Digital Commons Network^™

Ovochymase 2 Is A Key Regulatory Factor Modulating Proteolytic Pathways And Sperm Maturation In The Mammalian Epididymis, Katarzyna Kent, Kaori Nozawa, Antrix Jain, Anna Malovannaya, Thomas X Garcia, Martin M Matzuk

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spermatozoa acquire fertilizing competence during epididymal transit through proteolytic, chaperone-mediated, and post-translational modifications. Ovochymase 2, an epididymis-specific trypsin-like serine protease, has emerged as a central regulator of this maturation process. Here, we integrate targeted gene disruption, comprehensive proteomic profiling, and affinity-based proteome enrichment to delineate how Ovochymase 2 influences sperm functionality. Deletion of Ovochymase 2 disrupts the proteome of epididymal sperm, resulting in diminished levels of core fertility-related factors-including a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 3, β-defensins, and protease-inhibitor complexes-while inducing compensatory upregulation of alternate proteases and chaperones. Interaction assays confirm direct or indirect associations between Ovochymase 2 and sperm surface …

A Mouse Model Engineered To Spatiotemporally Control Cre Expression In Progesterone Receptor Positive Cells†, Elvis Quiroz, Ryan M Marquardt, Shu-Yun Li, Artiom Gruzdev, David Cunefare, Charan Ganta, San-Pin Wu, John P Lydon, Francesco J Demayo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Cre/loxP system is widely used for site-specific genetic manipulation in mice. The PgrCre mouse model, where Cre recombinase is driven by the progesterone receptor promoter, is commonly used for gene ablation in Pgr-positive uterine cells. However, the PgrCre is active in the neonatal uterus and does not allow temporal control. To enhance the functionality of the PgrCre mouse, we generated and characterized an inducible PgriCreERT2 mouse, in which iCreERT2 is inserted downstream of the endogenous Pgr promoter. PgriCreERT2 mice crossed with Rosa26-CAG-LSL-Sun1-sfGFP-myc reporter mice demonstrated tamoxifen-dependent recombination in uterine stromal fibroblasts and a subset of epithelial cells. Tamoxifen-induced ablation …

Comparative Analysis Of Hiv Data Completeness In Haiti's Isanté Plus Electronic Medical Record System Across Children, Adolescents And Adults: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation Of 2016-2022 Data, Beryne Odeny, Jean Guy Honoré, Jean Gabriel Balan, James P Hughes, Bradley Wagenaar, Stephen Gloyd, Kemar Célestin, Marinho Elisma, Kesner Francois, Nancy Puttkammer

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare documentation completeness of HIV-related data by age group (children, adolescents and adults) in Haiti's Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional evaluation.

SETTING: EMR data for 36 965 enrolment visits, and 123 608 return visits from 58 facilities in Haiti (from 2016 to 2022).

PARTICIPANTS: Children, adolescents and adults accessing HIV care and treatment services in Haiti.

MAIN EXPOSURE MEASURE: Health facility attendance for HIV-related healthcare.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Level of data completeness, as a measure of data quality. We developed Composite Completeness Scores (CCS scores) to measure data completeness. Lower scores meant lower completeness. …

Firefighters Versus Law Enforcement Officers: A Comparison Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Bethany C. Guerra, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, J. Jay Dawes, Matthew J. Mcallister, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 659-671, 2025. Firefighters (FFs) and law enforcement officers (LEOs) have heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD), with data suggesting that ≈45% of on-duty FF fatalities are related to CVD, while LEOs have a 1.7 times higher CVD prevalence than the general public. This study compared CVD risk biomarkers, fitness, and body composition between FFs and LEOs. Ninety-eight career, structural male FFs (age = 35.1±9.6 yrs; weight = 94.3±15.4 kg; height = 178.4±13.2 cm) and seventy-three career LEOs (age = 41.4±9.0 yrs; weight = 92.3±16.8 kg; height = 179.6±8.1 cm) from local departments were studied. Participants completed …

Neurophysiology And Endocrine Responses To Hunger And Satiety Mechanisms: The Brain-Gut Crosstalk, Nour Shakir Rezaieg, Muthanna M. Awad

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: Obesity is a main public health problem which substantially increases the risk of many diseases. The complex neural circuitry controls energy homeostasis and food consumption by the incorporation of hormonal and neural signals. Circulating hormones, in specific the gut hormones, have been found to be very important in appetite regulation. These hormones transfer energy situation signs to the brain throughout three principle paths: the circulation system, activation of the vagus nerve, and direct modification of main brain regions such as the hypothalamus and brainstem. The control of food eating is not exclusively dependent on the homeostatic processes, rather it …

Edward Condon, Edward S. Condon Jr.

