Digital Commons Network^™

Game Of Chance, Lily Kate Anthony

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

“Game of Chance” features a purportedly psychic protagonist, Lucy Cartwright, who works as a tarot card reader online and in public forums. After a series of toxic relationships and a lifetime of watching her mother’s relationships fail, Lucy is initiated into the world of tarot and Twin Flames by a fraudulent psychic named Christine. While romantic pressure from her culture and peers mounts, Lucy resorts to spellwork to manifest her Twin and then meets Chance, an optometry student and amateur gambler who falls for her quickly. The fragility of their connection is revealed when Lucy panics at contradictions in the …

Connecting Lighthouses To Spiritual Tourism: The Case Of The Hellenic Lighthouse Network, Polyxeni Moira, Paraskevi Kakaroucha

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Lighthouses operate as carriers of cultural value and encapsulate universal connotations. They are harmoniously integrated in unspoilt landscapes, some of which are considered dystopian. Their delicate albeit resilient structure, settled within dynamic geophysical fields, elicits philosophical quests and metaphysical concerns. Lighthouses are connected to narratives of heroism, solitude, self-efficacy and lunacy, with altruistic keepers and divine or supernatural entities starring in plenty of them. Moreover, lighthouses have been associated with religious facilities and rituals for many centuries. Therefore, they attract people pursuing transformative experiences away from mass tourism locations and could unsurprisingly be included in alternative spiritual tourism itineraries.

Greek …

24-Methylenecycloartanol Isolated From The Fruit Peel Of Matoa (Pometia Pinnata) And Its Activity As An Antibacterial Against Staphylococcus Aureus And Escherichia Coli, Risyandi Anwar, Steffi Triany Arnov, Ghesta Alifka Putri, Siska Elisahbet Sinaga, Al Arofatus Naini, Unang Supratman

Chimica et Natura Acta

Triterpenoids are compounds with highly diverse chemical structures and exhibit interesting biological activities such as antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The matoa plant (Pometia pinnata), belonging to the genus Pometia from the family Sapindaceae, has been used in traditional medicine and shows potential as an antibacterial agent. The purpose of this research was to isolate and determine the chemical structure of triterpenoids from the peel of the matoa fruit (P. pinnata) and to evaluate their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The ethyl acetate extract from the peel of P. pinnata demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. In this …

Development Of Photo Electrocatalytic Chemical Oxygen Demand Design (Pecod) Sensor Using Highly Ordered Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays Electrodes, Chichi Amne Utami, Muhammad Iqbal Syauqi, Sherly Kasuma Warda Ningsih, Rahmat Wibowo, Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi

Chimica et Natura Acta

Population growth, industrialization, and the need to ensure water quality have fostered the demand for analytical methods and tools to determine one of the important values of water quality standards. The oxygen demand of a given water matrix provides valuable information about the presence of organic compounds in a sample. The TiO2-based photoelectrocatalytic COD (PECOD) method offers a faster, more efficient, and more accurate alternative than conventional methods. Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (HOTNAs) were synthesized by anodizing titanium metal at 45V for 2 hours. HOTNAs/FTO photoanodes are used to oxidize organic compounds in water. HOTNAs/FTO photoanode has a bandgap …

Near Real-Time Center Of Gravity Estimation Of An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Carola Vasquez

Theses

As UAV technology advances and finds broader applications across industries, real-time estimation of the center of gravity (CG) becomes crucial for ensuring safe and efficient flight. Accurate CG estimation is vital not only for UAVs but also for manned aircraft, as it significantly influences stability and control by indicating the point where the entire weight is evenly distributed. Variations in CG, resulting from changes in altitude, attitude, speed, fuel consumption, and payload, directly impact stability and may lead to compromised performance and increased risk of accidents if not monitored. Existing methods focus on regression analysis, multi-accelerometer measurements, and pitching moment …

Faculty Senate Agenda December 2, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• Library Budget
• 3:45 Report
• Faculty Evaluation Committee Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• 3:55 Old Business
• 4:00 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:00 pm

