Digital Commons Network^™

Novel Loci For Triglyceride/Hdl-C Ratio Longitudinal Change Among Subjects Without T2d, Lihua Wang, Siyu Wang, Jason A Anema, Vaha A Moghaddam, Yanli Lu, Shiow Lin, E Warwick Daw, Allison L Kuipers, Iva Miljkovic, Michael Brent, Gary J Patti, Bharat Thygarajan, Joseph M Zmuda, Michael A Province, Ping An

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C ratio (THR) is a surrogate predictor of hyperinsulinemia. To identify novel genetic loci for THR change over time (ΔTHR), we conducted genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genome-wide linkage scan (GWLS) among nondiabetic Europeans from the Long Life Family Study (n = 1,384). Subjects with diabetes or on dyslipidemia medications were excluded. ΔTHR was derived using growth curve modeling and adjusted for age, sex, field centers, and principal components. GWAS used a linear mixed model accounting for familial relatedness. GWLS employed haplotype-based identity-by-descent estimation with 0.5 cM average spacing. Heritability of ΔTHR was moderate (46%). Our GWAS identified a …

Dfcp1 Is A Regulator Of Starvation-Driven Atgl-Mediated Lipid Droplet Lipolysis, Victoria A Ismail, Meg Schuetz, Zak N Baker, Jean A Castillo-Badillo, Teri V Naismith, David J Pagliarini, David J Kast

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Lipid droplets (LDs) are transient lipid storage organelles that can be readily tapped to resupply cells with energy or lipid building blocks, and therefore play a central role in cellular metabolism. Double FYVE Domain Containing Protein 1 (DFCP1/ZFYVE1) has emerged as a key regulator of LD metabolism, where the nucleotide-dependent accumulation of DFCP1 on LDs influences their size, number, and dynamics. Here we show that DFCP1 regulates lipid metabolism by directly modulating the activity of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL/PNPLA2), the rate-limiting lipase driving the catabolism of LDs. We show through pharmacological inhibition of key enzymes associated with LD metabolism that …

Multisensory Naturalistic Decoding With High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography, Kalyan Tripathy, Zachary E Markow, Morgan Fogarty, Mariel L Schroeder, Alexa M Svoboda, Adam T Eggebrecht, Bradley L Schlaggar, Jason W Trobaugh, Joseph P Culver

2020-Current year OA Pubs

SIGNIFICANCE: Decoding naturalistic content from brain activity has important neuroscience and clinical implications. Information about visual scenes and intelligible speech has been decoded from cortical activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electrocorticography, but widespread applications are limited by the logistics of these technologies.

AIM: High-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) offers image quality approaching that of fMRI but with the silent, open scanning environment afforded by optical methods, thus opening the door to more naturalistic research and applications. Although early visual decoding studies with HD-DOT have been promising, decoding of naturalistic auditory and multisensory stimulus information from HD-DOT data …

An Explainable Ai Approach For Mapping Multivariate Regional Brain Age And Clinical Severity Patterns In Alzheimer's Disease, Gauri Darekar, Taslim Murad, Hui-Yuan Miao, Deepa S Thakuri, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Ganesh B Chand

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Age is a significant risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and identifying brain age patterns is critical for comprehending the normal aging and MCI/AD processes. Prior studies have widely established the univariate relationships between brain regions and age, while multivariate associations remain largely unexplored. Herein, various artificial intelligence (AI) models were used to perform brain age prediction using an MRI dataset (

Sociodemographic Factors Predict Outcomes And Reveal Spatial Tumor Patterns In Glioblastoma, Patrick H Luckett, Michael Olufawo, Noah Naddaff-Slocum, Ki Yun Park, Bidhan Lamichhane, Donna Dierker, Gabriel Trevino Verastegui, John J Lee, Peter Yang, Albert Kim, Omar H Butt, Milan G Chheda, Abraham Z Snyder, Joshua S Shimony, Eric C Leuthardt

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest malignant glioma of the central nervous system. Postsurgical functional impairment correlates with survival and is estimated using metrics such as extent and location of resection. This study uses machine learning to evaluate the predictive ability of baseline sociodemographic and lifestyle factors for forecasting postoperative functional outcomes in GBM patients.

