Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Peripheral Blood Pressure Signals: A Statistical Learning Approach, Md Abul Hayat

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Proper estimation of body fluid status for human or animal subjects has always been a challenging problem. Accurate and timely estimate of body fluid can prevent life threatening conditions under trauma and severe dehydration. The main objective of this research is the estimation, classification and detection of dehydration in human and animal subjects using peripheral blood pressure (PBP) signals. Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) and peripheral arterial pressure (PAP) signals have been investigated in this research. Both PVP and PAP signals are PBP signals. A dataset of PVP signals was collected using standard peripheral intravenous catheters from human subjects suffering from …

Poly(Ionic Liquid)S For Magnetic, Ionic, And Electrical Stimuli-Responsive Applications, Kayla Ann Foley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) are a fascinating subclass of strong polyelectrolytes formed from polymerizable ionic liquids. As a result of their unique properties and counterion exchangeability, PILs can exhibit conformation structure or material property changes in response to external stimuli such as changes in pH/ionic environment, magnetic fields, and electric potentials. In Chapter 1, a comprehensive review of PILs design as well as their stimuli-responsive behavior is provided. Additional motivation for each dissertation chapter is also discussed. In Chapter 2, magnetically responsive PILs (MPILs) are developed from complexing paramagnetic salts with a random PIL copolymer containing a metal-coordinating co-monomer, acrylamide. A …

Fuse Annual Report 2023, Franklin University Library

FUSE Annual Report

Learn about FUSE's performance during the August, 2022 - July, 2023 Academic Year in the Franklin University Library's annual report.

Flow Dynamics In Cardiovascular Devices: A Comprehensive Review, Venant Niyonkuru, Bosco Jean Ndayishimiye Dr, Anicet Barthélemy Sibomana

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

This review explores flow dynamics in cardiovascular devices, focusing on fundamental fluid mechanics principles and normal blood flow patterns. It discusses the role of different structures in maintaining flow dynamics and the importance of stents, heart valves, artificial hearts, and ventricular assist devices in cardiovascular interventions. The review emphasizes the need for optimized designs and further research to enhance knowledge of flow dynamics in cardiovascular devices, advancing the field and improving patient care in cardiovascular interventions.

Lack Of Engagement Of Play-Based Learning In Early Childhood Education, Jessica A. Beuilby

Masters Projects

Research has shown that children in early childhood education classrooms, including those at Ottawa Area Center, are having less time to engage with meaningful play-based learning opportunities. This project explores the factors hindering the implementation of play-based learning as well as thought on how to improve the implementation of play-based learning. To effectively address the factors hindering the implementation of play-based learning, administration and teachers must have the adequate knowledge on play-based learning. Two professional development sessions will be used to address the most common factors that hinder implementation. Additionally, it combines elements of evaluation that will be helpful in …

Development, Roll-Out And Implementation Of An Antimicrobial Resistance Training Curriculum Harmonizes Delivery Of In-Service Training To Healthcare Workers In Kenya, Josiah Njeru, Joshua Odero, Sheilla Chebore, Mungai Ndung’U, Emmanuel Tanui, Evelyn Wesangula, Romona Ndanyi, Susan Githii, R Gunturu, Willy Mwangi

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly severe threat to global public health that requires action across different sectors. Selection of appropriate antimicrobials is an urgent challenge due to the emergence of drug resistance. In 2017, Kenya developed an AMR policy and National Action Plan to drive prevention and containment of AMR. A priority activity under AMR surveillance strategic objective was to develop a national AMR training curriculum for in-service healthcare workers. In this paper we discuss the development process, gains achieved through implementation across the country and lessons learned.

