Digital Commons Network^™

Carbon Quantum Dots' Effects On The Structure And Function Of Neurodegenerative And Non-Neurodegenerative Associated Proteins, Shima Masoudi Asil

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Protein folding is an important physical process in which the sequences of polypeptides fold into a three-dimensional biological active structure. Misfolding is the conversion of a protein molecule into a structure unlike the native form, and therefore misfolded proteins have a strong tendency to aggregate and make fibrils. Amyloid aggregation is constituted by misfolded amyloidogenic proteins. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), stem from the abnormal accumulation of harmful proteins, including Amyloid-ß peptides, tau protein, and the presynaptic protein α-synuclein in the nervous system. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory and learning deficits and …

Characterizing Spatial Variability In Soil Co2 Fluxes In The Chihuahuan Desert Using Geostatistical Techniques, Viridiana Orona

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Spatial variability in soil CO2 efflux across landscapes is an important feature of the â??Critical Zoneâ?? within dryland ecosystems. In dryland critical zones, resources are often distributed in patches or resource islands. Although this is particularly true in natural settings, the significance of spatial variability in CO2 efflux and its patterns also extends to dryland agriculture. In both irrigated and unirrigated systems, human management practices can significantly impact both organic and inorganic carbon cycling processes, highlighting the importance of studying CO2 efflux in these systems. We examined the spatial patterns of soil CO2 efflux and quantified the magnitude and scale …

The Intersection Of Urban Heat Islands And The Cdc Social Vulnerability Index In Two Border Cities, Ileana Morales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Temporal Trends In Dryland Soil Carbon Fluxes In Response To Artificial And Natural Pulsed Moisture Events, Briana Alyce Salcido

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Critical zone processes in drylands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, and one of the most important processes is soil CO2 efflux at the interface between soils and the atmosphere, which represents a main pathway for loss of carbon. Predicting the carbon dynamics at this interface is challenging due to the complexity of belowground processes, which include both biotic (soil respiration) and abiotic (calcite precipitation) production of CO2, as well as transport processes that include both diffusive and advective components. In this study, we aimed to investigate the contribution of soil air displacement to soil CO2 efflux …

Assessing How Bilingual Experience Impacts Performance In Stimulus-Stimulus And Stimulus-Response Conflict Tasks, Christian Ruiz-Ortiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Numerous studies have revealed that bilingual individuals outperform monolinguals in tasks requiring executive control. However, the exact impact of bilingualism on executive functions remains unclear due to inconsistent findings in the literature. These discrepancies may stem from factors such as participant demographics, variations in definitions and operationalizations of bilingualism, and task selection. To address these issues, we investigated the link between degree of balance and contextual use with the ability to address conflict across sensory modalities (auditory and visual) at different stages of processing. Rather than focusing on mean performance, this study investigated performance stability (coefficient of variation) over time …

A Framework To Build Secure Microservice Architecture, Wai Yan Elsa Tai Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Microservice architecture has become a popular architecture style in recent years. According to a series of surveys conducted by IBM Market Development & amp; Insights in 2021, microservices are heavily used in many industries worldwide. With an increase in the adoption of microservice architecture in the development of applications, such as Netflix, Amazon, Uber, Ebay, Twitter, DoorDash, Capital One, and Monzo, and the increase in security breaches in microservice based systems (e.g., the DoorDash data breaches in 2019 and 2022, Twitter data breach in 2022, and compromises to Netflixâ??s infrastructure), there is a need to examine and understand security issues …

The Impact Of Rule Of Law And Property Rights On Development And Economic Growth: A Comparative Analysis Of Cameroon And Côte D'Ivoire, Raoul Tayou Tayou

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The issues of economic growth and development occupy a central place in the studies of underdeveloped or developing countries. Many solutions have been proposed, including foreign aid or institutional reforms. This last aspect is the subject of this research, particularly the rule of law and the property rights.Analyzing what is the impact of these two institutions on economic growth and development is at the center of my dynamic. Over a period from 1960 to 2022, I carry out a comparative study of the growth, and development trajectories of two countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which share the same demographics: Cameroon, and …

Modeling And Predicting Emerging Threats Using Disparate Data, Ismael Villanueva Miranda

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Early detection is crucial to mitigate the impact of emerging threats. This work proposes four innovative frameworks that build machine learning and deterministic epidemiological models using multiple domain-specific datasets to detect the onset of emerging threats in two domains: infectious diseases and cybersecurity. Our models are designed to detect infectious disease outbreaks, model their spread, detect malware activity, and analyze the relationship between software/hardware weaknesses and attack techniques.

