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Effects Of Covid-19 On Global Research In Stem, Michelle Hoang, Santanu De

Biology Faculty Articles

A global public health emergency like the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires accurate and timely data collection in the research community. High impact research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been prioritized in the fight against COVID-19. The present study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on STEM research and the collaboration between global research institutions and industries. It was noted that COVID-19 had caused significant delays in non-COVID-19-related research projects and the onset of several remote studies. Most importantly, researchers in the STEM fields directed their attention and expertise to help mitigate virus transmission, treat patients, …

Hawai‘I Forest Review: Synthesizing The Ecology, Evolution, And Conservation Of A Model System, Kasey E. Barton, Andrea Westerband, Rebecca Ostertag, Elizabeth Stacy, Kawika Winter, Donald R. Drake, Lucas Berio Fortini, Creighton M. Litton, Susan Cordell, Paul Krushelnycky, Kapua Kawelo, Kealoha Feliciano, Gordon Bennett, Tiffany Knight

Life Sciences Faculty Research

As the most remote archipelago in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are home to a highly endemic and disharmonic biota that has fascinated biologists for centuries. Forests are the dominant terrestrial biome in Hawai‘i, spanning complex, heterogeneous climates across substrates that vary tremendously in age, soil structure, and nutrient availability. Species richness is low in Hawaiian forests compared to other tropical forests, as a consequence of dispersal limitation from continents and adaptive radiations in only some lineages, and forests are dominated by the widespread Metrosideros species complex. Low species richness provides a relatively tractable model system for studies of community …

Comparative Dna Degradation Automation For Identifinders, Jennifer Pfaff

Theses

The degradation of DNA in forensic genetic genealogy can hinder timely results in victim or perpetrator identification. Identification of an unidentified victim, a “Doe”, involves analyzing the degraded DNA against reference genomes. Organizations like the DNA Doe Project and Identifinders currently manually compares the genomes in a spreadsheet with data input slowing down the investigative process. I propose a program to automate the data input and comparison to increase the speed at which Identifinders can continue their research into identifying victims. Comparative DNA Degradation Automation (CDDA) automates the process of creating a simulated degraded DNA profile in less than a …

The Influence Of Herbivory On Macrophyte Community Structure And Nitrogen Retention In Created Wetlands, Evan Squier

Theses

Wetlands are frequently created to mitigate the loss of natural wetlands due to commercial expansion. However, wetland ecosystem function is determined by complex abiotic and biotic interactions that are not well understood in natural wetlands, and even less so in created wetlands. This lack of understanding may lead to shortcomings in meeting desired restoration outcomes. Key abiotic drivers in wetlands include hydrology and nutrient availability, while herbivory provides both direct and indirect controls on plant communities and biogeochemical cycling. I hypothesized that by decreasing emergent plant biomass and shifting plant community structure to favor submerged plants, large grazers such as …

Patient Reported Outcomes In Sickle Cell Disease Examined Within A Conceptual Model, Swapandeep Mushiana, Marsha Treadwell Phd, Sherif M. Badawy Md, Ms, Liliana Preiss Phd, Allison King Md Mph Phd, Barbara Kroner Phd, Yumie Chen Bs, Jeffrey Glassberg, Victor Gordeuk Md, Nirmish Shah Md, Angie Snyder Phd Mph, Theodore Wun Md

Doctoral Dissertations

Objective: To examine the relations between patient reported outcomes (PROs) within a conceptual model for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) ages 18 – 45 years enrolled in the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium (SCDIC) registry. We hypothesized that patient and SCD related factors and barriers to care would independently contribute to functioning as measured using the PRO domains. Additionally, pain and other SCD related complications are expected to impact the relation between the variables. Methods: Participants completed a 48-item survey that included socio-demographics and PRO measures, such as social functioning, pain impact emotional distress, and cognitive functioning. …

Reconstructing The Changes In Sedimentation And Source Provenance In East African Hydropower Reservoirs: A Case Study Of Nyumba Ya Mungu In Tanzania, Aloyce I.M. Amasi, Maarten Wynants, Remegius A. Kawalla, Shovi Sawe, Linus Munishi, William H. Blake, Kelvin M. Mtei

