Digital Commons Network^™

Erk1/2 Inhibition Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy By Suppressing Fatty Acid Metabolism, Erin Mclean, Caroline De Roo, Annabel Maag, Megan Coble, Jefferson Cano, Ruijie Liu

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with morphological and functional impairment of the heart primarily due to lipid toxicity caused by increased fatty acid metabolism. Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) have been implicated in the metabolism of fatty acids in the liver and skeletal muscles. However, their role in the heart in diabetes remains unclear. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 alleviates cardiac remodeling in diabetic mice through a reduction in fatty acid metabolism.   Methods: ERK1/2 phosphorylation in diabetes was determined both in vitro and in vivo. H9C2 cells were subjected …

Chapter 13: Climate Change, Ageism, And Intergenerational Solidarity, Angela K. Perone, Kaycee Peterman, Katherine Perone, Megan Chan, Lihua Huang

Books and Contributions to Books

It examines disproportional impacts of climate change on healthy aging and their link to systemic and interpersonal ageism. Attention is given to adverse impacts of extreme weather on physiological, psychological, and socioeconomic health of older adults, particularly those who experience multiple inequalities. Intergenerational solidarity and its practical implications are explored.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Dean, Jeff Edwards

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Hwæt! How Fantasy Audiobooks Can Take Inspiration From The Middle Ages, Morgan C. Lilly

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Audiobooks have become increasingly popular among book lovers, and a popular debate has arisen: does listening to audiobooks count as reading? Much scholarship validating the medium as reading has emerged, arguing that the act of listening to an audiobook is synonymous to the act of reading a printed book. Audiobooks, however, deliver a different experience from a printed text, which Lutz Koepnick details, saying, “whatever we do with them may have little to do with reading in any rigorous sense, that intricate process by which we decode written signs in order to construct meanings at various interwoven levels” (234). This …

Washington University Magazine, August 2025

Washington University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Washington University Magazine, April 2025

Washington University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Vol. 53, No. 2: Table Of Contents, Denver Journal Of International Law & Policy

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Vol. 53, No. 2: Full Issue, Denver Journal Of International Law & Policy

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Association Of Sarcopenic Obesity With Cognitive Dysfunction: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Qi Wu, Siye Xie, Jinhong Ying

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the association between sarcopenic obesity and cognitive dysfunction. Changes in human body composition may be linked to the development of cognitive dysfunction. Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation and reduced muscle mass, is implicated in various adverse health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, Sinomed, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for studies examining the link between sarcopenic obesity and cognitive dysfunction. The process adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Eight studies, comprising 87,520 participants …

Poloxamer 188 Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury In Mice By Reducing Mitochondrial And Lysosomal Membrane Damage, Hui Xu, Zhanhu Zhang, Xiaodong Tao, Ruirui Shi, Jian Xu, Xiaohua Zhang, Jinhua Gu

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore the beneficial effects and mechanisms of Poloxamer 188 (P188) in mitigating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice. Methods: This study was conducted from 2020 to 2022. Neurological function, brain water content, and infarct size were assessed in mice 24 h after I/R injury. Iridium-labeled Poloxamer 188 (Ir-P188) was characterized using 1 H-NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence emission analysis. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate intracellular distribution of Ir-P188 in OGD/R-induced HT22 cells in vitro and ischemic mice in vivo. 24 h after reperfusion, the levels of ROS and inflammation in ischemic brain were measured, along with the …

Platelet Reactivity To Adenosine Diphosphate And Cyp2c19 Genotypes Are Linked With Carotid Plaques And May Predict Carotid Plaque Stability In Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients, Hongting Shi, Mingzhu Tang, Tiezhu Wang, Lihua Yang, Xuanming Lai, Yongyuan Chen, Fangming Diao, Xiaolian Chen, Jinxi Zuo, Junyang Xu, Gaoxian Zhong, Yaxian Dong

