Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing Human - Nonhuman Primate Conflict Mitigation Techniques In Mto Wa Mbu, Northern Tanzania, Lil Adams

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

Human-wildlife conflict is a widespread challenge faced by those living in regular contact with wildlife that can have profound impacts on livelihood outcomes for humans, wildlife, and their shared environment (Barua et al., 2013; Blackie, 2023). Human – non-human primate conflict is particularly crucial due to primates’ high capacity to live among human populations (Chapman & Chapman, 1990; Alberts & Altmann, 2006; Reader et al., 2011; Sinha & Vijayakrishnan, 2017), and is currently on the rise due to increasing contact between human and non-human primates (Hockings, 2016; Uddin et al., 2020). To characterize and analyze techniques currently being used to …

Foldit Education Mode, Brett Schulz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Foldit education mode is a puzzle campaign within the protein folding video game Foldit. Education mode, initially designed as a classroom supplement for undergraduate biochemistry courses, has been expanded to provide a more comprehensive learning tool to players without a background in biochemistry. The edited and added levels teach players about protein biochemistry through playing puzzles designed to convey information and gameplay mechanics. The new Foldit education mode campaign features 49 levels grouped into 11 categories. The campaign has 6 new levels designed specifically for education mode and 4 levels adapted from the traditional Foldit campaign for use within education …

Hormonal Modulation Of Perineuronal Net Density In The Female Peromyscus Californicus Hippocampus And Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Nazlee Harunani

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are specialized extracellular matrix structures that regulate synaptic plasticity and stabilize neural circuits, particularly during the closure of critical periods, a time when the brain is highly plastic and susceptible to environmental influence. Emerging evidence suggests that PNNs may be sensitive to hormonal fluctuations associated with critical periods such as puberty and pregnancy, yet their role in the female brain, particularly in relation to other well-characterized hormonally-mediated events, remains underexplored. This project investigated whether PNN expression in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex varied following vaginal opening, or across different stages of the estrous cycle in Peromyscus …

1 Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 And Apolipoprotein-E In Alzheimer’S Disease: Virus Entry And Innate Immunity, Jim Camilleri

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that has been detected in brains affected by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the leading global cause of cognitive decline. In vitro and epidemiological studies support a role for HSV-1 in AD. The strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD is the E4 allele of APOE, which codes for apolipoprotein-E (ApoE), a protein that mediates brain cholesterol homeostasis. Previous work has suggested that ApoE can affect HSV-1 entry into cells; however, APOE has three alleles (E2, E3, and E4) and allelespecific effects of ApoE on HSV-1 entry remain undetermined. We hypothesized that …

Azacitidine, Venetoclax, And Magrolimab In Newly Diagnosed And Relapsed Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Phase Ib/Ii Study And Correlative Analysis, Naval Daver, Jayastu Senapati, Hagop M Kantarjian, Bofei Wang, Patrick K Reville, Sanam Loghavi, Musa Yilmaz, Courtney D Dinardo, Tapan M Kadia, Mhd Yousuf Yassouf, Abhishek Maiti, Sankalp Arora, Guillermo Montalban Bravo, Guilin Tang, Gautam Borthakur, Koji Sasaki, Naveen Pemmaraju, Joie Alvarez, Graciela M Nogueras Gonzalez, Jing Ning, Ghayas C Issa, Marina Konopleva, Michael Andreeff, Farhad Ravandi, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Hussein A Abbas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Magrolimab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the macrophage checkpoint CD47 on myeloid leukemia cells that was preclinically synergistic with azacitidine-venetoclax, warranting further clinical evaluation.

Patients and methods: In this phase Ib/II study, the triplet combination of azacitidine, venetoclax, and magrolimab was evaluated in adult patients with first-line (ineligible for intensive chemotherapy) and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Azacitidine was dosed at 75 mg/m2 for 7 days, venetoclax at 400 mg/day for 28 days, and magrolimab (recommended phase II dose) as follows: 1 mg/kg dose on days 1 and 4, 15 mg/kg on day 8, and 30 mg/kg on days …

Integrated Metabolomics And Spatial Transcriptomics Of Cystic Pancreatic Cancer Precursors Reveals Dysregulated Polyamine Metabolism As A Biomarker Of Progression, Ricardo A León-Letelier, Yihui Chen, Rongzhang Dou, Ehsan Irajizad, Michele T Yip-Schneider, Ranran Wu, Rahmah Ejaz, Hamid K Rudsari, Yaxi Li, Rachelle Spencer, Riccardo Ballarò, Jody Vykoukal, Mark Hurd, Jennifer B Dennison, Kim-Anh Do, Anirban Maitra, Jianjun Zhang, Samir Hanash, C Max Schmidt, Johannes F Fahrmann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: We conducted metabolomics and spatial cell transcriptomics of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), recognized pancreatic cancer precursors, to identify oncometabolites that inform upon risk of malignancy of IPMNs.

