Digital Commons Network^™

The U-Net-Based Active Learning Framework For Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy, Vishwanshi Joshi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world. According to the U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, about 281,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2021 (Smith et al., 2019). The death rate of breast cancer is higher than any other cancer type. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer have been challenging over the last few decades. Meanwhile, deep learning algorithms using Convolutional Neural Networks to segment images have achieved considerable success in recent years. These algorithms have continued to assist in exploring the quantitative measurement of cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment. …

Drug Delivery Systems: Exploring Rheological Properties And Therapeutic Effect Of 5-Fu Chitosan Gel For Topical Wound Healing, Samuel Tetteh-Quarshie

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Diabetic skin wound is a common complication of diabetes that occurs in about 15% of diabetic patients and often requires prolonged hospitalization for its management and treatment. Natural polymers are used for wound dressing due to their biological adhesiveness, non-toxicity, and biodegradable nature. 5-Fluorouracil (FU) has been shown to alter adipokine expression which is implicated in cutaneous wound repair. Thus, our overall objective was to investigate the utility of chitosan (CS) gel for topical delivery of 5-FU to treat diabetic wounds. We prepared chitosan gel (2% w/w) in serial dilutions of 5-FU (25μg/mL, 2.5μg/mL, 0.25μg/mL, and 0.025μg/mL) and evaluated their …

The Effects Of Fire On Oak-Forest Plant Communities Along Soil Moisture Gradients: A 25-Year Study, Rebekah Frances Shupe

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the eastern U.S., fire is a natural disturbance process in Quercus (oak) forests. Fire is thought to promote oak regeneration and plant diversity by reducing competition, preparing a suitable seedbed, and increasing light availability. However, the era of fire suppression that began in the early 20^th century is thought to have negatively impacted oak regeneration and the biodiversity of the understory layer. In this study, we examined the effects of prescribed fire on tree regeneration and the understory layer over 25 years. From a study initiated in 1994, we resampled 45 permanent vegetation plots measuring 1250 m^{2 …}

Role Of Thymidine Phosphorylase In Type 2 Diabetes-Associated High-Risk Of Thrombosis, Adam Belcher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as ischemic heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death globally that disproportionally affects patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a 2-4-fold rate compared to non-diabetic patients. These CVDs result from a blood clot, also known as a thrombus, formed in arteries that can block blood flow resulting in tissue damage and death. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, used to prevent thrombosis have been found to be less effective in diabetics and increase the risk of hemorrhagic events. The T2DM epidemic has made it imperative to find therapies that decrease …

Role Of Na/K-Atpase Non-Enzymatic Signaling In Renal Proximal Tubule Sodium Transport, Shreya Tapan Mukherji

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The renal proximal tubule (RPT) is the center stage for renal handling of Na+ , a potent determinant of systemic Na+ and volume homeostasis in health and disease. In the RPT, through its classic ion-pumping function, Na + /K+ -ATPase (NKA) generates the Na+ gradient that drives apical Na+ absorption, mostly through Na+ /H+ exchanger (NHE3). In contrast, pharmacological evidence suggests that the activation of the NKA non-enzymatic signaling function, through Src and other signaling partners, triggers a cellular redistribution of NKA and NHE3 that decreases transcellular Na+ flux in cultured RPT cells. However, the physiological relevance of the nonenzymatic …

Na/K-Atpase Alphα1 Regulates Adipogenesis Via Its Conserved Caveolin Binding Motif, Minqi Huang

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Na/K-ATPase (NKA) was identified in 1957 by Dr. Jens C. Skou. It belongs to the P-type ATPase family, which can actively transport ions across cell membranes by using the energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. During the second half of the 20th century, the molecular mechanism of the NKA catalytic cycle was clarified, and the isoform diversity of NKA in different species and organs was identified. The active ion transport through NKA generates cell membrane ion gradients and the electric potential. Hence, the enzymatic function of NKA is critical for cell viability as well as multiple physiological processes including …

Potential Counter Regulatory Effects Of A Gut Microbiota Metabolite In Alleviating Down-Regulation Krüppel-Like Factor 4 In Intestinal Inflammation, Ylva Forslund

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a medical condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal epithelium. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger transcription factor, is vital for maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis. KLF4 promotes differentiation of goblet cells that generate the protective mucus layer. Reduced goblet cell number and defective mucus layer are associated with IBD. Shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) are known to play an important role in the maintenance of a strong and healthy intestinal epithelial layer and also in goblet cell differentiation. However, whether the positive effects of SCFAs on goblet cells are mediated, at least partly, via …

