Digital Commons Network^™

Evergreening's Empirical Chasm, Erika Lietzan

Faculty Publications

For more than two decades, policymakers have been told that pharmaceutical innovators companies engage in a practice that is called, disparagingly, “evergreening.” The basic idea is that companies introduce new versions of their drugs that have later expiring patents or regulatory exclusivity. This way, the claim goes, the companies effectively block generic entry for years or decades longer than Congress intended and than is socially desirable. Initially these claims were supported by poorly researched anecdotes. In the last decade, some scholars and advocacy organizations have published papers that purport to provide empirical support for the “evergreening” accusation. But these empirical …

Exploring Approaches To Address Racial Discrimination, Stigma, And Provider Communication In Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management Through Interprofessional Education And Collaboration, Ronisha Edwards-Elliott

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents research across three publishable manuscripts that investigate why structural and systemic racism persist among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) seeking pain management, and how interprofessional collaboration and education can help reduce disparities through shared learning, accountability, and standardized care (Chapters Two through Four). A scoping review identifies current interventions and strategies aimed at sharing the pain experiences and feelings of being unheard by SCD patients (Chapter Two). Findings of the scoping review revealed that although interventions and strategies exist and have been tested, the lack of implementation or buy-in from healthcare professionals has allowed racial discrimination …

The Effects Of A History Of Child Trauma On Breastfeeding Outcomes, Emily Flynn

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both parent and child, yet many parents discontinue earlier than recommended. While childhood sexual abuse has been associated with breastfeeding difficulties, limited research has examined the broader effects of other forms of childhood maltreatments on breastfeeding outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between a history of childhood trauma and breastfeeding outcomes, with social support explored as a potential moderator. Participants (n = 194) were birthing parents of children under the age of five, recruited from online parenting communities. Measures included the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), a breastfeeding duration item, and a …

Contract To Kill: Gnas Mutation, Pratima Raut, Poompozhil Mathivanan, Surinder K. Batra, Moorthy P. Ponnusamy

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The mutation in Gsα-coding GNAS exons, popular as gsp oncogene, is the most frequent mutation across all heterotrimeric G proteins involved in oncogenesis. GNAS R201, the most frequently mutated, followed by Q227, are found predominantly across various neoplasms and cancers such as IPMN, pituitary, thyroid, appendiceal, colorectal, etc. This review emphasizes the pivotal significance of the gsp oncogene and its ramifications underpinning the sustained addiction to GNAS mutation. Recent studies delineating the mechanistic intricacies that provide solid evidence of the profound impact of oncogenic GNAS on tumor formation, progression, and maintenance are highlighted. We have leveraged the discoveries of Gsα …

Staphylococcus Aureus Encodes Four Differentially Regulated Pyruvate Transporters, Jennifer L. Endres, Cleofes Sarmiento, William Xiao, Marat R. Sadykov, Kenneth W. Bayles, Mckenzie K. Lehman

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen is attributable, in part, to its ability to exploit the diverse nutrient sources available during infection. Critical to this success are the pathways involving pyruvate that serve as a nexus for energy production, oxidative metabolism, and biosynthetic processes. When available, bacteria acquire pyruvate from the environment to fuel growth. Recently, LrgAB was identified as a pyruvate transporter under microaerobic conditions, leading us to speculate that S. aureus encodes other pyruvate transporters that are active during aerobic growth. In this study, we used the toxic pyruvate analog, 3-fluoropyruvic acid (3-FP), to isolate mutants …

Synthesis And Sar Of Parp Inhibitory Quinoxalin-2(1h)-One Derivatives Carrying Potency- And Selectivity-Driving Adenine-Binding Motifs, Ugochi Ann Adiele

Theses and Dissertations

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a superfamily of proteins comprising 17 members, with PARP1 and PARP2 most notable for their implications in different types of cancer. PARP inhibitors represent an intriguing class of anticancer agents that have garnered increasing interest over the past decade due to their demonstrated clinical efficacy. AZD-9574 is one of these promising PARP1 selective inhibitors with good blood-brain barrier permeability that is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of solid malignancies and previous research attributed its selectivity and efficacy to the presence of a piperazine ring linker in its structure. However, a structure-activity relationship conducted …

Developing Stiripentol Analogs As Potential Ldh Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Glioblastoma, Anshika Y. Jain

