Digital Commons Network^™

Indigenous Knowledge As Evidence In Federal Rule-Making, Edward Randall Ornstein

University of Miami Law Review

Recent and historic federal guidance instructs agencies to consider Indigenous Knowledge in decision-making where it is available. However, tribal advocates are faced with many hurdles, in the form of “information quality” criteria, which requires the collection and dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge to conform to a complex set of procedural rules before agencies may be willing to consider it as evidence for rule-making. This Article seeks to define Indigenous Knowledge, highlight the hurdles to its implementation by federal agencies, and equip tribal advocates and officials with strategies and a demonstrative example of best practices for the packaging and presentation of Indigenous …

The Underwater: Using Art To Engage Communities Around Climate Action, Xavier Cortada

University of Miami Law Review

This Article delves into the intersection of art and environmental activism, with a focus on the impact of climate change. Cortada, both an artist and trained attorney, re-counts his three-decade journey leveraging art to inspire community engagement and address social and environmental challenges. He explains how Antarctic researchers made him aware of South Florida's vulnerability to sea level rise, leading to the development of interactive art projects that foster civic engagement and climate advocacy. The Article also addresses the challenges posed by climate denial and misinformation, emphasizing the need for creative strategies to combat these issues.

Cortada introduces specific participatory …

Poor Oral Health Is Associated With Inflammation, Aortic Valve Calcification, And Brain Volume Among Forager-Farmers, Benjamin C. Trumble, Matthew Schwartz, Andrew T. Ozga, Gary T. Schwartz, Christopher M. Stojanowski, Carrie L. Jenkins, Thomas Kraft, Angela R. Garcia, Daniel K. Cummings, Paul L. Hooper, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, Kenneth Buetow, Bret Beheim, Andrei Irimia, Gregory S. Thomas, Randall C. Thompson, Horus Team, Margaret Gatz, Jonathan Stieglitz, Caleb E. Finch, Michael Gurven, Hillard Kaplan

ESI Publications

Poor oral health is associated with cardiovascular disease and dementia. Potential pathways include sepsis from oral bacteria, systemic inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies. However, in post-industrialized populations, links between oral health and chronic disease may be confounded because the lower socioeconomic exposome (poor diet, pollution, low physical activity) often entails insufficient dental care. We assessed tooth loss, caries, and damaged teeth, in relation to cardiovascular and brain aging among the Tsimane, a subsistence population living a relatively traditional forager-horticulturalist lifestyle with poor dental health, but minimal cardiovascular disease and dementia. Dental health was assessed by a physician in 739 participants aged …

Blood Epigenome-Wide Association Studies Of Suicide Attempt In Adults With Bipolar Disorder, Salahudeen Mirza, Camila N C Lima, Alexandra Del Favero-Campbell, Alexandre Rubinstein, Natasha Topolski, Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza, Emese H C Kovács, Hilary P Blumberg, Jenny Gringer Richards, Aislinn J Williams, John A Wemmie, Vincent A Magnotta, Jess G Fiedorowicz, Marie E Gaine, Consuelo Walss-Bass, Joao Quevedo, Jair C Soares, Gabriel R Fries

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Suicide attempt (SA) risk is elevated in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), and DNA methylation patterns may serve as possible biomarkers of SA. We conducted epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of blood DNA methylation associated with BD and SA. DNA methylation was measured at >700,000 positions in a discovery cohort of n = 84 adults with BD with a history of SA (BD/SA), n = 79 adults with BD without history of SA (BD/non-SA), and n = 76 non-psychiatric controls (CON). EWAS revealed six differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and seven differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between BD/SA and BD/non-SA, with multiple immune-related …

Effects Of Temperature On Economic Preferences: A Cross-Cultural Laboratory Study Of Prosocial Behavior, Nikita Tkachenko

Master's Theses

In light of the pressing issue of climate change, our study investigates the implications of rising temperatures on social and economic behaviors through a laboratory experiment conducted among students at university sites in Mexico, India, Kenya, Colombia, and the United States. This paper examines the influence of temperature differences and exposure length on economic decision-making among students at university sites in Mexico, Kenya, and the United States. Analyzing data from the dictator game, we explored how temperature, both ambient and wet bulb, and session length affect prosocial behavior. Our results suggest a link between temperature measures and prosocial behavior, with …

