Digital Commons Network^™

Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life (Ohrqol) In People With Dentin Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review Of Interventional Studies, Sumanth Kumbargere Nagraj, Georgios Kitsaras, K. Bekes, C.L. Randall, K. Asimakopoulou

Peninsula Dental School

ObjectiveThis systematic review, the first in this field, aimed to evaluate if interventions for dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affect patient-reported oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodsA systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases and gray literature sources, focusing on interventional studies published from 2010 onward. Eligible studies included adult participants with DH and assessed OHRQoL using validated measures. Data extraction followed the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was appraised using the JBI tool.ResultsThirteen randomized controlled trials involving 616 participants were included. Interventions ranged from desensitizing agents, fluoride varnishes, and laser therapy to nonpharmacological approaches like behavioral techniques. QoL was measured …

Inhibition Of Cyclophilin D Rescues Cardiac Function And Bioenergetic Defects Caused By Neonatal Hypoxia, Jonathan R. Burris, Gisela Beutner, Min Yee, Bartholomew V. Simon, Michael F. Swartz, Kathryn B. Boudreau, Ethan D. Cohen, Chaitanya A. Kulkarni, Prottoy Hasan, Hongyue Wang, Karen L. De Mesy Bentley, György Hajnóczky, George M. Alfieris, Eric M. Small, Paul S. Brookes, Michael A. O'Reilly, George A. Porter

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Increased oxygen levels at birth regulate myocyte bioenergetic and structural maturation controlled by mitochondrial cyclophilin D (CypD). We evaluated mechanisms of neonatal hypoxic cardiac dysfunction by exposing neonatal mice to 12% oxygen and studied cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and function. Hypoxia decreased the activity/assembly of electron transport chain complex I, uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, increased proliferation, decreased differentiation, increased ventricular mass, and decreased cardiac function. CypD inhibition rescued most hypoxia-mediated effects and increased cardiac function. In conclusion, neonatal hypoxia alters cardiac bioenergetics, myocyte maturation, and cardiac function through CypD-dependent pathways, providing potential therapeutic targets for neonatal cardiac dysfunction.

Reproductive Season And Fecundity Reassessment Of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus) In Southeastern Florida, Riley Waters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) breeding season occurs throughout spring and early summer across its distributional range, but recent research shows that in southeastern Florida, mating also occurs in the fall and winter months. This project evaluates the gopher tortoise’s extended reproductive season in southeastern Florida and female fecundity. The study, conducted at two locations in South Florida: Jupiter, FL and Boca Raton, FL, used field ultrasound equipment and radiographs to identify gravid females and determine clutch size. The data suggest a much earlier start to egg development and nesting, and the possibility of an extended egg development …

Development Of Research Direction At The Hospital General De México In The Last Two Decades, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, José D. Carrillo-Ruiz, Galileo Escobedo, América Guadalupe Arroyo Valerio, Miguel Fonseca-Sanchez, Gustavo Acosta-Altamirano

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Carbonate Framework And Sediment Production Across Island-Fringing Coral Reef Habitats And A Natural Nutrient Gradient, Ines D. Lange, Marleen Stuhr, Chris T. Perry, Aitana Gea-Neuhaus

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Coral reef framework production and sediment generation are key controls on vertical reef accretion and reef island maintenance. However, quantitative data on these geo-ecological functions remain scarce, particularly within shallow habitats that mediate incoming wave energy and sediment supply to shorelines. This study quantified carbonate framework and sediment budgets across shallow lagoon reef (1–2 m), shallow forereef (2–3 m) and deep forereef habitats (8–9 m) surrounding six islands within three atolls (2 islands/atoll) in the remote Chagos Archipelago, Central Indian Ocean. One of the islands in each atoll supports dense seabird colonies that deliver natural nutrient subsidies to nearshore habitats …

