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Exploring Rotational Energy Transfer Of Intermolecular Collisions In Complex Systems: A Mqct Approach, Carolin Anna Joy

Dissertations (1934 -)

The accurate modeling of molecular spectra in astrophysical environments requires detailed understanding of collisional energy transfer processes, which remains a significant challenge due to the computational complexity of quantum mechanical calculations for larger molecules, heavier projectiles, and higher collision energies. This dissertation addresses this challenge through the development and application of Mixed Quantum/Classical Theory (MQCT), a hybrid approach that combines quantum mechanical treatment of internal molecular motion with classical description of translational degrees of freedom. The methodology was first validated through detailed study of rotational energy transfer in the ND3 + D2 system, demonstrating excellent agreement with full quantum results …

Urban Base Cations: Fate, Transport, And Effect On Nitrogen Cycling Genes In Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Duyen Thuy Lam

Dissertations (1934 -)

Urbanization has significantly changed the natural cycling of base cations, primarily due to the use of deicer salts, such as sodium chloride, and chemical weathering of limestone and concrete infrastructure. An unintended consequence is the accumulation of salt across urban settings. These base cations, transported mainly by stormwater runoff, accumulate in soils, streams, lakes, and groundwater, posing risks to soil health, water quality, and ecosystems. To mitigate stormwater runoff and pollutants, cities have adopted stormwater best management practices, shifting from traditional gray to hybrid gray-green infrastructure. As a result, salt-laden runoff is increasingly routed into green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), where …

Cryo-Em Captures The Coordination Of Asymmetric Electron Transfer Through A Di-Copper Site In Dpor, Rajnandani Kashyap, Natalie Walsh, Jaigeeth Deveryshetty, Monika Tokmina-Lukaszewska, Kewei Zhao, Yunqiao J. Gan, Brian M. Hoffman, Ritimukta Sarangi, Brian Bothner, Brian Bennett, Edwin Antony

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Enzymes that catalyze long-range electron transfer (ET) reactions often function as higher order complexes that possess two structurally symmetrical halves. The functional advantages for such an architecture remain a mystery. Using cryoelectron microscopy we capture snapshots of the nitrogenase-like dark-operative protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (DPOR) during substrate binding and turnover. DPOR catalyzes reduction of the C17 = C18 double bond in protochlorophyllide during the dark chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. DPOR is composed of electron donor (L-protein) and acceptor (NB-protein) component proteins that transiently form a complex in the presence of ATP to facilitate ET. NB-protein is an α2β2 heterotetramer with two structurally identical …

Arab American Well-Being And Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Rawan H. Atari-Khan, Katrina S. Rbeiz, Lawrence H. Gerstein

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Americans experience various forms of racial–ethnic trauma in the United States, including historical and intergenerational trauma (IGT). The population has been migrating to the United States since the 1800s, and the number of migrants has risen in recent decades due to war, persecution, and family reunification. As a result, the children of these migrants may be exposed to IGT, with research suggesting that descendants of individuals who have experienced trauma are more susceptible to poor mental health outcomes. Using semistructured interviews, alongside the art of storytelling and empowerment through critical consciousness, this study investigated …

Activity And Function Of The Endothelial Sodium Channel Is Regulated By The Effector Domain Of Marcks-Like Protein 1 In Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells, Ling Yu, Niharika Bala, Van-Anh L. Nguyen, Leah Kessler, John F. Ladisa Jr., Abdel A. Alli

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Enhanced endothelial sodium channel (EnNaC) functioning causes an increase in vessel stiffness. Here, we investigated the regulation of EnNaC in mouse aortic endothelial cells (mAoECs) by the actin cytoskeleton and lipid raft association protein myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate-like protein 1 (MLP1). We hypothesized that mutation of specific amino acid residues within the effector domain of MLP1 or loss of association between MLP1 and the anionic phospholipid phosphate PIP2 would significantly alter membrane association and EnNaC activity in mAoECs. mAoECs transiently transfected with a mutant MLP1 construct (three serine residues in the effector domain replaced with aspartate residues) showed a significant …

Role For Astrocytes In Complex Cognition: An Evolutionary, Behavioral And Computational Perspective, Gregory Simandl

Dissertations (1934 -)

