Digital Commons Network^™

The Bacterial Sensing Nuclear-Oligomerization Domain 2 Receptor In The Brain: Location And Potential Function, Julia Smyth

Dissertations

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-2 (NOD2) is a cytosolic receptor, activated by bacterial peptides that initiates innate immune responses through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Caspase-1 pathways. While the role of NOD2 in inflammation outside the central nervous system (CNS) is well-established, especially in the gastrointestinal system, its expression and function in the brain remain poorly defined. Previous genetic studies suggest a link between NOD2 and neurological and psychiatric conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. However, information regarding NOD2 expression, localization, and function in the CNS is limited. In this work, we investigated NOD2 expression, localization, and regulation …

"I'M Not Having Fun Anymore": A Qualitative Analysis Of Gender And Harassment In Bars And Clubs, Phoebe Marie Jackson

Dissertations

Sexual harassment, while often spoken about in hushed tones or ignored altogether, happens frequently and often loudly. 66 percent of women who have experienced sexual harassment report that the harassment took place in a public space, such as work, school, or on the street (Kearl, 2018). Harassment is not discreet, but rather normalized, and those who experience it are expected to brush it off or take it in their stride. However, such harassment and subsequent dehumanization has a deteriorating effect on the mental well-being of those affected (Graham et. al., 2016). This study aims to hone in on the effect …

Systematic Review Examining How Black Youth In The United States Cope With Stressful And Traumatic Experiences, Marcus Aaron Flax

Dissertations

Coping is an important behavioral skillset that youth use to emotionally regulate after experiencing stress or trauma. Research has repeatedly highlighted the stressors that Black youth experience, often finding that Black youth face higher levels of stress and trauma than their White peers. However, there has been a lack of research in understanding how Black youth cope with these higher levels of stress. This systematic review includes 72 studies (N = 16,205 participants) examining the frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies used by Black youth in response to a trauma or stressor, along with the associations between utilized coping strategies …

Voices Of Chinese American Emerging Adults: Complex Racial Identities, Family Dynamics, And Mental Health Experiences, Maxwell Lou Xu

Dissertations

Although Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial minority group in the United States, they remain significantly underrepresented in mental health research. Furthermore, research on Asian American mental health often aggregates the experiences of different Asian ethnic groups, creating a limited understanding of how distinct ethnic groups may differ in their mental health experiences. This interview study with Chinese American emerging adults ages 18–25 from varied family contexts (single-race, multiracial, and adoptive households) examines how members of this population make sense of the relationships between their identity, family, and mental health. This thesis posits that Chinese Americans' nuanced experiences—particularly around …

The Forced Sterilization Of Quechua-Speaking Women In Peru: The Role Of Epistemic Injustice In The Perpetration Of Genocide, Geraldine Diaz

Dissertations

The forced sterilization of Quechua-speaking women in Peru from 1996 to 2000 represents a case of genocide in which the state as an epistemic agent has a fundamental role. Although the systematic sterilization was carried out under the guise of a family planning program, the targeting of these women provides strong circumstantial evidence of genocidal intent. According to the testimonies of these women, medical staff, acting on behalf of the government, performed tubal ligation procedures through coercion, threats, lies, bribery, manipulation, and other tactics where the state intentionally withheld information, misinformed women, and failed to obtain proper consent. This research …

Editor's Note, Marites Tiongco

DLSU Business & Economics Review

No abstract provided.

