Digital Commons Network^™

2025, 1(20)

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Full Issue 2025, 1(20)

Detection Of Neuron Derived Cfdna In Blood Plasma: A New Diagnostic Approach For Neurodegenerative Conditions, Chad Alan Pollard

Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by the progressive loss of distinct neuronal subtypes, yet current diagnostic tools are either invasive, limited in resolution, or poorly suited for early detection and longitudinal monitoring. This dissertation began with a proof-of- concept study using bisulfite-PCR at a neuron-enriched locus to detect cortical neuron-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in AD plasma samples, establishing the potential of cfDNA as a marker of neuronal injury. Building on these preliminary findings, a novel framework was developed utilizing Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to profile genome-wide native DNA …

State-Level Immigrant Policies And Diabetes Prevalence In Latino And Asian American Groups: A Weighted Multilevel Analysis, Md Towfiqul Alam, Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Erica Payton, Elizabeth Vásquez, Sandra Echeverria

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Growing literature has shown that immigrant-related policies influence population health by limiting or enhancing immigrants’ rights. However, less is known about the role of state-level immigrant policies shaping chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This cross-sectional study examined the association between state-level immigrant policies (both criminalising and inclusive) and prevalence of T2DM among individuals of Latin American and Asian American origin.

Method: We included adults aged 18+years sampled in the 2014–2018 behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) (n=201 824), a survey design that allows the calculation of state-level estimates. Using existing policy measures, states …

A Web Application For Generating Argument Maps For Essays Using Llms, Alexis R. Chalmers

Theses

Argumentative writing is a critical skill that strengthens students’ reasoning, communication, and analytical abilities. However, maintaining a clear and organized argument structure while writing can be challenging. Argument maps — visual diagrams which explicitly show an argument’s structure — have been shown to improve students’ writing, but are rarely used outside of the planning stage of an essay due to the time and effort required to create them. Automatically generating argument maps from student essays helps students to evaluate the structure of their argument as they write and makes identifying unsupported claims visible. To evaluate whether large language models (LLMs) …

Novel Tools And Datamining Techniques To Visualize And Interpret Historical Sugarcane Datasets, Zachary A. Taylor

LSU Master's Theses

Heritable genetic variation is an essential raw ingredient of variety development programs. This variation is acted upon via selection by identifying elite progeny that can be utilized agronomically or exploited as parents. Sugarcane breeders are tasked with creating optimal genetic variation through crossing. Prior knowledge of pedigree and parental performance allows breeders to discern which crosses to prioritize, since the time to make crossing decisions and the space to evaluate tens and thousands of progenies are both limited resources in sugarcane variety development programs. In this project, we have updated and validated the U.S. sugarcane pedigree …

Ud In The News July 12-18, University Of Dayton

News Releases

A pair of publications listed the schools of engineering and business among the best in the nation. Local media highlighted biology research, legal expertise, and the transition from outgoing board chair Rick Omlor to new board chair Deb Tobias.

Field Width Comparison Of The Photon Beams 6 Mv And 10 Mv Coming Out Of The Radiotherapy Linear Accelerator, Basma Saber Lazem, Ikram Jumaa Hassan, Basim Khalaf Rejah, Hyam Khalaf, Mostafa Yuness Abdelfatah Mostafa

Baghdad Science Journal

The current study aims to measure and compare the field width emerging from the radiotherapy linear accelerator in different directions, three dimensions were chosen to measure the field width in an orderly (inline, cross line, diagonal A and B) manner. The 10 Mv and 6 Mv photon beam energies were used, and the Star Track device was adopted to measure the field width in different directions. The radiotherapy linear accelerator at the Baghdad Center for Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine was used every week five weeks. The results recorded that when the energy increased 10 Mv, there was an increase …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Self-Harm Among Autistic Women, Jessica Rebbettes, Alison Bacon

School of Psychology

Background: Autistic individuals, particularly females, demonstrate a higher prevalence of self-harm compared to those who are not autistic. Core cognitive, affective, and sensory differences inherent to autism are linked to the increased vulnerability within autistic populations. However, these factors are not sufficiently explored in relation to individuals’ social and environmental contexts, resulting in a gap in understanding the self-harm experiences of autistic females. Methods: Eleven autistic women participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of self-harm. Data was transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were identified: Regulation of Emotional States, highlighting self-harm as a …

The Impact Of Inorganic Nitrate On Endothelial Function: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials And Meta-Analysis, Esther Muriuki

