Digital Commons Network^™

The Power Of Positive Lesbian Representation In Television: How It Affects The Well-Being And Identity Formation Of Lgbtq+ Adults, Brittany Berry

University Honors Theses

To date, there are no studies which explore the effects that positively represented Black and lesbian characters in television have on LGBTQ viewers. Exposure to LGBTQ characters has the potential to validate LGBTQ identities and improve well-being. A comprehensive literature review and quantitative analysis using Żerebecki et. al.'s codebook reveals there are simply not enough characters depicted to provide such research. In an attempt to demonstrate the qualities possessed by positively portrayed Black, lesbian characters, this study analyses Taissa Turner from the hit series Yellowjackets available on the streaming network Paramount+.

The Social Side Of Aging In Place: Community, Belonging, And Cultural Fit, Michael Crespo

University Honors Theses

Aging in place, or the capacity of older adults to remain in their homes and communities as they age has been a central tenet of the field of gerontology and the gerontological social policy area. Although access to physical facilities and service provision has been the main focus of traditional studies, contemporary experience demonstrates that social and cultural issues are equally important as determinants of the quality of life. This thesis discusses the influence of social networks, cultural congruence, and community belonging on the aging in place experience. The content of the study is based on the Ecological Model of …

Human Evil (In The Weird), Lucas Ethridge

University Honors Theses

This paper examines a trending doom in speculative fiction: the post-human age. Many modern works have started to look past human civilization as humans surrender all hope and faith in a climate-doomed world. Honing in on core concepts in Weird fiction, this paper explores human merit through Old and New Weird. A good part spends time establishing the canon, looking at similar patterns across age, philosophy, war and genre. The chief question asks if humankind was ever worth saving.

Increased Intermembrane Space [Ca2+] Drives Mitochondrial Structural Damage In Cpvt, Shanna Hamilton, Radmila Terentyeva, Roland Veress, Fruzsina Perger, Zuzana Nichtova, Mark Bannister, Jinxi Wang, Sage Quiggle, Rachel Battershell, Matthew Gorr, Sandor Györke, Bum-Rak Choi, Christopher George, Andriy Belevych, György Csordás, Dmitry Terentyev

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by abnormally high RyR2 (ryanodine receptor) activity is a common finding in cardiovascular diseases. Mechanisms linking RyR2 gain of function with mitochondrial remodeling remain elusive. We hypothesized that RyR2 hyperactivity in cardiac disease increases [Ca 2+ ] in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) and activates the Ca 2+ -sensitive protease calpain, driving remodeling of mitochondrial cristae architecture through cleavage of structural protein OPA1 (optic atrophy protein 1).

METHODS: We generated a highly arrhythmogenic rat model of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, induced by RyR2 gain-of-function mutation S2236L(Ser2336Leu)(+/-) . We created a new biosensor to measure IMS-[Ca2+ ] …

The Role Of Sustainability In Family And Consumer Science Curricula, Emily Hill

Honors Theses

As climate change intensifies and global food systems face growing environmental pressures, there is an increasing need to prepare younger generations to respond to these challenges. Sustainability education is increasingly recognized as essential for helping students understand the connection between human actions, environmental resilience, and their overall well-being. This form of education already has a foundation in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) curriculum. This study examines the effects of integrating sustainability lessons into secondary Family and Consumer Sciences food and nutrition courses in a rural Michigan high school. It was hypothesized that if students participate in sustainability presentations and …

A Large-Scale, Multi-Site Examination Of Resting State Functional Connectivity In Tinnitus, Sara A. Schmidt, Somayeh Shahsavarani, Rafay A. Khan, Yihsin Tai, Elsa C. Granato, Caterina M. Willson, Pedro Ramos, Paul Sherman, Carlos Esquivel, Fatima T. Husain

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Resting state functional connectivity (RS-FC) studies of tinnitus are useful tools for identifying neural mechanisms and potential treatment options for patients. Building on our previous work demonstrating the replicability of RS-FCin individuals with tinnitus and controls, we attempted to investigate the factors leading to published inconsistent findings by examining resting state networks in participant groups across two different study sites: civilians recruited from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and military-affiliated participants recruited at the Hearig Center of Excellence at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas. Multiple analyses were performed: an overall analysis comparing tinnitus and control participants combined across …

We Need Proper Case Reports And Data To Interpret Reports Of Peri-Operative Deaths In Venezuelan Children, J Robert Sneyd

