Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Feeding Different Fat Sources And Levels Of Vitamin E Isoforms To Heavy Slaughter Weight (150 Kg) Pigs: I. Carcass Characteristics And Fresh Pork Quality, Marlee Kelley, Ding Wang, Gregg Rentfrow, Merlin D. Lindemann, Ana Paula A.A. Salim, Surendranath P. Suman

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing α-tocopheryl-acetate (ATA) and γ-tocopherol (GT) vitamin E isoforms with corn oil (CO) and tallow (TW) on carcass characteristics and meat quality characteristics of pigs grown to heavy weights (150 kg). Individually fed pigs (n = 72; 36 barrows, 36 gilts) were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement. Fat treatments were 5% TW and 5% CO. The vitamin E treatments included 4 levels of ATA (11, 40, 100, and 200 ppm) and 2 levels of mixed tocopherols (primarily GT; 40 and 100 …

Wet Aging For 21 Days Improves Tenderness Of Beef Biceps Femoris Muscle Without Affecting Color Stability, Ana Paula A.A. Salim, Mahesh N. Nair, Yifei Wang, Anna C.V.C.S. Canto, Gregg Rentfrow, Surendranath P. Suman

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Beef whole-muscle cuts containing biceps femoris (BF) exhibit inferior tenderness compared to cuts from the ribs and loins. The BF is a sizeable muscle in beef round, and enhancing tenderness of BF may increase the value of beef carcasses. While wet aging for 21 d improves beef tenderness, it can compromise color. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of wet aging on color and tenderness of beef BF to identify an optimal aging duration for these quality traits. The BF muscles were collected 24 h postmortem from 8 beef carcasses (n = 8), divided into equal sections, vacuum packaged, and aged …

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, And Antibacterial Properties Of Partition Fractions Of Adansonia Digitata And Annona Muricata Extracts Using Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, Ethanol, And Aqueous Solvent Systems, Fagbohun Oyenike Bushirat, Hassan Abdusalam Adewuyi, Sakariyau Adio Waheed, Maryam Nana Musa, Timothy God-Giveth Olusegun, Ayomide Babatunde Ishola, Agumage Idoko, Adeola Victor Kolawole, Adesanmi Adefunmilayo Oluwatuyi, Sarah Ngozi Agwasim

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Adansonia digitata and Annona muricata are traditionally used medicinal plants with reported pharmacological properties. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of partition fractions of Adansonia digitata and Annona muricata extracts obtained using chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvent systems. The plant extracts were successively partitioned using chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous solvent systems. Phytochemical analysis was performed using standard methods. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using FRAP and DPPH assays. Antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and MIC determination. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids (10.2-15.6%), flavonoids …

Enhanced Optimization Of Mass Transfer For Carbon Capture And Wastewater Remediation In Algal Systems Through Algorithmic And Bioprocessing Techniques, Peter Ofuje Obidi

Doctoral Dissertations

The scalability and industrial deployment of algal cultivation systems are limited by suboptimal mass transfer, constraining their effectiveness in carbon capture and wastewater remediation. This research investigated these challenges through integrated optimization methodologies that combine algorithmic frameworks with enhanced bioprocessing techniques to enhance efficiency, economy, and scalability. A System-of-Systems (SoS) meta-architecture was developed using genetic algorithms and fuzzy assessor functions to demonstrate a pathway toward cost reduction. Rigorous mechanical and chemical characterizations were quantitatively analyzed to reveal existing optimization strategies and further evaluated the best strategies to use in enhancing mass transfer for improved biomass yield. The work also integrates …

A Comparison Of Endodontic Root-End Filling Techniques: A Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-Ct) Analysis Part Ii, Andrew M. Marra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

A COMPARISON OF ENDODONTIC ROOT-END FILLING TECHNIQUES: A MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANALYSIS

Andrew Marra, D.D.S.

Introduction: Researchers have compared many endodontic root-end filling techniques for porosity, though few have used a micro-computed tomography analysis for comparisons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate total porosity volume of three different bio-ceramics filling materials with two techniques--hand compaction versus hand/ultrasonic compaction at an ultrasonic setting of 5% using Micro-CT Analysis.

