Digital Commons Network^™

Epilepsy: Etiology And Treatment Methods, Avital Nightingale

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Due to the evolution of our understanding of epilepsy and its causes, a variety of therapeutic options have been developed to modulate seizures and limit their occurrence rate. Medication, diet and surgery have been the traditional treatments offered to individuals suffering from epilepsy but the latest advancements in neurotechnology have given patients with drug resistant epilepsy hope by providing options other than surgery. While the disorder is a complex one and its pathogenesis not yet fully understood, recent research has provided insight into the …

Battling Infertility, Shirah Abrahams

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Infertility is a complex condition that affects men and women equally and is defined by failure to achieve pregnancy after a year of trying to conceive. This paper addresses both environmental contributions to infertility, such as the effects of smoking, poor nutrition, and exposure to radiation, as well as biological contributors. Biological factors that contribute to infertility include sperm DNA fragmentation, chromosomal mutations, anovulatory dysfunction, and tubule blockages. This paper delves into various treatment options to improve fertility in both males and females, including medications, lifestyle adaptations, and surgeries. These treatment options can restore and improve ovulatory function, sperm motility …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Signs, Symptoms, And Intervention, Shoshana Levin

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a specific type of brain injury, often referred to as a concussion. Relying on existing research, this paper will collect the data that is available on concussions, numerous methods of treatment, and the complications of repeated injury. mTBI precipitates a host of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms, all of which can severely affect one’s daily life if left untreated. This paper will also address a range of possible treatment methods, including but not limited to acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical therapy. The efficacy of a multifaceted approach to treatment is emphasized, combining opinions …

Full Issue: Volume 18, Number 2, Spring 2025

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 18, Number 2 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Spring 2025.

Full Issue: Volume 19, Number 1, Fall 2025

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 19, Number 1 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Fall 2025.

Does Chronic Stress Play A Role In The Genesis Of Neurodegenerative Diseases?, Rachelle Halpert

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Chronic stress has been increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This paper explores the correlation between chronic stress and neurodegeneration by reviewing population, clinical, and animal studies. Studies show that long-term stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, impairs hippocampal function, increases oxidative stress, and promotes neuroinflammation. These processes are all implicated in cognitive decline. The mechanisms through which these processes occur are discussed including elevated glucocorticoid levels, shortened telomeres, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the activity of pro-inflammatory microglia. Lastly, potential interventions are reviewed, including lifestyle modifications such …

Does Prenatal Stress Have Prenatal And Life-Long Effects?, Miriam Lavizadeh

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Maternal prenatal stress (MPS) has a unique impact on the developing fetus and the child’s life post birth. Pregnancy is a highly anxious time for a lot of women. Many have pregnancy related concerns as well as overall stress from environmental and societal factors. However, this takes a toll on the fetus’s development which can later cause different cognitive and health outcomes in the child. During a time of stress, one’s HPA axis gets activated causing the release of various hormones, particularly cortisol and catecholamines. These hormones can cross the placental barrier called HSD11B2-11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, exposing the sensitive and …

The Role Of The Gut–Brain Axis In Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Malky Weiss

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The gastrointestinal (GI) system and the brain share a highly integrated relationship mediated by the gut–brain axis, with implications across a range of medical disciplines. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent disorder of gut brain interaction (DGBI) which affects a significant portion of the global population, yet its pathophysiology has historically been poorly understood. This review examines the development and maintenance of IBS, drawing on literary sources to explore the gut–brain axis and disease expression which occurs as a result of its dysfunction. Common pathological features of IBS include visceral hypersensitivity, altered serotonin signaling, inappropriate immune activation, and …

What Are The Long-Term Health Implications Of Living Kidney Donation?, Yehudis Fasten

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Living kidney donation is the optimal long-term treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), also known as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, it also raises concerns regarding the long-term health of donors. This paper explores the potential risks that living kidney donors (LKDs) may face, focusing on the potential development of ESRD and post-donation pregnancy risks, especially in relation to established ESRD risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. It also examines the impact of genetic and familial predispositions, structural kidney changes, and proteinuria as contributors to future decline in kidney function. Concerns including reductions in erythropoietin (EPO) …

Novel Pharmacotherapies For Treatment-Resistant Depression: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (Lsd), Eliana Cohen

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Treatment Resistant Depression has become extremely prevalent with 30% of depression cases being unresolvable. Psychedelics specifically Lysergic Acid Diethylamide has been a newfound unconventional approach that has demonstrated significant benefits for depression. LSD is a hallucinogenic drug mainly acting on the serotonin receptors that leads to altered sensory and perception affecting mood. This research paper comprehensively examines animal and human studies on LSD’s healing properties and enduring effects. The studies find that LSD induces neuroplasticity, and alters gene expressions associated with synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. Additionally LSD affects the activity of different neurotransmitters in the central nervous system enhancing mood. Lastly …

Virtual Reality Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) For Chronic Lower Back Pain, Peri Feinberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

No abstract provided.

