cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-620567
title: Deterministic mathematical optimization in stochastic network control

description: In this thesis, we extend the recently developed  Lyapunov optimization technique (also known as Max-Weight or Backpressure) for stochastic queueing networks in two important directions: (1) guaranteeing small network delay; and (2) resolving underflows. ❧ To achieve our objective, we first establish an explicit connection between the Lyapunov technique and a randomized dual subgradient method. Based on this connection, we develop a novel exponential attraction result,  which states that the network queue backlog under a Lyapunov algorithm  deviates from a certain fixed point with a probability that decreases exponentially in the deviation distance. Inspired by the exponential attraction result, we develop three delay-efficient algorithms and show that they achieve near-optimal utility-delay tradeoffs for a general class of multi-hop communication networks. One of the algorithms has also been implemented on a sensor network testbed and was shown to be able to guarantee very small network delay in practical systems. ❧ We later consider the problem of resolving underflows in general complex network scheduling problems. In this case, we propose the weight perturbation technique and develop the Perturbed Max-Weight algorithm (PMW). We show that PMW  effectively resolves underflow constraints without sacrificing utility performance. We then apply the perturbation technique to construct utility optimal scheduling algorithms for two important classes of networks -- stochastic processing networks  and energy harvesting networks.  ❧ The results developed in this thesis highlight the importance of Lagrange multiplier engineering in queueing networks. Specifically, our results show that the queues under the Lyapunov technique indeed correspond to the Lagrange multiplier values under the randomized dual subgradient method. This not only helps us better understand the Lyapunov technique, but also gives us general guidelines on how should one design its algorithm to achieve the desire properties of the queues.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-627825
title: Production and characterization of proinsulin-transferrin fusion protein

description: A transferrin-based fusion protein, proinsulin-transferrin (ProIns-Tf) had been constructed using recombinant protein technology in our laboratory. Based on the in vitro preliminary results, ProIns-Tf reduced glucose production in H4IIE liver cells and increased glucose uptake in adipocytes. These potent effects were achieved by conversion of the ProIns moiety to an active Ins-like moiety through the mechanism of TfR-mediated endocytosis. Therefore, ProIns-Tf showed great potential for diabetes therapeutics. However, it was also observed that the preparation of this fusion protein also produced a large amount of protein impurities which might have impeding effects on the further characterization studies. ❧ In this report, ProIns-Tf fusion protein was purified using the polyhistidine tag technique. The hexahistidine tag (6xHis tag) was bound to the C-terminus of Tf domain through mutagenic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and recombinant DNA technology. After the protein expression and purification processes, the protein analysis results indicated that the purity of ProIns-Tf was significantly enhanced. In addition, through the transferrin receptor (TfR) competitive binding assay, we found that the insertion of C-terminal 6xHis tag did not interfere with the binding affinity of Tf domain to TfR. Therefore, it was concluded that the His-tag purification is a suitable approach to improve the purity of Tf-based fusion protein. ❧ Furthermore, by comparing the results to previous studies in our laboratory, we also noticed that the TfR binding affinity of our Tf-based fusion proteins - ProIns-Tf, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor- Tf (G-CSF-Tf) and human growth hormone-Tf (hGH-Tf) - had a positive correlation to the molecular weight of the bound protein domain. It also implies that the beneficial effects of the TfR-mediated endocytosis should be limited by the size of Tf-bound protein drug. As a result, molecular weight of protein drug will be considered as an important criterion for the design of future Tf-based recombinant fusion proteins.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-628231
title: Dynamic analyses of cognition and mortality in the oldest old

description: This study examined the interrelations between cognition and mortality in a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population aged 70 and older. A distinct feature of this dataset is the gradual passing away of the participants over seven waves of longitudinal data collection (1993-2006). To account for this particular type of attrition in the modeling of longitudinal cognitive data, three different statistical models were used: latent curve models, change point models, and joint growth and survival models. After these, survival times for these participants were predicted using traditional survival analysis and exploratory data mining including survival trees and random forests. The results showed that episodic memory declined considerably with age, while crystallized intelligence was largely stable until about age 77 and even the decline after this point was relatively slow, which was in agreement with the aging theory of intellectual abilities (Horn & Cattell, 1966). There did not seem to be a death-driven process that was related to the deterioration in these two abilities. Consistent with many earlier findings, cognitive levels were found to be negatively associated with mortality for both episodic memory and crystallized intelligence, but only the memory slope was found to be associated with mortality. Results from different methods consistently demonstrated that cognition was a useful predictor of mortality above and beyond many known risk factors such as demographics, comorbidities, risk behaviors and functional status. The prognostic value of cognition can be potentially useful in informing clinical and policy decision making.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-653087
title: A biologically inspired role-based team strategy for pursuit-evasion in robots

