Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of Two Benthic Assemblage Sampling Gears For Use On Intertidal Oyster Reefs In Louisiana, Finella M. Campanino, Stephanie K. Archer, Jillian C. Tupitza, Cassandra N. Glaspie, Megan K. La Peyre

Faculty Publications

Background: Estuarine biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting ecosystem functions yet remains threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activity. Tracking and identifying estuarine biodiversity trends helps management ensure long-term provisions of human and environmental benefits by contributing to the estimation of habitat loss and the monitoring of restoration and conservation progress. However, results obtained using different sampling gears and different biodiversity metrics may lead researchers to reach different conclusions, which can lead to uncertainty in the actual state of the ecosystem-level biodiversity. Sampling benthic biodiversity in complex estuarine habitats, such as oyster reefs, is particularly challenging because no one …

Identification And Characterization Of Novel Crispr-Cas Immune Effectors, Christian Fredrick Baca

Student Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria are under constant threat by the viruses that infect them called bacteriophages or phages for short. It is predicted that phages outnumber bacteria by an order of magnitude, producing a tremendous pressure for resistance mechanisms against this threat. One of the most abundant immune systems bacteria have evolved to combat this are CRISPR-Cas systems, which have been studied extensively due to their fascinating biology and usefulness in biotechnology and therapeutics. My thesis focuses on the discovery and characterization of three new CRISPR-Cas effector proteins that provide immunity in bacteria in response to phage challenge with highly diverse activities. CRISPR-Cas …

Bs Biological Science, Pre-Veterinary 2025-26, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Bachelor of Science and Education

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 And Capitalism: The Shunning Of Evidence In Sam Friedman’S “House Organ”, Victor Wallis

Faculty Works

Sam Friedman’s September 2025 “House Organ” is devoted to criticizing my writings on COVID-19. Friedman begins by attributing to me a more definitive position than I have actually taken in regard to COVID origins. He then denies that there was censorship around the injection agenda and contends that the negative effects of the jabs were minimal. I present counter-evidence to all these assertions, along with a critique of his argumentation.

The Youth Music Institute At The University Of Wisconsin, Summer 1969, Phillip Hash

Faculty Publications - Music

The purpose of this historical study was to examine the planning, implementation, participants, and activities associated with the Youth Music Institute (YMI) held at the University of Wisconsin from July 7 to August 1, 1969. Organizers hoped this event would bridge the communication gap between society, educational institutions, and youth through a collaborative learning environment involving students, music educators, guidance counselors, and professional recording artists. Participants used the term “youth music” to encompass multiple genres that captured the interest of young people, including various forms of rock, blues, soul, country western, jazz, and ethnic styles. The program consisted of lectures …

Gay Rodeos, Western Wear, And Unresolved Tensions In 21st-Century North America Cowboy Culture And Esthetics, Kelly L. Reddy-Best, Malena Silva

Faculty Publications - Family and Consumer Sciences

In the 1970s, activists founded the International Gay Rodeo Association in the North American Midwest, disrupting traditional heteronormative and hypermasculine norms within cowboy culture. In this research, we critically analyze the intersections of cowboy manifestations and twenty-first century LGBTQ+ communities in North American queer cowboy portrayals via the gay rodeo. Specifically, we examine how the gay rodeo creates space for LGBTQ+ style, fashion, and dress embodiments in relation to the longstanding, heteronormative Wild West hero of the late 1800s. We analyzed two types of primary sources: the 2014 film Queens & Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo and …

Does Mandatory Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence Offer A Path To Resolving Global Food Insecurity Challenges?, Ying Chen, Benedict Sheehy

American University International Law Review

Despite the 2015 implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (the Zero Hunger Goal), food insecurity remains a persistent global problem. Well past the halfway point to 2030, the world is woefully off track to reach this goal. Current efforts to address global food insecurity are led by the public sector and focused on government interventions, and these are proving to be insufficient on their own. This Article argues that the private sector, and business enterprises and multinational corporations in particular, as important stakeholders in society, can and must …

"Esa Persona No Soy Yo": La Inteligencia Artificial Como Un Nuevo Instrumento De Violencia, Samantha Rodriguez Santillan

American University International Law Review

En 1943, cuando se inventó la primera computadora, se especularon muchísimas teorías, positivas y negativas, sobre cómo esta tecnología afectaría las relaciones humanas. Décadas después, el desarrollo de toda una nueva gama de productos y servicios creó un nuevo espacio que trajo consigo un infinito número de escenarios que lentamente se han regularizado.