The human brain has more computational power than modern supercomputers by utilizing only a few signaling systems, rendering it the most efficient computational device ever created. Evolution, though not prospective, has iteratively constructed neural networks of increasing complexity that have ultimately endowed humans with extraordinary cognitive abilities. Through an evolutionary lens, there is a clear correlation between organismal sophistication and network signaling complexity Astrocytes, a non-neuronal cell that makes up approximately half the cells in the human brain, show dramatic increases in morphological and signaling complexity in higher-order species. This co-evolution is likely not coincidental but rather represents the development …

Discrimination And Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Latina Women: The Protective Role Of Social Support., Sabrina R. Liu, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Curt A. Sandman, Elysia Poggi Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Interpersonal discrimination has been associated with adverse birth outcomes among Black populations, but few studies have examined the impact of discrimination among Latinx/Hispanic populations in the United States, especially in conjunction with resources that could be protective. The present study examined (a) if exposure to discrimination is associated with adverse birth outcomes for Latina/Hispanic women and (b) if prenatal social support buffers these links. Method: In two independent prospective studies of Latina/Hispanic women in Southern California (N = 84 and N = 102), the relation between maternal experience of discrimination and birth outcomes (length of gestation and birth weight) …

Transdisciplinary Collaborations For Advancing Sustainable And Resilient Agricultural Systems, Brooke Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Feeding the growing human population sustainably amidst climate change is one of the most important challenges in the 21st century. Current practices often lead to the overuse of agronomic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and water, resulting in environmental contamination and diminishing returns on crop productivity. The complexity of agricultural systems, involving plant-environment interactions and human management, presents significant scientific and technical challenges for developing sustainable practices. Addressing these challenges necessitates transdisciplinary research, involving intense collaboration among fields such as plant science, engineering, computer science, and social sciences. Five case studies are presented here demonstrating successful transdisciplinary approaches toward more …

Drying Reduces The Total Pfas Concentration In Biosolids And Alters The Pfas Profile, Patrick J. Mcnamara, Jessica Calteux, Eric Redman, Taryn Mcknight, Lynne Moss, Webster Hoener, Scott Carr, Zhongzhe Liu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

While per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not actually generated at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), utilities are being forced to consider PFAS in biosolids management plans due to mounting political pressure and pending regulations. Emerging thermal technologies including pyrolysis, gasification, and super critical water oxidation have garnered recent attention for PFAS destruction. Drying, however, is a conventional technology that might also be a tool for utilities to manage PFAS in biosolids, but research on the impacts of drying on PFAS in biosolids is scarce. The objective of this research was to determine how drying affected the fate of PFAS …

Long-Term Bone Changes At Edentulous Sites, Teerarat Neal Phuatrakoon

Master's Theses (2009 -)

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss is a debilitating occurrence that may affect the patient’s emotional and mental well-being. Delays in necessary restorative treatment may occur dependent on the patient’s finances or other elaborate dental treatment plans. Prosthetically guided implants have become the standard of care regarding definitive treatment, however there is a lack of evidence discussing the stability of edentulous sites if deferment of treatment is required. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to measure long-term changes of the edentulous alveolar ridge (height and width) and anatomical structures (e.g. sinus floor, inferior alveolar canal). METHODS: Charts of patients with at least …

Use Of Wastewater Grit And Milorganite Chaff In Concrete, Carter Deinhammer

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Wastewater grit is a major byproduct from preliminary municipal wastewater treatment. Chaff is a collection of dried biosolids generated as a waste product from Milorganite® fertilizer production. Because landfilling is a costly and unsustainable method, the development of technologies for diverting grit from landfills to a useful product by tapping grit’s inherent values (e.g., sand and gravel) are of great interest. Chaff, consisting of fibers, provides a potential source for bolstering concrete tensile strength through internal means. This research has proposed a concept of grit and chaff additive-based concrete, an expansion of the grit-assisted patch material developed (GAP) in previous …

Comparison Of Hand-Wrist And Cvms Methods For Craniofacial Growth Spurt Assessment, Ardita Ajvazi

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Objective: Hand-wrist (HW) radiographs are considered the most accurate method for assessing pubertal growth spurts in orthodontics but have declined in use due to added radiation exposure and the expertise required. Cervical vertebral maturation staging (CVMS) is now commonly used, given the routine availability of lateral cephalograms. However, the validity of CVMS remains uncertain. A recent study reported only 66% inter-observer reliability across time periods (Ingersoll, 2024). This follow-up study aims to evaluate CVMS as a predictor of growth to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: With protocol approval (MU HR-4695), this retrospective study followed a design modeled after a prior study …

Proteins Associated With The Early Endosome Contribute To De Novo [Psi+] Prion Formation, Jacqueline N. Kivila