More Faculty of Health Research

A report describing several perioperative deaths amongst Venezuelan childrenraises substantial clinical concern and demands scientific scrutiny. Rozo L, FrancoOH, Bonilla AJ. Mitochondrial genetic susceptibility to anesthetic neurotoxicityin Venezuelan pediatric patients: A Call for vigilance and further research.https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.ascr.1001091. Archives of Surgery and Clinical Research.2025;9(2):042-4. According to the authors, the affected children experienced severe brain injuries or death following routine surgeries under general anaesthesia with sevoflurane, leading to the hypothesis that an inherited mitochondrial DNA variant may underlie a lethal drug–genome interaction. Whilst any paediatric peri-operative death warrants urgentinvestigation, the extraordinary nature of this claim requires equally compelling evidence. At present, the …

Biodiversity Performance Of Living Wall Systems In Urban Environments: A Uk Case Study Of Plant Selection And Substrate Effects On Multi-Taxa Communities, Paul Henry Lunt, James Buckley, Suzanne Mitchell, Gabriel Thomas, Elek Churella, Thomas Richard Murphy

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Urban densification threatens biodiversity, yet conventional greenspace expansion is constrained by limited land availability. Living wall systems (LWS) offer potential biodiversity enhancement through vertical green infrastructure, though their ecological value remains underexplored. This study evaluated the biodiversity performance of three LWS in Plymouth, UK, using multi-taxa surveys to assess invertebrate communities, bird assemblages, and bat activity. A scoping review of 2638 publications revealed limited research on LWS biodiversity, with only 27% of biodiversity-focused papers referencing specific species. Field surveys employed standardised protocols including flower-visiting pollinator observations, spider assessments, soil invertebrate extraction using Tullgren funnels, acoustic bird monitoring, and bat emergence …

Model For Calculating Impact Force For Individualized Hip Fracture Prediction During A Fall, Alisha Agarwal, Daniel Kargilis, Nishtha Gupta, Michael Chang, Rui Feng, Gregory Chang, Chamith S. Rajapakse

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Osteoporotic-related weakening of bone is a common cause of hip fractures. The standard of care for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis is the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density T-scores. Many individuals considered nonosteoporotic, however, still sustain fractures since these tools do not incorporate vital bone parameters and subject-specific characteristics. The purpose of this work was to (1) develop a simple analytical model for estimating the force exerted on the femur during a fall (i.e., impact force) based on measurable patient metrics and (2) define a quantifiable fracture risk index by comparing finite-element-derived bone strength and impact force, which …

Demonstrating How Consistent Kindness, Presence, And Patient Advocacy Improve Engagement And Dignity In Secure Forensic Mental Health Settings, Patricia Quarshie

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Case Study Report: The Nursing Associate Role Within Education In Practice And Teaching At University Level, Heidi Johnson

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Healthcare Support Worker Confidence And Skills Through A Nursing Associate Led Study Day, Lindsay Ewing

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Using Evidenced-Based Practice To Remove Hyperkeratosis To Improve Wound Healing In Venous Leg Ulcer Patients: A Case Study, Briony Flello

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Demonstrating How Consistent Kindness, Presence, And Patient Advocacy Improve Engagement And Dignity In Secure Forensic Mental Health Settings, Patricia Quarshie

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Healthcare Support Worker Confidence And Skills Through A Nursing Associate Led Study Day, Lindsay Ewing

South West Clinical School Journal

#400WORDS: NATIONAL NURSING ASSOCIATE SPECIAL EDITION

Yap-Induced Glycolysis Drives Fibroinflammation And Disrupts Fibroblast Fidelity, Chang-Ru Tsai, Lin Liu, Yi Zhao, Jong H Kim, Paulo Czarnewski, Rich Gang Li, Fansen Meng, Mingjie Zheng, Jeffrey Steimle, Xiaolei Zhao, Francisco Grisanti, Zheng Sun, Jun Wang, Md Abul Hassan Samee, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Separation of the pulmonic and systemic circulation is essential for terrestrial life, and mammals have evolved distinct cardiac chambers with specialized structures and functions. Transcriptomics profiling revealed cellular heterogeneity between heart chambers. However, the mechanisms underlying chamber-specific transcriptomic and metabolic differences-and their functional significance-remain poorly understood. The Hippo/YAP (yes-associated protein) pathway is a conserved signaling network that regulates diverse cellular processes. The Hippo kinases inhibit YAP in cardiac fibroblasts (CF) to restrict fibrosis and inflammation. Nonetheless, how YAP regulates the metabolic microenvironment during homeostasis and fibroinflammation remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated YAP and glycolysis activity in the 4 cardiac …

Pitx2 Dosage-Dependent Changes In Pacemaker Cell State Underlie Sinus Node Dysfunction And Atrial Arrhythmias, Lieve E Van Der Maarel, M Ridwane Mungroo, Otto J Mulleners, Mathilde R Rivaud, Arie O Verkerk, Karel Van Duijvenboden, Freek H T Tiel Groenestege, Jeffrey D Steimle, Lianne Fokkert, Corrie De Gier-De Vries, Mischa Klerk, Arie R Boender, James F Martin, Bjarke Jensen, Gerard J J Boink, Harsha D Devalla, Vincent M Christoffels

