Digital Commons Network^™

A Single Cell Rna Sequence Atlas Of The Early Drosophila Larval Eye, Komal Kumar Bollepogu Raja, Kelvin Yeung, Yumei Li, Rui Chen, Graeme Mardon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Drosophila eye has been an important model to understand principles of differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and tissue morphogenesis. However, a single cell RNA sequence resource that captures gene expression dynamics from the initiation of differentiation to the specification of different cell types in the larval eye disc is lacking. Here, we report transcriptomic data from 13,000 cells that cover six developmental stages of the larval eye. Our data show cell clusters that correspond to all major cell types present in the eye disc ranging from the initiation of the morphogenetic furrow to the differentiation of each photoreceptor cell type as …

Leveraging Integrated Rna Sequencing To Decipher Adrenomedullin's Protective Mechanisms In Experimental Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Subarna Palit, Amrit Kumar Shrestha, Shyam Thapa, Sandra L Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Fabian Theis, Lukas M Simon, Binoy Shivanna

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease commonly affecting premature infants, with limited therapeutic options and increased long-term consequences. Adrenomedullin (Adm), a proangiogenic peptide hormone, has been found to protect rodents against experimental BPD. This study aims to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which Adm influences BPD pathogenesis using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of experimental BPD in mice. Bulk RNA sequencing of Adm-sufficient (wild-type or Adm+/+) and Adm-haplodeficient (Adm+/−) mice lungs, integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing data, revealed distinct gene expression patterns and cell type alterations associated with Adm deficiency …

The Relationship Between Therapists' Belief About Exposure-Based Therapies, Anxiety, And Religious Faith: A Quantitative Study, Leslie Marie Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Professional therapists are vital in society, providing mental health care for individuals and families. However, therapists can experience mental health diagnoses as well, which may affect what therapeutic techniques they use with clients. Exposure-based therapies (EBTs) are an effective therapeutic technique for anxiety disorder, yet professional therapists underutilize them. Research demonstrated that religious faith affects the counseling relationship, although no research was identified as exploring the relationship between therapists’ religious faith, personal anxiety level, and belief in using EBTs in their practices. This quantitative, descriptive, correlational study utilized PROCESS Model 1 and sought to fill this gap in the literature. …

Best Practices Associated With Medical Device Regulatory Strategy Success: A Case Study, Jonathan P. Ward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the evolving medical device industry, understanding how to achieve effective regulatory strategies is crucial. This study explored the foundations of regulatory strategy success in the United States, using qualitative insights from regulatory affairs professionals and industry investors. It identified operational, leadership, product design, and external factors essential for developing and implementing successful regulatory strategies. Key findings highlighted the importance of financial planning, agile regualtory process management, strategic knowledge integration, and proactive engagement with regulatory authorities. The study also pointed to the role of business ecosystems in supporting regulatory outcomes, suggesting a strategic planning approach that aligns product design with …

Needs Assessment Tool For A Value-Added Beef Extension Program For Small Farmers, Sarah Al-Mazroa Smith, Greg Miller

Journal of Extension

As beef industry trends have evolved, beef producers are looking for value-added beef practices and marketing strategies. To ensure that a new value-added beef Extension program framework at [University] aligns with beef producers’ needs, a needs assessment instrument was created. We developed a needs assessment tool focused on program objectives and delivery method preferences. This tool can be used to adapt the program to meet specific needs and preferences of participants.

South Carolina Master Naturalist Program Evaluation: A Mixed Methods Approach, Susan T. Guynn, James H. Blake, Nathan Nemire, Joe Bible

Journal of Extension

The South Carolina Master Naturalist Program provides nature-based education to citizen volunteers who will promote environmental stewardship and is offered at six host sites across the state. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation (the integration of qualitative and quantitative data) of the South Carolina Master Naturalist Program. Overall, the South Carolina Master Naturalist Program is achieving its mission but there were some differences between host sites. We identified where there were differences and why those differences may exist. We make recommendations to help strengthen the program across all host sites in the areas of program fidelity, delivery, and administration.

Beefsd: An Integrated And Intensive Extension Curriculum For Beginning Beef Cattle Producers, Krista A. Ehlert, Amanda D. Blair, Stacy Hadrick, Ken Olson

Journal of Extension

There is a strong need to increase the opportunities for and success of the next generation of beef cattle producers. South Dakota State University Extension provides a 2-year educational program called “beefSD;” the purpose is to provide producers with a holistic view of the beef industry, an appreciation for utilizing adaptive management to respond to challenges and opportunities, and skills to assess and manage factors that influence overall operation sustainability. The curriculum has four major components: 1) in person workshops, case studies, interactive webinars, and homework 2) out-of-state learning experiences, 3) ranch to rail program, and 4) networking and mentoring.

