Digital Commons Network^™

Unpaired Virtual Histological Staining Of Tissue From Autofluorescence Using Regularized Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Networks, Zhesi Wen

Theses and Dissertations

We present a regularized CycleGAN with a Dense Residual U-Net to virtually stain autofluorescence images of tissue into H&E-like images. Our method outperforms standard architectures, reduces artifacts, and achieves superior FID scores, enabling efficient, label-free, and accurate digital pathology for unpaired datasets using multi-channel fluorescence inputs.

Raised Spirits The Visceral Journey Of Black Generational Female Trauma And The Transcendent Healing Power Of Spiritual Dance, Wendy Ann Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Black female bodies have endured sustained trauma globally since the transatlantic slave trade, and it continues into 2025. The collective consciousness has carried the generational burden and mobilized it within the womb. Powell uses this intergenerational knowledge to frame the basis for spiritual dance practices as a healing praxis.

Tears, Blood, And Milk: Frida Kahlo's Depictions Of Maternity, Jenny Mushkin Goldman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes Frida Kahlo’s representations of miscarriage, childbirth, and breastfeeding as departures from idealized portrayals of womanhood in post-revolutionary Mexico. Drawing on Catholic and Mesoamerican imagery, Kahlo reframes the maternal body as a site of resistance, engaging mexicanidad (Mexicanness) to counter its patriarchal constructions of national identity and gender.

One Can Only Dream, Sophia V. Yacca

Theses and Dissertations

One Can Only Dream is an interactive installation in which players are invited to navigate a liminal, dream-like game, engage with a branching series of questions, and introspect upon the relationships between unconscious expression, conscious self-perception, and the inherent difficulty of depicting, sharing, and understanding subconscious thought.

Rooted in both my personal experience with a rare neurophysiological condition and in my desire to create, this project examines dreams not only as a medical and cultural phenomenon, but also as a means to form identity, reflect trauma, and inspire creativity. Drawing from modern interactive storytelling and my lived experiences, this work …

“Bottom Nature”: Embodying History In Gertrude Stein’S The Making Of Americans, Yasmin Tehrani

Theses and Dissertations

This paper attempts to connect Gertrude Stein’s conception of being in The Making of Americans with her vision of the production of history. This paper then concludes that for Stein, historical subjects themselves, both individually and collectively, and the imbued qualities in their being, shape history.

Intersections: Gastro-Politics Aesthetic And Contemporary Chinese Art, Fan Du

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how contemporary Chinese artists use food as a medium to explore ritual, trade, politics, and cultural identity. Centering on The Note of Food, an exhibition I curated, it draws on Arjun Appadurai’s concept of gastro-politics and Lu Xun’s nalaizhuyi (“grabbing doctrine”) to analyze how artists strategically appropriate cultural resources amid tensions between East and West, and tradition and modernity. Merging curatorial practice with food and visual anthropology, the project uses exhibition-making as both method and object of inquiry. As a native anthropologist working as both curator and researcher, I propose a model of curatorial anthropology that …

As Above So Below, Robin Smith Fedock

Theses and Dissertations

As Above So Below is a short experimental documentary film that reveals an unexpected world of entanglements connecting life, death, and fungi in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. Fungi are nature’s decomposers, turning dead trees into soil so new trees can grow, for example. Mycorrhizal fungi perform acts of collaboration and mutualism, delivering water and nutrients to roots of plants through their underground networks of mycelium. As we struggle to find ways of living in and beyond this time of planetary crisis, rife with loneliness and grief, what can we learn from fungi and their entanglements? How can we move beyond dominant …

Out From Under: Stories Of Endometriosis, Prisca Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Six individuals. One diagnosis. In Out From Under, people living with endometriosis gather for an art-centered workshop. Through collage and conversation, they transform isolating medical experiences into paths of connection and collective healing.

Endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women of reproductive age, yet diagnosis is often delayed by nearly a decade. During this time, many suffer from debilitating symptoms without adequate care or accessible treatment. Out From Under explores the lived experience of endometriosis through the lens of socially engaged documentary filmmaking. Participants share their medical histories, emotions, and frustrations in a structured yet open environment designed for intimacy, …

All You Can Eat, Kelly Schiesswohl

Theses and Dissertations

All You Can Eat is a 2D-animated horror short following the patrons and inhabitants of a bakery as they prepare for its annual pie-eating contest. As the contest nears, tensions rise after the discovery of a dark secret amongst the staff inspires rebellion. Through the visual metaphor of pie and the pie-eating contest, this film explores how sexual violence functions on a systemic level. It explores our collective conditioning to a range of behaviors that contribute to patriarchal oppression and the social cycles that reinforce them across generations. Through design and surreal storytelling, this film captures the urgent threat of …

Microbial Community And Water Quality Assessment Of Crassostrea Virginica Habitats In Southeast Florida, Stacy Brown

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are essential habitat-forming species that contribute significantly to coastal water quality due to their filter-feeding behavior. Unlike other coastal regions in the Gulf of Mexico and Northeastern United States, oysters are not commercially managed in Southeast Florida and as a result sparse data exists on locations of the Eastern oyster habitat. Similarly, the benefits of oyster reefs to water quality are also not fully documented in Southeast Florida. Although beneficial and often referred to as keystone habitat building species, populations of C. virginica are not currently listed as protected species so little work has …

Using Satellite Tracking And Stable Isotopes To Characterize The Movements, Core-Use Areas, And Distribution Of Loggerhead And Green Turtles Nesting In South Florida, Usa: Internesting, Foraging, And Migration, Glenn D. Goodwin

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The movements of animals in response to environmental variation influence the fitness of individuals and drive major ecological processes, while also varying their exposure level to anthropogenic risks. Understanding the movements and spatial distribution of imperiled species is critical for developing effective conservation strategies. This can be difficult for wide ranging and highly migratory species, such as sea turtles. Throughout their adult life stages, the females of most sea turtle species spend the majority of their time in their foraging areas for multiyear intervals between nesting periods. These foraging areas are typically widely dispersed and variable within nesting populations. To …

Prenatal Acetaminophen Use And Offspring’S Respiratory Health Outcomes, Shakiba Eslamimehr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Background: Respiratory health outcomes such as asthma and wheezing represent a significant public health burden, with increasing prevalence globally. Prenatal exposures during critical periods of fetal development, including the use of acetaminophen, may influence these outcomes. Genetic predispositions and epigenetic mechanisms are hypothesized to mediate or modify these effects. This dissertation explores the relationships between prenatal acetaminophen exposure, genetic polymorphisms, epigenetic changes, and respiratory health outcomes across two generations. Methods: Data were derived from the Isle of Wight longitudinal birth cohort, which includes three generations. The studies utilized maternal acetaminophen use data, serum acetaminophen metabolite levels, genetic polymorphisms of glutathione …

May 2, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Nucleocytoplasmic Regulation Of Epithelial Transitions, Carly Krull

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Nucleocytoplasmic transport fundamentally regulates cellular phenotype and function across tissues in the body. In epithelial tissues, various processes—including embryogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer invasion—require cells to go from a homeostatic, mostly stationary and solid group to a fluidlike migratory collective. Underlying this tissue destabilization are two physical transitions: the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the unjamming transition (UJT). EMT comprises the loss of cell-cell junctions, front-back cell repolarization, and elevated migration. In contrast, UJT preserves cell-cell junctions, but cell elongation and migration fluidity more significantly increase. While nucleocytoplasmic transport forms the basis of EMT, UJT has only recently gained recognition, and …

Elemental Humanity: A Hybrid Collection Of Creative Work & A Critical Introduction Exploring Relevant Genres & Themes, Haylee G. Morman

Honors Theses

This project is a creative and critical endeavor with two components: a creative portion and a critical introduction. The creative portion is a hybrid collection of poems and short prose spanning across genres and forms, linked by thematic consistencies, united by their emphasis on nature and family. Furthermore, the collection is rooted in my interest in magic realism and ekphrasis, which will be discussed in the critical introduction. The approximately 30 pages of original, creative writing reveals how delving into natural elements for inspiration spurred the creation of poems and stories that grapple with notions of familial connection, time, place, …

Examining Loss Of Imprint In F1 Hybrid Female Mice Due To X Chromosome Epimutation And The Implications For Autism, Arianna H. Roach

Honors Scholar Theses

Sex biases are prevalent among various neurodevelopmental disorders, with males experiencing them at higher frequencies or severities than females. This male bias is poorly understood, and our lab aims to elucidate this mechanism using our model of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Our lab identified the cluster of genes Xlr3b/4b/4c on the X chromosome that are imprinted in the female brain. Preliminary studies suggest that Xlr3 acts as a mediator molecule in our model. Xlr3 knockdown male mice exhibited significant meiocyte loss that can be attributed to Meiotic Sex Chromosome Inactivation. Their female offspring also displayed loss of imprinting of Xlr3 and …

The Interaction Between Physical Activity And Fruit And Vegetable Intake On Body Composition, Om S. Ghetia

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake and Physical Activity (PA) are important lifestyle factors associated with body composition. This study assessed the combined impact of meeting FV intake and PA recommendations on body composition measures including body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), and waist circumference (WC) in adults aged 20–64 years from diverse backgrounds.

