Digital Commons Network^™

A Machine Learning Approach For Quantifying Age-Related Histological Changes In The Mouse Kidney., Susan Sheehan, Seamus Mawe, Mandy Chen, Jenna Klug, Warren Ladiges, Ron Korstanje, J Matthew Mahoney

Faculty Research 2024

The ability to quantify aging-related changes in histological samples is important, as it allows for evaluation of interventions intended to effect health span. We used a machine learning architecture that can be trained to detect and quantify these changes in the mouse kidney. Using additional held out data, we show validation of our model, correlation with scores given by pathologists using the Geropathology Research Network aging grading scheme, and its application in providing reproducible and quantifiable age scores for histological samples. Aging quantification also provides the insights into possible changes in image appearance that are independent of specific geropathology-specified lesions. …

Improving Prenatal Diagnosis Through Standards And Aggregation., Michael H Duyzend, Pilar Cacheiro, Julius O B Jacobsen, Jessica Giordano, Harrison Brand, Ronald J Wapner, Michael E Talkowski, Peter N Robinson, Damian Smedley

Faculty Research 2024

Advances in sequencing and imaging technologies enable enhanced assessment in the prenatal space, with a goal to diagnose and predict the natural history of disease, to direct targeted therapies, and to implement clinical management, including transfer of care, election of supportive care, and selection of surgical interventions. The current lack of standardization and aggregation stymies variant interpretation and gene discovery, which hinders the provision of prenatal precision medicine, leaving clinicians and patients without an accurate diagnosis. With large amounts of data generated, it is imperative to establish standards for data collection, processing, and aggregation. Aggregated and homogeneously processed genetic and …

Into The Wild: A Novel Wild-Derived Inbred Strain Resource Expands The Genomic And Phenotypic Diversity Of Laboratory Mouse Models., Beth L Dumont, Daniel Mario Gatti, Mallory A Ballinger, Dana Lin, Megan Phifer-Rixey, Michael J Sheehan, Taichi A Suzuki, Lydia K Wooldridge, Hilda Opoku Frempong, Raman Akinyanju Lawal, Gary Churchill, Cathleen Lutz, Nadia Rosenthal, Jacqueline K White, Michael W Nachman

Faculty Research 2024

The laboratory mouse has served as the premier animal model system for both basic and preclinical investigations for over a century. However, laboratory mice capture only a subset of the genetic variation found in wild mouse populations, ultimately limiting the potential of classical inbred strains to uncover phenotype-associated variants and pathways. Wild mouse populations are reservoirs of genetic diversity that could facilitate the discovery of new functional and disease-associated alleles, but the scarcity of commercially available, well-characterized wild mouse strains limits their broader adoption in biomedical research. To overcome this barrier, we have recently developed, sequenced, and phenotyped a set …

Gene Replacement-Alzheimer's Disease (Gr-Ad): Modeling The Genetics Of Human Dementias In Mice., Kellie Benzow, Kul Karanjeet, Adrian L Oblak, Gregory W. Carter, Michael Sasner, Michael D Koob

Faculty Research 2024

INTRODUCTION: Genetic studies conducted over the past four decades have provided us with a detailed catalog of genes that play critical roles in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRDs). Despite this progress, as a field we have had only limited success in incorporating this rich complexity of human AD/ADRD genetics findings into our animal models of these diseases. Our primary goal for the gene replacement (GR)-AD project is to develop mouse lines that model the genetics of AD/ADRD as closely as possible.

METHODS: To do this, we are generating mouse lines in which the genes of …

2024 Little International Agricultural Exposition Catalog, Little International Agricultural Exposition South Dakota State University

Little International "Little I" Agricultural Exposition Catalogs

This is the catalog for the 101st Little International 'Little I' Agricultural  Exposition, held on April 5th & 6th, 2024.

Preventative Conservation And Pest Management At The Wvu Natural History Museum, Amelia Blevins

Munn Scholars Awards

This paper identifies and proposes feasible solutions to potential threats jeopardizing the longevity of the WVU Natural History Museum and Research Collection with a primary emphasis on pest management. Additionally, this research serves as a starting point for future projects related to the improvement of the WVU Natural History Museum by students or staff. By addressing problems posed by agents of deterioration and providing potential solutions future contributors will be able to mitigate these concerns more efficiently.

What Soil Is Worth: A Cost-Benefit Framework Analysis Of Syntropic Farming, Aubrey Kettley

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Syntropic farming, a type of regenerative agriculture, models its farming system after a forest. This type of farming prioritizes soil health while also providing a varied yield of crops. Because it is a fairly new system globally, little research has been done on the economic impacts of syntropic farming, and therefore the feasibility of scaling up regenerative systems like this. This study aims to analyze the economic feasibility of this system through a literature review and a cost-benefit analysis framework. The results highlight the applicability, environmental advantage and economic feasibility of the system. Based on the presented framework, the short …

Short-Term Larval Surveys Reveal Rainy Season Breeding Site Preferences Of Malaria Vector Anopheles Spp. In Zanzibar City, Kaeden K. Hill