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative disorders associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“Mad cow” disease) and kuru. In prion disease, a native protein can misfold and further convert a normal version of itself to the misfolded conformation. These misfolded proteins can form aggregates which are associated with these diseases. While much work has been dedicated to understanding how protein aggregates impact cellular health, less is known about the cellular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the prion. To dissect these mechanisms, we use the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which provides a powerful tool for studying prion formation. The …

The Mediating Effects Of Disability Impact, Job Satisfaction, And Social Support In The Relationship Between Core Self-Evaluations And Life Satisfaction In Employed People With Disabilities, Rachel Friefeld Kesselmayer, Alexandra M. Kriofske Mainella, Susan Miller Smedema, Paola Cátala Villanueva

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mediation model of the relationship of core self-evaluations (CSEs) and life satisfaction in employed individuals with disabilities. This was a quantitative descriptive design using Hayes’s (2012) PROCESS macro for SPSS and multiple regression analysis. Two-hundred fifty-nine employed individuals with disabilities were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed an online survey. Job satisfaction and social support were found to partially mediate the relationship between CSE and life satisfaction. The direct effect of CSE on life satisfaction remained significant after controlling for the effects of the mediators. Functional disability was not a …

Local Stabilising Density Effects In The Context Of Ecological Disturbance And Community Assembly, Cole J. Doolittle, Joseph A. Lamanna

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The maintenance of species diversity in ecological communities has many promising explanations, including certain types of local biotic interactions that generate differential effects on the performance of conspecific and heterospecific individuals. To date, most studies of these local biotic interactions have focused on relatively stable systems, such as mature forests or undisturbed grasslands. However, many ecosystems are far from a stable state, especially under accelerating global climate change. Here, we present a synthesis of local differences between conspecific and heterospecific interactions following disturbances—and how disturbances may alter the strength and scaling of these effects to population growth and species diversity. …

Local Stabilizing Density Effects In The Context Of Ecological Disturbance And Community Assembly, Cole J. Doolittle, Joseph A. Lamanna

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The maintenance of species diversity in ecological communities has many promising explanations, including certain types of local biotic interactions that generate differential effects on the performance of conspecific and heterospecific individuals. To date, most studies of these local biotic interactions have focused on relatively stable systems, such as mature forests or undisturbed grasslands. However, many ecosystems are far from a stable state, especially under accelerating global climate change. Here, we present a synthesis of local differences between conspecific and heterospecific interactions following disturbances—and how disturbances may alter the strength and scaling of these effects to population growth and species diversity. …

When Can We Detect Lianas From Space? Toward A Mechanistic Understanding Of Liana-Infested Forest Optics, Stefan A. Schnitzer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Lianas, woody vines acting as structural parasites of trees, have profound effects on the composition and structure of tropical forests, impacting tree growth, mortality, and forest succession. Remote sensing could offer a powerful tool for quantifying the scale of liana infestation, provided the availability of robust detection methods. We analyze the consistency and global geographic specificity of spectral signals—reflectance across wavelengths—from liana-infested tree crowns and forest stands, examining the underlying mechanisms of these signals. We compiled a uniquely comprehensive database, including leaf reflectance spectra from 5424 leaves, fine-scale airborne reflectance data from 999 liana-infested canopies, and coarse-scale satellite reflectance data …

Understanding How Chaperones Influence Protein Aggregation, Hannah Buchholz

Dissertations (1934 -)

Cells depend on properly folded proteins to function and remain healthy. If proteins adopt a nonnative conformation, they may have an increased propensity to clump together or aggregate, which can compromise cell viability. Unwanted aggregates are linked to a class of diseases called proteinopathies, which include fatal disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Fortunately, cellular factors, known as molecular chaperones, help maintain protein homeostasis by limiting and disassembling protein aggregates. However, the mechanisms that underlie how chaperones modify protein aggregation are poorly understood. The goal of this dissertation is to explore the molecular mechanisms used by …

Synthetic And Mechanistic Investigations Of Ruthenium Catalyzed Coupling Reactions Via C−C And C−N Bond Activation, Aldiyar Shakenov

Dissertations (1934 -)

