Digital Commons Network^™

Model For The Diagnosis Of Autism Based On Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps, Lester Noel Reyes Salgado, Miguel Eduardo Ramos Argilagos, Alberto Sánchez Garrido, Alex Ramón Valencia Herrera, Salah Hasan Saleh Al-Subhi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Autism spectrum disorders are diverse conditions characterized by some degree of difficulty in social interaction and communication, atypical patterns of activity and behavior, and unusual reactions to sensations. ASDs do not have a single known cause, scientists do not know the exact causes of their development, and it is believed that they are associated with a combination of several factors. The present study was carried out with 42 cases diagnosed with any of the subclasses of autism established by the DSM-V and included patients between 18 months and four years old, from 4 provinces of Ecuador, to determine the main …

Management Of Indeterminacy In The Analysis Of Knowledge About Reproductive Tract Infections In Women, Julio Morillo Cano, Melba Esperanza Narváez Montenegro, Adisnay Rodríguez Placencia, Olger Efraín Velastegui Naranjo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The research aims to assess the level of knowledge about reproductive tract infections among women to apply statistical analysis of the probability of indeterminacy. The main methods and techniques used were: theoretical, analytical-synthetic, and inductive-deductive, while within the empirical are the survey, measurement, and statistical-mathematical. The sample was calculated using neutrosophic statistics and python interval arithmetic library. The results achieved are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively, where the validity of the same was demonstrated since there was a level of significance equal to or less than p 0.05.

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems, {Special Issue: Impact Of Neutrosophic Scientific Publication In Latin American Context}, Vol. 44, 2021, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Maikel Leyva Vazquez, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Mitophagy Protein Pink1 Suppresses Colon Tumor Growth By Metabolic Reprogramming Via P53 Activation And Reducing Acetyl-Coa Production, Kunlun Yin, Jordan Lee, Zhaoli Liu, Hyeoncheol Kim, David R Martin, Dandan Wu, Meilian Liu, Xiang Xue

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Understanding the mechanisms of CRC progression is essential to improve treatment. Mitochondria is the powerhouse for healthy cells. However, in tumor cells, less energy is produced by the mitochondria and metabolic reprogramming is an early hallmark of cancer. The metabolic differences between normal and cancer cells are being interrogated to uncover new therapeutic approaches. Mitochondria targeting PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) is a key regulator of mitophagy, the selective elimination of damaged mitochondria by autophagy. Defective mitophagy is increasingly associated with various diseases including CRC. However, a …

Cd44 Engagement Enhances Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Adhesion To The Bone Marrow Microenvironment By Increasing Vla-4 Avidity, Julia C. Gutjahr, Elisabeth Bayer, Xiaobing Yu, Julia M. Laufer, Jan P. Höpner, Suzana Tesanovic, Andrea Härzschel, Georg Auer, Tanja Rieß, Astrid Salmhofer, Eva Szenes, Theresa Haslauer, Valerie Durand-Onayli, Andrea Ramspacher, Sandra P. Pennisi, Marc Artinger, Nadja Zaborsky, Alexandre Chigaev, Fritz Aberger, Daniel Neureiter, Lisa Pleyer, Daniel F. Legler, Veronique Orian-Rousseau, Richard Greil, Tanja N. Hartmann

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Adhesive properties of leukemia cells shape the degree of organ infiltration and the extent of leukocytosis. CD44 and the integrin VLA-4, a CD49d/CD29 heterodimer, are important factors of progenitor cell adhesion in bone marrow (BM). Here, we report their cooperation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by a novel non-classical CD44-mediated way of inside-out VLA-4 activation. In primary AML BM samples from patients and the OCI-AML3 cell line, CD44 engagement by hyaluronan induced inside-out activation of VLA-4 resulting in enhanced leukemia cell adhesion on VCAM-1. This was independent from VLA-4 affinity regulation but based on ligand-induced integrin clustering on the cell …

Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy Resistance And A Potential Role For Tetraspanin Membrane Scaffolds, Muskan Floren, Jennifer M. Gillette