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the correlations of ADP-induced platelet-inhibition rate (ADP-PIR) and CYP2C19 genotypes with carotid plaque types in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Unstable carotid plaques are implicated in AIS. Clopidogrel (commonly prescribed in AIS) produces adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet inhibition, and is metabolized by CYP2C19 . Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of AIS patients treated at our hospital during 2019–2022, and administered maintenance clopidogrel (75 mg/d). Carotid plaques, ADP-PIR, and CYP2C19 genotypes were assessed using color Doppler ultrasonography, thromboelastography, and polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted. Results: …

Uncommon Presentation Of Neurobrucellosis, Ibrahim I. Ibrahim, Mohammed O. Aqeeli, Mead R. Aljabri, Ameen K. Tajuddin

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that affects 500,000 individuals each year worldwide. Neurological complications occur in up to 5% of cases, and ocular involvement is rare. This report describes the case of a 26-year-old woman with progressive lower limb weakness and significant ambulatory impairment following two months of headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. The patient had a history of urinary incontinence, lower back pain, and raw goat milk consumption. Clinical examination revealed bilateral papilledema and muscle weakness. Positive Brucella culture, abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid, and magnetic resonance imaging findings confirmed the presence of neurobrucellosis. Treatment with antibiotics …

Fisheries Research Report No. 345: Metropolitan Monitoring Program 2024, Alissa C. Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan

Fisheries Research Reports

Ongoing monitoring of recreational fisheries in the Metropolitan zone is essential to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources. Surveys of shore- and boat-based recreational fishers within the Metropolitan zone of the West Coast bioregion provide information on human dimensions and catch-per-fisher as well as mean length and weight of key recreationally caught species. For shore-based fishers, estimates of fishing effort, catch and harvest are also presented for key nearshore species. Information in this report is used to support ongoing assessments for key nearshore species and inform the development and evaluation of harvest strategies and other management actions, such as …

The Theory Of Evolution, Alois Nicholas Wurst

Bachelors’ Theses

What is perhaps one of the most fascinating questions in the scientific and philosophical world today is the theory on the Decent of Man. We hear much concerning Evolution. New theories on the subject appear almost daily. Most of these seem to be hoaxes on the part of publicity hungry scientists. If a man would have his name in newspapers the world over, he must only say that he produced a living organism out of inanimate matter. Of course such a statement produces a sensation. But this sensation is short lived. Investigation usually exposes prevarication on the part of the …

Investigation Of Radiation Absorption Behavior Of Banana Leaves And Onion: A Cost-Effective Way Of Radiation Protection, Arpita Datta, Alpana Goel, Shreya Singh

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Shielding of nuclear radiation is an important component of radiation safety aiming to reduce the exposure of ionizing radiation to radiation workers. In the present work, beta and gamma radiation absorption properties of various environmentally friendly natural materials such as onion, banana leaf, and banana stem were investigated with a view to understand their radiation shielding capability. Pure beta source ⁹⁰Sr–⁹⁰Y and gamma sources such as ²⁴¹Am, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co were used to study the attenuation of beta and gamma radiation using these natural materials. Intensity of the emitted radiation was measured by placing …

Fortifying Nuclear Security: Cultivating Vigilance Culture Among Personnel For Enhanced Prevention And Response, Sabariah Kader Ibrahim, Sonia Naz

International Journal of Nuclear Security

A vigorous nuclear security culture is crucial in preventing the theft and sabotage of nuclear material. It requires vigilance from all employees because relying solely on closed-circuit television systems and security personnel is insufficient to deter potential threats. Employee attentiveness plays a vital role in recognizing and preventing suspicious activities. However, achieving a strong security culture is challenging because of the lack of incidents in some facilities, leading to employee complacency.

This paper highlights the pivotal role of personnel in the success of nuclear security measures, emphasizing the need for a proactive and vigilant mindset among staff. Through the analysis …

Hostos Community College Academic Bulletin 2024-2025, Hostos Community College

College Bulletins

This is the official college catalog for 2024-2025. It contains course descriptions as well as information on degree programs, college resources and services, financial aid, admissions, and the academic calendar.

