Digital Commons Network^™

Epigenetic Age Acceleration And Disparities In Posttraumatic Stress In Women In Southeast Louisiana: Nimhd Social Epigenomics Program, Alicia K. Smith, Seyma Katrinli, Dawayland O. Cobb, Evan G. Goff, Michael Simmond, Grace M. Christensen, Tyler Prusisz, Sierra N. Garth, Meghan Brashear, Anke Hüls, Erika J. Wolf, Edward J. Trapido, Ariane L. Rung, Nicole R. Nugent, Edward S. Peters

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE: Disasters experienced by an entire community provide opportunities to understand individual differences in risk for adverse health outcomes over time. DNA methylation (DNAm) differences may help to distinguish individuals at increased risk following large-scale disasters. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of epigenetic age acceleration with probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptom severity in women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective cohort study examined data from participants in the Women and Their Children's Health cohort, who were characterized longitudinally following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS) in 2010 and through numerous hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region of …

Trying To Be Good Enough: Exploring Enculturative Intensive Motherhood Discourse, Molly Wiant Cummins

SAGE Open Access Agreement Publications-Archive

Intensive motherhood is a pervasive discourse that enables and constrains mothers’ choices. However, intensive motherhood does not only affect mothers; it teaches each of us how we should judge a mother’s goodness. In this essay, I use autoethnographic moments of my life to explore how good mothers enact intensive motherhood discourse, highlighting how difficult it will be to undo the material effects of a discourse like intensive motherhood. Still, I argue that identifying how mothers have been made facilitates how to make mothers differently, offering hope that these hurtful discourses can be altered toward something better, however slowly.

Materials Data Science Using Cradle: A Distributed, Data-Centric Approach, Thomas G. Ciardi, Arafath Nihar, Rounak Chawla, Olatunde Akanbi, Pawan K. Tripathi, Yinghui Wu, Vipin Chaudhary, Roger H. French

Faculty Scholarship

There is a paradigm shift towards data-centric AI, where model efficacy relies on quality, unified data. The common research analytics and data lifecycle environment (CRADLE™) is an infrastructure and framework that supports a data-centric paradigm and materials data science at scale through heterogeneous data management, elastic scaling, and accessible interfaces. We demonstrate CRADLE’s capabilities through five materials science studies: phase identification in X-ray diffraction, defect segmentation in X-ray computed tomography, polymer crystallization analysis in atomic force microscopy, feature extraction from additive manufacturing, and geospatial data fusion. CRADLE catalyzes scalable, reproducible insights to transform how data is captured, stored, and analyzed.

Key Factors In Internship Selection: A Survey Study Of Non-Doctoral School Psychology Interns, Haley Erickson Hand

Theses and Dissertations

There is currently a national shortage of school psychologists (National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), 2021c). This shortage has created a job market that favors the job seeker, meaning employers must find ways to actively attract potential candidates to hire enough professionals to meet the needs of their students. However, there is little research on the factors that school psychologist practitioners consider when choosing a district to work in. This research study examined what factors non-doctoral-level school psychologist interns consider when deciding which district to intern in. Likewise, it examined what an ideal working environment looks like for non-doctoral interns. …

Striking At The Root: A Categorization Of Dns Clients, Tyler Dean

Theses and Dissertations

The Domain Name System (DNS) root servers have provided a useful look into the DNS and internet ecosystems for decades. We present a categorization of clients querying DNS root servers. Using two clustering algorithms on DNS traffic sampled in 2020, we can predict the structure and volume of queries originating from different types of clients. Previous research has used unsupervised techniques to better understand DNS traffic patterns, but none have, to our knowledge, considered clients beyond those driven by queries from end users. By performing clustering on IP addresses rather than on individual queries, we are able to examine the …

Impact Of Aureobasidium Species Strain Improvement On The Production Of The Polysaccharide Pullulan, Thomas P. West

