Digital Commons Network^™

Montclair Magazine (Fall/Winter 2020), Montclair State University

Montclair: The magazine of Montclair State University

No abstract provided.

Molecular Detection Of Host-Specific Fecal Bacteria In Three Major Watersheds Of Piedmont Georgia, Muhammad Amar

Biology Theses

Abstract

Fecal pollution is a major concern in creeks and rivers. The aim of this study was to enumerate fecal coliform bacteria and identify the source of contamination using Microbial Source Tracking at three different creeks (Mountain Oak, Long Cane, and Ulcohatchee) in the Piedmont region of Georgia. Data collected in this research will be used to formulate watershed rehabilitation plans to decrease the transfer of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) into these creeks. Samples were collected at several sites along the creeks (4 sites at Mountain Oak, 10 sites at Long Cane, and 5 sites at Ulcohatchee). The site locations …

“Spanish Citizenship And Responsibility For The Past: The Case Of The Sephardim, Moriscos, And Saharawis”, Michael James

Faculty Journal Articles

In 2015, the Spain passed a law expediting citizenship for the descendants of the Sephardic Jews expelled in 1492, but not to the descendants of the Moriscos expelled in 1609. In this essay, I use Spain’s 2015 citizenship law as a test case for assessing three normative models for linking citizenship with collective responsibility for the past: reparations for historic injustice; the principle of coercively constituted identities; and remedial responsibility. I argue that the first two models confront intractable philosophical problems that are circumvented by the third model, remedial responsibility, which prioritizes contemporary suffering and looks to the past only …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Educational Outcomes Of Neonatal Insults In Kilifi, Kenya, Dorcas N. Magai, Hans M. Koot, Paul Mwangi, Esther Chongwo, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: There is little data on the long-term neurocognitive and educational outcomes among school-aged survivors of neonatal jaundice (NNJ) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in Africa. This study investigates the long-term neurocognitive and educational outcomes and the correlates of these outcomes in school-aged survivors of NNJ or HIE in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on neurocognitive and educational outcomes among school-aged survivors (6–12 years) of NNJ (n = 134) and HIE (n = 107) and compared them to a community comparison group (n = 134). We assessed nonverbal intelligence, planning, working memory, attention, syntax, pragmatics, wordfinding, …

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems, Vol. 38, 2020, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Looking For Home, Misty Yarnall

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Magnetic Resonance Guided Radiotherapy For Rectal Cancer: Expanding Opportunities For Non-Operative Management, Michael Chuong

All Publications

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women worldwide, and the incidence is increasing among younger patients. 30% of these malignancies arise in the rectum. Patients with rectal cancer have historically been managed with preoperative radiation, followed by radical surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy, with permanent colostomies in up to 20% of patients. Beginning in the early 2000s, non-operative management (NOM) of rectal cancer emerged as a viable alternative to radical surgery in select patients. Efforts have been ongoing to optimize neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, thereby increasing the number of patients …

Correlates Of Child Functional Difficulties Status In Ghana: A Further Analysis Of The 2017/18 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Nutifaga Eugene Yaw Dey, Emmanuel Dziwornu, Kwabena Frimpong-Manso, Henry Ofori Duah, Pascal Agbadi

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Functional difficulties have long-term implications for children's physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and academic growth and development. Although the subject of functional difficulties has received enough scholarly attention in the developed world, few studies have addressed the issue in Ghana. Therefore, the study aimed to regress child, maternal and household and geographical level factors associated with the functional difficulty of children in Ghana.

