Digital Commons Network^™

Acute Effects Of Lactate Infusion On Metabolism, Ad Biomarkers, And Cognition, Riley E. Kemna, Paul J. Kueck, Anneka Blankenship, Casey S. John, Chelsea N. Johnson, Zachary D. Green, Hana Mayfield, Lauren Yoksh, Lance Johnson, John P. Thyfault, Jonathan D. Mahnken, Benjamin F. Miller, Jill K. Morris

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Impaired cerebral glucose metabolism is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lactate is an alternative brain fuel; however, whole-body lactate metabolism has not been measured in AD. METHODS: The Lactate for Energy and Neurocognition Trial (NCT05207397) was a single-arm trial that enrolled 24 cognitively healthy (CH) older adults and 12 cognitively impaired (CI) participants. Subjects underwent a stable isotope lactate infusion to evaluate lactate metabolism, cognitive testing, and blood biomarker analyses. pTau217, brain-derived tau (BD-tau), pTau181, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NfL), total tau, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed by Simoa HD-X (Quanterix). RESULTS: …

Inhibition Of Astrocyte Signaling Leads To Sex-Specific Changes In Microglia Phenotypes In A Diet-Based Model Of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease, Jenna L. Gollihue, Khine Zin Aung, Colin B. Rogers, Leopoldine B. Galopin, Nicholas A. Wright, Pradoldej Sompol, Erica M. Weekman, Yuriko Katsumata, Josh M. Morganti, Christopher M. Norris

Physiology Faculty Publications

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-inducing diets recapitulate cerebral small vessel disease phenotypes in mice including cerebrovascular pathology/dysfunction, neuroinflammation, synaptic deficits, and cognitive decline. We recently showed that astrocyte signaling through calcineurin(CN)/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) plays a causative role in these phenotypes. Here, we assessed the impact of astrocytic signaling on microglia, which set the inflammatory tone in brain. Seven-to-eight-week-old male and female C57BL/6 J mice received intrahippocampal injections of adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing EGFP (AAV2/5-Gfa2-EGFP) or AAV expressing the NFAT inhibitor VIVIT (i.e., AAV2/5-Gfa2-VIVIT-EGFP). Mice were then fed with control chow (CT) or B-vitamin-deficient chow for 12 weeks to induce …

Mirabegron Treatment Reduces Myofibroblasts And Cxcr2 Expression In Adipose Tissue In Obesity, Brian S. Finlin, Hasiyet Memetimin, Philip M. Westgate, Jin Chen, Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden, Philip A. Kern

Physiology Faculty Publications

Background: Treatment with the β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist mirabegron improves insulin sensitivity β, cell function, and glucose tolerance in individuals with obesity, without weight loss or a change in brown adipose tissue (BAT) (Finlin et al, J Clin Invest. 2020 May 1;130(5):2319-2331). Furthermore, mirabegron treatment increased protein expression of beige adipose markers and the number of anti-inflammatory macrophages, and changed the expression of genes involved in fibrosis and tissue remodeling in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SC WAT). Methods: We utilized RNA seq and enrichment analysis to identify biological pathways changed by mirabegron treatment in SC WAT thigh biopsies. We verified …

Clinical Decision Support For Pharmacologic Management Of Treatment-Resistant Depression With Augmented Large Language Models, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: We evaluated whether a large language model could assist in selecting psychopharmacological treatments for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Methods: We generated 20 clinical vignettes reflecting treatment-resistant depression among adults based on distributions drawn from electronic health records. Each vignette was evaluated by 2 expert psychopharmacologists to determine and rank the 5 best next-step pharmacologic interventions, as well as contraindicated or poor next-step treatments. Vignettes were then presented in random order, permuting gender and race, to a large language model (Qwen 2.5:7B), augmented with a synopsis of published treatment guidelines. Model output was compared to expert rankings, as well as …

Potential And Low-Cost Football Talents For Uae Clubs Based On Data-Driven Analysis, Rashid Alqemzi

Theses

The use of data analytics in professional football has changed the way clubs view, value and invest in players. Meanwhile, elite European teams have consistently exploited the data-driven strategies that offer them a competitive edge, but in up-and-coming football markets, such as the UAE Pro League, nepotism has remained strong, with reputation-based and agentdriven recruitment being the transformation choice of even the biggest profile moves. This work explores whether predictive analytics can discover hidden high-quality football talent from ”hotbeds” of talent including Brazil and Argentina, in a way that matches the economic capabilities of clubs in the UAE, given the …

