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Indianness As Property, Carla Pratt

Faculty Articles

This Article expands upon the seminal work by Cheryl Harris entitled Whiteness as Property by exploring the intersection of race and property through Indianness. Indianness has been constructed as a form of property conferring rights and privileges to its holders which this Article examines through the inertial relationship between race and legal status. Tracing the historical evolution of Indianness from the slavery era to the modern era demonstrates the complex relationship between tribal sovereignty, citizenship and Indian identity. This legal history contextualizes contemporary disputes over who can enjoy tribal citizenship and be Indian. This Article advocates for a reevaluation of …

The Consequences Of Mythology: Supreme Court Decisionmaking In Indian Country, M. Alexander Pearl

Faculty Articles

Ilanoli isht unowa. We tell our own stories. A single historical event has many stories. Although this nation's official chronicle expected and even hoped for Indigenous peoples to fade away, we are still here. Our histories are marked by resistance, survival, sovereignty, and renaissance. Only now, in the later stages of the American experiment, do our histories have the chance to matter in new forms and spaces. How much these stories matter within contemporary contexts depends upon where they are spoken and more importantly, who is listening. On the pages of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion, what stories are told …

Potential Of Lignocellulosic Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites For Automobile Parts Production: Current Knowledge, Research Needs, And Future Direction, Abdulrahman Adeiza Musa, Azikiwe Peter Onwualu

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in research focusing on the use of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) in the automobile industry. These materials offer several advantages over their synthetic counterparts, including lightweight properties, renewability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. This increasing research interest in NFRPCs within the automotive sector is primarily aimed at overcoming the challenges that have thus far limited their industrial applications when compared to conventional synthetic composites. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the potential applications and sustainability of lignocellulosic-based NFRPCs in the automobile industry. It examines the current state of knowledge, identifies …

Response Of Plant Species To Impact Of Climate Change In Hugumbrda Grat-Kahsu Forest, Tigray, Ethiopia: Implications For Domestication And Climate Change Mitigation, Haftu Abrha Mengesha, Soro Dodiomon, Victor Ongoma, Haftom Hagos, Emiru Birhane, Girmay Gebresamuel, Ashenafi Manaye

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

This study aimed to predict distribution and Total Carbon Stock (TCS) dynamics of Acacia abyssinica, Carissa edulis, and Juniperus procera in the Hugumbrda Grat-Kahsu National Forest in current (1970–2000) and future climate scenarios (2021–2100). Bioclimatic, soil, and elevation data were used for modeling using Maxent, with model accuracy evaluated using Area Under the Curve (AUC), Kappa test and True Skill Statistic (TSS). Significant differences were observed in distribution of species between current and future periods under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) of SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The main contributing predictors of the species distribution were temperature seasonality, altitude, and precipitation …

Three Decades Of Research Efforts On The Uses, Conservation, And Management Of Cola Nitida (Vent.): State Of Knowledge And Prospects In Africa, Isabelle Erhudice Tachégnon Tokannou, Souleymane Sanogo, Juliano S.H Houndonougbo, Kolawolé Valère Salako, Adandé Belarmain Fandohan

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Cola nitida is a key multipurpose fruit tree species widely distributed across African countries. Several studies have investigated different aspects of the species, but there is a lack of synthesis on the current state of available literature and prospects for sustainable conservation and management of the species. Using the PRISMA approach for systematic review over the last three decades (1990–2022) in Africa, this study gathered key existing research findings on C. nitida. A total of 280 scientific publications were finally retained for this review. Several studies were focused on the socio-economic importance of the species (n = 139 …

Experimental Investigation And Comparative Environmental Impact Analysis Of Conventional And Naturally Occurring Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors In Offshore Environments Using Toxicity And Bioconcentration Tools, Okon Okon, Joseph Atubokiki Ajienka, Sunday Sunday Ikiensikimama, Onyewuchi Emmanuel Akaranta, Virtue Urunwo Wachikwu-Elechi

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

In this present study, an in vivo experiment was carried out to determine the tendencies of a naturally occurring high-phenolic compound red-onion skin extract (HPC-ROSE) and conventional N-Vinylcaprolactam (N-VCAP) kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) to bio-accumulate in offshore environment through the analysis of their uptake and depuration kinetics by a Fish-Chemical Model using Cyprinus carpio marine invertebrate. This test was performed in the laboratory in a flow through experimental set up according to the guidelines by [49] (Fish-chemical exposure test). The uptake duration was 10 days with a depuration period of twenty days. The inhibitor toxicity test was evaluated by …

