Digital Commons Network^™

Long Term Trends In The Reproductive Output And Phenology Of Three Marine Turtle Species, Jeena Prasertlum

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The UCF Marine Turtle Research Group (MTRG) has monitored sea turtle nesting along the Brevard County, Florida coastline for over 40 years, yielding one of the world's longest continuous sea turtle reproductive datasets. These data offer key demographic insights for conservation and species recovery assessments. Given climate change’s worsening effects, it is critical to analyze long-term trends in hatchling emergence success and phenology, which impact reproductive output, population growth, and hatchling dispersal. Here I compare the long-term reproductive output trends of loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles from …

Discontinuing Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists And Body Habitus: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sara Berg, Hannah Stickle, Suzanne J. Rose, Eric C. Nemec

Physician Associate Studies Faculty Publications

Research on Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) has mainly focused on the efficacy of weight loss and not the long-term efficacy of weight loss maintenance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the sustainability of weight loss of patients taking GLP-1RAs following the discontinuation of the drug. EBSCOhost was used to simultaneously search Academic Search Premier, CINHAL Ultimate, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE with full text, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and separate PubMed search was systematically investigated using a predetermined search strategy from inception to February 1st, 2024. The authors extracted data regarding body weight …

Lewd, Rude, Obscene, And… Violent? Analyzing Student Clothing Depicting Firearms Under The First Amendment’S Obscenity Test, Luke Gorman

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Today’s national news and social media have repeatedly exposed our school-age children to the effects of shootings occurring within their schools and communities. Each shooting brings with it commentary, sometimes from the students themselves. While in-school student speech is more limited than speech levied in the outside world, students do not shed their speech rights at the “schoolhouse gate.” As a result, courts have failed to outline a consistent approach for when a student will be punished for wearing a shirt depicting a firearm to school. This Comment addresses this delicate balance by proposing a consistent three-part test framed by …

Foraging Substrates Of Insect-Eating Birds In The Delaware Piedmont During The Fall, Ian Stewart, Jim White

Delaware Ornithologist

No abstract provided.

“The Culture - I Wish It Were Less Intense And More Joyful And Full Of Life”: A Youth Participatory Action Study On Teen Mental Health And Wellness, Marna Wolak

Doctoral Dissertations

Studies indicate that a grave mental health crisis is disproportionately impacting female-identified youth. While school districts have made attempts to address this problem, those most impacted - young people - have frequently found their voices overlooked by adults seeking solutions. Therefore, this Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) study, grounded in humanizing and liberatory pedagogy, examines how high school-aged students in an urban school district understand and define their experiences with mental health challenges and suggest strategies and interventions for improved wellness. Two sets of research questions guide this study: 1) Primary questions: What are youth perspectives about how their mental …

Physiologic And Structural Characterization Of Desisobutyryl-Ciclesonide, A Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator In Newborn Rats., Juliann D. Jaumotte, Nathalie El Khoury, Charles K. Min, Jiefei Wang, Caroline Madigan, Antalya Jano, Robin J. Russo Kobylski, Laura A. Solt, Rutu S. Dhavan, Kelly L. Short, Tianhua Lei, Uma Chandran, Timothy J. Cole, Ann Paula Monaghan-Nichols, Venkatesh Sampath, René Houtman, Kendall W. Nettles, Donald B. Defranco

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the most prevalent chronic lung disease of prematurity, is often treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) such as dexamethasone (DEX), but their use is encumbered with several adverse somatic, metabolic, and neurologic effects. We previously reported that systemic delivery of the GC prodrug ciclesonide (CIC) in neonatal rats activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcriptional responses in lung but did not trigger multiple adverse effects caused by DEX. To determine whether limited systemic metabolism of CIC was solely responsible for its enhanced safety profile, we treated neonatal rats with its active metabolite desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (Des-CIC). DEX but not Des-CIC caused a reduction in …