Faculty Publications

This review explores the production of the fungal polysaccharide pullulan by mutants and natural isolates of Aureobasidium species using strain improvement. Pullulan is a neutral polysaccharide gum whose structure is a maltotriose-containing glucan. This polysaccharide gum has applications in the fields of food, pharmaceuticals, biomedical and wastewater treatment. The strain improvement of Aureobasidium species has focused on the pullulan production process, including the isolation of strains exhibiting reduced pigmentation, polysaccharide overproduction, the production of pullulan with variable molecular weight, and increased osmotolerant strains promoting pullulan production at high carbon source concentrations and pullulan production on hemicellulosic substrates. The majority of …

Eugenics And Feminism: The Reflections Of Two Ideologies In The Reproductive Policies Of The Nazi Regime, The Reunification Period, And Present-Day Germany, Sydney Reil

Undergraduate Honors Theses

German abortion law is restrictive for a Western European nation of strong economic standing and with relatively liberal social policy. Additionally, Germany is one of few Western European nations without an embryopathy indication, which allows for exceptional abortions in cases of fetal defects. The law (as it stands in 2024), has been immeasurably shaped by two ideologies, eugenics and feminism, and by modern Germany’s consideration of both the ideologies themselves, and of how they influenced the reproductive policies of the twentieth century. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the influences of eugenics and feminism on German reproductive law …

The Great Breach: Populism And The Undermining Of The Public Sphere With The Logic Of The Private One, Francesco Duina

All Faculty Scholarship

What can explain the remarkable electoral successes of populist leaders across the world in the last two decades? This article contributes to the growing research on possible answers by proposing a new perspective. Modern societies have long featured, and largely benefited from, a split between the private and public spheres. Each sphere has functioned according to its own logic. Populist leaders have attacked and delegitimized the public sphere by destabilizing it with the logic of the private one. Since large numbers of citizens have increasingly felt left behind by the public sphere and unable to make their voices heard, they …

"It Shouldn't Be Just Hush-Hush": A Qualitative Community-Based Study Of Menstrual Health Communication Among Women In Philadelphia, Allison R. Casola, Lynette Medley, Brianna C. Kunes, Nya Mcglone, Alexis Silverio

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Although menstruation is a natural biological process, many people feel embarrassed of their menses and struggle to discuss it. To mitigate menstrual communication stigma, it is necessary to first elucidate communication experiences and perceptions. Thus, we qualitatively explore menstrual communication among cisgender women who menstruate and their family, friends, healthcare providers, and community.

METHODOLOGY: In partnership with No More Secrets (NMS), a Philadelphia menstrual health non-profit, we conducted a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project in Fall 2020. Cisgender, menstruating individuals ages 18-45 recruited from NMS' catchment in Philadelphia participated in semi-structured interviews about their menstrual experiences and communication (N …

Inflation Targeting, Output Stabilization, And Real Indeterminacy In Monetary Models With An Interest Rate Rule, Konstantin Platonov

Economics Faculty Works

Central banks set the nominal interest rate to target inflation and stabilize output. In monetary models, monetary policy affects output directly via the wealth effect. I show that in these models, the response of the central bank to fluctuations in output may induce real indeterminacy even if the Taylor principle is satisfied. I find that the determinacy conditions depend on the interest elasticity of output and generally, the Taylor principle is neither necessary nor sufficient for determinacy. This is in stark contrast with the New Keynesian model where a sufficiently strong policy response to inflation or output usually ensures determinacy.

Empirical Algorithms For Estimating Downwelling Light Attenuation At Λ=490 Nm From Sentinel-2 In A Narrow Optically Complex Bay, Plymouth Sound, United Kingdom, Louis J. Thornton

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigates the potential of reflectance band ratios, modelled on Sentinel-2’s MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) bands 10m resolution to estimate the downwelling attenuation coefficient for planar irradiance, Kd(λ), at 490nm (Kd(490)) in Plymouth Sound. Kd(λ) is vital for characterising subsurface light climate, strongly influencing physical and biogeochemical processes in coastal and oceanic waters. In temperate shelf seas, human activities have led to loss in vitality and spatial extent of structurally complex seabed, emphasizing the need for enhanced monitoring. Satellite-based remote sensing (RS) offers spatial and temporal advantages to conventional in situ methods. There are, however two main inadequacies that persist …

