Digital Commons Network^™

High Intraspecific Diversity Of Pocillopora Damicornis In Southeast Asia Reflects Adaptive Potential To Climate Change, Maria Lucille Carr

Theses and Dissertations

Marine heatwaves are increasing in intensity and frequency because of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. On coral reefs, warmer temperatures cause coral bleaching, mortality, and shifts in benthic composition. However, coral bleaching responses and survival vary geographically. Several hypotheses may explain such geographical differences in thermal tolerance, including the possibility that some localities may support higher intraspecific diversity than other localities, increasing the likelihood of survival of some individuals through heatwaves. Here we assessed geographic patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity in the ubiquitous coral Pocillopora damicornis. Intraspecific genetic diversity was assessed for 428 sequences across 44 sites in the Pacific …

Controlled Delivery Of Peptide And Gasotransmitter For Promoting Vascular Endothelialization, Shirin Changizi

Theses and Dissertations

Endothelial cells (ECs) are vital for maintaining proper vascular function and regulating processes such as hemostasis and inflammation. Disruption of endothelial cells integrity can lead to several pathological conditions, including coronary artery disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia (VCID). Alterations in ECs distribution may lead to compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, facilitating the passage of blood components and contributing to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, disruptions in ECs function can lead to early-stage thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia, resulting in graft failure in small-diameter (

This study aimed to develop innovative approaches for drug delivery to the BBB and TEVGs …

Deep Learning System Identification, Linearization And Control Of Dynamical Systems Utilizing Koopman Theory With Applications In Orbital Systems, George Mario Nehma

Theses and Dissertations

The computational and complexity burden of current linearization techniques is one that is a hinderance in the application of real world guidance, navigation and control systems. With the advancements in Deep Neural Networks, large data handling and Koopman Theory, the possibility of global linearizations of nonlinear systems is more prominent. This work demonstrates the capability of a Deep Neural Network learned Koopman operator to transform a nonlinear system into a Linear Time-Invariant system. The method presented is applied to both two purely dynamical systems and one controlled system to emphasize the ability for the technique to be applied in all …

Does Assisted Living Provide Assistance And Promote Living?, Sheryl Zimmerman, Robyn Stone, Paula Carder, Kali Thomas

Institute on Aging Publications

Assisted living has promised assistance and quality of living to older adults for more than eighty years. It is the largest residential provider of long-term care in the United States, serving more than 918,000 older adults as of 2018. As assisted living has evolved, the needs of residents have become more challenging; staffing shortages have worsened; regulations have become complex; the need for consumer support, education, and advocacy has grown; and financing and accessibility have become insufficient. Together, these factors have limited the extent to which today's assisted living adequately provides assistance and promotes living, with negative consequences for aging …

Comparing And Assessing Four Ai Chatbots' Competence In Economics, Patrik T. Hultberg, David Santandreu Calonge, Firuz Kamalov, Linda Smail

All Works

Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots have emerged as powerful tools in modern academic endeavors, presenting both opportunities and challenges in the learning landscape. They can provide content information and analysis across most academic disciplines, but significant differences exist in terms of response accuracy for conclusions and explanations, as well as word counts. This study explores four distinct AI chatbots, GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Bard, and LLaMA 2, for accuracy of conclusions and quality of explanations in the context of university-level economics. Leveraging Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive learning complexity as a guiding framework, the study confronts the four AI chatbots with a standard test …

Vitamin D Regulates Covid-19 Associated Severity By Suppressing The Nlrp3 Inflammasome Pathway, Bariaa Khalil, Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari, Shirin Hafezi, Fatemeh Saheb Sharif-Askari, Fatme Al Anouti, Qutayba Hamid, Rabih Halwani

All Works

Background The role of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in modulating innate and adaptive immunity has been reported in different disease contexts. Since the start of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the role of VitD3 has been highlighted in many correlational and observational studies. However, the exact mechanisms of action are not well identified. One of the mechanisms via which VitD3 modulates innate immunity is by regulating the NLRP3-inflammasome pathway, being a main underlying cause of SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperinflammation. Aims and main methods Blood specimens of severe COVID-19 patients with or without VitD3 treatment were collected during their stay in the intensive care …

Progress In Selective Laser Sintering Ofmultifunctional Polymer Composites For Strain- And Self-Sensing Applications, Muhammad Umar Azam, Imane Belyamani, Andreas Schiffer, Shanmugam Kumar, Khalid Askar

All Works

Recent decades have witnessed significant advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) of polymer composites, leading to the development of material systems with intricate architecture and composition. Selective laser sintering (SLS), among various AM methods, offers numerous advantages such as high mechanical strength in printed parts, recyclability of unused powders, and the ability to print large batches without support structures. Moreover, SLS has remarkably succeeded in fabricating electrically conductive polymer composites (ECPCs) with exceptional functional performance which is attributed primarily to the formation of a segregated filler network along the powder particle boundaries. This review aims to delve into SLS for processing …

