Digital Commons Network^™

Imaging Of Dynamic Processes In Materials With A Laser-Wakefield Accelerator, J. Kang, R. J. Shalloo, M. J. Higgins, S. J.D. Dann, J. N. Gruse, C. I.D. Underwood, A. F. Antoine, C. Arran, C. D. Baird, M. D. Balcazar, N. Bourgeois, J. A. Cardarelli, K. Krushelnick, S. P.D. Mangles, C. D. Murphy, N. Lu, P. P. Rajeev, M. P. Selwood, D. R. Symes, C. P. Ridgers, A. G.R. Thomas, C. Thornton, Z. Najmudin, P. G. Sanders, P. D. Staublin, A. J. Shahani, M. J.V. Streeter

Michigan Tech Publications

Betatron x rays generated from laser-wakefield accelerators are a promising source for imaging dynamic processes in materials. Here, we present proof-of-concept imaging of microstructural evolution in a hypermonotectic Al-Bi alloy, which consists of liquid Bi particles in a solid Al matrix. The images capture the elongation and fragmentation of Bi particles upon isothermal annealing. Because of the femtosecond time scale of the betatron source, the images are not subject to motion blur, whereas the accessibility of the source allows for studies of long-term processes such as annealing. The high-resolution data reveal that the evolution of Bi particles is mediated by …

Emerging Tools In Plant Genome Editing, Shilpi Sharma, Naveen Kumar Saroha, Abhilasha Sehrawat, Guiliang Tang, Deepali Singh, Sachin Teotia

Michigan Tech Publications

Plant genome editing has undergone a transformative shift with the advent of advanced molecular tools, offering unprecedented levels of precision, flexibility and efficiency in modifying genetic material. While classical site-directed nucleases such as ZFNs, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 have revolutionized genome engineering by enabling targeted mutagenesis and gene knockouts, the landscape is now rapidly evolving with the emergence of novel systems that go beyond the conventional double strand break (DSB)-mediated approaches. Advanced and recent tools include LEAPER, SATI, RESTORE, RESCUE, ARCUT, SPARDA, helicase-based approaches like HACE and Type IV-A CRISPR system, and transposon-based techniques like TATSI and piggyBac. These tools unlock …

December 3, 2025 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Trends In Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes In The Usa, Orighomisan Freda Agboghoroma, Kory R. Heier, Omer Atac, Meredith S. Duncan, Anna Kucharska-Newton, Mary E. Lacy

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common complication and major cause of mortality in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study quantifies the prevalence of CVD among commercially insured adults with T1D in the USA from 2017 to 2021, overall and among age-defined and sex-defined subgroups. Research design and methods We used Merative MarketScan nationwide commercial insurance claims database (2017–2021) to identify adults ≥20 years with T1D (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes). CVD ascertainment was based on ICD-10 codes for myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. Comorbidities included …

2025-12-03 [Review] Lions And Tigers And Plot Holes, Oh My!: A ‘Wicked: For Good’ Review, Julia Pilch

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Selenium Nanoparticles As Versatile Delivery Tools, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Kyle Yep, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have emerged as promising metal-based nanoparticles for drug delivery due to their unique physicochemical properties, intrinsic bioactivity, and biocompatibility. SeNPs offer a lower toxicity, higher bioavailability, and flexibility to be customized for surface chemistry compared to traditional selenium compounds. Advances in synthetic strategies, including chemical reduction, green biosynthesis, and surface functionalization with polymers, peptides, or ligands, have improved their stability, targeting capability, and circulation time. SeNP-based systems have demonstrated unique anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as they can function as drug carriers and active therapeutic agents. The surface of SeNPs has been functionalized with ligands such as …

Decoding The Chameleon Game, Tri Dang '25, Hieu Tran, Brian T. Howard, Sutthirut Charoenphon, Dat Nguyen '25

Student Research

The Chameleon game is a challenging word association activity where players are given a secret word and must respond with words relevant to that secret word. It requires strategic thinking and deduction. The Chameleon must cleverly guess the secret keyword in this game while avoiding suspicion. Our research aims to create an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model that can play the Chameleon game from both perspectives: as the Chameleon and as a Human. This AI is designed to guess secret keywords based on the information provided by the players, choose the best strategies to avoid detection as the Chameleon, identify …

Do Algal Endosymbiont Communities In Coral Outplants Change Over Time? A Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of Algal Symbionts In A South Florida Coral Restoration Experiment, Milena Nesic

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly frequent marine heatwaves and bleaching events threaten the persistence of corals on Florida’s Reefs. Active restoration through outplanting is being implemented across multiple species and regions, yet its effectiveness under rising thermal stress remains uncertain. We analyzed Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 sequence data from outplants of three coral species, Pseudodiploria clivosa, Montastraea cavernosa, and Orbicella faveolata, sampled before (2023) and after (2024) a mass bleaching event. Multivariate analyses revealed species-specific yet regionally divergent trends: southern restoration regions exhibited pronounced shifts toward thermotolerant Durusdinium, while northern regions remained comparatively stable. Although fine-scale ITS2 variation contributed to community heterogeneity, genus-level shifts …