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the disruption of myeloid differentiation and accumulation of blast cells in the bone marrow. While AML patients respond favorably to induction chemotherapy, long-term outcomes remain poor due to a high rate of chemoresistance. Advances with targeted therapies, which can be used in combination with conventional chemotherapy, have expanded therapeutic options for patients. However, remission is often short-lived and followed by disease relapse and drug resistance. Therefore, there is a substantial need to improve treatment options by identifying novel molecular and cellular targets that regulate AML chemosensitivity. Membrane scaffolds such as the tetraspanin family …

Nanoscale Assembly Of Dectin-1 And Its Glucan Ligand In Immunocyte Membranes And Pathogen Cell Walls, Akram Etemadi Amin

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Candida spp. pathogens continue to be a significant health care burden with high mortality and exceeding enormous healthcare costs. Candida infection range varies from dermatological infection to more severe bloodstream infection in debilitated patients. Due to this, research dedicated to understanding biophysical interactions between Candida species and the host’s immune cells is essential. The C-type lectin’s (CtLs) are known to bind to Candida cell walls and play a crucial role in downstream immune signaling. It is known that β-glucans, the highly immunogenic polysaccharide in Candida’s cell wall, are mostly masked underneath a layer of mannosylated proteins. The amount of …

Using Virus-Like Particles To Combat Cardiovascular Disease And Identify An Immunogenic Target Of Natural Zika Virus Infection In Humans, Alexandra Marie Fowler

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophages have been utilized as highly immunogenic vaccine platforms for displaying antigen targets of interest. Bacteriophage VLPs have a highly repetitive structure made of protein subunits that self-assemble into an icosahedral particle. These structures can strongly activate the immune system, especially B cells. Arraying antigens on the surface of VLPs in a multivalent manner can, in turn, confer the ability to induce strong antibody responses to virtually any target. This technique can even be used to elicit antibody responses against self-antigens. Here we have exploited these features for developing VLP-based vaccines that target self-molecules involved …

A Tale Of Itam Tails: New Insights Into The Molecular Mechanisms That Tune Fcɛri Signaling, William K. Kanagy

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Activating Motif (ITAM) receptors are critical in sensing extracellular antigen and initiating an immune response. The ITAM receptor FcɛRI, termed the high affinity IgE receptor, is the primary promoter of inducing the Type 1 allergic response and is primarily expressed in mast cells and basophils. In this dissertation, I worked to determine how early signaling events initiated at the FcɛRI ITAM interface tune downstream signaling outcomes. I began by determining that differential phospho-tyrosine ITAM patterns produce unique recruitment profiles of the accessory kinases proteins Syk and Lyn. I next determined the differential signaling ITAM capabilities of Lyn and …

Regulation Of H2s Production And Signaling Within Vascular Endothelium, Perenkita J. Mendiola

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a vasodilator primarily produced by cysthathionine

gamma-lyase (CSE) within the vasculature. Previous studies suggest there are

differences in CSE expression and the contribution of H2S to vasodilation in

different sized arteries. This led us to postulate that there are also regional

differences of regulators of H2S-mediated vasodilatory pathways.

This study examined the role of endothelial cell plasma membrane (EC

PM) cholesterol in regulating H2S-induced vasodilation and the role of

intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i in regulating CSE activity in vascular EC. We

hypothesized that CSE activation in EC by receptor-dependent second

messenger signaling enhances H2S production and subsequent …

Goal Orientation, Regulation Of Motivation, And Academic Achievement In Pharmacy Students, Krystal L. Ward

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

This study examined goal orientation in Doctor of Pharmacy Students and its relationship with regulation of motivation and academic achievement. Research questions included: 1) Do student cohorts (first-year, second-year, and third-year students) differ in their initial goal orientation? Do students’ goal orientation vary across time (from fall to spring)? 2) How does change in goal orientation impact changes in regulation of motivation? 3) How does change in goal orientation impact changes in academic achievement? 4) Which factor, regulation of motivation or academic achievement, has the strongest relationship with goal orientation?

