Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Applications Of Touch Chemistry Biometrics Analysis Of Latent Fingermarks By Maldi-Ms, Cameron M. Longo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Fingerprint evidence has long been a pillar of forensic science and has been used for over a century as a means of identifying an individual. This is accomplished through the comparison of friction ridge patterns, which are inherently unique to each individual, and the practice of visualizing fingerprints and comparing them has become a well-studied field. While these techniques have been optimized and improved over time, they generally rely only on the physical pattern to provide information about the donor, and not the content of the fingerprint material itself. In the modern era, steps have been made to extract from …

The Relationships Between Grit, Mindset, And The Academic Success Of Nontraditional Students At Online Colleges, David W. Franklin Jr

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Grit and mindset are two of the hottest topics in education today, but research on their predictive power for academic success is inconclusive and rife with gaps and limitations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between grit, mindset, self-regulated learning (SRL), and academic outcomes for adult students attending online colleges. This was investigated using data from the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS) project, and includes 9,276 undergraduate, mostly adult students from two online institutions in the United States. The results indicate that while grit, its two components, and mindset were significantly correlated with …

Discrimination Between Human And Non-Human Blood Using Raman Spectroscopy And A Self-Reference Algorithm For Forensic Purposes : Method Expansion And Validation, Harrison Dickler

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Determining whether the origin of a bloodstain is human or non-human is an important capability of a forensic investigation. In their pioneering work, Bian et al. (Journal of biomedical optics, 2017) introduced a self-reference peak algorithm for the analysis of bloodstain Raman spectra and demonstrated a great potential of this approach for differentiating human and nonhuman blood. However, this work only used three non-human species in the creation of their model. This study investigates the capability of a self-referencing peak algorithm to discriminate between human and 18 non-human species based on the Raman spectra of blood samples. The intensity ratios …

The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Executive Functioning : An Adaptation-Based Perspective, Laura Morgan Welch

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The detrimental impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on executive functioning (EF) is well established. However, the common emphasis on impairments dulls the outlook for those who have experienced ACEs and overlooks potential developmental adaptations to stress. For example, more recently, researchers have found that childhood adversity may create stress-adapted skills that are functionally specialized for harsh, unpredictable environments. Thus, rather than solely cognitive impairments, stress-adapted youth may have enhanced EFs under stressful or uncertain conditions, when these skills would provide the greatest advantages. However, this effect has only been tested by inducing uncertain economic environments. More research is needed …

Methodology Studies For Dearomatized Dimer And Beta-Lactone-Mediated Native Chemical Ligation In Organic Synthesis, Xinhao Fan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Chapter 1: Dimers of naphthalenol derivatives were synthesized by photocatalysis, cobalt(II) acetylacetonate. Several functional groups were tolerant of its skeleton. This novel dimer was connected through a reversible sigma bond. Its reversibility was confirmed by chiral HPLC and 1H-NMR experiments. Through EPR and Stern-Volmer quenching experiments, we proposed the reaction mechanism. The reversibility property can be potentially beneficial in polymers, self-healing, and memory materials.Chapter 2: We report an epimerization-free native chemical ligation reaction by β-lactone-mediated peptides. This approach can achieve Thr-Xaa efficiently and rapidly. Besides, it has a broad side-chain tolerance. Through the competition reaction experiment, it was demonstrated that …

An Evaluation Of Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Youths Enrolled In Two Residential Treatment Programs, Monelle Shemique Thomas

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

AbstractModern-day residential treatment programs (RTPs) for children and adolescents have been present for over 70 years. These 24-hour treatment programs serve as a more restrictive placement for youths with severe social-emotional and behavioral difficulties that have exhausted the supports provided in the home, school, and community settings. In New York State, there exist two different types of RTPs for children and adolescents, residential treatment facilities (RTFs) and residential treatment centers (RTCs). There is limited research comparing these residential programs and the impact of differential funding on residents’ treatment program entry and outcomes. The current evaluation attempted to explore the similarities …

Analysis Of Mitochondrial Codon Usage, Shelina Begum

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The human mitochondrial genome is circular and encodes for its own two ribosomal RNAs, 22 tRNAs and 13 proteins needed for oxidative phosphorylation. Although the mitochondria require nuclear proteins and machinery for transcription and translation, the translation of 13 mRNAs occurs within the mitochondria. The dysregulation of mitochondrial translation is associated with diseases like MELAS (Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) and MERRF (Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers), which can be caused by tRNA defects and lead to decreased translation of mitochondrial complex I proteins (MELAS). We have analyzed the codon usage of human mitochondrial genes and compared them …

The Mountain Gap Wind Of The Isthmus Of Tehuantepec And Its Impact On Tropical Cyclogenesis In The Eastern Pacific, Adolfo Lugo Rios

Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation we research two aspects of the mountain gap wind northerlies of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Southern Mexico. The causes of extreme gap wind northerlies, emphasizing the causes by tropical weather systems, like easterly waves troughs or hurricanes, and the impacts of an extreme gap wind events on tropical cyclogenesis.