Investigating Non-Functional Overreaching In Special Operations Tactical Training, Jeremy Alan Ross

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Special Operations Forces (SOF) tactical training requires high levels of physical performance and psychological resilience. This training is often characterized by extreme temperatures and environments, extremely high levels of physical activity and large caloric deficits. As such, SOF personnel follow intense strength and conditioning (S&C) programs to enhance a wide range of athletic abilities. Such programs rely on a balance between training stress and recovery to allow for gradual improvement in physical ability over time, however it is unknown how to quantify tactical training stress in the context of a training program. This dissertation explores evidence related to how this …

The Development And Validation Of A Dimensional Childhood Adversity Measure, Angelina Pei-Tzu Tsai, Peter F. Halpin, Lucy Lurie, Meredith Gruhn, Maya L. Rosen, Donald H. Baucom, Michael B. Sarabosing, Sneha Sai Boda, Katie A. Mclaughlin, Margaret A. Sheridan

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

Research on the developmental consequences of early adversity has grown rapidly, yet measures of childhood adversity have not kept pace with evolving theoretical models. Existing measures often lack comprehensive assessment and psychometric evidence. This study addresses these gaps by developing the Deprivation and Threat—Adult Self-report (DT-AS) measure, a psychometrically sound scale assessing childhood threat and deprivation exposure, evaluated in young adults. Psychometric analysis was performed in waves on a total sample of N=796 participants. Pilot data (n₁=210; n₂=208) were analyzed using Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) to refine item selection andoptimize response …

The Theory Of Evolution, Alois Nicholas Wurst

Bachelors’ Theses

What is perhaps one of the most fascinating questions in the scientific and philosophical world today is the theory on the Decent of Man. We hear much concerning Evolution. New theories on the subject appear almost daily. Most of these seem to be hoaxes on the part of publicity hungry scientists. If a man would have his name in newspapers the world over, he must only say that he produced a living organism out of inanimate matter. Of course such a statement produces a sensation. But this sensation is short lived. Investigation usually exposes prevarication on the part of the …

Blood Biomarkers In Down Syndrome: Facilitating Alzheimer’S Disease Detection And Monitoring, Melissa E. Petersen, Lisi Flores-Aguilar, Elizabeth Head, Laia Montoliu-Gaya, Andre Strydom, Sarah E. Pape, Juan Fortea, Nicholas J. Ashton, Chinedu Udeh-Momoh, Sid E. O’Bryant, Dwight German, Florin Despa, Mark Mapstone, Henrik Zetterberg

Neurology Faculty Publications

Blood-based biomarkers continue to be explored for disease detection, monitoring of progression, and therapeutic outcomes as the diagnostic determination of Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome (DS-AD) remains challenging in clinical settings. This perspective highlights the current status of this effort. Overall, amyloid (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (AT[N]) blood-based biomarkers have been shown to increase with disease pathology for individuals with DS. Phosphorylated tau biomarkers (p-tau217, p-tau181) have been consistently shown to track disease progression for DS-AD and are likely good candidates for use in clinical settings. Biomarkers of inflammation (glial fibrillary acidic protein) also show promise; however, additional work …

Effects Of Dietary Energy Source And Stress On Equine Intestinal Permeability And Inflammation, Amanda R. Bauman

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Dietary concentrate is often provided to exercising horses to meet energy requirements. However, both high-starch and high-fat diets may be associated with alterations in intestinal barrier function. To investigate this, 32 mature horses were fed one of four isocaloric dietary concentrate treatments (n = 8 per treatment): 1) a concentrate with cracked corn providing 4 g starch⋅kg BW^-1⋅d^-1 and 0.2 g fat⋅kg BW^-1⋅d^-1 (CC), 2) a concentrate with puffed corn providing 4 g starch⋅kg BW^-1⋅d^-1 and 0.2 g fat⋅kg BW^-1⋅d^-1 (PC), 3) a concentrate with puffed corn and …

“Nice To See You”: Addressing Plant Awareness Disparity With Locally Specific Ecological And Cultural Plant Education, Cecilia Muecke