Multi-Criteria Optimal Sizing And Analysis Of Pv/Wind/Fuel Cell/Battery/Diesel Generator For Rural Electrification: A Case Study In Chad, Mahamat Adoum Abdoulaye, Sebastian Waita, Cyrus Wabuge Wekesa, Julius Mwakondo Mwabora

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Access to sustainable, clean, affordable, and reliable electricity is crucial for social and economic development, yet Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) struggles significantly in this context. In CHAD, only 11.3% of the population is able to access electricity, making it one of the least electrified countries in SSA with the lowest clean energy access. In rural areas, electricity access falls to just 1.3%. This research applies and executes a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm using MATLAB R2023b to assess the techno-economic, environmental, and social impacts of a hybrid system based on optimal PV/Wind/Battery/Fuel Cell (FC)/Diesel generator (DG) sizing for rural electrification …

Microbiological Contamination Of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) Reared With Tilapia In Aquaponic Systems And Use Of Bacillus Strains As Probiotics To Prevent Diseases: A Systematic Review, Angelica Adiacao Jossefa, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Sebastian Wilson

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aquaponic systems are food production systems that combine aquaculture and hydroponic in a closed recirculation system where water provides nutrients to plants while plants purify water for fish. In this system, tilapia is the most commonly cultured fish and can be easily integrated with vegetable cultivation. However, tilapia host a diverse microbiota some of which are pathogenic and can infect humans. Previous studies have reported contamination of lettuce by pathogenic bacteria which can cause human diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to employ effective methods to control those bacteria, and Bacillus strains have been successfully used in this context. …

Spatial Analysis Of Livestock Disease Data In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review, Alfred Ngwira, Samuel Manda, Esron Daniel Karimuribo, Sharadhuli Iddi Kimera, Christopher Stanley

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Background

Methods

Genomic Diversity And Geographic Distribution Of Newcastle Disease Virus Genotypes In Africa: Implications For Diagnosis, Vaccination, And Regional Collaboration, Charlie Frank Arthur N'Guessan Amoia, Jean N. Hakizimana, Augustino A. Chengula, Muhammad Munir, Gerald Misinzo, James Weger-Lucarelli

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding the genomic diversity of NDV increases the possibility of diagnostic and vaccine failures. In this review, we systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of NDV genotypes in Africa using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Information published between 1999 and 2022 were used to obtain the genetic background of different genotypes of NDV …

Phylogenetic Analysis Of Virulent Strains Of The Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated From Deceased Chickens In Tanzania’S Morogoro And Iringa Regions, Charlie Frank Arthur N'Guessan Amoia, Jean N. Hakizimana, Augustino A. Chengula, Mariam R. Makange, James Weger-Lucarelli, Gerald Misinzo

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Background

Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral disease affecting a wide range of bird species and has a considerable financial impact on the world's poultry market. The ND virus (NDV) strains currently circulating in poultry throughout Africa, and especially in East Africa, exhibit significant genetic variation.

Objectives

The primary objective of the present investigation was to investigate the NDV genotypes in chickens raised in backyards in Tanzania's Morogoro and Iringa districts, which were associated with ND outbreaks.

Methods

Two tissue samples from chickens taken during a suspected ND outbreak in Tanzania's Morogoro (Eastern zone) and Iringa (Southern highlands zone) were …

Seroprevalence And Risk Factors Of Brucellosis In Pastoralists And Their Livestock In Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, Emmanuel Philip Lasuba Lita, Erneo B. Ochi, Gerald Misinzo, Henriette Van Heerden, Robab Katani, Jacques Godfroid,, Coletha Mathew

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Brucellosis poses serious public health implications and substantial economic losses in pastoral rural settings in South Sudan. In humans, brucellosis is almost always originating from animals. Current literature provides scant data regarding the seroprevalence of brucellosis in South Sudan. This cross-sectional study investigates the seroprevalence of brucellosis among the pastoral community and livestock and identifies risk factors for the disease from two Counties, Terekeka and Juba in Central Equatoria State (CES), South Sudan.

Development Of Nanobodies Against The Coat Protein Of Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus, Faith Njeri Njeru, Olivier Zwaenepoel, Geert Haesaert, Kris De Jonghe, Jan Gettemans

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a maize disease caused by the maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV), a potyvirus which causes yield losses of 30–100%. The present study aimed to isolate nanobodies against the MCMV coat protein (CP) for the diagnosis of MLN. MCMV CP expressed in Escherichia coli was used for llama immunization. VHH (i.e. variable heavy domain of heavy chain) gene fragments were prepared from blood drawn from the immunized llama and used to generate a library in E. coli TG1 cells. MCMV specific nanobodies were selected by three rounds of phage display and panning against MCMV CP. The …