Method

We analysed the 2017/18 multiple indicator cluster survey dataset. The study sample consists of weighted cases of 21,871 children within the ages of 5–17 years. Summary statistics were produced for the study variables. Bivariate analyses were …

Differentially Expressed Genes And Their Clinical Significance In Ischaemic Stroke: An In-Silico Study, Muni Rubens

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Race In The 21st Century, A New Approach For Future World-Making: Looking Back To Move Forward, Dylan Tarleton

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Color blindness, the end of race, and white privilege are but a few phrases that begin to capture the messy confusion of a zeitgeist that is 21^st century discussions on race. At a time when race is such a necessary topic to delve into, it seems that there is a lack of history injected into the conversation. Race becomes an external motor of history, racism pathological and immovable. An unthinking decision. In other words, race and racism, from the standpoint of an organizer or academic in the 21^st century, becomes near impossible to break down and work against. …

Kant’S Foedus Pacificum: Path To Peace Or Prolegomena To Neoliberalism And Authoritarian Corporatist Globalization In Contemporary Liberal Democratic States?, Terence Garrett

Political Science Faculty Publications

Immanuel Kant’s language and concept of foedus pacificum (league of peace) combined with his call for a spirit of trade promised a prescription for world peace—“seeking to end all wars forever.” Nation-state level cooperation between liberal democracies has borne out Kant’s analysis to some effect. A consequence of the twin pursuits of foedus pacificum and spirit of trade has ironically resulted in the exploitation of society. Today’s international corporations adversely affect public policies ostensibly designed to protect citizens through an anti-democratic market-based ideology within the State—as seen through the lenses of Foucauldian post-structural theory and Debord’s society of the spectacle. …

Sex Differences In Self-Report Anxiety And Sleep Quality During Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders, Jeremy Bigalke, Ian Greenlund, Jason R. Carter

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Background: COVID-19 and home isolation has impacted quality of life, but the perceived impact on anxiety and sleep remains equivocal. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders on self-report anxiety and sleep quality, with a focus on sex differences. We hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic would be associated with increased anxiety and decreased sleep quality, with stronger associations in women. Methods: One hundred three participants (61 female, 38 ± 1 years) reported perceived changes in anxiety and sleep quality due to stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic and were administered the Spielberger …

The Adderall Epidemic: Linking Illicit Adderall Use To Mental Distress On College Campuses, Adelle Ricci, Lee Ann Genussa, Eva Kristoferson, Lina Begdache

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Adderall is widely misused on college campuses; however, students are not aware of its impact on mental health. A survey of 596 northeastern college students revealed misusing Adderall significantly correlated with higher levels of mental distress such as anxiety and depression. Risk factors include Greek life affiliation, age, and GPA.

Message From The Managing Editor, Adelaide Cagle

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

A brief note from the editor and journal acknowledgements

A Functional Three-Dimensional Microphysiological Model Of Myeloma Bone Disease, Richard Visconti

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic cancer caused by a mature B cell neoplasm, or plasmacytoma, that infiltrates the skeleton at several sites. The disease is characterized by uninhibited transformed plasma cell proliferation that disrupts skeletal homeostasis leading to decreased bone modeling and increased bone resorption. Osteolytic lesions (OL) or voids left in the bone, remain long after the treatment of the cancer and indicate disease progression to myeloma bone disease (MBD). Current combinatorial MM therapies inhibit malignant plasma cell proliferation, slow the progression towards MBD, and increase the mean five-year survival rate, but do little to improve osteoblastic function …

The Utilization Of Metal-Ligand Cooperativity For Electrocatalytic Reduction And Catalytic Hydration., Steven Cronin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Small molecules are building blocks for developing larger materials. These small molecules could be extremely small, such as hydrogen, or larger such as a nitrile, but their impact on the global economy is massive. This dissertation describes a catalyst for three reactions involving small molecules; 1) the hydrogen evolution reaction, 2) the carbon dioxide reduction reaction, 3) nitrile hydration. The catalyst Zn(DMTH) (DMTH = diacetyl-2-(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazonate)-3-(2-pyridinehydrazonato)) use “metal-ligand cooperativity” between the Lewis acid Zn(II) metal ion and an uncoordinated Lewis base nitrogen in the ligand framework to activate substrates. The complex has been analyzed via NMR, UV/Vis, single crystal X-ray crystallography, …

Malaria, Microbes, And Mice: The Role Of The Gut Microbiota On The Immune Response To Plasmodium Infection And The Treatment Potential Of Microbiota Modulation., Morgan L. Waide