"Learning A New Me", Rebecca Trent-Burt

INRW/Coreq Student Showcase

Fall 2025 Student Showcase

Unsaturated Fatty Acid Oil-Based Microdroplets: A Promising Novel Class Of Microdroplets, Ramiz S. Alejilat

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Droplet-based microfluidics has rapidly advanced numerous fields, including chemistry, biology, materials science, medicine, food science, and cosmetics. In these systems, fluorocarbon oil combined with fluorinated surfactants is the preferred medium for fluid encapsulation, offering exceptional stability and biocompatibility essential for sensitive biological and chemical processes. However, growing concerns about the environmental and biological risks associated with fluorinated chemicals have prompted a search for alternatives.

This study is the first to explore the use of unsaturated fatty acids derived from emu oil for microdroplet formation. We characterized droplet formation based on flow rates and the presence non-fluorinated surfactant at a certain …

A Generative Ai Pipeline For Rare Road Scenario Augmentation From Existing Training Datasets, Debarghya Goswami

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous Vehicle (AV) systems have the potential to transform the transportation ecosystem significantly by improving safety and accessibility. One of the core components of any AV is a real-time object detection system. It helps an AV localize its position in the surrounding environment and perform tasks such as maneuver planning and obstacle detection. To make a deep-learning-based object detection system safe and robust, it must be trained on diverse and rare scenarios that can occur in road conditions. However, it is expensive and time consuming to manually create training datasets containing rare road objects or conditions. Synthetic training data can …

Elementary Reading Teachers’ Experiences Implementing Individualized Instruction, Laura E. Ellis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Second-grade through fourth-grade teachers face challenges associated with implementing individualized reading instruction to address learning differences. A deeper understanding of teachers’ experiences can help inform future educational policies targeting educators who instruct struggling readers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of elementary reading teachers who use individualized instruction to support diverse learners. The study was grounded in Tomlinson’s model of differentiated instruction, which served as the guiding conceptual framework. Using a basic qualitative design, this study’s central research question explored elementary teachers’ experiences with individualized instructional practices. Data were collected through open-ended semistructured interviews with …

Computational Molecular Docking Of Fluorinated Morphine Derivatives For Improved Pain Management, Mirabella Romano, Emily Chen

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The opioid epidemic impacts 60 million people worldwide every year. Morphine, a commonly prescribed opioid, binds to the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in the body via protonation of its tertiary amino group and the MOR. An unfortunate side effect of this binding process is its non-selectivity in both peripheral and central tissues. While activation within inflamed peripheral tissues results in pain relief, activation within central tissues results in the unwanted and addictive side effects of opioids. Because there is a discrepancy in pH between healthy (central) and inflamed (peripheral) tissue, selective binding within the inflamed tissues could provide pain relief without …

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer For The Removal Of Nutrients From Water: Synthesis, Application, Performance And Limitation, Emmanuella Anang, Abolade Busari

Faculty Publications

Nutrient contamination is a major contributor to eutrophication and water quality degradation worldwide. Conventional treatment technologies often lack selectivity and efficiency in complex aquatic environments, highlighting the need for advanced materials with tailored recognition capabilities. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have emerged as promising adsorbents for nutrient remediation due to their high selectivity, stability and reusability. This review synthesizes recent progress on the synthesis strategies of MIPs. Applications of MIPs in removing phosphate, nitrate and ammonia from water are critically examined, with particular attention to adsorption performance under varying environmental conditions. The limitations of current systems, including modest adsorption capacities, incomplete …

Exploring The Potential Of Martian Agriculture: Assessing Viability And Nutritional Composition Of Plants Cultivated In Martian Regolith, Abigail Ross

Honors Theses

In addition to sunlight and water, plants can utilize a small number of nutrients from the soil to biosynthesize all the materials that are needed for growth and development. However, plants require an environment where they are able to obtain those nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and nitrogen. Environmental factors determine the types and accessibility of nutrients available to plants. Plants then take up these nutrients from the soil to aid in biological mechanisms and the synthesis of important molecules needed for growth and development. Ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C, is a vital molecule that is …

Explainable Ai For Liver Transplant Survival Prediction: Integrating Immunological Mismatch Features, Sourab Shaik

