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Assessing Adverse Effects Of Mercury In Two Pinniped Species, Marianne Lian

Interdisciplinary Studies

This dissertation studies measures of adverse effects in free-ranging pinnipeds associated with relatively high total mercury ([THg]) or monomethylmercury ([MeHg+]) concentrations, relatively low total selenium ([TSe]) concentrations and/or low TSe:THg molar ratios. Both the Steller sea lion (SSL, Eumetopias jubatus) and Pacific harbor seal (HS, Phoca vitulina richardii) inhabit coasts of the North Pacific, and are considered important sentinel species for One Health (environmental, animal and human health). Relatively high [THg] is reported for some animals in both species, causing concern for adverse effects especially in the developing fetus. Maternal piscivorous diet can expose the fetus to MeHg⁺ at a …

Beyond Trending: Using Risking Connection As A Framework For Moving Agency Culture Toward Trauma-Informed Care, Michael J. Healey

Interdisciplinary Studies

The prevalence and pervasive impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and more broadly, trauma, are well supported in the extant literature. Despite this evidence, there remains a significant dearth of formal training and educational programs that prepare staff who work with trauma survivors within complex behavioral health systems. Trauma-informed care (TIC) has moved beyond a trend in the mental health field and is gaining momentum as a leading philosophical paradigm that is being infused as an operational framework for agencies that work with survivors. Risking Connection (RC) is a curriculum-based training program that works with agencies interested in becoming trauma-informed. …

Beyond Social Disorganization Theory: The Influence Of Multiple Structural Determinants Of Crime On An Urban Community, Rodney C. Boyd

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This correlational, explanatory, cross-sectional study explains the influence of neighborhoods’ structural determinants on the rate of violent crimes in New York City’s communities. Guided by the theoretical foundation of social disorganization theory, the variables in this study included the economically disadvantaged, racial/ethnic heterogeneity, residential instability/mobility, and the level of educational attainment. The statistical analysis in this study included correlational matrix and simultaneous multiple regression model (ordinary least squares). The study consisted of 59 New York City community districts (encompassing the City’s population of 8,622,698 residents) and included the violent crime rates for 2017. The findings in this study indicated that …

In Pursuit Of Harm Reduction In The Alaskan Context: Patient Cultural Explanatory Models Of Addiction And Treatment Outcomes For A Medically-Assisted Program Utilizing A Buprenorphine/Naloxone Formulation, ÁNgel R. Vasquez

Psychology

This study explored the process of completing a private-for-profit medically-assisted treatment (MAT) program which treats opioid use disorder in a semi-rural community in Alaska. The goal of the study was to answer two broad research questions: (a) did patients get better during the medically-assisted treatment program, and (b) what characterized patient experiences participating in the MAT program? Limited research has been conducted to understand patient experiences of completing medically-assisted treatment in small communities and how various factors may impact treatment outcomes and recovery trajectories. To achieve this goal, a mixed methods case study approach was conducted to evaluate changes in …

Mental Health Problems In The Mountains: Needs, Assets, And Recommendations For Managing Mental Health Problems In Mountain-Focused Wilderness-Based Education And Related Fields, Samuel H. Johnson

Psychology

Background: Through controlled exposure to stress, wilderness-based education programs can buildcapacity for adaptive coping and produce long lasting improvements to participants' quality of life.However, stress can also overwhelm them, resulting in the emergence and exacerbation of mental health vulnerabilities in the field. However, empirically grounded best practices for training, pre-trip screening, and protocol/policy for mental health specific to the wilderness context are not well developed. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess needs and assets, and develop recommendations for training, pre-trip screening, and organizational protocol/policy to assist with successful management of mental health problems in mountain-focused, wilderness-based education …

Stigma, Self-Efficacy, And Adherence Behaviors In People With Type 2 Diabetes: Unexpected Outcomes, Annie N. Laweryson