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly proliferative brain tumor that has a 5-year survival rate of ~7 %. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the current standard of care therapeutic for GBM. However, 50% of patients develop resistance to TMZ. Therefore, further investigation for new GBM therapeutics is necessary to overcome this issue of drug resistance. GBM patients are known to overexpress lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is inversely correlated with their survival. This key glycolytic enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate and plays an important role in cancer proliferation and invasion. Therefore, we aimed to inhibit LDH for developing therapeutics for …

Evaluating The Condition Of Age-0 Burbot In Relation To Diet, Cian Verbridge

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Burbot are becoming more and more popular for angling and aquaculture. However, populations have been declining across the world. Very little information is available about their early life and their interactions in the ecosystem due to challenges in sampling. Condition estimates and diet metrics were used to better understand the status of burbot in Lake Bemidji. Using backpack electrofishing, 45 young of the year burbot were collected. The lengths ranged from 86 to 146 mm and the wet weights ranged from 4.29 to 24.36 g. The stomach contents were removed and stored in ethanol for later analysis. The burbot were …

Modeling Wild Rice Bed Health: A Dual Metric Approach For Bed Strength And Invasive Impact, Seth Sisneros-Martinez

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Wild rice (mannoomin; Zizania palustris) is an aquatic grain that grows in slow-moving rivers and shallow bays throughout northern Minnesota. In Headquarters Bay on Leech Lake, wild rice has served as a cultural staple for Indigenous communities for centuries. However, its population has declined in recent years due to multiple environmental issues. One potential contributor is Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum; EWM), an invasive species that forms dense mats capable of outcompeting native aquatic vegetation, including wild rice. EWM was first recorded on the southern shoreline of Leech Lake in 2005 and has since become widespread. This study …

Unmasking Multicentric Reticulonodular Histiocytoma: A Rare Impostor Of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Neil Maithel, Annmary Behanan, Naser Elkhalili

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Medea Effect: The Binary Terror Of Women Existing In The Liminal Space, M. Nance

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze the Medea character as a liminal figure. Taking a metaphorical approach to Victor Turner’s ideas on liminality, this study will deconstruct different binary oppositions—villain/victim, agent/object, Dionysian/Apollonian. The Medea character does not fall neatly to one side of these binary oppositions; therefore, this thesis argues that Medea instead inhabits the space between the binary oppositions in the realm of the liminal. The thesis then analyzes the same binary oppositions within a survey of theatrical and non-theatrical texts that feature characters that embody archetypes that originated within the Medea character—the she-devil, the murderous mother, …

“My Pain Was Never More Valuable Than His Potential”: A Rhetorical Thematic Analysis Of Gaslighting Within Sexual Abuse Cases, Makayla Roller

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines gaslighting within three prominent sexual abuse cases—Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, and Larry Nassar—uncovered during the #MeToo movement, to better understand the rhetorical function of gaslighting. Using a combination of rhetorical thematic analysis, critical discourse analysis, a feminist lens, and a gaslighting schema, this study identifies the rhetorical tactics, gendered discourse, and power-laden discourse deployed to gaslight victims and the public. I argue that gaslighting must be examined through a rhetorical lens, as discourse is the mechanism through which gaslighting operates, shaping perceptions of truth, credibility, and power. By highlighting how language is weaponized to deny, distort, and …

Warriors Of Faith Vs Passive Men: Gender Binarism And Performance In Evangelical Christian Masculinity, Alexander Koch

Theses and Dissertations

My thesis examines communications and reflections of self (gendered and religious) in Midwest Evangelical Christian men. The focus was on how these groups perform their gender and religion with each other, and the tactics that were used to reinforce an acceptable notion of masculinity. Drawing upon literature on gender and masculinity studies, feminist philosophy, and hierarchical systems, my project aimed to analyze acceptable gender performance pushed by patriarchal gender norms and evangelical Christian groups. I incorporated multiple settings in my ethnographic study across the Midwest. Methods included semi-structured interviews and participant-observation of men’s conferences and Christian men’s groups, while reflecting …

Converting Cover Crop Biomass To Biogas And Volatile Fatty Acids, Tuba Yasmin Lubna

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops are commonly used for their environmental benefits, including improved soil health and reduced soil erosion. However, there is limited use for the aboveground biomass, except for oilseed crops. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the selected winter cover crop biomass at three growth stages, (2) evaluate the biogas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) yield, and (3) examine the concurrent alkali pretreatment and ensiling effects on biogas yield. Wild pennycress, golden pennycress, CoverCress^TM, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, pea, and clover biomass were harvested at three growth stages. Results showed that biogas yield increased with …

Genetic Relative-Finder Services: A Qualitative Study Of Consumer Experiences, Sarah A. Sciba

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Genetic genealogy is an emergent topic in sociology. To date, over 41 million individuals worldwide have tested with the top four direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) companies: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritageDNA (Glynn 2022). These tests provide consumers with ethnicity estimates, a list of DNA cousin matches, or both. Despite the popularity of DTCGT, there is a lack of data on consumer experiences with genetic relative-finder services (GRF) in the sociological literature. Methodology: I conducted exploratory, qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews with eight adult women who have used GRF. I gathered data about their motivations for participation …

Budget For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Budget for the Fiscal Year

No abstract provided.

