Digital Commons Network^™

Internalized Stigma, Depressive Symptoms, And The Modifying Role Of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cohort Study In Rural Uganda, Lisa M. Bebell, Annet Kembabazi, Nicholas Musinguzi, Jeffrey N. Martin, Peter W. Hunt, Yap Boum Ii, Kelli N. O'Laughlin, Conrad Muzoora, Jessica E. Haberer, Mwebesa Bosco Bwana, David R. Bangsberg, Mark J. Siedner, Alexander C. Tsai

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Depression affects over 40% of people with HIV (PHIV) in low- and middle-income countries, and over half of PHIV report HIV-related internalized stigma. However, few longitudinal studies of PHIV have examined the relationship between HIV-related stigma and depression. Data were analyzed from the 2007-15 Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes (UARTO) Study, a cohort of 454 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve PHIV (68% women) starting ART. Our primary outcome was depression symptom severity over the first two years of ART, measured using a locally adapted version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist; our primary exposure was the 6-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. Both scores …

Intra-Tumoral Nerve-Tracing In A Novel Syngeneic Model Of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, Jeffrey L Barr, Allison Kruse, Anthony C Restaino, Natalia Tulina, Sarah Stuckelberger, Samuel J Vermeer, Caitlin S Williamson, Daniel W Vermeer, Marianna Madeo, Jillian Stamp, Maria Bell, Mark Morgan, Ju-Yoon Yoon, Marilyn A Mitchell, Anna Budina, Dalia K Omran, Lauren E Schwartz, Ronny Drapkin, Paola D Vermeer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dense tumor innervation is associated with enhanced cancer progression and poor prognosis. We observed innervation in breast, prostate, pancreatic, lung, liver, ovarian, and colon cancers. Defining innervation in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) was a focus since sensory innervation was observed whereas the normal tissue contains predominantly sympathetic input. The origin, specific nerve type, and the mechanisms promoting innervation and driving nerve-cancer cell communications in ovarian cancer remain largely unknown. The technique of neuro-tracing enhances the study of tumor innervation by offering a means for identification and mapping of nerve sources that may directly and indirectly affect the tumor microenvironment. …

Radioembolization With Chemotherapy For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Randomized, Open-Label, International, Multicenter, Phase Iii Trial, Mary F Mulcahy, Armeen Mahvash, Marc Pracht, Amir H Montazeri, Steve Bandula, Robert C G Martin, Ken Herrmann, Ewan Brown, Darryl Zuckerman, Gregory Wilson, Tae-You Kim, Andrew Weaver, Paul Ross, William P Harris, Janet Graham, Jamie Mills, Alfonso Yubero Esteban, Matthew S Johnson, Constantinos T Sofocleous, Siddharth A Padia, Robert J Lewandowski, Etienne Garin, Philip Sinclair, Riad Salem

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: To study the impact of transarterial Yttrium-90 radioembolization (TARE) in combination with second-line systemic chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases (CLM).

METHODS: In this international, multicenter, open-label phase III trial, patients with CLM who progressed on oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based first-line therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive second-line chemotherapy with or without TARE. The two primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and hepatic PFS (hPFS), assessed by blinded independent central review. Random assignment was performed using a web- or voice-based system stratified by unilobar or bilobar disease, oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based first-line chemotherapy, and

RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-eight patients from …

Covid-19 Presents An Opportunity For Dental Teams To Become Ready For Person-Centred Care, Ian Mills, Koula Asimakopoulou, Patricia Neville, Sasha Scambler

Peninsula Dental School

No abstract provided.

Board Of Trustees Minutes, Dec. 10 2021, Indiana State University Board Of Trustees

Board of Trustees

No abstract provided.

Board Of Trustees Agenda, Dec. 10 2021, Indiana State University Board Of Trustees

Board of Trustees

No abstract provided.

