Digital Commons Network^™

Volume Change Measurements Of Cancer Cells In A Microfluidics Platform, Yukuan Yu

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the function of aquaporins in transcellular transport is vital for homeostasis, pathophysiology, and translational potential in AQP-based diagnostics and therapeutics. Microfluidics device has the potential to evaluate the function of aquaporins with precise control and manipulate micro-scale fluid due to good optical quality and short processing distance. This work has two parts: cell culture in a microfluidic chip to characterize aquaporins’ function and visualization of single cell volume change under osmotic pressure shock in a homemade imaging dish. For the first part, we established a microfluidics platform for future modification and measurement of the dynamic volume change of biological …

A Holistic View Of Integrated Care Within Counselor Education: A Multi-Manuscript Dissertation, Alexander Mcclain Fields

Theses and Dissertations

The integration of behavioral health into primary care settings, otherwise known as integrated care (IC), is a movement growing in momentum and continues to challenge traditional healthcare occurring in silos. Through an IC modality, healthcare consumers receive all their care through a “one stop shop” approach and previous outcomes have suggested an overall benefit for an individual’s holistic health, as well as savings for healthcare settings. Counselors are in a prime position to join IC teams and contribute to consumer healthcare outcomes through a unique professional identity. The aim of this dissertation study, which consisted of three completed manuscripts, was …

Food Insecurity In Youth And Young Adults With Diabetes: Prevalence And Association With Health Behaviors, Lauren Helene Martini

Theses and Dissertations

Given the life-long impact of diabetes(1-5), it is important to engage in behaviors that promote health and wellness to delay or prevent negative health outcomes(3, 6-10). Despite this, youth and young adults with diabetes generally do not adhere to nutritional(11-17) or physical activity(18, 19) recommendations. In households experiencing financial difficulties, especially those who are having difficulty providing sufficient food to all of its members, adhering to recommendations may be even more difficult.

The purpose of this dissertation is to better understand and contextualize food insecurity among youth and young adults (YYA) with youth-onset T1DM and T2DM. The first aim addresses …

Sex Differentials In Frailty In Medieval Ireland, Allison Claire Ham

Theses and Dissertations

Population sex differentials in morbidity and mortality are influenced by genetic, hormonal, behavioral, and environmental mechanisms, and in the majority of living human populations, females experience longer lifespans and lower mortality risks, but paradoxically, greater morbidities compared to males. This dissertation project explored sex differentials in frailty (i.e., relative risk of death compared to others in the population) in medieval Ireland to address the existing temporal and contextual limitations for interpreting how far back the modern female health-mortality paradox extends. The project had three main objectives: examine sex differentials in mortality risks between the early (500-1100 CE) and late medieval …

Substance Use Disorders And The Behavioral Effects Of Novel And Existing Compounds, Sarah Uribe

Theses and Dissertations

These investigations aimed to study the effects of experimental compounds for use in treating and preventing substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Identifying and testing potential medications for these two diseases is critical since current FDA-approved medications are only modestly effective, and addiction continues to spread. We previously demonstrated that co-administration of morphine and MP-III-024 produced synergistic effects in hot plate and von Frey assays. This study evaluated whether MP-III-024 also produced synergistic effects in behavioral tests sensitive to the side effects of morphine. Our findings suggest that co-administration of morphine and MP-III-024 …

Thermal Inactivation Of Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, And Enterococcus Faecium Nrrl B-2354 In Pasta Matrices, Kristi Shannon Gowans

Theses and Dissertations

Limited data are currently available characterizing the thermal resistance of foodborne pathogens in semolina flour and intermediate pasta matrices representative of commercial conditions during mixing, extrusion, and drying. These data are essential to pasta producers seeking to be compliant with federal regulations since Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli demonstrate survival in wheat flour and dried pasta products. This study investigated the heat resistance of Salmonella, pathogenic E. coli, and E. faecium NRRL B-2354 in raw semolina flour and partially dried pasta intermediates via thermal death time (TDT) studies. This study also assessed the appropriateness of E. faecium NRRL B-2354 as …

