Digital Commons Network^™

Capturing System Complexity In Maritime Decarbonization: A Multilayer Modeling Perspective, Maksym Chepeliev, Rene Banares-Alcantara, Lorenza Campagnolo, Ronald Apriliyanto Halim, Jim Hall, Gianandrea Mannarini, Hesam Naghash, Carlo Palazzi, Ramiro Parrado, Paola Rocchi, Alessandro Taberna, Soheil Shayegh

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Combating Β-Lactamase Resistance: From Inhibitor Design To Substrate Evolution, Lian M.C. Jacobs

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

β-lactamase production by bacteria is a major mechanism of antibiotic resistance. These enzymes hydrolyze β-lactam antibiotics, preventing them from binding to and inhibiting PBPs. Although new β-lactam scaffolds and inhibitors are continually introduced into the clinic, resistance often emerges within a few years. Therefore, the development of cross-class inhibitors with novel scaffolds is critical to mitigate this resistance. In parallel, a deeper understanding of the structural and mechanistic basis of β-lactamase resistance is essential. Together, these approaches provide an effective strategy for combating antibiotic resistance.

The first project addressed the need of effective cross-class β-lactamase inhibitors capable of targeting SBL …

Perceptual And Marketing Study Of Personal Water Conservation In A Health-Conscious Environment, Alan D. Smith

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Patterns And Drivers Of Cladocera Community Structure In The Black Sea, Elena Bisinicu, Luminita Lazar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Cladoceran community dynamics were examined in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea during the warm seasons of 2013– 2020, using Marine Reporting  Units (MRUs) to evaluate spatial heterogeneity across transitional, coastal, and  marine waters. Analyses of density, biomass, mean individual biomass (MIB), and  species composition revealed interannual fluctuations superimposed on strong  nearshore–offshore gradients, with higher values in transitional and coastal MRUs.  The assemblage was consistently dominated by Pleopis polyphemoides and Penilia  avirostris, which together accounted for most of the total abundance and biomass.  Multivariate analysis identified significant differences in taxonomic composition  across MRUs and years, while correlation analyses highlighted …

Endemism Patterns Of Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) In Türkiye, İsmai̇l Şen, Ali̇ Gök

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, the distribution of endemic leaf beetles in Türkiye was analyzed  holistically at the provincial scale using species richness (ENR), corrected weighted  endemism (CWE), and range-restricted endemism (RRE) indices. A total of 95  endemic taxa were found in Türkiye and these taxa exhibited significant spatial  heterogeneity in terms of richness and extent of distribution. The Western and  Central Taurus Mountains and the Eastern Black Sea Region were found to be the  main centers of endemism, with high densities of narrowly distributed and  geographically restricted species. These patterns clearly demonstrate that key  biogeographic factors, such as steep elevation gradients, …

Dynamics Of Ant Activity Under Extreme Climatic Changes In 2024: Effects Of Temperature  And Humidity On Formica Rufa And Lasius Fuliginosus Behavior, Stanislav Stukalyuk, Mykola Kozyr, Vira Balabukh

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Global warming and extreme heatwaves, which can alter species distribution and ecosystem dynamics, have profound effects on forest ants. T‍his study investigated the impact of summer and autumn 2024 heatwaves on the activity, prey transport, and nest-building of Formica rufa Linnaeus, 1761 and Lasius fuliginosus (Latreille, 1798) in deciduous forests of Kyiv, Ukraine. Fieldwork was conducted from June to September 2024 in Holosiyivo Forest and the Feofaniya tract. Ant colonies were assigned to experimental plots, where logs were placed along foraging trails, or to control plots with unmanipulated ground-floor trails. The study included 10 F. rufa anthills for activity monitoring …

The Effect Of Spatial Scale Of Habitat On Abundance Of Roe Deer (Capreolus Pygargus) And Water Deer (Hydropotes Inermis Argyropus) During Summer In South Korea, Naeyoung Kim, Hyejin Kim, Hyoun-Gi Cha, Hyun-Su Hwang

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Understanding species-specific habitat preferences provides essential ecological  information about interactions among habitat components. In South Korea, roe deer  (Capreolus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) are the  dominant large herbivorous mammals of the family Cervidae. The increasing populations of these species have led to ecological and economic  challenges. Therefore, we investigated the effects of spatial scale characteristics on  the habitat preferences of roe deer and water deer. From June to August each year  between 2021 and 2023, we calculated the relative abundance index (RAI) using  camera-trap data and analyzed patch characteristics in the study area using remote  sensing techniques, …

