Digital Commons Network^™

Using Student Interests To Explore Inclusion In Undergraduate Chemistry, Sonja Hoversten

CSB and SJU Distinguished Thesis

For students who are not chemistry majors, but who are on a career track requiring four chemistry courses, taking the final reactivity chemistry course (CHEM 251) for pre-health students can be daunting. For this reason, this research is focused on the CHEM 251 course at The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSBSJU) which is one of the four required chemistry courses for pre-medicine and some pre-physician assistant students, and all chemistry and biochemistry majors. Student perception of inclusion in the course increased through the implementation of group assignments including prompts for individual application of the material. The …

Rosarugosides A And D From Osa Rugosa Flower Buds: Their Potential Anti-Skin-Aging Effects Intnf-Α-Induced Human Dermal Fibroblasts, Kang Sub Kim, So-Ri Son, Yea Jung Choi, Yejin Kim, Si-Young Ahn, Dae Sik Jang, Sullim Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This present study investigated the anti-skin-aging properties of Rosa rugosa. Initially, phenolic compounds were isolated from a hot water extract of Rosa rugosa's flower buds. Through repeated chromatography (column chromatography, MPLC, and prep HPLC), we identified nine phenolic compounds (1-9), including a previously undescribed depside, rosarugoside D (1). The chemical structure of 1 was elucidated via NMR, HR-MS, UV, and hydrolysis. Next, in order to identify bioactive compounds that are effective against TNF-α-induced NHDF cells, we measured intracellular ROS production in samples treated with each of the isolated compounds (1- …

Peace With Painful Memories, Mona Muzammil, Muzammil Arshad, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

This Book helps you identify and heal from childhood emotional neglect so you can be more connected and emotionally present in your life.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re just going through the motions in life? Do you often act like you’re fine when you secretly feel lonely and disconnected? Perhaps you have a good life and yet somehow, it’s not enough to make you happy. Or perhaps you drink too much, eat too much, or risk too much to feel something good. If so, you are not alone and you may be suffering from emotional neglect.

Are you one …

Simulacra And Historical Fidelity In Digital Recreation Of Lost Cultural Heritage: Reconstituting Period Materialities For The Period Eye, Trent Olsen, James Hutson, Charles O'Brien, Jeremiah Ratican

Faculty Scholarship

The advancement of digital technologies in art history has opened avenues for reconstructing lost or damaged cultural heritage, a need highlighted by the deteriorated state of many artworks from the 1785 Salon. Grounded in the concept of the “Period Eye” by art historian Michael Baxandall, which emphasizes understanding artworks within their original historical and cultural contexts, this study proposes a subfield focused on Reconstituting Period Materialities for the Period Eye. This methodology bridges comprehensive historical research with generative visual artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, facilitating the creation and immersive virtual reality viewing of artworks. Beyond mere visual replication, the approach aims …

Sustainable Service Trends In Restaurants, Suruchi Bhatt

School of Business

Being Sustainable is an essential milestone in the food industry. Companies form and fall because of consumers' reactions to the industry. The food industry and restaurants account for some of the highest Food Waste and Pollution, approximately 34% of the Global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, including food production, processing, distribution, and consumption. (Crippa et al., 2021) In a sector like this, ensuring a complete understanding of sustainability in the industry is of utmost importance. However, the sheer relationship between the sustainable image, the prospect of sustainability, and the reality of implementing it may be far from reality. (Yuying-Huang, 2022)

Impact Of Pollution On Marginalized Communities: Case Study Of Omaha, Nebraska, Miqaela Davis

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Environmental justice has been a struggle within our country for years. The goal of Environmental justice is for the fair treatment and equal voice for every single individual regardless of race, income, gender, etc. There has been environmental injustice and racism in many cities, but this study focuses on Omaha, Nebraska. Key questions include: What are some specific pollutants that are prevalent in areas with differing racial majorities in Omaha? What are some of the health patterns in these areas and does it relate to environmental racism? How has Omaha reinforced environmental racism through city planning? Using the Climate and …

Maximization Of Brackish Water Productivity For The Sustainable Production Of Striped Catfish (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus) And Grain Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Cultivated Under An Integrated Aquaculture–Agriculture System, Fahad Kimera, Muziri Mugwanya, Khaled Madkour, Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Hani Sewilam

