Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Bis-Dinitrocarboxyphenyl-Kryptofix-22 Derivatives As Precursors For Heterogeneous Catalysts In Biodiesel Production, Priscilla Agrinsoni

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

The growing demand for sustainable fuel alternatives has increased interest in biodiesel production. Current methods are costly due to the need for high-purity feedstocks. Alkaline homogeneous catalysts are commonly used due to their low cost and easy accessibility; however, they are non-reusable, produce low-quality glycerol, and have extensive purification requirements. This research investigates the catalytic performance of a bis-dinitrocarboxyphenylkryptofix- 22 derivative. This derivative is referred to as a “linker”. Its catalytic activity was tested through transesterification reactions. It appears to exhibit limited catalytic activity. This research seeks to lay the groundwork for the future development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as …

Assessing The Effects Of Antibody Glycosylation And Conjugation On Fc-Mediated Effector Functions, Lina Wu

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Increasing research has been conducted on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for their oncology applications and potential as treatments for immunological diseases. ADCs usually covalently bind a cytotoxic drug (payload) via a linker to a monoclonal antibody, which targets specific antigens expressed on tumors, delivering the drug directly to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects. In addition to binding antigens on tumor cells, antibodies also interact with immune cells to activate “effector functions”. This activation is largely driven by the binding of Fcγ-receptors (FcγR) to the Fc region of IgG, which connects the humoral immune responses and cell-mediated immune responses. Antibody …

The Central Role Of Endothelial Cells In Various Contexts Of Neuroinflammation, Joseph M. Kagan

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

This paper aims to summarize the key differences in neuroinflammation across various contexts beyond neurodegenerative diseases, specifically senescence, diet, infection, cancer treatments, and psychostimulant usage. While each of these conditions presents unique inflammatory characteristics, they share core mechanistic themes, particularly the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB dysfunction serves as a crucial regulatory point, influenced by endothelial cells (ECs) within the neurovascular unit (NVU). ECs play an essential role in neuroinflammation through pathways involving tight junction (TJ) proteins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which mediate BBB integrity and permeability. Additionally, ECs interact with various cellular components and signaling pathways, further …

The Lived Experiences Of High School Students Serving As Peer Mentors, Heather S. Mitchell

Dissertations

Youth mentoring is an intervention that has demonstrated a tremendous amount of potential in mitigating a variety of struggles experienced by youth (DuBois & Rhodes, 2006; Grossman & Tierney, 1998; Herrera et al., 2008; “Impact Evaluation”, 2009; Karcher, 2009; Karcher, 2010; Kraus & Cleveland, 2016; Lerner et al., 2006; McQuillin et al., 2020). The exploration of the possible benefits to adolescents serving as mentors, especially nontraditional student mentors, has received little attention (Besnoy & McDaniel, 2016; Deane et al., 2018; James et al., 2014; Karcher, 2009; Karcher et al., 2010; Larson et al., 2020; Opara et al., 2023; Quimby et …

Spartan Daily, April 29, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 38

Expediting Tool-Use Learning: Effects Of Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Of The Left Anterior Supramarginal Gyrus, Kamila Haliru

Honors Thesis

The left anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG) has been implicated as an important brain region in tool use. While anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (atDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) has been shown to facilitate skilled tool use, the effects of aSMG stimulation remain largely unexplored. Using a chopstick-marble paradigm, this thesis examined whether atDCS to the left aSMG would enhance tool-use learning. Electroencephalography (EEG) was concurrently recorded to assess atDCS-dependent changes to the beta and gamma frequency bands. Our results demonstrated that atDCS over the left aSMG significantly expedited tool-use learning and was associated with increased gamma band activity …

Overcoming Barriers To Human Papillomavirus Vaccination In Guangdong Province, China, Shuaijing Zhang, Shiqi Li, Jingtai Ma, Guiyuan Ji, Zhifeng Li, Siyi Chen, Fenglin Zhang, Xingfen Yang, Jianpeng Xiao, Rong Cao, Chenggang Wu, Wei Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a critical public health challenge in China, particularly in Guangdong Province, where HPV-52, 16, and 58 genotypes predominate, and male infection rates exceed 40%. Despite the successful implementation of a government-funded school-based program that has achieved 88% HPV vaccine coverage among adolescent girls, several persistent barriers, including genotype mismatch (the free HPV vaccine covers < 50% of high-risk local strains), regional disparities (80% vs. 60% for first-dose coverage), and exclusion of males, thwart progress toward herd immunity. Financial sustainability risks pose an even more significant threat to the expansion of HPV vaccination programs, especially in Guangdong province where annual expenditures exceed CNY 200 million. This review delves into Guangdong's pioneering efforts and proposes practical solutions: accelerating domestic multivalent HPV vaccine development, adopting gender-neutral vaccination policies, and leveraging mobile clinics for remote populations. These strategies not only provide a roadmap for China but also serve as valuable insight for other LMICs striving to overcome HPV-related inequalities.