METHODS: Glioblastoma patients (

RESULTS: Utilizing decision trees with age, SVI/SES, sex, tobacco use, alcohol use, obesity, and race as predictors, we achieved 88% accuracy in classifying median KPS and 85% accuracy in classifying KPS slope. Socioeconomic factors were the strongest predictors. Age, sex, and …

Liquid Biopsy For Spinal Tumors: On The Frontiers Of Clinical Application, Sze Kiat Tan, Matthew L Goodwin, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

STUDY DESIGN: Narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: This article aims to provide a narrative review of the current state of research for liquid biopsy in spinal tumors and to discuss the potential application of liquid biopsy in the clinical management of patients with spinal tumors.

METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases, and the review was limited to articles of English language. All the relevant articles which were identified to be related to liquid biomarker study in spinal tumors, were studied in full text.

RESULTS: Liquid biopsy has revolutionized the field …

Association Of Item-Level Responses To Cognitive Function Index With Tau Pathology And Hippocampal Volume In The A4 Study, Idris Demirsoy, Elham Ghanbarian, Babak Khorsand, Bhargav T Nallapu, Kellen K Petersen, Richard B Lipton, S Ahmad Sajjadi, Laura A Rabin, Ali Ezzati

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a long preclinical phase in which individuals may accumulate amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology without noticeable cognitive impairment. Subjective cognitive impairment reports can provide early insights into cognitive decline.

METHODS: In the A4 Study, 339 cognitively unimpaired, Aβ-positive individuals underwent tau positron emission tomography imaging. Tau status was classified based on medial temporal lobe tau standardized uptake value ratios (tau

RESULTS: Higher tau

DISCUSSION: These findings support the utility of participant- and study partner-reported concerns as early indicators of preclinical AD pathology, with potential value for early detection and trial enrichment strategies.

HIGHLIGHTS: Higher …

Discovering Subtypes With Imaging Signatures In The Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome Consortium Using Weakly Supervised Clustering, Bhargav Teja Nallapu, Kellen K Petersen, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the heterogeneity of brain structure in individuals with the Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) may improve the current risk assessments of dementia.

METHODS: We used data from six cohorts from the

RESULTS: Three subgroups (Groups A, B, and C) were identified through MRI-based clustering with significant differences in regional brain volumes, gait speeds, and performance on Trail Making (Part-B) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Tests.

DISCUSSION: Based on structural MRI, our results reflect heterogeneity in the population with moderate and slow gait, including those with MCR. Such a data-driven approach could help pave new pathways toward dementia …

Variations In Greater Trochanter Height As A Relation To Patient Demographics: Implications For Femoral Nail Design, Jordan A Haber, Amogh I Iyer, Matthew Dulas, Douglas Weaver, Jason A Strelzow

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Intramedullary nail fixation is the "gold standard" for surgical intervention of femoral fractures. While many aspects of nail design and patient anatomy have received specific focus, anatomic variations in proximal femoral geometry and greater trochanteric height variation have been poorly studied. Understanding the potential relationship of the greater trochanter to patient demographics may provide an opportunity to improve implant placement. Retrospective review of x-ray and computed tomography images of the proximal femur was performed. Inclusion criteria consisted of skeletally mature patients over 18 years old with imaging of the proximal femur. Inclusion criteria identified 296 patients. Mean age of included …

Slc35a2 Gene Product Modulates Paramyxovirus Fusion Events During Infection, Yanling Yang, Yuchen Wang, Danielle E. Campbell, Heng-Wei Lee, Wandy Beatty, Leran Wang, Megan Baldridge, Carolina B. López

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Paramyxoviruses are significant human and animal pathogens that include mumps virus (MuV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and the murine parainfluenza virus Sendai (SeV). Despite their importance, few host factors implicated in paramyxovirus infection are known. Using a recombinant SeV expressing destabilized eGFP (rSeVCdseGFP) in a loss-of-function CRISPR screen, we identified the CMP-sialic acid transporter (CST) gene SLC35A1 and the UDP-galactose transporter (UGT) gene SLC35A2 as essential for paramyxovirus infection. As expected, SLC35A1 knockout (KO) cells showed drastic reduction in infections with SeV, NDV and MuV due to the lack of cell surface sialic acids receptors. However, SLC35A2 KO cells revealed …

Macroplastic Characteristics And Assessment Of The Plastic Abundance Index (Pai) Of Beach Sediments In Prigi Bay, East Java, Indonesia, Adinda P.A. Nevandhra, Seftiawan S. Rijal, Syarifah H.J. Sari, Defri Yona

