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Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis: A Systematic Review, Krishna Patel, Peter Lio

Student Publications

Background

The epithelial barriers, which include the skin, the gut, and the respiratory lining, play a crucial role in protecting the body from pathogens and environmental threats. Many harmful toxins are increasingly part of modern life. The increase in usage of these damaging agents in conjunction with the increase in allergic inflammatory conditions suggests that the “epithelial barrier hypothesis”—the concept that damage to the epithelia by external agents can result in dysbiosis, inflammation, and allergy—may explain the rise in these conditions seen in the developed world.

Objective

We sought to assess the evidence for the epithelial barrier hypothesis, with particular …

Engagement With Professional Stakeholders In Healthcare Research—The Case Of The Dementia Personalised Care Team (D-Pact) Project In The United Kingdom, Basharat Hussain, Hannah Wheat, Tomasina M. Oh, Richard Byng

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction: In this viewpoint we highlight a gap in the literature relating to the involvement of professional stakeholders in healthcare evaluation research. Method: Using the Dementia—PersonAlised Care Team (D-PACT) project as an example, we illustrate how professional stakeholder work can serve various functions, from understanding commissioning and policy context to contributing to detail of intervention components. Outcome: We argue that identifying these project-specific functions can help researchers to effectively plan when, how and for whom they will engage in professional stakeholder work across the course of an evaluation. In addition, we call for further evidence-based guidance and sufficient allocation of …

Loss Of Chop Prevents Joint Degeneration And Pain In A Mouse Model Of Pseudoachondroplasia, Jacqueline T Hecht, Alka C Veerisetty, Mohammad G Hossain, Debabrata Patra, Michele Carrer, Frankie Chiu, Dorde Relic, Paymaan Jafar-Nejad, Karen L Posey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a severe dwarfing condition characterized by impaired skeletal growth and early joint degeneration, results from mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). These mutations disrupt normal protein folding, leading to the accumulation of misfolded COMP in chondrocytes. The MT-COMP mouse is a murine model of PSACH that expresses D469del human COMP in response to doxycycline and replicates the PSACH chondrocyte and clinical pathology. The basis for the mutant-COMP pathology involves endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling through the PERK/eIF2α/CHOP pathway. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), in conjunction with a TNFα inflammatory process, upregulates mTORC1, hindering autophagy clearance of mutant COMP …

Glucose-Lowering Agents Developed In The Last Two Decades And Their Perioperative Implications, Basavana Goudra, Geno Merli, Michael Green

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

The last two decades have provided far more options f both patients and their physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. While dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been approved for nearly two decades, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are relatively new. Of interest to perioperative physicians, these drugs present specific perioperative concerns, prompting many societies to issue guidelines. Retained gastric contents due to slow gastric emptying is a significant drawback of GLP-1RAs, increasing the risk of aspiration. Recommendations include withholding GLP-1RAs for a predefined period of time, performing gastric ultrasound to evaluate gastric …

Perceptions Of Early Childhood System Partners On Career Pathways, Melissa Larson Busby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found high-quality early childhood teachers are crucial to high-quality programs for young children. Despite this, there is a significant need for more highly qualified teachers in a southwestern state. The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of early childhood education (ECE) systems partners in one southwestern state regarding the current systems, structures, and policies related to career pathways through the high school, community college, and university levels. The conceptual framework for this study was based on von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory and systems thinkers such as Senge, who detail the complex interactions between systems …

Hiring, Training, And Retaining Mental Health Professionals At Rural Wisconsin Correctional Facilities, Jessica Kallenbach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional facilities in rural Wisconsin have noted a shortage of trained mental health professionals to provide care. Common barriers to providing mental health services in rural areas are the availability and accessibility of mental health professionals. Due to limited access to financial and career benefits, mental health professionals tend to avoid working in these areas. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of mental health professionals, administrators, and supervisors in hiring, training, and retaining staff in rural Wisconsin correctional facilities. Bandura’s social learning theory was used to guide the study. Data was collected from …

Perceptions Of Black Women’S Portraits Of Beauty In Essence Magazine, Dr. Rachel Mingo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, beauty standards in the United States were rooted in White ideals, influencing media portrayals of Black women to align with White features like lighter skin and straightened hair. Although recent studies suggest a slow shift toward a more diverse representation of Black beauty, depictions in magazines still predominantly reflect mainstream Western beauty ideals, leading to potential negative impacts on Black women’s self-esteem and body image. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how young Black women, ages 18–25, perceive portrayals of Black beauty in Essence magazine. Black feminist thought constituted the theoretical basis for this study. …

Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic, Ethical-Legal, And Philanthropic Performances In Ghanaian Banks Using Big Data Analytics, Mohammed Alhassan Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly essential for Ghanaian banks to reconcile financial growth with ethical, legal, and civic obligations amid escalating societal expectations. The specific research problem was that the extent to which Ghanaian banks employed big data analytics (BDA) to boost multidimensional CSR performance encompassing economic, ethical-legal, and philanthropic dimensions was unknown. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the potential impacts of BDA use and overall CSR performance on Ghanaian banks’ economic, ethical-legal, and philanthropic dimensions of CSR. Using stakeholder theory and a resource-based view, BDA was applied as a strategic tool for …

Targeted Degradation Of Oncogenic Krasg12v Triggers Antitumor Immunity In Lung Cancer Models, Dezhi Li, Ke Geng, Yuan Hao, Jiajia Gu, Saurav Kumar, Annabel T Olson, Christina C Kuismi, Hye Mi Kim, Yuanwang Pan, Fiona Sherman, Asia M Williams, Yiting Li, Fei Li, Ting Chen, Cassandra Thakurdin, Michela Ranieri, Mary Meynardie, Daniel S Levin, Janaye Stephens, Alison Chafitz, Joy Chen, Mia S Donald-Paladino, Jaylen M Powell, Ze-Yan Zhang, Wei Chen, Magdalena Ploszaj, Han Han, Shengqing Stan Gu, Tinghu Zhang, Baoli Hu, Benjamin A Nacev, Medard Ernest Kaiza, Alice H Berger, Xuerui Wang, Jing Li, Xuejiao Sun, Yang Liu, Xiaoyang Zhang, Tullia C Bruno, Nathanael S Gray, Behnam Nabet, Kwok-Kin Wong, Hua Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most frequently mutated oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma, with G12C and G12V being the most predominant forms. Recent breakthroughs in KRASG12C inhibitors have transformed the clinical management of patients with the G12C mutation and advanced our understanding of the function of this mutation. However, little is known about the targeted disruption of KRASG12V, partly due to a lack of specific inhibitors. Here, we leverage the degradation tag (dTAG) system to develop a KRASG12V-transgenic mouse model. We explored the therapeutic potential of KRASG12V degradation and characterized its effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME). …

Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic, Ethical-Legal, And Philanthropic Performances In Ghanaian Banks Using Big Data Analytics, Mohammed Alhassan Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly essential for Ghanaian banks to reconcile financial growth with ethical, legal, and civic obligations amid escalating societal expectations. The specific research problem was that the extent to which Ghanaian banks employed big data analytics (BDA) to boost multidimensional CSR performance encompassing economic, ethical-legal, and philanthropic dimensions was unknown. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the potential impacts of BDA use and overall CSR performance on Ghanaian banks’ economic, ethical-legal, and philanthropic dimensions of CSR. Using stakeholder theory and a resource-based view, BDA was applied as a strategic tool for …

Generative Ai In Shariah Advisory In Islamic Finance: An Experimental Study, Muhammad Noman Jokhio, Muhammad Asif Jaffer

Business Review

Islamic banks adhere strictly to Shariah principles in all operations and offerings, creating a demand for experts proficient in Shariah-compliant banking and finance. This study investigates the potential of using generative AI, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), to provide Shariah advisory in complex Islamic financing scenarios. The research evaluates general purpose public LLMs—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI—on their ability to identify Shariah compliance issues, cite relevant Shariah references, and propose actionable guidance for resolving compliance challenges in complex Islamic financing scenarios. A qualitative approach was used. The experimental study involved creation of complex, realistic financing scenarios requiring Shariah …

Re: Silver Bow Creek Butte Area Npl Site Spring Semi-Annual 2024 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Interim Site-Wide Groundwater Monitoring Data Report. Consent Decree- Civil Action No. Cv 89-039-Bu-She, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Population-Based Study Of The Epidemiology Of Stiff Person Syndrome In A Large Colorado-Based Health System, Paul Daniel Crane, Stefan Sillau, Renee Dreher, Rikki Fix, Phillip Winters, Russell Van Coevering, Eric Engebretson, Brooke Valdez, Elizabeth Matthews, Kavita V. Nair, Aaron M. Carlson, Amanda L. Piquet

Student Publications

Background and objectives: Stiff person syndrome spectrum disorder (SPSD) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms with an estimated prevalence of 1-2 cases per million people. Population-based epidemiologic studies are lacking because of both poor patient capture and the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. Objectives of this study were to describe the incidence and prevalence of SPSD within the University of Colorado Health (UCH) system and apply previously proposed published criteria for SPSD within this population.

