Digital Commons Network^™

Functional Characterization Of Abcc8 Mutations Potentially Linked To The Transition From Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia To Diabetes, Hao Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, composed of the SUR1 and Kir6.2 subunits encoded by the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, are critical regulators of membrane excitability and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in these genes cause neonatal diabetes mellitus through impaired insulin secretion and persistent hyperglycemia, whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations lead to congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) with hypoglycemia due to β-cell hyperexcitability. I have addressed a paradoxical form of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) arising from KATP mutations, in which patients transition from CHI to glucose intolerance later in life. My experiments indicate that many KATP mutations associated with …

Programmable Acoustofluidic Engineering For Creating Gradient Biomaterials, Jujing Lu, Ye He, Jianping Xia, Mingyuan Liu, Joseph Rich, Ke Jin, Ruoyu Zhong, Kaichun Yang, Jiao Qian, Ying Chen, Ke Li, Zhiteng Ma, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Gradient biomaterials that exhibit spatially varying physical, chemical, or biological properties can be used in various applications such as tissue engineering, organoid development, mechanobiology, and spatially controlled drug delivery. However, current fabrication methods often suffer from limited gradient precision, restricted material compatibility, and poor reproducibility. Here, we introduced gradient regulation via acoustofluidic dynamic engineering (GRADE), a programmable system to generate high-fidelity gradient biomaterials across different material systems. By incorporating focused interdigital transducers with the pulsed surface acoustic wave actuation, GRADE can achieve tunable and directional acoustic streaming (0 to 22 millimeters per second), which allows accurate regulation of the gradient …

Employees’ Perceptions Of Leaders’ Diversity Training For Supporting Organizational Equity, Michelle L. Burchfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite growing organizational attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion, some workplaces continued to struggle with embedding equitable practices. The research problem addressed in this study focused on understanding how employees perceived leaders’ diversity training and its effectiveness in supporting organizational equity. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore employees’ perspectives of leadership diversity training and its role in supporting organizational equity. Behavioral leadership theory and critical race theory grounded this study. The participants consisted of 10 employees with experience in leadership diversity training in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Seven most …

Reducing The Use Of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents In Hemodialysis Patients, Myriamme Neree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a quality improvement (QI) initiative. Nephrologists were inconsistent in ordering iron studies and sometimes delayed the initiation of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on admission to the inpatient site. These delays often led to suboptimal outcomes. The practice-focused question guiding the project asked whether a nurse-driven iron protocol would improve adherence to anemia management guidelines. The project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of the evidence-based nurse-driven protocol. I used descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the timely completion of iron studies and in intravenous (IV) iron …

Effective Strategies To Reduce Burnout For Employees With High Workload Demands, Michelle Healy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies to reduce burnout for employees can decrease productivity and quality of work, and can increase turnover. Event industry leaders who struggle to reduce burnout of employees with high workload demands are at risk of employee turnover. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore effective strategies to reduce burnout for employees with high workload demands. The participants were eight event industry leaders who had effectively implemented strategies to reduce burnout. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of public websites and documents. Using thematic analysis, …

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals And Adrenal Gland​, Gülay Şi̇mşek Bağir, Melek Eda Ertörer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that have hormone-like effects inside the body. Endocrine disruptors can affect adrenal glands in humans and animals. Adrenocortical dysfunction related to chemical exposure has been reported in the literature.The human adrenal gland is crucial for the synthesis of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens) and amino acid-derived hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine). All steps in the adrenocortical steroidogenesis pathway are potential targets for chemical inhibition, including the adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, mitochondrial cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP11A1, CYP17, CYP21, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2), and 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase D4,5 isomerase. EDCs either inhibit the …

The Influence Of Endocrine Disrupters On Gut Microbiota, Kader Ugur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are closely associated with the second brain, the microbiota-derived enteric nervous system, commonly referred to as the gut microbiota. The microbiota plays a crucial role in human health and the development of diseases. In today’s industrialized world, the presence of EDs in air, water, and soil leads to primary human exposure through dermal contact and ingestion. The impact of these EDs on the microbiota remains unclear. EDs that disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota may contribute to a range of disorders, including metabolic (obesity, diabetes mellitus), cardiovascular (vascular stenosis, cerebrovascular disease), reproductive (infertility, ovarian and testicular …