The Management Of Dietary Fiber Intake In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease - Clinical Practice Recommendations From The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce., An Desloovere, Nonnie Polderman, José Renken-Terhaerdt, Vanessa Shaw, Caroline Anderson, Larry A. Greenbaum, Christina L. Nelms, Leila Qizalbash, Stella Stabouli, Jetta Tuokkola, Bradley A. Warady, Johan Vande Walle, Fabio Paglialonga, Rukshana Shroff, Evelien Snauwaert

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving adequate fiber intake is especially challenging in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for the dietary intake of fiber in children and adolescents with CKD. In this CPR paper, we propose a definition of fiber, provide advice on the requirements and assessment of fiber intake, and offer practical guidance on optimizing dietary fiber …

Emerging Role Of Sh3bp2 As Regulator Of Immune And Nonimmune Cells In Nephrotic Syndrome., Tarak Srivastava, Mukut Sharma

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are major forms of nephrotic syndrome that remain difficult to treat. MCD and FSGS have distinct but also overlapping clinical, histological, metabolic, and molecular features. Effective use of immunosuppressive drugs, activated immune cells, altered cytokine profiles, and upregulated signaling pathways suggest a link between immune dysfunction and nephrotic syndrome, but the exact mechanism of immunopathogenesis is unclear. Immune dysfunction is an area of ongoing research for identifying novel molecular targets for treating nephrotic syndrome. However, the available animal models do not directly address the role of immune dysfunction in nephrotic …

Tetralogy Of Fallot: Anatomy, Physiology, And Outcomes, Edo Bedzra, Eli Contorno, Herra Javed, Amna Qasim, James St Louis, Taufiek Konrad Rajab

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Since the first identification of Tetralogy of Fallot in 1671, consisting of a combination of anatomical defects including biventricular origin of the aorta, maligned ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and narrowing or atresia of the pulmonary outflow tract. The first successful operation consisted of a shunt between the left subclavian artery and pulmonary artery. Following this palliative procedure, complete repair is performed once the patient reaches indicative criteria. Since the first attempts at surgical palliation and repair, techniques and outcomes have improved drastically. Definitive repair of Tetralogy of Fallot consists of a multi-patch closure of any Ventricular Septal Defect along …

Biodiversity Conservation And The Ever-Expanding Web Of Federal Laws Regulating Nonfederal Lands: Time For Something Completely Differenct?, J.B. Ruhl

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Integrating A Canine Comfort Program With Occupational Therapy Services For Emerging Adults With Mental Health Diagnoses, Emily Vieth

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Mental health plays a critical role in the lives of emerging adults (ages 18-29) including how they identify, their coping strategies, and social skills (Matud et al., 2020). Occupational therapists (OTs) can play a vital role in the management of depressive and anxiety symptoms for the promotion of an individual’s well-being (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020). OT can address depressive and anxiety symptoms through the incorporation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT is a therapeutic approach that uses animals to improve overall health and well-being (Pandey et al., 2024). Though still limited in evidencebased research, emerging interventions like canine …

Nature-Based Practices In Early Childhood Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Angela Mossman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Early childhood experiences are the building blocks for all future behavior and health (Warmbold,2015). These experiences, whether positive or negative, build the foundation of the brain's architecture (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2016). The developing brain comprises neural connections that develop through an ongoing process that begins before birth and continues into adulthood (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2016). This capstone project aims to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of naturebased practices through the lens of occupational therapy. Ginsburg et al. (2007) stated that play is essential for optimal child development. The benefits of …

Incorporating A Facility Dog Into Practice: A Guide For Occupational Therapists In Mental Health Settings, Anneka Harris

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The field of animal assisted therapy (AAT) is growing as the evidence on the effectiveness of incorporating animals into the rehabilitation process evolves; however, there is currently a lack of guidance for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners working with facility dogs in an adult mental health population. In a setting where clients have traumatic brain injuries (TBI), substance use disorders (SUD), and serious mental illness (SMI), it is important to combine best practice for both OT and AAT approaches. The objective of this project was to understand current resources available, conceptualize appropriate interventions, and provide a guide for practitioners using …