Transition-metal catalyzed C-N and C-C bond activation reactions are synthetically valuable reactions for selective and atom-economical synthesis of complex organic molecules. Catalytic reactions that involve activation of unreactive bonds are important for the stereoselective synthesis of molecular scaffolds from readily available substrates derived from bio-mass feedstock. Despite these advances, designing a broadly applicable catalytic method faces challenges of selectivity and harsh reaction conditions. A five coordinate Ru-H complex was found to be an effective catalyst for promoting the multicomponent deaminative coupling reaction of anilines, aldehydes and tertiary amines to selectively afford 2,3-disubstituted quinoline products. The scope of the reaction was …

High-Impact Practices (Hips) Spectrum: Introducing The High-Engagement Experiences (Hees) Taxonomy, Kathryn Marten, Dianne D. Murphy, Heather L. Kaminski, Mathew Dornbush

Management Faculty Research and Publications

High-Engagement Experiences, or HEEs, are introduced as part of a new classification taxonomy: The High-Impact Practices (HIPs) Spectrum. The introduction of the HIPs Spectrum is relevant because it expands educators’ definition of HIPs from binary to a more nuanced continuum, which lays the foundation for future research on HIPs and HEEs that can translate into practical implications for curriculum and student success. We propose a quantitative scale for measuring and classifying courses along the HIPs Spectrum, which ranges from ‘Neither HEE nor HIP’, to ‘HEE’, to ‘HIP’ based upon Kuh and colleagues' (2013) widely-used Universal Elements of HIPs. This scale …

The Influence Of Historical Climate Cycles On The Diversification And Demography Of Species From The Neotropical Lizard Group Anolis Chrysolepis, Tony Gamble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Historical shifts in climate have significantly influenced the establishment of ecosystems and the evolution of species. Phylogeographical studies integrated with niche modelling can provide insights into divergence events and demography. This study explores the evolutionary history, demographic patterns, and spatiotemporal dynamics of seven South American lizard species of the Anolis chrysolepis species group, which has been proposed to be strongly impacted by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations under the Refugia Hypothesis. We utilized mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences to delineate lineages, estimate divergence times, and examine demographic dynamics. Ecological niche models were employed to assess historical range shifts and identify climatic stability …

Structural Covariance Of Early Visual Cortex Is Negatively Associated With Ptsd Symptoms: A Mega-Analysis From The Enigma Ptsd Workgroup, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Identifying robust neural signatures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is important to facilitate precision psychiatry and help in understanding and treatment of the disorder. Emergent research suggests that the structural covariance of early visual regions is associated with later PTSD development. However, large-scale analyses are needed in heterogeneous samples of trauma-exposed and trauma-naïve individuals to determine whether such a neural signature is a robust marker of vulnerability.

Methods

We analyzed data from the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis)-PTSD dataset (N = 2814) and the HCP-YA (Human Connectome Project–Young Adult) dataset (N= 890) …

Treatment Of Osteoporosis And Osteoarthritis In The Oldest Old, Daniel Pinto

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are key diseases of musculoskeletal ageing and are increasing in prevalence and burden with the progressively ageing population worldwide. These conditions are thus particularly common in ‘the oldest old’, and there are complexities of managing them within the context of extensive multimorbidity, physical and mental disability, and polypharmacy, the rates for all of which are high in this population. In this narrative review, we explore the epidemiology of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis in the oldest old before examining trials and real-world data relating to the pharmacological treatment of these diseases in older adults, including anti-resorptives and bone-forming agents …

Implant Placement-Associated Tissue Swelling: A Digital Three-Dimensional And Patient-Based Assessment, Vrisiis Kofina, Juan Valencia Rincon, Swati Y. Rawal, Andrew R. Dentino, Shengtong Han, Dimitris N. Tatakis

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives

There is scarce evidence on immediate soft tissue and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following implant surgery. This prospective study aimed to quantify post-implant placement intraoral swelling and to correlate it with PROMs.

Materials and methods

Twenty-six patients undergoing standardized single implant placement (two-stage protocol) were recruited. Soft tissue swelling was recorded by intraoral scans immediately pre-surgery (PS) and post-operatively (IP), and at 2 (2d), 7 (7d) and 14 days (14d) and 2 months (2 m). Ridge width, height, and volume changes from IP were recorded. PROMs (pain, swelling, difficulty of mouth opening, and OHIP-14) were recorded pre- and post-operatively. …

Neural Processes Of Emotional Conflict Detection And Prediction Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters In Traumatic Injury Survivors, Kaley E. Davis, Carissa W. Tomas, Kate E. Webb, Ashley A. Huggins, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Christine L. Larson, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: Given the prevalence and significant burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), identifying early predictors of symptom development following trauma is critical. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder comprised of distinct symptom clusters-reexperiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal-that contribute to the broad range of possible symptom profiles. Affective and attentional regulation processes, such as emotional conflict detection, are impaired in individuals with PTSD; however, the neural mechanisms underlying these alterations and their predictive utility for the development of PTSD symptoms remain unclear.