Methods: An initial stakeholders’ forum was convened to …

Utilizing Mitotalens To Investigate Large Repeats In The Arabidopsis Thaliana Mitochondrial Genome, Cambelle Johnson

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mitochondria are a silly place to store the genetic code. In spite of the ever-present threat of oxidative DNA damage, plant mitochondrial genomes are expansive in size and include noncoding repeat sequences, a small number of which are greater than 1kilobase (kb), known hereafter as “large repeats” (LR). This theme of one or more large repeat pairs is shared across most flowering plants, lending to the belief that they somehow contribute to the plant’s fitness. These repeats exhibit high rates of rearrangement and recombination. Studying repeats in vivo could have large scale implications in hybrid crop production enhancement including eliminating …

Workshop Summary Report: Making Waves In Equitable Coastal Resilience: A National Workshop On Social Equity And Coastal Resilience, November 1, 2, And 10, 2022 (Virtual), Juita-Elena (Wie) Yusuf, Cassandra R. Davis, Thomas R. Allen, Joshua Behr, Nicole S. Hutton, Marina Saitgalina, Jennifer L. Whytlaw, Khairul Anuar

School of Public Service Faculty Publications

Workshop Overview

‘Making Waves in Equitable Coastal Resilience: A National Workshop on Social Equity and Coastal Resilience’ was a three-day virtual workshop held in November 2022. The workshop was organized by a project team of faculty and researchers at Old Dominion University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the Coastal Resilience Center, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. The workshop was intended to bring together researchers and practitioners from government, nonprofit agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups to discuss issues relevant to coastal resilience and social equity and identify research and practice next …

Next-Generation Nanopore Sensors Based On Conductive Pulse Sensing For Enhanced Detection Of Nanoparticles, Samuel Confederat, Seungheon Lee, Derr Vang, Dimitrios Soulias, Fabio Marcuccio, Timotheus I. Peace, Martin Andrew Edwards, Pietro Strobbia, Devleena Samanta, Christoph Wälti, Paolo Actis

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nanopore sensing has been successfully used to characterize biological molecules with single-molecule resolution based on the resistive pulse sensing approach. However, its use in nanoparticle characterization has been constrained by the need to tailor the nanopore aperture size to the size of the analyte, precluding the analysis of heterogeneous samples. Additionally, nanopore sensors often require the use of high salt concentrations to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which further limits their ability to study a wide range of nanoparticles that are unstable at high ionic strength. Here, a new paradigm in nanopore research that takes advantage of a polymer electrolyte system …

Anatoview: Using Interactive 3d Visualizations With Augmented Reality Support For Laypersons’ Medical Education In Informed Consent Processes, Michelle Chen

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

AnatoView is an interactive multimedia educational application that visualizes medical procedures in three-dimensional (3D), augmented reality (AR) space. By providing visual and spatial information of medical procedures, AnatoView acts as a learning supplement for laypersons/patients in informed consent (IC) processes — wherein instructional content is traditionally limited to purely spoken explanations that lead to poor patient comprehension. We design a mixed study and conduct a randomized, controlled trial with 15 laypersons as participants: administering a traditional IC process to a control group, and an IC process supplemented by the use of AnatoView to experimental groups. As a primary outcome, medical …

Biological Effects Of New Titanium Surface Coatings Based On Ionic Liquids And Hmgb1: A Cellular And Molecular Characterization In Lewis Rats, Alexandra Arteaga, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Jimena Mora, Adeena Qureshi, Danieli C. Rodrigues

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a redox-sensitive molecule that plays dual roles in tissue healing and inflammation. We previously demonstrated that HMGB1 is stable when anchored by a well-characterized imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IonL), which serves as a delivery vehicle for exogenous HMGB1 to the site of injury and prevents denaturation from surface adherence. However, HMGB1 exists in different isoforms [fully reduced HMGB1 (FR), a recombinant version of FR resistant to oxidation (3S), disulfide HMGB1 (DS), and inactive sulfonyl HMGB1(SO)] that have distinct biological functions in health and disease. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the …

Conceptual And Technological Advancements In Visitor Use Management Of Coastal And Estuarine Environments, Tyler Cribbs

