Digital Commons Network^™

Biogeochemical Controls Of Surface Ocean Phosphate, Adam C. Martiny, Michael W. Lomas, Weiwei Fu, Philip W. Boyd, Yuh-Ling L. Chen, Gregory A. Cutter, Michael J. Ellwood, Ken Furuya, Fuminori Hasshihama, Jota Kanda, David M. Karl, Taketoshi Kodama, Qian P. Li, Jian Ma, Thierry Moutin, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, J. Keith Moore

OES Faculty Publications

Surface ocean phosphate is commonly below the standard analytical detection limits, leading to an incomplete picture of the global variation and biogeochemical role of phosphate. A global compilation of phosphate measured using high-sensitivity methods revealed several previously unrecognized low-phosphate areas and clear regional differences. Both observational climatologies and Earth system models (ESMs) systematically overestimated surface phosphate. Furthermore, ESMs misrepresented the relationships between phosphate, phytoplankton biomass, and primary productivity. Atmospheric iron input and nitrogen fixation are known important controls on surface phosphate, but model simulations showed that differences in the iron-to-macronutrient ratio in the vertical nutrient supply and surface lateral transport …

Por Ahí Dicen: Sexual Health Promotion Campaign In A Puerto Rican Community, Isabella M. Antenucci, Yessica Guzman, Phillip Granberry, Maria Idali Torres

Gastón Institute Publications

The purpose of this study was to assess Puerto Rican mother’s levels of exposure to the Spanish media campaign launched by Por Ahi Dicen, and to assess the identification mothers had with these stories. The methodology consisted of in-person survey interviews of 210 Puerto Rican mothers residing in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. The study used a sub-set of data taken from these interviews and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Stata15. The major finding of this study showed that the mothers who regularly watched television in the 90-day campaign time frame were more exposed to the campaign than they were …

A Thematic Approach To Understanding Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Barriers To Self-Care In Pediatric Healthcare Providers Of Medically-Ill Children, Courtney Hurd

Doctoral Dissertations

Due to the nature of their work, healthcare providers working in pediatric settings may be especially vulnerable to experiencing negative consequences of compassion fatigue and burnout. Pediatric healthcare providers often work long hours in the hospital to manage children with acute and chronic medical concerns. Within this setting, unpredictable outcomes and potential for death when caring for this fragile population may contribute to short-and long-term effects on not only caregivers but also healthcare providers. Healthcare providers typically work on an interdisciplinary team within the pediatric hospital setting which can include medical doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and child life …

Individual Eeg Asymmetry As A Predictor Of Hydration Status During Exercise In The Heat, Ayano Katayama

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydration behavior varies among individuals; continuous and correct fluid consumption behavior prevents decreased physical performance and severe dehydration, especially during extended exercise and hot environments. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine individual frontal alpha electroencephalographic asymmetry index (FAI) score in eu-hydrated, hypo-hydrated, and exercise in well-trained men and assess if there is a correlation between FAI score and individual ad libitum fluid consumption behavior. Subjects were kinesiology major college students ranging from 21 to 29 years of age. Subjects were categorized either approach group (n = 8) with resting FAI score more than 0 or avoidance …

Newly Defined Atp-Binding Cassette Subfamily B Member 5 Positive Dermal Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Healing Of Chronic Iron-Overload Wounds Via Secretion Of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist, Seppe Vander Beken, Juliane C. De Vries, Barbara Meier-Schiesser, Patrick Meyer, Dongsheng Jiang, Anca Sindrilaru, Filipa F. Ferreira, Adelheid Hainzl, Susanne Schatz, Jana Muschhammer, Natalie J. Scheurmann, Panagiotis Kampilafkos, Andreas M. Seitz, Lutz Dürselen, Anita Ignatius, Mark A. Kluth, Christoph Ganss, Meinhard Wlaschek, Karmveer Singh, Pallab Maity, Natasha Y. Frank, Markus H. Frank, Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this study, we report the beneficial effects of a newly identified dermal cell subpopulation expressing the ATP‐binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5) for the therapy of nonhealing wounds. Local administration of dermal ABCB5⁺‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attenuated macrophage‐dominated inflammation and thereby accelerated healing of full‐thickness excisional wounds in the iron‐overload mouse model mimicking the nonhealing state of human venous leg ulcers. The observed beneficial effects were due to interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) secreted by ABCB5⁺‐derived MSCs, which dampened inflammation and shifted the prevalence of unrestrained proinflammatory M1 macrophages toward repair promoting anti‐inflammatory M2 …

