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The Experience Of Homelessness Among Older Adults In Bhutan - A Narrative Inquiry Study, Phuntsho Om

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A shift in the demographics of homelessness started to occur in the 1900s, with a significant increase in the number of middle-aged or elderly men and women being recognised as a part of the homeless population. The rising urgent global concern of homelessness of older adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the lived experience and holistic well-being of these marginalised adults. This thesis aimed to explore the phenomenon of homelessness of older adults in Bhutan, which is an often neglected topic in both national and international gerontological research.

Employing narrative inquiry within the constructivist approach as articulated by Pino Gravidia …

Understanding Climate Change And Wellbeing Through Bhutan's Pursuit Of Gross National Happiness, Tashi Dorji

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Climate change has evolved into one of the biggest global challenges of the twenty first century reshaping ecological systems and social conditions with wide-ranging implications for human wellbeing. Bhutan offers a distinct context to explore interactions between climate change and wellbeing as it remains guided by its wellbeing-centred development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). At the same time, it remains highly vulnerable to climate change despite being the only carbon negative country in the world. Nonetheless, the intersections between climate change and GNH have not been systematically explored.

This research aims to explore the relationship between climate change and …

Evaluation Of Sodium Butyrate As An Anti-Fibrotic Agent In Experimental Schistosomiasis Mansoni Infection, Rania Eladl Hassan, Manar Ezzelarab Ramadan, Nora Ibrahim Aboulfotouh, Ramy Ahmed Abdelsalam Sallam, Basma Hamed Othman, Soha Ibrahim Awad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Schistosomiasis is a prominent neglected tropical disease that is caused by Schistosoma mansoni, and it is characterized by granuloma formation, which advances to hepatic fibrosis and serious liver damage. The standard medication is praziquantel (PZQ), but it has minimal effect on larvae and no effect on fibrosis which is a main pathological feature in schistosomiaiss. So, new alternatives were suggested, such as sodium butyrate (SB), which is a fatty acid salt with medicinal qualities.

Objective: This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effect of sodium butyrate (SB) in a mouse model of S. mansoni-induced liver immunopathology using …

Endothelin-1 Drives Cyclooxygenase-2 And Prostaglandin E2 Expression In Osteoblasts Through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase And Activator Protein-1 Signaling During Periodontal Inflammation, Fang-Yu Fan, Thi Thuy Tien Vo, Hsuan Kuo, Chien-Fu Tseng, Wei-Ning Lin, Chia-Yu Wu, Yang-Che Wu, Chuen-Mao Yang, Li-Der Hsiao, I-Ta Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in inflammatory tissue responses, but its role in osteoblast-mediated inflammation during periodontal inflammation remains unclear. This study investigated whether ET-1 induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) release in osteoblasts and explored the underlying signaling mechanisms.

Materials and methods: Murine osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were stimulated with ET-1. COX-2 protein and mRNA expression, promoter activity, and PGE₂ release were assessed by Western blotting, real-time RT-PCR, luciferase reporter assay, and ELISA, respectively. Pharmacological inhibitors and siRNA knockdown were used to examine the roles of ET_A/ET_B receptors, G_{q …}

Dual-Layer Biphasic Calcium Phosphates/Tantalum Pentoxide Coating On Titanium For Concurrent Biocorrosion Resistance And Enhanced Biocompatibility, Ying-Sui Sun, Kai-Yi Lin, Wei-Cheng Chen, Her-Hsiung Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Titanium (Ti) dental implants must resist biocorrosion while maintaining biocompatibility. This study developed a dual-layer biphasic calcium phosphates/tantalum pentoxide (BCPs/Ta₂O₅) coating on Ti to improve both biocorrosion resistance and biological performance.