All Dissertations

This dissertation demonstrates the exploration and use of conceptual and technological advancements in the science of visitor use management (VUM). The goal of this effort is to help better understand visitors to park and protected areas (PPAs) and more specifically, better manage our coastal and estuarine environments (i.e., coastal protected areas (CPAs). These concepts and techniques are 1) further implementing the use of cellphone data in recreation ecology and VUM, 2) assessing the use of advanced imagery, virtual reality (VR), in visual-based methods to determine visitor indicators and thresholds, and 3) assessing visitor’s awareness of PPAs and how it influences …

On Phishing: Proposing A Host-Based Multi-Layer Passive/Active Anti-Phishing Approach Combating Counterfeit Websites, Wesam Harbi Fadheel

Dissertations

Phishing is the starting point of most cyberattacks, mainly categorized as Email, Websites, Social Networks, Phone calls (Vishing), and SMS messaging (Smishing). Phishing refers to an attempt to collect sensitive data, typically in the form of usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, etc., or other crucial facts, intending to use or sell the information obtained. Similar to how a fisherman uses bait to catch a fish, an attacker will pose as a trustworthy source to attract and deceive the victim.

This study explores the efficacy of host-side APT (Anti-Phishing Techniques) based onWebsite features like Lexical, Host-Based, or Content-Based …

Deep Learning For Resource Constraint Devices, Sheikh Rufsan Reza

All Dissertations

The amount of Internet-of-things (IoT) devices is rapidly expanding. This also triggered the necessity of smart IoT devices which are capable of conducting any task by itself. Deep learning techniques are also booming due to the increased computing power and refined algorithms. The advantage of deep learning is that it can be tuned into any application without the manual feature extraction process. Now, the combination of deep learning with smart IoT devices/edge devices can result in any application that can be used in machine vision, vision inspection, autonomous vehicle, and many more. These applications can be automated which requires human …

“Difference In/At The Center" A Transnational Approach For Mobilizing International Multilingual Graduate Writers' Writing Assets During Writing Instruction., Olalekan Adepoju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research project presents an empirical exploration of how the writing assets possessed by international multilingual graduate writers impact the theory and pedagogical practices in writing studies, especially regarding the approaches to teaching writing. Extant scholarship in writing studies, especially on second language research/teaching, translingual writing practices, and asset-based writing pedagogy has engaged issues of difference in language, race, culture, as well as funds of knowledge, highlighting the impacts of these differences on the academic success of non-native English speakers in US schools and colleges. My dissertation builds on these trends and highlights the narratives, perceptions, and experiences of international …

Novel Breath Collection Techniques For Detection Of Covid-19., James Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) generated endogenously in the human body can be used to detect diseases that induce oxidative stress and inflammation. Breath analysis has been used for the detection of diseases such as COPD, Depression, Lung Cancer and most recently COVID-19. Methods such as Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC), Sorbent Tubes, Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME), and silicon microreactors have shown considerable capability in extracting and concentrating trace VOC’s present in human breath. Silicon microreactors functionalized with capture agents to derivatize carbonyl compounds are effective but the overall maximum flow rate of breath sample possible during analysis is low, making direct …

A Data-Driven Multi-Regime Approach For Predicting Real-Time Energy Consumption Of Industrial Machines., Abdulgani Kahraman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on methods for improving energy consumption prediction performance in complex industrial machines. Working with real-world industrial machines brings several challenges, including data access, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the interpretation of machine learning algorithms. To effectively manage energy consumption in the industrial sector, it is essential to develop a framework that enhances prediction performance, reduces energy costs, and mitigates air pollution in heavy industrial machine operations. This study aims to assist managers in making informed decisions and driving the transition towards green manufacturing. The energy consumption of industrial machinery is substantial, and the recent increase in CO2 …

Cad System For Early Diagnosis Of Diabetic Retinopathy Based On 3d Extracted Imaging Markers., Ahmed Sleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation makes significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology, addressing the segmentation of retinal layers and the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The first contribution is a novel 3D segmentation approach that leverages the patientspecific anatomy of retinal layers. This approach demonstrates superior accuracy in segmenting all retinal layers from a 3D retinal image compared to current state-of-the-art methods. It also offers enhanced speed, enabling potential clinical applications. The proposed segmentation approach holds great potential for supporting surgical planning and guidance in retinal procedures such as retinal detachment repair or macular hole closure. Surgeons can benefit from the accurate …

