Digital Commons Network^™

Epcam Activates The Erk-Egr1 Signaling Axis And Promotes Tnf-Α-Induced The Progression Of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Chi-Chiu Lee, Yi-Jen Su, Sushree Shankar Panda, Chiung-Yi Chiu, Chung-Hsuan Wu, Tsai-Ming Lu, Pi-Chun Li, Yen-Lin Huang, Ruey-Long Hong, Shao-Hsi Hung, Cassian Yee, Stephen Y Lai, Han-Chung Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a pleotropic transmembrane glycoprotein comprising an extracellular domain (EpEX), a single transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain (EpICD). For several types of cancer, high EpCAM expression is associated with tumor progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and overall poor prognosis. A rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), has a mean survival time of only 3–6 months after diagnosis.

Methods: The levels of EpEX and EpICD cleavage in clinical patient samples was evaluated by using tissue microarray. Capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to explore the of shedding EpEX and …

Chaos Engineering In Multi-Gigahertz Solid-State Lasers: A Novel Approach To Optoelectronic Control, Mikhail V. Gorbunkov, Yulia Ya. Maslova, Yulia A. Sinichkina

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This paper presents a comprehensive study of a multi-gigahertz chaotic generator of light pulses based on solid-state laser sources, including fiber lasers, governed by carefully designed positive and negative feedback loops. It harnesses the inherent nonlinear dynamics within a solid-state laser controlled by a combination of two inertial feedback loops, enabling the realization of complex chaotic behavior, including the logistic map scenario, under moderate amplification conditions. The laser system dynamics are rigorously investigated through theoretical modeling, employing a nonlinear map approach, and high-resolution picosecond simulations. The results of our numerical simulations highlight the efficacy of fast electro-optical feedback system with …

Unveiling The Anticancer Potential Of Syzygium Cumini: In Silico Insights Into Its Mechanistic Action Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Nur Sofiatul Aini, Win Darmanto

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most periodic type of lung cancer and the second most diagnosed cancer globally. Syzygium cumini is plant that extensively used in cuisine and traditional medicine. However, its potential for NSCLC treatment has not yet been elucidated. This study determined the potential of S. cumini as anti-NSCLC using in silico approaches. The in silico study was applied to perform active compound analysis, selection of target candidates, network pharmacology, functional annotation, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation, respectively. Based on open source databases, S. cumini contained 115 compounds and 14 of them predicted to have …

A Modular Design And Construction Framework For Enhancing The Sustainability Of National Housing Projects In Egypt, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat, Farah Ibrahim El Sahzly

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Egypt’s national housing sector faces mounting sustainability challenges due to outdated design and construction practices that cause material waste, high costs, and inefficient resource use. This study develops a framework for integrating modular design and construction principles into Egypt’s National Housing Projects (NHPs) to strengthen their social, economic, and environmental sustainability. A mixed-method approach combined a literature review, case studies, and a survey of Egyptian Architectural Design Firms (ADFs). The literature review revealed a global consensus on the benefits of modular design and construction, such as improved efficiency, reduced waste, and faster project delivery, yet found limited adoption in Egypt …

An Analysis Of Developmental Changes In Twitch Patterning During Rem Sleep, Claire Wolfer-Jenkins, Taylor Svoboda

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Straw Cover Increases Garden Soil Microbial Biodiversity, Emory Walker, Mara Welty, Emma Creviston

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Just "Beet" It? A Comparison Of Road Salt Effects On The Life History Of Daphnia Magna, Koby Sellner

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

In areas that experience snow and ice, deicing reagents such as road salts are often used on roads to promote safer driving conditions. However, road salts run off into local vegetation, soil systems, and (my focus) freshwater systems. The impacts of excess salt and chloride in freshwater have been studied extensively on a broad diversity of organisms under different conditions, but previous studies have rarely used different types of road salts. Zooplankton are primary consumers in many freshwater systems, feeding on phytoplankton and serving as prey for predator species higher in the trophic chain. These animals generally are impacted negatively …

