Digital Commons Network^™

Targeting Epha2 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Uncovering Its Therapeutic Potential And Beyond, Hao Wang

Dissertations

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. One major obstacle to treatment is a lack of effective molecular-targeted therapies. Here, we identify EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase as a clinically relevant target for HCC. EphA2 expression and signaling is enriched in human HCC and associates with poor prognosis. Loss of EphA2 suppressed the initiation and growth of HCC in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CRISPR/CAS9 mediated EphA2 inhibition significantly delayed tumor development in a genetically-engineered murine model of HCC. Mechanistically, we discovered that targeting EphA2 simultaneously suppresses both JAK1/STAT3 and AKT signaling, two separate oncogenic pathways in HCC. …

The Patient Speaks: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Patient's Experience Of Psychoanalysis, Katherine Williams

Dissertations

The goal of this study was to conduct a qualitatively based clinical outcome study of the patient's experience of a psychoanalytic treatment and to explore how the analysis impacted the patient's life post treatment. Much of what is known about analytic treatments comes from analysts in the form of case reports or journal articles. the goal of this study was to directly obtain patient's views of their analysis. in order to do this a heuristic phenomenological research design was used. the phenomenological approach puts a focus on the experience of the participant of a particular phenomenon in the case of …

The Situational Context Of Safety Culture From The Perspective Of Medical-Surgical Staff Nurses And Nurse Leaders In A Hospital, Lisa Harton

Dissertations

People enter into healthcare facilities to maintain or restore health; however, often times those seeking health are harmed during the process by avoidable medical errors. Since the Institute of Medicine report on patient harm, safety culture continues to be the largest barrier in realizing safer patient care. Staff nurses' comprise the largest component of the health care workforce in hospitals and consistently have the lowest perceptions of a safety culture. Leaders who play a key role in creating and sustaining a safety culture consistently have the most favorable perception of safety culture. The development of a safety culture and safer …

Parenting Capacity And Meaning Making Among Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence, Johanna Engler Barry

Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation used a feminist methodology to explore parenting capacity and meaning making among a purposive sample of 16 female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The two research questions that guided this work centered on how women's exposure to IPV during both childhood and adulthood impacted parenting capacity. All participants for this dissertation experienced IPV during childhood as well as adulthood, and had at least one school-aged child. Participants completed semi-structured in-person interviews during which they were asked a series of questions about their experiences with IPV during childhood and adulthood as well as questions about their parenting …

Cellular And Molecular Mechanism Underlying Alcohol Inhibition Of Bone Fracture Healing, Jonathan Michael Eby

Dissertations

Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk taking and injuries leading to bone fracture. During bone fracture repair mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) located at the site of injury differentiate into chondrocytes and osteoblasts to form a fracture callus. While most fractures heal without complication, studies show that alcohol abuse can lead to delayed fracture healing and fracture callus formation in both people and animals. Despite what is known about alcohol consumption in pre-injury pathologies like osteopenia and osteoporosis, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which alcohol consumption inhibits fracture callus formation following orthopaedic injury remain to be elucidated. Here, we …

Reducing Inequality And Poverty In Latin America: Conditional Cash Transfer Programs In Chile, Colombia, And Mexico, Jorge Humberto Guzman Gonzalez

Dissertations

Latin America is the most unequal region across the globe. Inequality has increased the election of populist leaders and has resulted in massive social movements and protests in the region. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the 2000s, a process of inequality reduction started in the majority of the countries. Since the end of the 1990s, a large number of Latin American countries were the world pioneers developing Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs), to put money in the hands of the poor with the conditions of school attendance and nutritional check-ups for their children. Most of the studies have analyzed the effectiveness …

Estrogen Regulation Of Mir-9-5p And Mir-9-3p Stability And Localization In The Aging Female Brain, Chun Kim

Dissertations

In females, levels of estrogens fluctuate across the lifespan and rapidly decline during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been introduced as a clinical alternative to replenish systemic levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), the primary estrogen in circulation. However, studies from the Women's Health Initiative revealed a critical period immediately following the onset of menopause where HRT is efficacious. Here, we identified the differential regulation of miRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that inhibit translation, as a potential mechanism for this temporal switch in estrogen action. Specifically, early - but not late - E2 administration following ovariectomy in a rat model of menopause …

