Digital Commons Network^™

Capacity-Weighted Figures-Of-Merit For Battery Transport Metrics, Cj Sturgill, Christopher Sutton, Julian Schwenzel, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

New battery materials with improved transport are needed. Typical measurements yield widely varying voltage-dependent diffusivities and reporting practices are diverse. Some materials (e.g. first-order phase change) have most redox occur at a specific voltage and may be sufficiently represented by singular transport metrics. Many rapid intercalation materials, however, exhibit second-order phase transitions with redox over a broad voltage range. How should such cases be compared? The use of capacity-weighted average values is suggested where voltage-dependent metrics are consolidated into representative descriptors as figures-of-merit. Examples are elaborated where differential capacity (dQ/dV) is used to derive a …

Tree Rings Reveal Mixtures Of Aspen And Spruce Exhibit Greater Drought Resilience In A Planted Field Experiment, Jéssica Chaves Cardoso, Linhao Wu, Marcel Schneider, Charles A. Nock

Aspen Bibliography

Boreal forests provide a wealth of ecosystem services, many of which are linked to forest productivity. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, duration, and severity of drought, and undermine the productivity of western boreal forests. Favouring species mixtures has emerged as a potential strategy to increase forest resilience to drought. To test the hypothesis that mixtures of trembling aspen and white spruce were more productive than pure stands because they were more resistant and resilient to drought, we analyzed community and species responses to drought utilizing measurements of annual growth obtained from stem disc samples from a planted …

Performing Masculinities: The Assumption Of Men’S Roles By Women Left Behind By Male Migrant Labourers In Southern Tanzania, Nives Kinunda, Angelus Mnenuka, Samwel Mhajida

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This article examines the empowerment of female farmers in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania due to male labour migration during the British colonial rule. The study sought to highlight the history of gender-based division of labour, the dynamics of labour division during the colonial period, the trend of females’ adoption of males’ activities, and women’s empowerment resulting from their assumption of males’ responsibilities. Data were collected through oral interviews, documentary reviews, group-focused discussions, and archival sources. The data were analysed and interpreted using a gender framework theory, which includes, among other things, gender roles and gender relations. Findings show that …

Quality Interpretation, Quality Interpretation Assessment, Back Translation, Communication Breakdown, Sense-Based Theory, Liyenja Mwinuka

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study assesses the quality of English-Kiswahili Sermon interpretation in church settings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a specific focus on the accuracy of vocabulary interpretation and its impact on effective communication between preachers and audiences. Conducted in two purposively selected Pentecostal churches, the study employed the Sense-Based Theory as its guiding framework. Data were gathered through interviews, non-participant observation, and video recordings; and were analysed qualitatively. The findings reveal frequent misinterpretation of preachers’ English vocabulary by Sermon interpreters, leading to significant communication breakdowns between preachers and their audiences. The incorrect interpretations of vocabulary were primarily attributed to the …

Does Market Accessibility Improve Household Food Security? Evidence From Small-Holder Maize Producers In Southern Tanzania, Monica Sebastian Kauky

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study investigated the impact of market accessibility on household food security among smallholder maize producers in Southern Tanzania, utilizing data from a sample of 407 households primarily engaged in maize farming. Tobit and probit models assessed the relationship between food security and market access. Contrary to expectations, the findings revealed no significant association between market access and food security. Instead, the results underscored the importance of resource availability, indicating that larger farm sizes and higher household wealth indices significantly reduce the risk of food insecurity. These findings suggest that rather than focusing exclusively on enhancing market access, policymakers should …

Technology Development Of High-Resolution Single-Cell Lineage Tracing For Cell Reprogramming Systems, Sadie Vanhorn

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

A critical element of cell identity is the cell that created the observed cell. This parent cell dictates many aspects of its identity, whether measured by function, phenotype, or specific assays. The cell’s lineage impacts the ability of the cell to differentiate into final cell types in development or successfully reprogram in direct cell reprogramming. Here, we evolve molecular barcoding techniques to increase the resolution of lineage recording at single-cell resolution. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing as the readout for this measurement, polyadenylated reporter gene transcripts with engineered 3’ untranslated regions were designed to initially label and then record lineage information. While …

