Digital Commons Network^™

Towards Improving Computational Modeling Of The Lumbar Spine - Impact Of Material Properties And Laminotomy On Spinal Biomechanics, Isaac K. Kumi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Spinal ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine. These dense, collagenous tissues not only resist excessive motion but also distribute loads between spinal components to protect neural structures. Traditionally, the mechanical response of ligaments has been modeled using linear elastic assumptions, which treat the tissue as having a constant stiffness regardless of loading history. While this simplifies analysis, it fails to capture the time-dependent behaviors, such as creep, stress relaxation, and hysteresis, that are characteristic of biological tissues.

Viscoelastic modeling may provide a more physiologically accurate representation by incorporating both elastic and viscous …

The Inside Scoop: Elucidating The Three-Way Relationship Between Schistosoma Mansoni, The Gut, And Vaccines, Mariam A. Mhanna

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 250 million people worldwide. This blood fluke infection burdens communities and areas with limited to no access to clean fresh water. When a host is exposed to cercariae, the infectious agent, in a body of water, it matures in the host’s circulation into adult female and male worms. Copulated adult worms migrate to the mesentery, in the case of Schistosoma mansoni, and produce eggs that can cross the intestinal barrier and get excreted in the feces to continue the lifecycle. The effects of S. mansoni infection on the host …

Endotherm Energetics Under Environmental And Physiological Constraints, Zachary Andrew David

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Metabolic rate governs how animals allocate energy toward maintenance, activity, growth, and reproduction, linking physiology to environmental context. This dissertation investigates how two endothermic mammals regulate metabolic rate in response to environmental variability, focusing on thermoregulatory flexibility and physiological constraints. Using flow-through respirometry, I measured resting metabolic rates (RMRs) in two complementary systems: tropical bears housed in semi-natural outdoor enclosures and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) exposed to controlled thermal treatments. Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) exhibited unexpectedly low mass-specific metabolic rates even under high ambient temperatures, yet their RMR increased with temperature, suggesting proximity to their …

Advanced Analytical Biosensing For Cancer Detection And Neural Diagnostics Using Tapered Optical Fiber (Tof), Protonic, And High Throughput Microplate –Based Technologie, Bayan Hassan Alharbi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the development and application of advanced biosensing technologies to enhance early disease detection, neurological diagnostics, and bioactive compound evaluation. The research spans four key areas. First, it introduces tapered optical fiber (TOF)-based plasmonic biosensors for the non-invasive detection of prostate cancer, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional diagnostic methods.

Second, it explores the use of fluorescent biosensors to test the Transmembrane Electrostatically Localized Proton (TELP) theory, shedding light on the role of localized protons in neuronal signaling and energy transfer. Third, the work presents a high-throughput, microplate-based biosensing platform for analyzing mitochondrial function under nanosecond …

Effect Of Moderate Decrease In Contractility On Epithelial Cell-Cell Contacts Under External Stretch, Saika Sharmin

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Epithelial tissues are characterized by extensive cell–cell contacts and often subject to stretch during normal function. Cell-cell contact adhesion strength maintains mechanical continuity from cell to cell. Mechanical forces exerted by cells via actomyosin contractility are known to strengthen cell-cell adhesions to a certain extent. While it is known that a large decrease in contractility causes cell-cell contact rupture due to weakened adhesions, it is unclear how a moderate reduction in contractility affects cell-cell junction stability. Here, we studied how a moderate inhibition of non-muscle myosin II (NMII) affects the integrity of epithelial cell-cell contacts, especially when subject to the …

Nerve-To-Cancer Transfer Of Mitochondria During Cancer Metastasis, Gregory Hoover, Shila Gilbert, Olivia Curley, Clémence Obellianne, Mike T Lin, William Hixson, Terry W Pierce, Joel F Andrews, Mikhail F Alexeyev, Yi Ding, Ping Bu, Fariba Behbod, Daniel Medina, Jeffrey T Chang, Gustavo Ayala, Simon Grelet

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The nervous system has a pivotal role in cancer biology, and pathological investigations have linked intratumoural nerve density to metastasis1. However, the precise impact of cancer-associated neurons and the communication channels at the nerve–cancer interface remain poorly understood. Previous cancer denervation models in rodents and humans have highlighted robust cancer dependency on nerves, but the underlying mechanisms that drive nerve-mediated cancer aggressivity remain unknown2,3. Here we show that cancer-associated neurons enhance cancer metabolic plasticity by transferring mitochondria to cancer cells. Breast cancer denervation and nerve–cancer coculture models confirmed that neurons significantly improve tumour energetics. …