Catalytic Effect Of Amyloid-Β On Native Tau Aggregation At Physiologically Relevant Concentrations, Rakhi Chowdhury, Apu Chandra Das, Ruan Van Deventer, Luda S. Shlyakhtenko, Yuri L. Lyubchenko

Journal Articles: Pharmaceutical Sciences

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation and aggregation of tau and amyloid-β (Aβ). The pathophysiology and progression of AD are facilitated by the neurotoxic effects of these aggregated proteins, resulting in neurodegeneration and memory loss. In this context, the interaction between tau and Aβ42 is considered, but the mechanism underlying their pathogenic interplay remains unclear. Here, we addressed this question by studying the aggregation of full-length, unmodified tau and Aβ42 at physiologically low concentrations using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM imaging and data analyses demonstrate an increase in tau aggregation in the presence of Aβ42, characterized by increased …

An Extremely Rare Case Of Group C Streptococcal Cavitary Pneumonia In Young Female, Arjun Kamath, Jorge Garza, Ethan Goldberg, Deekshita Valiveti, Abhay Vakil, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Potential Of Anogenital Distance As A Genetic Selection Trait In Canadian Holstein, G.R. Dodd, F.S. Schenkel, F. Miglior, T.C. Bruinjé, M. Gobikrushanth, J.E. Carrelli, M. Oba, D.J. Ambrose, C.F. Baes

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Maintaining optimal fertility in dairy cattle herds is a global challenge that is typically addressed through the genetic selection of fertility indicator traits. However, many of the traits currently implemented in breeding programs are heavily influenced by environmental factors, resulting in a slow rate of genetic improvement. Anogenital distance (AGD) has recently emerged as a promising fertility indicator trait due to its association with favorable reproductive outcomes and its higher heritability estimates compared with currently evaluated traits. This study aimed to enhance the understanding of AGD's genetic potential by estimating its genetic parameters in Canadian Holsteins, assessing the reliability …

Dim Theory Applied To Law: The Disintegration Of American Law, Tristen Fleig

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Plato, Aristotle, and Montesquieu each argued the importance of law to political regime and Constitution. The ancients emphasized the law as the rational component of the regime and Montesquieu applied some of the first political science to show how political regimes rely upon law. Still, the exact connection between law and politics, and law and philosophy more broadly has remained largely obscured. In my account, legal system ought to be understood as the institutional framework that supports and protect a particular kind of life accepted by the intellectuals and the people of a nation. Using DIM theory from The DIM …

Validating A Genetic Knockout Of Ninein In A Mouse Model, Jessikah M. Buys, E R. Gnatowski, L Vermuri, A Safeer, L Holmes, M. F. Miles

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

Ninein (Nin) is a microtubule associated protein that has been previously characterized by the Miles Lab for regulating the anxiety-reducing (anxiolytic) effects of alcohol, which is thought to contribute to development of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Previous studies in the lab have investigated the role of Nin deletion on anxiety and ethanol-related behaviors in a conditional knockout model. The following set of studies seek to validate this genetic model. The model was validated using three main methods: immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and gel electrophoresis. In PCR studies, Ninein was significantly reduced in cre-expressing animals compared to controls. Gel Electrophoresis confirmed this reduction …

Effects Of Psychedelics On Acute Nicotine Pharmacological Responses, Aleny Oros, Belle Buzzi, Julian Vaughn, Burhan Buttar, Javier Gonzalez-Maeso, M Imad Damaj