Psychology

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a health condition treated with behavioral modifications including changes in diet, exercise, foot care regimens, and medication. Stigma associated with type 2 diabetes negatively effects health outcomes, whereas patient-provider relationships positively affects health outcomes. The growing literature base on type 2 diabetes stigma and health outcomes is mostly conducted outside of the United States. The present study used online crowdsourcing methods to gather cross-sectional survey data from people (n=152) who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are living in the United States. Participants completed the survey battery measuring stigma, self-efficacy, patientprovider relationships, and …

Cancer-Targeting Immunostimulatory Peptides As An Immunotherapeutic Approach To Cancer, Rachel Montel

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This dissertation reports the synthesis and biological applications of bifunctional trimeric peptides with B7H6-derived NKp30 binding motifs that serve to activate an immunocytotoxic response in natural killer cells and a GRP78-binding motif that can target tumors that express surface GRP78. In this manner the cancer-targeting immunostimulatory peptides are anticipated to directly bind and activate effector NK92-MI cells while also recognizing and binding to target A549 tumor cells to facilitate NK cell-dependent immunocytotoxicity of the targeted tumors. The NKp30 binding peptide motifs are derived from the tumor associated B7H6 antigen that is often downregulated or shed from the surface of tumors …

The Bio3d Packages For Structural Bioinformatics, Barry J. Grant, Lars Skjærven, Xin-Qiu Joe Yao

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Bio3D is a family of R packages for the analysis of biomolecular sequence, structure, and dynamics. Major functionality includes biomolecular database searching and retrieval, sequence and structure conservation analysis, ensemble normal mode analysis, protein structure and correlation network analysis, principal component, and related multivariate analysis methods. Here, we review recent package developments, including a new underlying segregation into separate packages for distinct analysis, and introduce a new method for structure analysis named ensemble difference distance matrix analysis (eDDM). The eDDM approach calculates and compares atomic distance matrices across large sets of homologous atomic structures to help identify the residue wise …

Trophic Structure Of Rocky Intertidal Communities In Contrasting High-Latitude Environments, Danielle Siegert

Marine Biology

Coastal ecosystems in high latitudes are increasingly impacted by glacial melt and river discharge due to climate change. One way to understand ecosystem responses to these stressors is assessing trophic relationships. The goal of this study was to better understand how hydrographic conditions influence trophic structure in high-latitude rocky intertidal systems. I compared the trophic structure of rocky intertidal assemblages in two regions in the northern Gulf of Alaska that comprise the same regional species pool but are hydrographically distinct, one glacially influenced and one primarily marine influenced. Common macroalgal and invertebrate taxa, as well as particulate organic matter (POM) …

Sea Urchin Ecology: Effects Of Food-Web Modification, Climate Change, And Community Structure, Benjamin P. Weitzman

Marine Biology

Ecosystem structure and function of temperate rocky reef habitats are subject to change as a result of food-web modification, climate change, and changes in biological community interactions. Sea urchins are a global driver of change in nearshore marine habitats though their ability to heavily graze marine vegetation and force rocky reef ecosystems from kelp forest to sea urchin barren ground states. The Aleutian Archipelago in southwest Alaska provided an ideal natural laboratory to study sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus spp.) ecology following the functional loss of the keystone predator, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) during the 1990s. The objectives of this dissertation …

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Three Vo2max Prediction Methods In Division I Cross-Country Runners, Anaëlle Emeline Charles

Student Theses and Dissertations

The accuracy of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) prediction methods is important for collegiate runners and is an economical alternative to traditional laboratory testing. This investigation examined VO2max estimation accuracy of Polar M430 lights on (PM430 ON), Polar M430 lights off (PM430 OFF), Garmin 235 (G235), and VDOT in 12 NCAA division I cross-country athletes. Data was compared to laboratory-measured VO2max. Compared to the criterion (56.51 ± 6.00 ml.kg-1.min-1), the G235 (59.43 ± 4.54 ml.kg-1.min-1), PM430 ON and PM430 OFF (63.80 ± 5.32 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 62.92 ± 5.28 ml.kg-1.min-1) overestimated VO2max. VDOT (55.63 ± 7.12 ml.kg-1.min-1) was slightly lower than the …

A New Perspective On Blue-Collar Work: Examining The Relevance Of Common Career Development Theories For Blue-Collar Workers In Manufacturing, Sarah J. Barber

University Honors Theses

Blue-collar career development has been overlooked in academia. This study investigates blue-collar career development based on four career development theories including: Holland's theory of vocational types, social cognitive career theory, Super's developmental self-concept theory, and crystallization of vocational self-concept.