Method: Traumatic injury survivors (N = 49) without traumatic brain injury were recruited from the emergency department of …

Covid-19-Related Risk, Resilience, And Mental Health Among Mexican American Mothers Across The First Year Of The Pandemic, Amy L. Non, Elizabeth S. Clausing, Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Latina mothers have been especially affected by the pandemic and historically exhibit high rates of depression and anxiety. However, few longitudinal studies have assessed the effect of the pandemic on this vulnerable population. We hypothesized that COVID-19-related stressors would associate with psychological distress among Latina mothers across the first year of the pandemic.

Methods

We investigated COVID-19-related impact, stigma, and fears across two critical time points and changes in these measures in relation to changes in maternal anxiety and depression among mothers of Mexican descent living in Southern California (n=152). Surveys were administered within 5–16 weeks of …

The Mc4r Agonist, Setmelanotide, Is Associated With An Improvement In Hypercapnic Chemosensitivity And Weight Loss In Male Mice, Sarah N. Framnes-Deboer, Deanna M. Arble, Athena Rivera

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Obesity increases the risk of respiratory diseases that reduce respiratory chemosensitivity, such as Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome and sleep apnea. Recent evidence suggests that obesity-related changes in the brain, including alterations in melanocortin signaling via the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), may underly altered chemosensitivity. Setmelanotide, an MC4R agonist, causes weight loss in both humans and animal models. However, it is unknown the extent to which setmelanotide affects respiratory chemosensitivity independent of body weight loss. The present study uses diet-induced obese, male C57bl/6 J mice to determine the extent to which acute setmelanotide treatment affects the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). We find that …

Frequency-Dependent Assembly Processes Determine The Coexistence And Relative Abundance Of Tropical Plant Species, David M. Defilippis, Joseph A. Lamanna, Stefan A. Schnitzer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Testing the extent to which ecological communities are structured by deterministic (niche-based) assembly processes, resulting in predictable species abundance and composition, is a fundamental goal of ecology. Here we use a 10-year dataset of 55,156 lianas comprising 86 species in an old-growth tropical forest in Panama to test whether community assembly is consistent with niche-based assembly processes. We find that species diversity and community composition was maintained because species conformed to four general requirements of coexistence theory: (1) species have negative conspecific frequency-dependent feedback that control their local population size; (2) species have a stronger negative effect on their own …

Efficacy Of 3d-Printed Chitosan-Cerium Oxide Dressings Coated With Vancomycin-Loaded Alginate For Chronic Wounds Management, Sharareh Shahroudi, Amir Parvinnasab, Erfan Salahinejad, Shaghayegh Abdi, Sarah Rajabi, Lobat Tayebi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Multifunctional wound dressings with antibacterial and antioxidant properties hold significant promise for treating chronic wounds; however, achieving a balance of these characteristics while maintaining biocompatibility is challenging. To enhance this balance, this study focuses on the design and development of 3D-printed chitosan-matrix composite scaffolds, which are incorporated with varying amounts of cerium oxide nanoparticles (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%) and subsequently coated with a vancomycin-loaded alginate layer. The structure, antibiotic drug delivery kinetics, biodegradation, swelling, biocompatibility, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cell migration behaviors of the fabricated dressings were evaluated in-vitro. The findings reveal that all of the formulations …

Characterizing Phosphorus Removal And Recovery Performance Of A 3d Printed Iron-Embedded Polylactic Acid Composite, Colin B. Wilson, Anthony J. Parolari, Andrew Hiestand, Brooke K. Mayer, Allison Murray

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Green infrastructure (GI) has been heralded as a solution for reducing phosphorus (P) pollution through increasing stormwater runoff infiltration and improving water quality. Despite its global implementation, GI struggles to improve the effluent water quality discharged from these systems consistently. This research evaluates the P removal performance and recovery potential of iron-embedded polylactic acid (PLA) composites through a novel application of three-dimensional (3D) printed representative unit cells (RUC) that could be used to improve effluent quality in GI. The RUC required chemical oxidation to convert the embedded iron to hematite (Fe₂⁢O₃) to facilitate P adsorption. Batch …