Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Belowground Recovery Into Tropical Forest Restoration Design And Monitoring, Lauren Toro, Leland K. Werden, Shalom D. Addo-Danso, Kelly M. Andersen, Sarah Batterman, Matilde M. Bragadini, Pooja Choksi, Rebecca J. Cole, Liza S. Comita, Daniela Cusack, Daisy H. Dent, Lee H. Dietterich, Joshua B. Fisher, Katrin Fleischer, Lucia Fuchslueger, Nohemi Huanca-Nunez, Janey R. Lienau, Lindsay A. Mcculloch, Ember M. Morrissey, Jennifer S. Powers, Mareli Sánchez-Juliá, Oscar Valverde-Barrantes, Anita Weissflog, Michelle Y. Wong

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

There is growing recognition that tropical forest restoration is key for sequestering carbon and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Soils, roots, and soil biota are central to ecosystem function and services, but belowground recovery is largely overlooked in restoration monitoring frameworks. Here, we outline current understanding of the links between above- and belowground recovery in tropical forests by examining how belowground properties before and after intervention influence recovery; by evaluating whether aboveground recovery can serve as a proxy for belowground dynamics; and by proposing a blueprint for monitoring dynamic soil physical (bulk density, aggregate stability), chemical (organic matter or carbon, pH), and …

Exogenous Arginine Differentially Regulates Inflammatory Cytokine And Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression In Macrophages, Kelsey Stayer, Saliha Pathan, Aalekhya Biswas, Huiqiao Li, Yi Zhu, Fong Wilson Lam, Juan Marini, Sundararajah Thevananther

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Immune dysfunction and late mortality from multiorgan failure are hallmarks of severe sepsis. Arginine, a semi-essential amino acid important for protein synthesis, immune response, and circulatory regulation, is deficient in sepsis. However, arginine supplementation in sepsis remains controversial due to the potential to upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-mediated excessive nitric oxide (NO) generation in macrophages, leading to vasodilation and hemodynamic catastrophe. Citrulline supplementation has been considered an alternative to replenishing arginine via de novo synthesis, orchestrated by argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). However, the functional relevance of the ASS1-ASL pathway in macrophages after endotoxin stimulation is …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Concurrent Osteoarthritis And Urolithiasis In Dogs In Thailand (2018–2020), Faiz Ihsanul Kamil, Kumpanart Soontornvipart

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts dog health, often leading to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and behavioral changes that may predispose dogs to secondary conditions such as urolithiasis. This study aimed to investigate the association between osteoarthritis and urolithiasis in dogs using radiographic imaging data collected from the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, over a three-year period (January 2018 to December 2020). A total of 16,377 dogs were included, and cases of osteoarthritis, urolithiasis, or the concurrent occurrence of both conditions were identified through a systematic database review. Binary logistic regression models were used to …

Defining Economic And Environmental Typologies Across 77 Countries To Prioritize Opportunities For Nonsewered Sanitation, Hannah A. C. Lohman, Yalin Li, Xinyi Zhang, Victoria L. Morgan, Shion Watabe, Stetson Rowles, Roland D. Cusick, Jeremy S. Guest

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

Lack of access to sanitation is a challenge that persists globally, with low sewerage connection rates in many low- and lower-middle-income countries. Engineered nonsewered sanitation (NSS) technologies can meet treatment requirements without sewers, but their relative sustainability varies across potential deployment sites. Here, we characterize the costs and carbon intensity (CI) of three emerging NSS technologies, two community reinvented toilets (CRTs) and one Omni Processor (OP), across 77 countries, identify sustainability performance typologies, and map typology prevalence in countries across the globe. Locality-specific factors such as wages, diet, and material costs drive regional variability in NSS costs by up to …

Mbiochemical Identification And Clinical Description Of Edetomidine Exposure In People Who Use Fentanyl In Philadelphia, Pa, Phil Durney, Jennifer L. Kahoud, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Maeve Montesi, Meg Carter, Sabrina Butt, Alberto Martinez Mencia, Louisa Omoregie, Monali Shah, Mariah Bloomfield, Nicholas Tomasko, Rebecca C. Jaffe, Allison Herens, Warren R. Korn, Karen Alexander, Douglas F. Stickle, Dennis Goodstein, Lara Weinstein, Kory S. London