Honors Projects

Liver Transplantations are crucial treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, a persistent deficit of donor organs necessitates maximizing the utility of each available graft to minimize failure rates. We evaluated whether donor–recipient molecular immunogenicity metrics - Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Mismatch Scores (HMS/EMS) and eplet-based counts - improve post–liver-transplant survival prediction. The analytic cohort comprised adult, first time, single-organ deceased-donor transplants drawn from Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients; follow-up was truncated at five years, and the endpoint was all-cause graft failure (earliest of graft failure or death; otherwise, censored). HLA variables were derived via high- resolution conversion and molecular mismatch computations …

Social And Contextual Factors Influencing Hypertension Among Latino Men Living In California, Leslie Ivett Ortega

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypertension remains a critical and often silent public health issue that disproportionately affects Latino men in California. This quantitative, retrospective cross-sectional study explored the social and contextual factors influencing hypertension among this vulnerable population. Using the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset, which included a sample size of 2,060 participants, the study examined the relationship between hypertension and key variables including primary care utilization, health insurance, smoking, physical activity, mental health, and marital status, while controlling for age, education, and income. Guided by the health belief model, binary logistic regression analyses found health insurance and primary care utilization significantly …

An Examination Of Psychosocial Factors Related To Male Serial Killers, Rachael Elizabeth Tubbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, studies on serial murderers have not concentrated in depth on analyzing what psychosocial factors are or how they could influence a man to become a serial killer. The focus of this qualitative study was on the psychosocial characteristics of male serial killers that are from, and based in, the United States. Using a case study analysis approach, the life course of serial killers in the FGCU Radford Database was analyzed to identify themes of adverse childhood experiences such as physical, emotional, or psychological abuse; abandonment by parent or guardian; limited or no social bonds; witnessing abuse; and signs of …

Narratives Of Sexual Self-Esteem As A Domain Of Sexual Well-Being In Cisgender Women’S Long-Term Intimate Relationships, Lisa Criswell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Only within the last few decades has female sexual health become a topic of focus for researchers and practitioners to begin focusing on, leading to a gap in research between female sexual health and male sexual health. This has led to lack of knowledge and understanding on female sexual dysfunction and how interventions can effectively address it. An identified gap in knowledge of female sexual health and self-esteem is the lack of understanding of female narratives. This study was developed with the purpose of filling that gap and addressing domains within sexual health and self-esteem through exploration of the narratives …

Unconventional Binding Of Calmodulin To Chk2 Kinase Inhibits Catalytic Activity, Christopher R Horne, Tingting Wang, Samuel N Young, Toby A Dite, Hunter G Nyvall, Sushant Suresh, Katherine A Davies, Abner Gonzalez Castro, Vineet Vaibhav, Lucy J Mather, Laura F Dagley, Matthew J Belousoff, Gerard Manning, Anthony R Means, John E Burke, Janni Petersen, John W Scott, James M Murphy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Calmodulin (CaM) serves an essential role in eukaryotic cells as a Ca2+ sensor. Ca2+ binding leads to conformation changes in CaM that enable engagement of a repertoire of enzymes and the regulation of their catalytic activities. Classically, Ca2+-CaM binds to an inhibitory pseudosubstrate sequence C-terminal to the kinase domain in members of the Ca2+-CaM-dependent protein kinase (CAMK) family and relieves inhibition to promote catalytic activity. Here, we report an unexpected mechanism by which CaM can bind CHK2 kinase to inhibit its kinase activity. Using biochemical, biophysical and structural mass spectrometry, we identify a direct interaction of Ca2+-CaM with the CHK2 …

Hidden Threats In Water: The Global Rise Of Emerging Contaminants, Baljit Singh, Abhijnan Bhat, Gayathree Thenuwara, Kamna Ravi, Azza Silotry Naik, Christine O’Connor, Furong Tian

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The general spread of water safety awareness and enforcement often masks the escalating risks of emerging contaminants (ECs) that evade standard detection and monitoring techniques. Traditional monitoring infrastructures depend heavily on localized laboratory-based testing, which is expensive, time-consuming, and reliant on specialized infrastructure and skilled personnel. While specific types of ECs and detection technologies have been examined in numerous studies, a significant gap remains in compiling and commenting on this information in a concise framework that incorporates global impact and monitoring strategies. We aimed to compile and highlight the impact ECs have on global water safety and how advanced sensor …

Influence And Excess: A Study Of Alcohol’S Governmental, Societal, Biochemical, And Enzymatic Impact In The U.S And Other Countries Around The World, Thomas W. Snider

Senior Honors Theses

The conduct of the thesis is to explore the intricacies of alcohol consumption. The thesis will outline the history of alcohol and the societal pressures and conduct of drinking with relation to the government. After the history of alcohol has been defined, the thesis will move into the chemistry portion, delineating the absorption, digestion, metabolism, and excretion of alcohol. This is the portion of the thesis that will contain the quantitative data and source material as much research has already been conducted regarding these components of alcohol consumption. The condition of the research is that the data will be collected …

Young Adults' Experiences With Text Messaging Intervention For E-Cigarette Cessation In Rural Areas, Redson Biswick Machongo, Vipavee Thongpriwan, Seok Hyun Gwon, Devon Noonan

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS, commonly known as e-cigarettes) use has increased rapidly among young adults (YAs, 18-24 years) in rural communities. E-cigarette use is a higher risk factor for both cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Addressing the disturbing rates of e-cigarette use in YAs requires cessation resources to be available and accessible. Regrettably, rural community residents have limited access to cessation resources. The purpose of this study was to explore YAs' perceptions and experiences engaging in text-message intervention to assist with vaping cessation effectively.