School of Health Professions

Context: Inorganic nitrate is an exogenous source of nitric oxide, an established regulator of vascular homeostasis via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. Here, we evaluate the impact of inorganic nitrate on endothelial function, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objective: A systematic review of the existing literature and meta-analysis was performed. Trials testing inorganic nitrate compared with a control were selected and the change in forearm endothelial function (as assessed by flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]) were included. Data Sources: The following databases were searched: Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data Extraction: and Analysis Standardized mean differences in %FMD were pooled using …

Solving Hierarchical Variational Inequality For Almost Mean Nonexpansive Mappings, Noor Saddam Taresh, Salwa Salman Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

A clear common method in solving some types of nonlinear problems is to exchange the original problem with a collection of regularized problems and all these regularized problems have exactly one solution. A particular solution of the original problem will be obtained as a limit of these unique solutions of the regularized problems. This idea is used to provide a method for the hierarchical fixed point approach to solving variational inequality problems (VIPs). In this work, we intend to study two new iterative schemes by examining their strong convergence to a common fixed point for mappings defined for a nonempty …

Reliability Simulation Testing And Verification Technologies For Intelligent Systems: Frontiers, Progress, And Challenges, Zili Wang, Yuntian Gao, Dezhen Yang, Yeyang Liu, Yi Ren

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Intelligent systems are extensively deployed in domains such as transportation, energy and water resources, smart healthcare, and aerospace, where their reliability is directly linked to public safety and social stability, thus requiring thorough and scientifically rigorous verification. This article conducted an in-depth exploration of the current state of reliability simulation and verification techniques for intelligent systems. It defined the concept of reliability specific to intelligent systems and identified key challenges they face in areas including mission scenario modeling, characteristic modeling and simulation, evaluation and verification, and simulation platforms. Future development requirements were proposed to guide research toward more trustworthy, …

Thinking On Simulation Science And Engineering In The Era Of Artificial Intelligence, Wenhui Fan, Yuan Jiang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and computing technologies, simulation technologies have leapfrogged, propelling the discipline of simulation toward greater maturity. Research progress in computer simulation technologies both in China and abroad was reviewed, and the definition and connotation of simulation were clarified. It was proposed that the Chinese terms "仿真" "仿效"and " 模拟" be unified under a single term " 仿真" with corresponding "Simulation" "Emulation" and "Analog" in English translated uniformly as "Simulation". Simulation science and engineering discipline was delineated, which was grounded in three core theoretical foundations: analogical theory,computational theory, and model validation theory. The first-level …

Research Review Of Intelligent Navigation Simulation Technology And Its Applications, Tao Liu, Hanxi Li, Yong Yin, Jialun Liu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract:Navigation simulation develops models of ship navigation environments and behavior to simulate ship responses under various scenarios, enabling the prediction of ship behavior under complex and disturbing conditions. With the development of computer graphics, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence technologies in recent years, especially the development of unmanned ship technology, new research topics and applications have emerged in navigation simulation technology. This paper introduced the current research status and development trends of navigation simulation technology and reviewed it from three aspects: typical scenarios, key technologies, and development trends. The development trends and key points of multi-dimensional electronic navigation charts, …

Digital Twinned Industrial Robot: Conceptual Framework, Key Technologies, And Case Study, Yongkui Liu, Kang Yang, Benben Tuo, Yaduo Pan, Xinyu Wang, Yihan Wang, Yongqian Gong, Lin Zhang, Lihui Wang, Tingyu Lin, Bin Zi, Yuan Li, Wei You, Xun Xu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To effectively enhance the value and full life cycle management level of industrial robots, this paper integrated deeply digital twin with industrial robots and discussed a new concept, namely digital twinned industrial robot (DTIR). It defined the concept, composition, and typical characteristics of DTIRs and proposed their system architecture. From the perspective of the full life cycle of "design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning", the key technologies of DTIRs were systematically sorted out. Furthermore, the validity of the proposed conceptual framework was verified through a case study. Finally, the paper summarized the findings and discussed the future development …

Large-Scale Social Simulator: Frontiers And Perspectives, Jinghua Piao, Chen Gao, Fang Zhang, Jun Su, Yong Li

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Social experiments, as a typical research method in social sciences, aim to study specific social phenomena or the impacts of policies by observing the behaviors of individuals, organizations, or social groups in real or simulated environments. However, traditional social experiment methods often face challenges such as random bias, high costs, and ethical risks, making them inadequate to address increasingly complex research demands. Against this backdrop, computational social experiments have emerged, enabling researchers to conduct social experiments within computational simulation environments that are free from random bias, cost-efficient, and ethically manageable. Meanwhile, China is currently undergoing a critical period of …

Reimagining Information Literacy In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Nudge In The Right Direction, Kay Coates, Lili Li

