, and the sciences, physics in particular. Postpoetry illuminates the intersection between the tranquility that tradition provides and the disquiet that comes with novelty. There is an ambush because, like Odysseus with …

Flowing Progress: Transforming The Danube Through Infrastructure, Stefan Dorondel, Luminita Gatejel

Central European Studies

Flowing Progress: Transforming the Danube Through Infrastructure focuses on how different political regimes and forms of governance have imagined and technologically transformed the most international river in the world. Multidisciplinary and drawing on methodologies of history, anthropology of infrastructure, and science, technology, and society, this collection explores the tensions between the river and its natural pulses, the humans that populate its floodplains, state agencies, and infrastructure. The book engages the concept of disturbance to point out the circular and spiraling dynamics between hydrological processes and technopolitical and economic practices. Disturbance denotes a specific type of long-term dynamic between human attempts …

Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing Captures Geometry And Slow-To-Fast Sliding Transition Of The 2017 Mud Creek Landslide, Alexander L. Handwerger, Pascal Lacroix, Andrew F. Bell, Adam M. Booth, Mong-Han Huang, Simon M. Mudd, Roland Bürgmann, Eric J. Fielding

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Landslides pose a significant hazard worldwide. Despite advances in landslide monitoring, predicting their size, timing, and location remains a major challenge. We revisit the 2017 Mud Creek landslide in California using radar interferometry, pixel tracking, and elevation change measurements from satellite and airborne radar, lidar, and optical data. Our analysis shows that pixel tracking of optical imagery captured the transition from slow motion to runaway acceleration starting ~ 1 month before catastrophic failure—an acceleration undetected by satellite InSAR alone. Strain rate maps revealed a new slip surface formed within the landslide body during acceleration, likely a key weakening mechanism. Failure …

Management Of Critically Ill Patients Following Earthquake Disasters, Esat Kivanç Kaya, Burçi̇n Halaçli, Mehmet Yildirim, Arzu Topeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkiye on February 6, 2023, emphasized the profound societal and healthcare challenges posed by natural disasters. These events highlighted the essential need for healthcare professionals to be well-prepared and equipped with the expertise to manage such crises effectively. Earthquake-induced trauma presents a wide array of medical and surgical complications, frequently requiring urgent hospitalization and specialized management for critically ill patients. However, the limited availability of comprehensive data and evidence-based guidelines complicates optimal care delivery in these scenarios. This review outlines current recommendations for the multidisciplinary management of critically ill patients with earthquake-related trauma. It …

Evaluation Of Metabolic Uptake In Gynecological Organs Using Fdg-Pet In Women Diagnosed With Non-Gynecological Malignancies, Funda Atalay, Uğurcan Zorlu, Koray Aslan, Fatma Batak, Tuba Zengi̇n Aksel, Güli̇n Uçmak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Gynecological malignancies, including those affecting the uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva, and adnexa, pose significant physical and psychosocial burdens. Early detection and effective management of these malignancies are critical for improving outcomes. This study aims to evaluate metabolic uptake patterns in gynecological organs using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and to analyze their malignancy potential in women with nongynecological cancers.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 women with nongynecological malignancies who exhibited pathological FDG uptake in gynecological organs on FDG-PET/CT imaging. Lesions were evaluated based on the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax), morphological characteristics on contrast-enhanced …

Ultrasonographic And Elastographic Evaluation Of Plantar Fascia And Achilles Tendon Alterations In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Rifat Bozkuş, İhsani̇ye Süer Doğan, Berna Turhan, Sümeyya Duran Kaymak, Mustafa Hulusi̇ Kurt, Rasi̇me Peli̇n Kavak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The primary aim of this study is to compare the thickness and stiffness of the PF and AT between healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A secondary objective is to explore the correlations between the thickness and stiffness of the PF and AT with diabetes duration (in months) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in T2DM patients without peripheral neuropathy or foot ulcers, with peripheral neuropathy or with foot ulcers.Material and Methods: A total of 289 participants, including 117 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 172 T2DM patients (59.5%), matched for age, sex, and body mass index, …

Addition Of Antimicrobials To Oral Sprays Containing Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Does Not Reduce The Severity Of Postoperative Sore Throat: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Peli̇n Yildiz, Mobi̇n Hemmati̇, Leyla Kutlucan, Tankut Uzun, Togay Müderri̇s

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following general anesthesia that significantly affects patient satisfaction, prolongs recovery, and increases treatment costs. This study aimed to evaluate whether the addition of antimicrobial agents to NSAID-based oral sprays could enhance the preventive efficacy against POST.

Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 105 patients (ASA I–II; age 18–65 years) scheduled for elective ear surgery under general orotracheal anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: a placebo group; a flurbiprofen oral spray group; and a group receiving an oral spray containing benzydamine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine digluconate, and …

Are Paraplegic Wheelchair Users Vulnerable To Overuse Syndromes?, Kutay Tezel, Esra Ülgen Kiratlioğlu, Hüseyi̇n Kayadi̇bi̇, İlkay Karabay, Mi̇tat Cebeci̇, Eda Gürçay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background and Aims: The purposes of this study are to determine the frequency of upper extremity overuse syndromes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) using manual wheelchairs, to evaluate them clinically and sonographically, and to reveal possible factors that predispose to overuse syndromes.

Materials and methods: A total of 38 traumatic SCI patients who were over 18 years of age and manual wheelchair users were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The patients were evaluated with clinical and sonographic findings of the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints. Functional capacity, physical ability and symptoms of upper extremity, and quality of …

Prognostic Role Of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index And Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value In Acute Methanol Poisoning, Hati̇ce Şahi̇n, Gülay Ulusal Okyay, Fatma Ayerden Ebi̇nç, Fevzi̇ Coşkun Sökmen, Emre Yaşar, Gülşen Akçay, Mehmet Deni̇z Ayli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Acute methanol poisoning (MP) poses a significant public health challenge, with inflammation increasingly recognized as a key factor in its pathophysiology. Identifying accessible and reliable prognostic biomarkers could help enhance clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and the Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV), measured upon emergency department admission, in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with acute MP.Material and methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with acute MP at two tertiary care centers in Ankara, Türkiye [University of Health Sciences Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Research Hospital (January 1, 2015–October 1, …

Autonomous Uav Swarm Formation Utilizing Gradient-Driven Contour Mapping For Radiation Source Localization, Edgar Amalyan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis presents a drone swarm for radiation mapping to aid source localization. The Department of Energy advocates employing UAVs for this task, but existing approaches remain inefficient and impractical in real-world scenarios. Three custom drones are built and flight-tested. A control algorithm to follow a contour, a constant-intensity path, is designed using a gradient fit. By knowing the source’s direction, the drone swarm can fly in the optimal trajectory at every step, leaving nothing to assumption. A program is created that implements formation flight and autonomous navigation. It is tested via a software-in-the-loop simulation utilizing radiation sources and detectors …

The Dropbot: Design And Development Of A Custom Drone For Precision Water Drop Penetration Time (Wdpt) Testing, Mugundan Prakash

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Assessing the hydrophobic characteristics of soil is vital for understanding soil wettability or soil-water interactions, particularly in post-wildfire environments where water repellency can significantly impact ecosystem recovery, water infiltration, and erosion control. One key metric in soil wettability studies is the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) test, which evaluates the hydrophobicity of soil and guides land treatment strategies. This thesis presents the design and development of DropBot, a custom-built drone platform engineered for the precise delivery and analysis of water droplets in WDPT tests.The DropBot, a custom drone, integrates a lightweight, 3D-printed frame with a self-leveling platform, enabling consistent droplet …

Factors Associated With Discrimination-Related Distress Among Sexual And Gender Minority Individuals: A Predictive Analysis, Emylia Terry

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals face disparate rates of mental health outcomes, such as psychological distress, which contributes to suicidality. This may be attributable to minority stress, which posits that health inequities impacting this community are driven by increased exposure to stigma- and discrimination-related stressors. The negative physical and psychological health impacts of psychological distress and discrimination are well-documented in the literature. Structural stigma – in the form of harmful anti-LGBTQIA+ laws and policies – is associated with increased suicidality. However, little is known about factors associated with perceived discrimination occurrences and discrimination-related distress. First, a systematic review was …

