Digital Commons Network^™

Waiting Room, Hannah White

Master’s Theses and Projects

The short stories and essays in this hybrid creative collection, Waiting Room, aim to add to critical conversations in both creative nonfiction and fiction about identity in relation to physical places and the body. In this collection, I particularly explore how notions of “home” shape one’s identity: grief, mental/physical illness, displacement from home, and other topics pertaining to the body and physicality.

An Efficient End-To-End Deep Neural Network For Interstitial Lung Disease Recognition And Classification, Masum Shah Junayed, Afsana Ahsan Jeny, Md Baharul Islam, Ikhtiar Ahmed, Afm Shahen Shah

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The automated Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) classification technique is essential for assisting clinicians during the diagnosis process. Detecting and classifying ILDs patterns is a challenging problem. This paper introduces an end-to-end deep convolution neural network (CNN) for classifying ILDs patterns. The proposed model comprises four convolutional layers with different kernel sizes and Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function, followed by batch normalization and max-pooling with a size equal to the final feature map size well as four dense layers. We used the ADAM optimizer to minimize categorical cross-entropy. A dataset consisting of 21328 image patches of 128 CT scans with …

The Impact Of Hurricanes On The Acoustic Detection Of Cetaceans, Aditi Tripathy

Master's Theses and Capstones

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is valuable for understanding the presence, behavior, distribution, and population density of marine mammals. While long-term variability of ambient sound is typically evaluated, the impact of short-term variability due to episodic events has not been assessed until now. Hurricanes Dorian (Category 5; 2019), Florence (Category 4; 2018), and Humberto (Category 3; 2019) impacted the soundscape as observed from the passive acoustic data at the Atlantic Deepwater Ecosystem Observatory Network (ADEON) locations in the US Mid- and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Hurricanes are increasingly prevalent in the North Atlantic and increase the ambient sound level at …

Black Carbon Dominated Dust In Recent Radiative Forcing On Rocky Mountain Snowpacks, Kelly E. Gleason, Joseph R. Mcconnell, Monica M. Arienzo, Graham Sexstone, Stefan Rahimi

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

The vast majority of surface water resources in the semi-arid western United States start as winter snowpack. Solar radiation is a primary driver of snowmelt, making snowpack water resources especially sensitive to even small increases in concentrations of light absorbing particles such as mineral dust and combustion-related black carbon (BC). Here we show, using fresh snow measurements and snowpack modeling at 51 widely distributed sites in the Rocky Mountain region, that BC dominated impurity-driven radiative forcing in 2018. BC contributed three times more radiative forcing on average than dust, and up to 17 times more at individual locations. Evaluation of …

Linking Bad Credentials To Safety Issues, Andrew Martin, Jeeyen Koo, Valerie Keathley-Helil, Mallory Brown, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study assesses (1) the effectiveness of the Kentucky Automated Truck Screening (KATS) system, (2) the relationship between credential and vehicle safety violations, (3) the relationship between credential and driver safety violations, and (4) the relationship between credential violations and crashes. The KATS system, which is installed at weigh stations throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is highly effective at detecting KYU, IFTA, and UCR violations with sensitivities of 80.54, 87.56, and 88.28 percent, respectively. However, the system is less effective at detecting IRP violations (sensitivity = 20.83 percent). There is a statistically significant relationship between credentialing and vehicle safety violations, …

The "Law To Use The Mark The Delpaís," Act 195-2016: Case Study Of A Puerto Rican Certification Mark With Potential Of Becoming A Geographic Indication For Economic Development, Paola Gabriela Zaragoza Cardenales

Maurer Theses and Dissertations

In 2016, the Puerto Rican Congress codified the “Law for the use of the DelPaís Mark” (the DelPaís Law), creating a composite certification mark called Productos DelPaís de Puerto Rico (the DelPaís Mark) for raw fruits, milk, honey, meats, egg, fish, ornamental plants, spices, vegetables, starches, and value-added products. The Puerto Rican Department of Agriculture intended the DelPaís Mark to function as a certification mark and Geographical Indication (GI) to differentiate local from imported products to promote purchasing of locally produced items and eventually export internationally. A GI is a source identifier identifying that a place makes a particular product …

