Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of Domesticated Rat Behavior Between Differing Environment Types, Payton Mitchell

Theses & ETDs

Enriching environments consist of elements that provoke more naturalistic behaviors to appear within a focal species through incorporating novelty typically not provided within laboratory environments. This study set out to compare the behaviors displayed by domesticated rats when provided with two distinct enriching environments. It was hypothesized that there would be differences in the behaviors displayed between the different cages. To test this hypothesis the behaviors of two senior female rats were observed during their time in a standard pet rat cage and a bioactive/naturalistic cage over the course of three periods (control, experimental, and reintroduction), with the standard pet …

Effects Of Exercise On Telomere Biology And Its Implications For Cellular Aging, Liam Parker Carrillo-Rodriguez

Theses & ETDs

Telomeres are regions of repetitive DNA-protein sequences found at chromosomal ends. They play a crucial role in preserving the information in our genome by protecting the ends of chromosomes from fraying or tangling. Each time a cell divides, a small portion of telomeric DNA is lost and telomeres become slightly shorter until the cell can no longer divide properly, and the cell undergoes replicative senescence or apoptotic cell death. Telomere length is associated with a number of age-related diseases, lifespan, and cancer. Different factors that have an effect on telomere length, like oxidative stress and telomerase activity, are reviewed in …

Cultivating Diversity: Investigating The Impact Of Maize-Bean-Squash Intercropping On The Soil Microbiome, Drake Elting

Theses & ETDs

Soil microbes have a direct impact on plant and soil health. The unsustainability of contemporary agricultural practices pose an increasing threat to the food security of human societies, as many of these practices result in the degradation of soil health, upon which future productivity is reliant. A number of studies have affirmed the assertion that organic farming methods such as milpa increase microbial diversity which has been shown to increase nutrient bioavailability and can help the restoration of damaged soil. The present study investigates the comparative bulk soil microbiome between maize, bean, and squash monocultures and maize, bean, and squash …

The Next Generation Of Blue: Health And Autonomy Of Young Adults In A Blue Zone Region, Isadora Vitkus

Theses & ETDs

This thesis focuses on young adult perspectives amidst the data of successful aging and longevity of nonagenarians and centenarians in the world’s five Blue Zones. With lacking data on how the Blue Zone Power 9 principles are affecting young adult lives in Blue Zone regions, this thesis assessed the presence of and usage of the Power 9 principles in the studied young adult population. Chronic disease is also on the rise in several countries, and the imminent threat of disease for many young adults is overbearing. The stress that this worry brings can often lead to heightened cortisol levels in …

Youth Mental Health In Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ayah Saleh

Theses & ETDs

Despite the pervasive presence of occupation and its potential ramifications on mental health, a notable gap in research exists concerning the specific impact of Israel’s occupation on Palestinian youth. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this study identifies key determinants of mental health and examines their manifestation within the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Drawing upon established frameworks and empirical evidence, the research explores how factors such as violence, restricted movement, food and water insecurity, and inadequate sanitary infrastructure intersect to shape the mental well-being of Palestinian youth under occupation. For each of these major features of occupation, this thesis …

Third Ventricle Choroid Plexus In Healthy Brains Vs Traumatic Injury Brains: A Comparative Immunohistochemistry Analysis In Mice, Tessa Vincennie

Theses & ETDs

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant health issue, and there are a wide variety of efforts taking place to research the neural mechanisms involved in an attempt to find treatments. Importantly, there is a deficit in literature regarding the choroid plexus in how it relates to traumatic brain injuries. Furthermore, more research must be done to compare cellular mechanisms between ventricles effectively. There is no recorded study history of the third ventricle choroid plexus following TBI. Within this thesis, I investigated the differences in the third ventricle’s choroid plexus immunohistological presentation within healthy mice versus the brains of TBI …

Role Of Mct1 In The Progression Metabolism Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Saiyid Ibtehaj Shariq

Theses & ETDs

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) arises from the mucosal surface and is the most common type of head and neck cancer. Despite treatment, it often recurs, leading to high patient mortality. Most OSCC advances from precancerous dysplasia to early invasive cancer, but the process is not fully understood, hindering effective interventions. Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is a membrane protein that transports L-lactate and pyruvate across the plasma membrane. Because increased MCT1 expression is linked to OSCC progression, we hypothesized that MCT1 promotes progression by supporting metabolic coupling between cancer cells and the surrounding stroma. To test this hypothesis, we knocked …

Habitat Utilization Patterns Of Semi-Free-Ranging Lemurs In Human Care: A Comparative Analysis Of Ring-Tailed & Red Ruffed Lemurs’ Responses To Different Kinds Of Enrichment, Alexia Atkinson