Multi-Omic Analysis Of Phototrophic Extracellular Electron Uptake In Novel Rhodovulum Spp. Isolated From A Marine Estuary, Emily J. Davenport

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Microbial metabolisms are incredibly versatile and dynamic, allowing adaptive strategies for growth in even the most limiting environments. For an ever-increasing number of microbes, this includes utilizing soluble or insoluble inorganic mineral species as electron donors, driving geochemical cycles and microbial metabolisms. This metabolic function of transporting electrons derived from the extracellular environment across cell membranes is called extracellular electron uptake (EEU). Within (photo)autotrophs, (p)EEU also sustains CO2 fixation to cell biomass, implicating a potentially fundamental role of microbial carbon cycling in aquatic and soil ecosystems. A model metabolic scheme of pEEU occurring in natural environments is photoferrotrophy, which pairs …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Justice-Involved Individuals And Executive Function Consequences On Transition And Reintegration Into The Community, Alaina L. Randerson

Student Capstone Papers

The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world (Carson, 2022), with an increasing number of justice-involved individuals (JII) potentially affected by mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Despite the high prevalence of mTBIs in the general population, limited research exists on the prevalence and impact of mTBIs in JII. Preliminary evidence suggests that the prevalence of mTBIs in incarcerated individuals is 50 times higher than in the general public (Siegler et al., 2017). This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of JII with mTBI, focusing on the origin of mTBIs, executive dysfunction, and the occupational barriers …

Sensitivity Of Difficult-To-Control Palmer Amaranth Accessions To Fluridone And Diflufenican, Maria Carolina Souza, Matthew Coleman Woolard, Jason K. Norsworthy, Tristen H. Avent, Tristen H. Avent, Tom Barber, Rodrigo Botelho

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) has evolved resistance to herbicides targeting nine sites of action. Phytoene desaturase-inhibiting herbicides remain among the few sites of action that are still effective in controlling Palmer amaranth. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fluridone and diflufenican in controlling difficult-to-control Palmer amaranth accessions collected in Arkansas from 2016 to 2022, to quantify the response of three accessions that exhibited low sensitivity to both herbicides, and to evaluate the effectiveness of photosystem II inhibitors alone and with fluridone or diflufenican on three accessions. At 14 days after a preemergence application, Palmer …

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Is Increased In Sputum From Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Pulmonary Fibrosis, Timothy M. Wilson, Matthew Bolt, Andrew Stahly, Joyce S. Lee, Tami J. Bang, Peter B. Sachs, Kevin D. Deane, Stephen M. Humphries, Joshua J. Solomon, M. Kristen Demoruelle

Division of Rheumatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) develops in 5-10% of patients with RA and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with a fibrotic phenotype. Yet, biomarkers to reliably identify RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis are inadequate. Herein, we used sputum to identify lung-based biomarkers that distinguish RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis and may better inform underlying pathogenesis in RA-ILD.

METHODS: We included 37 RA patients with pulmonary fibrosis (RA-PF) and 30 RA patients without ILD (RA-no-ILD). Induced sputum and serum were tested for TGF-β levels by immunoassay. DNA was extracted to determine presence of the MUC5B …

Number Of Prescription Medications And Overall Survival In Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Carley R Pickett, Daniel B Eaton, Krishny Karunanandaa, Emily Cybulla, Brendan T Heiden, Su-Hsin Chang, Yan Yan, Melanie P Subramanian, Varun Puri, Martin W Schoen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

The Biomechanics Of Fibrillin Microfibrils: Lessons From The Ciliary Zonule, Pooja Rathaur, Juan Rodriguez, John Kuchtey, Samuel Insignares, Wendell B Jones, Rachel W Kuchtey, Steven Bassnett

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and ocular systems. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the fibrillin-1 gene (

Social Learning And Cultural Enrichment For Fish Welfare, Chiawen Chiang, Becca Franks

Animal Sentience

This commentary examines how understanding animal culture—shared behaviors and knowledge transmitted through social learning—plays a role in advancing welfare practices for captive fishes. Despite extensive evidence of fishes' complex sociocultural capacities, their psycho-social needs remain underestimated and unmet in zoos and aquaria. We explore what considering fish culture might mean for welfare practices: diverse social learning opportunities, cultural development, and thoughtful group management. More knowledge about wild fishes' lives will help bridge the gap between their full, complex lives and current captive welfare practices.