Microbial Rhodopsins Are Major Contributors To The Solar Energy Captured In The Sea, Laura Gómez-Consarnau, John A. Raven, Naomi M. Levine, Lynda S. Cutter, Deli Wang, Brian Seegers, Javier Arístegui, Jed A. Fuhrman, Josep M. Gasol, Sergio A. Sañudo-Wilhelmy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

All known phototrophic metabolisms on Earth rely on one of three categories of energy-converting pigments: chlorophyll-a (rarely -d), bacteriochlorophyll-a (rarely -b), and retinal, which is the chromophore in rhodopsins. While the significance of chlorophylls in solar energy capture has been studied for decades, the contribution of retinal-based phototrophy to this process remains largely unexplored. We report the first vertical distributions of the three energy-converting pigments measured along a contrasting nutrient gradient through the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The highest rhodopsin concentrations were observed above the deep chlorophyll-a maxima, and their geographical distribution tended to be inversely related to …

Enhanced Flocculation Using Drinking Water Treatment Plant Sedimentation Residual Solids, Sandhya Rao Poleneni, Enos Inniss, Honglan Shi, John Yang, Bin Hua, Joseph Clamp

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Inefficient removal of total organic carbon (TOC) leads to the formation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs) when a disinfectant is added. This study is performed in an effort to develop a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective technology that will effectively lower organic precursors by having water utilities reuse their treatment residual solids. Jar tests are used to simulate drinking water treatment processes with coagulants-aluminum sulfate (alum), poly-aluminum chloride (PACl), and ferric chloride and their residual solids. Ten coagulant-to-residual (C/R) ratios are tested with water from the Missouri River at Coopers Landing in Columbia, MO versus alluvial ground waters. This treatment results …

Remote Sensing Of Explosives-Induced Stress In Plants: Hyperspectral Imaging Analysis For Remote Detection Of Unexploded Threats, Paul V. Manley, Vasit Sagan, Felix B. Fritschi, Joel Gerard Burken

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Explosives contaminate millions of hectares from various sources (partial detonations, improper storage, and release from production and transport) that can be life-threatening, e.g., landmines and unexploded ordnance. Exposure to and uptake of explosives can also negatively impact plant health, and these factors can be can be remotely sensed. Stress induction was remotely sensed via a whole-plant hyperspectral imaging system as two genotypes of Zea mays, a drought-susceptible hybrid and a drought-tolerant hybrid, and a forage Sorghum bicolor were grown in a greenhouse with one control group, one group maintained at 60% soil field capacity, and a third exposed to …

Illinois State, August 2019, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

Periodontal Pathogens Are A Risk Factor Of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Independent Of Tobacco And Alcohol And Human Papillomavirus, Ian Ganly, Liying Yang, Rachel Giese, Yuhan Hao, Carlos W. Nossa, Luc G. T. Morris, Matthew Rosenthal, Jocelyn Migliacci, Dervla Kelly, Wenzhi Tseng

School of Medicine Publications

Over the past decade, there has been a change in the epidemiology of oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OC-SCC). Many new cases of OC-SCC lack the recognized risk factors of smoking, alcohol and human papilloma virus. The aim of this study was to determine if the oral microbiome may be associated with OC-SCC in nonsmoking HPV negative patients. We compared the oral microbiome of HPV-negative nonsmoker OC-SCC(n = 18), premalignant lesions(PML) (n = 8) and normal control patients (n = 12). Their oral microbiome was sampled by oral wash and defined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We report that the …

Evaluating Muscle Mass In Survivors Of Ards: A 1-Year Multicenter Longitudinal Study, Kitty S. Chan Phd, Marina Mourtzakis Phd, Lisa Aronson Friedman Scm, Victor D. Dinglas Mph, Catherine L. Hough Md, Msc, E. Wesley Ely Md, Mph, Peter E. Morris Md, Ramona O. Hopkins Phd, Dale M. Needham Fcpa, Md, Phd, National Institutes Of Health Nhlbi Ards Network

Faculty Publications

Objective—Rapid muscle wasting occurs during acute respiratory failure, resulting in muscle weakness and functional impairments. This study examines survivors’ body composition in the year after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and tests associations of patient characteristics, hospital exposures, and survivors’ strength and physical functioning with whole body percent lean mass.

