Digital Commons Network^™

Seasonal Activity Patterns And Home Range Sizes Of Wolves In The Human-Dominated Landscape Of Northeast Türkiye, J. David Blount, Austin M. Green, Mark Chynoweth, Kyle D. Kittelberger, Dário Hipólito, Katarzyna Bojarska, Emrah Çoban, Josip Kusak, Çağan H. Şekercioğlu

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Gray wolves Canis lupus comprise one of the most widely distributed carnivore species on the planet, but they face myriad environmental and anthropogenic pressures. Previous research suggests that wolves adjust their time- and space-use seasonally to mitigate risks from humans, conspecifics, and other predators while maximizing their hunting and reproductive success. With many populations of wolves resettling in areas with dense human populations, understanding how wolves may adjust their temporal and spatial patterns in these more human-dominated landscapes is of high conservation importance. Typically, human presence causes wolves to increase their nocturnality and home range size. Here, we look at …

Microglial P2y6 Calcium Signaling Promotes Phagocytosis And Shapes Neuroimmune Responses In Epileptogenesis, Anthony D Umpierre, Bohan Li, Katayoun Ayasoufi, Whitney L Simon, Shunyi Zhao, Manling Xie, Grace Thyen, Benjamin Hur, Jiaying Zheng, Yue Liang, Dale B Bosco, Mark A Maynes, Zhaofa Wu, Xinzhu Yu, Jaeyun Sung, Aaron J Johnson, Yulong Li, Long-Jun Wu

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Microglial calcium signaling is rare in a baseline state but strongly engaged during early epilepsy development. The mechanism(s) governing microglial calcium signaling are not known. By developing an in vivo UDP fluorescent sensor, GRABUDP1.0, we discovered that UDP release is a conserved response to seizures and excitotoxicity across brain regions. UDP can signal through the microglial-enriched P2Y6 receptor to increase calcium activity during epileptogenesis. P2Y6 calcium activity is associated with lysosome biogenesis and enhanced production of NF-κB-related cytokines. In the hippocampus, knockout of the P2Y6 receptor prevents microglia from fully engulfing neurons. Attenuating microglial calcium signaling through Calcium Extruder (“CalEx”) …

Metformin In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Investigating Cardiovascular Impact And Nephroprotective Effects In Lupus Nephritis, Yurilu A. Gonzalez Moret, Kevin Bryan Lo, Irene J. Tan

Einstein Health Papers

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by widespread organ inflammation. Metformin, commonly used for diabetes mellitus type 2, has been explored for its anti-inflammatory potential in SLE. This study investigates the association of metformin use on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with SLE.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study. We used the multicenter research network (TriNetX) database from 88 health care organizations globally. Patients with SLE aged 18 and above, admitted between January 1, 2014, and April 21, 2024, were included. Propensity score matching compared patients with SLE on metformin with those not on metformin, considering demographics, laboratory …

Neuroecological Links Of The Exposome And One Health, Agustin Ibanez, Lucia Melloni, Paweł Świeboda, William Hynes, Burcin Ikiz, Rym Ayadi, Massamba Thioye, Consuelo Walss-Bass, Bahar Güntekin, Jyoti Mishra, Mohamed Salama, Sarah Dunlop, Claudia Duran-Aniotz, Harris A Eyre

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This NeuroView assesses the interplay among exposome, One Health, and brain capital in health and disease. Physical and social exposomes affect brain health, and green brain skills are required for environmental health strategies. Ibanez et al. address current gaps and strategies needed in research, policy, and technology, offering a road map for stakeholders.