Determining The Genetic And Phenotypic Profile Of Cord Blood Derived T Regulatory Cells And The Effect Of Calcitriol On Immune Suppression, Anya Nikolai-Yogerst

Dissertations

Recent outbreaks in vertically transmitted viruses, such as Zika virus and HIV, have rejuvenated interest in fetal and neonatal immune tolerance. Babies are susceptible to vertically transmitted viruses because fetal and neonatal immune systems are considered to be immune-privileged and will tolerate antigens presented to them by their mother. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of this tolerance is important to design effective treatments for infected mothers to protect their offspring. Here, I define a novel Treg, a type of T cell that mediates tolerance, named bidirectional T cells (BiT), found in human umbilical cord blood (UCB). These cells are induced by …

Factors Associated With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy And Quality Of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Saudi Arabia, Awatef Ibraheem

Dissertations

Evidence has suggested that diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and impaired physical and emotional health. About 82% of the diabetic population in Saudi Arabia show signs of DPN. However, it is under-recognized and undertreated. Further, DPN is linked to several clinical and metabolic risk factors. However, there is minimal evidence from Saudi Arabia on the impact of DPN on the individual's QoL. The aims of this current study were to (1) examine the impact of DPN symptoms on functioning, health perception, and QoL and (2) explore the biologic and individual factors associated with …

Victims Of Child Sex Trafficking: Are U.S. Pediatricians Ready To Identify, Assess, Treat And Protect Them?, Bidisha Sinha

Dissertations

The trafficking of children for commercial sexual exploitation is a gross violation of human rights and a global, public health issue that is rapidly growing and prevalent. Due to the clandestine nature of this crime and the general lack of public knowledge about it, identifying and protecting victims of child sex trafficking (CST) is fraught with challenges. Therefore, it is imperative that healthcare professionals - often the only professionals with whom CST victims come in contact while in captivity - are properly educated and trained on this topic. A literature review reveals there is little knowledge about pediatricians' education and …

Climate Change And Global Security, Nathan Jones, John P. Sullivan

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Climate Change And Hybrid Warfare Strategies, Chad M. Briggs

Journal of Strategic Security

Concepts of hybrid warfare and climate security are contested on their own, and are rarely considered as connected in planning for future security risks. Yet climate change presents new hazards for national security, and opportunities for those looking to foment instability and uncertainty in traditional institutions. This article examines the connections between climate change risks and hybrid war strategies, and focuses on concepts of resilience targeting, information warfare, and geoengineering, illustrating that ‘full spectrum’ analyses of security are necessary in developing future security strategies.

Climate Change, Environmental Terrorism, Eco-Terrorism And Emerging Threats, Paola Andrea Spadaro

Journal of Strategic Security

The footprint of human advancement has accelerated a climate variability with no precedents, further driving devastating natural and social events. The decrease in basic resources like water, has already been identified as a driver of violent conflicts, which have given way to the strengthening of terrorist organizations that used the environment as a tool of coercion. The damage caused to the earth’s ecosystem has additionally raised a wave of defensive activism that was initially considered as eco-terrorism. While the original eco-movements had not induced fatalities, recent extremist organizations are showing a more violent anti-progress and pro-environment agenda. Added to these, …

Insights Into Acinetobacter Baumannii: A Review Of Microbiological, Virulence, And Resistance Traits In A Threatening Nosocomial Pathogen, Carole Ayoub Moubareck, Dalal Hammoudi Halat

All Works

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Being a multidrug-resistant and an invasive pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections in the current healthcare system. It has been recognized as an agent of pneumonia, septicemia, meningitis, urinary tract and wound infections, and is associated with high mortality. Pathogenesis in A. baumannii infections is an outcome of multiple virulence factors, including porins, capsules, and cell wall lipopolysaccharide, enzymes, biofilm production, motility, and iron-acquisition systems, among others. Such virulence factors help the organism to resist stressful environmental conditions and enable development of severe infections. Parallel …

The Value Of Title Insurance, Tom Hayden, Jordan Kelner

Journal of Business & Technology Law

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Icao Usoap Results In The Persian Gulf Region And Its Relation To The Economic Indicators, Mohsen Ghahremani

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

No abstract provided.

