Digital Commons Network^™

Patterns Of Failure For Recurrent Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Salvage Surgery And Postoperative Imrt Reirradiation, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Geoffrey V Martin, Sweet Ping Ng, Vinita Takiar, Beth M Beadle, Mark Zafereo, Adam S Garden, Steven J Frank, C David Fuller, G Brandon Gunn, William H Morrison, David I Rosenthal, Jay Reddy, Amy Moreno, Anna Lee, Jack Phan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patterns of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after surgical salvage and adjuvant reirradiation with IMRT for recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS: Patterns of LRR for 61 patients treated consecutively between 2003 and 2014 who received post-operative IMRT reirradiation to ≥ 60 Gy for recurrent HNSCC were determined by 2 methods: 1) physician classification via visual comparison of post-radiotherapy imaging to reirradiation plans; and 2) using deformable image registration (DIR). Those without evaluable CT planning image data were excluded. All recurrences were verified by biopsy or radiological progression. Failures were …

Photovoice As A Reflective Pedagogy For Undergraduate Community Psychology Students, Shereé Bielecki

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive qualitative study was designed to understand the experiences of former Community Psychology (CP) undergraduate students who participated in a degree program at a California university. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how former Community Psychology undergraduate students describe their experiences using reflective Photovoice activities to learn about and become involved in social justice. The theoretical frameworks that informed this study were in social justice theory, pedagogical practices related to teaching social justice using Photovoice, and the practice of self-reflection in college classrooms. Two primary research questions guide the inquiry: 1) How do former Community Psychology …

A Systematic Review Of Risk And Protective Factors For Mental Health Among Latinx College Students, Melissa Gavilanes

Theses and Dissertations

A quantitative studies systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted to explore the risk and protective factors among Latinx college students’ mental health. This systematic review also aimed to identify the relevant demographic variability to the mental health of Latinx college students, and the relationship between mental health and academic performance within this population. Data was collected from four electronic databases and included peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2022, conducted within the United States, participants over the age of 17, and samples comprised of or including Latinx college students. Studies utilizing quantitative designs, and quantitative portions of mixed method …

Navigating Embodied Self-Awareness States To Produce Work-Enhancing Adaptive Stress Responses, Kristina Banfield

Theses and Dissertations

Work-related stress is increasingly problematic for middle managers and executives, leading to escalating problems of burnout, turnover, diminished performance, and compromised well-being. However, given the same stressor, differential outcomes are observable across individuals, ranging from paralysis to agitation, and even enhanced performance. Individuals’ responses to stress are strongly influenced by their mental models, physiology, and nervous systems—all of which can be deliberately modulated to promote more adaptive stress responses. The purpose of this study was to examine managers’ experiences of their modulated self-awareness states to optimize their stress response for work performance. A purposive sample of 10 senior managers and …

Exploring Teachers' Mastery And Use Of Minecraft In The Classroom A Survey Of The Minecraft Teachers, Hae Ryung Rinpoche Kim

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the dynamic interplay of social constructivism, game-based learning, and communities of practice in the context of teachers using Minecraft as an educational tool. This study used a teacher survey to collect insights from teachers who use Minecraft and are members of the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge. The research investigated how teachers learn to use Minecraft, the resources that support their learning journey, and the factors influencing their confidence in utilizing game-based learning tools. The findings highlighted the significance of collaborative learning environments, experiential learning approaches, and ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers using technology-enhanced tools like Minecraft. The …

Veterans, Providers, Moral Injury, And The Integration Of Spirituality In Clinical Care, Claire Muldrew

Theses and Dissertations

Moral Injury (MI) is known to be prevalent among military populations, however, the integration of spirituality into the treatment of veterans with trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an understudied topic. This systematic review sought to explore how mental health clinicians and chaplains view the integration of spirituality in the course of clinical care with traumatized veterans who experience MI. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the existing knowledge base was studied to shed light on this topic and to also identify the similarities and differences between these types of providers. The meta-aggregation approach was applied to analysis of the available data and a …

