Digital Commons Network^™

Hair Dye And Relaxer Use Among Cisgender Women In Embu And Nakuru Counties, Kenya: Associations With Perceived Risk Of Breast Cancer And Other Health Effects, Adana A. M. Llanos, Adiba Ashrafi, Teresa Olisa, Amber Rockson, Alexis Schaefer, Jasmine A. Mcdonald, Mary Beth Terry, Dede K. Teteh-Brooks, Dustin T. Duncan, Beatrice Irungu, Cecilia Kimani, Esther Matu

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Despite widespread use of hair products globally, little is known about the prevalence and patterns of use in populations outside the United States. As some hair products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and EDCs have been linked to breast cancer, which is increasing globally, in this study, we addressed key knowledge gaps about hair product use and practices, and perceptions of use among women in two counties in Kenya. Using community-engaged approaches in Embu and Nakuru, Kenya, we recruited women aged 15–50 years to complete a questionnaire that ascertained hair product use in the last 7–14 days, ever using hair dyes …

The Influence Of Recycled Water On Microbial Source Tracking Techniques That Aim To Identify Untreated Sewage In Surface Waters, Aldo E. Lobos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fecal pollution in recreational waters can introduce pathogens that cause increased human health risk, where exposure can occur during recreational activities such as swimming, diving, surfing, and fishing. Furthermore, human fecal pollution (i.e., sewage) can introduce nutrients and other harmful chemicals that may negatively affect the environment and aquatic species. Generally, sewage is considered the highest risk to human health compared to animal fecal pollution because it typically contains a high diversity of pathogens (including human specific viruses), antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes associated with antibiotic resistance. However, pathogens are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations in the …

The Discovery Of First Ret Protac With In Vivo Activity, Yafeng Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This report mainly discusses the development of RET Proteolysis targeting chimera PROTAC molecules based on Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) and Sulfono-γ-AApeptide PROTAC. A PROTAC molecule is a bifunctional molecule composed of two active domains and a linker. It works by inducing selective protein intracellular degradation. This technology was first discussed by Kathleen Sakamoto, Ray Deshaies and Craig Crews in 2001. Using various E3 Ligase, such as CRBN, pVHL, beta-TrCP1, Mdm2, DCAF15, DCAF16, RNF114, and c-IAP1, the PROTAC technology has been applied to several novel drug development,. Yale University licensed the PROTAC technology to Arvinas in 2013–14. For my research, Chapter one summarizes …

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, June 28, 2024, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Performing Anti-Oppressive Education In A Private Dual-Language Immersion Elementary School, María Luisa Miguéliz Valcarlos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., dual-language immersion programs have played a fundamental role in reducing the opportunity (and achievement) gap for Latinx Spanish-speaker students by centering their cultural backgrounds, knowledge, and overall well-being. Nonetheless, scholars have expressed concern that dual language programs teaching in Spanish and English may reproduce unbalanced power relations between historically minoritized and privileged groups. Research in bilingual education has shown that curriculum and instruction in dual-language immersion programs often benefit English-dominant students and risk contributing to reproducing social inequities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the role of curriculum in addressing or reproducing social inequities …

The Application Of Multi-Isotope Analysis To Assist In Geoprofiling Unidentified Decedents Within Florida, Liotta D. Noche-Dowdy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The biochemistry of human tissues can provide information for geoprofiling (geographic birthplace or migration patterns) of an unidentified decedent. Utilizing isotope analyses (both stable and radiogenic) from teeth, bone, nails, and/or hair reveals specific isotopic information that correlates to diverse geographic regions reflecting an individual’s birthplace and migration patterns. Isotope analysis of enamel and bone has been employed in bioarchaeology for decades to reconstruct the diet, health, and migration patterns of past populations. Isotope ratios measured from enamel can then be compared to isotope ratios measured from bone of the individual to track patterns of migration. The enamel from the …

The Role Of Pregnancy Intendedness In Shaping Contraceptive Practices And Family Planning Experiences: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa, Otobo I. Ujah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite the associated adverse health and economic implications associated with unintended pregnancy, there remains a paucity of literature examining the effect of unintended pregnancy on postpartum contraceptive and reproductive behavior in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Nigeria.

