Digital Commons Network^™

Think Twice Before Prescribing Antibiotics For That Swollen Knee: The Influence Of Antibiotics On The Diagnosis Of Periprosthetic Joint Infection., Graham S Goh, Javad Parvizi Md

Rothman Institute Papers

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but devastating complication after total joint arthroplasty. An estimated 7-12% of patients have negative cultures despite clear clinical evidence of infection. One oft-cited reason for this occurrence is the administration of antibiotics in the weeks prior to obtaining cultures. This article reviews the influence of antibiotics on the diagnosis of PJI. Specifically, we examine the effect of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic administration on the diagnostic accuracy of microbiological cultures as well as serum and synovial biomarkers. We also explore the potential of molecular techniques in overcoming these limitations in patients who have received …

Exploring Stem Undergraduate Self-Regulated Learning At A Vietnamese Transnational University, Christina W. Yao, Trentee Bush, Courtney Collins, Minerva Tuliao, Kaleb L. Briscoe, Ngoc Lan Thi Dang

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Anti-Cancer Effects By Interleukin 24, Xuelin Zhong

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cancers develop as some cells acquire the ability, either by exogenous stimulation or by spontaneous mutation, to keep growing despite normal restraints. Up-regulating translation of oncogenes involved in cell proliferation and tumor development and down-regulating translation of tumor-suppressors that normally suppress tumor development are two most common mechanisms by which cancers develop. Therefore, it is crucial to study how these proteins get either up-regulated or down-regulated at translational level.

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor, which is composed of subunits such as eIF4A, eIF4G and eIF4E, is one of the key factors that contribute to efficient translation initiation. Interleukin 24 (IL-24), …

Constructing Curriculum: Centering Identities In Sex Education, Jozette Belmont

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sex education (sex ed) is a state-by-state and school-by-school issue, and there are no federal laws which mandate medically accurate education. In New York, schools only offer one semester of health education which often happens in the last semester of twelfth grade. Further, LGBTQIA+ people’s sexual health and identities are rarely mentioned. Therefore, this project asks: What are the ways sex ed curricula and policies in New York address the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth? To answer this question, I use a critical policy analysis to compare curriculum from the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) and Peer Health Exchange …

The C. Neoformans Cell Wall: A Scaffold For Virulence, Christine Chrissian

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally distributed opportunistic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of life threatening cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, resulting in ~180,000 deaths each year worldwide. A primary virulence-associated trait of this organism is the production of melanin. Melanins are a class of diverse pigments produced via the oxidation and polymerization of aromatic ring compounds that have a characteristically complex, heterogenous, and amorphous structure. They are synthesized by representatives of all biological kingdoms and share a multitude of remarkable properties such as the ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and protect against ionizing radiation. Melanin production in fungi …

What Do You Think She’S Gonna Do With A Set Of Real Claws?: Gender, Race, And Sexuality In Onscreen Portrayals Of Women Werewolves, Ashleigh K. Williams

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis analyzes 13 disparate portrayals of werewolfism in film and television as they relate to uncontrolled and uncontrollable femininity. A necessary component of this project is the visual assemblage: my findings are displayed in the format of a zine, in an attempt to capture the bright, furious, aggressive sensory experience of witnessing women becoming werewolves onscreen. Research questions include: How are conventionally masculine werewolf markers feminized in werewolf narratives? How are the women in these pieces of media ultimately punished for embodying creatures that aren’t feminine enough, or are too feminine in exactly the wrong ways? Many she-wolf centered …

Third Harmonic Generation: A Method For Visualizing Myelin In The Murine Cerebral Cortex, Michael Redlich

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Here we present the use of Third Harmonic Generation (THG) for the label-free imaging of myelinated axons in the murine cerebral cortex. Myelin plays an important role in the processes of learning and disease. However, much of the myelin biology research thus far has focused on white matter tracts where myelin is more visible. Much is still unknown, particularly with regard to myelin in gray matter. First, we engage in THG microscopy using an optical parametric oscillator pumped by a titanium-sapphire laser to demonstrate the utility of the technique for imaging myelin in vivo. Second, we investigate the use of …