Making The Middle Matter: Considering Project-Based, Experiential, And Work-Based Instructional Strategies With Middle School Teachers, Trishauna Pulos

Theses and Dissertations

Middle school is about the growth, potential, and change of adolescents. Students at the middle school age level, generally ages 10 to 14, struggle with the dynamics of making the transitions from recess and active learning in elementary school to multiple teachers, bigger workloads and campuses, and larger student populations (Alexander et al., 1969; Howell et al., 2016). For this study, the instructional practices, and strategies of project-based, experiential, and work-based learning are researched including challenges, measurements of growth and success, and recommendations for future educators using these instructional delivery methods (Dincer, 2021; Flannery & Smith, 2021; Kalkan & Dagli, …

An Examination Of Emerging Technologies In Supply Chain Management And Their Impacts On Efficiency In The Automotive Industry, Wafaa A. Barakat

Theses and Dissertations

The automotive supply chain sector is facing immense transformation, particularly with the emerging digital technologies in supply chain management. This paper examines the emerging technologies in supply chain management and their impacts on efficiency in the automotive industry. This research strives to examine the underlying aspects of the automotive supply chain integration in United States companies. For the study, there is the application of the exploratory study. The reason is that there is no vivid perspective of the characteristics and the scope. The study design used is a qualitative analysis of 10 automotive personnel from different multipliers of the automotive …

Empowering Black Women Professors Teaching Within Predominantly White Institutions: Exploring Success Strategies And Best Practices Amidst Challenges, Wendy Perkinson

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the historical journey of Black women in America, spanning from enslavement (Best, 2015) to activism as abolitionists, advocates for women's suffrage (Sesko & Biernat, 2010), and leadership in civil rights (Rushing, 2021), Black women's resilience shines through amid challenges. This study investigates the phenomenological experiences of Black women professors teaching in predominantly white institutions (PWIs) who are often marginalized because of racial and gender intersectional bias (K.W. Crenshaw, 2017). It explores the challenges these professors endure and examines the success methods they employ to overcome their challenges while discovering their needs for personal and professional success. The study's framework …

Anchored In Faith, Soaked In Blood: Black Social Activists Strategies For Developing Equitable Policy In Education, Civil Rights, And Citizenship, Sharletta Michelle Green

Theses and Dissertations

Religious beliefs and the use of race to create a narrative of inferiority plague education, civil rights, and citizenship policy development and implementation, causing harm to Black citizens. Public education is the bedrock of a democratic society. Civil rights and the ability to exercise those rights within a country are vital elements of citizenship. A well-educated populace provides a country's position and power. Equitable education, civil rights, and the vestiges of full citizenship in the U.S. for Black people have been a constant battle. This fight has been at the forefront of the demands for this nation since Reconstruction. Black …

Functionalized Microfiltration Membranes For Aerosol Capture To Chloro-Organic Degradation, Rollie George Mills

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The environmental remediation of water and air sources is a challenging field, due to widespread contamination, pollutant variety, and efficiency of existing treatment options. Remediation of certain pollutants, such as per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and viral aerosols, has shown promise via adsorptive, degradative, or filtration-based processes, each with their respective advantages and limitations. Membrane technology is one option that has exhibited considerable pollutant removal from environmental sources via reverse osmosis (RO) filtration, but is limited by low permeabilities and lack of pollutant detoxification. With the support of NIEHS and NSF, the functionalization …

Development Of Glutathione-Responsive Disulfide-Containing Poly(Beta-Amino Esters) With Varied Hydrophilicity And Acrylate Functionality, Anastasiia Aronova