Experimental design: Untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed on cystic fluid from 125 patients with low-grade (LG) dysplasia or high-grade (HG) dysplasia with/without concurrent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC; IPMN/PDAC). Predictive performance of individual metabolites for identifying HG or PDAC/IPMN was determined and compared with CA19-9 performance. Data were intersected with metabolic profiles of resected IPMN tissues and murine Kras;Gnas IPMN cell lines as well as spatial and single-cell transcriptomics of IPMNs.

Results: …

Genetic Structuring Of The Ozark Pocket Gopher (Geomys Bursarius Ozarkensis) And Coevolution With Its Geomydoecus Ectoparasites, Monica Raquel Reusche

Student Theses and Dissertations

The Ozark pocket gopher Geomys bursarius ozarkensis is a highly isolated and restricted subspecies of the plains pocket gopher endemic to Izard Co., Arkansas. This isolation may have impacts genetically and may have caused speciation of their chewing louse. First, I updated the distribution and confirmed occupation at 46 previously documented and 91 additional sites, a 34% increase in areal range. Next, I evaluated natal dispersal which was rare (9.1%) and occurred over shorter distances (≤ 63 m) than for other gopher species. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms from contemporary populations and museum specimens indicated a high genetic structure among …

Role Of Gut-Liver-Brain Axis In Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease, Raveena Dhanani Ratnayake

Student Theses and Dissertations

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as depression, and anxiety, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often precede motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), highlighting the need for early biomarkers and mechanistic insights. Gut-microbiome-related metabolites, including secondary bile acids, influence lipid homeostasis and mitochondrial function, impacting neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. This study examines metabolic alterations in PD, focusing on lipid metabolism, bile acids, acylcarnitine, and amino acids. Our findings showed significant changes in lipid metabolism, transsulfuration pathway, bile acids, acylcarnitine, and amino acids in PD severity and NPS. Specific lipid subclasses were linked to NPS, cognitive impairment, and motor impairment. Given the limited …

Asset Or Liability? Farmers’ Perceptions Of Improved Maize Seeds As A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy In Semi-Arid Areas Of Chamwino District, Tanzania, Jackson Raymond Sawe

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study explores the perceptions of smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas of Chamwino District, Tanzania, regarding the adoption of improved maize seeds as an adaptation strategy to climate change. It aims to explore whether farmers view the use of these seeds as an asset that helps them adapt to climate change, or as a liability that presents challenges resulting from the adoption of improved seeds. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. Data were collected from 125 smallholder farmers across six study villages through household surveys, in-depth interviews, field observation, and document review. Participants …

Anthropogenic Litter In Freshwater Ecosystems: Effect On Ecosystem Processes And Spatial Distribution, Emily Johnson

Master's Theses

The rapid increase of plastic production and disposal into the environment has resulted in anthropogenic litter (i.e., trash; AL) becoming a global problem. In aquatic ecosystems, macro- and microplastics are long-lived, mobile, and interact with the physical and chemical components of aquatic ecosystems. Our objectives were to: (1) assess the impact of microplastic pollution on the ecosystem processes of ecosystem metabolism and N2 flux in an oligotrophic lake and (2) to assess the abundance and assemblage of anthropogenic litter in a large urban river. For objective (1), we added microplastics at a range of concentrations to littoral mesocosms. Ecosystem metabolism …

High-Salt Tumor Microenvironment: Not As Bad As It Sounds, Not As Good As It Seems, Umer Ali, Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi

Biology Faculty Research

Recent evidence suggests a high-sodium microenvironment in breast tumors. However, the exact role of this high-sodium microenvironment on tumorigenesis is unknown. Salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is a well-known inflammatory molecule playing a significant role in various chronic ailments like cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Importantly, chronic inflammation is recognized as one of the major hallmarks of carcinogenesis. Breast cancer cell culture-based studies demonstrated that high-salt (HS) treatment (Δ35–50 mM NaCl) induced cancer cell proliferation. However, preclinical murine research showed reduced tumor progression kinetics in mice fed a short-term HS diet (4% NaCl diet, 0–2 weeks prior to the injection of tumor …

More Equal Than Others: Taxonomic Bias In Animal Management, Barrett L. Christie

Animal Sentience

Oldfield & Bonano (2024) point out not only the scarcity of research on fish welfare but also significant taxonomic bias in broader research on these species. This bias extends to the management practices of aquaria and zoos, where the focus is on higher vertebrates. More resources need to be allocated to research to address this disparity. We also need to develop welfare constructs that recognize the inherent differences between aquatic and terrestrial species, taking into account the unique ecological contexts and behavioral patterns of fishes.

