Digital Commons Network^™

The Unexpected Influence Of Legacy Conspecific Density Dependence, Lukas J. Magee, Joseph A. Lamanna, Amy T. Wolf, Robert W. Howe, Yuanming Lu, Denis Valle, Daniel J. B. Smith, Robert Bagchi, David Bauman, Daniel J. Johnson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

When plants die, neighbours escape competition. Living conspecifics could disproportionately benefit because they are freed from negative intraspecific processes; however, if the negative effects of past conspecific neighbours persist, other species might be advantaged, and diversity might be maintained through legacy effects. We examined legacy effects in a mapped forest by modelling the survival of 37,212 trees of 23 species using four neighbourhood properties: living conspecific, living heterospecific, legacy conspecific (dead conspecifics) and legacy heterospecific densities. Legacy conspecific effects proved nearly four times stronger than living conspecific effects; changes in annual survival associated with legacy conspecific density were 1.5% greater …

The Effects Of Lead, Copper, And Iron Corrosion Products On Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria And Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Veronika Folvarska, San Marie Thomson, Zihao Lu, Maya Adelgren, Adam Schmidt, Ryan J. Newton, Yin Wang, Patrick J. Mcnamara

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Antibiotic resistance is a public health crisis. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are present in drinking water distribution systems. Metals are known selective pressures for antibiotic resistance, and metallic corrosion products are found within drinking water distribution systems due to the corrosion of metal pipes. While corrosion products are a source of metals, the impact of specific corrosion products on antibiotic resistance has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of six corrosion products—CuO, Cu₂O, Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH, β-PbO₂, Fe₃O …

Manywheres: In Pursuit Of Social Justice In Developmental Science, Gabriel M. Velez, Séamus A. Power

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

In this article, we articulate an innovative framework, manywheres, and argue that it can advance the work of fostering youth-led change and progressive world-making. We first root psychological and development science in an applied framework of developing more just, harmonious, and tolerant social worlds. Then, we introduce manywheres, a guiding framework of propositions of attending to the complexity and nuance of meaning-making across individuals without becoming lost in nihilism, relativism, or ethnocentric views of social justice. This leads to the construction of a more holistic developmental lens considering the age-related, contextual, and internal factors that shape meaning-making individual …

(Wp 2024-03) The Dynamic Temporal Sequence And Reflexive Adjustment Behavior: Foundations For A Behavioral Alternative To Optimization Theory, John B. Davis

Economics Working Papers

This paper discusses the difference between mainstream and heterodox economics in terms of philosophy’s distinction between two types of temporal sequences governing events: the static, truth-tenseless before-after sequence and the dynamic, truth-tensed past-present-future sequence. Mainstream theory and optimization analysis employs the first. However, Aristotle showed long ago this implies fatalism. Heterodox explanations employ the second, which I argue implies people reflexively adjust their choices over time in a combined backward-looking and forward-looking way that rules out optimization. Central to this explanation of behavior is how uncertainty about the future is connected to uncertainty about the past. I show this can …

Indoor Tent Management For Extending Honey Bee Research Season: Benefits And Caveats, Trevor Bawden, Adam G. Dolezal, Chelsea N. Cook

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Honey bees are important organisms for research in many fields, including physiology, behavior, and ecology. Honey bee colonies are relatively easy and affordable to procure, manage, and replace. However, some difficulties still exist in honey bee research, specifically that honey bee colonies have a distinct seasonality, especially in temperate regions. Honey bee colonies transition from a large society in which workers have a strict temporal division of labor in the summer, to a group of behaviorally flexible workers who manage the colony over winter. Furthermore, opening colonies or collecting bees when they are outside has the potential to harm the …

Persistence And Evolution Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Following Initiation Of Highly Effective Modulator Therapy In Cystic Fibrosis, Catherine R. Armbruster, Yasmin K. Hilliam, Anna C. Zemke, Samar Atteih, Christopher Marshall, John Moore, Junu Koirala, Leah Krainz, Jordan R. Gaston, Stella E. Lee, Vaughn S. Cooper, Jennifer M. Bomberger

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Today, more than 90% of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) are eligible for the highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy called elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) and its use is widespread. Given the drastic respiratory symptom improvement experienced by many post-ETI, clinical studies are already underway to reduce the number of respiratory therapies, including antibiotic regimens, that pwCF historically relied on to combat lung disease progression. Early studies suggest that bacterial burden in the lungs is reduced post-ETI, yet it is unknown how chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations are impacted by ETI. We found that pwCF remain infected throughout their …