The Wellbeing Benefits Of Exposure To Nature: The Difference Between Environment Types On Different Wellbeing Types, Lily-Mae Petherick

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The world is facing a mental health crisis, thus implementing measures to improve wellbeing is a global priority. One way of combating this worldwide issue is through the well-known wellbeing benefits of nature. However, natural environments include more than just the well-known green spaces, and wellbeing encompasses multiple components. Consequently, this study compares the wellbeing outcomes of virtual exposure to a green space, blue space, and urban environment on both hedonic (pleasure) and eudaimonic wellbeing (meaningfulness). A factorial design was employed in which 96 University of Plymouth students watched one stressor video and then one of three environment videos (green, …

Personalized Driving Using Inverse Reinforcement Learning, Rodrigo J. Gonzalez Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces an autonomous driving controller designed to replicate individual driving behaviors based on a provided demonstration. The controller employs Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) to formulate the reward function associated with the provided demonstration. IRL is implemented through a dual-feedback loop system. The inner loop utilizes Q-learning, a model-free reinforcement learning technique, to optimize the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation and derive an appropriate control solution. The outer loop leverages this derived control solution to generate parameters for the reward function, which are subsequently integrated into the HJB equation. The ultimate control policy is deduced from the final reward function obtained …

The Role Of Food Ordering Systems In The Efficiency Of Food Distribution Through Food Banks: A Case Study, Turner Kamm

Theses

Introduction: Food banks face pressure to support an increasing number of food-insecure individuals, and to increase operational efficiency. This study reviewed the role of ordering systems in a food bank through a literature review and analysis of past ordering data. Methods: A literature review was conducted on the role of food ordering systems on efficient food delivery. Order data were categorized by month, county, and product category to assess transaction patterns. Analyses involved total pounds of food received by each county and a formula to calculate the percent of food insecure individuals served by county. Additional analyses compared items that …

Why Take Ap? Access To High School Advanced Placement Courses Long-Term Impact On Career/Workplace Opportunities, Gina Marie Frasca

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to understand the long-term impact of providing access and equity to highly rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) coursework to underserved and/or underrepresented high school students, and its long-term impacts on career. Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the experiences and opportunities of 6 graduates from a rural public high school in New Jersey with open access to AP courses who are now in a career/workplace environment. All six graduates took at least one AP course while in high school, graduated between 2010 and 2016, and had two or more potential barriers to opportunity while attending high school …

Villagran, Gilbert Joseph, San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

San Jose State University, Social Work, 1976 MSW

San Jose State University, Community College Teaching Credential, 1973

San Jose State University, Philosophy, 1971 BA

The Integration Of Mathematical Concepts In Physics Curriculum, Paige Poindexter

Masters Projects

Research has shown that students are struggling to grasp mathematical concepts and skills, which carries over to other subjects, such as science. As the need for an improved STEM education approach continues to grow, the use of integration to guide curriculum development has proven to be effective. This project dives into the available research surrounding the overlap of subjects taught in a secondary setting, focusing on the techniques proven to improve student academic success. This project addresses the need to draw clear connections between mathematics and physics courses, with the goal of improving student scores in both areas. The result …

Addressing Student Mental Health During Covid-19: The Incredible Endeavors Of One Group Of Urban Elementary School Teachers, Caitlin Ferguson

LMU Theses and Dissertations

This case study investigated one urban school district’s efforts to address the mental health of its students during COVID-19. Specifically, I examined the protocols established by the district and the daily implementation of social-emotional learning and culturally relevant practices during the 2020–21 school year, focusing on the instructors’ perspective. Utilizing a semi-structured qualitative interview approach, I collected data from five teachers and one district personnel and corroborated it with district survey results and the Learning Continuity Plan. Findings indicate that despite teachers not explicitly understanding social-emotional learning (SEL) before COVID-19, they relied on a strong network of support and personal …

Impacts Of Social Media Use On The Wellbeing Of Older Adults : Evidence From China During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Xuying Dong