Applied Environmental Research

Macroplastics, defined as plastic debris ranging from 2.5 to 100 cm, pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems, as they can breakdown into smaller particles. These materials are widely dispersed across marine environments, including coastal areas. This study aimed to compare and assess the abundance of macroplastics in the foreshore and backshore zones of four beaches around Prigi Bay, East Java, Indonesia, via the plastic abundance index (PAI). Macro-plastics were collected via a 5×5 m quadrat transect method. The results revealed that single-use plastics, particularly packaging and sachets, dominated both zones, accounting for 86% and 91% of the total number of …

The Use Of Machine Learning Algorithms For Water Quality Index Prediction In The Sai Gon River, Vietnam, Thuy Nguyen Thi Diem, Mai Nguyen Thi Huynh, Tra Tran Quang

Applied Environmental Research

Accurate prediction of the water quality index (WQI) lays the groundwork for integrated river basins and sustainable water resource management. Recent and accelerated advances in machine learning have led to various promising applications in water quality assessment. The present study leverages the predictive performance of several ML algorithms, including extreme gradient boosting (XGB), the gradient boosting model (GBM), support vector regression (SVR), and the radial basic function (RBF), to predict the WQI at three monitoring sites on the Sai Gon River from 2015–2019. In comparison, the results indicate that the XGB model outperforms the other models when eight parameters, including …

Effects Of Herbicides On 2,4-D-Resistant Soil Microorganisms In Maize Cultivation In Lopburi Province, Thailand, Boontarik Chimchart, Jitra Kokaew, Amnat Eamvijarn, Kanokon Bunpha, Sontaya Khamtib, Monchai Manassila, Tawatchai Inboonchuay

Applied Environmental Research

This study aimed to assess the impact of herbicide application on soil micro-organism density and to identify microorganisms resistant to 2,4-D-dimethyl-ammonium (2,4-D) for potential biodegradation. Research was conducted in maize plots in Lopburi Province, where 2,4-D was applied at a rate of 120 g of active ingredient per 160 m2. The soil samples were collected at various intervals: before application; 2 and 4 hours postapplication; and 1, 3, and 7 days after application. The analyses included soil property and microorganism population analyses. The results indicated that 2,4-D applications significantly increased bacteria and fungi in the treated plots compared with those …

Kinetics Of Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption And Reduction By Living Cells Of The Marine Bacterium Bacillus Cereus, Jittima Charoenpanich, Wachiraphorn Cherdchoo, Jutamas Pantab, Jariya Supakrit

Applied Environmental Research

This study identified Bacillus cereus, an efficient Cr(VI) bioreducer, isolated from marine sediment in Thailand. Batch experiments verified the complete removal of 25 mg L-1Cr(VI) from synthetic wastewater (pH 7.0) after 6 days at 37 °C, 50 rpm,and a biomass concentration of 25% (v/v) culture inoculum. The Freundlich isotherm model demonstrated the best correlation with the Cr(VI) adsorption equilibrium data in the 25–100 mg L-1concentration range (R2= 0.9831). Kinetic analyses indicated that the removal of Cr(VI) by living B. cereusfollowed a pseudo-second-order adsorption model (R2= 0.9875) and a pseudo-second-order reduction model (R2= 0.9807). The adsorption rate can be accuratelycharacterizedvia the …

Octavia Butler And Black Motherhood, Megan Tate

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Somatic Symptoms, And Athletic Injury Among Collegiate Student-Athletes, Samuel Aswegan

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Teaching Functional Skills To Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Intellectual Disability Using Behavior-Analytic Curricula, Catrina Barber

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Interactions Between Lipopolysaccharide And Capsule Retention In Klebsiella Pneumoniae And The Resultant Effects On Macrophages, Juliane Leigh Nguy

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the third most common cause of nosocomial infections in the United States. The capsular polysaccharides (CPS) are virulence factors allowing K. pneumoniae to evade host immune systems. The current model of capsule structure indicates that CPS fibrils interact with the external O-antigen of lipopolysaccharide molecules to enhance retention to the bacterial outer membrane. These interactions may influence pathogenicity in clinically relevant strains. This study characterized alterations to LPS and CPS structure, the impact of these changes on capsule retention, membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and macrophage interactions. LPS and CPS were quantified and visualized in four strains of …