The Lived Experiences Of The Strong Black Woman Cultural Convention On Black Women Counselors’ Emotional Intelligence, Pranati Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical competency for counselors due to the relational and emotionally demanding nature of counseling. Although existing literature explored EI among Black women broadly, limited research examined the experiences of Black women counselors (BWCs). This descriptive phenomenological study was guided by the philosophy of phenomenology and explored the lived experiences and impact of the SBW cultural convention on the EI of BWCs. The researcher explored the lived experiences of BWCs regarding the SBW cultural convention and its impact on emotional intelligence. Participant data from eight semi-structured interviews were collected. The participants identified as female gender identity, …

The Effect Of Burnout On Intention To Resign Among Adult Protective Services Investigators, Derek Frank Wachter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult Protective Services (APS) workers play a crucial role in providing care, support, and services to older and adult clients with special needs. There was a lack of empirical data on the long-term retention of APS investigators and on how burnout affects their intentions to resign. Departments consistently rely on a cycle of using newer, less experienced investigators who may not know about community and state services or department policies and procedures to connect clients. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between personal, work-related, and client-related burnout and APS investigators’ intention to resign. Data …

High Performance Ae-Cnn Model Enhanced Via Gaussian Augmentation For Rssi-Dependent Indoor Positioning In Wireless Sensor Networks, Kahlaa K. Al-Nassrawy, Ghaidaa A Al-Sultany

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Precise indoor positioning system remains a significant challenge within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) due to the instability and noise sensitivity of Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data. This paper proposes an advanced hybrid deep learning framework designed for 2D indoor localization, utilizing RSSI measurements to predict human or object position. Furthermore, to enhance the robustness of the model against signal variance and promote its generalization capability under this uncertainty, a data augmentation strategy is applied using three methods: Gaussian Noise Injection (GNI), Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), and Bayesian Gaussian Mixture Model (BGMM). The purpose of data augmentation is to simulate …

Human Rights Education, Racism And Early Childhood Education In Brazil: A Systematic Review, Ana Tereza Ramos De Jesus Ferreira, Juliene Madureira Ferreira

International Journal of Human Rights Education

Brazil was the last country in South America to put an end to the 388-year slave trade. To justify the trade of people from Africa, a series of actions were taken to dehumanize the Black  population, namely racism. Thus, the culture, religion, clothes, and phenotypical characteristics of Black people were considered inferior to those of the White race, and this continues to impact the lives of the Black population, which suffers from social inequality, low-quality education, and low-paid jobs up to this day. Therefore, this review aims to investigate Brazilian literature on activities in early childhood education (ECE) to fight …

Steven Universe & The Phenomenon Of Family, Jabari J. Whipple

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This research analyzes Steven Universe, a modern animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar, through a sociological lens to explore how contemporary media redefines the concept of family. The study examines how nontraditional caregiving structures and emotionally based kinship challenge the boundaries of the nuclear family model. Using the theoretical frameworks of symbolic interactionism and feminist theory, this paper interprets family as a social construction formed through love, care, and shared experience rather than biology alone. A purposive sample of fifteen episodes across seasons one, three, and five was analyzed for depictions of caregiving, gender roles, and emotional labor. Findings …

Assessing Decision Making Under Risk And Dynamic Task Environments In Humans, Dylan J. Cato

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This research evaluates the theoretical foundations of recent embodied and enacted decision- making models(Baker., et al  2022) , specifically investigating whether "urgency" serves as a domain-general mechanism for reward-rate maximization. Across three experiments using a reward-performance contingency, we compare traditional decision-making frameworks with urgency-based theories to determine how participants navigate task demands and whether optimality assumptions hold (Reynaud, et al 2020). A primary focus involves testing whether motor excitability increases directly with evidence, or if "higher-level" deliberation occurs in parallel with se Using the Generalized Drift-Diffusion Model (GDDM) framework via PyDDM  (Shinn, et al 2020), we will …

Visitor Recreational And Purchasing Behavior At Perrot State Park, Madeline Palmer