In Vitro Studies Of The Antimicrobial Properties And Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis Of Selected Chadian Medicinal Plants, Hissein Hassan Abdel-Razakh, Gaymary George Bakari, Cheol-Ho Pan, Abubakar Shaaban Hoza

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential and perform the phytochemical screening of ethanolic (70%) leaf extracts of Bauhinia rufescens and Ocimum basilicum and root extracts of Salvadora persica, three plants used for the treatment of numerous diseases in Chad. The extraction of the plants was made in a ratio of 70% volume of ethanol against 30% volume of distilled water. The yields obtained in the extraction of the leaves of Bauhinia rufescens, Ocimum basilicum, and Salvadora persica roots were respectively 20, 17, and 8.8%. With the disc diffusion method, the results of the antimicrobial assessment …

Determinants Of The Share Of The Economy Contributed By The Forestry Industry In Ghana From 1975 To 2023, Kwabena Asomanin Anaman, Samuel Ampomah, Joseph Manzvera

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The macroeconomic determinants of the share of the economy contributed by the forestry industry in Ghana were examined over the period from 1975 to 2023, based on the development of time-series cointegration and error correction models. The analysis indicated that the share of the forestry industry was positively influenced by the real value of the cocoa industry, the exchange rate, and the real interest rate. The relationship between the forestry industry's share and per capita real gross domestic product (GDP) was found to be curvilinear: at low levels of per capita income, the share of the forestry industry in the …

Effect Of Soybean And Seaweed-Based Diets On Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, And Gut Microbiota Of Tilapia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Jean Nepomuscene Hakizimana, Cyrus Rumisha, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Gerald Misinzo

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Tilapia, a significant aquaculture species globally, relies heavily on feed for its production. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of soybean and seaweed-based diets on tilapia, a comprehensive understanding remains elusive. This review aimed at evaluating and synthesizing the existing literature on these diets’ effects, focusing on growth performance, feed utilization, and gut microbiota. A systematic search of databases was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a total of 57 studies were included in the qualitative analysis and 24 in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that soybean-based diets, at a 59.4% inclusion …

Insights On The Microbiology Of Ethiopian Fermented Milk Products: A Review, Tiruha Habte Karssa

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Fermented milk products play a vital role in the diets of Ethiopians. They are produced from either spontaneous fermentation or back-slopping methods at the household level, in which lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts predominate. As a result, the processing steps are not standardized and overall safety is still of public health relevance. Therefore, quality and safety improvement, standardization of traditional manufacturing practices, and commercialization of products to a wider market are important. Hence, this systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbiology of traditional Ethiopian fermented milk products, including ergo (spontaneously fermented whole milk), dhanaan (fermented …

Gut Microbiome And Hepatic Transcriptomic Determinants Of Hcc Development In Mice With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis, Lillian I Dolapchiev, Kristyn A Gonzales, Lorenzo R Cruz, Mihai Gagea, Heather L Stevenson, Suet-Ying Kwan, Laura Beretta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often diagnosed at a late stage, and its incidence is increasing. Predictive biomarkers are therefore needed to identify individuals at high risk of HCC. We aimed to characterize the gut microbiome and hepatic transcriptome associated with HCC development in female mice with hepatocyte-deletion of Pten (HepPten -). These mice present with large variations in HCC development, making them a powerful model for biomarker discovery.

Methods & results: Sequencing of stool 16S and hepatic RNA was performed on a first set of mice. Among all liver histology …

Usp22 Overexpression Fails To Augment Tumor Formation In Mmtv-Erbb2 Mice But Loss Of Function Impacts Mmtv Promoter Activity, Xianghong Kuang, Andrew Salinger, Fernando Benavides, William J Muller, Sharon Y R Dent, Evangelia Koutelou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 22 (USP22), a component of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) histone modifying complex, is overexpressed in multiple human cancers, but how USP22 impacts tumorigenesis is not clear. We reported previously that Usp22 loss in mice impacts execution of several signaling pathways driven by growth factor receptors such as erythroblastic oncogene B b2 (ERBB2). To determine whether changes in USP22 expression affects ERBB2-driven tumorigenesis, we introduced conditional overexpression or deletion alleles of Usp22 into mice bearing the Mouse mammary tumor virus-Neu-Ires-Cre (MMTV-NIC) transgene, which drives both rat ERBB2/NEU expression and Cre recombinase activity from the MMTV promoter resulting …