Little Cigar And Cigarillo Graphic Health Warnings And Quitting Behaviors A Randomized Clinical Trial, Adam O. Goldstein, Kristen L. Jarman, Leah M. Ranney, Jennifer Cornacchione Ross, Sarah D. Kowitt, Chineme Enyioha, Sonia A. Clark, Paschal Sheeran, James F. Thrasher Ph.D., Ma, Ms, Desmond Jenson, Nadja A. Vielot

Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Although little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) are common combustible tobacco products, the effects of LCC warning labels on behavioral outcomes remain untested.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of LCC graphic health warnings (GHWs) on promoting LCC quitting intentions and behaviors.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized clinical trial included 1029 adult LCC users from a Qualtrics online panel who were randomized to (1) LCC GHWs (n = 339), (2) existing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) text-only warnings (n = 346), or (3) no stimulus control (n = 344). Participants accessed messages via email from May 1 to August …

The Impact Of Alternatives To Incarceration And The Motherhood Identity On Mothers And Their Children: A Qualitative Study, Chloe Blau

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The U.S. prison system population increasingly includes women, a significant proportion of whom are mothers, often incarcerated for non-violent crimes. Some research suggests that alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs can help these women to continue supporting their children while serving their sentences and receiving services that may decrease recidivism. However, few studies have explored the lived experiences of women in these programs. This dissertation investigates the impact of participating in ATI programs on mothers and their relationship to their motherhood identity, their ability to mother, and their relationship with their children. Using a qualitative approach to better understand how women …

The Effectiveness Of Pre-Packaged Literacy Curriculum: A Document Analysis Of The Culturally Responsive Tenets In Pre-Packaged Literacy Curriculum, Grace Ghazzawi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The introduction of the Common Core State Standards in 2010 sought to standardize educational expectations across the U.S., aiming to promote equity by ensuring all students received a high-quality education. However, educational disparities persist, particularly for historically marginalized students, leading to a continued achievement gap in literacy, especially among low-income students of color. While pre-packaged curricula have emerged as tools to align instruction with the rigor of the Common Core State Standards, their effectiveness in addressing the diverse needs of students from marginalized backgrounds remains uncertain. This study explores the intersection of pre-packaged literacy curricula and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) …

The Impact Of The Doctor-Patient Relationship In Bipoc Women Suffering From Benign Gynecological Conditions, Gabriela Baez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study sought to gain a better understanding of the impact of the doctor-patient relationship on BIPOC women with benign gynecological conditions. The current study explored how wellbeing is impacted in BIPOC cis-gender women with benign gynecological conditions by measuring the quality of the relationship. General racism experience was also explored as a moderator on the impact of doctor-patient relationship on wellbeing. A total of 169 participant responses were included in this study. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between gynecological conditions and wellbeing. In addition, there was a significant negative relationship between racism experience and …

The Influence Of Remote Instruction On Middle School Ell Students' New Jersey State Learning Assessment English Ela And Math Achievement, Marie Chezuette Dort

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This correlational study explained the influence of remote instruction on English Language Learner (ELL) students' middle school grades on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This study focused on data collected in two separate school years and analyzed middle school grades with the ELL Subgroup. It indicated the correlation between remote instruction and ELL students' ELA and mathematical performance in the NJSLA Grades 6, 7, and 8. This study also included controlled variables, Grades 3, 4, and 5, from 2018-2019 and other student characteristics, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students and …

Sexual Intervention Self-Efficacy In Clinical And Counseling Psychology Doctoral Trainees: Examining Education, Family Sexual Communication, And Sex Positivity, Sara Aigen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Sexual wellbeing is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of psychological health. Despite its significance, many psychologists report discomfort and low self-efficacy in addressing clients’ sexual concerns. The current study examined factors associated with sexual intervention self-efficacy among doctoral trainees in clinical and counseling psychology. Specifically, it investigated whether family communication about sex and didactic education in sexuality predicted sexual intervention self-efficacy and whether sex positivity moderated these relationships. A cross-sectional survey design was employed with 166 doctoral students enrolled in APA-accredited programs across the United States. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and measures assessing family sexual communication, sex positivity, …

A Systematic Review To Assess The Use Of Peer Mediated Interventions For Children With Autism When Autistic Children Serve As Peer Instructors And Models, Corinne Boyce-Swem

