Digital Commons Network^™

Using The Million Mutation Project Strains Of C. Elegans To Identify Candidate Genes Linked To Abnormal Amphetamine-Induced Behaviors, Nicole Litvinchuk

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Amphetamine (Amph) is a psychostimulant drug that increases extracellular dopamine at the dopaminergic synapses, making chronic Amph users liable to addiction. This project aims to identify yet uncharacterized candidate genes within the dopaminergic system and determine their involvement in amphetamine-induced behaviors. In C. elegans, Amph causes a dopaminedependent behavior named Swimming induced paralysis (Swip). We used Swip to screen animals for altered Amph response. To facilitate the identification of genes involved in the mechanism of action of Amph, we utilized C. elegans strains from The Million Mutation Project (MMP) bearing random but well-characterized mutations. Out of all the MMP strains …

Organic Anion Lithium Ionic Cocrystal Compounds And Compositions, Michael John Zaworotko, Naga Duggirala, Adam John Smith, Roland Douglas Shytle

USF Patents

A cocrystal having the formula LiX·aM, or a solvate or hydrate thereof, wherein X is a conjugate base of an organic acid, M is a neutral organic molecule, and a is from 0.5 to 4, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cocrystals, cocrystal solvates, or cocrystal hydrates, and methods of preparing such cocrystals, cocrystal solvates, or cocrystal hydrates, and such pharmaceutical compositions.

Immune Cells And Arrhythmias, Joshua A Keefe, Jian Wang, Jiangping Song, Li Ni, Xander H T Wehrens

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that resident and infiltrating cardiac immune cells play direct, mechanistic roles in arrhythmia onset and progression. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary and expert commentary on the role of each immune cell subtype in the pathogenesis of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Visiones Y Disputas Discursivas Sobre Santa Rosa Da Lima: "El Rosal De Rosa" (1889) De Ricardo Palma Y "Babá Osaím, Cimarrón, Ora Por La Santa Muerta" (2003) De Cronwell Jara (Gabriela Falconi Piedra, Pp. 56-65), Gabriela Falconi

Intersecciones Hispánicas: Revista de Cultura, Literatura y Lingüística

Las representaciones de la primera santa de América, Isabel Flores de Oliva (1586-1617), han sido diversas y múltiples pues tras su canonización en 1671, su imagen se asoció al nacio- nalismo criollo de la época, convirtiéndose en un símbolo de consolidación política. Como canalizadora de formas de conocimiento y valores, la figura de la virgen limeña se utilizó para ratificar la superioridad y el control de ciertos grupos de poder sobre otros. En mi trabajo comparo dos narrativas distintas sobre Santa Rosa de Lima: la de Ricardo Palma y la de Cronwell Jara, cuyas diferencias no solo provienen del tiempo …

Los Cuerpos Y Su Revolución Interminable (Ana Mora Trejos, Pp. 66-74), Ana Mora Trejos

Intersecciones Hispánicas: Revista de Cultura, Literatura y Lingüística

Este artículo analiza la representación de los cuerpos desde los Estudios del cuerpo y la teoría del biopoder, específicamente, se analizarán algunos de los mecanismos de legitimación1 que operan dentro de la literatura de la revolución mexicana y épocas pos- teriores. Esto con el fin de obtener un mejor entendimiento acerca de los mecanismos de legitimación de ciertos cuerpos sobre otros en la historia mexicana: el uso de la fuerza y el poder, violencia y poder, masculinidad y poder, medios económicos y poder, etc. Se realiza un análisis crítico de tres textos: Los de abajo de Mariano Azuela (publicada por …

Cuentos Y Poemas (Pp. 106-144), Juan Fernando Arce, Juan Carlos Flores, Emilio Carrera Quiroga, Rubén Flores, Goyo Garavito, Angélica Labrada, Adriana Luna, Pedro Mieles, Víctor Parra Avellaneda, Laura Sánchez Stone, Mario Alberto Santoyo

Intersecciones Hispánicas: Revista de Cultura, Literatura y Lingüística

No abstract provided.