Specialized Insectivores Drive Differences In Avian Community Composition Between Primary And Secondary Forest In Central Africa, Eleanor M. Barrie, Billi A. Krochuk, Crinan Jarrett, Diogo F. Ferreira, Patricia F. Rodrigues, Susana Lin Mufumu, Silvestre Esteban Malanza, Agustin Ebana Nsue Akele, Cayetano Ebana Ebana Alene, Kristin Brzeski, Jacob C. Cooper, Jared Wolfe, Luke L. Powell

Michigan Tech Publications

The human population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to triple by 2100, drastically increasing anthropogenic pressure on biodiversity. When rainforest is disturbed by anthropogenic drivers, species respond heterogeneously; these patterns have rarely been quantified for Congo rainforest fauna. Our objective was to understand how community composition changed with human disturbance—with particular interest in the guilds and species that indicate primary rainforest. At a long-term bird banding site on mainland Equatorial Guinea, we captured over 3200 birds across 6 field seasons in selectively logged secondary forest and in largely undisturbed primary forest. Our multivariate ordination indicated a significant split between primary …

Effects Of Consuming Short-Form Videos On Young Adults’ Fine Motor Skills, Dragon Tanaghon Chew, Jerome Gabriel Gay, Hien Than, Zhi Qin Ko

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

The composition of short-form video (SFV) consumption can affect cognitive abilities, including motor skills. This study addresses a potential concern due to the lack of data. By presenting two experimental designs, the study explores the impact of SFV consumption on the motor skills of young adults. The first experiment employs a between-subjects design, where 60 participants are randomly assigned to two groups, with one group exposed to 30 minutes of SFV content. The second experiment adopts a cross-sectional design based on self-reported historical SFV consumption, where motor skill is compared between groups with low (< 3 hours/day) and high (≥3 hours/day) SFV consumption. Typing performance is used as an indicator of motor skill for the first experiment and finger tapping test is used in the second. The results will compare pre- and post-intervention performance. The findings would enhance practical understanding and illustrate the relationship between social media and motor skills.

Key words: Short-form video, motor …

Lighting Up The Cell: Developing A Luminescent Lanthanide Probe For Detecting Rnas, Jonathan Savell

Honors Projects

An anion detecting luminescent probe, Tb:DO2A-Cs124, was repurposed for use in RNA imaging. Potential RNA aptamers were identified for the molecule using Capture-SELEX and MinION sequencing. Fluorimetry data revealed these aptamers did not allow for the probe to luminesce in the presence of target RNAs due to adenosine monophosphate’s ability to quench the emission signal.

Exploring Muslim American Attitudes Toward Genetic Testing: Perceptions, Barriers, And Ethical Considerations, Hannah Mahmoud

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores perceptions and attitudes toward genetic testing within the Muslim American community, a group often underrepresented in genomic research and public health discourse. Using a community-distributed digital survey, data was collected from 50 self-identified Muslim Americans on their familiarity with genetic testing, reproductive and ethical considerations, and the influence of religious factors. While only 18% had undergone genetic testing themselves, many were familiar through family or friends, and most expressed cautious interest—especially when results could influence future family planning. Education level, age, and religious values shaped both comfort and understanding.

A key theme was the desire for culturally …

The Bone Is Not Alone: Skeletal Muscle Is A Novel Source Of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, Kylie Heitman

All ETDs from UAB

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue often accompanied by various pathologies. Hyperphosphatemia contributes to a range of complications, including vascular calcification, systemic inflammation, anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and skeletal muscle atrophy. Phosphate homeostasis is tightly regulated through a combination of renal excretion and its storage in bones, with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 playing a central role in this regulation. Produced primarily by osteocytes in response to elevated serum phosphate, FGF23 helps maintain phosphate balance by promoting renal phosphate excretion and inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Dysregulation of FGF23 is associated both …

