Left Atrial And Ventricular Remodeling In Chronic Mitral Regurgitation, Jack J Yi, Martha Mcgilvray, Tari-Ann Yates, Samantha Procasky, Jakraphan Yu, Caleb Berberet, Nicholas Banull, Jie Zheng, Jonathan K Zoller, Matthew R Schill, Christian Zemlin, Ralph J Damiano Jr

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the structural and mechanical changes in the left atrium and left ventricle in a canine model of chronic mitral regurgitation in an attempt to identify markers linked to the onset of atrial tachyarrhythmias or left ventricle dysfunction.

METHODS: Animals underwent baseline and terminal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Under echocardiographic guidance, chordae tendinae were avulsed until there was severe mitral regurgitation, defined by regurgitant jet area to left atrium area more than 70%. At terminal surgery, rapid atrial pacing was performed to test inducibility of atrial tachyarrhythmias.

RESULTS: Twelve canines underwent mitral valve chordae avulsion …

Do Risk Factors For Hcc Impact The Association Of Ct/Mri Lirads Major Features With Hcc? An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Robert G Adamo, Daniel R Ludwig, Tyler J Fraum, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

The Microrna Mir-30a Blocks Adipose Tissue Fibrosis Accumulation In Obesity, Pradip K Saha, Robert Sharp, Aaron R. Cox, Rabie Habib, Michael J. Bolt, Jessica B. Felix, Claudia E. Ramirez Bustamante, Xin Li, Sung Yun Jung, Kang Ho Kim, Kai Sun, Huaizhu Wu, Samuel Klein, Sean M. Hartig

2020-Current year OA Pubs

White adipose tissue (WAT) fibrosis occurring in obesity contributes to the inflammatory and metabolic comorbidities of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, yet the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here, we report a role for the broadly conserved miRNA miR-30a as a regulator of WAT fibrosis and systemic glucose metabolism. Mice modified to express miR-30a at elevated levels in adipose tissues maintain insulin sensitivity coupled with reduced fatty liver disease when fed a high-fat diet. These effects were attributable to cell-autonomous functions of miR-30a that potently increase expression of adipocyte-specific genes. Proteomic screening revealed miR-30a limits profibrotic programs in subcutaneous …

Multimodal Deep Learning For Enhanced Breast Cancer Diagnosis On Sonography, Ting-Ruen Wei, Aileen Chang, Young Kang, Mahesh Patel, Yi Fang, Yuling Yan

Bioengineering

This study introduces a novel multimodal deep learning model tailored for the differentiation of benign and malignant breast masses using dual-view breast ultrasound images (radial and anti-radial views) in conjunction with corresponding radiology reports. The proposed multimodal model architecture includes specialized image and text encoders for independent feature extraction, along with a transformation layer to align the multimodal features for the subsequent classification task. The model achieved an area of the curve of 85% and outperformed unimodal models with 6% and 8% in Youden index. Additionally, our multimodal model surpassed zero-shot predictions generated by prominent foundation models such …

Comparison Of Nutrient Concentrations And Primary Production Indicators Across Plume Fronts, Taylor Dishon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coastal buoyant plumes carry low-salinity waters containing particulate and dissolved terrestrial materials with an abundance of nutrients into the coastal ocean, including inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous. Plume fronts act as transport barriers created from the convergence of a fresher plume with an older, saltier plume or with ambient waters, leading to potential accumulation of phytoplankton and nutrients. This accumulation creates an optimal environment for primary production. The primary goals of this study were: to investigate the distribution of and potential relationships between nutrient concentrations and chlorophyll a across plume fronts of the Winyah Bay River Plume, and examine potential relationships …

Adolescent E-Cigarette Expectancies: Measure Development And Preliminary Validity Of The Electronic Nicotine Vaping Outcomes Measure For Youth, Paul T. Harrell, Kelli J. England, Tracey E. Barnett, Vani N. Simmons, Richard W. Handel, Amy C. Paulson

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (“e-cigarettes”) are the nicotine product most commonly used by adolescents. Research, treatment, and policy could benefit from measures of adolescent e-cigarette beliefs about outcomes of use (ie, expectancies). In the current study, we developed and tested an adolescent electronic nicotine vaping expectancy measure.

