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Zebrafish Models To Uncover Targetable Mechanisms Of Self-Renewal In T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Majd Al-Hamaly

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Relapsed T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) patients have dismal prognosis, with 5-year overall survival rates of 10% for adults and 36% for children. Relapse is attributed to the inability of chemotherapy agents to eliminate Leukemia Stem Cells (LSCs) that can repopulate the leukemia. Those cells exist with a unique genetic, transcriptomic, and metabolic profile compared to the rest of the leukemia and thus, finding targeted therapies toward this population of cells can result in disease eradication and elimination of relapse. However, investigating LSCs is challenging-particularly in T-ALL- for two reasons: 1) the lack of robust surface markers that define LSCs …

Cell-Type Specific Apoe4 To Apoe2 ‘Switching’ In Astrocytes And Microglia Alters Alzheimer’S Disease Neuropathology, Lesley R. Golden

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). APOE exists in three common protein isoforms throughout the population: ApoE2 (E2), ApoE3 (E3), and ApoE4 (E4). While APOE allele frequencies and the degree of AD-associated risk vary across different ethnic groups, when compared to the ‘neutral’ and most common E3 allele, the E4 allele confers up to a 33-fold increase in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk. Conversely, the neuroprotective E2 allele decreases AD risk by up to 67%. Here, we aimed to determine the therapeutic potential of cell-type specific APOE allele ‘switching’ and explore …

Biochemical And Biophysical Properties Of Failing Myocardium In Rare Patient Populations, Gregory Nathaniel Milburn

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure has diverse underlying etiologies, complicating research. While some types, like ischemic disease or inherited mutations, are well-studied, research on rarer forms has lagged. Understanding the molecular drivers in these populations may enhance diagnostics and therapies. This work examines two rare groups: patients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis and those receiving mechanical assist device support. We show that myocardium from patients with amyloidosis has increased fibrosis and reduced force production without changes in cross-bridge kinetics. Additionally, we show that the passive stiffness of amyloidosis myocardium is not different from non-failing myocardium, indicating increased ventricular wall thickness may cause restrictive filling. …

Biochemical Properties Of Cardiac Sarcomeres In Human Heart Failure, Austin Grey Wellette-Hunsucker

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure (HF) exhibits considerable heterogeneity, posing significant challenges for research involving human cohorts. Diastolic dysfunction is a common pathophysiological feature; however, its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Sarcomeric proteins are integral to cardiac contraction and relaxation. Nonetheless, the phosphoproteome and the structural remodeling effects of these proteins on diastolic function within the context of HF have not been comprehensively characterized. This study examined sarcomeric modifications in diastolic dysfunction in human HF, focusing on Dilated and Ischemic HF, with non-failing donor hearts as controls. Analyzing myocardial samples from ~150 patients using electrophoretic and biochemical techniques, it found significant titin remodeling …

Development And Clinical Validation Of Automated Same-Day Stereotactic Treatment Procedures For Multiple Brain Metastases And Recurrent Head And Neck Cancers, Shane Mccarthy

Theses and Dissertations--Radiation Medicine

As technology advances, more and more cancer patients are benefiting from the use of stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) to treat their disease. One such technology, Varian’s HyperArc high-definition radiosurgery module, a tool to help facilitate the treatment of brain metastases on a medical linear accelerator (LINAC), has been demonstrated to achieve comparable low dose spillage and target conformity compared to the current gold standard for intracranial malignancies, the Elekta Gamma Knife. Furthermore, due to HyperArc’s single-isocenter multiple lesion approach, the treatment can be delivered in a significantly shorter amount of time. Unfortunately, the manual process of creating these stereotactic …

Causes And Consequences Of Reproductive Plasticity In The Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus Maculatus, Josiah P. Ritchey