The Effects Of Endocrine Disruptors On The Female Reproductive System, Riza Gökhan Baykal, Reyhan Ersoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a diverse, comprehensive group of mostly synthetic chemicals that disrupt many physiological functions in humans and animals. EDCs are particularly disruptive to the female reproductive system. Reproductive function in women is a dynamic process regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. EDCs show their effects on the reproductive system through estrogenic, antiestrogenic, androgenic, and antiandrogenic effects or by directly affecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Disruption in the menstrual cycle, decrease in fertility, infertility, increased risk of miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, early or delayed puberty, and hormone-sensitive cancers can be listed as the main negative effects of endocrine disruptors …

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals In Metabolic Bone Diseases, Including Osteoporosis, Betül Gündüz, Eli̇f Kiliç Kan, Ayşegül Atmaca

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances widely utilized across various industrial sectors. Due to their structural similarity to natural ligands, they bind to receptors and influence the endocrine system via agonist–antagonist mechanisms. Exposure occurs through the consumption of contaminated food and water, inhalation of polluted air and dust, and dermal contact. Owing to their dynamic remodeling capacity, bones represent potential targets for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These chemicals can disrupt bone formation, skeletal development, hormonal regulation, and calcium metabolism. Sensitivity to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is greatest during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. This review summarizes the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on bone tissue.

Biotechnology In The Fy 2026 Ndaa: Strategic Implications — And Recommendations — For Joint Force Readiness, James Giordano

Strategic Insights

This commentary analyzes how biotechnology provisions in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reflect emerging opportunities and challenges for U.S. national security. It explains that key investments in bioindustrial capacity, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and related research signal a strategic shift toward integrating biological technologies into defense planning. While these advancements can strengthen biodefense, medical readiness, and operational resilience, they also raise policy, ethical, and governance questions about prioritization, oversight, and risk management. Dr. Giordano offers practical recommendations, including the need for enhanced workforce education, robust interdisciplinary coordination, and international collaboration to ensure responsible innovation. Aligning biotechnology investment with …

Targeting Pancreatic Cancer With Rapamycin-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated To Egf Peptide: Studies On Cytotoxicity And Uptake Mechanisms Aided By Proteomic Analysis, Adeolu Oluremi

Theses and Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with a five-year survival rate below 5%. While rapamycin (Rap) has demonstrated therapeutic potential, its clinical utility is hampered by systemic toxicity. To address this limitation, this study developed a targeted nanocarrier system using gold nanospheres (AuNPs) functionalized with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) peptide GE11 for the specific delivery of Rap to pancreatic cancer cells. It is to note that pancreatic cancer overexpresses EGFR. The AuNP–GE11–Rap conjugates were successfully synthesized and characterized using physico-chemical techniques, which confirmed peptide conjugation and drug loading. In vitro studies using PANC-1 cells demonstrated …

Urinothorax And Empyema: Presentation Of An Unusual Complication Of A Rare Condition, Nolan Fox, Nicholas Fox, Shourjo Chakravorty, Neeraj Sinha

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

A 68-year-old male with a history of metastatic bladder cancer and urinary obstruction presented with intractable hiccups and chest pain is presented in this case. He was found to have a unilateral pleural effusion in addition to ipsilateral renal metastasis abutting the diaphragm. Imaging revealed empyema. Thoracentesis revealed positive cultures and a lack of malignant cells on cytology. Comorbid urinary obstruction and urinary tract infection suggested the rare diagnosis of an infected urinothorax. Thoracentesis also revealed pleural fluid creatinine greater than serum creatinine, meeting the most specific diagnostic criteria for urinothorax and establishing the diagnosis. Treatment aimed at evacuating the …

Student Voices On Trauma And Resilience: A Critical Phenomenological Study Of Gun Violence And College Student Experiences, Lucia Helena Garcia

Dissertations

This study posits that gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis and that colleges and universities must actively collaborate to develop and implement solutions to address and prevent this crisis, which affects communities and students. Gun violence can and does lead to disruptions in educational access, travel and safety, as well as have longstanding impacts on mental health. While extensive research exists that is focused on the impact of community and gun violence exposure on K-12 students, the impact of community violence and gun violence exposure on emerging adults in university settings is limited and remains …

Effects Of Exposure Route And Surface Coating On The Bioaccumulation Of Cdte Quantum Dots In Fish. Considerations For Testing Nanomaterials Following Oecd Test Guideline No. 305, Judit Kalman, Rocío Fernández-Saavedra, Carla Díaz-Tielas, Mona Connolly, Ana I. Cardona-García, Nathaniel Clark, Richard D. Handy, Eric A.J. Bleeker, Isabel Rucandio, José María Navas, María Luisa Fernández-Cruz

