Digital Commons Network^™

How Does Childhood Trauma Increase The Risk Of Developing Depression In Adulthood?, Ella Heydmann

Psychology Student Publications

Childhood trauma is a common but often overlooked experience that can leave lasting effects on psychological and biological development. Research shows that exposure to abuse or neglect in early life can alter the brain structure, stress-response systems, and emotional regulation, which can increase vulnerability to depression and anxiety in adulthood. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the impact of trauma may reach across generations through behavioral mechanisms. Despite these risks, resilience and protective factors, such as early intervention, can minimize long-term consequences and help promote recovery. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies to reduce the lasting effects of …

Parameter Optimization For Runs Of Homozygosity (Roh) Detection In The Pig Genome, Timofey Romanets, Anna Korobeynikova, Lyubov Getmantseva, Maria Kolosova, Elena Romanets, Ilona Bakoeva, Varvara Shevtsova, Anatoly Kolosov, Alexander Maksimov, Siroj Bakoev

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present study analyses the influence of various parameters on the accuracy and reliability of ROH identification procedures, as well as their relationship with inbreeding and genetic diversity in Duroc pig populations. The genotyping data of 70 Duroc pigs obtained using PorcineSNP80v1 chips were used, and the effects of LD pruning and ROH calling parameters were evaluated. It was found that the use of strict basic filters during the execution of the --homozyg command reduces the likelihood of false positives and contributes to the more accurate identification of ROH. The results show that LD pruning reduces the detection of random …

Differences In Lactation Curve Parameters And Milk Yield Responses Between Artificially Induced And Naturally Calved Cows Milked In An Automatic Milking System, Marcos Busanello

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Despite advances in artificial induction of lactation (AIL) protocols, they do not perfectly mimic the hormonal patterns of natural pregnancy. Recent studies show improved milk yield (MY) responses; however, comparisons of lactation curve parameters between AIL and naturally calved (NC) cows often do not extend beyond 305 days in milk (DIM). Thus, this study aimed to compare MY responses and lactation curve parameters between AIL and NC cows milked in an automated milking system (AMS). Data from 38 Holstein cows (19 AIL and 19 NC) were analyzed, focusing on the 305 DIM period. Wood’s lactation curve model was used to …

Endocrine Disruptors, Insulin Resistance, And Diabetes, Meri̇ç Coşkun, Ethem Turgay Ceri̇t, Tuğba Barlas, Alev Eroğlu Altinova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that interfere with hormone synthesis, secretion, metabolism, or excretion. Evidence indicates that increased exposure to EDCs is associated with insulin resistance and, most notably, type 2 diabetes worldwide. This suggests a diabetogenic effect that is independent of obesity, underscoring the complex mechanisms and broad impact of EDCs on metabolic health. Key pathways include hormone mimicry and antagonism, altered hormone metabolism, inflammatory responses, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review summarises the mechanisms through which EDCs contribute to these conditions and evaluates the epidemiological and experimental evidence supporting these associations.

Endocrine Disruptors, Obesity, And Metabolic Syndrome, Tuğba Barlas, Alev Eroğlu Altinova, Meriç Coşkun, Ethem Turgay Ceri̇t

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The global prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising worldwide, and increasing evidence suggests that chemical exposures—particularly endocrine disruptors (EDs)—represent a significant contributing factor. EDs can act as obesogens, increasing the risk of weight gain and related metabolic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. They may also alter the basal metabolic rate, gut microbiota composition, and hormonal regulation of appetite and satiety. EDs are reported to exert their effects mainly through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma pathway, which is primarily expressed in adipose tissue and is a key regulator of adipogenesis. Common consumer products …

Effects Of Endocrine Disruptors On Thyroid Hormone Synthesis And Function And Consequences Of Fetal Exposure, Esra Eraslan Aydemi̇r, Mustafa Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Fetal development relies on intricate maternal-fetal-placental interactions, with thyroid hormones playing a critical role in growth and neurogenesis. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy has emerged as a significant risk factor for thyroid dysfunction and its associated developmental and cognitive disorders. EDCs, including bisphenol A (BPA), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), pesticides, and heavy metals, disrupt thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion, and metabolism. Mechanisms include binding to thyroid hormone receptors, impairing the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, and altering thyroid peroxidase activity. BPA exposure, for instance, reduces free and total T4 levels and interferes with deiodinase activity. Similarly, …