Faculty Journal Articles

Freshwater scarcity, salinity, and poor soil fertility are the major challenges affecting both food and feed productions in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Utilization of brackish water in the production of saline-tolerant fish and valuable field crops under an integrated system is promising in the maximization of yield per crop. The aim of this study, therefore, was to (1) assess the effect of saline aquaculture wastewater on the growth, yield, forage quality, and nutritive composition of sorghum seeds and (2) assess the effect of different water qualities on the survival, growth performance, and health status of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. …

Using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry In Conjuction With Derivatization Methods To Enhance The Separation Of Different Steroid Isomers, Shadrack Lucas

All Theses

One of the major problems facing analytical chemistry challenge is the isomers separation, due to their closely related molecular structures and physicochemical properties. Therefore, in this thesis, we have performed the separation of steroid isomers through the use of ion mobility mass spectrometry, using various chemical approaches. Ion mobility is an effective high-resolution separation techniques that utilizes the mobility of ions in the gas-phase environment. A useful tool for isomeric analysis due to the ability to separate different isomeric classes of steroids according to their varied collision cross-sections, which is achieved by taking advantage of differences in ion mobility.

Moreover, …

The Influence Of Edaphic Factors On The Growth And Competitiveness Of Loosestrife (Lythrum Spp.), Martha Mahady

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Wetlands are important areas in the landscape, providing important ecosystem services. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), native to Europe and Asia, invades wetlands in North America, outcompeting native wetland plants and disrupting ecosystem services. While purple loosestrife is invasive in North America, it is not in its native range. Winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum), a North American native congener, is not invasive in North America. Purple loosestrife from Sussex County, N.J. U.S.A. and purple loosestrife from the United Kingdom, and winged loosestrife were compared in this study. Their response to soil edaphic factors, such as seed vernalization, soil nutrients, soil pH, water, …

5-Year Strategic Direction, 2024–2028: Institute Of Agriculture And Natural Resources, University Of Nebraska–Lincoln, Institute Of Agriculture And Natural Resources University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Institute Publications

IANR: Integrating Learning, Discovery, and Engagement for an Even Better Nebraska

Includes an introduction, description of the components of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the IANR pillars, stratgeic aims for 2024–2028, and a section on implementation.

From Metabolites To Flux: Understanding Cellular Metabolism, Cale Thornton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Metabolomics is a well-established field with the first published mention of the metabolome in 1998 with numerous applications encompassing food science, microbiology, forensics, plant biology, and many others. In this thesis, I will describe how we utilized Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to aid in our understanding of topics ranging from method development, biomass conversion, to food science. In the first topic, we will probe the challenges and successes in understanding how to monitor the real-time metabolism of living cells by NMR. Cells larger can ca. 0.2 μM in diameter tend to settle out of suspension within minutes. Pluronic F-127 …

Development And Validation Of A Rule-Based Algorithm To Identify Periodontal Diagnosis Using Structured Electronic Health Record Data, Bunmi Tokede, Ryan Brandon, Chun-Teh Lee, Guo-Hao Lin, Joel White, Alfa Yansane, Xiaoqian Jiang, Elsbeth Kalenderian, Muhammad Walji

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

AIM: To develop and validate an automated electronic health record (EHR)-based algorithm to suggest a periodontal diagnosis based on the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal Diseases and Conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using material published from the 2017 World Workshop, a tool was iteratively developed to suggest a periodontal diagnosis based on clinical data within the EHR. Pertinent clinical data included clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival margin to cemento-enamel junction distance, probing depth, furcation involvement (if present) and mobility. Chart reviews were conducted to confirm the algorithm's ability to accurately extract clinical data from the EHR, and then …

Electrocatalytic Degradation Of Bisphenol A Using Nickel Sulfide Supported On Graphene Oxide And Cobalt Sulfide Supported On Graphene Oxide Composite Materials, Katherine Ellynn Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) by nickel sulfide supported on graphene oxide (NiS/GO) and cobalt sulfide supported on graphene oxide (CoS/GO) composite materials was investigated. The catalysts were studied to determine the optimal conditions for BPA degradation using electrocatalysis. Electrocatalytic trials were performed using varying parameters, which included electrolyte concentrations of 1.0 g/L, 2.0 g/L, and 4.0 g/L Na2SO4, pHs of 2, 4, and 6, and constant currents of either 0.100 A or 0.200 A. During the reaction samples were taken before the current was applied and 30 minutes and 60 minute intervals to observe the degradation of …

