Unveiling The Cell Composition Of The Olfactory Migratory Mass: Perspectives On Terminal Nerve Formation, Olfactory Development, And Migration Of The Gnrh-1 Neurons, Enrico Amato Jr.

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Puberty is a postnatal developmental process required to initiate key sexual maturation events that are necessary for the propagation of species. Signals to initiate these events first begin with the Gonadotropin releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1) neurons within the hypothalamus. The hormone GnRH-1 released by these neurons is crucial for puberty, fertility and reproductive processes by establishing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, regulating release of sex hormones (Progesterone, Estrogen, Testosterone). Conditions related to inability of the GnRH-1 neurons to correctly release GnRH-1 can lead to aberrant or delayed puberty, a condition known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Interestingly, some patients with the hormonal disorder …

Association Of Non-Communicable Diseases With Severe Covid-19 Among People Living With And Without Diagnosed Hiv/Aids In New York State, Ravi Kumar Balu

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background: People living with diagnosed HIV (PLWDH) have a higher chance of co-infections and co-morbidities than the general population. When SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in China in December 2019 and later declared a pandemic, it was speculated that PLWDH might be more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease outcomes given their increased vulnerability to other respiratory infections like influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and tuberculosis. However, several facets of COVID-19 disease in PLWDH are incompletely understood, including whether non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are strong risk factors for severe disease outcomes and death as they are in the general population.

Methods: The data …

The Intermediate And Remote Effects Of Acute Juvenile Stress Upon Auditory Fear Learning, Recognition Memory, And Anxiety Measures In A Rodent Model Of Ptsd, Laura J. Baron

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract

Early-life stress is a risk factor for increased susceptibility to stress- and trauma-related disorders, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by exposure to trauma that results in exaggerated and extinction-resistant fear responses that persist for over a month. Understanding how the severity of early-life stressors in animal models impacts adult behavior, cognition, and underlying neurobiology could aid in the development of more effective PTSD treatments.

Various early-life stress models, especially in infant rats, have been used to induce stress and assess PTSD like-symptoms. Different stressors impact short- and long-term behavior, with some effects influenced by developmental timing …

Food Rescue, Food Waste, And Policy In New York: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Food System Impacts, Mariana Torres Arroyo

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation investigates how food donation policies in New York State influence the recovery, redistribution, and waste of surplus fresh produce, with a focus on fruits and vegetables. Using an interdisciplinary, systems-based approach that integrates system dynamics modeling with qualitative, community-engaged research, the study analyzes the effectiveness and unintended consequences of three major policies: Nourish New York, the Farm to Food Bank tax credit, and the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.

Chapter 2 uses simulation modeling to examine how the tax credit and waste ban affect produce recovery and redistribution. Results show that while both policies can boost …

The Role Of The Nasal Migratory Mass In Olfactory Bulb Formation And Fertility, Charisse Martin

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The olfactory migratory mass plays an essential role in the development of the olfactory bulb by facilitating the migration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons from the olfactory placode to the pre-optic hypothalamic area in the brain. In mammals, the migration of GnRH neurons is critical for establishing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis), which regulates reproductive function through the production and secretion of gonadotropins. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) instruct the gonads to function appropriately, ensuring sexual maturation and fertility. Disruptions in this migratory pathway have been linked with Kallmann syndrome, a condition characterized by low levels of GnRH, …

Comparison Of Methane Emission Quantification Methods At Landfills In New York State, Alexandra M. Catena

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission increases are a consequence of global population rise and economic growth. It is well known that carbon dioxide is the dominant GHG by mass, but methane has received increasing attention recently due to its high warming potential and relatively short lifetime of about a decade. Methane has several different types of both natural and anthropogenic sources including wetlands, waste management, energy, agriculture and farming, and wildfires, which makes tracking and reducing methane emissions a complex problem. The emission rates of each of these sources are highly uncertain due to differing emission estimation methods, which can be …

Use Of Coelomic Fluid As A Noninvasive Indicator Of Reproductive Status In Elasmobranchs, Emily Sapp