Aims: The overall aim of this doctoral dissertation was twofold. First, to quantitatively examine whether and to what extent the intendedness of a woman’s most recent pregnancy is linked to subsequent contraceptive behaviors and family planning experiences. Secondly, to disentangle the influence of compositional and contextual level factors on these study outcomes. In the first paper, I investigated the extent …

Dynamic Air Defense Resource Allocation Optimization Based On Improved Differential Evolution Algorithm, Tianyu Luo, Lining Xing, Rui Wang, Ling Wang, Jianmai Shi, Xin Sun

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Based on the integrated performance of weapon equipments such as radars, launchers and missiles, a mixed-integer decision model that minimizes the total target intercept value and the probability of survival based on Target-Set, Resource-Set is developed. A new improved differential evolutionary algorithm has been introduced to solve the problem, and the initial solutions is generated by using the reverse learning strategies to ensure the quality of the initial populations. An inspiration rule for the fast repair and reconstruction is designed to work at multi-stage to improve the search capability of the algorithm. The simulation experiment results show the algorithm's …

Research On Operational Protection Area Of Ils Glide Slope, Qingdong Li, Jiaquan Ye, Jian Xu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The scientific protection for the operational protection area of the instrument landing system glide slope is of great significance to ensure the quality of civil aviation navigation space signals, the safety of aircraft approach operations, and the efficiency of airport operations. Combined with the concept evolution of the glide slope operational protection area, a comparative analysis of the delineation of the glide slope operational protection area required by the national civil aviation standards, industry standards, and Annex 10 Volume I of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is carried out. Taking the extra-large aircraft (A380-800) as an example, the …

Air Defense Missile Weapon Target Assignment Based On Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm, Xin Sun, Lining Xing, Rui Wang, Ling Wang, Jianmai Shi, Tianyu Luo

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: An effective weapon target assignment method can reduce the combat losses and improve the defense effect. A reasonable mathematical model is established for the allocation of air defense resources, aiming at the optimization objectives of maximizing target destruction effectiveness and minimizing radar resource consumption, considering multiple constraints such as the upper limit of radar channels, on the basis of multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), the probability of crossover and mutation is adaptively adjusted to improve the quality of individuals in the process of population evolution, and a set of optimal solution sets for decision makers is obtained. …

Classification Cooperative Scheduling Of U-Automated Container Terminal Based On Container Markers, Fei Wang, Daofang Chang, Furong Wen

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To improve the confusing scheduling of U-shaped yard operations due to improper classification of containers, the classification cooperative scheduling process is proposed, in which the classification cooperative scheduling model is established with the constraints of coordinated operation and efficient independent operation. The container classification principle and the container multiple stacking principle are proposed, the stacking point is selected by the weighted calculation based on the container operation mark to design the penalty mechanism, and the classification cooperative heuristic algorithm solution model is designed. Comparative experiments show that the strategy used in the algorithm is superior,which can reduce the equipment …

Optimal Trajectory Of Full-Duplex Uav Relaying Over Hybrid Probability Channels, Tao Wang, Ji Xiaodong

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: A fixed-wing UAV being the full-duplex moving relay, and a hybrid probability channel being the source to send data to the destination, through the flight optimal trajectory design. On the basis of ensuring the total data amount of source-destination communication, the energy consumption of the system is minimized. Two optimization problems of runway shape and mixed trajectory are established, which are non-convex and are difficult to get the closed-form solution. The hybrid probability channels gains are replaced by the average channel gains, and the lower bounds of the received data at the UAV and the destination are calculated by …

Curriculum Learning-Based Simulation Of Uav Air Combat Under Sparse Rewards, Jingyu Zhu, Hongli Zhang, Minchi Kuang, Heng Shi, Jihong Zhu, Zhi Qiao, Wenqing Zhou

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the limited exploration capabilities and sparse rewards of conventional reinforcement learning methods in air combat environment, a curriculum learning distributed proximal policy optimization (CLDPPO) reinforcement learning algorithm is proposed. A reward function informed by professional empirical knowledge is integrated, a discrete action space is developed, and a global observation and local value and decision network featuring separated global and local observations is established. A methodology for unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs is presented to acquire combat expertise through a sequence of fundamental courses that progressively intensify in their offensive, defensive, and comprehensive content. The experimental results show that …

Brief Amicus Curiae Of Professor Matthew Steilen In Support Of Petitioners, Tiktok Inc. V. Garland (D.C. Cir. 2024) (No. 24-1113), Matthew J. Steilen

Other Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Thinking Of Aerospace Equipment Systematization Simulation Technology Development, Weimin Bao, Zhenqiang Qi

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The aerospace field is flourishing in the new era. Aerospace equipment presents new characteristics such as systematization, new quality, high efficiency and intelligence. Simulation technology plays a more important role in the digital aerospace era as a means of enhancing efficiency and empowerment covering all stages of the entire lifecycle, including project demonstration, research and development, testing, manufacturing, training, and maintenance. The conception of aerospace equipment systematization simulation technology is introduced, the current development status and practices at home and abroad are elaborated, and the future development trends and challenges of aerospace equipment systematization simulation technology are evaluated. Focusing …