Methods: We queried Health Data Compass, an electronic health data repository for a large academic health care system, …

Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Vs Education For Pain In Adults With Sickle Cell Disease, Charles R. Jonassaint, Christina M. Lalama, C. Patrick Carroll, Sherif M. Badawy, Megan E. Hamm, Jennifer N. Stinson, Chitra Lalloo, Santosh L. Saraf, Victor R. Gordeuk, Robert M. Cronin, Nirmish Shah, Sophie M. Lanzkron, Darla Liles, Julia A. O'Brien, Cassandra Trimnell, Lakiea Bailey, Raymona H. Lawrence, Leshana Saint Jean, Michael Debaun, Laura M. De Castro, Tonya M. Palermo, Kaleab Z. Abebe

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Despite the burden of chronic pain in sickle cell disease (SCD), nonpharmacological approaches remain limited. This multisite, randomized trial compared digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a digital pain/SCD education program ("Education") for managing pain and related symptoms. Participants were recruited virtually from seven SCD centers and community organizations in the United States. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with SCD-related chronic pain and/or daily opioid use were assigned to receive either CBT or Education for 12 weeks. Both groups used an app with interactive chatbot lessons and received personalized health coach support. The primary outcome was the change in pain interference …

Nonprofit Spotlight: Choice Humanitarian, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Research Summaries: Access To Education, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Full Issue: Access To Education, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Monetary Policy On Economic Growth: Evidence From Some Developing And Developed Economies, Collins Anosike

Journal of Global Awareness

The study examined the effects of monetary policy on the economic growth of some developing and developed economies. This study selected 33 countries grouped into 11 each as first-group, second-group, and third-group countries and showed how monetary policy has influenced their economic growth in the past 40 years, capturing the economic growth performances before and after the global financial crisis. This study is unique because it captures a broader range of countries compared to previous studies, uses updated data, and shows how monetary policy is transmitted through bank lending and financial intermediation. Furthermore, we use panel data and employ fixed …

Assessing State Laws And Regulations On Radon In Us Childcare Centers, Benjamin Poku, Sayed Hussaini

Journal of Global Awareness

In the US, radon is the second most significant contributor to lung cancer, following smoking. Despite this, there is a notable absence of state-level measures and guidelines aimed at managing and mitigating the risks associated with exposure to radon gas. The objective of this research was to investigate whether state-level laws regarding radon in childcare centers have a correlation with the proportion of counties in each state that fall under radon zone 1 (with levels exceeding 4 pCi/L). The research method was secondary analysis. Data was gathered from multiple sources, including the EPA radon website, academic journals, official state government …

Takaful Insurance Industries In Supporting Sustainable Socio-Economic Development In Indonesia, Fera Widyanata, Rasyida Pertiwi, Ahmad Syathiri

Journal of Global Awareness

Over the past four years, the demand for Takaful (Islamic insurance) among Indonesians has risen. Health Takaful has emerged as the most popular, followed by educational Takaful. Health and education are parts of the Human Development Index (HDI) and are closely related to building a stronger foundation for Indonesia's economic development. This study aims to enhance the Islamic finance ecosystem's impact on achieving SDGs, focusing on health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and economic growth (SDG 8), which are crucial for Indonesia's development. It discovers a causal relationship between the takaful industry and improvements in the health sector and …

The Mediation Of Financial Behavior To Financial Literacy And Spending Habits Of Gen Z: An Exploratory Factor Analysis, Joel Mark Rodriguez, Del Carmen Labong, Lourdes Palallos

Journal of Global Awareness

The study aims to explain the relationship of financial literacy with spending habits and behavior. Financial behavior is a mediator of Generation Z. Financial literacy is a very important dimension in making financial decisions, and this research highlighted the direct and indirect impacts that financial literacy exerts on spending behavior. Data is collected from 317 respondents using a structured questionnaire measuring financial literacy, financial behavior, and spending behavior. Correlation, regression, mediation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling have been used in evaluating these relationships. Financial literacy directly reflects a strong relationship with spending behavior, and its coefficient is 1.167. Financial behavior, …

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

The Kids Know What’S Up: Analyzing Student Poetry For Evidence Of Institutionalized Oppression, Sarah Straub

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

This article explores institutionalized oppression faced by students today. It incorporates student-created poetry as evidence of marginalization, sexism, racism, and discrimination based on legal status. The kids know what’s up. They are acutely aware of the effects of these systems on their own lives. It is the responsibility of the educator to acknowledge this truth and act on it.

