Digital Commons Network^™

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.

Characterization Of Peripheral Nerve Demyelination Model, Erica Garcia, Mollie Lythgoe

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Demyelination disorders impair nerve signal conduction by reducing myelin, particularly at the nodes of Ranvier, leading to motor deficits. To model peripheral nerve demyelination, we performed partial ligation of the sciatic nerve in C57BL/6J mice, monitoring them via immunohistochemistry, TEM imaging, and behavioral tests over 14 days. We observed decreased myelin basic protein, reduced neurofilament levels, and thinner myelin layers. Behavioral deficits emerged as early as day 3. These findings establish a reproducible model correlating molecular, structural, and functional deficits, paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring nerve conduction in demyelinating disorders.

Entheogens: The Hallucinogenic Plants That Shaped Religion, Nicolas A. Michaud

Young Historians Conference

Entheogens have played a pivotal role in religious and spiritual practices across diverse cultures, aiding in the pursuit of divine connection and higher consciousness. Evidence suggests that dating as far as back as a million years ago, early human species such as Homo erectus and Homo habilis experimented with hallucinogenic plants like psilocybin mushrooms, introducing the earliest forms of shamanic practices. As societies became more structured, the use of entheogens expanded throughout various parts of society. In ancient Greece, oracles utilized plants like henbane to communicate with the divine, molding military and political policy. During the Middle Ages, Tibetan Buddhism …

Improving Handoffs Between Outpatient Clinics And Acute Cancer Care Centers At A Tertiary Oncology Hospital Using A Quality Improvement Methodology, Mini George, Mohamed Ait Aiss, Gabriele Urschel, Maria Franco Vega, Susan Gaeta, Diane Bodurka

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Accrediting agencies recommend safe and accurate transfer of clinical information during care transitions. At our institution, a tertiary care cancer hospital, ambulatory clinic providers use multiple methods for communicating essential information to emergency care providers. Therefore, we initiated a quality improvement project using a standardized electronic handoff during the transfer of care between providers at outpatient clinics and acute cancer care centers. The project was launched in May 2023 and aimed to achieve electronic handoff for 70% or more of ambulatory care patients transferred to emergency care by October 2023. A multidisciplinary team developed an electronic handoff, provided training, and …

“Through Science To Justice” Magnus Hirschfeld’S Role In Queer Liberation, Katarina L. Stoll

Young Historians Conference

Magnus Hirschfeld was a scientist who researched sexuality and gender, as well as an activist for “sexual minorities.” He challenged previously held beliefs that homosexuality should be treated as an illness and is credited with being the first to view gender identity as separate from sexuality. Additionally, Hirschfeld argued that queer people simply act in accordance with their nature. Through the creation of various institutions, he worked to uplift the queer community through publishing his research, undertaking advocacy work, and creating safe spaces. Though not immune to the prejudices of his time, Hirschfeld was able to help improve the lives …

Face Value: Cosmetics As A Unit Of Historical Analysis, Sophie Durocher

Young Historians Conference

Cosmetics are a universal concept that have been inherent in society all throughout history. This paper explores four unique cultures from across the globe and their primary cosmetic of choice. A tube of lipstick from a Bronze Age Persian burial ground sheds light on the early uses and significance of lipstick in Ancient Persia. A compact of powdered pearls from China in the 11th century reveals the widespread importance of facial powder in China. The Maya applied paint and perfumes to denote social status and in ritual traditions, as evidenced by artwork and archaeological evidence. Ancient Egyptians famously painted their …

The Role Of Feline Goddesses In Advancing Women’S Rights In Ancient Egypt, Caitlin Moran

Young Historians Conference

The ancient Egyptians highly valued cats, worshipped female feline deities, and granted women more rights than other ancient civilizations. These three facts are widely acknowledged, but they have an intriguing link—and the key lies in the divine feline. This paper explores the extent to which ancient Egyptian feline goddesses, particularly Bastet, Sekhmet, and Mafdet, contributed to the treatment of women and their freedoms that surpassed those of women in other ancient civilizations. Examining historical records, religious artifacts, and scholarly journal articles, it illustrates how feline deities shaped gender dynamics in ancient Egypt. By analyzing the relationship between cats, feline deities, …

The Compass, Issue 12

The Compass

No abstract provided.

Supplement To "A Theoretical Investigation Of The Selectivity Of Aza-Crown-Ether Structures Chelating Alkali Metal Cations For Potential Biosensing Applications", Mouhmad Elayyan, Mark Hoffmann, Binglin Sui

Datasets

Aza-crown ether structures have been proven effective in constructing fluorescent biosensors for selectively detecting and imaging alkali metal ions in biological environments. However, choosing the right aza-crown ether for a specific alkali metal ion remains challenging for synthetic chemists because theoretical guidance on the chelating activities between aza-crown ethers and alkali metal ions has not been available up to now. Predicting the physical properties of the chelator-metal complexations poses a greater challenge due to the numerous quantum mechanical functionals and basis sets to be used in any theoretical investigation. In this study, we report a theoretical investigation of different aza-crown …

Cover Cropping: How Sustainability & Economics Can Work Hand In Hand (Pt. Ii), Emma Reyes

Business and Economics Honors Papers

Research finds that while the average rate of soil erosion under natural conditions occurs at less than 1.9 Mg per hectare per year, the current rate of erosion for United States agricultural soils occurs at 6.7 Mg per hectare per year (Nearing et al., 2017). This problem is further heightened by the fact that many farmers are concerned about the added expenses that may come from the use of sustainable practices. As a result, this may lead to an increase in the practice of more harmful conventional agricultural techniques if they continue to be considered more economically beneficial in comparison. …