Arterial Coordination Optimization Method Based On Vehicle Speed Guidance And Inductive Control, Mingjun Deng, Xinxia Hu, Xiang Li, Liping Xu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Arterial signal coordination is usually based on fixed belt speeds and time-of-day statistical flows. Actually, vehicle speeds and traffic flows are fluctuating, which causes to the mismatch between the signal scheme and the actual optimal belt speeds and traffic flow demands, and affects the intersection's traffic efficiency. Based on the vehicle infrastructure cooperation, by applying Maxband model and the maximum green wave bandwidth, the minimum number of arterial vehicle delays, arterial stops and the minor direction delays being the optimization objectives, a multi-objective optimization model for arterial signal coordination is established. Through using an improved multi-objective particle swarm algorithm …

Unsupervised Complex Condition Recognition Based On Stochastic Neighborhood Embedding, Lin Huang, Shanjun Liu, Wei Wang, Li Gong

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Modern industrial production equipment usually has a complex structure and runs alternately in different working conditions. Accurate working conditions identification based on monitoring data is the basis of health monitoring of the system, but the monitoring data of the system usually has a high dimension and a large data volume. To identify the complex equipment operating conditions, an unsupervised operating condition identification method based on stochastic neighborhood embedding is proposed. The stochastic neighborhood embedding algorithm can simultaneously preserve the local and global structural characteristics of the data, and also calculate the probability similarity of data points in high-dimensional and …

Harnessing Redox Polymer Dynamics For Enhanced Glucose-Oxygen Coupling In Dual Biosensing And Therapeutic Applications, Wassim El Housseini, Egor Baiarashov, Rokas Gerulskis, Adam Milam, Shelley D. Minteer

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The burgeoning field of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for diabetes management faces significant challenges, particularly in achieving precise and stable biosensor performance under changing environmental conditions such as varying glucose concentrations and O₂ levels. To address this, we present a novel biosensor based on the electroless coupling of glucose oxidation catalyzed by flavin-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) and O₂ reduction catalyzed by bilirubin oxidase (BOD) via a redox polymer, dimethylferrocene-modified linear poly(ethylenimine), FcMe₂-LPEI. Initial cyclic voltammetry tests confirm the colocalization of both enzymatic reactions within the potential range of the polymer, indicating an effective electron shuttle mechanism. …

Communication Research On Sign Language Telecommunication And Digital Modes Of Interpretation., Scooter Briody

Honors Theses

Since the invention and proliferation of the telephone in the late nineteenth century, our world has become increasingly dependent on technologically mediated communication. Nowadays we are just as likely to have our next human interaction through our smartphone or computer screen as we are to meet another person face to face. We do not even tend to think of these things as tools for telecommunication anymore, but rather as extensions of our own will. Despite the overwhelming convenience of this technology, it is also fundamentally created with the interests of certain people in mind. If you are able to use …

Comprehensive Analysis Of The Different Fields Of Law, Kaitlyn Lee

Honors Theses

Since American law developed in the early 1700s, lawyers have played a crucial role in society, advocating for justice and upholding the rule of law. Over the years the legal profession has evolved immensely and now offers many different fields for individuals to practice. People are often curious about the work that lawyers do and the education that is required to become an attorney. This thesis aims to satisfy the curiosity of those individuals by exploring many facets of the different areas of law. It will examine the unique and shared aspects of the various legal fields, detailing the specific …

Evaluating When Changes In Delay Discounting Occur In A Residential Alcohol Treatment Program, Asha A. Fuller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Delay discounting has long been associated with substance misuse across both animal subjects and human participants. The purpose of the proposed study was to evaluate if and when changes in delay discounting occur during a residential treatment program for alcohol use. Participants were asked to complete the 5-trial adjusting amount discounting task (Koffarnus & Bickel, 2014) and an electronic version of the Du et al. (2002) delay discounting task repeatedly across 21 days while in residential treatment. Additional assessments included the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT; Saunders et al., 1993), a demographic survey, and a social validity questionnaire. Findings …

Assessing The Social, Economic, And Environmental Impacts Of A Multifunctional Crop: The Case Of Moringa Oleifera, Yoel Gebrai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Multifunctional crops have the potential to support societal goals toward more sustainable production of food, feed, and fuel. The production and processing of multifunctional crops, with their numerous uses and coproducts, is accompanied by social, economic, and environmental impacts that need to be systematically evaluated to avoid unintended consequences from widespread adoption. Complexity emerges in the presence of multifunctionality, and counterintuitive system responses can occur. As a result, this dissertation has sought to enhance and apply frameworks to assess multifunctional crop sustainability holistically. Systems thinking and life cycle approaches are applied to a multifunctional crop case study, Moringa oleifera (MO). …