178 participants completed survey instruments in the fall and spring …

Weedy Relations: Narratives Of Invasion And Intimacy With Tamarisk In The Chihuahuan Desert, Shannon S. Pepper

Geography ETDs

Tamarix spp., also known as salt cedar or tamarisk, is a shrub that has garnered a notorious reputation in North America as an invasive plant, with widespread policy and research advocating for its eradication in the Southwest U.S. and Northern Mexico. This study examines both governmental conservation documents and news articles to investigate narrative trends on tamarisk in the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico as a contiguous region (the Chihuahuan Desert), expanding on current research to include transborder effects on the perception and management of introduced species. This paper asks: In the last 25 years, how has the movement, …

Developing An Epitope-Based Malaria Vaccine Targeting The Circumsporozoite Protein, Lucie Jelinkova

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease that is spread to humans by mosquitos. Developing a successful vaccine for malaria has been a remarkable challenge. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, is a complex organism that transforms into unique forms and infects multiple organs within the human host throughout its life cycle. In these studies we describe a virus-like particle (VLP)-based approach to developing a vaccine for malaria that targets discrete and specific sites on invading sporozoites during the pre-erythrocytic stage of infection. VLPs are noninfectious, self-assembling particles derived from viral structural proteins, and are safe and highly immunogenic. …

Pt-Containing Conjugated Polymers And Small Molecules For Bhj Photovoltaic Devices, Yunjeong Kwon

Chemistry and Chemical Biology ETDs

The current state of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices involve series of small molecular or polymeric systems that can absorb light from the solar spectrum in concert with another material that acts as an acceptor material. Together these materials serve to generate and split bound excitation species then transport the separate charges to their respected electrode. Several limitations have restricted the widescale use of these materials. Since these devices have their genesis in organic materials the OPV devices inherit short exitonic lifetimes, narrow absorption window and a lack of precise control over the morphology. To overcome these limitations, additional molecular engineering …

The Efficacy Of Brief Attitudinal Familism And Body Image Interventions On Diet And Exercise Self-Monitoring Adherence In Hispanic/Latinx Women, Kelsey Nicole Serier

Psychology ETDs

Addressing health disparities in overweight/obesity is a key public health issue. Research supports the efficacy of behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions, however, adherence to these interventions is often low, which negatively impacts outcomes. The efficacy of BWL interventions is consistently lower among communities of color. Thus, there is a strong need to design and test interventions that are culturally sensitive and address predictors of BWL adherence in diverse groups. Previous research suggests that for Hispanic/Latinx women with overweight/obesity, attitudinal familism (“family comes first”) and body dissatisfaction were informative in predicting BWL adherence. The current study builds on this previous research …

Lysmd3: A Mammalian Pattern Recognition Receptor For Chitin, Xin He, Brad A. Howard, Yang Liu, Aaron K. Neumann, Liwu Li, Nidhi Menon, Tiffany Roach, Shiv D. Kale, David C. Samuels, Hongyan Li, Trenton Kite, Hirohito Kita, Tony Y. Hu, Mengyao Luo, Caroline N. Jones, Uju Joy Okaa, Diane L. Squillace, Bruce S. Klein, Christopher B. Lawrence

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Chitin, a major component of fungal cell walls, has been associated with allergic disorders such as asthma. However, it is unclear how mammals recognize chitin and the principal receptor(s) on epithelial cells that sense chitin remain to be determined. In this study, we show that LYSMD3 is expressed on the surface of human airway epithelial cells and demonstrate that LYSMD3 is able to bind chitin, as well as β-glucan, on the cell walls of fungi. Knockdown or knockout of LYSMD3 also sharply blunts the production of inflammatory cytokines by epithelial cells in response to chitin and fungal spores. Competitive inhibition …

Directional Integrity And Landmark Anchoring Of The Head Direction Cell System In The Tgf344-Ad Rat Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Laura E. Berkowitz

Psychology ETDs

Spatial navigation and memory are impaired in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are prominent behavioral markers of preclinical AD. The TgF344-AD rat model of AD exhibits similar behavioral and pathological features to humans and thus serves as an excellent model to investigate the mechanisms underlying spatial impairment in AD. Brain regions in the parahippocampal cortex contain spatially responsive pyramidal cells that support spatial navigation and memory including place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells. Furthermore, GABAergic interneurons in these regions support precise temporal organization of spike dynamics and may play a critical role in maintaining reliable …

Stronger Transition: Coping With Natural Disasters, And Health-Economic Investment For Adolescents In Developing Countries, Mengqi Liu

