Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Heat Therapy On Redox Signaling In Skeletal Muscle, Kimberly Miriam Richard

Theses and Dissertations

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as crucial signaling molecules in skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise and signal for protective pathways within the myofiber. Pathological heat stress studies in animals demonstrate the ability of heat to increase ROS production in skeletal muscle. Limited data on the influence of therapeutic heat on ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle exists in the literature. The purpose of this study was to assess ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle following an acute, therapeutic bout of heat treatment. We hypothesized that heat would create an oxidized environment within …

Elimination Method Of Temperature Lag Effect In Deformation Monitoring Data Of Cable‑Stayed Bridge Structures, Liu Hongshuang, Zhai Wenqiang, Zeng Guoliang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

There is a temperature lag effect in the deformation monitoring data of the bridge structure.Eliminating the temperature lag effect is of great significance in the health monitoring of the bridge structure.Based on the linear correlation between the deformation of the bridge structure and the temperature，this paper applied the goodness of fit test and proposed a time-domain translation elimination method.On this basis，by taking the long-term synchronous monitoring of the tower inclination，beam end displacement，main girder deflection，and temperature data of a cable-stayed bridge as an example，this method was used to eliminate the temperature lag effect in the deformation monitoring data and compared with …

Undeserving And Underserved: Violence Victims And Society, Venita Monet C. D'Angelo

Theses

This capstone includes three papers that explore how structural disadvantage, place-based dynamics, and institutional responses shape the experiences of individuals and communities. The first paper focuses on the relationship between concentrated disadvantage, micro-places, and individual outcomes. It shows how crime is not randomly distributed but clusters in specific locations within disadvantaged neighborhoods. Drawing on theories of social disorganization and cumulative disadvantage, the paper explains how neighborhood and micro-place conditions intersect to shape long-term risks and outcomes for residents. The second paper analyzes a community-based intervention designed to reduce recidivism and revictimization. The evaluation considers the program’s design, goals, and limitations, …

Creating A Digital House Of Knowledge: Ensuring The Continuation And Integrity Of Indigenous Knowledge Transfers In The Digital Era, Jacquelyn C. Cordova

Indigenous Studies

Traditional Indigenous knowledge transfer systems have contributed to the sustainability of highly advanced Indigenous societies since time immemorial. These systems have been purposefully targeted since European arrival to the Americas in the late 1400s and early 1500s, consequently creating barriers for Indigenous Peoples as they strive to conduct their traditional knowledge transfer processes within their communities. These barriers, paired with the continual rise and use of global technologies, have created circumstances where many Native Elders and Knowledge Keepers experience difficulty reaching their youth and community members to ensure the successful transfer of Indigenous data and knowledge to current and future …

A Comparative Analysis Of Diversity Statements In Public And Private Higher Education Institutions, Andrew Julian Aquino

Communication

This study undertakes a comparative analysis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements from public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United States (U.S.). Employing qualitative thematic and comparative analysis, the research examines how these HEIs articulate and communicate their DEI commitments, with particular attention to the use of actionable language and communication strategies. Grounded in Social Change Theory, the study theorizes the potential role of DEI statements in fostering institutional transformation and advancing social justice. Guided by two primary research questions — (RQ1) What external factors are reflected in the language of the DEI statements of public …

Healing Education, Nurturing Through Writing: Autonomic & Somatic Nervous System Social-Emotional Learning Techniques For Writing And Their Application In Cultural Translation, Dafna Rica Ezran-Young

Education

Alaska school districts have provided structured, district-led social-emotional learning since the 1990s. The Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning website showcases the Anchorage School District’s program, highlighting its standards and early initiatives as models for districts across the nation to emulate when developing and implementing their programs. Yet, K-12 social-emotional learning programs have failed to adequately support Alaskan students. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, two urban Alaskan school districts have adopted a supplementary strategy: they contract with outside agencies to provide mental health services on site at schools. Some schools have modified the social-emotional learning paradigm to increase cultural responsiveness …

Identification And Future Susceptibility Of Permafrost Degradation Near Red Dog Mine, Caitlynn Tautuk Hanna