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

To identify nanomaterials of potential environmental concern and to support risk assessment for regulatory purposes bioaccumulation testing is required. However, further guidance is needed when applying the fish bioaccumulation OECD test guideline (TG) No. 305 to nanomaterials. Also questions remain surrounding the most appropriate exposure route and if subtle modifications to these materials (e.g. different coatings) will influence bioaccumulation potential. Therefore in this study OECD TG 305 was applied to assess the bioaccumulation potential of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with additional considerations for testing nanomaterials. CdTe QDs were selected for our studies because of their increasing use, possible release to …

40 Priority Questions To Advance Understanding Of The Risks And Opportunities Of Uk Marine Heatwaves, Zoe Jacobs, Kathryn E. Smith, Jules B. Kajtar, Dan A. Smale, Pippa J. Moore, Fabrice Stephenson, Michael T. Burrows, Caroline Rowland, Richard Renshaw, Sophy Oliver, Martyn Jakins-Pollard, Freya Ivy Palmer, Alice Kloker, Craig Baker-Austin, Bryony Townhill, Sian Rees, Sarah Coulthard, Ekaterina Popova

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are periods of anomalously warm sea temperatures that are becoming increasingly recognised as ocean stressors. Globally, MHWs have impacted marine ecosystems, with significant socioeconomic implications for coastal communities and industries. The unprecedented MHW that occurred in the waters surrounding the UK and Ireland in summer 2023 highlighted a crucial gap in our understanding of the region-specific characteristics of MHWs and their impacts on marine ecosystems, the services they underpin, the blue economy and society. Using diverse expert opinion, we propose 40 priority questions for interdisciplinary research in the UK that must urgently be addressed to prepare for …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Activities Of N-Substituted Phthalimide Derivative, Beaula Mangundah

Honors Theses

Phthalimides are a group of compounds among bicyclic non-aromatic nitrogen heterocycles that have gained recognition for their bioactivity across various fields, notably anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory. This study discusses the synthesis of a novel phthalimide derivative and provides an analysis of its biological activity. It was conducted through a Boric acid Imide synthesis and yielded a successful derivative using hexylamine. The product was evaluated in vitro for antimicrobial, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion, clotting time, hemolysis inhibition, and protein denaturation assays. It showed mild anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Effects Of Pamam Dendrimer Size On Antimicrobial Activity For Acne Treatment, Elise M. Inae

Honors Theses

This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of G1, G2, and G3-Hex-NH2 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with an emphasis on how dendrimer size influenced their efficacy against C. acnes and S. epidermidis. Dendrimers are nano-sized, radially symmetric polymers composed of highly branched units that extend out from a central core. Dendrimers are known to exhibit antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the lipid bilayer and causing membrane damage. This study explored their effect on a different group of microorganisms–Gram-positive skin flora. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests were performed to evaluate minimum inhibitory concentrations for each dendrimer solution. All generations of PAMAM dendrimers …

Investigating The Polygenic Relationship Between Heavy Cannabis Use And Schizophrenia In The All Of Us Research Program, Isabelle Austin-Zimmerman, Hayley H A Thorpe, John J Meredith, Jibran Y Khokhar, Tian Ge, Marta Di Forti, Arpana Agrawal, Emma C Johnson, Sandra Sanchez-Roige

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Decades of research have identified a strong association between heavy cannabis use and schizophrenia (SCZ), with evidence of correlated genetic factors. However, many studies on the genetic relationship between cannabis use and psychosis have lacked data on both phenotypes within the same individuals, creating challenges due to unmeasured confounding. We aimed to address this by using multimodal data from the All of Us Research Program, which contains genetic data as well as information on SCZ diagnosis and cannabis use.

METHODS: We tested the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and SCZ polygenic scores (PGSs) with SCZ and heavy cannabis …

Her2-Low And Her2-Ultralow Metastatic Breast Cancer And Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: Common Clinical Questions And Answers, Nusayba A Bagegni, Karthik V Giridhar, Daphne Stewart

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Approximately 80% of invasive breast cancers are classified as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative; however, many of these tumors have detectable levels of HER2 surface expression. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate with a membrane-permeable payload that is cytotoxic to both HER2-expressing tumor cells and neighboring cells via the bystander antitumor effect. T-DXd has shown significant antitumor activity in clinical trials for patients with HER2-positive (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+ or IHC 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH]+) breast cancer. In addition, the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial demonstrated the clinical benefit of T-DXd in patients with HER2-low (IHC 1+ …

