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Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 Transcriptionally Represses Sirtuin 1 To Regulate Osteoclastogenesis And Tooth Eruption, Jie Li, Changqing Yan, Xinyi Sun, Chenying Zhang, Xiaozhe Wang, Yang Liu, Shuguo Zheng

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), caused by Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) haploinsufficiency, features delayed tooth eruption. Although impaired osteoclastogenesis contributes to eruption failure, the direct molecular mechanisms linking RUNX2 deficiency to osteoclast dysfunction remain elusive. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a critical regulator of osteoclastogenesis; however, whether it serves as a downstream effector of RUNX2 remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic link between RUNX2 and SIRT1 in regulating osteoclast differentiation and tooth eruption.

Materials and methods: Tooth eruption and osteoclast differentiation were assessed by micro-computed tomography and histological analysis in Runx2^+/- mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain …

Biological Performance Enhancement Of Ni-Free Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass For Dental Implants Via Nitrogen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation, Hsun-Miao Huang, Ying-Sui Sun, Ya-Lin Huang, Kai-Yi Lin, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Thanaphum Osathanon, Wei-Cheng Chen, Her-Hsiung Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Improving the biocompatibility of bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys is critical for expanding their applications in biomedical fields, particularly in dental implants. This study systematically investigated the suitability of nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (NPIII)-treated Zr-based BMG alloy for next-generation dental implant applications, focusing on protein adsorption, platelet responses, and cell behavior.

Materials and methods: NPIII was employed as a surface modification approach to enhance the biological performance of a Ni-free Zr₆₂.₅Cu₂₂.₅Fe₅Al₁₀ BMG alloy. The effects of NPIII treatment on surface characteristics, including crystallinity, chemical composition, layer thickness, roughness, and hydrophilicity, were comprehensively analyzed. Protein adsorption …

Formulation Modification Of Silver Diamine Fluoride To Improve Clinical Handling And Dentin Tubule Occlusion, Liangyu Chang, Yutzu Wu, Powen Lu, Iwen Chen, Weifang Lee, Chunche Lin, Renjei Chung, Poonam Negi, Naichia Teng, Jenchang Yang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is clinically effective for treating dentinal hypersensitivity and arresting caries, but its poor clinical handling due to low viscosity remain concerns. This study aimed to enhance the rheological properties of SDF by incorporating sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to improve its clinical manageability. Materials and methods: A 39.34 wt% SDF solution (TMU-SDF) was prepared via wet processing. Its matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition was evaluated using a fluorogenic MMP-1 assay, and antibacterial activity was tested via an inhibition zone assay. Biocompatibility was assessed using a modified cytotoxicity-agar diffusion test and a skin sensitization test. Rheological properties, including flow …

An Artificial Intelligence Assisted Framework For Automated Quantified Root Canal Curvature Measurement On Periapical Radiographs, Ming-Yi Chen, Shih-Lun Chen, Yu-Jen Chang, Yuan-Jin Lin, Chiung-An Chen, Tsung-Yi Chen, Kuo-Chen Li, Wei-Chen Tu, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Root canal curvature is a complex anatomical variation that complicates endodontic treatments. Traditionally, dentists rely on two-dimensional periapical radiographs (PA) and manual methods to estimate curvature angles. However, this conventional approach is highly time-consuming and subjective, often leading to inconsistent measurements.

Materials and methods: This study aims to develop a fully automated, objective framework for precise angular measurement and severity grading of root canal curvature. The YOLO26n-seg model was employed to segment roots and classify single- or multi-rooted teeth from PA. Furthermore, we proposed an image processing algorithm that standardized orientation, extracted centerlines, and applied three-point circle fitting …

Teaching Digital Evangelism And Web Design As Redemptive Work For The Women Of The Northeastern Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Brenda Michele Rhyne

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated thousands of jobs, including positions held by women within the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Unemployment and underemployment may contribute to diminished self-esteem and adverse mental-health outcomes. The problem of unemployment and underemployment is not simply economic—it is theological. For women in the Northeastern Conference, the lack of an ordered pathway to explore technology-related fields as a career option represents both an economic and a spiritual loss. A course combining technical and evangelistic training may promote members' involvement in evangelistic initiatives (i.e., TMI) while simultaneously providing technological skills. Also, women who do not regularly use …

01.01.09. Muscovy Duck, Cairina Moschata, M. J. Walters, S. K. Robinson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Of the roughly 100 bird species introduced to Florida over the years, 14 are considered established species, including the Muscovy Duck. The native range of this large, bulky duck species includes Central and South America, Mexico, and the southernmost regions of Texas.