Psychologists’ Diagnostic Decision Making In Adhd And Autism In Children, Donna Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decision-making experiences of psychologists who diagnose children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high-functioning autism referred to as autism spectrum disorder - level 1 (ASD-1) when symptoms of either one or both are present in children were explored in this hermeneutic phenomenological study. These two common neurodevelopmental disorders share characteristics and symptoms that could lead to diagnostic confusion. There has been an absence of research on psychologists’ experiences with diagnostic decision making since the publications of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. Exploration of psychologists’ diagnostic decision-making processes can aid in providing early intervention and accurate …

Exploring Successful Employee Retention Strategies In The Distribution Warehouse Industry, Meriam Sunday

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low employee engagement often leads to employee dissatisfaction, reduced morale, and employee turnover. Frontline distribution warehouse managers who struggle to engage employees risk retention challenges. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore employee engagement strategies frontline distribution warehouse managers use to increase retention. The participants were six frontline distribution warehouse managers who had successfully implemented employee engagement strategies and increased employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, public websites, public documents, current and archival. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) effective leadership and …

Perceptions Of Teachers Regarding The Low Biliteracy Scores Of Fifth Grade Emergent Bilinguals In A Dual Language Program, Maria Ines Trevino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that at Nepantla Independent School District (pseudonym) bilingual fifth grade students have not attained biliteracy goals in their dual language program. The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the dual language teachers’ perceptions regarding fifth grade emergent bilingual students’ low levels of biliteracy proficiency and the challenges seen as hindering students’ opportunities to master the dual language program's biliteracy goals. The framework encompassed Krashen, Cummins, Thomas and Collier’s theories which explore language acquisition, learning and bilingual education. The research questions explored the extent to which dual language instructors perceived the inadequate …

Exploring Successful Employee Retention Strategies In The Distribution Warehouse Industry, Meriam Sunday

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low employee engagement often leads to employee dissatisfaction, reduced morale, and employee turnover. Frontline distribution warehouse managers who struggle to engage employees risk retention challenges. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore employee engagement strategies frontline distribution warehouse managers use to increase retention. The participants were six frontline distribution warehouse managers who had successfully implemented employee engagement strategies and increased employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, public websites, public documents, current and archival. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) effective leadership and …

The Social Benefits Of Control, Emilie Aguirre

Duke Law Journal

When firm founders want to increase access to capital, one traditional route has been to take the firm public. Most public firms allow equal voting rights for all shareholders, so by going public, founders and early insiders inevitably give up a certain amount of control over the firm. More recently, however, a governance structure known as multiclass shares has exploded in popularity. Multiclass share structures separate voting rights from economic rights, allowing insiders to retain control while still raising money on public markets. Because multiclass structures can allow insiders to extract private benefits at the expense of outside shareholders, they …

Alphafold2-Based Characterization Of Apo And Holo Protein Structures And Conformational Ensembles Using Randomized Alanine Sequence Scanning Adaptation: Capturing Shared Signature Dynamics And Ligand-Induced Conformational Changes, Nishank Raisinghani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Proteins often exist in multiple conformational states, influenced by the binding of ligands or substrates. The study of these states, particularly the apo (unbound) and holo (ligand-bound) forms, is crucial for understanding protein function, dynamics, and interactions. In the current study, we use AlphaFold2, which combines randomized alanine sequence masking with shallow multiple sequence alignment subsampling to expand the conformational diversity of the predicted structural ensembles and capture conformational changes between apo and holo protein forms. Using several well-established datasets of structurally diverse apo-holo protein pairs, the proposed approach enables robust predictions of apo and holo structures and conformational ensembles, …

Optimizing Lab Methods For Consistent Rice Milling Analysis, Samuel Olayiwola Olaoni, Bindu Regonda, Kaushik Luthra, Griffiths Atungulu

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background and Objectives

Milling is one of the most important postharvest processes in rice production. Traditionally, the McGill #2 mill has been used for lab milling to assess rice milling performance as per the recommendation of the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). However, as the FGIS is phasing out the use of the McGill #2 mill, there is a need to recalibrate milling assessments for standardized milling evaluation across various labs. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the milling performance of three laboratory mills (McGill #2, Satake, and Zaccaria mills) on the head rice yield (HRY), milled …