Design: A cross-sectional study conducted in Northeastern Connecticut.

Methods: A total of 124 participants completed a one-week dietary and PA record followed by anthropometric assessments. Participants were categorized into groups based on FV intake (≥400 g/day vs. < 400 g/day) and PA levels (≥600 MET-minutes/week vs. < 600 MET-minutes/week). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare dietary intake, PA levels, and body composition outcomes across groups.

Results: Participants meeting FV recommendations had significantly …

The Role Of Elongin B In Drosophila Melanogaster Muscle Development, Madelyne Dayan

Student Theses and Dissertations

Muscle atrophy is a result of a number of muscle diseases, as well as aging, disuse, and infections. Muscles weakened in these ways exhibit a characteristic decrease in size, strength, and mobility. The similarities between muscle in humans and Drosophila allow for direct comparisons to be made in vertebrates from studying muscle in Drosophila. Differential gene expression has been shown to play an important role in embryonic muscle development in Drosophila melanogaster. A previous study identified Elongin B (EloB) to be involved in somatic muscle morphogenesis in Drosophila, with mutant embryos displaying severe muscle defects, including thin, mis-attached, and missing …

A History Of Omics Discoveries Reveals The Correlates And Mechanisms Of Loading-Induced Hypertrophy In Adult Skeletal Muscle. 2024 Camps Young Investigator Award Invited Review, Toby L. Chambers, Kevin A. Murach

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Since the early 2000s, omics approaches to study skeletal muscle hypertrophy consequent to loading (e.g., resistance exercise) have expanded dramatically. Beginning with genomics and transcriptomics, there are now omics datasets from hypertrophying skeletal muscle spanning methylomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics, with further integration of single cell/nucleus-specific omics, among others. The purpose of this review is to explore the history of leveraging omics to enable understanding and discovery with respect to loading-induced hypertrophy in adult skeletal muscle. We elaborate on key historical and contemporary studies and findings, highlight specific examples where omics discoveries led to a mechanistic understanding of skeletal muscle growth, …

Second Language Acquisition For Adults, Sara Santos Costa

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The process of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has been explored by several scholars, who start with fundamental questions such as: “Does second language acquisition work in the same way as first language acquisition?” “What are the differences in the processes each individual experiences?” “Is it possible to become fluent in a second language at an older age?” This paper aims to show some key research conducted on this topic and provide a clear understanding of the processes that second language learners face.

This paper will delve into three main approaches to SLA: Behaviorist Theory, Universal Grammar (UG) and Interactionist Theory. …

The Role Of Empathy On Suicidality Among Adults Receiving Mental Health Services, Chelsea Lynn Wade

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Efforts have been made to manage the phenomenon of suicide within the clinical setting; however, suicide remains a prevalent public health concern. The purpose of this research project was to explore the relationship between empathy and suicidality. The study was framed using Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide to determine the relationship between empathy, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and suicidality in participants receiving outpatient mental health services. The research study was conducted utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional correlational survey design. Suicidality was measured using the Beck scale for suicide ideation and suicide behaviors questionnaire–revised; empathy using the cognitive, affective, and somatic empathy …

Editorial–Special Issue On Application Of Cold Atmospheric Plasma In Human And Veterinary Disease, Katharina Stapelmann, Eloisa Sardella, Vandana Miller

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

Plasma medicine is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field that combines plasma science and engineering, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This special issue focuses on various ways to apply cold atmospheric pressure plasma in translating plasma technology into clinical applications. Ongoing research on the redox-based mechanism of plasma action, the concept of 'plasma dose' and device control is critical for advancing plasma medicine. As these applications move toward the clinic, ensuring the reproducibility and quality control of plasma sources is essential. The articles in this issue present examples of both direct and indirect plasma applications, with indirect treatments describing cell exposure to …