Optimizing The Well-Being Of Residents Diagnosed With Dementia: An Activities Calendar And Guide For Cognitive And Physical Engagement, Kaylex L. Monteagudo Parra

Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores the critical role of structured activities in enhancing the cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals with dementia. Drawing on evidence-based research and practical experience as an Activities Assistant, it emphasizes how engaging, person-centered activities can mitigate symptoms, improve quality of life, and promote social interaction across the stages of disease progression. The research culminates in the development of an ideal activities calendar tailored to patients with dementia, accompanied by a comprehensive guide detailing activity benefits, implementation strategies, and required resources. This framework addresses the unique challenges of dementia care, offering practical tools for caregivers to adapt …

Iditarod’S Effect On Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Disease Progression In A Drosophila Melanogaster Model, Delaney Grace Humphrey

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by CTG-repeat expansion in the DMPK gene, leading to skeletal muscle weakening and wasting. Irisin, a muscle-secreted cytokine released during exercise, promotes muscle growth, repair, and metabolism. Given irisin’s role in promoting muscle growth, we explored how activity-induced Idit expression impacts muscle function in a Drosophila model of DM1. Healthy control (CUG20) and DM1 (CUG250) flies were generated using the UAS-Gal4 system. CUG20 and CUG250 flies underwent a three-week exercise regimen, with the goal of increasing levels of Iditarod protein, the fruit fly homolog of irisin. Following exercise training, muscle function was assessed …

Distinct Oxytocin Signaling Pathways Synergistically Mediate Rescue-Like Behavior In Mice, Feng-Rui Zhang, Juan Liu, Jieqi Wen, Zi-Yan Zhang, Yijia Li, Eric Song, Li Hu, Zhou-Feng Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Spontaneous rescue behavior enhances the well-being and survival of social animals, yet the neural mechanisms underlying the recognition and response to conspecifics in need remain unclear. Here, we report that observer mice experience distress when encountering anesthetized conspecifics, prompting spontaneous rescue-like behavior toward the unconscious mice. This behavior facilitates the earlier awakening of anesthetized mice while simultaneously alleviating stress in the helper mice. Our findings reveal that endogenous oxytocin (OXT) release from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) regulates the emotional component of rescue-like behavior. In contrast, OXT …

The Effect Of Cellular Glucose Levels On Inotersen-Mediated Target Reduction In In Vitro Cell Models, Andrea Durwin

Honors Scholar Theses

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs are a new therapeutic modality to treat rare as well as common diseases. These drugs work to reduce disease by targeting the mRNA of the gene that causes the disease, therefore limiting the proteins that further propagate the signs and symptoms of the disorder. Many people who suffer from more severe diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and a wide array of cancers, utilize ASO drugs for treatment, but the drug is also used with those suffering from more common diseases such as diabetes. The efficacy of ASO drugs to silence their mRNA …

Pparα Regulates Er–Lipid Droplet Protein Calsyntenin-3Β To Promote Ketogenesis In Hepatocytes, Lauren F. Uchiyama, Alexander Nguyen, Kevin Qian, Liujuan Cui, Khoi T. Pham, Xu Xiao, Yajing Gao, Yuta Shimanaka, Marcus J. Tol, Laurent Vergnes, Karen Reue, Peter Tontonoz

Physiology Faculty Publications

Ketogenesis requires fatty acid flux from intracellular (lipid droplets) and extrahepatic (adipose tissue) lipid stores to hepatocyte mitochondria. However, whether interorganelle contact sites regulate this process is unknown. Recent studies have revealed a role for Calsyntenin-3β (CLSTN3β), an endoplasmic reticulum–lipid droplet contact site protein, in the control of lipid utilization in adipose tissue. Here, we show that Clstn3b expression is induced in the liver by the nuclear receptor PPARα in settings of high lipid utilization, including fasting and ketogenic diet feeding. Hepatocyte-specific loss of CLSTN3β in mice impairs ketogenesis independent of changes in PPARα activation. Conversely, hepatic overexpression of CLSTN3β …

Trends And Transport Of Tropospheric Ozone From New York City To Connecticut In The Summer Of 2023, Michele Iraci

Honors Scholar Theses

Tropospheric Ozone, or O3, is a criteria pollutant contributing to most of Connecticut and New York City’s poor air quality days. It has adverse effects on human health, particularly for high-risk individuals. Ozone is produced by nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from fuel combustion reacting with sunlight. The Ozone Transport Region (OTR) is a collection of states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States that experience cross-state pollution of O3. Connecticut has multiple days a year where O3 values exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, requiring additional monitoring and standards because it falls in the OTR— partially due …