Addressing Occupational Challenges Through Multimodal Educational And Training Intervention Approaches To Improve Health Outcomes For Caregivers And Care Recipients, Skye Gross

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Family caregivers represent approximately 20% of the U.S. population (American Association for Retired Persons [AARP], 2020), with a prevalence linked to the rise of conditions and critical care needs among the baby boomer population. Family members are often relied upon to ensure the basic health needs of their loved ones as the complexity of care increases. On average, family caregivers dedicated 24 or more hours a week to caregiving tasks while fulfilling work and other essential functions. Nearly 50% provided high-intensity care to recipients with complex medical conditions with limited formal training (Reinhardt et al., 2019). These extreme levels …

A Holistic Program Manual For Permanent Supportive Housing: Integrating Housing First And Occupational Therapy Approaches, Melody Mackenzie

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness often face complex challenges including trauma, mental health conditions, and barriers to daily living. While permanent supportive housing provides long-term housing with supportive services, gaps exist in resources tailored for both residents and residential support staff. Many existing permanent supportive housing programs emphasize behavioral or mental health approaches, with fewer addressing the full range of occupational participation needs. Occupational therapy, with its holistic and client-centered perspective, offers a valuable lens to enhance service delivery in permanent supportive housing.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop two compatible tools–a Permanent Supportive Housing Residential …

Policing After Slavery: Race, Crime, And Resistance In Atlanta, Jonathon J. Booth

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Abundance And Other Food Fixations, Margot J. Pollans

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Hope: A Future With Ethics Towards People And Places, Vanessa Ann Racehorse

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Equity Along The Yellowstone, Jason Anthony Robison

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Cost Of Pfas Cleanup In Waterways: Who Pays And How, Sarah E. Mische

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Gelatin Extracted From Mackerel Bone (Rastrelliger Sp) On Cell Count In Wistar Rats Mandibular Bone Healing-In Vivo, Isnandar, Gostry A. Dohude, Hendry Rusdy, Muhammad F. Lubis, Lokot D. Lubis, Kevin Marpaung, Monica L. Romauli, Aulia I. Sari

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

No abstract provided.

Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars: A Life Of Edwin Hubble (2021) By Isabelle Marinov, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Picture Books

Barely a hundred years ago, Edwin Hubble changed the way we understand the universe and our place in it more dramatically than almost anyone else has ever done. As this picture book biography shows, his mind-boggling discoveries can be traced back to childhood questions. The discovery that the world is bigger than we had imagined happens in many ways, and learning that we have some choices in deciding how new facts, new experiences, and new perspectives can matter to us is a necessary part of education.

One Day This Tree Will Fall (2024) By Leslie Barnard Booth, Maughn Gregory

Picture Books

Can a tree live a life worth living? This picture book makes the case that trees have lives that are at once intriguingly similar to human lives and just as intriguingly – and importantly – different. It nudges us to consider the meaning of our own lives and our place and our role in the natural world. But trees are quite mysterious. The more we learn about them, the more fantastical they seem – these ordinary inhabitants of every human city and village. This book invites young people and older people to think more about trees; but there is just …

Low Protein Diet Strategy, S. Y. Liu, P. V. Chrystal, M. T. Kidd, M. Toghyani, S. P. Macelline, P. H. Selle

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

Reduced crude protein (CP) diets can lower nitrogen excretion and improve litter quality, but their effectiveness varies depending on the grain type, with wheat-based diets often showing poorer broiler performance compared to maize or sorghum. The digestive dynamics and synchrony between NBAA and protein-bound amino acids, along with starch-to-protein ratios, influence feed efficiency and fat deposition, which remains a challenge in reduced CP diets. Optimizing amino acid supplementation and exploring alternative protein-rich ingredients may help improve outcomes, especially in regions with limited access to soybean meal.

