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UKRAINIAN WOMEN IN THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR: BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND RESISTANCE
No full textThis dissertation explores how the Russo-Ukrainian war has transformed the lives, identities, and resistance strategies of Ukrainian women. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with forty-five Ukrainian women conducted between March 2022 and February 2023, it analyzes how everyday survival, political thought, and civic activism have changed during the war. Using a modified grounded theory approach and a feminist lens, this study examines women’s psychosocial experiences, their evolving political consciousness, and their active roles in humanitarian, cultural, and cyber resistance.Findings reveal that the war simultaneously reinforced and disrupted traditional gender expectations. While Ukrainian women dealt with increased domestic and caregiving burdens while experiencing trauma, they also emerged as organizers, strategists, and digital activists. Their testimonies showed how grief, endurance, and emotional labor intersected with nationalism and presented new forms of wartime womanhood. This dissertation contributes to feminist theory by highlighting the coexistence of trauma and agency, the weaponization of domestic labor, and the centrality of women’s voices in shaping national belonging. Implications extend to feminist peacebuilding, policy, and memory studies, underscoring the necessity of centering women in postwar recovery and reconstruction. Ultimately, the dissertation argues that Ukrainian women’s lived experiences are not peripheral but fundamental to understanding the human, political, and national dimensions of war
Schauder A Priori Estimates for Poisson\u27s Equation.
No full textThe Schauder a priori estimate for Poisson\u27s equation is considered. These estimates are important for establishing the smoothness of solutions. Instead of proving the theorem of Schauder a priori estimate directly, this paper focuses on proving the theorem through three reductions. The first reduction normalizes the problem, the second reduction controls the H\ older semi-norm, and finally the third reduction gets a local estimate of the domain. Interpolation inequality for H\ older space and derivative estimates are used throughout this work
Improving Training Modalities for Parent-Implemented ABA Interventions
No full textParent-implemented interventions based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) have become a crucial component in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parental involvement enhances consistency across settings and promotes the generalization of skills. Parental involvement has been correlated to improving developmental and behavioral outcomes, but training modalities remain a critical area of focus. The literature review explores current training modalities to provide parents with ABA techniques, emphasizing the use of behavior skills training (BST) and video modeling (VM). BST, which incorporates instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback, has shown effectiveness in parent fidelity in implementing interventions. Similarly, VM is a valuable tool for creating learning opportunities to accommodate diverse learning styles. Despite these modalities, maintenance of parental involvement is an ongoing challenge. This review identifies gaps in the literature that prioritize effectiveness and accessibility for families. Future directions should include culturally responsive practices to individualize training for families
Beyond the Bananas: Grief, Grace, & the Groove
No full textThe term \u27participatory documentary\u27 was first coined by Bill Nichols, a documentary theorist. He describes it as a mode of documentary where the observer interacts with the observed, and the filmmaker becomes a subject of the film. What started as a little documentary about a minor league baseball team\u27s line dance group composed of women over the age of 65, shifted when tragedy hit the \u27observer\u27. It turned out these ladies were now in the right place at the right time to help guide the documentary maker out of her grief. What resulted was a new documentary with a participatory mode.
I intend to show, through the process of how I made this documentary, that reconceptualization can be a useful part of documentary making. In fact, it is necessary at times to change the modes, perspectives, and methodologies of storytelling. It is through this reconceptualization that the true story is revealed. Without this process, “Beyond the Bananas: Grief, Grace, & the Groove” would have been a different, less compelling story. Without this reconceptualization, it would not have been the story this documentarian needed to tell
ON A STUDY OF THE MODULAR REPRESENTATIONS OF SLn(Fq) IN DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC p
No full textThe modular representations of a finite group G are the representations over a vector space over a field F of nonzero characteristic p, where p divides the order of the group G. The special linear group G=SLn(Fq) where q=p^r is a prime power, is a finite group of Lie type. This thesis aims to provide an explicit description of the modular representations of G, in defining characteristic p. This problem can be restated as the explicit description and classification of the simple F[G]-modules. We bring forward two different approaches. In the first one, we employ the classification of simple modules of an linear algebraic group by their highest weight, and describe the simple F[G]-modules as a restriction of simple modules of the ambient group SLn(F) to that of SLn(Fq). We explicitly show this for the group SL3(Fq) and offer some generalization. Secondly, we outline an modular analog of the Clifford theory, which is an effective way study the represntations of SLn, via the representations of the general linear group GLn, owing to the fact that SLn is a normal subgroup of GLn. We demonstrate this second approach with an example for n=2
