Digital Commons Network^™

From Food To Fashion: Bio-Based Textiles Advancing Sustainability And Socioeconomic Growth In Emerging Markets, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The global fashion industry is undergoing a profound shift towards sustainability, driven by innovations in bio-based textiles derived from agricultural byproducts such as cactus, pineapple, banana, coconut, fungi, and bacterial cultures. This article comprehensively explores the technological advancements, industry adoption trends, socioeconomic impact on emerging markets, and barriers to widespread adoption of bio-based textiles. The alignment of these innovations with global sustainability initiatives, key industry collaborations, and policy interventions are also examined.

From Sketches To Stereotypes: Understanding Criminality Through Student Illustrations, Sandra Sicurella, Simone Tuzza

The Qualitative Report

This study investigates the use of comics to challenge stereotypes about criminals, acknowledging the partial and sensationalized nature of cultural production. It examines how TV series, films, and news influence students’ perceptions. Using Art-Based Research (ABR), a creative and uncommon approach in criminology, the research adopts comics as a pedagogical and investigative tool. The study aims to empirically validate this method, contributing to the academic debate on creative techniques in social research. It tests the hypothesis that visual storytelling can reveal beliefs related to the criminal imaginary and stimulate critical reflection. Three workshops were conducted with university students (aged 20–25) …

Progesterone Signaling In Oviductal Epithelial Cells Modulates The Immune Response To Support Preimplantation Embryonic Development, Emily A Mcglade, Jiude Mao, Kalli K Stephens, Ryan M Marquardt, Feyza Nur Arguc, Peter F Lais, San-Pin Wu, Sarayut Winuthayanon, Haval Shirwan, Esma S Yolcu, Mark I Hunter, James K Pru, John P Lydon, Francesco J Demayo, Wipawee Winuthayanon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

More than 60% of pregnancy losses occur during the first trimester, highlighting the need to understand the role of the oviduct in early pregnancy. In this study, we conditionally ablated the classical progesterone receptor (Pgr) in oviductal epithelial cells, called the Pgrd/d mouse model. We found that 40% of embryos collected from Pgrd/d females were nonviable or developmentally delayed, indicating that epithelial PGR expression is crucial for embryonic development. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed up-regulation of proinflammatory genes, including interleukin-22 (IL-22), in the epithelial cells of Pgrd/d females. Pharmacological inhibition of inflammation using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs …

Mechanism Of Dna Replication Fork Breakage And Parp1 Hyperactivation During Replication Catastrophe, Pedro Ortega, Elodie Bournique, Junyi Li, Ambrocio Sanchez, Gisselle Santiago, Brooke R Harris, Josefine Striepen, John Maciejowski, Abby M Green, Rémi Buisson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibition triggers a surge in origin firing, resulting in increased levels of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that rapidly deplete all available RPA. This leaves ssDNA unprotected and susceptible to breakage, a phenomenon known as replication catastrophe. However, the mechanism by which unprotected ssDNA breaks remains unclear. Here, we reveal that APOBEC3B is the key enzyme targeting unprotected ssDNA at replication forks, initiating a reaction cascade that induces fork collapse and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) hyperactivation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that uracils generated by APOBEC3B at replication forks are removed by UNG2, resulting in abasic sites that are …

Restoring Exotic Cool-Season Grass Dominated Landscapes With Clethodim And Glyphosate, Eleanor J. Muzzy, Joshua D. Wiese, Abraham J. Kanz

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A major threat to grasslands around the world is the spread of exotic cool-season grasses (ECSG). ECSG dominate vegetative communities and degrade critical habitats. One of the most common methods to treat ECSG is herbicide. To compare how the widely-used, non-specific herbicide glyphosate compared to the grass-specific herbicide clethodim, we conducted a fall spray in November 2023 at two different sites located in the Central Platte River Valley of Nebraska. The following June, we used a modified Daubenmire frame sampling method to gather data on relative cover, species richness, and community composition. After analysis, glyphosate appeared to be more effective …

Madness In The History Of Hat Making, Ruthann Fogal

Liberty University Research Week

This documentary will show the viewer what it may have been like to interact with a "mad" hatter, show the hat making process first-hand, and delve into the gritty details of how the mercury would slowly poison the body. Lastly, we will discuss what it took to get the workers out of their life-threatening job and the circumstances that arose for others to become aware of their plight.