University Libraries: Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Silent Identity: Asexuality, Aromanticism, And Convention In Le Roman De Silence And The Story Of Silence, Anita Farrell

English and Creative Writing Summer Fellows

Le Roman de Silence is a 13th-century French romance about Silence, a woman raised as a man to protect their family’s inheritance. Heldris of Cornwall, the author, develops a rich inner world to help the audience connect with Silence, allowing them to experiment with gendered, sexual, and romantic boundaries. This romance intrigues modern scholars, especially feminist and queer researchers due to narrative pressure on conventions like gender and sex. In 2020, Alex Myers, a transgender author, updates Silence’s tale in The Story of Silence, where Silence explores their identity in greater detail. Silence eventually identifies themselves as non-binary and …

Fred Herman Walker Lavant

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Critical Black Expressionism: A Womanist Manifesto, Rolanda Jw Spencer

Theses

This thesis introduces Critical Black Expressionism (CBE) as a visual, spiritual, and intellectual methodology rooted in Black feminist traditions, ancestral knowledge systems, and artistic practice. Grounded in womanist theory and decolonial inquiry, the central argument asserts that Black women’s lived experiences, cultural memory, and spiritual cosmologies constitute a rigorous and sovereign framework for artmaking. Rather than borrowing from Eurocentric pedagogies, this approach draws from oral traditions, sacred ritual, and master-apprentice models that have long existed within African and African American communities. The Iyami Aje: Mothers + Witches collection is the visual embodiment of this research. Composed of multimedia sculptures, altar-based …

Parthenocarpic Cucumber Cultivar Susceptibility Varies Among Common High Tunnel Insect And Mite Pests, Leslie Aviles, Elizabeth Maynard, Wenjing Guan, Laura Ingwell

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

High tunnels (HTs) are a protected agriculture tool used by specialty crop farmers. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativa L.) are well suited for HT production because of their vertical growth habit, allowing for space optimization, and repeated flowering, providing multiple harvest opportunities. However, twospotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch; TSSM), striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum Fabricius), and melon aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover) are common pests of cucumbers in HT systems, limiting production. The unique environment of HTs lacks regulation of temperatures, which can reach high levels during summer, facilitating the rapid development of pests. Here, we present results …

The Flash Technique As An Effective Low-Intensity Intervention For Migrants At The U.S. Point Of Entry, Selma D. Yznaga, Sik-Lam Wong, Suzanne Maniss

Counseling Faculty Publications

Migrants often face severe trauma before and during their journey, leading to mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress. This study explores the Flash Technique (FT) as a one-time intervention for newly arrived migrants. Twelve healthcare professionals and 11 student interns trained in FT provided interventions to 55 migrants, who showed substantial improvements in subjective units of distress scores. The findings highlight the efficacy of a low-intensity intervention in a humanitarian context, which can serve to mitigate the long-term psychological impact of trauma.

Stoners, Walnuts, Stockings, And Guns: A Material History Of Modern Firearms, Aiden Mashaal

History Summer Fellows

The study of firearms as material objects is notably rare among academic historians. It is relegated mainly to the pages of firearms magazines and carried out by journalists, gun collectors and enthusiasts, and gun manufacturers. Although they provide valuable information to readers outside of academia, it is long past due to observe the history of guns according to scholarly standards. This study provides a concise analysis of firearms history, focusing on the materials used in the manufacture of modern firearms—aluminum alloy and polymers. It explores the successes and failures of guns that used such materials in order to explain how …

The Blurry Line: Examining The Balance Between Feminism And Nationalism For Women In Early 20th Century Ireland, Seamus M. Clune

History Summer Fellows

The early 20th century in Ireland was a complex and confusing period. Between British Imperialism, The Gaelic Revival, World War I, the suffrage movement, and the Irish War of Independence, the period was fast and turbulent. Above the shifting ground, Irish women activists balanced two key political causes: feminism and Irish nationalism. Past scholarship has examined the coexistence of these two ideals. At times, one suppressed the other. At other times, they worked in tandem. This project offers a new interpretation of Irish women's political activity through a close reading of the letters and memoirs of three people: Constance Markievicz …

Personalized Emoji Prediction Framework Using Personality, Emotion, And User Preferences, Mariam Lotfy Gaafar

Theses and Dissertations

Emoji prediction plays a vital role in digital communication by enriching text with personality, individual style, and emotional tone. However, existing frameworks primarily rely on user-generated text combined with statistical or language models, often overlooking the importance of individual user traits and contextual information. Recent research highlights that integrating user-specific features, such as historical usage patterns and emotional context, can significantly improve emoji prediction accuracy. Building on these insights, we propose a comprehensive emoji prediction framework that incorporates user history, personality traits, and real-time emotional context. We leverage the Pan17 corpus, which contains a sufficient number of posts per user, …