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Physiologically relevant increases in transcription factor dosage and their role in development and disease remain largely unexplored. Genomic deletions upstream of the Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor gene (PITX2), identified in patients with sinus node dysfunction and atrial fibrillation and modeled in mice (delB), rewire the local epigenetic landscape, increasing PITX2 expression. Here, we demonstrate that pacemaker cardiomyocytes in the embryonic delB sinus node ectopically express PITX2 at physiological dosages in a heterogeneous pattern. The prenatal delB sinus node forms discrete subdomains showing PITX2 dosage-dependent mild or severe loss of pacemaker cardiomyocyte identity. Respective subdomain sizes and severity of sinus node …

Functional Vs Anatomical Cortico-Striatal Connectivity In The Macaque Brain, Wei Tang, Megan E Monko, Zoe Liu, Ana M G Manea, Fernando A Ortega, Damyan Hart, Jason Zhou, Jan Zimmermann, Sarah R Heilbronner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cerebral cortex provides the main input to the striatum, constituting the first step in cortico-basal ganglia loops. Decades of careful anatomical tract-tracing research have established the exquisite topography of each cortical region's projection to the striatum in nonhuman primates. In parallel, neuroimaging research has demonstrated the relationship between cortico-striatal resting-state functional connectivity and specific cognitive, behavioral, psychiatric, and neurological states in humans. However, still unclear is the extent to which functional connectivity recapitulates the specific topographies of cortico-striatal anatomical connectivity. Here, we combined datasets of cortico-striatal anatomical and functional connectivity in macaques to determine the degree of overlap between …

A Comprehensive Study Of C-Kit-Expressing Amacrine Cells In The Mammalian Retina, Zheng Jiang, Wen Shen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Amacrine cells assemble complex circuits in the inner retina, where they integrate, modulate, and relay spatial and temporal information to retinal ganglion cells. Nevertheless, their organization and functional diversity are still not fully understood. In this study, we identify a distinct group of amacrine cells that express the stem cell factor receptor-c-Kit. Using combined techniques of anti-CD117 (c-Kit) immunolabeling, confocal imaging, and computational algorithms, we characterize the morphological features and spatial distribution of the c-Kit-expressing amacrine cells. Our results show that c-Kit-expressing amacrine cells are GABA-positive neurons with medium to wide dendritic fields that stratify within the specific strata in …

Dinaciclib Improves Treatment Response In Chemoresistant Hepatoblastoma, Brian T Hickner, Andres F Espinoza, Rohit K Srivastava, Roma H Patel, Priyanka Rao, Nicholas A O'Brien, Kalyani R Patel, Andrew A Badachhape, Abhishek Kona, Dolores H López-Terrada, Sarah E Woodfield, Sanjeev A Vasudevan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chemoresistant hepatoblastoma (HB) is associated with poor outcomes. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are potential therapeutic targets because of their critical role in cell growth and chemoresistance. To evaluate the efficacy of CDK inhibition, HB cell lines were treated with dinaciclib and evaluated with cytotoxic, cell-death reversal, and immunoblotting assays. A HB patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model was treated with placebo, vincristine + irinotecan (VI), dinaciclib, or VI + dinaciclib to evaluate tumor growth and response to therapy. We found that dinaciclib had a marked effect on HB cell viability, induced PARP cleavage, and decreased CDK9 protein expression in vitro. Overexpression of CDK9 …

A Mouse Model Of Lipoatrophy Reveals Relationships Between Beige Fat Appearance And Female Fertility, Elizabeth S Anaya, William Dion, Pradip K Saha, Aaron R Cox, Evelyn De Groot, Avery A Ahmed, Jessica B Felix, Bokai Zhu, Stephanie A Pangas, Sean M Hartig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

White adipose tissue (WAT) performs vital metabolic and endocrine functions, but roles in female reproduction remain understudied and poorly understood. Here, we report that female mice experiencing progressive lipoatrophy after knockout of Ubc9 in adipocytes (Ubc9fKO) displayed disrupted estrous cycles, reduced ovarian reserve, and subfertility. During aging, female Ubc9fKO mice lose subcutaneous WAT more quickly than their male counterparts and weigh less than littermate controls. Subcutaneous WAT excised from female Ubc9fKO mice strongly enriched for thermogenesis genes generally associated with metabolic benefits. Female Ubc9fKO mice exhibited hypermetabolism and accumulated thermogenic, Uncoupling Protein 1-expressing beige fat cells in residual subcutaneous WAT …

Variability In Insurance Adequacy For Children With Special Health Care Needs On Medicaid., Amy J. Houtrow, Matt Hall, James M. Perrin, Dennis Z. Kuo, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Allysa Ware, Jeffery S. Schiff, Jay Berry, Ryan J. Coller

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This survey study quantifies state-to-state variation and predictors of Medicaid insurance continuity and adequacy among children with special health care needs.