Is This My Body? A Manual On Navigating Child Masturbation Without Shame, Stephanie M. Amis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Children’s natural exploration of their bodies and sexual expression through masturbation is often considered to be taboo by many adults and caregivers. It is important that children are taught that they have the right to explore their own bodies, to express and experience any sexual developments that may be happening. A child can be innocent and still have the freedom to explore the biological processes of their sexuality. In early Christianity, 19th century physicians and some 20th century psychologists greatly influenced the negative attitudes around aspects of child sexuality such as masturbation that still thrive today. As far as child …

When Misclassification Is Misgendering: Gender Prediction In The Context Of Trans Identities, Sean Miller

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

As a subdomain of author profiling, gender prediction (sometimes called gender inference) has received a substantial amount of attention—both as a task in itself, and for other downstream analyses. Throughout the existing literature various statistical and machine learning methods have been applied to extract features in order to either characterize and differentiate female and male writing styles, or simply to achieve maximum accuracy on gender prediction as a binary classification task. However, researchers often do not disclose how they conceptualize gender nor do they consider the implications that gender prediction has for non-binary and trans individuals. Along with an overview …

A Collective Case Study Of Factors That Promote Academic Motivation Among High-Performing, Economically Disadvantaged Middle School Students, Gregory M. Shields Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the influencing factors that promote academic motivation among high-performing, economically disadvantaged middle school students. Poverty affects students in various ways, such as socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Due to the adverse experiences stemming from poverty, many students lack motivation and confidence in their academic abilities. On the contrary, some students overcome the adversity of poverty by demonstrating resilience. The following central question was used to further investigate the study: What factors promote academic motivation among high-performing, economically disadvantaged middle school students? The theory guiding this study is self-determination theory (Deci & …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Factors That Motivate Black Students' Enrollment In Advanced Placement Courses, Konova Letrice Cornelius

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the motivations for Black students to enroll in advanced placement courses in the United States. The theory guiding this study is Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development (1979). Much of the literature associated with Black students in advanced placement courses focuses on the underrepresentation of Black students in the program and the factors that deter their enrollment. Few studies explore the lived experiences of Black students in rigorous coursework and their motivation. The central question that framed the study is: “What influences Black students’ decisions to enroll in advanced placement …

Proximity Search Techniques To Reduce Cognitive Load: A Case Study, Donald G. Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the usefulness of higher-level search techniques to reduce students’ cognitive load. The central question of the study is, “What causes students of higher education to avoid using syntax operator commands to provide better search results?” The participants in the study were new students at a community college in northern Arizona. As defined by Sweller (1988), cognitive load theory indicates that the reduction of cognitive load increases learning and reduces stress, guided this study. The sample size was five participants. Data were collected through semi structured individual interviews in a closed …

Crow's Nest, February 1, 2021, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 1, 2021, issue of the Crow's Nest.

Exploring The Influence Of Different Habitats And Their Volatile Chemistry In Modulating Sand Fly Population Structure In A Leishmaniasis Endemic Foci, Kenya, Iman B. Hassaballa, Baldwyn Torto, Catherine L. Sole, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Phlebotomine sand flies transmit many viral protozoan and bacterial pathogens of public health importance. Knowledge of the ecologic factors influencing their distribution at local scale can provide insights into disease epidemiology and avenues for targeted control. Animal sheds, termite mounds and houses are important peri-domestic and domestic habitats utilized by different sand flies as resting or breeding habitats. However, our knowledge for selection of these habitats by sand flies remains poor. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these habitat types harbor different composition of sand fly species and differ in their volatile chemistry that could influence sand fly selection. To …

Lianas Explore The Forest Canopy More Effectively Than Trees Under Drier Conditions, Jose A. Medina-Vega, Frans Bongers, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Frank J. Sterck