Theses & ETDs

Lemurs are at risk; 98% of Madagascar's 106 species of lemurs are threatened with extinction. As a result of this conservation emergency, research and conservation facilities have prioritized studying and breeding lemurs, especially in naturalistic conditions like fenced forests. However, sometimes lemurs in these facilities do not use the extent of the land available to them, and we do not always know why. This research investigates the effect of enrichment devices on the habitat preferences and behaviors of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), a species that often spends time on the ground, and red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), a primarily arboreal …

Research News, Publications, 2024, Volume 1, Soumyajit Majumdar

Publications (2015-)

Publications that appeared during the period of January 1 through March 31, 2024

Sts 352-102: Race And Ethnicity, Laura Dickerman

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Telemedicine Quality Improvement During The Corona Virus 2019 Pandemic Increases Pediatric Weight Management Access, Monique K. Vallabhan, Kathryne Foos, Patricia Roldan, Sylvia Negrete, Janet M Page-Reeves, Elizabeth Y. Jimenez, Alberta S. Kong

Pediatrics Research and Scholarship

BACKGROUND: The corona virus 2019 pandemic disrupted care for pediatric patients with chronic conditions, including those with childhood obesity. Lockdowns forced providers to create new ways of caring for this population. Telemedicine was a promising but previously unavailable solution. This quality improvement report details how the Healthy and Fit Children's Clinic transitioned and improved care via telemedicine.

METHODS: Between March 2020 and April 2021, the quality improvement project team incorporated the Model for Improvement to transition the clinic to telemedicine. The team tracked Healthy and Fit Children's Clinic appointments, no-shows, billing and reimbursement data, and noted unintended consequences or unanticipated …

With Great Power: A Content Analysis Of Masculinities And Appearance-Related Themes In The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ryan Maxim

Undergraduate Review

Comic book characters and superheroes have served as Hollywood’s biggest cash cow for the last two decades, dominating box office records, over-saturating the release schedules of major movie studios, and influencing the cultural consciousness in a way that is historically unprecedented. The most notable and financially successful example of this trend can be seen in the form of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a franchise that has grossed an estimated $29.8 billion in box office revenue since its inception in 2008. Due to their immense popularity and global reach, superhero characters serve as role models for young boys and adult …

Copd: Portraits Of Lung Health At Any Age Infographic

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is more common among older adults, but looking after your lung health is a good idea at any stage in life.

Promises For Healthy Hearts: How Hispanics/Latinos Can Prevent Heart Disease Booklet

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

A booklet created specifically for Hispanics/Latinos that explains what heart disease is and provides helpful tips to improve one’s health.

Your Guide To Lowering Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (Tlc)

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

Need to lower your cholesterol? Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) is a set of tools you can use to get results.

Delicious Heart-Healthy Latino Recipes Book – Platillos Latinos ¡Sabrosos Y Saludables!

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

This recipe book contains a variety of heart-healthy recipes specifically for the Hispanic/Latino community. It also includes tips for safe cooking.

Take Action For Your Heart: Get Started! Fact Sheet

United States Natonal Institutes of Health: Materials

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. This fact sheet provides heart-healthy tips.

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 62: Hirudinea (Subclass): Parasitic Leeches, Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa, Sebastian Kvist

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

An overview of the parasitic leeches, subclass Hirudinea, including discussion of leeches as parasites, vectors, and hosts, their general morphology, reproduction, zoogeography, classification, phylogeny, medical uses, and preparation of specimens.

Chapter 62 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, by Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa and Sebastian Kvist. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap062

4 - Station 41, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

UAB Magazine

No abstract provided.

Washington University Magazine, December 2024

Washington University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Research Annual Report Fy2024, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Research Annual Reports

Annual report of the research at Children's Mercy Kansas City in Kansas City MO, a pediatric medical center.

Investigation Of Bone Structure And Composition Differences In Osteofibrous Dysplasia And Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Farzaneh Fereidouni

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Abstract

Investigation of Bone Structure and Composition Differences in Osteofibrous Dysplasia and Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Farzaneh Fereidouni, Ph.D.

The University of Texas at Arlington, 2024

Supervising Professor: Harry F. Tibbals

Bone genetic diseases such as Osteofibrous Dysplasia (OFD) and Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) present significant challenges, particularly in children, due to their effects on skeletal homeostasis. This study aims to apply advanced material analysis to elucidate the biological disparities associated with OFD and NF1 bone dysplasia and contribute to developing diagnostic protocols and remediation approaches for these and similar bone disorders.