Expression Of Rcrb Confers Resistance To Hypochlorous Acid In Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli, Mary Crompton

Theses and Dissertations

Neutrophils are the most prominent cell of the human innate immune system. Upon infection by bacteria, neutrophils are recruited to the site of infection where they target bacteria for degradation by phagocytosis. Neutrophils are effective bacterial killers through a high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive chlorine species (RCS), which kill ingested microbes through damage to nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. To prevent succumbing to the lethal effects of oxidative stress, pathogens such as Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the primary causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs), have developed defense systems to combat ROS/RCS. We recently identified the …

Memorable Health Messages And Their Influence On Health Behavior, Benjamin Brew Sam-Paintsil

Theses and Dissertations

Students encounter a lot of the health messages they perceive to be relevant. Some of health messages may stick with them for a long period of time and may be easily recalled than others, thus becoming memorable messages to them. Yet, little is known about the content and the source of college students’ memorable health messages. Thus, this study explored the features, the impact, and sources of college students’ memorable health message and whether students view their sources as credible. In addition, the present study examined health issues that students deem as salient in their memorable messages. The study found …

Investigating Heterologous Transgene Expression In N. Crassa, James Christopher Mierendorf

Theses and Dissertations

First adopted as a model organism by Shear and Dodge in 1927, the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa is among the most well studied eukaryotic systems today, facilitating major discoveries in genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The sequencing of the Neurospora genome was completed in 2003, which combined with the organism’s fast growth, simple culturing requirements, and haploid life cycle, make it a particularly attractive model system. Despite these advantages, Neurospora crassa’s research value is diminished by its recalcitrance to expressing ectopic sequences incorporated into its genome. As a result, molecular techniques requiring heterologous expression (such as CRISPR) are largely incompatible …

Effect Of Nitrogen On Seed Sugar Content In White Corn ( Zea Mays L. ), Douglas Otieno Ndege

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract.White corn (Zea mays L.) is a grain crop that produces kernels in a cob and is grown in different parts of the world. Depending on the maturity stage at harvest, the most common are field corn variety and sugar corn variety. Notably, Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is an important element in improving soil fertility and affecting crop productivity. The objective of this research study was to determine the effect of Nitrogen on kernel sugar concentration in white corn and investigate the effect upon white corn yield and grain mass. The study was conducted at the Illinois State University research farms …

The Impact Of Egypt's Mega Events On Egyptians' Public Mood, Nouran Abass

Theses and Dissertations

The study aims to study the Impact of Egypt's Mega Events on Egyptians‟ Public Mood. Egypt organized two Mega Events in 2021: The Pharaohs‟ Golden Parade and Luxor Sphinx Avenue. The study also examines the impact of the two Mega Events on the Egyptian Identity. While the two Mega Events targeted Egypt's external publics to attract tourists to Egypt, the study attempts to assess the impact of the two Mega Events on one of Egypt's internal publics; the Egyptians. Depending on the concept of “Social Listening” as a theoretical framework, the study examines the possible ways the Egyptian government can …

Life At The Margins: Regional Inequality In Tunisia And International Migration, Hiba Belhadj

Theses and Dissertations

Drawing on De Haas’s (2021) argument on migration as a function of people’s aspirations and capabilities, this research examines how regional inequality in Tunisia – affecting both aspirations and capabilities – impacts and shapes the opportunities and outcomes of migration. Building on De Haas’s migration typology, this research will argue that people from marginalized regions undertake “precarious migration.” For this group of migrants, precarity is employed to explain not only their migration but also their employment and livelihood conditions at home. Those from developed regions undertake “free” or “improvement” migration. In a further step, the research examines how these different …

Perceptions Of The Culinary Art Community On Their Higher Education Programs In Egypt: The Way Forward, Kadria Ali Abdel Motaal