College Of Public Heath News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Establishes New Institute to Better Address Challenges Related to Water and Human Interactions

Using Bst To Increase Interview Skills Among Emerging Adults With Autism Via Telehealth, Johnna L. Dowdy

Theses and Dissertations

he purpose of the current study was to evaluate the use of behavior skills training via telehealth to teach job interview skills to emerging adults with ASD. Additionally, the study examined if following intervention, skills were able to generalize to new interviewers. 2 undergraduate and 1 graduate student with ASD participated in the study, and received intervention for 3 behaviors: (1) appropriately answering questions, (2) asking appropriate questions, and (3) engaging in appropriate body language. The current study used a multiple baseline design across behaviors. Results from the study indicated BST via telehealth was effective in teaching job interviews skills. …

Modulation Of Effector Gene Expression In The Blood-Feeding Arthropods Cimex Lectularius Linnaeus, (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) And Aedes Albopictus Skuse, (Diptera: Culicidae), Travis C. Van Warmerdam

Theses and Dissertations

Hematophagy, or blood-feeding behavior, has independently evolved multiple times in the class Insecta and results in the transmission of vector-borne parasites, bacteria and viruses causing 17% of all infectious diseases and over 700,000 human deaths annually. One of the major challenges in studying the discrete mechanisms involved in host-response to hematophagy or the host seeking behavior of hematophagous insects, is the vast amount of signaling processes and genes that are inextricably tied to these interactions. These experiments used the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) and dsRNA knock-down technologies to examine mechanisms of immunological reactivity and host-seeking behavior. …

Inflammatory Profiles Of High Risk Cattle Exposed To Common Management Practices, Alexandra M. Pittman

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in beef cattle. Common management practices in addition to BRD have been shown previously to cause inflammation. The objectives of this study were: (1) characterize the inflammatory profiles as indicated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and haptoglobin concentrations; (2) evaluate the impact of on-arrival metaphylactic antimicrobial therapy on inflammatory profiles in high risk cattle; and (3) examine the relationship between inflammatory profile and BRD morbidity and mortality. Eighty sale barn heifers were purchased over a two-year period (n=160). At arrival, heifers were randomly assigned to either receive tulathromycin (Draxxin, …

Implementing Food Science-Based Instruction In Career Technical Education Courses, Jasmine D. Hendrix

Theses and Dissertations

Students are exposed to food concepts in agriculture-based career technical education (CTE) courses which provide a gateway for students to become more aware of food science career pathways. Professional development for Mississippi (MS) CTE teachers is needed to effectively implement food science-based instruction since there is not a food science curriculum framework adopted in MS. The objective of this study was to assess a food science professional development training for MS CTE teachers that would increase their self-perceived knowledge of food science, self-perceived ability to conduct food science skills, and their self-efficacy to implement food science-based instruction. Thirty-one teachers participated …

Molecular, Somatic, And Performance Characteristics Of Broilers Exhibiting Woody Breast Myopathy, And The Effects Of Dietary And Challenge Intervention Strategies, Linan Jia

Theses and Dissertations

Woody breast (WB) is a meat quality problem that has caused significant economic losses for the poultry industry. Ross × Ross 708 chicks were randomly assigned to a 3 (diet) × 2 (cocci challenge) × 2 (sex) factorial arrangement of treatments. The three diets included the control diet (corn-soybean meal basal diet), antibiotic diet (basal diet + 6.075 mg bacitracin /kg feed), and probiotic diet (basal diet + 2.2 × 108 CFU Bacillus subtilis PB6 /kg feed). Birds in the cocci challenge treatment group received 20 × the live cocci vaccine as an inoculum on d 14. Growth performance and …

Genetic Characterization Of Antimicrobial Activities Of Endophytic Bacteria Burkholderia Strains Ms455 And Ms389, Jiayuan Jia