Inhibitory Control, Attentional Bias, And Palatable Food Consumption In Adolescents: A Laboratory Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial., Carolina M. Bejarano, Adrian Ortega, Christopher C. Cushing

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Understanding relationships among inhibitory control, attentional bias to food cues, and food consumption in nonclinical adolescent samples can inform preventive efforts for disordered eating and associated health risks.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study conducted preliminary testing of an inhibitory control training intervention on attentional bias toward food cues, hedonic appetite, and food consumption, as well as examined inhibitory control's relationship with hedonic appetite, food consumption, binge eating, and cognitive restraint.

METHODS: Participants (N=43; mean age 15.1, SD 1.7 years; 31/43, 72% female) were randomized to a food cue-specific go/no go inhibitory control training intervention or control group, took part in …

Moderators Of A Mhealth Intervention For Adolescent Physical Activity: Intervention Refinement Study., Christopher C. Cushing, Adrian Ortega, David A. Fedele, Calissa J. Leslie-Miller, Jordan A. Carlson, Ann M. Davis, Joshua M. Smyth

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: An adaptive text messaging intervention to promote adolescent physical activity has demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in a recent proof-of-concept study. To inform future intervention development, a secondary analysis of the data examined how physical activity is influenced by mood, environment, and physical feelings of energy and fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how both macro- and microtemporal variables (eg, psychological and environmental variables at both levels) influence the efficacy of a brief mobile health intervention (ie, NUDGE) for physical activity.

METHODS: Using a matched control design, we evaluated the effect of daily positive and negative affect, …

Reimagining Pediatric Care: The Future Of Telehealth, Mike Smith, Morgan Waller

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Telehealth has transformed the way families access pediatric care, offering convenience without compromising quality. In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Waller, Director of Telemedicine at Children’s Mercy, to explore the latest advancements in pediatric telehealth. From innovative technologies to strategies for improving access in rural communities, we discuss how virtual care is shaping the future of pediatrics and what it means for families and providers alike.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

School And District Leaders’ Understanding Of Technology Organizations’ Cyber Business Practices, Jayejaye Johnson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Educational technology (EdTech) interoperability throughout cyberspace provides the financial opportunity to collect and sell student privacy information in digital learning environments, challenging school leaders to govern schools and keep children safe. School leaders provide the resources, funding, planning, decision making, and administration for EdTech cybersecurity practices and policies, yet little is known about what public school leaders understand. A quantitative study was designed using primary data collected from an online survey. Four research questions guided this study: What are the differences in cybersecurity practices and policy response scores (1) between male and female school leaders; (2) among leaders with different …

Child Assent Practices In Research: Improving Ethics, Decision-Making, And Inclusivity, David C. Coker, Ketaki Inamdar, Daniel F. Mccleary, Lesley Cottrell

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The following article addresses a conundrum: What if child assent in research were a fully informed, stand-alone process that empowered all children to discuss meaningfully, negotiate, and decide how and what the research experience would look like? Past research and practices suggest that child assent, when children (youths to 17-year-olds who have not been emancipated) agree to participate in research before, during, and after parents’ or guardians’ consent, is rife with problems that minimize informed participation and prize procedural ethics over true understanding of the processes and autonomous decision-making. Academic articles often lack details, as length requirements and brevity preclude …

Create @ State 2011, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Create@State

The proceedings book for 2011

Enhancing Archives And Records Management In Low-Resourced Organizations Through Experiential Learning, Jinfang Niu

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Master’s students in Archives and Records Management could help low-resourced organizations address their Archives and Records Management needs while gaining practical experience. Archives and Records Management education programs could facilitate this mutually beneficial relationship by offering internships and service-learning courses. This paper analyzes the strengths and limitations of these two experiential learning mechanisms and discusses solutions to overcome the limitations. It argues that service-learning is especially suitable for addressing the Archives and Records Management needs of low-resourced organizations and proposes a service-learning model for that purpose.

The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And The Practices Of Servant Leadership In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Rajeh Bati Fahad Almasradi

UB Journal for Humanities

The current study aimed to identify the relationship between emotional intelligence and servant leadership practices among health sector employees in the Asir region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Emotional intelligence was studied as an independent variable and servant leadership as a dependent variable. This study also investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence and the four dimensions of servant leadership: (conceptual skills/empowerment, emotional processing and care for others, and community development. The descriptive analytical approach was used, and the questionnaire tool was applied to collect data from the study population. A random sample representative of the study population was selected. …