Digital Commons Network^™

Dual Suppression Of Glossina Pallidipes Using Entomopathogenic Fungal-Based Biopesticides And Sterile Insect Technique, Fidelis L.O. Ombura, Adly M.M. Abd-Alla, Komivi S. Akutse, Steven Runo, Paul O. Mireji, Rosemary Bateta, Joseck E. Otiwi, Inusa J. Ajene, Fathiya M. Khamis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies and trypanosomosis significantly impact bovine production and human health in sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating underdevelopment, malnutrition, and poverty. Despite various control strategies, long-term success has been limited. This study evaluates the combined use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and the sterile insect technique (SIT) to combat tsetse flies. Eleven EPF isolates were tested against teneral males of Glossina pallidipes, focusing on mortality rates, radial growth, and impacts on fly fitness. Temperature effects on conidial growth, sporulation, and spore yield of SIT-compatible/tolerant strains were also assessed. The fungal isolates significantly influenced mortality rates in both unirradiated and irradiated (SIT-treated) males (p <  0.0001). Metarhizium anisopliae strains ICIPE 20, ICIPE 32, ICIPE 41, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 78, and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 603 showed higher SIT compatibility/tolerance with LT50 values of 11–30 days, compared to other more virulent isolates with LT50 values of 4–9 days. Temperature significantly affected the radial growth of SIT-compatible EPF strains (p <  0.0001), with M. anisopliae ICIPE 78 exhibiting the fastest conidia growth at 25°C. Spore yield varied significantly across temperatures (15–40°C), and the thermal range for conidia germination of SIT-compatible strains was 8.1–45.4°C, with an optimal range of 26.7–31.1°C. Moreover, infected unirradiated females and irradiated males (donors) successfully transmitted conidia to untreated flies (receivers) without significant differences in survival rates (p = 0.6438) and no observed sex dimorphism. Our findings highlight the potential of combining EPF and SIT as a novel dual approach that could effectively and synergistically suppress tsetse fly populations.

Optimizing Microbe-Infected Mosquito Release: A Stochastic Model For Malaria Prevention, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Philip Ngare, Benard Kipchumba Kiplangat, Shirley Abelman, Jeremy K. Herren

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Malaria remains a critical public health challenge in Africa, demanding innovative control strategies. This study introduces a novel approach using Microsporidia MB-infected mosquitoes and stochastic optimal control within a Lévy process framework to regulate mosquito release strategies. The primary goal is to optimize Microsporidia MB prevalence within mosquito populations to disrupt Plasmodium transmission to humans. By incorporating Lévy noise into the modeling process, we capture the inherent randomness of mosquito dynamics, improving intervention accuracy. The model, guided by the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation, optimizes release protocols while accounting for key environmental factors like seasonality and temperature fluctuations. Results show that intervention …

Insect Frass Fertilizer As A Regenerative Input For Improved Biological Nitrogen Fixation And Sustainable Bush Bean Production, Agnes Chepkorir, Dennis Beesigamukama, Harun I. Gitari, Shaphan Y. Chia, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Birachi Eliud Abucheli, Jean Claude Rubyogo, Theodore Zahariadis, Gina Athanasiou, Aikaterini Zachariadi, Vasileios Zachariadis, Abdou Tenkouano, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is undermined by soil degradation and low biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) capacity. This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) on bush bean growth, yield, nutrient uptake, BNF, and profitability, in comparison with commercial organic fertilizer (Phymyx, Phytomedia International Ltd., Kiambu, Kenya), synthetic fertilizer (NPK), and rhizobia inoculant (Biofix, MEA Fertilizers, Nairobi, Kenya). The organic fertilizers were applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg N ha−1 while the NPK was applied at 40 kg N ha−1, 46 kg P ha−1, and 60 kg K ha−1. The fertilizers …

A Worldwide Overview Of The Status And Prospects Of Edible Insect Production, R. Caparros Megido, F. Francis, E. Haubruge, P. Le Gall, J. K. Tomberlin, C. D. Miranda, H. R. Jordan, C. J. Picard, M. J.M. Pino, J. Ramos-Elordy, E. Katz, K. B. Barragán-Fonseca, E. M. Costa-Neto, R. Ponce-Reyes, G. Wijffels, S. Ghosh, C. Jung, Y. S. Han, B. Conti, A. Vilcinskas, C. M. Tanga, M. O. Kababu, D. Beesigamukama, J. A. Morales Ramos, A. Van Huis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