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plasmodium infection leads to over 200 million cases of malaria and 400,000 deaths worldwide each year. These deaths are largely in children under the age of five and pregnant women [1]. Caused by transmission of Plasmodium parasites by the female Anopheles mosquito, malaria poses a risk for over 40 percent of the world’s population [1]. Despite worldwide efforts to eradicate malaria leading to a decrease in malaria-associated mortalities in the early 2000s [2], growing resistance to the available antimalarials and the lack of an effective, long-lasting vaccine has caused this decrease to plateau in recent years [1, 3-6]. Furthermore, malaria …

Buried Soil Carbon Vulnerability To Decomposition With Landscape Disturbance, Abby Mcmurtry

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Buried layers of ancient soil organic carbon (SOC) can store significant amounts carbon (C). Persistence of this C is favored by burial, which disconnects the soil from atmospheric conditions and limits plant derived C inputs, thus reducing microbial activity. However, erosion exposes buried paleosols to modern surface conditions and results in influx of root-derived C through the processes of root exudation and root turnover. These C inputs stimulate microbial activity and leave paleosol C vulnerable to decomposition. Understanding turnover of ancient soil C is critical for predicting the response of this large C reservoir to environmental change and feedbacks to …

International Tourism As A Threat To Public Health In Thailand, Liam G. Lane

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

From its unique history, Thailand has embraced its independence and benefited from its cultural and natural beauty. Transitioning from an agricultural to industrial economy due to the emergence of a strong tourism industry, Thailand has experienced a period of intensive urbanization that has re-shaped Thai lifestyle. Materializing as regional and social disparities, these consequences of industrialization have seemingly divided Thai society, separating those who benefit from the tourism sector while marginalizing those who do not. Additionally, this transition has threatened public health statuses within Thailand, and considering the current tourism trends seen over the past 20 years there is a …

Overcoming The Myth Of The Contemporary “Starving Artist”: An Exploration Into The Fusion And Viability Of A 21st-Century Career In Art And Design, Miranda M. Myles Jackson

Masters Theses

This research explores the myth of the “starving artist” surrounding the pursuit of a career in the arts. Artists are often dubbed as starving due to the pre-conceived notion that careers in art do not provide longevity or financial stability. Due to this stigma, budding creatives are often dissuaded at home, school, or both from pursuing a career doing what they love. Arts programs are often cut and or remain underfunded, mainly due to this biased perception. Research indicates that careers in the arts have expanded exponentially due to its merge with various fields. According to both the STEM vs. …

December 2020 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Utilization Patterns Among Children With A History Of Child Protective Services Investigations, Jill Mcleigh, Christian Carr, Heidi Roman, Jessica Fults, Jennifer Reingle Gonzalez, Corron Sanders, Michiko Otsuki Clutter, Ray Tsai, Katelyn Jetelina

Health Status, Outcomes, and Literacy and Healthcare Utilization

Examine whether children with a prior child protective services (CPS) investigation had different healthcare utilization compared to children without a history of CPS investigations.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Development Of A Deformation-Based Structural Health System With Contactless Sensors And Machine Learning For Health Characterization And Failure Prediction, Juan Camilo Avendano Arbelaez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the design and development of a structural health monitoring (SHM) system specifically tailored for transportation infrastructure components, such as bridges. The proposed system collects data by using contactless sensors and performs health characterization and failure prediction. It is capable of simulating multiple load conditions on structures, identifying possible failure points, and detecting and predicting failure scenarios. Both hardware and software implementations of a model of a bridge were performed as a pilot project in order to validate the proposed system. Computer simulation in ANSYS and the application of gradient boosting neural networks were performed to produce a …

A Phenomenological Study On Liberal Arts Graduate Employability: The Relationship Between Baccalaureate Internships And Graduate Underemployment, Ebonie N. Jackson

