Digital Commons Network^™

An Interview With Kristen Gentry, Jess Marinaro

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Bread Blue Planet // Whole Again, Stella Gleitsman

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

The Future Of The Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries, Mikayla Gross

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a multinational and intergovernmental organization that dictates the petroleum exportation policies of 13 countries: Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela (About Us, 2023). The mission of OPEC is to ensure a stable supply of petroleum through its shared policies for its Member Countries and consumers (Our Mission, 2023). Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela founded OPEC in 1960 under the foundations and principles that dictated the international world order. Those foundations and principles …

Stat3 Protects Hematopoietic Stem Cells By Preventing Activation Of A Deleterious Autocrine Type-I Interferon Response, Bhakti Patel, Yifan Zhou, Rachel L Babcock, Feiyang Ma, M Anna Zal, Dhiraj Kumar, Yusra B Medik, Laura M Kahn, Josué E Pineda, Elizabeth M Park, Sarah M Schneider, Ximing Tang, Maria Gabriela Raso, Collene R Jeter, Tomasz Zal, Karen Clise-Dwyer, Khandan Keyomarsi, Filippo G Giancotti, Simona Colla, Stephanie S Watowich

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) maintain blood-forming and immune activity, yet intrinsic regulators of HSPCs remain elusive. STAT3 function in HSPCs has been difficult to dissect as Stat3-deficiency in the hematopoietic compartment induces systemic inflammation, which can impact HSPC activity. Here, we developed mixed bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice with inducible Stat3 deletion in 20% of the hematopoietic compartment to avoid systemic inflammation. Stat3-deficient HSPCs were significantly impaired in reconstitution ability following primary or secondary bone marrow transplantation, indicating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) defects. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Lin-ckit+Sca1+ BM cells (LSKs) revealed aberrant activation of cell cycle, p53, …

Saltwater And Dirt: Using Magical Spaces For Queer Re-Worlding, Ramana Dienes-Browning

Postgraduate

This research project is a work of autotheory situated under the umbrella of Queer Theory. The work encompasses a theoretical component and a short performance art film and the two should be viewed as part of the whole. The creative practice has been used as a device to speak to the theory and bring it to life. The theory has informed, and homogenised with, the making of the art film. Through the course of this creative research project I found my way to a queer becoming through the comingling of magical phenomena, composting (Haraway, 2016, p.97) and hydrofeminism (Neimanis, 2012). …

Seeking The Unspoken: Examining Queer Subtext In Storytelling, Morgan Stevens-Reidy

Postgraduate

This exegesis aims to examine the techniques of subtext that are used to determine creative decisions in narrative structures on various forms of fictional screen media with a specific focus on storytelling in an animation context and the creative mediums used to form it. The major focus of subtextual storytelling that is investigated during this exegesis is the themes and narratives used throughout the LGBTQ+ community and the diversity of its influences upon hidden signs within stories, which was studied through the process of creating the foundation of a short film with the use of methodological approaches such as practice-led …

Numerical Variations In The Thoracic And Lumbar Vertebrae Within The John A. Williams Skeletal Collection, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, Nc (Usa), Leanna Annette Sanford

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This research is on how human variation can lead to the identification of remains based on skeletal variation. The data were collected by performing a morphoscopic trait study of the John A. Williams (J.A.W.) Documented Human Skeletal Collection at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC (USA). Morphoscopic traits are nonmetric traits, visually identified using the knowledge of osteology. The study was performed to study variation of the vertebral column, specifically focusing on morphoscopic traits of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The focus of this research is centralized on the presence of numerical variations in the vertebral column such as eleven …

The Osteobiography Of Human Remains From The Seaview And Indian Town Trail Archaeological Sites, Maggie M. Klemm

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

Extensive site surveys and excavations on the Island of Barbuda led by Sophia Perdikaris have identified over 62 sites spanning from the Archaic time period to Historic times. Over the last 18 years, these multidisciplinary teams have focused on mapping all sites and performing rescue excavations on sites threatened by sea level rise, erosion or development. Two such sites are the Saladoid site of Seaview (BA016) and the Troumassoid site of Indian Town Trail (BA01). The dunes surrounding the site of Seaview receive the brunt of storms and hurricanes. In 1998 hurricane Georges exposed skeletal material now part of the …

The Kruger Collection Reimagined: A Case Study In 3d Scanning And Interactive Exhibit Design, Annissa Davis

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This thesis examines the use of 3D modeling in museum exhibition to create exploratory exhibits that facilitate unique relationships between the visitors and the collection beyond what is provided by the collection’s in person counterparts. Typical use of 3D modeling in museums is currently often representative rather than exploratory. By employing a Digital Humanities lens to approach the development of a digital exhibition utilizing 3D technology and interactive elements created in a video game engine (Unity), this thesis project evaluates these potential new relationships. Using the Eloise Kruger Collection of Miniatures as a case study, the following text details the …