Pathology And Osteological Observations Of Early Pliocene Rhinoceros, Teleoceras Aepysoma (Perissodactyla, Rhinocerotidae) From Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee, Thomas Scaife

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rhinoceroses were an important part of North America’s Paleogene and Neogene ecosystems, with Teleoceras aepysoma being one of the last representatives of this family. Specimens of T. aepysoma from the Gray Fossil Site (GFS) possess distinct/peculiar pathologies: including a pair of fused ribs and ankylosed phalanges. A qualitative description of the pathologies in the GFS T. aepysoma, including new material, was conducted to accurately identify pathologies and make interpretations about the life history of the GFS rhinos. Analysis suggests that rheumatoid arthritis is common in the lower limb bones of GFS rhinos. Additionally, the rib and toe pathologies are more …

A Chemical And Historical Analysis Of Beer: Discovering Brewing Styles And Beer Stages, Alexander Taylor '24

Honor Scholar Theses

This interdisciplinary project is designed to explore both the compositional qualities of beer during the brewing process and its impact on society from a cultural, economic, and social viewpoint. Comparing various styles of beer against each other in a historical, societal, and chemical lens allows for a deeper understanding of what creates a beer’s identity, and what makes it different from other styles. Here we analyzed two different styles of beer, a bock lager and a saison ale, in order to determine their chemical composition through their developmental stages to their final product. Based on previously published research and extended …

Hjg: An Effective Hierarchical Joint Graph For Anns In Multi-Metric Spaces, Yifan Zhu, Lu Chen, Yunjun Gao, Ruiyao Ma, Baihua Zheng, Jingwen Zhao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Owing to the widespread deployment of smartphones and networked devices, massive amount of data in different types are generated every day, including numeric data, locations, text data, images, etc. Nearest neighbour search in multi-metric spaces has attracted much attention, as it can accommodate any type of data and support search on flexible combinations of multiple metrics. However, most existing methods focus on single metric queries, failing to answer multi-metric queries efficiently due to the complex metric combinations. In this paper, for the first time, we study the approximate nearest neighbour search (ANNS) in multi-metric spaces, and propose HJG, a hierarchical …

Catchment-Scale Thawing And Greening Decreases Long-Term Nitrogen Export In Ne Greenland, Shannon L. Speir, Jennifer L. Tank, Ada Pastor, Marc F. Muller, Mikhail Mastepanov, Tenna Riis

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Climate change is expected to alter nitrogen (N) export from Arctic rivers, with potential implications for fragile coastal ecosystems and fisheries. Yet, the directionality of change is poorly understood, as increased mobilization of N in a 'thawing' Arctic is countered by higher rates of vegetative uptake in a 'greening' Arctic, particularly in the understudied region of Greenland. We use an unprecedented dataset of long-term (n = 18 years) river chemistry, streamflow, and catchment-scale changes in snow and vegetation to document changing riverine N loss in Greenland. We documented decreasing inorganic and organic N loads, linked to decreasing snow stores, …

Coarctation Duration And Severity Predict Risk Of Hypertension Precursors In A Preclinical Model And Hypertensive Status Among Patients, Arash Ghorbannia, Hilda Jurkiewicz, Lith Nasif, Abdillahi Ahmed, Jennifer Co-Vu, Mehdi Maadooliat, Ronald K. Woods, John F. Ladisa Jr.

Mathematical and Statistical Science Faculty Research and Publications

BACKGROUND:

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) often leads to hypertension posttreatment. Evidence is lacking for the current >20 mm Hg peak-to-peak blood pressure (BP) gradient (BPGpp) guideline, which can cause aortic thickening, stiffening, and dysfunction. This study sought to find the BPGpp severity and duration that avoid persistent dysfunction in a preclinical model and test if predictors translate to hypertension status in patients with CoA.