Spatial Correspondence Of Cortical Activity Measured With Whole Head Fnirs And Fmri Toward Clinical Use Within Subject, Anthony Zinos, Julie C. Wagner, Scott A. Beardsley, Wei-Liang Chen, Lisa Conant, Marsha Malloy, Joseph Heffernan, Brendan Quirk, Robert W. Prost, Mohit Maheshwari, Jeffrey Sugar, Harry T. Whelan

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) both measure the hemodynamic response, and so both imaging modalities are expected to have a strong correspondence in regions of cortex adjacent to the scalp. To assess whether fNIRS can be used clinically in a manner similar to fMRI, 22 healthy adult participants underwent same-day fMRI and whole-head fNIRS testing while they performed separate motor (finger tapping) and visual (flashing checkerboard) tasks. Analyses were conducted within and across subjects for each imaging approach, and regions of significant task-related activity were compared on the cortical surface. The spatial correspondence between …

Eaat4-Dependent Effects On Glutamatergic Signaling In The Cerebellar Molecular Layer, Christopher Chen

Dissertations (1934 -)

Glutamatergic signaling is fundamental to human behavior and its dysfunction is implicated in a wide range of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Excitatory amino-acid transporters (EAATs) – of which four primary subtypes (EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3, and EAAT4) exist in the human brain – are primary regulators of glutamate signaling. Endogenously-expressed at either low (EAAT4-low) or high (EAAT4-high) concentration in cerebellar Purkinje cells, EAAT4 has been shown to regulate Purkinje cell activity in the cerebellar molecular layer. However, differences in glutamatergic signaling at the circuit and single-synaptic levels in EAAT4-low and EAAT4-high regions are poorly understood. To characterize EAAT4-specific effects on excitatory …

Understanding Factors That Influence Black Caregivers' Ongoing Engagement In Behavioral Parent Training Programs, Jennifer L. Tomlin

Dissertations (1934 -)

Despite the efficacy of behavioral parent training programs (BPTs) in reducing young children’s challenging behaviors, ongoing caregiver engagement in these skill- based programs is poor, particularly in low-income Black populations. The existing literature relied heavily on associating client demographic variables with treatment attendance and focused almost exclusively on BPTs with older children. Contemporary conceptualizations of engagement view it as a multidimensional construct comprised of cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral components, and prior research has called for continued investigation into the caregiver-therapist alliance and cultural relevance of these treatment programs when looking at ways to increase Black caregiver engagement. The purpose of …

The Beauty Of A Good Appetite In A Social Media Age, Megan Heeder

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation provides a theological response to eating disorders, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction, particularly in light of social media’s influence on women and girls. Theologically, eating disorders may be thought of as conditions produced by a debased version of beauty, a self-transcending rather than self-negating conception of kenosis, and a distorted pursuit of goodness or “misguided moralism” that results. Paying particular attention to the feminine thin ideal and its influence on Western beauty standards, this dissertation engages Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theological aesthetics and presentation of kenosis alongside virtue ethics to respond to society’s impoverished vision of beauty and …

An Evaluation Of Probabilistic Delay And Denial Training: Durability Against Treatment Relapse, Kendall Mae Kastner

Dissertations (1934 -)

Delay and Denial Teaching is a prevalent prescribed intervention following successful implementation of Functional Communication Training (FCT). Although there is strong empirical evidence in support of delay and denial teaching as an intervention to reach socially acceptable outcomes, there has yet to be systematic assessments of this intervention’s susceptibility to treatment relapse. The goal of this evaluation is to arrange treatment challenges which mimic the conditions that threaten treatment outcomes in the natural environment, specifically transferring treatment to a new environment or treatment integrity omission errors. Researchers replicated recent iterations of delay and denial teaching procedures (Hanley et al., 2014; …

Immune Cell And Muscle Bioenergetics In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis, Kathryn Anne Kern

Dissertations (1934 -)

The pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is immune-mediated, associated with excessive lymphocyte activity, and dysregulated immune cell metabolism. Biomarkers readily detected in the blood have superior utility in research and the clinical laboratory for their pathological, diagnostic, and prognostic value as well as translatability. There is a need for additional biomarkers of disease status in MS. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to determine whether peripheral blood immune cell (PBMC) metabolism differed between people with MS and non-MS controls, and whether PBMC bioenergetics correlated to muscle energetics and clinical end points including clinical, psychosocial, and functional outcomes. Specific cellular …