Influence of Anonymity Settings on the Provision and Utilization of Peer Feedback in an Online Studio-Based Educational Technology Integration Course
No full textTeacher education programs (TEPs) aim to equip pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to use technology effectively in their classrooms. However, there remains a competence gap, as many new teachers lack the skills to effectively utilize educational technology in their teaching. Studio-based Learning (SBL) is a potentially transformative method of improving pre-service technology preparation through peer feedback and iterative revision of projects. The present study examined how the SBL approach with anonymity settings impacted the pre-service teachers’ development of technological self-efficacy and the quality of their peer critiques. Employing an explanatory sequential design, the researcher collected data using a Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) scale, quantitative content analysis, and reflections from focus groups and a survey. The quantitative results revealed an increase in participants’ technological self-efficacy, indicating the positive effect of engaging in constructivist studio-based learning activities. The study also found that peer critiques given in double-blind settings were of higher quality. The implementation of peer feedback was highest in the partial-blind settings. Lastly, qualitative results revealed that participants generally had positive attitudes toward SBL activities in enhancing the required teacher dispositions. The participants also favored providing their feedback anonymously, citing the need for objectivity while maintaining existing social relationships. The study demonstrated that anonymity settings within SBL can be utilized in online collaborative learning activities to enhance pre-service teachers’ evaluative and interpersonal skills while achieving highly engaging, efficient, and effective learning
THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF A REMNANT BOTTOMLAND CYPRESS-TUPELO WETLAND AMPHIBIAN COMMUNITY
No full textThe conservation of semi-aquatic amphibians in wetland systems requires a comprehensive understanding of how environmental factors shape population dynamics across different life stages and habitats. This dissertation addresses key ecological challenges affecting amphibian occupancy, detection, and movement across three complementary studies. First, I investigated detection challenges in post-metamorphic, nonbreeding Cope’s Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) using tree-mounted PVC refugia. I found that prior occupancy state was a strong predictor of future occupancy, while temperature and extended dry periods positively influenced detection. Additionally, distinct age-sex groups exhibited specific microhabitat preferences. Second, I evaluated the effectiveness of passive integrative transponder (PIT) tags in tracking Lesser Sirens (Siren intermedia). High tag loss rates in juveniles underscored the need for size-specific telemetry approaches and standardized survey methodologies for large pond habitats. Finally, I examined how habitat characteristics and biotic interactions influenced a larval amphibian community across a heterogeneous wetland landscape. My findings indicated that canopy cover promotes salamander occupancy, while predation pressure suppresses overall abundance. Collectively, these studies provide critical insights into community- and species-specific responses to environmental variation, highlight key habitat features influencing amphibian populations, and propose methodological improvements essential for amphibian conservation in dynamic wetland ecosystems
OLS TESTING WITH PREDICTORS SCALED TO HAVE UNIT SAMPLE VARIANCE
No full textWe consider hypothesis tests for the multiple linear regression model with ordinary least squares if the predictor variables have been scaled to have unit sample variance. Some tests are unchanged, but confidence intervals, confidence regions, and some tests are no longer valid.KEY WORDS: Multiple linear regression
THE ROLE OF SHANK3 IN CEREBELLAR GLUTAMATERGIC SIGNALING: IMPLICATIONS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
No full textMutations in SHANK3 are a primary cause of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS), and the majority of individuals with PMS have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) like symptoms. Although Shank3 is highly expressed in cerebellar granule cells (CGCs), its function remains poorly understood. Our overarching hypothesis is that the loss of Shank3 alters mossy fiber-CGC (MF-CGC) glutamatergic synapses, which leads to CGC excitotoxicity, astrocyte reactivity, and microglial activation, leading to a subset of cerebellar-dependent ASD-like changes in behavior. This study aimed to determine: (1) the effect of Shank3 deletion in the whole brain or CGCs on naturalistic behaviors in both sexes over late development, (2) the role of Shank3 in the glutamate receptor function in CGCs of germline adult Shank3 knockout (KO) mice, and (3) the effects of Shank3 deletion on astrocyte reactivity, microglia activation, and CGC excitotoxicity in adult Shank3 KO mice.We investigated behavioral changes in germline Shank3Δex4–22 mice that lack all major Shank3 isoforms. Our behavioral experiments revealed age and sex dependent impairments in motor function, anxiety-like behavior, and repetitive behavior. These behavioral changes were more pronounced in adult mice (3-4 months old) compared to juveniles (5-7 weeks old), indicating age-related