Lingnan Theses (Doctoral degree)

Given the trend of increasing use of information and communication technologies among Chinese elder population, more attention should be drawn on the relationship between social media use and wellbeing of older adults. This research explores the social media use situation among older adults in mainland China as well as its influences on their wellbeing, and employs a mixed approach including quantitative questionnaire distributed via WeChat social media platform and qualitative interview among Chinese older adults who are over 60 years of age in Jingzhou, Hubei Province. Generally speaking, social media use can improve the wellbeing of Chinese older adults, more …

The Significant Role Of Amino Acid Metabolic Reprogramming In Cancer, Lei You, Yupei Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Amino acid metabolism plays a pivotal role in tumor microenvironment, influencing various aspects of cancer progression. The metabolic reprogramming of amino acids in tumor cells is intricately linked to protein synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, modulation of signaling pathways, regulation of tumor cell metabolism, maintenance of oxidative stress homeostasis, and epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, the dysregulation of amino acid metabolism also impacts tumor microenvironment and tumor immunity. Amino acids can act as signaling molecules that modulate immune cell function and immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment, reshaping the anti-tumor immune response and promoting immune evasion by cancer cells. Moreover, amino acid metabolism can …

We Think, We Smell, We Remember: The Effect Of Smell On Memory For Chemistry Lab Learning, Michael A. Marino, Francine Wisnewski, Catherine Reilly, Andre Alexis

BCES: Faculty Presentations

The traditional five senses are the primary receptors of external stimuli for the brain. While tactile learning and visual observations are integral to the chemistry laboratory, olfaction is a sense that should be considered part of an educator's repertoire. Previous studies have discovered that our sense of smell plays a significant role in triggering memories. Moreover, specific scents like vanillin can prompt anamneses to recall previous experiences. A sample of 61 college students was employed for a three-week pretest-posttest control group experimental design. In the first week, participants conducted a chemical reaction to synthesize isoamyl acetate, the familiar and nontoxic …

The Association Between Prolonged Sars-Cov-2 Symptoms And Work Outcomes, Arjun K Venkatesh, Huihui Yu, Caitlin Malicki, Michael Gottlieb, Joann G Elmore, Mandy J Hill, Ahamed H Idris, Juan Carlos C Montoy, Kelli N O'Laughlin, Kristin L. Rising, Kari A Stephens, Erica S Spatz, Robert A Weinstein

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

While the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United States labor market are well-established, less is known about the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and Long COVID on employment. To address this gap, we analyzed self-reported data from a prospective, national cohort study to estimate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms at three months post-infection on missed workdays and return to work. The analysis included 2,939 adults in the Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE) study who tested positive for their initial SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of enrollment, were employed before the pandemic, and completed …

A Quantitative Study On Restorative Justice Programs And Socioeconomic Status On Gun Violence Prevention In Urban Schools, Debra Kaye Long

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A gun violence epidemic had been a topic of conversation in America's schools in the form of mass shootings, homicides, nonfatal attacks, accidental discharges, and weapon suicides. The significance of this issue lies in its effects on student safety, well-being, and educational outcomes. A logistic regression model was used to assess the impact of free or reduced-price lunch (SES) and the adoption of restorative justice practices on the likelihood of firearm incidents in schools. Using social learning theory and trauma-informed care, this quantitative study used surveys from 7,290 individuals to analyze these correlations. The findings revealed significant reductions in gun-related …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Acculturative Stress, And Cognitive Function In South-Asian Immigrants, Suchana Das Bandhan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although previous research has indicated that acculturative stress and lack of physical activity may contribute to age-related cognitive decline in older immigrants, previous research has not investigated the combined influence of acculturative stress and physical activity on cognitive function in a population of older immigrants. This quantitative correlational study aimed to investigate this relationship among older South-Asian immigrants using acculturation theory to guide the research. Acculturative stress was measured using the Social, Attitudinal, Familial, Environment Acculturative Stress Scale. Physical activity was measured using the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors. Cognitive functioning was measured using the Trail-Making test, Stroop …