2024-01-31 Winter Urec Check-In, Abdullah El-Sherbeeny

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Molecular Characterisation Of Traditional Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale L.) Populations From Nachingwea And Newala Districts In Tanzania, Hussein R. Chiumbi, Hashim M. Mangosongo

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study assessed the genetic diversity of 120 selected cashew plants from Nachingwea and Newala traditional cashew populations, comprising of 60 cashew plants from each population. Eight Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) makers were used to ascertain the extent of genetic variation within and between the two traditional cashew populations. Genomic DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed using standard protocols. The results showed that all SSR markers were polymorphic. Average Polymorphic Information Content (PIC), heterozygosity, number of alleles per locus, allelic frequency and Shannon’s Index were 0.540, 0.721, 3.391, 0.666 and 0.649, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance results …

Microbial Quality Of Fresh Juices Sold By Street Vendors And Associated Human Health Risks: The Case Of Ilala Ward, Dar Es Salaam City, Tanzania, Juliana I. Rubaratuka, Godwill D. Mrema, Thomas J. Lyimo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Microbial food quality serves to indicate health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated foods. This study aimed to determine the microbial quality of fresh juices and the level of awareness and perception of the consumers and juice vendors at Ilala Ward, Dar es Salaam. Fresh samples of sugarcane, mango and mixed fruit juices were collected from four different sampling stations and analysed using standard methods for Total Coliform (TC), Faecal Coliform (FC) and Total Viable Count (TVC). The level of awareness and perception of 60 juice vendors and 60 consumers were also assessed by using questionnaires. The results showed …

Population Genetic Structure And Demographic History Of Opsaridium Microcephulum Along Lake Nyasa, Alex Nehemia, Alinanuswe J. Mwakalesi

Tanzania Journal of Science

The Sanjika, Opsaridium microcephalum is among the fish species that serve as a major source of proteins and income to people along Lake Nyasa. However, the information on its genetic diversity and structure particularly in the Tanzania part of the Lake is limited. Therefore, the assessment of the genetic diversity and structure of O.microcephalum along the Lake Nyasa part of Tanzania was conducted in the current study using a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene from 92 individuals of O. microcephalum. The findings showed that an average haplotype diversity and average nucleotide diversity were 0.8065 ± 0.0314 and 0.002380 ± …

Heavy Metals Analysis And Physicochemical Characterization Of Groundwater At A Battery Recycling Site In South-Western Nigeria, Adeniyi T. Adeleke, Rasaki K. Odunaike, Shamsideen K. Alausa, Idris O. Olayiwola, Adetoro T. Talabi, Qasim A. Adeniji, Adejumobi C. Adeniyi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Indiscriminate dumping of battery waste is a huge issue that endangers human health and the environment. This study aimed at analysing the health impacts of exposure to pollution from spent battery recycling in Ogun State, which houses a diverse range of battery recycling industries. At this study site, forty water samples were studied over the Wet and Dry seasons to assess the impact of battery recycling waste on groundwater. Except for the TSS, the physiochemical parameters of the groundwater vary with season and are within the permissible limits. The electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, Phosphorus, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Dissolve oxygen …

Construction Of Femininity In Media Spectacle: The Phenomenon Of Indonesian Tiktoker Cross Gender Performances, Jiang Xue, Ade Solihat

International Review of Humanities Studies

In the development of the short video industry in Southeast Asia in recent years, cross gender performances by male bloggers have become a special cultural phenomenon that is rapidly emerging. It has become a new self media trend for male bloggers to imitate female images and construct femininity. This article uses media spectacle theory as a perspective to interpret the reasons for the rise, presentation methods and meaning construction of cross gender performances by Indone sian male bloggers. This article uses qualitative research methods, combining media spectacle theory and gender studies theory to research and analyze six Indonesian male bloggers. …

The Manifestation Of Misogyny In The Pick Me Boy Trend On Tiktok Indonesia, Ying Wang, Mina Elfira