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information on reproduction in elasmobranchs is important for the management and conservation of populations. However, the ability to obtain reliable data on elasmobranch reproduction without animal euthanasia is extremely limited. Therefore, there has been a call for nonlethal approaches for identifying reproductive status of elasmobranchs. Although useful, current techniques can be limited with respect to access to equipment and reliability of blood analyses. This study investigates whether a new noninvasive approach, the examination of coelomic fluid (CF), can provide a reliable indicator of reproductive status. CF is fluid that bathes the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, including ovaries, and …

A Pilot Study Of The Freeze Response: Physiological Markers Under Threat Versus Safety Video Conditions, Ula Mccarthy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This pilot study examined physiological markers of the human freeze response during exposure to threat and safety-based video stimuli. The freeze response is an adaptive defense mechanism characterized by reduced heart rate and heightened sympathetic arousal (Roelofs, 2017; Hagenaars et al., 2014; Sagliano et al., 2014; Hermans et al., 2013). 20 university students were randomly assigned to view either a threatening or safety-based video clip while heart rate and electrodermal activity (EDA) were recorded using Biopac Bionomadix wireless systems. Trauma severity and PTSD symptomatology were assessed through validated self-report measures (BTQ; Schnurr et al., 1999), (PCL-5; Weathers et al., 2013). …

Long-Term Abundance Estimates Of A Northeast Florida Estuarine Dolphin Community: Evaluating The Impacts Of The 2013–2015 Cetacean Morbillivirus Unusual Mortality Event, Allison L. Wilkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus) in the St. Johns River (SJR), Jacksonville, FL, are subjected to substantial anthropogenic stressors (e.g., vessel traffic, dredging, fisheries interactions) and were heavily impacted by the 2013-2015 Mid-Atlantic cetacean morbillivirus unusual mortality event (UME). High prevalence of skin lesions and frequent sightings of emaciated dolphins suggest declining health and viability of the SJR dolphin community. Sighting data from Jul. 2011 to Oct. 2019 provided the rare opportunity to investigate long-term changes in dolphin abundance surrounding the UME. This study produced the first dolphin abundance estimate within the Jacksonville Estuarine System stock since 1997, …

Exploring The Connections Between Social Media Posts About Intimate Partner Violence And Their Influence On Women’S Physical And Mental Health, Joanna Lynn

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can happen to anyone and is considered a common occurrence in the United States (U.S. Department of Justice, 2025). Social media platforms have allowed individuals to post about their IPV experiences, but such posts can be met with negative comments that are not beneficial to the survivor. This study explores how social media posts regarding IPV affect an individuals’ mental and physical health through a quasi-experimental design. Three out of the four groups of participants were exposed to a mock Instagram post that included the same caption and photo for a supportive, unsupportive, and neutral condition. …

Postnatal Programming Of Infant Temperament At 12-Months: A Test Of Lactation Programming Theory, Lydia Bierce

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The current study examined how maternal cortisol and breastfeeding duration across the first six months postpartum might relate to infant temperament profile membership at 12 months in 322 low-income Mexican American mother-infant dyads (46.3% male). Results revealed that maternal postnatal cortisol levels were significantly moderated by breastfeeding duration to predict infant temperament profile (β = 0.14, p = .030) such that more maternal cortisol was linked to higher likelihood of belonging to a high positive affect, well-regulated profile when mothers breastfed for above average durations. This suggests that while maternal cortisol in breastmilk might initially shape infant negative temperament, …

Essays On Health Economics, Yiran Han

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The first chapter examines relationships between physicians exposed to new drugs’ clinical trials and prescribing. Clinical trials benefit patients directly by providing novel treatments, but little is known about the indirect effects of clinical trials on physician prescribing through localized knowledge spillover. This study examines whether exposure to a clinical trial of a new drug in a physician’s local geographic area affects the physician’s propensity to prescribe the drug, i.e. a localized knowledge spillover from clinical trial sites to physician. Utilizing the Medicare Part D prescribing patterns of more than 10,000 physicians across 29 new cancer drugs approved by the …