Know Thyself: A History Of Ancient Neuroscience, Alex Delano

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Neuroscience is often described as one of the youngest bodies of science, but documented study of the brain begins as early as the Neolithic period. The ancient Mediterranean was a hub for science, mathematics, philosophy, and literature, all disciplines necessary for the study of the brain. Evidence of neurosurgical procedures like trepanation and craniotomy began in the Neolithic period and were practiced and improved upon throughout the ancient Mediterranean. The first detailed studies on brain anatomy were carried out in the 3^rd century BCE in Greece which created a necessary structure for future scientists to build on. While many …

Functional Morphology Of The Primate Knee And Its Implications For Hominin Bipedal Mechanics, Catherine K. Miller

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Bipedal locomotion is central to the human condition, having shaped our evolutionary trajectory since its early emergence in the hominin lineage. Despite its importance, key questions remain about its origins and evolutionary trajectory. While many studies have focused on locomotor-related anatomies, comparatively less attention has been paid to the knee joint – a structure critical to the primate locomotor repertoire. This dissertation aims to clarify the form-function relationship of the knee in extant primates to better infer the locomotor behaviors of Miocene hominoids and Plio-Pleistocene hominins. To address these questions, this research employs a multifaceted analytical approach, integrating linear measurements, …

Enhancing Food Safety: Detecting Pathogens In Bison, Vrinda Brahmbhatt

Honors Capstones

Bison herds are being reintroduced across Illinois for prairie conservation efforts and as an important food source, with bison meat gaining popularity as a healthier alternative to beef. However, bison can act as reservoirs of pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, posing food safety and public health risks. Conservational and commercial herds are managed differently, which may influence the prevalence of STEC and associated AMR genes. To address concerns about potential AMR transmission from bison to humans via fecal-oral routes, we examined the prevalence of AMR in STEC isolates from both herd types. …

Pharmacy Professor Works To Unlock Secrets Of Cellular Sugar, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi pharmacy professor will study how sugar molecules on proteins could lead to new ways to detect and treat diseases using a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation.

New Mexico Cooper's Hawk Demographic Study: 2024 Annual Report, Brian A. Millsap Dr.

New Mexico Cooper’s Hawk: Publications

The 2024 Annual Report for a long-term (2011 -  present) demographic study of Cooper's hawks (Astur cooperii) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Optimizing Small Ai Models For Biomedical Tasks Through Efficient Knowledge Transfer From Large Domain Models, Girish Sundaram

Theses and Dissertations

The PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework is a widely adopted methodology for structuring clinical research questions and extracting relevant information from unstructured medical texts. However, traditional approaches for PICO classification demand computationally expensive domain-specific language models, such as BioBERT and ClinicalBERT, which require extensive training and large annotated datasets. This dissertation introduces Distilled Rapid Embedding Transfer (DRET), a novel knowledge transfer method designed to enable resource-constrained domain adaptation. DRET aims to efficiently transfer biomedical domain knowledge from large, specialized models to a compact, general-purpose model, DistilBERT, thereby enhancing its ability to perform domain-specific tasks without access to the original …

Visualizing The Dynamics Of Neuroevolution With Genetic Distance Projections, Evan Patterson

Theses

Evolutionary algorithms have shown substantial progress in recent years, especially in neural architecture search and neuroevolution applications. Despite their effectiveness, analyzing and understanding the evolutionary paths these algorithms traverse to reach solutions remains challenging. These algorithms often involve distributed computing strategies, which can include subpopulations or islands, and they explore massive or even unbounded search spaces in both continuous and non-continuous domains. Manually examining individual solutions to understand the evolutionary dynamics is often infeasible due to large population sizes, large genome sizes, and high generation counts. This work introduces a new methodology for visualizing neuroevolution population dynamics called genetic distance …

Parsing Heterogeneity In Depression, Kayla Hannon

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a highly prevalent mental health disorder that often requires treatment. While current treatments are effective for a large portion of patients generally, the exact medication that works for any specific person is unclear, leading to large delays in symptom remittance if at all. This hurdle has motivated substantial efforts to identify markers of depression that might predict treatment outcomes. However, large sources of heterogeneity in depression have stymied progress on identifying robust and replicable neuroimaging markers. Parsing this heterogeneity is crucial but mired with challenges. My dissertation work has elucidated several key barriers in parsing the heterogeneity of …