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Smart biomaterials are becoming promising for therapeutic deliveries due to their ability to respond to changes in the environment. Redox-responsive hydrogels are a promising type of smart polymer that can swell and degrade according to cellular oxidative stress levels. Glutathione, abundant in cells, is crucial in redox-responsive biomaterials, serving as a key reactive molecule. This study explored the degradation kinetics of glutathione-responsive poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) polymers created through a single-step Michael addition. We examined how disulfide content influences the degradation kinetics of these PBAE networks. Additionally, we investigated how the hydrophilicity and functionality of acrylate affect the degradation of disulfide-containing …

Faceting Of Tungsten Via Environmental Control Of Temperature, Pressure And Chemistry, And Evolution Of Thermionic Cathode Materials, Huanhuan Bai

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Scandate cathode presents a great potential of being used as electron emitters in vacuum electron device due to its excellent emission performance. However, it is burdened by several issues, including poor emission uniformity, inadequate reproducibility, and limited lifetime, which have impeded its further industrial application. Therefore, extensive efforts and studies need to be conducted to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of scandate cathode.

W particles, as the base material, play a fundamental role in scandate cathode. Most recent experimental research has reported that the highly faceted crystallography of W grains contributes to the properties of scandate cathode. In order to …

Experimental Characterization And Quantification Of Deformation Behavior In A Porous Carbon Fiber Network, Robert N Quammen

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Due to their wide range of attractive functional properties (such as low thermal conductivity and low density) porous materials are utilized in a variety of applications. In order to characterize these properties and others, the intrinsically heterogeneous microstructures of these materials need to be taken into account. These microstructures result in interactions across multiple length scales spanning several orders of magnitude. This makes the creation of robust computational models and straight-forward predictions of mechanical properties difficult for porous materials. With this in mind, this dissertation aims to provide experimental mechanical and deformation information spanning the length scales of interest for …

Discursive Femininity In The Encounter Of Sultan Kamil And St. Francis, Zilka Spahić Šiljak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In discussions about violence, wars, and peacebuilding, we often hear essentialist arguments about women and men, equating men with masculine and women with feminine characteristics, while avoiding the acceptance that both genders contain both sets of traits, depending on how they are nurtured and exhibited. Socialization polarizes and solidifies essentialist views on gender roles, and any deviation from these norms is sanctioned through stigmatization and exclusion. However, the greatest male spiritual authorities in the world serve as examples of embracing the feminine within themselves, and it is this acceptance that makes them memorable and continues to inspire humanity today. Two …

Ivermectin, Colleen Aldous, Eleftherios Gkioulekas, Philip Oldfield

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Myokine Probdnf-P75ntr Signaling In Skeletal Muscle Injury And Sterile Inflammation, Katherine Aby

Dissertations and Theses

Originally discovered in the brain, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to be expressed and released from skeletal muscle as a myokine. However, the function of myokine BDNF is not fully understood. Of interest to this study is the function of the BDNF precursor proBDNF in skeletal muscle. We first show that skeletal muscle expresses unique BDNF splice variants compared to the brain, and at the protein level, skeletal muscle expresses significantly more proBDNF than mature BDNF under basal conditions. Consistent with this, expression of major protein convertases in skeletal muscle were significantly lower. The role of myokine proBDNF …

A Rapid On-Site Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Technology As An Early Warning System For The Detection Of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli In Water, Zina Alfahl, Sean Biggins, Owen Higgins, Alexandra Chueiri, Terry J. Smith, Dearbháile Morris, Jean O'Dwyer, Paul D. Hynds, Liam P. Burke, Louise O'Connor

Articles

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important waterborne pathogen capable of causing serious gastrointestinal infections with potentially fatal complications, including haemolytic–uremic syndrome. All STEC serogroups harbour genes that encode at least one Shiga toxin (stx1 and/or stx2), which constitute the primary virulence factors of STEC. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) enables rapid real-time pathogen detection with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an on-site portable diagnostics workstation employing LAMP technology to permit rapid real-time STEC detection in environmental water samples. Water samples (n=28) were collected from groundwater wells (n=13), …