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

Medetomidine, a veterinary α2-adrenergic agonist, has recently emerged as an adulterant in the non-medical opioid supply, yet human exposure has remained poorly characterized. We conducted a pragmatic retrospective cohort analysis utilizing chart review and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) toxicology testing on available urine samples from patients presenting to two hospitals in Philadelphia, PA, who fit two clinical phenotypes, intoxication or withdrawal. Samples also underwent glucuronidase pre-treatment to assess impact on the yield of medetomidine and xylazine metabolite detection. Testing identified universal exposure to medetomidine (58/58 samples) via the 3-hydroxy-medetomidine (3-OH-M) metabolite, post glucuronidase treatment and variable xylazine exposure (40/58 …

Characterization Of Dna Background On Duct Tape Stored In Domestic Environments, Elaan A. Lukasiewicz

Student Theses

With lower detection limits for forensic DNA analysis, it is important to have a better understanding of background DNA levels unrelated to the crime to facilitate accurate data interpretation. Duct tape is used in crimes, e.g. to bind victims and seal drug packaging, and may be tested for DNA. To determine DNA background levels, twelve volunteers were recruited to donate a used roll of duct tape from their home. The duct tape was divided into three areas: inside, outside, and sides of the roll, and swabbed for DNA. The average concentration of DNA was determined for the inside (0.0723 ng/µL …

Ovochymase 2 Is A Key Regulatory Factor Modulating Proteolytic Pathways And Sperm Maturation In The Mammalian Epididymis, Katarzyna Kent, Kaori Nozawa, Antrix Jain, Anna Malovannaya, Thomas X Garcia, Martin M Matzuk

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spermatozoa acquire fertilizing competence during epididymal transit through proteolytic, chaperone-mediated, and post-translational modifications. Ovochymase 2, an epididymis-specific trypsin-like serine protease, has emerged as a central regulator of this maturation process. Here, we integrate targeted gene disruption, comprehensive proteomic profiling, and affinity-based proteome enrichment to delineate how Ovochymase 2 influences sperm functionality. Deletion of Ovochymase 2 disrupts the proteome of epididymal sperm, resulting in diminished levels of core fertility-related factors-including a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 3, β-defensins, and protease-inhibitor complexes-while inducing compensatory upregulation of alternate proteases and chaperones. Interaction assays confirm direct or indirect associations between Ovochymase 2 and sperm surface …

A Mouse Model Engineered To Spatiotemporally Control Cre Expression In Progesterone Receptor Positive Cells†, Elvis Quiroz, Ryan M Marquardt, Shu-Yun Li, Artiom Gruzdev, David Cunefare, Charan Ganta, San-Pin Wu, John P Lydon, Francesco J Demayo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Cre/loxP system is widely used for site-specific genetic manipulation in mice. The PgrCre mouse model, where Cre recombinase is driven by the progesterone receptor promoter, is commonly used for gene ablation in Pgr-positive uterine cells. However, the PgrCre is active in the neonatal uterus and does not allow temporal control. To enhance the functionality of the PgrCre mouse, we generated and characterized an inducible PgriCreERT2 mouse, in which iCreERT2 is inserted downstream of the endogenous Pgr promoter. PgriCreERT2 mice crossed with Rosa26-CAG-LSL-Sun1-sfGFP-myc reporter mice demonstrated tamoxifen-dependent recombination in uterine stromal fibroblasts and a subset of epithelial cells. Tamoxifen-induced ablation …

Bioactivity Of The Synthesized Mgo Nanomaterial By Hydrothermal Technique, Reem Saadi Khaleel, Sabah H. Jumaah, Mustafa Shakir Hashim

Al-Bahir

MgO was synthesized using the hydrothermal technique. The autoclave containing material based on magnesium (NO₃)₂.6H₂O was filled and heated to 100°C for three hours. Electrophoretic deposition technique was utilized to deposit MgO powder on a Ti plate. To examine its bioactivity (formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp), coated Ti with MgO was then submerged in concentrated SBF for a month. The formation of pure HAp without additional phases including calcium and phosphorus was confirmed by the XRD test. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images refer to the formation of semispherical HAp nanoparticles with a diameter ≈ 20 …

Role Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Streptococcus Pyogenes Biofilms On The Alternation Of Cellular Immunity In Pediat-Ric Tonsillitis Patients, Shayma Ali Hussein, Taban Kamal Rasheed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study examines the effect of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes biofilms on cellular hematological parameters and distribution and phenotyping of cellular immunity in mucosal tissue of tonsils. Thirty healthy controls and fifty pediatric tonsillitis patients participated in the research. Thirty isolated S. aureus and S. pyogenes were tested for biofilm-forming capability (BFC). Hematological parameters were assessed before tonsillectomy, and 9 tonsil samples were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin stain to investigate the histopathological alterations. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was carried out for detecting dendritic cells (CD1a), neutrophils (CD15), macrophages (CD68), helper T cells (CD4), and cytotoxic T cells (CD8). Hematological …