Research & Creative Achievement Day

There is a need to widen the diversity of visitors and to enhance recreational experiences at state parks. This study evaluated visitor-reported metrics of recreational activities, purchasing behavior, and location preferences across a demographically diverse population at Perrot State Park in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. We compared park use across age classes and influence of visitor origin (zip code) and distance traveled on type of pass purchased (day versus annual). Data was collected via online surveys administered at Perrot State Park (n=77) through social media platforms (n=125). Findings indicated that the majority of visitors were traveling from within a 35-mile radius of …

Using Molecular Techniques To Determine The Different Echinostoma Species Found In The Diving Ducks And Dabbling Ducks Of Wisconsin, Emma R. Davis, Jaelyn Then, Sam T. Emery, Mackenzie L. Kastner, Ellie Sampson

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Echinostoma species are zoonotic intestinal trematodes that infect vertebrates through the consumption of infected aquatic intermediate hosts. Echinostomiasis in waterfowl can cause intestinal damage, weight loss, poor condition, reduce survival, and reproduction. The differences in the feeding habits of dabbling and diving ducks may impact their diet, so it can be assumed that these differences would impact the Echinostoma species that they harbor. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dabbling ducks and diving ducks in Wisconsin host the same Echinostoma species, using molecular techniques. We compared one Gadwall (Maraca strepera) a dabbling duck from Trempealeau, WI, …

Investigating The Bioactivity Of Novel Β-Diketonate Complexes, Celeste Remolina, Dylan Wolfe

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Ruthenium β-diketonate complexes have emerged as promising chemotherapeutics due to their selective bioactivity against tumors. We assessed the bioactivity of novel synthesized ruthenium β-diketonate complexes on human cancer cells as well as wild-type cells. Using cell growth assays, we screened candidate ruthenium complexes and determined the IC50 value for effective candidates. Here we present a model for ruthenium-mediated growth inhibition

Parasite Prevalence In Local Grasshopper Populations, Lucia B. Freund, Ali Gronquist

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Spur-throated grasshoppers (genus Melanoplus) are a common agricultural pest in North America. Spur-throated grasshoppers are also a common host to several parasitic organisms. Horsehair worms (phylum Nematomorpha) are parasitic organisms known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of its insect host, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, by urging the host to enter water so it can complete its life cycle. Along with being a host to parasitic worms, they are a frequent target of grasshopper mites. Grasshopper mites (Eutrombidium locustarum) is a short-lived parasite that can negatively influence the reproductive ability of their host. Because grasshoppers are a major agricultural …

Assessment Of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors And Outdoors In A Rural Veterinary Clinic, Elena Ortez, Oluwatosin Jegede, Dorothy Seybold, Daeshjea Mcgee, Atin Adhikari, Ally Holmes

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.

Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards …

Coupling Deep Learning With Time-Dependent Scir Model For Predicting Social Media Mob Behaviors, Bismark Ampaw Offei

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

In this study, we modified an epidemiological model of social media mob using deep learning methods to investigate information transmission using COVID-19 Twitter data from April to June 2021. Data collection was done using keywords, such as “covid 19”, “vaccine”, “lockdown”, and “quarantine” to simulate activity trends during the pandemic. In this work, we combine deep learning methods, including LSTMs and GRUs, with the susceptible-counter-infective-recovered (SCIR) model to forecast time-dependent parameters. Primary qualitative analyses, including the social media mob free equilibrium (MFE) point, the endemic equilibrium point, and the basic reproduction number ℜ₀, were performed. Our analysis shows …

Effects Of Exercise And Neuromuscular Stimulation On Neuroplasticity And Inflammation In Those With Dementia Risk, Kaitlyn J. Tanner, Collis D. Grace, Morgan A. Gragg, Lisa B. Niles-Meunier, Nicholas J. Siekirk

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline, prevalent in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), heightens fall risk. Exercise interventions can reduce fall risk by slowing or delaying cognitive decline. Use of multi-waveform neuromuscular electrical stimulation (MWF-NMES) as an exercise adjunct may enhance neuroplasticity in areas associated with postural control. Whether NMES can improve postural control outcomes is not well-documented. Therefore, we will examine the effect of multi-waveform NMES on postural control in adults at risk for ADRD. METHODS: Participants will be recruited from an assisted living community in Southeast Georgia. Interested participants who meet the inclusion criterion will be stratified by sex …