From Crib To Bench: Understanding Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (Nows) Using A Novel Rodent Model, Sarah Stevens

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

As the opioid epidemic continues to grow, opioid use among pregnant women is increasing significantly. This has led to a steady rise in the number of infants born with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Although short-term withdrawal symptoms associated with NOWS are well characterized, there are many gaps in our understanding of the short and long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure. In CHAPTER 1, we describe the clinical presentation, associated neurodevelopmental challenges, and current treatments of NOWS. Our current understanding of the neuropathology of NOWS is limited, and therefore further research is needed. However, current animal models are limited by …

The Effects Of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals On Plants, Christian Mathew Pridemore

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a diverse group of chemicals which can have a detrimental effect on human health, affecting any physiological body system sensitive to hormonal changes. Human exposure to EDCs is inevitable due to their prevalence in modern living; EDCs are integral compounds found in everyday items with which humans interact and ingest. These, along with other indirect avenues leading to EDC exposure, pose a threat to both human health and to the health of wildlife and agricultural environments. Studies on the effects of EDCs on plants can be substantially informative and necessary for progress towards solving the …

The Epigenetic Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Tanner Jeffrey Bakhshi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma. It is an aggressive cancer, with 50-70% of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage and 30-50% of patients not cured by chemoimmunotherapy. DLBCL is almost always caused by genetic damage sustained during the germinal center (GC) reaction. The mechanisms that govern the GC reaction bear a striking resemblance to those that drive DLBCL. Genomic studies have shown that some of its most common mutations occur in genes that encode epigenetic modifiers, including the lysine (histone) acetyltransferases CREBBP and p300. These mutations prevent the acetylation of multiple histone residues, …

School Climate For Lgbtq Youth: Principals’ Perceptions And Experiences, Jessica L. George

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study explored the practices that can mitigate a hostile school climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth and the barriers that negatively affect implementation of those practices. LGBTQ youth are at higher risk for bullying, harassment, and other characteristics of a harsh learning environment, which can result in negative outcomes, both short- and long-term. Principals of West Virginia public high schools were surveyed to collect data on the frequency at which LGBTQ-supportive practices are implemented in their schools and the barriers, if any, they faced. A total of n = 29 (x̄ = 27.6%) participants completed …

A Water Quality And Contaminant Source Assessment Of Arbuckle Creek In Fayette County, West Virginia, Sarah Ashby Simonton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Arbuckle Creek, located in Minden, West Virginia, is a stream that runs through Oak Hill, WV and is characterized by the presence of the Oak Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant and the history of the contamination of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) from the copious amount of contamination from the Shaffer Equipment Site and the pollution from mining completed in the area throughout the 1900’s. In order to assess the reaches of the current water quality, samples were collected and assessed for benthic macroinvertebrates, water parameters, benthic algae, and habitat. This was accomplished using the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) agency’s …

Waccamaw Mollusca Review Copy Pt. 8: Galeommatoidea, Cardidae, & Tellinoidea, Timothy Campbell

A Photographic Guide to the Gelasian (Early Pleistocene) Mollusca of Southeastern North Carolina

The Lower Waccamaw Formation contains a rich basal Pleistocene (early Gelasian, 2.4-2.0 million years old) fauna with an extreme abundance and diversity of mollusks (>90% of the fossils and 900+ species) in addition to various echinoderms, arthropods, annelids, corals, bryozoans, and vertebrates. Based upon the ranges of the extant species, the climate seems to have been warmer than today. This diverse subtropical fauna can be found in patches in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. It is roughly equivalent to the modern fauna of central South Carolina to North Florida, however, there was dramatic faunal turnover about 1.7 …

Lower Waccamaw Formation Review Copy Pt. Iii: Neogastropoda Incertae Sedis, Buccinoidea, & Muricidae, Timothy Campbell

A Photographic Guide to the Gelasian (Early Pleistocene) Mollusca of Southeastern North Carolina

The Lower Waccamaw Formation contains a rich basal Pleistocene (early Gelasian, 2.4-2.0 million years old) fauna with an extreme abundance and diversity of mollusks (>90% of the fossils and 900+ species) in addition to various echinoderms, arthropods, annelids, corals, bryozoans, and vertebrates. Based upon the ranges of the extant species, the climate seems to have been warmer than today. This diverse subtropical fauna can be found in patches in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. It is roughly equivalent to the modern fauna of central South Carolina to North Florida, however, there was dramatic faunal turnover about 1.7 …