An Injury Healing On The Carapace Of Hottentotta Saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Fatih Yeşilyurt, Ersen A. Yağmur

Euscorpius

A new case of injury healing on the carapace is reported in a female Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880). An asymmetrical indentation was observed on the anterior part of the carapace, resulting from the healing of an old injury. The indentation is relatively deep, with muscle tissue visible inside it. Scar tissue is present at the end of indentation and healing tissue is present along its margins.

Congo Red Decolorization By Two Bacterial Isolates From Cal-Sag Channel Under Static Incubation And Intermittent Aeration, Daphne Domingo, Timothy Gsell

Research Days

This study investigated the decolorization of Congo Red, an azo dye, by two bacterial isolates (CS-1 and CS-2) from the Cal-Sag Channel under static incubation and intermittent aeration. The objective was to evaluate whether intermittent aeration enhances decolorization efficiency with the hypothesis that intermittent aeration would enhance decolorization activity by promoting sequential microaerophilic-aerobic condition. This sequential treatment was hypothesized to prevent the accumulation of toxic byproducts of azo dye biodegradation, thus promoting growth and continued decolorization activity by the bacteria. Results showed that CS-1 was the most effective at reducing dye concentration, with no significant impact of intermittent aeration on …

Antibiotic Resistance Testing And Enumeration Of E. Coli, Coliforms, And Salmonella In Canada Geese Feces Based On Natural Water Sources And Retention Ponds, Ceejay Ritzke

Research Days

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are migrating birds. They can transmit antibiotic resistant bacteria when they are traveling. They do this by ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria that is on the food they eat in one area, and then excrete some of it at the next place they travel to. Retention ponds have increased amounts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that Canada geese can pick up if they stop there while migrating. Canada geese that land at a retention pond should have an increased amount of antibiotic resistance compared to landing at a natural water source. Their feces were tested in eight different areas …

Changes In Salinity, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, And Temperature Of Water In Ponds Around Governors State University, Brenn Townsend

Research Days

The influence of human activity on water quality and the monitoring of local water health is necessary to detect potential pollutants and safeguard aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of water samples from two ponds at Governors State University (GSU) were analyzed in order to assess spatial differences in water quality. Measurements including temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity were collected from samples taken on September 20th and 27th, 2024, from the GSU campus pond and the biology field station pond. The data was compared to identify variations between the two water sources and to …

Characterizing The Pathway Utilized By Enterolactone And Its Metabolic Precursor Matairesinol To Promote Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes, Rochelle Miller, Heidi Bosch, Merritt Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by chronic insulin resistance and resultant fasting hyperglycemia. This is largely attributable to lifestyle factors like chronic over-nutrition, obesity, and excess abdominal adiposity. Research has shown an inverse association between habitual coffee consumption (both regular and decaffeinated) and T2D risk, suggesting that there may be protective effects elicited from certain chemical components of the beverage 1. Matairesinol (ML) is chemically classified as a lignan and is naturally occurring in coffee. It has been shown to inhibit the body weight gain and increase in fat mass commonly associated with high-fat diet-induced T2D2,3. ML and one of …

Molecular Basis Of 24-Methyl Cholesterol As An Anti-Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma Agent In The Context Of Altered Cellular Glucose Metabolism, Josiah Chung

Liberty University Research Week

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death as the World Health Organization estimates that one in six deaths is attributed to cancer globally. The American Cancer Society recorded over 400,000 new cases of kidney cancer developed globally with 80,000 new cases in the US in 2024. Of these renal carcinomas are the most common type. They are also associated with poor metabolic health. The Virginia Department of Health found that kidney cancer was the ninth most common cancer in Virginia with over 1,300 new cases of kidney cancer in 2021. Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) make up about 90% …

Characterization Of The Mechanism(S) By Which Select Compounds, Found In Coffee, Stimulate Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Differentiated Adipocytes, Brooke Chapple, John Spiaggia

Liberty University Research Week

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is a major health concern and continues to be on the rise, currently affecting around 462 million people globally. One promising area of research is the pursuit of novel, natural, cost-effective methods of T2D treatment and prevention. Recent research shows a negative correlation between coffee consumption and T2D. This observation supports the rationale for studies dedicated to the examination of coffee and its rich variety of small molecules with the potential to promote glucose homeostasis. Polyphenols have been well-reported to attenuate several complications associated with T2D including inflammation, hypertension, and oxidative stress. Interestingly, previous work has indicated …