Comparative Analysis Of Skeletal Visualization Techniques In Parazen Pacificus, Aaryan Kaushik

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The skeletal system provides important information in development and evolutionary studies. Multiple techniques to prepare skeletal material for study have been developed. For example, CT-scanning is a powerful tool for rendering high resolutions 3-D skeletal images with virtually no specimen damage. Clearing & staining methods render bone red, cartilage blue, and flesh transparent, but are destructive to specimens, and traditional X-raying, which is more cost efficient, but reduces a three-dimensional object into two. This study examines techniques for studying fish skeletal anatomy. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed to help determine the most efficient technique for a given purpose.

Macroplastic Litter In A Rural Lake: Biomass Characteristics Relative To Natural Surfaces, Alyssa Younus

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Plastic pollution is increasing worldwide and persists in aquatic ecosystems due to its durability. In lakes, plastic can act as habitat for microbes, invertebrates, and fish. This study is part of a larger experiment examining how floating debris influences aquatic communities. Conducted in summer 2024 at Lake 302 in Ontario’s Experimental Lakes Area, floating plots contained either plastic litter or wood. After 56 days, biofilm samples were analyzed for chlorophyll a concentrations and biofilm biomass. Both were significantly higher on wood, suggesting plastic’s properties limit algal growth. These findings indicate plastic may be a less suitable habitat and could impact …

Protein-Lipid Interactions Using Model Membrane And Native Membrane Vesicles, Nick Pufall

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This project explores how proteins interact with lipid membranes using both simplified model vesicles and more complex native membranes. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) were synthesized and characterized to study lipid binding with bovine serum albumin using fluorescence techniques. While model membranes provide control, they lack the complexity of real cellular environments, so native membranes were also investigated to better capture protein–lipid interactions. By comparing these systems, this work aims to better understand how lipids are transported and delivered within cells, and how these processes influence signaling and membrane protein function.

Β-Glucosidase B Mutant P41l Characterization And Analysis, Amal Naqvi, Caroline Machola

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This study characterized the β-glucosidase B (BglB) mutant P41L within the Design2Data (D2D) framework. We hypothesized that substituting proline with leucine at position 41, a non-active-site residue, would maintain catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) but decrease thermal stability (T50) relative to wild-type (WT) BglB. Foldit modeling, plasmid sequencing, expression in E. Coli, and affinity purification were used to validate the construct. Kinetic parameters with p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside and T50 values across 30–50 °C were obtained via plate-reader assays and D2D fits. P41L displayed higher catalytic efficiency and a T50 comparable to WT, refuting our hypothesis and suggesting an efficiency-enhancing, stability-neutral mutation.

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On The Development Of Reckless Behavior In Adulthood, Cheyenne Harvey

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Current literature suggests that there is a correlation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and behaviors in adulthood (e.g., substance use, crime). Research also shows that childhood trauma can lead to increased risk-taking or reckless behavior later in life. A study by Assini-Meytin et al. (2021) found that having a higher number of ACEs is linked to more risky behaviors in adulthood. These risky behaviors are often ways to deal with emotional problems caused by early stress. Anda et al. (2006) points out that these experiences can cause lasting changes in brain development, especially in areas that handle impulse control. The …

Morphological Identification Of Echinostomas Found Within Dabbler And Diving Ducks, Sammy Schneider, Emma Harms, Miana Risser, Madison Becker

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Most ducks can be separated into two categories, dabblers or divers, depending on their feeding guild. Dabbler ducks are surface feeders and consume vegetation while diver ducks feed below the surface and consume aquatic animals. The Echinostoma species present in ducks may vary depending on their feeding guild. Three species of ducks from various regions of Wisconsin were donated by hunters for examination of endoparasites, particularly those from the genus Echinostoma. The sites of collection included Trempealeau, Marionette, and Onalaska. One species of dabbler duck, Gadwall (Mareca strepera), and two species of diver ducks, Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) and Canvasback …