Pomona Senior Theses

Plants form the basis of life on Earth. However, due to the phenomenon of plant awareness disparity, a self-perpetuating cycle whereby plants are overlooked on an individual and global level ensues. Lack of plant awareness leads to a lessened emphasis on plants in sustainability and conservation as well as biology education, resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and food security. The severity of plant awareness disparity is dependent on cultural context, and Indigenous and/or traditional societies are less likely to experience plant awareness disparity because of they are typically more connected to plants for their everyday needs. Native plants are …

A Decision-Space Model Explains Context-Specific Decision Making, Dirk W. Beck, Cory N. Heaton, Luis D. Davila, Lara I. Rakocevic, Sabrina M. Drammis, Danil Tyulmankov, Atanu Giri, Shreeya Umashankar Beck, Qingyang Zhang, Michael Pokojovy, Kenichiro Negishi, Alexis A. Salcido, Neftali F. Reyes, Andrea Y. Macias, Serina A. Batson, Paulina Vara, Raquel J. Ibáñez Alcalá, Safa B. Hossain, Graham L. Waller, Laura E. O'Dell, Travis M. Moschak, Ki A. Goosens, Alexander Friedman

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Optimal decision-making requires consideration of internal and external contexts. Biased decision-making is a transdiagnostic symptom of neuropsychiatric disorders. We created a computational model demonstrating how the striosome compartment of the striatum constructs a context-dependent mathematical space for decision-making computations, and how the matrix compartment uses this space to define action value. The model explains multiple experimental results and unifies other theories like reward prediction error, roles of the direct versus indirect pathways, and roles of the striosome versus matrix, under one framework. We also found, through new analyses, that striosome and matrix neurons increase their synchrony during difficult tasks, caused …

Therapy-Based Strategies To Support Tummy Time In Infants Post-Hospital Discharge: A Scoping Review Protocol, Ketaki Inamdar, Sonia Khurana

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Tummy time is essential for infant development, yet many caregivers face significant challenges with adherence due to behavioral and contextual barriers. While numerous tummy time interventions exist, a limited understanding of their behavioral components hinders effective replication and implementation. This scoping review aims to identify multidisciplinary interventions used to promote tummy time in infants aged 0–12 months, evaluate their impact on adherence, developmental and health outcomes, and examine the behavior change techniques employed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, a comprehensive search will be conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science Core Collection, …

The Cognition Of Emotion: How Cognitive Control And Working Memory Underly Emotion Regulation Strategy Differences, Nathan Chabin

Pitzer Senior Theses

Working memory is crucial for comprehensively grasping the dynamics of emotion regulation (ER) and cognitive control, as it serves as a foundational cognitive resource that influences how individuals manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This research aimed to examine the role working memory capacity (WMC) has on Frontal Midline Theta (FMT), an EEG marker for cognitive control, during two common ER strategies: emotional suppression and cognitive reappraisal. Participants performed both an Operation Span working memory task and an ER task, where they viewed a series of negative and neutral images across three conditions. First, participants were instructed to passively view, …

Improving Glucose Levels In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Kaitlin Castillo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health crisis, posing significant challenges not only to individual well-being but also to healthcare systems' financial sustainability. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise annually, contributing to increased medical costs, hospitalizations, and long-term complications. Houston, Texas, has a diabetes prevalence of 13.5%, exceeding the national average of 10%. A clinical gap exists in providers’ ability to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. Prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and improved patient monitoring can reduce incidence rates, lower healthcare costs, and enhance overall population health. A Plan Do Study Act model was utilized for the …

Association Between Vitamin D Status And Cortisol Concentration Among Pregnant Women, Kenneth Addae

Open Access Master's Theses

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and high circulating cortisol during pregnancy have each been linked to adverse maternal and child outcomes such as preterm birth. However, limited research has explored the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration during pregnancy. Our objective for this study was to determine the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration among pregnant women.