Alteration Of Fit In Soft Milled Cobalt-Chromium And Zirconia Fixed Dental Prostheses After Ceramic Veneering, Elie Daou

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Urban Coyotes As A Source Of Conflict With Humans: An Evaluation Of Common Management Practices, Paul D. Curtis, David L. Bergman, Angeline Barker, Daniel Bogan, Mary Ann Bonnell, Pierre Canac-Marquis, David Drake, Dave Kay, Brian F. Wakeling, H. Bryant White

Human–Wildlife Interactions Monographs

Wildlife often serves as a catalyst for conflict among stakeholders. Management actions that are intended to address sources of disagreement may initiate additional conflict. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Human–Wildlife Conflict Working Group initiated an effort to identify management actions commonly used to address unwanted coyote (Canis latrans) interactions within urban environments and identify the benefits and challenges associated with each action. Challenges with coyotes in urban environments include aggressive behavior toward humans and pets, attacks, disease exposure, and domestic livestock damage. Although elimination of all attractants would prove preventative in most instances, in practice this …

Cultivating Community-University Partnerships Within The Chicago Region Food System, Hanan Abdillahi, Vivian Cossey, Tania Schusler, Kevin Erickson, Karen Schauwecker, Sarah Ku, Ray Dybzinski

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

We interviewed 22 organizations in the Chicago Regional Food System to gain insights on their current initiatives, assets, challenges, future visions, and perceived roles of universities in advancing their work. We analyzed themes to report on strong consensus or varied perspectives related to this work. This report aims to advise Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability's future work and collaboration activities with Chicago Food System organizations.

The Effect Of Social Hierarchy And Captivity On Behavior In Cercopithecus Petaurista, Haley Bombard

Undergraduate Scholarship and Creative Works

The social hierarchy within three Cercopithecus petaurista individuals was studied to determine how the influence of captivity affects behavior. The three individuals were monitored from August-November, and the data retained was focused on aggression and allogrooming behaviors. The group consisted of one dominant male and two females in the Central Florida Zoo, and behavioral observations were recorded at 10-minute intervals. Results showed that the dominant male infrequently engaged in allogrooming behavior but more often received it from the less dominant females. The hierarchy and social status of the females was shown and influenced by the allogrooming given and received between …

“A Bond As Strong As A Lock And Chain”: Youth Of Color In Low-Income Communities Use Photovoice To Theorize Developmentally Nurturing Processes Of Their Cross-Age Mentoring Programs, Kevin M. Miller, Katherine Tyson Mccrea, Victor Sarna, William Donnelly, Grace Ann Fitzgibbons, Jamie Kessler, Cynthia Onyeka, Chana Matthews, Maryse Richards, Elijah Daniels, Dreyce Denton

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Youth of color experiencing low-income in the United States face multiple human rights violations: over-policing, community violence, racial discrimination, and insufficient voice in the programs and policies that impact their current and future lives. To accomplish transitional justice, participatory processes are needed that elicit youths’ cultural strengths and wisdom about themselves, their social conditions, services they find helpful, and why those services are helpful. This study highlights findings from a photovoice that elicited youths’ perspectives about a crossage mentoring out-of-school-program. Responding to “What does mentoring mean to you?” 147 youth took photographs in their communities and wrote narratives about the …

Self-Efficacy Is Not Just About The Self: African American Cross-Age Youth Mentors, Amzie Moore, Maria Wathen, Katherine Tyson Mccrea, Maryse Richards

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Objective: Self-efficacy, a belief in one’s capacity to achieve specific outcomes despite obstacles, is tied to a myriad of positive outcomes in the educational, relational, mental health, and future achievement of Black youth. Black youth living in racially segregated, low-income urban communities face greater obstacles than other youth. This study examines how participation as mentors in a cross-age mentoring program influences self-efficacy, and what social and environmental factors are related to changes in self-efficacy

Method: The study employs growth-curve analyses to investigate the impact of participation on self-efficacy and to examine the effects of the strength of the mentor-mentee relationship, …

Pre-Migration Victimization And Fear Of Violent Crime Among New Arrivals In Chicago / Victimización Y Miedo Al Crimen Violento En El País De Origen De Los Migrantes Recién Llegados A Chicago, Cristian L. Paredes, Keyla Navarrete, Anna E. Bullock, Brianna Hernandez, Raymond A. Akumbilim