First, we present a novel framework to detect multiple infectious disease outbreaks by integrating standardized disease-specific domain knowledge and public search trend data. Our framework showed high performance in identifying infectious disease …

Spatially Adaptive Estimation Of Spectrum, Yi Xie

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A time series may be analyzed either in the time or in the frequency domain. When working in the frequency domain, the main objective is to estimate the underlying spectrum. Various approaches have been proposed to this end, but most are based on smoothing the periodogram using a single smoothing parameter across all Fourier frequencies. Such a global smoothing parameter may result in a biased estimate. To improve the estimation, in this paper, we smooth the log periodogram by placing a dynamic shrinkage prior, such that varying degrees of smoothing may be applied to different regions of the Fourier frequencies, …

Detecting Complex Cyber Attacks Using Decoys With Online Reinforcement Learning, Marcus Gutierrez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Most vulnerabilities discovered in cybersecurity can be associated with their own singular piece of software. I investigate complex vulnerabilities, which may require multiple software to be present. These complex vulnerabilities represent 16.6% of all documented vulnerabilities and are more dangerous on average than their simple vulnerability counterparts. In addition to this, because they often require multiple pieces of software to be present, they are harder to identify overall as specific combinations are needed for the vulnerability to appear.

I consider the motivating scenario where an attacker is repeatedly deploying exploits that use complex vulnerabilities into an Airport Wi-Fi. The network …

The Effects Of Using Baby Sign Training On The Interactions Between Mothers And Infants, Ayzzar Gurrola

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Baby sign has been becoming more popular and known through the publication of parenting books and websites dedicated to its use. Research continues to blossom on the subject, demonstrating that it is indeed beneficial on many levels for both the infant and their caregiver. Several researchers have implicated the effects of baby sign on infantsâ?? cognitive and behavioral development. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of a baby sign training on the interactions of mothers and their babies. Five typically developing infants between the ages of eight and fourteen months and their parent participated in this …

Enhancing Basic Geology Skills With Artificial Intelligence: An Exploration Of Automated Reasoning In Field Geology, Perry Ivan Quinto Houser

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the use of Artificial Intelligence, specifically semantics, ontologies, and reasoner techniques, to improve field geology mapping. The thesis focuses on two use cases: 1) identifying a geologic formation based on observed characteristics; and 2) predicting the geologic formation that might be expected next based upon known stratigraphic sequence. The results show that the ontology was able to correctly identify the geologic formation for the majority of rock descriptions, with higher search results for descriptions that provided more detail. Similarly, the units expected next were correctly given and if incorrect, would provide a flag to the field geologist …

Heat Transfer Of A 1n Thruster In A 2.5u Cubesat Module, Javier Madrid

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With the aerospace industry expanding and moving forward with more ambitious missions, small satellites such as CubeSats have proven to be at the forefront of innovation for research satellites. This innovation have introduced complications which if gone unattended can lead to the loss of the satellite; one such complication coming in the form of propulsion heat transfer. This paper presents an investigation into the propagation of heat transfer within a 2.5 CubeSat module when a 1N thruster is fired inside it. This is done by leveraging the equation of heat transfer and comparing results to those simulated by ANSYS. Not …

Dinstinction Between Prejudice And Stereotyping For Negative In-Group Attitudes, Manal Aboargob

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

There are conflicting findings for disadvantaged group membersâ?? attitudes towards their group. Some studies suggest that disadvantaged groups have positive in-group attitudes, while other studies suggest they have negative in-group attitudes, or even outgroup favoritism. This may be in part due to the simultaneous measurement of stereotypic and prejudicial attitudes, and I suggest that studying their distinction might better explain the discrepancy found in the literature. Further, research has yet to look at how differences in personal attitudes versus perception of public attitudes is related to the differing results found in disadvantaged group attitudes. In the proposed study, it is …

Theoretical And Computational Aspects Of Robust Cluster Analysis For Multivariate And High-Dimensional Datasets, Andrews Tawiah Anum

