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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world and often occurs following myocardial infarction. Apelin is an endogenous prepropeptide that has been studied for its role in improving cardiac contractility and vasodilation but suffers from a short half-life in the body. By encasing apelin in a

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world and often occurs following myocardial infarction. Apelin is an endogenous prepropeptide that has been studied for its role in improving cardiac contractility and vasodilation but suffers from a short half-life in the body. By encasing apelin in a nanoparticle patch, we were able to slowly release apelin to cardiac tissue and observe its effects for one month following induced myocardial infarction surgery in mice. This study demonstrates that the apelin nanoparticles can protect the heart from myocardial-induced heart failure, observing overall improved cardiac function and reduction of fibrotic scarring associated with post-myocardial infarction compared to a nontreated group.

ContributorsHenderson, Adam (Author) / Chen, Qiang (Thesis director) / Zhu, Wuqiang (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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ContributorsRitter, Hailey (Author) / Cristante, Lilia (Co-author) / Sturgess, Jessica (Thesis director) / Hoffner, Kristin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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ContributorsRitter, Hailey (Author) / Cristante, Lilia (Co-author) / Sturgess, Jessica (Thesis director) / Hoffner, Kristin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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Description
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the available literature on suspect bias in the context of general impairment to evaluate support for the claim that general impairment exacerbates the effect of suspect bias to increase the risk of eyewitness misidentifications. To provide context for the importance of this

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the available literature on suspect bias in the context of general impairment to evaluate support for the claim that general impairment exacerbates the effect of suspect bias to increase the risk of eyewitness misidentifications. To provide context for the importance of this issue, the misidentification of Ronald Cotton in the investigation of the assault of Jennifer Thompson-Cannino is discussed. I identified meta-analyses discussing the following suspect bias variables: prior mugshot exposure, exposure to composites, suspect-filler similarity, post-identification feedback, and the use of showups versus lineups to evaluate the literature. Using the articles citing the meta-analyses and cited within the meta-analyses, I found individual studies that manipulated suspect bias, in addition to a general impairment variable. Examples of general impairment variables include age, time delay, lineup presentation, lineup instructions, and options for identification responses. For each suspect-bias variable discussed, the literature provided inconsistent results. Based on the variations found in the data that was evaluated, I recommend that further examination of suspect-bias in the context of general impairment variables be conducted to garner a better, more cohesive understanding of the interaction between these variables.
ContributorsBarlow, Rosemary (Author) / Smalarz, Laura (Thesis director) / Arndorfer, Andrea (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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This paper begins with an introduction to the topics relevant to the research presented. Properties of diamond, diamond’s ability to be used in power electronics compared to other semiconducting materials, and a brief overview of field effect transistors are among the topics discussed. The remainder of the paper centers around

This paper begins with an introduction to the topics relevant to the research presented. Properties of diamond, diamond’s ability to be used in power electronics compared to other semiconducting materials, and a brief overview of field effect transistors are among the topics discussed. The remainder of the paper centers around research that has been conducted on seven diamond samples. Interface characterization was performed on two diamond samples, one with a high boron incorporation epitaxial layer and another with a low boron incorporation epitaxial layer. UPS He I analysis and UPS He II analysis were used to construct band alignments for the two samples, which revealed no significant differences between their measured properties. A Python program designed to optimize XPS loss peak and UPS He II graphical data analysis is also discussed in detail. Next, Hall effect measurements are examined. Hall effect measurements were carried out on seven diamond samples, two of which have high boron incorporation epitaxial layers, two of which have low boron incorporation epitaxial layers, one of which has a moderate boron incorporation epitaxial layer, and two of which have a phosphorus-doped epitaxial layer. Hall measurements of the boron-doped samples revealed no significant differences in measured parameters amongst the samples with varying boron incorporation epitaxial layers, with the exception of an expected difference in measured carrier concentration proportional to the amount of dopant incorporation in the layers. Some samples with boron-doped epitaxial layers produced measurements indicating n-type charge carriers, which is unexpected given the p-type charge carriers within these samples. The phosphorus-doped samples were unable to be measured due to overly high resistance following an oxygen termination step, and this effect was functionally reversed following hydrogen termination of the samples. It is hypothesized that Fermi pinning is responsible for this effect. The paper concludes with a summary of data discussed in previous sections and a suggested direction for future research on this topic.
ContributorsJacobs, Madeleine (Author) / Nemanich, Robert (Thesis director) / Botana, Antia (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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Description
For my thesis, I developed an educational video game titled Cannon Quest. Based around a thought experiment proposed in 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton, Cannon Quest allows players to explore a miniature, 2-dimensional solar system using real physics and gravity. My principle goal was to create an interactive model of