The Key To Coding Qualitative Data: Examples From The 4-H Youth Retention Study, Sarah Hensley, Janet Fox, Missy Cummins, Meggan Franks, Marianne Bird, Cindy Wells, Jolynn Miller

Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension professionals utilize proven qualitative techniques to collect and analyze information to make data-driven decisions that guide program direction and determine impact. While the process may not always look the same, it is indeed essential to ensure findings are credible and reflective of the data. A codebook is a valuable tool that promotes interrater reliability among teams and enhances the reliability of findings. This article provides an overview of the process used to analyze qualitative data and the steps followed to create a codebook. Examples of the analysis process and codebook development are provided from the 4-H multi-state Youth …

Ua-Rg13-04 Executive Director For Budget & Institutional Research / Department Of Facilities Management, Archives

Archives Registers

Blueprints and architectural plans, correspondence, flyers, notices, announcements, various policy statements, reports, budgets, "Wolfe's Neck Farm files", 1897-2009

Ua-Rg11-01 Division Of Public Service / Office Of The Director, Archives

Archives Registers

Meeting minutes, reports, instructor and salary records, correspondence, flyers, brochures, notices, program offerings, workshops, and trainings, 1963-1999

Ua-Rg04-01 Academic Affairs / Office Of The Provost, Archives

Archives Registers

USM self-report to NEASC, policy reports, program curricula, correspondence, fellowship recipients (1965-2008)

Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 113, 2nd Quarter 2024, National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly

JFQ is certainly the Chairman’s journal, but it exists solely to give voice to you and your ideas on the joint force, jointness in general, and how best to fight and win our Nation’s wars and secure the peace. For over 30 years, the best and brightest among us have sustained the dialogue within these pages, whether physical or virtual. Help us continue this great tradition by sending us your articles and adding to the growing body of knowledge that is Joint Force Quarterly.

Taking Cues From Complexity: How Complex Adaptive Systems Prepare For All-Domain Operations, Benjamin Selzer

Joint Force Quarterly

How can a complex adaptive systems (CAS) model guide a Service when facing future challenges at the individual and Service/institutional levels? This article provides recommendations on how to address these challenges taken from the study of CAS. These studies can inform efforts to develop doctrine, education, training, planning, and eventual implementation of joint all-domain operations (JADO) doctrine.

Let’S Go! 2022-2023 Educational Programs: Developing A Standardized Obesity Medicine Curriculum Through A Realist Evaluation, Isaac Stickney, Peter Amann, Victoria Rogers, Austin Steward, Kayla Bronzo, Alec Luro, Robert Bing-You

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Problem: Obesity is linked to more than 200 chronic conditions, lower quality of life, and worse outcomes for patients. Let’s Go! is a community engagement initiative that works with communities to create environments that support healthy behaviors that impact obesity. Let’s Go! provides educational programming for all medical learners and providers throughout Maine and Carroll County, New Hampshire. The goal of Let’s Go! is to address the health outcomes of obesity and the stigma associated with it, including its impact on patients’ mental health and clinicians’ unconscious biases.

Approach: We used a realist evaluation, a framework in which the social …

Intravenous Iron In Patients Hospitalized With Bacterial Infections: Utilization And Outcomes, Nicolette Centanni, Jennifer Hammond, Joshua Carver, Wendy Craig, Stephanie Nichols

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Given the uncertainties with IV iron therapy and potential risk of infection, there may be hesitation to treat hospitalized patients with bacterial infections with this preparation even if clinically indicated. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of prescribing IV iron in hospitalized patients being treated for a bacterial infection and associated clinical outcomes in those with severe infections.

Methods: This retrospective chart review evaluated adult patients who received both IV iron sucrose and antibiotics during the same admission at Maine Medical Center during 2019. Data collected included iron studies and IV iron prescribing practices. Clinical outcomes …

Communicating Animals: A Doctor Dolittle Story, Andrew Rowan

Tales of WellBeing

Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches are opening new opportunities to understand what animals say.

Utilizing Funds Of Knowledge In An Early Childhood Classroom To Enhance And Create Read-Aloud Experiences, Grace Katharine O'Malley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate the read-aloud experiences in an early childhood classroom that embed students Funds of Knowledge (FoK). The specific aim is the explore what happens when I utilize my students' funds of knowledge when planning and implementing read-aloud experiences. what happens when I utilize my students' funds of knowledge when planning and implementing read-aloud experiences. The students demonstrated making connections to peers in response to text, engaging with text that highlights funds of knowledge and conversing about others culture through play. The implications for utilizing Funds of Knowledge in an early childhood classroom is …

Gardner-Webb Hires New Faculty In Education, Arts And Sciences, And Health Sciences, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Gardner-Webb University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen D’Ambrogi Aubrey has announced the hiring of new faculty for the Colleges of Education, Arts and Sciences and Health Sciences. These experienced educators and researchers bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom and continue the ongoing aggressive recruitment of new faculty to the GWU campus.