Design—Prospective cohort study with 6- and 12-month follow-up

Setting—National study enrolling patients from 5 study centers

Patients—ARDS survivors (N=120)

Interventions—None Measurements and

Main Results—Lean and fat mass from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). On average, survivors gained whole body total mass (+1.4kg, 0.1, 2.7) and fat mass (+1.2 kg, 0.2, …

The Relationship Between The Chemical, Mechanical And Geometrical Properties Of Basalt Fibre, Calvin Ralph, Patrick Lemoine, John Summerscales, Edward Archer, Alistair Mcilhagger

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Simple Photochemical Reduction Of Carbon Dioxide To Formate, Ovuokenye Omadoko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a need to develop techniques for conversion of carbon dioxide to other useful products such as methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, formate, methane, and hydrocarbons. Carbon dioxide can be converted into these products using different methods such as photochemical, electrochemical, thermochemical and hydrogenation by bacteria. Formate is of interest due to its wide industrial applications which include it’s use in direct liquid fuel cells, as an additive in pyrolysis vapors, a precursor for biological fuels, and it is a key intermediate in methanogenesis breaking down complex organic compounds. In this work, conversion of carbon dioxide to formate was accomplished …

The Influence Of Chronic Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation On Measures Of Central And Peripheral Fatigue In Training Athletes, Tara K. Whiton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation may improve recovery from competitive endurance training by reducing symptoms of central and peripheral fatigue. The purpose of this dissertation was to provide evidence for the use of BCAAs as a training nutrition strategy in order to improve recovery from training and further drive adaptive processes to training by increasing readiness to train. Collegiate distance runners undergoing intense competitive endurance training were monitored for symptoms of muscular soreness and psychological stress through a rated soreness chart and the Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes Survey (DALDA) while taking either a BCAA supplement or a …

Assessing Heat-Related Mortality And Morbidity Risks In Rural Populations And Sub-Populations, Emmanuel A. Odame

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heat stress is an environmental and occupational hazard exacerbated by climate change. Rural populations and sub-populations continue to experience disproportionate risks of heat-related impacts due to their low adaptive capacities in terms of infrastructure, information and other resources which are critical in dealing with heat. The study goals were to determine heat-related mortality risks in rural populations globally, explore the contribution of the outdoor work environment and other factors in association with occupational heat-related illnesses (HRI), and assess the risk of heat stress among crop workers using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Published peer-reviewed scientific literature on heat-related mortality …

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perceptions Of Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Lauren Fabrize

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) as perceived by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) and whether it differed from those of other Neonatal Intensive Care Unit populations.

Methods: A secure web-based questionnaire with 62 questions collected information on NAS, caseloads, treatment environment, and demographics. Twenty-six respondents initiated the survey; 42% completed most or all questions. Response analyses included descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistics.

Results: Infants with NAS were on the caseloads of 73% of respondents. The majority (79%) only saw infants with NAS and feeding problems. Primary …

Pathways To Delinquent And Sex Offending Behavior: The Role Of Childhood Adversity And Environmental Context In A Treatment Sample Of Male Adolescents, Kelcey Puszkiewicz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to more types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has been associated with a greater likelihood of general and sexual offending behaviors. However, few studies exist that consider both the impact of varied ACE exposures and community correlates on pathways to offending behaviors in adolescents who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors. The current study examined these pathways using data collected from archival records of male adolescents (N= 285) who had received treatment for sexually abusive behavior at a youth facility. Structural equation modeling revealed a three-factor model for ACEs, which included: nonsexual abuse and neglect; household dysfunction; …

The Effectiveness Of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors For Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In Adolescents And Children: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Vijaya P. Kotapati, Ali M. Khan, Sara Dar, Gulshan Begum, Ramya Bachu, Mahwish Adnan, Aarij Zubair, Rizwan A. Ahmed

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common behavioral disorder among adolescents and children. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first pharmacological choice for this condition due to mild adverse effect profile.

Objective: This systematic review was performed to evaluate the efficacy of SSRI for OCD in adolescents and children.

