Digital Commons Network^™

2023 Spring Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Summary Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status - Selected Topics 2022, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status - selected topics 2022 (Summary) is a useful resource for those working or studying in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. It provides general information regarding the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people covering the following topics:

• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population
• determinants of health
• information pertaining to births and pregnancy, deaths and hospitalisation
• burden of disease
• chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney and respiratory health
• social and emotional wellbeing (including mental health)
• selected sexually transmissible infections
• environmental health
• tobacco and …

Difference Between Scheduled And Non Scheduled Banks [Upsc Notes], Byju's

Documents

No abstract provided.

Locally Performed Postoperative Circulating Tumour Dna Testing Performed During Routine Clinical Care To Predict Recurrence Of Colorectal Cancer, Ryan Cohen, Aaron Beasley, Melanie Mccoy, Cameron Platell, Katie Meehan, Elin Gray, Kathy Fuller

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Identifying patients at high risk for colorectal cancer recurrence is essential for improving prognosis. In the postoperative period, circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been demonstrated as a significant prognostic indicator of recurrence. These results have been obtained under the strict rigours of clinical trials, but not validated in a real-world setting using in-house testing. We report the outcomes of locally performed postoperative ctDNA testing conducted during routine clinical care and the association with the recurrence of colorectal cancer. Methods: We recruited 36 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer between 2018 and 2020. Postoperative plasma samples were collected at …

Eagle Executive Magazine, Georgia Southern University

College of Business: News & Publications

• Students
• Gala
• Student Organization Spotlight
• Research
• Feature: Executives in Residence
• Graduate
• Alumni
• Young Alumni Board

Defining Solute Carrier Transporter Signatures Of Murine Immune Cell Subsets, Tania Løve Aaes, Javier Burgoa Cardás, Kodi S Ravichandran

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Solute carrier (SLC) transporters are membrane-bound proteins that facilitate nutrient transport, and the movement across cellular membranes of various substrates ranging from ions to amino acids, metabolites and drugs. Recently, SLCs have gained increased attention due to their functional linkage to innate immunological processes such as the clearance of dead cells and anti-microbial defense. Further, the druggable nature of these transporters provides unique opportunities for improving outcomes in different immunological diseases. Although the SLCs represent the largest group of transporters and are often identified as significant hits in omics data sets, their role in immunology has been insufficiently explored. This …

Evaluation Of Changes In Cellular Behavior Upon Exposure To Selected Analytes Used In Synthetic Applications, Olivia L. Rose

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are organic crystalline hybrids that have been used for a variety of applications from catalysis to gas storage and drug delivery. Studies have shown that generally, while such frameworks are more biocompatible than similar aspect ratio nanostructures, they are also more prone to transformation and disintegration due to their flexible and fragile nature as resulted from the structure assembly and implemented structure-function relationships. With extensive previous literature showing that materials with nano dimensions such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and other nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties that lead to increased biosystems’ reactivity. With increasing concerns regarding adverse …

Conditioned Reinforcement By Stimuli Correlated And Uncorrelated With A Schedule Of Food Reinforcement, Lillian L. Skiba-Thayer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A conditioned reinforcer derives its function from a relation to an established reinforcer. Respondent views suggest that a stimulus acquires reinforcing properties because it is positively correlated with an established reinforcer. Alternatively, the information hypothesis suggests that a stimulus acquires reinforcing properties because it reduces uncertainty about the likelihood of an established reinforcer. Observing response procedures have been used to evaluate the function of stimuli positively correlated (S+), negatively correlated (S-), and uncorrelated (S1, S2) with established reinforcers such as food (with animals) or money (with humans). Verbal instructions have been shown to alter the extent to which correlated and …

Right Treatment Wrong Time: Immunotherapy Administration Post-Radiotherapy Decreases Tumor Burden In A Preclinical Model Of Brain Metastasis, Kathryn Elizabeth Blethen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation (a) provided an in-depth literature review of methods to modulate the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers to increase drug delivery and efficacy in brain metastases, (b) evaluated the effects of whole-brain radiation therapy on the blood-brain barrier in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse models and proposed a mechanism by which the immune response to radiation disrupts the blood-brain barrier, and (c) developed a syngeneic lung cancer brain metastasis model to determine the impact of coordinated immunotherapy administration with radiotherapy. The blood-brain barrier is an impediment to drug delivery to the brain. The inherent leakiness of the blood-tumor barrier does not …

