Digital Commons Network^™

Math 615-102: Approaches To Quantitative Analysis In The Life Sciences, Gareth Russell

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 340-102, 104: Mammalian Physiology, Edward Sanchez

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Developments On Quantum Phase Space Dynamics And Foundations, Gabriel Nowaskie

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This work explores the development and unification of quantum theory within phase space, with a particular focus on new mathematical structures and solution techniques that extend the standard quantum formalism. Building upon the Quantum Phase Space Representation (QPSR) introduced by Torres-Vega and Frederick, we present several advancements that address longstanding gaps in the formulation and solvability of quantum systems in this framework. We introduce the Half-Transform Ansatz, a novel method for solving the Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation by recasting it into a hypergeometric form, enabling the application of the Nikiforov-Uvarov method. This approach is demonstrated through the analysis of quarkonium systems …

Volume 12 Issue 4 (Jan 1912)

The Soul Winner

No abstract provided.

Design And Validation Of A Multiple Axis, Passive 3d-Printed Ankle-Foot Prosthetic For Functional Gait, Brogan Rene Landeen

Dissertations and Theses

By 2050, an estimated 3.6 million individuals will be living with lower limb loss, with transtibial (below the knee) amputations being the most common type of lower limb surgery. Prosthetic devices are the standard of care for rehabilitating these amputees; each device is explicitly designed to enhance stability, energy storage and release, flexibility, and active propulsion. Prosthetic selection is based on user specifications, including activity level, comfort, and anthropometry. Despite the consensus that prosthetics help to restore impaired gait, traditional, commercial prosthetics fabricated with carbon fiber via injection molding are expensive and often require multiple modifications by a prosthetist before …

Coastal Flooding Along The Lower Brazos During The Landfall Of Hurricane Beryl -A Model-Based Investigation, Sabiha Tasnuva Khan

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Hurricane Beryl generated a complex hydrodynamic response along the Texas coast and Lower Brazos River, producing storm surge, elevated coastal water levels, intense rainfall, and widespread inundation. Low-gradient coastal rivers such as the lower portion of the Brazos River are particularly sensitive to the interaction of these drivers, yet the inland decay of surge energy and its interplay with watershed runoff remain poorly quantified. This study aims to characterize the physical mechanisms controlling water-level amplification, flow reversal, surge attenuation, and inundation development during Hurricane Beryl along the Lower Brazos and to determine the relative contributions of surge and rainfall to …

Construction Workforce And Business In Nebraska, Josie Gatti Schafer, Tara Grell, Ignacio Ruelas Avila

Publications

A skilled and readily available construction workforce is crucial for Nebraska’s growth and vitality. This workforce not only builds and maintains the infrastructure that supports communities but also creates jobs and addresses essential housing and business needs. This brief provides an overview of Nebraska’s construction workforce, highlighting opportunities and challenges to foster a robust labor force for the construction industry.

Forgiveness Of Self And Others: A Group Approach To The Treatment Of Ptsd And Other Trauma Related Experiences, Jarrod A. Mask

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Forgiveness is often misinterpreted as the act of forgetting what happened or offering one’s offender the ability to redeem themselves for their wrongdoings. This is simply not the case. Rather, forgiveness is the process of the individual making the unprovoked choice to release their resentment in their own voyage towards living a free and happy life without being imprisoned from the emotions un-forgiveness produces. Forgiveness, as it may be a necessary process for the individual is to attain a sense of peaceful acceptance and liberation from their pain, is not an easy process. Providing a peer-based support system in the …

Demonstration Of An Enhanced Dosing Pattern For Debulking Large And Bulky Unresectable Tumors Via Differential Hole-Size Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy, Joshua Misa, William St. Clair, Damodar Pokhrel

Radiation Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose/objective

We propose a novel lattice deployment for spatially fractionated radiotherapy (SFRT) treatments. In this approach, a larger diameter high-dose sphere is centrally placed in the bulky tumor mass and surrounded by smaller diameter high-dose spheres.

