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From Dysbiosis To Dysfunction: Investigating The Effects Of Chronic Cocaine Use On Oral Microbial Shifts And Neuropathogenesis, Douglas E. Johnson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Cocaine use disorder remains a significant public health challenge. However, the mechanisms by which chronic cocaine use contributes to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline are still not fully understood. Chronic non-intravenous cocaine use is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis. Although the gut-brain axis has been widely studied, the impact of cocaine-mediated shifts on the oral microbiome on systemic and neuroinflammation remains a significant yet largely unexplored gap. This dissertation investigates the hypothesis that cocaine-specifically enriched oral Streptococcus parasanguinis triggers neuroinflammation, neuropathology, and cognitive deficits. In a human study, the saliva microbiomes from chronic cocaine users exhibited reduced α-diversity, enriched Streptococcus genus, …

An Interdisciplinary Approach To The Investigation Of Consciousness, James Guy Lundie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Questions of phenomenal consciousness have troubled intellectuals for millennia. Theologians, philosophers, and scientists continue to grapple with the problem of how our minds interact with our brains and bodies. From Anaxagoras and Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas, Nagel and Goff, and Koch and Hameroff, the brightest among us have been unable to solve the riddle of how we are conscious, unique, self-aware thinking beings. Uniting our efforts by considering the reasoning of interdisciplinary scholars and integrating the thoughts of others with our own can only enhance our chances of success. This paper offers a pathway toward a multidisciplinary theory of consciousness …

A Tetracycline-Inducible Split Turboid System For Specific Biotinylation And Identification Of Nuclear Proteins From Hek293t Cells, Mehmet Sarihan, Fatma Zehra Özen, Murat Kasap, Gürler Akpinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: To overcome the limitations of conventional organelle isolation methods including low purity, low yield, sample degradation, scalability and the need for multiple centrifugation steps, an improved nuclear protein enrichment approach was developed using the modified Split TurboID biotin ligase enzyme.

Materials and methods: A construct was created in which the N-terminal domain of TurboID, fused to the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) was targeted to the nucleus. This construct was incorporated into a tetracycline-inducible gene expression vector. Similarly, the C-terminal domain of TurboID was fused to the rapamycin-binding domain of mTOR (FRB) and directed to the nucleus. This construct …

Ddx219.2 Social Media Content Creation Example 1, Sae University College

Exemplars

This project involved creating a cohesive suite of social media content tailored to the student’s chosen creative project. The work is exemplary for its consistent visual style, platform-specific content design, and alignment with the strategic goals defined earlier. Additionally, the student demonstrated strong collaborative skills by providing thoughtful, constructive feedback to peers, reflecting both creative and professional growth.

Ddx170 Project 1 Example 1, Sae University College

Exemplars

Project 1 involves the creation of a motif and patter that has been developed from a historical design movement. The project includes the motif design, motif pattern, visual report, rationale and project reflection.

N.A.U.T.I.L.U.S.: Natural Aquaculture Using Technology In Living Underwater Systems, Joe Ciocher, Abby Vallejo, Cj Gagni, Will Marble, Rana Alghorir, Martin Pham, Roger Jiang

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are small subsets of marine ecosystems with limited to no access to exploitation to promote sustainability and growth of healthy populations of marine organisms.

Species-Specific Edna Detection Of Atlantic Tarpon, Paolo A. Soto

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Florida’s sport fisheries are a vital economic resource for the state, providing $13.9 billion in revenue annually[1]. The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is among the most popular target fish in the state due to its large size and fighting ability. Though fishermen use catch-and-release, there are many fishing tournaments that target tarpon and other large species[6]. Even when the fish is released, angling is known to cause increases in stress indicators such as lactate[2]. Additionally, tarpon use structurally complex habitats as nurseries[4], making it difficult for scientists to collect DNA samples for assessing population dynamics. They have declined from overfishing …

Hand & Tail Lateralization In Black-Handed Spider Monkeys, Madeline Marasco

Psychology Student Publications

Like humans, other primates, including spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), show handedness biases. However, evidence is mixed on whether spider monkeys exhibit a species-level bias. Spider monkeys are also unique in that they also have a prehensile tail that functions as a fifth limb with remarkable fine motor control, Figure 1. An open question is whether hand preferences in spider monkeys relate to how they use their tails, which may also show side biases. Such patterns could reflect behavioral lateralization. We explored whether hand and tail side preferences align, suggesting individual- or species-level lateralization.