Experimental And Numerical Studies Of Laser Powder-Bed Fusion Process With Ti-6al-4v Powder: (1) Porosity And Mechanical Properties, And (2) Transient Phenomena In One- And Two-Dimensional Fabrications., Santosh K. Rauniyar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process represents a form of metal additive manufacturing (AM) where micron-level powdered material is selectively melted and fused layer by layer to create intricate three-dimensional parts. This process involves rapid melting and solidification, leading to intense thermocapillary convection within the molten pool. The melt pool is a crucial element of the L-PBF process and refers to the localized region where the powder particles are melted and solidified to form each layer of the printed part. The shape and dimensions of the melt pool directly influence the accuracy and surface finish of the printed part. Precise …

Using Graphic Novels To Teach Economics Content To High School Students With Extensive Support Needs., Caroline Mae Fitchett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of social studies instruction in school is to facilitate the growth of competent citizens (National Council for the Social Studies [NCSS], 2013). Despite the recognized benefit of social studies instruction, emphasis on this subject has decreased over time, and has ultimately been termed a “dispensable subject” (Fitchett & Haefner, 2010). Social studies is an even more marginalized subject area for students with disabilities (Zakas et al., 2013). Expanding the research in this area is not only necessary to improving social studies academic content acquisition but is also likely to facilitate greater independence for students post-school – and by …

Chip- And System-Level Reliability On Sic-Based Power Modules, Pengyu Lai

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The blocking voltage, switching frequency and temperature tolerance of power devices have been greatly improved due to the revolution of wide bandgap (WBG) materials, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). Owing to the development of SiC-based power devices, the power rating, operating voltage, and power density of power modules have been significantly improved. However, the reliability of SiC-based power modules has not been fully explored yet. Thus, this dissertation focuses on the chip- and system-level reliability on SiC-based power modules. For chip-level reliability, this work focuses on on-chip SiC ESD protection devices for SiC-based integrated circuits (ICs). …

Optocoupler Integration Of Ltcc-Based Gate Driver In A Sic Power Module, Michael Oghenekome Otobo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The growing demand for electrical energy in today’s industrialized economy has driven the need for innovative approaches to meet diverse application requirements. Notably, advancements have been made in the field of power electronic systems, as reliable power electronic converters are essential for managing multiple power sources and loads. However, the development of these systems poses challenges related to power device switching speed, system weight and size, and power losses. The integration of a gate driver into a SiC power module offers a solution to many of these challenges, thereby driving the advancement of electrical power density expansion. An LTCC-based gate …

Use Of Microorganisms For The Enrichment Of Zn And Se By Using Solid-State Fermentation, Rashmi Rangaswamaiah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) are essential minerals for human health and naturally found in many food sources. However, the risk of Zn and Se deficiency has been recognized in several countries. As most people throughout the world consume rice, grains, and cereals as staple foods in their daily diet, which contain a certain amount of phytic acid (antinutrients), the phytic acid content inhibits mineral absorption (Zn and Se) by the human body. Moreover, the low levels of Zn and Se content found in the crop's soil also reduce the amount of minerals in the food sources. Therefore, it is …

Characterizing Logistics Operations Within A Federal Staging Area For Hurricane Response: A Qualitative Analysis Of Federal, State And Local Perspectives, Jannatul Shefa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A successful deployment of logistics operations following a disaster is a collective contribution of federal, state, and local entities to ascertain an efficient and effective response. This research analyzes data from interviews with disaster response logistics experts from these entities. The objective is to investigate the information sources and planning processes used in these organizations to plan vehicle routes for critical resource deliveries to impacted areas. Special attention is directed to the impacts of incomplete knowledge of infrastructure status, such as road disruptions due to debris or flooding. Supported by both qualitative and quantitative evidence, the study finds that incomplete …

