Digital Commons Network^™

Gut Dysbiosis And Microbial Metabolites In Atopic Dermatitis: Implications For Immune Regulation Along Gut-Skin Axis, Khushbakhat Alia, Hira Khan, Hamna Muzaffar, Nighat Perveen, Sara Alrashedi, Yusra Al Dhaheri, Yasir Waheed, Mohammed Tauqeer Alam, Muhammad Naseem, Khalid Muhammad

All Works

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, impaired epidermal barrier, and strong microbial imbalance. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers are established AD drivers, growing evidence highlights the gut skin axis as an important but underexplored AD pathogenesis factor. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, loss of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and altered metabolite profiles, such as tryptophan derivatives and secondary bile acids, have been linked to systemic immune imbalance and skin inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which gut microbial alterations influence cutaneous immunity remains unclear. This review synthesizes recent advances from clinical and experimental studies …

Realizing Reality — C.S. Lewis And The Hierarchical Model Of Christian Neo-Platonism, Jordan Spina

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Spina, Jordan, H. “Realizing Reality: C.S. Lewis and the Hierarchical Model of Christian Neo-Platonism.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2025. 253.

In recent years there has been a growing interest in C.S. Lewis’ intellectual relationship to the Medieval cosmological model. Scholars have demonstrated that, for Lewis, the Medieval cosmological model represented more than a scientific picture of earth in relation to other heavenly bodies. Its significance was not dependent upon the number of planets or the order in which they were positioned. Instead, it represented a philosophically robust view of reality

However, what has yet to be demonstrated is the roadmap …

Losing The Body: Tracing Corporeality As A Component Of The Imago Dei Through Early Christian Exegesis, Andrew Kneeland

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Kneeland, Andrew R. “Losing the Body: Tracing Corporeality as a Component of the Imago Dei Through Early Christian Exegesis.” Ph.D. diss., Concordia Seminary, 2025. 252pp.

This dissertation examines the interpretation of imago Dei in Gen. 1:26 across early Christian history, revealing both a robust tradition of corporeal emphasis and a shift toward a spiritual consensus that was driven not by immediate, unanimous consensus but a variety of pastoral and polemical factors. Far from a fleeting, anthropomorphic error, a bodily understanding of the image of God spans diverse provenances and contexts. Organized diachronically and topically, the study begins with textual exegesis …

Evaluating Computer-Based Instruction To Improve Teacher Competence In Function-Based Antecedent Strategy Implementation, Valentina Arias

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Teachers often manage challenging student behaviors without formal training in behavior analysis, which can increase stress and reduce instructional time. This study evaluated whether computer-based instruction (CBI) is an effective and cost-effective way to train early education teachers to understand why challenging behaviors occur and how to prevent them, using antecedent strategies. Ten general education teachers working in a private, neurodiverse-inclusive school participated. They completed a brief training delivered through computer modules developed in PowerPoint that taught them how to identify functions of behavior and select functionally equivalent antecedent strategies to decrease challenging behaviors. Learning was measured using pre/post tests …

P300/Cbp Inhibition With Inobrodib In Combination With Gilteritinib And Venetoclax Targets Leukemia Stem Cells In Epigenetic Mutant Aml, Melanie L. Goetz, Jennifer S. Romer-Seibert, Amanda M. Versace, Scott Kogan, Chetan Jeurkar, Robert L. Bowman, Nigel Brooks, Kris Frese, Sara E. Meyer

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal blood cancer with cytotoxic chemotherapy offering at best 25% 5-year survival. While targeted BCL2 and FLT3 inhibitors venetoclax and gilteritinib are used upfront in the treatment of a subset of adult patients with AML and help to extend the survival of some patients, a curative treatment combination with minimal side effects has yet to be discovered. We find that use of the dual histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP bromodomain inhibitor CCS1477 (inobrodib), together with venetoclax and gilteritinib, virtually eliminates leukemia stem cells in an aggressive preclinical model of DNMT3A/FLT3-mutant AML by impairing pro-oncogenic survival and …