Bug Brains: Are Discoid Cockroach (Blaberus Discoidalis) Substrate Preferences Fixed Or Plastic?, Lauren Lewis

Psychology Student Publications

With over 4,500 species, cockroaches are one of the most widespread animal groups, thriving in diverse environments across nearly every continent. Despite their abundance, relatively little is known about their behavior and cognitive abilities. Blaberus discoidalis is a burrowing species found in substrates like decaying logs, and leaf litter, making it a valuable model for investigating habitat choice through substrate preferences. Here, we explored whether these preferences are fixed or influenced by rearing history by raising cockroaches in pine bedding (commonly used in animal care), coconut fiber (recommended for burrowing), or without a burrowing substrate (direct from a breeder). We …

Microtubule Instability Drives Developmental Defects In A Tauopathy Model, Joseph Mazzaro

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

TauV337M is a disease-linked allele that induces protein aggregation and causes degeneration in the worm motor cord 1,2. Loss of rpm-1 in TauV337M ameliorates neurodegeneration.

Neurodevelopmental Defects In A Tauopathy Model Are Affected By The Microtubule Stabilizer Ptrn-1, Katrina E. Diel

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Is decreased microtubule stability a key mechanism for tauopathies? Do Tau mutations cause developmental defects? Here, we show disease-associated Tau mutations induce developmental defects. Further, we test the effects of modulating microtubule stability through genetic deletion of the key stability regulator, ptrn-1

Natural Genetic Variation On Chromosome V Confers Resistance To The Widely-Used Insecticide Chlorfenapyrin C. Elegans., Rohan G. Surapaneni, Michaela K. Foley, Timothy A. Crombie

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Exposure to environmental toxicants poses significant harm to humans. However, assessing the risk for diverse human populations is challenging because genetic differences among individuals can cause disparities in toxicant susceptibilities. We will use genetically diverse C. elegans strains (obtained from CaeNDR) isolated from around the world as a model to study how natural variation can affect susceptibility to the widely-used insecticide chlorfenapyr.

The Zircon, April 25, 2025 [Spoof Issue], Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

No abstract provided.

All Stressed Out: An Investigation On The Effects Of Environmental Stressors On The Northern Leopard Frog (Rana Pipiens), Ella C. Wittmuss

Honors Thesis

Corticosterone (CORT) is the primary glucocorticoid in many vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. When an organism is exposed to external or internal stressors, CORT levels often increase (Rich & Romero, 2005; Titon et al., 2021). An increase in CORT can cause adverse physiological effects such as slower growth, malformations in different parts of the body, and specific blood sugar diseases such as diabetes (Glennemeier & Denver, 2002; Tarlow &Blumstein, 2007). CORT levels are indicators of survival, growth, and reproduction in larval amphibians. Many species, including our model organism, the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), are often subjected to …

Diapause And Anoxia-Induced Quiescence Are Unique States In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish, Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Patrick R. Clouser, Claire L. Riggs, Amie L. T. Romney, Jason E. Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Diapause is a state of developmental and metabolic dormancy that precedes exposure to environmental stresses. Yet, diapausing embryos are typically stress-tolerant. Evidence suggests that diapausing embryos “prepare” for stress as part of a gene expression program as they enter dormancy. Here, we investigate if diapause II embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus, which can survive for hundreds of days of anoxia, can mount a transcriptomic response to anoxic insult. Bulk RNAseq was used to characterize the transcriptomes of diapause II embryos exposed to normoxia, 4 h and 24 h anoxia, and 2 h and 24 h normoxic recovery …

A Sacramental Model For Digital Ecclesiology: Theological Retrieval For A Mediated Church, Caleb J. Atha

Senior Honors Theses

The widespread proliferation of digital technologies has opened the door to new ecclesiological questions and challenges for the Christian denominations that have integrated these technologies into their community life and liturgical practices. American evangelicalism is proposed to be especially susceptible to the aforementioned challenges due to its ecclesiological emphases and general posture towards digital media. Using Marshall McLuhan’s seminal insights in media theory, this work argues that the role of digital media in the church shows a significant congruence with Christian sacramental theology. The concept of the digital church is analyzed through McLuhan’s tetrad framework and its weaknesses are highlighted. …