[In] Transformation President's Impact Report, Bryant University

Bryant University Communications and Press

The 2025 President's Impact Report highlights Bryant University’s continued excellence in higher education, from its top-tier rankings and dynamic campus life to its hands-on learning experiences and strategic partnerships. Strong financial foundations and visionary leadership solidify its position as an innovative and forward-thinking institution. IN the Lead Bryant's international rankings and thought leadership in prestigious publications reinforce its position as a leader in higher education.

Annual Report, 2024-2025, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville. College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Annual Report

No abstract provided.

From Bitcoin To Courtrooms: The Evolution Of Blockchain Technology And Its Applications, Isabelle Cruz

Wyoming Law Review

Blockchain’s tamper-proof, distributed, and decentralized design has gained popularity during a period of rising cybercrime and data vulnerability. People revere blockchain for its potential to revolutionize various industries and criticize it for its association with unethical and illicit activities. Despite challenges and misconceptions surrounding its prior uses, blockchain technology has continued progressing—offering promising solutions for enhancing data security, transparency, and accountability. This Comment examines the evolution of blockchain technology, its applications, and how it can improve efficiency and enhance public trust in the judicial system. After outlining blockchain technology’s modest beginnings, this Comment theorizes several applications for blockchain in the …

I3@Usd Fall 2025, University Of San Diego

I3@USD: Magazine for Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

02 | Honoring the Shiley Legacy
06 | Enhanced Spaces, Brighter Futures
07 | Remembering Ned McMahon
10 | Toreros Who Broke the Mold
14 | A Collective Effort
16 | An Electrifying Career
17 | News Briefs
18 | Faculty Achievements
19 | Chuck Bane: In Memoriam
20 | Alumni Notes
24 | 2025 Showcase Innovators
25 | Career Outcomes
26 | The Accidental Engineer
27 | Class of 2025

Force Of Nature (2024) By Ann E. Burg, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Middle Grades Books

Rachel Carson launched the modern environmental movement with books that combined detailed observations of the natural world, scientific research, and philosophical reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature — all conveyed in poetic language. Ann E. Burg’s fictional biography-in-verse Force of Nature shows how these habits of observation, questioning, reflection, and expression began in Carson’s childhood, and invites readers to follow her lines of inquiry. Can we provide for human well-being without sacrificing the well-being of non-human life? Can we provide for the well-being of certain human populations without sacrificing the well-being of others? Can we indulge our wonder about, and …

René Dubos: An Annotated Bibliography, Carol L. Moberg

René Dubos: An Annotated Bibliography

René Dubos (1901–1982), a prominent 20th century scientist, humanist, and philosopher, was a prolific author. Affiliated for more than 50 years with The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research/The Rockefeller University, his studies ranged from antibiotics and the role of bacteria in human diseases to formulating broad ecological and environmental questions affecting human health and disease. His seminal writings explore a lifelong belief that a living organism—whether microbe, human being, society, or the Earth itself—could be understood only through its relationships with everything else.

This comprehensive bibliography of more than a thousand works by René Dubos includes brief annotations for each …

Germline Genetic Modulator Of Cancer Metastasis, Wenbin Mei

Student Theses and Dissertations

Metastasis formation is the most critical determinant of cancer survival outcome. Identifying patients at risk for metastatic relapse facilitates clinical decision and the use of appropriate adjuvant therapy, thus having a profound impact on patient survival. A central dogma in cancer is that during tumorigenesis, cancer cells acquire somatic mutations that regulate metastatic likelihood during evolution of the primary tumor. However, despite extensive tumor sequencing efforts, such causal somatic metastasis driver mutations have not been found, limiting the discovery of biomarkers, mechanisms and drug targets of cancer metastasis. In this thesis, I report a germline genetic driver of breast cancer …

Sequential Transcriptional Gates In The Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Coordinate Memory Consolidation, Andrea Terceros