Waccamaw Mollusca Review Copy Pt. Ii: Truncatelloidea, Vanikoroidea, Calyptraeidae, Cypraeoidea, Personidae, Ficidae & Xenophoridae, Timothy Campbell

A Photographic Guide to the Gelasian (Early Pleistocene) Mollusca of Southeastern North Carolina

The Lower Waccamaw Formation contains a rich basal Pleistocene (early Gelasian, 2.4-2.0 million years old) fauna with an extreme abundance and diversity of mollusks (>90% of the fossils and 900+ species, of which I illustrate 743) in addition to various echinoderms, arthropods, annelids, corals, bryozoans, and vertebrates. Based upon the ranges of the extant species, the climate seems to have been warmer than today. This diverse subtropical fauna can be found in patches in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. It is roughly equivalent to the modern fauna of central South Carolina to North Florida, however, there was …

Bridging Communication Disparities Between Medical Vendors And Healthcare Value Analysis Projects, Rose Rickrode

Education Projects

Vendor Value Analysis Consulting (Vendor-VAC) is represented by an online website created programmatically by Scarlett’s Web, Inc., at https://vendor-vac. This site has been developed to assist healthcare vendors who are seeking to properly market and present their products and/or services in a healthcare environment. Although vendors obtain personal visitation certifications in order to frequent a medical facility, their products and/or services must also be reviewed and technically certified via a defined criteria to be eligible for purchase. These standards are varied but specific to each organization and include assessment routes that fluctuate according to location and management. These diverse evaluation …

Ethnography: Building A Thriving Classroom Community In The Face Of A Pandemic, Joshua Timothy Jackson

Claremont Graduate University School of Education Teacher Education

A dive into the ride of a first-year teacher, which was also taught an entire year virtually. An extremely intensive look into the skills needed to grow as a secondary school teacher, in a situation that has never been experienced before. This paper also explores the foundations and scaffolds a teacher needs in order to become both a critical and socially just educator for all students within their classroom. The aspect of community is felt heavily throughout this journey, and the idea that communities are the very keystone of every single classroom; student-to-teacher community, student-to-student community, and classroom-to-household community are …

Hope In A Time Of Global Unrest: An Ethnographic Study, Sabrina Hanson

Claremont Graduate University School of Education Teacher Education

This paper documents the observations, struggles, and insights of a first year teacher. It is a year-long documentation of the search for hope during a global pandemic that affected the way schools functioned and how students learned. This work is in three distinct sections. The first section is a self-reflection of identity and why this teacher chose teaching as a profession. The second section is focused on two of their students, one who is immunocompromised, and one who has significant learning challenges, and how they navigated the quarantine during the pandemic through their expression of learning. The third section reflects …

Data Trends 2020-2021, Office Of Institutional Research, Seton Hall University

Fact Books

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of An Acidified-Gypsum Mixture On Broiler Litter Urease-Producing Bacteria And Nitrogen Mineralization, Taylor Chapman, Christopher D. Burt, Dave Bachoon, Miguel L. Cabrera, Christopher Horacek

Graduate Research Showcase

Broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) production is one of the largest agricultural sectors in the state of Georgia. Broiler litter produced by broiler facilities is rich in organic nitrogen (N), specifically urea, which can be mineralized by poultry litter urease-producing bacteria (PLUP) forming ammoniacal-N (NH₃/NH₄⁺). A large portion of NH₃/NH₄⁺ can be lost as ammonia (NH₃) gas, which negatively impacts bird health and profitability. The release of NH₃ from litter is strongly influenced by the pH of the litter. Flue-gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) has been suggested …

Environmental Optima For An Ecosystem Engineer: A Multidisciplinary Trait-Based Approach, Amelia Curd, Aurélien Boyé, Céline Cordier, Fabrice Pernet, Louise B. Firth, Laura E. Bush, Andrew J. Davies, Fernando P. Lima, Claudia Meneghesso, Claudie Quéré, Rui Seabra, Mickaël Vasquez, Stanislas F. Dubois

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

A complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors underpins the distribution of species and operates across different levels of biological organization and life history stages. Understanding ecosystem engineer reproductive traits is critical for comprehending and managing the biodiversity-rich habitats they create. Little is known about how the reproduction of the reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata, varies across environmental gradients. By integrating broad-scale environmental data with in-situ physiological data in the form of biochemical traits, we identified and ranked the drivers of intraspecific reproductive trait variability (ITV). ITV was highest in locations with variable environmental conditions, subjected to fluctuating temperature and …