Challenges And Opportunities In Cancer Immunotherapy: A Society For Immunotherapy Of Cancer (Sitc) Strategic Vision, Leisha A Emens, Pedro J Romero, Ana Carrizosa Anderson, Tullia C Bruno, Christian M Capitini, Deborah Collyar, James L Gulley, Patrick Hwu, Avery D Posey, Ann W Silk, Jennifer A Wargo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer immunotherapy has flourished over the last 10-15 years, transforming the practice of oncology and providing long-term clinical benefit to some patients. During this time, three distinct classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapies specific for two targets, and two distinct classes of bispecific T cell engagers, a vaccine, and an oncolytic virus have joined cytokines as a standard of cancer care. At the same time, scientific progress has delivered vast amounts of new knowledge. For example, advances in technologies such as single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics have provided deep insights into the immunobiology of the tumor …

Stretching The Limits Of Mri—Stretchable And Modular Coil Array Using Conductive Thread Technology, Folk W. Narongrit, Thejas Vishnu Ramesh, Joseph V. Rispoli

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Objective: We propose a modular stretchable coil design using conductive threads and commercially available embroidery machines. The coil design increases customizability of coil arrays for individual patients and each body part. Methods: Eight rectangular coils were constructed with custom-fabricated stretchable tinsel copper threads incorporated onto textile. Tune, match, and detune circuits were incorporated on the coil. A hook-and-loop mechanism was used to attach and decouple the modular coils. Phantom and in vivo scans at various anatomical flexion angles were acquired to highlight performance, and a temperature test was performed to verify safety. Results: In vivo MRI experiments demonstrate high sensitivity …

Indo-Caribbean Youth And Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review, Raul Ruiz Camacho, Shiryn D. Sukhram

Publications and Research

The suicide rates in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are among the highest in the Americas, containing significant Indo-Caribbean populations that are suggested to be most vulnerable to suicide. This systematic review analyzes the existing literature and identifies knowledge gaps in risk and protective factors against suicide in these countries. The literature search conducted followed PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed and APA PsycInfo databases. The PRISMA flow diagram illustrated that eight scholarly papers were eligible for inclusion. Included literature examined stratified data focused on the aforementioned countries, as well as their Indo-Caribbean adolescent populations. Excluded literature did not mention …

Sea Urchins Like Zinc Oxide Nanometric Mitigating Meloidogyne Incognita Infection In Eggplant, Amir Khan, Manar Fawzi Bani Mfarrej, Mohd Farhan Khan, Shahbaz Khan, Peiter Malan, Saurabh C. Saxena, Mohd Muddassir, Faheem Ahmad

All Works

This study focused on the nematicidal potential of sea urchin-like zinc oxide nanometrics (SUZN) against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. XRD, SEM, UV-vis spectroscopy, TEM, and EDX have been utilized to characterize the SUZN. Various SUZN concentrations (150–750 ppm) were examined for their implications for M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) and egg masses, including mortality as well as hatching inhibition. The largest J2s hatching inhibition (83.07%) was seen at 750 ppm SUZN after 48 hours of incubation, whereas the lowest hatching occurred at 150 ppm when compared to the control. SUZN illustrated increased nematicidal efficiency with increasing concentration and incubation …

Microplastics In Estuaries, Maeve Gifford

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Dementia Sensitivity To Altitude Changes And Effective Treatment With Hyperbaric Air And Glutathione Precursors, Edward F. Fogarty, Paul G. Harch

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

A 78-year-old man with dementia experienced waxing and waning of symptoms with changes in altitude as he traveled from his home in the Rocky Mountains to lower elevations and back. To replicate the improvement in his symptoms with travel to lower elevations (higher pressure), the patient was treated with a near-identical repressurization in a hyperbaric chamber using compressed air. With four 1-h treatments at 1.3 Atmospheres Absolute (ATA) and concurrent administration of low-dose oral glutathione amino acid precursors, he recovered speech and showed improvement in activities of daily living. Regional broadcast media had documented his novel recovery. Nosocomial COVID-19 and …

Catching The Unlikely Gambler : How And Why Gacha Games Appeal To Conscientious Consumers, Jingyi Zhang

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Gacha games, often featuring Japanese anime-style characters and designs, are characterized by their eponymous gacha mechanics, wherein players obtain random virtual items using in game currency purchasable with real-world money. While scoring significant market success, gacha games are frequently likened to gambling by critics due to their chance-based purchase system. Despite this gambling-like feature, here we identify a paradoxical attraction of gacha games for individuals high in conscientiousness, a trait typically linked to self-discipline and gambling aversion. Through five behavioral experiments involving actual gacha game players, we consistently found that higher conscientiousness correlates with increased gacha game engagement, as captured …