International Review of Humanities Studies

Misogyny is hatred, contempt, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism used to keep women in a lower social status than men, thereby maintaining patriarchal social roles. Hegemonic masculinity is the most exalted configuration of gender practices that legitimizes patriarchy. This article draws on the framework of Raewyn Connell's theory of masculinity and Kate Manne's concept of misogyny to discuss the phenomenon of Indonesian TikTok videos with the hashtag “Pick Me Boy” or #Pick Me Boy. Pick Me Boy challenge traditional masculinity to gain women's attention, and then demean women if rejected. This article uses …

Evaluation Of The Modulatory Effects Of Capsicum Chinensis Methanol Extract In Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Neuropathic Pain In Mice, Babatunde A. Alabi, Adeyinka Aderonmu, Sodiq K. Lawal, Okot-Asi T. Nku-Ekpang, Mayowa Ajayi, Olugbenga E. Iwalewa

Tanzania Journal of Science

Diabetes is one of the common causes of neuropathic pain. The first-line treatment drugs used in alleviating neuropathic pain can cause adverse effects. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesic property of Capsicum chinensis, since the plant was reported to be used against chronic pain in traditional medicine. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes was adopted to model neuropathy in mice and the antihyperalgesic effect of the extract was evaluated using a hot plate test, cold allodynia test, and Randall- Selitto paw pressure test. The plasma level of pain-associated inflammatory biomarkers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tissue necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) was …

Woody Plant Assemblages Of Recently Declared Village Land Forest Reserve In The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, Samora Macrice Andrew

Tanzania Journal of Science

Understanding of species composition of village land forest reserves and their driving factors informs adequate development of effective restoration strategies and sustainable forest management of miombo woodlands. This study assessed the effects of human disturbance as well as environmental variables on woody plant species composition using 24 square plots of 10 x 10 m in a recently declared village land forest reserve in the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot of Tanzania. Ordination analysis technique canonical correspondence analysis was used to identify important vegetation gradients and significant factors that explain the spatial variation in species composition of woody plants. Results showed that, …

Woody Species Composition, Structure, Regeneration Status And Carbon Storage Of Mkulazi Forest Reserve In Tanzania, Ezekiel E. Mwakalukwa, Christoganus John, Paulo J. Lyimo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Little is known about the status of forest condition and carbon storage potential of Mkulazi forest reserve (MFR) located in Morogoro District, Tanzania. This study was conducted to assess i) woody species composition, richness and diversity, ii) stand structure, iii) regeneration status and iv) carbon storage. Data collection for vegetation involved establishment of 100 concentric circular sample plots in the forest area of 65,710 ha. A total of 54 plant species for trees and shrubs with DBH ≥ 5 cm that belongs to 20 plant families were identified. The diversity of woody species was high (H’ = 3.11), while Stem …

Gene Flow Between The Wild Rice Species (Oryza Longistaminata) And Two Varieties Of Cultivated Rice (Oryza Sativa) In Kilombero District, Tanzania, Hashim M. Mangosongo, Emmarold E. Mneney, Bramwel Wanjala

Tanzania Journal of Science

The direction and rate of gene flow between the perennial wild rice species, O. longistaminata and cultivated rice, O. sativa was investigated using nine Microsatellite (SSR) markers. The study involved characterization of parental lines of two cultivated rice varieties and O. longistaminata and their F1 progenies. Presence of crop-specific alleles in the wild species or vice-versa was used as an indicator of occurrence of gene flow between the two species. The study revealed that gene flow between O. longistaminata and each of the two varieties of O. sativa occurs naturally. The direction of gene flow was mainly from the cultivated …

Potential Of Endophytic Fungal Isolates In Improving Productivity And Postharvest Marketable Fruit Qualities Of Tomato, Gabriel Michael, Emmanuel M. Sangu

Tanzania Journal of Science

In Tanzania, low tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and postharvest marketable fruit qualities remain significant limitations for tomato grower’s profit. Seven endophytic fungal isolates from pyrethrum and Lemongrass leaf and or flowers were evaluated to promote tomato productivity and fruit qualities. The isolates were inoculated by priming the seeds in spore suspension, and the variations in the number of germinated seeds, seedling vigour, yield and fruit qualities were compared across the treatments. It was observed that only three isolates induced more than 50% seed germination. Epf1 and Epl1 isolates showed significant promotion of seed germination (F 0.05 (pdf, 23) = 8.121 …