01.01.06. Mute Swan, Cygnus Olor, Bill Pranty, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Of the seven species of swans that have been documented in Florida, only the non-breeding Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) is native. The other six species, including the Mute Swan, have been imported into Florida and then released at various lakes across the state for aesthetic purposes. Mute Swans are native from Great Britain, Scandinavia, and Russia south through central Europe to the Balkans, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Siberia, and northern China.

Crab And Lobster Shell Meal Taste Preferences Of Dairy Heifer Calves, Summer R. Pescinski, Peter S. Erickson

Honors Theses and Capstones

Objective: This preference study was conducted to evaluate the palatability of crab shell meal (CM) and lobster shell meal (LM) when added to calf starter for post-weaned dairy heifer calves.

Materials and methods: Six calves were used for a sequential elimination experiment to rank their taste preferences when offered control calf starter, calf starter mixed with 50 g of CM, and calf starter mixed with 50 g of LM.  The calves were kept on the study for a total of 5-d split into two feeding segments.  Preference was determined by calculating the total intake of each treatment …

Hyena Den Distribution, Human-Hyena Interactions And Mitigation Strategies In The Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, Katherine Elizabeth Davis Matczak

Honors Theses and Capstones

The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a prevalent predator across Africa, recognized for their noticeable gait and powerful jaws which enable them to maul and scavenge on prey. Due to human population growth and encroachment onto wildlife territory, the overlap between human settlements and hyena den sites has become a growing concern, particularly regarding livestock predation. Livestock is intrinsic to livelihoods across Africa, with most individuals deriving their livelihoods from pastoralism. This paper provides an evaluation of den proximities to communities, hyena diet preference, human-hyena conflict/attitudes, and mitigation strategies used to protect hyenas, livestock, and the people. Results …

Exploring The Effects Of Voluntary Wheel Running On Inhibitory Control, Ava Prieto

Honors Theses and Capstones

Inhibitory control, a central component of executive function, is the ability to suppress unwanted actions in response to a stimulus (Verbruggen et al., 2014; Verbruggen et al., 2019) and is one of the best indicators of executive task management as well as the ability to prevent unwanted prepotent responses. This capacity is essential for goal specific behavior and for responding flexibly to challenges. The present study examined the effects of voluntary wheel running on inhibitory control in two cohorts of Long-Evans rats using a rodent variant of the canonical stop-signal task. We found that rats with access to an active …

A Frog, A Toad, And A Salamander Walk Into A Forest: How Timber Harvest And Environmental Conditions Impact Amphibian Species Abundance In The White Mountain National Forest, William T. Brandenburg

Honors Theses and Capstones

Balancing the needs of humans and wildlife is one of the primary goals of conservation. Understanding how species respond to resource extraction is essential to achieve long-term population stability. This is especially relevant for amphibians, which are particularly sensitive to environmental disturbances due to habitat loss and degradation. As such they are often used as indicator species. This study leverages 20-years of amphibian abundance data from surveys in different silvicultural treatments to understand how American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), and red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) respond to changes in forest structure, weather, …

Novel Socially Assistive Robot For Alzheimer's And Dementia Home Care; Lived Experiences Of Families, Audrey V. Downs

Honors Theses and Capstones

Informal caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) typically experience high levels of subjective caregiver burden due to strenuous role demands, notably the need to provide frequent reminders and 24/7 monitoring to address care recipient cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of informal caregivers using a novel Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) to care for individuals with ADRD in a home setting and evaluate SAR impact on caregiver subjective burden. SARs are autonomous, interactive devices that can provide timed reminders and monitor home environments, potentially alleviating some caregiver role demands and …

Evaluating The Use Of Precision Technology To Understand Differences Between Ketotic And Non-Ketotic Jersey Cows, Emily Kathryn Palermo

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Micro- And Nanoplastics On Human Monocytes, Caitlin G. Valerian

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population, Amanda E. Diggins

Honors Theses and Capstones

Caliciviridae is a family of non-enveloped, positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses, including eleven defined genera that contain important pathogens of humans and animals. Within the Caliciviridae family, the genus Vesiviridae includes feline calicivirus, a leading cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus, a historical disease of domestic swine that has now been implicated in several marine mammal vesicular diseases, one of which has been confirmed zoonotic. Urban landscapes create a unique environment for rapid intra- and interspecies transmission of viruses. Clustered resources attract high-density populations of synanthropic wildlife species, increasing spatial overlap and heightening …

Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin

Honors Theses and Capstones

Multidisciplinary analysis, including biology, psychology, and sociology, to better understand the compulsory Hookup Culture that exists as a contemporary public health concern among the age group defined as emerging adults. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States and disproportionately affecting college students. Early socialization and current educational resources that contribute to shame and stigma are discussed to explain how lifestyle and social conditions can act as risk factors for individual health outcomes.