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

This study aimed to reconstruct the sedimentation rates over time and identify the changing sources of sediment in a major hydropower reservoir in Tanzania, the Nyumba ya Mungu (NYM). Fallout 210Pb measurements were used to estimate age of sediment deposits and broad changes in sedimentation rates were reconstructed. Sedimentation peaks were cross referenced to geochemical profiles of allogenic and autogenic elemental constituents of the sediment column to confirm a causal link. Finally, geochemical fingerprinting of the sediment cores and potential sources were compared using a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) to attribute the dominant riverine and land use sources to the …

Ms. Myron Leshun White

African American Funeral Programs

Ms_Myron_LeShun_White.pdf - Funeral program for Myron White

The Importance Of Phase In Biological Signals., Fatma Abou-Chadi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In this paper, the important of phase in the context of biological signals is highlightened. Techniques for manipulating the phase spectral values prior to its use are illustrated and several approaches to exploit the role of phase statistics in biological signal analysis and feature extraction are discussed.

Morphology Of Socially Assistive Robots For Health And Social Care: A Reflection On 24 Months Of Research With Anthropomorphic, Zoomorphic And Mechanomorphic Devices, Hannah L. Bradwell, Rhona Winnington, Serge Thill, Ray B. Jones

School of Nursing and Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Measuring Research Performance Of 19th Century British Era Universities Of Indian Subcontinent, Imran Hussain, Abid Iqbal, Vaseem Jaweed, Yasir Javed, Shakil Ahmad

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the research productivity of universities established by the British rulers during the 19^th century in un-divided Indian sub-continent. Another objective of the study is to explore the collaboration patterns and to perform impact analysis on the research produced by the studied universities.

Methods: Bibliometric method was used to perform this analysis on the data retrieved from Scopus database. Research yield of studied universities in the form of bibliographic records of research publications was the sample of this study.

Results: Chemistry was the most published subject area in the studied universities. Researchers in the …

Supporting Community Action With Science To Balance Pastoral Livelihoods And Wildlife Conservation In Savannas Of East Africa, R. Reid, D. Nkedianye, M. Said, D. Kaelo, M. Neselle, O. Makui, L. Onetu, P. Kristjanson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

The Design Of A Consciousness‐Raising Campaign Against An Invasive Species In Uruguay Grasslands — The Case Of Eragrostis Plana Nees, Marcelo Pereira Machín

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Farmers Field School Technology Extension Approach Increases Grassland Productivity And Improves Spiritual And Socio‐Economic Welfare Of Communities In Kenya, Apollo B. Orodho, Arwyn Bailey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Multi‐Stakeholder Engagement In Savanna Management In Eastern Indonesia, Bronwyn A. Myers, Rohan P. Fisher, Josef Maan, Agus Rawambaku, John Asbanu, Onni Benyamin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

A Nomenclature For Echinoderm Genes., Thomas R Beatman, Katherine M Buckley, Gregory A. Cary, Veronica F Hinman, Charles A Ettensohn

Faculty Research 2021

Echinoderm embryos and larvae are prominent experimental model systems for studying developmental mechanisms. High-quality, assembled, annotated genome sequences are now available for several echinoderm species, including representatives from most classes. The increased availability of these data necessitates the development of a nomenclature that assigns universally interpretable gene symbols to echinoderm genes to facilitate cross-species comparisons of gene functions, both within echinoderms and across other phyla. This paper describes the implementation of an improved set of echinoderm gene nomenclature guidelines that both communicates meaningful orthology information in protein-coding gene symbols and names and establishes continuity with nomenclatures developed for major vertebrate …

Between Physicalism And The New Dualism: The Moral Relevance Of The Human Body For Catholic Ethics, David J. Demboski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One could argue the remarkable changes to the landscape of Catholic moral theology over the course of the twentieth century were unparalleled in the history of the Church. Animated by anthropological and pastoral concerns, competing schools of Catholic ethicists introduced novel interpretations of natural law that sought to do greater justice to the entirety of the human person, not merely the physical dimension that tended to be emphasized throughout the manualist era. These unique and competing perspectives that emerged in the middle of the 1900s, found in the revisionist school and the New Natural Law Theory school, shaped the topography …

