Digital Commons Network^™

Linking A Seasonal Freshwater Prey Subsidy To The Body Condition Of An Estuarine Consumer In A Subtropical Coastal River, Jordan A. Massie, Ryan J. Rezek, W. Ryan James, Rolando O. Santos, Natasha M. Viadero, Ross E. Boucek, Jennifer S. Rehage

Marine Science

Movements of fishes among habitats often correspond to shifting resource availability and can occur in response to fluctuating freshwater inflows in coastal systems. Seasonal availability of prey can provide resources that increase fitness, yet hydrologic variability can influence the movements of both consumers and prey. Shifts in the timing/magnitude of prey availability driven by climate and water management may lead to a resource mismatch, carrying consequences for growth, survival, and reproduction. Here, we examined how seasonal/interannual variation in prey biomass (sunfishes, Lepomis spp.) affects the body condition of Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in Everglades National Park. Further, we investigated how …

The Beacon, November 21, 2025, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2025-2026

Thanksgiving traditions around campus; NC/DC spotlight: A-Line advances to Dordt; Danny Brown album hopeful amidst addiction battle; “Sarah’s Oil” a story of strength and courage; NW students attend Mumford & Sons concert; “Stranger Things” season five is promising to fans; Gift shopping: poor deals and low funds; Dining room history: the cafeteria; Willful ignorance and complacency; England: from monarchy to liberty; Volleyball comes out on top of GPAC tournament; Raider football season comes to an end; Men’s basketball narrowly loses winning streak; AI therapy chatbots lack humanity; An aging congress and the shutdown

Exploring The Stability Of Misophonia And Other Auditory Affective Experiences Throughout Development, Erika Foregard, Rose De Kock, David Vollweiler

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Sounds can give rise to powerful affective experiences, both positive and negative. Misophonia is an intensely negative response to sounds such as chewing, whereas autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) and musical chills result are experiences as positive and pleasant. Anecdotally, all of these experiences occur as early as childhood, but we know relatively little about how they develop. We investigated this question longitudinally.

Unpacking The Role Of Virtual Exchange In Promoting Student Well-Being, Mona Pearl, Kelly Tzoumis, Allison E. Hill, Spencer D. Sutherland

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Educational institutions and workplaces are grappling with the task of promoting the well-being of their students and employees. From 2021 to 2023, students from Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the US participated in virtual exchange collaborations in the form of global virtual teams (GVTs) and were assessed pre (n=201) and post (n=251) their GVTs experience. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess changes in learner well-being from participation in GVTs. Based on the impact to student perceived well-being from the GVT experience, we found important results that can be useful for both employers and academic institutions …

Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna Mokarran) Chondrocranium, Female, Nicholas Burchett, Michelle Bassali, Marissa Rosas, Rileigh Gonzalez, David W. Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus Itajara) Vertebrae, Nicholas Burchett, David W. Kerstetter, Rileigh Gonzalez, Sierra Rafacz, Ema Nagel

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Disulfide Triazole Phosphorus Fire Retardant Via Photochemical Conditions, Jason Liu

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

The development of fire retardants is critical to enhancing fire safety and advancing fire science. The novel synthesis of a disulfide triazole phosphorus thiolacid fire retardant under photochemical conditions, along with relevant testing on plume generation performance, aims to answer our research goals.The proposed specific synthesis and conditions provide for a more efficient and environmentally greener route compared to conventional methods, utilizing photochemical click reactions. Furthermore, the addition of sulfur element to conventionally sole phosphorus-based FR reduces the chance of leaching by increasing the molecular weight of the compound and overcoming the obstacle of low molecular weight problems while also …

Exploring The Interplay Between Hypertension And Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald Shaju, Alyssa A. Sepulveda, Seval Coban

School of Medicine Publications

Hypertension and osteoporosis are highly prevalent chronic conditions that have significant implications for global health, especially in aging populations. While these conditions have traditionally been viewed as separate, emerging research suggests a strong pathophysiological link between the two. Understanding these shared mechanisms may help improve screening and guide integrated management strategies. This narrative review was conducted between January 2024 and July 2025 using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search strategy used the Boolean string: (“hypertension” OR “high blood pressure”) AND (“osteoporosis” OR “bone loss”), supplemented with pharmacologic terms (“ACE inhibitors,” “angiotensin receptor blockers,” “thiazide diuretics,” “beta-blockers”, “SERMS”, “Bisphosphonates”, “Denosumab”, …