The Voice As Identity: How Opera Has Influenced Dubbing In Italy And The United States, Brynn Allison Staker

Theses and Dissertations

An enduring Italian tradition of celebrating the voice and the Italian language as seen by the Italian perception and interest in opera has created an environment of celebration for Italian dubbers. The long-established history of opera in Italy, as well as the modern reception of Italian opera, have effectively placed the voice at the forefront of the Italian entertainment industry. This can be seen through an examination of the careers of Italian dubbers and the success that they saw in their industry. The United States did not have a longstanding operatic tradition, and when opera was introduced it was under …

Development And Validation Of A High School Agricultural Literacy Assessment, Rose Judd-Murray, Brian K. Warnick, Daniel C. Coster, Max L. Longhurst

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

The National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs) are knowledge benchmarks for school-aged youth and are used to improve agricultural literacy (National Agriculture in the Classroom, 2014; National Center for Agricultural Literacy, 2017). Despite educational efforts, prior research indicated that high school populations remained at low or deficient literacy levels. Additionally, no agricultural literacy assessment instruments using the NALOs as a standardization benchmark have been developed for the 9-12th grades. The purpose of the study was to validate a summative NALO-centered assessment that could provide baseline data on agricultural literacy following the completion of secondary education (12th grade). The study followed the …

Daily Eicosapentaenoic Acid Infusion In Iugr Fetal Lambs Reduced Systemic Inflammation, Increased Muscle Adrβ2 Content, And Improved Myoblast Function And Muscle Growth, Haley Beer, Taylor A. Lacey, Rachel L. Gibbs, Micah S. Most, Zena M. Hicks, Pablo C. Grijalva, Eileen S. Marks-Nelson, Ty B. Schmidt, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Dustin T. Yates

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses exhibit systemic inflammation that contributes to programmed deficits in myoblast function and muscle growth. Thus, we sought to determine if targeting fetal inflammation improves muscle growth outcomes. Heat stress-induced IUGR fetal lambs were infused with eicosapentaenoic acid (IUGR+EPA; n = 9) or saline (IUGR; n = 8) for 5 days during late gestation and compared to saline-infused controls (n = 11). Circulating eicosapentaenoic acid was 42% less (p < 0.05) for IUGR fetuses but was recovered in IUGR+EPA fetuses. The infusion did not improve placental function or fetal O2 but resolved the 67% greater (p < 0.05) circulating TNFα observed in IUGR fetuses. This improved myoblast function and muscle growth, as the 23% reduction (p < 0.05) in the ex vivo differentiation of IUGR myoblasts was resolved in IUGR+EPA myoblasts. Semitendinosus, longissimus dorsi, and flexor digitorum superficialis muscles were 24–39% lighter (p < 0.05) for IUGR but not for IUGR+EPA fetuses. Elevated (p < 0.05) IL6R and reduced (p < 0.05) β2 adrenoceptor content in IUGR muscle indicated enhanced inflammatory sensitivity and diminished β2 adrenergic sensitivity. Although IL6R remained elevated, β2 adrenoceptor deficits were resolved in IUGR+EPA muscle, demonstrating a unique underlying mechanism for muscle dysregulation. These findings show that fetal inflammation contributes to IUGR muscle growth deficits and thus may be an effective target for intervention.

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication On The Websites Of Tourism Firms In Tanzania, Juma Suluo

Business Management Review

This study investigates how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) information is communicated on the websites of tourism firms in Tanzania. Specifically, the study assesses the quantity, prominence and style of presentation of CSR information on the websites. Data was collected through a content analysis of the websites of the member firms of the Hotel Association of Tanzania (HAT) and Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO). The findings reveal that about 50% of tourism firms disclose their CSR information on their websites. Also, about 57% of tourism firms disclose a minimal amount of CSR information (1 to 2 pages), 31% place their …

Microglial Piezo1 Mechanosensitive Channel As A Therapeutic Target In Alzheimer's Disease, Erol D Ikiz, Erin R Hascup, Chilman Bae, Kevin N Hascup

Articles

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that control brain development, maintain neural environments, respond to injuries, and regulate neuroinflammation. Despite their significant impact on various physiological and pathological processes across mammalian biology, there remains a notable gap in our understanding of how microglia perceive and transmit mechanical signals in both normal and diseased states. Recent studies have revealed that microglia possess the ability to detect changes in the mechanical properties of their environment, such as alterations in stiffness or pressure. These changes may occur during development, aging, or in pathological conditions such as trauma or …