Methods: Seventy-two human single canaled extracted teeth were selected for the study. All were subjected to orthograde endodontic treatment followed by root tip resection at 3-mm from the apex …

Engineering Extracellular Vesicles (Evs) To Combat Infection And Inflammation In Cystic Fibrosis, Sharanya Sarkar

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, resulting in chronic pulmonary infections, hyperinflammation, and progressive lung damage. Among the pathogens that colonize CF lungs, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is predominant, infecting over 50% of adults with CF and developing antibiotic resistance over time. Current modulator therapies fail to address persistent bacterial infections, chronic inflammation, or irreversible lung damage, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. In our previous in vitro studies, we demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (HBECs) inhibit P. aeruginosa growth by reducing the …

Painting Liberation: A Visual Ontology Of The Interplay Of Mind And Consciousness In Book Four Of The Yoga Sūtras, Melissa Townsend

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

This presentation explores how artistic practice can illuminate philosophical questions about the nature of mind, consciousness, and liberation as articulated in Book Four of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Through a series of paintings that visually translate these sūtras, I propose that art offers a unique, experiential means of engaging with the complex relationship between citta (mind) and puruṣa (consciousness).

The paintings function as a form of “visual ontology,” inviting viewers to engage with abstract philosophical concepts in a sensory, tangible way. By depicting the interplay between the mutable processes of the mind and the unchanging awareness of consciousness, these …

Gen Z And Gen Alpha: Designing Theology Courses For A Digital And Ai Generation, Maurice Emelu

2025 Faculty Bibliography

This exploratory article examines strategies for teaching theology to Generations Z and Alpha, emphasizing their digital-native traits and unique learning preferences. It argues that theology education thrives when students engage with reflective, creative, and relevant content. Drawing from experiences at a Jesuit college and education research, it introduces the OAEPA strategy—Observation, Analysis, Evaluation, Production, and Assessment—as a framework for designing theology courses. The approach encourages active participation, critical thinking, creativity, and personal relevance, aligning with Jesuit traditions of reflection and discovery. The article uses examples such as a theme in sacramental theology to show how theological ideas can be meaningful …

Effect Of Creatine Monohydrate On Spatialworking Memory, Body Weight, And Food Intake In Male And Female Rats, Cyrilla H. Wideman, Alexandria Iemma, Olivia Janolo, Anastasiya Kalinina, Helen M. Murphy

2025 Faculty Bibliography

Background/Objectives: Creatine monohydrate supplementation has gained popularity in the fitness industry due to its ability to enhance athletic performance and has sparked curiosity about other possible effects of the supplement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine supplementation on spatial working memory, body weight, and food intake in male and female rats.

Methods: Experimental rats, six male and six female, were administered creatine while six male and six female rats served as controls. The Morris water maze (MWM) was employed to assess spatial working memory. Body weight and food intake were measured daily.

Results: Neither …

Spatial Variation In Sexual Size Dimorphism And Mating Associations In The Color Polymorphic Eastern Red-Backed Salamander (Plethodon Cinereus), Maggie M. Hantak, Olivia L. Brooks, Kyle M. Brooks, Carl D. Anthony, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Kelly A. Williams, Shawn R. Kuchta

2025 Faculty Bibliography

Sexual selection due to mate preference for certain traits can maintain phenotypic diversity within populations and species. In taxa with discrete phenotypes, such as color polymorphic species, assortative mating may lead to disruptive selection and sympatric divergence, yet how such interactions vary over species' ranges remains poorly understood. To address this shortcoming, we examined spatial patterns of sexual size dimorphism and presumptive male–female mating pairs based on body size and coloration in the color polymorphic Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus. This species exhibits two common color morphs, striped and unstriped, that also differ in other elements of their biology, including …

Investigating Chronic Calcium Leak In The Aging Brain, Elizabeth K. Woo

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating, progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by amyloid plaques and tau tangles, with synapse loss, calcium dysregulation, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These pathologies develop in a region-specific manner, targeting regions responsible for higher-order integrative processing, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and entorhinal cortex. Calcium signaling, through cAMP-PKA-calcium signaling, is critical to support the persistent firing needed for working memory. However, under various conditions, e.g., aging, inflammation, chronic stress, these circuits lose regulation of cAMP-PKA-calcium signaling, leading to calcium leak from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and chronically elevated levels of cytosolic …

The Assessment Of Morphological, Anatomical, And Phylogenetic Relationships Of Three Helicid Snails In Egypt, Sheriene E. Ali, Amina M. Ibrahim, Eman T. Hussien, Irene S. Gamil, Reda M. Mansour, Mostafa Y. Morad