Final Design Report: Smart Stethoscope, Ángel Gamarra, Aakriti Acharya, Dominic Patrizio, Harrison Fentress

Engineering Senior Design Reports

The Smart Stethoscope project integrates signal processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of heart abnormalities, especially in remote environments where access to skilled professionals may be limited. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, highlighting a need for innovative solutions in healthcare. This initiative seeks to address that need by developing a machine learning model capable of classifying 42 different heart abnormalities with an accuracy of 90%, using a dataset composed of stethoscope recordings. The proof of concept of this project was carried out during the Fall semester, using a 2D-Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) …

Expediting Tool-Use Learning: Effects Of Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Of The Left Anterior Supramarginal Gyrus, Kamila Haliru

Honors Thesis

The left anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG) has been implicated as an important brain region in tool use. While anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (atDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) has been shown to facilitate skilled tool use, the effects of aSMG stimulation remain largely unexplored. Using a chopstick-marble paradigm, this thesis examined whether atDCS to the left aSMG would enhance tool-use learning. Electroencephalography (EEG) was concurrently recorded to assess atDCS-dependent changes to the beta and gamma frequency bands. Our results demonstrated that atDCS over the left aSMG significantly expedited tool-use learning and was associated with increased gamma band activity …

Survey Of Medical Student Attitudes Regarding Uterine Transplant For Cisgender And Transgender Women, Oakland University William Beaumont School Of Medicine Medical School Medical Student, Deidre Hurse, Abram Brummett

Posters

No abstract provided.

Overcoming Barriers To Human Papillomavirus Vaccination In Guangdong Province, China, Shuaijing Zhang, Shiqi Li, Jingtai Ma, Guiyuan Ji, Zhifeng Li, Siyi Chen, Fenglin Zhang, Xingfen Yang, Jianpeng Xiao, Rong Cao, Chenggang Wu, Wei Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a critical public health challenge in China, particularly in Guangdong Province, where HPV-52, 16, and 58 genotypes predominate, and male infection rates exceed 40%. Despite the successful implementation of a government-funded school-based program that has achieved 88% HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent girls, several persistent barriers, including genotype mismatch (the free HPV vaccine covers < 50% of high-risk local strains), regional disparities (80% vs. 60% for first-dose coverage), and exclusion of males, thwart progress toward herd immunity. Financial sustainability risks pose an even more significant threat to the expansion of HPV vaccination programs, especially in Guangdong province where annual expenditures exceed CNY 200 million. This review delves into Guangdong's pioneering efforts and proposes practical solutions: accelerating domestic multivalent HPV vaccine development, adopting gender-neutral vaccination policies, and leveraging mobile clinics for remote populations. These strategies not only provide a roadmap for China but also serve as valuable insight for other LMICs striving to overcome HPV-related inequalities.

An Intranasally Administered Igm Protects Against Antigenically Distinct Subtypes Of Influenza A Viruses, Ashwin Kumar Ramesh, Jwala Priyadarsini Sivaccumar, Xiaohua Ye, Luona Yang, Hailong Guo, Chen-Ni Chin, Sha Ha, John W Shiver, William R Strohl, Yan Xu, Haijuan Du, Tongqing Zhou, Ningyan Zhang, Kai Xu, Xinli Liu, Tong-Ming Fu, Zhiqiang An

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Engineering broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) of Influenza A virus (IAV) is a promising approach for intervention of seasonal flu. However, HA plasticity often leads to resistant strains that compromise mAb potency as bivalent IgGs. Here we hypothesize that multimerization of anti-IAV antibodies as IgMs can enhance coverage and neutralization potency. Here, we construct 18 IgM antibodies from known broadly neutralizing IgGs targeting different IAV HA epitopes and evaluate their breadth and potency of neutralization against distinct H1N1 and H3N2 IAVs. The IgM version of receptor binding site-specific IgG F045-092 shows increased breadth and antiviral potency …

