Digital Commons Network^™

Navigating Structure, Function, And Stability: Bridging Immunotherapy And Protein Engineering In The Era Of Machine Learning, Christopher J. Haynie

Theses and Dissertations

The immune system is a remarkably adaptive network, yet it often fails to function optimally due to evasion strategies of pathogens or mutated cells. Many of these evasion strategies involve alterations in protein expression and function. Protein design is an area of computational biology with potential applications in improving protein function and therapeutic protein engineering. This thesis explores methods to enhance immune function and protein design across multiple scales, from molecular engineering of antibody fragments and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to cellular immune responses, and computational approaches for protein structure optimization. We characterize Thymidine Kinase 1-specific single-chain antibodies, highlighting both …

Vermicomposting, Hayley Waldbillig, Roslynn Brain, Scott Kent, Roslynn Brain Mccann

All Current Publications

Vermicomposting, or worm composting as it is more commonly known, is the process of using worms to break down discarded food and other organic wastes and convert them into compost and liquid fertilizers.

Farm Tour Evaluation Tool For Agricultural Awareness, Hannah Eason, Jessica Ryals, Yvette Goodiel, Lauren Butler, John Diaz, Marilyn Swisher

Journal of Extension

Educational farm tours offer learning opportunities that cannot be duplicated in a classroom setting. Developing a consistent farm tour evaluation tool is paramount to quantifying individual Extension farm tours while also providing a common platform to measure outcomes and impacts nationally and over time. An IRB-approved farm tour evaluation tool was developed to capture agricultural awareness and used to evaluate the 2022 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting/Professional Improvement Conference (NACAA AM/PIC) tours. The evaluation tool attempts to quantify farm tour outcomes and impacts and demonstrate the value of agriculture to decision makers, consumers, and community members.

Interpreting Extension Professionals' Viewpoints On Agricultural Climate Change Programming, Aaron B. Wilson, Alli Wenman, Samuel Pratsch, Kenneth Genskow, Patrick Robinson, Dennis Todey, Laurie Nowatzke, Namah Chiamo Taku-Forchu, Moses Wanyakha

Journal of Extension

We evaluated Extension professionals' attitudes and beliefs from Midwestern "1862" land-grant universities around three themes: prioritizing climate programming, farmers' perceptions, and the role of Extension leadership in building capacity to integrate climate change into programs. Using key informant interviews and a two-hour virtual workshop, we developed 'coordinate planes' to illustrate the tensions and contradictions among the three themes, with participants expressing highly diverse viewpoints across the region. Results identify the need for Extension leadership to support multi-state programs and shared resources that provide consistent guidance and expectations around climate change programming while recognizing the intrinsic state context and values.

The Land-Grant University’S Role In Lifelong Workforce Development In Food, Agriculture, And Natural Resources: Leveraging The Relationship Between Academic And Extension Programs, T. Grady Roberts, Debra M. Barry, J.C. Bunch, Suzanna Browning, Jason C. Dossett, R. G. (Tre) Easterly Iii, Cassandra Goff, Carla Jagger, Juan Montealegre, Brian E. Myers, Heather Nesbitt, Jason Steward, Jessica Switzer

Journal of Extension

Today’s food, agriculture, and natural resources (FANR) workforce is constantly evolving. Lifelong learning is no longer a lofty goal but is now a necessity. Colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities have the potential to meet the lifelong learning needs of the FANR workforce. In this article, we present a model where the academic and Extension components of colleges of agriculture at land-grant universities can link together to provide seamless lifelong workforce development. Our model is built on workforce development theory and is based on the traditions of the land-grant universities evolving to meet the needs of the people. Our model …

Nebraska Extension Tractor And Equipment Safety Certification Course – Measuring Long-Term Impact And Implementing Improvements, Rebecca Bonacci, Ellen Duysen, Bri Parr, Susan Harris, Aaron Yoder

Journal of Extension

Many jobs in agriculture have been deemed too hazardous for children younger than 16 years. A waiver allowing 14- and 15- year-old youth to work on farms requires safety course certification. [Redacted] Extension has partnered with a NIOSH funded Agricultural Safety Center to provide an annual tractor and equipment safety course across [Redacted]. To gauge impact, a survey addressed questions regarding the program's long-term impact, perceived value, injuries, close calls, recommendations for improvement and adoption and implementation of safety practices. The results have led to improved programming. The findings provide a roadmap to establish effective tractor and equipment certification programs.