Materials and methods: A dense Ta₂O₅ inner layer was fabricated via a hydrolysis–condensation process to act as a corrosion barrier. Subsequently, a porous BCPs outer layer was deposited by electrochemical cathodic deposition to provide a bioactive interface. Surface morphology, functional groups, crystalline structure, wettability, surface free energy, coating thickness and nanostructure, protein adsorption, and in vitro bioactivity were characterized. Biocorrosion behavior was evaluated using polarization curve measurements in …

Antisense Oligonucleotides-Mediated Rescue Of The Amelx Splicing Defects, Eui-Sic Cho, Youn Jung Kim, Figen Seymen, Mine Koruyucu, Jan C.-C. Hu, James P. Simmer, Jung-Wook Kim

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a group of rare, inherited disorders characterized by abnormal enamel formation. While identifying the genes and mutations that cause the disease is important, understanding its molecular pathogenesis is essential to developing precision and personalized medicine, which aim to stop disease onset, slow its progression, and provide a range of treatment options. Previously, we identified mutations that affect the conserved alternative splicing of the AMELX gene, leading to the inclusion of normally skipped exon 4 and resulting in a characteristic AI phenotype.

Materials and methods: HEK293 cells were grown on cell culture dishes …

Synergistic Effects Of Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy And Erythromycin On Osteogenic Activity, Kridtapat Sirisereephap, Kitipong Pasanaphong, Thanaphum Osathanon, Patcharapit Promoppatum, Tomoki Maekawa, Viritpon Srimaneepong, Meircurius Dwi Condro Surboyo, Kamolporn Wattanasirmkit

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Biodegradable magnesium (Mg)–based alloys are emerging as promising alternatives to non-resorbable titanium for bone regeneration because of their favorable mechanical properties and biodegradability. However, the interaction between Mg alloys and immunomodulatory agents in promoting osteogenesis remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic effects of an Mg alloy on pre-osteoblasts and to investigate whether erythromycin enhances Mg-induced osteogenic differentiation through regulation of developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1).

Materials and methods: WE43 Mg alloy disks were immersed in culture medium to produce Mg alloy-conditioned medium at concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with conditioned …

Optogenetic Control Of Odontoblastic Differentiation In Dental Pulp Stem Cells (Dpsc), Francesco Torelli

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Vanadium-Functionalized Methyl Methacrylate-Based Primer Enhances Self-Curing And Bonding Of Resin Cement To Polyetheretherketone Restorations, Takeru Kondo, Jun Sato

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Synergistic Effect Of Combined Cisplatin And Rosmarinic Acid On Apoptosis And Migration Of Head And Neck Cancer Cell Lines, Suppanut Jongjitaree, Paopanga Kokilakanit

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Postoperative Conductive Hearing Loss After Full-Arch-Implantation Surgery Under General Anesthesia In An Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patient: A Case Report, Hao-Chen Wang, Fu-Chuan Tsai, Chia-Che Wu, Chih-Yuan Fang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Performance Of Large Language Models In Answering Orthodontic Questions: A Scoping Review, Tu Manh Nguyen, Fang-Yu Fan, Ying-Sui Sun, Yang-Che Wu, Sheng-Wei Feng, Hao-Ting Chen, I-Ta Lee, Pao-Chang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly explored as novel platforms for delivering orthodontic information. Although their capacity to generate rapid, structured, and accessible responses has been widely recognized, concerns persist regarding performance variability and the risk of generating inaccurate outputs. Given the heterogeneity of existing evidence, this scoping review aimed to systematically map the current research landscape and synthesize findings on the application of LLMs in addressing orthodontic queries. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to November 30, 2025. Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria …

The Ph-Pi3k/Akt/Mtorc1 Axis In The Survival Of Stem Cells From The Apical Papilla: A Critical Target For Rescue By Microenvironment-Engineered Hydrogels In Pulp Regeneration, Chunlei Zhang, Haisheng Cao, Jie Li, Changqing Yan, Yang Liu, Shuguo Zheng, Xiaozhe Wang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: The pH within infected root canals fluctuates dynamically under pathological conditions, yet its impact on stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) in dental pulp regeneration remains unclear. This study investigated how potential of hydrogen (pH) variations govern SCAPs survival and the associated signaling to identify therapeutic targets for enhancing tissue regeneration.

