Digital Commons Network^™

Unpure: Serving The Purity Culture Deconstruction Community, Julia Capizzi

Capstones

Unpure: Serving the Purity Culture Deconstruction Community is an in-depth understanding of how engagement journalism can serve those who are deconstructing, or unlearning, harmful religious beliefs around sex and sexuality.

The Science And Practice Of Coping With Pet Loss, Michayla Savitt

Capstones

Losing a pet can have a huge impact on a household - including humans and pets alike. This mixed multimedia project works to capture this multimedia project exploring how loss manifests in the home after a pet’s passing — and how we remember our pets after they’re gone. It’s done through short non-narrative documentaries from multiple pet owners, along with insight from a mental health expert, and animal behaviorists. I’ve incorporated research around pets having grief-like reactions to a companion animal, in addition to why grieving a pet is so painful, and how pet grief often doesn’t fit in with …

Eavesdropping On Animals: Can Bioacoustics Help Save Species?, Zoe Grueskin

Capstones

Around the world, scientists are using sound to study the natural world in a growing field called bioacoustics. Researchers are eavesdropping on frogs and fish, elephants and earthworms, and many hope what they hear can inform and inspire conservation action around the world. From the field’s auspicious beginning with accidentally-recorded whales, to researchers today listening to locations as diverse as the Arctic seafloor and India’s Western Ghats mountain range, this capstone project explores the potential — and limitations — of conservation bioacoustics. Read the story, see photos and listen to audio pieces featuring three bioacousticians and their field recordings here: …

Preservando La Playa Del Pueblo, Tasha A. Sandoval

Capstones

After more than 80 years, the only queer beach in New York City, the People’s Beach at Jacob Riis, is in danger. In 2022, the city announced the demolition of the Neponsit Hospital, a long-abandoned structure that shelters the beach from the street, creating a sense of privacy and safety. Can Riis Beach live on as a safe and joyous utopia for queer communities without the presence of the hospital buildings? Some beach-goers are campaigning to ensure that whatever replaces the hospital space centers the queer community and preserves the beach’s queer history, including the legacy of Ms. Colombia, a …

New York City’S Wage Theft Crisis, Amanda Rozon

Capstones

In New York City, all workers regardless of citizenship status are granted the same rights under New York State labor laws. But in the construction industry, undocumented immigrant workers who are reluctant to report violations are at risk of being exploited by their employers and often fall victim to wage theft. Despite efforts by the city and local immigrant rights organizations, wage theft remains high; according to a study by the Center For Popular Democracy, New Yorkers are cheated out of roughly $3 billion annually. https://medium.com/@amanda.rozon37/new-york-citys-wage-theft-crisis-9595917491ce

Charting The Rise Of The Queer Criminal Trope In The Age Of “Peak Tv”, Natalie I. Rash

Capstones

Two shows in 2022 dipped their toes into the world of the queer mobster, an age-old trope seen in film and television since the days of film noir cinema, but that is also rooted in a real and complicated history in film, television and real-life.

https://medium.com/@natalie.rash74/charting-the-rise-of-the-queer-criminal-trope-in-the-age-of-peak-tv-c1f58dc71cc6

A Lifetime Of Heroin Addiction: Jose Hernandez's Story, Pumla Kalipa

Capstones

Jose Hernandez is a 55 year old Hispanic man who has been battling with heroin and other illicit-drug abuse for over 30 years. In this story we spend time with him to understand what his daily struggles are and how he uses heroin to cope with certain life stressors. This mini-documentary and short story is also meant to inform the public about substance abuse and how to get help if needed. https://pumlakalipa01.exposure.co/a-lifetime-of-heroin-addiction?source=share-pumlakalipa01

Secondhand Shopping Is Now The Coolest Way To Get Your Clothes, Camryn Quick

Capstones

Shopping secondhand has experienced an uptick in popularity in the past few years. There are a few reasons for this, all of which are examined in the project. One reason for the increase in secondhand shoppers is the daunting news about the state of our environment. Another reason, perhaps even more powerful than the fear of environmental collapse, is that thrifting has become a fashion phenomenon showcased and distributed throughout social media apps like TikTok. Essentially, shopping secondhand has become cool. This project explores these driving forces behind the thrifting boom, as well as the possible impacts, including "thrift store …

In The U.S., Mena People Are Legally White. But Their Lived Experiences Say Otherwise, Youcef O. Bounab

Capstones

The U.S. Government classifies people whose origins are from the Middle East and North Africa as racially “white.” This is reflected in the decennial census, as well as in other questionnaires and forms, even as many among those groups prefer to have their own categorization. In this feature article, we explore the history of the issue, how individuals from those backgrounds would prefer to identify, and whether their lived experiences in a post-9/11 United States reflect their current categorization.