There has been continuous and growing interest in edible insects. Worldwide, various levels of insect farming are emerging, ranging from small domestic farms to vertical farms reaching heights of 36 meters, accommodating several million growing insects. The appeal of insects lies in their ecological benefits, as they contribute to the valorization of unde-rutilized organic residues while requiring minimal space and water. The selection of insect species is influenced not only by their biology and behavior but also by local preferences and customs, varying with the scale of production and geographi-cal location. This review article aims to provide an updated overview …

Comparison Of Test Performance Of A Conventional Pcr And Two Field-Friendly Tests To Detect Coxiella Burnetii Dna In Ticks Using Bayesian Latent Class Analysis, Maureen W. Kamau, Carmel Witte, Wynand Goosen, Mathew Mutinda, Jandouwe Villinger, Dennis Getange, Rua Khogali, Michael E. Von Fricken, Eric Maurice Fèvre, Dawn Zimmerman, Yvonne Marie Linton, Michele Miller

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction: Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii)-infected livestock and wildlife have been epidemiologically linked to human Q fever outbreaks. Despite this growing zoonotic threat, knowledge of coxiellosis in wild animals remains limited, and studies to understand their epidemiologic role are needed. In C. burnetii-endemic areas, ticks have been reported to harbor and spread C. burnetii and may serve as indicators of risk of infection in wild animal habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare molecular techniques for detecting C. burnetii DNA in ticks. Methods: In total, 169 ticks from wild animals and cattle in wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya …

Preparation And Characterization Of Silver Nanoparticles And Its Medical Application Against Pathogenic Bacteria, Azhin Zainel Abbas, Rosure Borhanalden Abdulrahman, Thikra A. Mustafa

Baghdad Science Journal

The fabrication of Solid and Hollow silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been achieved and their characterization was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, UV–VIS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A TEM image revealed a quasispherical form for both Solid and Hollow Ag NPs. The measurement of surface charge revealed that although Hollow Ag NPs have a zeta potential of -43 mV, Solid Ag NPs have a zeta potential of -33 mV. According to UV-VIS spectroscopy measurement Solid and Hollow Ag NPs both showed absorption peaks at wavelengths of 436 nm and 412 nm, respectively. XRD pattern demonstrates that …

Synthesis, Characterization And Anticancer Activity Of Chitosan Schiff Base / Pvp Gold Nano Composite In Treating Esophageal Cancer Cell Line, Maha A. Younus, Baker F. Abdallaha

Baghdad Science Journal

In the present paper, chitosan Schiff base has been synthesized from chitosan’s reaction with the salicyldehyde. The AuNPs was manufacture by extract of onion peels as a reducing agent. The Au NPs that have been prepared were characterized through the UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD analyses and SEM microscopy. The polymer blends of the chitosan Schiff base / PVP has been prepared through using the approach of solution casting. Chitosan Schiff base / PVP Au nano-composites was prepared. Nano composites and polymer blends have been characterized by FTIR which confirm the formation of Schiff base by revealing a new band of absorption …

Water Treatment Using Zinc Nanoparticles And Apricot Plant Extracts From Organic And Inorganic Pollution, Suzan Muslim Abdullah, Abbas Ali Salih Al-Hamdani, Labeeb Ahmed Al-Zubaidi

Baghdad Science Journal

The apricot plant was washed, dried, and powdered after harvesting to produce a fine powder that was used in water treatment. created an alcoholic extract from the apricot plant using ethanol, which was then analysed using GC-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to identify the active components. Zinc nanoparticles were created using an alcoholic extract. FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, EDX, and TEM are used to characterize zinc nanoparticles. Using a continuous processing procedure, zinc nanoparticles with apricot extract and powder were employed to clean polluted water. Firstly, 2 g of zinc nanoparticles were used with 20 ml of polluted …

Semi-Analytical Assessment Of Magneto-Hydrodynamic Nano-Fluid Flow Jeffrey- Hamel Problem, Saja I Abdulridah, Abeer M Jasim

Baghdad Science Journal

In this paper, analyzing the non-dimensional Magnesium-hydrodynamics problem Using nanoparticles in Jeffrey-Hamel flow (JHF) has been studied. The fundamental equations for this issue are reduced to a three-order ordinary differential equation. The current project investigated the effect of the angles between the plates, Reynolds number, nanoparticles volume fraction parameter, and magnetic number on the velocity distribution by using analytical technique known as a perturbation iteration scheme (PIS). The effect of these parameters is similar in the converging and diverging channels except magnetic number that it is different in the divergent channel. Furthermore, the resulting solutions with good convergence and high …