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Land snails provide valuable models for eco-genetic research because of their morphology and banding variability. Snails have shown unusually high intraspecific variation in anatomical traits leading to confusion for taxonomical studies, although their taxonomic resolution is low specifically in Egypt. This study aims to investigate the morphological, anatomical, and phylogenetic relationships for the first time among the snails Eobania vermiculata, Eremina desertorum, and Helix aspersa within the family Helicidae. The morphological indices revealed similarities among E. vermiculata, E. desertorum, and H. aspersa, However, SEM examinations indicated that the marginal teeth of the radulae in E. vermiculata and H. aspersa were …

Effects Of Single-Cell Dietary Protein Sources On Feeding, Growth, And Resource Allocation In The Juvenile Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus, Darrien Jamila De Jesus

All ETDs from UAB

An understanding of nutrition can improve culture of sea urchins, whether as a research model or in the production of seafood products. Macronutrients, including dietary protein sources, can affect growth and reproductive profiles and alter resource allocation to somatic and gametic tissues. Although sea urchins in culture can be fed natural products, diet formulations using various ingredients can be developed to reliably produce desired outcomes. Single-cell protein sources represent a potential alternative to current industry standards of animal-derived protein sources such as fish and squid meal, which are becoming increasingly overfished and expensive. In the present study, we evaluated the …

Targeting The Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (Tshr) In Thyroid Cancer, Grayson Robert Gimblet

All ETDs from UAB

Radioactive iodine (RAI) has been effective in the treatment of thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine neoplasia, since its introduction into clinical use over eighty years ago. However, not all patients benefit from RAI. Up to 20% of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) become radioactive iodine refractory (RAI-R). These RAI-R patients have 5-year survival rates of 50% and 10-year survival rates of 10%. In addition, more aggressive subtypes including oncocytic thyroid carcinoma (OC), poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) are less responsive to RAI therapy. Despite accounting for less than 5% of annual thyroid cancer …

Electrophysiological Integration Of Engineered Tissue Graft With The Host Swine Myocardium, Bijay Guragain

All ETDs from UAB

The adult mammalian heart lacks regenerative capacity to replenish cardiomyocytes (CMs) lost due to myocardial infarction (MI). Instead, the damaged heart undergoes extensive remodeling that significantly impairs normal cardiac function and may eventually lead to heart failure. Recent therapies that implant engineered tissues fabricated from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have shown promising results with improved cardiac function and structural integration. However, the extent of electrophysiological coupling between engineered and host tissue remains unclear. This is a critical factor for functional integration of the implant as well as for arrhythmia risk arising from the implant. Our study aims …

The Role Of Aquaporin-3 Lysine 282 Acetylation In Renal Water Balance, Nha Van Huynh

All ETDs from UAB

Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) mediates basolateral water transport in the kidney collecting duct principal cells, contributing to vasopressin-mediated urine concentration. We previously identified a novel post-translational modification of AQP3, the acetylation of lysine 282 (K282), which we hypothesized as a positive regulator of AQP3 water permeability. First, we found that collecting duct K282 acetylated AQP3 increased upon water deprivation, suggesting an involvement in renal water balance. To decipher the functional role of this modification, we utilized AQP3 acetylation (K282Q or Q) and deacetylation (K282R or R) mimetic mutant mice models generated using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in technology. Both male and female wild-type (WT) and …

Mechanoactivation Of Vegfr-2 Promotes Angiogenesis In The Tumor Microenvironment, Bronte Johnson

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer progression relies on blood vessel growth; without vasculature, tumors would be limited to less than 200µm in diameter. With this reasoning, several cancer therapies have been developed that target the process of angiogenesis, or the growth of vessels off pre-existing vasculature. These treatments target the major promoters of angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2); however, anti-angiogenic therapies are not effective by themselves. This is likely due to mechanoactivation of VEGFR-2 through physical alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). One prevalent mechanical change is increased strain on surrounding cells and matrix due to highly contractile …