Methods: Search terms were entered into PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The included studies were randomized, placebo-controlled trials of SSRIs conducted in populations of children and adolescents younger than 18 years. Change from baseline Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), end-treatment CY-BOCS with respective SD, and response and …

Next-Generation Paclitaxel-Nanoparticle Formulation For Pancreatic Cancer Treatment, Andrew Massey, Mohammed Sikander, Neeraj Chauhan, Sonam Kumari, Saini Setua, Advait B. Shetty, Hassan Mandil, Vivek K. Kashyap, Sheema Khan, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu, Bilal B. Hafeez, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is a major cause of cancer-related death due to limited therapeutic options. As pancreatic tumors are highly desmoplastic, they prevent appropriate uptake of therapeutic payloads. Thus, our objective is to develop a next-generation nanoparticle system for treating PanCa. We generated a multi-layered Pluronic F127 and polyvinyl alcohol stabilized and poly-L-lysine coated paclitaxel loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle formulation (PPNPs). This formulation exhibited optimal size (~160 nm) and negative Zeta potential (−6.02 mV), efficient lipid raft mediated internalization, pronounced inhibition in growth and metastasis in vitro, and in chemo-naive and chemo-exposed orthotopic xenograft mouse models. Additionally, PPNPs altered nanomechanical …

A Correlational Study On The Relationship Between Pupil Control Ideology, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, And Teacher Efficacy Among Urban Teachers, Kyria Parker-Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher efficacy describes teachers’ beliefs in their ability to impact student achievement, regardless of external factors. The present study’s purpose was to determine factors that influence teacher efficacy such as color-blindness and pupil control ideology. The goals were to determine the following: If there was a relationship between color-blind beliefs and teacher efficacy, do color-blind racial attitudes moderate the relationship between pupil control ideology and teachers’ sense of efficacy, and can beliefs about student behavior and color-blindness predict levels of teacher efficacy? The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale, Pupil Control Ideology Scale, and the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale were used …

The Influence Of Successful Completion Of A Spanish Course On Middle School Students’ Reading Comprehension, Jason Ray Cheek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study investigated the effect of foreign language education on reading comprehension by students’ biological sex. The theoretical framework for this study is Piaget and Barlett’s Schema Theory. Participants in this study consisted of middle school students within a PK-8 school. A convenience sample of 200 students was selected, 100 males and 100 females. All students were given a pretest and posttest using the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). Independent variables consisted of enrollment in a Spanish course and biological sex while the dependent variable was reading comprehension skills as determined by assessment results on the SRI. An analysis …

The Influence Of Homeschooling On The Lives Of College Graduates: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Elliott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the influence of a K–12 home education on the academic, familial, spiritual, and vocational aspects of the adult lives of select four-year college graduates. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory framed this study, as it purports that learning and development occur in the symbiotic relationship between learner and environment. Central research question: How do select four-year college graduates describe the influence of a K–12 home education on their adult lives? Sub-questions: (a) How do participants describe the impact of a K–12 home education on their experiences in higher education? (b) How do participants …

Sonship: Biblical Concepts And The Need For Spiritual Father And Son Relationships In The Church, Anthony Batiste Thompson Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research exposes and explains the biblical concept and purpose of sonship in the church. More specifically, it will illustrate an effective model of the spiritual father and son relationship between pastors and their leaders and followers showing how to duplicate the same patterns according to God’s design for the Church. The rationale for this topic is derived from perceiving the need to address the deficiency in the effective duplication of leadership within the Church. Regarding leadership, much of the Church has neglected or deviated from the need for spiritual fathers to leaders and how this biblical concept and principle …

A Case Study Of Home Visits Conducted By Kindergarten Teachers In A Low-Income Elementary School, Sheena Brannock Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single case study was to develop an in-depth description of the practice of home visits conducted by kindergarten teachers with students at the beginning of the school year in a suburban, low-income elementary school in North Carolina. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory of human development, as it states that important child development occurs in all environments where children interact. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews, mock letters of advice, and a focus group. The purposive sample included kindergarten teachers who conducted home visits, parents of kindergarteners who had a home …

A Transcendental Phenomenology Of The Lived Experiences Of Non-Custodial Grandparents Who Contribute Resources Toward The Grandchild's Christian School Education, Michele Sutton Worley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to discover the lived experiences of non-custodial grandparents who contribute resources toward their grandchild’s Christian school education. The guiding theory for this study was Erikson’s (1950) theory of psychosocial development and the specific psychological stage of pursuing Generativity action versus Stagnation. This transcendental phenomenology included 15 non-custodial grandparents who had a grandchild who attended a K-12 Christian school and who had contributed resources operationally defined as financial, physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or spiritual for the grandchild’s Christian school education within the United States. The data was collected through grandparent interviews, focus group, support documents, …