Mpox Insights: From Structure To Human Cell Interaction, Md. S. Zaman, Robert C. Sizemore, Draven Rodriguez, Emilio Lopez, S. M. Golam Alam, Suleyman Tufa, Juan C Lopez Alvarenga, Nuraly S. Akimbekov, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease, has emerged as a global concern due to outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic regions in 2022. Rodents, including African squirrels and Gambian pouched rats, are suspected key reservoirs, with human infections occurring through direct contact with infected animals or bushmeat consumption. Previously confined to rural Africa, mpox has spread via international travel and the exotic pet trade. Human-to-human transmission occurs mainly via respiratory droplets and direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions. The virus has a double-stranded DNA genome within a lipid envelope. Despite lower mutation rates in DNA viruses, mpox has developed mutations, …

Doc 2025-19 Proposal For New Bachelor Of Science In Data Analytics, University Of Dayton. Academic Policies Committee

Senate Documents

The Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students with the skills to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret complex data. Building on foundations in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, the program emphasizes hands-on experience with programming, databases, regression, and machine learning. Students learn to translate data into actionable insights, preparing them for careers in data analytics, business intelligence, and related fields, as well as for advanced study in data science and analytics.

High Phosphorus Intake: The Role Of Phosphorus And Health Outcomes Through The Lens Of High Phosphorus Additive Intake, Taigen M. Mayes

Senior Honors Theses

Phosphorus is a commonly consumed mineral in the traditional human diet and plays an essential role in human physiological functions. With the use of phosphate additives, high phosphate intake has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Phosphate is regulated in the body by a homeostasis mechanism. A disruption to the homeostasis has a link to various pathologies such as bone health, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and kidney issues. Various studies have investigated the role of phosphate and its effects on human function. Bone health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, premature aging, dementia, and kidney disease are linked with high phosphorus intake.

Volume 5 November '25 Full Issue, Donna Williams

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Differentially Expressed Mirnas Explain Racial Differences In Diagnosis Stage Among Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients In Louisiana, Yawen Hu, Xioacheng Wu, Meng Luo, Nubaira Rizvi, Amjila Bam, Luis Del Valle, Lucio Miele, Qingzhao Yu

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype that disproportionately affects African American (AA) women, leading to worse survival rates and higher metastasis risks compared to Caucasian American (CA) women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in cancer development and hold promise as biomarkers, but their role in racial disparities in TNBC outcomes is unclear. Methods: This study used Louisiana Tumor Registry data and collected tumor tissues for miRNA sequencing to examine significant miRNAs differentially expressed by race and TNBC stages at diagnosis among 3,298 TNBC cases diagnosed from 2011 to 2017. Results: Of the TNBC cases, 49.7% were AA. …

Pediatric Firearm Injuries In A Major Urban Louisiana City: A Deadly Public Health Issue, Morgan Brown, Jenny Stevens, Jose Cruz Ayala, Claudia Leonardi, Alison Smith, Fabienne Gray

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Background: In 2019, firearm injuries surpassed motor vehicle collisions as the leading cause of pediatric death in the US. In Louisiana, firearm injuries represent the leading cause of pediatric death since 2013. A more comprehensive understanding of risk factors associated with pediatric firearm injury is needed to improve outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review from 2016-2023 of pediatric trauma patients presenting to a Level I Adult Trauma Center & Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in a major urban Louisiana city was performed. Demographics, mechanism of injury, and injury intent were evaluated. Results: Among 8,832 patients, 1,116 (12.6%) sustained firearm injuries. Among …

Epidemiology Of Metabolic Syndrome In Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Level Cohort Study From The United States, Aakash Desai, Himsikhar Khataniar, Jana G. Hashash, Priya Sehgal, Francis A. Farraye, Gursimran S. Kochhar

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are limited.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the United States (US) Collaborative Network (TriNetX) to obtain data for patients with IBD between 2010 and 2023. The primary aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of MetS in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Prevalence was further characterized by age, sex, race, disease location, IBD medications, history of surgery, and IBD phenotype.

RESULTS: Among 100,890 patients with IBD, metabolic syndrome (MetS) affected 34.4% overall (UC 32.4%, CD 34.3%). Prevalence rose sharply …

Nursing Faculty Demographics, Attitude, Knowledge, And Integration Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Nursing Curriculum, Patricia L. Balistreri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurses have demonstrated positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); however, additional education is limited in nursing programs to prepare them to discuss and educate patients about these practices. Nursing faculty play a significant role in educating, mentoring, and influencing students’ knowledge levels and attitudes toward CAM. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study, guided by the CAM healthcare model, was to examine relationships among nursing faculty demographics, CAM knowledge, attitudes, and curriculum integration. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of CAM survey was administered to 111 nursing faculty across multiple programs. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression …

Differential Substance Use Screening Approaches Among Medical Providers Based On Pregnancy Status, Ericka L. Suarez-Vella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exploring medical providers’ role in relation to pregnant individuals who use substances is critical. Understanding how screening practices and provider biases influence addiction treatment referrals based on pregnancy status can help address several key issues, including potential disparities resulting from provider bias. It can ensure fair referral practices, promote equitable access to treatment, and ensure timely intervention resulting in better health outcomes. It can influence changes to policy and procedure among healthcare and judicial establishments, ultimately improving the relationship between providers and patients. The purpose of this study was to explore how medical providers’ screening practices of substance use in …