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals And Thyroid Cancer, Özge Baş Aksu, Mustafa Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have emerged as a critical global health concern because of their role in various diseases, including thyroid cancer. Defined as exogenous substances that disrupt endocrine system functions, EDCs can affect multiple generations through mechanisms such as hormone receptor modulation, altered hormone synthesis, and epigenetic modifications.The increasing global incidence of thyroid cancer has heightened interest in environmental factors, with EDC exposure recognized as a significant contributor. Compounds such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and bisphenol A play crucial roles in disrupting thyroid homeostasis. Emerging evidence underscores the synergistic effects of multiple EDC …

Effects Of Endocrine Disruptors On The Neurological System, Kadi̇rcan Karatoprak, Soner Cander

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: There is increasing interest in endocrine disrupting chemicals because of the potential effects on neurological health. These chemicals are widely found in various consumer products and industrial processes, and can lead to serious disorders of the endocrine system by disrupting hormone synthesis, expression, and function. The aim of this review was to examine epidemiological and experimental findings by investigating the link between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and adverse neurological outcomes.

Materials and methods: In the preparation of this review, a PubMed literature search was conducted using the words “endocrine disruptors,” “neuroendocrine effects,” “neurobehavioral effects,” and “neurodevelopmental effects” and …

Endocrine Disruptors And Children's Health, Ersen Karakiliç, Durmuş Doğan, Emre Sedar Saygili

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental contaminants that disrupt hormonal regulation by mimicking, inhibiting, or modifying endocrine signaling pathways. EDCs are commonly present in plastics, pesticides, industrial byproducts, and personal care products and pose substantial health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as infants and children. Early-life exposure is especially concerning due to the developing detoxification systems, the immaturity of the blood–brain barrier, and the ongoing organ differentiation, making these periods highly susceptible to EDCs’ harmful effects. Moreover, exposure during critical developmental periods, such as sex differentiation and neurodevelopment, can lead to significant long-term developmental impairments that persist into later life.Perinatal …

A Play-Based Stoic Intervention: Preventive Pedagogy For Childhood Resilience, Ross William Podyma Mr

International Journal of Playwork Practice

Rates of reported childhood mental health difficulties have risen markedly in recent years, prompting a policy emphasis on early identification and rapid referral to clinical services. While such responses are vital for acute and complex presentations, there is growing concern that they may contribute to an over-pathologising of normative developmental experiences. Everyday challenges that once functioned as opportunities to build resilience are increasingly framed as early symptoms of mental disorder. This risks undermining children’s ability to cope adaptively with adversity, inadvertently fostering reliance on external intervention.

Since its inception in 2012, Sporting Communities CIC has been embedded in schools and …

Pioneering Insights Into The Complexities Of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension: Central Nervous System Mechanisms And Dietary Bioactive Compound Interventions, Renjun Wang, Bo Xu, Xiping Liu, Qi Guo, Gregory Miodonski, Zhiying Shan, Dongshu Du, Qing Hui Chen

Michigan Tech Publications

Salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) is an important and common subtype of hypertension, whose pathogenesis involves multi-level regulation, including the central nervous system (CNS), metabolic stress, and epigenetics. Dietary bioactive compounds have emerged as a research hotspot for SSH intervention due to their safety and multi-target effects. Although existing studies have focused on the CNS regulation of SSH or the role of individual dietary components, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis integrating multiple mechanisms, systematically summarizing multiple compounds, and incorporating a clinical translation perspective. This review first outlines the mechanisms of CNS pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic …

Workplace Incivility And Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Analysis Of Loneliness And Supervisor Support, Marie Rylance

Master's Theses

By building on previous research and addressing calls to examine the growing epidemic of loneliness, this study investigated how workplace incivility affects employee well-being and workplace outcomes, with attention to the roles of loneliness and supervisor support. Guided by the Conservation of Resources theory, workplace incivility was conceptualized as a resource-draining process that fosters stress states such as loneliness. A key contribution of this study was examining the process through which incivility impacts employees, by testing loneliness as a mediating mechanism and supervisor support as a potential moderator. Using data from 178 participants, regression and mediation analyses were conducted, as …