Amorfe: An Ai-Integrated Interactive Brainstorming Interface, Ipshita Pal

Theses

Amorfe is an interactive multi-touch digital interface that reimagines brainstorming and collaboration using artificial intelligence (AI). Designed to make ideation more dynamic, the platform allows participants to explore, merge, and refine ideas in real time. AI is a creative catalyst, offering unpredictable outcomes and streamlining the brainstorming process. This makes Amorfe engaging, intuitive, and inclusive, encouraging active participation. The platform’s potential was demonstrated through a hypothetical scenario: “How do we create more green spaces on the RIT campus?” Four participants explored various brainstorming phases through touch interaction, leading to the creation of a prototype simulation video and a promotional video. …

Using Bivalves As An Indicator For Fecal Bacteria, Kamala Chuss

Honors Scholar Theses

This project focuses on the integration of fecal bacteria from warm-blooded animals into bivalve tissue, and the utilization of bivalves as an indicator for fecal bacteria in waterways. Bivalves may give a more representative long-term average of fecal bacteria in water as compared to direct water testing. The primary objective is to create a standard operating procedure to use bacterial testing of bivalves as a proxy for bacteria concentration in the water. This method can be used in places where bivalves do not already exist by adding them to a body of water, or by collecting bivalves that already exist …

Exploring Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On The Interpretation Of Standards In A Developmentally Appropriate Way In Kindergarten Classrooms, Shawanza Demetrist Lockett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many kindergarten teachers are feeling the effects of standard-based education. The problem is that it is unknown whether teachers implement mandated state standards in a developmentally appropriate way. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate kindergarten teachers’ perspectives on implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate manner. Shulman’s theory of teacher knowledge was the conceptual framework for the study. The research question focused on kindergarten teachers’ perspectives of implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate way. Twelve kindergarten teachers were recruited from three Title 1 elementary schools in a rural southeastern state in the United States. Thematic data analysis …

The Psychological And Physical Impact Of The Opioid Crisis On Families, Adrienne Antoinette Hunter Wells Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many rural areas in the United States have experienced an opioid crisis. Social support programs could be created to address social support for the families affected by opioid addiction. The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional research study was to examine the possible relationship between (a) prescription or non-prescription addiction; (b) opioid addiction or another addiction; (c) the amount of family social support of a family member who has ongoing interactions with the individual struggling with addiction; and (d) stress of the family member in a rural area. Bowen’s family systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. A non-probability …

Invasion Stress Mitigates Climate Stress In A Brackish Marsh Amphipod, Lorna E. Haworth, Sarah Nancollas, Susie N. Landa, Anne E. Todgham, Richelle L. Tanner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

1. Organisms in coastal brackish ecosystems face not only highly variable environmental conditions, but the intensity and stochasticity of these environmental conditions are anticipated to increase due to climate change. While environmental changes are often presented unilaterally as stressors, there are some anthropogenic environmental transformations, such as the introduction of habitat forming plant species, that may mitigate physiological stress imposed by warming. In Suisun Marsh in the California Delta, native plant canopies allow light and heat to penetrate to the understory yet the canopies of the introduced Phragmites australis reed block out sunlight and heat for organisms living below.
2. We set …

Reversing Chronic Disease Through Functional Medicine: Acknowledging Privilege And Seeking Justice, Rosalynn A. Vega

Anthropology Faculty Publications

This piece is based on twenty-eight months of digital-auto-ethnographic research. While my research methods included traditional ethnographic research in face-to-face settings and digital ethnography, my personal experience is also embedded in the work. In this piece, you will find “interludes” that provide glimpses into my healing journey. When writing in this autoethnographic register, I provide “thick descriptions” (Geertz 3) of how I experienced illness and recovery. By including my own story, I am acknowledging that the observed and the observer are inextricably intertwined. All ethnography is relational. Ethnographic data results from a trusting relationship between ethnographer and participant. Furthermore, in …

