Digital Commons Network^™

Age-Dependent Changes In Reproductive Behaviour And Success In A Long-Lived Beetle (Bolitotherus Cornutus), C. A. Greene, L. D. Mitchem, Vitor Dos Anjos , '21, E. D. Brodie Iii, Vincent A. Formica

Biology Faculty Works

Age-related changes in behaviors often result in shifts in an individual’s competitive ability, reproductive success, and fitness. However, how mating behaviors, aggression, and mating success simultaneously change as individuals age in natural populations remains understudied. Investigating these age-dependent effects in wild populations could reveal how age-specific patterns shape social dynamics and influence natural selection. In this study, we ask how behaviors associated with mating and reproductive success vary across age in a wild metapopulation of a long-lived beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus. We used both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a multi-year field study of individually marked beetles to investigate how …

"Elements Don’T Mix!": Unearthing Racial Scripts And A Rhetorical Economy Of Whiteness In Disney And Pixar's Elemental, Linsay M. Cramer, Gabriel A. Cruz

Communication, Media, and Culture

Using a narrative rhetorical approach, we map how Disney and Pixar’s 2023 film, Elemental, sustains a rhetorical economy of whiteness, as theorized by Asen and Kelly, which emphasizes the degree to which rhetorical constructions of racial difference are foundational to whiteness and economic systems. We identify and critique how Elemental discursively contributes to a system of exclusivity for those within the bounds of whiteness concerning economic mobility via racial scripts. Created and produced during Joe Biden’s United States (U.S.) presidential term (2021–2025), Elemental offers a metaphorical tale that engages the fractious, politically conservative anxieties concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) …

Ucc Minutes Sept 12, 2025, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee

Undergraduate Currirculum Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Reining In Plasticulture From Land To Sea: Pacific Northwest (Usa) Perspectives On Agriculture And Aquaculture, Susanne M. Brander, Gail A. Langellotto, Minal T. Mistry, Sebastian L. Singleton, Mackenna A. Hainey, Lauren M. Kashiwabara, Kelsey Arthur, Elise F. Granek, Kervelle Baird, Ricardo Palazuelos, Multiple Additional Authors

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plastic use in food production—known as plasticulture—has transformed agriculture and aquaculture globally. Plasticulture gained momentum in the mid-20th century with the development of novel plastic materials, and by 2009, U.S. farmers used over 200 million pounds of plastic films annually. Though plastics have increased yields and efficiency, they now pose environmental hazards through the release of microplastics (MPs) and chemicals. Despite extensive documentation of MPs in the environment, their role in U.S. food production and impacts on crop, livestock, and aquaculture health remain underexplored. In regions like the Pacific Northwest (PNW), with robust agricultural and aquaculture sectors, plastics from films, …

Observations On Predation Of The Flatback Turtle Natator Depressus By The Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus Porosus At A Major Rookery In Northern Australia, Casper Avenant, James Gee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Context: We examined predation by the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on the flatback turtle (Natator depressus), an Australian endemic, at Cape Domett, a significant nesting site in Cambridge Gulf, northern Australia, where crocodile populations have recovered since legislative protection was implemented in the 1970s. Aims: The investigation aimed to document crocodile predation on flatback turtles across hatchling and adult life stages, assess predation strategies, and evaluate ecological impacts on this genetically distinct turtle stock. Methods: Conducted over three Austral winters (2021–2023), the study utilised infrared videography, unmanned aerial vehicles, and beach patrols to observe predation events in a population of …

Bioelectrochemical Systems: Prioritizing Energy Density, Long-Term Stability, And Validation, Luana C.I. Faria, Steffane Q. Nascimento, Filipe C.D.A. Lima, Graziela C. Sedenho, Thiago Bertaglia, Rodrigo M. Iost, João C.P. De Souza, Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez, Shelley D. Minteer, Serge Cosnier, Ariel L. Furst, Frank N. Crespilho

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pioneering work in bioelectrochemistry, particularly the employing of yeast cells to generate electrical current, had substantially favored the comprehension of bio electrochemical reactions. This foundational research has boosted the development of bio electrochemical systems (BES), which are significant for sustainable energy solutions. BES technologies, such as biobatteries, bio supercapacitors, and enzymatic and microbial biofuel cells, harness organic and biological systems to provide environmentally friendly alternatives for energy storage and conversion. Despite their potential, these technologies face challenges in achieving competitive energy densities and long-term stability compared to traditional accumulators and converters. Here, we introduce a new Ragone plot for BES, …