Facial Chick Sexing: An Automated Chick Sexing System From Chick Facial Image, Marta Veganzones Rodriguez, Thinh Phan, Arthur F.A. Fernandes, Vivian Breen, Jesus Arango, Michael T. Kidd, Ngan Le

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Chick sexing, the process of determining the gender of day-old chicks, is a critical task in the poultry industry due to the distinct roles that each gender plays in production. While effective traditional methods achieve high accuracy, color, and wing feather sexing is exclusive to specific breeds, and vent sexing is invasive and requires trained experts. To address these challenges, we propose a novel approach inspired by facial gender classification techniques in humans: facial chick sexing. This new method does not require expert knowledge and aims to reduce training time while enhancing animal welfare by minimizing chick manipulation. We develop …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

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

No abstract provided.

Automated Record Keeping For Maintenance Operations Via Tracking Of Maintenance Vehicles Using Telematics Tracks, Anugunj Naman, Yaguang Zhang, Aaron Ault, James V. Krogmeier

JTRP Technical Reports

Efficient and accurate record-keeping for maintenance vehicle operations is essential for optimizing resources, improving accountability, and enhancing decision-making for transportation agencies. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) sought an automated system to verify and improve work order records using telematics-based vehicle tracking. This study developed and evaluated a system that leverages GPS data from INDOT’s Data Warehouse to automate work order verification, track vehicle movements, and enhance data accuracy for winter highway maintenance operations.

The system integrates GPS tracking, automated data processing, and visualization tools to address key challenges such as data standardization, GPS accuracy, and time resolution. Results indicate …

Fire And Mammal Herbivory On Arthropods In The Protected Savannas: A Systematic Review, Ludzula Mukwevho, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Protected areas in the savannas are key global reserves for biological diversity, including arthropods. Fire and mammal herbivory disrupts the diversity of biological organisms that alternately affects the functioning of the ecosystem. The study presents a global synthesis review of arthropod responses to varying intensities of fires and mammal herbivory in the protected savannas. We hypothesise that the intensity of predetermined fires and mammal herbivory has cascading impacts on abundance, species richness and diversity of terrestrial arthropods in the protected savannas. A minimum selection criteria was used to collate relevant literature from electronic databases of previous studies performed in the …

Processed Amaranth And Finger Millet Enriched With Cricket Flour Influence The Functionality, Microbial Quality, Shelf Life, And Consumer Preference Of The Porridge Products, Nelly Maiyo, Michael Okoth, George Abong, Brian O. Ochieng, Fathiya Khamis, Margaret Kababu, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Exploration of nutritious, cheap, and easy-to-prepare locally available complementary foods using different processing techniques is gaining traction globally. This study evaluated the impact of three processing techniques (roasting, germination, and fermentation) on finger millet and amaranth quality. The implications of blending processed products with 10% cricket flour on the functional properties, microbial safety, and shelf life of the porridge products were tested. Thereafter, consumer preference and acceptability of the cooked porridge products were assessed with randomly enrolled panelist of mothers (20–66 years), as primary caregivers. Our results showed that powder from germinated cereal products had higher swelling power, water absorption …

Morphometric Characterization Of Invasive Diaphorina Citri Infesting Citrus And Orange Jasmine In Ghana, Kodwo Dadzie Ninsin, Maxwell Kelvin Billah, Bernard Agyeman Boateng, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Fred Kormla Ablormeti, Samuel Opuni-Basoa, Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor, George Edusei, Steve B.S. Baleba, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Morphometric analysis plays a crucial role in the accurate identification and classification of insect pests, which is essential for implementing effective management strategies. The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species and a known vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus,’ the bacterial pathogens associated with Huanglongbing (HLB), has recently emerged as a pest of concern in Ghana. Despite its significance, little is known about the biological traits of field populations in the region. In this study, we examined morphometric variation in D. citri populations infesting citrus and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) across different …