Improving Academic Engagement And Task Completion Using Antecedent Physical Exercise In An Elementary School Classroom, Grace N. Maxwell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of antecedent physical activity interventions in enhancing academic engagement and task completion among first-grade students displaying off-task behaviors. The research involved three student participants from a first grade general education classroom. An ABAB reversal design was used to assess the impact of the intervention. The intervention, implemented by the classroom teacher, consisted of short, structured physical activities conducted before targeted academic periods. Results revealed significant improvements in both academic engagement and task completion following the implementation of the physical activity interventions. The findings suggest that incorporating brief physical activities into daily classroom routines can lead …

Assessing The Climate Resilience Of Quercus Garryana In The Portland Metro Region, Jess Rose Nettle Shamek

Dissertations and Theses

In the context of rapid global climate change, understanding the resilience of local tree species is essential for fostering effective environmental stewardship and community hopefulness. Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), an emblematic species in the Pacific Northwest, has faced significant habitat loss and degradation since settler colonization. However, it also exhibits a predicted resilience to climate change, potentially leading to a range shift and expansion. Species resilience refers to the capacity of a species to persist and adapt in the face of rapid global climate change. Beyond vulnerability assessments and niche models, we know little about this species' …

Spatial Transcriptomics Analysis Identifies A Tumor-Promoting Function Of The Meningeal Stroma In Melanoma Leptomeningeal Disease., Hasan Alhaddad, Oscar E. Ospina, Mariam Lotfy Khaled, Yuan Ren, Ethan Vallebuona, Mohammad Baraa Boozo, Peter A. Forsyth, Yolanda Pina, Robert Macaulay, Vincent Law, Kenneth Y. Tsai, W Douglas Cress, Brooke L. Fridley, Inna Smalley

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) remains a rapidly lethal complication for late-stage melanoma patients. Here, we characterize the tumor microenvironment of LMD and patient-matched extra-cranial metastases using spatial transcriptomics in a small number of clinical specimens (nine tissues from two patients) with extensive in vitro and in vivo validation. The spatial landscape of melanoma LMD is characterized by a lack of immune infiltration and instead exhibits a higher level of stromal involvement. The tumor-stroma interactions at the leptomeninges activate tumor-promoting signaling, mediated through upregulation of SERPINA3. The meningeal stroma is required for melanoma cells to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and …

Operation Villagization And Its Implications For Wildlife Conservation In South-Western Serengeti, Tanzania: The Case Of Maswa Game Reserve, Ca. 1970s–1980s, Beny Nampesya, Hezron Kangalawe

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Operation Villagization in Tanzania attracted the attention of many scholars, including historians, inside and outside the country. This is because it is one of the major policies in the history of Tanzania that affected many sectors. Despite the extensive scope of these studies, minimal attention has been devoted to exploring the connections between this operation and wildlife conservation. The current article uses the case of the Maswa Game Reserve (MGR) to examine the extent to which the operation affected wildlife resources conservation. In essence, it argues that poor implementation of the operation led to enormous encroachments in the MGR, which …

Ip&T 372 Redesign, Christan Hatch-Garcia

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

The original proposal for this project was to work with BYU faculty to redesign IP&T 372: Integrating K-12 Educational Technology 2. When my project proposal was approved, IP&T 372 was a fully online course, the second of a three course undergraduate series for pre-service teachers. These courses were designed to prepare students to “effectively use and think with technology to meet current and emergent needs” in elementary and secondary education (Leary 2022). The purposes of the redesign of IP&T 372 were to (1) align the course with IP&T department goals, (2) bring the Canvas design in-line with the most current …

Targeting Mcl1-Driven Anti-Apoptotic Pathways Overcomes Blast Progression After Hypomethylating Agent Failure In Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, Guillermo Montalban-Bravo, Natthakan Thongon, Juan Jose Rodriguez-Sevilla, Feiyang Ma, Irene Ganan-Gomez, Hui Yang, Yi June Kim, Vera Adema, Bethany Wildeman, Tomoyuki Tanaka, Faezeh Darbaniyan, Gheath Al-Atrash, Karen Dwyer, Sanam Loghavi, Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna, Xingzhi Song, Jianhua Zhang, Koichi Takahashi, Hagop Kantarjian, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Simona Colla

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

RAS pathway mutations, which are present in 30% of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) at diagnosis, confer a high risk of resistance to and progression after hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy, the current standard of care for the disease. Here, using single-cell, multi-omics technologies, we seek to dissect the biological mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of RAS pathway-mutated CMML. We identify that RAS pathway mutations induce transcriptional reprogramming of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and downstream monocytic populations in response to cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic inflammatory signaling that also impair the functions of immune cells. HSPCs expand at disease …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Penicillatus), Misty Nelson, Eleanor P. Gaines

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) using NatureServe methodology, 2024.