Potential Of Endophytic Fungal Isolates In Improving Productivity And Postharvest Marketable Fruit Qualities Of Tomato, Gabriel Michael, Emmanuel M. Sangu

Tanzania Journal of Science

In Tanzania, low tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and postharvest marketable fruit qualities remain significant limitations for tomato grower’s profit. Seven endophytic fungal isolates from pyrethrum and Lemongrass leaf and or flowers were evaluated to promote tomato productivity and fruit qualities. The isolates were inoculated by priming the seeds in spore suspension, and the variations in the number of germinated seeds, seedling vigour, yield and fruit qualities were compared across the treatments. It was observed that only three isolates induced more than 50% seed germination. Epf1 and Epl1 isolates showed significant promotion of seed germination (F 0.05 (pdf, 23) = 8.121 …

Synthesis Of Template-Free Flower-Like Zno Nanorods Using A Simple Chemical Bath Technique, Benard S. Mwankemwa

Tanzania Journal of Science

Flower-like ZnO nanorods were successfully synthesised using a template-free, low-temperature chemical bath deposition method. The effects of growth time on the structural, morphological, and vibrational properties of flower-like zinc oxide were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the crystallite size and density of flower-like ZnO nanorods increased with increasing growth time. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the existence of specific Raman modes that correspond to the wurtzite structure of ZnO. In addition, Raman measurements revealed that increased growth time increases the Raman modes intensity of the flower-like ZnO nanorods. Moreover, the measurements of the Au/ZnO nanorods/FTO Schottky …

Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach Update, January 31, 2024, Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 1, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Shu Honorary Doctorate Recipient, Vince McMahon, Resigns from WWE Parent Company Amid Sex Trafficking Allegations - 2 Graduate Students Found Dead in Apartment - SHU Hires New Manager of LGBTQ+ Affairs - SHU Professors Rediscovers Tomb on Dingle Peninsula - Connecting Hearts Through the Office of Community Engagement - In the Classroom: Exploring the Interesting Classes SHU Has to Offer - From Campus to Canvas: Illustration Students Accepted to Competitions - SHU Band Tours the Emerald Isle - SHU Choir Takes Voices Across Borders - Rowing with Heart: Saige Harper Makes Paralympic Team - Cheer Clinches Third at …

Prevention Of Food Fraud In Egypt: Policy Implementation Challenges And The Way Forward, Hager Yehia Shalaby

Theses and Dissertations

Prevention and control of food fraud is now an emerging policy goal for different governments. Food fraud is intentionally adulterating food intended for personal gain and deceiving consumers. Adulterated food continues to be a significant threat to Egypt's food sector because of its negative impact on the food industry's reputation. Additionally, it jeopardizes the success of initiatives to increase investment, tourism, and exports in Egypt. Addressing fraud is, by definition, the most challenging food control system form because it directly addresses a personal stake benefiting from fraud behavior. In light of the importance of food fraud prevention as an emerging …

The Problem Of Extravagant Inferences, Cass Sunstein

Georgia Law Review

Judges and lawyers sometimes act as if a constitutional or statutory term must, as a matter of semantics, be understood to have a particular meaning, when it could easily be understood to have another meaning, or several other meanings. When judges and lawyers act as if a legal term has a unique semantic meaning, even though it does not, they should be seen to be drawing extravagant inferences. Some constitutional provisions are treated this way; consider the idea that the vesting of executive power in a President of the United States necessarily includes the power to remove, at will, a …

Cardiac Active Tension Modeling Via Genetic Algorithm-Optimized Fractional Order Systems, Afnan Khaled Elhamshari

Theses and Dissertations

Developing a computational model to model cardiac activity has been increasingly important in recent decades. Accurate cell-level active tension modeling for cardiomyocytes is critical to understanding cardiac functionality on a patient-specific basis and developing an effective in-silico cardiac model. However, cell-level models in the literature fail to account for viscoelasticity and inter-patient variations in active tension. This research proposes a genetic algorithm-optimized, fractional order system to model cell-level active tension by extending Land’s state-of-the-art model of cardiac contraction. The model features the (left) Caputo derivative of six state variables that identify the mechanistic origins of viscoelasticity in a myocardial cell …

Investigating The Association Between Gut Bacteria And Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Maha Abdo

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear. However, it’s believed to be a multifactorial condition. Several studies suggest the involvement of gut and oral microbiome in the predisposition of ASD symptoms. Understanding the pathophysiology could aid in developing better treatment strategies that improve the quality of life of ASD individuals and their caregivers.

