Digital Commons Network^™

The Immune System Under Pressure: Understanding The Impact Of Stress On Immune Function And Health, Kaeshwinie Murugan

Honors Theses

Stress has a profound impact on the immune health of college students, exacerbated by challenges such as academic pressures, sleep deprivation, and inadequate coping strategies. This study investigates the relationship between stress and immune function among students at Western Michigan University, utilizing survey data and existing literature to explore mechanisms of stress-induced immune suppression and identify effective interventions. The survey, conducted with 100 participants, revealed that over 70% experienced stress that adversely affected their immune systems, with 60% reporting insufficient sleep and 20% sleeping less than five hours per night.

The survey further highlighted students' reliance on specific coping mechanisms, …

Estimating The Carbon Flux Of Argyropelecus Aculeatus Within The Gulf Of Mexico, Sidney R. Trimble

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Anthropogenic impacts have led to increased levels of anthropogenic carbon within the atmosphere and the world’s oceans. The Biological Carbon Pump (BCP) plays a key role in reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and oceans by aiding in the export and sequestration of anthropogenic carbon. This occurs when carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the upper ocean takes place, and the carbon is then transferred down into the deep sea. Mesopelagic fishes may aid in this process of carbon transfer. Though the role of mesopelagic fishes is understudied in our world’s oceans, there are previous studies that focus …

Metabolic Response Of The Code Goby (Gobiosoma Robustum) To Estuarine Climate Change Forecasts, Karli S. Corey

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Forage fishes are small bodied species that form a diverse functional group, serving as a primary food source for a wide range of marine predators. This group plays a significant ecological role through energy transfer to higher trophic levels. Gobiosoma robustum (Code Goby) is a substantive diet component of several recreationally significant juvenile sportfishes in Florida estuaries. While the thermal tolerance of this species may be inferred from observational data, the absolute physiological limitations of this species remain unknown. In this study, intermittent-flow respirometry and critical thermal maxima were used to determine the response of G. robustum to chronic and …

Biophysical Adaptations Of Collective Cell Migration Through Multiscale Obstructions And Collagen Fibers In Extracellular Matrices, Ye Lim Lee

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Collective cell migration is a multiscale process, regulated by mechanosensitive proteins, adhesions between cells and with the extracellular matrix (ECM), and force propagation across length scales. The collective cell migration occurs as the cells receive the mechanical stimuli from the extracellular matrix and respond by generating forces to migrate. This behavior is widely observed in biological processes such as wound repair, angiogenesis, and pathogenic events like cancer metastasis and adipose tissue dysfunction. In these processes, cells often encounter heterogeneous topologies that disrupt and alter collective migration, yet it remains unclear how changes in matrix topology affect migration speed and cell-cell …

Spatiotemporal Patterns In Orbicella Faveolata Wound Regeneration As An Indicator Of Colony Health, Alexander G. Wheeler

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Anthropogenic (e.g. damage from anchors, scuba divers, tissue sampling) and natural disturbances (e.g. predation, storm damage) can result in wounding of live tissue on coral colonies. Wounding has been shown to detract from a common resource pool, increasing disease susceptibility and impairing coral growth and reproductive activity. Regeneration not only varies between species, but also between conspecifics in the same location. A colony’s capacity to regenerate tissue can be an indicator of a colony’s condition and resilience. Understanding the physiological and environmental factors that affect tissue regeneration alongside the ultimate impact of sampling (disease and predation correlations) are needed for …

Interdigitated Gear-Shaped Screen-Printed Electrode Using G-Pani Ink For Sensitive Electrochemical Detection Of Dopamine, Pritu P. Sarkar, Ridma Tabassum, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Ali Ashraf, Nazmul Islam

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this research, a novel interdigitated gear-shaped, graphene-based electrochemical biosensor was developed for the detection of dopamine (DA). The sensor’s innovative design improves the active surface area by 94.52% and 57% compared to commercially available Metrohm DropSens 110 screen-printed sensors and printed circular sensors, respectively. The screen-printed electrode was fabricated using laser processing and modified with graphene polyaniline conductive ink (G-PANI) to enhance its electrochemical properties. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize the physiochemical properties of the sensor. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for several body functions, was detected within a linear range of …

Black Grouper (Mycteroperca Bonaci) Neurocranium, Nicholas Burchett, Kelsee Rotering, Marissa Rosas, David Kerstetter, Derek Burkholder

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Biological Control Of Roseau Cane Scale With Parasitoid Wasps In Louisiana, Tanner C. Sparks