Theses and Dissertations

Strains MS455 and MS389, endophytic bacteria, were isolated from healthy soybean plant growing adjacent to a patch of plants affected by charcoal rot disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. The complete genomes of both strains were sequenced and identified as Burkholderia species Strain MS455 exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activities against economically important pathogens, including Aspergillus flavus. Random and site-specific mutations were employed in discovery of the genes that share high homology to the ocf gene cluster of Burkholderia contaminans strain MS14, which is responsible for production of the antifungal compound occidiofungin. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated ORF1, a …

The Effects Of Prior Exposure To Agriculture On College Students’ Food Purchasing Decisions, Leah E. Gann

Theses and Dissertations

This text examines the possible impacts of prior exposure to agriculture, and how this relates to college students’ food purchasing decisions. This study will assess if college students had prior exposure to agriculture before attending college, and what type of exposure this was, as well as assess how this prior exposure may alter purchasing decisions made by students who attend Mississippi State University. To collect this data, this study used a qualitative survey method to question students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University and determine if there is a significant relationship between prior …

Dissection Of The Genetic Architecture Of Grain Quality In Rice, Shuai Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Rice is an important human staple food for over half of the world’s population. Amylose content (AC), gelatinization temperature (GT), grain protein content (GPC), percentage grain chalkiness (PGC), and mineral content are important parameters for evaluating rice quality, which attracts customers and breeders. Only limited genes or QTLs (OsAAP6, OsGluA2, OsASN1, Chalk5, OsHMA3, etc.) are reported regulating rice GPC, PGC, and mineral content due to the lack of genetic knowledge and molecular markers. To dissect the genetic architecture of rice grain quality regulation, genome wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using two populations …

A Dual Perspective Towards Building Resilience In Manufacturing Organizations, Steven A. Fazio

Theses and Dissertations

Modern manufacturing organizations exist in the most complex and competitive environment the world has ever known. This environment consists of demanding customers, enabling, but resource intensive Industry 4.0 technology, dynamic regulations, geopolitical perturbations, and innovative, ever-expanding global competition. Successful manufacturing organizations must excel in this environment while facing emergent disruptions generated as biproducts of complex man-made and natural systems. The research presented in this thesis provides a novel two-sided approach to the creation of resilience in the modern manufacturing organization. First, the systems engineering method is demonstrated as the qualitative framework for building literature-derived organizational resilience factors into organizational structures …

Physiological Roles Of Selenoprotein H In Mice, Qingzhou Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Low-hierarchy selenoproteins are sensitive to selenium (Se) deficiency and are proposed to confer the protection of body Se against age- and development-related diseases. Selenoprotein H (SELENOH), a low-hierarchy selenoprotein, is greatly downregulated by both dietary Se deficiency and age. To explore physiological roles of SELENOH, Selenoh knockout mice were employed.

Segregation analyses demonstrated reduced frequencies of homozygotes and heterozygotes among the neonates of the breeding combinations of Selenoh^+/- males vs. Selenoh^+/- or Selenoh^-/- females, demonstrating essential roles of SELENOH in embryogenesis. Litter sizes from these two breeding groups were comparable with control, suggesting a role of SELENOH …

Leveraging Choice Modeling Technique For Enhancing The Cyber Resilience Of The Smart Grid, Kesava Karishma Devi Dadi

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the cyber-attack of the smart grid and its retrieval to a normal state by estimating the smart grid's resilience. This study developed a theoretical model to estimate the resilience of the smart grid using choice modeling. A utility function is formulated based on various factors and sub-factors of resilience to estimate the resilience of the smart grid. Choice modeling is applied to estimate the model parameters in various fields such as marketing, energy, transportation, and health and to predict the outcome.