description: This thesis presents a robust, scalable and general Java applet-based simulator for pursuit-evasion problems. With this tool, experiments can be conducted by simulating multi-player pursuit-evasion games in bulk. We go through the rich list of features and parameters that are implemented in the simulator, and also mention utilities like memory, particle filters etc. that are built into the system. This is followed by a discussion of the different models that have been already created using these utilities. Finally, a description of experiments that were conducted using the simulator are presented, along with the subsequent results.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c127-659491
title: Explicit airtime allocation in 802.11-based wireless networks

description: Wireless technology has become an essential part of everyday life. The growth in the availability of wireless networks, the number of wireless devices, and the number of users leads to a stronger demand for better performance. However, the shared nature of the wireless channel among multiple transmitters makes it hard for wireless networks to provide fair, throughput-efficient and energy-efficient performance.  ❧ In this dissertation, we explore how wireless channel resource management can help to improve performance in terms of fairness, throughput and energy-efficiency for 802.11-based wireless networks. Specifically, we investigate traffic management and energy management using explicit airtime allocation as a method of wireless channel resource management for multi-hop wireless mesh networks and centralized WLANs domains. ❧ We first introduce CNA, a lightweight mechanism that allows unmodified TCP to work efficiently in multi-hop wireless networks. CNA explicitly allocates the wireless channel resource represented by airtime to each active pair of communicating neighbors in a wireless neighborhood, so that it enables TCP to improve fairness and throughput while mitigating interference. ❧ Next, we present POLICE, a passive on-line method for determining the conflict graph in centralized WLANs. Accurate interference relationship inferred by POLICE enables designing an interference-aware traffic management with explicit airtime allocation for centralized WLANs. ❧ We also describe Snooze, an application-agnostic energy management technique for 802.11n. In Snooze, the AP monitors traffic on the WLAN and explicitly schedules airtime for each client, so that clients can sleep in order to improve energy-efficiency when they are not scheduled to use the wireless channel.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-120682
title: Personal therapy among social workers: Incidence and practice patterns a descriptive study
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-147772
title: Participating and non-participating fathers in a child guidance clinic
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-150623
title: A study of how encountered individuals use and perceive the dialogue technique
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-350359
title: Sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among Black men who have sex with men

description: In the United States (U.S.), men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 80% of all estimated HIV prevalence among males and 67% of all HIV diagnoses. MSM also continue to experience a disproportionate burden of HIV and sexually transmitted infections compared to the general population in the U.S. Among U.S. MSM, Black men are disproportionately burdened by HIV and STI cases compared with MSM from other racial/ethnic groups. Despite knowing that behavioral risks for acquiring or transmitting HIV and STIs via condomless anal sex vary according to sexual positioning practices, there is limited information regarding the relationship between sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among Black MSM. A greater understanding of the profiles, dynamics, and variables underlying sexual positioning practices and the ways in which those manifest to contribute to HIV and STI risk is needed. In order to address some of the gaps in the research on sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among Black MSM, this research included three complementary studies that explored the profiles and dynamics of sexual positioning practices among Black MSM. Study 1 utilized latent class analysis to statistically capture the profiles of sexual positioning practices among a sample of bisexually active Black men. Study 2 utilized qualitative methodology to explore sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among a sample of HIV-negative Black MSM. Study 3 also used qualitative methods to explore sexual positioning practices along the life course of Black MSM. Overall, the findings of this research suggested that there are a wide range of distal and proximal forces that affected sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among Black MSM, including age, HIV status, partner type, partner attraction, substance use, and a part of personal development along the course of their lives, as suggested in part by data presented in a narrative review from Dangerfield II et. al (2016). Future research directions and implications of the findings are discussed.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-354288
title: Reducing harms caused by opioids through physician education: a gap analysis of physician underutilization of the California Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System