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

1. Lianas rely on trees for support and access to high-light positions in the forest canopy, but the implications for how lianas explore the canopy compared to trees remain understudied. We present an in situ forest canopy study to test the hypotheses that: (1) lianas favour leaf display over stem investment compared to trees and (2) lianas have greater potential to colonize non-shaded, high-light areas effectively than trees.
2. We compared branches of 16 liana species with those of 16 sympatric tree species in the canopy of two lowland tropical forests with contrasting rainfall regimes in Panama using 40–50 m tall canopy …

Virus Isoelectric Point Estimation: Theories And Methods, Joe Heffron, Brooke K. Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Much of virus fate, both in the environment and in physical/chemical treatment, is dependent on electrostatic interactions. Developing an accurate means of predicting virion isoelectric point (pI) would help to understand and anticipate virus fate and transport, especially for viruses that are not readily propagated in the lab. One simple approach to predicting pI estimates the pH at which the sum of charges from ionizable amino acids in capsid proteins approaches zero. However, predicted pIs based on capsid charges frequently deviate by several pH units from empirically measured pIs. Recently, the discrepancy between empirical and predicted pI was attributed to …

Essential Tremor: A Review, Grant S. Taylor

Honors Projects

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most prevalent movement disorders globally: approximately 1% of the population is affected (Haubenberger & Hallet, 2018). In the past, ET has been grossly oversimplified clinically and pathologically and only through recent study has the complexity of the disease process and presentation been made apparent. Despite the recent advances in research regarding ET, the general public is still largely unfamiliar with the various aspects of the disease (Cristal et al., 2018). Perhaps even more surprising is the similar lack of knowledge that ET patients have regarding their own disease (Cristal et al., 2018). Recent …

Multiscale Legacy Responses Of Soil Gas Concentrations To Soil Moisture And Temperature Fluctuations, Anthony J. Parolari, Joseph Sizemore, Gabriel Katul

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The sensitivity of soil carbon dynamics to climate change is a major uncertainty in carbon cycle models. Of particular interest is the response of soil biogeochemical cycles to variability in hydroclimatic states and the related quantification of soil memory. Toward this goal, the power spectra of soil hydrologic and biogeochemical states were analyzed using measurements of soil temperature, moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide at two sites. Power spectra indicated multiscale power law scaling across subhourly to annual timescales. Precipitation fluctuations were most strongly expressed in the soil biogeochemical signals at monthly to annual timescales. Soil moisture and temperature fluctuations were …

The Zebrafish Visual System Transmits Dimming Information Via Multiple Segregated Pathways, Estuardo Robles, Nicholas P. Fields, Herwig Baier

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

Vertebrate retinas contain circuits specialized to encode light level decrements. This information is transmitted to the brain by dimming-sensitive OFF retinal ganglion cells (OFF-RGCs) that respond to light decrements with increased firing. It is known that OFF-RGCs with distinct photosensitivity profiles form parallel visual channels to the vertebrate brain, yet how these channels are processed by first- and higher order brain areas has not been well characterized in any species. To address this question in the larval zebrafish visual system, we examined the visual response properties of a genetically identified population of tectal neurons with a defined axonal projection to …

New Resources Available, Joanne Romano

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

No abstract provided.

Fecundity And Seed Dormancy Variation Within And Among Echinochloa Species, Hussain Tahir, Nilda Roma-Burgos

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Echinochloa genus contains two of the world's top five worst weeds. The persistence and weediness of Echinochloa spp. are partly due to its seed longevity and variable seed dormancy. In the USA, specifically in Arkansas, multiple species infest the same field in many cases. Persistence could vary across species and dormancy affects infestation level. Studies were conducted to evaluate the seed production potential and dormancy of Echinochloa species in the State. Ninety-four accessions were characterized in a common garden in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. The species were Echinochloa colona (L.) Link, E. crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv, E. muricata P. …