Autonomous Intelligence In Fashion: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Agentic Ai Across The Fashion Ecosystem, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The fashion industry is undergoing a paradigm shift with the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), a sophisticated class of intelligent systems exhibiting autonomous decision-making, continuous learning, and adaptive action with minimal human intervention. Moving beyond traditional AI applications in fashion focused on predictive analytics, generative tools, and supervised automation, agentic AI introduces a transformative paradigm wherein intelligent agents proactively navigate the complexities inherent in design, manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and consumer personalization. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of the evolving role of agentic AI across the multifaceted fashion ecosystem, offering an in-depth analysis of its technological underpinnings, operational …

Mapping The Developmental Profile Of Ventricular Zone-Derived Neurons In The Human Cerebellum, Anders W Erickson, Henry Tan, Liam D Hendrikse, Jake Millman, Zachary Thomson, Joseph Golser, Omar Khan, Guanyi He, Kathleen Bach, Arpit Suresh Mishra, Janja Kopic, Zeljka Krsnik, Ferechte Encha-Razavi, Giulia Petrilli, Fabien Guimiot, Evelina Silvestri, Kimberly A Aldinger, Michael D Taylor, Kathleen J Millen, Parthiv Haldipur

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cerebellar ventricular zone (VZ) is the primary source of progenitors that generate cerebellar GABAergic neurons, including Purkinje cells (PCs) and interneurons (INs). This study provides detailed characterization of human cerebellar GABAergic neurogenesis using transcriptomic and histopathological analyses and reveals conserved and unique features compared to rodents. We show that the sequential progression of neurogenesis is conserved and occurs before 8 postconception weeks. Notably, PC differentiation occurs in the outer subventricular zone (SVZ), a region absent in the mouse cerebellum. Human PCs are generated during a compact two-week period before the onset of cerebral cortex histogenesis. A subset of human …

Exploring Self-Dehumanization As A Factor In Misinformation Belief And Spread, Andrew Weiss, Souvick Ghosh, Frances Johnson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The role of dehumanization is little explored in the literature of misinformation studies, primarily seen as a mechanism of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) to denigrate members of targeted outgroups. One noted aspect of dehumanization is the unexpected impact it has on the person enacting it as well as victims, resulting in the noticeable phenomenon of self-dehumanization, in which persons deny their own humanity. Notably, a link to self-dehumanization in information behavior may be evident in the foundational research of Eflreda Chatman, whose examination of information poverty, life in the round and normative behavioral theory resulted in sometimes perplexing findings where those …

A Secretome Atlas Of Cardiac Fibroblasts From Healthy And Infarcted Mouse Hearts, Jasmin Bahr, Junedh M Amrute, Kory J Lavine, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are key players after myocardial infarction (MI), but their signaling is only incompletely understood. Here we report a first secretome atlas of CF in control (cCF) and post-MI mouse hearts (miCF), combining a rapid cell isolation technique with SILAC and click chemistry. In CF, numerous paracrine factors involved in immune homeostasis are identified. Comparing secretome, transcriptome (SLAMseq), and cellular proteome disclose protein turnover. In miCF at day 5 post-MI, significantly upregulated proteins include SLIT2, FN1, and CRLF1 in mouse and human samples. Comparing the miCF secretome at days 3 and 5 post-MI reveals the dynamic nature of …

La Mise En Visibilité Pratiquée Par/Sur Les Réseaux Socionumériques (Rsn) : Identité Numérique Et Motivations D’Usage Cas Des Jeunes Artistes En Développement D’Agadir En Art Visuel, Abderrahmane Ait Rahou, Nadia Bouaafia, Zohra Zemmit

Dirassat

The objective of this article is to present the results of a qualitative study conducted with around ten artists. The issue addressed is as follows: How are the practices of young artists affected by the visibility carried out by/on social networking sites (SNS)? We start from the premise that an artist's relationship with SNS should be viewed not as a given, but as a construct subject to the influence of factors both intrinsic and extrinsic to the artist. Theoretically, we consider that the sociology of uses provides a suitable analytical framework to frame the normativity of this digital environment alongside …

Design Et Intelligence Artificielle : Esquisse D’Une Logique De Créativité Générative Artificielle, Nada Ouerghi

Dirassat

This article questions the creative process in design compared with that of generative artificial intelligence (GAI), and attempts to define a relationship between creative and generative logic.

As a result, a resonance between the design mindset and AGI is identified, thanks to the poetics and use of the design toolbox borrowed to GAI .