Are Research Studies Too Boring?: Incorporating Gamification Elements In Mental Rotation For Children., Samantha Zakrzewski

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Many cognitive tasks are perceived as boring by children due to their redundancy, lengthy trials, and required cognitive effort. Children’s performance on these tasks might therefore be hampered, not by a lack of cognitive ability, but rather by a lack of motivation to complete these tasks. Mental rotation, a type of cognitive task, has been extensively studied, due to its prevalence in daily living, in activities such as loading a dishwasher or packing a car, and its relation to STEM success. However, similar to other cognitive tasks, mental rotation tasks often result in fatigue and boredom in children. Hence, the …

Rebels And Dubliners: Motherhood In Three 20th-Century Irish Texts, Sara S. Barenfeld

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis explores representations of motherhood across several genres in Irish literature. In my essay, I look at two short stories from James Joyce’s Dubliners (1914): “The Boarding House” and “A Mother.” I argue the way spatiality functions in “The Boarding House” and “A Mother” reveals Mrs. Mooney’s and Mrs. Kearney’s overall ability to exercise maternal agency; it shows the extent to which their agency is circumscribed. The spaces themselves act as defining factors contributing to the mothers’ abilities to engage with power structures and ultimately fail or succeed in their endeavors. I also examine two autobiographies: The Autobiography of …

Bathsheba And Sue: Hardy's Independent Heroines, Alexandra Acosta

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In Thomas Hardy's literary landscape, the female protagonists Bathsheba Everdene and Sue Bridehead emerge as complex figures who challenge and navigate the rigid social norms of Victorian society. Through their journeys in Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure, respectively, Hardy explores the themes of independence, conformity, and the impact of societal pressures on individual agency.

Bathsheba Everdene, in Far from the Madding Crowd, initially stands as a symbol of independence, defying the conventional gender roles expected of Victorian women. However, her trajectory reveals the nuanced ways in which societal expectations shape her choices, ultimately leading her to …

Consequences Of A Dream: Interactivity And Agency Of The Reader/Player In Alice's Adventures In Wonderland And Undertale, Nicholas DáVila

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In this thesis, I analyze Toby Fox’s 2015 roleplaying game Undertale alongside Lewis Carroll’s 1865 children’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. My reason for doing so is to investigate the narrative structures of the two stories, how they use metanarrative, and their use of game as a narrative tool in order to showcase the narrative lineage video games like Undertale share with Wonderland. Through this investigation I wish to show that the use of games and play as a vessel for or a part of narrative structure do not exclude works like video games from posing interesting questions and challenges …

Exploration Of Resources Women Use To Seek Food And Nutrition Information During Pregnancy, Sydni Hebert

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Nutrition is a common concern during pregnancy, yet women often do not meet the recommended nutrient intakes for a healthy pregnancy. Obtaining reliable food and nutrition information is challenging during pregnancy, and women do not know where to find credible information. AIMS: This study aims to investigate the food and nutrition information-seeking behaviors among low-income pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and compare these behaviors with pregnant women who are classified as middle and higher-income status. METHODS: A qualitative survey was developed to identify the type of information women seek, satisfaction with information, application of information to their diet choices, …

The Combined Effects Of Nacl And Beet Juice On Germination And Early Seedling Growth Among Raphanus Sativus L., Justin Howell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Salt pollution and soil salinization via secondary pathways is a global problem. One practice which contributes to increased salinity in soils and other natural systems is the application of road deicers in colder regions. Increased salinity in soils negatively affects plant growth and microbial activity. In an effort to decrease the amount of salt applied to roads, salts are applied as brine. Liquid organic additives are incorporated into these brines to foster better adherence of the salt to impermeable surfaces. One common additive is beet juice, a byproduct of sugar extraction. Beet juice contains high levels of phosphorus and organic …

The Relationship Of Social Anxiety And Bullying With Positive Social Interactions Amongst Autistic And Non-Autistic Youth, Nicole Macapagal

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Background: Social relationships and social interactions are vital for developing children and youth as it is important for their development such as social skills and communications. Social supports create social and emotional support for individuals and provide resilience against mental health issues and other difficult situations. Interpersonal relationships help more positive outcomes during childhood and adolescence and into adulthood. Social anxiety is a mental health condition in which individuals fear what others think of them and can prevent interpersonal relationships from happening or having positive experiences. Youth who experience social anxiety are more likely to have poor quality interpersonal relationships …

Data Recovery Beyond The Obvious Using Digital Forensic Techniques, Smit Chandrakant Nayak

