Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Dual Role Of Vegf165 In Bleomycin Induced Lung Injury And Recovery In A Aav Mice Model, Igor Ban

Theses and Dissertations

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) poses a significant challenge in respiratory medicine due to its complex etiology and progression characterized by excessive lung scarring, leading to compromised pulmonary function. The multifaceted roles of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and specifically its isoform VEGF-A165 are critical in this context, given their involvement in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tissue repair. The dual nature of VEGF-A165, promoting angiogenesis and potentially exacerbating or mitigating fibrosis, underscores its significance in both the progression and recovery phases of PF. Our work, explores the nuanced functions of VEGF-A165 using AAV1 as a gene delivery vector to overexpress this growth …

A Quality-By-Design Approach For The Development Of Inhalable Dry Powders For Tuberculosis (Tb) Treatment, Suyash M. Patil

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), remains a pressing concern globally. The emergence of drug-resistant strains and the need for prolonged treatment regimens continue to complicate disease management. Innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently required to enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient adherence, and minimize adverse effects. Toward this, strategies involving use of drug combinations, reducing dosing frequencies, and targeting TB-infected cells are gaining attention. In my dissertation, we explored the combination therapy involving two FDA-approved anti-TB drugs, Bedaquiline (BDQ) and Pretomanid (PTD). The BDQ-PTD combination reduced minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), compared to individual drugs and demonstrated additive/synergistic effects at 1:4 …

Disclosure Puzzles In Patent Law, Jonathan S. Masur, Lisa Larrimore Ouellette

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

Since its inception, patent law has required that inventors publicly disclose information about their inventions in exchange for receiving patent rights. This foundational requirement is policed through multiple doctrines: patents fail enablement if “undue experimentation” is needed to practice the invention, and they lack adequate written description when they fail to establish the inventor’s “possession” of the invention.

Despite disclosure doctrines’ centrality, fundamental puzzles about their application remain unresolved. What are the boundaries between enablement and written description? Do equivalents claimed via the doctrine of equivalents have to be enabled or described? Are the rules different for after-arising technologies? Federal …

Admissions Essays After Sffa, Sonja B. Starr

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

The Supreme Court concluded its 2023 decision barring affirmative action in university admissions with a qualification: although they may not give weight to “race qua race,” universities may consider individual applicants’ discussion of race-related life experience that bears on their strengths and potential. This “essay carveout” provides a potential path forward for universities (and other entities to which the affirmative-action ban may eventually apply). But the Court also warned against using it to enact “indirect” affirmative action, and legal advocates of colorblindness stand poised to challenge any use of essays that appears to stray over this line. So where is …

The Geopolitics Of Digital Regulation, Aziz Z. Huq

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

Contemporary regulation of digital technologies by nation-states unfolds under a darkening shadow of geopolitical competition. The United States government operates simultaneously in a domestic political environment dominated by oligopolistic firms competing to expand, and in an international political environment wherein it competes with other sovereign nations by cultivating and deploying digital technological capacities for geostrategic ends. Thanks to the ensuing cross-cutting pressures, national and supranational regulation can take on surprisingly reticulated, even baroque or perverse, forms.

Three recent monographs offer illuminating and complementary maps of these geopolitical conflicts and the national responses to digital technologies upon which they rest. One …

Long Term Trends In Mortality Rates Of A Smallmouth Bass Population, Caleb D. Anderson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are known as a popular sport fish for anglers. When a known smallmouth bass fishery appears to have a dwindling population, it raises questions about the population health. A common indicator of the health of the population is the mortality rate. By comparing mortality, conclusions can be made on whether smallmouth bass are dying at a different rate in the system over time. Therefore, the objective of this study was to see if there had been a significant change in smallmouth bass mortality over a span of thirty years in Round Lake (DOW:010204), Aitkin County, Minnesota. …

Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye Cpue In Minnesota Lakes, Simon Oslund

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Northern pike Esox lucius and walleye Sander vitreus are both top predators in freshwater systems. Due to their predatorial nature, high populations of one species can prohibit populations of the other species from thriving, specifically northern pike foraging on walleye. This information is tracked by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through catch per unit effort (CPUE). CPUE data was gathered for all lakes in Beltrami County, Minnesota, and a regression analysis was done to test for a relationship between pike and walleye. It was found that the relationship between northern pike and walleye CPUE was significant (P = 0.02). …

The Effects Of Length, Weight, Age, And Gender On Mercury Concentrations In Burbot In North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Liam Hanley

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Burbot Lota lota in north-central Minnesota lakes have the potential to reach large sizes and consume large volumes of prey. This caveat may make burbot susceptible to higher rates of biocontamination, bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The objective of this study was to determine how changes in age, length, gender, weight, and lake affect total mercury concentrations in burbot. In this experiment 28 burbot were angled from three lakes: Cass (n = 17), Winnibigoshish (n = 4), and Bad Medicine (n = 7). Then tissue samples were taken from each fish and were lyophilized and homogenized. Homogenized tissue samples were analyzed by …