The Ecotoxicological Impact Of Polystyrene On Lissachatina Fulica: A Study Of Growth,  Pedal Mucus Histological Changes, And Protein Mucus Analysis, Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Lissachatina fulica mucin can be used as a nutraceutical agent depending on the  quality of their feed. Polystyrene (PS) waste harms soil and plants consumed by  snails, potentially affecting the quality of mucin production. This study investigated  the impact of PS on growth and mucus-producing cell characteristics as well as the  network pharmacology of mucin protein components. Fifty 5–6 cm L. fulica snails  (20–24 g) were fed organic waste (OW) and organic waste with PS (OWPS). After 28  days of ad libitum access to food, the snails’ mucus, meat, and shells were  collected and weighed. Tissue samples from the anterior …

The Impact Of Tgfβ Conditioning And Socs3 Expression On Cytokine Signal Transduction And Inflammatory Gene Expression In Fibroblasts, Morgan Anderson-Crannage

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Inflammation is a major driver in many aspects of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) pathology, including impaired wound healing, fibrosis, and potentially cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development. Fibroblasts, as key stromal cells in the dermis, are responsible for orchestrating inflammatory responses through the secretion of cytokines and chemokines upon stimulation with IL-1α or IL-6. Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) functions as a negative feedback regulator of cytokine signaling and has emerged as a key modulator of inflammatory responses in immune cells and fibroblasts. Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ), a known driver of fibrosis in RDEB, has been implicated in …

Global Health Financing Of Diagonal Interventions: Building Resilient And Sustainable Health Systems In Sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy Kim

Master in Public Policy Theses

Background: Global health financing has historically prioritized disease-specific “vertical” programs over broader “horizontal” strengthening of general health systems. Vertical programs in HIV have led to unprecedented reductions in mortality worldwide, but HIV remains a significant public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa, where vertical strategies have long been criticized for creating fragmented health systems. In response, global health strategies have shifted towards combining vertical investments with broader horizontal activities, commonly referred to as “diagonal” programming. While evidence suggests that diagonal programming has the potential to create more resilient and sustainable health systems, evaluating its value for money is challenging due to …

Assessment Of The Bioremediation Potentials Of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacterial Strains Recovered From Spent Engine Oil-Contaminated Environments In Southwest Nigeria, Nafisa Mohammed Babayola, Nasiru Bright Lecky, Chinweizu Obioma Onumaegbu, Olufunmiso Olusola Olajuyigbe, Martins Ajibade Adefisoye

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Environmental pollution from hydrocarbons and their derivatives is predominantly of anthropogenic origin, occurring mainly during mining, transportation, and storage. This often in an annual release of substantial amounts of pollutants into the environment. The effective restoration of petroleum-contaminated environments requires a series of interventions to remediate soil to its natural state. This study aimed to isolate and characterize biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains with potential bioremediation capabilities to assess the potential application for remediating soils polluted with spent engine oil in the Remo district, Ogun State. Bacterial isolates were recovered from soil samples collected from spent engine oil contaminated sites, using standard …

Preserving The Harvest: How To Preserve Chokecherries, Callahan K. Adams, Andrea Schmutz

All Current Publications

A treasured wild fruit in Utah and across the Intermountain West, chokecherries offer both cultural heritage and culinary versatility. With proper handling and research-tested preservation methods, you can safely transform them into delicious jellies, syrups, and more. Whether using a steam juicer or stovetop method, following tested recipes and adjusting for elevation ensures both safety and quality. This fact sheet provides information and recipes to safely preserve chokecherries.