Is There An Extension Discount For Agricultural Economics Faculty?, Siun Lee, Jeffrey Hyde, Yangxuan Liu, Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr, Wendong Zhang

Journal of Extension

Salary is an important aspect of one’s decision to pursue a particular career. This work compares the salaries of Agricultural Economics faculty members with and without Extension responsibilities across 19 departments in the US. We find that mean salaries for those with Extension appointments are significantly less than those without Extension appointments, ranging from a difference of $5,065 for assistant professors to $14,532 for full professors. We encourage administrators to acknowledge this “Extension Discount” and, if desired, make intentional decisions to reduce it. Doing so would serve to address recruiting challenges for Agricultural Economics Extension positions.

Managed Online Panel Discussions As A Participatory Education Approach, Melissa M. Kreye, Kathryn Brooks, Eric Burkhart, Jesse Kreye, Allyson Muth, Calvin Norman, Sanford Smith, Scott Weikert

Journal of Extension

We assessed the social learning benefits provided by online panel discussions, where topics and questions on forestry issues were collected from the audience, but the discussions were limited to the people on the panel. We also examined the influence of different panelists including experts, extension professionals and peers. Findings indicate that the panels advanced understanding of issues, but also generated a variety of social benefits (e.g., validation, self-awareness, empathy, passion) that supported views about sustainable forestry and stewardship. Panels that involve peers and extension professionals were slightly better at generating a productive social learning environment, compared to panels containing experts.

Understanding Perceptions About And The Practice Of Integrated Pest Management And Biological Control Of The Filth-Breeding Flies By Individuals Involved In The Equine Industry In The United States, Virgillia Adele Beyer-Junfin, Theresa Pesl Murphrey, David Lawver, Barry Boyd, Amy Boren-Alpizar, Rilee Hall, Audra W. Richburg

Journal of Extension

Filth-breeding flies pose significant health risks and costs in the equine industry. Although an arsenal of management strategies exists, integrated pest management (IPM) utilizing biological control (BC) offers cost and labor efficient pest control for equine facilities. Yet, little data exists on IPM adoption across the equine industry in the United States. This quantitative study examines the knowledge, perceptions, and adoption of IPM of those involved in the equine industry. Findings reveal knowledge barriers and time constraints as major preventatives. Preferred communication channels for IPM information are also identified. Recommendations are made for further research and practice in IPM and …

Introducing Neuro Social Work: A Brief Reflection On Neuroscience And The Profession, Priscila Llamosa

Social Work Faculty Publications

Neuroscience offers language and evidence that can strengthen interdisciplinary communication, support advocacy in biomedically dominated settings, and validate relational practices long recognized in social work, including the impacts of early adversity, attachment, and healing through connection. At the same time, an epistemological tension underlies the profession’s unease with neuroscience when brain-based narratives are used to individualize structural harm or justify surveillance of marginalized families and communities. This teaching note introduces Neuro Social Work as a justice-oriented specialization that integrates contemporary neuroscience with social work’s person-in-environment commitments, relational practice traditions, and anti-oppressive ethics.The author argues that the key question is no …

Multiomic Analysis Reveals A Key Bcat1 Role In Mtor Activation By B Cell Receptor And Tlr9, Rui Guo, Yizhe Sun, Matthew Y Lim, Hardik Shah, Joao A Paulo, Rahaman A Ahmed, Weixing Li, Yuchen Zhang, Haopeng Yang, Liang Wei Wang, Daniel Strebinger, Nicholas A Smith, Meng Li, Merrin Man Long Leong, Michael Lutchenkov, Jin Hua Liang, Zhixuan Li, Yin Wang, Rishi Puri, Ari Melnick, Michael R Green, John M Asara, Adonia E Papathanassiu, Duane R Wesemann, Steven P Gygi, Vamsi K Mootha, Benjamin E Gewurz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

B lymphocytes play major adaptive immune roles, producing antibodies and driving T cell responses. However, how immunometabolism networks support B cell activation and differentiation in response to distinct receptor stimuli remains incompletely understood. To gain insights, we systematically investigated acute primary human B cell transcriptional, translational, and metabolomic responses to B cell receptor (BCR), TLR9, CD40-ligand (CD40L), IL-4, or combinations thereof. T cell-independent BCR/TLR9 costimulation, which drives malignant and autoimmune B cell states, highly induced transaminase branched chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1), which localized to lysosomal membranes to support branched chain amino acid synthesis and mTORC1 activation. BCAT1 inhibition …