Theses and Dissertations

Culinary art education used to have a narrow focus that forgoes its richness and ignores its infiltration into economic, political, and cultural aspects within society. Recently the world witnessed an evolution in this field of study as it reached tertiary education institutions. However, in Egypt, culinary art studies are integrated into hospitality education and are still confined to a shallow concept. This study aimed to explore the perception of the culinary art community in Egypt on their higher education programs from a sociocultural perspective. It also explored the possible new frameworks, and core competencies to improve culinary arts higher education …

Effects Of Date Seed (Phoenix Dactylifera) Extract In An Animal Model Of Diabetes Mellitus, Sara Refaat

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness and a global epidemic. The commercial diabetic medicines available are expensive and have several adverse effects. Alternative natural products are still being sought for. Date seeds ( Phoenix dactylifera) are either thrown away as garbage or utilized as animal feed. The use of seed extract as an alternative therapy for diabetes offers a cost-effective and all-natural method for managing the disease. Methods Sprague dawley rats were randomly distributed into groups with a sample size of 4 rats per group. Date seed powder was boiled producing a 10% date seed extract which was administered in …

Terfezia Boudieri And Terfezia Claveryi Inhibit The Lps/Ifn-Γ-Mediated Inflammation In Raw 264.7 Macrophages Through An Nrf2-Independent Mechanism, Abdelhameed Dawood

Theses and Dissertations

Desert truffles have been used as traditional treatments for a variety of inflammatory disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 macrophages have remained to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of two main desert truffles, Terfezia boudieri and Terfezia claveryi and the underlying mechanisms associated with their anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/IFN-γ) in order to develop innovative therapeutics for the treatment of inflammation.

To address this objective, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of T. boudieri and T. claveryi extracts in the presence …

Lignin Nanoparticles Comparative Study For Their Emulsifying, Antibacterial And Antioxidant Properties, Matta Asaad Mesak Ebaid

Theses and Dissertations

Converting lignin, the second most natural abundant polymer on earth, into lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) form has potential applications. LNPs’ emulsifying, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of three different lignins, softwood kraft lignoboost (LB), hardwood birch (BB) and alkali protobind 1000 (PB) were evaluated in a comparative study at different pH and concentrations. Lower ionic strength of 5 millimole (mM) citric acid (CA) and pH of 7 were found to be the most optimum conditions for emulsion formation. Comparison among the two homogenization techniques revealed that microfluidizer is favored in case of BB- and PB-LNPs based emulsions, while ultrasonication is optimum in …

Alternative Child Care Governance: The Kafala Family-Based Care Arrangement In Egypt, Heba El Azzazy

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, Egypt has witnessed several changes in relation to its alternative care system for orphans and children without parental care. Starting 2014, the Egypt government along with Civil Society actors started to adopt the UN General Assembly guidelines on Alternative Care; which call on States to take solid actions to develop their respective deinstitutionalization strategy that aims towards the progressive elimination of institutional cares and prompting family-based care approaches for children deprived of parental care. According to the current situation, kafala is the main alternative family- based care option practiced in Egypt. Generally, there is very limited …

Differential Transcriptional Alterations In Detoxification Genes In Parkinson’S Disease In Egypt, Nourhan Shebl

Theses and Dissertations

PD is the most common motor neurodegenerative disease worldwide. The underlying cause of PD is still unknow, owingthis to the complexity of the disease. Often, genetics and environmental factors are collaborating in the initiation of the disease. Despite the diversity of its genetical and environmental profiles, the Egyptian population is one of the mostunderrepresented population in terms of PD research. In this study, we investigated PD through various perspectives tohighlight the complexity of the disease in Egypt, taking into consideration the diversity of the Egyptian population. We recruited PD patients and reference controls from 4 governorates: Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and …

Comparative Metabolite Profiling And Fingerprinting Of Mature And Immature Grains Of Different Species Using A Multiplex Approach Of Lc-Ms And Gc-Ms Coupled To Chemometrics, Doaa Bahaa Abdelhalim Saied