Secure Smart Contract Based On Blockchain To Prevent The Non-Repudiation Phenomenon, Noor Sabah Mohammed, Omar A. Dawood, Ali M. Sagheer, Ahmed Adil Nafea

Baghdad Science Journal

Blockchain is an innovative technology that has gained interest in all sectors in the era of digital transformation where it manages transactions and saves them in a database. With the increasing financial transactions and the rapidly developed society with growing businesses many people looking for the dream of a better financially independent life, stray from large corporations and organizations to form startups and small businesses. Recently, the increasing demand for employees or institutes to prepare and manage contracts, papers, and the verifications process, in addition to human mistakes led to the emergence of a smart contract. The smart contract has …

Predictors On Mental Health Of Owning Cats And Dogs, Çağri Çağlar Si̇nmez, Ahmet Meti̇n, Emre Tüfekçi̇, Ali̇ İlteri̇ş Aykun, Vehbi̇ Güneş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The common consensus is that owning pets affects human health positively. However, the effects of owning pets on mental health are still controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the possible associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and owning cats and dogs in Türkiye. Additionally, the potential impact of personality traits on this relationship was examined. This study included 636 participants, of whom 52% were female (Mage = 33.02, SD = 15.78). Data was obtained by using a DASS-21 and the Big Five Personality Inventory. The findings revealed that owning cats and dogs was a promotive factor against depression (DE) …

Increasing Performance Of Bedside Shift Report To Enhance Nurse-Patient Communication, Hannah Schimmer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Bedside shift report is the recommended form of nursing shift-to-shift handoff and has positive effects on nurse-patient communication, but it is difficult to implement and sustain. The organization’s standard for nursing shift-to-shift handoff is bedside report; however, report was not routinely taking place at the bedside. Key opportunities for nurse-patient communication were lost and the organization’s patient experience scores related to nurse-patient communication were well below state and national averages. A pre- and post-test design quality improvement Doctor of Nursing Practice project was conducted using the Plan, Do, Study, Act framework. The objective of the project was to increase the …

Obesity In Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project To Improve Diagnosis And Treatment Of Adult Obesity, Lindsey K. Barrett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Obesity is a common and serious chronic health condition that is impacting individuals, families, and society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above (CDC, 2022b). The rate of adult obesity rose from 30.5% in 1999 to 41.9% in 2020 (CDC, 2023). BMI is often measured and documented at adult patient primary care visits but is rarely diagnosed and addressed by primary care providers (PCP) unless it contributes to the patient’s primary complaint or is the patient’s chief complaint. Gaps exist for implementing current evidence-based practice guidelines. …

Improving Obstetric Nursing Competency And Confidence In Shoulder Dystocia Emergencies Using High-Fidelity Simulation, Crystal M. Catron

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Shoulder dystocia is a rare obstetric emergency that can lead to severe maternal and neonatal complications. Obstetric nurses play a critical role in assisting in the specific nursing interventions that aid in the safe delivery of shoulder dystocia emergencies. However, due to this low-volume, high-risk occurrence many nurses lack the confidence and competence required during this obstetric emergency. High-fidelity simulation training can mimic a real-life shoulder dystocia emergency without any risk factors. High-fidelity simulation can allow nurses to practice the critical nursing interventions that are required to safely deliver the infant in a safe risk-free environment. This Doctorate in Nursing …

Reducing Aggressive Behavior In Long-Term Care By Improving Knowledge And Confidence, Jennifer Jo White

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Verbal and physical abuse in long-term care facilities has significantly increased due to the addition of middle-aged adults and elderly residents with dementia-induced behaviors. Aggressive behaviors must be managed with effective de-escalation techniques to reduce behaviors turning violent. Caregivers are not properly educated utilizing a robust training program leaving them with a lack of knowledge and confidence to manage aggression. This project aimed to implement an evidence-based guideline tool that equips the clinical staff with de-escalation techniques to effectively manage residents with aggressive behaviors by decreasing incident reports filed due to behavioral events. A review and synthesis of the literature …

Cultural Food Toolkit For Minorities With Hypertension, Stella N. Benya

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Despite the United States being considered one of the richest countries in the world, the gap in health disparities among minorities is a public health concern. Asian, Hispanic, and African American minorities are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension (HTN) and have less controlled blood pressure (BP) than Caucasians. It is important to create opportunities for health education, disease management, and shared decision making to tackle the gap in healthcare for minorities. Health care professionals delivering care in the community may lack adequate education and resources to fully address social determinants of health (SDoH) in minority populations suffering from …