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Multivariate and high-dimensional datasets typically contain subgroups that may not be immediately apparent. To reveal these groups, cluster analysis is performed. Cluster analysis is an unsupervised machine learning technique commonly employed to partition a dataset into distinct categories referred to as clusters. The k-means algorithm is a prominent distance-based clustering method. Despite overwhelming popularity, the algorithm is not invariant under non-singular affine transformations and is not robust, i.e., can be unduly influenced by outliers. To address these deficiencies, we propose an alternative model-based clustering procedure by minimizing a “trimmed” variant of the negative log-likelihood function. We develop a “concentration step”, …

Performance Classification Of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck-Type Models Using Fractal Analysis Of Time Series Data., Peter Kwadwo Asante

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation aims to assess the performance of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck-type models by examining the fractal characteristics of time series data from various sources, including finance, volcanic and earthquake events, US COVID-19 reported cases and deaths, and two simulated time series with differing properties. The time series data is categorized as either a Gaussian or a Lévy process (Lévy walk or Lévy flight) by using three scaling methods: Rescaled range analysis, Detrended fluctuation analysis, and Diffusion entropy analysis. The outcomes of this analysis indicate that the financial indices are classified as Lévy walks, while the volcanic, earthquake, and COVID-19 data are classified …

Do Spontaneous Trait Inferences Influence Behavioral Intentions?, Jessica Renee Bray

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Character traits are spontaneously inferred from observing peopleâ??s behavior. This inference process is called a spontaneous trait inference. Although spontaneous trait inference effects are robust and well replicated, little research has examined what perceivers do with the inferences they make. A pilot study and two experiments examined whether spontaneous trait inferences led to differences in two behavioral intentions: friending and aggression. The savings in relearning paradigm was used to measure spontaneous trait inferences. Participants were exposed to trait implying descriptions or neutral descriptions of targets. After a filler task, participants completed a social media friending questionnaire and a modified voodoo …

Development Of Multi-Configuration Methods On Density Functional Theory Orbitals And Application On The Study Of Dimers, Jose Gustavo Bravo Flores

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The configuration interaction (CI) methods is an exact method to solve the non relativistic Schrodinger equation, describing the wave function as a linear combination of Slater determinants. Because the computation time grows factorially as the number of electrons, CI is mostly used for relatively small systems. Density functional theory (DFT) rose as one of the most used methods for computational quantum chemistry in the last 30 years. DFT can describe a system's properties with the electron density, which only depends of of three coordinates. Due to its low computational costs it allows one to study bigger systems than CI, however …

Demographic And Clinical Variables Associated With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Response In Depression: A Growth Mixture Modeling Study, John William Capps

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Depression is a growing public health crisis impacting millions around the world. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment for depression which has been FDA approved but the factors related to how well patients respond are still under investigation. The current study aimed to identify different treatment response patterns based on Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores over the course of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment for depression and to identify the differences between these response classes on demographic and clinical variables. A total of 285 patients from a psychiatric clinic were included with a sizable number of Hispanics and …

An Approach For Verification Of Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements, Mahsa Beizaei

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Recent research studies have shown the usefulness and applicability of Traffic Speed Deflectometers (TSD) in support of the network-level pavement management process. There are, however, no accepted procedures for verification and validation of the TSD measurements to be utilized by practitioners. To address this need, TSD measurements may be verified with the data obtained by widely accepted road-testing equipment, Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). In this study, TSD and FWD operations on pavement sections were simulated employing the finite layer approach which resulted in the development of a comprehensive database of pavement responses. Using the established numerical simulation database, theoretical relationships …

Reflections On Pre-Kindergarten Pedagogical Practices For Latine Preschoolers: An Autoethnography, Cynthia Chavez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This personal reflexive account of my experiences as a Latine Pre-K teacher and Instructional Coach represents the adversities that many early childhood education public school teachers face within marginalized public-school campuses. Using myself as the subject and researcher within the context of area public school districts provided the drive to seek social justice for disadvantaged Latine preschoolers in their quest for an equitable footing in public school offerings. Through the participant's lens, I chronicle my experiences as a prekindergarten public-school teacher and later as a multi-district instructional coach using the qualitative methodology of both emotive and analytical/interpretive viewpoints. This genre …

Influence Of Pretreatment Magnetic Resonance Imaging On Local Therapy Decisions For Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients, Christian Skowronski, Andrew Shanholtzer, Brent Yelton, Muayad Almahariq, Daniel Krauss