Evangelicals As Zionists And Peacemakers In Arab And Israeli Peacemaking Through Track Ii Diplomacy, Johnnie Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study contributes to the literature at the intersection of religion and foreign policy by focusing on one of the modern era's most protracted and relevant foreign policy issues (the conflict between Israelis and Arabs), the influence of one of America’s most powerful religious constituencies (evangelicals), and one of the most widely used tools of non- governmental diplomacy (Track II diplomacy). It provides original research related to the relevancy of Track II diplomacy by evangelicals, specifically pro-Israel or “Zionist” evangelicals, in Israeli and Arab peacemaking. The study analyzes three relevant case studies to answer the research question: “How are …

Pastoral Prose And Civic Engagement: Crafting The Call To The Public Square, Christopher Ian Thoma

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis explores the relationship between creative writing techniques employed by pastors and congregational engagement in the public square. The central thesis posits that if pastors incorporate creative writing methods in extended weekly communications with congregants, then the necessary factors for engagement in the public square will be fostered, leading to attitudinal shifts demonstrated by increased congregational interest or participation in civil affairs. Through an extensive literature review, the thesis fairly examines historical and contemporary views of church and state, the Two Kingdoms doctrine, concepts relative to public square participation, Christianity’s waning cultural influence, communication science, developmental theory, literature familiarity, …

Exploring Differences In Perceived Learning For Students In Online Versus Face-To-Face Collegiate Pilot Ground Schools: A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study, Christopher Komsa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if there was a difference in the perceived learning of students completing online versus face-to-face collegiate pilot ground schools. Higher education institutions with pilot training programs are highly invested in student success and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliance. A growing number of students are taking online courses in college, and this shift was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived learning was quantified using a web-based survey that collected perceived learning data as measured by the Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor (CAP) Perceived Learning Scale. A sample of 86 students at University …

Understanding Political Rigidity: Exploring The Epistemic Underpinnings Of Political Ideology, Chad Mitchel Osteen

Dissertations

The ideology as motivated social cognition model conceptualizes conservatism in terms of two unique constructs: political conservatism and psychological conservatism. The former pertains to a predisposition to specific ideological beliefs (e.g., resistance to change), while the latter pertains to the psychological traits that are associated with particular ideologies (e.g., negativity bias). Experimental research demonstrates the mechanistic relationship of epistemic motivations and emergent political behavior. Much of the evidence lies in explicitly ideological outcomes. The current proposal seeks to test the fundamental assumption in this body of work. This is the assumption that increased epistemic motivation should lead to a preference …

A Small Light For The Road: The Lived Experience Of Mhpss Trainers In Northern Iraq, Sarah Mathis Nowery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) trainers of lay workers and paraprofessionals in Northern Iraq. One central research question, followed by three subquestions, was used to frame this study: What are the lived experiences of MHPSS trainers for lay workers and paraprofessionals in Northern Iraq? How do participants describe the challenges they faced providing training to lay workers and paraprofessionals in Northern Iraq? How do participants describe their students’ greatest needs? How do participants describe the tools, trainings, and techniques they identify as helpful? The wicked problem …

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Therapists And Their Work With Socially Isolated Female Victims Of Sexual Violence Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Iris Lazette Saldivar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to assess the experiences of therapists and the descriptions of their navigation processes while working with female victims of sexual violence who were socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Texas. The theory that guided this study was the theoretical framework of loneliness, social isolation, and associated health outcomes. The research study focuses on two research questions that sought to examine the experiences and navigation of virtual treatment of therapists who provided counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022. This study sought to find a …

Optical Imaging To Investigate Neurovascular Injury, Repair, And Disease, Ryan Michael Bowen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Local neural circuitry and global neural networks in the brain are often investigated using mesoscopic, hemodynamic imaging such as optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), relying on oximetric signals as proxies of neural activity. However, the tight neurovascular coupling that ties regional changes in blood flow to changes in neural activity in normal states can be severely disrupted in disease states. I show that neurovascular coupling is significantly interrupted in mouse models of Cantu syndrome, a rare disease caused by gain-of-function mutations in ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. Such marked disruptions in neurovascular coupling in disease …