A Narrative Review On Pathophysiology And The Trends In Preventing Colon Anastomotic Leakage In Animals, Mohammed Albahrawy, Marwa Abass, Esam Mosbah, Gamal Karrouf, Adel Zaghloul

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Intestinal healing normally proceeds through three stages: the inflammatory, proliferative, and maturation stages. Dehiscence, a disastrous outcome of intestinal anastomosis surgery, usually happens during the inflammatory stage of recovery, when the anastomotic technique (suture or staple line) has the greatest influence on the biomechanical strength of the anastomosis. Because of the severe systemic abnormalities and financial load brought on by septic peritonitis and the need for a second surgery, the ensuing septic peritonitis is linked to an astounding morbidity rate of up to 85%.

Despite the relatively high frequency of anastomosis surgeries, anastomotic leaks pose a deadly risk to colon …

Corrigendum To “Green Synthesis And Characterization Of Senps Using Pediastrum Boryanum Extract And Evaluation Of Their Biological Activities”

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

No Abstract

Protective Effects Of Probiotics Against Edwardsiella Tarda Infection In Oreochromis Niloticus, Aya Hatem, Walaa Fekri Awadin, Iman Ibrahim, Eman Mostafa

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Introduction: Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) is septicemic infection causes great economic losses in aquaculture.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of two probiotics (Aquastar^® and Biogen^®) against experimental E. tarda infection in tilapia.

Methods: One hundred and twenty male and female Nile tilapias were divided from the beginning of the experiment into 4 groups: G1 was kept as control negative, G2a (Aqua) was the probiotic group fed on Aquastar^® grow out probiotic, G3a (Bio) was the probiotic group fed on Biogen^® probiotic and G4 infected with E. …

Early Post-Hatching Development Of The Grass Carp Pancreas, Eman Fiala, Mahmoud B. Shoeib, Safwat Ebada, Ahmed M. Abdellatif

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

INTRODUCTION: The pancreas is a mixed gland that plays indispensable roles in digestion and glucose uptake. Grass carp [Ctenopharyngodon idella (C. idella)] is a cyprinid fish used in aquaculture, medicine, and research. Knowledge about the early posthatching development of grass carp pancreas is lacking.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to elucidate the morphogenic events involving the pancreas of C. idella during the early posthatching period.

METHODS: Developmental steps involving the pancreas of C. idella during the early post-hatching period were studied using histological, histochemical, and morphometric techniques. Larvae were collected at 1-day posthatching (1 dph), 4 dph, …

Molecular Detection Of Virulence Genes And Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactam Producing Enzymes Of Proteus Mirabilis Isolates From Fishes In Federal Capital Territory (Fct) Abuja, Nigeria, Victor Bitrus Shammah, Samuel Mailafia, James A. Ameh, Casmir Ifeanyichukwu Cejetan Ifeanyi Dr., Benshak John Audu, Hafsat Jagab, Job Gideon

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: To study the molecular characterization of three virulence genes and phenotypic detection of extended spectrum beta-lactam-producing enzymes in Proteus mirabilis isolates from fish in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Design: cross-sectional study.

Animal: A total of 400 fish were purchased from various markets and sites in the Federal Capital Territory. Thirteen (32.5%) P. mirabilis isolates were obtained. This study used amoxicillin with clavulanate and ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, to treat all phenotypically typed isolates utilizing Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactam (ESBL). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for molecular characterization to identify the pathogenic genes of interest, including ure …

Recent Detection Of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Isolates In Egypt And Its Interference By Bee Venom In Mice, Awad Samy, Samah Mosad, Diana Abulmagd, M.H. Atwa, Sohaila Abd El-Hameed, Sahar Abd El Rahman

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

INTRODUCTION Different methods for diagnosis of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were applied on samples from clinically diseased cattle suspected to be infected by bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and detecting the antiviral effects of Bee venom (BV) against BVDV isolate in experimentally infected mice. OBJECTIVES Identification of BVDV through molecular techniques, cell culture isolation of the virus, studying of some hematological analysis on the infected animals and investigation of antiviral effects of BV against BVDV isolate in mice. METHODS A total of 50 nasal swab samples from diseased animals were collected. Screening of samples by real time - reverse transcription …

Not Just Bony Fish: All Nonmammalian And Nonavian Animals Are Neglected In Both Welfare And General Research, Jennifer A. Mather Ph.D.