Posters

Prostate cancer has the third highest incidence rate and is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior soft tissue delineation serving as a valuable tool for both diagnosis and treatment planning. With minimal data regarding utility on diagnosis and treatment planning for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines indicate MRI as optional in intermediate-risk prostate cancer evaluation. This project aims to elucidate whether MRI affects radiation treatment decisions for intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Outcomes Of Locally Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With 60 Gy Vs. 70 Gy, Batoul Nasser, Muyad Almahariq, Inga Grills

Posters

The standard form of treatment for locally advanced lung cancer is to prescribe the conventional dose of 60 Gy radiation therapy (RT) concurrently with chemotherapy. However, five-year overall survival is still less than 20%. These outcomes remain poor due to both distant and local regional recurrence. The literature suggests that local regional control and overall survival is strongly associated with doses of radiotherapy that are higher than 60 Gy. However, when escalating radiation dose was prescribed exceeding 70 Gy, the overall survival rates plateaued. The primary goal of this study is to determine if there is a marked difference in …

Physicians' Knowledge And Attitudes Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Patients With Diabetes, Nayiri Khatchadourian, Lowell Schmeltz, Michael Brennan, Virginia Uhley

Posters

Patients diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are at increased risk for developing clinical disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Although research supports this higher incidence and the impact on health outcomes, few studies have assessed physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and training to identify and treat these conditions. The American Diabetes Associations’ 2021 Standards of Care included a new section about DEB, further highlighting the importance of addressing this issue. Our goal was to assess physicians’ level of training, comfort and attitudes towards providing clinical care to patients diagnosed with DM and their experience in assessing, identifying, and treating …

Generation Of Plasma With A Rotating Electric Field, Franklin Price Mosely

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nonthermal plasma generation is an important area of research that has many applications ranging from semiconductor production to medical applications including the treatment of cancers and sterilization of surfaces. Specific radicals and excited species and discharge powers are critical for the successful completion of these processes. It is important that these excited species are shown to be achievable for a given discharge system without leading to instabilities such as arcing.

The present thesis details the design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of a novel plasma generation system based on multiphase excitation. As predicted by theory, the experimental results demonstrate that a …

Impact Of Tourism In Developing Nations, Thomas Consolino

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Belize, a small country located in Central America, thrives on tourism. The industry makes up 15% of the country’s GDP and employs roughly 40% of Belize’s population. However, the majority of tourism takes place in only a few Belizean towns, causing the economies of the other towns to not benefit from the industry. One of the towns lacking tourism is called Dangriga. Although Dangriga is on the coast and is known as the “Culture Capital of Belize”, not many tourists make is stop in or even know of Dangriga. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of …

Supply Chain Management Internship Thesis - Hilti & Amazon.Com, Inc., Reagan White

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper will contain an overview of my internship experiences at Hilti and Amazon.com, Inc. It will give insight into the history, culture, and backgrounds of both companies. Additionally, it will address the structure and learning objectives of both internships, with an in-depth analysis of the projects that I completed during my time with both companies. These analyses will describe the underlying business problems that both firms were facing, as well as, the quantitative and qualitative value that was driven by my recommendations and the successful implementation of various supply chain solutions. Given that Hilti and Amazon.com, Inc. differ in …

An Enterprise Wide Solution To National Accounts Display Tracking And Execution, Noah Richards

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The following research paper examines a project based experience in which the execution, tracking, and reporting of in-store displays and promotions was studied in detail.

Investigating The Effect Of Knowledge Of Environmental Implications On Generation Z Vehicle Choice In Last Mile Delivery Service, Mitchelle Atungulu

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Consumer knowledge has a significant impact on consumer behavior and choice, where specific types of knowledge influences consumer shopping and purchasing decisions. As concerns about the environment and businesses operations’ effect on the environment grows, there has been various calls for facilitating increased consumer awareness on environmental issues; with the intent of this knowledge serving to influence consumer decision making in a manner that is viewed as favorable for environmental sustainability. With the substantial growth of ecommerce, one of the decisions that consumers more frequently make is that of delivery service choice as they make online purchase transactions. Various aspects …

Supply Chain Management Internship Thesis – Toyota North America, Samuel Shaheen

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The main goal of the research is to evaluate my internship and the company I worked for, provide background information of the company, and deliver a brief background of my internship experiences. A self-assessment of myself and personal learning objectives from before my internship will be provided to serve as a basis of my expectations and how I feel the internship program will help me grow. Once expectations are laid out, I will explain different projects, assignments, and responsibilities that the interns were given and how they were executed. The main findings from the analysis of the projects and responsibilities …