A Review Of Calcineurin Biophysics With Implications For Cardiac Physiology, Ryan B. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Calmodulin is a prevalent calcium sensing protein found in all cells. Three genes exist for calmodulin and all three of these genes encode for the exact same protein sequence. Recently mutations in the amino acid sequence of calmodulin have been identified in living human patients. Thus far, patients harboring these mutations in the calmodulin sequence have only displayed an altered cardiac related phenotype. Calcineurin is involved in many key physiological processes and its activity is regulated by calcium and calmodulin. In order to assess whether or not calcineurin contributes to calmodulinopathy (a pathological state arising from dysfunctional calmodulin), a comprehensive …

Evaluation Of The Variable Rate Capabilities Of A Sprayer Equipped With Pulse Width Modulation Nozzle Control And Direct Chemical Injection Systems, William Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Variable-rate technologies coupled with broadcast spray systems serve to reduce chemical inputs, misapplication of chemicals, and environmental pollution, thus improving profitability and sustainability. Sprayer variable rate control involves using pulse width modulation (PWM) solenoids and/or direct chemical injection to adjust the application rate. The objectives of this research were to: outfit a conventional broadcast sprayer with PWM and direct inject technologies; evaluate the accuracy of the PWM system to control application rate for strait line and turn segments; and characterize the direct injection system’s transport delay time. For the PWM evaluation, the mean flow rate and coefficient of variation of …

Assessing The Potential For Lightning-Induced Damage In Commercial Broiler Houses In Mississippi And Alabama, Matthew R. Rowland

Theses and Dissertations

Modern broiler houses are expensive to build, maintain, and insure. Protecting them from extreme weather events is a major concern to producers, integrators, and insurance companies. Lightning strikes can cause catastrophic fires and electrical damage and can lead to costly bird losses. A greater understanding of the impact of lightning on the commercial broiler industries of MS and AL is needed. The objectives of this research were collection of baseline resistance data for broiler houses and equipment in both states, and mapping lightning strike densities across MS and AL, evaluating annual, monthly, seasonal, and diurnal patterns. 63.5% of surveyed broiler …

The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of The Hybrid-Online Hatch-Out Program, Tannah Leigh Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s society, the majority of our population lacks knowledge about agriculture and its importance. Therefore, there is a demand for agricultural programs to increase a general knowledge of agriculture. This study aimed to develop, pilot test, and evaluate the Hybrid-Online Hatch-out Program. Due to limited resources with the current Hands-on Hatch-out program, this Hybrid-Online Hatch-out Program could reach a larger population of youth and aid in educating more youth about poultry (one of the largest sectors of agriculture). The RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) was utilized to guide the evaluation process. The program was pilot-tested in …

Positive Correlation Between A3 Subunit Of Glycinin And Firmness Of Tofu Made From Soybeans Grown In Three Locations Over Two Years, Ruiqi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Producing desirable firmness is important in manufacturing tofu from soybeans. This study’s objective was to explore the environmental impact (location and year) on soybean chemical components and identify the correlations between chemical composition and the firmness of tofu made from soybeans planted in three locations over two years. Seventeen soybean Plant Introductions (PI) from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection and eight check varieties were planted in Mississippi, Virginia and Missouri in 2017 and 2018. Protein subunit composition, protein secondary structure, phytic acid content, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content were determined. The result showed that A₃ subunit content was …

Uncertainty-Aware Deep Learning For Prediction Of Remaining Useful Life Of Mechanical Systems, Samuel J. Cornelius

Theses and Dissertations

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is a problem that researchers in the prognostics and health management (PHM) community have been studying for decades. Both physics-based and data-driven methods have been investigated, and in recent years, deep learning has gained significant attention. When sufficiently large and diverse datasets are available, deep neural networks can achieve state-of-the-art performance in RUL prediction for a variety of systems. However, for end users to trust the results of these models, especially as they are integrated into safety-critical systems, RUL prediction uncertainty must be captured. This work explores an approach for estimating both epistemic and heteroscedastic …

The Development Of Authentic Virtual Reality Scenarios To Measure Individuals’ Level Of Systems Thinking Skills And Learning Abilities, Vidanelage L. Dayarathna

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops virtual reality modules to capture individuals’ learning abilities and systems thinking skills in dynamic environments. In the first chapter, an immersive queuing theory teaching module is developed using virtual reality technology. The objective of the study is to present systems engineering concepts in a more sophisticated environment and measure students learning abilities. Furthermore, the study explores the performance gaps between male and female students in manufacturing systems concepts. To investigate the gender biases toward the performance of developed VR module, three efficacy measures (simulation sickness questionnaire, systems usability scale, and presence questionnaire) and two effectiveness measures (NASA …