The Development And Optimization Of A Two-Dimensional Lc-Qqq-Ms-Method For The Combined Analysis Of Synthetic Cannabinoids And Designer Cathinones In Urine, Holly Penefsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The compounds and chemical compositions of synthetic cannabinoids and designer cathinones are designed to mimic the intoxicating effects of D⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamines, respectively. In order to skirt existing drug laws, non-controlled ingredients are used, and the original chemical structures of current drugs are being modified using analogs or derivatives. These continually changing chemical compositions pose a problem for policymakers, and forensic and analytical scientists, as users are able to attain a “legal high” and avoid detection in standard drug screens. Commonly, toxicology laboratories utilize a screening method, such as immunoassay, for the presumptive identification of designer drugs. When …

Trauma Informed Care In Alternative Education Settings, Cydney V. Quinn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schools are considered to be the primary location for providing children with prevention and treatment for mental health symptoms, however, it is well documented that children’s mental health needs remain underserved. Especially at risk are children who have experienced trauma and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Many children in this group are subject to disciplinary action, and are often removed from primary classrooms to alternative education placements (AEP) in an effort to manage behaviors. Therefore, it is important that alternative education teachers are trained in trauma-informed care (TIC). While it may be presumed that AEP staff would be well-versed in …

School Choice Considerations Of Black Parents Of Students With Dis/Abilities, Jaleah Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Forty-four states and Washington, D.C. have passed legislation to expand school choice options for students and families (Cardine, 2019). In addition to a student’s assigned neighborhood school, one may enact choice by way of tax credits, charter schools, vouchers, relocation, and through other means, depending on where one lives. The act of choosing a school has been simplified by some to economic principles of competition and consumer satisfaction. What research has shown, however, is enacting school choice is much more complex and commonly intertwined with concepts of race, class, and ability (Ellison & Aloe, 2019). Academic quality (Mavrogordato & Stein, …

Development Of A Combined Feedforward-Feedback Quality Control System For Extended-Release Granules Using A Quality By Design Approach, Yuxiang Zhao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives

For a fluid bed film coating process to consistently deliver quality products, its control system needs to be robust against the variability of input materials and environmental disturbances. Presently, limited studies have been reported to understand the effects and interactions of the material attributes, environmental variables, and process parameters on the product in vitro drug dissolution. A control system can be developed with a proper understanding of the coating process, by adjusting the process parameters in feedback and feedforward manners to compensate for the undesired effect caused by disturbances, and ensure consistent product quality.

Methods

The control system was …

Examining The Effectiveness Of An Intervention Package That Combines Behavior Contract And Token Economy In Decreasing Out-Of-Seat Behaviors In Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Saudi Arabia, Manal Alsheef

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) often exhibit disruptive behaviors in classroom, including out-of-seat behaviors, which have been found to negatively affect their overall academic achievement and social interactions and relationships with parents, typically developing peers and teachers, and increase the likelihood of being suspended or dropping out of school. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an intervention package that included behavior contract and token economy on out-of-seat behaviors in three elementary school students with EBD (aged 7 and 8) in Saudi Arabia, where the effects of this intervention package has not been studied …

Impacts Of Oil And Gas Wastes On Landfill Leachate, Sewage Treatment Plants, And The Environment, Lauren Badertscher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Between January 2011 and March 2021 oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania produced

305,637,795 barrels of liquid waste and 6,992,957 tons of solid waste with the majority from

Marcellus Shale unconventional wells. This waste is not considered hazardous and over 89% of

the solid waste generated by unconventional and conventional oil and gas extraction has been

disposed of in landfills over the past decade. This study examined trends in the quantity of waste

produced and methods of disposal. Landfills accepting this waste were identified and their

general method of leachate treatment, using onsite facilities or offsite at wastewater treatment

plants, …

Identification Of Fluoxetine-Sert Interactions And Apo-Sert Studies Via Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry, Elizabeth Castellano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a member of the neurotransmitter sodium symporter family of transporters. SERT controls the magnitude and duration of serotonergic neurotransmission by facilitating the reuptake of serotonin back into the pre-synaptic neuron and is thus a target for antidepressants. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, are commonly prescribed to treat depression. SSRIs act by blocking reuptake and prolonging serotonin signaling. However, significant problems regarding selectivity and mechanisms of action of these drugs remain unresolved. The structures of SERT and related transporters have been determined and serve as useful structural models. However, they are typically mutated …

Making Space And Place For African American Women At Predominately White Institutions, Nubia Hewitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study utilized a critical race studies approach to explore the lived experiences of African American women undergraduate students at a predominantly White institution. The purpose of this study is to investigate challenges experienced by African American women at these institutions, and the support they require in order to develop a sense of belonging at these institutions.