METHODS:

Rabbits (n=75; 5–12/group) were exposed to mild, intermediate, or severe CoA (≤12, 13–19, ≥20 mm Hg BPGpp) for ≈1, 3, or 22 weeks using dissolvable and permanent sutures with thickening, stiffening, contraction, and endothelial …

Use Of Modelling Tools To Assess Climate Change Impacts On Smallholder Oil Seed Yields In South Africa, Priscilla Ntuchu Kephe, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Farirai Rusere, Abel Chemura

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oil seed crops are the second most important field crops after cereals in the agricultural economy globally. The use and demand for oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean and sunflower have grown significantly, but climate change is expected to alter the agroecological conditions required for oilseed crop production. This study aims to present an approach that utilizes decision-making tools to assess the potential climate change impacts on groundnut, soybean and sunflower yields and the greenhouse gas emissions from the management of the crops. The Decision Support Tool for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v4.7), a dynamic crop model and the Cool Farm …

Silver Nanoparticle Biosynthesis Utilizing Ocimum Kilimandscharicum Leaf Extract And Assessment Of Its Antibacterial Activity Against Certain Chosen Bacteria, Horyomba Siaka Ouandaogo, Souleymane Diallo, Eddy Odari, Johnson Kinyu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The use of plants in the biological production of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial applications is a growing field of research. In the current work, we formulated Ocimum kilimandscharicum extracts using silver nanoparticles, and evaluated its potential antibacterial activity. Aqueous and methanol plant extracts were used to reduce silver nitrate at different time intervals (30 to 150 minutes) and pH (2 to 11). The UV-visible absorption spectrum recorded for methanol and aqueous extracts revealed a successful synthesis of AgNPs for methanol and aqueous extracts. The antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella choleraesuius ATCC 10708, …

Vibmilk: Non-Intrusive Milk Spoilage Detection Via Smartphone Vibration, Yuezhong Wu, Wei Song, Yanxiang Wang, Dong Ma, Weitao Xu, Mahbub Hassan, Wen Hu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Quantifying the chemical process of milk spoilage is challenging due to the need for bulky, expensive equipment that is not user-friendly for milk producers or customers. This lack of a convenient and accurate milk spoilage detection system can cause two significant issues. First, people who consume spoiled milk may experience serious health problems. Secondly, milk manufacturers typically provide a “best before” date to indicate freshness, but this date only shows the highest quality of the milk, not the last day it can be safely consumed, leading to significant milk waste. A practical and efficient solution to this problem is proposed …

Spatial Ecology Of Mule Deer Migrations From Grand Teton National Park And The Teton Range, Justin K. Schwabedissen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hosts several of the longest, fully intact ungulate migrations remaining in the continental United States. However, expanding development and an increasing human footprint continue to truncate migratory routes. While the endpoints are often a seasonal range on protected lands, these migration corridors frequently cross other jurisdictional boundaries, including large tracts of private or multiple-use lands, with varying levels of protection. Thus, it is critical resource managers understand the dynamics of migratory movements to define population-level corridors and prioritize appropriate conservation strategies. Mule deer in Wyoming have been documented traveling long distances between summer and winter ranges; …

The Influence Of Individual Strategies On Cougar Ecology: Insights From Predation, Space Use, And Reproduction, Kristin Nicole Engebretsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Carnivores are ecologically important to global ecosystems because they interact with their prey species and other carnivores in a variety of ways. Many carnivores have suffered habitat loss and persecution by humans, which has led some populations to become imperiled or locally extirpated. Despite these challenges, cougars (Puma concolor) continue to exist across North, Central, and South America. They exhibit behavioral adaptation across their wide range, thriving in terrain that ranges from temperate forests, to steppe scrub, to rainforest, to rugged deserts. Across these diverse ecosystems, cougars can successfully establish territories, hunt prey, and raise young to persist …

Simulating Ice Particle Properties Under Varying Electric Fields, Joseph Thomas Cooney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In this study, the interactions between atmospheric water molecules and an electrically charged dust particle were simulated in python to determine the role of electric charge and electric fields in atmospheric ice formation. Multiple levels of electric charge were tested, corresponding to different strengths of atmospheric electric fields. The TIP4P-2005 model for water was used to simulate these molecules under the influence of a central electric potential to represent the charged dust particle. These included a control group with no electric field (0 C), a group under a fair-weather strength of electric field (1.6*10-14 C), a foul-weather electric field (1.6*10-12 …