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to examine liberal arts graduate employability specifically as it relates to baccalaureate internships and underemployment. This qualitative phenomenological study examined experiences from 19 recent liberal arts college graduates from an urban college setting 1 to 3 years postgraduation. A focus group and in-depth interviews were used to ascertain the graduates’ perceptions of the effect that internships, interactions with faculty advisors, and the Office of Career Services had on postgraduate employment. The results of this study produced four major findings that provide new information about how the use of internships can affect liberal arts graduates’ …

The Black Man’S Experience As A Teacher In K-12: Examining The Insight, Education, And Challenges To Diversifying The Teaching Population, Natasha A. Oates

Education Doctoral

The K-12 teaching profession is dominated by White females, with only 2% of Black male K-12 teachers in the job. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the insight, education, and challenges Black males face to diversify the K-12 classroom. As the vital instrument of the study, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the researcher examined five New York State Black male K-12 educators to discover their perspectives and experiences regarding why Black male educators are underrepresented in the K-12 setting. Five formulated meanings emerged, representing the participants’ experience that included: (a) career motivation, (b) absence of diversity, (c) …

A Cfd Study Of Operation Room Air Conditioning: Air Curtain Performance, Spencer Lee Boer

Masters Theses

An operation room is a critical environment when it comes to the safety of patients undergoing surgery. There are a lot of factors that go into reducing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) following a surgery. This comes in the form of cleaning standards, surgical practices, but also environment controls. The characteristics of airflow within an operation room are related to the risk of an SSI. Some of these factors are temperature, velocity, and turbulent air around an open wound which could increase the chance of bacteria or other particles entering the very vulnerable patient. As clean room standards continue to be …

Hormonal Responses To Seasonal Thermal And Ecological Stressors In Japanese Macaques (Macaca Fuscata), Lilianne Nelson

Masters Theses

Relative to most primate species, Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) experience extreme seasonal variation in thermal and ecological stressors that can impact energetic demands. To cope with these environmental changes, levels of metabolic hormones, such as cortisol and triiodothyronine, fluctuate to facilitate energetic adjustments. While previous research in primates has investigated thermal and ecological stressors individually, a combined assessment of these stressors alongside hormone levels can provide a more holistic understanding of the relationship between a primate’s thermoregulation, energetic balance, and stress. The goals of this study were to determine the effects of season, temperature and ecological stress on …

Drivers Of Decadal Vegetation Change In Northern Alaska, Jacob Allen Harris

Masters Theses

The Arctic is experiencing rapid climate change. This research documents vegetation change near Atqasuk and Utqiaġvik, Alaska. At each location, 30 plots distributed in a matrix across the landscape, were sampled annually from 2010 to 2019 using a point frame. For every encounter we recorded the height and classified it into eight broad functional groups (deciduous shrubs, evergreen shrubs, forbs, graminoids, bryophytes, lichens, litter and standing dead vegetation); for vascular plants we also identified the species. We found a consistent increase in plant stature and cover over time which was dramatic at Atqasuk. Graminoid cover and height increased at both …

The Impact Of Microbial Experience On The Murine Innate Immune Response, Cody Thomas Morrison

Masters Theses

The hygiene hypothesis predicts that certain environmental factors shape overall immune system function in animals and humans. While current specific pathogen free (SPF) mouse models are invaluable for studying the immune system, they have limitations for comparison with humans who have microbial exposures throughout their lifetimes. Several studies have shown that the composition of the immune system of SPF mice more closely resembles that of newborns, whereas the immune system from mice exposed to microbial pathogens more closely reflect adult immunity. In this study we have established a model using traditional SPF mice (“clean mice”) and SPF mice that were …

Hunting Contests In New York State, Tyler Caffrey

Honors College Theses

The world is currently in a biodiversity crisis and hunting contests cannot continue. Hunting contests are not legitimate wildlife management tools, but exist for entertainment and killing for a prize. Many of the species targeted can be killed without bag limits. Additionally, many wildlife management practices are retroactive, meaning they are in response to an issue. Within New York State, these contests are not regulated by the NYSDEC beyond adhering to hunting regulations. With these factors together, animals targeted by these contests can be hunted to a detrimental point, and then management agencies would step in. These contests face significant …