We Are NIH Oral History Project

No abstract provided.

Pd-Based Hydrogen Separation Membranes Synthesized Via A Liquid-Phase Route, Chase W. Thompson

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Palladium (Pd) membranes have gained significant attention for their ability to selectively separate hydrogen, a critical process for clean energy applications such as fuel cells and hydrogen storage. However, challenges such as grain growth, sintering, hydrogen embrittlement, and film uniformity limit their scalability and long-term stability. This thesis focuses on the controlled synthesis, deposition, and stability of Pd nanoparticles to optimize membrane performance for hydrogen separation. This work investigates solution-phase synthesis of Pd nanoparticles, focusing on temperature, precursor concentration, and solvent composition as key variables influencing particle growth and dispersion. Pd membranes were fabricated using nanoparticle deposition onto porous supports, …

Digitally Fabricated Interocclusal Wafer Versus Wafer-Less Distal Segment Repositioning For Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (Bsso) In Skeletal Mandibular Deformities (Randomized Controlled Trial), Hesham Osama Morsi Ass.Lect., Mohammed Abdelsalam Omara Ass.Prof., Mostafa Ibrahim Shindy Prof, Galal Gamal El Behairy Prof.

Dentistry

Objective: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of condylar positioning between 2 computer-guided orthognathic surgical protocols: a waferless screw hole plate locating (WSL CPD) technique versus an occlusal splint with distal extending arms (OWDA-CPD) approach. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients requiring mandibular orthognathic surgery (class II or III deformities) were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n=12 each). Group I underwent a waferless protocol utilizing 3D-printed osteotomy and screw hole locating guides, while group II received an occlusal splint with distal extensions for condylar positioning. Preoperative and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were used to assess condylar displacement in …

Low Temperature Methane Coupling With Co And Co2, A K M Kazi F.M. Aurnob

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Methane is the smallest hydrocarbon and the most abundant component in natural gas. Despite its availability, its chemical utilization has remained limited due to the challenges associated with direct methane activation and conversion. Most of the methane oxidation and oxidative carbonylation reactions in literature have been carried out at high-pressure using batch reactors or at ambient pressure using flow reactors. While batch reactors have been shown to have higher product yields, they are limited in their capability to provide real-time kinetic insights and comprehensive mechanistic understanding of the reactions involved due to the long residence time. This limits rationalization of …

Cultural Humility, Holistic Admission Review, And Multicultural Experiences Among Newly Admitted Nursing Students, Janna Michelle Hackett

Nursing ETDs

This study explored the impact of Holistic Admissions Review (HAR) on demographic characteristics, multicultural experiences, and cultural humility (CH) levels among newly admitted pre-licensure nursing students. Fostering CH and diversity among healthcare providers may help reduce health disparities. Traditional admissions methods may not identify candidates with traits supporting CH development, whereas HAR considers diverse backgrounds and experiences. Two groups were surveyed: one admitted through HAR and the other through traditional methods. No significant differences in CH scores were found, but significant differences were found in age, living abroad, and volunteering with diverse populations. Students admitted through HAR were younger and …

Location Selection Of Migrating Beetles Under Neutrosophic Model With Sensitivity And Comparative Analysis, Rabih Sbera, Ahmed A El-Douh, Darin Shafek, Tareef S. Alkellezli

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Location Selection of Migrating Beetles has different criteria to select the best location. So, multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) is used to deal with different and numerous criteria in this study. This study proposes an MCDM methodology to rank the locations and select the best criterion. The average method is used to compute the criteria weights. The locations are ranked using the root assessment method (RAM). This study uses eight criteria and 20 locations. We use the single valued neutrosophic numbers (SVNNs) to overcome uncertainty and vague information. The RAM methodology is used under the SVNNs. The results show that Availability …

Type-2 Neutrosophic Numbers For Artificial Intelligence Software Choice For Cybersecurity Testing, O.M. Akash, We’Am Adel Talafha, Mamdouh Gomaa

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The choice of artificial intelligence (AI) software for cybersecurity testing is a multi-criteria decision-making approach (MCDM) due to it including different criteria. Evaluation decision making problems include uncertainty and vague information. So, the neutrosophic set is used in this study to overcome this uncertainty and vague information. It has three functions such as truth, indeterminacy, and falsity functions. Type-2 neutrosophic numbers is a type of neutrosophic set that includes nine membership functions. This study uses the average method of computing the criteria weights. The CoCoSo method is used to rank alternatives. Six experts and decision makers created the decision makers …

James Roy Buster Wilson, Jr.