METHODS: A focus group with adolescents evaluated potential e-cigarette expectancy items. A panel of national experts assisted in revision of these items. Finally, items were administered to a sample of adolescents 14-17 years old (N = 267, Mean age 15.6, SD = 1.1, 50.9% Female, 50.2% Non-Hispanic White, 22.5% Non-Hispanic Black, 14.2% …

Reductive And Nucleophilic Cleavage Of Peroxides And Synthesis Of Tocotrienols As Radioprotective Targets, Amber Marie Schuster

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

I. SET CLEAVAGE OF PEROXIDES: INFLUENCE OF REDUCTANT AND PEROXIDE ON THE RATE AND MODE OF ALKOXY RADICAL FORMATION

The reductive cleavage of organic peroxides to generate alkoxy radicals is frequently accomplished via single-electron transfer (SET) from a reductant. Previous reports employ either symmetrical peroxides or peroxides with predictable cleavage behavior, such as peresters. We were interested in how the structure of the peroxide and the nature of the reducing system combine to impact the rate of reaction and the selectivity for alkoxy radical formation during cleavage of unsymmetric peroxides. In this dissertation, one will find the reactions of a …

Dreaming, Building, And Enduring Black Voices: Black Media In Omaha In The Post-Civil Rights Era, Elodie C. Galeazzi-Kelly

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

This dissertation examines the purposes and roles of Black media in Omaha during the post–Civil Rights Era. It asks how African Americans and their allies in Omaha developed innovative media forms, institutions, and communication strategies to amplify Black voices, build community, and advocate for Black interests amid the rapidly shifting political and social landscape of the time. The study focuses first on three traditional forms of media (newspapers, radio, and television) and then broadens the definition of media to include key Black cultural institutions. These include a dramatic arts collective, a historical museum and archive, a memorial foundation, and an …

Where Intangibles Travel: Essays On The Tax-Motivated Geography Of Innovation And Capital, Xuerui Kou

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

This dissertation explores how taxation and institutional environments shape the global strategies of United States multinational enterprises (MNEs), with a particular focus on intangible assets and the cross-border allocation of innovation. Positioned at the intersection of international trade, public economics, and innovation studies, the three chapters collectively examine firm responses to international tax incentives and regulatory asymmetries.

Chapter 1 introduces the motivation and theoretical foundations of the dissertation, reviews related literature, and outlines the core research questions and empirical strategies. It highlights the increasing policy and academic interest in the geographic mobility of intangible capital, particularly in the context of …

Resilience Of Interdependent Transportation And Healthcare Systems: A Simulation-Driven Framework Incorporating Social Equity And Facility Optimization, S. Yasaman Ahmadi

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

The overarching goal of this dissertation is to develop an integrated, simulation-driven framework to assess and enhance the resilience of interdependent transportation and healthcare systems before, during, and after natural hazards. By examining how spatial disruptions, social vulnerability, operational constraints, and infrastructure interdependencies affect access to and functionality of hospitals, this research offers a multifaceted evaluation of system performance under stress. This dissertation examines the impact of natural hazards, particularly floods, on the interdependent transportation and healthcare systems. The proposed approach combines and advances GIS-based network analysis, graph-theoretical modeling, and discrete-event simulation to evaluate system performance under different scenarios. The …

Modifying Italian Consonants In The Voice Studio: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Elisa Ramon

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

The body of lyric diction literature, particularly on Italian, has grown substantially in the second half of the twentieth century. Lyric diction courses are now a required part of many voice programs across the United States. The widespread use of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions and transcription rules has significantly contributed to the field. However, relatively few sources focus on the pedagogical strategies needed to teach and modify Italian consonants effectively.