Produced Water: Characterization And Treatment, Ramon Antonio Sanchez Rosario

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, environmental concerns have urged companies in the energy sector to modify their industrial activities to facilitate greater environmental stewardship. For example, the practice of unconventional oil and gas extraction has drawn the ire of regulators and various environmental groups due to its reliance on millions of barrels of fresh water for hydraulic fracturing well stimulation, which is generally withdrawn from natural sources and public water supplies. Additionally, this process generates two substantial waste streams, which are collectively characterized as flowback and produced water. Whereas flowback water is comprised of various chemical additives that are used during hydraulic …

Maternal Care Utilization And Provision During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Voices From Minoritized Pregnant And Postpartum Women And Maternal Care Providers In Deep South, Ran Zhang, Tiffany Byrd, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Myriam E. Torres Phd, Msph, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Jihong Liu Sc.D.

Faculty Publications

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected maternal care services especially for minoritized individuals, creating challenges for both service users (i.e., African American and Hispanic pregnant/postpartum women) and maternal care providers (MCPs). Guided by a socioecological framework, this study aims to investigate the experiences of African American and Hispanic pregnant and postpartum women, as well as MCPs, in accessing and providing maternal care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Deep South.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 African American women, 20 Hispanic women, and 9 MCPs between January and August 2022. Participants were recruited from Obstetrics and Gynecology …

Comprehensive Analysis Of Bulk And Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data Reveals A Novel Signature Associated With Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Lipid Metabolism, And Liver Metastasis In Pancreatic Cancer, Xiaohong Liu, Bo Ren, Yuan Fang, Jie Ren, Xing Wang, Minzhi Gu, Feihan Zhou, Ruiling Xiao, Xiyuan Luo, Lei You, Yupei Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with high probability of recurrence and distant metastasis. Liver metastasis is the predominant metastatic mode developed in most pancreatic cancer cases, which seriously affects the overall survival rate of patients. Abnormally activated endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism reprogramming are closely related to tumor growth and metastasis. This study aims to construct a prognostic model based on endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism for pancreatic cancer, and further explore its correlation with tumor immunity and the possibility of immunotherapy.

METHODS: Transcriptomic and clinical data are acquired from TCGA, ICGC, and GEO …

Linking Reactive Nitrogen Species Within The Vadose Zone With Surface Irrigation, Kaitlyn Richards

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study investigated the relationship between irrigation methods and the mobilization of nitrogen in the vadose zone, focusing on soil properties, water dynamics, and nitrogen species distribution. Data collected from dryland and pivot-irrigated soil cores reveal distinct patterns in water content, bulk density, soil texture, pH, conductivity, and nitrogen concentrations. Results indicated that water content has a major influence in nitrogen availability and microbial activity. Nitrate-N and ammonium-N concentrations varied between dryland and pivot soils, with notable disparities observed. In dryland soils, nitrate-N concentrations varied widely across depth intervals, with notable accumulation in deeper layers, while ammonium-N concentrations exhibited a …

Uc-33 Big Munchin', Tabitha Reynolds, Steven M Amerson, David J Buck, Jacques P Gatipon, Aaliyah Mcelrath, Nick S Watson

C-Day Computing Showcase

Big Munchin' is a video game designed to help teach portioning skills and promote healthy eating habits. The overall metabolic health of individuals in America is comparatively low to other countries. Metabolic health is bolstered by several factors including exercise and a proper diet consisting of essential vitamins, proteins, and other important biomolecules.The increased cost of healthy nutrient-rich foods and a lack of proper nutritional education have hindered the overall metabolic health of modern Americans. Engaging individuals in learning more about nutritional health can be a difficult task made easier by an engaging experience that stays in the user’s minds. …

Uc-100 Indy 7 - Nutrition App, Silas E Hammond, Tho Mai, Christopher P Sarzen, Michael Ehme

C-Day Computing Showcase

This project’s objective is to develop a fully functioning and polished mobile app for keeping track of caloric intake and monitoring other aspects of one’s health. To accomplish this, we will be using React Native to develop a front end which allows users to select their goals and get active assistance in moderating what they eat. This will be done through the scanning of barcodes of any food purchased. These barcodes will then be used to query the Food Data Central API to provide the user with as much information as needed. This will include possible allergies, calorie totals, protein …