Examining The Economic Impact Of Jesus, Carter F. Slyker

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis examines the economic impact of the person of Jesus and applies economic theory to the historical and biblical accounts of his ministry on earth. The study will consider the social and economic conditions of the first century Roman Empire within the context of Judea and Galilee, while focusing on key issues including poverty, social hierarchy, and taxation. It will explore three primary aspects of Jesus’ ministry to assign economic impact: the crowds he drew, the miracles he performed, and the principles he taught. These acts challenged the societal and economic norms of that culture and positively impacted communities …

Cottonseed Polyol-Based Composite Evaluated With Inorganic Fillers, Kehinde Esther Ayodeji

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Composites are extensively utilized as raw materials in an industry. In this study, we synthesized polymer composites, cottonseed oil polyol-based composites, incorporating inorganic fillers. This synthesis process involves the epoxidation of cottonseed oil followed by ring opening. Various characteristics of the polyol, such as the presence and quantity of hydroxyl groups (-OH), iodine value, and viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was determined. The composite samples were prepared by mixing different fillers (SiO₂, TiO₂, and Al₂O₃). These composite formulations underwent three-week processing period, with each filler being incorporated at room temperature. …

The Bacon, April 25, 2025, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2024-2025

Mugs filled to brim with mystery; Conhof can't read this headline; Crisis of a lifetime: man or muppet?; crime runs rampant at Northwestern; Conhof inducted into Roller Derby; Still winless after 46 runner-up finishes; "Poet of Polka" drops third album; Local legend takes control of tiny island;

Mirror Test Of Infant Self-Awareness, Jenna Bekkala, Naomi J. Aldrich

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Our understanding of self, or belief in one’s being as distinct from others, has been a subject of inquiry throughout human history. Discussions of self-concept would not appear in the empirical literature, however, until the mid-19th century. After likening an orangutan’s response to teasing as that of a “naughty child”, Charles Darwin began to question orangutans’ selfconcept by observing reactions to their own mirror images. Darwin’s use of the mirror to gauge self-awareness, a method eventually applied to his own infant son (Darwin, 1877), would remain the most frequently used assessment of self-concept for the next century.

Bio-Physiological Development During Adulthood, Maria Boix Braga, Charles J. Golden, Lisa K. Lashley

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Defining adulthood, and what the criteria truly is to be able to consider oneself an adult, varies from culture to culture. Biologically, adulthood can also be defined as the period in which full physical and intellectual maturity has been attained. It is a period that is defined slightly differently depending on the source, but it is agreed that it tends to be considered the life period between ages 18 and 60. However, the definition of adulthood can have varying legal and sociocultural factors as well. For example, the legal definition of an adult is a person who has reached the …

Longitudinal Studies, Alexander Beaujean

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Longitudinal studies provide information about phenomena constancy and change. Their core feature is that the phenomena under investigation are observed repeatedly in the same participants (e.g., persons, animals, organizations), which requires collecting data at multiple time points (called waves). The participants, phenomena observed, duration of study, and number of waves can greatly differ between studies. For example, longitudinal studies with animals often gather data across many waves, but the entire study may only last a few days or weeks. By contrast, longitudinal studies with humans typically gather data at just a few waves but may last years or decades.

Cross-Sectional Studies, Alexander Beaujean, Allison D. Gutierrez

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Cross-sectional studies are a type of research design used to understand time-related constancy and change in phenomena using data collected more or less simultaneously from different groups (called cohorts) of participants (e.g., people, animals, organizations). The cohorts vary on the basis of age or some other temporal phenomena (e.g., developmental stage, grade in school), so the combined sample is thought to represent the focal phenomena in the population at different times (i.e., a cross section). Differences among the cohorts are used to approximate developmental changes.

Metabolic Theories Of Aging, Chris Burley, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Metabolic theories of aging postulate that aging is due to energy expenditure, which ultimately results in the breakdown and eventual death of cells. Historically, within the realm of metabolic theories of aging, there have been three models: The Rate-of-Living theory, The Oxidative Damage/Free Radical theory, and the Metabolic Stability theory. All three theories maintain that aging is directly related to metabolic rate, but the theories differ in how they arrive at that conclusion.

