Digital Commons Network^™

Biochemical Properties Of Cardiac Sarcomeres In Human Heart Failure, Austin Grey Wellette-Hunsucker

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure (HF) exhibits considerable heterogeneity, posing significant challenges for research involving human cohorts. Diastolic dysfunction is a common pathophysiological feature; however, its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Sarcomeric proteins are integral to cardiac contraction and relaxation. Nonetheless, the phosphoproteome and the structural remodeling effects of these proteins on diastolic function within the context of HF have not been comprehensively characterized. This study examined sarcomeric modifications in diastolic dysfunction in human HF, focusing on Dilated and Ischemic HF, with non-failing donor hearts as controls. Analyzing myocardial samples from ~150 patients using electrophoretic and biochemical techniques, it found significant titin remodeling …

Dinotefuran Resistance In The German Cockroach (Blattella Germanica L.), Hannah F. Blevins

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) are one of the most prevalent and pervasive indoor pest species in the world. Infestations can lead to many negative impacts on humans, including sensitization to allergens, increase in asthmatic symptoms, mental health declines, and potentially, the spread of diseases. While insecticides remain the most effective and affordable option for German cockroach control, resistance to many commonly used insecticide active ingredients (AIs), such as pyrethroids, has been observed globally at high levels across different populations. Given such resistance to pyrethroids, inclusion of insecticides with alternative modes of action into insecticidal treatments could potentially improve cockroach …

Bed Bugs: Health Risks And Control, Simona Principato

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Bed bugs are blood-feeding hemipterans strongly associated with humans. Their detection in indoor environments, such as homes, hotels, trains, and public facilities, has increased gradually over the past 20 years. The exact cause of their resurgence is still unclear, but the increase of international travel and insecticide resistance are thought to have contributed to it.

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, the EPA, CDC, and USDA have classified them as a pest of significant public health concern, mainly due to the dermatitis that they can cause. Beyond the dermatological burden of the bites, other health implications often …

The Role Of Nutrition In Managing Honey Bee Viral Pathogen, Caroline Wylie Kane

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

This study evaluated the impact of nutritional supplements on viral infections in honey bee colonies, focusing on Lake Sinai Virus 2 (LSV2), Deformed Wing Virus A (DWVA), and Deformed Wing Virus B (DWVB). I partnered with 32 hobbyist beekeepers across Kentucky, who volunteered 138 colonies for a month-long field study. Half of the colonies received weekly commercial supplements, while the other half served as controls. Viral titers were measured before and after the supplementation period using qPCR. Supplements did not significantly reduce viral titers for any of the three viruses, suggesting that short-term supplementation may not be effective in lowering …

Exportin 1 Is The Central Hub In Antiviral Defensive Mobilization Of Nuclear Factors And The Target Of Counter-Defence By Tombusviruses, Biao Sun Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Positive-strand RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses and flaviviruses, are obligate parasites whose genomic RNAs function as mRNAs. These viruses infect a wide range of hosts-including plants, animals, and humans-resulting in significant economic losses and posing serious threats to public health. Due to the relatively simple structure of the genome of positive-strand RNA viruses, many host factors and physiological processes are co-opted to support virus infection and replication. In our previous studies, we identified numerous host factors and associated physiological processes involved in the replication of tombusviruses, a cytosolic-replicating model that includes tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and carnation Italian ringspot …

Gene Expression In Relation To Bone Fractures In Throughbred Racehorses, Anna M. Rauber-Ramos

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Evidence that fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses are outcomes of chronic bone microdamage has led to extensive research into identifying horses at increased risk of fracture. This includes the use of biomarkers and messenger RNA (mRNA) as a measure of bone turnover. Previous research has found expression differences in horses with fractures compared to controls. Utilizing pre-race whole blood samples collected over an 18-month period from Thoroughbred racehorses in Southern California, RNA-sequencing was conducted on horses with bone fractures and race-matched controls to identify differences in gene expression. Focusing on third metacarpal (MC3) and proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures, differentially expressed …

Engineering Novel Biomimetic Models Of Equine Host-Microbe Interactions, Lynn M. Leedhanachoke

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

One major limitation to the study of equine disease is the lack of in vitro models that accurately reflect the dynamic physiology of the horse. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop in vitro systems that recapitulate diverse equine tissue and organ microenvironments. To overcome this deficiency, we developed multiple biomimetic equine organoid systems that can be employed for a variety of investigations aimed at resolving outstanding questions in infectious disease pathogenesis, therapeutic development and drug metabolism, host defense mechanisms, immune-modulated disease, and equine developmental biology. Our innovative platform incorporates novel equine intestinal enteroid and airway organoid models derived …

Avian Response To Legacy Coal Mine Reforestation In The Cumberland Plateau, Kentucky, Madoline J. Varias