Effects Of Alcohol Exposure On Recognition Memory And Marble-Burying Tasks In Male And Female Aged Mice, Roma Kamat, Tori Burke

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Alcohol consumption in aging humans is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. This experiment assessed the effects of binge-like alcohol drinking in aged mice on memory (using the object recognition memory [ORM] task) and on anxiety-and compulsive-like behavior (using the marble-burying task). Subjects were 8 female and 10 male mice, 14–15 months old, selectively bred for low alcohol preference (LAP). Mice consumed either tap water or a 20% alcohol (v/v) solution in tap water through a drinking in the dark (DID) procedure for 4 consecutive days per week, for 3 consecutive weeks. One and 11 days after DID, mice completed …

Immunohistochemical Analysis Of The Effects Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes On Mouse Testis, Rory E. Field, Brianna R. Demaio, Hannah R. Fioramonti, Makenna M. Landis, Jing Xu

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Because diabetes mellitus (DM) poses harm to the reproductive systems of humans and mice on both the cellular and histological levels, we sought to understand the effects of streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetes mellitus on the spermatogenesis and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) production of mice. The structural integrity of the testes is disrupted due to the high levels of oxidative stress caused by DM, which also hinders spermatogenesis. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been found to induce autophagy in Sertoli cells, and the Sertoli cells of diabetic models have fewer tight junctions between them. This disorganization and decreased integrity of the seminiferous …

Butterflies & You: Considerations Of Human Relationships With The Natural World, M. E. Colby

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Science communication only accounts for approximately 2% of the entire scientific output of 2017-2022 (Parejo-Cuéllar et. al, 2024). It is an under-researched and under-valued field, especially in an age that has devalued science as a whole. The delicate art of explaining complicated ideas to people who are unfamiliar with scientific jargon is vital to humans’ understanding of the world. Butterflies & You is a documentary film exploring the relationship between humans and the many different butterfly species that call Illinois home. Video-based science communication is important to research and practice because of its impact on environmental advocacy and the growing …

Development Of Self-Assembled Polymeric Polyplexes For Microrna Delivery: Toward Treatment Of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease, Marjina Akter Kalpana

Theses & Dissertations

Self-assembled polymeric polyplexes have the potential to serve as an RNA interference (RNAi) delivery platform for the combined inhibition of CXCR4 and miR-155 in the treatment of alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD). A central challenge in RNA delivery is balancing the extracellular stability of polyplexes, cellular uptake, and intracellular release of RNA cargo. We developed polymeric polyplexes using the CXCR4-antagonist polymer PAMD, designed to target CXCR4 on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and deliver therapeutic miRNA to activated Kupffer cells (KCs) in fibrotic liver. We improved the polyplexes by cholesterol modification of PAMD and by PEGylation of PAMD-Ch. The cholesterol modification …

Exposures, Protections, And Barriers: Advancing Understanding Of Agricultural Worker Health, Alexandra A. Farfalla

Theses & Dissertations

Farming is a hazardous occupation. Exposures are multifactorial, variable, and shaped by overlapping tasks, environments, and social contexts. This dissertation aimed to illustrate the complexity of agricultural exposures and the barriers to protective practices through three complementary studies.

The first study examined co-exposures to solvents and noise as risk factors for hearing loss (HL) among 7,495 farmers and ranchers in a 7-state region. Results indicated nearly 60% of co-exposed participants reported hearing loss, with an adjusted odds ratio nearly six-fold (OR=6.03, [4.67-7.78]) for moderate/severe HL. This work highlights the importance of recognizing chemical exposures as a modality in HL in …

Public Perception About Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy In South Central Nebraska, Rita Nnenne Oparaocha

Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The COVID-19 pandemic created a shift in the trajectory of vaccination hesitancy, altering risk perceptions and vaccination attitudes among individuals in rural communities. The 5C framework highlights confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility as influencing factors of vaccine hesitancy. This study assessed the proportion of adults who refused COVID-19 vaccination and identified the individual reasons for hesitancy among those who refused the COVID -19 vaccines in South Central Nebraska. Data was analyzed from a local cross-sectional public health survey administered to 2,034 adult participants over a six-month period (March-August 2024), including 91 respondents who were from outside the seven-county …