Through the use of an index to diagnose the mountain gap wind strength, its evolution through the year and the mechanisms leading to extreme mountain gap winds was highlighted. The index revealed that the gap wind is strongly related to high surface pressure anomalies over the GoM …

A Novel Phase And Spectroscopic Imaging Technique To Evaluate Cellular Functions, Ting Chean Khoo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This thesis presents the application of Raman spectroscopy, digital holographic microscope (DHM) and transport intensity equation (TIE) in imaging biological samples. Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that can provide chemical structure, concentration, temperature, and molecular interactions. On the other hand, DHM and TIE provide physical measurements such as height, width, area and volume.We applied Raman spectroscopy to study iron-bound transferrin (Tf) in intact human breast cancer cells. Iron is an essential element required for human life and is highly regulated in the body. As the exact mechanisms of iron-bound Tf in cells are not well known, we developed a …

Genomic Epidemiology Of Clinical Salmonella Enterica In New Hampshire, 2017-2020, Madison R. Turcotte

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica remains a challenging public health threat. We aim to characterize the population structure and evolutionary history of 394 genomes of S. enterica isolates recovered from human clinical cases in New Hampshire, USA from 2017 to 2020. The population is phylogenetically diverse, consisting of 78 STs and 67 serotypes. We detected 61 genes associated with resistance to14 different antimicrobial classes. Rather than a single multidrug resistant clone expanding in the state, we found multiple lineages carrying different combinations of independently acquired resistance determinants. New or emerging lineages can therefore rapidly spread over relatively short timeframes. In …

Examining The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Birth Outcomes In Onondaga County, New York, Simone A. Seward

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Preterm birth (PTB), defined as births that occur prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation, and low birth weight (LBW), defined as an infant born with a birthweight of < 5.5 lbs or 2,500 grams, have been identified as significant contributors to the high infant morbidity and mortality rate in the United States (U.S.). The etiology of PTB and LBW is complex, and multifaceted. Linkages have been made to several categorical risk factors related to socio-demographics, medical, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental pathways. Given the known risk factors, the current COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns from public health officials and clinicians about the short-and long-term impact on the health and well-being of pregnant women and their birth outcomes. Study Purpose: The purpose of the study was to: 1) examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) in Onondaga County, NY; and 2) determine the potential impact of psychosocial factors, particularly maternal depression and social support, on PTB and LBW. Guided by the Integrated Socio-Environmental Model of Health and Well-being (ISEM), The Life Course Perspective (LCP), concepts of allostatic load and the weathering hypothesis, the study recognizes the numerous factors, over the life course, that co-occur and can synergistically contribute to or moderate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth outcomes. Methodology: The study utilized a mixed methods approach to answer the four research questions. For the quantitative component, the study utilized relevant data elements obtained from the Statewide Perinatal Data System (SPDS) during February 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021 for secondary data analysis. For the qualitative component, 20 key informant interviews were conducted to investigate and describe the health care and social support experiences of individuals who delivered in Onondaga County, NY before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Results from the bivariate analysis indicated a statistically significant association between lack of prenatal care, lack of social support, maternal depression and both PTB and LBW (all p <.0001). Exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic was not significantly associated with either LBW or PTB (p=0.2289 and p=0.2932, respectively). The analysis yielded no statistically significant difference in the rates of LBW (p= 0.2289) or PTB (p=0.2932) between the two cohorts. The major themes that emerged from the interviews related to prenatal care experience were: Preparing for Pregnancy, Feeling Supported by their Health Care Provider, Restrictive COVID-19 Policies, Dealing with the Unknown, and Self-Advocacy. The major themes related to social support experience were: Personal Relationships during Pregnancy, Forms of Social Support during pregnancy, and Pandemic Impact on Social Support. Overlapping themes were identified between the two cohorts. Study Significance: The findings from this study have implications for public health and clinical practice, public health policy, and future research. The findings from this study emphasize the need for a range of accessible, affordable options for pregnancy-related care and social support, especially during stressful life events, like a pandemic. This study contributes to the growing literature on the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an analysis of the factors (risk and protective) which could moderate or mediate the effects of a public health crisis on birth outcomes. The strength of the study lies in the triangulation of data to research a persistent public health issue and health disparity during a widespread public health crisis.