Nola 2150, Kristopher Ferber

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract

Speculative fiction often takes a dystopic approach where authors envision what will be lost from books being banned in Fahrenheit 451 to us losing our civil liberties in 1984 to most of humanity being wiped out by an engineered virus in Oryx and Crake. This creative thesis takes a more optimistic approach by the act of preservation. In this case the city of New Orleans thriving as an underwater city protected by a glass dome in the year 2150. The city’s vibrant culture remains the same despite being almost too close to comfort to marine life. This work …

Interfacing Neural Models: Biocompatibility And Fabrication Of A Flexible, Self-Folding Microelectrode Array, Fernando A. Pesantez Torres

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a formidable challenge in modern medicine, necessitating the development of advanced research tools that can elucidate their complex pathophysiology. Recent advancements in neurodegenerative disease research have led to the development of three-dimensional (3D) neurodegenerative organoids using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). These organoids closely mimic human brain architecture and functionality, providing a valuable tool for understanding complex diseases. Additionally, the ability to generate and study brain organoids consistently and in large quantities holds potential for a controlled in vitro setting and high-throughput drug screening. However, these models are complex systems requiring specialized maintenance, analysis, and manipulation …

Pathways To Disclosure And Treatment Among Individuals With An Attraction To Minors, Theodore Jackson

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Child sexual abuse prevention is a significant social concern in the United States and internationally. While there have been some successful efforts to reduce recidivism risk among individuals who have committed sexual offenses, we fall short when preventing first time offenses. Therefore, looking at ways to provide treatment to those who are more at-risk for a first offense seems like a potential solution to this problem. One such relevant risk-factor is attraction to minors. This study is a qualitative examination using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of how people who are attracted to minors make the decision to disclose their attraction, seek …

Sulfur Chemistry For Protein Synthesis And Modification: From Thiolactone To Bicyclic Sulfoxide Frameworks, Yuming Wen

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation explores two intersecting themes in modern chemical biology: (1) the design of novel ligands for transition-metal catalysis, and (2) the development of thiolactone-mediated strategies for protein synthesis and modification in aqueous media. Together, these studies advance chemical methods for precise molecular transformations under mild, biocompatible conditions.

In the first chapter, a geometrically constrained bicyclic [3.3.1] sulfoxide framework was developed as a new class of bissulfoxide ligands for palladium-catalyzed C–H functionalization. The ligand was synthesized concisely from thiophenol through a three-step sequence and shown to promote allylic C–H amination and alkylation reactions with high efficiency. The catalytic system tolerated …

Teaching Documentary Filmmaking As Social Advocacy: The Case Of The Yangon Film School, Violet Valdez, Mon Mon Myat

Department of Communication Faculty Publications

This is a descriptive case study of Yangon Film School (Yangon, Myanmar) in a setting of protracted civil conflict that has persisted since 1968. It examined the school’s approach in the teaching of documentary filmmaking and analyzed key aspects of the school’s operations. Findings show that the documentary filmmaking taught in the school was informed by social advocacy. This was fostered through the students’ participation in films commissioned to the school by civil society organizations and the practice of participatory filmmaking. The school stood out in the Myanmar setting for its dual character as a training center and a production …

Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals Lead To Selective Inhibition Of Cyp1 Monooxygenase Activities, And Increased Production Of Reactive Oxygen Species By Reaction Uncoupling, John Patrick Connick, Amari A. Stepter, George F. Cawley, Marilyn K. Eyer, Wayne L. Backes

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

This study focuses on the effect of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) on the P450 enzymes of the CYP1 family. EPFRs are a component of particulate pollutants, that are stable in the environment, but can generate free radicals, leading to oxidative stress and subsequent toxicity of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems once they enter an organism. The results show differences in the ability of EPFRs to inhibit CYP1-dependent substrate metabolism, with CYP1B1 being inhibited to the greatest extent. There also were differences in the ability of EPFRs to disrupt the POR•CYP1 complex, with CYP1B1 being the only form where …