Student Theses and Dissertations

How are memories maintained over weeks, months or even years? The molecular mechanisms that enable memories to persist over long time-scales remain poorly understood. As a point of entry, recent work in our lab revealed that beyond the hippocampus, where memories are initially formed over hours/days, the thalamo-cortical circuit is important for the gradual stabilization of memories over weeks/months. In this thesis, I aimed to reveal the molecular mechanisms operating in the thalamo-cortical circuit that may be responsible for extending memory time-scales. I began by developing a virtual reality-based behavioral paradigm where, by varying the frequency of learned associations, mice …

Recording Cellular Interactions In Germinal Centers And Beyond, Sandra Nakandakari-Higa

Student Theses and Dissertations

In multicellular organisms, each cell has a distinct identity characterized by unique transcriptional and chromatin accessibility profiles. However, to truly understand the organization and function of such systems, it is not enough to merely characterize individual components; we must also investigate how these components interact and communicate through direct cellular interactions. This is especially true in the immune system, where cell-cell interactions are fundamental. For instance, the priming of antigen-specific T cells relies on their selective engagement with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) displaying the T cell's cognate antigen, distinguishing them from a pool of non-specific counterparts. Similarly, the production of antibodies …

Modulation Of The Crispr-Cas9 Immune Response, Hyejin Kim

Student Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria face an onslaught of ever-changing viral (phage) invaders. Bacteria and phages are locked into an evolutionary arms race where both must continually adapt to survive. In response, bacteria have developed numerous immune systems to protect themselves, including CRISPR-Cas. CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity through the acquisition of short DNA sequences from invading phages, known as spacers. Spacers are inserted into the CRISPR locus and serve as templates for the transcription of guides used by RNA-guided nucleases to recognize complementary sequences of the invaders and start the CRISPR immune response. CRISPR-Cas systems need to acquire enough spacers to mount an …

The Evolution Of Ribosome Assembly: Making Ribosomes In The Mitochondria, Chloe Burnside

Student Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) synthesize proteins encoded within the mitochondrial genome that are assembled into oxidative phosphorylation complexes. As such, the biogenesis of mitoribosomes is essential for ATP production and cellular metabolism. Despite significant progress in elucidating the structures of mature mitoribosomes, a comprehensive understanding of their assembly pathways remains elusive. This thesis presents the first structural characterization of assembly intermediates of the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) in eukaryotes. To gain mechanistic insight into the process of SSU assembly in the mitochondria, I set out to enrich and characterize intermediates of SSU assembly in the mitochondria of S. cerevisiae. By employing …

Making Molecular Movies: Using Single-Molecule Techniques To Unveil Hidden Features Of Protein-Chromatin Interactions, Gabriella N. L. Chua

Student Theses and Dissertations

Beyond the genetic code embedded within a sequence of DNA, the physical features of the double helix as a semi-flexible polymer is a critical dimension that regulates the function of every DNA-binding protein that exists. These proteins can assemble, translocate, and change conformation while bound to DNA and can even alter its physical state, which are often crucial to their physiological roles in the cell. Eukaryotic genomic DNA is also packaged into units called nucleosomes, which offer another layer of physical regulation for proteins operating on chromatin. Previously, tracking these protein behaviors on DNA and chromatin had been technically challenging, …

The Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Nomadic Behavior In The Clonal Raider Ant, Ooceraea Biroi, Dennis Octavio Melendez

Student Theses and Dissertations

Nest relocation is integral to the lives of many social insects. Army ants have taken this behavior to the extreme, with many species relocating an entire colony of over 100,000 ants plus brood almost daily. Despite its prevalence, the question of how army ant colonies emigrate has been debated for many decades, and still awaits a definitive answer because conducting well-controlled field experiments with their massive and aggressive colonies is challenging. In ants, the Dorylinae subfamily has given rise to most known army ants. Therefore, performing experiments in non-army ant dorylines that can be maintained in a laboratory setting presents …

Serotonin-Mediated Sickness Behavior, Audrey Harnagel

Student Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin is an ancient and powerful neuromodulator that regulates diverse processes from fundamental physiology to complex emotions. Due to the many functions of serotonin distributed throughout the body and brain, governing principles of serotonin signaling have remained elusive. There is particular interest in how serotonin modulates internal states given that serotonin dysregulation is a feature of many psychiatric diseases. In this thesis, I use the simplified serotonergic system of C. elegans to explore how serotonin governs the internal state of sickness. In addition to activating the immune system and remodeling physiology, pathogenic infection results in adaptive behavioral changes that promote …