Engineering

Permafrost degradation is a major concern in the Arctic region, and its impacts on infrastructure, ecosystems, and global climate are significant. Within recent years, 2018 to present, the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) has been elevated in Ikalukrok Creek in Northwest Alaska, made evident by creek discolorations known as river rusting. The current analyses indicate that changes in permafrost regimes can trigger the observed rise in TDS. Data visualization, remote sensing, and permafrost modeling were used to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the increase of TDS and to identify regions susceptible to permafrost degradation. This comprehensive approach integrates …

Skincare Brands Strategies To Maintain A Competitive Advantage, Tracey Hicks-Kearse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Skincare companies are facing significant challenges in remaining competitive due to a lack of brand loyalty. To stay competitive, skincare brand leaders must adopt innovative strategies to increase product awareness and foster brand loyalty. Grounded in Michael Porter's Theory of Management, this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies skincare brand leaders use to strengthen brand loyalty and sustain a competitive advantage. The study involved five skincare brand leaders in New York City who implemented these strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, social media, and websites. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Three themes emerged: …

Method For Measuring The Rate Of Improvement In Survival Times Of Cancer Patients, Thobani Chaduka

Theses and Dissertations

In clinical settings, technological advancements have facilitated health care improvements in data analytics, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, health information systems, etc. This has furthered our understanding of cancer biology and treatment mechanisms. In this study, we aim to understand whether Moore’s law-like models may derive from historical cancer survival data, and how they can predict survival statistics for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Historically these predictions have previously been done with the diagnosis year as the independent variable and the survival as a dependent variable. In this study we use death year data as an independent variable and from that, we derive …

My Beautiful Scars: Writing For Recovery, Amanda Vineyard

Theses and Dissertations

My Beautiful Scars is a memoir written by AL Vineyard. Ms. Vineyard is a recovering methamphetamine and opioid user. She has a painful past and following an injury, fell deep into the world of drugs. Her substance use disorder progressed quickly. After the injury, she was prescribed opioid painkillers. The euphoria provided by the opioids numbed the pain that Vineyard experienced in her life. It became her. Over the years, Vineyard graduated to snorting and then, to shooting up her painkillers. A series of events led Vineyard to quit opioids and start shooting methamphetamine, which took her into a world …

“The Dead Cold Light Of Tomorrow”: Historical Grief In Literature In The Aftermath Of Influenza, Caitlin Liana Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

During the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, commonly referred to as The Spanish Flu, somewhere between 20 and 100 million lives were lost globally, but this tragedy has faded from history in many Western cultures. World War I, while far less deadly, has been memorialized far more frequently and has been overshadowing the devastation of the pandemic since its inception. The grief that survivors experienced–for loved ones and for themselves–was not given an external outlet and as a result there are few contemporary historical sources to turn to when looking for evidence of that grief. In the absence of more traditional …

Mammalian Trait Evolution: Macroevolutionary And Comparative Genomic Analyses Of Diet And Ursid-Specific Adaptations, Matthew David Pollard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Complex traits such as diet have shaped the evolutionary success of species, driving the diversity of form and function that we observe across the tree of life. My research investigates the genomic and macroevolutionary forces behind diet and other complex traits, revealing how they mediate evolutionary change across Mammalia. I utilized two complementary approaches for understanding the evolution of diet in mammals. First, I created two continuous dietary variables—degree of carnivory and degree of dietary specialization—to quantify the impact of diet on mammalian speciation. I found that degree of carnivory, rather than dietary specialization, significantly influenced speciation, but did not …

December 17, 2024 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Investigation And Computational Analysis Of The Iqd Gene Family In Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.): Expression Profiling Under Salt Stress, Tarik Kirlioğlu, Aybüke Okay, Emi̇ne Sümer Aras, İlker Büyük