Elucidating The Effect Of Surface Modifications On Nanomaterial Function, Nicholas Langer

Dissertations (1934 -)

Nanoparticles (NPs) are an exciting class of materials with unique properties that inspire their use in sensing, catalysis, optoelectronic devices, and more. NPs are frequently coated in organic molecules, termed ligands, to increase their stability, but ligands also influence NP catalytic activity and their interactions with neighboring molecules. To fully realize the potential of nanomaterials as key components in novel complex systems, a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between NPs, ligands, and their surrounding microenvironment is critical. After a brief review of the NP field in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 begins the investigation of structure-function relationships with a cross-class …

Preparing Nursing Students To Manage Acculturative Stress Experienced During Study Abroad Experiences: Novel Use Of Immersive Simulation And Cognitive Behavioral Strategies, Theresa Schnable, Christine A. Schindler, Jeffrey D. Roche, Karli Webster, Christopher E. Larkee, Maharaj Singh, John F. Ladisa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This pilot study adds to the understanding of interventions to manage acculturative stress experienced during undergraduate study abroad programs. It was designed to evaluate the impact of cognitive behavioral strategy training combined with intentional practice during mixed reality (MR) simulations on acculturative stress. Participants included a convenience sample of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a faculty-led study abroad course. Students participated in two MR simulations within a virtual environment over back-to-back days. Simulations were written by nursing faculty experts to reproduce realistic clinical situations students may encounter while studying in Peru. The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Slater-Usoh-Steed …

(Wp 2024-02) Stratification Economics: Historical Origins And Theoretical Foundations, John B. Davis

Economics Working Papers

Stratification economics (SE) investigates how economies are organized around group inequalities, especially by race and gender but also by ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Its historical origins and theoretical foundations have both a structural strand that addresses how and a social behavioral strand. SE's structural strand goes back to Ricardo and Marx regarding the relationship between growth and distribution, and then draws on recent economic theory of noncompeting groups and dual economy models of labor market segmentation. SE's structural strand produces an inequality-based understanding of economics' standard goods taxonomy. The social behavioral strand builds on Du Bois's psychological …

Explaining Heterogeneity: Identifying Subgroups Of Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Laura Mcguigan

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that often persists into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD present with varied patterns of neurocognitive impairment, psychological comorbidities, and functional challenges. The current characterization of ADHD into three subgroups (primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, combined inattentive-hyperactive/impulsive presentation) does not fully explain the heterogeneity of challenges experienced by this population. In this study, 259 adult patients [Mage= 25.94; SD=7.83; 78% Caucasian; 54% male] referred for an ADHD evaluation were investigated, and latent profile analysis was conducted. Self-reported ADHD symptoms, psychological functioning, and neuropsychological functioning were considered to identify subgroups. Results revealed four distinct classes: …

Performance And Preference Of Rotary Files By Pre-Doctoral Dental Students At Marquette School Of Dentistry, Morgan Elizabeth Mccall

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Introduction: The aim of this study was twofold: 1) objectively evaluate root canal shaping and procedural mishaps using different NiTi rotary systems in the hands of unexperienced pre-doctoral dental students; 2) to gain an understanding of which rotary file system students subjectively prefer. Methods: Second year dental students (n=94) enrolled in preclinical endodontics received instructional videos and didactic lectures on the use of three different rotary filing systems: Vortex Blue, EndoSequence, and ProTaper Universal. Students completed root canal treatment using each file system on 3D printed premolars. The quantitative evaluation was completed after each project by two calibrated examiners using …

Integrating Drone And Satellite Imaging With Machine Learning For Green Stormwater Infrastructure Condition Assessments, Matthew Dupasquier

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) has been increasingly utilized to improve urban stormwater management strategies. However, the performance and utility of GSI decrease over time if the infrastructure is not properly maintained. In recent history, the intrinsic operations and maintenance costs associated with the complex networks of new infrastructure have placed a burden on municipalities, ultimately prohibiting many from reaching the full extent of their stormwater management goals. One way for cities to achieve cost savings is through automated monitoring that can quickly assess the condition of GSI assets; however, existing cost-effective technologies are limited. Drones and satellites may be able …

A Study Of The Effect Of Preparation Parameters On The Mechanical Properties Of Freeze-Dried Gelatin-Elastin-Hyaluronate Scaffolds, Mansour Qamash