An Examination Of Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Literacy Knowledge And Levels Of Use Post-Letrs Professional Learning, Sharonda C. Thompson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine North Carolina teachers’ perceptions of their science of reading (SOR) knowledge gained from Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional learning as well as their level of use (LoU) of instructional strategies gained from that professional learning experience. I disseminated a survey about the level of knowledge of specific literacy topics taught in the LETRS training. Survey participants were also invited to participate in an interview to determine the extent to which they used the knowledge, skills, and resources gained from LETRS professional learning. This study aimed …

Cryo-Em Reveals The Mechanochemical Cycle Of Reactive Full-Length Human Dynein-1, Pengxin Chai

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Dynein is a microtubule-based motor protein complex that generates force and drives movement toward the minus ends of microtubules. Despite extensive structural, biochemical, and biophysical studies, key questions remain about how dynein achieves its unidirectional stepping and force-generating powerstroke through its ATP-dependent mechanochemical cycle. In this dissertation, I leverage recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and develop novel cryo-EM image processing methods to elucidate the atomic-level details of the mechanochemical cycle of full-length cytoplasmic dynein-1. I directly visualize the conformational landscape of dynein both on and off microtubules, uncovering several novel and important reactive intermediates. These findings include the discovery …

Renewal Of Cocaine Seeking Using Social And Nonsocial Contextual Stimuli, Bree A. Humburg, Michael T. Bardo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Rationale Various nonsocial cues have been used as stimuli to examine the contextual control of drug seeking behavior, but little is known about the role of social stimuli.

Objectives This study determined if renewal of cocaine seeking is differentially controlled using a context consisting of either a social peer and/or house light illumination.

Methods In Experiment 1, male and female rats trained to self-administer cocaine in the presence of a same-sex social peer and house light illumination (context A). Following self-administration, rats were randomly assigned to either an AAA (control) or ABA (renewal) group for extinction. For AAA rats, extinction …

Normal Editions Workshop Newsletter, 2024-2025, Wonsook Kim School Of Art And Design

Normal Editions Workshop Newsletter

Annual newsletter for the Normal Editions Workshop, School of Art, Illinois State University.

A Historical Analysis Of Book Challenges And Banning In Louisiana, Janelle Zetty

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the history of challenges and bans on library and school materials in Louisiana from 1938 to 2024. It provides context for recent legislation, particularly Act 436 of 2023. The article reviews incidents documented in newspaper articles and library publications, focusing on challenges related to race, sexual content, political views, and LGBTQ+ themes. It discusses the roles of librarians, school boards, and community groups in these circumstances. The historical challenges and book bans in Louisiana reveal a recurring pattern of moral and political arguments used to justify censorship. This pattern directly influences, and is echoed by, recent legislation, …

Modern Classical Christian Education?, Donna Lybarger

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This thesis asks if the ancient tradition of classical education is an education method for the modern world. More specifically, this thesis questions, how might classical education methods be implemented for the acquisition of wisdom in the modern world? The literature review gives a brief history of classical education from the Greeks, and a history of why classical education is again a topic of conversation in the modern world. The three stages of classical education, the trivium, is explained. Classical Christian education is defined noting the method remains the same, but the difference is the nuances of the virtues of …

Critical Theory And The Decline Of American Patriotism, Caron L. Norton

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

Abstract

CRITICAL THEORY AND THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN PATRIOTISM

Caron Norton

Southeastern University, 2025

Nationwide there has been a progressive decline in patriotism since the turn of the 21st century. Instead of growing in affection towards their country, more and more American citizens reach adulthood frustrated and angry with the United States and its heritage. Some become consumed with hatred. Rather than honoring America’s forefathers, Americans have torn down and desecrated statues and symbols from the past. Where did this antipatriotic fervor come from? How did Americans become disillusioned? This shift in mood can be directly attributed to the rise …