Associations Of Public Open Space Attributes With Active And Sedentary Behaviors In Dense Urban Areas: A Systematic Review Of Observational Studies, Minica Motomura, Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Chien-Yu Lin, Kaori Ishii, Ai Shibata, Tomoki Nakaya, Andrew T. Kaczynski Ph.D., Jenny Veitch, Koichiro Oka

Faculty Publications

In the context of rapid urbanization, public open spaces in dense urban areas are critical built environment elements to support active lifestyles. Several reviews have explored the associations of public open space attributes with physically active and sedentary behavior. However, few reviews have included studies from Asia, and no studies have focused on dense urban areas. This systematic review analyzed 18 observational studies investigating associations between public open space attributes with physical activity and sedentary behavior in dense urban areas of East Asian countries, including Japan, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. We found that closer distance to and a greater …

Using Height-Adjusted Stunting Prevalence Will Fail Disadvantaged Children Worldwide, Jef L. Leroy, Edward A. Frongillo Jr. Ph.D., Elaine Borghi

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Theoretical And Numerical Evidence For The Potential Realization Of The Peregrine Soliton In Repulsive Two-Component Bose-Einstein Condensates, A. Romero-Ros, Garyfallia C. Katsimiga, Simeon I. Mistakidis, B. Prinari, G. Biondini, P. Schmelcher, P. G. Kevrekidis

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Present Work Is Motivated By The Recent Experimental Realization Of The Townes Soliton In An Effective Two-Component Bose-Einstein Condensate By B. Bakkali-Hassan Et Al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 023603 (2021)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.127.023603]. Here, We Use A Similar Multicomponent Platform To Exemplify Theoretically And Numerically, Within The Mean-Field Gross-Pitaevskii Framework, The Potential Toward The Experimental Realization Of A Different Fundamental Wave Structure, Namely The Peregrine Soliton. Leveraging The Effective Attractive Interaction Produced Within The Mixture's Minority Species In The Immiscible Regime, We Illustrate How Initialization Of The Condensate With A Suitable Power-Law Decaying Spatial Density Pattern Yields The Robust Emergence Of The …

Counterflow Dynamics Of Two Correlated Impurities Immersed In A Bosonic Gas, Friethjof Theel, Simeon I. Mistakidis, Kevin Keiler, Peter Schmelcher

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Counterflow Dynamics Of Two Correlated Impurities In A Double Well Coupled To A One-Dimensional Bosonic Medium Is Explored. We Determine The Ground-State Phase Diagram Of The System According To The Impurity-Medium Entanglement And The Impurities' Two-Body Correlations. Specifically, Bound Impurity Structures Reminiscent Of Bipolarons For Strong Attractive Couplings As Well As Configurations With Two Clustered Or Separated Impurities In The Repulsive Case Are Identified. The Interval Of Existence Of These Phases Depends Strongly On The Impurity-Impurity Interactions And External Confinement Of The Medium. Accordingly The Impurities' Dynamical Response, Triggered By Suddenly Ramping Down The Central Potential Barrier, Is Affected …

A Physical Model Of Deadmans Run, Quinn Brandt

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A physical model of Deadmans Run and a pair of railroad bridges was constructed to assess the impacts of the bridges on flood flows. Lower Platte South Natural Resources District is planning a series of improvements to Deadmans Run to improve flood conveyance capacity and remove approximately 500 homes and businesses from the floodplain. The rail bridges are located less than a mile from the confluence of Deadmans Run and Salt Creek, meaning the bridges present a significant bottleneck to the planned improvements. The physical model was used to characterize the drag effects caused by the bridges, which was used …

Comparative Analyses Of De Novo Transcriptome Assembly Pipelines For Diploid Wheat, Natasha Pavlovikj

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Gene expression and transcriptome analysis are currently one of the main focuses of research for a great number of scientists. However, the assembly of raw sequence data to obtain a draft transcriptome of an organism is a complex multi-stage process usually composed of pre-processing, assembling, and post-processing. Each of these stages includes multiple steps such as data cleaning, error correction and assembly validation. Different combinations of steps, as well as different computational methods for the same step, generate transcriptome assemblies with different accuracy. Thus, using a combination that generates more accurate assemblies is crucial for any novel biological discoveries. Implementing …

Applying Mci-062, A Novel Pan-Ras Inhibitor, To Treat Kras-Mutant Lung Cancer, Richard Fu

