Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Telomere Lengths In Chestnut-Crowned Babblers, Gabriella Rose Beberg

Honors Thesis

Telomeres are chromosomal elements that protect and maintain genes as DNA replicates in many organisms. As individuals age and DNA replicates, telomeres often shorten; thus, telomere length often corresponds with an individual’s lifespan, and early-life decreases in telomere length can be predictive of longevity. Here, I investigated the relationship between telomere length and developmental environment in a cooperatively breeding species, the chestnut-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps; CCB). Cooperative species are unique, as some individuals give up their own breeding opportunities to help rear the offspring of others; further, cooperative breeding systems generate considerably more variation in adult carers, which …

Interleukin-1 Induces Cfos Expression In Astrocytes In The Hippocampus Of Mice, Christopher Vargas

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

The Interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokine is responsible for various processes within the central nervous system (CNS) relating to immune responses, sleep, and memory consolidation, however the interaction between different IL-1 responding cell types is still largely unknown. cFOS is an immediate early gene (IEG) which is typically used as a cellular activity marker. IL-1’s role in modulating neuronal activity in the CNS is still under debate. Targeted Recombination in Active Populations (TRAP) is a genetic technique to identify cell activity. This is done through a tamoxifen-inducible, Cre recombinase using the Fos promoter which reports cell activity via cFOS expression in the …

Engineering Exosomes To Specifically Target The Mitochondria Of Brain Cells, Xin Yan, Xinqian Chen, Zhiying Shan, Lanrong Bi

Michigan Tech Publications

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial-targeting therapy aims to restore or enhance mitochondrial function to treat or alleviate these conditions. Exosomes, small vesicles that cells secrete, containing a variety of biomolecules, are critical in cell-to-cell communication and have been studied as potential therapeutic agents. Exosome-based therapy has the potential to treat both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Combining these two approaches involves using exosomes as carriers to transport mitochondrial-targeting agents to dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria within target cells. This article presents a new technique for engineering brain-derived exosomes that target mitochondria and has …

A Phase I Trial Of Bevacizumab And Temsirolimus In Combination With Valproic Acid In Advanced Solid Tumors, Blessie Elizabeth Nelson, Apostolia M Tsimberidou, Xueyao Fu, Siqing Fu, Vivek Subbiah, Anil K Sood, Jordi Rodon, Daniel D Karp, George Blumenschein, Scott Kopetz, Shubham Pant, Sarina A Piha-Paul

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Preclinical models suggest synergy between anti-angiogenesis therapy, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and histone deacetylase inhibitors to promote anticancer activity.

METHODS: This phase I study enrolled 47 patients between April 2012 and 2018 and determined safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) when combining bevacizumab, temsirolimus, and valproic acid in patients with advanced cancer.

RESULTS: Median age of enrolled patients was 56 years. Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 4 lines of prior therapy. Forty-five patients (95.7%) experienced one or more treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Grade 3 TRAEs were lymphopenia (14.9%), thrombocytopenia (8.5%), and mucositis …

Synaptic Plasticity Emulation By Natural Biomaterial Honey-Cnt-Based Memristors, Zoe Templin, Md Mehedi Hasan Tanim, Feng Zhao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Artificial synaptic devices made from natural biomaterials capable of emulating functions of biological synapses, such as synaptic plasticity and memory functions, are desirable for the construction of brain-inspired neuromorphic computing systems. The metal/dielectric/metal device structure is analogous to the pre-synapse/synaptic cleft/post-synapse structure of the biological neuron, while using natural biomaterials promotes ecologically friendly, sustainable, renewable, and low-cost electronic devices. In this work, artificial synaptic devices made from honey mixed with carbon nanotubes, honey-carbon nanotube (CNT) memristors, were investigated. The devices emulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity, with synaptic weight as high as 500%, and demonstrated a paired-pulse facilitation gain of 800%, which is …

Synthesis Of Yaku'amide A Analogues And Progress Toward Synthesis Of Virosine A, Alexander S. Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

The first project in this dissertation endeavors to outline the total synthesis of yaku'amide A and its analogs. Yaku'amide A is a natural product comprised of dehydroamino acids, including E-dehydro isoleucine, and unprecedented Z-dehydro isoleucine. These amino acids present a significant challenge to their synthesis owing to their unsymmetrical nature. To simplify the synthesis process, we synthesized analogs by substituting the E and Z dehydroamino acids with symmetrical subunits. This substitution facilitated the synthesis process and enabled us to obtain a similar three-dimensional structure to that of the natural product. Furthermore, biological testing of the simplified analogs revealed potency similar …