IRBEH/Spit for Science Publications and Presentations

Smoking is a major risk factor for illnesses, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions. In smoking, nicotine activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain region. Prolonged use of nicotine will desensitize these specific receptors and cause nicotine dependence, resulting in smokers to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anhedonia, depression, stress, and craving, leading to relapse.2 As the rate cigarette smoking has declined over the years, it is not significantly entitled by the tremendous increase rate of e-cigarette use. In a previous study being published, life-time use of psychedelics is associated with lower nicotine dependence.1

Psychedelics, specifically psilocybin, which …

Three Essays On Consumption And Information, Jin Xu

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation uses theoretical, empirical, and experimental methods to investigate how environmental constraints and psychological mechanisms shape individual consumption and information preference. Chapter 1 explores the impact of COVID-19 lockdown policies on alcohol and tobacco use in the United States. Using data from the 2020 wave of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and exploiting the exogenous variation in initial lockdown orders across states, we estimate the impact of stay-at-home orders on drinking and smoking behaviors for adults in the United States. Combining the propensity score matching method with the difference-in-differences identification strategy, we find that, at least in …

Building The Beast: The Evolution Of Mara Salvatrucha (Ms-13) From Street Gang To Transnational Criminal Organization, Marisa Mendoza

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the evolution of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) from a social stoner group in Los Angeles to a feared transnational criminal organization (TCO). Through a longitudinal study of literature and opensource materials spanning over 50 years, this study examines suppression and policy reforms enacted in the United States, Mexico, and Northern Triangle region of Central America that have catalyzed shifts in the criminal ecosystem, and vice versa. By exploring the genealogical makeup of TCO networks, particularly La Cosa Nostra, Mexican Mafia prison gang, and Los Zetas drug trafficking cartel, it will provide a better understanding of how an anomaly …

Augmented Digital Fotonovela (Smaart App) To Mitigate Health Consequences Among Adolescents Resulting From Social Media Addiction, Joseph Santhosh

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Adolescent social media (SM) usage has surged over the past decade, outpacing that of adults and exacerbating digital polarization. Due to ongoing neural development, adolescents are particularly susceptible to social media addiction (SMA) - a phenomenon that has intensified post-COVID-19 with increased digital engagement. On average, adolescents spend 8.5 hours daily on SM platforms, exposing them to heightened risks of cyberbullying, sexting, body shaming, and academic disengagement. The dopamine-driven reward mechanisms inherent in social media reinforce compulsive use, contributing to severe mental health consequences, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Despite its growing prevalence, SMA remains an underrecognized behavioral disorder …

Hiding In Plain Sites: The Role Of Implied Descriptive Norms On Littering Behavior, Stasie Danial Dear-Ferguson

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The dissertation builds on prior research highlighting the importance of descriptive norms on littering behavior (Bergquist et al., 2021; Cialdini et al., 1990). Previous research has shown that people are more likely to litter into already littered environments than into sites free of litter. There is contradictory research on the impact of a single piece of litter in an environment, the effects of posted anti-littering messages, and whether individuals perceive the influence of the descriptive norm. The dissertation is a series of three studies designed to replicate and extend prior research on the influence of descriptive social norms on littering …

Innovating Government The Open Way: Modeling The Open Data Ecosystem, Jeanne Holm

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Governments around the world are releasing open data with the aim of stimulating innovation, driving economic development, and advancing social good. Despite significant investment in data infrastructure and technology, many open data initiatives struggle to effectively engage stakeholders or deliver on their intended outcomes. Thus, this dissertation targets the research question: How can a human-centered open government data ecosystem be modeled to ensure that stakeholders are engaged and find data? It also explores which stakeholders should be engaged and what methods are most effective in engaging them. To address the research questions, this dissertation adopts a design science methodology and …

The Role Of Multiracial Identity Integration In Developing Leader Adaptability, Ashley M. Watterson

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Today’s global economy and diverse workforce require leaders to navigate complex environments, demanding that they be highly adaptable. However, few studies have examined the cognitive resources needed to support this adaptability. This study examined the relationship between multiracial identity integration (MII) and leader adaptability, exploring the cognitive mechanisms of paradox mindset and attributional complexity. Using a sample of 182 multiracial leaders in the United States, results of a path analysis revealed that MII did not significantly predict leader adaptability, paradox mindset, or attributional complexity when controlling for other factors. Unexpectedly, attributional complexity had a significant but negative relationship with leader …