Comparing Dissection Vs Literature Data Of Cestodes In Ducks, Sophia B. Cross

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Cestodes are a class of parasites that are often found in vertebrate animals, specifically ducks. Research conducted by Winona State University students showed that cestodes were the most prevalent type of parasites found within ducks. However, outside research provides controversy as to whether this is actually true. Ducks were dissected by Winona State students over the past seven years, and their internal organs were carefully inspected under a light microscope. Ducks were donated by hunters, mostly harvested along the Mississippi River, from Buffalo City, WI to Winona, MN. Parasites were obtained, stored, and labelled from each duck. A dichotomous key …

Family Is Forever: A Qualitative Study Of The Impacts Of Adoption On Adoptees, Rebekah Hedlund

Liberty University Research Week

This study explores the lived experiences of adoptees and the ways in which adoption has impacted them. Grounded in communication theory of identity (CTI), this research examines how adoptees express their identities throughout their lives via communication. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with adoptees over the age of 18 from diverse backgrounds. The findings revealed three key themes from adoptees: identity, education, and opportunity. Participants described identity to be an ongoing and evolving process throughout life, often influenced by biological origins and family dynamics. The theme of education emerged through participants’ desire for educating potential adoptive …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas)Exposure And Its Influence On Fetal And Early Childhood Development, Tahirou Diallo

Liberty University Research Week

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals ubiquitous in environmental and biological matrices, with growing evidence implicating prenatal exposure in adverse developmental outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes cohort-based evidence published between 2016 and 2026 to evaluate the effects of maternal PFAS exposure on fetal growth and early childhood development. Studies were identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and were included if they assessed prenatal PFAS concentrations in relation to birth weight, gestational age, fetal growth trajectories, or childhood anthropometric outcomes. Findings across multiple cohorts consistently link higher prenatal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) …

Manual Tissue Slicer Designed For Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation, Levon Shukrian, Caleb Anene, Daniel Archer, Derek Works, Jack Durham, Joby Anthony, Jumana Rizk, Maria Mendoza Lopez, Shanice Rerrie

Liberty University Research Week

Fertility preservation techniques such as ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autotransplantation provide important options for patients at risk of primary ovarian insufficiency due to medical treatments or disease. A critical step in this process is the preparation of uniform ovarian cortical slices (0.5–1.5 mm thick) that preserve follicular architecture prior to cryopreservation. However, the discontinuation of the Stadie-Riggs tissue slicer, previously used for fresh tissue slicing, has created a significant gap in both translational research and clinical practice. To address this need, a compact manual ovarian tissue slicer was designed and constructed using biocompatible 316L stainless steel and borosilicate glass. The …

Sexual Differentiation In A Unique Vertebrate Lineage: Mapping The Development Of Genitalia In The Lizard Anolis Sagrei, Alina Mathew

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

• Genitalia are some of the most rapidly evolving structures on the vertebrate body, yielding an immense amount of genital diversity. Lizards and snakes have paired genitalia, while all other amniotes have a single, midline phallus. The lizard, Anolis sagrei is an important organism to study the development of genitalia to understand differences between paired and single genitalia. Genital development in A. sagrei begins with two genital swellings in both males and females. Then as the anole progresses, the swellings either elongate into hemipenes or reduce to hemiclitores. The objective of my research was to determine the normal course of male …

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Microbial Responses To Pharmaceutical Pollution In Streams, Darian Bolden

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Pharmaceuticals, which include prescription and non-prescription drugs, have been detected in human-impacted streams throughout the world, raising concerns about the potential ecological effects of these drugs. The goal of my project was to assess the potential effects of pharmaceutical pollution on leaf litter decomposition by microorganisms as an indicator of stream health. We added a mixture of eight antibiotics to four artificial stream channels, with four control channels receiving no antibiotics, and used cotton strips as a surrogate for leaves. Addition of antibiotics stimulated leaf litter decomposition, increased bacterial community diversity and altered bacterial community composition after 14 days, but …