Strainx : A Technical Exploration Of Cinema4d'S Native Particle System In An Experimental Title Sequence, Farah Ahmad

Theses

This paper presents a practice-based investigation into the capabilities of Cinema 4D’s native particle system through the creation of an experimental title sequence titled StrainX. The project was conceived as a technical and aesthetic exploration, prioritizing abstraction, form, and motion over narrative content. Through iterative testing and simulation, the study examines how Cinema 4D’s built-in particle, geometry, and material tools can generate visually complex results without relying on third-party plugins, such as X-Particles. All assets, simulations, and textures were developed natively within Cinema 4D, allowing for a unified and efficient workflow. The methodology emphasizes procedural experimentation, simulation caching using Alembic …

Biodegradation Of Common Post-Consumer Plastic, Laura Krebs

Theses

Plastic waste is widespread throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes watershed. During environmental exposure, plastic undergoes abiotic and biotic degradation. The presence of novel plastic substrates coupled with rapid microbial turnover may lead to selection for or evolution of metabolic pathways and enzymes with enhanced biodegradation capabilities. This study investigated the biodegradation potential of bacteria isolated from debris accumulation hotspots - stormwater retention ponds, storm drains, and tributaries - in the Lake Ontario watershed within Rochester, New York. Bacterial isolates were exposed to commonly littered plastics for 240 d: cellulose acetate from smoked cigarette filters, high-density polyethylene from takeout shopping bags, …

Asymptote, Aybuke Yilmazer

Theses

Asymptote is a short film that is an expression of mankind’s emotional consumption through confusing love with sex. This film is a frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation that combines digital and analog techniques. It was produced between August 2024 and April 2025, and its music was re-produced in August 2025. This paper is a written declaration of the motives and intentions of the director, Aybuke Yilmazer, in making this film, and analyzes the filmmaking process. The text of the thesis is in third person except for the self-evaluation section.

Symbiotic Furniture Design: A Single Chair Integrating Epiphytes With Taiwanese Window Grille Structures, Kuan-Wen Lin

Theses

Plants have been integrated into residential and interior environments for centuries, yet research on the psychological effects and interactive potential of plants in furniture design is still relatively limited. Traditional planting methods, such as individual potted plants or large green walls, often require additional floor or wall space, which is not ideal for environments with limited living space. Therefore, this study investigates how plants can be integrated into furniture design to enhance the effect of interior greenery and user engagement, and to redefine the relationship between furniture and the natural environment. This research explores a furniture design that incorporates epiphytic …

Defaking Deepfakes: Designing And Evaluating Ai-Powered Digital Media, Saniat Javid Sohrawardi

Theses

The rapid spread of generative AI has revolutionized media production, creating new challenges for information integrity as convincing deepfakes proliferate. Journalists play a critical role in upholding credible public information, yet existing deepfake detection technologies often overlook their specific workflows and requirements. This dissertation addresses these needs by identifying what journalists require from detection tools and evaluating usability in realistic scenarios through the following works: Journalists' Needs and Tool Design: Through qualitative user studies, we uncover journalists' preferences for tools that provide transparent, explainable evidence and context-aware analysis integrated into news verification routines. These insights drive the design of DeFake, …

Desiccation Tolerance In Tetradesmus Green Algae, Kristen Patten

Theses

In the face of the global climate change threat, understanding the adaptations that organisms have evolved to handle environmental variation is of particular interest to scientists. With climate change impacting global water availability and increasing the risk of drought for many traditional agricultural areas in the United States (IPCC, 2014, IPCC, 2021, and Kuwayama et al., 2019), desiccation tolerance in vegetative states is one adaptation that is currently receiving a lot of attention. Green algae are particularly useful organisms for understanding this adaptation due to their ubiquity across environments, which has given rise to independently evolved organisms displaying different levels …

Freshwater Turtle Assemblages And Densities In Agricultural Ditches And Aquaculture Ponds Of Eastern Arkansas, Andrhea D. Massey, John D. Willson, Brett A. Degregorio