A Novel Type And Classification System For Sciatic Nerve High Division, Caleb Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Background: High division of the sciatic nerve (SN) occurs in approximately 16.9% of individuals and often has significant clinical implications, such as failed SN blocks for anesthesia or nerve injuries during deep intramuscular procedures.1,2 Existing literature classifies SN high division and provides large-scale prevalence data; however, this case study reports a unique type of SN high division discovered in a sample of 28 cadavers with an unusually high prevalence of SN high division.1,3,4 Methods: This study examines the SNs in 56 limbs from 28 cadavers dissected in cadaver labs at Liberty University. Among these, 17 cases of SN high division …

Effects Of Ph And Ionic Strength On Aggregation Of Surfactants And Preservatives In Biologic Drug Formulations, Bethany Elmore

Liberty University Research Week

Multi-injection biologic drugs, such as insulin, must be formulated with different excipients to remain stable and sterile. In particular, use of nonionic surfactants and small molecule preservatives increases drug stability and prevents antimicrobial contamination, respectively. Nonionic surfactants or preservatives on their own are well soluble in water and cause no aggregation. However, when combined, aggregation occurs creating adverse turbidity and instability. Previous work shows that preservatives such as phenol in combination with the surfactants such as poloxamer 188 (P188) result in micelle formation and ultimately unstable turbidity. This occurs at concentrations well below the solubility limits of each individual material. …

Abnormally High Prevalence Of Sciatic Nerve High Division (Snhd): Potential Causes And Clinical Considerations, Caleb Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Sciatic nerve high division (SNHD) is an anatomical variation in which the sciatic nerve separates into its two branches higher than expected, often near or above the piriformis muscle. In this cadaveric study, 56 limbs were dissected, revealing a 30.4% prevalence of SNHD, significantly higher than reported in existing literature. These findings suggest that SNHD may be more common than recognized and propose potential embryological and genetic factors contributing to its development. Given its implications for surgical procedures, nerve blocks, and diagnostic accuracy, increased awareness of SNHD is critical for improving patient outcomes.

Application For Prediction Of Heart Failure; The Next Step In Machine Learning For Healthcare, Amy Adyanthaya, Dawn Bowerman, Rachel Liercke, Robert Slater

SMU Data Science Review

Heart failure (HF) is a serious medical condition affecting approximately 6.7 million U.S. adults and is expected to impact 8.5 million Americans by 2030 [1]. Heart failure is a complicated clinical ailment and characterizes the final course of numerous heart diseases [2]. This paper introduces a machine-learning-based application that utilizes Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and XGBoost models, implemented through the Python Flask framework, to predict HF risk using clinical data. The results indicate high model performance, with precision and recall metrics underscoring the application’s reliability in identifying at-risk patients. By providing real-time, accessible insights, this tool aims …

Enhancing Animal Shelter Operations With Time Series And Machine Learning, Sakava L. Kiv, Donald L. Anderson, Shivam Negi, Jacquelyn Cheun

SMU Data Science Review

Enhancing animal shelter operations through machine learning involves employing a variety of advanced techniques aimed at increasing efficiency, promoting animal welfare, and optimizing resource allocation. This paper explores predictive analytics for adoption rates using regression models to estimate the likelihood of adoption based on historical data, encompassing variables such as breed, health status, and previous adoption trends. Additionally, classification algorithms are utilized to categorize animals by adoption probability, facilitating better resources and marketing prioritization. Clustering algorithms are employed to group animals according to behavior patterns and/or physical health, enabling tailored medical care and enrichment activities that improve their mental and …

Research Days 2025 Program, Governors State University

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Agenda (Pdf), Department Of Psychiatry

Dept. of Psychiatry Research Symposium

The abstract booklet for the 3rd Annual Department of Psychiatry Research Symposium held April 17, 2025.

Contributors

Exile

No abstract provided.

Exile Vol. Lxxii

Exile

No abstract provided.