Low-Dose Metformin Requires Brain Rap1 For Its Antidiabetic Action, Hsiao-Yun Lin, Weisheng Lu, Yanlin He, Yukiko Fu, Kentaro Kaneko, Peimeng Huang, Ana B De La Puente-Gomez, Chunmei Wang, Yongjie Yang, Feng Li, Yong Xu, Makoto Fukuda

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed antidiabetes drug, yet its precise mechanism of action remains controversial. Previous studies have suggested that metformin acts peripherally by reducing hepatic glucose output and altering gut functions. Here, we report a neural mechanism via the small guanosine triphosphatase Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1). Mice with forebrain-specific Rap1 knockout exhibited resistance to the antidiabetic effects of low-dose metformin while remaining sensitive to other antidiabetic agents. Centrally administered metformin inhibited brain Rap1 and reduced hyperglycemia. Conversely, forced activation of brain Rap1 increased glycemia and abolished the glycemic effect of metformin. Metformin activated a specific subset of neurons …

Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse, globally spread and yet poorly studied group of benthic organisms. They act as settlement cues for coral larvae, but this interaction is often species-specific, as CCA species can be either inducers or inhibitors to larval settlement and metamorphosis. Despite this importance, information on Caribbean CCA distribution, diversity, and impact on coral species is limited due to the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, CCA samples were collected from seven different reef sites in the southeastern region of Florida’s Coral Reef and genetically identified using molecular analyses. Some of the samples collected …

Using Herpetofauna To Determine Wetland Health And Function In The Red River Watershed, Shelby Rodriguez-Edwards

Biology Theses

Reptiles and amphibians are commonly used indicator species in wetlands because of their increased sensitivity to environmental conditions and use of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Herpetofauna can reflect wetland ecological functionality through their community composition and responsiveness to environmental stressors. This study evaluated reptile and amphibian communities in natural and ACEP-WRE wetlands within the Red River Watershed of northeastern Texas and Northwestern Louisiana to assess whether restored wetlands support herpetofaunal assemblages compares to their natural counterparts. Fifteen wetlands were surveyed from February to June 2024 using visual encounter surveys, call surveys, and standardized trapping methods to document species richness …

Characterizing Host And Viral Factors Relevant To Turkey Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus-Induced Immunosuppression, Abraham Quaye

Theses and Dissertations

Turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) is an adenovirus (AdV) that causes hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) in turkeys, a debilitating disease affecting predominantly 6-12-week-old turkey poults characterized by immunosuppression (IMS) and intestinal lesions leading to bloody diarrhea. Although a naturally-occurring avirulent THEV strain has been adopted as live vaccine and has proven effective at preventing HE in turkeys, it still retains its immunosuppressive ability. Thus, vaccinated birds are rendered more susceptible to opportunistic infections and death than unvaccinated cohorts, leading to substantial economic losses. This dissertation focuses on elucidating both host and viral factors mediating THEV-induced IMS in turkeys. As THEV gene …

Characterizing Gastric Cancer Tumor Immune Microenvironment Through Extracellular Vesicles, Claire Elizabeth Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) critically influences cancer progression and determining therapeutic response. As immunotherapies continue to improve and reshape cancer treatments, there is a need for tools that can more efficiently and accurately assess and monitor the TIME. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs), are lipid-bound nanoparticles that carry proteins, DNA, and RNA reflective of their cell of origin, offering a novel, non-invasive biomarker of the TIME. This makes them a promising candidate for immune profiling and treatment monitoring in cancer. This thesis investigates the potential of EVs as biomarkers for TIME composition and immune activity. An analysis …

Assessing Effectiveness Of Runnel Restoration In New England Salt Marsh Habitats, David M. Burdick, Grant Mckown, Gregg Moore, Jenny Gibson, Wenley Ferguson, John Herbert, Nancy Pau, Susan Adamowicz, Geoff Wilson

Faculty Publications

Rising sea levels that increase flooding in salt marshes recovering from hydrologic impairments is reducing nesting habitat for salt marsh sparrows. Abandonment of colonial farming practices (1600s through 1900s) has resulted in large, waterlogged basins characterized by shallow depressions (pannes) dominated by short-form Spartina alterniflora and unvegetated megapools that are subsiding. A relatively new technique designed to provide regular tidal flooding and drainage to the waterlogged basins that have formed on the marsh is runnelling – creation of shallow hydrologic features on the marsh surface. Will runnels result in revegetation of pannes and pools with productive perennial grasses that are …