Animal Sentience

The lack of research on fish welfare highlighted by Oldfield & Bonano (2024) is only part of a more general problem: a relative neglect of animals other than mammals and birds. The causes are our lack of knowledge, our negative view of what we consider to be “lower” animals and our underestimation of their intelligence and sensitivity. Our estimation will increase as our knowledge increases. As a broader view spreads to the public through the media, it should gradually increase the demand to expand both research and welfare, especially beyond mammals and birds.

Empowering Choices: A Strategy For Sexual Health And Sti Prevention Among Adolescent Girls In Fort Bend County, Texas, Mindy L. Jones

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Significant Findings: In Fort Bend County, Texas, the rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent girls, especially chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, have become a significant public health and mental health challenge. These infections not only impact physical health, leading to severe outcomes like infertility and increased HIV risk, but also affect mental health, educational attainment, and economic stability (Johnson-Minter et al., 2020; CDC, 2021). Adolescents, particularly young females aged 15-24, disproportionately bear the burden, with social and structural barriers such as stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate sexual education exacerbating the situation (Garcia et al., 2023; …

Aba Standard 303(C) And Divisive Concepts Statutes And Regulations: Challenges And Opportunities, Andrew King-Ries, Karen Tokarz, Becky L. Jacobs, Sherley Cruz, Kendall Kerew, Carwina Weng

Faculty Law Review Articles

This article by six clinicians discusses the challenges and opportunities of new ABA Standard 303(c), including the implications of and interactions between Standard 303(c) and divisive concepts laws and other threats to representation, academic freedom, and free speech in legal education. The article also highlights the intersection of  Standard  303(c) and Standard 303(b)(3), which addresses professional identity formation; discusses opportunities to adapt current curriculum and teaching and create new curricular responses to meet the new accreditation standards and interpretations; and explores ways to resist increasing limitations and find a supportive academic community to sustain hope and resilience.

Internal Funding Newsletter, Academic Year 2023-2024, Uno Office Of Research And Creative Activity

Internal Funding Newsletters

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is committed to providing students and faculty unique, hands-on opportunities, internships, service learning, applied research, and other collaborative activities that enhance time in and out of the classroom. The 2023-2024 Academic Year saw many exciting opportunities for us to invest into even more programs promoting research and creative activity. This year's programs provided over $800,000, more than double the funding in 2022-2023, for student and faculty projects.

Evaluating The Health Implications Of Kombucha Fermented With Gardenia Jasminoides Teas: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, And Cytotoxic Properties, Gayathree Thenuwara, Xu Cui, Zhen Yao, Bilal Javed, Azza Silotry Naik, Furong Tian

Articles

No abstract provided.

Mycotoxin Detection Through Colorimetric Immunoprobing With Gold Nanoparticle Antibody Conjugates, Vinayak Sharma, Bilal Javed, Hugh J. Byrne, Furong Tian

Articles

Driven by their exceptional optical characteristics, robust chemical stability, and facile bioconjugation, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as a preferred material for detection and biosensing applications in scientific research. This study involves the development of a simple, rapid, and cost-effective colorimetric immuno-sensing probe to detect aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone using AuNP antibody (AuNP-mAb) conjugates. Anti-toxin antibodies were attached to the AuNPs by using the physical adsorption method. The colorimetric immunosensor developed operates on the principle that the optical properties of the AuNP are very sensitive to aggregation, which can be induced by a critical high salt concentration. Although the presence …