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Surface coal mining and reclamation processes alter the ecological characteristics of landscapes, which affects the presence and distribution of native wildlife. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a coal mine reclamation method that aims to establish native forests on surface mines and has been widely implemented across the Central Appalachian region. Avian response the FRA, in particular, is unknown in Kentucky and limited throughout Appalachia. Thus, the goal of this project was to assess the effects of the FRA on avian community occupancy, species richness, and abundance in the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky. Point count surveys were conducted across three …

Does Participation In An Innovative Livestock Exhibition Program Foster The Development Of Grit In Youth Across Rural, Micro, And Metropolitan Communities?, Reba V. Prather

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

This research examined whether livestock exhibition could be used to foster grit in youth across rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan communities. More specifically, the researcher sought to evaluate the impact an innovative livestock exhibition program had on youth resilience. Through partnerships with 4-H clubs and agricultural organizations, the initiative encourages community-driven involvement, allowing youth to take ownership of their growth and development. The program utilized agricultural animal husbandry experiences as a mechanism for youth development, exploring the broader impact of livestock engagement on character-building. By assessing the outcomes of these experiences, the research highlights the trials and tribulations associated with fostering …

Exploring Belongingness, Loneliness, And Distinctiveness On A College Of Agriculture Campus, Sophia Jaramillo-Vasconez

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The purpose of this study was to explore how sense of belonging, loneliness, and distinctiveness affect students in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE). By examining the intersection of student demographics and their experiences, this research aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape students’ agricultural experiences at the postsecondary level. This study investigates the relationship between student characteristics and their reported levels of belonging and loneliness, and how these factors influence perceptions of their representation and distinctiveness within the M-G CAFE program. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed, beginning with …

Influence Of Agrochemical Mixtures On Nitrogen Transformations In Floating Treatment Wetlands, Matthew Russell

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Controlling losses of nitrate-N from agricultural fields to ground and surface water environments is one of the most pressing water resources problems today. Increasing levels of nitrate-N pollution in surface and groundwater is a critical threat to human and environmental health across the globe. To mediate nitrate-N losses, natural and constructed wetlands have been increasingly used as nutrient mitigation technologies and strategies. The use of wetlands as a treatment approach for nitrogen in runoff is a common practice in agroecosystems, however, nitrate-N is not the sole constituent present in agricultural runoff, and other biologically active contaminants have the potential to …

Development Of A Cultivation System For Producing Pure Mycelium Materials From Distillers' Spent Grains, Keya Rani Roy

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Stillage is a byproduct of distilleries which is rich in organic matter, minerals, and acidic components. It is commonly used as animal feed and has high potential for use as an alternative substrate for microorganisms. Filamentous fungi are saprophytes that can utilize stillage solids to grow as threadlike mycelium. The structure and composition of the filamentous mycelium has shown promise to produce pure mycelium materials (PMM), which might have many potential applications, for instance as a leather-like material or alternative protein food ingredient. Basidiomycota fungi (including true mushrooms) species are presently used in industry to produce PMM due to the …

Front Matter

Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law

No abstract provided.

The European Union’S Leadership In Regulating Artificial Intelligence: The Danger In Allowing U.S. Corporations To Self-Determine That Their Chosen Ai Systems Do Not Fall Within The High-Risk Category, Anthony M. Schlass

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Personal Jurisdiction And Web3: How We Don’T Need Zipp2.0 For Blockchain Technologies, Alexander Walton

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Technology Is Booming And The Law Is Not: Why Ai Machines And Creators Must Be Awarded Copyright Authorship, Aditya Mishra

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Scythian Spoils: Cultural Property Law And Antiquities Looting During The War In Ukraine, Charles Buschmann

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Murphy V. Ncaa: Altering The Professional Sports Landscape, Jack Treacy

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Free Exercise Challenges To Entheogen Prohibitions: Precedents, Principles, And Issues, Kevin Chamow

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Essential But Unvalued: Incarcerated Workers Deserve The Same Standards And Protections As Free Workers., Lisa Roe

Student Works

No abstract provided.

“To See Or Not To See: The Supreme Court’S Constant Struggle With The Constitutionality Of Race-Conscious Affirmation Action Policies Post-Brown.”, Emme Anderson

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Showdown In The Black Hills: The Sioux Nation’S Continued Land Claims Battle Against The Us Government, Kevin Mckenzie

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Fabricating Silver-Ceria Polymer Nanocomposite Scaffolds For Biomedical Therapeutic Applications, Shreya S. Pawar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Improper healing of bone fractures and limited regeneration of bone following bone tumor resection remain a prevalent complication worldwide. Long-term effects of this include joint instability, limited movement, and arthritis. Bone infections (osteomyelitis), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via excessive inflammation, and underlying conditions such as osteoporosis can contribute to suboptimal bone tissue regeneration. ROS accumulation stimulates osteoblast apoptosis, while promoting osteoclast differentiation. These processes inhibit mineralization and osteogenesis. Conventional therapeutics involve the utilization of drugs and bone grafts. However, these approaches pose limitations and can result in subsequent complications. Microbial infections, ROS accumulation, and excessive inflammations are factors that …