Turkish Journal of Botany

Common bean is one of the most nutritionally important legumes because of its high-quality protein content. While its genome has been widely studied however, the IQD gene family has not been extensively investigated in common bean to date. The IQD proteins (IQ-67 domain), a type of calmodulin-binding protein, are involved in plant growth and development, as well as the plant's response to environmental stressors. In this study, thirty-six PvIQD genes were discovered and their proteins were found to be classified into four groups according to the phylogenetic tree. The proteins which are encoded by PvIQD genes with similar exon-intron pattern …

Primary Distribution And Rt-Pcr-Based Detection Of Citrus Dwarfing Viroid (Cdvd) In Citrus Cultivars Of Pakistan, Zia Ul Haq, Amjad Ali, Syed A.H. Naqvi, Faheem Shehzad Baloch, Ummad U.D. Umar

Turkish Journal of Botany

Viroid diseases have emerged as a significant threat to citrus orchards globally. In Pakistan, viroid infections have rapidly spread across different citrus cultivar, posing serious challenges to the survival of orchards. This study encompasses the determination of the prevalence and detection of Citrus dwarfing viroid (CDVd) in both reported and newly introduced citrus cultivars in Pakistan using RT-PCR. RNA was extracted from 122 infected citrus samples and examined for the presence of viroids following the successful optimization of newly designed CDVd primers (CDVd AF1/AR1). This led to the confirmation of CDVd in 72 samples (59.01%).. Biological indexing was performed using …

Genome-Wide Identification And Characterization Of The Lea Gene Family In Common Bean And The Role Of The Dehydrin Gene Pvhdn3 In Enhancing Salt And Drought Tolerance In Transgenic Tobacco Plant., Gökhan Gökdemi̇r, Zafer Seçgin, Karam Mostafa, Mohamed Farah Abdulla, Musa Kavas

Turkish Journal of Botany

Global climate change exposes crops to numerous abiotic and biotic stress factors, significantly threatening their growth, development, and overall productivity. Among the various abiotic stresses, salt and drought are the most detrimental, having a severe impact on yield stability. Late Embryogenesis Abundant proteins (LEA) represent a broad and varied class of polypeptides that accumulate in response to cellular dehydration across diverse organisms. Nonetheless, there has been a scarcity of studies on this protein family in common beans prior to this investigation. In this study, we identified 69 members of the LEA gene family in common bean, characterized by conserved LEA …

Heterologous Expression Of Haloarchaeal Transporter Genes In Nicotiana Tabacum Under Salt And Drought Stresses, Çi̇ğdem Otur, Musa Kavas, Aslihan Kurt Kizildoğan

Turkish Journal of Botany

The objective of the study: Climate change and human activities impose severe biotic and abiotic stresses that threaten plant survival. To cope with these extreme conditions, plants have evolved various resistance mechanisms. In recent years, genetic approaches have been increasingly employed to enhance abiotic stress tolerance and develop stress-resistant plants. In this study, we introduced three transporter-related genes from extreme haloarchaea, which thrive in saturated NaCl environments, into the Nicotiana tabacum genome to improve its salt and drought tolerance mechanisms.E xperimental procedure(s) : The U2845, U3508, and CL165 genes were subcloned into the pIPKb004 vector, which includes the cauliflower mosaic …

Brain Endothelial Permeability, Transport, And Flow Assessed Over 10 Orders Of Magnitude Using The In Situ Brain Perfusion Technique, Quentin R. Smith, Haritha Mandula, Jagan Mohan R. Parepally, Jun Oki, Fancy Thomas, Helen R. Thorsheim, Abraham J. Al‑Ahmad, Thomas J. Abbruscato, Per Ask, David S. Hage, Peter J. Robinson

David Hage Publications

Background Cerebral blood flow normally places a limit on the magnitude of brain vascular permeability (P) that can be measured in vivo. At normal cerebral blood flow, this limit falls at the lower end of lipophilicity for most FDAapproved CNS drugs. In this study, we report on two methods that can be used to overcome this limitation and measure brain vascular permeability values that are up to ~1000 times higher using the in situ brain perfusion technique.