Behavior Analytic Food Reinforcement Use And Guidelines In Interventions For Children With Autism, Christopher Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reinforcers create opportunities to increase behaviors in applied behavioral analysis, with healthy and unhealthy foods offering high reinforcing value. The use of food raises ethical and health concerns, so researchers and behavior analysts often avoid food reinforcement altogether. Kronfli et al. (2024) indicate healthy food alternatives bring about similar rates of responding as snack foods, potentially reducing ethical and health concerns. This research presents the question: To what degree are food reinforcers used in behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder? This review analyzes behavioral research articles containing the words “food,” “edible,” “autism,” and “children” in the context of …

Drones And The Changing Character Of War, Erik A. Davis

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

Cheap drones have transformed the character of war by creating a “mass effect” that challenges traditional principles of force concentration. Unlike commentary focused on offense-defense debates or ethics, this article explains how Jevons’s Paradox, the Red Queen Effect, and models like Lanchester’s Laws and Hughes’s Salvo Equations underpin this shift. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine, historical theory, and production trends, it explains why the production of cheap “precision mass” is expected to accelerate. For military and policy practitioners, the analysis offers urgent guidance for adapting tactics, procurement, and doctrine to a battlefield dominated by ubiquitous, low-cost drones—before adversaries exploit this …

Determination Of Serum Cortisol Levels As A Stress Marker In Hospitalized Dogs, Emre Tüfekçi̇, Gencay Eki̇nci̇, İlknur Karaca Bekdi̇k, Ali̇ Cesur Onmaz, Öznur Aslan, Vehbi̇ Güneş, İhsan Keleş, Mehmet Çi̇ti̇l

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In veterinary medicine, various diseases and surgical procedures may require the isolation and hospitalization of dogs, allowing for more effective individual patient monitoring and increasing the chance of successful treatment by preventing unnecessary drug use. However, this process can be stressful. Our study aimed to determine the changes in cortisol levels, one of the primary stress hormones responsible for stress responses, in individually hospitalized dogs. In addition, epinephrine (EPN) levels, another stress marker, as well as hematological and some biochemical values were measured and vital signs were recorded. The dogs included in the study were divided into 3 groups: healthy, …

Alcohol As Food Or Drug? A Comparative Review Of Islamic And Medical Evidence, M. Diaa El-Din H. Farag, Ahmed A. Rawwash, Emad Hussein Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed F.F Bayomy Et.Al.

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Background: This study conducts a comparative analysis of alcohol classification, health effects, and social consequences within Islamic teachings and modern medical science. Objective: To conduct a comparative analysis of Islamic teachings and modern medical approaches regarding alcohol classification, health effects, and social consequences. Methodology: Using a comparative review following PRISMA guidelines, 50 high-quality sources were selected from an initial 892 records for analysis. Results: The findings demonstrate a convergent classification: both paradigms definitively classify alcohol as a harmful substance rather than a food. Islamic law has prohibited alcohol for over 1400 years on the grounds of it impairs cognitive judgment …

On Lethality: Toward A More Complete Definition And Formation Of The Lethality Framework, John M. Hinck, Robert S. Hinck, Jayson A. Altieri, David R. Jarnot

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

This article argues lethality should be conceptualized as a holistic and regenerative process in which adversarial militaries prepare for, adapt to, and sustain the application of force in conflict. Whereas the literature on lethality is widening to include the human war fighter, attempts to define and measure lethality have proven problematic—a struggle this article seeks to remedy. Drawing on historical, doctrinal, and interdisciplinary perspectives, the authors argue that lethality includes the capacity to kill and elements of learning and adaptation. The proposed lethality framework offers policy and military practitioners a model for assessing and operationalizing lethality in military education, leadership …

Using Rhizobia Seed Coatings And Soil Amendments To Combat Herbicide Toxicity For Native Legume Establishment, Ryan Matthew Glover