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Advancement in drone technology, particularly for smaller drones, are creating new research fields and potential applications, particularly with regard to smaller drones. On the other hand, these enhancements bring forth additional hurdles in terms of adaptability, homogeneity, and safety. The purpose of this study is to investigate the science and technology behind drones, as well as their applications, the many ways in which citizens implement them, and the risks, precautions, and privacy problems that are associated with their utilization. This article discusses the existing literature, as well as the available solutions for drone cybersecurity, the security challenges related with drones …

Reparative Justice As Literary Methodology: Confronting Criminality In Contemporary American Fiction, Diane Paulson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis presents an approach to literary analysis centered on dismantling one’s conscious or unconscious biases by engaging in reparative justice practices with fictional characters. It stems from the belief that America’s criminal justice system is a white patriarchal system that serves to support and uplift systems of white power. I argue that we must advocate for its abolition with a wide lens. Doing so requires a recognition of one’s biases and a radical shift in empathy to those who have directly and indirectly survived and continue to survive oppression by the criminal justice system. I argue conducting reparative readings …

Symptoms And Displacements: Satan's Detachments In Paradise Lost, Rosemary Rodriguez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

For my thesis I aim to examine the detachment that Satan has to his surroundings in John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. Predominantly using psychoanalysis and Marxist theory as my main lenses for analysis, I intend to show the full extent of Satan's punishment and condemnation in the text. A standard close reading of this work shows how flawed and inconsistent Satan is in his disposition and beliefs. From boasting about being able to make a heaven of hell to considering asking God for forgiveness, the text shows him constantly changing. In other words, Satan's mental instability manifests itself in …

Decisions, Decisions: The Influence Of Anxiety On Decision Making, Allisun Romain

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of the present study was to better understand the influence of state anxiety on decision making, including how constructs such as trait anxiety and emotional intelligence may moderate this relationship. Participants were randomly assigned to a state anxiety-inducing condition or a control condition. They were then prompted to complete a computerized dynamic decision-making task in which optimal performance requires exploring a novel decision environment and learning reward contingencies of the task. Prior to the experimental manipulation, participants also completed self-report measures of trait anxiety and emotional intelligence. Independent sample t tests were employed to measure differences between the …

Synergistic Interactions And Emulsion Preparation Of Antioxidant Potential Of Cannabidiol And Cold Brew Coffee, Karina Rosa

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Antioxidants play an important role in mitigating the damage caused by oxidative stress in the human body. Over time, the oxidative stress can lead to diseases such cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders and even cancer. Notably, both cannabidiol and coffee antioxidants. Purpose: To investigate the interaction between the antioxidant potential observed from the combination of CBD and cold brew coffee and compare it to their individual effects. Additionally, develop a methodology for emulsion preparation for analysis of antioxidant potential of a beverage made of cold brew coffee infused with CBD. Materials and Methods: Two cold brew coffee and two CBD oil …

The Effects Of Cognitive Integrated Virtual Reality Motor Training On Traumatic Brain Injury, Sumin Bang

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of cognitive and motor dysfunctions that impair functional ambulation in young adults. Cognitive deficits include impairment in processing speed and executive functions and motor deficits include impairment in temporal and spatial gait characteristics balance control, and coordination. Evidence suggests that cognitive function is positively correlated to physical function and cognitive effort positively contributes to motor recovery. Therefore, improved recovery of ambulation may result from a rehabilitation program that enhances both cognitive and motor capabilities by focusing on both motor and cognitive domains simultaneously. This investigation aims to evaluate the effects …

Bridging Nlp With Environmental Management By Sentiment Analysis And Topic Modeling On Offshore Wind Energy, Isabele Mansur Costa Bittencourt

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Offshore wind energy, which uses the power of winds on the seas to generate electricity, has emerged as a promising renewable energy source and an alternative for low-carbon future markets, especially during the climate crisis the world has been experiencing. However, it still raises controversial thoughts between people. Furthermore, amid the growth of the offshore wind energy market, the investigation of related topics, such as its impacts on wildlife, has become very common. Thus, this master’s thesis delves into the analysis of public and media opinion towards offshore wind energy. We use natural language processing techniques and pre-trained rule and …

Investigating The Role Of Residue E57 And Temperature Effects In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Indole-3-Glycerol Phosphate Synthase Catalysis, Uchenna Emmanuel Ezichi

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of adult mortality globally, with increasing drug resistance posing a significant challenge. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) is the causative agent, and understanding its enzymatic processes is crucial for drug development. One potential target is the enzyme Indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS), which plays a role in the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway and catalyzes the conversion of 1-(o-carboxyphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose5’-phosphate (CdRP) into indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP). Investigating MtIGPS active site residues, particularly E57 and E219, through single- and double-point mutations revealed insights into their roles. Previous results of steady-state kinetics of the single-point mutations of E57D, E57Q, E219D, and E219Q indicated …