Increasing Youth Engagement In Community Heritage And Social Justice Through Implementation Of A Youth Participatory Empowerment Model, Jancarlos Wagner-Romero, Mary Gillis, Lindsay Clemens, Amanda J. Dworak Rowland, Curlinda Mitchell-Blacksheep, Melanie Canaday-Talley

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Youth in traditionally marginalized communities are often the target of policies and practices without the opportunity to provide input. This article highlights effective strategies to empower youth to become active participants in their communities. Using a Youth Participatory Empowerment Model (YPEM), youth participants from six demographically distinct communities engaged in YPEM-supported activities and strategies to identify and address a need within their community. To gain insight into successful strategies, qualitative data from pre and post implementation focus group interviews and observational field notes informed the conclusions. The participant youth represent tribal, undocumented, rural, suburban, and urban youth from underserved populations. …

Nappy, Loc’D Or Straight, It Still Gets Hate: A Collaborative Autoethnography Examining Black Hair In K-12 Education And Beyond, Maiya Turner, Janae Alexander-Bady, Virginia Redwine Johnson, Salandra Grice, Tyra Montour

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that Black hair discrimination has on Black girls in K-12 educational settings. Black hair has long been tied to Black girls and women’s cultural identities. However, Black girls often fall victim to discrimination based on their hair texture and style, which can often impact their relationship with their hair through adulthood. Utilizing collaborative autoethnography, we provide our hair experiences during our K-12 educational experiences and how this has impacted our current relationships with our hair. Additionally, within the findings, we identify three themes common among our experiences: dress codes as …

Equal For Whom?: An Analysis Of Multicultural Policies In Norway And The Us Through The Lens Of Immigrant Unemployment, Jodie Boisvert

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

Norway and the United States boast diverse and equal societies. Both have attempted to implement multicultural policies to facilitate immigrants' integration into the host society. Engaging with the theories of racism, xenophobia, and multiculturalism, this paper analyzes the immigrant unemployment outcomes from Norway and the United States from 2015-2020 to identify patterns and anticipate causal relationships from these patterns. Standardized data from both countries show that immigrants from Global South countries have far worse employment outcomes than immigrants from Global North countries. The xenophobic and racist histories of both countries could explain this. This paper analyzes the multicultural policies of …

Modernist Transitions: Cultural Encounters Between British And Bangla Modernist Fiction From 1910s To 1950s, Shamika Shabnam

Critical Humanities

A Review of Modernist Transitions: Cultural Encounters between British and Bangla Modernist Fiction from 1910s to 1950s

Bearing Witness To Native Stories: An Interview With Ahousaht First Nation’S Mark Atleo And Cowichan First Nation’S Adrian Sylvester, Henry Wang, Hannah Hou

Critical Humanities

Walter Fisher (1984) claims that humans are homo narrans, suggesting that not only is narrative the common act in which disparate groups of people engage, but that storytelling itself is a fundamental human undertaking. In this brief interview, we (Henry Wang and Hannah Huo) engage with the stories of two First Nations members, Mark Atleo and Adrian Sylvester, who are of the Ahousaht and Cowichan Tribes, respectively. An important component of storytelling is not just telling or conveying that story to another, but bearing witness to it (Wyles, O’Leary, and Tsantefski 2023). That is what we hope to do …

Homelessness And Uncertain Belonging Of The Bhutanese Nepali Diaspora, Ramji Timalsina

Critical Humanities

Bhutanese Nepali Diaspora is a classic example of Nepali transnational community. Started centuries ago, it was massively developed in the 19^th and 20^th centuries before it was dispersed in the 21^st century. Living in Bhutan as an agricultural and free-of-cost-labour community for the Bhutanese regime, they always believed that Nepali culture, language and king were their own. When Bhutan brought the ‘one culture, one nation’ policy in the 1980s, about a hundred thousand Bhutanese Nepalis were expelled and they returned to Nepal with the belief that Nepal as their ancestor’s land would accept them. But, as the …

Farrowing Performance And Piglet Characteristics Of Highly Prolific Sows In A Tropical Environment, Yosua Kristian Adi, Roy N. Kirkwood, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The swine industry has witnessed a remarkable increase in average litter size in recent decades, driven by genetic advancements and breeding programs aimed at enhancing prolificacy. This rise in hyperprolificacy has presented both opportunities and challenges, particularly in tropical environments where factors such as ambient temperature and humidity can influence reproductive performance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on farrowing performance and piglet characteristics of highly prolific sows in tropical settings. Studies have reported a consistent increase in litter size globally, leading to challenges in farrowing management and piglet survival. Factors such as elevated ambient temperatures and extended farrowing durations have …