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, social interactions and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest or activities. These deficits hinder autistic children’s social and communicative skills. Peer-mediated interventions (PMIs) have been found effective in the development of communication, play and social skills in individuals with ASD. In PMIs typically developing children are trained to be peer models of socially acceptable behavior for children with ASD. This however may contrast with literature indicating that the most effective peer models are individuals who share similarities with the learner. The current study was …

Does The Literature Empirically Support The Use Of Behavior Analysis In The Treatment Of Sports Related Concussions: A Systemic Review, Kayla Mckoy

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Although the literature supports the use of applied behavior analytic (ABA) interventions in the treatment of traumatic and acquired brain injuries, the question remains as to whether or not ABA procedures are an effective treatment option specifically for TBI associated with sports related concussion (SRC). The purpose of the present study was to review the literature available on the use of ABA with individuals diagnosed with sport related TBI to determine if there is enough research to empirically support the use of behavior analysis in the treatment of sport related concussions. The PRISMA method for systematic reviews was used to …

Characterization Of Electrical And Optical Properties Of Europium Oxide, Mshari H. Alhsawi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Oxide semiconductors with high optical transparency hold significant promise for a broad range of optical applications. Among them, europium oxide (Eu₂O₃ ) has garnered considerable attention for its potential in transistor devices, resistive random-access memory (RRAM), white light-emitting devices, and erasable optical storage systems. Additionally, Eu₂O₃ is employed in nanoscale applications, such as photoactive coatings and high-k dielectrics. Its advantageous dielectric properties and high transmittance make it particularly well-suited for capacitor fabrication. The material also exhibits resistive switching behavior and notable optical absorption, further enhancing its relevance for optoelectronic devices.

In this study, Eu₂O₃ thin films were deposited using RF …

Preserving Florida History In 3d: A Digital Public History Project Preserving Paleo-Native American Artifacts And Jack West Architecture From Warm Mineral Springs, Florida, Trevor D. Colaneri

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis project examines low-cost photogrammetry and 3D walkthrough tours to preserve a collection of artifacts and buildings from Warm Mineral Springs, Florida. The documented objects and structures consist of a small collection of artifacts from Warm Mineral Springs currently held by Florida’s Bureau of Archaeological Research and three buildings designed by noted architect Jack West, a Sarasota School of Architecture member, which suffered extensive damage from a category five hurricane in 2022. Warm Mineral Springs is an archaeologically significant site and is one of the few sites in Florida that demonstrate significant paleo-Native American cultural remains that has also …

“Rights Not Rescue”: How Stigma Influences Harmful Legislation Toward Sex Workers In The Deep South, Abigail Mckenzie Conover

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In the United States, while prostitution or sex work is not explicitly illegal at a federal level, certain characteristics have been criminalized, mainly in indirect ways. This is significant when considering the different ways that sex work is regarded (both positively and negatively) at an institutional level. The current study examines the potential correlation between structural/institutional stigma regarding sex work/sex workers and legislation meant to directly or indirectly harm sex workers. The overall goal of this research was to answer the following question: How does structural/institutional stigma against sex workers present itself in legislation? To accomplish this, I conducted a …

Instructional And Motivational Factors Predicting Deep Learning Approaches In Pre-Clinical Medical Students, Kenneth L. Dearman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Pre-clinical medical students predominantly employ surface learning approaches, focusing on memorization and exam preparation rather than developing a deep understanding of medical knowledge. This study employed a correlational design comparing two courses with different instructional approaches using expectancy-value theory to examine how instructional methods and motivational factors predict deep learning approaches among 148 pre-clinical medical students at a College of Medicine in the Southeastern United States. Initial results showed that the three separate constructs in task motivation (expectancy beliefs, values, and cost) did not mediate the relationship between active instructional methods and deep learning strategies. Instead, active learning was a …

The Association Between The Social Determinants Of Health And Shared Decision Making: An Investigation Of The National Survey Of Children's Health, Vernon T. Headley

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Objective: Shared decision-making (SDM) is defined as a clinical approach that allows both physicians and patients to communicate on the best treatment options that will improve the patient's overall health outcomes. Shared decision-making plays a vital role in how parents engage with their physicians regarding the healthcare needs of their children. This dissertation assessed the association between the social determinants of health and shared decision-making regarding children’s health-related issues.

Methods: The data for the current research were the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), combined 2017-2020. The dependent variable was shared decision-making and included discussing treatment options, raising concerns regarding …