Annual Report Of The Town Officers Of Wilton, Nh For The Year Ending December 31, 2024, Wilton Town Representatives

Wilton, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Defining “Delineation”: How The Circuit Split On The Delineation Test For The Copyrightability Of Fictional Characters Can Be Fixed, Kurt Bauer

American University Law Review

The standard for the copyrightability of fictional characters needs clarification. Courts have long relied on the delineation test to determine whether a character is sufficiently developed to merit protection separate from its underlying work, yet the circuits diverge on how this test should be applied. The Ninth Circuit’s Towle test relies on overruled precedent, treats characters as static, imposes an originality threshold beyond that required by the Copyright Act, and risks extending protection to inanimate props. In contrast, the Second Circuit has tied delineation more clearly to the Act’s core requirements of originality and fixation, offering a more principled approach. …

Living Networks: Reimagining Social Capital Beyond Institutions, Meghna Pamula

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the decline of social capital in the United States and explores how community connection can be rebuilt outside of traditional government institutions. Motivated by the question of whether social capital can be rebuilt within bureaucratic structures, the research evaluates the role of alternative, agile models such as local volunteer organizations, mutual aid networks, third spaces, and NGOs. Using a comparative case study approach and qualitative analysis, I examine initiatives across different cultures that foster social trust and connection beyond the limitations of formal systems. The findings illustrate that adaptive models of social capital that are not based …

Through A Glass Darkly: How Securities Disclosures Give A Distorted View Of The Economy, Gerald F. Davis

Seattle University Law Review

Our understanding of the American economy often relies on stylized facts derived from mandatory disclosures by listed corporations. Data vendors like Standard & Poor’s vacuum up 10Ks and proxy statements into databases, and scholars distill these into tentative maps. This may have been adequate for a postwar economy centered on asset-heavy manufacturers, but it is increasingly out of step with an information-based economy. Companies listed on the stock market are fewer in number and less representative than they were, light in tangible assets and people, and heavy on IP. Basic facts such as what industry they are in are increasingly …

Full Journal

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

We Are How We Eat, Thomas O'Loughlin

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Third Sunday Of Advent - 14 December 2025, Gerard Moore

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Ct: Paws, Pools & Preparedness- A Community Event Promoting Water Safety Through Strategic Communication, Madison Nolan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Paws, Pools & Preparedness is an educational community event tailored as a School of Communications Honors project. It will take place at the Wadsworth YMCA's Grizzly Pool in early August and feature a live demonstration by a search and rescue dog and handler to teach children and families about water safety and emergency preparedness in an entertaining, interactive way. The activity entails a rescue demonstration, safety briefing, and meet-and-greet session with the dog. The student organizer handles all planning, promotion (by hard-copy flyers), and staging. Involving all phases of the project is Smith's (2004) strategic PR model and theories of …

Paul Revere-Founding Father And America’S First Forensic Dentist, William J. Maloney

Bulletin of the Ninth District Dental Association

Paul Revere is remembered today for his many contributions to the independence efforts of the American colonies. It is also well-known that he was a skilled goldsmith and silversmith. Revere put these skills to use in providing dental care to the people of Boston. Revere had acquired his dental knowledge from John Baker- a dentist who emigrated from Europe to America in 1760 and is considered to be the first dentist to practice in North America. In his dental practice, Revere cleaned teeth and replaced missing teeth by wiring in replacement teeth usually utilizing various metals and animal bone.

Can We Leave Ideology Behind? Diagnostic, Prognostic, And Motivational Action Frames In Tracking Radicalization And Deradicalization, Clark Mccauley

Psychology Faculty Research and Scholarship

Two recent publications attempt to support the usefulness of ideology in conceptualizing trajectories of radicalisation and deradicalisation in terrorism research. Both papers translate ideology as the three dimensions of social action framing: diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing. This Research Note reviews the two papers to show that the measurement potential of the three frames is being lost in efforts to preserve the value of the concept of ideology. The question is raised: can we give up talk about ideology in terrorism research?