A Comparison Of Vestibular Function In Young Adult Musicians And Non-Musician Peers, Alexandria W. Greene, Ashley G. Flagge, Nicholas S. Stanley

Ashley Flagge Publications

Purpose: The majority of college-level musicians exceed the daily recommended noise dose level during instrumental practices and performances, although less than one-third report wearing hearing protection while playing their instruments. Although the hazardous effects of music on the auditory system have been established, even in young adult musicians still early in their musical careers, the effects of music on the vestibular system are still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine vestibular/balance differences between young adult musicians and non-musicians to determine the effects of music exposure on the vestibular system.

Method: Young adult participants aged 18-27 years …

Rna Shielding Of P65 Is Required To Potentiate Oncogenic Inflammation In Tet2-Mutated Clonal Hematopoiesis, Nana Adjoa Ben-Crentsil, Wazim Mohammed Ismail, Maria E Balasis, Hannah Newman, Ariel Quintana, Traci Kruer, Meghan C Ferrall-Fairbanks, Jenna Fernandez, Terra L Lasho, Christy M Finke, Mohammed L Ibrahim, Kathy L Mcgraw, Michael Wysota, Amy L Aldrich, Christopher B Ryder, Christopher T Letson, Joshua Traina, Amy F Mclemore, Nathalie Droin, Aditi Shastri, Seongseok Yun, Eric Solary, David A Sallman, Amer A Beg, Li Ma, Alexandre Gaspar-Maia, Mrinal M Patnaik, Eric Padron

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This work identifies MALAT1 as a requisite downstream effector of oncogenic feedforward inflammatory circuits necessary for the development of TET2-mutated CH and fulminant myeloid malignancy. We elucidate a novel mechanism by which MALAT1 "shields" p65 from dephosphorylation to potentiate this circuit and nominate MALAT1 inhibition as a future therapeutic strategy.

Exploring Successful Employee Retention Strategies In The Distribution Warehouse Industry, Meriam Sunday

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low employee engagement often leads to employee dissatisfaction, reduced morale, and employee turnover. Frontline distribution warehouse managers who struggle to engage employees risk retention challenges. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore employee engagement strategies frontline distribution warehouse managers use to increase retention. The participants were six frontline distribution warehouse managers who had successfully implemented employee engagement strategies and increased employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, public websites, public documents, current and archival. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) effective leadership and …

Neurofeedback: New Territories And Neurocognitive Mechanisms Of Endogenous Neuromodulation, Talma Hendler

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Neurofeedback (NF) is endogenous neuromodulation of circumscribed brain circuitry. While its use of real-time brain activity in a closed-loop system is similar to brain-computer interfaces, instead of controlling an external device like the latter, the goal of NF is to change a targeted brain function. In this special issue on NF, we present current and future methods for extracting and manipulating neural function, how these methods may reveal new insights about brain function, applications, and rarely discussed ethical considerations of guiding and interpreting the brain activity of others. Together, the articles in this issue outline the possibilities of NF use …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai)-Powered Bibliometric Analysis Of Global Trends In Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Mscs)-Derived Exosome Research: 2014-2023, Shih-Chang Tsai, Bing-Han Wan, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Jai-Sing Yang

BioMedicine

Introduction: In recent years, significant progress has been made in regenerative medicine, specifically in using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their regenerative and differentiating abilities. An exciting development in this area is the utilization of exosomes derived from MSCs, which have shown promise in tissue restoration, immune system modulation, and cancer treatment.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze global research trends and the academic impact of MSCs-derived exosomes from 2014 to 2023, providing a comprehensive overview of this emerging field.