This two-phase exploratory sequential mixed methods study identifies the features of Italian consonants that differentiate the lyric diction of novice singers from that of native speakers. It also proposes …

Egg White Hydrolysate In Hypertension: A Mechanistic Investigation Of Gut Microbiota Dependent And Independent Pathways, Emerson David Nolasco

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

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide in which hypertension is a risk factor. Present pharmacological interventions require long-term adherence to the therapy and are often associated with undesirable side effects. Moreover, treatments have overlooked the role of the microbiome in the development of hypertension. Egg white hydrolysate (EWH) has exhibited antihypertensive properties with potential to be used as a natural alternative for the prevention and management of hypertension. However, EWH peptide’s effect on the gut microbiome remains yet to be elucidated. Studies have described that a portion of the ingested protein can remain undigested as …

Intelligent Multi-Layer Optical Network Design And Network Softwarization, Boyang Hu

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

The growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency services has placed significant pressure on the design and operation of optical transport networks. Multi-layer optical network design—which coordinates the physical layer with higher-layer protocols—has emerged as a critical strategy to enhance resource efficiency, service flexibility, and fault resilience. Enabled by advancements in software-defined networking (SDN) and network softwarization, intelligent multi-layer architectures allow for adaptive, cross-layer control of routing, grooming, and protection mechanisms, ultimately reducing both capital and operational expenditures.

This dissertation investigates the intelligent design and simulation of multi-layer optical networks through the integration of SDN, machine learning, and high-fidelity physical-layer modeling. We …

Surveys And Modeling: Using An Existing Survey To Describe And Compare Populations To Better Inform On Groundwater Model Inputs, M. Austin Wise

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Mississippi River Valley “Alluvial Aquifer” is among the most agriculturally significant aquifers in the United States. However, parts of the aquifer are exceeding sustainable yield as development of the water source continues. Survey research in other aquifers, such as the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer, has helped to understand the perceptions and attitudes of irrigators withdrawing from their aquifers. This led to numerous questions: What are the attitudes of irrigators in the Alluvial Aquifer region? How do they compare to irrigators in other regions of the country? Can their intentions be used to generate more accurate inputs when modeling adoption …

Soft Infrastructure And The Location Choice Of Multinational Firms:Evidence From Japanese Investment In The United States In The 1980s, Shuichiro Nishioka, Eric Olson, Haoyu Wang

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

We examine whether culture-specific educational infrastructure influenced the location decisions of multinational enterprises by analyzing Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States during the 1980s. Using the quasi-natural experiment of politically-driven Japanese FDI following Reagan-era trade tensions, we test whether pre-existing Japanese Studies programs in U.S. universities predict subsequent Japanese investment across 722 commuting zones. We find that zones with Japanese Studies programs in 1980 were 21-29% more likely to receive new Japanese manufacturing investment by 1992, controlling for traditional determinants likemanufacturing infrastructure, agglomeration, and market access. Our results suggest that "soft infrastructure"—culture-specific human capital pipelines—represents an overlooked …

Out-Of-Field Teaching In Junior Secondary Schools: Unveiling Challenges And Professional Development Needs In Kenya, Caleb Kaleli Kisangau, Tage Biswalo, George Nyaboga Nyarieko

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Background

Magnetron sputtering was employed to deposit thin niobium films onto biochar surfaces to increase selectivity for electrostatic interactions.

Methods

Biochar samples were coated with niobium under various power levels and deposition times by magnetron sputtering. Each material was then characterized and tested for adsorption performance with an anionic model molecule.