Acute And Chronic Oral Administration Of Cannabidiol-Dominant Cannabis Products: Sex- And Formulation-Dependent Effects On Anxiety-Like Behavioral Patterns In Rats, Carlos R. Maestas-Olguin

Psychology ETDs

Interest in the anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found within the genus, Cannabis, has grown significantly in recent years. However, preclinical investigations of CBD’s anxiolytic potential often elect to forgo translationally relevant models that maximize external validity in favor of greater internal and mechanistic validity. As a result, the effects of relatively low dose (< 3mg/kg) oral CBD administration on anxiety-like behaviors are not yet fully characterized. The present studies examined the impact of two orally delivered CBD-dominant cannabis products – a “full-spectrum” formulation derived from the whole plant and a CBD isolate derived from the same chemovar – on innate defensive behaviors exhibited by adult male and female rats in various tests of anxiety. Results indicated that acute and chronic low dose oral CBD administration attenuated anxiety-like behavior in rats, regardless of sex or formulation. These findings extend the growing corpus of literature describing anxiolytic-like effects of CBD.

The Concept 'Pollination' And Bee Pan-Trap Color And Uv Reflectance Determine The Taxonomic Compositions Of Bee Taxa Captures Across An Elevation Gradient And Seasons In The Jemez Mountains Of New Mexico, Esther A. Burton, Kelly B. Miller, Paul J. Watson, David C. Witherington, Steven Poe, David Lightfoot

Biology ETDs

This thesis examines the pollinator concept and tests how sampling methods shape bee communities. Chapter 1 provides a conceptual and philosophical analysis, arguing that pollination is a process and that pollinators are context-dependent functional roles rather than fixed taxonomic categories. It traces the concept’s development from natural history to ecological theory, introduces a dual-goal model separating plant reproduction from visitor foraging, and proposes a classification framework based on evidentiary certainty and pollination potential to resolve ambiguity in pollination research.

Chapter 2 applies these ideas empirically by evaluating how pan-trap color and ultraviolet (UV) reflectance influence bee assemblages across elevation and …

From Cranes To Clinics: Genomic Epidemiology At The Human-Animal Interface, Sarah Shrum

Biology ETDs

Emerging infectious diseases represent a significant, increasing threat to human life, economic stability, and global security. The One Health framework, which promotes human health and wellness through the understanding that animal, environmental, and human health are interwoven, is critical to understanding pathogen emergence and transmission. This is underscored by the fact that roughly 60% of all human pathogens and 75% of emerging infectious disease are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans.

The work presented in this dissertation integrates genomic epidemiology, ecological analysis, and One Health Surveillance approaches to characterize cross-species circulation of opportunistic yeast pathogens (Candida …

Investigating Changes In The Stable Isotopic Composition Of Juniperus Osteosperma Over 34,000 Years Of Climatic Shifts, Lisa S. Garcia

Biology ETDs

Isotopic compositions of plants from the past provides empirical evidence for paleoclimatic shifts and plants physiologically response. This study used Neotoma paleomiddens (fossilized debris piles) collected from Death Valley National Park, which contained preserved abundant plant materials. These middens range from modern to >35,000 years and capture different climatic events in Earth history. Employing Juniperus osteosperma (Utah Juniper) leaves found in middens, I investigated variation in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition. To help interpret paleomidden results, we used modern field and herbaria samples of Juniperus from a spatial gradient stretching across their geographic range. Results showed δ ¹³C …

Reassembling Riparian Ecosystems: Stream Restoration Effects On Vegetation, Arthropods, And Aquatic-Terrestrial Connectivity, Katelyn P. Driscoll

Biology ETDs

Riparian areas exist at the aquatic-terrestrial interface and provide disproportionate ecosystem services, yet multiple stressors have degraded these zones globally. Stream restoration seeks to reverse degradation, but rigorous evaluation of treatment effectiveness remains limited. I conducted a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study in the southern Rocky Mountains to evaluate two stream restoration treatments—beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and plug-and-ponds (P&Ps)—across three dimensions of riparian ecosystem response. Using Bayesian analysis, I quantified treatment effects on functional diversity and composition of riparian plant communities. Using generalized linear mixed models, I evaluated restoration effects on riparian arthropod abundance, richness and guild composition across lateral gradients and …

Rhythms Of Hippocampal Function And Memory After Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Lilliana May Sanchez

Psychology ETDs

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders involve morphologic and neurobiological abnormalities in offspring subjected to prenatal alcohol exposure. Although not as well studied as high exposure, moderate prenatal alcohol exposure represents the most common and undetected form in humans. While learning and memory deficits have been well characterized at the behavioral level in humans with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and in animal models of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure, few studies have determined the circuit or systems level mechanisms of the behavioral deficits. A complete understanding of the neural bases of memory deficits after moderate prenatal alcohol exposure is needed to ultimately identify …

What Is Mine, Yours And Ours: Bodily Metaphor And Neuropsychology, Alicia K.E Parham

Art Theses and Dissertations

Mapping the landscape of the brain has taken human lifetimes to navigate, both structurally to understand how our biological functions interact and functionally as our thoughts and emotions shape our existence. Neurological stimulus and response inform our reality, shape our thinking, and affect our bodies in profound physiological ways. Our nervous system acts as a bridge from what we experience physically to what we feel emotionally, through the sending of electrical signals to all parts of our body.