Methods Rat brain was perfused with physiological saline at increased flow rate and in the presence of various concentrations of plasma protein, serum …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies For Early Diagnostic Precision And Personalized Therapeutic Strategies In Neuro-Ophthalmic And Neurodegenerative Pathologies, Rahul Kumar, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Phani Paladugu, Dylan Amiri, Jeremy Saintyl, Jahnavi Yelamanchi, Robert Nahouraii, Ram Jagadeesan, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Advancements in neuroimaging, particularly diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), have significantly enhanced the early detection of biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. This review highlights the transformative role of advanced diffusion MRI techniques-Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging-in identifying subtle microstructural changes in the brain and visual pathways that precede clinical symptoms. When integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, these techniques achieve unprecedented diagnostic precision, facilitating early detection of neurodegeneration and …

Does Emotion Regulation Capacity Moderate Social Anxiety Risk Given Experiences Of Racial Microaggressions In Black/African American Undergraduate Students?, Alisha M. Sylvester

Honors College Theses

Racial microaggressions are intentional or unintentional slights toward members of a marginalized community that may come in the form of verbal, behavioral, or environmental insults. Black/African Americans experience racial microaggressions frequently, and these experiences threaten mental health. Specifically, experiencing more racial microaggressions is linked with a risk for social anxiety. However, not all individuals within the community go on to experience social anxiety. Therefore, the present study sought to identify which individuals are more vulnerable to social anxiety given experiences of racism. Poorer emotion regulation (i.e., the ability to manage emotions) is a known risk factor for anxiety. Thus, I …

Compositions And Methods To Remove Ammonia In Freshwater And Saltwater Fish Storage Systems, Norma Arcelia Alcantar, Wen Zhao

USF Patents

Compositions, systems and methods of removing ammonia from fish storage systems are presented. A chemical water conditioner comprised of sodium formaldehyde bisulfite, cornstarch, dye and alcohol was found to have a high ammonia removal efficiency in seawater. A combination of this chemical water conditioner with modified chabazite and phosphate buffer exhibited high ammonia removal efficiency in both seawater and freshwater.

Teaching Dena'ina Language Through Dena'ina Culturally Based Reading Practices, Joel Isaak Yes

Indigenous Studies

The Dena'ina language is a well-documented Northern Dene Alaska Native language in south-central Alaska. The Dena'ina language is on the brink of going to sleep. The Dena'ina community strongly desires for the Dena'ina language to once again thrive in the community. Language-use within the community is a contributing factor to the health of the community. As Dena'ina tribes work towards bringing back the Dena'ina language, the community grapples with the role of reading and writing, both potentially harmful and aiding community language work. A Classroom-Based Action Research qualitative study was conducted to determine if reading instruction in the Dena'ina language …

Pmp2+ Scs Maintain The Survival And Functioning Of Large-Caliber Motor Axons, Mikolaj Kozlowski

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by selective neuronal vulnerability, a phenomenon in which a specific pathology induces the death of a particular subpopulation of neurons. For example, selective neuronal vulnerability in the peripheral nervous system results in sensory, motor, or mixed peripheral neuropathies. While the intrinsic differences between neuronal subtypes cannot fully explain the basis of selective neuronal vulnerability, it is plausible that it partially stems from neuron extrinsic mechanisms such as the malfunction of distinct Schwann cell (SC) subtypes. Recently, we identified an exciting subpopulation of myelinating SCs characterized by the expression of Adamtsl1, Cldn14, and Pmp2 (hereafter referred to …

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (Nmda) Receptors Control Calcium Signaling In Striatal Neurons To Guide Value-Based Learning, Alex Legaria Macal

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play an essential role in neuronal function. Activation of NMDARs leads to calcium influx into postsynaptic neurons, which regu?late many fundamental aspects of neuronal physiology including synaptic plasticity, gene expression, and excitability. In the striatum, the input region of the basal ganglia, NM?DAR activity has been shown to regulate physiological function of striatal neurons, such as synaptic plasticity and excitability, and they also modulate behavior, particularly op?erant learning. However, there are many fundamental questions about the signaling and effects of NMDARs in vivo that have yet to be resolved. Moreover, the link between the physiological and behavioral …