Opposing Synovial Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 And Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Expression In Painful Osteoarthritis, Collin A. Toups, Lauren G. Guillot, Kaitlyn Redondo, Sydney Jensen, Jennifer Klein, Luis Marrero

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Knee osteoarthritis (kOA) poses a major health challenge worldwide, but current non-surgical treatments have limited long-term success and do not address the underlying disease process. This study explores the complex relationship between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the endovanilloid system (EVS) in the synovial membrane of patients with kOA undergoing total knee replacement, focusing on how these systems relate to patient-reported pain and histological synovitis. Synovial tissues and fluid from patients grouped into high and low pain categories based on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were examined for cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), transient receptor potential vanilloid …

Targeting Kinin B1r Attenuates Hypertension Through At1r-Dependent Mechanisms, Drew Theobald, Riley N. Bessetti, Yumei Feng Earley, Eric Lazartigues, Karen Litwa, Srinivas Sriramula

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic hypertension is chronically high blood pressure that is initiated and maintained through excessive sympathetic nervous system activity and has been associated with increased B1R (kinin B1 receptor) activation. We previously reported a central role for B1R in mediating inflammatory pathways in the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate salt hypertension. Additionally, we identified a causal relationship between B1R expression after Ang II (angiotensin II) stimulation, and that B1R can mediate the bidirectional interaction between neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. However, whether there are any interactions between AT1R (Ang II-type I receptor) and B1R, and if B1R can mediate the effects of …

2025 September 12 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Beacon, September 12, 2025, Beacon Staff

The Beacon, 2025-2026

New and improved NW food; Teacher Of The Year: Scott Monsma; The Gray Havens most vulnerable album; Lifelight festival in Sioux Falls impactful; Strong start for movie “Caught Stealing”; Black V is back on stage for another season; Returning raiders: alumni working at NW; VPH: refreshed and refurnished; Art deco: maximalism; Over the trend of craftism; Raiders take down Waldorf in first game; Raiders win in first volleyball GPAC matchup; Raiders illuminated in Twilight meet; Cracker Barrel changes course; The problems with poorly planned pranks

Wave Intensity Analysis With Exercise Identifies Impairments In Pulmonary Hypertension, Christopher G. Lechuga, Farhan Raza, Mitchel J. Colebank, Claudia E. Korcarz, Jens C. Eickhoff, Naomi C. Chesler

Faculty Publications

Wave intensity analysis provides a novel approach to understanding the dynamic interactions between the right ventricle and pulmonary vasculature, particularly in pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and vascular remodeling. This prospective study used wave intensity analysis to evaluate right ventricular and pulmonary vascular mechanics in 22 participants with pulmonary hypertension (including precapillary, isolated postcapillary, and combined pre/postcapillary pulmonary hypertension), and three without pulmonary hypertension. Forward and backward compression and decompression waves were quantified at rest and during incremental exercise (25, 50, and 75 W). Relationships between metrics of wave intensity analysis, hemodynamics, right ventricular function, …

Association Between Climate Change Awareness And Depression & Anxiety: Findings From A U.S. Sample, Stanley Nkemjika, Colvette Brown, Henry Onyeaka, Srikanta Banerjee, Jennifer Oliphant

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Exploring the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly in how it impacts both the environment and mental health. The mental health consequences of climate change and its awareness have not been thoroughly examined, especially in the U.S. In this study, the relationship between awareness of climate change and depression or anxiety among U.S. adults was explored. Similarly, the role of climate change awareness has not been explored in relation to mental health concerns.