Aim: The current study aims at characterizing the gut and oral microbiome composition of ASD children compared to their healthy siblings and mothers as control groups.

Methods: Stool and saliva samples were collected from fourteen families at Ain Shams University Hospital, Outpatient Clinic. The …

Reliable Outdoor Ai-Based Autonomous Uav Localization And Trajectory Tracking Using Cellular Networks, Ghada Afifi

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming an integral part of numerous commercial and military applications. In many of these applications, the UAV is required to self-navigate in highly dynamic urban environments. Existing localization and trajectory planning techniques, which rely mainly on the Global Positioning System (GPS), do not provide an effective real-time solution for self-localization and path planning, particularly in dense urban environments. The purpose of this thesis is to study the localization and trajectory planning of UAVs independent of GPS systems or other detectable mobile signals. We propose to utilize the broadcast signals from existing cellular networks to localize …

Antibacterial And Anticancer Activities Of A Fosmid Clone From Atlantis Ii Red Sea Brine Pool., Marina Nabil

Theses and Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and cancer are among the top global human health issues requiring urgent control practices. AMR caused 5 million death cases around the world in 2019. This number is expected to reach 10 million deaths by 2050. Cancer deaths reached 10 million in 2020. Additionally, anticancer drug resistance is a common cause of death among cancer patients. Screening for novel compounds is one of the strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to control drug resistance in microbial and cancer cells. Marine natural products (MNPs) are characterized by chemically diverse structures with various bioactivities, especially in extreme …

Phosphomolybdic Acid-Doped Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Hybrid: Nanostructured Material With Synergistic Antibacterial Effect, Mariam Mohammad Abdelkhalek

Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial infections represent a major global health concern, causing millions of deaths and significant economic burdens. The development of nanostructured surfaces with antibacterial activity can revolutionize infection control practices. In this study, a hybrid material of Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) doped with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) was synthesized and characterized by FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, and N2 sorption isotherm. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli as a model organism was tested by colony forming unit (CFU) reduction assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and time-kill curve. PMA@ZIF-8 performance as an antibacterial agent was superior to its individual constituents, suggesting synergistic effect of …

Preliminary Investigation Of Urban Quality Of Life: Towards Effective Measurements Of Wellbeing In New Urban Communities In Cairo., Aly Elnady

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on investigating Urban Quality of Life (UQoL) in New Cairo as a case study for New Urban Communities (NUCs) in the Greater Cairo Region. The objective of this thesis is to get an accurate description of urban life in NUCs as a distinct mode of urbanization. The study investigates residents’ Subjective Well Being (SWB) and life satisfaction within a wide range of urban life domains, grouped in a conceptual framework of seven sections: Housing & Neighbourhood Quality, Transport & Mobility, Health & Wellness, Education & Employment, Culture & Recreation, Social & Community Support, and Governance & Neighbourhood …

Safety, Immunogenicity, And Mechanism Of A Rotavirus Mrna-Lnp Vaccine In Mice, Chenxing Lu, Yan Li, Rong Chen, Xiaoqing Hu, Qingmei Leng, Xiaopeng Song, Xiaochen Lin, Jun Ye, Jinlan Wang, Jinmei Li, Lida Yao, Xianqiong Tang, Xiangjun Kuang, Guangming Zhang, Maosheng Sun, Yan Zhou, Hongjun Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of diarrhea in young children worldwide. The currently available and licensed vaccines contain live attenuated RVs. Optimization of live attenuated RV vaccines or developing non-replicating RV (e.g., mRNA) vaccines is crucial for reducing the morbidity and mortality from RV infections. Herein, a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and encoding the VP7 protein from the G1 type of RV was developed. The 5' untranslated region of an isolated human RV was utilized for the mRNA vaccine. After undergoing quality inspection, the VP7-mRNA vaccine was injected by subcutaneous or intramuscular routes into mice. …