Current Advances In Internet Of Underground Things, Abdul Salam, Usman Raza

Faculty Publications

The latest developments in Internet of Underground Things are covered in this chapter. First, the IOUT Architecture is discussed followed by the explanation of the challenges being faced in this paradigm. Moreover, a comprehensive coverage of the different IOUT components is presented that includes communications, sensing, and system integration with the cloud. An in-depth coverage of the applications of the IOUT in various disciplines is also surveyed. These applications include areas such as decision agriculture, pipeline monitoring, border control, and oil wells.

Signals In The Soil: Subsurface Sensing, Abdul Salam, Usman Raza

Faculty Publications

In this chapter, novel subsurface soil sensing approaches are presented for monitoring and real-time decision support system applications. The methods, materials, and operational feasibility aspects of soil sensors are explored. The soil sensing techniques covered in this chapter include aerial sensing, in-situ, proximal sensing, and remote sensing. The underlying mechanism used for sensing is also examined as well. The sensor selection and calibration techniques are described in detail. The chapter concludes with discussion of soil sensing challenges.

Week Of August 17, 2020, New York Medical College

InTouch

• NYMC Students Distribute Masks and Good Will with the Mask Transit Project
• NYMC Receives $594K NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant
• Chancellor Hosts Town Hall Meeting

The Effect Of Siberian Alder On The Activities Of Three Extracellular Enzymes And Their Implications For Soil Decomposition In Arctic And Boreal Alaska, Calvin Heslop

Biological Sciences

As tall shrubs increase in extent and abundance in response to a changing climate, they have the potential to substantially alter ecosystem nutrient availability and carbon (C) balance. Siberian alder (Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa), a nitrogen (N) fixing shrub, is among the species responding to climate warming in both the Arctic and boreal forests. Alder-fixed N has the potential to increase decomposition of labile C, by relieving N limitation on microbial activity. Simultaneously, it has the potential to decrease decomposition of recalcitrant C by downregulating microbial N mining. The net effect of N additions is influenced by the relative quality …

Further Evaluation Of A Dry Vacuuming Technique For Recovery Of Dna From Handwritten Documents, Christian Hopkins

Student Theses

A previously developed, non-destructive, homemade vacuum method for collecting biological material from handwritten documents had promising DNA results for white copy paper, preserved indented writing, and latent prints. Prior to casework implementation, additional validation experiments are warranted and here the method was tested for different paper substrates. This work describes testing of notebook paper, bank deposit slips, magazine pages, and manila envelopes. The quantity of recovered DNA varied from donor to donor, but the mean quantities showed a trend that can be explained by the different sizes and surface properties of the tested paper types. The rougher paper type, like …

Climate Change, Moose, And Subsistence Harvest In Arctic Alaska, Jiake Zhou

Biological Sciences

Arctic climate is resulting in transformative changes to Arctic social-ecological systems. With warming-induced increases in tall-shrubs, moose are expanding their range northwards. However, the socio-economic implications of this ecological change are unclear. Using field surveys, interviews, and modeling, I assessed the impact of climate change on moose harvest by hunters of Nuiqsut, an Inupiat community in arctic Alaska. Based on a 568 km transect of field sampling on shrubs and herbivore browsing levels, I estimated that the minimum shrub height for moose occurrence was ≥ 81 cm (95% CI: 65 - 96 cm). Patterns of moose geographic distribution mirrored tall-shrub …

Seasonal Variation In Nutritional Biomarkers And Fecal Cortisol Concentrations In A Northern Population Of Snowshoe Hares, Claire Kornet Montgomerie