African American Funeral Programs

James_Roy_Buster_Wilson_Jr.pdf - Funeral program for James Wilson

Neutrosophic Numbers For Selection Best Strategy For Dual Supply Chains With Green And Non-Green Products, Nada A. Nabeeh, Waleed Abd Elkhalik, Gawaher Soliman Hussein

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Dual supply chains with green and non-green products are an important aspect of supply chain management, which enable companies to balance traditional operations with ethical and eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon emissions. This study proposed a novel approach that combines the Probabilistic Simplified Neutrosophic Set (PSNS) with the Ranking of Alternatives Method (RAM) for the selection of best strategy selection for dual supply chains with green and non-green products. The novel approach uses PSNS as a representation of uncertainty, by incorporating probabilistic degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity, which occurred in real life situations. Furthermore, RAM illustrates efficient ranking and …

Risk Management Of The Open Data Services Industry In Digital Transformation Under Neutrosophic Sets, Fadhl Ehsan Hadi, Mohammed Musa Mohammed, Noorhan Waleed Abdullah, Baraa Hasan Hadi

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The open data services industry is very important for artificial intelligence and digital transformations. The open data services industry has different risks and challenges, so this study proposed a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach for risk management in open data services industry. This study uses the average method to compute the criteria weights and the WASPAS method to rank the alternatives. The triangular neutrosophic set (TNS) is used in this study to overcome uncertainty and vague information. It has three membership functions such as truth, indeterminacy, and falsity. This study uses nine criteria and 18 risks to be evaluated. The …

The Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype, A Key Marker Of Cellular Senescence, Is Elevated In Depression And Moderated By Sex, Nishika Navrange, Ana Paula Mendes-Silva, Charles F Reynolds, Julie Wetherell, Benoit Mulsant, Mary C Kimmel, Eric J Lenze, Breno Satler Diniz

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Studies have found elevation in a key biomarker of aging (the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) index) in depression. We investigated whether sex moderates the association between the SASP and major depression in older adults.

METHODS: We included 423 older adults in a current major depressive episode and 140 adults with no history of depression. We measured the plasma levels of SASP biomarkers using multiplex immunoassays. The interaction effect between sex, depression diagnosis, and senescence markers were analyzed by general linear models, adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULTS: Individuals with depression had a higher SASP index than the healthy comparison group …

A Combined Naturalistic Driving, Clinical, And Neurobehavioral Data Set For Investigating Aging And Dementia, Matthew Blake, David C Brown, Chen Chen, Noor Al-Hammadi, Ramon Casanova, Yiqi Zhu, Ganesh M Babulal

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) are becoming increasingly prevalent and are predicted to affect up to 153 million globally by 2050. Outside of biomarkers that measure pathology, there is a lack of methods to quantify and study complex behaviors such as driving and managing finances that precede cognitive decline among older adults. The DRIVES Project at Washington University School of Medicine has developed a pipeline to measure naturalistic driving behavior of older adult drivers enrolled in longitudinal studies of aging and ADRD. This driving behavior is captured in the form of tabular data for each trip a participant takes …

The Therapeutic Dimension Of The Practice Of Philosophy, Rainier A. Ibana

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

The series of papers in this issue demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of practicing Philosophy. The content of these papers range from the insightful wisdom of the Ancient Greeks, the tangential solutions to the problem of measuring the globe proposed by the local communities of the medieval ages, the personal and public “spaces” constructed by human subjects during the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, a reframing of the modern antagonistic relationship between science and religion, a special lecture on “Aristotle, Women, and Greek Tragedy,” and a book review of an autobiography by an outstanding woman of our times.

A Sweetgrass Method Of Bullying Prevention For American Indian/Alaska Native Part 2, M. Standing Eagle Baez Ph.D., C. Allison Baez Ph.D.