Methods: A qualitative investigation with individual interviews was conducted. Participants (n = 8) were from …

Spartan Daily, December 03, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 41

How Does The Intersectionality Of Race, Gender, And Organizational Culture Influence The Utilization And Consequences Of Code-Switching Among Black Men In Executive-Level Positions Within Nonprofit Settings?, Lepra George

Dissertations (1934 -)

Black men in executive roles within U.S. nonprofit organizations lead under racialized and gendered expectations that shape when and how they are perceived as leader-like. This qualitative study examines how these leaders interpret their lived experiences of code-switching, across speech and broader self-presentation, within White-normed nonprofit cultures. Guided by intersectionality and informed by impression-management theory, the study employed an interpretivist, phenomenological design and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six Black male executives. Four themes emerged: (1) Black Male Leaders Consciously Navigate Authentic Identity, balancing cultural self-expression with perceived professionalism; (2) Confronting the Race–Gender Double Bind in …

Dopaminergic Regulation Of Aversive Motivation, Elaine M. Grafelman

Dissertations (1934 -)

We all experience adversity in our lives, and we must be able to effectively respond to these challenges in order to thrive. One way to respond to stressors is to change one’s behavior to cope with the stress. This can include escaping or avoiding the stressor, focusing effort to diminish the effect of the stressor, or other coping strategies such as drug use. In fact, stress is one of the principal triggers of relapse for those in the abstinence phase of a substance use disorder and it exacerbates a variety of other disorders. Therefore, it is critical to understand the …

Integrating Synaptic Transistors With Perovskite Photodetectors For Neuromorphic Applications, Sydney Zhu, Shuoyan Liu, Yiheng Zhang

Electrical and Systems Engineering Undergraduate Student Research

The convergence of neuromorphic electronics and optoelectronic materials offers a pathway toward next-generation artificial vision systems. Synaptic transistors, which emulate the adaptive plasticity of biological synapses, can process information in an energy-efficient and parallel fashion. Perovskite photodetectors, on the other hand, provide tunable band gaps, high responsivity, and facile fabrication, making them excellent candidates for light sensing. Integrating these two device classes enables direct photoresponsive computation, where optical signals are not only detected but also weighted, filtered, and stored in a single element. My research explores the electrical and optical coupling mechanisms in such hybrid devices, examining how ion migration, …

Operationalizing Passive Sensors Into Scalable, Reproducible, Neurobehavioral Digital Markers For Alzheimer's Disease: Lessons Learned Over 10 Years, Ganesh M Babulal, Matthew Blake, Chen Chen, Yiqi Zhu, Subrata Pal, David C Brown

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

From Embodiment To Entanglement: Refiguring Symbiosis In Human–Computer Interaction, Sang-Won Leigh

IASDR Conference Series

Human–machine symbiosis has re-emerged in HCI as a promising framework for designing sustained partnerships between humans and machines. While prior work has focused on individual ability, agency, and experience—namely embodiment-centric factors—this paper argues that symbiosis takes shape within entanglement. Through a series of design experiments and student projects, we illustrate how ecological residuals—such as friction, adaptation, and asymmetry—can serve as productive design materials. Our proposed framework synthesizes existing approaches, extending the scope of symbiosis in HCI from bodily integration toward socio-technical interdependence. By situating design configurations not as fixed endpoints but as sites of relational conditioning, this paper refigures human– …

The X_Heal Toolkit: Navigating Temporal And Dynamic Self-Healing Processes In Living Materials, Verindi Vekemans, Stefano Parisi, Fanzhe Zeng, Jun Wu, Elvin Karana

IASDR Conference Series

Self-healing, a remarkable ability of living organisms, is gaining attention in biodesign as a pathway toward sustainability. Applications range from fungi-based repair in packaging to bacterial healing in soft robotics. The expressive, dynamic, and temporal nature of self-healing offers rich design opportunities but also presents challenges due to emergent behaviours and environmental dependencies. Healing may unfold gradually, leave visible traces, or transform material in unpredictable ways, making it difficult to observe, describe, and communicate through existing design tools. This paper introduces a toolkit, namely the X_Heal Toolkit, that enables designers to analyse and characterise self-healing processes. Grounded in frameworks of …