The Current State Of Counter Unmanned Aerial System Policy In The U.S., Travis L. Cline, Damon Lercel, Umit Karabiyik, J. Eric Dietz

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Threats from drones are becoming an increasing security concern throughout the U.S. and worldwide. No current standards exist for the manufacture and operation of counter unmanned aerial system technology, making it difficult to determine effective systems and components for specific uses. Current policy within the U.S. makes unmanned aerial system (UAS) interdiction illegal for all but a few Federal entities currently. This document is a summary of counter unmanned aerial systems policy within the U.S.

Real-Time Urban Weather Observations For Urban Air Mobility, Kevin A. Adkins, Mustafa Akbas, Marc Compere

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Cities of the future will have to overcome congestion, air pollution and increasing infrastructure cost while moving more people and goods smoothly, efficiently and in an eco-friendly manner. Urban air mobility (UAM) is expected to be an integral component of achieving this new type of city. This is a new environment for sustained aviation operations. The heterogeneity of the urban fabric and the roughness elements within it create a unique environment where flight conditions can change frequently across very short distances. UAM vehicles with their lower mass, more limited thrust and slower speeds are especially sensitive to these conditions. Since …

A Looming Pilot Shortage: It Is Time To Revisit Regulations, Christopher L. Caraway

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Forecasts predict we will need 790,000 pilots by 2037. This prediction means airlines will need to increase pilot levels by 267%. Finding a solution to this pilot shortage requires the aviation community to address limiting regulatory and other core factors. Many have claimed that 1,500-hour rule and mandatory retirements are critical issues contributing to the pilot shortage. However, the data does not support these claims. Instead, trends in pilot population levels and safety records indicate these regulations are only effecting the demographics of the current pilot population. The shift in the pilot population will harm future airline operations if the …

Aviation Maintenance Instructional Design: How To Teach The Millennial And Gen-Z Cohorts, Danita Baghdasarin

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The next two decades of air travel will see an increase in passenger demand and advances in aircraft technologies and infrastructure. Future aviation maintenance technicians will work in a highly technical and demanding environment, and their training must account for these challenges and generational characteristics. This paper discusses trends that will shape the work environment and characteristics of millennials and Gen-Z and makes recommendations for training the next cohort of aviation maintenance technicians.

The Experiences Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students And Specialist Teachers In Mainstream Schools In Saudi Arabia, Mubarak Alanazi

Plymouth Institute of Education Theses

This study was designed to explore the perceptions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students and specialist teachers regarding inclusive education and associated barriers and support in four mainstream pramry schools for boys in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. DHH students and specialists involved in inclusive schools have experienced mainstreaming since 2000; their experience, perceptions and understanding as members of these particular communities of practice can offer important insights into the development of practice towards inclusive education. This research aimed to help the Saudi education system to translate inclusive education principles into practice. Ainscow’s model (2005a) of inclusive education and an …

A Life History Study Of Young Chinese Women's Experiences Under The Influence Of Traditional Culture And Its Contemporary Evolution., Wenjun Liu

Plymouth Institute of Education Theses

As Chinese society and culture have become more complex and diverse over time, this has impacted upon the roles and experiences of women. Women continue to face significant barriers while pursuing self-development and enhanced social status. In general, Chinese culture is for men, and there exists a sharp disparity in social status between men and women. There are concerns about how the transformation of culture, family values, education systems and social beliefs affect and impact on young Chinese women. This study analyses the research on women in traditional Chinese culture, and found they have been encountering various problems, such as …

The Struggles And Triumphs Of The Invisible Subject: The Experiences Of Mature Women Students Caring For Those With Learning Disabilities Whilst Studying In Higher Education, Kitty King

Plymouth Institute of Education Theses

The caring role entails substantial social, physical, emotional and financial costs, especially for women with caring responsibilities, which presents challenges and restrictions for them when participating in activities outside the care-giving domain, such as engagement in education. Against these odds and despite the considerable demand caring places upon carers, a limited number of mature women caring for those with learning disabilities are navigating access to and participation in Higher Education. Considering the effort that this group of women expend attempting to combine multiple identities, and compared to the considerable research in Higher Education about the experiences of other groups of …

Understanding The Fate Of Active Pharmaceutical Compounds In Waters Receiving Poorly Or Untreated Wastewater For The Development Of A Dedicated Environmental Risk Assessment Approach, Simone Bagnis