Materials/methods

Thirty SFRT patients (10 head and neck [HN], 10 abdominal/pelvis, and 10 chest/lung cases) treated with an MLC-based crossfire method were retrospectively analyzed. Eleven differential hole-size lattice patterns were benchmarked against the clinically delivered SFRT plans (1 cm diameter cylinders, 2 cm spacing) and the standard uniform lattice pattern (1.5 cm diameter spheres, 3 cm spacing). These patterns varied in core diameter (C: …

All The World’S A Stage: The Implementation Of Creative Arts Therapy Utilizing Psychodrama In Prison Populations, Rachael A. Yeager

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Incarceration rates continue to increase in the United States every year. Federally, the FIRST STEP ACT was passed to assist in rehabilitative programming and to reduce recidivism rates. Psychology programs intervene in areas such as trauma, a highly prevalent concern amongst adults in custody, and utilize evidence-based recidivism programming. Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) have been implemented in prisons in the United States, while Psychodrama is a psychotherapeutic technique generally utilized in European and Asian countries. The World’s Stage (TWS) is a treatment modality that provides psychoeducation on trauma and trauma responses in a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy format and integrates the …

The Arena Tax: Subsidiary Athletics Departments And The Limits Of University Property Tax Exemptions, Matthew Razzano

Marquette Sports Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Mechanical Etiology Of Lateral Patellofemoral Arthritis, Nancy Park

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The relationship between anatomic risk factors for patellar instability and patellofemoral cartilage loss in the general population remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether common measures of patellar instability are associated with lateral patellofemoral cartilage loss. A secondary objective was to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of 21 anatomical landmarks, initially placed using an artificial intelligence algorithm and subsequently verified with human input. We analyzed 389 non-weight-bearing computed tomography scans of knee joints from participants enrolled in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study. Baseline and 2-year follow-up knee magnetic resonance images were scored for patellofemoral cartilage morphology using the magnetic …

Generative Artificial Intelligence In Clinical Decision Support - Quantitative And Qualitative Analyses, Niroop Rajashekar

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine has the potential to enhance clinical practice. One area of active investigation is clinical decision support systems (CDSS) that supplement physician decision-making. While AI-CDSS development has accelerated, little is known about how physicians and medical students interact with these tools in simulated clinical environments. This study investigates how physician and medical student teams interact with a large language model (LLM)-augmented CDSS, GutGPT, designed to support the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). GutGPT combines a risk-prediction machine learning model (with an interactive dashboard), trained on data from Yale New Haven Hospital, with …

The Use Of Biologic Agents In Cutaneous Immune-Related Adverse Events Due To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Kailyn Valido

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment landscape in the field of oncology due to their effective antineoplastic properties for various cancers. Though revolutionary in cancer treatment, their use is limited by various immune-related adverse events (irAE). Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAE) are the most common type of irAE and encompass a spectrum of dermatological manifestations. These include lichenoid reactions, psoriasiform eruptions, eczematous dermatitis, immunobullous disorders, granulomatous reactions, pruritus (with or without a primary eruption), vitiligo, and severe cutaneous adverse reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.

The standard approach in …

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor And D-Dopachrome Tautomerase As Biomarkers And Key Modulators Of Tumor Progression In Head And Neck Cancer And Melanoma, Caroline Naomi Valdez

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and its homolog D-dopachrome Tautomerase (DDT) are pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in tumor progression across multiple cancers. Both MIF and DDT act through canonical CD74 and non-canonical CXCR2/4/7 signaling pathways, which contribute to immune suppression and tumor progression. Elevated MIF levels are associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in HNC and contribute to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) resistance in melanoma. DDT’s role in cancer is not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the expression and therapeutic potential of MIF and DDT inhibition, focusing on their ability to modulate immune responses and improve survival outcomes as …

Forecast, 2025, Illinois State University, College Of Applied Science And Technology

foreCAST

Magazine of the Illinois State University College of Applied Science and Technology