Exploring Inorganic And Organometallic Chemistry, W. Christopher Boyd Phd

MSL Academic Endeavors eBooks

This textbook, Exploring Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, covers the fundamentals of inorganic and organometallic chemistry for undergraduate and graduate students. Both theories of structure and bonding and reaction chemistry are covered, with applications to the catalysis of organic reactions, biochemistry, and drug design. A modular approach allows for basic materials of each chapter to be covered in an undergraduate course, with more advanced material suitable for M.S. and Ph.D. students."

Destination Branding Strategies In The Hospitality And Tourism Industry, Mary Ann Richey

Senior Honors Theses

Within the last few decades, destination branding has gained significant traction in the hospitality and tourism industry. Therefore, it is essential that marketers within the industry pursue destination branding and analyze both successful and unsuccessful destination marketing campaigns. Successful campaigns cultivate positive consumer perceptions of destinations for both tourists and residents. Unsuccessful campaigns showcase that differentiation and a lack of residential support negatively impact national tourism. In order to successfully conduct destination branding campaigns, industry leaders must partake and acknowledge current industry trends. In 2025, the most impactful way to successfully market tourism destinations is through the use of online …

Supplement Use And Ed Self-Assessment Accuracy, Darin Beasley-Williams

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The widespread availability of dietary supplements has contributed to their increased use, with over half of U.S. adults reporting regular consumption. Prior research suggests that supplement use is associated with better overall health, and regulatory legislation has been implemented to mitigate potential adverse effects. One motivation for supplement use may be self-diagnosed health issues; however, incorrect self-diagnoses could lead to inappropriate supplement consumption and potentially contribute to disordered eating patterns. This study examined whether regular supplement users are more accurate in self-identifying an eating disorder. A sample of 511 undergraduate students completed a self-report questionnaire assessing supplement use and eating …

Hawaiian Drosophila Host Plant Preferences, Kyrus Huang, Rodomir Stark

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Understanding how host plant availability influences behavior in Drosophila species provides valuable insight into ecological specialization and speciation. This study examines the effects of different host plants on the reproductive and oviposition behavior of Drosophila silvestris and Drosophila grimshawi. The primary objective of this project is to determine whether females exhibit host-plant preferences during egg-laying. A secondary aim is to assess whether sex and mating status influence host plant preference, specifically comparing male, unmated female, and mated female behavior with two host plants. To test these hypotheses, newly emerged flies were divided into three treatment groups: male-only, female-only, and mixed …

Doughnut Economics And Strong Sustainability: Rethinking The Role Of Financial Investment, Isabelle Pierotti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates how private investment could align doughnut economic framework. Doughnut economics is a strong sustainability economic framework where the economy operates within planetary boundaries while ensuring social equity. Theories of sustainable development, weak sustainability, and strong sustainability are discussed to provide theoretical context for doughnut economics and mainstream economics. The analysis concludes that conventional, profit maximizing private investment does not support a doughnut economics system by supporting the depletion of natural resources and exacerbating social issues. Sustainable mainstream investment also fails to support a doughnut framework. Lastly, while impact investment is theoretically committed to social and financial returns, …

An Auto-Criticism: Exploration Of Professional Development For Secondary Science Educators, Mellissa Ann Pfaff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This auto-criticism investigates the benefits of experiential professional development for science educators by examining the reflective journey of one teacher-researcher—me—through multiple immersive learning experiences. Using narrative journaling and qualitative analysis, this study captures the influence of these experiences on my identity, instructional design, and ability to create experiential learning opportunities for students.

Rather than approaching professional development as a checklist of strategies, this research seeks to illuminate how deeply engaged, hands-on learning can transform teaching from routine delivery to embodied practice. Thematic coding revealed shifts in curriculum planning, increased responsiveness to student inquiry, and renewed clarity around the purpose of …

Archaeological Predictive Meta-Modeling In Pre-Columbian Mexico, Peter Stamm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Archaeological Predictive Modeling stands firmly as an important tool for Archaeologists to predict undiscovered sites from civilizations all across the globe. While powerful, this methodology is not without its own set of qualms. Striking a balance between pure a data-driven approach while also observing leading expert theories can be a complicated task. Going further, deciding on the specific domain of features to emphasize or overlook can be a challenge within itself, as one misstep can drastically change the output of model, sometimes for the worst. In addition, creating models that can expose their reasoning process can be rather difficult to …