Cornus Officinalis Extract Activates The Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway And Delays T1d Onset In The Nod Mouse, Justin D. Fletcher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder that results in the destruction of the insulin producing pancreatic β cells. The only therapeutic option following T1D clinical onset is exogenous insulin supplementation. At present, there is no cure for T1D and attempted interventional therapy has been focused on modulating the immune system. Few attempts have been pursued at preserving β cell function and survival. Here we provide a novel approach using extract from the fruit of the Cornus officinalis (CO) tree to preserve β cell function through the prevention of β cell stress. CO has been used in traditional Chinese …

Microglial P2y6 Calcium Signaling Promotes Phagocytosis And Shapes Neuroimmune Responses In Epileptogenesis, Anthony D Umpierre, Bohan Li, Katayoun Ayasoufi, Whitney L Simon, Shunyi Zhao, Manling Xie, Grace Thyen, Benjamin Hur, Jiaying Zheng, Yue Liang, Dale B Bosco, Mark A Maynes, Zhaofa Wu, Xinzhu Yu, Jaeyun Sung, Aaron J Johnson, Yulong Li, Long-Jun Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Microglial calcium signaling is rare in a baseline state but strongly engaged during early epilepsy development. The mechanism(s) governing microglial calcium signaling are not known. By developing an in vivo uridine diphosphate (UDP) fluorescent sensor, GRABUDP1.0, we discovered that UDP release is a conserved response to seizures and excitotoxicity across brain regions. UDP can signal through the microglial-enriched P2Y6 receptor to increase calcium activity during epileptogenesis. P2Y6 calcium activity is associated with lysosome biogenesis and enhanced production of NF-κB-related cytokines. In the hippocampus, knockout of the P2Y6 receptor prevents microglia from fully engulfing neurons. Attenuating microglial calcium signaling through calcium …

Development Of A Serious Game As A Natural Hazard Planning Decision Support Tool, Jody A. Thompson

Journal of Extension

As coastal populations grow, so does the exposure to natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, creating the potential for increased social and economic disasters. The literature indicates coastal residents remain complacent when planning before, during, and after an event. There is a growing successful use of serious games in natural resources planning, and a growth in the use of digital and electronic games. We developed the serious digital game Plan for It! in response to identified needs and to capitalize on the public’s familiarity with gamification and digital gaming.

New Valproate Regulations, Informed Choice And Seizure Risk, Heather Angus-Leppan, Rachel Arkell, Lance Watkins, Dominic Heaney, Paul Cooper, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Valproate is the most effective medication for generalised epilepsies, and several specific epilepsy syndromes. For some people, it will be the only medication to establish seizure remission, and withdrawing it carries risks of seizure recurrence and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). It is also of proven efficacy for bipolar disorder and migraine prevention.Guidelines based on observational and epidemiological studies stress that maternal valproate related teratogenicity and neurodevelopmental effects are significantly higher than for other antiseizure medications (ASMs). It should, therefore, only be used if other medications are ineffective and after balancing the teratogenicity risk. Regulatory restrictions have changed prescribing …

Assessing Effects Of Climate And Technology Uncertainties In Large Natural Resource Allocation Problems, Jevgenijs Steinbuks, Yongyang Cai, Jonas Jaegermeyr, Thomas W. Hertel

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The productivity of the world's natural resources is critically dependent on a variety of highly uncertain factors, which obscure individual investors and governments that seek to make long-term, sometimes irreversible, investments in their exploration and utilization. These dynamic considerations are poorly represented in disaggregated resource models, as incorporating uncertainty into large-dimensional problems presents a challenging computational task. In this paper, we apply the SCEQ algorithm (Cai and Judd, 2023) to solve a large-scale dynamic stochastic global land resource use problem with stochastic crop yields due to adverse climate impacts and limits on further technological progress. For the same model parameters …

Designing An Animated Presentation For Educating Physicians And Patients On Opioid Addiction, Jenny Phillips