Wind Tunnel Modeling Of The Jack Rabbit Ii Mock Urban Environment Chlorine Releases Based On Comparison With Field Scale Video Record, Samuel Gallimore

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Unintentional releases of hazardous gases have led to significant injuries and fatalities in severe cases. Field tests can be used to release hazardous gases to document and evaluate the behavior of the gases. Chlorine is an especially hazardous gas due to its toxicity. The Jack Rabbit II Phase I field tests released chlorine within a mock urban environment (MUE) consisting of Conex containers arranged in rows to simulate buildings and streets. The number of field tests is limited by both expense and time. Simulation of a field test using a wind tunnel model can provide additional data and opportunity for …

Dietary Histidine: Broiler Responsiveness With And Without Endogenous Histidine Reserve Consideration, Kenneth Blake Nelson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the past, histidine warranted little concern from poultry nutritionists because it was seldom deficient in practical broiler diets. With most essential amino acids now commercially available as feed-grade forms to partially replace intact protein ingredients, histidine and its minimum in least-cost formulation are receiving fresh attention. Published histidine requirement data for broilers are sparce, and many of these studies have been conducted on males within the first three weeks post-hatch. Moreover, rudimentary dose-response experimental designs may not be applicable to estimate histidine requirements in later growth periods because histidine is uniquely stored within the body. In times of dietary …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Uncertainty On Corporate Default Risk: International Evidence, Md Ismail Haidar, Md Showaib Rahman Sarker, André Varella Mollick

School of Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

This paper investigates the effect of COVID-19 uncertainty on corporate default risk using an international sample of firms from 71 countries. We document that corporate default risk increases with higher COVID-19 uncertainty, even after controlling for a wide range of firmlevel and country-level characteristics. The effect is weaker for firms in highly religious adherence countries, stronger for firms in developed countries, and for firms geographically closer to China and Italy. Further, the effect is weaker for highly innovative firms and less financially constrained firms. Our findings are robust to propensity score matching and entropy balancing methods to address selection bias, …

Where Are We In 2022? A Summary Of 11,000 Open Tibia Fractures Over 4 Decades, Isaac A Castillo, Jacob A Heiner, Ramzy I Meremikwu, James Kellam, Stephen J Warner

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To determine the infection and nonunion rates for open tibia fracture treatment over the past 4 decades since the introduction of the Gustilo-Anderson (GA) open fracture classification.

Data sources: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were reviewed using the PRISMA checklist for articles between 1977 and September 2018.

Study selection: One hundred sixty-one articles meeting the following inclusion criteria: English language, published between 1977 and 2018, reported infection rates, reported nonunion rates, and fractures classified by the GA open fracture criteria were selected.

Data extraction: All articles were thoroughly evaluated to extract infection and nonunion data for open tibia …

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper-Limb Rehabilitation After Stroke: 2- And 3-Year Follow-Up From The Pilot Study, Gerard E Francisco, Navzer D Engineer, Jesse Dawson, Teresa J Kimberley, Steven C Cramer, Cecília N Prudente, David Pierce, W Brent Tarver, Reema H Adham Hinds, Ann Van De Winckel, Nuray Yozbatiran

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To assess whether a long-term home-based intervention using Paired VNS therapy is feasible and whether the benefits of Paired VNS therapy are maintained beyond 1 year.

Design: A long-term follow-up study.

Setting: Three centers in the United States and 1 in the United Kingdom.

Participants: Adults with chronic ischemic stroke (n=15) with moderate to severe arm and hand impairment.

Interventions: Participants were implanted with a VNS device followed by 6 weeks of in-clinic therapy with Paired (Active) or control VNS followed by home-based rehabilitation through day 90 (blinded phase). The control VNS group then crossed over to receive 6 …

Introduction To Transboundary Waters Special Issue, Hannah Mink, Jenna Vonhofe

Wyoming Law Review

No abstract provided.