METHODS: Based on the HINTS-6 dataset, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, a variety of statistical …

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words: Understanding How People Conceptualise Autism Through Images, Gray Atherton, Emily Dawson, Andrea Piovesan, Lauren Hawksworth-Quill, Liam Cross

School of Psychology

Conceptions of autism and neurodiversity vary widely, with differing views on how they are portrayed in contemporary culture. Although autism scholars have long advocated for greater involvement of autistic individuals in knowledge creation, meaningful co-production between autistic stakeholders, researchers, and the broader community remains limited. To explore differences in autism knowledge between autistic and non-autistic people, we used a qualitative method called visual elicitation. We invited the public to upload an image they felt represented autism and explain their choice. Through thematic analysis of these images and their accompanying descriptions, we identified three key themes highlighting how autism is currently …

Effects Of 17Β-Estradiol Treatment On Metabolic Function And Aortic Relaxation In Castrated Male Rats, Rifat A. Islam, Md R. Razan, Ankita Poojari, Mohammad M. Rahman, Hao Wei, Hana S. Alhamadsheh, Melanie Felmlee, Atefeh Rabiee, Mitra Esfandiarei, Roshanak Rahimian

Pacific Faculty Work

Exogenous estrogen use in male-to-female individuals has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk, though the mechanisms remain unclear. This study examines the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on metabolic and aortic function in castrated (CAS) male Sprague Dawley rats. CAS rats received subcutaneous E2 (CAS + E2) or placebo (CAS + PL) pellets for ~35 days, with intact males serving as controls. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) in response to acetylcholine and contractile responses to phenylephrine were measured in aorta before and after pharmacological inhibitors. Metabolic parameters and expression of proteins associated with vascular and insulin signaling were also determined in aorta …

A Novel Sialylation Pathway Mediated By Extracellular Vesicles In Aggressive Prostate Cancer, Camila A. Bach, Md Niamat Hossain, Ishan J. Chaudhari, Cecilia E. Verrillo, Nicole M. Naranjo, Isabella Amoroso, Anna Testa, Samuel Sey, W. Kevin Kelly, Susan L. Bellis, Aurelio Lorico, Ada G. Blidner, Gabriel A. Rabinovich, Lucia R. Languino

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Altered cell surface glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer; among aberrant glycan structures, hypersialylated proteins contribute to disease progression. The enzyme ST6 β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1) mediates α2,6-linked sialylation of N-glycosylated proteins and is upregulated in many cancers, including prostate cancer (PrCa). We propose that ST6GAL1 may be released by cancer cells in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in the PrCa tumor microenvironment to potentially modulate cell surface sialylation in recipient cells. We isolated sEVs from PrCa cells by density gradient separation and characterized them by nanoparticle tracking analysis using ZetaView and immunoblotting analysis. We identified ST6GAL1 in both its membrane-bound …

Distinct Transcriptional Regulation Of The Wnt And Tgfβ Signaling Families Associated With Wound Healing And Fibrotic Outcomes To Lens Injury, Catherine Lalman, Kylie R. Stabler, Joshua Disatham, Lisa A. Brennan, Marc Kantorow, Janice L. Walker

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a fibrotic complication of cataract surgery caused by aberrant repair of residual lens cells. It remains unclear how the lens injury response shifts toward a pathological repair process. Here, we performed a transcriptional analysis of two major pro-fibrotic pathways, the TGF-β superfamily and Wnt signaling pathways to determine how they are differentially regulated during regenerative wound healing versus fibrosis in a lens injury model. For these studies, RNA sequencing was performed on an ex vivo lens explant system that models post-surgical healing within regenerative and fibrotic microenvironments, from 0 to 3 days post-injury. Fibrotic conditions …

Nonoscillatory Solutions Of Third-Order Nonlinear Dynamic Equations: Existence And Nonexistence, Özkan Öztürk, Elvan Akin, Nesli̇han Nesli̇ye Pelen

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

This paper investigates a third-order nonlinear dynamic equation on arbitrary time scales, a nonempty closed subset of the real numbers, unifying continuous and discrete analyses. We study the qualitative behavior of nonoscillatory solutions and their quasi-derivatives, focusing on their limiting behaviors. The existence of such solutions are established using improper integral criteria and Schauder’s and Knaster’s fixed point theorems. In addition, we establish the criteria for the nonexistence of nonoscillatory solutions. Furthermore, we prove the existence of Kneser-type solutions of the corresponding linear dynamic equation on isolated time scales, addressing an open problem in the literature. Several examples of theoretical …