An Intranasally Administered Igm Protects Against Antigenically Distinct Subtypes Of Influenza A Viruses, Ashwin Kumar Ramesh, Jwala Priyadarsini Sivaccumar, Xiaohua Ye, Luona Yang, Hailong Guo, Chen-Ni Chin, Sha Ha, John W Shiver, William R Strohl, Yan Xu, Haijuan Du, Tongqing Zhou, Ningyan Zhang, Kai Xu, Xinli Liu, Tong-Ming Fu, Zhiqiang An

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Engineering broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) of Influenza A virus (IAV) is a promising approach for intervention of seasonal flu. However, HA plasticity often leads to resistant strains that compromise mAb potency as bivalent IgGs. Here we hypothesize that multimerization of anti-IAV antibodies as IgMs can enhance coverage and neutralization potency. Here, we construct 18 IgM antibodies from known broadly neutralizing IgGs targeting different IAV HA epitopes and evaluate their breadth and potency of neutralization against distinct H1N1 and H3N2 IAVs. The IgM version of receptor binding site-specific IgG F045-092 shows increased breadth and antiviral potency …

Enhanced And Interpretable Prediction Of Multiple Cancer Types Using A Stacking Ensemble Approach With Shap Analysis, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to develop and evaluate ensemble learning models, specifically stacking, for the accurate prediction of lung, breast, and cervical cancers using lifestyle and clinical data.

Methods: 12 base learners were trained on datasets for lung, breast, and cervical cancer. Stacking ensemble models were then developed using these base learners. The models were evaluated for accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, AUC-ROC, MCC, and kappa. An explainable AI technique, SHAP, was used to interpret model predictions.

Results: The stacking …

Immune Cells And Arrhythmias, Joshua A Keefe, Jian Wang, Jiangping Song, Li Ni, Xander H T Wehrens

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that resident and infiltrating cardiac immune cells play direct, mechanistic roles in arrhythmia onset and progression. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary and expert commentary on the role of each immune cell subtype in the pathogenesis of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Pediatric Liver And Kidney Transplant Recipients Demonstrate Greater Serological Response To Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination Than Adults, Tobias Laue, Maria Pilar Ballester, Lily Meoli, Carl Grabitz, Eva Uson, Lorenzo Dantiga, Valerie Mclin, Montserrat Pujadas, Ângela Carvalho-Gomes, Ivan Sahuco, Ariadna Bono, Federico D'Amico, Raffaela Viganò, Elena Diago, Beatriz Tormo Lanseros, Elvira Inglese, Dani Martinez Vazquez, Annelotte Broekhoven, Marjolein Kikkert, Shessy P.Torres Morales, Sebenzile K. Myeni, Mar Riveiro-Barciela, Adriana Palom, Nicola Zeni, Alessandra Brocca, Annarosa Cussigh, Sara Cmet, Maria Desamparados Escudero-García, Matteo Stocco, Matteo Stocco

Peninsula Medical School

Background. Adult solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have decreased responsiveness to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and higher incidence of infection, but there are few data on the serological response in pediatric SOTR. The aim of this study was to determine serological response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pediatric liver (LT) and kidney transplant (KT) recipients and compare it with adult SOTR. Methods. A European, prospective, multicenter study was performed. Samples were taken at 7 and 32 wk following COVID-19 vaccination and serological endpoints were measured by ELISA. Results. A total of 42 pediatric (16 post-LT and …

Mapping The Developmental Profile Of Ventricular Zone-Derived Neurons In The Human Cerebellum, Anders W Erickson, Henry Tan, Liam D Hendrikse, Jake Millman, Zachary Thomson, Joseph Golser, Omar Khan, Guanyi He, Kathleen Bach, Arpit Suresh Mishra, Janja Kopic, Zeljka Krsnik, Ferechte Encha-Razavi, Giulia Petrilli, Fabien Guimiot, Evelina Silvestri, Kimberly A Aldinger, Michael D Taylor, Kathleen J Millen, Parthiv Haldipur