Sociology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

This project explores the situations and experiences of new arrivals/asylum seekers who have recently arrived in Chicago. Chicago has experienced a significant increase in the number of newcomers, due to Operation Lone Star, launched by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in March 2021. Since August 2022, Governor Abbott has bused more than 30,000 migrants to Chicago. The City of Chicago has acknowledged its responsibility to welcome everyone regardless of immigration status, adopting a proactive stance toward this humanitarian emergency. However, newcomers still struggle to get access to basic needs in the city. We have conducted a face-to-face, cross-sectional survey to collect …

Nutritional Management Of Low Birth Weight And Preterm Infants In Low- And Low Middle-Income Countries, Maha Azhar, Rahima Yasin, Sawera Hanif, Sharib Afzal Bughio, Jai K. Das, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Institute for Global Health and Development

Introduction: Preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared with their term counterparts, with more than 20 million LBW infants born each year, the majority in lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Given the increased vulnerability and higher nutritional needs of these infants, optimizing feeding strategies may play a crucial role in improving their health outcomes.
Methods: We updated evidence of Every Newborn Series published in The Lancet 2014 by identifying relevant systematic reviews, extracting low-income country (LIC) and LMIC data, and conducting revised meta-analysis for these contexts.
Results: We found 15 reviews; …

‘Like A 6-Year-Old Dropped On Mars Without Parents’: Faculty Members’ Intercultural Competence And Cultural Adaptation In The Uae, Mustafa Aydogan, Esra İzmir, Hana Shahin

All Works

This study examines the intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation of international faculty members (IFMs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a highly multicultural educational setting. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores IFMs’ adaptation experiences and the impact of multicultural teaching training. Quantitative analysis of 167 IFMs revealed a significant relationship between intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation, with training enhancing both. Participants from Muslim or Arab backgrounds adapted better, emphasizing the role of cultural familiarity with the host culture. Qualitative findings from 14 interviews identified five key themes: (a) UAE’s diverse environment, (b) cultural distance, (c) language and communication challenges, …

A Systemic Analysis Of Helicopter Instructional Accidents In The United States From 2010 To 2022, Gustavo Sanchez Cortes, Dimitrios Ziakkas, Mary E. Johnson

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

A high number of accidents during helicopter training in the United States (U.S.) highlights the need for research to investigate their causal and contributing factors. In this retrospective study, researchers analyzed helicopter instructional accidents reported in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Case Analysis and Reporting Online (CAROL) database. The Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) and Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) methodologies were used to identify hazards and unsafe control actions in helicopter training, using autorotation maneuvers as a case study. Helicopter instructional flights in the U.S. accounted for 299 accidents between 2010 and 2022, with an average accident …

Suas Agricultural Aerial Application Operational Field Test, David Thirtyacre, Joseph Cerreta, Scott S. Burgess

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

One of the most promising uses of aerial applications by a sUAS is on small farms where traditional crewed aerial applicators were not practical due to the limited size of the operations. This controlled field test aimed to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using a sUAS spreading system compared to the traditional manual application of weed killer and fertilizer on cranberry bogs in Western Washington that were less than 10 acres. The aerial application took place over two separate days as scheduled by the farmer for maximum product efficiency. A total of sixty-three flights were necessary to apply the …

Bibliometric Analysis With R Biblioshiny On Safety Behavior In Aviation, Büşra Yıldırım, İnan Eryılmaz, Ahmet Karacan, Nusret Erceylan

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Safety behaviors in aviation are not limited to technical knowledge and skills in ensuring the safety of flight operations, but also include the attitudes, decision-making processes and collaborations of individuals and teams. In this context, in this study, a bibliometric analysis of publication and citation trends, key concepts and interactions of studies in the field was conducted to identify current and potential trends in aviation and safety behavior-based research, and to explore the intersections between safety behavior and aviation studies and the areas waiting to be explored. The bibliometric analysis using the RStudio-based Biblioshiny program was conducted on 1065 articles …

Evaluating The Reporting And Safety Culture Of An Airline According To Patankar And Sabin's Safety Culture Pyramid, Seda Mumlu Karanfil