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Competition for resources has direct effects on traits that can influence an individual’s reproductive success in competitive mating environments. When population density is high during development, competition for resources can reduce growth and body size at maturation, influencing resources available for reproduction. In this thesis, I investigate how the developmental environment affects plasticity in male reproductive traits, as well as the consequences of male reproductive plasticity on female reproductive behavior, in the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. My results show that increasing larval density causes male beetles to emerge small and transfer small ejaculates to females. However, small males transfer …

Bed Bugs: Health Risks And Control, Simona Principato

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Bed bugs are blood-feeding hemipterans strongly associated with humans. Their detection in indoor environments, such as homes, hotels, trains, and public facilities, has increased gradually over the past 20 years. The exact cause of their resurgence is still unclear, but the increase of international travel and insecticide resistance are thought to have contributed to it.

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, the EPA, CDC, and USDA have classified them as a pest of significant public health concern, mainly due to the dermatitis that they can cause. Beyond the dermatological burden of the bites, other health implications often …

Family And Social Factors In Emotion Regulation And Adjustment In Adolescents, Julia J. Morgan

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Adolescents face many challenges during this unique phase of development. Because of this, it is important to identify how to promote resilience and positive adjustment for these individuals. The present dissertation includes three studies which focused on familial and social factors in promoting emotion regulation and ultimately adjustment among middle and late adolescents.

The first study focused on the importance of alexithymia in the relationships between closeness and communication and internalizing problems, namely depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Results showed that closeness was negatively associated with depression and positively associated with self-esteem. Communication was not associated with any of the studied …

Childhood Chronic Illness: Assessing Emerging Adults’ Engagement In Social Activities And Predicted Money For Comfort In The Future, Mediated By Money Responsibility And Comparison To Others, Austin B. Mathews

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between emerging adults’ engagement in social activities and their prediction of having money for comfort in the future. Data used was from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) with individuals selected having at least one chronic illness that began during childhood. The study tested a series of hypothesis which tested the relationships between engagement in social activities and predicted money for comfort in the future, as well as, money responsibility and comparison to others as mediating variables. Significant associations were found between frequency of engagement in sports and money …

The Role Of Nutrition In Managing Honey Bee Viral Pathogen, Caroline Wylie Kane

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

This study evaluated the impact of nutritional supplements on viral infections in honey bee colonies, focusing on Lake Sinai Virus 2 (LSV2), Deformed Wing Virus A (DWVA), and Deformed Wing Virus B (DWVB). I partnered with 32 hobbyist beekeepers across Kentucky, who volunteered 138 colonies for a month-long field study. Half of the colonies received weekly commercial supplements, while the other half served as controls. Viral titers were measured before and after the supplementation period using qPCR. Supplements did not significantly reduce viral titers for any of the three viruses, suggesting that short-term supplementation may not be effective in lowering …

Exportin 1 Is The Central Hub In Antiviral Defensive Mobilization Of Nuclear Factors And The Target Of Counter-Defence By Tombusviruses, Biao Sun Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Positive-strand RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses and flaviviruses, are obligate parasites whose genomic RNAs function as mRNAs. These viruses infect a wide range of hosts-including plants, animals, and humans-resulting in significant economic losses and posing serious threats to public health. Due to the relatively simple structure of the genome of positive-strand RNA viruses, many host factors and physiological processes are co-opted to support virus infection and replication. In our previous studies, we identified numerous host factors and associated physiological processes involved in the replication of tombusviruses, a cytosolic-replicating model that includes tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and carnation Italian ringspot …

Gene Expression In Relation To Bone Fractures In Throughbred Racehorses, Anna M. Rauber-Ramos

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Evidence that fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses are outcomes of chronic bone microdamage has led to extensive research into identifying horses at increased risk of fracture. This includes the use of biomarkers and messenger RNA (mRNA) as a measure of bone turnover. Previous research has found expression differences in horses with fractures compared to controls. Utilizing pre-race whole blood samples collected over an 18-month period from Thoroughbred racehorses in Southern California, RNA-sequencing was conducted on horses with bone fractures and race-matched controls to identify differences in gene expression. Focusing on third metacarpal (MC3) and proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures, differentially expressed …