A Manual On The Planning And Integration Of Archaeological Methods In To Outdoor Forensic Search Investigations, Jonathan Robert Garcia

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

As archaeology and its applications into forensic contexts develop into the growing discipline of forensic archaeology, an increasing amount of literature has resulted stemming from research on the integration of common archaeological methods. However, much of this literature is intended for professional archaeologists or forensic anthropologists who are well experienced in their respective disciplines. Emerging literature generally does not consider those who leads efforts at forensic scenes in the outdoors such as law enforcement officers who often lack a background in archaeology or forensic anthropology. This thesis seeks to resolve this dilemma by creating a new and accessible manual. The …

Talking About Writing: Scenes Of Writing Workshops In History And Practice, Erika Luckert

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation envisions the writing workshop as a space where we do essential political and social work—where we can reimagine writing, and the teaching of writing, in more interdependent and inclusive ways. This research responds to the work of BIPOC writers and scholars who have urged those of us in Writing Studies to address the homogeneity of the workshop’s history, and to revise its exclusionary logics. Drawing on interviews and observations of teachers in undergraduate creative writing and composition classrooms across the United States, the author examines what actually happens when students talk together about their in-progress writing. This dissertation …

Longhand Versus Laptop Note Taking And Lecture Rate Influence, Junrong Lu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Most college students take lecture notes to prepare for tests. With technology development, more students are recording notes on laptops rather than writing them longhand. Previous studies comparing laptop and longhand note taking mediums yielded mixed results, highlighting the need to identify influencing factors. The present study investigated a potential factor, lecture rate, through two experiments. Experiment 1 examined whether lecture rate differentially influences longhand and laptop note taking without note review. Experiment 2 investigated lecture rate effects before and after note review. Dependent measures pertained to various note-taking indices (e.g., verbatim overlap with lecture transcripts and numbers of words, …

Supporting The Creative Side Of Creative Coding: Helping Students Wield Code In The Pursuit Of Their Own Dreams, Gretchen K. Larsen

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Creative coding has become more common in art and new media schools, however research describing how teachers navigate the unique challenges of teaching code as a creative medium is limited. This paper presents the details of a creative coding course designed to support the ‘creative’ side of creative coding. As a result of this research, I present a framework for supporting the ‘creative’ side of creative coding, which connects to arts-based education theories, modified for the creative code context. This paper asks—what helps students use creative coding as an artistic medium in the pursuit of their own questions and meaning? …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Developmental Programming At Early Childhood Education And Childcare Centers: A Qualitative Study, Alexis N. Foehrkolb, Jenna Lenhart, Hayley Woods, Madison Wetzel, Breanna Adkins, Sueann R. Woods

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to discover what strategies of developmental programming are integrated into early childhood curriculum, whether occupational therapy had a role in the formation of the guidelines, and the importance of early intervention on child development. A case study with ethnographic methods was used, including observations and interviews, to gain an understanding of how sociocultural phenomena affect rural childcare centers in Morgantown, West Virginia. Data was collected and coded into 14 themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from interview data found that daycare teachers are given the choice to follow provided lesson plans or individualize their …

Exploring The Potential Of Electromagnetic-Driven Energy Technologies In Preventing Microbial And Aflatoxin Contamination Of Grains, Abass A. Oduola

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic-driven energy such as infrared (IR) technology holds great potential in deactivating Aspergillus flavus spores and prevents aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination. Aflatoxins, highly toxic secondary metabolites primarily produced by Aspergillus species within the Flavi section (A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius), pose substantial health risks to both humans and animals due to their significant toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Detecting and quantifying the presence and proliferation of these harmful fungi on food materials can be achieved by measuring the concentration of ergosterol. Ergosterol is a sterol compound produced in the cell membranes of fungi during their growth, providing …

Advancing Qualitative Inquiry In Agricultural Communications: An Analysis Of Theories, Methodologies, And Standards For Quality, Karli Yarber

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of qualitative research within the field of agricultural communications. Through a trio of research articles, this research critically assesses the application of theories, methodologies, and standards for quality across studies published in six disciplinary journals from 2003 to 2023. The first manuscript explores the theoretical frameworks guiding qualitative research in agricultural communications, uncovering a diverse but scattered theoretical underpinning with Framing, Diffusion of Innovations, and Uses and Gratifications Theory emerging as the most prevalent. The second manuscript meticulously examines the methodologies employed, revealing a growing acceptance and application of qualitative …