Queerscape: Transcending Urban Division, Alex Blake

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

The project seeks to demonstrate how infrastructure can act as a symbolic anchor, offering a framework for queer urban design that simultaneously addresses safety and cultural visibility. While site-specific, the methodology is intended to inform future interventions in districts for queer and other marginalized communities.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Improving Quality Of Care In Breast Cancer, Deborah Schindele

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and leads to decreased quality of life owing to increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress, and a lack of social support. The American Society for Integrative Oncology ranks mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) as the most highly recommended integrative interventions known to decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients. However, they were not regularly used or recommended by support group facilitators of the project. A quality improvement project was implemented with the five support group facilitators to address this deficit. The purpose was to …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Plant Leaf Disease Detection Using Machine Learning And Deep Learning Models: A Systematic Review, Arzoo Chamoli, Anuj Kumar

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Plant leaf disease detection (PLDD) is a growing active research area with burgeoning practical applications across various sectors such as agricultural monitoring, food security, and environmental conservation. Accurate segmentation and classification of plant leaf diseases remains a key challenge in the field of plant leaf disease prediction. The challenge demands automated methods for the plant disease identification because it needs to develop better crop management systems, which will boost agricultural production. In this article, we provide a systematic review of various machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods extensively used for PLDD. The review strategy follows a formal protocol, …

Weaving Eigengrau, Olivia Claire Luke

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Weaving Eigengrau explores weaving as both a material ritual and an inquiry about how reality is constructed and can be pulled apart. In this project, weaving becomes a method for redirecting forces into woven patterns and examining the relationship of contradiction by treating the contrasts between light and shadow, stillness and motion, and the fixed and the ephemeral as sculptural aspects. I’m driven by theories of reality: science, myth, and philosophy, and the common threads among them. Across systems of knowledge, reality is depicted in contradiction, and I seek to blur the lines between them. Within this convergence, weaving becomes …

Tumor Implantation Site Of Syngeneic Oral Cancer Models Differentially Induces Site-Dependent Local And Systemic Immunosuppression, Andrea H Molina, Gemalene M Sunga, Shawn Nguyen, Neeraja Dharmaraj, Ratna Veeramachaneni, Roberto Rangel, Jeffrey N Myers, Jeffrey D Hartgerink, Andrew G Sikora, Simon Young

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Preclinical studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) commonly use subcutaneous heterotopic (flank) tumor models for simplicity; however, orthotopic models may better reflect the native tumor environment. Direct comparisons of the tumor immune microenvironments (TIME) and tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) between these models remain limited. Better understanding of site-specific immune differences could improve model selection and interpretation of translational HNSCC studies.

Methods: ROC1 tumors were established in murine heterotopic and orthotopic sites, followed by assessment of tumor growth kinetics, survival, and the tumor microenvironment. Immune composition of tumors, blood, tdLNs, and spleen was evaluated at three tumor …

Evaluation Of Two Bioaerosol Sampling And Analysis Methods For The Collection Of Airborne Bacteria And Viruses, Elizabeth Detrick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Bioaerosols, defined as airborne particles of biological origin, include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their byproducts. They are ubiquitous in both indoor and outdoor environments and can cause respiratory infections, allergic reactions, and toxin-mediated illnesses. Air sampling plays a vital role in bioaerosol monitoring by enabling the collection and analysis of airborne microorganisms to assess exposure risk and inform mitigation strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the relative collection efficiency of two air samplers, the MD8 Airscan, a filtration sampling method, and the SKC BioSampler, an impingement sampling method. Aerosolization tests were conducted in a controlled test chamber …

Cortical Bone Density And Thickness Assessment Of Intraradicular Sites In Adolescent Patients Using Cbct Imaging, Sara Endo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: The indications for the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in orthodontics has grown since it was first introduced and dentists are discovering new ways that 3D images enhance diagnosis and treatment planning. Evaluating bone quality and quantity can be measured as bone density and thickness in CBCT imaging and is helpful for temporary anchorage device (TAD) placement in orthodontic treatment. TADs rely on primary stability and are commonly used in orthodontic treatment to increase anchorage and expand the limit that nonsurgical orthodontics can provide.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the bone thickness and density at different …