Advances In The Discovery Of Active Natural Products By Large Fragment Cloning, Dandan Zeng, Jiayu Chen, Tianlu Mo

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Active natural products have diverse structures and activities and can be a major source of small molecule drugs.Given the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria and superbacteria,there is an urgent need to develop new active natural products.Large fragment cloning has been an important tool for the discovery of active natural products in recent years,and it has demonstrated obvious advantages in obtaining the biosynthetic gene clusters of active natural products.This approach,combined with efficient cluster-targeted screening methods,has significantly accelerated the discovery of active natural products.This review summarizes a wide variety of active natural products.Furthermore,this paper elaborates on the principles and applications of several …

A Zif- 8 Electrode Immobilizing Enzyme For Detection Of Glucose Solution In Food, Tingmei Ma, Shouxin Tang, Wenpan Shi, Yuchen Ma, Haijun Du

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] The aim was to construct an electrochemical sensor based on a metal-organic framework-modified electrode for the highly sensitive detection of glucose solution in beverages.[Method ] An electrochemical sensor based on ZIF- 8 composite carbon nanotubes and immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx ) was prepared by in-situ synthesis and immobilized enzyme technology.The microstructure and morphology of the material were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD ),scanning electron microscopy (SEM ),UV-Vis spectroscopy,and infrared spectrometry (IR).The electrochemical performance of the electrode immobilizing enzyme was tested by electrochemical workstation.[Result ] The prepared electrode immobilizing enzyme showed excellent detection performance for glucose solution,with a limit …

Immunomodulatory Effects And Marker Components Of Alcohol Extract From Acanthopanax Senticosus (Rupr . Et Maxim .) Harms- Ganoderma Applanatum (Pers.) Pat., Lihong Wang, Kairui Sheng, Ming Lu, Jin Su, Yang Ping, Yu Zhang, Ji Zhao, Yixia Gong

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] The aim of this study was to analyze the compositional changes of the alcohol extracts of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr.et Maxim.) Harms (APS )-Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat.(GA) before and after compounding at a mass ratio of 5∶1 (mAPS∶mGA=5∶1) and to investigate the immunomodulatory effects and marker components of the extracts.[Method ] The mouse models of compromised immunity and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH ) were established with cytoxan (CTX ) and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB ),respectively,to investigate the effects of the alcohol extracts on the immune system.Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS ) was used to analyze the changes of the active ingredients …

Effects And Differences Of (+)-Catechin And (-)-Epicatechin On Antioxidant Activity Of Hek 293t Cells, Chang Sun, Ning Xia, Chao Wang, Fengxian Qin, Chengyu Lyu, Jian Liu, Tiezhu Li

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to investigate the effects and differences of the natural antioxidant (+)-catechin and its isomer (-)-epicatechin on the antioxidant activity of HEK 293T cells based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE ) pathway.[Method ] The effects of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin on the viability of HEK 293T cells were investigated via the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT ) assay.Reporter genes were employed to investigate the regulatory effects on the activation of ARE.The effects of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin on the mRNA and proteins levels of the downstream factors [glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM …

Effects Of Shaping And Baking Processes On The Antioxidant Activity Of Round Roasted Green Tea, Jun Liu, Gong Feng, Rong Tan, Weihong Huang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study investigated the effects of shaping and baking processes on the antioxidant activity of round roasted green tea,aiming to provide theoretical support and practical reference for improving the quality and optimizing the processing techniques of green tea.[Method ] The influences of different processing stages and key procedures such as shaping and baking on the antioxidant activity of round roasted green tea were studied.A zebrafish model (in vivo ) and multiple indexes including DPPH radical scavenging rate,ABTS ⁺ radical scavenging rate,and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP ) were employed for comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant activity.[Result ] …

Optimization Of Processing Technology And Analysis Of Volatile Components In Jinxuan Black Tea Cream, Yunxian Wang, Yunxiong Zhao, Lianfeng Luo, Baogui Liu, Jingjing Yang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study is intended to optimize the preparation process of Jinxuan black tea cream,enhance the content of tea polyphenols,and compare the effects of different processing methods on the volatile components of the tea cream.[Method ] With dried Jinxuan black tea as the raw material,response surface methodology was adopted to examine the impacts of tea-to-water ratio,enzyme dosage,ultrasonic power,and ultrasonic duration on the mass fraction of tea polyphenols in the black tea cream.Furthermore,headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME ) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS ) was employed to detect and analyze the volatile components in the black tea cream samples processed …