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Roseau cane scale, Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) is an invasive species of scale insect negatively impacting Phragmites australis (Cyperales: Poaceae) stands within the Mississippi River Delta. The scales were first detected in 2017 from reports of Phragmites die-back within the MRD by landowners. Initial range surveys located RCS infested Phragmites stands were primarily limited to southeastern Louisiana with a single population near Port Arthur, Texas. Follow-up field surveys conducted annually from 2021 to 2023 monitoring further range expansion by the scale show the current range extends nearly 600 km between High Island, Texas and Bayou la Batre, Alabama. Climate matching …

A Mathematical Model For Malaria Transmission Dynamics In The Population With Different Immune Status, Neema S. Mbugi, Jacob I. Irunde, Joshua A. Mwasunda, Samson Kiware

Tanzania Journal of Science

Malaria is a febrile illness affecting a large population worldwide. Even though malaria is curable and preventable it continues to pose a significant health risk, economic effects, and social effects in the population. This study formulates a mathematical model to study the transmission dynamics of malaria in a population with different immune status. By dividing the population based on immune status, the model provides insights into how immunity influences the interaction between hosts and malaria parasites, particularly in terms of infection rates, immune responses, and propose appropriate control for effective elimination. The basic reproduction number is computed using the next-generation …

Spatial Ecology Of Large Bodied Ichthyofauna In The Red River Of The North Basin, William Marshall Stuart

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Understanding spatial patterns and processes is essential for designing research studies, implementing management actions, and planning restoration efforts. The Red River of the North basin spans a broad geographic area where jurisdictional oversight is divided among several entities (Manitoba, CAN; North Dakota, USA; Minnesota, USA; South Dakota, USA), creating a mosaic of regulatory and functional process zones. Understanding the spatial ecology of freshwater fishes in this disjointed landscape is essential to address diverse life history requirements and the movement constraints imposed by anthropogenic structures. Long-term acoustic telemetry revealed that large bodied ichthyofauna employ a diverse range of movement strategies (i.e., …

Epigenetic Mechanisms And Senescence In Aging And Cancer, Alla Karpova

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Aging is marked by the progressive decline of cellular and organ function. This process often manifests through DNA damage, epigenomic alterations, telomere shortening, and metabolic or mitochondrial dysfunction. As DNA damage and other stressors accumulate, cells take measures to prevent malignant transformation. One such measure is cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest that halts the growth of pre-malignant cells. When cells are unable to enter senescence due to high levels of genomic alterations, they typically undergo apoptosis or necrosis. However, if mutations affect key driver genes, allowing cells to evade death, they may become malignant, continuing to …

Self-Reported Access To Oral Health Care And Perception Of Oral Health From 2011-2020, Taylor Lordo

Honors Scholar Theses

An individual’s perception of their oral cavity directly correlates with whether he/she will seek oral health care. Self-reported oral health (SROH) rating is typically measured on a scale of excellent to poor and is a validated measure of an individual’s oral health. This study aimed to (1) examine the correlation between SROH and access to oral health care, (2) assess changes in access and SROH from 2011 to 2020, and (3) analyze variations across age, gender, and race. Data was collected from the 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015-16, and 2017-20 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for individuals 20 or older. Two …

Transcriptional Regulation In The Absence Of Inositol Trisphosphate Receptor Calcium Signaling, Michael Young, David M. Booth, David Smith, Marco Tigano, György Hajnóczky, Suresh K. Joseph

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The activation of IP3 receptor (IP3R) Ca2+ channels generates agonist-mediated Ca2+ signals that are critical for the regulation of a wide range of biological processes. It is therefore surprising that CRISPR induced loss of all three IP3R isoforms (TKO) in HEK293 and HeLa cell lines yields cells that can survive, grow and divide, albeit more slowly than wild-type cells. In an effort to understand the adaptive mechanisms involved, we have examined the activity of key Ca2+ dependent transcription factors (NFAT, CREB and AP-1) and signaling pathways using luciferase-reporter assays, phosphoprotein immunoblots and whole genome transcriptomic studies. In addition, the diacylglycerol …

Colsa Faculty Spotlight: David Plachetzki, Unh Communications And Public Affairs

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

The Investigation Of The Antimicrobial And Biofilm-Disrupting Properties Of Synthesized Hemibastadin Derivatives., Antonio Harvey

Longwood Senior Theses

This thesis explores the synthesis of a polyphenolic hemibastadin-1 derivative with presumed antimicrobial properties and improved biological safety. Structural modifications included replacing aromatic bromine atoms with phenolic groups and substituting the oxime linker group on the core structure for a triazole. A divergent synthetic strategy was designed with the dimeric nature of these targeted molecules in mind. Although this stepwise synthesis is not complete, the core triazole derivative was prepared with a respectable overall yield of 47% from the methyl gallate starting material. The final steps of the synthesis will require coupling of the divergent intermediates and deprotection of this …

2024-12-06 Minutes & Appendices, Longwood University

Board of Visitors Meeting Minutes 1964-

No abstract provided.