Assessment Of The Safety Culture In Petrochemical Industries In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ahmed Mohammed Alqarfi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Given the inherently hazardous nature of petrochemical operations, an effective safety culture is critical. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 29 peer-reviewed articles published in open access between 2014 and 2024 were selected to evaluate the status of safety culture dimensions employed in the petrochemical sector. This cross-sectional study assessed safety culture in the Saudi Arabian petrochemical industry and examined the relationships among safety culture dimensions, safety motivation (SM), and safety performance. Safety performance was operationalized as personal error behavior (PEB) and attitudes toward violations (ATV), with SM modeled as a mediating factor. After obtaining IRB approval, a total of 482 employees …

An Ailment I Will Fight With: Differential Diagnosis And Methodology Evaluation Of Possible Treponemal Infection At Dayr Al-Barsha, Egypt, Lindsey D. Lefebvre

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Treponemal diseases, including bejel, yaws, pinta, and venereal syphilis, have long plagued human populations and continue to pose public health challenges today. Despite their persistent global presence, the origins, transmission pathways, and archaeological identification of these diseases—caused by various subspecies of Treponema pallidum—remain contested. This study explores the utility of standardized diagnostic criteria, as proposed by Baker et al. (2020), in assessing the presence of treponemal disease in highly fragmentary skeletal remains from the Roman-period necropolis at Dayr al Barsha, Egypt. Through the examination of 14 individuals, this research seeks to (1) identify indicators consistent with bejel (T.p. …

Genomic Consequences Of Habitat Fragmentation In The Florida Scrub-Jay: Diversity, Adaptation, And Disease Susceptibility, Maryam Ghoojaei

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to biodiversity by reducing population size, gene flow, and adaptive potential, especially in habitat specialists like the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). This dissertation integrates whole-genome sequencing and immunogenetics to assess the genomic consequences of habitat fragmentation across three primary Florida Scrub-Jay strongholds: Archbold Biological Station, Ocala National Forest, and Florida’s East Coast. In Chapter 2, I focused on adaptive genetic diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II genes. I characterized MHC allelic richness, evaluated signatures of selection, and examined associations with pathogen infections. Despite population declines, I found moderate MHC diversity, suggesting …

Contagion Chronicles: A Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Armed Conflict And Infectious Disease, Devyn Escalanti

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation examines the relationship between armed conflict and infectious disease transmission through a novel theoretical framework that integrates ecological disturbance and health systems resilience theories into epidemiological contexts. The framework conceptualizes diseases along a continuum from "pulse" to "press." Pulse diseases, like Ebola, are characterized by sudden onset, high mortality, and short-term outbreaks. Press diseases, like HIV, progress gradually with lower mortality and long-term persistence. Grounded in this pulse–press disease typology and ecological and health systems resilience, the theory suggests that the absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and resilience of community health workers in conflict areas can influence disease transmission, …

The Effects Of Camera, Environmental, And Motion Properties On Simultaneous Localization And Mapping, Esteban Segarra Martinez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is the process of estimating the pose of a robot within an unknown environment. A variant, visual SLAM (V-SLAM), estimates the pose only using visual information from a camera. In recent years, the importance of V-SLAM has increased and expanded to applications such as robotics, virtual reality, augmented reality, and autonomous driving. Accurate estimation of poses is critical as these applications need to quickly perceive an environment and update its pose under complex scenarios. V-SLAM is composed of algorithms that utilize robot vision to distinguish landmarks in the environment in order to estimate the geometric …

A Comparative Analysis Of Figurines From The Lower Rio Verde Valley From Oaxaca, Raynaliz C. Velazquez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis investigates 618 ceramic figurines from the Lower Río Verde Valley in Oaxaca, Mexico, to explore how figurine use varied across civic-ceremonial, domestic, and outlying contexts during the Terminal Formative and Late Classic periods. The central hypothesis proposes that figurines from the Río Viejo Acropolis, a civic-ceremonial center, would be larger and exhibit greater labor investment than those from residential and peripheral sites, reflecting more labor-intensive ideologies and ceremonial practices. Through typological, spatial, and material analysis, the study examines attributes such as size, surface treatment, production method, and the presence of musical elements. The dataset includes newly analyzed figurines …

Exploring The Experience Of Heart Disease Among Burmese Immigrants In The United States, Khup S. It

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The ongoing political and military turmoil in Myanmar has resulted in a significant increase in the migration of Burmese individuals to the United States in recent years. This demographic shift has brought attention to the health challenges faced by Burmese immigrants, particularly with regard to heart disease (heart attack). The complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, compounded by legal and social barriers, place immigrants at greater risk for health disparities. This study examines the health challenges of Burmese immigrants in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a specific focus on their perceptions and experiences related to heart disease, as explored through illness narratives. …