Optic Nerve Head Remodeling In Experimental High Myopia, Mahmoud Khalafallah

All ETDs from UAB

Myopia is a global health concern, with projected estimates that nearly half of the world's population will be myopic by 2050. While its refractive aspect can be corrected, the heightened susceptibility to sight-threatening comorbidities, particularly with high myopia, remains a challenge. Among these comorbidities, glaucoma is a major concern, with myopia recognized as an independent risk factor. However, the mechanistic link between myopia and glaucoma remains poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the multiscale remodeling changes in experimental high myopia and their potential implications for increased risk of glaucoma later in life. Using a multimodal approach, this dissertation investigates: (1) neural …

Synergistic Effects Of Hyaluronic Acid And Mechanical Strain On Ovarian Cancer Cell Behaviors, Maranda Erin Kramer

All ETDs from UAB

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, but despite this, the effects of the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME) on disease progression are poorly understood. The TME consist of the extra cellular matrix (ECM), cellular components, and mechanical forces. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are stromal cells that secrete several ECM components including collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid (HA). CAFs also have increased motility and contractility, this increased movement creates micro-strains experienced by the tumor cells in the TME. HA interacts with cancer cells as both a serum and stromal component. Increases in stromal HA in the ovarian TME are associated …

Molecular Imaging Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Characterization And Modulation Of The Tumor Microenvironment, Shannon E. Lynch

All ETDs from UAB

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, heterogeneous subset of breast cancer which currently has no targeted therapies available due to lack of molecular therapeutic targets. Importantly, various radiopharmaceuticals can be imaged via positron emission tomography (PET) to quantify cellular and molecular features of the tumor microenvironment including glucose metabolism, receptor status, and immune activation. Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) is G-protein coupled receptor overexpressed in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) which can be imaged and targeted for theranostics via FDA-approved radiotherapy. SSTR2 expression is increased in hormone positive breast cancer but is expressed at low or variable levels in TNBC. However, …

A Lament For The Perishing Barbarians Of Edith Wharton’S Summer, Anna Marsh

All ETDs from UAB

This thesis considers Edith Wharton’s Summer through a Darwinian perspective. Wharton studied Darwin’s works extensively, so applying The Descent of Man to Summer’s communities has merit. Specifically, I consider Darwin’s writings on evolution as evolution may be altered by feelings of sympathy. In Summer, it is sympathy, loyalty, and ultimate benevolence for one’s people that furthers community evolution as a whole. This relationship between sympathy and community evolution seems to be one Wharton focuses on in Summer. The urban communities of Wharton’s novel pretended to be the most civil and therefore the most evolved, but it is their Mountain neighbors …

Origins Of An Evil God: Conceptualization Of The Demiurge Figure In Plato And Beyond, Brendyn David Matthews

All ETDs from UAB

This thesis explores the creation of the Demiurge from Plato to the Gnostics. I investigate this early Christian group taking the idea of the Demiurge from Plato and twisting this figure into an evil, malevolent creator. This process involves the Gnostics taking several nodes of development: Plato’s initial conception and Hellenized Egyptians syncretizing Seth with YHWH and mixing them into their worldview to craft their Demiurge. I then answer why these Gnostics made such an entity, understanding that it was them not only trying to supersede Judaism, but the Proto Orthodoxy of Christianity at this time.

Evaluating Multiparametric Imaging Biomarkers For Guiding Targeted Therapies In Her2+ Breast Cancer, Ameer Mansur

All ETDs from UAB

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer is a biologically diverse disease, in which intratumoral heterogeneity plays a significant role in tumor progression. Advanced medical imaging and image processing techniques offer the potential to noninvasively characterize the underlying intratumoral biology. Capturing these complex changes can allow for assessing therapeutic response and eventually guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. This work evaluates single and multiparametric imaging biomarkers to characterize tumor biology, identify treatment-induced changes, and predict response to targeted therapies. First, the utility of 3’-Deoxy-3’-[18F]Fluorothymidine positron emission tomography ([18F]FLT-PET) was assessed as a biomarker of proliferation for monitoring response to …

Maternal Immune Activation Causes Oligodendrocyte Deficits In The Hypothalamus, Kate Miller

All ETDs from UAB

Maternal immune activation (MIA) refers to the occurrence of an inflammatory immune response during any stage of pregnancy. This manifests as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and can be caused by air pollution, obesity, or viral infection. When this occurs during the first trimester in humans, it increases the offspring’s susceptibility to developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ), in males more commonly than females. In addition to behavioral manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common comorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of three or more symptoms including but not limited to hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and …