Theses and Dissertations

Dryland ecosystems face widespread degradation from historical mismanagement, climate change, and invasive species proliferation. Although herbicides effectively control invasive annual weeds, they often suppress the establishment of desirable perennial species, limiting restoration success. Legumes enhanced with rhizobia inoculants offer a promising approach to overcome these challenges by facilitating nitrogen fixation, improving soil microbial communities, and potentially mitigating herbicide stress. We conducted paired greenhouse and field experiments to evaluate whether rhizobia seed coatings improve the establishment of three legume species Astragalus cicer (Cicer Milkvetch), Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin), and Medicago sativa (Alfalfa), in soils treated with imazapic and glyphosate. In the greenhouse, …

Fpga-Accelerated Computational Photon Counting, Chibueze Onyeador

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful tool for biomedical re- search. It leverages fluorescence of biological samples to visualize and characterize biological dynamics and molecular interactions. FLIM utilizes fluorescence lifetime, the average time a molecule stays in its excited state after absorbing a photon, to investigate the dynamics of biological samples.

Ultra-fast and precise (ps-ns) timing fluorescence acquisition techniques suffer from different trade-offs. Some methods suffer from high dead times, decreased accuracy in fluorescence lifetime calculations, and high data volumes and transfers. Finding a new method that can provide the best performance while experiencing low dead times, adequate …

Functional Characterization Of Abcc8 Mutations Potentially Linked To The Transition From Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia To Diabetes, Hao Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, composed of the SUR1 and Kir6.2 subunits encoded by the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, are critical regulators of membrane excitability and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in these genes cause neonatal diabetes mellitus through impaired insulin secretion and persistent hyperglycemia, whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations lead to congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) with hypoglycemia due to β-cell hyperexcitability. I have addressed a paradoxical form of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) arising from KATP mutations, in which patients transition from CHI to glucose intolerance later in life. My experiments indicate that many KATP mutations associated with …

Programmable Acoustofluidic Engineering For Creating Gradient Biomaterials, Jujing Lu, Ye He, Jianping Xia, Mingyuan Liu, Joseph Rich, Ke Jin, Ruoyu Zhong, Kaichun Yang, Jiao Qian, Ying Chen, Ke Li, Zhiteng Ma, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Gradient biomaterials that exhibit spatially varying physical, chemical, or biological properties can be used in various applications such as tissue engineering, organoid development, mechanobiology, and spatially controlled drug delivery. However, current fabrication methods often suffer from limited gradient precision, restricted material compatibility, and poor reproducibility. Here, we introduced gradient regulation via acoustofluidic dynamic engineering (GRADE), a programmable system to generate high-fidelity gradient biomaterials across different material systems. By incorporating focused interdigital transducers with the pulsed surface acoustic wave actuation, GRADE can achieve tunable and directional acoustic streaming (0 to 22 millimeters per second), which allows accurate regulation of the gradient …

Employees’ Perceptions Of Leaders’ Diversity Training For Supporting Organizational Equity, Michelle L. Burchfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite growing organizational attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion, some workplaces continued to struggle with embedding equitable practices. The research problem addressed in this study focused on understanding how employees perceived leaders’ diversity training and its effectiveness in supporting organizational equity. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore employees’ perspectives of leadership diversity training and its role in supporting organizational equity. Behavioral leadership theory and critical race theory grounded this study. The participants consisted of 10 employees with experience in leadership diversity training in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Seven most …

Reducing The Use Of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents In Hemodialysis Patients, Myriamme Neree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a quality improvement (QI) initiative. Nephrologists were inconsistent in ordering iron studies and sometimes delayed the initiation of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on admission to the inpatient site. These delays often led to suboptimal outcomes. The practice-focused question guiding the project asked whether a nurse-driven iron protocol would improve adherence to anemia management guidelines. The project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of the evidence-based nurse-driven protocol. I used descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the timely completion of iron studies and in intravenous (IV) iron …

Effective Strategies To Reduce Burnout For Employees With High Workload Demands, Michelle Healy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies to reduce burnout for employees can decrease productivity and quality of work, and can increase turnover. Event industry leaders who struggle to reduce burnout of employees with high workload demands are at risk of employee turnover. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore effective strategies to reduce burnout for employees with high workload demands. The participants were eight event industry leaders who had effectively implemented strategies to reduce burnout. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of public websites and documents. Using thematic analysis, …