Two Major Ontario Hospital Labs Bought Research Dogs From U.S. Breeder With Troubled Pastdogs Bred For Scientific And Medical Testing Suffer Abuse As The Scientific Industry Increasingly Turns To Alternatives For Research., Allison Hunter, Mary Beech, Sami Marshak, Kate Morano

Capstones

The purpose-bred dog breeding industry for research is little known. Each year, thousands of dogs are bred for scientific and medical testing, supplied to research facilities by a handful of major commercial breeders. But gaps in enforcement and regulation have allowed abuses to persist, even as the industry increasingly turns to alternatives to animal testing. Animal rights advocates have been decrying the treatment of these dogs. A federal Inspector General report found lax oversight of the industry, raising further concerns about how dogs are treated. This story was reported in collaboration with the Investigative Journalism Bureau, based in Toronto, and …

Enhancing Public Health Strategies: Addressing The Rsv Burden In Alabama Through Clinical Treatment, Community Prevention, And Surveillance Approaches, Martha K. Findley Roper, Jennifer S. Dawson

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Introduction: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious pathogen driving morbidity, hospitalizations, and economic burden. This review uses the epidemiological triad and National Wastewater Surveillance System data to assess transmission, viral load spikes in Alabama, and strategies for treatment and prevention.

Methods: A review of literature on supportive care, vaccination, monoclonal antibodies, and emerging nanomedicine was reviewed to evaluate strategies for reducing viral burden and complications.

Results: Trends from December 2024–January 2025 were assessed with National Wastewater Surveillance System data. Primary prevention includes immunization, hygiene, air quality maintenance, and early diagnostics. Tertiary care addresses complications such as secondary …

The Nesting Behavior And Habitat Selection Of Wood Thrushes, Amelia Browning, Alexandra Price

Student Scholar Symposium

Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) are a species of concern in Tennessee due to many factors. Historically, their nests have been found in low-hanging branches at the edge of dense forest (Evans et al. 2020). In 2021, a Wood Thrush nest was found in Warner Parks, a 3100-acre urban park sixteen kilometers south of Nashville, TN nesting eighteen meters off the ground and thirty meters from an active trail. We wanted to learn if this unusual nest height was a common occurrence in an active area of Warner Parks or an anomaly. We decided to compare nesting behavior and habitats at …

6ppd-Quinone In Middle Tennessee Waters: Assessing Ecological Impact, Andrew Davis Todd, Raphael Marquise Chandler, Kerolos Gerges Basalos, Denise Lori Loewinger

Student Scholar Symposium

This poster presents the dangers of a toxic chemical used on car tires that is entering aquatic ecosystems and harming fish populations.

Impact Of Gas Supersaturation On The Development Of Gas Bubble Trauma In Paedomorphic Eurycea Salamanders, Trent Furr

Biology Theses

There are eleven species of paedomorphic lungless salamanders endemic to Texas. Of these, eight are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of these, the Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum), is found only in springs and aquifers in and around Austin, Texas. A large population of this species is found in Barton Springs, located in Austin, TX–where dissolved gas saturation has been measured as high as 134%. Morbidity and mortality events in Barton Springs Salamanders have been documented coinciding with periods of dissolved gas supersaturation. This study seeks to understand what environmental conditions lead to …

Rapid Detection Of Chicken Residues On Poultry Plant Surfaces Using Color And Fluorescence Spectrometry, Clark Griscom, Dongyi Wang, Corliss A. O'Bryan, Rimmo Room, Philip G. Crandall

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Color and fluorescence spectrometry were evaluated as rapid, objective tools for verifying the cleanliness of poultry-processing food-contacting surfaces contaminated with a model chicken solution across six common materials. Both techniques detected chicken residues at dilutions several orders of magnitude below human visual and olfactory thresholds, with stainless steel and blue plastic yielding the largest color differences between clean and contaminated states and fluorescence measurements remaining highly sensitive on all tested surfaces. Representative limits of detection were on the order of 1:50-1:100 dilution of chicken residue for color measurements on most surfaces and approximately 1:50 for fluorescence measurements, compared with human …