Targeted Naloxone Education To Veterans And Its Impact On Naloxone Prescriptions, Annie Cole-Bradley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Opioid overdoses are the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Veterans are a population that are at higher risk for opioid overdoses. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the respiratory depression associated with an opioid overdose and prevent opioid related deaths. Increasing overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) is an essential component of harm reduction to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Following a review of the literature, evidence supports increasing naloxone education and suggests this increase in education has the potential to increase naloxone knowledge and naloxone prescription acceptance. This doctoral quality improvement project created patient …

Utilization Of A Depression Screening Tool In Primary Care, Charla Burchett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Major Depressive Disorder is a significant health issue among adult patients in the United States, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality (National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.). The purpose of this project was to implement routine screenings in a small rural primary care clinic using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and PHQ-9 (as applicable) to identify patients with depressive symptoms and refer those with positive results to mental health specialists for further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. As depressive symptoms can emerge at any time, patients were screened at each clinic visit, resulting in some patients being screened more than once. …

Going Beyond The Exam Room: Increasing Social Determinants Of Health Screenings And Community Referrals In A Community Health Center, Catherine Lightfoot

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are factors that affect a patient’s health outcomes but are not medical measurements, prescriptions, or therapies. Instead, they are external forces or social risks a person faces based upon where they live, work, and play. Screening for these risks allows a medical team more information about a patient and their situation and can contribute to personalized care. Screening patients for these determinants in a community health primary care setting is important and is increasingly being aligned with regulations and reimbursements. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to implement change …

Pharmacist-Led Inhaler Education As Part Of A Copd Care Bundle To Reduce Hospital Readmissions, Stephanie Fields

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Pharmacist-Led Inhaler Education as Part of a COPD Care Bundle to Reduce Hospital Readmissions

Stephanie Fields, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-C

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that results in decreased quality of life, premature death, and significant economic burden due to recurrent hospitalizations. The importance of proper disease management therefore cannot be overemphasized. The mainstay of COPD treatment is the use of inhaled medications. It is well documented that there are opportunities to improve the use of and adherence to these important medications to optimize quality of life and symptom control with the goal of avoiding the …

Initial Physical Health Screenings For Children In Foster Care, Stephanie D. Mondelli

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Access to healthcare or medical services is a basic human right. Children in the foster care system often face barriers in accessing medical services and continuity of care. These children have lost their biological families who would typically advocate for their healthcare needs. Foster care presents a whole set of new challenges for children, biological families, and foster parents. Child protective services has over 8,000 children in foster care at any given time. Navigating the healthcare system is convoluted but adding the additional stress of foster care on top of navigating the healthcare system can be quite cumbersome. Child protective …

Integrating Body Dysmorphic Disorder Screening Into Aesthetic Medicine Clinics, Michelle Andrus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

As rates of elective cosmetic and dermatological procedures increase, it remains imperative for

aesthetic medicine providers to adequately screen potential patients for body dysmorphic

disorder (BDD). A psychiatric disorder, BDD presents when persons perceive flaws that are not

apparent to others, perform repetitive actions to examine and groom themselves which hinders

daily living activities, and require constant reassurance regarding their appearance. Literature

notes those with BDD seek elective cosmetic surgery at higher rates than the general population

resulting in poor satisfaction and outcomes. Cosmetic Procedure Screening (COPS) is a validated

screening tool for BDD and this quality improvement project sought …

Empowering Nurses: Virtual Mentorship For Local Patient Care, Kimberly Kenney Dr.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Retention of critical care nurses is a challenge for healthcare organizations. Regional critical access hospitals struggle with recruitment and retention of qualified registered nurses (RN). Providing nurses with experienced mentorship can support continued learning and opportunities to provide high quality care. Veteran critical care nurses can provide invaluable mentorship to regional critical access hospitals, aiding them in the establishment of local critical care units. A review of literature provides evidence of the positive impact of RN mentorship programs through noted improvement in role satisfaction, RN retention, improved patient outcomes, and decreased organizational healthcare costs. The literature also identifies positive …

Behavioral Emergency Response Team: Improving Medical-Surgical Nurses' Confidence And Participation In De-Escalation Interventions, Amara Toure

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The most common form of Workplace Violence (WPV) in the United States (US) is patients' aggressive behaviors toward healthcare professionals, predominantly affecting nursing staff. This form of workplace violence can be mitigated by equipping nursing staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to de-escalate behavioral emergencies in acute care settings. Bowers’ Safewards de-escalation model was selected as the theoretical framework for this Quality Improvement (QI) project. The QI project aimed to increase nurses’ confidence in participation in de-escalation interventions, including the appropriate activation of a Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) by medical-surgical nurses working at a government hospital in the …