For my thesis, I developed an educational video game titled Cannon Quest. Based around a thought experiment proposed in 1687 by Sir Isaac Newton, Cannon Quest allows players to explore a miniature, 2-dimensional solar system using real physics and gravity. My principle goal was to create an interactive model of orbital motion, with some game/simulation elements. This allows players who are totally unfamiliar with orbital mechanics to gain at least a rudimentary understanding simply by playing the game. While the educational model was my primary goal, care was taken to ensure that Cannon Quest functions as a playable simulator. I developed my own user interface (UI), control setup, and art, as well as integrating music and animation for a more complete user experience. I also spent a significant amount of time balancing the gameplay aspects with the real physics, occasionally sacrificing reality where needed to ensure a better experience. The resulting product is simple and straightforward, while retaining much of the nuances of actual orbital motion. I also developed a website to host Cannon Quest, and better direct my playtesters from a single hub. You can visit this website at www.cannonquest.carrd.co. Alternatively, you can visit https://possiblymatthew.itch.io/cannon-quest or https://github.com/matthewbenjamin22/Cannon-Quest to play the game.
ContributorsBenjamin, Matthew (Author) / Kobayashi, Yoshihiro (Thesis director) / Feng, Xuerong (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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Description

Alginate microspheres have recently become increasingly popular in the realm of drug delivery for their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, inexpensiveness, among other factors. Recent strict regulations on microsphere size have drastically increased manufacturing cost and waste, even though the effect of size variance on drug delivery and subsequent performance is unclear. If

Alginate microspheres have recently become increasingly popular in the realm of drug delivery for their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, inexpensiveness, among other factors. Recent strict regulations on microsphere size have drastically increased manufacturing cost and waste, even though the effect of size variance on drug delivery and subsequent performance is unclear. If sphere size variance does not significantly affect drug release profiles, it is possible that future ordinances may loosen tolerances in manufacturing to limit waste produced and expenditures. We use a mathematical model developed by Nickel et al. [12], to theoretically predict drug delivery profiles based on sphere size, and correlate the expected release with experimental data. This model considers diffusion as the key component for drug delivery, which is defined by Fick’s Laws of Diffusion. Alginate, chosen for its simple fabrication method and biocompatibility, was formed into microspheres with a modified extrusion technique and characterized by size. Size variance was introduced in batches and delivery patterns were compared to control groups of identical size. Release patterns for brilliant blue dye, the mock drug chosen, were examined for both groups via UV spectrometry. The absorbance values were then converted to concentration value using a calibration curve done prior to experimentation. The concentration values were then converted to mass values. These values then produced curves representing the mass of the drug released over time. Although the control and experimental values were statistically significantly different, the curves were rather similar to each other. However, when compared to the predicted release pattern, the curves were not the same. Unexpected degradation caused this dissimilarity between the curves. The predictive model was then adjusted to account for degradation by changing the diffusion coefficient in the code to a reciprocal first order exponent. The similarity between the control and experimental curves can insinuate the notion that size tolerances for microsphere production can be somewhat lenient, as a batch containing fifteen beads of the same size and one with three different sizes yields similar release patterns.

ContributorsLyons, Quincy (Author) / de la Rocha, Gabriel (Co-author) / Vernon, Brent (Thesis director) / Pal, Amrita (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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Description
Alginate microspheres have recently become increasingly popular in the realm of drug delivery for their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, inexpensiveness, among other factors. Recent strict regulations on microsphere size have drastically increased manufacturing cost and waste, even though the effect of size variance on drug delivery and subsequent performance is unclear.