Creative cogeneration reconciles human and machine. But the logic of artificial imagination led to question the future of the designer's profession and calls for a mandatory updating of the designer's profile!

Les Outils Numériques Comme Levier De L’Éducation Et De La Démocratisation Du Patrimoine Culturel Au Maroc : Une Analyse Théorique, Houda El Bakhouchi

Dirassat

In this article, we delve into the vital importance of digital tools in education and the dissemination of cultural heritage. We draw attention to how digital technologies employed in Morocco promote widespread access to culture. Our main objective is to understand how cultural heritage education activities using these tools can make learning about our heritage more dynamic and engaging, and enable learners to actively participate in the preservation of cultural heritage. The article also highlights specific cases of successful partnerships between the cultural and educational fields, emphasizing inventive educational initiatives. It explores the realm of digital resources such as virtual …

Vers Une Pédagogie Immersive : Exploration Du Métavers En Éducation Towards Immersive Pedagogy: Exploring Metavers In Education, Adil El Madhi, Issam Laamri, Jamaleddine Khouna

Dirassat

Incorporating the framework of immersive pedagogical innovation, this article explores the growing importance of the metaverse in creating innovative and relevant learning experiences. Emerging as a crucial component of contemporary educational innovations, immersive pedagogy aims to fully engage learners in the process of acquiring knowledge and skills. Historically linked to participatory methods, such as project-based learning, this pedagogy has flourished with the advent of digital technologies, notably the metaverse. The latter, defined as a convergence of online virtual environments, offers revolutionary potential for education by transcending physical boundaries and enabling immersive and collaborative experiences. This study, focusing on the exploration …

Tax Implications To Exempt Organizations Of Six Income-Producing Activities, James L. Wittenbach, Lawrence G. Gallagher

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Electric Stimulation Treatment For Anorexia Nervosa: From Modern Treatments To Bench Study With Aplysia Californica, David Brynski, Hui Ye

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder characterized by the practice of extreme diets that results in low bone density and weight loss. Aside from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychiatric therapy, deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulation have started to yield greater promise and effectiveness. We will review the clinical cases using electric stimulation in treating AN. We will also provide evidence that demonstrate the switching of feeding motor programming in Aplysia californica by electric stimulation and magnetic stimulation. Our work is essential in establishing Aplysia as a valuable model for studying the cellular and …

Cuju: The Ancient Chinese Game That Held An Empire Together, Enzo H. Smith

Young Historians Conference

This paper explores how cuju, an ancient sport known as the predecessor of modern football, evolved from the Han to Song dynasties (206 BCE–1368 CE) as a unifying force in imperial China. Calling upon primary sources such as ancient cuju manuals and various art pieces suggests this sport's importance went beyond a leisurely practice. Using academic journals about Chinese history and the development of cuju from different academic fields and, most notably, the FIFA museum’s online exhibit of cuju, the reason cuju had such a strong place of value in Chinese society was apparent. Beginning as a combat exercise in …

Guidelines For A Good Life: How Morality Tales Have Shaped Communities And Cultural Landscapes, Kate E. Mcfarland

Young Historians Conference

Morality tales have played a crucial role in shaping moral and political structures throughout history. These stories, varying in format from plays, to books, to even musical albums, are easily accessible to readers. They use simple language and terms that can be understood between social classes and strata to teach people how to live a more “moral” life. This paper studies the socio-political effects of these morality tales through in-depth analyses of the Greek Aesop’s Fables, Confucius’ the Analects, the Indian Panchatantra, the medieval play Everyman, and a modern American musical album “Free to Be… You …

Face Value: Cosmetics As A Unit Of Historical Analysis, Sophie Durocher

Young Historians Conference

Cosmetics are a universal concept that have been inherent in society all throughout history. This paper explores four unique cultures from across the globe and their primary cosmetic of choice. A tube of lipstick from a Bronze Age Persian burial ground sheds light on the early uses and significance of lipstick in Ancient Persia. A compact of powdered pearls from China in the 11th century reveals the widespread importance of facial powder in China. The Maya applied paint and perfumes to denote social status and in ritual traditions, as evidenced by artwork and archaeological evidence. Ancient Egyptians famously painted their …