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Malaria is a serious illness that causes over 500,000 deaths annually worldwide, with Tanzania alone contributing to approximately 4% of those deaths. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites, and it is vectored by mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus. In Zanzibar City, the incidence of malaria has decreased over the past few decades due to standardized treatment protocols and public health interventions targeting adult mosquitoes. However, the incidence remains between 1-2%, with an increasing trend observed over the past few years likely stemming from continued exchange of Plasmodium spp. from other malaria-endemic areas. Because larvicidal strategies can be useful in …

Beyond The Ballots: An Exploration Of Indonesian Democracy Through The Lens Of Campaigning And Dynasticism In The 2024 Indonesian General Election, Alexandra Richmond

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper offers a comprehensive exploration of Indonesian democracy, focusing on the dynamics of campaigning and dynasticism within the context of the 2024 Indonesian General Election. Drawing on the anthropological frameworks of historical particularism and functionalism, the research employs a mixed-method approach, combining cultural and participant observation, archival review, and interviews. Through cultural and participant observations in Bali and Java, the study unveils the intricate connections between political support, community unity, and the influence of vote-buying practices. Archival review delves into contentious issues surrounding electoral laws, particularly the Constitutional Court's exception to the age requirement for presidential candidates, revealing conflicts …

Avian Diversity And Abundance Among Agricultural Land, Forested Land, And Their Ecotone In Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, Chiriquí Province, Republic Of Panamá., Stella Rae Kinard

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the human population increases, finding the balance between modifying land use for resources and protecting areas to preserve species that are threatened by anthropogenic disturbance is an ever growing problem. Guadalupe is a town in the Western Highlands of Panamá that struggles in this balance as its primary income source is agriculture, but it is located on the border of two protected areas, Parque Nacional La Amistad and Parque Nacional Volcán Barú. By understanding the unique ways in which avifauna utilize distinct vegetative landscapes, recommendations can be made for management styles of farms in Guadalupe to implement practices that …

Community Opinions On Environmental Action On Isla Porvenir And Whichub Walla In The Guna Yala Comarca, Sofia Houts

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Guna Yala Comarca is the autonomous, self-governed territory of the Guna people, one of seven Indigenous groups in Panama. The Comarca is located on Panama’s eastern Caribbean coast and includes 365 coral islands. Forty nine Guna communities and roughly 32,000 individuals live in the territory. The Guna General Congress is the highest authority, and each community has a local congress. As a low-lying coastal region, Guna Yala is especially vulnerable to climate change and is already impacted by sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and changing precipitation patterns. Sub-national, national, and international forms of governance and environmental action are crucial …

Community Knowledge Of Shark Ecology, Abundance, And Species Composition In Wichubwala, Nalunega, And Porvenir Communities In The Guna Yala Comarca, Panamá, Kayley Jane Porter

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Sharks play a critical role in marine ecosystems as apex predators that exert top-down control of lower trophic levels. In recent decades, global shark populations have declined to unprecedented levels, triggering a cascade effect that threatens ecosystem functioning and, therefore, coastal community livelihoods that rely on marine resources for food and income. It is known that shark populations are vulnerable and on the decline due to anthropogenic stressors such as fishing and coastal development, but shark species composition and abundance are difficult to monitor due to the evasive nature of sharks, the often remote and inaccessible location of certain shark …

Vascular Epiphyte Population Dynamics Within Human-Modified Landscapes Of Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá, Lucine Tashjian

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants non-parasitically, and globally, epiphytes compose a very large and diverse group. They are especially abundant and species-rich in the tropics- particularly, in tropical montane forest ecosystems. Human population growth in the tropics, however, has resulted in significant declines in forest cover with land being converted largely for agricultural purposes. Studies on epiphytes have traditionally been undertaken in pristine, undisturbed forest ecosystems, yet terrestrial land conversion has increased the need to understand the value of human-modified ecosystems for epiphytic populations and biodiversity conservation. This study sought to understand the relationship between human modification …

Undergraduate And Graduate Course Descriptions, Spring 2024, Wright State University

Course Descriptions

Wright State University undergraduate and graduate course descriptions from Spring 2024

Meldra Harris Panchelli Interviewed By Jacob Lewis, Meldra Harris Panchelli, Jacob Lewis, Stephanie Opperman

Collecting the Past

Jacob Lewis interviews Meldra Harris Panchelli on what it's like living and growing in Milledgeville Georgia.

Listen to the podcast version here:

YouTube

https://youtu.be/fHjZpqUSxCU?si=6MPh41SJWBCGmniB

Spotify

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ot8nHtATwNb

Expressions 2024, Sheba Braymen, Lauren Zimmer, Charlotte Elsasser, Haley Weldon, Tuesday Davis, Isabella Greco, Tonya Quinn, Katherine Nickel, Emily Hockett

Expressions

No abstract provided.