Impact Of Irrigation On Vulnerability Of Winter Wheat Under Extreme Climate Change Scenario: A Case Study Of North China Plain, Yulian Gao, Lin Wang, Yaojie Yue

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

An inadequate understanding of the impacts of adaptation countermeasures tends to exaggerate the adverse e􀀀ects of climate change on agricultural systems. Motivated by proposing reasonable climate change adaptation countermeasures, the present study applied the EPIC model to quantify the impacts of climate change and irrigation changes with future socioeconomic development on agricultural production. Winter wheat yield losses using dynamic irrigation parameters in the North China Plain (NCP) from 2010 to 2099 under a scenario coupling climate change and future socioeconomic development (RCP8.5-SSP3), and those under an extreme climate change scenario (RCP8.5), were simulated. Results show that EPIC model demonstrates superior …

Contextualizing Singlehood Among Young Adults: Exploring The Meanings And Perceived Reasons For Being Single, Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Tyler B. Jamison

Faculty Publications

Objective: We explored how young adults discussed their experiences with singlehood and their reasons for being single.

Background: Despite singlehood being normative during young adulthood, less research has focused on the diversity of singlehood compared to that of romantic involvement.

Method: In Study 1, 35 young adults participated in in-depth qualitative interviews about their romantic histories. We explored singlehood meanings and reasons in the context of their relationship histories. In Study 2 we used data from 155 single young adults to explore the factor structure, internal reliability, and initial validity of the Reasons for Being Single (RBS) scale, which we …

Teaching Engineering Design-Based Integrated Stem In Rural Contexts: Nurturing Future Designers, Jung Han, Euisuk Sung, Todd Kelley, John Geoffrey Knowles

Publications and Research

There is a notable shift towards prioritizing the teaching of engineering design within K-12 education, coupled with a strong recommendation for engineering design-based integrated STEM education. This approach underscores the sharing of science and engineering practices as a means to facilitate the learning of various STEM disciplines. Nonetheless, the implementation of integrated STEM education in rural schools poses challenges due to constrained resources and a shortage of high-quality programs. To present a tangible instance of design-based integrated STEM education within a rural setting, this study presents a model lesson that showcases the integration of interdisciplinary problem-solving skills within a genuine …

Establishing A Novel Lipid-Polyamine Metabolic Connection To Virus Replication, Yazmin Edith Cruz Pulido

Dissertations

Polyamines are small positively charged alkylamines found in all living cells. These ubiquitous molecules have been found to play a variety of roles ranging from stabilizing nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) to cellular proliferation. Studies have also identified roles for polyamines in viral packaging and viral enzyme function. However, the role of polyamines on cellular components and their effect on viral replication is less known. In our efforts to identify the lipid-polyamine metabolic connection to virus replication we utilized a human hepatocyte cell line in which polyamines were depleted via pharmacological or genetic approaches and studied the effects on lipid …

The Effect Of Reading Habits On Academic Success, Taylor Hicks

Masters Projects

The goal of most students is to achieve academic success. In order to be successful, students must form healthy reading habits because there is a positive correlation between academic success and reading habits. The more students read, the greater their chances of performing well academically. By participating in frequent reading, students will, not only perform well in school, they will also expand their vocabulary, improve their writing skills, and sharpen their critical thinking skills. We are in the midst of a literacy crisis, though. Students are choosing other avenues for entertainment instead of reading. This could potentially have detrimental consequences. …

Metformin: A Potential Treatment For Acne, Hidradenitis Suppurativa And Rosacea, Minah Cho, Yu Ri Woo, Sang Hyun Cho, Jeong Deuk Lee, Hei Sung Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metformin is a widely used drug for treatment of diabetes mellitus, due to its safety and efficacy. In addition to its role as an antidiabetic drug, numerous beneficial effects of metformin have enabled its use in various diseases. Considering the anti-androgenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties of metformin, it may have the potential to improve chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, further evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of metformin in dermatological conditions, This review focuses on exploring the therapeutic targets of metformin in acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa and rosacea, by studying their pathogeneses.