Wellness That Doesn’T Work. When Lifestyle Apps Lead To Disordered Eating., Aurelie G. Muntzel

Capstones

Fitness and dieting are nothing new, but what makes the latest generation of dieting apps that pair with smart watch devices which track your nutrition and biometric data so different is how much easier they can lead you towards disordered eating. This capstone explores how corporate incentives drive diet apps to co-opt the language of wellness discourse in order to attract the Gen Z market, while selling a product that equates healthiness to a number on a scale.

Censorship And Vandalism Of Palestinian Murals In San Francisco, Paisley Trent

Capstones

This capstone project is about some notable instances of censorship and vandalism of murals and street art in San Francisco by Palestinian artists and about Palestinian culture and resistance to Israel's ongoing occupation. Link to capstone project: https://ptrent72.github.io/protected_capstone/

Cover, Masthead & Contents

Journal of Civil Law Studies

No abstract provided.

Performatives In Argentine Supreme Court Dissents: A Jurilinguistic Proposal For Civilian Change Based On The American Common Law, Mariano Vitetta

Journal of Civil Law Studies

This article explores a linguistic defect in how Argentine Supreme Court dissents are written. The reader of these dissents has a hard time distinguishing between a majority opinion and a dissenting opinion, because dissents are written “as if” they were deciding the case. The confusion results from the use of performative language in dissents when adherence to reality and a plain-language approach require modal verbs reflecting the language of suggestion. This is actually the way dissents are expressed in the United States, the jurisdiction from which the Argentine Supreme Court copied its constitutional design. To make the case against the …

Cole V. Thomas, Macy P. Spencer

Journal of Civil Law Studies

No abstract provided.

Decreasing Hospital Acquired Pneumonia In Adult Patients By Patient Care Technicians: Education With A Focus On Oral Care And Tooth Brushing, Amanda Nicole Lee

Master's Projects and Capstones

Hospital acquired pneumonia’s (HAPs) are unfortunate and preventable events quality improvement efforts should focus on. At a Northern California Hospital, there was an unmet HAP rate goal of 2.3 (20 out of 8795 patients) against a target goal of 2. This increase in HAP rates, both non-ventilated and ventilated was a call to action to reduce HAP to the target goal. The quality improvement project specifically aimed to reduce HAP rates on medical-surgical units through an ultra-brief refresher on the hospital validated and endorsed ROUTE bundle. The education focused on oral care completed by the patient care technicians (PCT’s). The …

Esp In Nursing: Building Communicative Competence For Internationally-Educated Nurses, Sami Vuong

Master's Projects and Capstones

The nursing shortage in the United States has been an ongoing issue due to nursing burnout and retirement. Together with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has further exhausted the healthcare system’s resources and healthcare providers. In order to sustain the healthcare system in society, a large number of internationally educated nurses (IENs) have been transferred to work in the United States. As a result of different nursing practices, cultures, and communication styles, many IENs experience language and cultural barriers at work. Difficulty in communication influences the quality of patient care provided, which can lead to negative health outcomes for patients and …

An Optimized Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Protocol Using Staph-Seq For Analyzing Genome-Wide Protein-Dna Interactions., Fang Tao, Egidy Rhonda, Xi He, John M. Perry, Linheng Li

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Genome-wide mapping of transcription factors (TFs) is critical to understand their functions. In chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq assay, it's challenging to study recruitment of low-abundant TFs transiently boud to the genome. Here, we present an optimized protocol using ChIP Next-Gen Seq Sepharose (Staph-seq) to efficiently pull down chromatin complexes. The double size selection promotes sensitive capture of genome-wide protein-DNA associations while eliminating potential Staph A contamination, which is a common problem in protocols using Staph A cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tao et al. (2020).