By employing various analytical methods, including analysis of mineral-to-matrix …

Patterns Of Gifted Program Participation In Elementary School, Marisa B. Saenz

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

High-achieving students of color and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds continue to fall behind their White peers and are not reaching their full academic potential. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of student socio-demographic characteristics, teacher beliefs and classroom practices, and school climate on the retention of high-achieving elementary school students identified as gifted. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used to propose an analytical framework for the study to help understand and interpret how these factors influence student participation patterns in gifted programs as described by the giftedness typology of stoppers, jumpers, continuers.

The results of …

Cultivating Change: Enhancing Urban Agriculture Through Landscape Architecture Design, Patricia Cerda

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

The objective of this research is to examine the advantages of applying landscape architecture design principles to urban agriculture landscapes. The study investigates the current and past instances of implementing agriculture in urban areas to comprehend how they benefit the community and local environment and create a connection between people and the food they consume. The study aims to explore how landscape architecture can be efficiently applied to urban farming practices to establish a meaningful and sustainable connection between individuals and their food. The study will be guided by three research questions: (1) What are the environmental benefits associated with …

Barriers To Ensuring And Sustaining Street Food Safety In A Developing Economy, Abigail Ampomah Adaku, Irene Susana Egyir, Cynthia Gadegbeku, Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu, Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Amos Laar

All Grantees Publications

Street foods are one of the highest contributors to foodborne illness in most developing economies around the world. In Ghana, diarrhoeal diseases, which are usually food or waterborne, are among the top ten causes of death. Most street food safety risks are avoidable when all food safety regulations are complied with. This paper identified and examined the barriers to the implementation of street food safety regulations in Ghana. A qualitative research approach was adopted by collecting data from nine focus group discussion sessions involving a total of 94 participants and five key informant interviews. The research uncovered three broad but …

Unh: The Magazine Of The University Of New Hampshire, Winter 2024, Unh Magazine

UNH Magazine

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Metabolic And Mitogenic Potential Of A Hyper-Stable Variant Of Fgf1, Emma Starr, Oshadi Edirisinghe, Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh Kumar

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of 22 human cytokines involved in critical cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and wound healing. Among these, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) possesses a powerful mitogenic potential as it can nonspecifically bind to all four FGF receptors. However, the therapeutic applications of FGF1 are hindered by its inherent thermal and proteolytic instability, especially at physiological temperatures. This is believed to be attributed to the heparin-binding pocket at the C-terminus, which contains numerous positively charged residues that repel each other. To combat this instability, FGF1 binds to a negatively …

World Bank's Roadmap And The Inspection Panel's Human Rights Responsibilities, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, C.P. Chandrasekhar

Perspectives

The World Bank has been under pressure to devise a process for “evolving” its mission, operations, and resources, acknowledging that decades of engagement with low- and middle-income countries has resulted, paradoxically and contrary to its official mission, in a “crisis of development.” The Bank bluntly notes in the opening to its paper “Evolving the World Bank Group’s Mission, Operations, and Resources: A Roadmap,” issued in December 2022, “after decades of progress, growth and poverty reduction have stalled.” Indeed, this “crisis of development” threatens to unleash political instability around the world.

Supporting Collegiate Students In The United States Through Athletic And Career Transitions, Scott Pierce, Melvin Sangalang, Lilla Kisvari, Lindsey Kellar, Eric Martin

Faculty Publications - Kinesiology and Recreation

The purpose of this paper is to explore the athletic and career transitions that student-athletes navigate and to present examples of providing ongoing psychological support for student-athletes through these transitions. Guided by frameworks for understanding athlete change-events, a series of evidence-based propositions are presented to conceptualize how to understand and support collegiate student-athletes through transitions. A specific educational program is explained to provide an example of supporting student-athletes’ goal setting, identity, and life skills transfer during the transition out of college sports and college life. Future opportunities for supporting student-athlete transitions are then identified, along with reflections and lessons learned …

Navigating The Battlefield Of Hunger During Armed Conflicts: Obligations, Obstacles And Solutions, Ying Chen, Tarisa Yasin

American University International Law Review

Despite sufficient global food supplies, food insecurity remains a persistent problem in many countries. In recent years, conflict has emerged as one of the key drivers of acute food insecurity, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The situation has worsened since 2022, as the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war are felt worldwide. This Article investigates food security challenges arising from armed conflicts and proposes potential solutions to tackle these challenges. It first examines the right to food as enshrined in both international and national laws. These legal frameworks set out the rules that govern the responsibilities of States and …