description: The United States is facing an unprecedented epidemic of overdose deaths from prescription drugs and heroin. Recently, attention has been focused on the role of physicians in the current opioid crisis confronting our nation. The aim of this project was on one approach intended to reduce opioid harms through physician use of a prescription drug monitoring program known in California as the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). This project was a modified gap analysis consisting of a literature review as well as surveys and interviews of physicians. The purpose of the project was to determine facilitators or impediments to more pronounced utilization of CURES in the dimensions of knowledge, motivation, and organization, also known as Clark and Estes’ (2008) KMO framework. This project finds several needs relating to physicians use of CURES in all three dimensions, most notably in the areas of conceptual knowledge, physician self-efficacy, value, and organizational barriers. Findings related to this project are limited to physicians who chose to participate in the study. Due to small sample size, further research is recommended, as the results are not generalizable to the population in the area of the workgroup or the entire state. Based on the findings, in combination with the review of literature, however, this project recommends outreach and training for physicians as well as policy changes at the California Department of Justice to bolster use of the database.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-356445
title: Product re-launch plan for the WIN app

description: This thesis is a product re-launch plan for the WIN app. Developed by Our Children LA, the WIN app aims to provide homeless youth in the Los Angeles area with a faster and more effective way of finding resources they need. The app did not get much attention at its launch, so this product re-launch plan is written to help the app reach its intended audience and at the same time help propel social service system change.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-367130
title: African American community college students' experiences with professorial radical care

description: This study’s purpose was to document African American community college student experiences related to new theory at the nexus of relational care theory and BlackCrit, specifically, radical care theory. Faculty-student relational care experiences have demonstrated significant power to both support and empower historically minoritized African American students in community college. Impactful faculty-student relationships positively influence students in academics, their personal lives, and as members of the African American community. Utilizing a framework of care theory and BlackCrit with corresponding critical methodology, this study determined that radical care interactions between faculty members and students affirms students such that they perform better academically, realize positive effects in their personal lives, and engage differently as members of the Black community, both on and off-campus. Results demonstrate the significant importance of college faculty member selection aligned to those who demonstrate reciprocal, genuine care in their work with students. It further highlights the imperative of professional development dedicated both to enhancing academe awareness of radical care, and to the development of radical care attributes in community college faculty. Dedicated radical care serves to counters deficit thinking and opportunity gaps existing between African American community college students and peers of other races. The study open avenues for further exploration of radical care among and between other historically marginalized groups, and for continued research into radical care singularity, that is, care proffered by professors of the same race. Radical care principles are widely applicable and provide opportunities for study between classified staff members and students.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-371804
title: Black students' perceptions of challenges in pursuing a law degree: an interpretation through marronage

description: This study applies the conceptual framework of Positive Deviance, the theoretical framework of critical race theory, and the lens of marronage to understand the problem of low Black student enrollment at one American Bar Association accredited law school. The purpose of this study was to understand what current Black law students perceive to be the challenges to pursuing a legal education, as interpreted through a lens of marronage. The study also sought to understand the resources, skills and strategies Black law students utilize to overcome these challenges through the lens of marronage. This qualitative case study was informed by critical race methodology to allow 10 self-identifying Black students at a top-tier school to tell their stories through interviews. Findings indicate that Black students’ perceptions of challenges to pursuing a legal education are congruent with those identified in the literature and relate to the Law School Admission Test, the educational pipeline, law school culture, and the culture of the legal field. The findings were interpreted through the four pillars of the lens of marronage: movement, distance, property and purpose. Black law students’ perceptions of challenges to pursuing a legal education, and the skills, strategies, and resources used to mitigate these challenges through a lens of marronage provided useful implications for research and practice at all levels of the educational pipeline.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-126179
title: The forgotten few: A study of students who were enrolled in the educationally handicapped program in the Azusa Unified School District
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-153566
title: A Descriptive-Exploratory Study of USC Field Instructors' Use of Techniques in the Development of Students' Self-Awareness
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-326681
title: Nonlinear dynamic modeling of biomedical systems with Laguerre-Volterra Network

description: In this dissertation, a novel recurrent Laguerre-Volterra Network (LVN) is formulated to successfully approximate the classic Hodgkin-Huxley (H-H) model. The results indicate that the H-H model can be approximated by three essential elements: leaky integrator, action potential waveform and refractory period. Another novel method “Neuronal Mode Network” (NMN), is proposed to analyze the encoding dynamics and the functional connectivity in the human hippocampus. The model successfully predicts the neuronal firing activities. In addition, the results indicate that the slow theta oscillations may play an important role in the memory formation process. To further explore the underlying mechanisms in the hippocampus, a parametric neuronal circuit model is built to study the signal transformation from hippocampal CA3 to CA1 regions.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-366834
title: Brain structure & microcstructure, reading ability and the impact of environmental variables