Integration Of Algae In Buildings: Challenges And Opportunities, Marwa Said Saad, Mostafa Refaat, Ashraf Nessim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Buildings produce 40% of energy-associated CO2 emissions and 35% of worldwide energy use which makes it one of the main factors of global warming. The use of bioactive materials on building façades is a creative way to address the aforementioned problems. The biotechnical potential of microalgae architecture to achieve net-zero energy architecture while simultaneously advancing ecological sustainability and occupant well-being has drawn attention. This paper aims to analyzing and investigating techniques of integration of algae in architecture showing the challenges and opportunities of this implementation. Analytical and Comparative analytical method were used in this paper, Initially, a thorough literature review …

Utilizing Hot Water Treatment Methods On Shallow Rooted Herbaceous Invasive Species In Temperate Deciduous Forests, Ana Manning

Student Scholar Symposium

Abstract

People have been searching for new and innovative ways to control

invasive plant species for centuries. These methods have been categorized into three sections: mechanical,

biological, and chemical. The changing landscape of invasive plant management requires industry professionals to consider innovative technologies when developing their integrated pest management plans. The hypothesis of this research is that utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow-rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests will produce equal or better results than traditional integrated pest management methodologies. Six research plots in two locations were developed to test the Heatweed® hot water treatment tool on …

Measuring Welfare Of Wild Tarantulas During Field Surveys Using Heart Rate, Tim Angelo Artiaga Lopez, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Tarantulas (Theraposidae) are predatory arachnids that can help control populations of herbivorous arthropods. We have been monitoring populations of the Missouri brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) in Missouri glades for three seasons and have questions about their welfare during these surveys. Unlike mammals, arthropods are not extensively researched and there are only a few known facts about measuring their welfare. Managing stress for wild animals during field surveys is important for reducing the potential negative impacts of research. In mammals, increased heart rate is positively correlated with negative stress and eustress. Using the same logic, we hypothesized that heart rate could …

Habitat Disturbance And Biodiversity In Glade Habitats, Maddie Smith, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Ozark glades are home to a variety of reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and invertebrates such as tarantulas and scorpions. Glade inhabitants face challenges like habitat fragmentation and degradation, but they could be facing even bigger challenges as outdoor recreation becomes more popular. People looking for wildlife to photograph or collect often look under rocks without leaving them how they were found. This study focused on monitoring rock disturbance at two protected glades- Shaw Nature Preserve and a more accessible undisclosed glade in Jefferson County. Disturbing the glade habitat to look for wildlife is prohibited at both sites. Twenty rocks at …

Dual-Task Exercise Protects Healthy Older Adults Against In-Creased Risk For Dementia: A Controlled Trial, Helen Tatiane Santos Pontes, João Bento-Torres, Naina Yuki Vieira Jardim, Victor Oliveira Da Costa, Josilayne Patricia Ramos Carvalho, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço-Diniz, Natáli Valim Oliver Bento-Torres

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Functionality in aging is closely linked to the ability to divide attention during multitasking activities, which are essential for activities of daily life. However, coordination between motor and cognitive simultaneous tasks decreases with age, impairing functional ability and restricting older adults' participation and healthy aging. This study aimed to assess the effects of a multimodal dual-task exercise intervention on motor and cognitive dual-task costs and its potential to mitigate age-related declines in healthy older adults. Materials and Methods: A controlled trial was conducted with community-dwelling older adults assigned to either the Dual-Task Exercise group, which participated in a 24-session …

Pioneering Insights Into The Complexities Of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension: Central Nervous System Mechanisms And Dietary Bioactive Compound Interventions, Renjun Wang, Bo Xu, Xiping Liu, Qi Guo, Gregory Miodonski, Zhiying Shan, Dongshu Du, Qing Hui Chen