Engineering Novel Biomimetic Models Of Equine Host-Microbe Interactions, Lynn M. Leedhanachoke

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

One major limitation to the study of equine disease is the lack of in vitro models that accurately reflect the dynamic physiology of the horse. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop in vitro systems that recapitulate diverse equine tissue and organ microenvironments. To overcome this deficiency, we developed multiple biomimetic equine organoid systems that can be employed for a variety of investigations aimed at resolving outstanding questions in infectious disease pathogenesis, therapeutic development and drug metabolism, host defense mechanisms, immune-modulated disease, and equine developmental biology. Our innovative platform incorporates novel equine intestinal enteroid and airway organoid models derived …

Researching Dementia Indicators Among Rural Populations, Justin S. Yount

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

The study explored potential dementia indicators and risk factors among older adults residing in rural areas who are actively engaged in farming operations. Data was collected in three components a questionnaire, an audiogram test, and a memory impairment screening. 104 people responded to the questionnaire, 133 participants took the audiogram test, and 94 participated in the memory impairment screening. The findings revealed that 80.9% of participants showed no sign of cognitive impairment while 19.1% showed signs of possible impairment. Participants reported moderate levels of physical and social activity, but common risk factors such as elevated BMI, diabetes, hearing loss, and …

Influence Of Agrochemical Mixtures On Nitrogen Transformations In Floating Treatment Wetlands, Matthew Russell

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Controlling losses of nitrate-N from agricultural fields to ground and surface water environments is one of the most pressing water resources problems today. Increasing levels of nitrate-N pollution in surface and groundwater is a critical threat to human and environmental health across the globe. To mediate nitrate-N losses, natural and constructed wetlands have been increasingly used as nutrient mitigation technologies and strategies. The use of wetlands as a treatment approach for nitrogen in runoff is a common practice in agroecosystems, however, nitrate-N is not the sole constituent present in agricultural runoff, and other biologically active contaminants have the potential to …

Nanopesticide Fate And Transport In Agroecosystems: A Field Study, John C. Stickney

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Nanopesticides are an emerging class of pesticides associated with engineered nanoparticles that provide agricultural and environmental benefits. However, nanopesticide fate, transport, and persistence remain poorly understood. As do their potential impacts on the health of agroecosystems and influence on nutrient release. Therefore, this project investigated the fate, transport, and persistence of two widely available nanopesticides, an insecticide, nano-imidacloprid, and a fungicide, nano-copper hydroxide. The fate and transport in runoff water and soils of these nanopesticides, as well as their impacts on nutrients retention, were assessed through a field plot study over 2 growing seasons. Runoff from rainfall events and soil …

Impacts Of Utilizing Reverse Osmosis Concentrate On Mashing, Fermentation, And Water Use In Bourbon Whiskey Production, Ryan C. Sarhan

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

This thesis addresses the feasibility of reusing reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) in the bourbon whiskey fermentation processes. Initial work compared laboratory-scale mashing and fermentation methods, demonstrating that simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reliably reflects industrial-scale processes, with lower complexity and process time. Building upon this, laboratory and distillery-scale experiments demonstrated that reusing ROC in the mashing and fermentation steps does not negatively impact ethanol yields. ROC produced by systems with a water softener was found to significantly increase mash rheology, suggesting a need for potential process adjustments. Softened ROC also altered the production of flavor-influencing volatile congeners. Under worst case conditions, …

Development Of A Cultivation System For Producing Pure Mycelium Materials From Distillers' Spent Grains, Keya Rani Roy

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Stillage is a byproduct of distilleries which is rich in organic matter, minerals, and acidic components. It is commonly used as animal feed and has high potential for use as an alternative substrate for microorganisms. Filamentous fungi are saprophytes that can utilize stillage solids to grow as threadlike mycelium. The structure and composition of the filamentous mycelium has shown promise to produce pure mycelium materials (PMM), which might have many potential applications, for instance as a leather-like material or alternative protein food ingredient. Basidiomycota fungi (including true mushrooms) species are presently used in industry to produce PMM due to the …