Rewired M6a Of Promoter Antisense Rnas In Alzheimer’S Disease Regulates Neuronal Genes In 3d Nucleome, Benxia Hu, Yuqiang Shi, Feng Xiong, Yi-Ting Chen, Xiaoyu Zhu, Elisa Carrillo, Xingzhao Wen, Nathan Drolet, Chetan Singh Rajpurohit, Xiangmin Xu, Dung-Fang Lee, Claudio Soto, Sheng Zhong, Vasanthi Jayaraman, Hui Zheng, Wenbo Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant internal RNA modification that can impact gene expression at both post-transcriptional and transcriptional levels. However, the landscapes and functions of m6A in human brains and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are under-explored. Here, we examined RNA m6A methylome using total RNA-seq and meRIP-seq in middle frontal cortex of post-mortem brains from individuals with or without AD, which revealed m6A alteration on both mRNAs and various noncoding RNAs. Notably, many promoter-antisense RNAs (paRNAs) displayed cell-type-specific expression and changes in AD, including one produced adjacent to MAPT that encodes the Tau protein. MAPT-paRNA is highly expressed …

Utah Strawberries: Consumer Preferences For Specialty Labels, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is the second of two discussing the results of a study on consumer preferences and willingness to pay (pricing) for fresh strawberries. This fact sheet highlights how specialty labeling influences consumers’ perceptions and willingness to pay. The study was conducted at Utah State University (USU) in August 2024.The study examines familiarity with production and labeling programs, as well as perceptions of local and organic food.

Distribution And Habitat Use Of Sounders Gray Whales From 1990 To 2023, Sara N. Mach

Honors Projects

Abstract: Every spring, a small subgroup of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), referred to as “Sounders,” migrate to northern Puget Sound (NPS), Washington State, to forage on small crustaceans, particularly during years of low prey availability in the Arctic, the primary foraging habitat for gray whales. In contrast to gray whales in other locations, Sounders primarily forage on ghost shrimp (Neotrypnea californiensis) while in NPS. These small crustaceans live in the sediment in the intertidal to shallow subtidal zones, so gray whales must wait for higher tides to feed. Gray whale abundance in NPS and time spent …

Patterns Of Late Holocene And Historical Extinctions On Madagascar, Laurie R. Godfrey, Zachary S. Klukkert, Brooke E. Crowley, Robin R. Dawson, Peterson Faina, Benjamin Z. Freed, Evon Hekkala, Cortni Borgerson, Harimanjaka A. M. Rasolonjatovo, Patricia C. Wright, Stephen J. Burns

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Around 1000 years ago, Madagascar experienced the collapse of populations of large vertebrates that ultimately resulted in many species going extinct. The factors that led to this collapse appear to have differed regionally, but in some ways, key processes were similar across the island. This review evaluates four hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the loss of large vertebrates on Madagascar: Overkill, aridification, synergy, and subsistence shift. We explore regional differences in the paths to extinction and the significance of a prolonged extinction window across the island. The data suggest that people who arrived early and depended on hunting, …

Swi/Snf Atpase Silenced Hlf Potentiates Lung Metastasis In Solid Cancers, Jin Zhou, Austin Hepperla, Jeremy M Simon, Kangsan Kim, Qing Hu, Chuanhai Zhang, Lei Dong, Lianxin Hu, Cheng Zhang, Chengheng Liao, Alice Fang, Yayoi Adachi, Haoyong Fu, Tao Wang, Qian Liang, Fangzhou Zhao, Hongyi Liu, Masashi Takeda, Jun Fang, Hua Zhong, Peter Ly, Lu Wang, Payal Kapur, Lin Xu, Liwei Jia, Srinivas Malladi, James Brugarolas, M Celeste Simon, Bo Li, Qing Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, using clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a tumor type with frequent lung metastases, we conduct an in vivo genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen and identify HLF as a potent suppressor of lung metastasis. HLF depletion enhances ccRCC cell migration and lung metastasis, whereas HLF overexpression abrogates these effects. In ccRCC patients, HLF expression is reduced at metastatic sites and associates with epigenetic silencing mediated by the SWI/SNF ATPase subunit BRG1. HLF levels negatively correlate with migration potential in collagen. Mechanistically, HLF regulates LPXN expression, modulating the …

Ultrasound-Mediated Drug Uptake And Cytotocicity In Glioblastoma, Julianne Rogan, Janith Wanigasekera, Esen Efeoğlu

Level 3

No abstract provided.

The Golden Standard: Potential Of Gold Nanoparticles In Cancer Research And Therapy, Caoimhe Mcmanus, Shubhrima Ghosh Dr.

Level 3

No abstract provided.