Correlation Between Maxillary Transverse Width, Alveolar Housing Width And Palatal Bone Thickness: A Cbct Retrospective Study, Eric G. Hollensbe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background:

Accurate assessment of transverse maxillary dimensions and surrounding bone morphology is critical for safe orthodontic treatment planning. Orthodontic expansion should remain within the biological limits of the alveolar housing and palatal bone to prevent adverse periodontal outcomes, including dehiscence, fenestration, and gingival recession. Standard diagnostic methods, such as dental casts and two-dimensional radiographs, offer limited information about the three-dimensional anatomy that restricts orthodontic tooth movement. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides detailed evaluation of skeletal dimensions and cortical bone boundaries. This study aimed to examine the relationships among maxillary transverse width, alveolar housing thickness, and palatal thickness using CBCT imaging. …

The Impact Of Youth Sport On Occupational Balance: A Survey Study, Sean Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Youth sport has been highly researched, exploring both positive and negative health impacts (Adetunji & Akendutire, 2017; Brengtsson et al., 2025; Conway, 2024; Hoffman et al., 2022). Despite the high prevalence of youth sport participation, and variability of health-related outcomes, there has been no research regarding the impact youth sport participation has on occupational balance, an occupational therapy concept that has been linked with overall health and well-being (Park et al., 2021). A mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey study was used to gain better insights into the impact youth sport participation may have on occupational balance. A sample size of 466 Nevada …

Event Day, Crime Day? A Study Of Event-Driven Crime And Enforcement In Las Vegas, Anna Nakazawa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Las Vegas is an international tourist destination that welcomes millions of visitors each year. Allegiant Stadium, located in Las Vegas, is an NFL venue south of the Strip that hosts a wide variety of events. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of events on the environmental backcloth within a 10-minute walking distance from the stadium. Calls for service (CFS) and proactive police enforcement were measured and compared across event days and non-event days from 2022 to 2024. The findings from this study demonstrate that event days experience disproportionately more calls and enforcement than non-event days, with …

Thermal Physiological Ecology Of The Relict Leopard Frog At Hot And Cold Springs, Robert P. Pelletier Iii

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The relict leopard frog (Rana onca) once ranged across drainages in southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southwestern Utah. Following a decline, the species only persisted in a few geothermally influenced hot springs, which led to the perspective that hot springs were high-quality habitat. Rana onca has been under intensive, multiagency management and the species has been translocated to establish additional populations, including at cold-water sites. Three research studies are presented into the thermal physiological ecology of R. onca with the aim of informing conservation strategy. The research was focused at a thermally influenced hot spring and a cold-water spring to …

Exploring Lifestyle Habits Between Gamers And Non-Gamers: A Survey-Based Approach, Janavi Sathappan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Video gaming is a prevalent and meaningful occupation for a growing number of young adults, yet its relationship to health behaviors is inconsistent and unclear in literature. This cross-sectional survey-based study examined the differences in nutritional pattens, sleep hygiene, and physical activity between self-identified gamers and non-gamers in a sample of young adults aged 18-34. Recruitment occurred primarily through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and associated networks. Participants were asked to complete the Mini Eating Assessment Tool, Sleep Hygiene Index, and the International Physical Activity- Short Form. Data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests and Pearson’s chi-square tests, and …

Bodies Under Command: A Feminist-Foucauldian Narrative Analysis Of Institutional And Cultural Betrayal In Military Sexual Misconduct, Chelsea Wheeler

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The military continues to experience alarming rates of sexual aggression, reaching epidemic levels. While all people can experience sexual aggression, women, compared to men, are more likely to experience this, despite women making up only 17 percent of the military. Throughout history, the military has demonstrated several instances of reactive attempts at combating the concerns of sexual aggression; however, these attempts have not been successful. From a feminist-Foucauldian lens, this dissertation research explores narratives of service members to gain a more in-depth understanding of the systemic dynamics that contribute to institutional and cultural betrayal in sexual victimization experiences. Additionally, this …