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

As a result of the literature review, it is seen that the safety management system in airline businesses is mostly evaluated with Reason's just culture model. The fact that there is no research examining Patankar and Sabin's (2010) safety culture pyramid on airline operations, except for a study conducted in the field of ground handling services (Poçar, Işık, & Durmaz, 2022), constitutes the importance and unique value of the research. As stated by Poçar et al. (2022), Patankar and Sabin's (2010) safety culture pyramid is not sufficiently included in practice, and this model is important in terms of drawing attention …

“Assessing The Feasibility And Acceptability Of Blood Flow Sensing Technology In Kidney Transplant Surveillance”., M Malik

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

AbstractIntroductionVascular thrombosis is a disastrous postoperative complication resulting in the loss of 3.5% to 5.7% of all kidney transplants. The use of novel blood flow-sensing technology in the early postoperative period may allow loss of vascular patency or thrombosis to be detected immediately, which is critical in reducing thrombosis-related graft loss. An implantable Doppler probe utilises blood flow sensing technology to provide continuous feedback on blood flow when connected to a vascular anastomosis. This clinical research aimed to assess the theoretical basis and feasibility of an implantable Doppler probe as a blood flow-monitoring device in kidney transplant recipients and to …

Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist In Infants With Acute Viral Bronchiolitis (Navabronch Study) A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study To Establish The Evidence And To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist In Infants With Acute Viral Bronchiolitis, Julia Harris

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Julia HarrisNeurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis (NAVABronch study) - A mixed methods Feasibility study To establish the evidence and to evaluate the effectiveness of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis. Abstract AimThe aim of this mixed-methods thesis is to evaluate the use of Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis. BackgroundThere are currently 6,662 infants less than one year of age with a primary respiratory diagnosis admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in the UK each year. Respiratory illness is more common in winter, with the …

Singapore’S Health Outcomes After Critical Illness In Kids: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Cohort Study To Explore Health Outcomes Of Children And Parents Six Months After Critical Illness, Pei Fen Poh

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Background: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in paediatrics (PICS-p) encompasses physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health impairments in children, as well as psychological challenges in parents, following PICU discharge. While PICS is well-studied in adults, research on its long-term effects in the paediatric population is limited, and the influence of ethnicity remains unexplored.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and understand the long-term health outcomes and experiences of children and their parents during the first six months following discharge from the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to examine the influence of ethnicity. Methods: The SHACK study was informed by …

Stroke Prevention With Mobile Technology Detecting-Atrial Fibrillation: The Speed-Af Study, Aimee Emmett

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Background:Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and a leading cause of preventable stroke. Detection is challenging due to its paroxysmal nature and frequent lack of symptoms. Rural and housebound patients are particularly vulnerable, facing multimorbidity, reduced access to healthcare, and exclusion from population screening trials, resulting in delayed atrial fibrillation diagnosis and preventable strokes. Addressing atrial fibrillation detection in these underserved groups is crucial for equity and aligns with NHS priorities for cardiovascular disease prevention.Aim:To explore barriers and enablers to handheld electrocardiogram use for atrial fibrillation detection in rural and housebound populations, and to develop evidence-informed resources to …

Natural Allies: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Impact Of Nature Immersion For Wellbeing And Its Relevance To Nursing: Challenges And Opportunities On The Journey Towards Interconnected Human And Planetary Health, Sarah Howes

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Human beings have evolved in direct relationship with the natural world, our health and survival inextricably connected to that of the planet. In recent years, an expanding evidence base has extolled the benefits of time in green and blue space for restoration from busy and stressful lives, yet limited literature explores the impact of time in nature from a nursing perspective. Through three study phases, this reflexive qualitative ethnographic study examines the complex, multifaceted and perpetually shifting contexts which influence nature connection and sustainability concepts in nursing, highlighting a shared vulnerability between people and planet. Through a critical interpretive synthesis …

Bridgewater Magazine, Volume 35, Number 1, Fall 2025, Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater Magazine

THE EDUCATION ISSUE: Reaching Higher Through degree and non-degree programs, BSU supports learners of all ages and from all backgrounds, like middle-schooler Zhyra Lopes who is creating a clay model of a brain.