Honors Theses

RAS is a prevalent oncogene that is mutated in 27% of human cancers. Gain-of-function RAS mutations activate multiple downstream pathways, including the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, which are critical in tumorigenesis and cancer cell proliferation. RAS proteins such as KRAS, a member of the RAS protein family, and their downstream effectors are attractive targets for cancer therapy since their mutations act as frequent drivers in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. However, RAS proteins have relatively smooth surfaces that lack traditional binding pockets, making inhibitors specific to RAS difficult to create. Recently, a novel small molecule pan-RAS inhibitor named MCI-062 was …

Predictive Analytics In Child Welfare: Five Principles For Regulating Algorithmic Accountability In A New Wave Of Predictive Models, Michael Blanchard

University of Baltimore Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Heritage Family Study: A Review Of The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cardiometabolic Health, With Insights Into Molecular Transducers, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Treva K. Rice, Jean-Pierre Després, Louis Pérusse, Angelo Tremblay, Philip R. Stanforth, André Tchernof, Jacob L. Barber, Francesco Falciani, Clary Clish, James S. Skinner, D. C. Rao, Claude Bouchard

Faculty Publications

The aim of the HERITAGE Family Study was to investigate individual differences in response to a standardized endurance exercise program, the role of familial aggregation, and the genetics of response levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors. Here we summarize the findings and their potential implications for cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. It begins with overviews of background and planning, recruitment, testing and exercise program protocol, quality control measures, and other relevant organizational issues. A summary of findings is then provided on cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise hemodynamics, insulin and glucose metabolism, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, adiposity and …

Rheological Behavior Of Dspc-, Dbpc-, And Dppc-Oxygen Microbubbles And Their Effectiveness In Improving Survival In A Rat Model Of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Riaz Ur Rehman Mohammed

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) causes 75,000 deaths in the U.S., annually. It is characterized by hypoxemia and damage to the lung alveoli. ARDS Management strategies involve extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and mechanical ventilation, but none of these methods improve the mortality rates. Oxygen microbubbles (OMBs) consist of a lipid shell with an oxygen core and have potential to augment oxygenation to manage ARDS. Previous studies demonstrated significant improvements in systemic oxygenation and mortality upon administering OMBs.

We replicated an ARDS rat model by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide at a 24 mg/kg dose. After inducing the disease in rats, the …

Diagnosing Mild Tbis With Fluid Biomarkers, Elizabeth J. Perkins

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Upon head trauma, neurons within the brain can become stretched and injured. Continuous mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) without proper healing can lead to chronic neurological symptoms. This is especially problematic in contact sports and military personnel. The purpose of this literature review is to take an in depth look at fluid biomarkers that could aid in the diagnosis of a concussion at a point of injury. Databases were used including PubMed, Clinical Key, Embase and Access Medicine. The studies chosen were published within the last 7 years, applicable to the topic and absent of pronounced bias. The 19 works …

Antimicrobial Stewardship And Its Effects On Resistant Organisms, John D. Seifert

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Antimicrobial stewardship has been found to have an impact on resistant organisms, but it has been unclear the importance of how strong those recommendations should be and if more strict or numerous guidelines equals fewer or less resistant organisms. “Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), an organizational or system-wide health-care strategy, is designed to promote, improve, monitor, and evaluate the rational use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness, along with the promotion and protection of public health. (Majumder et al., 2020)” In reviewing recent peer-reviewed research it can be shown that medical facilities that utilize antimicrobial stewardship guidelines when prescribing antibiotics have …

Epidemiology Of Children With Adhd In Rural Versus Metropolitan Settings, Miranda Nygaard

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Attention deficient disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) is an increasing psychiatric disorder affecting children across the world. With significant debate on diagnosis, ADHD is commonly underdiagnosed in children, even today. Approximately 4.6 million children are diagnosed with ADHD, but more than two thirds of these children are untreated. Primary care providers remain the responsible stakeholders for assessing, diagnosing, and treating children with ADHD appropriately. This literature review is aimed to investigate the correlation between the assessment and early diagnosing of ADHD among children in rural settings compared to that of the metropolitan/urban communities. Providing children with ADHD symptoms an early diagnosis, …