Child Study Team Attitudes Toward Inclusion, Kathleen Derillo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The inclusion of students with disabilities has been the focus of both quantitative and qualitative research for more than fifty years. Despite extensive evidence demonstrating positive outcomes for learners with and without disabilities, including improved academic achievement, social skills development, and improved school culture, inclusion rates in New Jersey have remained largely unchanged. Students with disabilities continue to be educated in segregated settings at disproportionate rates. The purpose of this quantitative study was to learn about the attitudes toward the inclusion of students with mild to moderate disabilities held by Child Study Team (CST) members. The CST is composed of …

Potential Innate And Adaptive Roles Played By Γδ T Cells In A Bacterial Immunization Model, Lee Anne Talbot

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of tularemia, with pulmonary infection resulting in severe disease and high mortality if untreated. While protective immunity to F. tularensis has been largely attributed to CD4⁺ T cell–mediated IFN-γ responses, the contribution of γδ T cells to mucosal immunity and vaccine-induced protection remains poorly defined. The objective of this study was to characterize the role of γδ T cells during primary pulmonary infection with F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) and following intranasal immunization with inactivated F. tularensis (iFt) prior to LVS challenge.

Using a murine intranasal infection …

Exploring Health Insurance’S Role In Chronic Disease Management Among Hispanics, Romelyn Dones

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This qualitative study examined how insured non-English- and English-speaking Hispanic adults perceive the role of health insurance in the management of chronic disease. Chronic conditions remain a leading cause of morbidity in the United States, and although prior research suggests that insurance coverage improves access to care, it does not always enhance how individuals understand or utilize support for chronic disease management. Limited research has explored how individuals with chronic conditions interpret the role of insurance in their daily self-management practices, particularly among Hispanic populations. Guided by Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, this study explored how contextual, enabling, …

Eat Or Be Eaten: A Posthuman Ecofeminist Reading Of The Vegetarian And Organ Meats, Erin Grace Elizabeth Kostic

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As two novels that feature the reformation and reconstruction of the female body, both Han Kang’s The Vegetarian and K-Ming Chang’s Organ Meats emphasize the posthuman existence of women seeking to break free from the gender-based shackles that constrain them, leading to a striking rejection of the anthropocentric and patriarchal worldviews that plague contemporary society. My thesis comparatively examines each novel through an ecofeminist lens in an attempt to prove that it is only when a woman is able to reframe her existence outside of a male-centric worldview that she can truly find freedom. The Vegetarian’s Yeong-hye loses her …

Cold Plasma Treatment Of Hydroponically Grown Basil: Effects On Essential Oil Composition For Sustainable Applications (Ocimum Basilicum), Judith Serwaa Marfo

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract Essential oils are known to have medicinal benefits and pharmaceutical applications. This study investigates the impact of cold plasma treatment on hydroponically cultivated basil (Ocimum basilicum), focusing on physical growth traits, and essential oil composition. Preliminary trials validated our solvent extraction protocol using IPA, hexanes, and methanol without heat on store-bought basil. Rotary evaporation and GC-FID analysis successfully identified key compounds; eugenol, estragole, eucalyptol, and linalool. Plasma-treated hydroponic plants exhibited enhanced physical characteristics, including larger leaves and intensified green pigmentation, compared to untreated controls under identical conditions. The plasma treatment didn't just increase how much oil was extracted, but …

Semi-Rational Strategies For Antifungal Peptide Design, Akilah I. Mateen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

A recently emerged opportunistic fungi, Candida auris, has been subject to increased scrutiny due to its virulence and rapid geographical spread. Due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials as treatments for infectious diseases and as pesticides, the ubiquitous threat of multidrug resistance (MDR) looms large. The lack of progress in antifungal development is of high concern in the treatment of infectious diseases and a rise in fungal resistance highlight the need for updated treatment strategies. This work describes three strategies used to address these concerns:

•  The synthesis of a photosensitizer-membrane-active peptide (PS-MAP) conjugate, Ir-HKII15, that combines the ability of …