United States Pharmacopeia (Usp) <800> Standards: Increasing Compliance Of Safe Handling And Proper Administration Of Usp General Chapter <800> Drugs, Katelyn N. Sinclair

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: United States Pharmacopeia (USP) developed a set of standards to minimize exposure risks to patients, healthcare workers, and the environment when preparing, handling, and administering hazardous drugs (HDs) known as USP <800> HDs. The guidelines became effective December 1, 2019, but additional information is needed to ensure healthcare personnel are complying with the standards.

Context: Two medical surgical units from Hospital A were included in this project. Currently mandatory online modules about USP <800> standards are provided annually to every healthcare worker, but it is unknown if the policies and procedures are being followed appropriately.

Interventions: Active and passive observations as …

In Vivo Characterization Of Glutamine Metabolism Identifies Therapeutic Targets In Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Akash K Kaushik, Amy Tarangelo, Lindsey K Boroughs, Mukundan Ragavan, Yuanyuan Zhang, Cheng-Yang Wu, Xiangyi Li, Kristen Ahumada, Jui-Chung Chiang, Vanina T Tcheuyap, Faeze Saatchi, Quyen N Do, Cissy Yong, Tracy Rosales, Christina Stevens, Aparna D Rao, Brandon Faubert, Panayotis Pachnis, Lauren G Zacharias, Hieu Vu, Feng Cai, Thomas P Mathews, Giannicola Genovese, Barbara S Slusher, Payal Kapur, Xiankai Sun, Matthew Merritt, James Brugarolas, Ralph J Deberardinis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we analyzed the metabolism of patient-derived xenografts (tumorgrafts) from diverse subtypes of RCC. Tumorgrafts from VHL-mutant clear cell RCC (ccRCC) retained metabolic features of human ccRCC and engaged in oxidative and reductive glutamine metabolism. Genetic silencing of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 impaired reductive labeling of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in vivo and suppressed growth of tumors generated from tumorgraft-derived cells. Glutaminase inhibition reduced the contribution of glutamine to the TCA cycle and resulted in modest suppression of tumorgraft growth. Infusions with …

The Effects Of Active Shootings On 4-H Youth And Families, Melinda Garcia, Elizabeth Gangwer

Journal of Extension

The effects of active shootings should be a priority to provide needed assistance to 4-H youth and families in coping with their social-emotional well-being. Exposure to such violence can lead to lasting impacts on youth that can affect behavior. Addressing this sensitive topic is crucial in ensuring that Extension professionals are prepared to meet the needs of youth and families. Higher rates of depression, aggression, to name a few, are a result of having witnessed such events as a shooting. Providing training for Extension personnel can aid in reducing the amount of PTSD and other social-emotional trauma.

Protocol For Mathematical Prediction Of Patient Response And Survival To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy, Joseph D Butner, Maguy Farhat, Vittorio Cristini, Caroline Chung, Zhihui Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This protocol describes the application of a mechanistic mathematical model of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy to patient tumor imaging data for predicting solid tumor response and patient survival under ICI intervention. We describe steps for data collection and processing, data pipelines, and approaches to increase precision. The protocol is highly predictive as early as the first restaging after treatment start and can be used with standard-of-care imaging measures. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Butner et al. (2020)

Processing And Cryopreservation Of Human Ureter Tissues For Single-Cell And Spatial Transcriptomics Assays, Emily E Fink, Surbhi Sona, Byron H Lee, Angela H Ting

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Characterizing the cellular heterogeneity of human ureter tissues using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics provides a detailed atlas of cell types, signaling networks, and potential cell-cell cross talk underlying developmental and regenerative pathways. We describe an optimized protocol for generating, cryopreserving, and thawing single-cell suspensions from ureter tissues isolated post-cystectomy for scRNA-seq. In addition, we describe an optimized protocol for cryopreserving human ureter tissues for 10x Genomics Visium spatial gene expression platform. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Fink et al. (2022).

Isolation, Culture, And Immunophenotypic Analysis Of Bone Marrow Hspcs From Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Irene Ganan-Gomez, Karen Clise-Dwyer, Simona Colla

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Drug testing assays in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are fundamental in biological studies of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) but have historically entailed a technical challenge. This protocol allows the efficient isolation of MDS HSPCs from bone marrow mononuclear cell fractions and their culturing with the support of stromal cells for improved maintenance during drug testing. Lastly, specific steps are given to quantify surviving cells and assess changes in the HSPC hierarchies.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ganan-Gomez et al. (2022).