My art practice explores the interactions of neuroscience with outside stimuli. It is rooted in the personal: learning that a neurological condition …

The Effect Of Acute Hypoxia Exposure, With Exercise, On Bone Metabolic Biomarkers, Alyssa Bailly

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Hypoxic environments, resulting from decreased atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen, reduce oxygen availability in the blood and tissues, leading to a mismatch between supply and demand. This elicits several physiological adaptations and may influence bone metabolism. Although evidence suggests that hypoxia can modulate bone remodeling through hypoxia-inducible pathways, findings remain mixed, with most data derived from chronic hypoxic exposures in animal and cell culture models. Exercise, an essential stimulus for bone health, may exacerbate hypoxic stress; however, the skeletal response to acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise remains unclear. We propose that intermittent exercise in hypoxia may increase negative markers …

Computational Design Of Peptides And Proteins Through Machine Learning Approaches, Emily J. Hendrix

Chemistry and Chemical Biology ETDs

Advancements in machine learning have emerged as a pivotal tool in computational biochemistry, offering new advancements to address challenges in protein structure and function. However, current machine-learning approaches offer limited insight in understanding protein dynamics. The purpose of this work is to combine traditional physics-based computational tools, such as molecular dynamics and coarse-grained simulations, with recently developed AI-driven computational tools to bridge gaps and advance the understanding of proteins in both structural and dynamic aspects. I investigated several approaches such as (i) traditional physics-based methods to study protein conformation and ensembles; (ii) identifying a peptide inhibitor for the PICK1 PDZ …

Urobiome Composition Varies With Vesicoureteral Reflux Grade And History Of Febrile Urinary Tract Infection, Theresa C. Barrett, Kelvin Li, Adam Fitch, Asha Patel, Bhanu Sharma, Jacqueline Holden, Kermina Abdelsayed, Nina N. Kowalewski, Sridhar Narla, Daniel Bushnell, Barbara A. Methé, Catherine S. Forster

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a risk factor for urinary tract infection (UTI). However, data describing the urobiome in children with VUR are limited. Here, we characterized the urobiome in children with and without VUR to better understand its potential role in VUR pathogenesis. Catheterized urine samples were obtained from children who presented for voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) between 12/1/2020 and 10/3/2023. Children were excluded if they had any surgical procedures of the genitourinary tract in the 30 days prior to VCUG or were on treatment antibiotics at the time of VCUG. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and taxonomical classification identified the urobiome. …

Genomics And Bioinformatics Student Companion Workbook (First Edition), Na Xu, Tina Hu

Open Educational Resources

This Genomics and Bioinformatics Student Companion Workbook provides an integrated, hands-on introduction to the principles and applications of modern genomics and bioinformatics. Designed for undergraduate students, the workbook guides learners from foundational concepts of genome structure and sequencing technologies to advanced topics including variant analysis, comparative genomics, and multi-omics integration. Emphasizing the interplay between experimental biology and computational analysis, it introduces key analytical tools and biological databases that support genome interpretation and data-driven discovery.

Through a structured progression of chapters, students explore genome organization across diverse biological systems, from prokaryotes and viruses to complex eukaryotic genomes, and examine how genomic …

Scb252 Fundamentals Of Biotechniques Laboratory Manual, Na Xu, Hanqi Ye

Open Educational Resources

This laboratory manual for SCB252: Fundamentals of Biotechniques provides an integrated, hands-on introduction to core concepts and methods in modern biological research using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. The manual emphasizes laboratory safety, research integrity, and responsible conduct of research, alongside foundational experimental skills. Students are guided through key biological techniques including fly husbandry, genetic crosses, mutant analysis, microscopy, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, sequencing technologies, and bioinformatics tools such as BLAST and genome databases. Advanced modules introduce gene structure annotation, RNA-seq data analysis, and primer design, while fluorescence microscopy and protein analysis techniques further expand …