Power Struggle: The Disproportionate Burden State Surrogacy Requirements Impose Upon Women, Courtney Harper Turkington

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

The use of gestational surrogacy as a means to grow a family is increasing each year as fertility rates decline and single individuals and same-sex couples seek to have children who are genetically related to them. The United States does not have a uniform law governing surrogacy, leaving states to enact their own. While twenty-four states in this country have passed legislation permitting surrogacy and twenty-four others allow surrogacy in practice, the vast majority of states impose laws or practices that unduly burden women. In particular, Louisiana has the most restrictive surrogacy regime in the country. The state’s gestational carrier …

"'Let's Not Go To Camelot, 'Tis Illegal'": History And Tradition In Discriminatory Charter School Policy Justifications: The Chivalry Edition, J.M. Long

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

This Article will begin in Part I with an overview of charter schools in the United States and a brief history of charter school growth in the United States. Part II then turns to focus upon charter schools and their growth in the state of North Carolina, emphasizing their legal uniqueness in relation to the North Carolina Constitution.

Second, CDS’s [Charter Day School, Inc.] dress code included a restriction for girls only— girls were required to wear either a dress or skorts (a combination of shorts covered with a skirt). Girls were not permitted to wear pants or shorts. The …

For The Right To Repair Oneself: Cybernetic Imds And The Plight Of Manufacturer Abandonment, Kathy Bacuta

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

One in four people in the United States are disabled, making them the country’s largest minority. Yet they are well-known as the forgotten minority because they are often overlooked by governments and international organizations, and are rarely included in diversity and equity discussions. This is clear in how little the United States fights for the rights of the disabled. The disability aid and big pharma industries have been accused of being parasitic, the public has been accused of being unaccommodating, and the state and federal government has been accused of being unhelpful towards supporting the lives of the disabled. However, …

Nature Interaction Assists With Coping And Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach With Adolescents With Histories Of Trauma In A Youth Group Home, Chrystal L. Dunker

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Adolescents with histories of trauma often experience disruptions to their emotional, social, and behavioral development. For those living in group home settings, supportive environments can play a key role in fostering healing and resilience. While nature interaction is increasingly recognized as a valuable way to support mental health and resilience, little research has explored its role in these settings. This study introduces an innovative methodology—the Interaction Pattern Approach (IPA)—to examine the role of nature interaction in coping and resilience for 12 adolescents with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) living in a youth group home. In this design, IPA integrates photovoice data …

Teaching Towards Connection And Love For Place Through A Kinship/Indigenous Worldview: A Critical Pedagogy Of Place, Rita Monique Bouchard

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to observe the lived experiences of children while learning about place through a Kinship/Indigenous worldview and the impact of the experience on their love and care for place. The study unfolds from a theoretical framework at the nexus of critical theory, place-based education, and a Kinship/Indigenous worldview. The overarching question is, “Can teaching through an Original Kinship/Indigenous Worldview grow children towards connection and love for place?” Elementary students and their teacher explored one square block of the school community, illuminating a different aspect of our place daily through Kinship/Indigenous worldview Precepts (Wahinkpe …

Scrupulosity: A Comprehensive Review Of The Research, Julie M. Painley

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of the current research on scrupulosity, a subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to religious and moral concerns. The dissertation identifies key similarities and differences from OCD, and directs focus to thematically related yet unsubstantiated theoretical work in psychology that helps elucidate the core features and etiological factors of scrupulosity as differentiated from other OCD subtypes. The study addresses the critical dearth of research on scrupulosity, aiming to fill significant gaps in the literature regarding its historical context, varied presentation and prevalence in different cultural contexts, and …

Shaping Leadership: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of Inspirational Moments, Sabine Mathilde Maiberger