Spatiotemporal Genomic Profiling Of Intestinal Metaplasia Reveals Clonal Dynamics Of Gastric Cancer Progression, Kie Kyon Huang, Haoran Ma, Roxanne Hui Heng Chong, Tomoyuki Uchihara, Benedict Shi Xiang Lian, Feng Zhu, Taotao Sheng, Supriya Srivastava, Su Ting Tay, Raghav Sundar, Angie Lay Keng Tan, Xuewen Ong, Minghui Lee, Shamaine Wei Ting Ho, Tom Lesluyes, Hassan Ashktorab, Duane Smoot, Peter Van Loo, Joy Shijia Chua, Kalpana Ramnarayanan, Louis Ho Shing Lau, Takuji Gotoda, Hyun Soo Kim, Tiing Leong Ang, Christopher Khor, Jonathan Wei Jie Lee, Stephen Kin Kwok Tsao, Wei Lyn Yang, Ming Teh, Hyunsoo Chung, Jimmy Bok Yan So, Khay Guan Yeoh, Patrick Tan, Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a pre-malignant condition of the gastric mucosa associated with increased gastric cancer (GC) risk. Analyzing 1,256 gastric samples (1,152 IMs) across 692 subjects from a prospective 10-year study, we identify 26 IM driver genes in diverse pathways including chromatin regulation (ARID1A) and intestinal homeostasis (SOX9). Single-cell and spatial profiles highlight changes in tissue ecology and IM lineage heterogeneity, including an intestinal stem-cell dominant cellular compartment linked to early malignancy. Expanded transcriptome profiling reveals expression-based molecular subtypes of IM associated with incomplete histology, antral/intestinal cell types, ARID1A mutations, inflammation, and microbial communities normally associated with the healthy …

Intouch Week Of December 11, 2023, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Key Discovery Could Offer Hope in Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease
• James Williams’ Journey from the NFL to NYMC
• Student Housing Fitness Center Gets a Makeover
• BioInc@NYMC Welcomes Marubeni America Specialty Chemicals Unit as Newest Client
• D.P.T. Class of 2025 Present Community Service Projects
• Student Spotlight: Kathleen Harwood Lead Authors Publications in Sports Medicine

Acid Attack: How Escherichia Coli Strains Resist Acid Stress, Lindsey Miller

Honors Theses

The systems used by Escherichia coli to combat heightened levels of acidity within their environment are varied and complex. Four distinct systems used by E. coli to resist acid-induced stress were identified in 2004 by Foster (1), though six now are known today. These systems include the glucose-repressed, glutamate-dependent, arginine-dependent, lysine-dependent, ornithine-dependent, and serine-dependent acid resistance systems. Each system is also known by its corresponding abbreviation, AR1-AR6. What is known about each system varies due to identification date, complexity of the pathway, and amount of research completed. Within this paper, each system will be identified and the pathway defined, combining …

Interactive Effects Of Npk Fertilizer And Paclobutrazol Concentration On Growth And Yield Of Hanjeli (Coix Lacryma-Jobi L.), Medita Johana Pakula Bafiqi, Tati Nurmala, Muhamad Kadapi

Jurnal Kultivasi

The balance between growth and crop yield can be manipulated by exploiting nutrient and retardant interactions. This study is aiming to assess the effects of various combinations of NPK 16-16-16 fertilizer in different doses, along with the application of multiple concentrations of paclobutrazol on the growth and yield of hanjeli. This experiment was carried out in the experimental field of Ciparanje, Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang from February 2021 to August 2021. This research was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot consisted of 200 kg ha-1, 250 kg ha-1, and 300 kg ha-1. …

Response Differences Of Two Maize Hybrid Varieties To The Application Of Bioagent-Ameliorant And Chicken Manure In Fertile Soil, Endang Kantikowati, Karya, Yudi Yusdian, Dian Murti Minangsih, Tien Turmuktini, Erna Yuliani, Fija Faujiah

Jurnal Kultivasi

To ensure adequate nutrition for the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) in sustainable agriculture, it is necessary to apply bio-agent soil conditioner and manure. This study aims to determine the effect of doses of bioagent-ameliorant and chicken manure on growth and yield components. The research was conducted in highland with an altitude 800 m above sea level. This study used an experimental method with two sets of experiments, namely experiments using one and two-cobs maize cultivars. The experiment used a randomized block design (RBD) with two treatment factors and three replications. The first treatment factor was the dose of …

Morphophysiological Characteristics Of Upland Rice Plants With Organic Approach Through Reduced Npk Fertilizer And Wood Vinegar Application, Yugi Rahayu Ahadiyat, Ahmad Fauzi