Developing High-Resolution Meteorological Datasets To Assess The Short-Term Association Between Meteorological Factors And Green Space And Mental Disorders, Xinlei Deng

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Global climate change is linked to the frequency and intensity of local climate extremes such as heatwaves, cold spells, and flooding. Scientific evidence indicates that heatwaves and higher ambient temperature could increase the risk of hospital admission and emergency department (ED) visits for mental disorders (MDs). On the other hand, urban green space is considered a way to reduce heat island effects and provide comfort for area residents. However, there still exist huge research gaps. Except for temperature, few studies have examined how other meteorological factors (relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), heat index (HI), and rainfall) are associated with …

A Sense Of Belonging: An Examination Of The Impact Of Leadership Behaviors On Teacher Morale In Rural Middle Schools, Taquilla Barksdale

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to shed light on the importance of addressing low teacher morale and provide methods for improving teacher morale through leadership behaviors. This study was designed to determine the leadership behaviors that will best heighten morale as perceived by middle school teachers. Thirty-nine teachers who teach middle-level grades (Grades 6-8) in rural areas completed a survey. The survey had 18 leadership behaviors. The teachers ranked the leadership behaviors within five leadership responsibilities based on the behavior’s importance to them. The five leadership responsibilities categories were based on the Wallace Foundation’s (2013) research. Instructional leaders, …

Accelerated Master Of Accountacy, 2022-23, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Master's Level Degrees

No abstract provided.

Elucidating The Role Of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 In Lung Stem Cell Fate And Lung Disease, Aria Byrd

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

The average human lungs take ~22,000 breaths and inhale ~2,000 gallons of air each day. This organ is the primary conduit for the transfer of oxygen to the internal organs, making it crucial for the sustainment of life. Consequently, mechanical malfunction of the lungs and/or pollution of inhaled air negatively impact internal organ function and ultimately put survival in jeopardy. Epigenetics, by nature, is a plastic phenomenon in which environmental stimuli influence short term, long term, and generational gene expression patterns. Chronic exposure of harmful stimuli to the lung epithelium has also been shown to alter epigenetic pathways, engender aberrant …

Sex Dimorphism In Hematopoiesis And Bone Marrow Niche, Xiaojing Cui

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), which are a rare population of cells existing in human circulating blood and bone marrow, can form the whole-blood system by their self-renewal capacity and differentiation ability. Sex dimorphism can be found in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and in the development of hematopoietic lineages. Also, males are at higher risk and have a worse prognosis for most hematologic malignancies than females. Under normal conditions, the number of circulating progenitor cells in women is lower than in men. Furthermore, female mice have a higher rate of HSC division than male mice. A dramatic gender difference exists …

First Destination Survey 2022: For Degrees Awarded December 2021-August 2022, Hart Career Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

First Destination Survey

[from the email sent by Warren Kistner]

The Hart Career Center is responsible for producing an annual First Destination (graduate) survey that tracks the post-graduate activity of our students within a six-month window of commencement. Following this collection period, we work to produce a report that provides our university community with vital information about the success of our graduates and allows us to address questions posed by prospective students and families. I am pleased to share our report for the class of 2022. Based on data obtained for 88.1% of our graduates, 97.3% are either employed or in graduate/professional school …

2021 Annual Survey: Recent Developments In Sports Law, Abby R. Glaus

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Pipeline To Title Ix, Dionne Koller

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Solution In Search Of A Problem: Justice Demands More For Trans Student-Athletes To Fulfill The Promise Of Title Ix, Mollie Mcquillan, Suzanne Eckes, Maria Lewis

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

"Can" Versus "Should": Title Ix, Transgender, And Athletic Opportunities, J. Brad Reich

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

Restoring Title Ix’S Constitutional Integrity, Elizabeth Kaufer Busch, William E. Thro

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

Current And Past Prairie Reconstruction Approaches, Sophie Wieland

Honors Capstone Projects

This project was concerned with prairie reconstruction - that is, lands that have been seeded and are being managed to emulate a prairie ecosystem. The first section is a literature review on how prairie reconstruction arose. In the second component, data on plant species in local reconstructed prairies collected for the Prairie Reconstruction Initiative by the Morris Wetland Management District were summarized. The new monitoring framework is evaluated, as is the condition of the selected reconstructions, including the success of planted species and encroachment of non-native species.