Catalyzing Engagement: Investigating Factors And Perceptions Shaping Texas High School Landscape Architecture Education, Recruitment, And Outreach, Johnathan A. Hampton

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Socio-economic and environmental pressures have created a demand for landscape architecture practitioners that far outweighs the current supply of students and professionals (Hendricks et al., 2019; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024c). This reality has spurred industry representatives to examine education, recruitment, and outreach strategies (Cardona, 2024, 2021; Davis, 2022; American Society of Landscape Architects, n.d.-a). Investigating the factors that influence landscape architecture (and allied industry) education, recruitment, and outreach may inform the refinement of such strategies. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the factors and stakeholder perceptions that influence landscape architecture education, recruitment, and outreach in Texas …

Achieving Vision Zero On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety And Reclaiming Community Identity In South Dallas, Safa Sayeed Khan

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Fair Park, a neighborhood of South Dallas, has experienced historical displacement, urban neglect, and pedestrian safety inequities, especially along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (MLK Blvd). This boulevard is a vital entryway to Fair Park and a center for local businesses, attracting significant foot traffic. However, it currently lacks essential pedestrian safety improvements. (Dallas Examiner, 2023). Due to its high crash rate, poor sidewalks, lack of crosswalks, and poor lighting, MLK Blvd has been identified as one of Dallas' most dangerous pedestrian areas, despite being an essential vehicle and pedestrian corridor that connects residents to Fair Park (Phillips, 2024; "South …

Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety, Comfort, And Compatibility With Mobile Vehicular Platforms, Jacob Howard

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has evolved rapidly since its early days of imaging vials of water and mice when it was known as “zeugmatography”. As advancements in semiconductors increase computational power and algorithmic techniques stretch what we can do with this power, MRI capability is advancing beyond the conventional restraints of room-bound scanners. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (LF-MRI) that utilizes magnets typically 1/10th the size of traditional magnets has opened the door to mobilizing this imaging modality and increased flexibility in scanner design. With these developments, a new generation of portable MRI (pMRI) is beginning its use in the hospital …

Soft Prompt Tuning For Augmenting Dense Retrieval With Large Language Models, Zhiyuan Peng, Xuyang Wu, Qifan Wang, Yi Fang

Computer Science and Engineering

Dense retrieval (DR) converts queries and documents into dense embeddings and measures the similarity between queries and documents in vector space. One of the major challenges in DR is the lack of domain-specific training data. While DR models can learn from large-scale public datasets like MS MARCO through transfer learning, evidence shows that not all DR models and domains can benefit from transfer learning. Recently, researchers have resorted to large language models (LLMs) to improve the zero-shot and few-shot DR models. However, the hard prompts or human-written prompts utilized in these works are suboptimal and the generated weak …

Advancing Wind Turbine Blade Longevity Through Innovative Trailing Edge Reinforcement Using Auxetic Tpu Structures, Gianluca Provvisiero

Open Access Master's Theses

The trailing edge of wind turbine blades represents one of the most failure prone regions due to local buckling phenomena and repeated mechanical stresses. This thesis explores a specific reinforcement strategy aimed at extending blade longevity by integrating Re-entrant honeycomb structures made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) within the trailing edge. By numerically identifying and targeting high stress zones, the insertion of lightweight auxetic TPU foam enhances local stiffness and mitigates premature failure without compromising aerodynamic performance. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach when compared to blades models without any internal reinforcement. The methodology of this …

Development Of An Autonomous Lab-On-Paper Device For Enzymatic Activity Assays- Proof Of Concept, Cameron Hahn

Open Access Master's Theses

This work aims to build on URI’s autonomous Lab on Paper (LoP) platform technology, which was used to conduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), to conducting enzymatic activity assays. This requires new optimizations and designs to accommodate the test. In this work we use alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme as the model analyte for the proof-of-concept. To accompany the new device, new MATLAB analytical tools were written and tested, to aid in robust colorimetric signal analysis. The test fixture was designed to be reusable, when a new paper circuit and reagent vials are supplied, however, it was assumed that an eventual final …