Long-Term Observations Reveal Environmental Conditions And Food Supply Mechanisms At An Arctic Deep-Sea Sponge Ground, Ulrike Hanz, Emyr Martyn Roberts, Gerard Duineveld, Andrew J. Davies, Hans Van Haren, Hans Torre Rapp, Gert-Jan Reichart, Furu Mienis

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Deep-sea sponge grounds are hotspots of benthic biomass and diversity. To date, very limited data exist on the range of environmental conditions in areas containing deep-sea sponge grounds and which factors are driving their distribution and sustenance. We investigated oceanographic conditions at a deep-sea sponge ground located on an Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge seamount. Hydrodynamic measurements were performed along Conductivity-Temperature-Depth transects, and a lander was deployed within the sponge ground that recorded near-bottom physical properties as well as vertical fluxes of organic matter over an annual cycle. The data demonstrate that the sponge ground is found at water temperatures of −0.5°C …

Systemic Mycorrhiza-Induced Resistance In Blackeyed Pea, Tyler J. Bennett

2021 Graduate Presentations

No abstract provided.

Prolonged Environmental Enrichment Promotes Developmental Myelination., Evan Z Goldstein, Vera Pertsovskaya, Thomas A Forbes, Jeffrey L Dupree, Vittorio Gallo

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Postnatal neurodevelopment is profoundly influenced by environmental experiences. Environmental enrichment is a commonly used experimental paradigm that has uncovered numerous examples of experience-dependent plasticity in health and disease. However, the role of environmental enrichment in normal development, especially glial development, is largely unexplored. Oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming glia in the central nervous system, provide metabolic support to axons and establish efficient saltatory conduction by producing myelin. Indeed, alterations in myelin are strongly correlated with sensory, cognitive, and motor function. The timing of developmental myelination is uniquely positioned to be influenced by environmental stimuli, as peak myelination occurs postnatally and continues into …

Sex-Specific Social Behavior And Amygdala Proteomic Deficits In, Maria Jesus Herrero, Li Wang, David Hernandez-Pineda, Payal Banerjee, Heidi Y. Matos, Meredith Goodrich, Aswini Panigrahi, Nathan Anthony Smith, Joshua G. Corbin

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

In humans, mutations in the transcription factor encoding gene, FOXP2, are associated with language and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the latter characterized by deficits in social interactions. However, little is known regarding the function of Foxp2 in male or female social behavior. Our previous studies in mice revealed high expression of Foxp2 within the medial subnucleus of the amygdala (MeA), a limbic brain region highly implicated in innate social behaviors such as mating, aggression, and parental care. Here, using a comprehensive panel of behavioral tests in male and female Foxp2 +/- heterozygous mice, we investigated the role Foxp2 plays …

Fusion, 2021, George Washington University, William H. Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society

Fusion

No abstract provided.

The Power Of Familial Relationships In Melusine, Natalie Bollig

2021 Undergraduate Presentations

No abstract provided.

Cannabigerol Effects On Body And Liver Weights In Methionine- & Choline- Deficient Diet Induced Nash Mice Model, Ashley Snell, Taylor Tesch

2021 Undergraduate Presentations

No abstract provided.

Drinking Water Quality And Provision In Six Low-Income, Peri-Urban Communities Of Lusaka, Zambia, Kristen M. Reaver, Jonathan Levy, Imasiku Nyambe, M. Cameron Hay, Sam Mutiti, Rodwell Chandipo, Joseph Meiman

Faculty and Staff Works

Lusaka, Zambia, is a rapidly growing city located on a vulnerable karstic dolomite aquifer that provides most of the city's drinking water. Over 65% of residents live in peri-urban communities with inadequate sanitation leading to widespread groundwater contamination and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera. To fill the water service gap, Water Trusts were created: public/private partnerships designed to provide clean water to peri-urban community residents. Water Trusts extract groundwater via boreholes, treat it with chlorine, and distribute it to residents via public kiosks. We investigated the efficacy of drinking water provision to residents in six of Lusaka's …

Swk 225: Case Vignettes, Erin Stevenson

SWK 225: Human Behavior in the Social Environment OER Collection

Case Vignettes for SWK 225: Human Behavior in the Social Environment course.

Designed around the open access textbook Human Behavior and the Social Environment I, by Dr. Susan Tyler.