Clinical Validation Of Combinatorial Pharmacogenomic Testing And Single-Gene Guidelines In Predicting Psychotropic Medication Blood Levels And Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Depression, Anthony J Rothschild, Charles R Conway, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We evaluated the clinical validity of a combinatorial pharmacogenomic test and single-gene Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guidelines against patient outcomes and medication blood levels to assess their ability to inform prescribing in major depressive disorder (MDD). This is a secondary analysis of the Genomics Used to Improve DEpression Decisions (GUIDED) randomized-controlled trial, which included patients with a diagnosis of MDD, and ≥1 prior medication failure. The ability to predict increased/decreased medication metabolism was validated against blood levels at screening (adjusted for age, sex, smoking status). The ability of predicted gene-drug interactions (pharmacogenomic test) or therapeutic recommendations (single-gene guidelines) to …

Characterization And Localization Of Antigens For Serodiagnosis Of Human Paragonimiasis, Kurt C Curtis, Kerstin Fischer, Young-Jun Choi, Makedonka Mitreva, Gary J Weil, Peter U Fischer

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Paragonimiasis is a foodborne trematode infection that affects 23 million people, mainly in Asia. Lung fluke infections lead frequently to chronic cough with fever and hemoptysis, and are often confused with lung cancer or tuberculosis. Paragonimiasis can be efficiently treated with praziquantel, but diagnosis is often delayed, and patients are frequently treated for other conditions. To improve diagnosis, we selected five Paragonimus kellicotti proteins based on transcriptional abundance, recognition by patient sera, and conservation among trematodes and expressed them as His-fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Sequences for these proteins have 76-99% identity with amino acid sequences for orthologs in the …

Use Of Platelet-Rich Plasma In Treating Low Back Pain: A Review Of The Current Literature, Mirza Zain Baig, Umme E Hani Abdullah, Aun Muhammad, Abeer Aziz, Maryam Jamil Syed, Aneela Darbar

Medical College Documents

Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem encountered by physicians. It is a considerable cause of morbidity and socioeconomic loss and is one of the most expensive musculoskeletal disorders. Conventional treatments include bed rest, analgesics, therapeutic exercises, lumbar or caudal epidural corticosteroids, and surgery. Several new biological therapies are being investigated for use in LBP and one of these is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this article, we summarize the current literature published on PRP concerning its composition, classification, and application in LBP. We believe our review will prove useful to clinicians and academics alike, interested in new developing therapies …

Can Public Online Databases Serve As A Source Of Phenotypic Information For Cannabis Genetic Association Studies?, Matthew L. Aardema, Rob Desalle

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The use of Cannabis is gaining greater social acceptance for its beneficial medicinal and recreational uses. With this acceptance has come new opportunities for crop management, selective breeding, and the potential for targeted genetic manipulation. However, as an agricultural product Cannabis lags far behind other domesticated plants in knowledge of the genes and genetic variation that influence plant traits of interest such as growth form and chemical composition. Despite this lack of information, there are substantial publicly available resources that document phenotypic traits believed to be associated with particular Cannabis varieties. Such databases could be a valuable resource for developing …

Macrophage-Derived Thrombospondin 1 Promotes Obesity-Associated Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Taesik Gwag, Raja Gopal Reddy Mooli, Dong Li, Sangderk Lee, Eun Young Lee, Shuxia Wang

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is a multifunctional matricellular protein. We previously showed that TSP1 has an important role in obesity-associated metabolic complications, including inflammation, insulin resistance, cardiovascular, and renal disease. However, its contribution to obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD or NASH) remains largely unknown; thus, we aimed to determine its role.

Methods

High-fat diet or AMLN (amylin liver NASH) diet-induced obese and insulin-resistant NAFLD/NASH mouse models were utilised, in addition to tissue-specific Tsp1-knockout mice, to determine the contribution of different cellular sources of obesity-induced TSP1 to NAFLD/NASH development.

Results

Liver TSP1 levels were increased in experimental obese …

February 2021, Volume 17, Number 1, Winthrop University Archives And Special Collections

Retrospect: News from the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University

No abstract provided.

Wild 594.R01: Wildlife Biology Graduate Seminar -, Hugh S. Robinson

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Wild 542.R01: Statistical Applications In Wildlife Biology, Paul Lukacs

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Wild 494.B01: Senior Wildlife Seminar, Chad Bishop

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.