Michigan Tech Publications

Salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) is an important and common subtype of hypertension, whose pathogenesis involves multi-level regulation, including the central nervous system (CNS), metabolic stress, and epigenetics. Dietary bioactive compounds have emerged as a research hotspot for SSH intervention due to their safety and multi-target effects. Although existing studies have focused on the CNS regulation of SSH or the role of individual dietary components, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis integrating multiple mechanisms, systematically summarizing multiple compounds, and incorporating a clinical translation perspective. This review first outlines the mechanisms of CNS pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic …

Using Rhizobia Seed Coatings And Soil Amendments To Combat Herbicide Toxicity For Native Legume Establishment, Ryan Matthew Glover

Theses and Dissertations

Dryland ecosystems face widespread degradation from historical mismanagement, climate change, and invasive species proliferation. Although herbicides effectively control invasive annual weeds, they often suppress the establishment of desirable perennial species, limiting restoration success. Legumes enhanced with rhizobia inoculants offer a promising approach to overcome these challenges by facilitating nitrogen fixation, improving soil microbial communities, and potentially mitigating herbicide stress. We conducted paired greenhouse and field experiments to evaluate whether rhizobia seed coatings improve the establishment of three legume species Astragalus cicer (Cicer Milkvetch), Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin), and Medicago sativa (Alfalfa), in soils treated with imazapic and glyphosate. In the greenhouse, …

Differences In Lactation Curve Parameters And Milk Yield Responses Between Artificially Induced And Naturally Calved Cows Milked In An Automatic Milking System, Marcos Busanello

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Despite advances in artificial induction of lactation (AIL) protocols, they do not perfectly mimic the hormonal patterns of natural pregnancy. Recent studies show improved milk yield (MY) responses; however, comparisons of lactation curve parameters between AIL and naturally calved (NC) cows often do not extend beyond 305 days in milk (DIM). Thus, this study aimed to compare MY responses and lactation curve parameters between AIL and NC cows milked in an automated milking system (AMS). Data from 38 Holstein cows (19 AIL and 19 NC) were analyzed, focusing on the 305 DIM period. Wood’s lactation curve model was used to …

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Of Bacterial Isolates And Molecular Detection Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections Of Canines, Mankaran Kaur, Gursimran Filia, Ashok Kumar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly encountered in canine clinical cases and can result in significant health complications if not properly treated. This study isolated and identified bacterial pathogens from dogs with clinical signs of UTI. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling was performed on the bacterial isolates and further molecular detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was also performed. A total of 104 urine samples were collected via cystocentesis and catheterization. Bacterial identification was conducted using standard bacteriological procedures, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disc diffusion method with 21 different antimicrobial discs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for …

Evaluation Of Blood-To-Fluid Gradient Of Glucose And Lactate As Biomarkers In The Early Diagnosis Of Septic Peritonitis In Dogs, Silpa Sn, Sujata Turkar, Neetu Saini, Sushma Chhabra, Kuldip Gupta, Gursimran Filia

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Septic peritonitis is a serious, life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for the survival of the affected animal. The present study analyzed the use of a blood-to-fluid gradient of glucose and lactate as a biomarker in the diagnosis of septic peritonitis. Thirteen dogs with septic peritonitis and nine dogs with aseptic peritonitis were included in this study. Blood-to-fluid glucose gradient was significantly high, and blood-to-fluid lactate gradient was significantly low in septic peritonitis compared with the aseptic peritonitis. A blood-to-fluid glucose gradient of ≥12 mg/dL showed 100% sensitivity and 55.6% specificity, whereas a blood-to-fluid lactate …

Determination Of The Cecal Microbiota Profile Of Anadolu-T Broiler Breeder Chickens Using 16s Metagenomic Sequencing, Kürşat Teti̇k, İsmai̇l Özkan, Serpi̇l Kahya Demi̇rbi̇lek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The gut microbiota has significant effects on the performance, health status, and immune systems of chickens. The complex microbial community structure begins to form after chicks hatch with the intake of feed, water, and air into the digestive system. Disrupting the balance of this system can lead to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Until recently, studies on microbiota relied on traditional microbiological techniques that cultured only a small fraction of the microbial diversity. However, significant advancements in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled the identification of diverse bacterial populations in environmental samples. In this study, a total of 2000 broiler …