The Time-Dependent Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome And All-Cause And Cause-Specific Mortality In The Nih-Aarp Cohort Study, Daniela S Gutiérrez-Torres, Fangyu Li, Linda M Liao, Carrie R Daniel, Shreela V Sharma, Ruosha Li, Eric L Brown, Qing Lan, Maki Inoue-Choi, Baharak Moshiree, Paul Albert, Rashmi Sinha, Emily Vogtmann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Evidence on the association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mortality is conflicting. In this study, we estimated the association between IBS and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Methods: IBS diagnoses between 1994 and 2008 were identified from Medicare claims data, and mortality outcomes through 2019 were obtained through linkage to the National Death Index. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality within partitioned follow-up time categories (>2-5, >5-8, >8-11, >11-14, >14-17, and >17 years) with adjustment …

Both Studying And Protecting Octopuses “On Their Own Terms”, Jennifer Jacquet, Janelle Kaz, Becca Franks, Christine Webb

Animal Sentience

Cephalopods – indeed, all animals – “must be seen on their own terms,” with respect for their autonomy and their ecological imperatives. This will provide greater scientific insight along with a more ethical and accurate understanding of minds beyond our own.

Liver-Directed Base Editing Of Abcc6 Prevents Ectopic Calcification In A Variant-Humanized Mouse Model Of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum, Lauren C. Testa, Dora Obiri-Yeboah, Hooda Said, Ping Qu, Michael A. Levine, Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Kiran Musunuru, Qiaoli Li, Xiao Wang

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder characterized by ectopic calcification of elastic fibers throughout the skin, retina, and arteries. It is caused by pathogenic variants in ABCC6 , which encodes a transmembrane transporter that primarily localizes to hepatocytes. Loss of ABCC6 function in hepatocytes leads to systemic deficiency of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a potent inhibitor of calcification; such depletion of PPi from the circulation is responsible for multisystemic ectopic calcification seen in PXE. Therefore, liver-targeted variant correction by genome editing and subsequent restoration of systemic PPi may offer a one-and-done therapeutic approach for PXE. The ABCC6 …

Shp2: A Redox-Sensitive Regulator Linking Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy To Cancer Treatment And Vascular Risk, Silvia Fernanda López Moreno, Stefania Assunto Lenz, Bernardo Casso-Chapa, Angelica Paniagua-Bojorges, Jung Hyun Kim, Nicolas L Palaskas, Kevin T Nead, Venkata S K Samanthapudi, Gilbert Mejia, Oanh Hoang, Jonghae Lee, Steven H Lin, Joerg Herrmann, Guangyu Wang, Syed Wamique Yusuf, Cezar A Iliescu, Noah I Beinart, Charlotte Manisty, Masuko Ushio-Fukai, Tohru Fukai, Pietro Ameri, Roza I Nurieva, Michelle A T Hildebrandt, Keri Schadler, Efstratios Koutroumpakis, Sivareddy Kotla, Nhat-Tu Le, Jun-Ichi Abe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Src homology 2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), encoded by the Ptpn11 gene (Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11), is a key downstream effector of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and is likely important, in addition to immune modulation, in tumor development and vascular homeostasis. SHP2 conveys PD-1 mediated inhibitory signaling in T cells, and is emerging as a therapeutic target. Importantly, there is an association between immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and cardiovascular complications, underscoring the need to understand SHP2’s role in these processes. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on SHP2/PTPN11 biology, its role in immune …

Culturally Aware Mindfulness Training For Army Leaders: A Scalable Solution To Strengthen Mental Readiness, Katherine Dutler (Skowronski)

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This doctoral paper examines cost-effective, easily distributed mindfulness practices as a force-multiplier for psychological readiness in the U.S. Army. Daily mindfulness reduces symptom burden, raises distress tolerance, and sharpens performance—all without added equipment, appointments, or cost. However, stigma, long waitlists, and civilian-centric messaging still deter soldiers from adapting mindfulness practices. Rather than replacing clinicians, the program functions as preventive maintenance and a bridge while soldiers await care, thereby easing load on an overtaxed system. By embedding mental fitness alongside physical PT, the Army can advance its mandate to “deploy, fight, and win” with forces that are both mentally and physically …

Understanding The U.S. Maternal Healthcare System At The Intersection Of Asian American Birth Outcomes And The Model Minority Stereotype: A Literature Review, Sophia Hevel

University Honors Theses

This thesis aims to explore the maternal healthcare system in the United States as it pertains to Asian American birthing people, the ways in which their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities are interacted with within the U.S. Healthcare system, and subsequently the detrimental effects of the medical system's devaluation of culturally specific birthing and postpartum practices have on Asian American birthing experiences. This will be accomplished through an exploration of the United States' maternal healthcare system, or rather, its crisis; how Asian Americans navigate a system that has not been structured to support their specific needs; and lastly, a discussion …