Severe Aggression Among Zoo-Housed Coconut (Trichoglossus Haematodus) And Rainbow (Trichoglossus Moluccanus) Lorikeets: Wellbeing Considerations For Free-Flight Aviaries, Emily Simkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As conservation and education institutions, modern zoos balance the needs of animals with the interests of visitors through several strategies which can increase animal wellbeing and improve visitor experience. Environmental enrichment is frequently employed to increase the suitability of anthropogenic environments for zoo-housed animals, such as through walkthrough habitats and free-flight aviaries. While habitats such as these are important for visitor experience and can be enriching to animals, there are also wellbeing considerations for these spaces. Walkthrough habitats can be a potential source of fear and stress for animals, as shown by increased frequencies of vigilance, undesirable behavior, and aggression. …

Leucine Catabolism Is Associated With Longevity In Female Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers, Kerri R. Conklin

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background & Aims: Dietary isoleucine restriction can improve metabolic health and increase lifespan. It has been hypothesized that shifts in branched-chain amino acid catabolism drives this longevity effect. Impaired branched-chain amino acid catabolism is linked to several age-related diseases. We investigated whether dietary isoleucine restriction increases leucine catabolism and associates with longevity and full reproduction.

Methods: In two experiments, adult female Eastern Lubber grasshoppers (Romalea microptera) were assigned to either a high-quality diet (Balanced ile), or diets with varying isoleucine content (Moderate ile-R and Severe ile-R). In Experiment 1, we used a low-energy (Low Lettuce) group as a positive …

Leaving It All Behind: A Storied Experience, Brandi Sheree Wynne Winfrey

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals are experiencing an unprecedented time as conservative politicians and legislators work to dismantle DEI in higher education. In 2022, Florida became one of the first states to introduce and enact anti-DEI legislation. Few studies have examined or investigated the lived experiences of DEI professionals currently living in the midst of this experience. The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to capture and restory the lived experiences of DEI professionals employed at public Florida universities during the introduction and enactment of anti-DEI legislation. Five co-composers contributed their stories of experience as data to this narrative …

What’S For Dinner? A Multi-Pronged Approach Investigating The Foraging Habits And Diet Of St. Johns River Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Erebennus), Andrea Leigh Swinehart

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife population management depends on knowledge of the population’s foraging ecology. A community of resident Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus) utilizes the St. Johns River (SJR) in Jacksonville, Florida, and members of the community are regularly sighted emaciated or with skin lesions. Anthropogenic disturbances may contribute to further health decline, therefore Chapter One analyzed SJR foraging dolphin group habitat use before, during, and after a large-scale dredging event known as the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project (JHDP). Kernel density estimates (KDEs) of foraging dolphin group sightings were generated to estimate 95% utilization distributions (i.e., foraging home ranges) for three …

Bifurcation And Index Theory With Applications To Nonlinear Differential Equations, Asrafi Yesmin

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a rigorous framework for the study of bifurcation phenomena in nonlinear differential equations. Semigroup theory and index theory are introduced to examine qualitative changes in the solution structures of the nonlinear dynamic system as the parameters vary. The theoretical framework is then applied to several nonlinear differential equations from biology and physics.

Facilitating Student Engagement In Elementary Science Classrooms With Reformed Teaching Principles, Nathaniel Bryant

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Science performance among elementary school students in the United States has stagnated in recent years. To address this issue, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were introduced, advocating for a reform in science education. Traditionally, hands-on laboratory work has been used to help students understand scientific concepts through a "learn by doing" approach. However, students often become disengaged during practical work, as following a set procedure to replicate scientific phenomena does not reflect how scientists approach problems in their daily practice. It is now argued that hands-on laboratories should not only involve observation or manipulation of materials and equipment but …

Magnetite-Assisted Capture Affinity, Concentration Dependence, And Magnetic Extraction Rate Of Bacillus Cereus, Gouri Nilakshika Atapattu, Michelle Giltrap, Furong Tian

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The interactions between magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and bio-surfaces have impacted key industries such as food, biomedicine, water purification, and agriculture. Bacteria, with their diverse bio-surfaces, offer potential for such interactions. Yet, there is a paucity of research interpreting the dynamics behind bacteria–nanoparticle interactions. Advancing this knowledge could improve the industrial applications. Current research gaps include information about the magnetic nanoparticle-assisted concentration dependence of Bacillus cereus and determination of the rate of bacterial extraction by MNPs such as iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Using magnetic IONPs as the choice of MNP, this study aimed to investigate in vitro the interactions between model …

A Review Of The Efficacy Of Prostate Cancer Therapies Against Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Shengxin Zhang, Tao Zhang, Gemma Kinsella, James Curtin