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the current study was the assessment of heterogeneity amongst metabolites of 5 cereal and leguminous grains of different species, and cultivars i.e., Triticum aestivum L., Hordeum vulgare L., Vicia faba L. & Cicer arietinum L. at different maturity stages. Gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) post silylation technique was employed for nutrients profiling. A total of 70 peaks belonging to sugars, fatty acids/esters/steroids and organic acids were identified including sucrose, melibiose, glucose and fructose as major sugars, butyl caprylate, hydroxybutanoic acid and malic acid to contribute for the discrimination between grain species and different maturity …

The Lived Experiences Of Elementary School Teachers’ Implementation Of Social-Emotional Learning: Transitions From In-Person And Remote Settings, Clyde A. Braswell

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined elementary school teachers' transitions from in-person to remote social-emotional learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a northeastern US public school district. This study addressed the following central research question using Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory and CASEL's Framework (2021) for social and emotional learning: What were teachers’ lived experiences while teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) during both remote and in-person instruction in elementary school throughout the Covid-19 pandemic? Eight teachers from one suburban elementary school shared their experiences meeting students' social-emotional needs during the pandemic. This study examined teacher perspectives on social-emotional learning in in-person and remote settings …

Marketing Brands, Juggling Jargon, And Countering Space: Six Fitness Enthusiasts’ Engagement With Exercisers Within Instagram’S Fitness Community, Sydney Elizabeth Denham

Theses and Dissertations

As of December 11, 2022, 791k users had utilized the hashtag #FitnessInfluencer on their Instagram content. A fitness influencer is a user on Instagram who has a large follower count and posts fitness-related content to their platforms. In all aspects, the fitness influencer is an enthusiast who contributes to the digital fitness community. This research examines the role that the fitness enthusiast plays within this community on Instagram. Carmen Kynard’s definition of literacy as something that we do rather than have inspired much of my thinking throughout this project. Also, Diana Bossio’s research on journalists greatly informed my methodology for …

An Examination Of The Sufficiency Of Emergency Planning In New York City Hospitals For Vulnerable Populations Needing Communication Or Language Assistance, Rosemary Mcdonnell

Theses and Dissertations

Background: While all populations are susceptible to certain hazards that may expose their vulnerabilities in a disaster, populations with no or limited English proficiency, sight limitations, and hearing limitations are especially at risk due to communication and language barriers that they consistently experience. Purpose: This study explored the sufficiency of emergency planning that vulnerable populations with communication barriers may receive in a New York City hospital setting. It investigated the emergency plans, procedures, and practices that hospitals have for these specific, at-risk populations. The sufficiency of these were measured in accordance with their ability to meet the appropriate regulatory standards …

Adsorption Of Cadmium And Lead Ions Using Biowaste Adsorbents From Aqueous Solutions With Ion-Selective Electrodes And Icp-Oes, Taha Fadlou Allah

Theses and Dissertations

Upon using low cost biowaste adsorbents as toxic metal ion removal substrates from aqueous solutions, it was found that they have a high potential of being used to generate a great environmental advantage. This thesis study evaluated pumpkin peels and potato peels for the adsorption of cadmium and lead ions. Chamomile tea residues, peanut shells, and ground coffee beans were also studied and showed less adsorption response for these heavy metals. The biowaste sorbents were treated with acid (HNO3) or base (NaOH). Batch experiments were carried by introducing a known concentration of metal ion solution into the biowaste sorbent at …

The Role Of Self-Regulation And Mindset In The Academic Outcomes Of Low-Income Students, Jamilah Shanice Lindo

Theses and Dissertations

The present study builds upon the existing research regarding the role of self-regulation and mindset as they relate to academic achievement. Currently, little is known regarding how self-regulation and mindset relate to the academic outcomes of low SES students as identified by their qualification for free or reduced-priced lunch (FRPL). The present study examined the relationship between self-regulation, mindset, and achievement for a sample of 44 low SES students in grades four through six to understand if these factors can predict academic outcomes in ELA and mathematics. This information is particularly valuable as schools often make investments in intervention programming …