Relationship Between Fishing Hours And Number Of Fish Harvested From Upper Red Lake, Dylan Ohlenkamp

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Total hours fishermen spend fishing and total amount of fish harvested per year are some of the most important pieces of knowledge gained from creel surveys. They provide crucial information that assesses fisheries mortality and pressure. MN DNR uses their results from creel surveys to improve or impose regulations, and to maintain healthy fisheries. Based on results from similar studies, there is expected to be a positive relationship between hours fished and fish harvested. To determine the relationship between these two variables on Upper Red Lake, data from two years were selected when the variables were at their highest and …

A Guide To Otoliths Of Minnesota Fishes, Baylor J. Short

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Investigations into the diet patterns of piscivores can provide crucial information on predator-prey relationships, population dynamics, and responses to changing ecosystems. However, digestive processes often remove or alter physical characteristics that are traditionally used to identify consumed fish. This problem has been addressed to some degree with advances in molecular technologies, although these methods can be costly and require specific training and equipment to do so. In contrast, bony structures such as otoliths, vertebrae, cleithra, and others frequently have morphologies that are unique among families, genera, and species. Because these structures are resistant to digestion, they can be used to …

The Effect Of Triaenophorus Crassus On The Condition Of Coregonus Artedi, Alexander Surma

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Cisco Coregonus artedi is, historically, the largest commercial fishery in the Great Lakes. The species is also important to commercial and recreational fisheries in inland lakes. Tapeworm Triaenophorus crassus larvae embed themselves into the flesh of Ciscoes, rendering the fish unmarketable to humans. Triaenophorus crassus is common in inland waters such as Leech Lake and Cass Lake, MN. One Canadian researcher has suggested that the parasite negatively affects the growth and weight of Ciscoes. Poor condition can reduce fecundity, leading to lower recruitment rates. This would mean a detrimental impact on not only individual fish, but the health of …

Global Communities: The Potential Of Street Art And The Public Space, Elena Picech

The Coastal Review

This paper highlights the significance of physical proximity and the potentiality of socio-spatial situations as tools to enrich study abroad programs. Particular attention is given to street art and the public space. While, studying on-site can be somewhat uncomfortable, it can potentially prompt unique reflections, enhance student’s learning and encourage introspection. Being on-site provides the opportunity to come into contact and to connect with the physical objects and their environment. It enables a multisensory and immersive embodied experience. Leveraging art for communicative educational activities can facilitate a participatory experience, promote critical thinking and enhance cultural understanding.

The Femme-Fatale “Bear’Ing Her Teeth: The Relation Between Women And Animals In Prosper Mérimée’S Lokis, William B. Holley

The Coastal Review

Abstract: Many French fantastic texts from the nineteenth century employ the use of a femme-fatale to highlight and underscore the dangers inherit with the female figure. This can be seen in vampires, ghosts, fairies, and other supernatural phenomena wherein a female character takes on incredible attributes. Propser Mérimée’s Lokis offers readers a tale wherein those same female figures are given traits that resemble the traditional femme-fatale, but in doing so they highlight the deadly nature of the titular half-man/half-bear creature. This paper offers a reading of Lokis which brings together an understanding of the social and political climate in which …

Navigating The Game: Balancing Innovation And Intellectual Property Rights In Video Game Development, Alek Giecewicz

Marquette Intellectual Property & Innovation Law Review

No abstract provided.

Precision Is Necessary In Patents, Twinkle Dutta

Marquette Intellectual Property & Innovation Law Review

No abstract provided.

Role Of Edaravone Nanosuspension In Preterm Labor And Birth Outcomes, Sruthi Sarvepalli

Theses and Dissertations

Annually, preterm birth (PTB) affects fifteen million infants, posing a significant risk of infant mortality and lifelong disability. Among various triggers, it is well-established that infection-associated oxidative stress and inflammation can induce preterm labor. There is no FDA approved medication for the prevention of PTB except tocolytics which provide marginal benefit at a later stage. Scarcity of therapeutic intervention and unmet medical need propelled us in investigating a novel drug molecule. Our current research is focused on investigating the potential of Edaravone (EDA), an FDA-approved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory medication, in delaying preterm labor and improving neonatal outcomes. Our goal is …

Therapeutic Intervention Of Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer Disease By Inhibition Of Classical Complement Pathway Using Anti-C1r Loaded Exosomes, Terjahna Richards

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with memory decline and cognitive impairment. It is a growing global health and socioeconomic concern, affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Current therapeutics focus solely on symptomatic management instead of preventative or curative strategies. This is mainly a result of the complexity of the pathophysiological mechanism and the poor understanding of the disease progression. Recently, studies have focused on bridging knowledge gaps giving rise to substantial evidence on the vital role of neuroinflammation in the progression of AD. Neuroinflammation has been shown to be a precursor to apparent amyloid plaque accumulation …

Hjp 272, An Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, And Its Role In Cancer Cell Migration And Invasion, Nabeela Fatima Baig