Lessening Nurses' Burden: Ai Enhanced Fall Risk Prediction, Joanne Aberilla, Andrea Tilleman

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Adjust Staffing Levels In The Emergency Department, Marisel Perigo, Haydee Fernandez

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Bet Inhibition Decreases Hmgcs2 And Sensitizes Resistant Pancreatic Tumors To Gemcitabine., Aubrey L. Miller, Samuel C. Fehling, Rebecca B. Vance, Dongquan Chen, Eric Josh Brown, M. Iqbal Hossain, Eric O. Heard, Shaida A. Andrabi, Hengbin Wang, Eddy S. Yang, Donald J. Buchsbaum, Robert C. A. M. Van Waardenburg, Susan L. Bellis, Karina J. Yoon

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Efforts to develop targetable molecular bases for drug resistance for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been equivocally successful. Using RNA-seq and ingenuity pathway analysis we identified that the superpathway of cholesterol biosynthesis is upregulated in gemcitabine resistant (gemR) tumors using a unique PDAC PDX model with resistance to gemcitabine acquired in vivo. Analysis of additional in vitro and in vivo gemR PDAC models showed that HMG-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), an enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and rate limiting in ketogenesis, is overexpressed in these models. Mechanistic data demonstrate the novel findings that HMGCS2 contributes to gemR and confers metastatic properties …

A Structural Role For Tryptophan In Proteins, And The Ubiquitous Trp CΔ1—H&Centerdot;&Centerdot;&Centerdot;O=C (Backbone) Hydrogen Bond, Michal Szczygiel, Urszula Derewenda, Steve Scheiner, Wladek Minor, Zygmunt S. Derewenda

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Tryptophan is the most prominent amino acid found in proteins, with multiple functional roles. Its side chain is made up of the hydrophobic indole moiety, with two groups that act as donors in hydrogen bonds: the N^ε—H group, which is a potent donor in canonical hydrogen bonds, and a polarized C^δ1—H group, which is capable of forming weaker, noncanonical bonds. Due to adjacent electron-withdrawing moieties, C—H···O hydrogen bonds are ubiquitous in macromolecules, albeit contingent on the polarization of the donor C—H group. Consequently, C^α groups (adjacent to the carbonyl and amino groups of flanking peptide …

Hybrid Flow Shop Scheduling With Limited Buffers Considering Energy Consumption And Transportation, Tingxin Wen, Tingyu Guan

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Aiming at the untimely production scheduling and excessive energy consumption during processing, a limited buffer hybrid flow shop scheduling optimization model is constructed. To minimize the makespan and total energy consumption of the workshop, the transport time, generalized energy consumption and buffer capacity being the constraints, and the on/off energy saving strategy applied to reduce the standby energy consumption, the feasibility of the optimization model are verified. A lion swarm optimization algorithm is designed, in which a population initialization method combining random generation and greedy selection is used to improve the initial solution quality and solution efficiency, the lion …

Development And Application Of Simulation Platform For Aquatic Movement Of An Amphibious Armored Vehicle, Mingzhe Chen, Yunzheng Song, Pei Wang, Lei Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In order to design and verify the fire control system(FCS) algorithm of amphibious assault vehicle under heavy wind and wave conditions, a real-time simulation platform is developed. The traditional single rigid body dynamic model can't describe the body-turret-barrel dynamic coupling relationship and it is not suitable for FCS simulation with high dynamic characteristics. Twist-wrench method is used to establish the multiple rigid body dynamic model of vehicle, the buoyancy and the hydrodynamic calculation is carried out according to the body and the moving relationship between visual generated waves, and the hydrodynamic coefficient is obtained by the computational fluid dynamic …

The Effect Of A Contextualized Dosage Calculation Learning Intervention On Pre-Nursing Students' Math Self-Efficacy And Ability To Pass High Stakes Dosage Calculation Examination On First Attempt, Eileen V. Weatherby

Dissertations

Many students in pre-licensure nursing programs struggle with calculating accurate medication dosages even though they meet the numeracy requirements for application to the nursing programs. Most pre-licensure programs require that nursing students pass dosage calculation exams at a specified level of accuracy before progressing to the next term. Students typically have three tries to pass at the specified level and should they not succeed, they must withdraw. If they wish to continue in the program, they must complete the requirements for reentry which may include space availability restrictions. Factors influencing dosage calculation performance include fear of mathematics, low math self-efficacy, …

Digital Smart Room: Nurse-Led Innovation Implementation, Jessica Hucey Nua

All Publications

No abstract provided.