Long-Term Prescription Opioid Use, Cancer Stage, And Economic Burden Among Older Cancer Survivors With Non-Cancer Chronic Pain Conditions, Rudi Safarudin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat pain conditions, which are highly prevalent among older adults (≥65 years). Recent evidence shows that opioids may have carcinogenic effects through immunosuppression and free-radical pathways, which could promote cancer growth. Two population-based studies have reported an association of opioid use with incident cancer. Many individuals with non-cancer chronic pain conditions (NCPCs) may use opioids for a long term. However, the association of long-term prescription opioid (LPO) use with cancer stage at diagnosis is still unknown. Furthermore, evidence suggests that individuals with cancer and pre-existing NCPCs may persistently use opioids, even in the absence of …

Comparison Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion Facial-Shape Subtypes Between Caucasian, African American, And Hispanic Populations, Rachel Katherine Huffman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Comparison of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Facial-Shape Subtypes Between

Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic Populations

Rachel K. Huffman, DMD

Introduction: The development of a skeletal Class III malocclusion (Cl III) is complex as it can arise from the overgrowth of the mandible, undergrowth of the maxilla, or a combination of the two. To understand the heterogeneity of this trait clinically, studies have been conducted using facial shape analysis (e.g., Geometric morphometrics (GeoMorph)) of Caucasian and Asian populations to learn more about the principal shapes. Little is known, however, about the predominant principal shape components of Cl III within African …

Elucidation Of The Role Of Agouti-Signaling Protein Throughout Folliculogenesis And Early Embryonic Development In Cattle, Heather L. Chaney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The oocyte expresses certain genes during folliculogenesis to regulate the acquisition of oocyte competence. Oocyte competence, which refers to the presence of imperative molecular factors in the oocyte that are critical for high oocyte quality, is directly related to the ability of the oocyte to result in a successful pregnancy following fertilization. Over the past few decades, the development and optimization of assisted reproductive technologies, particularly in vitrofertilization, have enabled the beef and dairy industries to advance cattle genetics and productivity. However, only approximately 40% of bovine embryos will develop to the blastocyst stage in vitro. In addition, bovine embryos …

Exploring The Usage Of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As A Soil Amendment For Reclaimed Mine Lands, Brady Watters

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a form of water pollution generated when water and oxygen come into contact with sulfide minerals, forming metal ions, sulfuric acid, and sulphates in solution. AMD is characterized by its toxic metals content and low pH, both of which are an environmental concern. The treatment of AMD separates the contaminants into a high-water content sludge. This sludge is a pure waste product under current evaluation for alternative uses as well as improvements to storage and treatment processes. This thesis focused on analyzing the potential for AMD sludge to be used in recently reclaimed lands as …

Gender Inclusivity In Italian: Can Gender Neutrality Be Reached In A Gendered Language? Difficulties, Proposals And Public Perception Of The Phenomenon, Gaia Prunotto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Italian is a gendered language in which reference to grammatical gender has been constant and inevitable. As language reflects and shapes society, grammatical gender reinforces binary views of social gender and the invizibilization of non-binary identities. Movements for social justice have inspired gender-fair linguistic innovations, such as the feminization of job titles and gender-neutral markers, to promote gender equity and challenge hierarchies of power and dominance in society. This research aimed to explore gender-neutral forms in the Italian grammatical system and public perceptions of these innovations through two studies with two groups of participants.

The first group of participants (n=27) …

Effects Of Invasive Species On Ohio River Zooplankton, Samuel John Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive species have the potential to dramatically change both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with rates of introduction only expected to increase across the Globe. In the Mississippi River basin filter feeding silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) collectively known as invasive carp were introduced into aquaculture ponds where they subsequently escaped and spread to interconnected basins. Invasive carp have not yet completely established throughout the entire Ohio River. Managers recognize three distinct phases of carp invasion: establishment front, invasion front and presence front. In the Illinois River invasive carp are very well established and …

Selective Recovery Of Rare Earth Elements From Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Byproduct, Zeynep Cicek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical in emerging clean energy, advanced technologies, and military defense applications due to their unique physical, chemical, optical, and luminescent properties. Given the potential supply chain restrictions imposed by one country's dominance in the global REE market and the consistently growing demand for REEs, developing the US domestic REE supply chain is imperative. Thus, alternative sources are crucial to supply the demand and prevent interruption in manufacturing products that consume REEs. Concurrently, acid mine drainage (AMD) is a long-standing and widespread global challenge the mining industry encounters. AMD is generated in large volumes and continuously …