Materials and Methods: The Web of Science database selected 948 relevant publications from 2014 to 2023. Artificial intelligence …

Machine Learning-Guided Differential Gene Expression Analysis Identifies A Highly-Connected Seven-Gene Cluster In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Hany Ghazal, El-Sayed A. El-Absawy, Waleed Ead, Mohamed E. Hasan

BioMedicine

Background: One of the most challenging cancers is triple-negative breast cancer, which is subdivided into many molecular subtypes. Due to the high degree of heterogeneity, the role of precision medicine remains challenging. With the use of machine learning (ML)-guided gene selection, the differential gene expression analysis can be optimized, and eventually, the process of precision medicine can see great advancement through biomarker discovery.

Purpose: Enhancing precision medicine in the oncology field by identification of the most representative differentially-expressed genes to be used as biomarkers or as novel drug targets.

Methods: By utilizing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository …

Integrating Natural Product Research Laboratory With Artificial Intelligence: Advancements And Breakthroughs In Traditional Medicine, Jai-Sing Yang, Shih-Chang Tsai, Yuan-Man Hsu, Da-Tian Bau, Chia-Wen Tsai, Wen-Shin Chang, Sheng-Chu Kuo, Sheng-Chu Kuo, Chien-Chih Yu, Yu-Jen Chiu, Fuu-Jen Tsai

BioMedicine

The Natural Product Research Laboratory (NPRL) of China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) was established in collaboration with CMUH and Professor Kuo-Hsiung Lee from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The laboratory collection features over 6,000 natural products worldwide, including pure compounds and semi-synthetic derivatives. This is the most comprehensive and fully operational natural product database in Taiwan. This review article explores the history and development of the NPRL of CMUH. We then provide an overview of the recent applications and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in new drug discovery. Finally, we examine advanced powerful AI-tools and related software …

Research In Practice And Practicing Research: Teaching Women And Leadership Discourse, Amaly Santiago, Mariaelena Bartesaghi Phd

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

In this article, we examine the course Women and Leadership Discourse as research in practice. As Craig and Tracy have argued (1995; 2021), practical theory examines data from everyday practices and is consequential to social life. The course centers on women's leadership, issues of leadership dynamics, and women’s roles in organizations. As scholars and instructors, we move to transform research into embodied awareness, teaching students of all genders to be poised for career satisfaction because they understand how critical encounters in organizations work, and how to navigate them. In discussing course design, we describe the pedagogical ways which facilitate collaboration, …

Transformative Interventions In Cell Biology: The Development And Use Of Instructor/Student-Interactive Demonstrations Of Key Cell Biology Concepts, Prashanth Rao, Ashok Upadhyaya, Meera Nanjundan

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

In Cell Biology, a sophomore/junior undergraduate-level high-enrollment core course, students are expected to develop a broad and detailed understanding of the functioning of eukaryotic cells. For example, some of the more challenging biological concepts include machinery involved in the replication and translational processes, protein trafficking/orientation in membranes, as well as both G protein-coupled receptor and receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathways. In this instructional article, we describe prior published reports of the use of interactive demonstrations of several of these key biological concepts in the classroom. Furthermore, we narrate our efforts to integrate several of these disparate evidence-based techniques (EBTs) …

Fostering Active Learning And Metacognitive Skills In A Cognitive-Science Based Math Course, Sheila Tabanli

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

There is a large body of research on how to improve student learning through active learning and metacognition. However, without well-structured guidelines, students do not tend to actively engage with the taught material, peers, and the instructor at a desirable metacognitive level (Deslauriers et al., 2019). To address this problem, a research-driven assessment structure is integrated into a nontraditional course called “Methods for Mathematical Problem Solving” (M2PS). Methods for Mathematical Problem Solving was designed by the author to teach students effective study principles stemming from cognitive science. The assessments include synchronous check for understanding (CFU) assignments to further investigate the …

Flipped Teaching Eased The Transition To Online Learning Of College Students In Stem Courses During Covid-19, Sinan Onal, Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer, Charles Serrano, Paige Dickey, Georgia Bracey, Sharon Locke, Julie Fickas, Chaya Gopalan