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) of Arkansas is a landscape where many wetlands have been altered for use as aquaculture ponds or agricultural ditches. Commercial harvest of freshwater turtles within the MAP is not restricted or limited, with reported harvest numbers for 2019 alone exceeding 4000 for spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera) and 39,000 for red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Herein, we attempt to provide baseline estimates of freshwater turtle densities and community composition in aquaculture ponds and agricultural ditches of eastern Arkansas, the habitat types most frequently trapped by commercial harvesters. We used a capture-mark-recapture approach over 3 summers …

Gender Considerations When Examining The Association Between Military Sexual Trauma And Chronic Pain Conditions, Lily Sarfaraz

Dissertations

Military sexual trauma (MST) amongst veterans is a growing concern for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Veterans who screen positive for MST receive VHA care for any injuries caused as a result of MST, psychological or physical, free of charge. MST is difficult to track, can result in long-term disability, and the burden of illness varies across genders. Current data highlights discrepancies seen across the literature of actual detected MST cases, with rates varying vastly. Efforts to track prevalence of MST identify additional concerns over the various comorbidities seen in MST cases. When examining symptom sequalae of MST, there is …

Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Group Iii Va, Usa Strain Growth And Sac-Like Pellicle Cyst Dynamics, Eduardo Pérez Vega

OES Theses and Dissertations

Margalefidinium polykrikoides is a harmful cosmopolitan dinoflagellate that blooms in coastal waters. The effect of temperature and salinity on the growth of M. polykrikoides VA strain was examined using microscopy and growth models. M. polykrikoides Group III VA strain grew better at warmer temperatures and lower salinities than M. polykrikoides Group III NY strain, Group I Korea strain, and Japan strain (unknown group). Modelers need to use the temperature and salinity growth responses from M. polykrikoides Group III VA strain to better simulate and predict M. polykrikoides blooms in the Chesapeake Bay.

Dinoflagellates produce cysts as a strategy to withstand …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Geometric Deformation Of Harrison-Anderson-Mick Applicators Used In Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Benjamin Insley, Brett Bocian, Sam Beddar, Reza Reiazi, Patrick James Jensen, Rachael M Martin-Paulpeter, Joshua Scott Niedzielski, David Flint, Gabriel Oliveira Sawakuchi, Luis Augusto Perles

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Harrison-Anderson-Mick (HAM) applicator is a high-dose-rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR-IORT) applicator used to position Ir-192 brachytherapy sources over surgically-accessed tumor volumes or post-resection tumor beds. Because of the lack of a 3D imaging system, dwell times are optimized pre-surgery by a TG-43-based treatment planning system (TPS) that assumes a perfectly flat applicator surface surrounded by an infinite water phantom. These assumed conditions are disparate from typical treatment conditions, especially in the pelvic regions, which often involve uneven patient surfaces and superficial irradiations with little to no backscatter material.

Purpose: Develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of HDR-IORT …

Evaluating A Blood Warming Device For Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions To Decrease Hypothermia In Very Preterm Infants: A Randomised Control Trial Protocol, Kayla C. Everhart Phd, Rn, Michael D. Wirth Msph, Phd, Face, Victor N. Iskersky, Robin B. Dail Phd, Rn, Faan

Publications

Background: This protocol describes a study to test a commercial blood warming device in warming blood transfusions to prevent hypothermia associated with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions in very preterm infants. Objectives: Very preterm infants receiving blood transfusions warmed by a commercial blood warmer will have less central body hypothermia post transfusion (abdominal temperatures < 36.5°C) and/or a higher mean abdominal temperature for the hour after the transfusion is complete compared to those receiving blood transfusions by standard of care. This trial has been registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (trial number NCT05170633). Methods: In this trial, which is funded by The Gerber Foundation and adhered to the SPIRIT2013 checklist, 140 very preterm infants with an order to receive PRBCs will be randomised into a standard of care group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h with blood in a syringe at room temperature or into the intervention group to receive one PRBC transfusion over 3 h using a Hotline® Blood and Fluid Warmer. Abdominal skin temperatures will be measured every minute through a blood transfusion using a skin thermistor and datalogger. Data analysis: Descriptive statistics will be computed for each group to compare demographics and all infant pre-, during, and post-transfusion body temperatures. A student t-test will be used to compare the groups on mean post-transfusion temperatures as a primary outcome variable. To examine thermal change over time between the two groups, linear mixed models with a random intercept will be utilised. Results: This trial began in January 2022, in a South Carolina neonatal intensive care unit and is ongoing. Discussion: This RCT will determine if warming PRBC transfusions will prevent hypothermia in preterm infants during and after blood transfusions. Results from this trial will be used to design national standards for blood transfusions in preterm infants to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Investigating The Origins Of Symbiosis Using A Novel Mycorrhizal Interaction In Pasque Flowers (Pulsatilla Patens), Savannah Lane Draud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic symbioses with most land plants, occurring primarily as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. Pulsatilla patens, an herbaceous perennial widely distributed across Eurasia and North America, belongs to a plant family historically known only to form AM associations. However, recent discoveries of ECM P. patens individuals in northeastern Poland raise questions about the mycorrhizal status and evolutionary trajectory of this species. Because ECM formation in this lineage is likely evolutionarily recent, P. patens offers a valuable system for investigating the ecological and historical factors that facilitate the emergence of ECM symbiosis.