Social Comparison Theory: The Effects Athletic Influencers Have On An Appalachian Generation Z Men Audience, Aaron David Dickens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many studies have highlighted how social comparison can influence self-efficacy for exercise, body dissatisfaction, and motivation to exercise, especially on social media; in addition, several studies have supported how attitude toward exercise and confidence toward exercise correlate with one another. However, these dependent variables have not been examined in the context of Generation Z men in Appalachia. Despite the lack of literature on this demographic, it is important to study Generation Z Appalachian men because of the frequent health problems this demographic faces, such as obesity. Therefore, this pretest-posttest between-subjects lab experiment investigated how an athletic influencer on social media …

The Effect Of Silver Carp On Large River Community Size Spectra, Bradley R. Novak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The introduction of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) has had dramatic effects on native fish communities. Silver carp are large bodied planktivores and compete with native planktivores which can cause cascading effects throughout the food web. Our study strives to determine the threshold of abundance beyond which silver carp alter fish community structure. We used a community size spectra approach to evaluate fish community structure and compare size spectra across spatial and temporal gradients of silver carp abundances. Community size spectra (CSS) is an ataxic approach quantifying the predictable decrease in fish abundance with increasing body size that reacts …

Longitudinal Oxygen Imaging In 3d (Bio)Printed Models, Ryan Curtis O'Connell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and its molecular imaging modality, is a powerful tool to noninvasively map various biological and chemical markers within objects of interest. Reliable data acquisition is a major impeding factor for longitudinal hands-off measurements. Measurements are especially challenging in biomedical applications, as live objects are not static. Frequent changes occur that require constant fine recalibration of the EPR detection system, called the resonator. To enable longitudinal imaging, a technology permitting automatic digital control of resonator coupling, tuning, and EPR data acquisition was developed. Automation was achieved through the utilization of a microcontroller and digital peripheral components such …

Evaluating Innovative Methods Of Quantitatively Linking Microbial Community Structure To Ecosystem Function, Jeth Gv Walkup

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Microbial functional diversity is the product of community structure and intraspecific trait variation. Due to microbial diversity and limited availability of microbial trait measurements, it has been challenging to quantitatively link community structure to microbial function. Although community-level activity rates vary with community composition, issues in the scale of their measurement inhibit our understanding of their relationship. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) is a method for quantitatively measuring taxon-specific microbial traits, providing new opportunities to apply trait-based approaches for studying microbial ecology. Quantitative microbial trait data from these experiments enables the functional characterization of microbial communities, potentially enabling the extrapolation …

Localization Of People In Gnss-Denied Environments Using Neural-Inertial Prediction And Kalman Filter Correction, Lauren N. Cash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents a method based on neural networks and Kalman filters for estimating the position of a person carrying a mobile device (i.e., cell phone or tablet) that can communicate with static UWB sensors or is carried in an environment with known landmark positions. This device is used to collect and share inertial measurement unit (IMU) information — which includes data from sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers — and UWB and landmark information. The collected data, in combination with other necessary initial condition information, is input into a pre-trained deep neural network (DNN) which predicts the movement …

Relationships Between Geochemistry, Carbon Content, And Grain Size In Clastic Cave Sediments, Rebekah Rose Nicholas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding geochemical and physical properties of cave sediment gives insight to sediment characterization and carbon storage in the cave system. Previous work on clastic sediments largely encompasses physical properties, neglecting the importance of geochemical parameters on sediment deposition.

This study reports physical and chemical properties of sediment cores from three caves: two caves in Puerto Rico and one cave in Virginia. A total of 25 cores were used in this study; 6 of these cores were new and collected in 2022 from Butler Cave (BTC) in Virginia to focus on the effects of water level. Core samples were analyzed for …

Exogenous Factors That Impact Huntingtin Aggregation, Adam Skeens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) domain is the immediate cause of huntingtin (htt) aggregation associated with Huntington’s Disease (HD), other cellular factors modify aggregation. These include interactions with cellular membranes, protein biding partners, molecular crowding, and proteinaceous seeds. Here, two important factors are biophysically characterized: 1) the interaction of htt with endomembranes and 2) proteinaceous seeds obtained from a variety of htt-derived peptides. In the first project, the aggregation of htt at bilayer interfaces and in the presence of divalent cations was investigated. A major cellular factor implicated in altered htt aggregation is the binding of lipids. Furthermore, the …