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Following COVID-19, teaching was abruptly shifted from a live to a virtual format, posing a challenge to both students and faculty. There is a need to employ alternatives, emphasizing targeting the factors that suit Generation Z students for effective learning while maintaining social distancing. Understanding students' perceptions about the educational environment plays a vital role in planning and implementing teaching strategies for the future. Flipped teaching (FT) has been a successful instructional method because it embeds active learning strategies and some remote learning for which students are responsible. This study examined the perceptions of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) …

Learners Authoring Their Agency Related To An English For Academic Purposes Course, Riina Seppälä

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Given the demands of modern working life, university studies should support students’ life-long learning and agency. This article explores the types of agency learners from an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course described in interviews. The interviews were conducted in two groups in 2 consecutive years, in two stages: at the end of the EAP course as well as 6 to 7 months later. Through thematic content analysis, three types of agency were identified: instrumental agency, operational agency, and reflective agency. These types usually differed in terms of the contexts in which the learners placed the agency, the positions the …

Efficacy Of Online Laboratory Exercises In Achieving Undergraduate Learning Outcomes In Introductory Astronomy Classes, Kristen Miller, Shelli Carter

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Fully online courses and degree programs are popular with students today. It is important that these courses provide the same rigor and value of a traditional learning experience in a face-to-face classroom in order to ensure mastery of concepts and learning objectives. Online classes typically have suffered due to a lack of hands-on experiences for the students. One remedy to this is to include simulated hands-on work in the course through online laboratory exercises. The belief is that these simulated labs allow students to actively engage in the learning process, thus providing a traditional learning component in the online classroom. …

The Effects Of Math Anxiety On The Performance Of Undergraduate Business Majors: Using Self-Efficacy As A Mediator, Audrey Meador

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This research contributes to the body of knowledge regarding mathematics anxiety, self-efficacy, and performance in mathematics. Specifically, this study analyzed these constructs as they pertain to undergraduate business students enrolled in entry-level, prerequisite mathematics courses. Information was collected via surveys utilizing the Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Questionnaire (MSEAQ). Results based on regression modeling were consistent with prior research involving the relationship between mathematics anxiety and performance, with self-efficacy serving as a mediator. Data indicated an inverse relationship between math anxiety and math self-efficacy, an inverse relationship between math anxiety and students’ expected grade, differences in math self efficacy by business …

Active Learning Classrooms Vs Computer Labs: Student Learning, Emotion, And Classroom Settings, Megumi Kuwabara

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Using undergraduate students in the research methods course in Child Development as participants and keeping the instructional approach consistent, this study examined two research questions. The first research question tested the effect of two classroom settings, active learning classrooms (ALCs) versus computer labs, on students’ learning. The results found that students in ALCs performed marginally better than computer labs for overall course grades and papers, but not for exams. The second research question tested the relationship between the reduction of negative feeling state and learning and investigated whether the relationship differed based on the classroom setting (ALCs vs computer lab). …

Promoting Innovation Via A University-Organized Online Hackathon, Arnon Hershkovitz, Orly Lahav

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This article presents a study of a full-day, university-organized, online hackathon that aimed at designing solutions to problems raised in remote learning and teaching. The event, with about 80 participants, was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic when many schools were closed and shifted to emergency remote teaching. The hackathon participants were challenged to design innovative solutions to authentic problems that have been raised during this situation. Using an online questionnaire, to which 28 of the hackathon participants responded, we quantitatively and qualitatively examined how the event had affected them. Findings suggest that participating in the hackathon mostly contributed to …

Factors Related To Study Progress Among First-Year Agriculture Students, Hanna-Riitta Kymäläinen, Jokke Hasa, Ilona Södervik

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The first study year at university predicts the progress and quality of later studies. The aim of our study was to explore factors that affect first-year agriculture students. In the end of their first year, 49 students answered a questionnaire measuring self-efficacy, approaches to learning, and study-related burnout. They also reported the factors that enhanced or impeded their studies. According to their approaches to learning, students were clustered into three profiles. One of these represented successful students with an organized approach, strong self-efficacy and little burnout, and another a more unorganized group. The third group had a dissonant profile and …