Digital Commons Network^™

Linguistic Features In Mild And Moderate Dementia, Alexsandra Murphy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The aim of this study is to understand what linguistic measures differ in individuals who have dementia versus a healthy control group as linguistic measures can provide insight to discrepancies in cognitive abilities, notably language. The problem with identifying and diagnosing diseases related to memory, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, is that diagnoses require involved medical examinations, such as neuroimaging, and descriptive diagnostics that may be subjective and relative. This can lead to ambiguous results and lack of clarity for patients and their families and medical care team, making it difficult to chart a course of action or make …

Automatic Domain Model Extraction For Introductory Computer Programming, Rabin Banjade

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation addresses the difficulties of creating domain models for Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) in computer programming. One significant challenge of designing ITS for computer programming involves determining the essential knowledge components a student must learn to become proficient in programming. One possible solution is to engage programming experts, which is impractical due to scalability and cost constraints. Existing approaches for automatically extracting domain models for computer programming focus on parsing code examples, but their scope is limited. While they can extract some domain terms, they do not adequately address the pedagogical requirements. We address the challenges of automatically extracting …

Social Reward And Mesolimbic Dopamine Release, Travis Ried Erickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The mesolimbic dopamine system plays a critical role in mediating reward-seeking and motivation, most researched in relation to drug reward. This study examined the relationship between aspects of phasic and tonic NAc dopamine release and behaviors related to social reward in C57Bl/6J mice. Social conditioned place preference (sCPP) was used to assess preference/aversion to chambers associated with social interaction, as well as the frequency/duration of social interactions during the conditioning days. Following sCPP, fixed potential amperometry was used to measure stimulation-evoked dopamine release in the NAc of anesthetized mice before and after an injection of cocaine (10 mg/kg, ip). We …

Towards Automated Scaffolding Of Learners' Code Comprehension Process, Priti Oli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation focuses on strategies and techniques to enhance code comprehension skills among students enrolled in introductory computer science courses (CS1 and CS2). We propose a novel tutoring system, \textit{DeepCodeTutor}, designed to improve the code comprehension abilities of novices. DeepCodeTutor employs scaffolded self-explanation to facilitate a deeper understanding of code. Our user study demonstrates the effectiveness of DeepCodeTutor, with detailed results reported in this dissertation. DeepCode Tutor incorporates various components such as expert-generated code explanations and scaffolding based on students' knowledge gaps. Although effective, expert-generated explanations and scaffolding are resource-intensive and difficult to scale. To address these challenges, we explore …

Impacts Of Glycol Runoff On Water Quality: A Case Study Of Memphis International Airport, Alyssa Riley Huffman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This thesis investigates the impacts of glycol runoff on water quality before and after the installation of a consolidated deicing facility (CDF) at the Memphis International Airport (MEM). Deicing operations at airports are crucial for ensuring safe air travel during cold weather, yet they contribute to environmental concerns due to chemical runoff. Glycol runoff, mainly composed of ethylene and propylene glycol, poses risks to aquatic ecosystems, including oxygen depletion and biodiversity loss. This study focuses primarily on water quality in Nonconnah, Days, and Hurricane creeks around the MEM. The research assesses glycol's effects on water quality and macroinvertebrate populations in …

Synthesis And Computational Studies Of Α- And Δ-Substituted Macrocyclic Europium And Ytterbium Complexes, Delainey Amara Winder

Dissertations and Theses

The uses of macrocyclic lanthanide complexes are vast, with many targeted MRI contrast agents at the forefront of the field. Many of these are ParaCEST agents, which require exchangeable protons accessible on the macrocycle and the slow exchange of coordinated water molecules. The substitution at both the α- and δ-carbon on the amide pendant arm of these macrocyclic lanthanide complexes can lock bulky groups on the δ-carbon to a pseudo-axial position. When the α- and δ-carbons have the same chirality, the bulky group will be pseudo-equatorial, and when the chirality is opposed, the bulky group will be pseudo-axial. By performing …