Moonstorm In The Mainstream Or On The Margins?: Constellating St. Louis Lesbian Rhetorics From The Archives, Aurora Blanchard

Theses

Combining rhetorical analysis, oral history collection, and archival study, this multi-genre research project explores lesbian feminist organizing in the 1970s. Moonstorm was a St. Louis lesbian feminist magazine that operated in the 1970s and 1980s. The sample in this research project focuses on the issues of Moonstorm published between 1973 and 1977. Issues of Moonstorm are available for viewing in the archives of the State Historical Society of Missouri. Building on V. Jo Hsu’s theory of constellating, the poems and stories found in Moonstorm serve as sites of both contested and unconditional belonging for modern LGBTQ+ activists. Constellating, specifically in …

Death Anxiety And Risk-Taking For Decisions Affecting The Self And Others, Luis Martinez Mejia

CSB and SJU Distinguished Thesis

This thesis examined the interplay between situational factors (i.e., level of risk, personal relevance) and internal traits (i.e., death anxiety, trait anxiety) on risk-taking during decision making. Specifically, participants had to decide whether to undergo (or have a family member undergo) a risky, but potentially life-extending surgery. Death anxiety, but not trait anxiety, was associated with risk-taking in this task. Those higher in death anxiety were significantly less likely to choose surgery for themselves, but significantly more likely to choose surgery for a family member. These findings show that death anxiety is linked with greater risk-aversion for life-and-death decisions affecting …

The Indiana Statesman, April 17, 2025, Indiana State University

Student Newspaper

Earth Day Celebration on the quad!; The annual Earth Day Picnic hosted by Indiana State University in the quad

Robust Sex Determination In The Caenorhabditis Nigoni Germ Line, Jonathan P Harbin, Yongquan Shen, Shin-Yi Lin, Kevin Kemper, Eric S Haag, Erich M Schwarz, Ronald E Ellis

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Sexual characteristics and reproductive systems are dynamic traits in many taxa, but the developmental modifications that allow change and innovation are largely unknown. A leading model for this process is the evolution of self-fertile hermaphrodites from male/female ancestors. However, these studies require direct analysis of sex-determination in male/female species, as well as in the hermaphroditic species that are related to them. In Caenorhabditis nematodes this has only become possible recently, with the discovery of new species. Here, we use gene editing to characterize major sex-determination genes in C. nigoni, a sister to the widely studied hermaphroditic species C. briggsae. These …

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Staff Council Meeting, April 2025, Marshall University Staff Council

Staff Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of Russian And Chinese Disinformation Tactics And The Threat They Pose To The U.S. Cybersecurity, Jehovani Sese

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper aims to discuss how disinformation has become the most powerful tool used against the United State by foreign operatives. Of these foreign operatives, Russia and China have shown the ability to use advanced tactics to truly affect the United States security. Often these tools came in the form of state-sponsored media, influence campaigns and fake online identities. This literature review explores the evolution of Russian and Chinese disinformation tactics, examining how these approaches have changed over time and become more sophisticated. This paper will highlight major campaigns which use tools such as bot networks, and social media manipulation. …

The Role Of Myosin 5b In Intestinal Health And Disease: From Microvilli Assembly To Colorectal Cancer Progression, Sarah Aline Dooley

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Myosin Vb (Myo5b) is an essential molecular motor responsible for delivering diverse cargo to the apical membrane of enterocytes. Mutations in Myo5b cause congenital enteropathies, but its broader role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal brush border under normal physiological conditions and in disease remain unclear. We hypothesize that Myo5b participates in the assembly and maintenance of the intestinal brush border by transporting members of the intermicrovillar adhesion complex (IMAC) and the xenobiotic efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) to the apical membrane of enterocytes. We further hypothesize that dysregulation of the myosin chaperone protein, UNC45A, and downregulation of Myo5b …

We Are Our Brains: Disembodied Brain Films In 1950s Cold War America, David P. Pierson

Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Books

Personified Body Parts in Cinema, Literature, and Visual Culture investigates the power of personifying body parts in cinema, television, visual culture, literature, erotica, folklore, and mystique.

Culturally, socially, and poetically exposing hidden aspects and subtleties of human existentialism, this book vigorously questions and problematizes numerous artistic, aesthetic, technological, naïve, and macabre manipulations of body parts for various purposes. A diverse team of authors explore how scribing human traits to limbs, eyes, brains, genitalia, hearts, and other inner organs is grotesque and aesthetic, repealing and appealing, intimidating and intimate, rude and enjoyable, material and spiritual, surprising and mundane. Personified organs are …