Understanding Sequence Determinants Of Functional Protein Dynamics Using Biophysical Simulations And Experiments, Upasana Lakshmi Mallimadugula

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mutations in the sequence of proteins associated with a disease often increase its risk or severity. They can also be a barrier to developing effective therapeutics for such diseases. One way in which mutations affect function is by altering dynamics that elude structural studies. Observing these changes requires methods that can report on movements of the protein on various timescales and is an ongoing challenge in biophysics and biochemistry. In this study I will use both experimental and computational techniques that can report on such dynamics to explore how small sequence changes shift the conformational landscape and consequently the function …

A Study On The Physical Health Consequences Of Excessive Online Gaming In Ui Vocational Students, Salva Feyza Najwa Zaferina, Auliya Zahra, Haura Shalihah Desti Gunawan, Nayla Nirmala Izzati, Nindya Fairuzi Pradipta, Duray Philip Rompas, Micho Gunawan

Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Terapan

This study investigates the impact of online gaming on the physical health of vocational program students at the University of Indonesia, amidst the growing popularity of this activity in the digital age. Utilizing a survey method, data were collected through questionnaires to assess gaming habits and their associated health effects. Findings reveal that while students report feelings of happiness and satisfaction from gaming, they also acknowledge adverse health outcomes. Notable issues include fatigue from prolonged gaming sessions, poor dietary habits, and sleep disturbances. Although a significant majority (94%) feel in control of their gaming time, a considerable portion (84%) recognizes …

Combining Alaska Forage Fish Data From Research Surveys And Predator Diets To Assess Forage Fish Response To Climatic Regime Shifts, Lindsay Turner

Fisheries

Forage fish play a crucial role in the marine ecosystems of Alaska through the transfer of energy from lower trophic levels to marine predators. Understanding and quantifying Alaskan forage fish responses to rapid climatic shifts is needed to inform adaptive management strategies under a warmer and more variable future in Alaska. However, data on the occurrence and abundance of forage fish in Alaska are limited due to the diversity of life history strategies and patchy distribution that make their capture in fisheries-independent surveys difficult. In this thesis, I address current gaps in the data available on forage fish through the …

Innovations In Plant Genome Editing And Biotechnology: Addressing Global Agricultural Challenges, Bayram Ali̇ Yerli̇kaya, Karam Mostafa, Abdullah Aydin, Seher Yerli̇kaya, Momna Mehmood, Ni̇sa Nur Yilmaz, Kubi̇lay Yildirim, Musa Kavas

Turkish Journal of Botany

Developments in genome editing and plant biotechnology in recent years, especially CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, offer essential tools for solving global agricultural problems that are worsened by climate change and the increasing food demand caused by the rising world population. This review focuses on the urgent need to feed a growing global population. It explores how key biotechnological tools can enhance crop resilience and nutritional quality amid climate variability and extreme weather. The applicability of CRISPR-Cas technologies in the development of climate-friendly, more nutritious, and higher-yielding crops has opened a biotechnological avenue for the development of both transgenic …

Building Bridges An Inclusive Practices Toolkit To Empower Neurodivergent Adults In The Workplace, Gloria Saldana

Student Theses and Dissertations

In this toolkit, designed for managers of neurodivergent employees, we will dig into the complexities of neurodivergence, specifically of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This toolkit aims to promote inclusivity within the workplace. We need to bridge the gap in improving neurodivergence education by understanding characteristics and communication differences, identifying cues, stigma, and consequences of actions ( e.g., bullying). Prioritizing each person's needs allows neurodivergent individuals and employers to discover natural talents and thrive within a diverse society. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, managers will learn strategies for clear and concise communication, facilitating smoother collaboration, and initiating changes in the …

Effects Of Deliberate Practice On Psychomotor Skill Retention In Nursing Students, Annette Oberhaus

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Psychomotor skills are considered a foundational block for nursing education, yet the approach to teaching these skills varies from program to program.

The goal of this quality improvement project is evaluation of the effects of a systematic change in the method of instructing nursing students in psychomotor skills. The hypothesis is that the use of Deliberate Practice for instruction will promote long-term skill proficiency and retention.