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The cerebellar ventricular zone (VZ) is the primary source of progenitors that generate cerebellar GABAergic neurons, including Purkinje cells (PCs) and interneurons (INs). This study provides detailed characterization of human cerebellar GABAergic neurogenesis using transcriptomic and histopathological analyses and reveals conserved and unique features compared to rodents. We show that the sequential progression of neurogenesis is conserved and occurs before 8 postconception weeks. Notably, PC differentiation occurs in the outer subventricular zone (SVZ), a region absent in the mouse cerebellum. Human PCs are generated during a compact two-week period before the onset of cerebral cortex histogenesis. A subset of human …

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty And Stenting (Ptas) In Patients With Symptomatic Intracranial Vertebrobasilar Artery Stenosis (Ivbs), Ramtin Pourahmad, Kiarash Saleki, Sina Zoghi, Ramtin Hajibeygi, Hamed Ghorani, Amin Javanbakht, Sina Goodarzi, Parsa Alijanizadeh, Kelly Trinh, Ravi Shastri, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Approximately 20% of all transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and ischaemic strokes occur within the posterior circulation, with vertebrobasilar stenosis identified as the cause in roughly 25% of the cases. Studies have shown that about a quarter of these patients have atherosclerotic stenosis of at least 50% of the vertebrobasilar artery. Stenosis has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of 90-day recurrent vertebrobasilar stroke, particularly in the first few weeks, which is significantly higher when compared with patients with stenosis of the anterior circulation. Therefore, aggressive treatment is important for the patient's prognosis. Stenting is emerging as …

A Secretome Atlas Of Cardiac Fibroblasts From Healthy And Infarcted Mouse Hearts, Jasmin Bahr, Junedh M Amrute, Kory J Lavine, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are key players after myocardial infarction (MI), but their signaling is only incompletely understood. Here we report a first secretome atlas of CF in control (cCF) and post-MI mouse hearts (miCF), combining a rapid cell isolation technique with SILAC and click chemistry. In CF, numerous paracrine factors involved in immune homeostasis are identified. Comparing secretome, transcriptome (SLAMseq), and cellular proteome disclose protein turnover. In miCF at day 5 post-MI, significantly upregulated proteins include SLIT2, FN1, and CRLF1 in mouse and human samples. Comparing the miCF secretome at days 3 and 5 post-MI reveals the dynamic nature of …

Distinct Oxytocin Signaling Pathways Synergistically Mediate Rescue-Like Behavior In Mice, Feng-Rui Zhang, Juan Liu, Jieqi Wen, Zi-Yan Zhang, Yijia Li, Eric Song, Li Hu, Zhou-Feng Chen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Spontaneous rescue behavior enhances the well-being and survival of social animals, yet the neural mechanisms underlying the recognition and response to conspecifics in need remain unclear. Here, we report that observer mice experience distress when encountering anesthetized conspecifics, prompting spontaneous rescue-like behavior toward the unconscious mice. This behavior facilitates the earlier awakening of anesthetized mice while simultaneously alleviating stress in the helper mice. Our findings reveal that endogenous oxytocin (OXT) release from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) regulates the emotional component of rescue-like behavior. In contrast, OXT …

Bbnj Agreement And The Negotiation Process: An Analysis From Developing Country Perspective With Special Focus On Indonesia, Simi K K, Kavitha Chalakkal

Indonesian Journal of International Law

The governance of marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)and regulating access to this regime in all available and existing forms is a core issue before international policymakers. The recently concluded BBNJ Agreement negotiations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction was a platform to negotiate for a new legal instrument to address the core issues related to marine diversity from ABNJ, as agreed under the UNGA Resolution 72/249 to address the problems identified in the 2011 package. Defining MGRs and developing appropriate access and benefit-sharing mechanisms for marine biological …

Molground: A Benchmark For Molecular Grounding

Defensive Publications Series

Current molecular understanding approaches predominantly focus on the descriptive aspect of human perception, providing broad, topic level insights. However, the referential aspect—linking molecular concepts to specific structural components—remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we propose a molecular grounding benchmark designed to evaluate a model’s referential abilities. We align molecular grounding with established conventions in NLP, cheminformatics, and molecular science, showcasing the potential of NLP techniques to advance molecular under standing within the AI for Science movement. Furthermore, we constructed the largest molecular understanding benchmark to date, compris ing 79k QA pairs, and developed a multi-agent grounding prototype as proof …