Neurophysiology And Endocrine Responses To Hunger And Satiety Mechanisms: The Brain-Gut Crosstalk, Nour Shakir Rezaieg, Muthanna M. Awad

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: Obesity is a main public health problem which substantially increases the risk of many diseases. The complex neural circuitry controls energy homeostasis and food consumption by the incorporation of hormonal and neural signals. Circulating hormones, in specific the gut hormones, have been found to be very important in appetite regulation. These hormones transfer energy situation signs to the brain throughout three principle paths: the circulation system, activation of the vagus nerve, and direct modification of main brain regions such as the hypothalamus and brainstem. The control of food eating is not exclusively dependent on the homeostatic processes, rather it …

A Novel Chaotic Dna-Based Image Cryptosystem Leveraging Euclidean Division, Dynamic Josephus Traversal, And Reservoir Computing, Ahmed Kareem Shibeeb, Salah Albermany, Sadiq A. Mehdi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This study presents a new chaotic DNA-based image cryptosystem that combines Euclidean division, dynamic Josephus traversal (DJT), and reservoir computing to address the weaknesses of current methods. Old chaotic DNA cryptosystems usually have problems such as using the same keys for different messages, simple DNA processes, and being vulnerable to attacks where the attacker can choose the input or try many options. The cryptosystem in this study uses a 7D hyperchaotic system that starts with keys created from SHA-512 hashes to produce changing keystreams based on the plaintext, making it very strong against such attacks. The proposed cryptosystem uses a …

Update To: Advancing Butterfly Systematics Through Genomic Analysis, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

In this update, we propose (type species or type localities in parentheses): Lochris Grishin, nom. nov. (Lasaia oileus Godman, 1903; Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) as a new substitute name for Locris Grishin, 2025 preoccupied by Locris Stål, 1866 (Cercopis rubra Fabricius, 1794; Hemiptera: Cercopidae), 5 new species, and 5 new subspecies: Emesis (Mandania) mandarina Grishin, sp. n. (Brazil: Santa Catarina) and Emesis (Mandania) mandela Grishin, sp. n. (Venezuela, Carabobo) in Riodinidae Grote, 1895 (1827); others in Hesperiidae Latreille, 1809: Telegonus (Rhabdoides) flavifimbro Grishin, sp. n. (Colombia), Urbanus (Urbanoides) dolus Grishin, sp. n. (Colombia: …

The Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype, A Key Marker Of Cellular Senescence, Is Elevated In Depression And Moderated By Sex, Nishika Navrange, Ana Paula Mendes-Silva, Charles F Reynolds, Julie Wetherell, Benoit Mulsant, Mary C Kimmel, Eric J Lenze, Breno Satler Diniz

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Studies have found elevation in a key biomarker of aging (the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) index) in depression. We investigated whether sex moderates the association between the SASP and major depression in older adults.

METHODS: We included 423 older adults in a current major depressive episode and 140 adults with no history of depression. We measured the plasma levels of SASP biomarkers using multiplex immunoassays. The interaction effect between sex, depression diagnosis, and senescence markers were analyzed by general linear models, adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULTS: Individuals with depression had a higher SASP index than the healthy comparison group …

Pharmacy Professor Funds Scholarships, Bill Dabney

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Mahmoud A. ElSohly, a research professor in the National Center for Natural Products Research and professor of pharmaceutics at the University of Mississippi, has made a major gift to support scholarships for students pursuing degrees in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

Cultural Humility, Holistic Admission Review, And Multicultural Experiences Among Newly Admitted Nursing Students, Janna Michelle Hackett

Nursing ETDs

This study explored the impact of Holistic Admissions Review (HAR) on demographic characteristics, multicultural experiences, and cultural humility (CH) levels among newly admitted pre-licensure nursing students. Fostering CH and diversity among healthcare providers may help reduce health disparities. Traditional admissions methods may not identify candidates with traits supporting CH development, whereas HAR considers diverse backgrounds and experiences. Two groups were surveyed: one admitted through HAR and the other through traditional methods. No significant differences in CH scores were found, but significant differences were found in age, living abroad, and volunteering with diverse populations. Students admitted through HAR were younger and …

Pd-Based Hydrogen Separation Membranes Synthesized Via A Liquid-Phase Route, Chase W. Thompson

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Palladium (Pd) membranes have gained significant attention for their ability to selectively separate hydrogen, a critical process for clean energy applications such as fuel cells and hydrogen storage. However, challenges such as grain growth, sintering, hydrogen embrittlement, and film uniformity limit their scalability and long-term stability. This thesis focuses on the controlled synthesis, deposition, and stability of Pd nanoparticles to optimize membrane performance for hydrogen separation. This work investigates solution-phase synthesis of Pd nanoparticles, focusing on temperature, precursor concentration, and solvent composition as key variables influencing particle growth and dispersion. Pd membranes were fabricated using nanoparticle deposition onto porous supports, …

A Sweetgrass Method Of Bullying Prevention For American Indian/Alaska Native Part 2, M. Standing Eagle Baez Ph.D., C. Allison Baez Ph.D.