Genome Sequences For Nine Streptococcus Anginosus Strains Isolated From Female Urogenital Samples, Helen Appleberry, Olive Kolar, Saad Ahmed, Omar Al Khalili, Inga Astrauskas, Adel Choubkha, Abraham Dulli, Anna Gamal, Elina Greljo, Samiah Iqbal, Neelesh Kanduri, Adam Kawamleh, Emma Kress, Walter Mccain, Sophia Meza, Madison Mikolaitis, Amal Naqvi, Emily Ngo, Jackie Ostiguin, Vedant Patel, Alan J. Wolfe, Catherine Putonti, Alex Kula

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Streptococcus anginosus is a common inhabitant of the female urinary tract. Comparative genomics suggests that strains from female urogenital samples are distinct from S. anginosus strains isolated from other anatomical sites. Here, we present three complete and six draft genome assemblies of S. anginosus isolated from urine, vaginal swabs, and a perineal swab.

The Crab Silvofishery System As A Conservation Strategy In Mangrove Restoration Area: A Case Study On The Coast Of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Apriyanto Apriyanto, Rujito Agus Suwignyo, Tengku Zia Ulqodry, Sarno Sarno, Riris Aryawati, Muhtadi Muhtadi, Herry Purnomo, Beni Okarda

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Anthropogenic activities such as logging and converting mangrove forests into plantations have degraded coastal ecosystems and reduced their ecological stability. Silvofishery is a restoration system that balances the ecological and economic functions of mangroves. In Marga Sungsang Village, South Sumatra, mangrove restoration was integrated with mud crab (Scylla spp.) cultivation through a crab silvofishery system. This study aimed to analyze the contribution of mangrove restoration with a mud crab silvofishery system to mud crab growth. The study was conducted from August 2024 to January 2025. Growth parameters included carapace length, width, and body weight. Analyses covered absolute growth …

Assessment Of Covid-19 Risks Related To Behaviour And Body Resistance In The Remote Area: Case Study In Jeneponto, Basri Basri, Andi Tilka Muftiah Ridjal, Lukman Setiawan, Renaldi M

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

COVID-19 has posed significant global health threats, with responses varying across populations due to differences in risk perception, behaviour, and biological vulnerability. In Indonesia, most research has focused on urban settings, with limited attention paid to rural or remote communities. This study assesses COVID-19- risks related—specifically behavioural and immunity-related-factors—in the remote area of both Bontoramba Subdistrict, Jeneponto Regency. A cross-sectional study was conducted using cluster random sampling across eight villages, with 183 participants selected from a total of 12,242 households. Data were collected between November to December 2020 using a validated structured questionnaire, administered both online and face-to-face interviews. The …

Potential Impact Of Dotted Paropsine Beetle And Other Leaf Beetles On Eucalyptus In Utah, Marion Murray, Victoria Xiong, Megan Kast

All Current Publications

Dotted paropsine leaf beetle (DPLB) is an invasive eucalyptus pest native to Australia. Its first U.S. detection was in California in 2022. DPLB feeds on several eucalyptus species, with blue gum as its primary host. Feeding damage includes semicircular notches on leaf edges, defoliation of young leaves, and dieback of shoot tips. DPLB poses a threat to eucalyptus plantings across the western U.S. and to cut foliage producers in Utah.

Convergence In Action: Where Environmental Science Meets Sustainable Development Practice, Herdis Herdiansyah

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Since the introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the pursuit of human well-being through development and planetary sustainability for a better future has become a global discourse (de Jong & Vijge, 2021; Naseer et al., 2025; Arora-Jonsson, 2023). The SDGs have catalyzed interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthened global commitment (Naseer et al., 2025) by emphasizing the balance and integration of economic, social, and environmental aspects (Sedovs et al., 2025). However, the assumption that all goals can be achieved simultaneously and harmoniously seems hasty and potentially ignores the inherent tensions between ecological and …

Effective And Eco-Friendly Strategies To Control Birds In Industrial Estate, Jasti Rahayu, Upik K. Hadi, Susi Soviana