E(3)-Equivariant Models Cannot Learn Chirality Field-Based Molecular Generation

Defensive Publications Series

Obtaining the desired effect of drugs is highly dependent on their molecular geometries. Thus, the current prevailing paradigm focuses on 3D point-cloud atom representations, utilizing graph neural network (GNN) parametrizations, with rotational symmetries baked in via E(3) invariant layers. We prove that such models must necessarily disregard chirality, a geometric property of the molecules that cannot be superimposed on their mirror image by rotation and translation. Chi rality plays a key role in determining drug safety and potency. To address this glaring issue, we introduce a novel field-based representation, proposing refer ence rotations that replace rotational symmetry constraints. The proposed …

In-Depth Analysis On Strengthening Sanctions For Fisheries Violations In Indonesia: Challenges, Obstacles, And Reform, Maya Shafira, Muhammad Akib, Fx Sumarja, Ahmad Irzal Fardiansyah

Indonesian Journal of International Law

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing remains a significant challenge for Indonesia, posing threats to its marine resources, economic stability, and national sovereignty. This study examines the enforcement of sanctions against fisheries violations in Indonesia from an international legal perspective. It explores how Indonesia aligns its regulatory framework with global legal instruments, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), and regional agreements within ASEAN. The research identifies key challenges, including legal inconsistencies, enforcement limitations, and jurisdictional complexities, which hinder the effective prosecution of fisheries crimes. It also analyzes …

Peer Victimization And Nonsuicidal Self Injury: Social Support As A Potential Protective Factor For Adolescents, Nursita Afifah, Sali Rahadi Asih, Ike Anggraika Kuntoro

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a high-risk behavior that increases the desire and likelihood of attempting to commit suicide. Peer victimization has been found to precede NSSI. Both phenomena are prevalent among adolescents living in urban areas. This cross-sectional study investigated the role of social support in the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI. A total of 449 adolescents who lived in urban areas completed the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI), Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MVPS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to assess NSSI frequency, peer victimization, and perceived social support. The results found that NSSI is higher in …

Mcf-7 Dense Breast Cancer Cells Modulate Stress Through Senescence, Lara Donadio, Moses Alfonso, Josiah Philip, Tyler Zatarain

Molloy Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with dense breast tissue being recognized as a significant risk factor for its development. This dense breast tissue, characterized by a higher concentration of mammary glandular tissue, represents additional sites for tumor development. The following study explores how the MCF-7 immortal cell line, representing dense breast cancer, modulates stress responses through cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a defense mechanism that halts the cell cycle and acts as a tumor suppression mechanism, preventing out-of-control cell proliferation triggered by cytological stress. To simulate these stress conditions, we applied two agents: …

Tax Implications To Exempt Organizations Of Six Income-Producing Activities, James L. Wittenbach, Lawrence G. Gallagher

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Elucidating The Function Of An Evolutionarily Conserved Embryonic Splice Variant Of Type Ii Collagen During Vertebrate Development, Megan Stropus, Elise Adrian, Christine Kouria

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Our lab is focused on the highly conserved second exon of Col2a1a utilized during embryogenesis. Within this second exon is the von Willebrand Factor Type C (VWF-C) domain, which regulates the production of Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMPs). BMPs are essential growth factors that signal the development of cartilage, heart, bone, and neural tissue formation. Using CRISPR-Cas9 we will splice out exon 2 (subsequently knocking out the VWF-C domain) to observe the change in BMP production and its effect on the growth and development of zebrafish embryos. Given the role the VWF-C domain plays in BMP production, we expect that the …

Remnants Of Identity: Tracing Ancestry In The 19th-Century Rush Medical College Anatomical Collection, Tierny Sterling, Breanna Wray

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This research examines a 19^th-century skeletal collection (Rush Medical College Collection) housed at the Field Museum of Natural History to explore whether the original documents designating the recorded “race” of each individual can be corroborated using a modern statistical program (FORDISC 3.1), since how museum workers would have known the ‘race’ of the individuals cannot be determined. The Rush Medical College Collection reflects society’s attitudes towards our nation's most vulnerable individuals, even after death. This research allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the potential effects of marginalization and disenfranchisement in 19^th-century Chicago.