Journal of Indigenous Research

Bullying is widespread in the United States. Bullying negatively impacts all youth involved, including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying, known as bystanders. The Sweetgrass Method (SGM) is a culturally responsive framework that empowers Native and non-Native practitioners working with American Indian/Alaska Native clients. The method focuses on the initial dialogue of building a healthy relationship through self-reflection, communication, and continuity. The SGM looks at weaving Western and traditional approaches into a tailored approach that is culturally responsive to the individuals they serve. The SGM provides a framework by weaving the three strands: …

Book Review: Quiet Quitting And The Leadership Challenge, Elizabeth Gingerich

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Building A God, Carl Lee Tolbert

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Lessons From History: Emerging And Non-Western Concepts Of Leadership And Spirituality, Elizabeth Gingerich

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Two Stories Of Management And Two Key Lessons, Mostafa Sayyadi, Michael J. Provitera

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Raised Colorblind, Still Colorblind, Ritch Eich

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

The Enduring Flame: Churchill’S Leadership Qualities And Their Relevance Today, Emilio F. Iodice

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Water From Stone: Extracting Leadership Wisdom From Moses' Mistake In Striking The Rock, Hershey H. Friedman, Joshua Krausz

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

This paper explores the leadership lessons embedded in the story of Moses striking the rock rather than speaking to it. While seemingly a simple act of disobedience, it highlights the crucial need for leaders to adapt their approach based on the situation. Just as Moses faced a new generation with different needs, leaders today must understand the complex interplay of social and psychological factors within their teams. Proactive problem-solving, rather than reactive responses, is critical. Furthermore, fostering a collaborative environment where individuals work towards a shared purpose, independent of a single leader, is essential to avoid dependency and encourage healthy …

Bridging The Cybersecurity Gap: Governance Challenges And Solutions For Caribbean Boards, Ron R. Sookram

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

As cyber threats become increasingly frequent and sophisticated, boards play a crucial role in ensuring that their organizations are both protected and prepared to respond to cyber incidents. This paper assesses the level of readiness of Caribbean boards to oversee cybersecurity, identifying challenges such as limited resources, shortage of expertise, and a narrow perception of cybersecurity as an IT issue. Using a mixed-methods approach combining survey data and secondary research, the study reveals significant gaps in board awareness, strategic prioritization, and resilience-building capabilities. Findings underscore a pressing need for greater board engagement, with an emphasis on integrating cybersecurity into corporate …

Leadership In The Accountability Era: Resisting Values Drift Through Deliberate System Design, Christine Haskell

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

This study introduces values drift— the gradual, often unconscious misalignment between actions and stated commitments, driven less by misconduct than by lack of awareness, inertia, or performance pressure. As an emerging leadership risk, values drift is increasingly amplified by algorithmic influence and efficiency metrics. This research extends the Values Lifecycle Framework to examine how leaders sustain values alignment in high-velocity, data-driven environments. Through qualitative interviews with 19 CEOs, three leadership typologies emerged: Defaulters, who maintain stability through routine; Correctors, who stand at pivotal choice points where recognition and response are possible but not guaranteed; and Balancers, who embed …

A Culture Of Accountability Through Ethical Leadership Drives Citizenship Behavior In Ghana’S Traditional System Of Leadership, Eric Yeboah-Asiamah

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

This study seeks to investigate the influence of accountability on the community citizenship behavior of followers in Ghana's traditional system of leadership with the mediating role of ethical leadership behavior. A cross-sectional survey design was used to obtain quantitative data from 319 Ghanaians through questionnaires. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.1.0.3 was utilized to test the study’s hypotheses. The results showed that accountability (ACC) was a significant predictor of ethical leadership behavior but had no direct effect on community citizenship behavior (CCB). Additionally, the relationship between ACC and CCB was partially mediated by ethical leadership behavior. …

Groundskeeping As A Theoretical Framework: Understanding The Experiences Of An Emerging Discipline-Based Education Researcher, Christian D. Solorio, Christopher A.F. Hass, Scott V. Franklin, Mary Bridget Kustusch, Eleanor C. Sayre

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Groundskeeping is a supportive leadership style that combines mentorship, institutional change, and leadership to support individuals at the intersection of their personal aspirations and an organization’s needs. This paper uses a theoretical framework of groundskeeping and applies it to the experiences of Robert, an Emerging Discipline-Based Education Researcher (EDBER) who wanted to do physics education research. In this instrumental case study, we explore how the environmental, human-centered, and anti-deficit philosophical principles of groundskeeping manifest in the interpersonal and structural supports that facilitated Robert’s transition into education research. We highlight how creating a new entry-point into Discipline-Based Education Research, providing professional …