Fiesta On Shuffle, Tristan William Niskanen

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This thesis is a linked short story collection about a character named Thom, told in first person. In 52 short pieces, Thom travels around different places on a seemingly aimless journey. It is almost a mix of a “man goes on a journey” & a “stranger comes to town.” The 52 short stories are structured like a shuffled deck of cards, with four distinct suits. Each suit has a minor story arc for Thom. In Hearts, he’s on a search for love. In Diamonds, he’s on a search for treasure. In Spades, he’s on a search for enlightenment. In Clubs, …

Preliminary Evaluation Of Bahamian Botanicals For Tropical Applications, Michelle Antoinette Outten

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This thesis explores the phytochemical composition and cosmetic potential of three Bahamian botanicals- Mosiera longipes (MLE), Tabebuia bahamensis (TBE), and Momordica charantia (MCE)---traditionally used in local bush medicine. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and incorporated into topical cream formulations. While HPLC-DAD analysis was performed, no compounds were definitively identified due to hardware limitations; chromatographic data remain preliminary, providing a foundation for future validation. Formulations were assessed for stability under centrifugation, thermal cycling, and long-term storage. All samples demonstrated acceptable initial pH values within the skin-compatible range (4.5-5.5): BWE (5.63 ± 0.04), TBE (5.47 ± 0.02), MLE (5.72 ± 0.04), …

Comparison Of Laboratory Scale Bourbon Whiskey Mashing And Fermentation To Pilot Scale, Ryan C. Sarhan, Brad J. Berron, Czarena L. Crofcheck, Glenna Joyce Welsko, Tyler J. Barzee

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Why the work was done: Laboratory scale methods are useful for optimising grain spirit production. While small scale methods exist, comparisons between conventional, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, and distillery scale production are lacking. Further, there is limited understanding of how these methods affect the rheological properties of the mash and flavour compounds from fermentation. This study compared conventional and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation mashing methods to a pilot scale distillery to establish a standard laboratory method for simulating industrial bourbon production.

How the work was done: Two mashing methods for bourbon whiskey were compared: simultaneous saccharification and fermentation versus conventional …

Toll-Like Receptor Signaling In Neurons Modulates C. Elegans Feeding Behavior In A Hunger State-Dependent Manner, Neel Patel, Joseph Rios, Retwika Ganguly, Cindy Mutafoglu, Nour Shalash, Karla Gallardo, Malak Saleh, John Chahine, Emily Kopecky, Gursimran Gujral, Kamya Shah, Christos Suriano

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Animals face the risk of encountering pathogenic microbes while foraging for resources. Assessing the risk of nutrition vs. infection can result in the behavioral regulation of immune processes. Behavioral immunity in the nematode roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is regulated, in part, by the innate immune molecule TOL-1: a homolog of vertebrate Toll-like Receptor (TLR) proteins that influences C. elegans pathogen avoidance behaviors by promoting the development of CO2-detecting chemosensory neurons. While TOL-1′s role in pathogen avoidance is well established, its role in an opposing behavior – foraging – has not been examined. In addition to pathogenic bacteria, preferred food …

Voltage-Dependent Anion-Selective Channels 1 And 2 Wild Type And Mutant Bh3-Like Domain Peptides: Analysis Of Secondary Structure And Binding Stoichiometry To Recombinant Bax, Geanell C. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite national efforts to increase female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women remain significantly underrepresented in collegiate STEM programs. This pilot study sought to identify pre-collegiate factors that influence female students’ decisions to enroll and persist in STEM collegiate programs at the University of Mississippi, a predominantly white R1 research institution using qualitative methods. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, the research examined the environmental, behavioral, and personal determinants that shape academic pathways for women in STEM.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six sophomore female STEM majors. Thematic analysis revealed that early exposure to structured …