Lesbophobia Through Pornography, Samantha Renee Graves

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Does the consumption of lesbian pornography promote the objectification of Queer women? In this work, I investigated the relationship between pornography consumption and attitudes toward Queer women. Participants completed measures of hostile and benevolent sexism, anti-Lesbian attitudes, and pornography consumption. In the existing literature, there have been some attempts to study various impacts of pornography consumption. For example, some work has examined the effect of violent pornography on sexist attitudes and violence against women (Hald et al., 2010). There have been other studies that explored the idea that beliefs behind the perpetration of sexual violence against Queer women can reinstate …

The Accuracy Of Videos Related To Breastfeeding On Tiktok: A Content Analysis, Brianna Jack

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the best nutrition for infants, yet its rates remain below recommended levels due to various factors. One such factor is the dissemination of misleading information, often from online sources like social media. This study investigates the accuracy of information in TikTok videos related to breastfeeding and whether differences exist between the accuracy of videos and narrator identification, skin color, and gender. This study also aims to investigate the relationship between the accuracy and popularity of videos based on the number of views, likes, comments, and shares. A content analysis was used to code the most …

Teaching And Learning In Human-Robot Collaborative Tasks, Omar Obidat

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This paper describes a proposed model for human-robot collaboration (HRC), its implementation on a real-world representative application, and a final evaluation on the overall collaborative effort. Modern manufacturing places a strong emphasis on cost-reduction and increased throughput. A common means of scaling production and increasing productivity is achieved through the deployment of industrial robots, some of which work collaboratively with human workers. This contemporary pairing poses a number of challenges, including worker safety, process efficiency, reliability, among others. This paper details the approach of a human collaborating with a robot that utilizes a vision system, employs a dynamically generated finite …

Trust In Human-Robot Collaborative Tasks, Jesse Parron

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

With recent advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, we have entered a new era of technology. With AI on the rise, it has led to many insurgencies in a variety of domains. One area that has particularly been growing at a rapid pace is robotics. Consequently, the ubiquitous rise of robots in new workspaces leads to the influx of human-robot collaboration. Human-robot collaboration is an important factor in this domain, as it mandates the relationship between humans and robots. One key component of this relationship is trust, which many people subconsciously determine when interacting with peers, strangers, and coworkers. …

The Role Of Executive Functioning On Anxiety And Overcontrol On Neurodiverse Youth, Sydney Przygoda

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Autistic youth are at an elevated risk of developing anxiety. Overcontrol, or excessive self-control, shares similar clinical challenges (i.e. rigidity, social perfection) that are often associated with anxiety. Executive functioning (EF) is well-established as being positively associated with anxiety. Taking all this into account, it was predicted that EF may serve as a moderator to the relationship between overcontrol and anxiety. Using both parent and child responses to the Overcontrol in Youth Checklist, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2, this current study explored how overcontrol and anxiety are related. Further, it tested the role …

Spatiotemporal Patterns In Diadema Antillarum Settlement In The Florida Keys: Implications For Habitat Restoration, Julia Skowronski

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) is a keystone herbivore in the Caribbean and western Atlantic Ocean. It is found in various marine habitats including coral reefs and seagrass beds. On coral reefs, D. antillarum is part of a grazer assemblage that consumes fast-growing macroalgae and reduces competition with reef-building corals. In 1983–84 and again in 2022, D. antillarum experienced mass mortality, and presently populations have not recovered to their pre-1983 levels. Slow population growth is likely due to limited recruitment success under high post-settlement morality caused by a lack of suitable habitat. Here, patterns in larval settlement were examined …

Intersectionality And The Experience Of Stuttering For Latinos In The U.S., Carolina Beita-Ell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In research, intersectionality seeks to explore, reflect on, and validate variations in human experience. This study adopted an intersectional approach when contemplating the experience of stuttering for individuals living in the U.S. who identified as Latinx (Latino/Latina/Hispanic). Nine Latinx people who stutter (PWS) - six reported their gender as ‘male’ and three reported their gender as ‘female’, with a mean age of 41, from five U.S. states and Washington, D.C. - participated in the study. A mixed methods design, which consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted online using videoconferencing technology and an online survey that contained three quantitative measures as well …

Collaboratively Constructing Quality Teaching: Involving School Stakeholders In Defining The Possibilities Of Schooling, Susan Chenelle

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Drawing upon principles of participatory action research, this study collected input from secondary school stakeholders (teachers, students, caregivers, alumni, staff, and administrators) to create a local definition of quality teaching for students at an urban charter school in the northeastern United States. Analysis of stakeholder input produced four themes, reflecting participants’ views of quality teaching: support for students’ individual differences, flexible learning structures, development of knowledge about students to engage and build relationships, and development and use of professional knowledge. The resulting definition of quality teaching partially overlaps with the principles of culturally sustaining pedagogy (Paris, 2012) with shortcomings that …