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis is dedicated to a detailed study of changes in the properties of Gelatin-Elastin-Hyaluronate (GEH) tissue engineering scaffold resulting from changes in preparation parameters. More specifically, utilizing a combination of foaming and freeze-drying techniques, this research investigates the effects of different parameters, including agitation speed, duration time, and chilling temperature on the scaffold’s structural integrity, porosity, and mechanical properties. The methodology involves a carefully calibrated process in which the scaffold matrix is initially prepared by incorporating 8% gelatin, 2% elastin, and 0.5% hyaluronate (w/v) into a homogenous aqueous solution, followed by controlled agitation and subsequent freezing at designated temperatures. …

Advanced Machine Learning Approaches For Predicting Mental Health Disorders Following Long Covid Diagnosis, Manoj Purohit

Master's Theses (2009 -)

After the global spread of COVID-19, the enduring effects of Long COVID and its health implications have emerged as a significant global issue, affecting people worldwide. The lingering symptoms post a COVID-19 infection can significantly affect individuals who had previously contracted the virus, exerting considerable influence over their mental well-being. Prolonged recuperation associated with Long COVID has been connected with the emergence of symptoms such as depression and anxiety, all of which can have adverse effects on emotional health. This project delves into an in-depth analysis of healthcare data pertaining to Long COVID from the Froedtert Health (FH) Medical System …

Viscoelastic Properties Of Thoraco-Abdominal Tissue Under Dynamic Compressive Loading, Devin Matthew Wozniak

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Finite element analysis is an effective tool for modeling the mechanical behavior of biologic structures, especially in scenarios where physical experimentation is impractical. The accuracy of these models depends on comprehensive mathematical formulations that describe tissue behavior using parameters derived from laboratory data. Currently there is a shortage of experimental data suitable for detailed parameter estimation. The goal of the current study was to generate a viscoelastic dataset using fresh harvested porcine tissue maintained under in vivo conditions, then provide a detailed constitutive model to capture the complex mechanical response. A sevohydraullic piston with a 5-mm spherical tip indenter was …

In Vitro Comparison Of Cellular Cytoxicity Of Conventional Vs. Cad/Cam Denture Base Materials, Zainab Hill Albasry

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Aim: Adverse reactions and local irritation of the oral mucosa to prostheses constructed from PMMA include allergic response, erythema, and a burning sensation of the tongue and mucosal tissues. Evidence on the cytotoxic effects of digitally manufactured denture base materials remains scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cytotoxic effects of CAD/CAM fabricated denture bases versus conventionally heat-cured acrylic resin materials. Materials and Methods: In total, 75 disks of five different denture resin materials – 15 disks per group were prepared: Ivocap (group 1; control), Ivotion denture base (group 2), Lucitone 3D denture base (group …

From Predominantly White To Hispanic-Serving: Latinx Student Experiences On A Campus In Transition, Gabriel M. Velez, Jacqueline Black, Saúl López, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

This study utilized focus groups with Latinx students at a private, Midwestern university to explore the complexities inherent in the process of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The purpose of the study was: (a) to better understand Latinx students’ experiences at an “emerging” HSI, and (b) to understand how students understand an institutional journey toward the HSI designation. Findings point toward the value in exploring the Latinx student experience and perspective on HSI initiatives.

Resumen

Este estudio utilizó grupos foco con estudiantes latinx en una Universidad privada, del medio-oeste en EEUU para explorar las complejidades inherentes en el proceso de …

Magnetic Properties And Biological Relevance Of Scorpionate-Based Transition Metal Complexes, Laxmi Devkota

Dissertations (1934 -)

There are two major components to this research dissertation. The first component describes the synthesis and characterization of high-spin, first-row transition metal complexes supported by facially-coordinating “scorpionate” ligands. These studies have sought to uncover fundamental relationships between molecular structure and magnetic properties, with the ultimate aim of assisting in the design of single molecule magnets (SMMs). To this end, comprehensive series of four and five-coordinated M(II)-X complexes (M = Co, Fe, and Cu; and X = F, Cl, Br, and I) were prepared using hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligands (TpR,R’; where R and R’ indicate substituents at the 3- and 5-position of the …

Monitoring Hydrocarbons In Air Using Adaptive Multivariate Sensor Signal Processing And Analysis Of Humidity Effects, Sakin Sarwar Satter

Dissertations (1934 -)

Volatile organic hydrocarbons such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), commonly released into the ambient environment from sources such as gasoline or household products, are known to be hazardous to human health. As a result, real-time monitoring of such compounds in ambient environments is required for safety. Gas sensors with high sensitivity, sufficient selectivity, and fast response times are needed for effective monitoring of the environment. This dissertation addresses some challenges in environmental monitoring using gas sensors, especially with multi-analyte mixtures in the presence of humidity. This work uses sensor arrays with multivariable sensing parameters (sensitivity and response time constant) …