Biological Sciences

Blood biomarkers indicative of nutritional status, fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations and an established body condition index (BCI), were collectively examined from snowshoe hares(Lepus americanus) inhabiting northern Alaska in 2018, during five ecologically significant times of year. As a novel approach to increase our understanding of the effects of diet and predation pressure on hare physiology, I addressed how these markers were associated with seasonal timing of energetic demands and adult survival rates. Mean decreases in concentrations of total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hematocrit (HCT) and glucose during spring and autumn, suggest that snowshoe hare nutritional status decreased during …

2020 Convocation, Eric Pan '21, José M. Torres, Comfort Akwaji-Anderson, Lynn Sosa-Bergeron '94

Convocation

• Welcome: Katie Berger, Chief Student Affairs Officer
• Pledge of Allegiance: Eric Pan '21, Student Council President
• Opening Remarks: José M. Torres, Ph.D., President
• Opening Remarks: Comfort Akwaji-Anderson, Ph.D., Principal
• Featured Musical Selection: "The Good Times" by Renzo Ledesma ‘19 and Hieu Nguyen ‘17
• Keynote Address: Lynn Sosa-Bergeron ‘94
• Closing Remarks: Comfort Akwaji-Anderson, Ph.D., Principal

Novel Material For Advanced Tissue Regeneration, Karrer Mahdi Kadum Alghazali

Theses and Dissertations

Nerve tissue damage or failure can occur for various reasons, including infection, disease, aging, and trauma. The tissue microenvironment (extracellular matrix-ECM) plays a key role in regulating the self-renewal and recovery of damaged tissue. ECM-cell interactions govern cell migration and physiology, with biochemical and biophysical boundaries being the main factors that control ECM-cell interaction. Optimizing these boundaries for the recovering tissue will create a healthy microenvironment to support and enhance the recovery rate (1, 2). We have developed a novel, multidimensional nanocomposite system that incorporates gold nanorods (AuNRs) (aspect ratio of around 3) as an artificial ECM for cell adhesion, …

Understanding Singleness: A Phenomenological Study Of Single Women In Beijing And Singapore, Chin-Siang Ang Dr., Kam-Fong Lee Ms., Xinyi Lie Ms.

The Qualitative Report

The aim of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding in the lives of single women by exploring their thoughts and experiences of being single. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews of a group of six well-educated, ethnic Chinese single women aged between 30 and 45 living in Beijing and Singapore. Transcribed interviews were analysed through reading and rereading and culling for like phrases and themes that are then grouped to form clusters of meaning. Through this process, we found four salient themes: (a) the women had equivocal feelings over the reasons they were single; (b) they recognized …

Cd300lf Polymorphisms Of Inbred Mouse Strains Confer Resistance To Murine Norovirus Infection In A Cell Type-Dependent Manner, Kevin Furlong, Scott B. Biering, Jayoung Choi, Craig B. Wilen, Robert C. Orchard, Christiane E. Wobus, Christopher A. Nelson, Daved H. Fremont, Megan T. Baldridge, Glenn Randall, Seungmin Hwang

Open Access Publications

Human norovirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, yet basic questions about its life cycle remain unanswered due to an historical lack of robust experimental systems. Recent studies on the closely related murine norovirus (MNV) have identified CD300LF as an indispensable entry factor for MNV. We compared the MNV susceptibilities of cells from different mouse strains and identified polymorphisms in murine CD300LF which are critical for its function as an MNV receptor. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from I/LnJ mice were resistant to infection from multiple MNV strains which readily infect BMDMs from C57BL/6J mice. The resistance of I/LnJ BMDMs …

Research On Cholecystectomy Virtual Surgery Simulation Training Platform, Wang Jun, Liu Dong

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The main performance factors in virtual surgery system with immersion are real-time, realistic deformation and smooth feel handle. A kind of cholecystectomy simulation training platform with force feedback feel was built, putting forward a kind of collision detection method based on Capsule-Sphere mixture model of different model with different bounding box in the real-time and a kind of mass-spring deformation method based on mesh-skeleton model in the force-deformation, and being tested on the virtual surgery force feedback device in prophase research. The experimental results show that the two modes are applied to the virtual cholecystectomy simulation and the platform …