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The standard treatments for prostate cancer (PCa) include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapies based on androgen receptor (AR) and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists, and radiation therapy. But PCa therapeutic resistance remains an unsolved challenge, leading to progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Emerging PCa therapies – including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, AR crosstalk signalling pathway inhibitors, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)/CDK6 inhibitors, CRISPR/Cas9, epigenetic inhibitors, and nanotechnology-based drug-delivery approaches – provide promising targeted solutions. Targeted protein degradation therapy, particularly AR degradation therapies, effectively inhibits resistance at its source. This review summarises the established and emerging …

From Conjugation To Detection: Development Of Lateral Flow Assay For Zearalenone, Vinayak Sharma, Bilal Javed, Hugh J. Byrne, Furong Tian

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The development of rapid, sensitive and cost-effective lateral flow assays is crucial for the detection of mycotoxins, ideally at the point-of-care level. This study presents the design and optimization of a competitive lateral flow assay based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the detection of zearalenone in food samples. Beginning with the synthesis and functionalization of gold nanoparticles, it proceeds to compare the immobilization of antibodies using chemical conjugation and physical adsorption binding strategies, upon optimizing parameters including the pH, antibody concentration and blocking conditions to enhance the stability of the prepared bioconjugates. The bioconjugates are characterized using UV–visible absorption spectroscopy …

Development Of Novel Anticancer Pyrazolopyrimidinones Targeting Glioblastoma, Kate Byrne, Natalia Bednarz, Ciara Mcevoy, James Curtin, John C. Stephens, Gemma Kinsella

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant grade IV brain tumour and is one of the most difficult types of brain cancer to treat with a high incidence of resistance to traditionally used chemotherapeutics. Pyrazolopyrimidinones are fused nitrogen-containing heterocyclic systems which are a scaffold in several bioactive drugs and drug candidates. Here, a structure activity relationship (SAR) study was performed where 23 substituted pyrazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidinones were screened for cytotoxicity against the GBM U-251 MG cell line and the non-cancerous embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line to assess their potential as anti-glioblastoma agents capable of selectivity for cancer cells. Through analogue …

Multidisciplinary Approach To Treating Complex Immune Dysregulation Disorders: An Adaptive Model For Institutional Implementation, Lauren A Henderson, Roshini S Abraham, Aisha Ahmed, Lindsey Blount, Scott W Canna, Natalia S Chaimowitz, Shanmuganathan Chandrakasan, Bria Coates, James A Connelly, Megan A Cooper, Christine N Duncan, Anthony French, Melissa Hazen, Michelle L Hermiston, Brian Nolan, Anish Ray, Melissa J Rose, Lisa Forbes Satter, Grant Schulert, Sara Kristen Sexson Tejtel, Tiphanie Vogel, Kelly Walkovich, Matt S Zinter, Edward M Behrens

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Patients with immune dysregulation may present with varying combinations of autoimmunity, autoinflammation, immunodeficiency, atopy, lymphoproliferation, and/or malignancy, often with multisystem involvement. Recognizing specific patterns of immune dysregulation, coordinating and interpreting complex diagnostic testing, and choosing initial (often empiric) treatment can be challenging. Centers are increasingly assembling multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to standardize evaluation and optimize treatment of patients with complex immune dysregulation (immune dysregulation MDTs [immMDTs]). However, published information on the composition and function of immMDTs is sparse, and there is little guidance for those seeking to establish or optimize an immMDT. To inform this review, we assembled a panel of …

Influence Of Crabgrass Root Exudates On The Hydrocarbons Degrading Microorganisms In Crude Oil Contaminated Soil, Sinha Changsiriwatana, Kwang Mo Yang, Toemthip Poolpak, Prayad Pokethitiyook

Applied Environmental Research

Understanding plant‒microbial interactions in petroleum-contaminated soil is critical for enhancing phytoremediation technology. In this study, the root exudate of crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) was collected hydroponically, and its dominant composition was identified via GC‒MS. A soil microcosm study was subsequently conducted to evaluate the influence of crabgrass root exudates on microbial growth, dehydrogenase activity, and biodegradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons by the petroleum-degrading bacteria Micrococcus luteus WN01 and Acinetobacter lwoffii A07. The amendment of crabgrass root exudates significantly promoted microbial degradation in both A. lwoffii A07 (47.98%) and M. luteus WN01 (62.78%), which were 8.47% and 15.78% greater than …