Leading Beyond Concrete Ceilings: The Lived Experiences Of African American Women Presidents At Predominantly White Institutions, Marsha Philemon

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Despite their significant educational attainment, African American women remain significantly underrepresented in higher education presidential leadership, comprising fewer than 5% of presidents at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of 13 African American women who serve or have served as presidents of four-year, doctoral-granting PWIs. It explored how they ascended to the presidency, navigated barriers, and sustained themselves in the role. Guided by the engagement, retention, and advancement (ERA) model and by glass ceiling theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand each participant’s presidential journey. In response to the …

They Can’T “Shut Us Up”: Emily Dickinson’S And Mina Loy’S Use Of Religious Struggles In Girlhood To Empower Their Feminist Poetic Voices As Women, Bridget H. Anderson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Poet Emily Dickinson and Modernist poet Mina Loy’s works stand the test of time to create a striking religious and feminist narrative today. Dickinson’s poetry, which remained largely unknown in her lifetime, will come to wield great power in the feminist and religious spheres in the years following her death in 1886. Following in Dickinson’s footsteps, Loy’s poetry is direct and engaging in a more urgent message with her bold imagery and brash words. Dickinson’s “We talked as Girls do” (392) and “They shut me up in Prose” (445) are texts that subtly challenge the misogyny in the Calvinist religion …

Phase Identification Of (La, Sr)Coo3 Solid Oxide Cell Electrode Films Using Dft Based Exafs, Musab A. Siddiqui

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Perovskite structured mixed ionic electronic conductor (MIEC) materials formed as films by metal-organic precursor deposition have excellent electrochemical performance in solid oxide cell (SOC) air electrode applications due to the large surface area provided by the manufacturing approach. MIEC films created by metal organic precursor deposition are often multi-phased due to low heat treatment temperatures and locally generated low oxygen partial pressures caused by the release of carbonaceous gases during the drying step of the fabrication process. In this work, we use extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) to examine the phase contents of La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 (LSC82) and La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 (LSC64) …

Machine Learning Assisted Development Of Al0.2cufemnni High Entropy Alloy Through Selective Laser Melting, Hareharen K Mr

Theses and Dissertations

High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of advanced materials that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability, and structural performance. Unlike conventional alloys based on a single principal element, HEAs are composed of multiple elements in a near-equiatomic ratio. Despite these advantages, designing HEAs with tailored properties is difficult because of the enormous number of possible combinations and the limitations of traditional trial-and-error methods. To overcome these challenges, this study presents a machine learning (ML) based approach to accelerate the design and development of an HEA.

In this work, a newly designed composition, …

Improving Durability And Structural Integrity Of Southern Pine And Sweetgum Through Fabrication, Treatment, And Mechanical Testing., Ershad Ahmmed

Theses and Dissertations

This research integrates material modification, preservative performance, and engineered fabrication to enhance the long-term durability and structural reliability of southern pine and sweetgum for outdoor and structural applications. The first project investigates the effects of simulated checks and splits on the strength and stiffness of southern pine fence posts. By introducing controlled defects and conducting mechanical testing, the study quantifies reductions in load-carrying capacity and evaluates how defect severity influences structural performance. The results provide insight into service life prediction and grading considerations for in-ground applications. The second project evaluates water ingress behavior in creosote-treated sweetgum using wetting angle measurements …

Impacts Of Structural Design On Oyster Survival And Predation In Restored Oyster Reefs, Jaden Akers

Theses and Dissertations

Restoration efforts are critical to ensure healthy oyster populations, but the high cost and marginal success rate of many restoration efforts demonstrates the need to evaluate alternative oyster reef restoration designs and strategies. To address this issue, I conducted a paired field and mesocosm study to assess the influence of structural design on oyster survival and predation. Results of the field portion of this study showed that oyster survival was greatest in short and bed-level (i.e., sitting on the sea bottom) reef designs. When assessing how design features impact oyster drill activity, elevated reefs (i.e., elevated above the sea bottom) …