Economics ETDs

This dissertation investigates the period of adolescence as another important window for human capital development. The first chapter provides the introduction of my three research papers, highlighting the research motivation, goals, and contributions. The final chapter summarizes the conclusions and discusses the future research trajectory. The first paper examines the long-term health and socioeconomic implications of exposure to natural disasters during adolescence and childhood. In the second paper, I survey the current awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine in Nepal and test the different indicators for HPV vaccination, precisely the mother’s intention to vaccinate their adolescent girls against …

Multiple Baseline Interrupted Time Series: Describing Changes In New Mexico Medicaid Behavioral Health Home Patients’ Care, Jessica Reno

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

In 2016, the CareLink New Mexico behavioral health homes program began enrolling Medicaid recipients with the goal of increasing care coordination, improving access to services, and decreasing long-term costs of care for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and children with severe emotional disturbance (SED). To evaluate these aims, a retrospective interrupted time series study using Medicaid claims data was designed. First, a comparable subset of non-enrolled individuals was selected from the pool of Medicaid recipients with SMI or SED using propensity score matching. Then, segmented regression was applied to three outcomes: total Medicaid charges, number of outpatient behavioral health …

Mud Binds Mitotic Kinesins Non-Claret Disjunctional And Pavarotti In D. Melanogaster, Vincent Cutillas

Biology ETDs

The cytoskeleton is crucial to maintaining an even distribution of chromosomes and subsequently to divide the cell during every cell cycle. During mitosis, spindle structure and movement dictates how chromosomes will be separated and act as the sole mechanism for even distribution of these chromosomes. The cytoskeleton also remains a major cellular component during cytokinesis when the cell must cleave the membrane in order to form two resulting daughter cells. Both processes require an extensive use of the immobile structures of the cytoskeleton, such as microtubules (MTs), intermediate filaments, and microfilaments, but also the mobile units, which are the motor …

Monitoring Damage Occurrence, Post-Peak Crack Propagation And Air Permeability In Concrete Using The Brazilian Indirect Tension Test, Angel M. Padilla

Civil Engineering ETDs

This research aims to investigate the relationship between stress, damage, crack propagation, and permeability evolution in concrete. A novel experimental test method is presented that enables monitoring post-peak cracking behavior of concrete using the Brazilian tension test by slowing crack propagation while concurrently measuring permeability and monitoring damage propagation using acoustic emission techniques. The modified Brazilian test method utilizes spring supports in parallel to the test specimen to off-load the test specimen incrementally to slow down the post-peak crack propagation. A vacuum flow system is attached to the rear side of the concrete during loading to measure apparent air permeability …

Sisters Supporting Sisters: Photovoice & Diabetes Discourse Among Church-Based Women In New Mexico, Nina Mock Cooper

Communication ETDs

Within the expansive literature on diabetes in other disciplines, the communication lens focuses on the biomedical perspective and emphasizes doctor-patient and patient-provider relations. While there are limited studies that focus on the psychosocial aspect of diabetes morbidity, there is a gap in the existing literature across disciplines on communication about diabetes using both qualitative and participatory methods that are church-based. Because diabetes disproportionately and adversely impacts communities of color that report high levels of religious influence, there is an dire need for more effective interventions to ameliorate this chronic illness that causes high levels of morbidity and mortality.

The Sisters …

Immodest Immortality: Emperor Maximilian I'S Artistic Program And The Ambraser Heldenbuch, 1504-1519, Jessica Cochran

History ETDs

Maximilian I (r. 1493-1519) utilized various forms of artistic and literary media throughout his reign to control his public image after his death. This thesis focuses on a manuscript project that has historically received little scholarly attention. The Ambraser Heldenbuch, produced between 1504 and 1517, preserves German heroic epics, many of which would otherwise be lost today. The manuscript has been highly valued for its literary and linguistic significance, but this thesis argues that the entire project sheds light on Maximilian’s plan to immortalize not only his own reputation, but also that of his family. This thesis focuses on …

The Effect Of Repetition Tempo On Training Volume, Heart Rate, Blood Lactate, And Muscle Oxygenation When Time Under Tension Is Matched In Recreationally-Trained Lifters, Zachary A. Mang

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

It is commonly reported that resistance training (RT) with slower-repetition tempos leads to greater metabolic stress because they increase the time under tension (TUT) during sets of exercise. However, little information is available on the effect of different repetition tempos on blood lactate concentration, muscle oxygenation, and heart rate (HR) when TUT and proximity to concentric muscular failure are matched during lower-body RT. In a repeated-measures, cross- over design, 11 recreationally-trained females (n = 5) and males (n = 6) performed five sets of belt squat under the following conditions: Slow-repetition tempo (SLOW; 10 reps with 4:2 second tempo) and …