Materials and methods: SCAPs were cultured at pH 5.4-10.4. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, real-time live-cell analysis, and flow cytometry. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) identified differentially expressed genes, which were validated through reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and mechanistic …

Osteoblastogenesis Stimulation By Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Secretome During Maxillary Expansion, Alexander Patera Nugraha, Guang Hong, Firdaus Hariri, I Gusti Aju Wahju Ardani, Adya Pramusita, Nurul Aisyah Rizky Putranti, Nindya Rizky Anjani Marhendra, Naora Dewi Rahma Fadzila, Ananda Firman Putranto, Muhammad Luthfi, Wibi Riawan, Putri Cahaya Situmorang, Rony Abdi Syahputra, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Khairul Anuar Shariff, Nissia Ananda, Maudina Dwi Heriasti, Kotaro Tanimoto

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Maxillary expansion induced by mechanical force (MEMF) is a standard orthodontic approach for correcting transverse maxillary deficiency. The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome (HUCMSC-S) has the potential to stimulate accelerate bone remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate local HUCMSC-S application effect during MEMF on the expression bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in a Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Materials and methods: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats (R. norvegicus) were randomly divided into four groups: …

Avian Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Alleviates The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide Induced Gingival Fibroblast Senescence, Han-Chieh Yang, Earl Fu, Yu-Tang Chin, Ju-Sheng Shieh, Wei-Ni Lin, Cheng-Yang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: We have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Polygonum multiflorum extract bio-pulsed avian mesenchymal stem cells exhibit anti-inflammatory and proliferation-promoting properties. A significant association has been identified between periodontitis, higher biological age, and accelerated biological aging. This study investigated whether the bio-pulsed EVs could alleviate Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS)-induced senescence in human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs).

Materials and methods: Pg-LPS was used to induce cellular inflammation and senescence in hGFs. The cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and cytotoxicity was assessed with MTS. Senescence after repeated stimulations was evaluated …

Current Orthognathic Surgery Practices In Taiwan: A Questionnaire Survey Among Board-Certified Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons, Chia-Wei Nien, Bo-Jun Chen, Ryoji Yoshida, Yoichi Ohiro, Chih-Yuan Fang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Orthognathic surgery (OgS) has substantially evolved in Taiwan; however, few comprehensive surveys have been conducted. This study investigated the contemporary clinical landscape and practice patterns of Taiwanese oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs).

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire study, consisting of 48 questions covering 5 major domains, was conducted in Taiwanese OMSs between August 22 and September 8, 2024.

Results: A total of 94 valid responses were collected. 71.28% respondents practiced in medical centers and 52.13% were located in northern Taiwan. Whereas 51.06% of active surgeons performed 1–5 cases annually, a distinct high-volume subgroup (9.0%) performed over …

Sesamin Suppresses High Glucose-Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 And Prostaglandin E2 Production Through Toll-Like Receptor 2-Dependent Oxidative Stress In Human Gingival Fibroblasts, Ya-Lun Li, Yu-Chia Hsu, Fang-Yu Fan, Yung-Li Wang, Yang-Che Wu, Sin-Yu Li, Thi Thuy Tien Vo, Yu-Chia Chang, Yin-Tzer Shih, I-Ta Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Hyperglycemia contributes to periodontal inflammation through oxidative stress and inflammatory mediator production in gingival fibroblasts. Sesamin, a major lignan from sesame, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated whether sesamin attenuates high glucose (HG)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and examined the involvement of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent oxidative signaling.

Materials and methods: HGFs were exposed to HG in the presence or absence of sesamin. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, COX-2 expression, and PGE₂ production were evaluated. …

Integrated Incubators: A Novel Framework For Technology-Based Creative Arts Education, Brad Phelps Nisbet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the development and impact of an educational framework designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry within the media and entertainment sector. It addresses the prevalent "skills mismatch" where graduates often lack the specific technical competencies, foundational knowledge, practical experience, or soft skills required for entry-level positions in a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by advancements like virtual production, real-time VFX, immersive media, and Al. Grounded in both theoretical and practical insights, the framework aims to foster student creativity, technical proficiency, industry readiness, transferable skills, and adaptability, prioritising a transformative, student-centric learning experience.