Jurnal Kultivasi

Unefficient use of synthetic fertilizer in upland rice production leads to the low productivity and tends to harm the environtment. An organic approach by using wood vinegar is promising to improve the fertilizer efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the response of upland rice with the application of different wood vinegar and synthetic fertilizer N-P-K rates on morpho-physiological characters. A split plot design with the main plot of N-P-K fertilizer and a subplot of wood vinegar was applied with three replications. Growth and physiological character were observed. The data were analyzed by the F test, then proceed …

Immunoproximity Biotinylation Reveals The Axon Initial Segment Proteome, Wei Zhang, Yu Fu, Luxin Peng, Yuki Ogawa, Xiaoyun Ding, Anne Rasband, Xinyue Zhou, Maya Shelly, Matthew N Rasband, Peng Zou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a specialized neuronal compartment required for action potential generation and neuronal polarity. However, understanding the mechanisms regulating AIS structure and function has been hindered by an incomplete knowledge of its molecular composition. Here, using immuno-proximity biotinylation we further define the AIS proteome and its dynamic changes during neuronal maturation. Among the many AIS proteins identified, we show that SCRIB is highly enriched in the AIS both in vitro and in vivo, and exhibits a periodic architecture like the axonal spectrin-based cytoskeleton. We find that ankyrinG interacts with and recruits SCRIB to the AIS. However, …

Allelic Strengths Of Encephalopathy-Associated Uba5 Variants Correlate Between In Vivo And In Vitro Assays, Xueyang Pan, Albert N Alvarez, Mengqi Ma, Shenzhao Lu, Michael W Crawford, Lauren C Briere, Oguz Kanca, Shinya Yamamoto, David A Sweetser, Jenny L Wilson, Ruth J Napier, Jonathan N Pruneda, Hugo J Bellen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Protein UFMylation downstream of the E1 enzyme UBA5 plays essential roles in development and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Variants in the UBA5 gene are associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 44 (DEE44), an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early-onset encephalopathy, movement abnormalities, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. DEE44 is caused by at least 12 different missense variants described as loss of function (LoF), but the relationships between genotypes and molecular or clinical phenotypes remain to be established. We developed a humanized UBA5 fly model and biochemical activity assays in order to describe in vivo and in vitro genotype–phenotype relationships …

Antibody Binding Captures High Energy State Of An Antigen: The Case Of Nsp1 Sars-Cov-2 As Revealed By Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry, Ravi Kant, Nawneet Mishra, Michael L Gross

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We describe an investigation using structural mass spectrometry (MS) of the impact of two antibodies, 15497 and 15498, binding the highly flexible SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 protein. We determined the epitopes and paratopes involved in the antibody-protein interactions by using hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS (HDX-MS). Notably, the Fab (Fragment antigen binding) for antibody 15498 captured a high energy form of the antigen exhibiting significant conformational changes that added flexibility over most of the Nsp1 protein. The Fab for antibody 15497, however, showed usual antigen binding behavior, revealing local changes presumably including the binding site. These findings illustrate an unusual antibody effect on an …

Which Internet Content Is Often Used And Influenced Behavior? A Phenomenology About Students In Senior High School, Aris Martina, Siti Irene Astuti Dwiningrum, Heri Retnawati, Caly Setiawan

Informasi

At present, most students in the world, as well as Indonesia, especially senior high school students, have used the Internet for various purposes. Internet content presented on different platforms can now be accessed easily. Consciously or not, this media content influences their behavior. There is a lot of freely submitted content, which is worth knowing the impact. The question related to this study is which internet content is often used and affects high school students’ behavior. Qualitative methods with phenomenology have informants from the western, central, and eastern parts of Indonesia. Data were collected using observation, Google Forms, and interviews …

The Benefits Of Drama Therapy With Children And Adolescents, Rebecca Gallant

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Drama therapy, as defined by the North American Drama Therapy Association is “the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals…an embodied practice that is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for participants to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis” (NADTA 2021). NADTA was established in 1979 as an organization to advocate for drama therapy and to ensure that drama therapists are upholding the proper qualifications to practice. As noted by the organization, drama therapy can be used in a variety of different settings, including classrooms, nursing …

Using In Silico Tools To Analyze The 5ʹ Untranslated Regions Of The Alcohol Dehydrogenase Gene From Arabidopsis Thaliana And Omega Sequence, Reza Mohammadhassan, Tina Asadishad