Journal of Indigenous Research

Bullying is widespread in the United States. Bullying negatively impacts all youth involved, including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying, known as bystanders. The Sweetgrass Method (SGM) is a culturally responsive framework that empowers Native and non-Native practitioners working with American Indian/Alaska Native clients. The method focuses on the initial dialogue of building a healthy relationship through self-reflection, communication, and continuity. The SGM looks at weaving Western and traditional approaches into a tailored approach that is culturally responsive to the individuals they serve. The SGM provides a framework by weaving the three strands: …

Book Review: Building A God, Carl Lee Tolbert

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Groundskeeping As A Theoretical Framework: Understanding The Experiences Of An Emerging Discipline-Based Education Researcher, Christian D. Solorio, Christopher A.F. Hass, Scott V. Franklin, Mary Bridget Kustusch, Eleanor C. Sayre

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Groundskeeping is a supportive leadership style that combines mentorship, institutional change, and leadership to support individuals at the intersection of their personal aspirations and an organization’s needs. This paper uses a theoretical framework of groundskeeping and applies it to the experiences of Robert, an Emerging Discipline-Based Education Researcher (EDBER) who wanted to do physics education research. In this instrumental case study, we explore how the environmental, human-centered, and anti-deficit philosophical principles of groundskeeping manifest in the interpersonal and structural supports that facilitated Robert’s transition into education research. We highlight how creating a new entry-point into Discipline-Based Education Research, providing professional …

Censorship In The Media

Communication Research Trends

The principle of freedom of expression in the press, book publishing and broadcasting has been one of the hard-won battles in human history. Without this freedom, a democratic society,, could not exist. Yet every community and nation has to make painful decisions about what will, or will not be communicated. Libel and privacy are obvious examples. Otherwise our societies would virtually disintegrate. Does freedom of speech have limits? If so, how do we decide on these limits?

New forms of censorship are always creeping in. Currently it is insinuated that consumer protection groups such as Action for Children's Television in …

An Examination Of Washington's Mima Mounds Through Lidar Analysis, Emily Lilya

2025 Symposium

A study of Mima Mounds and Mima-like mounds which are common to the Scabland areas of Washington and Northern Oregon. A specific look at the Rock Creek Recreation Area near Sprague, WA, using LiDAR as a beginning point to quantify and categorize the mound's numbers, and their unique geomorphology. Geological and Biological theories are examined as possible explanations of the mound formations and maintenance on the landscape. Geospatial tools are used to analyze the frequency of the mounds and their clustering behaviors. Further research will be needed to improve our understanding of the mounds and the underlying geologic and biologic …

Earthjustice: The Role Of The African Regional Human Rights System In Containing Climate Change, Bright Nkrumah, Ebenezer Durojaye, Maria Usang Assim

Journal of African Policy Studies

At the turn of the millennium, the landscape of Africa has been punctuated by intense weather conditions. With a disproportionate percentage of the continent’s population bearing the brunt of climate-induced heatwaves, deluges, and drought, it is expected that this phenomenon will spur regional climate litigation. The essay argues that although there is an evolution of climate cases submitted at the national level, this development has not evolved to the African regional human rights system. The lack of cases at the regional level beckons one to explore why (potential)victims are unable or unwilling to explore these mechanisms given their role in …

African Feminist Theories And The Gendered Dimensions Of Climate Change In Africa, Manase Kudzai Chiweshe

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper analyzes how African feminist theories can provide nuanced insights into the gendered dimensions of climate change across the continent. African feminist theories provide essential insights into the everyday lived experiences of women within African spaces, allowing for a contextual analysis of the impacts of climate change. There has also been a growing recognition of the need to identify the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change. The main argument is not only that climate change will be experienced by men and women differently but also that the impacts will hurt women more severely. Yet this theorization must employ theoretical lenses …