Chapter 1 assessed …

Rewarding Disruptions In Tamsyn Muir's The Locked Tomb, Elijah Moss

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Tamsyn Muir, author of The Locked Tomb, says she thinks of Biblical allusions in the same way she thinks of alluding to digital folklore. This research paper investigates the veracity of this claim, using the dual lenses of literary analysis and digital folklore studies to ultimately conclude that the broad range of intertextual references in The Locked Tomb exemplifies a broader strategy of ambivalence (e.g., in her tone) that disrupts the readerly experience. With these ruptures, Muir creates space away from the typical expectations that may limit the range of themes historically found in genre fiction. Therefore, her tonal …

News From Hope College, Volume 57.2: Winter 2025, Hope College

News from Hope College

No abstract provided.

Bundled For The Beyond: Material Analysis Of A Canine Mummy Bundle For Contextualizing And Conserving Legacy Objects, Sascha Anna-Rose Baldauf

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Legacy collections¹ and objects with little context are often untapped opportunities for both museums and museum studies students. The purpose of this study is to display how students can utilize object research to engage in experiential learning and develop their skillset in scientific methodologies and disseminating findings, while also offering museums the opportunity to develop relationships with research facilities and benefit from student research findings. This study demonstrates the utility of student research by investigating an Egyptian canid mummy bundle, dating to the Late Period² or early Ptolemaic Period³, received by the Museum of Anthropology at …

Public Health Trade-Offs During A Pandemic: Mobility Decline And Hypertension Risk In India, Arpita Khanna, Tomoki Fujii

Research Collection School Of Economics

The Covid pandemic dramatically altered patterns of daily life, particularly through widespread declines in mobility due to lockdowns and social distancing measures. While the economic and epidemiological effects of these restrictions have been widely studied, their broader health implications remain underexplored. This paper investigates the relationship between mobility decline during the Covid pandemic and hypertension outcomes in India. Leveraging district-level variation in mobility from Google Community Mobility Reports and health data from the 2019–2021 Indian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), we find that a 1 percentage point reduction in mobility over the 30 days prior to interview is associated with …

Enhancing Pediatric Sun Safety: A Parent-Focused Intervention In El Dorado County, Ashley Riley, Calvin Nauer, Alaina Godwin

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Background:

Childhood ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the most significant modifiable risk factor for skin cancer, yet proper sun protection remains inconsistently practiced by parents. In El Dorado County, California, where high altitude and intense sun exposure amplify UV risk, knowledge gaps and misinformation persist despite resource availability. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to strengthen parental knowledge, confidence, and modeling of sun-safe behaviors for their children through an evidence-based community education program.

Aim:
The goal of this QI initiative was to improve parental attitudes, self-efficacy, and photoprotective behaviors by implementing a three-part, nursing-led educational intervention focused on UV risk awareness, …

Embodied Encounters With Plankton: Ground Truth Methods As Sites For Human-Ocean Entanglement, Clarissa Chevalier

Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality: Faculty Publications

This article examines shifting methods of plankton research within contemporary oceanography through direct participatory engagement on a ten-day research cruise off the Santa Lucia Escarp- ment in February 2025. As a feminist visual science studies researcher, I reflect on how seasick- ness, sensory immersion, and embodied participation shaped my experience of plankton sampling and reveal the entanglement of oceanographic knowledge with its contexts. While remote sensing technologies – such as satellites, digital twins, and remotely operated vehicles – are increasingly shaping oceanography and producing intensified modes of ocean quantification, I argue that tactile, physical sampling methods remain indispensable in plankton …