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals And Adrenal Gland​, Gülay Şi̇mşek Bağir, Melek Eda Ertörer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that have hormone-like effects inside the body. Endocrine disruptors can affect adrenal glands in humans and animals. Adrenocortical dysfunction related to chemical exposure has been reported in the literature.The human adrenal gland is crucial for the synthesis of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens) and amino acid-derived hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine). All steps in the adrenocortical steroidogenesis pathway are potential targets for chemical inhibition, including the adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, mitochondrial cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP11A1, CYP17, CYP21, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2), and 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase D4,5 isomerase. EDCs either inhibit the …

The Effects Of Endocrine Disruptors On The Female Reproductive System, Riza Gökhan Baykal, Reyhan Ersoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a diverse, comprehensive group of mostly synthetic chemicals that disrupt many physiological functions in humans and animals. EDCs are particularly disruptive to the female reproductive system. Reproductive function in women is a dynamic process regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. EDCs show their effects on the reproductive system through estrogenic, antiestrogenic, androgenic, and antiandrogenic effects or by directly affecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Disruption in the menstrual cycle, decrease in fertility, infertility, increased risk of miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, early or delayed puberty, and hormone-sensitive cancers can be listed as the main negative effects of endocrine disruptors …

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals In Metabolic Bone Diseases, Including Osteoporosis, Betül Gündüz, Eli̇f Kiliç Kan, Ayşegül Atmaca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances widely utilized across various industrial sectors. Due to their structural similarity to natural ligands, they bind to receptors and influence the endocrine system via agonist–antagonist mechanisms. Exposure occurs through the consumption of contaminated food and water, inhalation of polluted air and dust, and dermal contact. Owing to their dynamic remodeling capacity, bones represent potential targets for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals can disrupt bone formation, skeletal development, hormonal regulation, and calcium metabolism. Sensitivity to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is greatest during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. This review summarizes the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on bone tissue.

Biotechnology In The Fy 2026 Ndaa: Strategic Implications — And Recommendations — For Joint Force Readiness, James Giordano

Strategic Insights

This commentary analyzes how biotechnology provisions in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reflect emerging opportunities and challenges for U.S. national security. It explains that key investments in bioindustrial capacity, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and related research signal a strategic shift toward integrating biological technologies into defense planning. While these advancements can strengthen biodefense, medical readiness, and operational resilience, they also raise policy, ethical, and governance questions about prioritization, oversight, and risk management. Dr. Giordano offers practical recommendations, including the need for enhanced workforce education, robust interdisciplinary coordination, and international collaboration to ensure responsible innovation. Aligning biotechnology investment with …

Targeting Pancreatic Cancer With Rapamycin-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated To Egf Peptide: Studies On Cytotoxicity And Uptake Mechanisms Aided By Proteomic Analysis, Adeolu Oluremi

Theses and Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with a five-year survival rate below 5%. While rapamycin (Rap) has demonstrated therapeutic potential, its clinical utility is hampered by systemic toxicity. To address this limitation, this study developed a targeted nanocarrier system using gold nanospheres (AuNPs) functionalized with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) peptide GE11 for the specific delivery of Rap to pancreatic cancer cells. It is to note that pancreatic cancer overexpresses EGFR. The AuNP–GE11–Rap conjugates were successfully synthesized and characterized using physico-chemical techniques, which confirmed peptide conjugation and drug loading. In vitro studies using PANC-1 cells demonstrated …

Urinothorax And Empyema: Presentation Of An Unusual Complication Of A Rare Condition, Nolan Fox, Nicholas Fox, Shourjo Chakravorty, Neeraj Sinha

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

A 68-year-old male with a history of metastatic bladder cancer and urinary obstruction presented with intractable hiccups and chest pain is presented in this case. He was found to have a unilateral pleural effusion in addition to ipsilateral renal metastasis abutting the diaphragm. Imaging revealed empyema. Thoracentesis revealed positive cultures and a lack of malignant cells on cytology. Comorbid urinary obstruction and urinary tract infection suggested the rare diagnosis of an infected urinothorax. Thoracentesis also revealed pleural fluid creatinine greater than serum creatinine, meeting the most specific diagnostic criteria for urinothorax and establishing the diagnosis. Treatment aimed at evacuating the …