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Leadership is a complex construct shaped by the interplay of theoretical knowledge and meaningful personal experiences that define us as people. This autoethnographic exploration investigates the question: How have inspirational moments shaped the leader I am today? Understanding how personal experiences influence leaders’ development is critical to leadership studies. To address this, nine of my pivotal life moments were selected and validated through personal artifacts, such as journals and letters, ensuring analytical depth. These moments were analyzed through servant, justice-oriented, and transformational leadership theoretical lenses. The findings revealed eight key lessons: embracing vulnerability, reflective practice, trust-based leadership, advocacy, curiosity, adaptability, …

A New Normal: An Autoethnographic Analysis Of Gender Complexities In Los Angeles Social Justice Theatre Storytelling, Sue Hamilton

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study uses autoethnography to examine the role gender plays in Los Angeles social justice theatre storytelling. Chronicling my autoethnography as a queer, nonbinary artist and social justice theatre practitioner, I will examine gender through the context of my social justice theatre company, Artists Rise Up Los Angeles (ARULA), by analyzing selections of its original, politically focused, professional stage plays performed from 2017 to 2019, utilizing ARULA’s emerging themes of gender expression and inclusion. ARULA was born out of a determination to create original social justice theatre storytelling to understand and transform reality by bringing theatrical expression to the environment …

Loving-Learning-Leading-Living: A Scholarly Personal Narrative Of A Black Gay Father, Russell E. Thornhill

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation examines the roles, challenges, and contributions of a Black Gay father, a demographic largely absent from academic discourse. While literature explores themes of the church, LGBTQ+ identities, and social justice, there remains a critical gap addressing the lived experiences of a Black Gay father. This study fills that void by elevating narratives as community activists, family leaders, and clergy members, acknowledging their transformative impact within familial and societal structures. The methodology used is the Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN). It allows for in-depth, reflective engagement with personal experiences in conversation with scholars while situating them within broader sociocultural, theological, …

The Air We Breathe: How Whiteness Permeates Racial Equity Efforts In Suburban Schools, Bailey Elizabeth Tighe

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This critical ethnographic study examines how white culture influences educators' perceptions of their participation in racial equity work in a predominantly white, suburban Massachusetts public school district. This research explored five educators' experiences through Critical Race, Critical Whiteness, and White Supremacy Culture Frameworks. The study extends CWS by illuminating how white cultural norms operate within institutional contexts, revealing patterns through which racial equity work is neutralized. The study found that superficial equity initiatives, color-evasive language, and prioritizing white comfort over substantive transformation all actively perpetuate inequity. Recommendations directly address these findings: developing comprehensive professional development that explicitly names whiteness and …

For Black College Students Who Considered Dropping Out When Grit Wasn’T Enough: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring The Influence Of Family Messaging On Collegiate Outcomes, Dawn M. Wilson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Black college student outcomes are well researched areas in education literature. This dissertation sought to explore the influence of academic and ethnic racial socialization on experiences of shame and guilt and examine the association of those relationships on Black college student retention and persistence. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to investigate the socialization experiences of 272 Black college students in the US. Conditional process model analyses revealed that academic socialization is associated with experiences of guilt and shame—guilt predicted improved retention outcomes, while shame predicted lower retention outcomes. The analysis also revealed that while ethnic racial …

The Lived Experience Of Fly Fishing And Its Significance For Cultivating A Communion Of Subjects, Eric Landon Mcduffie

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Inspired by the lived fly fishing experiences encountered with my grandfather and the spiritually ecological writings of Thomas Berry, I explored how the sacred art of fly fishing connects participants with the natural world from a universal perspective given to us by Thomas Berry in The New Story. Berry described three principles that make up the entire universe: Differentiation, Subjectivity and Communion. I wanted to understand how lived fly fishing experiences fit into Berry’s three universal principles and how an individual’s lived fly fishing experience(s) cultivate(s) a “Communion of subjects.”1 Answers to these two questions informed five initial approaches to …