Vitamind D Concentrations And Covid-19 Outcomes, Bennett A. Leitch

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Now, with over five million deaths the pandemic continues to cloak the globe. As of November 2021, 49.1% of the world population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination according to ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations. In the United States, the CDC reported 57.6% of the population is fully vaccinated. With much of the population unvaccinated, potential protective factors are needed to help diminish infection. This literature review aimed to investigate a correlation between low serum vitamin D concentrations and outcomes of COVID-19 infections. A total of 27 research articles …

Ketamine Use In Refractory Depression, Mckenzie K. Kemmet

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Despite pharmacological advancements, depression continues to be considered the third leading cause of disability in the world. Although depressive symptoms may decrease within a few weeks after beginning typical antidepressants, there are still about one-third of individuals that fail to respond and do not achieve recovery. The symptoms not resolved by antidepressant therapy ultimately leads to decreased quality of life, decreased productiveness of the individual, increased hospitalizations, higher health care costs, and increased rates of suicide. As a result, the clinical use of ketamine in refractory depression is increasing because of the antidepressant properties found in a multitude of studies. …

Combination Thyroid Hormone Therapy In The Treatment Of Hypothyroidism, Jessica Johnson

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The nature of this systemic literature review and research is to explore the use of thyroxine (T4) monotherapy versus T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) (combination) therapy for the treatment of hypothyroidism. A literature review was conducted using electronic search databases which included PubMed, CINHAL, and Clinical Key. Mesh terms included hypothyroidism/drug therapy, hypothyroidism/diagnosis, thyroid hormones/physiology, and thyroxine. Filters applied to the search included clinical study, clinical trial, guideline, journal article, meta-analysis, randomized controlled study, and systematic review. The search was tapered by limiting results to the last ten years, human species, and adults 19+. The articles were further narrowed by excluding …

How Does Access To Primary Care Affect The Latino Population, Brandon Harthan

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Healthcare disparities by race or ethnicity across the United States are becoming more evident as the population continues to grow, none being more evident than that of the Latino population. The purpose of this research is to determine the effects that access to primary healthcare has on the comorbidity and mortality of the Latino population. Much of the research supports the theory that Latino’s are at greater risk of comorbidity and mortality from diabetes, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis due to their decreased access to primary healthcare services. However, evidence also supports the “Hispanic Mortality Paradox” in which Latinos have …

The Role Of Ketamine In The Management Of Chronic Pain, Hugh W. Cline Iii

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

Chronic pain diagnoses are on the rise amongst people within the United States and thought to be an epidemic. It is estimated to affect millions of patients who have suffered trauma, injury, or complications from surgical procedures. The treatment of chronic pain, defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months, can be complicated. There are no definitive treatment options that have garnered a consensus among medical professionals. Treatment usually involves several medical specialties and pharmacological options. Reliance on the use of multiple pharmacological options can cause patients increased hospitalizations, and a reliance on opioids can potentially cause other illnesses due …

Migraine With Aura Versus Seizure: Diagnosis And Treatment, Jessica Gifford

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The purpose of this research and systematic literature review is to determine if obtaining an electroencephalogram (EEG) in patients presenting with migraine with aura would result in better and/or more prompt symptom management compared to empiric migraine treatment. In this review, the electronic databases; CINAHL, PubMed, Clinical Key, Cochrane Library and Dynamed Plus were used. Both keyword and mesh terms were used related to the pathophysiology of migraines and seizures along with guidelines for work-up and treatment of migraines and seizures. All articles chosen for review were published after 1999, except one. All articles were peer reviewed, and include randomized …

In Adults With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, What Is The Efficacy Of Surgical Versus Pharmacotherapy In Reducing Symptoms?, Travis Cook

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Papers

The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the efficacy of pharmacotherapeutics and surgical interventions for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this systematic review, five electronic databases were used including AccessMedicine, PubMed, Cochrane library, Dynamed, and Clinical Key. Research criteria included work after 2010, peer reviewed, and only randomized control trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were considered. Studies that were excluded included any that were before 2010, poor study design, and those that looked at other conditions or treatments outside of the research question in study. A total of 9 studies were selected for this systematic …

Spring 2022, Georgia Library Quarterly

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

My Own Private Library: A Peek Inside The Personal Library Of A Librarian, Lee Bareford

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Digital Library Of Georgia (March 2022), Mandy L. Mastrovita

Georgia Library Quarterly

News from the Digital Library of Georgia for the first quarter of 2022.

Book Review: Clothing And Fashion In Southern History, Lindsay Josey

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.