Mechanisms Of Neuromuscular Fatigability In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Mitra Rouhani

Dissertations (1934 -)

Subjective fatigue and pain are commonly reported in people with MS (pwMS), as is neuromuscular fatigability. The dynamometry protocols used to measure neuromuscular fatigability in pwMS varied substantially in terms of components, leading to inconsistent findings regarding the extent of neuromuscular fatigability and its central and peripheral mechanisms in pwMS compared to non-MS controls. This dissertation aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability and its underlying mechanisms following a sustained maximal to intermittent submaximal ankle dorsiflexion in pwMS, grouped by disease severity, and non-MS controls. Additionally, we aimed to determine the impact of physical activity, muscle oxidative capacity, and exercise-induced pain on …

Cannabis Use Is Associated With Higher Rates Of Pseudarthrosis Following Tlif: A Multi-Institutional Matched-Cohort Study, Xu Tao, Abhijith V. Matur, Syed Khalid, Geet Shukla, Phillip Vorster, Kelly Childress, Rebecca Garner, Justin Gibson, Daryn Cass, Juan C. Mejia Munne, Kyle Mcgrath, Natalie Ivey, Julia Garcia-Vargas, Andrew Wu, Seth Street, Jay P. Mehta, Louisa Onyewadume, Henry Ofori Duah, Benjamin Motley, Joseph S. Cheng, Owoicho Adogwa

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design.  This was a retrospective cohort study. Objective.  To compare the rates of pseudarthrosis in patients undergoing 1 to 3 level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures between cannabis users and noncannabis users. Summary of Background Data.  Recreational use of cannabis is common, though it remains poorly studied and legally ambiguous in the United States. Patients with back pain may turn to adjunctive use of cannabis to manage their pain. However, the implications of cannabis use on the achievement of bony fusion are not well-characterized. Methods.  Patients who underwent 1 to 3 level TLIF for degenerative disc disease or …

The Effect Of Water Pollution Regulation On Prices: Evidence From Wisconsin’S Phosphorus Rule And Sewer Utility Bills, Andrew G. Meyer, Zach Raff

Economics Faculty Research and Publications

In this paper, we estimate the consumer impacts of Wisconsin's “phosphorus rule”, which created the most stringent statewide water quality and effluent standards for phosphorus in the country. We examine how compliance with the rule affects real billing rates at sewer utilities in Wisconsin, providing the first empirical estimates of water pollution regulation on utility billing rates. We find that compliance with the phosphorous rule increases the average real sewer utility bill in our sample by 7–12%. Our results imply that sewer utilities pass through approximately $65.8 million to residential sewer rate payers annually, which is roughly ⅔ of the …

People With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Have Impaired Reactive Balance During Walking, Timothy F. Boerger, Learon Mcginn, Megan Bellman, Marjorie C. Wang, Brian D. Schmit, Allison S. Hyngstrom

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background

People with degenerative cervical myelopathy are known to have impaired standing balance and walking abilities, but less is known about balance responses during walking.

Research question

The aim of this project was to assess reactive balance impairments during walking in people with degenerative cervical myelopothy (PwDCM). We hypothesized that center of mass motion following perturbations would be larger in PwDCM and gluteus medius electromyographic amplitude responses would be decreased in PwDCM.

Methods

Reactive balance responses were quantified during unanticipated lateral pulls to the waist while treadmill walking. Walking biomechanics data were collected from 10 PwDCM (F=6) and 10 non-myelopathic …

Experiences Of Racial Discrimination And Adverse Gene Expression Among Black Individuals In A Level 1 Trauma Center Sample, Claire M. Bird, E. Kate Webb, Steven W. Cole, Carissa W. Tomas, Jennifer M. Knight, Sydney C. Timmer-Murillo, Christine L. Larson, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Lucas Torres

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Up to 40% of individuals who sustain traumatic injuries are at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the conditional risk for developing PTSD is even higher for Black individuals. Exposure to racial discrimination, including at both interpersonal and structural levels, helps explain this health inequity. Yet, the relationship between racial discrimination and biological processes in the context of traumatic injury has yet to be fully explored. The current study examined whether racial discrimination is associated with a cumulative measure of biological stress, the gene expression profile conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), in Black trauma survivors. Two-weeks (T1) and …