The Microorganisms Associated With Doliolids In A Productive Coastal Upwelling System, Melissa Steinman, Moritz S. Schmid, Robert K. Cowen, Su Sponaugle, Kelly R. Sutherland, Anne W. Thompson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Doliolids have a unique ability to impact the marine microbial community through bloom events and filter feeding. Their predation on large eukaryotic microorganisms is established and evidence of predation on smaller prokaryotic microorganisms is beginning to emerge. We studied the association between microorganisms and wild-caught doliolids in the Northern California Current system. Doliolids were collected during bloom events identified at three different shelf locations with variable upwelling intensity. We discovered doliolids were associated with a range of prokaryotic microbial functional groups, which included free-living pelagic Archaea, SAR11, and picocyanobacteria. The results suggest the possibility that doliolids could feed on the …

Evaluation Of The Thermal Insulation Potential Of Post-Harvest Blocks Using The Native Strain Of The Edible Mushroom Pleurotus Ostreatus, Miguel Aravena, Leonardo Almonacid-Munoz, Carlos Rojas-Herrera, Hector Herrera, Juan Pablo Cardenas Ramirez, Alejandro Veliz Reyes, Cristiane Sagredo-Saez

School of Art, Design and Architecture

In recent years, the need to adopt materials that are partially or fully recyclable or biodegradable has grown significantly. This paper presents a study aiming to develop a physical and thermal characterization of post-harvest blocks (spent mushroom substrate) used in the production of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus in order to test its feasibility as an insulation material. For this purpose, culture blocks based on wheat straw residues were prepared using a wild strain of the fungus. After the mushroom harvest, the post-harvest blocks were evaluated for stability, thermal conductivity, moisture content, fire behavior, and surface analysis. The results showed …

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends In E. Coli Causing Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections In The United States, Simren Mahajan, Neena Kanwar, Gina M. Morgan, Rodrigo E. Mendes, Brian R. Lee, Dithi Banerjee, Rangaraj Selvarangan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common pediatric infections. This study evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 3511 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolated from pediatric patients in the United States from 2014 to 2023. The database from the SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program from 89 medical centers was utilized as a data source. The antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the microbroth dilution technique against 24 antimicrobial agents. MICs were determined using the CLSI/EUCAST/FDA breakpoint criteria. All the antimicrobials reported susceptibility rates above 80% except for tetracycline (76.2%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (69.7%), and ampicillin-sulbactam (55.7%). During the study period, the susceptibility rates …

Comparative Study Of Rice Morphological And Physiological Characteristics Of Rice Grown Under Organic And Inorganic Farming, Amad Safrudin, Ratna Dewi, Dulbari

Jurnal Kultivasi

Organic farming practices have shown a potential to improve rice yields, aside from the popular conventional ones. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the morpho-physiological characteristics of rice plants grown under organic and inorganic farming. This research was conducted at the Polinela Organic Farm experimental station (5°21'10"S 105°13'43"E, 114 m sea above level), from February to April 2023 using a completely randomized design. The results showed that rice grown organically exhibited a notably higher chlorophyll index and actual water use efficiency compared to those grown inorganically. Conversely, inorganic farming resulted in a greater number of tillers than organic farming. However, …

Maize Hybrids’ Genetic Variability Based On Qualitative And Quantitative Traits, Slamet Bambang Priyanto, Herawati, Suwarti, Ayyub Ar Rahman, Nining Nurini Andayani, Abdul Fattah, Muhammad Azrai

Jurnal Kultivasi

Genetic variability was a prerequisite to doing a plant breeding program. A broad genetic variability allows plant breeders to select a desired genotype. This research aims to assess the maize hybrid's genetic variability based on qualitative and quantitative traits. This research was conducted in the Bone district, south Sulawesi, from November 2022 to March 2023. Fifteen maize hybrids were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The variables observed are qualitative and quantitative traits. Principal component (PCA) and cluster analyses assessed the genetic variability. The result indicated that based on a loading factor greater than 0.70, the …

Correlation Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Dosage With Level Of Colonization, Nutrient Concentration, And Photosynthesis Pigment Of Cavendish Banana Plant, Muhammad Akhsan Akib, Nur Ilmi, Risnawati, Retno Prayudyaningsih, Syatrawati