INSIDE: Educational Outreach Programs I A More Inclusive Honors Program I New Home for College of Education and Health Sciences I The Quantum Future

Lipid Biomarkers For Marine Fungi, Emily Cooper

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Marine fungi play key roles as parasites and saprotrophs in marine ecosystems and are important degraders of organic matter. They likely facilitate the remineralisation of marine carbon, thus have a profound impact on marine biogeochemical cycles. However, as little is known about their global abundance and biomass, fungi are yet to be included in biogeochemical models. Lipid biomarkers can be used to assess microbial abundance and biomass due to their specificity and may be utilised to explore the viability and trophic dynamics of marine microbial communities. Although lipid biomarkers for fungi have been used in terrestrial environments, such as soils, …

Assessment And Monitoring Of Treatment Fidelity In A Multiple Behaviour Change Intervention For Smokers Wishing To Reduce But Not Quit., Jane Horrell

Peninsula Medical School Theses

BackgroundIntervention fidelity considers the extent to which a behavioural intervention has been designed, delivered, and experienced as intended. The National Institute of Health’s Behaviour Change Consortium (NIH-BCC) provides a leading framework to examine fidelity across five domains: design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment. This thesis presents a programme of research to develop methods for monitoring and assessing fidelity in multiple health behaviour change (MHBC) interventions across these five domains. Methods developed are presented and tested using data from a Trial of physical Activity assisted Reduction of Smoking (TARS), a multi-site NIHR-HTA funded MHBC intervention.MethodsA mixed methods approach was adopted and …

The Usability Evaluation Of Digital Health Technologies: : Methods And Insights, Inocencio Maramba

Peninsula Medical School Theses

The Usability Evaluation of Digital Health Technologies: Methods and InsightsINOCENCIO DANIEL CORTES MARAMBAAbstract Background: Digital health technology holds promise for improving healthcare delivery, but usability is crucial for adoption and user safety. Whilst large companies often have user experience (UX) expertise, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) developing these technologies lack guidance for conducting usability evaluations. Furthermore, evidence of proper user testing is now required by Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) being used by the National Health Service (NHS). Aim: To find ways to offer practical help to SMEs to carry out user experience testing. Methods: There were three stages to …

Dred Scott, Military Enslavement, And The Case For Reparations, Hugh Barrett Mcclean

All Faculty Scholarship

For more than a decade, Dred Scott was enslaved by a U.S. Army officer in a military system that perpetuated the institution of slavery in the free states and Northern territories of the antebellum period. Scott’s life, his lawsuit for freedom, and the U.S. Supreme Court case holding that Black people have “no rights which the white man was bound to respect” became infamous. But the history of the Dred Scott case and the military’s use of enslaved persons is largely unknown. Drawing on reparations advocacy in the Rosewood and Tulsa race massacre cases and other historical precedent for reparations, …

Scientists’ Statement On The Chemical Definition Of Pfass, Gabriel Sigmund, Marta Venier, Marlene Ågerstrand, Ian T. Cousins, Jamie Dewitt, Miriam L. Diamond, Jennifer Field, Alex T. Ford, Shira Joudan, Stefan Van Leeuwen, Rainer Lohmann, Carla Ng, Martin Scheringer, Anna Soehl, Noriyuki Suzuki, Xenia Trier, Sara Valsecchi, Penny Vlahos, Cora J. Young, Zhanyun Wang

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

The undersigned are scientists with expertise in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and/or the management of chemicals. We assert that the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of PFASs is scientifically grounded, unambiguous, and well suited to identify these chemicals. We are concerned that some individuals and organizations are seeking a redefinition of PFASs endorsed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to exclude certain fluorinated chemical subgroups from the scope of the existing definition. We are concerned that this effort is politically and/or economically, rather than scientifically, motivated. An IUPAC-endorsed and potentially narrower PFAS …