Drag Attack, Chase Jones

College of Computing and Digital Media Dissertations

Drag Attack is a single-player beat 'em up game built for PC. Players take on the role of Chicago drag artist Molly Jolly Christmas, as she fights to stop the evil president Billy the Bigot from passing HB69, a bill that will ban drag once and for all. With mechanics inspired by classic games in the genre, and the addition of drag-inspired actions like purse smacking and gown spinning, the game provides a cathartic outlet for queer gamers who are ready to fight back against hateful rhetoric and legislature. Enemies are based on proponents of anti-drag legislation, such as conservative-leaning …

Acute Brcaness Induction And Ar Pathway Blockage Through Cdk12/7/9 Degradation Enhances Parp Inhibitor Sensitivity In Prostate Cancer, Fu Gui, Baishan Jiang, Jie Jiang, Zhixiang He, Takuya Tsujino, Tomoaki Takai, Seiji Arai, Celine Pana, Jens Köllermann, Gary Andrew Bradshaw, Robyn Eisert, Marian Kalocsay, Anne Fassl, Steven P Balk, Adam S Kibel, Li Jia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Current treatments for advanced prostate cancer (PCa) primarily target the androgen receptor (AR) pathway. However, the emergence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistance to AR pathway inhibitors (APPIs) remains ongoing challenges. Here, we present BSJ-5-63, a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) targeting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) CDK12, CDK7, and CDK9, offering a multipronged approach to CRPC therapy. BSJ-5-63 degrades CDK12, diminishing BRCA1 and BRCA2 expression and inducing a sustained "BRCAness" state. This sensitizes cancer cells to PARP inhibitors (PARPis) regardless of their homologous recombination repair (HRR) status. Furthermore, CDK7 and CDK9 degradation attenuates AR signaling, enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. Preclinical studies, including …

Adipose-Derived Leptin And Complement Factor D Mediate Osteoarthritis Severity And Pain, Kelsey H Collins, Kristin L Lenz, Hope D Welhaven, Erica Ely, Luke E Springer, Sophie Paradi, Ruhang Tang, Lauryn Braxton, Antonina Akk, Huimin Yan, Bo Zhang, Xiaobo Wu, John P Atkinson, Arin K Oestreich, Ron K June, Christine T N Pham, Farshid Guilak

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA), and leptin is among the adipokines implicated in obesity-induced OA. However, the specific role of leptin in OA severity and pain is not known. Using lipodystrophic (LD) mice, we show that fat-secreted factors are required for knee OA development, implicating a fat-cartilage cross-talk. Fat pad implantation or systemic leptin restoration in LD mice reintroduced structural OA and pain, whereas implantation of leptin-deficient fat pad did not change OA susceptibility. Isochronic parabiosis and spatial transcriptomics confirmed that a fat-joint cross-talk likely occurred via soluble mediators. Global unsupervised multiomics of conditioned media from fat …

Complex Emotions, Jessica Choe, Lisa K. Lashley, Charles J. Golden

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Complex emotions are ways in which an individual reacts and respond to complex social situations when encountering people and situations in the social world. Thus, complex emotions are ways of coping and adapting to complex social situations. Complex emotions are mental representations that have been studied on a three-level analysis surrounding the body, mind, and society, which translates to the biological and the evolutionary, the mental and the psychological, and the social and the cultural. This approach has been referred to as the neurocognitive sociology of emotions.

The Marshmallow Task, Laurel A. Brabson, Hannah M. Coffey, Mary Margaret Ruckle, Cheryl B. Mcneil

Essays in Developmental Psychology

To study the human systems of self-control during delayed gratification, Dr. Walter Mischel and colleagues developed what became the famous Marshmallow Test, published in Science in 1989. This study became a frontrunner in the field of psychology, laying the foundation for future studies in impulse control. Dr. Mischel was born in 1930 in Vienna, Austria. He was a professor at the University of Colorado, Harvard University, and Stanford University where he originally conducted the Marshmallow Test. Dr. Mischel currently holds a professorship at Columbia University.

Detection Of Mthfr C677t Genotyping For Spina Bifida Defects Using Arms-Pcr Technique, Halah Kamal Al-Qazzaz, Zahraa F. Al-Khero, Hameed Husham Hameed

Baghdad Science Journal

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are complex structural deformities in newborn infants. These defects are caused by a blend of genetic and environmental factors in the abnormal phenotype. The current study aims to determine the genetic variation polymorphism for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T rs180133 genotyping and to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sample of Spinal Bifida (SB) and compare it with control newborn children. Blood samples were collected from newborns (50 children under one year old) (25 cases of spinal bifida (SB) and 25 controls). The DNA was extracted and amplified by the tetra ARMS-PCR technique (Amplification Refractory …