Education And The Gender Spectrum: Addressing Gender Identity Needs In The High School Environment, Donna Eason

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of teachers and administrators in addressing the needs of transgender and nonbinary students. Because most current research focuses mostly on the experiences of students, this study specifically investigated the beliefs, behaviors, challenges, and successes of educators. By analyzing the data provided by the participants, teachers and administrators could be made aware of how best to create and maintain inclusive school environments. The qualitative methodology included interviews with teachers and administrators from a charter school and a private school and focused on their thoughts, feelings, and actions regarding interactions with students who identify as transgender …

The Impact Of Noncognitive Skills On Student Achievement In Elementary-Age Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Karen Garmon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has created one of the largest disruptions in educational history. The impact on learning loss and social-emotional well-being from the pandemic threatens to compromise achievement outcomes for an extended number of years. Previous research has proven relationships between grit, growth mindset, self-efficacy, and academic achievement (Duckworth, 2016; Duckworth et al., 2007; Dweck, 2008), but little is known about the validity of noncognitive constructs and academic achievement in elementary-age students, particularly how the relationship between these variables affected student achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine if noncognitive traits had a relationship …

Teacher Self-Efficacy Levels In Providing Reading Instruction To Students In Kindergarten Through Second Grades, Rebekka Powers

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy levels of kindergarten through second-grade teachers in their ability to provide reading instruction to students with a focus on the five foundational areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. In addition, the study sought to make recommendations as to how the district of study can enhance teacher efficacy in delivering reading instruction, as well as assist the district in providing instructional resources and teacher professional development that increase teacher efficacy levels in reading instructional practices. A mixed method approach was used to conduct this study. Data were …

Career And Technical Education High School Internships: A Program Evaluation Of The Effect Internships Have On The Education And Career Choices Of Students, Randal Hylemon

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study evaluated the effectiveness of career and technical education internships during high school and gave the administration some insights that can guide the program forward. A key component of the program’s effectiveness is the impact the program has on the overall education and career choices of students involved in career and technical education (CTE). This formative program evaluation collected qualitative data by surveying students who had participated in internships while attending each of the high schools located in a school district in the western part of North Carolina to gain information regarding how their internships affected their educational path …

A Case Study Of School Turnaround: How Leadership Behavior, Professional Learning, And Efficacy Building Can Impact Student Performance, Winter Goodson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of school turnaround through an examination of educator perceptions of the implementation of Voelkel’s (2014) framework for professional learning communities (PLCs), collective efficacy, and transformational leadership, which provided the theoretical framework for the study. This study explored the processes that take place in one of the previously lowest-performing elementary schools in the state to explore the patterns of behavior and beliefs of the team engaged in the work of turnaround. During this study, 19 educators completed a 25-question survey instrument with a 5-point Likert scale that measured the aforementioned constructs …

Cure Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 6 (1), Department Of Oncology

Cancer Updates Research & Education (CURE) Archives

• Message from the Chair
• Dr. Mansoor Saleh (Founding Director of the AKU Cancer Centre in Nairobi) Visited to AKU Pakistan
• Conferences & Workshops Oncology
• 16th SAARC Federation of Oncologist (SFO) ONCO-CON 2022
• Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer (GICC) project
• 14th International Onco Surgical Conference
• First National NCD Conference
• Awards & Achievements Oncology
• Nurses Updates Oncology
• Appointment & Promotion @ Oncology
• World Cancer Day 2022
• Blast from the Past
• Our Distinguished Faculty: Dr Munira Moosajee
• Publications

A Mixed Methodology Study Of How Neuroscience And Social-Emotional Learning Impact Students’ Academic Achievement And Behavior, Laura Shipman

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study is a mixed-method case study using a qualitative and quantitative study structure. The intent of this study was to measure the impact of neuroscience or brain-based social-emotional (SEL) skills and strategies on students who have been identified with disruptive behavior and/or trauma. The impact is evaluated through the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL framework of five competencies (CASEL, 2020). The SEL program used in this study was the Second Step program. There were 33 students who were in an intervention pull-out group. Eight teachers and eight parents participated in the study. Quantitative data were gathered …