description: Human development is the product of biological, environmental and genetic factors. Over the past several decades, advances in neuroimaging techniques have allowed researchers to understand how biological, environmental and genetic factors may interact to influence human brain development. Using these imaging methods, we have furthered our understanding of how changes in neural structure and function relate to cognition and behavior, and how environmental factors (e.g., home environment), may contribute to both. This dissertation focuses on the relationship between brain structure and microstructure on the one hand, and reading ability on the other. However, because reading abilities develop in a rich social context, this dissertation also examines the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) to both reading ability and brain structure, a line of investigation that has potentially important societal implications. First, however, I provide an overview of 1) brain structure and microstructure, 2) the relationship between brain structure and reading ability, and 3) the individual implications for academic achievement, before describing the implications for global prosperity.
DOI: 10.25549/usctheses-c40-373129
title: Neurobiology of anabolic-androgenic steroids and cognitive function

description: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are performance-enhancing substances and drugs of abuse. While AAS increase muscular strength and athletic performance, they also have serious effects on human health and behavior. AAS are implicated in maladaptive behavioral and cognitive changes such as increased risk taking and altered decision making. However, effects of AAS on cognition are not well understood. Studies of human AAS users are limited by an inability to control for pre-existing psychopathology and behavioral differences. Furthermore, in order to understand AAS effects on behavior, we must discover how AAS impact the brain. Thus, we employ an animal model of AAS abuse with the goal of determining AAS effects on cognition, decision making, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. We further hypothesize that AAS induce cognitive changes via effects on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system. In chapters 2 and 5 we investigate AAS effects on cognition using operant behavioral paradigms, and find altered decision making (Ch.2) and impaired cognitive flexibility (Ch. 5) in AAS-treated rats. In chapters 3 and 4 we focus on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these behavioral changes. In chapter 4 we show decreased dendritic spine density in the nucleus accumbens of AAS-treated rats. In chapter 3 we find that changes in decision-making in AAS-treated rats can be rescued by pharmacological stimulation of D2 dopamine receptors. Thus, we have demonstrated that AAS shape cognition and behavior, at least in part through effects on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1409551
title: Simulations of POPC/POPS membranes with CaCl_2.

description: Simulations of POPC/POPS (5:1, 144 lipids in total) membranes with 0, 100, 300, 1000, and 3000 mM of CaCl_2. Additionally, the systems contain 40 waters per lipid, and potassium counter ions for the anionic PS. This is an update to a previous upload in which the PS tails were reversed, so it was actually 'OPPS'. The starting configurations for the new files were generated by CHARMM-GUI.

The new and corrected files are called "PCPS_CACL_x, where x is the concentration of CaCl_2. 

Final concentrations differ from the initial as ions adsorb to the membrane. Concentration calculated as #ion/#water = [ion]/[water], where [water]=55M.

The lipid model by Maciejewski and Rog [1,2,3] was used. Topologies (.itp) were obtained from [3] and the OPPS chains were reversed (the fixed itp is included in the upload of the simulations of the same system with KCl: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1404040) to create POPS. TIP3P water was used, and the ions were modelled using default OPLS ion parameters. All  calcium-containing simulations were 600 ns long, and the last 300 ns are included in the uploaded trajectories. The calcium-free simulation was 400 ns long and uploaded in its entirety. Simulation parameters common for all systems are given in the .mdp file. Simulations were performed with Gromacs 2016.3 [4]

For each CaCl_2 concentration, the trajectory (.xtc), energy file (.edr), run input file (.tpr), index file (.ndx), topology file (.top), and the final structure (gro) are provided. 

[1] Maciejewski et al., J. Phys Chem. B 118, 2014, pp. 4571–4581, DOI: 10.1021/jp5016627 

[2] Kulig et al., Data in Brief 5, 2015, pp. 333–336, DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2015.09.013

[3] Rog et al., Data in Brief 7, 2016, pp. 1171–1174, DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2016.03.067

[4] Abraham et al., SoftwareX 1–2, 2015, pp. 19–25, DOI: 10.1016/j.softx.2015.06.001