Protection Against Fibrosis By A Bacterial Consortium In Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis And The Role Of Amino Acid Metabolism, Suet-Ying Kwan, Kristyn A Gonzales, Mohamed A Jamal, Heather L Stevenson, Lin Tan, Philip L Lorenzi, P Andrew Futreal, Ernest T Hawk, Joseph B Mccormick, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, Robert R Jenq, Laura Beretta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The gut microbiota drives progression to liver fibrosis, the main determinant of mortality in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). In this study, we aimed to identify bacterial species associated with protection against liver fibrosis in a high-risk population, and test their potential to protect against liver fibrosis in vivo. Based on stool shotgun metagenomic sequencing of 340 subjects from a population cohort disproportionally affected by MASH, we identified bacterial species from the Bacteroidales and Clostridiales orders associated with reduced risk of liver fibrosis. A bacterial consortium was subsequently tested in a mouse model of MASH, which demonstrated protective effects against …

Usp22 Overexpression Fails To Augment Tumor Formation In Mmtv-Erbb2 Mice But Loss Of Function Impacts Mmtv Promoter Activity, Xianghong Kuang, Andrew Salinger, Fernando Benavides, William J Muller, Sharon Y R Dent, Evangelia Koutelou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 22 (USP22), a component of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) histone modifying complex, is overexpressed in multiple human cancers, but how USP22 impacts tumorigenesis is not clear. We reported previously that Usp22 loss in mice impacts execution of several signaling pathways driven by growth factor receptors such as erythroblastic oncogene B b2 (ERBB2). To determine whether changes in USP22 expression affects ERBB2-driven tumorigenesis, we introduced conditional overexpression or deletion alleles of Usp22 into mice bearing the Mouse mammary tumor virus-Neu-Ires-Cre (MMTV-NIC) transgene, which drives both rat ERBB2/NEU expression and Cre recombinase activity from the MMTV promoter resulting …

Interleukin-1beta And Inflammasome Expression In Spinal Cord Following Chronic Constriction Injury In Male And Female Rats, Suzanne M Green-Fulgham, Jayson B Ball, Andrew J Kwilasz, Michael E Harland, Matthew G Frank, Joseph M Dragavon, Peter M Grace, Linda R Watkins

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Females represent a majority of chronic pain patients and show greater inflammatory immune responses in human chronic pain patient populations as well as in animal models of neuropathic pain. Recent discoveries in chronic pain research have revealed sex differences in inflammatory signaling, a key component of sensory pathology in chronic neuropathic pain, inviting more research into the nuances of these sex differences. Here we use the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model to explore similarities and differences in expression and production of Inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in the lumbar spinal cord, as well as its role in chronic pain. We have discovered …

Identifying Genomic Data Sources From Biomedical Literature, Xu Zuo, Ashley Gilliam, Yan Hu, Kalpana Raja, Kirk Roberts, Hua Xu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Genomic research is becoming increasingly data-intensive, yet the proper reference of data remains a persistent challenge. Despite various efforts to establish and standardize data citation practices, scientists frequently fall short of accurately referencing data in their papers. This deficiency complicates the attribution of contributions to data providers and impedes the reproducibility of findings in genomic research. This study addresses this gap by introducing a gold standard corpus designed to identify mentions of genomic data sources and associated attributes, thereby offering insights into data source availability and accessibility. Within this corpus, we categorize entities into six classes, encompassing three primary entities …

Dissecting The Shared Genetic Architecture Between Alzheimer’S Disease And Frailty: A Cross-Trait Meta-Analyses Of Genome-Wide Association Studies, Nitesh Enduru, Brisa S Fernandes, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Frailty is the most common medical condition affecting the aging population, and its prevalence increases in the population aged 65 or more. Frailty is commonly diagnosed using the frailty index (FI) or frailty phenotype (FP) assessments. Observational studies have indicated the association of frailty with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the shared genetic and biological mechanism of these comorbidity has not been studied.

Methods: To assess the genetic relationship between AD and frailty, we examined it at single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), gene, and pathway levels.

Results: Overall, 16 genome-wide significant loci (15 unique loci) (p meta-analysis < 5 × 10-8) and 22 genes (21 unique genes) were identified between AD and frailty using cross-trait meta-analysis. The 8 shared loci implicated 11 genes: CLRN1-AS1, CRHR1 …

Mining The Qhapaq Ñan With Micaela De Vivero: Decolonial Cords, Joy Sperling

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Enhancing The Textbook’S Cultural Content Within The University Museum: Students’ Perceptions Of Two Activities, Nausica Marcos Miguel, Megan Hancock

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Inquiry, Value, And Some Peculiarities Of The Pyrrhonist’S Psychology, Chelsea Bowden

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Puerto Rican Welfare Queens And The Semiotics Ofrespectability: The Language Of Race, Class, Andgender, Mary Beaton

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Resourceful Remedies: Herbal Medicines In Indigenous Villages Of Northern Thailand, Ava Peyton

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

In The Shadow Of The Moon: Reflections On The April 2024 Total Solar, Danielle Oliver

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.