Significant findings

Niobium impregnation raised the point of zero charge of the biochar by 0.33 to 0.94 pH units, expanding the pH range in which the niobium-coated adsorbents maintain a positively charged surface. Optimal adsorption was observed at 298 K with an adsorbent dose of 1 g L⁻1 and …

Depuration Of A Solitary Ascidian Depletes Transient Bacteria Without Altering Microbiome Alpha-Diversity, Brenna Hutchings, Susanna López-Legentil, Lauren M. Stefaniak, Marie L. Nydam, Patrick M. Erwin

Marine Science

Depuration, or the process of clearing impurities from the gut, is commonly applied to marine food products due to its efficacy in removing human pathogens from shellfish and edible ascidians. Recent studies also reported that depuration of filter-feeding animals helped reduce transient bacteria and identify resident symbionts in gut microbiome studies. Here, we examined the impact of depuration on bacteria in the branchial sac, gut, and hepatic gland of the solitary ascidian Pyura vittata. Replicates were kept in filtered seawater for 4 days prior to dissection (aquaria-depuration) and compared to samples that were immediately processed following collection (wild-no depuration) and …

Breaking Confirmatory Spells By Implementing Research- Integrated Cures, J. A.C. Vriezen

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Differences in economic and social growth and academic equity, experi ences, and opportunities have left an achievement gap in STEM for underprivileged students. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) have attempted to answer these inequalities by leveling the playing field or by offering course-based research opportunities with minimal requirements for background knowledge. When we ask novel questions, more students get the experience of performing research, which lowers thresholds to pursue research and increases participation. Although the learning outcomes have been largely positive, there is a concern that many CUREs are still too scaffolded. In contrast, I propose to develop exploratory, hypothesis-driven …

Unlocking Potential: Empowering Educators To Support Girls With Adhd Through Gender-Informed Training, Teresa Davis

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed-methods action research study examined the systemic and perceptual barriers contributing to the under-identification and insufficient support of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in female students. Framed within Improvement Science, the study addressed how gender-based expectations influence educators’ recognition and interpretation of ADHD symptoms. Utilizing a two-phase approach, the research explored the impact of an eight-week asynchronous professional learning series aimed at enhancing educators’ skills in recognizing ADHD characteristics more frequently observed in girls, such as inattention, emotional dysregulation, and internalized behaviors. The findings show that participants developed a more nuanced, gender-aware understanding of ADHD, shifting away from hyperactivity-centered …

The Eu Ai Act’S Impact On Artificial Intelligence Applications In Financial Services, David K. Krause, Eric Krause

Management Faculty Research and Publications

This paper examines the significant implications of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) for US and other non-EU financial technology firms involved in developing or deploying AI systems within the EU. The Act’s risk-based classification and stringent compliance obligations present considerable regulatory and operational hurdles for AI applications in crucial financial services like credit scoring and algorithmic trading. The analysis details how requirements for conformity assessments, data governance, human oversight, and auditability impact these applications. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the contrasting regulatory philosophies of the EU and the US, offering strategic recommendations for firms and policymakers navigating …

Anxiety During Perimenopause: A Narrative Qualitative Study Of The Women’S Lived Experiences, Kayla Mcelhany

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Abstract

Objectives: Perimenopause has been associated with increased anxiety symptoms. However, data is lacking regarding the experiences of women with perimenopausal anxiety and the contributing factors to worsening anxiety symptoms. We explored the experiences of women with self-reported new onset or worsening of anxiety symptoms during perimenopause to better understand contributing factors.

Study design: Twenty women participated in one-on-one interviews to explore experiences of perimenopausal anxiety in the context of their daily lives and perimenopausal physical changes. Inductive thematic analysis was used to develop codes and themes from the transcribed interview data. Analysis was done using MAXQDA software.