Ensemble-Based Binding Free Energy Profiling And Network Analysis Of The Kras Interactions With Darpin Proteins Targeting Distinct Binding Sites: Revealing Molecular Determinants And Universal Architecture Of Regulatory Hotspots And Allosteric Binding, Mohammed Alshahrani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

KRAS is a pivotal oncoprotein that regulates cell proliferation and survival through interactions with downstream effectors such as RAF1. Despite significant advances in understanding KRAS biology, the structural and dynamic mechanisms of KRAS allostery remain poorly understood. In this study, we employ microsecond molecular dynamics simulations, mutational scanning, and binding free energy calculations together with dynamic network modeling to dissect how engineered DARPin proteins K27, K55, K13, and K19 engage KRAS through diverse molecular mechanisms ranging from effector mimicry to conformational restriction and allosteric modulation. Mutational scanning across all four DARPin systems identifies a core set of evolutionarily constrained residues …

Sample Storage Method And Collection Time Effects On Horse Hair Cortisol Concentrations, Grace Robertson, Savannah Rivers, Thomas Powell, Shea Porr

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Serum cortisol concentration is the gold standard for evaluating stress in horses. However, it can be affected by circadian rhythms, environmental factors, and other excitatory events. Hair cortisol is less subject to these variables and is less invasive to collect, but there is a lack of published information on hair cortisol concentrations in horses. The objectives of this study were to examine 1) the impact of sample storage (Room temperature vs. Frozen) and 2) the effect of collection date (spring vs. fall), on cortisol concentration in equine hair. It was hypothesized that Frozen samples would yield higher concentrations than Room …

Nebraska National Agri-Marketing Association (Nama), Marissa Davis, Rosalee A. Swartz

Cornhusker Economics

NAMA PALOOZA, the 2025 Agri-Marketing Conference, was held April 9-11 in Kansas City, Missouri. The conference is an annual event that brings together National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) professional and student members. There are 27 professional chapters and 32 student chapters from across the United States and Canada. The conference is a great opportunity to foster connections between students and professionals in marketing, advertising, communications, promotion, sales, and public relations.

Pesticides As Multiple Stressors To Bivalves And Echinoderms, Alexandra Gabrielle Tissot

Dissertations and Theses

Pesticides are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, alongside numerous contaminants and other stressors that can result in combined exposure to target and non-target organisms. Nevertheless, traditional toxicity studies quantify the effects of these compounds at an individual level, and to a narrow range of traditional test organisms. Through this dissertation, I explored the presence and effects of commonly detected pesticides of concern in the Pacific Northwest in order to realistically quantify potential effects from combined stressors. In Chapter 2, I demonstrated my background knowledge on these select pesticides (atrazine, bifenthrin, diuron, indaziflam, and imidacloprid), including their chemical and physical properties. Using …

Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Fibroblasts Contribute To Microvascular Proliferation In Glioblastoma And Are Correlated With Immunosuppression And Poor Outcome, Candice C Poon, Shelley M Herbrich, Yulong Chen, Anwar Hossain, Gregory N Fuller, Sonali Jindal, Sreyashi Basu, Daniel Ledbetter, Marc Macaluso, Lynnette M Phillips, Joy Gumin, Zhong He, Brittany C Parker Kerrigan, Sanjay K Singh, Pratishtha Singh, Mohammed Fayyad Zaman, Derek Ng Tang, Sangeeta Goswami, Frederick F Lang, Padmanee Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Microvascular proliferation (MVP) is a disease-defining hallmark of glioblastoma and other World Health Organization grade 4 gliomas. MVP also serves as a poor prognostic marker in various solid tumors. Despite its clinical significance, the mechanisms and biological consequences of MVP are controversial and remain unclear. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on paired CD45-CD105+ vascular/perivascular stromal cells (PVSC) and CD45+CD105± immune cells from 16 primary glioma patient samples, both with and without MVP. This analysis revealed the presence of developmentally related mesenchymal stem cells alongside cancer-associated fibroblasts, pericytes, fibromyocytes, and smooth muscle cells within the CD45-CD105+ compartment. RNA …

The Effect Of Family Communication On Adolescent Sexual Behaviors And Attitudes, Jonathan Young

Family Perspectives

Unhealthy sexual behaviors among adolescents, such as engaging with multiple partners or neglecting contraceptive use, can lead to significant physical, psychological, and relational consequences. This literature review explores the influence of family communication on adolescent sexual behaviors and attitudes, emphasizing the role of parent-adolescent discussions in promoting healthier sexual practices and reshaping sexual values. Research indicates that open, reciprocal family communication is associated with reduced sexual risk-taking, fewer sexual partners, delayed sexual debut, and increased contraceptive use. Moreover, conversations centered on positive sexual norms, such as love and respect, facilitate adolescents’ adoption of healthier sexual values. Effective family communication also …