Dynamics Of Karyotype Evolution, Elena Kuzmin, Toby M Baker, Peter Van Loo, Leon Glass

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In the evolution of species, the karyotype changes with a timescale of tens to hundreds of thousand years. In the development of cancer, the karyotype often is modified in cancerous cells over the lifetime of an individual. Characterizing these changes and understanding the mechanisms leading to them has been of interest in a broad range of disciplines including evolution, cytogenetics, and cancer genetics. A central issue relates to the relative roles of random vs deterministic mechanisms in shaping the changes. Although it is possible that all changes result from random events followed by selection, many results point to other non-random …

Pet Imaging Of Metabolism, Perfusion, And Hypoxia: Fdg And Beyond, Austin R Pantel, Seong-Woo Bae, Elizabeth J Li, Sophia R O'Brien, H Charles Manning

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Imaging glucose metabolism with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography has transformed the diagnostic and treatment algorithms of numerous malignancies in clinical practice. The cancer phenotype, though, extends beyond dysregulation of this single pathway. Reprogramming of other pathways of metabolism, as well as altered perfusion and hypoxia, also typifies malignancy. These features provide other opportunities for imaging that have been developed and advanced into humans. In this review, we discuss imaging metabolism, perfusion, and hypoxia in cancer, focusing on the underlying biology to provide context. We conclude by highlighting the ability to image multiple facets of biology to better characterize cancer and …

Discovering Genetic Biomarkers For Targeted Cancer Therapeutics With Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Debaditya Chakraborty, Elizabeth Gutierrez-Chakraborty, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Hakan Başağaoğlu, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Paola Amero

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Novel Sik2 Inhibitor Sic-19 Exhibits Synthetic Lethality With Parp Inhibitors In Ovarian Cancer, Fang Wang, Xuejiao Yu, Jun Qian, Yumin Cao, Shunli Dong, Shenghua Zhan, Zhen Lu, Robert C Bast, Qingxia Song, Youguo Chen, Yi Zhang, Jinhua Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Ovarian cancer patients with HR proficiency (HRP) have had limited benefits from PARP inhibitor treatment, highlighting the need for improved therapeutic strategies. In this study, we developed a novel SIK2 inhibitor, SIC-19, and investigated its potential to enhance the sensitivity and expand the clinical utility of PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer.

Methods: The SIK2 protein was modeled using a Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), and the most favorable model was selected based on a GBVI/WSA dG scoring function. The Chembridge Compound Library was screened, and the top 20 candidate compounds were tested for their interaction with SIK2 and downstream substrates, …

Interferons And Tuft Cell Numbers Are Bottlenecks For Persistent Murine Norovirus Infection, Somya Aggarwal, Forrest C. Walker, James S. Weagley, Broc T. Mccune, Xiaofen Wu, Lawrence A. Schriefer, Heyde Makimaa, Dylan Lawrence, Pratyush Sridhar, Megan T. Baldridge

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Noroviruses (NoVs) are a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis. Despite global clinical relevance, our understanding of how host factors, such as antiviral cytokines interferons (IFNs), modulate NoV population dynamics is limited. Murine NoV (MNoV) is a tractable in vivo model for the study of host regulation of NoV. A persistent strain of MNoV, CR6, establishes a reservoir in intestinal tuft cells for chronic viral shedding in stool. However, the influence of host innate immunity and permissive cell numbers on viral population dynamics is an open question. We generated a pool of 20 different barcoded viruses (CR6BC) by inserting 6-nucleotide barcodes …

The U.S. Greek Cypriot Community: An Oral History From 1974, Diana Violaris Minakakis

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The 1974 occupation of Cyprus has been discussed and analyzed by government officials, political scientists and diplomatic relations experts for half a century but a substantial, documented narrative history is lacking. An oral history of those who journeyed to the United States during this time has not been collected. This paper includes interviews with members of the Greek Cypriot Community in the United States who were willing to share their stories for the purposes of documenting their experiences as part of an oral history. For the purposes of this thesis, Turkish Cypriots were not sought for participation.

In addition to …

Inviting The Public Into Wildlife Research: Does Participation In Research Projects That Facilitate Interactions With Local Species Change Feelings Of Connection?, Seth Gibbons

All Dissertations

For many reasons, humans are less connected to nature. Research shows that people who feel more connected to nature are more likely to have pro-environmental intentions. One possible way to strengthen the human-nature connection is to involve the public in wildlife research, exposing them to local wildlife in a way that highlights science. This dissertation investigates two such projects, the 2019 Clemson Barred Owl Project and the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program, to understand the effects of interacting with local species through wildlife research.