A Human-Centered Power Conservation Framework Based On Reverse Auction Theory And Machine Learning, Enrico Casella, Simone Silvestri, Denise A. Baker, Sajal K. Das

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Extreme outside temperatures resulting from heat waves, winter storms, and similar weather-related events trigger the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, resulting in challenging, and potentially catastrophic, peak loads. As a consequence, such extreme outside temperatures put a strain on power grids and may thus lead to blackouts. To avoid the financial and personal repercussions of peak loads, demand response and power conservation represent promising solutions. Despite numerous efforts, it has been shown that the current state-of-the-art fails to consider (1) the complexity of human behavior when interacting with power conservation systems and (2) realistic home-level power dynamics. As …

Electroweak Structure And Reactions In Light Nuclei With Quantum Monte Carlo Methods, Garrett King

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Nuclei will play a prominent role in searches for physics beyond the Standard Model as the active material in experiments. In order to reliably interpret new physics signals, one needs an accurate model of the underlying nuclear dynamics. In this thesis, I discuss the validation of the Norfolk two-and three-body model of nuclear interactions along with consistent sets of electroweak transition operators used in conjunction with quantum Monte Carlo approaches to compute electroweak structure and reaction observable in light nuclei. I will provide the salient details of the model and method before presenting calculations of $\beta$-decay rates and spectra, muon …

Teachings From The Hogan Floor: Preserving Culture And Language Through Museum Collections, Nonabah B. Sam

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

In 2021, we faced the unexpected impacts of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, especially on the Navajo Nation. There were many things to realize, but one that hits hardest is the loss we suffered with many traditional practitioners passing from this illness. The purpose of this study was to examine linguistic and cultural contributions that Knowledge Keepers might consider making for the future of our Navajo Nation and Diné College. Drawing on my cultural teachings and knowledge, I conducted semi-structured interviews in Navajo and English with 10 participants, including leaders, alumni, staff, and traditional practitioners; I also utilized a circling back …

The Protective Effects Of Perceived Partner Responsiveness On Service Members' Drinking And Health Outcomes, Julia Maria Oosi Lynch

Dissertations and Theses

Stress is a known predictor of various adverse health behaviors and outcomes, such as poorer physical health, injuries, and mental well-being. Specifically, stressful events, including minor daily hassles, as well as major life changes and pressures that are perceived negatively, can lead to experiences of psychological distress. Psychological distress is commonly defined as symptoms of anxiety and depression, including worry, sadness, and hopelessness. These concerns are particularly acute for military families, who experience a unique set of stressors and loneliness due to deployments and separation, long shifts, and frequent relocations. Those experiencing psychological dFreistress are also more likely to engage …

Space Radiation Assessment And Mitigation: Meeting The Growing Demand For Shielding Solutions By Enhancing Models And Exploring Novel Shielding Opportunities, M. Laura Sorgi Johann

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The rapid growth of satellite technology and the increasing presence of vulnerable technology and human life in space have highlighted the need for improved shielding materials. Industry standard protocols for shielding are being pushed to their limits as we gain a deeper understanding of the harsh space environment and as chip sizes approach the scale of radiation wavelengths. Furthermore, the commercialization of space is attracting interest from industries such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductor crystal growing, as they explore the potential benefits of zero-gravity production environments. However, the eagerness to develop lighter shielding and the lack of consideration for existing tools …

Development Of Cyclic Scb Test For Evaluating Fatigue Cracking Resistance Of Asphalt Mixture At Intermediate Temperature, Ye Ma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Asphalt pavements are subjected to premature cracking due to traffic loading and environmental effects. The Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test has been traditionally conducted in a monotonic, displacement-controlled mode at intermediate temperature to assess the fatigue crack resistance of asphalt mixtures. However, fatigue damage is essentially deterioration in material integrity as a result of repeated loading. This study aims to develop a cyclic SCB test to characterize the fatigue cracking properties of asphalt mixture utilizing Paris’ Law model. A secondary goal is to apply the Paris’ Law coefficients measured from the developed cyclic SCB test in predicting the fatigue life of …