Repurposed Agents In The Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development Pipeline, Justin Bauzon, Garam Lee, Jeffrey Cummings

School of Medicine Faculty Research

Background: Treatments are needed to address the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Clinical trials have failed to produce any AD drugs for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval since 2003, and the pharmaceutical development process is both time-consuming and costly. Drug repurposing provides an opportunity to accelerate this process by investigating the AD-related effects of agents approved for other indications. These drugs have known safety profiles, pharmacokinetic characterization, formulations, doses, and manufacturing processes. Methods: We assessed repurposed AD therapies represented in Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III of the current AD pipeline as registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of …

Soil Characteristics Associated With Horse Cases Of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus In Florida, Fulya Guzelkucuk

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne virus found in Florida that affects humans and horses. Also, EEEV is an agricultural land management issue in Florida, as it causes mortality in large numbers of horses each year and sometimes humans. This study investigates the characteristics of soils associated with horse cases of EEEV in the State of Florida, focusing on differences in soil characteristics between summer and winter cases. This study analyzed a total of 676 EEEV cases during 2005-2018, including 611 summer cases and 65 winter cases. Soil characteristics that were examined include: soil texture, drainage class, hydrology …

Age, Growth, And Movement Dynamics Of Arctic Cod (Boreogadus Saida) In The Chukchi And Beaufort Seas, Alyssa Frothingham

Fisheries

Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) dominates fish assemblages in the Arctic and provides a valuable food source to upper trophic level predators. Little is known about several important facets of its biology and ecology in the Pacific Arctic, including in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The physical connectivity of these two biologically and hydrologically unique seas provides an excellent opportunity to explore differences in Arctic Cod life history characteristics such as age, growth, and movement dynamics in these two adjacent areas. To establish a current benchmark of Arctic Cod life history and movement characteristics for the Pacific Arctic, Arctic Cod otoliths …

Impacts Of Climate Change On Juvenile Broad Whitefish Coregonus Nasus In Arctic Alaska: Bioenergetics Model Development And Application, Duncan G. Green

Fisheries

Anthropogenic climate change is contributing to rising temperatures worldwide, yet the increase is particularly rapid in the Arctic. Despite their position on the front of global temperature warming, the responses of Arctic ecosystems and the individual species within them are poorly understood. Broad whitefish Coregonus nasus in the Alaska nearshore Beaufort Sea not only inhabit a rapidly changing ecosystem, but are also a key component of subsistence harvest in the region and a relatively understudied fish. I parameterized and corroborated a bioenergetics model through species-specific physiological investigation and laboratory rearing trials, and used the resulting model to simulate potential responses …

Bristol Bay Dual Permit Operations, Vessel Heterogeneity, And The Migration Of Alaskan Permit Holders, Marcus J. Gho

Fisheries

This dissertation examines three aspects of Alaska's Limited Entry program. Chapter 1 explores the outcome of dual-permit regulations. The Alaska Board of Fisheries passed regulations allowing for dual permit operations in the Bristol Bay Pacific salmon drift gillnet fishery starting in 2004. These regulations allow two permit holders to fish from a single vessel with additional gear. Policymakers anticipated that the dual permit regulations would encourage young fishermen to enter the fishery and reduce the number of limited entry permits transferred from local fishermen to nonlocal fishermen and nonresidents. Statistical analyses reported in Chapter 1 indicate that the dual-permit program …

Environmental Impacts On Reproductive Responses Of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus Rosmarus Divergens) And Subsistence Users Of St. Lawrence Island, Jenell T. Larsen Tempel

Fisheries

An interdisciplinary approach is used in understanding change and resiliency in St. Lawrence Island (SLI) resources and resource users throughout this dissertation. Historically SLI inhabitants have relied on the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) for their survival and this resource is still highly valued for cultural and dietary purposes. The responses of Pacific walruses and SLI subsistence users to environmental change was analyzed. In walruses, reproductive capacity was analyzed using an anatomical approach as well as reproductive plasticity which was determined using a physiological approach to characterize their estrus cycle. A suite of anatomical measurements were developed to characterize reproductive …