Bonded Or Broken? An Expansion Of Goodman And Gotlib’S Depressive Symptom Transmission Model Extended To Foster Parents And Grandparent Caregivers, Acacia Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature establishes a relationship between maternal depression and offspring depression. Goodman and Gotlib’s “Developmental Model for Understanding Mechanisms of Transmission” suggests possible mechanisms including attachment. Prior research also demonstrates a link between fathers’ depression and pediatric psychopathology risk, but further research is needed to elucidate the effect of other non-parental caregivers. Children raised by both types of non-parental caregivers are vulnerable to attachment disruptions due to separation from their parental caregivers and the prevalence of children residing with these caregivers is on the rise in recent years. Using the Goodman and Gotlib framework, this study examined the relation between …

Relationship Of Winter Hair Coat Shedding Ability Of Purebred Angus Dams With Mineral Status, Apparent Forage Digestibility, Uterine Artery Hemodynamics, And Calf Growth And Development, Randy Hunter Burnett

Theses and Dissertations

Winter hair coat shedding ability in southern U.S. cattle production has previously been associated with differences in adjusted birth and weaning weights of calves from dams that shed by June or later (Gray et al., 2011; Cauble et al., 2019). This study was developed to research possible avenues of why these relationships exist with winter hair coat shedding ability. The primary objectives of the following experiments were to: 1) evaluate how mineral status relates to winter hair coat shedding ability, 2) evaluate how winter hair coat shedding ability relates to apparent digestibility of forage, 3) evaluate winter hair coat shedding …

Examining Negative Thinking Styles And Thought Control Strategies Within Borderline Personality Disorder, Courtney K. Mason

Theses and Dissertations

Components of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include emotion and cognitive dysregulation. The Emotional Cascade Model (Selby & Joiner, 2009; Selby et al., 2009) suggests negative affect and the cognitive process of rumination could be interchangeably increasing over time, leading to maladaptive behaviors. The current study evaluated negative thinking styles (i.e., anger rumination, sadness rumination, worry, catastrophizing) and thought control strategies (i.e., brooding, reflection, thought suppression) in relation to BPD traits using path analyses in a college student sample (N = 204). Results indicated anger rumination, sadness rumination, and worry indirectly predicted BPD traits through thought suppression, brooding, and reflection. However, …

The Effects Of Grazing Cover Crops On Animal Performance, Soil Characteristics, And Subsequent Soybean Production In East-Central Mississippi, Bronson Scott Bass

Theses and Dissertations

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) incorporate cropping systems and livestock production by grazing cover crops. With a growing awareness in recent years regarding agricultural sustainability, these systems have begun to be re-introduced into the southeastern U.S. This study evaluated cover cropping systems under grazed no-till (GNT), un-grazed no-till (UNT), and un-grazed conventional tillage (UCT) management, in Mississippi. Beef cattle (Bos spp.) performance was significantly less in the cover crop treatment of oats (Avena sativa) + crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) + radish (Raphanus sativus; OCR) in both average daily gain (ADG; 3.03 lb hd^{-1 …}

Evaluating The Effects Of Pine And Miscanthus Biochar On Water Activity And Escherichia Coli Populations In Commercial Broiler Litter, Christopher Austin Marty

Theses and Dissertations

The decrease in subtherapeutic antibiotic administration in poultry has increased the need to address production challenges caused by pathogens, such as E. coli. One potential way to improve bird health and reduce bacterial infection is through the addition of litter amendments that absorb moisture. Biochar (BC) has previously been shown to increase water holding capacity in poultry litter, but its effects on E. coli mitigation are unknown. The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate water activity of poultry litter amended with pine and miscanthus BC, and 2) determine the effects of different BC inclusion rates on litter …