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The global increasing consumption and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of a growing environmental concern. The inherently biological activity of APIs creates a concern of potential ecotoxicological effects even at very low concentrations. Such risk is particularly exacerbated in low and low-middle income countries (LLMICs) where it is common the practice of direct discharge of untreated wastewater (DDUW) into surface waters, which creates a heavily polluted area downstream, described as the “impact zone”. Little is known about the environmental fate of APIs in this area. Nevertheless, measured environmental concentrations (MECs) of LLMICs show higher concentrations than for high-income …

The Oral Care Experiences Of Palliative Care Patients, Their Relatives And Healthcare Professionals., Maria Do Carmo Bernardes Delgado

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Background: Oral symptoms in a growing number of people receiving palliative care are often neglected. Dental professionals are not always involved in palliative care and research on oral care of palliative care patients is scarce. Oral care is often inadequately delivered to palliative care patients while oral health problems can affect quality of life. Aims: To explore the experiences of palliative care patients, their relatives/carers and frontline healthcare professionals regarding the oral care received or provided. Methods: Blogs and discussion forums were used as the data source. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Subsequently a qualitative systematic review was conducted. …

The Concept Of Confidence Of Older People Living With Frailty And Implications For Practice, Frazer Underwood

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Background Our human world is aging. The prevalence of older people living with syndromes of frailty is growing too. Frailty syndromes, such as falls, immobility, delirium, incontinence and susceptibility to medication side effects, are leading causes of acute hospitalisation of older people. Confidence is recognised to impact on individuals’ physical health and mental well-being, despite it not being clearly expressed in the literature. Health and social care policy and practice now focus on frailty interventions to reduce long-term demands of this growing population. Understanding the relationship of the concept of confidence and its associated impact on the physical health and …

Assessing The Dynamics Of Soil Erosion And Sediment Transport Under Increasing Land Use Pressures In East African Rift Catchments, Maarten Wynants

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

State-of-the-art environmental diagnostic tools were applied to further the understanding of the complex spatial and temporal dynamics in land use and land cover change, soil erosion and sediment transport in East African Rift Catchments. This contribution forms a blueprint for future studies using sediment tracing, radionuclide dating, Bayesian Mixing Models and soil erosion mapping, and their reciprocal integration in this challenging environment. An integrated quantitative assessment of soil erosion and sediment dynamics in the Lake Manyara catchment, northern Tanzania, revealed drastic changes in land cover, a tenfold increase in upstream sediment yield, and a fivefold increase in downstream lake sedimentation …

Heathland Restoration After Mineral Extraction, Mary Louise Lane

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Restoration Ecology has been developed over the last 40 years in efforts to better understand how to restore, recreate or reclaim land damaged by human activities. Lowland heath is one of the more difficult habitats to recreate due to the complicated interactions of soil chemistry and plant physiology and structure. This study investigated the ecological restoration of heathlands at a china clay mineral extraction site in the UK. Assessment of historical restoration practices revealed that previous work carried out on the study site is not achieving Atlantic Lowland Heath (ALH) and that specific amendments might be necessary. Consequently, work carried …

Foundations In Wisconsin: A Directory (39th Ed. 2020), Mary C. Frenn, John Brick, Kelly Coughlin, Madeline Murphy, Catherine Simmerer

Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory

The 2020 publication of Foundations in Wisconsin is the 39^th edition of the print directory and the 20^th year of the online database. The directory is designed as a research tool for grantseekers interested in locating information on private, corporate, and community foundations registered in Wisconsin. Each entry in this new edition has been updated or reviewed to provide the most current information available. Most of the data was drawn from IRS 990-PF tax returns filed by the foundations. Additional information was obtained from surveys, foundation websites, and annual reports.

Wisconsin foundations showed continued growth in both the …

Genome Sequence Of Vibrio Natriegens Phage Vb_Vnas-Aqkl99, Noah Yonas, Paige Boleman, Y Nguyen, Makenzie Kerr, Kema Malki, Anthony M. Greco, Mya Breitbart

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Vibrio natriegens is a naturally occurring marine bacterium that is emerging as a microbiological model system. Here, we describe Aquatic Killer 99 (AQKL99), a novel phage that infects Vibrio natriegens 14048. The genome of the phage is 58,464 bp long, has a GC content of 45.9%, and contains 51 protein-coding genes.