Interviews were conducted with participants and the lead researcher of the Clemson Barred Owl Project …

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Response To Degenerated Intervertebral Disc-Like Ph, Kyle Cannon

All Dissertations

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has become increasingly prevalent and is a common contributing factor to low back pain. There are currently no clinical treatment options for IVDD that alleviate the symptoms of IVDD while simultaneously promoting repair of IVD tissue. One treatment option being explored is intradiscal administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). However, the microenvironment of the degenerating IVD places significant stress on both native IVD cells and implanted cells. There are several questions that need to be addressed which may help further inform the development of efficacious intradiscal MSC therapies for IVDD. These questions include: 1) Do MSCs …

Novel Nucleus Pulposus Biomaterial Development And Low Field Mri Assessment For Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Mario Krussig

All Dissertations

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prominent pathology in the modern world that causes debilitating pain for many patients. The onset of IVDD occurs in the nucleus pulposus (NP). NP biomaterials will play a vital role in mitigating the progression of IVDD. Within this work, we sought to synthesize a solubilized extracellular matrix (ECM)-based NP biomaterial. Utilizing pepsin or urea extraction, bovine NP ECM was successfully solubilized (SBNPs). SBNP formulations were characterized biochemically, evaluated for cytotoxicity, and down-selected for front-running formulations. Leading candidate SBNPs were incorporated into an alginate bead biomaterial model to determine the potential bioactivity with human adipose-derived …

Optimizing Laying Hen Behavior, Bone Health, And Welfare Through Environmental And Nutritional Enrichments, Mallory Anderson

All Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the impact of environmental and nutritional enrichments on the behavior, bone health, and welfare of Hy-line brown and Hy-line W-36 laying hens. Laying hens are prone to experiencing a progressive increase in bone fragility due to the ongoing mobilization of calcium from the bones for eggshell formation. Over time, this increases their susceptibility for bone fracture, which is a welfare concern. Prior research suggests that exercise, especially during the developmental stage, can aid in minimizing bone fractures by strengthening muscles and increasing bone mass. Furthermore, nutrition plays an integral role in laying …

The Influence Of Feed Additives On Laying Hen Health, Welfare, And Egg Quality, Alexa Johnson

All Dissertations

Natural feed additives like oregano essential oil and synbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic) are options with great potential for increasing the health and welfare of laying hens. The first two studies explored the effects of dietary oregano essential oil (EOO) on performance, gastrointestinal traits (GIT), blood lipids, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality in laying hens from 0 to 40 weeks of age. The third study was conducted to examine dietary EOO on layers on the shelf life and fatty acid profile of eggs. The final study aimed to examine the effects of a dietary synbiotic on agonistic behavior, plasma and brain …

Understanding The Experiences Of Para-Collegiate Student- Athletes: A Mixed Methods Study, Derek Whaley

All Dissertations

Experiences are the impressions developed through gaining, using, fostering, and sometimes disposing of a service or product. Recent years have shown an ongoing emphasis placed on experiences and their impacts; one of particular interest for this study are the experiences of para-collegiate student-athletes. Using the Experience Type Framework (ETF) and the Extraordinary Impact Scale (EIS), the purpose of this study was to understand the experience of involvement in intercollegiate sports among adaptive student-athletes. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, using quantitative and qualitative data to understand the adaptive student-athlete experience. Phase I (n = 30) used the …

Connecting Genotype And Phenotype: Investigating The Functional Morphology And Molecular Architecture That Influences Craniofacial Divergence Using Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes, Leah Delorenzo

All Dissertations

Connecting genotype and phenotype to better understand how species evolve has been a goal of evolutionary developmental biologists over the last 50 years. This dissertation aims to connect genotype and phenotype of the craniofacial skeleton within the adaptive radiation of Lake Malawi cichlids to fortify our understanding of the functional, genetic, and epigenetic factors that contribute to craniofacial divergence. I start with a functional approach using 2D geometric morphometrics to assess craniofacial shape across the Lake Malawi cichlid radiation to bolster our knowledge of the bone phenotypes that are important to niche specialization and are functionally relevant. Next, I use …

Use Of Modelling Tools To Assess Climate Change Impacts On Smallholder Oil Seed Yields In South Africa, Priscilla Ntuchu Kephe, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Farirai Rusere, Abel Chemura

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oil seed crops are the second most important field crops after cereals in the agricultural economy globally. The use and demand for oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean and sunflower have grown significantly, but climate change is expected to alter the agroecological conditions required for oilseed crop production. This study aims to present an approach that utilizes decision-making tools to assess the potential climate change impacts on groundnut, soybean and sunflower yields and the greenhouse gas emissions from the management of the crops. The Decision Support Tool for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v4.7), a dynamic crop model and the Cool Farm …