Five African American women undergraduate students from Incline University (pseudonym) were selected to participate in this research study using criterion sampling (Patton, 2002). Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed through an interruptive phenomenological approach (Creswell, 1998; Merriam & Associates, 2002; …

A Phenomenology Of Challenging Psychedelic Experiences: From Relational Trauma To Relational Healing, Leland Guthrie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Psychedelic medicine is a re-emerging therapeutic paradigm with potentially significant clinical applications. This study contributes to an understanding of the aspects of challenging psychedelic experiences that may contribute to therapeutic outcomes. Interview and written data from five participants about their challenging Ayahuasca experiences was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results of this analysis revealed a phenomenological structure of challenging psychedelic experiences consisting of a change process that moved the participants from a sense of disconnection to a sense of connection with themselves, others, nature and the cosmos. Findings from the study suggest that challenging psychedelic experiences may be …

Development Of A Microfluidic Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assay For Real-Timeviscosity Measurements Of Blood, Shay Kent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blood coagulation disorders are malfunctions in the body’s ability to control blood clotting. It can result in either insufficient clotting causing an increased risk of bleeding or excessive clotting obstructing blood flow. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of coagulopathies is an important, unmet need in the clinical setting. Rapidly identifying the source of bleeding, either acquired or inherited, is critical to reduce the risk of major blood loss and deliver personalized hemostatic therapies. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays, or VHAs, deliver an effective solution to the diagnosis of coagulopathies by evaluating global hemostatic function using whole blood rather than plasma. VHAs are …

The Role Of Mek1/2 And Mek5 In Melatonin-Mediated Actions On Osteoblasts And Osteoclasts Differentiation, Bone Formation, Bone Microarchitecture, And Bone Biomechanics, Fahima Akter Munmun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Melatonin, the main endogenous hormone to entrain the circadian system, is not limited to its role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle; rather, it affects a wide variety of systems involving antioxidant, anti-inflammation, blood pressure regulation, seasonal reproduction, ovarian physiology, and immune function. Driven by the diversity of its action, melatonin for a long time has also been studied in the field of bone and mineral research both clinically and pre-clinically. Exogenous administration of melatonin in clinical trials in perimenopausal women (MOPS; NCT01152580); or postmenopausal women with osteopenia (MelaOST; NCT01690000 and MOTS; NCT01870115) confirmed improvement of bone mineral density (BMD) (MelaOST; …

Different Strokes: A Critical Race Discourse Analysis Of The Experiences Of Four Black Women Rowing For A Predominantly White Institution (Pwi), Carol Schoenecker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collegiate athletics has the remarkable ability to serve as a catalyst for positive and widespread social change and identity formation. For Black women, the formation of identity comes with the added intersections of race and gender in addition to sport. Collegiate rowing is one of the most heavily scholarshipped sports coming out of the passing of Title IX legislation in 1972 and requires no previous rowing experience for participation (Garran, 2012). Despite the opportunity for rowing to serve as an access point for innumerable young athletes to obtain financial and social support through a pathway to higher education, there remains …

Towards A "Universal Chemical Biology Toolbox" For Tackling Human Diseases, Christopher Swank

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A lack of new drug targets and drug mechanisms, coupled with drug-pipeline attrition, represent significant problems in oncology drug discovery. Towards addressing this challenge, “fully-functionalized small-molecule probes” (FFSMPs) have been established, which are compounds that can be immediately used as “bait” to capture their protein targets under the same assay conditions used for oncology-based phenotypic screening. Specifically, each FFSMP library member contains one or more structural-diversity elements to promote interactions of the probe with different protein targets in living cells, an electrophile or photoreactive functional group for covalent attachment of the probe to interacting proteins via affinity or photoaffinity labeling, …

Developing A Teacher Professional Development Activity With Social Learning Theory To Address Educators’ Attitudes, Knowledge, And Skills In Working With Lgbtqia+ Youth, Jacob Wadsworth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is well documented that children who identify as a sexual minority or as gender-non-conforming are at an increased likelihood to experience adverse events and risk factors that can make it difficult to function in the community, home, and school environments. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth report high levels of bullying and victimization with little or no effective intervention from teachers in schools. Research shows that not only are teachers ill-prepared to effectively intervene, but also they engage in homophobic behavior that contribute to a negative school climate. Previous literature shows that there is …