Neurostructural Subgroup In 4291 Individuals With Schizophrenia Identified Using The Subtype And Stage Inference Algorithm, Yuchao Jiang, Cheng Luo, Jijun Wang, Lena Palaniyappan, Xiao Chang, Shitong Xiang, Jie Zhang, Mingjun Duan, Huan Huang, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Machine learning can be used to define subtypes of psychiatric conditions based on shared biological foundations of mental disorders. Here we analyzed cross-sectional brain images from 4,222 individuals with schizophrenia and 7038 healthy subjects pooled across 41 international cohorts from the ENIGMA, non-ENIGMA cohorts and public datasets. Using the Subtype and Stage Inference (SuStaIn) algorithm, we identify two distinct neurostructural subgroups by mapping the spatial and temporal ‘trajectory’ of gray matter change in schizophrenia. Subgroup 1 was characterized by an early cortical-predominant loss with enlarged striatum, whereas subgroup 2 displayed an early subcortical-predominant loss in the hippocampus, striatum and other …

Predation Of Appendicularians On Prochlorococcus, Carey Sweeney

Dissertations and Theses

Prochlorococcus is the most abundant photosynthetic cell on Earth. This picocyanobacterium is critical to primary productivity and biogeochemical cycles of the open ocean. While abiotic environmental factors that influence Prochlorococcus are relatively well-understood, biotic controls are less well known. Appendicularians are ubiquitous gelatinous zooplankton that feed on marine microorganisms including Prochlorococcus. However, the details of this feeding interaction are extremely understudied relative to its potential importance. In this study, I characterized the relationship between appendicularians and Prochlorococcus with laboratory experiments. I showed that feeding on Prochlorococcus changes with the life stage of the appendicularians and concentration of prey. I …

Crown Shy, Laura Francesca Kincaid

Dissertations and Theses

Crown Shy explores the ripple effects of inheritance--somatic, psychological, and material--and how such inheritance constellates into our adult relations and relating. In three parts, the text undermines nuclear family imaginings, first by pulling them out by the root, and later through radical practice, formal constraint, and syntactic ambiguity. By studying the natural world--the organizing principles of trees, insects, and flowers--Crown Shy attempts to glean strategy from evidence of what is already thriving. Reluctantly lyrical, the text quietly deplores the ramifications of commercial agriculture, including the speaker’s own family farm and ancestral homestead. With the weight of this origin point, …

Unveiling Competitive Adsorption In Tio2 Photocatalysis Through Machine-Learning-Accelerated Molecular Dynamics, Dft, And Experimental Methods, Omar Allam, Mostafa Maghsoodi, Seung Soon Jang, Samuel D. Snow

Faculty Publications

The efficient harnessing of solar power for water treatment via photocatalytic processes has long been constrained by the challenge of understanding and optimizing the interactions at the photocatalyst surface, particularly in the presence of nontarget cosolutes. The adsorption of these cosolutes, such as natural organic matter, onto photocatalysts can inhibit the degradation of pollutants, drastically decreasing the photocatalytic efficiency. In the present work, computational methods are employed to predict the inhibitory action of a suite of small organic molecules during TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of para-chlorobenzoic acid (pCBA). Specifically, tryptophan, coniferyl alcohol, succinic acid, gallic acid, and trimesic acid were selected …

New Species Discovery: Unraveling The Blueberry Gall Midge Complex, Nicholas Gosling

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

A Reinterpretation Of The Relationship Between Persistent And Resurgent Sodium Currents, Samuel P Brown, Ryan J Lawson, Jonathan D Moreno, Joseph L Ransdell

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The resurgent sodium current (I

The Role Of Positive Affect In Asthma Control And Symptom Severity In Adolescents, Brooke N. Jenkins, Logan T. Martin, Jill S. Halterman, Judith T. Moskowitz, Laura M. Glynn, Pornchai Tirakitsoontorn, Sunil Kamath, Zeev N. Kain

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction

We test the effects of positive affect and its arousal subscale components of calm, wellbeing, and vigor on asthma control and symptom severity in adolescents with moderate to severe asthma. Additionally, we test whether positive affect (and its arousal components) moderate how stress impacts asthma control and symptom severity.