Pathways To Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation In 4-H Teen Leaders, Trang Ta, Steven Krauss

Journal of Youth Development

Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth’s motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences—vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects—that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and …

Evaluation Of Computed Tomography Radiation Dose Metrics In Saudi Arabia: Comparison To National And International Diagnostic Reference Levels, Mohammad Esmael Alsulimane

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT This review evaluates CT radiation dose levels in Saudi Arabia relative to national Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Kingdom (UK). A total of 31 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were reviewed, covering adult and pediatric CT protocols for head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and multiphase scans. The review highlights variations in the volumetric computed tomographic dose index (CTDIvol), and the dose-length product (DLP) values among different institutions in KSA. For adult protocols, fifteen studies reported dose metric values below the KSA NDRLs, while 8 studies reported values below the …

Pitch Modeling And Control Of Subcarangiform Robotic Fish, Margaret Grace Enderle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The development of biomimetic robotic fish has been an ongoing research topic for the last 30 years. Here, researchers have explored biomimetic propulsion and maneuverability mechanisms, studied energy efficiency in comparison to live fish, and developed autonomous control algorithms for these extremely nonlinear systems. This work studies a multi-linkage, single-actuator propelled biomimetic robotic fish, the Ghost Uncrewed Performance Platform Submersible (GUPPS), developed at the University of New Hampshire. A set of symmetrically driven, static pectoral fins are added to the original platform to enable diving and surfacing capabilities by controlling the vehicle Angle of Attack (AoA) through pitch and yaw …

Characterizing Sei Whale (Balaenoptera Borealis) Movement Patterns In The Gulf Of Maine, Emma Vergow

Master's Theses and Capstones

Sei whales are difficult to visually monitor due to their cryptic presence and lack of breaching. Passive acoustic monitoring has the potential to expand knowledge of sei whale movement ecology. The present study characterizes sei whale movement patterns related to migration dynamics in the Gulf of Maine. Five bottom-mounted Acoustic Long-Term Observatory landers, each equipped with a tetrahedral array of omni-directional hydrophones, were deployed throughout the Gulf of Maine as part of the Acoustic and Environmental Observation Network (AEON) in the Northwest Atlantic project. A combination of manual and automated detections was used to assess sei whale daily and seasonal …

Investigating The Performance Of Fibre Reinforced Plastic Repairs To Timber Marine Civil Structures At His Majesty’S Naval Base Devonport, Anna G. Walther

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This paper explores Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) as a composite repair method to restore and enhance mechanical properties of timber marine civil structures within the context of His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport. To support this, timber composite specimens were manufactured and subjected to flexural and compressive strength tests. Comparisons are made to literature sources for initial predictions, in addition to hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models on SolidWorks. Data demonstrates that FRPs can be used as a cost-effective and beneficial method of repairing timber marine structures. Experimental data demonstrates an ability to restore compressive strength parallel to …

Microplastic Accumulation In A Mixed Species Seagrass Bed In The Tamar Estuary, Torpoint, Cornwall, Uk, Hannah G. Phillips

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Microplastic pollution is a major threat to UK seagrass habitats, which provide essential ecosystem services by supporting biodiversity and economically valuable fish species. Seagrass beds, acting as long-term ‘sinks’ for microplastics due to their dense canopies face a high risk of degradation. This study investigated microplastic accumulation in the sediment of a mixed species (Zostera marina and Nanozostera noltei) seagrass bed in the Tamar Estuary, Southwest England, considering the effect of sediment particle size. Microplastics were extracted by density separation using Sodium Bromide (NaBr) and sediment particle size analysis was used to investigate the seagrass bed sediment. FT-IR …

Effects Of Maternal Hypoxia On Developmental Plasticity, Matilda Powell

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Developmental plasticity enables organisms to adjust phenotypes to environmental cues, yet the transgenerational consequences of maternal effects remain unclear. Hypoxia, intensified by climate change and eutrophication, triggers taxon-specific plastic responses. Daphnia magna exhibits plasticity dependence, making it a critical model species for studying environmental responses. While maternal hypoxia (MH) influences generational plasticity, its long-term impacts on reproductive and physiological traits across generations remain insufficiently explored, limiting predictions of species resilience to environmental change. This study employed a controlled two-generation design: gravid F0 adults were exposed to moderate hypoxia (40% air saturation) or normoxia (100% AS) for 8 days, with reproductive …