Alginate microspheres have recently become increasingly popular in the realm of drug delivery for their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, inexpensiveness, among other factors. Recent strict regulations on microsphere size have drastically increased manufacturing cost and waste, even though the effect of size variance on drug delivery and subsequent performance is unclear. If sphere size variance does not significantly affect drug release profiles, it is possible that future ordinances may loosen tolerances in manufacturing to limit waste produced and expenditures. We use a mathematical model developed by Nickel et al. [12], to theoretically predict drug delivery profiles based on sphere size, and correlate the expected release with experimental data. This model considers diffusion as the key component for drug delivery, which is defined by Fick’s Laws of Diffusion. Alginate, chosen for its simple fabrication method and biocompatibility, was formed into microspheres with a modified extrusion technique and characterized by size. Size variance was introduced in batches and delivery patterns were compared to control groups of identical size. Release patterns for brilliant blue dye, the mock drug chosen, were examined for both groups via UV spectrometry. The absorbance values were then converted to concentration value using a calibration curve done prior to experimentation. The concentration values were then converted to mass values. These values then produced curves representing the mass of the drug released over time. Although the control and experimental values were statistically significantly different, the curves were rather similar to each other. However, when compared to the predicted release pattern, the curves were not the same. Unexpected degradation caused this dissimilarity between the curves. The predictive model was then adjusted to account for degradation by changing the diffusion coefficient in the code to a reciprocal first order exponent. The similarity between the control and experimental curves can insinuate the notion that size tolerances for microsphere production can be somewhat lenient, as a batch containing fifteen beads of the same size and one with three different sizes yields similar release patterns.
Contributorsde la Rocha, Gabriel (Author) / Lyons, Quincy (Co-author) / Vernon, Brent (Thesis director) / Pal, Amrita (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-05
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Description

This is a primer on the mathematic foundation of quantum mechanics. It seeks to introduce the topic in such a way that it is useful to both mathematicians and physicists by providing an extended example of abstract math concepts to work through and by going more in-depth in the math

This is a primer on the mathematic foundation of quantum mechanics. It seeks to introduce the topic in such a way that it is useful to both mathematicians and physicists by providing an extended example of abstract math concepts to work through and by going more in-depth in the math formalism than would normally be covered in a quantum mechanics class. The thesis begins by investigating functional analysis topics such as the Hilbert space and operators acting on them. Then it goes on to the postulates of quantum mechanics which extends the math formalism covered before to physics and works as the foundation for the rest of quantum mechanics.

ContributorsRedford, Thomas (Author) / Hines, Taylor (Thesis director) / Foy, Joseph (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Physics (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description

The purpose of this project was to develop a student-led holistic nurses chapter as a space where students can learn to apply mind-body based modalities into their routine, accommodating their unique lifestyle. This paper aims to discuss the process of implementing a student-led holistic chapter. From this project further discussion

The purpose of this project was to develop a student-led holistic nurses chapter as a space where students can learn to apply mind-body based modalities into their routine, accommodating their unique lifestyle. This paper aims to discuss the process of implementing a student-led holistic chapter. From this project further discussion can be completed in regards to policy, practice, research, and inclusion. Policy can be developed in regards to student-driven processes and procedures of the new chapter. This experience can translate to nurses who develop policy in the practice setting. Practice focus can be implemented within the chapter as self-care application and how to bring knowledge to patients in the clinical setting. Research studies can measure the effectiveness of the chapter in regards to student stress levels and academic improvement. Inclusion is a unique part of this initiative as the goal is to grow the student-led organization by inviting nursing students from all schools in the state. Inclusion of leaders from the American Holistic Nurses Association in mentoring and supporting the initiatives is critical.

ContributorsRincon, Ana (Author) / Augusta, Dawn (Thesis director) / Jaurigue, Lisa (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2022-05