Adolescent Depression: Implementation Of Annual Screening To Improve Mental Health Referral Rates, Crystal R. Prewitt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Adolescent depression is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 2.9 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years old affected by Major Depressive Disorder annually. Adolescent depression increases the risk of academic difficulties, substance abuse, and suicide. Depression screening in the primary care setting is an effective intervention to identify at-risk youth, but screening rates remain low. Primary care providers fail to identify up to 80% of adolescents with depression symptoms and more than 60% of adolescents do not receive needed mental health services. This DNP project implemented an evidence-based practice change for annual …

Simplification Of High Graphene/N-Si Schottky Junction Solar Efficiency, Hilal Al Busaidi

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Because of the outstanding properties of graphene such as optical transmission and mobility of charges [1], it incorporates to Schottky solar cells. These properties of graphene also reduces the optical and electrical losses which are in solar cells made of p-n structures. To increase the performance of electronic devices, researchers developed 3 designs using graphene with silicon solar cell technology. Schottky junction solar cells made of graphene and n-silicon have attained efficiency values comparable to p-n junction silicon solar cells. Nevertheless, issues remain such as how to simplify the creating process to improve the fill factor and stability of devices. …

Numerical Modelling And Analysis Of Blood Flow Through Compliant, Size-Mismatched Arterial Anastomoses In Reconstructive Surgery., Adam Kyte

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Free tissue transfer in reconstructive surgery necessitates microsurgical anastomosis of arteries and veins. Size discrepancy between donor and recipient arteries can present a challenge for the microsurgeon, for which various anastomotic techniques are available. Thrombosis can be induced by regions of flow recirculation or stagnation. Metrics such as time-averaged wall shear stress (AWSS) and relative residence time (RRT) can quantify such flow conditions. Factors such as vessel size mismatch, anastomotic technique, resistance (and compliance) of the donor flap and pressures at the recipient site all influence these flow conditions. In this study, a numerical modelling methodology is developed to elucidate …

Essential Omega‐3 Fatty Acids Are Depleted In Sea Ice And Pelagic Algae Of The Central Arctic Ocean, Katrin Schmidt, Martin Graeve, Clara J.M. Hoppe, S Torres‐Valdes, Nahid Welteke, Laura M. Whitmore, Philipp Anhaus, Angus Atkinson, Simon T. Belt, Tina Brenneis, Robert G. Campbell, Giulia Castellani, Louise A. Copeman, Hauke Flores, Allison A. Fong, Nicole Hildebrandt, Doreen Kohlbach, Jens M. Nielsen, Christopher C. Parrish, C Rad‐Menéndez, Sebastian D. Rokitta, Sandra Tippenhauer, Yanpei Zhuang

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Microalgae are the main source of the omega‐3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), essential for the healthy development of most marine and terrestrial fauna including humans. Inverse correlations of algal EPA and DHA proportions (% of total fatty acids) with temperature have led to suggestions of a warming‐induced decline in the global production of these biomolecules and an enhanced importance of high latitude organisms for their provision. The cold Arctic Ocean is a potential hotspot of EPA and DHA production, but consequences of global warming are unknown. Here, we combine a full‐seasonal EPA and DHA dataset …

Aquatic Connectivity: Challenges And Solutions In A Changing Climate, Paul A. Franklin, Tea Bašić, Phil I. Davison, Katie Dunkley, Jonathan Ellis, Mayuresh Gangal, Alexia M. González-Ferreras, Catherine Gutmann Roberts, Georgina Hunt, Domino Joyce, C. Antonia Klöcker, Rachel Mawer, Timo Rittweg, Velizara Stoilova, Lee Frank Gordon Gutowsky

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The challenge of managing aquatic connectivity in a changing climate is exacerbated in the presence of additional anthropogenic stressors, social factors, and economic drivers. Here we discuss these issues in the context of structural and functional connectivity for aquatic biodiversity, specifically fish, in both the freshwater and marine realms. We posit that adaptive management strategies that consider shifting baselines and the socio-ecological implications of climate change will be required to achieve management objectives. The role of renewable energy expansion, particularly hydropower, is critically examined for its impact on connectivity. We advocate for strategic spatial planning that incorporates nature-positive solutions, ensuring …

International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 399 Preliminary Report: Building Blocks Of Life, Atlantis Massif, Andrew M. Mccaig, S.Q. Lang, Peter Blum, Expedition 399 Scientists, Andrew Parsons

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

No abstract provided.