An Educational Intervention To Raise Obesity Awareness, The Importance Of Follow-Up, And The Need To Utilize Recommended Strategies And Interventions Among Advanced Care Practitioners In A Sleep Center Setting, Cindy L. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a national epidemic that affects approximately 40% of adult Americans. A lack of advanced practitioner (AP) knowledge about obesity and follow-up may contribute to the obesity epidemic. Diagnosing obesity and beginning prompt weight loss (WL) management with the aim to prevent the development or progression of chronic illnesses associated with obesity is imperative. Research has shown that WL of 5% to 10% of initial body weight can reverse or reduce the onset of chronic illnesses. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) scholarly project was to raise the awareness of weight management resources among APs caring for patients …

Tracing God's Hand In Redemption: Exploring Evidence Of The Imago Dei In Human Molecular Biology, James Don Johansen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This interdisciplinary dissertation examines how Imago Dei and the impacts and redemption of sin may be observable in molecular biology. It introduces the idea of biological redemption, where, in support of our Imago Dei mission and calling, our bodies can respond to environmental and spiritual factors with biological redemptive adaptations. This project does both theological and scientific assessment. It explores how God is engaged with individuals in community via spiritual social networks, where Christian communities act as an ecosystem in which individuals can thrive and undergo spiritual formation, living out Christian spiritual practices. The main question this dissertation addresses is: …

Family-Based Analyses Reveal Novel Genetic Overlap Between Cytokine Interleukin-8 And Risk For Suicide Attempt, Emma M. Knowles, Joanne E. Curran, Harald Hh Goring, Samuel R. Mathias, Josephine Mollon, Amanda L. Rodrigue, Rene L. Olvera, Ana C. Leandro, Ravi Duggirala, Laura Almasy, John Blangero, David C. Glahn

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Suicide is major public health concern. It is imperative to find robust biomarkers so that at-risk individuals can be identified in a timely and reliable manner. Previous work suggests mechanistic links between increased cytokines and risk for suicide, but questions remain regarding the etiology of this association, as well as the roles of sex and BMI.

Methods: Analyses were conducted using a randomly-ascertained extended-pedigree sample of 1882 Mexican-American individuals (60% female, mean age = 42.04, range = 18-97). Genetic correlations were calculated using a variance components approach between the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, and Lifetime Suicide Attempt and …

Needs Assessment: Watershed Science For Water Resources Directors, Troy E. Gilmore, Jesse Korus, Lisa Pennisi, Derrel Martin, Katie Pekarek

Journal of Extension

We conducted a needs assessment to identify watershed science training needs for locally elected directors of Nebraska's 23 natural resources districts (NRDs). We interviewed NRD staff and surveyed NRD directors to determine training needs and identify relevant topics and preferred delivery formats. We found that training would be valuable; however, directors are busy, meaning that opportunities for training are limited. Additionally, we learned that directors rely on printed material and other NRD personnel for watershed science information. Therefore, web-based information may be most useful if designed for collaborative learning through hybrid delivery during regular NRD activities. Our findings are relevant …

A Framework For Characterising And Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Environmental Modelling, Serena H. Hamilton, Baihua Fu, Joseph H.A. Guillaume, Jennifer Badham, Sondoss Elsawah, Patricia Gober, Randall J. Hunt, Takuya Iwanaga, Anthony J. Jakeman, Daniel P. Ames, Allan Curtis, Mary C. Hill, Suzanne A. Pierce, Fateme Zare

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Environmental modelling is transitioning from the traditional paradigm that focuses on the model and its quantitative performance to a more holistic paradigm that recognises successful model-based outcomes are closely tied to undertaking modelling as a social process, not just as a technical procedure. This paper redefines evaluation as a multi-dimensional and multi-perspective concept, and proposes a more complete framework for identifying and measuring the effectiveness of modelling that serves the new paradigm. Under this framework, evaluation considers a broader set of success criteria, and emphasises the importance of contextual factors in determining the relevance and outcome of the criteria. These …