behavioral impairments. Additionally, we observed an increase in self-grooming in Shank3 KO males in both age groups and reduced social preference, particularly in adult male Shank3 KO mice. In parallel with our behavioral findings, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) only in adult Shank3Δex4–22 mice, suggesting changes in the postsynaptic receptor function of Shank3 at the adult stage. Significant increases in miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) at the MF-CGC synapse and in the AMPA/NMDA ratio of adult homozygous Shank3Δex4–22 KO mice support the upregulation of the MF-CGC synaptic AMPAR function in Shank3Δex4-22 mice. Next, our evoked excitatory postsynaptic current (eEPSCs) recordings showed faster AMPAR decay kinetics in the Shank3 KO group, suggesting a possible change in biophysical properties of AMPARs. This was further confirmed by inward rectification in the current-voltage (I-V) relationship of the eEPSC and the sensitivity of eEPSC amplitude to IEM-1460, a selective pharmacological blocker of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs), indicating an elevated level of CP-AMPARs. In contrast, the probability of presynaptic neurotransmitter release was not affected in Shank3 KO mice, as the paired-pulse ratio and mEPSC frequency were similar between the two genotypes. Overall, electrophysiology results suggest that Shank3 plays an essential role in maintaining balance between CP- and calcium-impermeable (CI)-AMPARs at the MF-CGC synapse for synaptic maturation and cerebellar circuitry function. Dysregulation of this balance may underlie cerebellar-related behavioral deficits in Shank3 KO mice and contribute to ASD pathophysiology. We also explored the impact of germline Shank3 deletion on glial cell reactivity and possible neurotoxic effects in CGCs. Deletion of Shank3 did not result in astrocyte reactivity or changes in astrocyte numbers in the cerebellar cortex. However, a significant reduction in IBA1-stained microglial surface area was observed in Shank3 KO mice, suggesting a possible microglial activation. No significant difference was observed in NeuN-positive CGCs between the inner cerebellar cortex of wildtype (WT) and Shank3 KO mice, suggesting that the loss of Shank3 did not induce CGC cell loss or death. This observation suggests a potential role for cerebellar microglia in the neuropathology of Shank3-associated ASD, highlighting the need for further investigation into inflammatory signaling and neuro-glial interactions. Finally, we characterized and validated three Cre-driver lines (Atoh1-Cre, Nse-CreERT2, and Atoh1-CreERTM) for CGC-specific conditional knockout (cKO) models. Among these lines, Atoh1-CreERTM showed the highest specificity in targeting CGCs. However, Cre-mediated Shank3 deletion was dramatically less efficient in cKO mice (Atoh1-CreERTM;Shank3fl/fl). Furthermore, the behavioral performance of Shank3 cKO mice was similar to that of Cre-negative controls. This work highlights the role of Shank3 in modulating glutamatergic synaptic function and AMPAR composition in CGCs over late-stage development. The findings shed light on the age-dependent decline in behavior observed in Shank3Δex4–22 KO mice, along with specific microglial changes in the cerebellum. These findings enhance our understanding of the cerebellar mechanisms involved in SHANK3-related neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and PMS, offering potential treatment targets
DEEP LEARNING POWERED IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF EARLY DIFFERENTIATED GERM LAYERS FROM PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS
No full textPluripotent stem cells can differentiate into all three germ layers: ecto-, meso-, and endoderm. These germ layers eventually give rise to all tissues and organs in the body, making it crucial to track their differentiation in personalized regenerative medicine. Rapid identification and characterization of lineage commitment, with single cell resolution, in response to physical and chemical cues remain challenging. Therefore, it limits high-throughput screening for lineage specification to determine differentiation efficiency. In this work, we present a deep learning (DL) based approach to identify and classify early differentiated germ layer cells derived from pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We utilized two transgenic stem cell lines called OGTR1 and OGR1 and differentiated these into three germ layers. We validated the lineage identity through the upregulation of marker genes: Sox1 for ectoderm, Gata6 for endoderm, and endogenous expression of Brachyury (T) for mesoderm. After that, we utilized two image modalities, namely, phase-contrast and nucleus images, and developed convolutional neural networks (CNNs), including InceptionV3 and ResNet50, to obtain classification accuracies of up to 97% for phase-contrast images and 90% for nucleus images from single cells and cell clusters. In addition, for a more visually expressive result, we implemented Attention UNet for image segmentation and achieved a mean intersection over union (mIoU) score of 61% for the phase-contrast and 69% for nucleus images. We employed Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) to visualize model predictions to find out important areas of the cells necessary for class prediction, enhancing the transparency of the prediction. Finally, we evaluated the impact of dataset size, image augmentation intensity, and image bit-depth on prediction confidence. Our work systematically integrates DL with high-resolution optical imaging and molecular validation (of the gene expression) that offers a powerful tool for rapid and high-throughput identification of germ layer-specific single cells, thus advancing applications in tissue engineering andregenerative medicine