Chronic Administration Of A Cannabis-Derived Mixture At An Antihyperalgesic Dose Does Not Significantly Enhance Hepatotoxicity Or The Development Of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis In Male Mice, Kim B. Pedersen, Tomislav Jelesijevic, Tamara M. Morris, Sarah M. Melton, Ashley S. Henderson, John F. Glenn, Gregory J. Davenport, Martin J.J. Ronis, Peter J. Winsauer

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cannabis and cannabinoid mixtures have been linked to a variety of health benefits including pain mitigation, suppression of nausea produced by chemotherapeutic agents, anti-inflammatory effects, and effects on energy homeostasis, glucose, and lipid metabolism. The latter properties have led to the suggestion that these products could have therapeutic effects on the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) - a severe type of liver pathology in obese and diabetic patients. However, varying agonist and antagonistic properties of different cannabinoids on the endogenous cannabinoid system make prediction regarding hepatic effects and diet interactions difficult. The current study was designed to examine hepatic …

Roles Of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Stem Cells From Dental Pulp And Apical Papilla In The Repair And Regeneration Of Dental Pulp And Other Tissues/Organs, Jiiang-Huei Jeng, Pin-Hsuan Wu, Yan-Hsiung Wang, Ying-Chu Lin, Ya-Shuan Chou, Mei-Chi Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Currently, the concept of regeneration and regenerative therapies are already being applied clinically to treat pulpal and periodontal diseases, as well as to repair and regenerate systemic organs and tissues. During wound healing, well-developed, functional vascular networks and revascularization are fundamental factors in restoring regenerative potential. Growth factors, stem cells, and scaffolds alone or in combination are reported to contribute to successful tissue repair and engineering via cell transplantation, cell homing or other technologies. Among the growth factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been found to regulate the proliferation, stemness, migration, and differentiation of vascular and mineralized tissues …

Accelerated Senescence Animal Models And Application In Dentistry: A Scoping Review, Siwei Wang, Jiayu Mou, Jiarui Jiang, Qi He, Mulan Qahar, Daniele De Santis, Fang Qi, Guangchao Xu, Jianguo Liu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Accelerated senescence models are increasingly utilized in aging research; however, their application in dental studies remains relatively limited. This scoping review investigates the use of these models within oral research. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and registered with the Open Science Framework, to identify relevant in vivo studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. Eligible studies involved accelerated senescence animal models in oral health contexts. Data were extracted on animal types, induction methods, aging biomarkers (e.g., P53, P21, P16, SA-β-gal), and outcomes for narrative synthesis. From 377 screened articles, …

Recombinant Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Promotes Surgical-Wound Healing In The Rat Gingiva, Yasunori Yoshinaga, Naoki Maruo, Kimiko Ohgi, Hiroaki Yamato, Nanako Tsuchimochi, Masanobu Nakagami, Ryuji Sakagami

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has been shown to promote periodontal tissue regeneration in clinical settings. However, reports on the effects of FGF-2 on soft-tissue wound healing after periodontal surgery are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FGF-2 on gingival wound healing. Materials and methods Seven-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Each group included 15 rats, with five animals in each experimental period. Five untreated rats were used as the no-treated group. Incisions were made bilaterally in the palatal mucosa from the mesial corner of the maxillary first molar up to the incisor, …

Organoid In Dentistry: Models For Oral Biology And Disease, Wei-Jen Chang, Tomomi Sano, Ting-Yi Renn, Takashi Kanematsu, Ming-Shou Hsieh, Chia-Chen Hsu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Cell lines and animal models have long been used as essential tools in studies targeting the oral cavity, offering valuable insights into various oral diseases. Each of these research models provides its advantages, such as ease of manipulation in cell lines and the ability to replicate whole–organ interactions in animal models. However, conventional models often have limited native phenotypic features, which do not fully capture the complexity of the human oral cavity. In response to these limitations, organoid technologies have recently been developed and emerged as a promising alternative. Organoids, which are widely applied to mimic the complexity of …