How Can Smart Resilience Cities Provide Sdgs? An Integrative Framework Regarding Climate Change Mitigation, Asmaa M. Hassan, Manar A. Kotb

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Urbanization and climate change influence public health and wellbeing, which presents challenges facing architects and urban planners towards providing sustainable and resilient cities. In this context, smart city concept has been adopted to contribute to mitigating such influence. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis within the previous scope. Then an integrative framework for climate change mitigation towards resilient smart cities based on SDGs is accomplished. The results indicate that further efforts are needed to develop “smart tools”, “urban economy”, and “carbon footprint. In addition, the proposed framework provides a significant paradigm shift towards mitigation of climate change impacts, …

Mmp-7 Expression And Rs11225307 Polymorphism In Breast Cancer And Fibroadenoma: A Molecular Study In Basrah, Iraq, Heba Jassam, Wijdan Nazar Ibraheim, Mazin Hawwaz Abdulridha, Rafid Adil Abood, Karam B. Nanjem

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Breast cancer (BC) progression relies heavily on extracellular matrix degradation, mediated in part by matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7). While overexpression of MMP-7 has been implicated in multiple cancers, data from Middle Eastern populations remain limited.

This study examined MMP-7 gene expression and polymorphism patterns, with emphasis on rs11225307, in breast cancer versus benign fibroadenoma (FA) tissues among women in Basrah, Iraq. Thirty-seven BC and twenty-three FA patients were enrolled. MMP-7 mRNA expression was quantified using qRT-PCR and normalized to β-actin, while polymorphisms were analyzed through Sanger sequencing of eight SNPs and allele-specific PCR for rs11225307. Statistical significance was set at …

Effect Of Chronic Heat Stress On Duodenal Epithelial Barrier Integrity In Low- And High-Water-Efficient Broiler Chickens, Lulu Liu, Elizabeth S. Greene, Brooklee Roach, Sara Orlowski, Sami Dridi

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Heat stress (HS) has long posed a significant challenge to the poultry industry due to its adverse effects, such as depressed feed intake, decreased growth performance, and increased water consumption. Water efficiency (WE, conversion of water intake into body weight gain), although often neglected, is a key economic and production trait that is significantly affected by HS. Recently, we selected two broiler lines for high WE (HWE) and low WE (LWE) and showed a differential hypothalamic expression of genes involved in water homeostasis regulation. As the gut also plays a significant role in water absorption, the present study aimed to …

In Vitro Antiviral Activity Of Cat’S Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa) Bark Extract Against Human Influenza A Virus, Juliann N. Makau, Keith K. Talaam, Mike Odiwuor, Janet M. Majanja, Sophia Musenjeri, Ratika Rahmasari, Samoel A. Khamadi, Ken Watanabe

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Influenza A viruses mutate very fast and this leads to the development of resistance to antivirals, hence the need to find new therapeutics. Due to their extensive traditional use, natural products are crucial resources for the discovery of drugs. Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), is a tropical vine known for various health benefits and in this study we evaluated its anti-influenza activity. Pulverized material of the stem bark was extracted using 80% ethanol, hot water, and 1% sodium bicarbonate. The extracts were dried and dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide before testing for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity using crystal violet assay. The …

Nepenthes Megastoma (Nepenthaceae), A Micro-Endemic Pitcher Plant From Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan, Philippines, John Charles A. Altomonte, John Paul R. Collantes, Vernaluz Mangussad, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, Alastair S. Robinson

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

Nepenthes megastoma is described and illustrated as a new species from the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan Philippines. This carnivorous tropical pitcher plant is currently known from just three locations in the Mount Saint Paul karst formation, where it grows on vertical limestone walls. Morphologically, N. megastoma is characterised by its highly branched stems, campanulate pitchers, peltate tendril exsertion, dimorphic upper pitchers, and unidirectionally upturned female flowers. It is assessed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria, based on its restriction to three subpopulations comprising few total individuals. Pitcher morphology …

Cv: Philip Blankenship (Behavioral Neuroscience), Philip Blankenship

Psychology Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Heritage-Based City Branding Case Study Of Fayoum City, Menna Mounir, Sameir Hammad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Uniqueness and distinction have become fundamental requirements in promoting and branding cities. Influencing people's perceptions is best achieved by reinforcing the city's identity. This identity is the main component that can transform any ‘space’ into a ‘place’. Promoting a city should extend to highlighting the Heritage, landscape, religious sites, pathways, cuisine, inhabitants, activities, and personal experiences. These elements collectively express the city spirit and enrich visitors’ experience.