Mllt1 Is Required To Maintain B-Lymphopoiesis, Janani Prakash

Dissertations

MLLT1 (also named ENL) is an epigenetic reader protein that binds to crotonylated or acetylated lysine residues of histone 3 through its N-terminal YEATS domain. Positive and negative regulatory complexes compete for binding to C-terminal MLLT1, and promote transcription elongation (SEC, Super elongation complex; DOT1L) or transcriptional repression (PRC1, Polycomb repressive complex 1). MLLT1 was initially identified as a chromosomal translocation partner to MLL(KMT2A) in a subset of MLL-rearranged leukemias. MLL-ENL fusion protein causes both lymphoid (predominantly B-ALL) and mixed lineage leukemias. MLLT1 has been implicated in leukemic stem cell survival in MLL-rearranged cell lines but its role in normal …

The Extraction And Chemical Characterization Of The Avian Pigments Turacin And Turacoverdin, Sarah R. Bekkali

Honors Scholar Theses

Bird coloration is a trait that extends beyond mere aesthetics as it has an extensive range of biological significance. Plumage patterns and hues can influence camouflage, mate choice, social dominance, and physiological performance. Bird fitness, their ability to survive and reproduce, is greatly dependent on color. Melanins, carotenoids, and pterins are well-studied pigment systems that are commonly found across many avian species’. Alternatively, porphyrin-based pigments are rare and less-studied as they only found in turacos a sub-Saharan African bird belonging to the family Musophagidae. This thesis focuses on two pigments of interest: turacin, the deep crimson-red pigment found in …

Designing For The Brain: Neuroarchitecture, Isabella Schutte

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

This capstone explores how principles from neuroscience can inform the design of micro-scale architectural environments to support emotional well-being and cognitive clarity. Through research, sensory analysis, immersive VR testing, and physiological and perceptual data collection, the project investigates how elements such as light, materiality, form, and atmosphere influence human experience. By comparing existing, aesthetic, and neuroscience-informed environments, the study suggests that intentional sensory design may better support restoration, stress regulation, and overall well-being within everyday spaces.

The Development And Evaluation Of An Automated Tactical Tillage Tool To Identify And Control Weeds In Row-Crop Production Systems Using Vision-Based Machine Learning., Clara Anne Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

Controlling in-field weeds in row-crop production systems is vital to the success of the operation. To control weeds, most producers use combinations of weed control strategies, including tillage and herbicide applications. Cotton production operations across the country have been trending toward conservation tillage practices in an effort to minimize soil disruption and maintain crop residues on the soil surface. This practice, in addition to the adoption of herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties, has encouraged more use of chemical herbicides. The overuse of these herbicides has resulted in an increase in herbicide-resistant weeds, making weed control difficult for farmers. This research aimed to …

Exploring The Biological Basis For Exercise Neuroprotection In Parkinson’S Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Exercise And Physical Activity On Inflammatory Cytokines And Neurotrophins, Leah Isabelle P. Alegre, Jacob M. Brewer, Adeline Florschutz, Kate E. Hamiltonthompson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Regular exercise and physical therapy are known to increase production of neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These changes combine to theoretically protect and slow the progressive loss of neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise and physical activity on various anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins in people with PD (PwP). This was a cross-sectional design involving PwP (n=37), aged 43-85 years, who participated in two 30-minute bouts of exercise (with brief rest breaks during and pre/post blood draws) separated by a week. Measures collected prior …

Postural And Load Dependent Modulation Of Lower Limb H-Reflex Excitability After Stroke, Daniel Bamiro, Matthew Berdiago, Ethan Hunter, Tia Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis

Leg stiffness is regulated by reflexive, intrinsic, and passive mechanisms, which are influenced by posture, body weight loading, and motor task demands. After a stroke, the capacity to modulate these mechanisms is often compromised. The H-reflex is a widely used electrophysiological tool to assess the excitability of the Ia afferent pathway within spinal circuitry. Although prior studies in healthy individuals have examined limb loading effects, results have been variable, and the role of postural and loading changes during standing remains underexplored, particularly in individuals post-stroke. This study investigated how different postural and limb loading conditions, specifically prone, standing, and …