Exploring The Correlation Between Dental Procedures And Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex, Chun-Pin Lin, Tsao-Li Chuang, Yu-Ting Li, Tai-Wei Feng, Hao-Hueng Chang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background /purpose: The trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR) is a brainstem reflex characterized by sudden reductions in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) following trigeminal nerve stimulation. Although well-documented in other surgical fields, its role during dental procedures remains unclear. This study examined the association between routine dental interventions and TCR using an experimental animal model. Materials and methods This study presented a comprehensive analysis of physiological monitoring data obtained during a series of animal experimental surgeries conducted by our research team between 2016 and 2023. Changes in HR and MABP during routine dental procedures were evaluated using …

Diaspora Politics And A Rising China: Ambivalent Ties Amid Geopolitical Changes, Jiaqi M. Liu

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Over the past decade, the rise of China on the global stage has witnessed the emergence of members of the Chinese diaspora as new meso-level actors in mediating Sino-Western relations. As part of China’s burgeoning “public diplomacy” around the globe, Chinese migrants organize cultural events to establish grassroots and semi-official exchanges between China and the West. This chapter provides a state-of-the-art examination of so-called “diasporic public diplomacy” whereby the Chinese diaspora plays an increasingly important role in promoting China’s soft power abroad. Based on long-term fieldwork in a prominent emigrant community, I analyse how Chinese national policies envision two specific …

Tomatoes, Sea Cucumbers, And Ai. Conceptualizing A Casual Loop Diagram For Assessing Challenges And Opportunities Of The Urban Ocean, Elisa Fernández Ramos, Andrés Jaque Ovejero, Eva Hurtado Torán, Oz Sahin

Capítulos de libros

Could the combination of tomatoes, sea cucumbers, and AI be the glocal recipe for sustainable urban development systems? In this text, we review some of the implications of oceanic expansion, proposing an experiment to extract these and other conclusions that may help us realize its importance and the role of architects and urban designers in it. This research assumes that the coastline is fictitious, just like the boundary of cities that usually coincides with it. The city is part of the marine ecosystem and sprawls over it, primarily for productive purposes. Productivity models have shaped our cities since the beginning …

La Transformación Estética Del Qr Como Manifestación Gráfica: Tendencias Y Oportunidades, Raquel Ávila Muñoz, Gema Bonales Daimiel

Capítulos de libros

Los códigos QR, creados en 1994 para optimizar procesos de inventariado, cumplen ya tres décadas de existencia. Lo que comenzó como una herramienta funcional ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en un elemento omnipresente en estrategias de marketing y publicidad. La estilización visual de la icónica matriz de cuadros blancos y negros amplía el alcance de los códigos QR, transformándolos en manifestaciones gráficas que combinan funcionalidad y creatividad. A través de estrategias como la incorporación de elementos visuales de marca, la integración con imágenes o la creación de diseños personalizados, los QR pueden asumir un papel destacado en la composición. La manipulación …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Kinley Mae Pope

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Fiction Of Possibility: How Possible Worlds Theory Explains The Impossible Worlds Of Science Fiction, Jacob Burlingame

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the ways that science fiction texts convey to the reader the worlds in which they are set. It identifies four main strategies through which a science fiction text conveys its world: Neologisms, Secondary Texts, Actual-World Analogs, and Exposition. Neologisms include any words that are coined by the author to describe an entity that only exists in the text world, which creates a fuller world by creating a referent for them. Secondary Texts are any other documents alluded to by the primary text, whether created for the text world or imported from the actual world; these secondary texts …

Functional Characterization Of The Hdt5 Gene In Aspergillus Flavus Morphogenesis, Mycotoxin Production, And Fungal Phytopathogenicity, Brenda Omburo

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The present study aimed at elucidating the role of hdt5 in fungal morphology, mycotoxin production and in plant virulence in Aspergillus flavus. Currently, methodologies to prevent the negative impact of A. flavus are insufficient. It is known that expression of the hdt5 gene is dependent on hbx1, a master regulatory gene that affects expression of hundreds of genes in the A. flavus genome, controlling both development and secondary metabolism. However, while the aflatoxin gene cluster has been elucidated, the genetic regulatory mechanisms controlled by hdt5 are not fully understood. For this study, therefore, a complete strain set composed of a …