Epidemiological, Clinical, Etiological And Therapeutic Aspects Of Cerebral Palsy In Dakar, Rokhaya Diagne, Khalifa Ababacar Mbaye, Inès Nkongni Nepetsoun, Moustapha Ndiaye

Journal of Pediatric Neurology

Cerebral palsy is one of the most frequent causes of motor disability in children. The aim of our study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, etiological, and therapeutic aspects in Dakar. This was a retrospective and descriptive study from March 2010 to March 2020 at the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital and the Neurology Department of the Fann National University Hospital. We collected 913 patients, 13.7% of all pediatric neurology consultations, out of which 556 (60.9%) were males. The average age of the patients was 32.99 months (ranging between 25 days and 17 years). The most common subtype was …

Slc2a1 And Its Related Epileptic Phenotypes, Francesca Patanè, Elisa Pasquetti, Federica Sullo, Monica Tosto, Catia Romano, Stefania Salafia, Raffaele Falsaperla

Journal of Pediatric Neurology

Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS) is caused by heterozygous, mostly de novo, mutations in SLC2A1 gene encoding the glucose transporter GLUT1, the most relevant energy transporter of the brain through the blood-brain barrier. GLUT1DS includes a broad spectrum of neurologic disturbances, from severe encephalopathy with developmental delay, epilepsy, movement disorders and acquired microcephaly to atypical mild forms. For diagnosis, lumbar puncture and genetic analysis are necessary and complementary; an immediate response to ketogenic diet supports diagnosis in case of high suspicion of disease and negative exams. The ketogenic diet (KD) is the first line treatment and should be …

Aldh7a1 Gene And Its Related Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy, Flavia M.C. La Mendola, Tiziana Timpanaro, Daniela Caruso, Maria Teresa Garozzo, Santiago Presti, Catia Romano, Elena R. Praticò, Antonio Zanghì, Raffaele Falsaperla

Journal of Pediatric Neurology

Despite being classically reported as caused by mutations in solute carriers genes (SLC2A1), it has been recently shown that also mutations in ALDH7A1 can cause pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE). ALDH7A1 is a gene encoding for the antiquitin, an enzyme that catalyzes the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent dehydrogenation of L-α-aminoadipic semialdehyde/L-Δ1-piperideine 6-carboxylate. It is a highly treatable disorder, but nevertheless it is still not certain when to consider this diagnosis and how to test for it. It is possible to identify a classical form and an atypical one of PDE associated with more than 70 mutations of ALDH7A1 gene. The typical form is …

Beyond The Lawn: Bylaws For Biodiversity - Evidence-Based Recommendations For Future Practice And Policy Development, Nina-Marie Lister, Sabrina Careri

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Across Canada and globally, there is growing momentum to mitigate the impacts of climate change and habitat loss on biodiversity. These challenges transcend the jurisdiction of any single government or agency. In response, people across urban areas are increasingly taking action, particularly through landscaping strategies that foster and support biodiversity at home in their gardens. In North American cities, private lands make up a significant and often majority of the urban matrix. As such, private lands offer opportunities to address anthropogenic socio-environmental impacts in cities in ways that complement municipal initiatives on public lands. Specifically, rewilding initiatives on private lands, …

District Impact On State-Wide Charter School Policy: Has Normandy Schools Collaborative Punctuated The Equilibrium? Charter School Policy Analysis Of The Missouri Department Of Elementary And Secondary Education, Tracey L. Cannon

Dissertations

Abstract

Punctuated Equilibrium Theory, as applied by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) to the study of species evolution, examined the infrequency of morphological change or stasis discontinuity.1 While groundbreaking in the field of Paleontology and the study of fossil change, the theory has been well-fitting to the decision sciences as introduced by Baumgartner and Jones2, in their 1993 and 2010 publications. Recognizing typical, incremental policy change, its use in this research looks at how stasis, stagnant policy can be punctuated by changes in political or societal views. This study examines the impact of heightened problem discussion for agenda …

A Narrative Study Of How Secondary School Teachers Experience Generative Ai Writing Tools In The English Language Arts Classroom, Nick Brodell

Doctor of Education (EdD)

With the presence of artificial intelligence (AI) programs such as ChatGPT commonplace in secondary English language arts (ELA) classrooms, scholars and practitioners are both curious and skeptical about the technology’s ability to help students improve their ELA skills. Teachers have been using tutoring software and Web 2.0 technologies for decades, yet AI writing tools offer new functionalities. Teachers and administrators have experiences engaging with the benefits and burdens of the technology, and scholars of composition pedagogy, ITS (intelligent tutoring systems), and ML (machine learning) have theories about students using it for skills acquisition and practice. This study collected and analyzed …