Antibacterial Effect Of Acetylsalicylic Acid On The Efficiency Of Azithromycin Against Resistant Salmonella Enterica: An In Vitro Study, Sawsan M. Amin, Ihsan M. Ahmed, Ahmed N. Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

This study aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of combined acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and azithromycin (AZM) against resistant Salmonella enterica. For this, the MIC and MBC of both drugs were determined, and a checkerboard test, a time-killing assay, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The results showed that ASA had an antibacterial effect with MIC value of 16000 μg/ml and MBC value of 32000 μg/ml. Also, the combination of ASA with AZM has an additive effect with FICI interaction value 1.5 at 8000 μg/ml of ASA and 16 μg/ml of AZM, and this has a direct effect on preventing …

Experimental Formula Of Single Particle Level Density In Pre-Equilibrium Reaction, Sarah Shakir Ali, Ali Dawoud Salloum

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, a new formula for single particle level density was found from experimental values of single particle level density using the curve fitting. This new formula was substituted in Ericson's formula which is used to calculate the partial level density in pre-equilibrium nuclear reactions and in the corrected formulas of William's formula, spin corrected formula and surface formula. The results for each formula were compared with the results for the same formula using single particle level density from the equidistant spacing model ESM. It was noticed that there is good agreement between the results of single particle level …

Assessing The Influence Of Radiotherapy On The Level Of Zinc In Cancer Patients Serum, Muqdad A. Yousif, Talib A. Abdulwahid

Baghdad Science Journal

Cancer patients often undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan, and certain levels of zinc are essential for repairing DNA and maintaining our immune system. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the extent of the effect of this type of treatment on the level of zinc in blood serum, as 106 samples were collected from both healthy individuals and cancer patients to measure zinc levels in blood serum. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used after properly preparing the sample, and the results showed that the healthy group had an average zinc concentration of (1.316 ± 0.10) × 10^{3 …}

Utilizing Trichoderma Harzianum And Semi In-Planta For Management Damping-Off Fusarium Solani In Corn Varieties, Zul Fauzi Nugroho Hadi, Suhartiningsih Dwi Nurcahyanti, Rachmi Masnilah, Ankardiansyah Pandu Pradana, Sigit Prastowo, Hardian Susilo Addy, Syaiful Khoiri, Ali Wafa

Baghdad Science Journal

The utilization of Trichoderma harzianum (Hypocreales: Hypocreaceae) as a biological control agent against plant pathogenic fungi has gained extensive recognition in the field of agriculture. Fusarium solani (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) is a pathogen that causes damping-off in corn plants and poses a significant global challenge to corn farmers. This study aimed to investigate the potential management of damping-off disease caused by F. solani in three varieties of corn, utilizing T. harzianum in conjunction with the semi in-planta method. It was demonstrated that both in vitro and semi in-planta T. harzianum treatments had the ability to suppress damping-off disease in corn varieties. …

Secondary Malignancies In Patients With Meningioma: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, And End Results Data Analysis, Maxwell W. Pickles, Thomas Z. Rohan, Shreya Vinjamuri, Nikolaos Mouchtouris, Roger Murayi, David P. Bray, James J. Evans

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The risk of secondary primary malignancies (SPMs) in meningioma patients is not well understood. In this unidirectional analysis, we evaluated the risk of SPMs occurring following a primary diagnosis of meningioma.

METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-17) database (2000-2020) was used to identify 124,769 meningioma patients from a total of 9,208,295 cancer cases. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated using SEER's statistical analysis package to evaluate SPM risk. Basic demographic and treatment information was collected as well.

RESULTS: Of the 124,769 patients, 11,411 (9.2%) received diagnoses of an SPM, which correlates to a higher risk than the …

Limited Soil Water Recharge In Summer Affects Seasonal Isotopic Signatures Of Tree Xylem Water, Marius G. Floriancic, Gregory R. Goldsmith, Harsh Beria, Scott T. Allen, James W. Kirchner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Recent studies have reported that xylem waters in forest trees during the summer growing season are often isotopically similar to winter, rather than summer, precipitation. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this observation, which can be viewed as a form of ecohydrological separation, but empirical tests spanning space and time remain limited. We hypothesise that variations in the seasonal origin of precipitation found in tree xylem waters can be explained by seasonal differences in soil water recharge. We test this hypothesis by evaluating to what extent climatic aridity can explain seasonal signals in extensive surveys of the isotope ratios …