Effects Of Perching Behavior In Broilers On Welfare And Production Benefits, Natalie G. Bunn

Honors Theses and Capstones

Broiler chickens are bred for feed efficiency, rapid growth rate, and muscle development. Conventional broiler farms utilize fast-growing breeds that reach market weight rapidly and present welfare concerns. Primarily raised indoors with little enrichment, the genetics and husbandry practices of broilers encourage inactivity and perpetuate health problems such as skeletal deformities, lameness, and pododermatitis. Despite the commonness of these issues, there is little research on the reduction of such health complications through production management. This study investigated methods to promote perching behavior and the effects of riser perch and platform perch utilization in broilers. A mixed flock of slow-growing Gray …

Metabarcoding Ixodes Scapularis To Characterize Feeding Behavior In Comparison To Pathogen Carriage And Geospatial Distribution, Adrianna Kate George

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Political Media Hesitancy And Avoidance In College Students, Taylor Mandile

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Retention Time Of Microplastics In The Purple Sea Urchin (Arbacia Punctulata), Alexandra Shore

Honors Theses and Capstones

Marine ecosystems around the world are facing the problem of plastic pollution. Large pieces of plastic eventually degrade into smaller microplastics that are suspended in the water column and sink to the seabed. Sea urchins are exposed to microplastics as they graze on the sea floor and can accidentally consume these pollutants. Sea urchins are ecologically important animals because they physically alter their ecosystem via grazing and are integral part of marine food webs. To better understand how sea urchins interact with microplastics, purple sea urchins were exposed to microfibers and microspheres in a laboratory setting, and the retention time …

After The Impact: Balance Function In Women With Repeated Concussions, Caroline M. Stack

Honors Theses and Capstones

Balance deficits following repeated mild traumatic brain injuries are well documented, yet research examining the delayed outcomes specifically in college-aged women remains limited. The present study investigated whether women with a history of two or more mTBIs exhibit lasting balance impairments compared to women with zero or one prior mTBI, tested at least six months after their most recent injury. Thirty-four English-speaking women (ages 18-30) recruited from the University of New Hampshire were assigned to a repetitive mTBI group or a control group. Balance was assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System and a MetaMotion inertial measurement sensor positioned on …

Exploring The Association Between Internal Body Temperature And Metabolic Status In Early Lactation Jersey Cattle, Alexandra Ferreri, Claira Seely

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Fgf Signaling Is Necessary For Newt Lens Regeneration, Leo Alexander Napoleon

Honors Theses and Capstones

The Iberian ribbed newt Pleurodeles waltl can regenerate the lens by transdifferentiating iris pigmented epithelial (IPE) cells into lens epithelial cells (LECs), but the mechanism by which this occurs remains largely uncharacterized. We aim to mechanistically show an early and critical role for FGF signaling by using small molecules to inhibit FGF receptors and observe the histological and intracellular effects. Two inhibitors were found to completely stall lens regeneration. Cell cycle analysis revealed decreased DNA synthesis and uniformly low but unchanged entry to mitosis under signaling inhibition by staining for EdU incorporation and phospho-histone H3 (pH3), respectively. Western blot revealed …

Tmem116 Crispr-Mediated Knockout Prevents Proper Lens Regeneration In Iberian-Ribbed Newts, Damien T. Mann

Honors Theses and Capstones

Eye diseases like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma are widespread and detrimental conditions affecting many people across the globe. While there are reliable and successful treatments for those with cataracts that can reverse vision impediments, others like glaucoma and AMD have limited treatment options. Additionally, eye damage resulting from these conditions is commonly irreversible, establishing a need for new treatment options. The Iberian-ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl, is a salamander species primarily studied for their amazing regenerative capabilities. Particularly, these newts are capable of de novo lens regeneration after a complete resection, providing a unique opportunity to study regeneration …

Embracing Anomalous Perceptions: Sensory Anomalies, Social Stigma, And Self-Acceptance, Ty R. Hetrick

Honors Theses and Capstones

Anomalous Perceptual Experiences (APEs), which include auditory and visual hallucinations, occur in the general population to varying degrees, but are often stigmatized in media and healthcare settings. However, there is an increasing focus on those who report APEs to be positive and meaningful. This study explored the lived experiences of individuals who report APEs that are interpreted meaningfully. Using a concurrent mixed methods approach, interviews and questionnaires were conducted with 3 adults who identify their APEs as meaningful. Participants described their experiences as sources of guidance, connection, and personal transformation that positively influenced their relationships, spirituality, and daily occupations. They …

07.01.03. Common Gallinule, Gallinula Galeata, J. A. Jackson, B. J.S. Jackson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

07.01. <em>Rallidae</em> - Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

The name "gallinule" means "little chicken" and seems appropriate because of the Common Gallinule's size and general appearance - its relatively long toes that are not webbed, and its somewhat chicken-like bill.