Methods

Adolescents with asthma (N = 66, ages 12–17) completed brief surveys 4 times a day for 7 days reporting on their positive affect, stress, and asthma symptom severity and conducted a morning peak expiratory flow assessment each day. Asthma control and psychological asthma triggers were assessed at the …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Disappearing Monkeyflower (Erythranthe Inflatula), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Disappearing monkeyflower (Erythranthe inflatula) using NatureServe methodology, 2024.

Greater Aperture Counteracts Effects Of Reduced Stomatal Density On Water Use Efficiency: A Case Study On Sugarcane And Meta-Analysis, Daniel Lunn, Baskaran Kannan, Amandine Germon, Alistair Leverett, Thomas E. Clemente, Fredy Altpeter, Andrew D.B. Leakey

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Stomata regulate CO₂ and water vapor exchange between leaves and the atmosphere. Stomata are a target for engineering to improve crop intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). One example is by expressing genes that lower stomatal density (SD) and reduce stomatal conductance (g_sw). However, the quantitative relationship between reduced SD, g_sw, and the mechanisms underlying it is poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap using low-SD sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) as a case study alongside a meta-analysis of data from 10 species. Transgenic expression of EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR 2 from Sorghum bicolor (SbEPF2) in sugarcane …

Global Experts Convene At Unh To Discuss Illegal Fishing, Nicholas Gosling

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Roles Of Economy And Society In The Relative Risks Of Zoonosis Emergence From Livestock, Stephen Hinchcliffe, Alex Blanchette, Kin Wang (Ray) Chan, Chris Degeling, Jody Emel, Melissa Leach, Ian Scoones, Michael Winter

Geography

The emergence of zoonotic infections that can develop into pathogens of pandemic potential is a major concern for public health. The risks of emergence and transmission relate to multiple factors that range from land use to human-non-human animal contacts. Livestock agriculture plays a potentially significant role in those risks, shaping landscapes and providing hosts that can act as the source or amplifiers of emergent pathogens. The relative risks will be contingent upon the nature of those systems, with comparisons often made between intensive, indoor, biosecure systems and more extensive, outdoor, insecure systems. Microbiological, ecological and veterinary sciences provide useful entry …

Dietary Tea Polyphenol Supplementation And Its Impacts On Growth Performance, Plasma Parameters, And Antioxidant Capacity Of Juvenile Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (Gift: Oreochromis Niloticus), Christopher Peterson Daniel, Sahya Maulu, Wenqiang Jiang, Shiyou Chen, Linghong Miao, Xiangping Ge

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The term ‘tea polyphenols’ (TPs) comprises a broad range of polyphenol compounds present in tea, demonstrating positive health effects such as antioxidant activity, etc. in animals. This study investigated the effects of TPs supplementation in juvenile genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT); Oreochromis niloticus). Fifteen fish (weight: 13.46 ± 1.25 g) were distributed in six tanks and randomly assigned with diets containing graded levels of TPs (mg/kg): 0.00 (control), 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 in quadruplicate for 8 weeks. After the trial, the fish fed 500 mg/kg TPs exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in final body weight (FBW) compared with the control. Whole-body moisture content was elevated, while crude protein was lowered significantly (p < 0.05) by a 100 mg/kg TPs diet compared with the control. Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) at over 200 mg/kg; triglyceride (TG) content was lowered (p < 0.05) by the TPs diet compared with the control diet. Catalase (CAT) was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) by TPs except at 300 mg/kg; superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased (p < 0.05) by 200, 400 and 500 mg/kg; total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was enhanced (p < 0.05) by 400–500 mg/kg; glutathione (GSH) was improved (p < 0.05) by 500 mg/kg; and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was elevated (p < 0.05) in the 100–200 mg/kg TPs diet compared with the control. TPs can be utilized as a feed supplement to improve the plasma biochemical parameters and AOC of GIFT juveniles.

Gender-Specific Mental Health Outcomes In Central America: A Natural Experiment, Thea Nagasuru

Computer Science Summer Fellows

While COVID lockdown measures have had varying effects on the mental health of different demographics, several bodies of research have noted their disparate effect on women. Why is women's mental health more negatively impacted by lockdown measures, and how much more are they impacted than men? How can we predict and mitigate these negative effects on women? This paper aims to contribute to answering those questions by comparing COVID stringency measures and their effect on the gap in depression rates between men and women in two neighboring countries: Nicaragua and Honduras.