Theses

The devastating opioid epidemic in the United States continues to wreak havoc, especially on those suffering from opioid addiction. Regrettably, the lack of reliable treatments and understanding of this disease has hindered physicians' ability to provide adequate care. As a result, those affected often feel ashamed and reluctant to seek help due to the growing stigma surrounding opioid addiction. These barriers prevent the successful treatment of this prevalent and treatable disease. To tackle this issue, Dr. Michael Peck and his team have been essential in traveling to different communities and illustrating the truth about opioids and opioid addiction. They developed …

Diverting The Mob Mentality: The Real Dam History Of Las Vegas, Stephen J. Mislan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Las Vegas emerged as one of the most popular cities in the United States. Many factors impacted this improbable transformation from just a remote desert valley to a world-class resort destination in its relatively short existence. The story of how all of these factors led to such a fabulous city in such an unlikely location was truly the stuff of legends. The most prevalent narrative about the history of Las Vegas was that the mob built the city. The mob, indeed, was responsible for many casinos and casino innovations. Several other key figures, events, and circumstances contributed to the city’s …

Examining The Cues To Action Of Christian Parents And/Or Guardians Who Are Hesitant To Vaccinate Pediatric Populations, Marcia S. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As a result of skepticism related to vaccine administration, many newborns and children are without their standardized and recommended vaccinations due to parent and/or guardian beliefs. It is the parent and/or guardian who holds the power to vaccinate their children. Vaccine administration is one of the most successful achievements of public health intervention in the 20th century. The purpose of this study is to use a descriptive case study analysis approach to assess parents' and/or guardians' concerns, attitudes, beliefs, and intentions towards immunizations for their children (from birth to 18 years of age). Understanding the "why" and "how" concerns raised …

Innovation And Technology: The Era Of Autonomous Cars And Their Outcomes In Law Enforcement, Gabrielle Banish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research study is to explore the cybersecurity of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), including the technological challenges, barriers, and impacts on society. This research study provides a framework for law enforcement agencies to understand the scope of security of AVs and develop relevant policies and strategies to enhance the security of these vehicles. AVs are a relatively nascent concept in the automotive industry, and thus, there is limited knowledge about cybersecurity. In the upcoming years, there will probably be a considerable increase in the number of semi-autonomous vehicles on many US and European roads. Some experts even predict …

Evidence-Based Practices For Military-Connected Students With Disruptive Behaviors Receiving Response To Intervention/Section 504 Services: School Counselors' Attitudes And Theoretical Orientation, Eddie Benitez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This cross-sectional quantitative study compares primary and secondary counselors’ attitudes and theoretical orientation for evidence-based practices for military-connected students with disruptive behaviors receiving Response to Intervention and Section 504 services in Texas. This study is paramount for military-connected students with disruptive behaviors in closing gaps in academic performance, social-emotional skills, social justice, and multiculturalism in education. Military-connected students with disruptive behaviors confront the risk of not receiving evidence-based interventions through school services due to school counselors’ practices and theoretical approach. The researcher used a quantitative cross-sectional method and three analyses: Pearson r correlation, Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), ANOVA, and …

From Guns To Intimate Partner Violence: The Impact Of Power And Control, Meaghan E. Brown

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Gun violence and intimate partner violence are pervasive public health concerns across the globe. Notably, previous literature has shown a positive relationship between gun ownership and intimate partner violence (IPV), even when a gun is not used during acts of IPV. Despite this established link, few studies to date have explored psychological mechanisms, especially feelings of and desire for power, that could explain this relationship among young men. Given that college students remain one of the most at-risk groups for both victimization and perpetration of IPV, examining the relationship between actual or intended gun ownership and IPV could close vital …

“She’S On Her Way Up”: A Case Study Of Mercy Otis Warren And The Gendered Politics Of Commemoration, Sara Ann White

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2001, a statue of eighteenth-century Bill of Rights advocate Mercy Otis Warren was erected on the Barnstable County Superior Courthouse lawn in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The story of the statue’s eventual placement is a fascinating case study of how the gendered politics of commemoration can play out over time in local communities. The saga of Warren’s commemoration is inextricably bound up with the history of efforts to commemorate Warren’s brother, James Otis Jr., and eventual arguments that Warren’s work deserved recognition in its own right. We first see gendered politics at play as Warren’s real accomplishments were consistently overshadowed by …