Main …

Where Did All The Democrats Go?, Reese Adkins

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Following the reelection of President Obama in 2012, many political scientists such as Ruy Teixeira and John B. Judis, believed that this signaled the beginning of many Democratic electoral victories to come. They published their argument in their book, The Emerging Democratic Majority, in which they explained the Democratic Party’s plan to gain a systemic advantage in presidential elections. This was to be achieved by winning elections through winning the vote of minority groups, white women, and young college-educated people. This has been far from the case. Donald Trump, with political experience, shocked the world after winning the 2016 election …

Examining The Correlation Between Special Education Eligibility And Socioeconomic Status In Rural Minnesota Public Schools, Lisa Schlosser

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and Special Education identification in rural Minnesota schools, focusing on Specific Learning Disabilities and Other Health Disabilities, to determine whether students from lower-income backgrounds are disproportionately identified for Special Education services. Data were collected from five rural Minnesota public schools, analyzing student-level demographic and eligibility data from the 2022–2023 school year. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and ratio calculations assessed the relationship between SES, indicated by free/reduced-price lunch eligibility, and Special Education identification rates. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.84) between students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch and …

Hospitality In Crisis: Evaluating The Downside Risks And Market Sensitivity Of Hospitality Reits, Davinder K. Malhotra, Raymond Poteau

School of Business Faculty Papers

This study evaluates the risk-adjusted performance of Hospitality REITs using multi-factor asset pricing models and downside risk measures with the aim of assessing their diversification potential and crisis sensitivity. Unlike prior studies that examine REITs in aggregate, this study isolates Hospitality REITs to explore their unique cyclical and macroeconomic sensitivities. This study looks at the risk-adjusted performance of Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in relation to more general REIT indexes and the S&P 500 Index. The study reveals that monthly returns of Hospitality REITs increasingly move in tandem with the stock markets during financial crises, which reduces their historical …

Azalea Regional Welcomes New Library Manager, Ivy Corder

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Kennesaw State University Libraries Names New Executive Director, Courtney Gardner

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Local Adaptation In The Pinus Palustris Ground Layer, Jason Paul Joines

All Dissertations

Population survival or extirpation may be dependent on adaptation to local environmental conditions. I hypothesized that populations of species with large ranges would be locally adapted because of the variety of environments that different populations experience, that spatial patterns of local adaptation would correspond to patterns of endemism because processes driving local adaptation may also lead to speciation, and that the extent of local adaptation would be stronger in species with little gene flow among populations than in those with extensive gene flow because of the relative strength of selection necessary to overcome gene flow. I tested these hypotheses using …

Partition, Passport And The Documentary Life Of Belonging, Haimanti Roy

History Faculty Publications

As India and Pakistan emerged as two new nation-states after 1947, questions around nationality and citizenship animated official and public discourses. While there were constitutional and legal pronouncements to clarify these matters, this article suggests that particular documents governing mobility became central to how such issues were framed and understood. In particular, this article focuses on the Indian passport and similar documents of mobility control, such as the domicile certificate, permits, and so on, to examine how they worked singly and in conjunction to frame the documentary life of belonging. The article also focuses on particular mobile groups, Muslim minorities …

Rural Secondary Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Transition Planning For Students With Disabilities, Christina Natascha Ruffatti

Dissertations

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to investigate rural secondary principals’ perceptions of their role and challenges experienced in transition planning for students with disabilities. Transition planning for students with disabilities has been federally mandated since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 1990), emphasizing positive postsecondary outcomes. However, limited research has existed on principals’ roles, particularly in rural contexts.

Participants included 11 principals from small rural districts across 5 regions in Colorado. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding, guided by Kohler et al.’s (2016) Taxonomy for …

Cognitive And Affective Factors Related To Geoscience Academic And Career Choice, Amanda Diane Manzanares

Dissertations

Recruitment and retention continue to be a challenge for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Research shows that both cognitive and affective factors influence student learning, which can then shape academic and career choice. Therefore, my alternatively formatted dissertation includes three articles examining two STEM disciplines: geosciences and Interdisciplinary Environmental and Sustainability programs adding to prior research and further uncovering specific factors that could predict student educational and professional aspirations.

Regarding cognition, students often begin STEM courses with pre-existing mental frameworks, also referred to as schemas that are formed by their prior experiences. These schemas may conflict with established …