Jurnal Kultivasi

The commercial development of Cavendish bananas still faces many obstacles, including the availability of seedlings/suckers at low prices, so technological substitution is needed to stimulate the growth of Cavendish banana suckers in the form of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) biological agents. The research aims to determine the correlation between AM doses and colonization levels, tissue nutrient concentrations, and photosynthetic pigments in Cavendish banana seedlings/suckers. It is also a novelty in this research study. The research was carried out in Parepare city at coordinates 3°59'30.204" S; 119°38'42.936" E using four AM doses as independent variables, namely 0 g, 5 g, 10 g, …

Sirtuins As Key Regulators In Pancreatic Cancer: Insights Into Signaling Mechanisms And Therapeutic Implications, Surbhi Chouhan, Anil Kumar, Naoshad Muhammad, Darksha Usmani, Tabish H Khan

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stands as one of the most lethal cancers, marked by rapid progression, pronounced chemoresistance, and a complex network of genetic and epigenetic dysregulation. Within this challenging context, sirtuins, NAD

Domain-Specific Representation Of Social Inference By Neurons In The Human Amygdala And Hippocampus, Runnan Cao, Julien Dubois, Adam N Mamelak, Ralph Adolphs, Shuo Wang, Ueli Rutishauser

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Inferring the intentions and emotions of others from behavior is crucial for social cognition. While neuroimaging studies have identified brain regions involved in social inference, it remains unknown whether performing social inference is an abstract computation that generalizes across different stimulus categories or is specific to certain stimulus domain. We recorded single-neuron activity from the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and the medial frontal cortex (MFC) in neurosurgical patients performing different types of inferences from images of faces, hands, and natural scenes. Our findings indicate distinct neuron populations in both regions encoding inference type for social (faces, hands) and nonsocial (scenes) …

Spino-Plastic Surgery: Addressing Spinal Tumors With New Techniques, Casey Martinez, Isra Abdulwadood, Sebastian Winocour, Alexander E Ropper, Marco Innocenti, Michael Bohl, Maziyar Kalani, Edward M Reece

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background/Objectives: Spino-plastic surgery describes a specialized, multidisciplinary approach to addressing various spinal pathologies. The field is the innovative product of a multidisciplinary collaboration between plastic and reconstructive, orthopedic, and neurosurgery. Over the last few decades, this collaboration has borne promising surgical techniques and treatment plans geared toward restoring form, function, and aesthetics in patients with a variety of spinal conditions, including failed fusions, pseudoarthrosis, and the need for oncologic reconstruction. This paper explores the application of spino-plastic surgery in the context of post-sarcoma resection reconstructions, focusing on the efficacy in addressing the unique challenges posed by extensive tissue loss and …

Quantum And Bio-Inspired Self-Healing Networks, Na

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes techniques to reduce the costs and inefficiencies associated with providing redundancy in networks by using self-healing network architectures. The techniques feature quantum-inspired routing algorithms (QIRA) and bio-inspired self-healing (BISHA). QIRA leverages quantum principles to concurrently explore multiple paths and to share information about network conditions through quantum entanglement. BISHA leverages cellular automata to mediate inter-device communication, such that when a failure is detected, the device is isolated and information about the failure is communicated to neighboring devices. The neighboring devices collaborate to reconfigure the network topology and reroute data traffic around the failed component. Machine learning algorithms, …

Garcinia Pedunculata Roxb. Ex Buch.-Ham. Leaf Extract Ameliorates Diabetes In Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes In Rats, Kangkan Kalita, Techi Gello, Nilutpal Sharma Bora, Zothan Puia

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Although medicinal plants have been historically used for diabetes treatment throughout the world, few of them have been validated by scientific criteria. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder manifests as elevated blood glucose levels when the body cannot create sufficient amounts of insulin or utilize the insulin produced. This may be due to the free radicals present in the body. The antioxidants help to neutralize the free radicals by donating electron and thus protect from various oxidative stress diseases. The aim of this work is to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical screening, in vitro antioxidant study, in vitro and in vivo …

Variant Minds - Designing For Neurodiversity In Offices, Maya Schiltz, Robin Puttock

Symposium of Student Scholars

High-functioning adults with cognitive disorders such as ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety are often overlooked when considering solutions to help neurodiverse individuals thrive. While low-functioning neurodiverse adults often receive support through specialized programs and care facilities, high-functioning neurodiverse individuals are expected to integrate into traditional work environments, which can severely impede their ability to succeed. Despite growing awareness around creating neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, many office designs continue to follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach, typically featuring open desk arrays, a few private offices, and meeting rooms. This setup fails to provide adequate separation from distractions such as noise, smells, visual glare, and other sensory …

Deadly Nights, Tracy Inskip

Philomathean

No abstract provided.

Screams In The Woods: Friendship And Forbidden Secrets, Jade Bauer

Philomathean

No abstract provided.