The research employed a …

Heat Misers, Snow Misers, And Cognitive Misers: The 'Nukewarm' Perceptions Of Nuclear Power, Tyler Williams

Dissertations and Theses

Rising energy demand in the United States necessitates alternatives to fossil fuels, yet renewable energy sources alone are insufficient to meet this demand. Nuclear power presents a promising option but faces persistent public hesitancy. This study examines how heuristic-based biases relate to American's risk-benefit perceptions towards nuclear power. Guided by the heuristic-systematic model. Results indicate that competence and affect are related to risk-benefit perceptions, and naturalness shows no relationship with risk perceptions but does correlate with benefit perceptions. Implications highlight the importance of affect-driven communication strategies for nuclear communicators, while also underscoring the need for participatory approaches that foster trust …

The Chironian 2026, New York Medical College

The Chironian

The Chironian is distributed to a readership of 16,000 faculty, alumni and employees of New York Medical College, government and community leaders, affiliated hospitals and selected media. Each issue is carefully crafted to provide a balance of articles on cutting-edge research, personality profiles, student accomplishments and alumni news from all five schools on the NYMC campus. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

When Civilians Involve Themselves In Crime Control: Do Perceived Police Legitimacy And Trust In The Police Predict Support For Vigilantism And Citizen’S Arrests?, Charlotte T. Parque

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Recent cases in which civilians involved themselves in the crime control process have garnered divided reactions, with some people supporting and others disapproving the civilians’ actions. Although existing research shows that perceptions of the police predict support of civilians involved in crime control, exact directions of the effects conflict. I address these conflicting findings by examining how people conceptualize police legitimacy and trust in the police, whether those conceptualizations align with scholarly definitions of legitimacy and trust, and explore if the two constructs differentially predict support of vigilantism. Additionally, I explore whether people approve of two types of civilian crime …

Addressing Mental Health In College Athletics: Developing A Mindfulness-Centered Curricular Intervention For Student-Athletes And Coaches, Douglas W. Lampman

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Rising rates of mental health concerns among collegiate student-athletes have intensified calls for a more holistic approach to athlete development and well-being.  While student-athletes regularly interact with coaches and educators, few curricular interventions explicitly address mental and emotional wellness in the athletic context.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the development, implementation, and perceived impact of a mindfulness-centered approach and curriculum.  This curriculum is designed explicitly for collegiate student-athletes and coaches.  Grounded in mindfulness-based pedagogy, the curriculum addressed stress management, emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, performance anxiety, and personal growth.

Using a multi-tiered qualitative design, data were collected …

From Sparks To Insights: An Aggregate Analysis On Arson And Explosive Data Reporting Published By The Atf (2014-2024), Zahra A. Khan

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This thesis provides an aggregate assessment of arson and explosives incidents reported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco, from 2014 to 2024. This thesis is written to highlight trends, investigative outcomes, and evolving patterns of criminal activity. Analysis of the data reveals notable shifts in incident frequencies, data distributions, and case resolution rates. This suggests both emerging technologies and changing operational dynamics that have affected long-term trends in arson and explosive incidents. Variations in incident types and investigative outcomes underscore the interplay between law enforcement priorities, resource allocation, and reporting practices over the ten-year period. The study also …

Graph-Based And Graph-Transformer Representation Learning For Healthcare Data, Rui Wang

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Healthcare data exhibit complex structures, including heterogeneous clinical entities, sparse observations, and longitudinal patient trajectories. Effectively modeling such data remains a fundamental challenge in computational healthcare research. Traditional machine learning approaches often rely on flat feature representations that fail to capture relationships among clinical events, limiting their ability to model complex healthcare processes. These challenges motivate structured learning frameworks that capture both relational structure and temporal dynamics in healthcare data. This dissertation develops a series of graph-based representation learning approaches, extended through graph-transformer architectures for modeling complex healthcare data. Such data can be represented as graphs, where nodes correspond to …

The Relationship Between State-Level Career And Technical Education (Cte) Policies And Secondary Student Enrollment In Construction, Manufacturing, And Health Sciences Cte Programs, Brittany A. Kitterman

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Across the United States, employers in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare report ongoing difficulty filling positions. These shortages have been driven by an aging workforce, increased demand, and high rates of retirement. Compounding these shortages, Federal investments such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS Act have further increased demand. Career and Technical Education programs are well positioned to support workforce development and help close workforce shortages, but access and participation remain limited. Supported by Federal Perkins funding, states have enacted CTE policies to increase access and enrollment in CTE programs aligned with high-demand industries such as construction, …

Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Education For Chronic Pain In Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: 12-Month Randomized Trial Results, Olubusola B. Oluwole, Yi-Fan Yi-Fan Chen, Christina M. Lalama, Julia A. O’Brien, Laura M. De Castro, Charles Patrick Carroll, Darla Liles, Nirmish Shah, Santosh L. Saraf, Victor R. Gordeuk, Leshana Saint Jean, Michael Debaun, Robert M. Cronin, Tonya M. Palermo, Sherif M. Badawy, Megan E. Hamm, Jennifer N. Stinson, Chitra Lalloo, Sophie Lanzkron, Cassandra Trimnell, Lakiea Bailey, Raymona H. Lawrence, Kaleab Z. Abebe, Charles R. Jonassaint

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Chronic pain affects up to 40% of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), yet treatment options remain limited. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in other chronic pain conditions, it is underutilized for SCD pain, and its effectiveness remains unclear. Purpose: The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Real-time Pain Management Intervention for Sickle Cell via Mobile Applications (CaRISMA) compared digital CBT to Education for chronic SCD pain in adults. At 6 months, the primary outcome (pain interference) showed no between-group difference but both groups improved (CBT: −2.13; Education: −2.66). This report presents 12-month outcomes. Methods: A total of 359 …

The Role Of The Coach In Student-Athlete Engagement, Christina Cobb

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Student engagement has long been recognized as a key indicator of student success in higher education, but limited research has examined engagement within the context of intercollegiate athletics. This qualitative case study explored how college coaches influence student-athlete engagement and how student-athletes utilize athletic department support services designed to promote engagement practices. Guided by Kuh et al.’s (2006) theory of student engagement, this study examined engagement through the lens of time and effort invested in educationally purposeful activities and the institutional environments that support or constrain participation.

Participants included six student-athletes, four coaches, and two athletic department administrators at a …

Scalable Single-Erbium Telecom Qudits With Record Room-Temperature Quantum Coherence In Silicon-Based Nanostructures, Alexander Kaloyeros

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Advancing quantum information science demands solid-state quantum systems that maintain long quantum coherence at elevated temperatures while supporting scalable, CMOS-compatible fabrication and telecom C-band operation. No existing platform has simultaneously achieved these requirements, as state-of-the-art demonstrations of coherent control of erbium ions, with an intrinsic telecom-band optical transition, have been confined to cryogenic temperatures below < 10 K under controlled vacuum conditions. This thesis introduces a new paradigm in which materials science and engineering provides the enabling pathway to quantum coherence.

A foundry-compatible nanofabrication approach, paired with targeted materials engineering, is developed to realize a new class of CMOS-scalable quantum system: arrays of spatially isolated single-erbium-ion qudits (five-level systems) embedded in silicon-based (e.g., silicon carbide (SiC) and SiC_xO_y) hollow nanopillars (HNPs). Non-lithographically …

The Chemistry Of Red Lipstick: The Impact Red Lipstick Has On Society, Lilliana Weldeslassie

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Cosmetic chemistry is deeply embedded in everyday life, shaping the products people use from morning to night. Among these, red lipstick stands out as a formulation that blends complex chemistry with a cultural meaning. This thesis examines the scientific foundations of red lipstick through its chemical composition, pigment structure, toxicological history, analytical methods, and evolving sustainability practices. Historically, red lipsticks relied on high-risk ingredients such as lead, mercury, and other toxic metals, reflecting an era before chemical safety and regulatory oversight were incorporated.²¹ Modern formulations have established safer synthetic dyes, natural waxes, plant-based oils, and stabilizers created to optimize …

Rethinking Theories Of Political Discourse: The Limitations Of The Deliberative-Agonistic Split, Connor Moran

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

What are “theories of political discourse,” why do they matter to political theory, and where do current ones fall short? This dissertation mines the existing resources availed by contemporary democratic theory in order to respond to the discursive challenge of “pernicious polarization,” particularly in the United States. The most comprehensive and influential theories of political discourse today have been furnished by the almost 40-year debate between deliberative democracy and agonism, both of which offer normative models centered on ameliorating the quality of political discourse.

The key finding of the dissertation is that the foundational works of the deliberative-agonistic split lack …