Therapeutic Implications Of Fractionated Radiotherapy And Marcks’ Regulation Of Tunneling Nanotubes In Glioblastoma, Lauren Catherine Nassour-Caswell

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults and the gradual development of treatment resistance prevents patients from achieving remission. A primary objective in the field is to devise strategies to overcome this. We predicted this could be achieved by improving existing therapies, creating better models to study GBM, and by identifying a potential therapeutic target. Fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has been used in GBM standard of care for over a century but does not account for GBM heterogeneity. We first hypothesized that in silico mathematical modeling would be a useful tool for cytotoxicity prediction. While this model …

Environmental Exposure To Metals In Children And Their Effects On Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oludesola Ogunesan

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT As scientific understanding of environmental determinants of health advances, growing attention has turned to the role of toxic metal exposures in exacerbating neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This dissertation investigates the intersection of environmental metal exposure, biomonitoring innovation, and social factors shaping ASD severity in Alabama. Using a multidisciplinary framework, four interrelated studies explore biological, environmental, and participatory dimensions of ASD research and public health. The first study evaluates the utility of Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) for measuring exposure to cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and mercury …

An Examination Of Sleep Quality And Experimental Pain Sensitivity In People With Hiv And Insomnia, Caroline Kathryn Webb

All ETDs from UAB

Prior research has established a bidirectional relationship between sleep and pain, yet this relationship has been understudied in people living with HIV. The current study investigated the relationship between HIV status (H+/H-) and insomnia status (I+/I-) on sleep and quantitative sensory testing (QST) variables. The study was comprised of two research visits where participants were screened and completed the QST protocol. Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS), and actigraphy as subjective and objective measures of sleep. There were four groups: H-/I- (n=46), H-/I+ (n=37), H+/I- (n=14), and H+/I+ (n=39) (N=136). Results showed …

Exploring Environmental Health Awareness And Knowledge In 9th – 12th Grade Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Crystal Stephens

All ETDs from UAB

EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE IN 9TH – 12TH GRADE STUDENTS: A MIXED METHODS APPROACH CRYSTAL T. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES ABSTRACT Safe environments provide accessibility and community protections preventing residents from exposure to contaminants or facing health risks. Unfortunately, environmental exposures such as air pollution and neighborhood-level concerns can adversely impact human health. Environmental justice communities are overburdened with increased adverse environmental exposures and subsequent health disparities. Adolescents may be more vulnerable to exposure risks and provide an opportunity to introduce environmental health education. With their power of peer association and determination, adolescents can influence the health and …

Dosimetric Comparison Of Different Imrt Vs Vmat Planning Techniques In The Treatment Of Peripheral Brain Tumors., Ahmed A. Hammad, Mohamed S. Ibrahim, Ayman M. Ibrahim, Magdy M. Khalil

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Introduction This study aims to investigate and compare different IMRT and VMAT treatment planning techniques in peripheral brain tumors. Materials and Methods A total of 15 previously treated cases of peripheral brain tumors were selected and replanned with different techniques using a prescribed dose of 54 Gy in 30 fractions. Five different techniques: 5-field IMRT, 7-field IMRT, 9-field IMRT, 1-Half Arc VMAT, and 2-Half Arc VMAT, were systematically assessed. Evaluation was conducted based on dose-volume Histogram (DVH) metrics for both planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs). Key parameters analyzed included the mean and maximum doses (Dmean and …

Irisin And Bdnf Mediate Exercise And Melatonin Effects In Animal Model Of Experimental Hypothyroid Depression., Hanan Essam Mohamed, Mf El-Bab, Noha O. Shawky, Nermien E. Waly

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

Background Depression affects about 60% of people with hypothyroidism. Exercise and melatonin are thought to have beneficial effects in hypothyroid depression. Irisin and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate significantly in hypothyroid depression in rats and both are decreased in hypothyroid depression. Objectives To investigate the potential roles of melatonin and exercise in hypothyroid depression. Methodology Fifty-six male albino rats were divided into eight groups (n=7/group) as follows: Control (C), Hypothyroidism (Hypo), Hypothyroidism and Melatonin 10 mg/kg/day (Mel), treated hypothyroidism with Levothyroxine 20 μg/kg/day and Melatonin (Mel&Levo), Hypothyroidism and Exercise (30-minute swimming protocol, 5 days/week) (Ex), treated hypothyroidism and exercise (Ex&Levo), …