Structural Analysis Of Pseudomonas Phage Dev Virion-Associated Rna Polymerase (Gp71), James Scherer

All ETDs from UAB

DEV is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage part of a newly reclassified genus called Schitoviridae. This group of bacteriophages is also referred to as “N4-like” phages, after the prototypical Escherichia coli phage N4, originally isolated from sewage water in 19661. N4, and other phages in the group, contain a large, virion-associated RNA polymerase (vRNAP). This vRNAP is vital to the proliferation of the phage, as it performs the transcription of the early gene products and potentially acts as a motor that helps eject the viral genome into the host bacteria. In DEV, the vRNAP is also known as gene product 71 …

Systematics And Phylogeography Of Mundochthonius Chamberlin, 1929, In The Pacific Northwest (Chelicerata, Pseudoscorpiones), Amanda Rai Montoya-Cowan

Dissertations and Theses

Understanding the processes that drive genetic divergence and species formation is central to evolutionary biology. Invertebrates with low dispersal ability, such as pseudoscorpions, are especially prone to cryptic diversification due to their occupancy of niche microhabitats and sensitivity to landscape barriers. Despite their ecological roles as predators and bioindicators, pseudoscorpions remain one of the least studied arachnid groups, with limited taxonomic resolution and few integrative studies. This research focuses on the genus Mundochthonius in the Pacific Northwest, particularly M. pacificus, a morphologically conserved species whose true diversity and distribution remain poorly understood.

Field surveys guided by a GIS-based habitat …

Draft Genome Sequence Of Staphylococcus Aureus N208 Isolated From A Nasal Swab Of A Healthy Female, Sandra Jablonska, Lila Nelson, Grace Finger, Alex Kula, Catherine Putonti

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Staphylococcus aureus, a common member of the healthy human microbiota, is an opportunistic pathogen. To investigate the genomic features of this species in healthy individuals, we present the draft genome sequence of S. aureus N208, isolated from a nasal swab collected from a healthy female participant.

Investigating How Evolution Has Affected The Neuroanatomy Of Adult Astyanax Mexicanus, Peter Igwilo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The topology of the brain is highly conserved across phyla, yet the evolutionary processes driving anatomical divergence remain poorly understood. The fish Astyanax mexicanus, which exists in both surface- and cave-dwelling morphs within the same species, provides a powerful model for studying brain evolution. While previous studies have focused on larvae, imaging adult brains has been challenging due to their size and opacity. This study overcame these limitations using tissue clearing, light sheet imaging, and computational analysis to generate a comprehensive adult brain atlas. Using nuclear staining and antibody labeling, brain-wide 3D maps were created to compare regional size, shape, …

Infusion Of Blood From Young And Old Mice Modulates Amyloid Pathology, Matias Pizarro, Ruben Gomez-Gutierrez, Ariel Caviedes, Catalina Valdes, Ute Woehlbier, Cristian Vargas, Mauricio Hernandez, Claudia Duran-Aniotz, Rodrigo Morales

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain. Recently, the impact of blood components in the progression of this disease has come to attention. This study investigates the effects of infusing blood from young and old wild-type mice into transgenic mice that model AD brain amyloidosis. Impaired memory and Aβ accumulation were observed in mice infused with blood from old donors. A proteomic analysis in the brain of these mice identified alterations in components related to synaptogenesis and the endocannabinoid system. The α2δ2 protein, associated with neuronal calcium regulation, was validated …

Resolution Of Physics And Deep Learning-Based Protein Engineering Filters: A Case Study With A Lipase For Industrial Substrate Hydrolysis, Spencer Gardiner, Peter Dollinger, Filip Kovacic, Jörge Pietruszka, Daniel Ess, Karl-Erich Jaeger, Gunnar F. Schröder, Dennis Della Corte

Faculty Publications

Computational enzyme design remains a powerful yet imperfect tool for optimizing biocatalysts, especially when targeting non-natural substrates. Using design tools we investigated Pseudomonas aeruginosa LipA, a lipase with a flexible lid domain crucial for substrate binding and turnover, aiming to enhance its hydrolysis of the industrially relevant substrate Roche ester. We generated an initial set of single-point mutations based on structural proximity to the active site and evaluated their effects using a computational pipeline integrating molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and ensemble-based energy scoring. While we identified several active variants, attempts to rank them by activity …