Theses and Dissertations

Endothelins are a family of versatile peptides composed of 21 amino acids with three isoforms: ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3. As the most abundant of the three isoforms, ET-1 is involved in various biological processes, such as regulation of vascular tone, humoral homeostasis, and neural crest development. However, focus is now being directed towards investigating the functions of the Endothelin axis in the progression of different tumor types including ovarian, prostate, breast, lungs etc. HJP 272 is a novel ETAR antagonist and while our group has previously researched its effects on lung inflammation and preterm birth, this study marks the first …

Population Characteristics Of The Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) In Rhode Island Coastal Waters, Katherine E. Rodrigue

Open Access Master's Theses

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an emblematic species for much of the mid-Atlantic and Gulf coasts, supporting vital fisheries in these areas. Evidence has shown that many species, including blue crabs, are undergoing northward shifting distributions. This has resulted in speculation about an increasing blue crab population and its capability to support a viable fishery in Rhode Island (USA) coastal waters. Currently, the blue crab is an unassessed species in Rhode Island, and few studies have focused on their population dynamics in the northeast region.

In the first manuscript of this thesis, a Bayesian hierarchical modeling method …

Establishing A Museum At Washington State School For The Blind, Robert J. Schimelpfenig

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) contains archival collections that document over 100 years of school history and student life. These histories are preserved in scrapbooks, news clippings, photographs, and an assortment of bygone assistive technologies that demonstrate the evolution of blind education and its impact on students. As many of these objects have lingered for years in storage, collections from one of the oldest schools for the blind in the Western United States remain hidden. WSSB and the Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver Library have agreed to work together in partnership to establish a museum and archives. …

Constructing Confrontation: Between Constitutional And Evidence Theory, Michael S. Pardo

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Crawford v. Washington was significant as a matter of both constitutional and evidence law. From a constitutional perspective, the opinion was significant because of its “original public meaning” approach to interpreting the text of the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause. From an evidentiary perspective, the opinion was significant in recognizing a doctrinal rule that potentially excludes evidence in criminal trials that would otherwise be admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence as well as State evidence laws. This Essay explores Crawford and the subsequent Confrontation Clause cases from these distinct perspectives—illuminated by constitutional and …

Canine-Assisted Cognitive Processing Therapy: Promoting Healing For Veterans Diagnosed With Ptsd Through Canine "Battle Buddies", Shelby L. Meadows

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Trauma related symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have long been recognized for their connection to military and veteran populations and has become a significant barrier to the provision of mental healthcare. This original contribution to practice explores the significance of Canine Assisted Therapy as a novel approach to treating trauma in veteran and military populations. An extensive literature review examines the current research and discussion on trauma-informed care. It begins with a discussion on evidence-based practices for the treatment of PTSD, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is followed by a comprehensive …

Clinical Challenges And Experiences: Shared Knowledge From Mental Health Clinicians, Tyler Mcqueen

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Though there is an extensive need for mental health practitioners of child and adolescent psychology, there tends to be a significantly lower number of these providers compared to adult clinicians. For this reason, this study sought to provide emerging child and adolescent clinicians with a point of clinical reference to allow for more efficient and competent services to be provided. This was accomplished by increasing the reader’s foundational knowledge of child and adolescent treatment via a brief historical review, while also increasing the reader’s clinical knowledge/readiness by examining participant reported interventions/insights on the most commonly encountered therapy interfering behaviors, clinical …

What's The Beef With Tax Credits? Feeding California’S Animal Production Industry, Stephanie Don

UC Law Business Journal

California’s animal production industry is a powerhouse in the United States food supply chain. In 2021, California generated $12.8 billion in gross cash income from animal production alone, ranking California’s animal production industry as #7 among the states. However, most small farms reported net losses. This paper identifies two financial issues plaguing California’s small farms in the animal production industry: monopolization, and the cost of complying with California’s heightened standard for ethical animal production.

First, the monopolization of small farms is a nationwide issue. In 2022, only four companies controlled 85% of meat packing in the United States. Large companies …

Intergenerational Practices Oral History Project, Christine Marks

Open Educational Resources

In this multi-lesson segment, we developed an oral history project on intergenerational practices. We began the semester by framing writing as a conversation to emphasize the dialogical nature of all writing. To prepare students for the practice of deep listening, we discussed an excerpt from Danielle Ofri’s What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear, which highlights the role of the listener as co-creator of meaning. We also discussed the chapter “practice” from Alexis Pauline Gumbs’ Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals, Yiyun Li’s short personal essay “Orange Crush,” and Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu’s graphic novel Measuring Up to …

Issue 39

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Melting Glaciers And New Diseases: The Mysteries Of The Microorganism, Martina Novajas

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

From Childhood Poverty To Academic Potential: Implications For Social Policy And Educational Equity, Amber Borofsky

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Rat Telekenetics: Hippocampal Cognition And Its Ability To Manipulate Virtual Reality, Will Gordon

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Uncovering Our Origins: How New Technologies Can Be Used To Interpret Our Ancient Past, Amelia Merithew

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.