Re/ Constructing Race And Racism Among Unionized Mexican Immigrants Through Vernacular Discourse, Jocelyn Gomez

Communication ETDs

This study explores the vernacular discourse of unionized Mexican immigrants living and working in Orange County in California. Given the current political climate and the historical roots of the construction of "race" in the United States, I explore how the current sociopolitical conditions of organized Latina/o affect their understanding of race and their experiences with racism. It is also important to address the everyday racism the Latina/o community faces that continue to marginalize them. This study focuses on the vernacular discourses on race and racism of organized working-class Latinas/os who are members of labor unions. Through intentional conversations about racial …

The Role Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor In The Link Between Physical Activity And Psychosocial Recovery From Alcohol Use Disorder, Adam D. Wilson

Psychology ETDs

Objective: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a common, chronically relapsing condition with substantial health and economic costs. United States federal agencies have put out calls in the last decade to expand the scientific evidence base for broad biopsychosocial recovery from AUD and other substance use disorders (SUD). The present study examined the role of physical activity and exercise in early recovery from AUD, with specific attention to changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a marker of neuroplasticity and a potential mechanism for instantiation of recovery-aligned behaviors. Method: Individuals in the first year of recovery from AUD were …

The Role Of Toxoplasma Gondii Dense Granule Protein Gra24 In Signaling And Immunity During Infection, Heather L. Mercer

Biology ETDs

Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen whose control partly depends upon Toll-like receptors (TLR) 11 and 12, that signal through MyD88. Yet, human TLR11 and TLR12 are nonfunctional, motivating us to investigate MyD88-independent immune pathways. Parasite dense granule protein GRA24 activates p38 MAPK independently of MyD88 in macrophages. Using wild-type and GRA24-deleted T. gondii strains, I demonstrate GRA24 activates p38 MAPK, resulting in IL-12 production, and protective immunity. Furthermore, GRA24 triggers p38 MAPK-dependent CX3CL1 production. GRA24 also induces CCL17 and Ppbp independently of p38 MAPK. Additionally, I demonstrate GRA24 downregulates CCL12. Furthermore, IL-15 is negatively regulated by GRA24 through activation …

Unique Genomic Architecture In The Descendants Of The Beringian Migrant Population: Founder Effects, Natural Selection, And Adaptation, Sara D. Niedbalski

Anthropology ETDs

The last great migration of our species saw humans traverse the Bering landmass from Siberia into the American continents in what has proven to be one of the most profound evolutionary events in modern human history. During the Last Glacial Maximum, a small band of Siberians entered the Beringian corridor, where they persisted, isolated from gene flow, for several thousand years before expansion into the Americas. The particular ecological features of the Beringian environment, coupled with an extended period of isolation at small population size, would have provided evolutionary opportunity for novel genetic variation to arise as both rare standing …

Factors Influencing Rural Women’S Physical Activity Behaviors: A Social Ecological Perspective, Karen Lynn Webb

Nursing ETDs

ABSTRACT

Chronic disease and poor mental health are disproportionally impacting adults living in rural America. Regular physical activity has been shown to promote overall well-being and prevent many chronic diseases. Yet, research shows that many rural adults do not engage in enough physical activity to meet the recommended levels put forth by the federal government. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore and describe the experiences of physical activity as perceived by rural women in their own words. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews of 20 women aged 25 to 34 living in McDowell County, West …

The Transformation Of Identity In Early Medieval England: Continuity, Disruption, And Creolization, Michael Sean Limmer

History ETDs

The period following Rome’s administrative withdrawal from Britain (c. 410 CE) has sparked intense debate for centuries, spawning a variety of theories concerning ethnic identity and the nature of cultural exchange on the island. Presently, the very nature of the term “Anglo-Saxon” itself is at the center of these discussions. This thesis examines historical, archaeological, and genetic evidence to cast a light on who constituted the people of Britain during this migration period through to the time of Alfred, and to what extent creolization might have played out. Ultimately, the evidence from this period suggests that ethnic identities cannot reasonably …