Object Tracking Based On Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization, Rajesh Misra, Kumar Ray

Journal of Global Awareness

In Computer Vision domain, moving Object Tracking is considered as one of the toughest problems. As there are so many factors associated like illumination of light, noise, occlusion, sudden start and stop of moving object, shading which makes tracking even harder problem not only for dynamic background but also for static background. In this paper we present a new object tracking algorithm based on Dominant points on tracked object using Quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) which is a new different version of PSO based on Quantum theory. The novelty in our approach is that it can be successfully applicable in …

Review Of The Great Divorce: A Nineteenth Century Mother's Extraordinary Fight Against Her Husband, The Shakers, And Her Times, Marlyn Mcgary Klee

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

The Challenge Of Sustainability: A Cautionary Tale From Amana, Jonathan G. Andelson

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Indigenizing Aquaculture: In Pursuit Of An Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System For Enhanced Self-Sufficiency In Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cali R. Trainor

Capstone Collection

This study assessed the feasibility of integrating two pre-existing aquaculture activities in Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand into an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. The cultivation of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) presents an opportunity to improve the sustainability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farming by introducing alternative food sources for salmon, which can be used to produce fish feed locally, enhancing the self-sufficiency of the community and boosting the holistic efficiency of the system. Macroinvertebrates residing in giant kelp wrack were collected, identified, and quantified to determine if any of the Macrocystis-associated specimens could serve as …

Annihilation: Ecological Crisis And The Collapse Of Human Exceptionalism, Matt Williams

Best Integrated Writing

Through its portrayal of an ecosystem that actively resists human comprehension and control, Annihilation dismantles the long-standing notion of human exceptionalism, presenting nature not as a passive backdrop but as a dynamic and autonomous force.

The Role Of Attention And Design In The Effectiveness Of Eco-Feedback Systems, Lyndsey Bentzoni

Best Integrated Writing

This paper examines the role of eco-feedback systems in promoting pro-environmental behaviors by providing users with easily accessible information about their resource consumption. While these systems have shown potential to reduce consumption, they can face difficulties in maintaining user engagement and achieving long-term behavior change. There are several key factors related to the design of feedback interfaces that influence the effectiveness of eco-feedback systems. Gamification has been proposed as an effective way to enhance user engagement but requires careful design to connect behaviors from the digital to the real space for learning transfer. Research on the long-term usage of these …

Review On The War Against Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors, Liv Baldasare

Best Integrated Writing

This review article discusses different treatment approaches for glioblastoma multiforme tumors. The lethal characteristics of the glioblastoma are defined in depth. Risk factors, such as career firefighting, are explored, and the effect socioeconomic status has on prognosis is evaluated. The endocannabinoid system is defined, and its role in lowering rates of proliferation for glioblastoma tumors is discussed. Immunotherapies for glioblastomas are reviewed. Specifically, the current clinical trials on an Australian physician who is battling his own glioblastoma are discussed. Importantly, this physician is using his own treatment regimen and has been having clear scans for 18 months.

Best Integrated Writing Fall 2025 - Complete Edition, Wright State University School Of Humanities And Cultural Studies, Tracy Smith, Kristie Mckiernan

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University.

A Forensic Lens On Aces & Trauma, Greta K. Cruz

Master of Arts in Human Services

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have emerged as a critical area of research in childhood development and the prevention of criminal behavior. The framework of this topic continually provides updated information on the impact of criminal behavior on children. Understanding the long-term effects of trauma on mental health, the influence of criminal behavior, and patterns of recidivism across the lifespan when children are exposed to a single form of adversity or multiple forms of adversity. This research aims to synthesize recent empirical data/findings of how specific ACEs, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, exposure to familial violence, and household substance misuse, …

Meeting Accreditation On A Deadline: Using Generative Ai To Rapidly Develop A Graduate Course, Cory Knill, Sean Devan

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

This entry details an "expert-in-the-loop" framework for rapidly developing an accredited, graduate-level Health Physics course under significant time constraints. The strategy utilized Large Language Models to generate foundational course materials including the syllabus, lecture outlines, and in-class simulations, which were then rigorously curated by faculty. This human-AI collaborative approach enhanced efficiency, enabling instructors to focus more on high-impact, active learning experiences for students.

No Return: Caste And The End Of The Liberal Debate Over U.S. Antidiscrimination Law, Julie Novkov

Maryland Law Review

No abstract provided.