The Landscape Of Cancer-Associated Transcript Fusions In Adult Brain Tumors: A Longitudinal Assessment In 140 Patients With Cerebral Gliomas And Brain Metastases, Manmeet Ahluwalia

All Publications

Background: Oncogenic fusions of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase NTRK1, NTRK2, or NTRK3 genes have been found in different types of solid tumors. The treatment of patients with TRK fusion cancer with a first-generation TRK inhibitor (such as larotrectinib or entrectinib) is associated with high response rates (>75%), regardless of tumor histology and presence of metastases. Due to the efficacy of TRK inhibitor therapy of larotrectinib and entrectinib, it is clinically important to identify patients accurately and efficiently with TRK fusion cancer. In this retrospective study, we provide unique data on the incidence of oncogenic NTRK gene fusions …

Perceived Effects Of Climate Change On Aquaculture Production In Zambia: Status, Vulnerability Factors, And Adaptation Strategies, Sahya Maulu, Oliver J. Hasimuna, Moses Chibesa, Ian Bbole, Joseph Mphande, Mazuba Mwanachingwala, Kundananji Nawanzi, Doubt Chibeya, Sillah Siavwapa, Joyce Mbewe, Lucy Namukonda, Friday Balungu, Inyambo Mumbula, Mwangala Kabika, Shimbetu Mweemba, Mwaanda Sikanyenyene, Enock Siankwilimba, Imikendu Imbwae, Hansel M. Mweetwa

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Aquaculture plays a critical role in Zambia's food and nutrition security. However, aquaculture is highly vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate which can lead to economic losses, and food and nutrition insecurity. In this study, we investigated the perceived effects of climate change on aquaculture production in Zambia, vulnerability factors, and adaptation strategies. We used semi-structured and structured questionnaires to collect data from aquaculture producers in all provinces across the country. Results revealed high (over 80%) awareness of climate change, primarily attributed to literacy levels and access to media. Producers perceived occurrence of climate-related changes such as rising …

Innovative Designs Of 3d Scaffolds For Bone Tissue Regeneration: Understanding Principles And Addressing Challenges, Mohamed Selim, Hamouda M. Mousa, G. T. Abdel-Jaber, Ahmed Barhoum, Abdalla Abdal-Hay

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Meeting the escalating demands in biomedical applications has spurred the creation of diverse scaffolds, where the selection of materials and manufacturing techniques stands as a linchpin in fostering bone tissue formation. These scaffolds provide a fundamental structural framework that supports cell growth and differentiation. It is vital for tissue repair, addressing various biological requisites such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties becomes imperative. This comprehensive review discusses recent advancements in the techniques for manufacturing 3D scaffolds tailored specifically for bone tissue engineering applications. Stereolithography, fused deposition modelling, selective laser sintering, binder jetting, electron beam melting, and bioprinting (including laser-based, inkjet …

Records Of The Red-Bellied Snake (Storeria Occipitomaculata) In Central And Northeastern Nebraska, Taylor Lowe, Sarah M. Bailey, Dan D. Fogell, Keith Geluso

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Red-bellied Snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata) are a distinctive, small species that live in moist woodlands throughout much of eastern North America. In the Great Plains, isolated populations exist in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska. In Nebraska, the only known extant population occurs in wooded riparian habitats along the Big Bend Reach of the Platte River in southcentral parts of the state. Herein, we report on new county records of Red-bellied Snakes in Nebraska, with two observations from Merrick County along the Platte River adjacent to known populations and two observations of a new population in the extreme northeastern part …

Photoinduced Charge Injection From Shallow Point Defects In Diamond Into Water, Kang Xu, Daniela Pagliero, Gabriel I. López-Morales, Johannes Flick, Abraham Wolcott, Carlos A. Meriles

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Thanks to its low or negative surface electron affinity and chemical inertness, diamond is attracting broad attention as a source material of solvated electrons produced by optical excitation of the solid-liquid interface. Unfortunately, its wide bandgap typically imposes the use of wavelengths in the ultraviolet range, hence complicating practical applications. Here, we probe the photocurrent response of water surrounded by single-crystal diamond surfaces engineered to host shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. We observe clear signatures of diamond-induced photocurrent generation throughout the visible range and for wavelengths reaching up to 594 nm. Experiments as a function of laser power suggest that NV …