The Relationship Of Developmental Stages In Adults In Psychotherapy To Different Types Of Mental Health Symptoms, Shannon E. Gasparro

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, we examine the pattern of mental health symptoms across adult development using data from a community-based clinic in Queens, NY. Age was represented by three qualitative stages, “early adulthood,” “middle adulthood,” and “late adulthood.” Early adulthood has been characterized as a period of heightened emotional instability, with less clear long-term commitments to romantic relationships, career paths, work, and living arrangements. Middle adulthood has been characterized as a more emotionally stable period in terms of relations with friends and family and social roles. Finally, late adults, although also viewed as more emotionally regulated, may again experience greater interpersonal …

Molecular Organic Photovoltaic Cells And Applications, Julie Liu

Theses and Dissertations

The absorption, light scattering, and anti-Stoke’s fluorescence of chlorophyll and closely related sodium copper chlorophyllin were examined in various solutions with a wide range of refractive index and permittivity. It was evident that radiative photo electron decay corresponded to low permittivity solvents, but not to solvent refractive index. Additionally, non-radiative decay was dominant in high permittivity solvents. The properties suggest evolution has provided plants with an ability to redirect light to the chlorophyll in the high permittivity (water) photosynthesis center. Exploratory solar cells exploiting lifetime switching were developed and tested, wherein strong photovoltaic response was exhibited, along with the unique …

Quantifying Insect Emergence In Tidal Freshwaters And The Importance Of Aquatic Prey In Wetland-Dependent Songbird Diet, Samantha L. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

Insectivorous birds and their arthropod prey are experiencing widespread population declines, driven largely by anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. For wetland-dependent insectivores that consume a mixture of terrestrial and aquatic insects, understanding the availability, consumption, and nutritional qualities of aquatic diet subsidies is important for conservation. I use prothonotary warblers (Protonotaria citrea) as a model species throughout this work, because their breeding season aligns with aquatic insect emergence and they include aquatic insects when provisioning nestlings. In the first chapter, I estimate aquatic insect emergence from tidal freshwaters, which are understudied compared to nontidal systems. Using continuous field …

Evaluating The Acute Effect Of Vaping On Food Intake, Gabrielle Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Weight control is a common motive for continued cigarette smoking, and weight concerns pose a barrier to quitting. These effects are driven in part by nicotine’s ability to reduce overall appetite and ultimately body weight. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have been marketed and used for weight control, suggesting that the use of these products potentially may share similar effects as well as barriers to quitting as observed for cigarette smoking. However, little to no controlled clinical lab evidence exists supporting ENDS use for weight control. The present study tested the influence of an ENDS on acute eating behavior …

“It's Just Not Enough”: Examining The Experiences Of School-Based Sexual Health Education And Conversation Engagement With Trusted Adults Among Black Boys In Richmond, Va, Sharyn A. Dougherty

Theses and Dissertations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that youth make up a quarter of the sexually active population, yet account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States.In 2021, youth age 15-19 living in Virginia’s central region, which includes the Richmond Metropolitan area, had the second highest number of chlamydia cases and fourth highest number of gonorrhea cases among all age groups, with the highest rates among Black youth. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of Black youth in Richmond, VA with school-based sexual health education (SHE) and their …

Evaluating The Influence Of Concurrently Available Non-Drug Reinforcers On Drug Reinforcement Using Sophisticated Preclinical Models Of Substance Use Disorder, Madison M. Marcus

Theses and Dissertations

The maladaptive allocation of behavior towards cocaine and away from other concurrently available non-drug reinforcers (e.g., family, health, work, etc.) is a key characteristic of cocaine use disorder (CUD) that is embedded into multiple diagnostic criteria for CUD. Accordingly, basic research conducted in a drug-vs-food “choice” context has improved our fundamental knowledge of the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of drug reinforcement. However, to date, these preclinical studies have only been conducted with food as the alternative reinforcer. The extent to which other non-drug reinforcers compete with cocaine-taking behavior is unknown. The studies in this dissertation establish two sophisticated discrete-trial cocaine-vs-alternative …