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Bird infestations in industrial areas can cause infrastructure damage, contamination, and health risks. Despite these impacts, they are rarely addressed in environmental management strategies. At the Kaltim Industrial Estate (KIE) in Bontang, East Kalimantan, synanthropic bird species that thrive in human-altered environments have become persistent nuisances, particularly because of structural opportunities for roosting and altered ecological conditions. To address this issue, this study applied Integrated Pest Bird Management (IPBM), a non-lethal and environmentally friendly approach that combines species identification, behavior analysis, and targeted deterrents. IPBM was selected for its adaptability to industrial settings and its alignment with sustainable development goals. …

Microbial And Ecophysiological Indices Of Agricultural Soils As Affected By Different Farming Practices In Tropical Monsoon Climate, Gulshan Ara Begum, Sajal Roy, Nasrin Chowdhury

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Organic farming is increasingly promoted as a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture due to its positive effects on soil microbial dynamics, a critical component of ecosystem functioning. However, empirical comparisons of microbial responses across these systems are scarce. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess the various microbial indices of soils taken from distinct crop fields (e.g., brinjal, chilli, tomato, bean, and fallow lands) managed under both conventional and organic farming techniques. Composite soil samples from surface layer (0–15 cm) were collected in a completely random way from Bandarban upazila of Bangladesh (22°11'24.0"N 92°09'00.0"E, organic fields; 22°10'12.0"N 92°09'36.0"E, conventional fields). …

Coal Mining Reclamation: Lessons Learned From Tropical And Subtropical Countries, Priyaji Agung Pambudi, Suyud Warno Utomo, Roni Setyo Handoko

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

This study addresses the persistent environmental challenges associated with coal mining in tropical and subtropical regions, where complex microclimates and ecological variability hinder effective reclamation. Despite the increasing global coal demand, comparative cross-country insights remain limited. This research fills the gap by evaluating the best practices. This study employs a qualitative methodology with a comparative case study design, uses systematic literature review to evaluate ecology based reclamation policies and implementation practices. Data were sourced from peer-reviewed journals from Scopus and the Web of Science database and institutional reports, and analyzed using McHarg’s landscape ecology theory to evaluate reclamation policies, ecological …

Sustainable Water Management In Universities: Perceptions, Behaviours, And Challenges, Hastin Setiani, Dwita Sutjiningsih, Riri Fitri Sari

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Universities are increasingly adopting the “living laboratory” model to implement and evaluate sustainability innovations. These settings enable students, staff, and stakeholders to co-create and test real-world solutions, including those related to water use. Universitas Indonesia promotes sustainability through an integrated approach encompassing policy development, academics programs, and infrastructures. Prior studies using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) have demonstrated that attitudes and perceived norms significantly influence sustainable behavior. However, limited research has examined how these dynamics operate within Indonesian universities or how university-based initiatives may contribute to broader urban water management. This study addresses that gap by examining perceptions, behaviors, …

Evaluation Of Sustainability Assessment Post Changes In The Management Of The Natural Reserve To The Natural Tourism Park In Kamojang Area, West Java, Indonesia, Purna Hindayani, Alnidi Safarach Bratanegara, Intan Adhi Perdana Putri, Zuzy Anna, Armandha Redo Pratama

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The area of Kamojang Nature Tourism Park, which was originally only 255 hectares, has expanded to 2,391 hectares following a changes in the Nature Reserve area. This change has raised concerns and objections from various parties, as it is considered to open opportunities for exploitation, threaten biodiversity, and potentially trigger tourism activities that may degrade the environmental quality of the areaThis study aims to analyze the sustainability status index of the Kamojang Natural Tourism Park following the status downgrade from a Nature Reserve to a Natural Tourism Park. A descriptive qualitative approach used, utilizing the Multi-dimensional Scaling model to determine …

Reframing Educational Cities As Waste Governance Laboratories, Suyeno Suyeno, Langgeng Rachmatullah Putra, Rispa Ngindana, Ima Kumalasari

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Rapid urban growth in mid-sized cities within developing countries has increased challenges in municipal solid waste management, especially in urban areas known for their concentration of educational institutions and dense populations. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these policies through the framework of Good Environmental Governance, identifying critical gaps in policy implementation and proposing sustainable solutions. This study employs Soft Systems Methodology, a participatory approach for exploring complex, ill-structured problems. The key steps included rich picture creation, root definition, conceptual modeling, and comparison with real-world practices. This allowed for the integration of stakeholder perspectives and the identification of …

Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Biomarker Heterogeneity Linked To Cdk4/6 Inhibitor Resistance In Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Ilenia Migliaccio, Martina Bonechi, Dario Romagnoli, Giulia Boccalini, Francesca Galardi, Cristina Guarducci, Agostina Nardone, Rachel Schiff, Laura Biganzoli, Luca Malorni, Matteo Benelli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitors have brought great improvements in the treatment of luminal breast cancer, but resistance is a major clinical hurdle. Multiple biomarkers of resistance have been proposed, but none is currently utilized in clinical practice. By performing single-cell RNA sequencing of seven palbociclib-naïve luminal breast cancer cell lines and palbociclib-resistant derivatives, we show that established biomarkers and pathways related to CDK4/6i resistance present marked intra- and inter- cell-line heterogeneity. Transcriptional features of resistance could be already observed in naïve cells correlating with levels of sensitivity (IC50) to palbociclib. Resistant derivatives showed transcriptional clusters that significantly …

A Technique For Estimating The Number Of Shoots On Pole-Sized Red Pine: The Relationship Of Selected Tree Parameters To Number Of Shoots In Central Wisconsin Sand Plains Plantations, J. H. Hainze, D. M. Benjamin

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Diameter at breast height (dbh) , of ten tree parameters tested, was most highly correlated with the number of shoots per tree in six red pine plantations in the central Wisconsin sand plains. Tree height, frequently used as an estimator of shoot number in young conifers, was not highly correlated with shoot number. A strong, nonlinear correlation existed between branch diameter and number of shoots per branch. Multiple regressions using several tree parameters yielded the highest R2 values, however, dbh was judged the simplest and most practical estimator of shoot number for central Wisconsin red pine plantations.

Record Of Michigan Mosquito Species (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected In A Natural Focus Of Jamestown Canyon Virus In 1984, Paul R. Grimstad, Michael J. Mandracchia

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Data are presented on the seasonal succession of 22 species of mosquitoes collected at the Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area, Missaukee County, in northcentral Michigan during a three-month period in 1984. Nine species represent new county records.

Observations On The Nesting And Unique Cachement Behavior Of Calicurgus Hyalinatus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), Frank E. Kurczewski, Margery G. Spofford

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The components of the nesting and provisioning behavior of Calicurgus hyalinatus are delineated chronologically. The unique cachement of the prey, whereby the spider is suspended from vegetation by its own silken threads, is described. The nesting and provisioning components we observed are compared with those described in the Nearctic and Palearctic literature.

Nearctic Epiblema: A New Synonymy, A Revised Identity, And Two New Species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), William E. Miller

The Great Lakes Entomologist

New findings are reported for four species: Epiblema naoma Clarke is a junior synonym of E. iowana McDunnough; E. numerosana (Zeller) is currently misidentified; E. chromata, currently identified as the preceding, is described from Texas and differentiated from E. grossbecki Heinrich by maculation and female genitalia; and E. arctica, recently discovered in the Alaskan tundra, is described and differentiated from the boreal E. lyallana McDunnough by maculation and male genitalia.

Winter Wheat Cold Hardiness And Fructan Reserves Affected By Rhopalosiphum Padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) Feeding, S. G. Wellso, C. R. Olien, R. P. Hoxie

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The cold hardiness of 'Winoka' and 'Genesee' winter wheats was each significantly less (P = 0.05) when fed upon by bird-cherry oat aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi, than non-infested seedlings. Aphid feeding also reduced the amount of fructans in crown tissue ca. 20% compared to extracts from crowns of non-infested seedlings. It appears that the cold hardiness of these wheat cultivars may have been reduced because of fructan depletion by insect feeding.

Control Of Hyadaphis Tataricae (Homoptera: Aphididae) On Honeysuckle Including Observations On Host Plant Resistance, Philip L. Nixon, Carolyn Peet Nixon, James E. Schuster

The Great Lakes Entomologist

llyadaphis tataricae causes witches-brooming to the growing tips of Zabelii and other large bush-type honeysuckles in the north central states. Insecticide tests show that acephate (Orthene), dimethoate (Cygan), or oxydemeton-methyl (Metasystox-R) sprayed monthly in June and July will reduce witches-brooming. Malathion was not effective in reducing damage. Host plant resistance observations indicate that Lonicera x notha, L. x muendeniensis, L. x amoena 'Alba', L. x ).;ylosteoides, and L. tatarica 'Arnold Red' are ll. tataricae resistant. These large bush-type honeysuckles would appear to be good replacements for Zabelii and other susceptible honeysuckles in ornamental plantings.