Quantification Of The Effects Of Irradiation On The Dynamic Compressive Properties And Fracture Toughness Of Naval Materials, Keevan Winters

Open Access Master's Theses

The investigation of materials used in naval environments, especially those exposed to radiation, is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of naval vessels. This study explores the mechanical properties of high-strength steel (HY-80), two types of epoxy-based syntactic foam (Pink and White), and polyurea, provided by General Dynamics Electric Boat. These materials were tested in both virgin and irradiated states under dynamic and quasi-static loading conditions using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) and an INSTRON 3366 for fracture testing. The study particularly focuses on changes in strain energy density and fracture toughness as indicators of material behavior in …

Implosion Of Aluminum Cylindrical Shells Within Varying Confinement Structures, Samuel Hayden

Open Access Master's Theses

The objective of this work was to further understand the fluid-structure interaction resulting from the instability of aluminum cylindrical shells within underwater pressurized confined environments. A confined environment is defined as a restricted fluid domain in which nearby structures influence fluid motion and limit the potential energy available in the system. This work consisted of multiple experimental implosion investigations involving various confinement structures while systematically varying parameters which influence the implosion event. The first study examined the effects of varying one-dimensional fluid flow into a partially confined cylindrical structure, along with variations in the geometry of the implodable volume, while …

Predicting Evapotranspiration, Quick Flow, And Recharge In The Contiguous United States Through 2100, Paige Aldenberg

Open Access Master's Theses

Groundwater pumping has more than doubled since 1950 across the United States and now accounts for more than 50% of water use in much of the country. These high pumping rates have exceeded recharge in many aquifers, especially in the dry Western United States. As a result, water levels are declining, increasing water scarcity for humans, and causing various adverse ecosystem impacts. So, predictions of future groundwater recharge rates, especially in the face of changing climates, are necessary for informing future water management practices. While historical groundwater recharge rates have been estimated across broad geographic regions, high-resolution predictions of future …

Analyzing Manual Careful And Destructive Disassembly Using Decision Trees For Consumer Electronics Battery Cells, Ivy Ozuna

Open Access Master's Theses

In a world increasingly powered by portable electronics, the amount of battery waste produced and how to process the waste is paramount. An important component of these devices is the lithium-ion (Li-ion) cylindrical batteries, which store the power essential to their function. Cylindrical Li-ion cells - particularly the 18650, 21700, and 26650 formats - are among the most widely used battery types due to their standardized design, durability, and high energy density. Their cylindrical shape provides structural integrity, making them resistant to mechanical stress and thermal fluctuations. Additionally, their widespread adoption in industries like consumer electronics (CEs), electric vehicles (EVs), …

Predicting The State Of Health Of Samsung 25r Lithium Ion Batteries, Matthew O'Donnell

Open Access Master's Theses

This thesis may contain material at the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level. The full document cannot be released.

Flexural Response Of Inflatable Drop-Stitch Panels, Alex J. Watterson

Open Access Master's Theses

All CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) is U.S. government property and has been removed from this thesis.

The Role Of Socioeconomic Indicators On Child Behavior And Academic Outcomes During Elementary School, Ashlee Mineau

Open Access Master's Theses

The impact of a child's socioeconomic status (SES) impacts all aspects of development. Children’s SES will be examined to determine the potential impact they may have on children's academics and behavior. The SES variables that will be examined are parent education, parent occupation, and household income. Parent education is one of the strongest predictors of child school achievement (Martinez et al., 2022). Children who come from a lower SES household are more likely to display externalizing behaviors (Barry et al., 2022). This study in particular looks at its impact for academic achievement in reading, math, and science and external problem …

A System To Test Selective Directional Laser Melting Of 3d Printed Metal Surfaces, Daniel A. Marasco

Open Access Master's Theses

This thesis contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CUI has been removed from this copy of the thesis.