Navigating Place And Gender: A Multicontextual Critical Narrative Inquiry Of Rural Trans* Student Experiences, Jessie Lynn O'Quinn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this critical narrative study was to understand how rural West Virginia trans* students navigate cultural norms of their rural home communities and higher education contexts. An essential part of this critical narrative was to provide rural trans* students with an avenue to share their unique experiences and give them a platform to share their voices. The resulting narratives suggested that the normative tensions rural trans* college students experience across contexts stemmed from negative regional experiences that reinforced traditional gender norms. Negative home contexts and experiences forced students to feel like they had to build walls and distance …

Continental Saline Environments Interpreted From Bedded Gypsum Of The Triassic Red Peak Formation (Chugwater Group), Northcentral Wyoming, Maya Yamei Bradford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bedded evaporites and associated red bed siliciclastics record saline lake and groundwater systems from Permo-Triassic Pangea. A major component of these red bed and evaporite systems is bedded gypsum. However, little attention has been paid to the textures of ancient gypsum. Observations of gypsum textures can refine interpretations of depositional environment and diagenetic history. This project describes textures of bedded gypsum from an outcrop of the Triassic Red Peak Formation (Chugwater Group) near Greybull, Wyoming.

This thesis uses fieldwork, petrography, and x-ray diffraction to describe an outcrop of the upper Red Peak Formation, with a focus on textures of bedded …

Feasibility Of Applying Motion Magnification In Subsurface Defect Detection For Concrete And Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Specimens, Nagavardhani Malineni

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Irrespective of size and complexity, every civil infrastructure needs certain scrutiny regarding its structural health to ensure its serviceability during its lifetime. In olden times such scrutiny was done with the aid of destructive testing methods using sensors that required cumbersome and expensive installations and led to the destruction of at least part of the tested specimen. However, in recent times, many non-destructive methods, such as acoustic emission testing, electromagnetic testing, and laser testing methods have emerged, leaving the specified tested specimen undisturbed. With the advancement in sensor technology like motion magnification and with the help of access to high-speed …

Cancer Promoting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps In The Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Tumor Microenvironment, Abby Ivey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive disease with an overall survival rate at 12%. This poor outcome at diagnosis is in part due to the lack of effective treatment options. The aggressive disease and unique tumor microenvironment generated during disease initiation and progression has contributed to the lack of effective therapeutic options. Chemotherapy options have not improved overall survival substantially, the effectiveness of radiation therapy remains controversial, and immunotherapies provide little to no benefit when added to current standards of care. Thus, there is a critical need for new therapeutics that can either target PDAC alone or be added …

State Estimation, Covariance Estimation, And Economic Optimization Of Semi-Batch Bioprocesses, Ronald Hunter Alexander

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One of the most critical aspects of any chemical process engineer is the ability to gather, analyze, and trust incoming process data as it is often required in control and process monitoring applications. In real processes, online data can be unreliable due to factors such as poor tuning, calibration drift, or mechanical drift. Outside of these sources of noise, it may not be economically viable to directly measure all process states of interest (e.g., component concentrations). While process models can help validate incoming process data, models are often subject to plant-model mismatches, unmodeled disturbances, or lack enough detail to track …

Artificial Light At Night Disrupts Pain Behavior And Cerebrovascular Structure In Mice, Jacob Raymond Bumgarner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Artificial Light at Night Disrupts Pain Behavior and Cerebrovascular Structure in Mice

Jacob R. Bumgarner

Circadian rhythms are intrinsic biological processes that fluctuate in function with a period of approximately 24 hours. These rhythms are precisely synchronized to the 24- hour day of the Earth by external rhythmic signaling cues. Solar light-dark cycles are the most potent environmental signaling cue for terrestrial organisms to align internal rhythms with the external day. Proper alignment and synchrony of internal circadian rhythms with external environmental rhythms are essential for health and optimal biological function.

The modern human environment on Earth is no longer …

Meiotic Recombination In Zea Mays And Its Contribution To Genetic Diversity, Jasmine Elizabeth Freeman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Meiotic recombination plays a vital role in shaping genome evolution by introducing genetic diversity necessary for natural selection. Recombination rates exhibit extensive variation within and between species, occurring in specific regions known as hotspots and coldspots along individual chromosomes. Maize, with its well-characterized genome, provides an excellent model for studying the nonrandom pattern of meiotic recombination. While retrotransposon activity contributes to significant intergenic variation in maize inbred lines, the genic space remains conserved in terms of gene order and sequence. To investigate recombination activity in the Bz1/Sh1 region, the maize haplotypes W22 and B73, which share genetic backgrounds but differ …