Warren B. Davis And The Birth Of Plastic Surgery In Philadelphia: A Historical Vignette, Sarah F. Wagoner, Charles J. Yeo, Renee M. Tholey, James W. Fox, Steven E. Copit

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

The field of plastic surgery, formally organized in 1931 with the founding of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was shaped in many ways by a small practice of Philadelphia physicians. At the center of the practice was Warren B. Davis, a Philadelphia otolaryngologist and plastics pioneer whose innovations in cleft palate surgery would lead to significant improvements in functional and cosmetic outcomes in his time. In addition to his own innovations, Davis was responsible for the training of John Reese, the inventor of the Reese dermatome that changed the face of burn medicine during World War II. …

Mental Health Promotion, Early Identification & Treatment Services And Supports In Public K-12 School Districts: Three Case Studies To Explore Available Resources, Interventions, And Community Partnerships, Keenan Krick

Theses & Dissertations

Objective: This study: 1) identifies the multi-tiered efforts public K-12 school districts in a large Midwestern metropolitan area use to support mental health promotion activities and comprehensive mental health services, and 2) compares district efforts to domains defined by the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH). Participants: A sample of public K-12 school districts (n=12) in a large Midwestern metropolitan area participated in this study from August 2021 to October 2022. Methods: Using the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) intervention framework, a series of three case studies identify the resources public K-12 school districts utilize to support mental health …

Appeal No. 1006 (2nd): Kevin J. Simballa V. Division Of Oil & Gas Resources Management, Ohio Oil & Gas Commission

Ohio Oil & Gas Commission Decisions

Chief's Order 2021-192 (Elkrun Wertz NE Unit; Hilcorp Energy Co.)

Role Of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Ubr5 In B Cell Development And Mantle Cell Lymphoma, Tyler J. Gilbreath

Theses & Dissertations

UBR5 is part of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), most well-known as a degradation and recycling pathway in which proteins are tagged with a chain of ubiquitin protein and degraded by the proteasome. However, the UPS is multifunctional and other important roles include tagging protein with ubiquitin for cell signaling purposes. UBR5 is a homologous to the E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligase, meaning ubiquitin is transferred to UBR5 on a cysteine residue within the HECT domain and then onto a target substrate. UBR5 has mutations in many types of cancers: breast, ovarian, liver, and lymphomas. Recently published data shows …

The Impact Of Habitual Dietary Fat Intake On Postprandial Lipemia In Older Adults, Sophia A. Bollinger

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many older Americans experience elevated PPL due to a chronically high-fat diet and an inefficient ability to clear triglycerides (TG) from circulation. TG levels are typically measured in a fasted state; however, postprandial TG levels may be more strongly associated with CVD risk. This study grouped ten older adults into two dietary consumption fat categories and examined the response to an acute high-fat meal by measuring postprandial blood cholesterol, TG, and glucose (GLU) at baseline, 30-minutes post-meal, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, 180 minutes, and 240 minutes. Participants …

Sunsetting Excessive Chest X-Rays In An Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project, Cassandra Sweet

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

In the cardiovascular service line at an academic medical center in the southeastern United States, obtaining daily chest x-rays still occurred despite evidence that it is unnecessary and possibly even harmful. This quality improvement project was implemented in a 24-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and 20-bed acute care unit, together considered to be the cardiac service line. Using the implementation framework of the Model for Improvement and Plan/Do/Study/Act, a guideline that outlines appropriate times to obtain a chest x-ray based on the American College of Radiology’s appropriateness criteria was created. Daily chest x-rays were eliminated and replaced with an on-demand …

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project, Emily O. Schneiderman

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Postoperative atrial fibrillation remains one of the most common complications after cardiac surgery despite surgical and medical advances in the field. While generally transient, postoperative atrial fibrillation increases long-term morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay, and financial obligation. The postoperative heart's unique chemical and physical properties make tactics for preventing and treating postoperative atrial fibrillation differ from classic atrial fibrillation management. This quality improvement project utilizes a care bundle for non-pharmacologic measures and early beta-blockade administration to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Implementation of this care bundle establishes a standard of care, increases clinician knowledge and accountability, …