Bars, Barristers, And Bias: A Content Analysis Of Legal Plays, Evan Chartock

Media and Communication Studies Honors Papers

This content analysis paper investigates the portrayal of the legal profession onstage within legal dramas first performed in the twenty-first century. There has been no previous research that has focused on a comprehensive analysis of the specific content of legal dramas, so this study is exploratory in nature. This study emphasizes the importance of learning about the content characteristics of legal plays and legal characters. This content analysis seeks to answer two research questions. First, do playwrights of legal plays first performed between 2000-2024 belong to similar identity demographics, write about similar content, and/or have similar messaging regarding the notion …

Myth Rewrites: Do We Need A Reboot?, Livia M. Nocito

Interdivisional Studies Honors Papers

As myth rewrites have permeated popular culture in recent years, the alterations made to their narratives have shifted the original meanings of the ancient texts. They have sought to provide a modernized retelling for readers of a new age to enjoy while simultaneously attempting to hold a mirror to a society that has remained patriarchal and redeems the narrative. By analyzing the three iterations of Medusa’s origins, as well as The Odyssey and it’s newest musical adaptation, “EPIC: The Musical,” myth rewrites are proven to not only be beneficial to introducing new audiences to ancient mythology, but also finds its …

Factors That Contribute To An Increased Risk For Dental Caries And Prevention Methods, Allen Lee

BIO4960: Practicum in Biology I

This health literacy project focuses on identifying effective strategies for preventing dental caries by analyzing various aspects of an individual’s daily habits. Key lifestyle factors such as sleep patterns, dietary choices, and physical activity were explored in relation to their impact on oral health. The motivation for this project arose from direct observations of the high prevalence of cavities during clinical shadowing experiences, as well as growing evidence in the literature, highlighting an increasing trend in dental caries. Dental caries represent significant public health concern, as untreated caries can lead to serious complications such as tooth abscesses and extractions. Despite …

Students Shadow Physicians, Serve Veterans At Dayton Va Medical Center, Kate Chesar

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Pre-health students gain clinical experience and more through a new partnership with the Dayton VA Medical Center.

The Utah Statesman, April 28, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Rider (2025-04-28), Rebeca Salinas

The Rider Archives

Vol. 10, No. 27

The Attitudes And Perspectives Of Laboratory Professionals On The Use Of Machine Learning Combined With Maldi For Viral Identification: A Qualitative Study, Grace Johnson

Honors Projects

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with machine learning (ML) has been proposed by numerous studies as a novel approach for viral identification. However, the development and implementation of this instrumentation is still in its early stages, and laboratory professionals' perspectives on its feasibility, accuracy, implementation, and effect on current laboratory operating procedures remain underexplored.

This study aimed to investigate laboratory professionals’ attitudes and opinions regarding the use of MALDI-TOF-MS coupled with machine learning for viral identification, focusing on perceived benefits, barriers, and factors that would affect participants’ opinions on implementation.

A qualitative descriptive research …

Enhancing Skin Cancer Literacy Amongst Young Adults: A Digital Design, Katherine Stoll

Honors Projects

The skin plays a vital role in protection, regulation, and homeostasis of the human body. Skin cancer, despite being mostly preventable, is one of the most common cancers. Young adults, ages 18 to 25, are vulnerable targets due to risky behaviors and misinformation regarding skin cancer. This project was designed by using digital media and website design to enhance skin cancer health literacy among young adults. Using a systematic literature review and research methods, an interactive website was designed to improve skin cancer health literacy and eliminate common misconceptions. The topics addressed throughout the website were the biological factors of …

Global Access Needs Innovations For Producing Affordable Monoclonal Antibodies And Cell Culture-Based Vaccines With Easy To Use Delivery Technologies, Vijay Yabannavar

Cell Culture Engineering XIX

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Unlocking Productivity In An Upstream Continuous Process By Combining Media Concentrates And Multi-Phase Feeding, Nuno Carinhas, Mengyao Li, David Garcia, Diana Lupea, Adriano Del Priore, Werner Nelson, Sylvius Willerich

Cell Culture Engineering XIX

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Ai-Assisted Model-Guided Image Reconstruction Methods For Photoacoustic And Ultrasound Computed Tomography, Luke Joseph Lozenski

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) and ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) are two emerging medical modalities that hold great promise for both pre-clinical and clinical imaging applications, including cancer diagnosis and management. PACT is a hybrid imaging modality that combines benefits from both optical and acoustic imaging to provide high contrast images of biological absorbers. USCT is an ultrasound imaging modality that provides high-resolution quantitative images of acoustic properties utilizing accurate physics models. Both PACT and USCT can be applied for monitoring or diagnosis of cancer and are non-invasive and radiation free. However, both imaging modalities are in the early stages of …

Beyond The Label: Unveiling Greenwashing Impacts On Consumer Purchasing In Sunscreen Packaging, Kailee Ransom

Honors Projects

The purpose of this research project is to unveil how the use of greenwashing tactics in marketing can influence a consumer’s actions and purchasing behavior in regard to sunscreen product packaging. It aims to uncover whether environmentally charged language or imagery (or both) on a product has an impact on a consumer’s willingness to purchase the product and their perceptions of the product’s health for their body and the environment. Additionally, are certain demographic profiles - considering a consumer’s age, income level or education level - more inclined to have a positive perception of “environmentally-friendly” sunscreen products?

To answer these …