Methods: The Prenatal Health and Nutrition (PHAN) study was a pilot cross-sectional study of 30 healthy pregnant women conducted in targeted areas in Rhode Island. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, perceived stress scale, household food security, …

The Effects Of Shoe Forefoot Design On Center Of Pressure And Knee Moments During Running In A Fatigued And Non-Fatigued State, Tyler Tran

Open Access Master's Theses

Runners experience high injury prevalence, which can be attributed to the overloading of the musculoskeletal system during the repetitive motion of running (Kakouris et al. 2021, Lopes et al. 2012). While some running mechanics are associated with better performance or increased risk for developing an orthopedic condition, many are still poorly understood (Van Hooren et al. 2024, Willwacher et al. 2022). Center of pressure and frontal plane knee moments are two such mechanics with a limited body of evidence leading to its importance (Mehdizadeh et al 2021, Baker et al. 2018). Although running mechanics describe the motion, the origin of …

Investigating The Role Of Dynamic Signaling Of Nrg3-Erbb4 In The Prefrontal Cortex In Mediating Nicotine Withdrawal Phenotypes, Emily Prantzalos

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

While several pharmacotherapies are currently available for nicotine use disorder (NUD), smoking cessation success rates remain below 10% each year. The molecular mechanisms underlying failed quit attempts continue to represent a critical gap in our knowledge. However, recent advances in understanding the genetic contributions to nicotine dependence offer a promising avenue for developing more effective cessation therapies. Prior research has identified genetic variation in Neuregulin 3 (Nrg3) and its cognate receptor ErbB4 as potential contributors to affective nicotine withdrawal (WD) phenotypes and cessation outcomes. Therefore, this dissertation aims to systematically investigate the region-specific, functional role of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway …

Bed Bugs: Health Risks And Control, Simona Principato

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Bed bugs are blood-feeding hemipterans strongly associated with humans. Their detection in indoor environments, such as homes, hotels, trains, and public facilities, has increased gradually over the past 20 years. The exact cause of their resurgence is still unclear, but the increase of international travel and insecticide resistance are thought to have contributed to it.

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, the EPA, CDC, and USDA have classified them as a pest of significant public health concern, mainly due to the dermatitis that they can cause. Beyond the dermatological burden of the bites, other health implications often …

Development Of Non-Destructive Methods For The Detection And Quantification Of Gluten Sources In Foods, Adewale Abiola Oloyede

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Cross-contamination of food with gluten-rich grains such as wheat, barley, and rye remains a significant challenge in gluten-free food production, posing health risks to individuals with gluten-related disorders. Traditional detection methods are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, highlighting the need for rapid and reliable alternatives. This study investigates the use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques for the detection and quantification of gluten contamination in grain-based foods through three main approaches: (i) classification of gluten source contaminants in gluten-free flour, (ii) quantification of gluten content from wheat, rye, and barley flours, and …

Impact Of Minimally Processed Red Meat On Biomarkers Of Cognitive Decline, Saba Vaezi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Early/Mid-Gestation Shearing On Umbilical Blood Flow And Lamb Birth Weight, Mara Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies outside the USA have reported that shearing pregnant ewes during mid to late gestation increases lamb birth weight. Our hypothesis was that shearing pregnant ewes on day 50 of gestation would increase umbilical blood flow (UBF), fetal size, lambing and placental weights. Twenty-eight Polypay ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments: shorn (S) and sham-shorn (Control, CON) and divided in singleton (S: n=4; CON: n=4), twins (S: n=5; CON: n=5) and triplets (S: n=5; CON: n=5). Umbilical BF and fetal and placental measurements were obtained via ultrasonography every 10 days from day 50 to 110 of gestation. Lamb birth …

Of Mice And Men: The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency In Mouse And Human Neurons, Paige N. Canova

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes latent infections in sensory neurons, from which HSV sporadically reactivates, often due to external stress and other stimuli. Latency and reactivation are commonly studied using in vivo and ex vivo models in a variety of hosts, as well as in vitro models including primary mouse neurons and neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The criteria for authentically modeling HSV latency include the ability to easily manipulate host genetics and biological pathways, as well as mimicking the immune response and viral pathogenesis in human infections. Presently, there remains a pressing need for …

Hybrid Mixtures Of Factor Analyzers For High Dimensional Data, Kazeem Abiodun Kareem

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Factor analysis is a powerful tool for modeling latent structures in high-dimensional data, traditional approaches assume a single global structure, limiting their ability to capture heterogeneity. The Mixture of Factor Analyzers (MFA) extends classical factor analysis by modeling data as a mixture of Gaussian-distributed local subspaces, effectively uncovering cluster-specific latent structures. However, MFA relies on Gaussian mixtures, making it sensitive to outliers and ill-suited for heavy-tailed data. The Mixture of $t$-Factor Analyzers (M$t$FA) addresses these limitations by incorporating multivariate $t$-distributions, improving robustness. Despite their advantages, both MFA and M$t$FA face significant computational challenges in high-dimensional settings, particularly due to costly …