Sea Anemones (Actinia Equina) Show Consistent Individual Differences In Boldness And Thoroughness But Lack A Behavioural Syndrome, Samantha Simpson, Mark Briffa

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Behavioural syndromes are suites of behaviours that corelate between-individuals but the same behaviours may also show within-individual correlations owing to state dependency or trade-offs. Therefore, overall phenotypic behavioural correlations must be separated into their between- and within-individual components. We investigate how startle response duration (an index of boldness) and time taken to reject an inert item (an index of investigation thoroughness) covary in beadlet sea anemones, Actinia equina. Anemones took longer to reject a more complex item compared to a simpler one, validating this measure of investigation thoroughness. We then quantified between- and within-individual correlations using a Bayesian analysis and …

Changing Neighborhood Income Deprivation Over Time, Moving In Childhood, And Adult Risk Of Depression, Clive E Sabel, Carsten Bøcker Pedersen, Sussie Antonsen, Roger T Webb, Henriette Thisted Horsdal

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

IMPORTANCE: Complex biological, socioeconomic, and psychological variables combine to cause mental illnesses, with mounting evidence that early-life experiences are associated with adulthood mental health.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether changing neighborhood income deprivation and residential moves during childhood are associated with the risk of receiving a diagnosis of depression in adulthood.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study included the whole population of 1 096 916 people born in Denmark from January 1, 1982, to December 31, 2003, who resided in the country during their first 15 years of life. Individuals were followed up from 15 years of age until either …

Limit Theorems For Increments Of Branching Particle Systems With Linear Rates And Poisson Initial Condition, Alexander Kreinin, Vladimir V. Vinogradov

Journal of Stochastic Analysis

No abstract provided.

Development And Evaluation Of An Expedited System For Creation Of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Platforms, Ivon Acosta Ramirez, Omer Sadak, Wali Sohail, Xi Huang, Yongfeng Lu, Nicole M. Iverson

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have a strong and stable near-infrared (nIR) fluorescence that can be used to selectively detect target analytes, even at the single molecule level, through changes in either their fluorescence intensity or emission peak wavelength. SWNTs have been employed as NIR optical sensors for detecting a variety of analytes. However, high costs, long fabrication times, and poor distributions limit the current methods for immobilizing SWNT sensors on solid substrates. Recently, our group reported a protocol for SWNT immobilization with high fluorescence yield, longevity, fluorescence distribution, and sensor response, unfortunately this process takes 5 days to complete. Herein …

Annual Progress In Global Carbon Capture, Utilization, And Storage In 2023, Siyuan Fang, Yun Hang Hu

Michigan Tech Publications

Since the industrial revolution, global anthropogenic CO2 emissions have surged dramatically to unsustainable levels, resulting in severe issues, such as global warming, extreme weather events, and species extinction. In response to this critical situation, extensive efforts have been undertaken across academia, industry, and policymaking sectors to deploy carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Here, we present the annual summary of global CCUS for the year 2023. We begin by discussing the trends of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and then offer an up-to-date summary of progress in academia, industry, and policy, respectively. In academia, we analyze the …

A Microtomographic And Histopathological Evaluation Of Dental Cements As Late-Stage Peri-Implant Complication In A Rat Model, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Alexandra Arteaga, Andres J. Miramontes, Evelin Rios, Danieli C. Rodrigues

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Cement mediated peri-implantitis accounts for 1.9–75% of dental implant failures associated with peri-implant diseases. This study evaluated the biological impact of dental cements on osseointegrated implants using Lewis rats. Twenty-two rats were distributed into 6 groups: negative control (NC) soft diet (SD), and hard diet (HD); positive control SD and HD (n = 3); Implant + bio-ceramic Cement (BC) SD and HD which included contralateral Sham sites (n = 5). Titanium implants were placed on either side of the maxillae and allowed to heal for 14 days. Later, both sides of experimental groups underwent a re-entry surgery to simulate clinical …