The Cartoon Physics Of The Court-Martial, John M. Bickers

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

“A Cruel System Indeed”: Extending The Statute Of Limitations For Claims By The Harmed Youth Of West Virginia’S Mismanaged Foster Care System, Caroline Toler

West Virginia Law Review

The current statutes of limitations in West Virginia pose a barrier for harmed youth to bring suits to recover. A child who experiences sexual abuse will have 18 years to bring a civil suit. However, a child who experiences another form of abuse (e.g., psychological or emotional abuse) must bring a suit within two years. In a novel argument, this Note proposes that state legislatures, and the West Virginia State legislature in particular, should extend the statute of limitations for civil suits by former foster youth harmed while in state care. A two-year statute of limitations is an insurmountable barrier …

Honing The Craft Of Qualitative Data Collection In Extreme Contexts, Payal Sharma, Madeline Toubiana, Kisha Lashley, Felipe Massa, Kristie M. Rogers, Trish Ruebottom

Management Faculty Research and Publications

Over the past several years, there has been ongoing dialog within our academic journals and the profession regarding the value of examining extreme, unconventional, or unsettling contexts in management research. These conversations have highlighted that perhaps more than ever, we as a society are facing unprecedented grand and perplexing challenges, and conducting research in unconventional or extreme settings can reveal complex dynamics or relationships that we may not understand otherwise. Less discussed, however, are methodological considerations for conducting research in unique contexts. As such, we aim to extend the explicit discussion of effective strategies for scholars who consider the perspectives …

Reputation And Reality: Revelations Of Monstrosity In Frankenstein And Six Of Crows, Jordyn Fortuna

English Senior Capstone

The main characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows reveal the potential within everyone for Monstrosity. This disregard for humanity can stem from many things, but it can also be prevented through community and sympathy. Monstrosity is often misconstrued due to a false perception guided by a sighted bias. In reality, however, characters’ humanity can be shown to the reader through a greater insight into their traumas and intentions. This paper highlights the idea that reputation cannot be trusted, but instead but be further examined to reveal the Monster within.

"Big Medicine, Strong Magic": Sacrament And Sacrilege In Till We Have Faces And The Wind In The Willows, Kayla Kovacs

English Senior Capstone

Magic abounds as the fantastical and ordinary collide in C.S. Lewis’s final work of fiction, Till We Have Faces, and Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows. As these authors weave worlds of profound, yet wonderfully simple beauty, they tell stories that point towards the deep intersectionality between seen reality and myth. This paper aims to show the permeability of the veil separating these realms through the concept of sacrament. While sacrament is seen as a kind of gate through which characters may pass to taste and see with new senses, it is contrasted throughout with …

The Osprey, Spring 2024, The Osprey Staff

Osprey

The student magazine of Cal Poly Humboldt

Game Ui/Ux Design With Original Character Concept Design And Dynamic Effects, Zhuo Dai

Art Theses and Dissertations

For my thesis project, I selected three masteries: Character Concept Design, Dynamic Effects, and UI/UX Design. For my UI/UX design, I incorporated diverse character designs for player selection, leading to character concept design as a secondary focus. Additionally, integrating dynamic effects aimed to enhance the visual appeal of the project and further highlight the character's personality.

The Chronicle, Kennedy Ballinger, Lara Jones, Riley Dickerson, Dashae Engler, Bella Perez, Andy Langager

Campus Chronicle

No abstract provided.

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 56 Spring 2024), Elizabeth Joyce Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

Magazine created by and about the WKU Center for Gifted Studies.

The Ultimate How-To Guide: Addressing Sustainability In Fashion, Corinne R. Campbell

Honors Theses

Every year, the pollution in our world increases but few people have addressed this issue. Between the culture of consumerism, little to no recycling, and lack of education, it can feel difficult as a regular person to make a difference. However, it is not impossible. As the consumer, the general public has the ability to enact change. While sustainability in the fashion industry may seem unattainable, making progressive changes in the manufacturing and buying process of clothing will make fashion more eco-friendly over time. With the proper education and guidance, anyone can make more sustainable fashion choices without going outside …

2024 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Program, Teri Rizvi, University Of Dayton

Documents from the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop

• Conference schedule
• Feature on the exhibit Beyond the Byline: Erma Bombeck's Story
• Session descriptions
• Keynote speaker biographies
• Featured talent biographies
• Presenter biographies
• Winning entries in the 2024 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition
• Winners of the inaugural DC Stanfa Memorial Writers’ Award

Otterbein Towers Spring 2024, Otterbein University

Towers Magazine

A Healing Foundation; Teaching Excellence Spotlighted; FAQs for the Common Good; Outstanding Seniors; Serving Up a New Dining Experience for Students; Philanthropy; Alumni Matters, and Class Notes.

Focus On Boise State University, Kathleen Tuck (Editor)

FOCUS on Boise State

No abstract provided.

The Antidote Of Free Speech: Censorship During The Pandemic, Christopher Keleher

Catholic University Law Review

Free speech in America stands at a precipice. The nation must decide if the First Amendment protects controversial, unconventional, and unpopular speech, or only that which is mainstream, fashionable, and government-approved. This debate is one of many legal battles brought to the fore during Covid-19. But the fallout of the free speech question will transcend Covid-19.

During the pandemic, the federal government took unprecedented steps to pressure private entities to push messages it approved and squelch those it did not. The Supreme Court will soon grapple with the issue of censorship during the pandemic. This article examines this litigation, along …