This study aims to enhance the image of heritage-based cities by exploring the potential for city branding and leveraging heritage to boost the national economy.

Fayoum was selected as a case study for …

Assessing The Role Of Social Media As A Complementary Source In Pharmacovigilance: Insights From Faers, X (Formerly Twitter), And Askapatient Data Across Multiple Drug Classes, Nwanneka Okere

Dissertations

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose significant public health challenges yet remain substantially underreported in traditional pharmacovigilance systems. Social media platforms and patient-reported outcome forums have emerged as potential complementary sources for capturing real-time patient experiences with medications, but their integration with established surveillance systems remains underexplored.

Purpose: This study examined ADR reporting patterns across FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), X (formerly Twitter), and Askapatient to evaluate whether patient-generated digital data can complement traditional pharmacovigilance systems for enhanced drug safety monitoring.

Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design analyzed 107,753 reports representing 289,740 individual ADR occurrences for …

Development Of A Targeted Bioprotac Degrader Selective For Misfolded Sod1, Christen G Chisholm, Rachael Bartlett, Mikayla L Brown, Emma-Jayne Proctor, Natalie E Farrawell, Jody Gorman, Fabien Delerue, Lars M Ittner, Kara L Vine-Perrow, Heath Ecroyd, Neil R Cashman, Darren N Saunders, Luke Mcalary, Jeremy S Lum, Justin J Yerbury

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The accumulation of misfolded proteins underlies a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to their dynamic nature, these misfolded proteins have proven challenging to target therapeutically. Here, we specifically target misfolded disease variants of the ALS-associated protein superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), using a biological proteolysis targeting chimera (BioPROTAC) composed of a SOD1-specific intrabody and an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Screening of intrabodies and E3 ligases for optimal BioPROTAC construction reveals a candidate capable of degrading multiple disease variants of SOD1, preventing their aggregation in cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to develop a BioPROTAC transgenic mouse line, we …

Commercial Laying Hen Farms' General Characteristics, Environmental Management, And Biosecurity Practices In The Sub-Arid Area Of Algeria, Yacine Kasmi, Nouzha Heleili, Zohra Ahmed Gaid, Brahim Hamad, Leyla Hadef, Manel Merradi

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The success of commercial laying hen farms depends on the possibility of managing environmental conditions properly and performing strict biosecurity measures, which would increase productivity, enhance the performance of the flock, and save money, especially in regions characterized by challenging climatic conditions, such as the sub-arid and arid areas. There is, however, very little literature exploring these issues in the Algerian context. The objective of the study was to assess environmental management and biosecurity practices, and the relationship between these and farm size in the Algerian sub-arid area (northeast Algeria). The face-to-face interviews were conducted between January 2024 and April …

Michigan Academician Volume 50, Issue 1

Michigan Academician

2025 Michigan Academy Conference abstracts.

Analysis Of An Effective Training Curriculum: Solutions Toincrease Participants' Interest In Training Teachingmaterials, Maulidya Husnul Khatimah, Yoto Yoto

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This research is important because it analyzes the curriculum as a primary tool for generating and maintaining participant interest. Curricula that are irrelevant, monotonous, or misaligned with participant needs are often the main causes of low motivation and participation. Furthermore, this research encourages the exploration and implementation of more innovative teaching methods and materials in training curricula. External pressure in the form of demands or instructions, rather than internal motivation, drives most training activities. This can reduce engagement and learning effectiveness. To overcome this, training institutions need to design programs that are relevant, flexible, and able to encourage participants' intrinsic …

The Effect Of Guided Inquiry Model With Deep Learningapproach On Student’S Hots In Elements, Compounds,And Mixtures At Junior High School, Friska Pakpahana, Retno Dwi Suyanti

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

The current education curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing HOTS skills (such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating) to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. School learning often focuses on lower-level cognitive domains (memorizing and understanding). This research seeks to address this gap by offering a potentially effective learning model. The guided inquiry model positions students as active participants in learning, encouraging them to investigate, discover, and formulate concepts independently with teacher guidance. This strongly supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of the guided inquiry model …