Makara Journal of Science

The 5ʹ ends of protein-encoding genes contain 5ʹ untranslated regions (5ʹUTRs), which can effectively participate in regulating gene expression. The 5ʹUTRs of Arabidospis thaliana–derived alcohol dehydrogenase gene (AtADH) and omega (Ω) sequence from tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) are the most effective enhancers in biotechnology. In this study, bioinformatics techniques were employed to analyze the characteristics of the above sequences. After 5ʹUTR sequence collection, the inner ribosome entrance sites; small RNA (sRNA) target sequences; nucleotide contents; and upstream start and stop codons, ORFs, and coding DNA sequences of the Ω sequence and AtADH 5ʹUTR were identified. Moreover, the …

Sounding Ethics: Musical Signification Of Moral Choices In Video Games, Hayden Mesnick

Honors Projects

Interactivity is what distinguishes video games as a medium. In “moral choice video games,” or games in which the moral alignment of player choices affects plot and gameplay, the music often reflects the branching storylines. While scholarship exists that explores musical signifiers in video games, and scholarship alike exists that investigates moral choice video games, a gap in literature exists at the juncture of these two topics. This paper explores two moral choice video games—Undertale (Toby Fox, 2015) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Games, 2018)—in order to identify musical signifiers used by each game’s composer to represent these levels …

Reassessment Of Amblyscirtes Hegon (Hesperiidae) As A Complex Of Four Distinct Species Revealed By Genomic Analysis, Harry Pavulaan, Ricky Patterson, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

After the discovery of a unique phenotype in the southern United States with a different ventral ground color than nominotypical Amblyscirtes hegon (Scudder, 1863), which occurs in the northeastern United States, genomic analysis revealed that A. hegon is a species complex. Phenotypic, genitalic, and genomic differences of the complex are presented here. Four species are identified: A. hegon; A. nemoris (W. H. Edwards, 1864), stat. rest.; A. matheri Patterson, Pavulaan & Grishin, sp. n. (TL: USA, Mississippi, Warren County); and A. gelidus Grishin, Patterson & Pavulaan, sp. n. (TL: USA, Michigan, Van Buren County).

“An Exile They Gladly Embrace”: Queer Ecology In E.M. Forster’S Maurice, Bridget Medo

Theses

E.M. Forster’s novel Maurice, first written from 1913 to 1914 and published posthumously in 1971, is often noted for being the only one of Forster’s novels to feature an explicitly gay protagonist. This, as well as the fact that the novel has a happy ending, is what kept Forster from publishing it until after his death (Forster 250). According to Forster, Maurice “was the direct result of a visit to Edward Carpenter at Milthorpe [sic]” where Carpenter’s partner, George Merrill, touched Forster on the backside and apparently made a strong enough impression that Forster began writing Maurice right away (Forster …

The Discursive Fallacies Surrounding «Gender Ideology», Maricel Mena-López, Fidel Mauricio Ramírez Aristizábal

Conexión Queer: Revista Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Teologías Queer

Discourses surrounding «Gender Ideology» in Latin America display regional nuances, infiltrating various social strata. In Colombia, misinformation taints the narrative, exacerbated by the absence of a robust counter-movement to untangle the intricate discourse. This article traces the concept’s evolution, examining its impact on Colombian and broader Latin American religious fundamentalism. By exposing prevalent discursive fallacies, the objective is to contribute academically to the debate on a potent strategy that —in recent years — has aimed to hinder progress and erode the rights of women and the LGBTIQ+ community. The analysis illuminates a significant challenge impeding societal advancement.

Mirror Therapy Rehabilitation In Low Back Pain Patients, Claudia L. Altergott

Honors Capstones

Low back pain is a common occurrence experienced by many individuals. An estimated 75-85% of Americans experience some form of back pain during their lives [1]. While low back pain can be uncomfortable and debilitating, approximately 90% of cases are temporary and can resolved without surgery; however, 50% of patients will experience recurrent episodes of back pain. Low back pain that has persisted for more than twelve weeks is considered chronic low back pain [1]. Many researchers and therapists have been seeking the optimal treatment plans for individuals suffering from low back pain. Mirror therapy (MT) is a type of …

A Mathematical Model For Frogeye Leaf Spot Epidemics In Soybean, Chayu Yang, Jin Wang

Department of Mathematics: Faculty Publications

We propose a new mathematical model based on differential equations to investigate the transmission and spread of frogeye leaf spot, a major soybean disease caused by the fungus Cercospora sojina. The model incorporates the primary and secondary transmission routes of the disease as well as the intrinsic dynamics of the pathogen in the contaminated soil. We conduct detailed equilibrium and stability analyses for this model using theories of dynamical systems. We additionally conduct numerical simulations to verify the analytical predictions and to implement the model for a practical application.