Electric Stimulation Treatment For Anorexia Nervosa: From Modern Treatments To Bench Study With Aplysia Californica, David Brynski, Hui Ye

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder characterized by the practice of extreme diets that results in low bone density and weight loss. Aside from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychiatric therapy, deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulation have started to yield greater promise and effectiveness. We will review the clinical cases using electric stimulation in treating AN. We will also provide evidence that demonstrate the switching of feeding motor programming in Aplysia californica by electric stimulation and magnetic stimulation. Our work is essential in establishing Aplysia as a valuable model for studying the cellular and …

Thermostability And Catalytic Activity Analysis Of Protein Mutant 𝛽- Glucosidase B (Bglb) A88e, Taneesha Sinha, Alana Pereira

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Much has been discovered about the nature of proteins, but scientists around the world are still trying to understand the relationship between protein structure and function. Steps to answer these questions have been pursued in the efforts of improving predictive modeling software like Foldit with supplemented data sets. We make our own efforts to aid researchers in gaining more data, by mutating and analyzing the thermostability and catalytic activity of mutant 𝛽-glucosidase (BglB) proteins.

Investigating The Enzymatic Redox Activity Of Human Phosducin-Like Protein 2a, Sara Tyszkowska

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Phosducin-like proteins (PhLPs) are a subclass of the thioredoxin (Trx) superfamily of proteins. The CryoEM structure of the chaperonin TriC/CCT complexed with PhLP2A supports the hypothesis that PhLPs are involved in the folding of cytoskeletal proteins, actin, and tubulin. However, the precise function of PhLP is not well understood. Several members of the Trx family of proteins are redox active and act as chaperones to assist protein folding. Additionally, the amino acid sequence alignment between TXNDC9 and PhLP2A reveals the redox-active cysteine to be conserved. We hypothesize that PhLP2A, like its structural homolog TXNDC9, is redox active.

Investigating The Dual Impacts Of Flooding And Nitrogen Management On Soil Biological Health Indicators Across The Growing Season, Elena Zakolski

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Flooding reduces crop yield and disrupts soil nitrogen (N) cycling; however, flooding and N fertilization effects on soil health are understudied. This study investigates how short-term flooding and N fertilization treatments influence soil health across the corn growing season. A split-plot randomized complete block design (main factor: flooding, sub-factor: N fertilization) assessed soil organic carbon (C) (POXC) and soil organic N (ACE protein). Soil samples were collected pre-flood, post-flood, and pre-harvest. POXC variability depended on fertilization; ACE protein increased significantly, regardless of fertilization. Findings suggest that flooding disrupts plant-microbe interactions, and ACE protein may be a stable soil health metric.

Assessing Soil Microbial Community Biomass And Enzyme Activity In Cover Crop Rhizosphere Soil, Elena Zakolski

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Cover crops improve soil health, yet their rhizosphere-level effects are understudied. This study examined microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activity in bulk and rhizosphere soils of legumes, grasses, and a legume-grass mix. Soil samples were analyzed for microbial composition (PLFA) and enzyme activity (colorimetric bench-scale assays: β-Glucosidase, arylsulfatase, acid-phosphatase). Cover crop soils had higher microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and bacterial and fungal levels than bulk soil, suggesting dynamic plant-microbe interactions. No significant differences were found between cover crop species, likely due to early crop development. Future research should evaluate cover crops’ long-term soil health effects at later growth stages.

Potential Of Organically-Sourced Fulvic Acid To Increase Bioavailability Of Calcium In Hydroponic Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) And Reduce Tip Necrosis, Ashley Klauck, Ray Dybzinski

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Fulvic acid may reduce tip necrosis in the Salanova® Red Gem lettuce cultivar, often caused by calcium deficiency. We treated lettuce with Hoagland’s fertilizer and FA in a full factorial experiment, hypothesizing FA-treated groups would increase calcium concentration and reduce tip necrosis. Response variables of tissue calcium concentration and tip necrosis percentage were analyzed using multifactor ANOVA and regression. Tissue calcium concentration was measured using the Dumas Method and ICAP. FA increased calcium uptake (P = 0.03) yet did not reduce tip necrosis (P = 0.94). Other factors beyond calcium uptake likely contributed to tip necrosis, notable for future research.