Loss Of Ptdss1 In Tumor Cells Improves Immunogenicity And Response To Anti-Pd-1 Therapy, Jielin Liu, Shelley Herbrich, Sreyashi Basu, Yulong Chen, Ashwat Nagarajan, Swetha Anandhan, Sangeeta Goswami, Liangwen Xiong, Baoxiang Guan, Padmanee Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PTDSS1 (phosphatidylserine synthase 1) encodes an enzyme that facilitates production of phosphatidylserine (PS), which mediates a global immunosuppressive signal. Here, based on in vivo CRISPR screen, we identified PTDSS1 as a target to improve anti-PD-1 therapy. Depletion of Ptdss1 in tumor cells increased expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-regulated genes, including B2m, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, and Stat1, even in the absence of IFN-γ stimulation in vitro. Loss of Ptdss1 in tumor cells also led to increased expression of MHC-I, enhanced cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, and increased frequency of an iNOS+ myeloid subset. A gene signature derived from the …

The Diamond, September 12, 2025, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Staffing and Service Challenges in the New Atrium; Summer Storm Recap: Historic 'Derecho' Wind Hits Sioux Center; In God's Hands, On Our Helmets: Honoring Liam Sorensen's Life
• News: The Cottages: A Place to Call Home; Sioux Center Welcomes New Pickleball Courts
• Feature: Construction Updates and Ripples Seen on Campus; Dr. Justin Bailey and the 2025-2026 Chapel Vision; Dordt Welcomes Kristin Brouwer as New Director of Campus Ministries
• Politics: 'Pursuing Peace': Trump's Meeting with Putin; Funding Cuts Hinder the "Second Space Race"
• Opinion: Jersey on the Wall: Recent Reflection on Grief; Kraft Korner: …

Hemispheric Asymmetry Of Phase Partition In Mixed-Phase Clouds Based On Near Global-Scale Airborne Observations, Ching An Yang, Minghui Diao, Yang Shi, Xiaohong Liu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Mixed-phase clouds contribute to substantial uncertainties in global climate models due to their complex microphysical properties. Former model evaluations almost exclusively rely on satellite observations to assess cloud phase distributions globally. This study investigated mixed-phase cloud properties using near global-scale in situ observation data sets from 14 flight campaigns in combination with collocated output from a global climate model. The Southern Hemisphere (SH) shows significantly higher occurrence frequencies and higher mass fractions of supercooled liquid water than Northern Hemisphere (NH) based on observations at 0.2 and 100 km horizontal scales. Such hemispheric asymmetry is not captured by the model. The …

Sga 57 Senate 2025-09-12 Minutes, Niu Student Government Association Senate

Student Government Association Archives

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp): Bres No. 181 – Mountain Con-3 Dump., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Asthma Adherence And Self-Management In Pediatrics: A Quality Improvement Project, Harroop S. Kaur, Nancy S. Goldstein

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The purpose of this pilot project was a quality improvement initiative aimed to assess various interventions designed to enhance treatment adherence amongst pediatric patients in an understaffed, underserved, rural area. It had three goals: boost interdisciplinary understanding of asthma, promote self-management amongst pediatric patients with asthma, and reduce additional clinic and emergency department visits, as well as hospitalizations.

Asthma, a chronic condition characterized by airway inflammation, affects over four million children in the US, impacting their quality of life. The condition manifests through a series of symptoms like wheezing. Without proper management, severe asthma can cause lifelong complications in pediatric …

Increasing Hpv Education And Vaccination Uptake In Women Aged 27-45: A Clinic Based Approach, Michelle Wakefield

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

BACKGROUND: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, is linked to cervical, anal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite its impact, only 16% of women aged 27-45 have received an HPV vaccine dose, partly due to recent vaccine recommendation changes. This project aimed to improve HPV knowledge and vaccination rates among women in this age group at a private obstetrics and gynecology practice in Southwestern Indiana.

METHODS: Targeting unvaccinated women aged 27-45, this quality improvement initiative (January–April 2024) provided verbal education on HPV and assessed patient knowledge via a Likert scale survey. Staff received training on vaccine …