Legacy Effects Of Crop Diversity On Weed-Crop Competition In Maize Production, Uriel D. Menalled, K Ann Bybee-Finley, Richard G. Smith, Antonio Ditommaso, Heather M. Darby, Sarah J. Pethybridge, Matthew R. Ryan

Faculty Publications

The legacy effects of crop diversity on maize (Zea mays L.) tissue nutrient composition, weed community structure, and intensity of weed-crop competition were assessed through a field experiment at two sites in the northeastern United States. Fields were conditioned with crop diversity gradients from summer 2016 to spring 2019. The crop diversity gradients ranged from a single cultivar to sixteen intercropped cultivars (four species, four cultivars per species) and were established in organic annual and perennial cropping systems. Following the three-year conditioning phase, maize was planted across the entire experiment, and each conditioning-phase diversity treatment was split into weed-free, ambient-weed, …

Long-Term Measurements Of Seasonal Snowpacks Indicate Increases In Mid-Winter Snowmelt And Earlier Snowpack Disappearance In The Northeastern U.S., Geoff Wilson, Mark Green, John Campbell, Alexandra R. Contosta, Nina Lany, Amey Bailey

Faculty Publications

Snowpacks are changing in northeastern North America as the regional climate warms, yet the relative influence of changes in precipitation compared to changes in ablation on snowpacks is poorly understood. We use 56 years of weekly snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements from three locations within a study site which vary in elevation and aspect, paired with adjacent daily climate measurements, to investigate relationships between climate and snowpack onset, maximum, and disappearance. Maximum snowpack size and snowpack duration are shrinking at all sites, at rates ranging from 4.3 days/decade at the coldest site to 9.6 days/decade at the warmest site. The …

Legacy Effects Of Crop Diversity On Weed-Crop Competition In Maize Production, Uriel D. Menalled, K Ann Bybee-Finley, Richard G. Smith, Antonio Ditommaso, Heather M. Darby, Sarah J. Pethybridge, Matthew R. Ryan

Faculty Publications

The legacy effects of crop diversity on maize (Zea mays L.) tissue nutrient composition, weed community structure, and intensity of weed-crop competition were assessed through a field experiment at two sites in the northeastern United States. Fields were conditioned with crop diversity gradients from summer 2016 to spring 2019. The crop diversity gradients ranged from a single cultivar to sixteen intercropped cultivars (four species, four cultivars per species) and were established in organic annual and perennial cropping systems. Following the three-year conditioning phase, maize was planted across the entire experiment, and each conditioning-phase diversity treatment was split into weed-free, ambient-weed, …

Long-Term Measurements Of Seasonal Snowpacks Indicate Increases In Mid-Winter Snowmelt And Earlier Snowpack Disappearance In The Northeastern U.S., Geoff Wilson, Mark Green, John Campbell, Alexandra R. Contosta, Nina Lany, Amey Bailey

Faculty Publications

Snowpacks are changing in northeastern North America as the regional climate warms, yet the relative influence of changes in precipitation compared to changes in ablation on snowpacks is poorly understood. We use 56 years of weekly snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements from three locations within a study site which vary in elevation and aspect, paired with adjacent daily climate measurements, to investigate relationships between climate and snowpack onset, maximum, and disappearance. Maximum snowpack size and snowpack duration are shrinking at all sites, at rates ranging from 4.3 days/decade at the coldest site to 9.6 days/decade at the warmest site. The …

Examining The Internet Hunting Styles Of Violent Sexual Predators Who Rape And Murder Their Victims, Rebecca Meyers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The proposed study sought to explore the impact of the internet on the hunting styles of sexual predators who sexually assault and kill their victims. A sample of 32 cases, divided equally among offenders who used the internet to target adult females and those who did not use the internet, was used for the study. The findings showed that various internet-based platforms were used for targeting, including dating apps such as Grindr, Match.com, Meetme.com, Tinder, Craigslist, Sex chat rooms, Kik Messenger, and BDSM sites. Three themes emerged about the impact of the internet on the hunting styles of sexual predators …

Exploring Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On The Interpretation Of Standards In A Developmentally Appropriate Way In Kindergarten Classrooms, Shawanza Demetrist Lockett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many kindergarten teachers are feeling the effects of standard-based education. The problem is that it is unknown whether teachers implement mandated state standards in a developmentally appropriate way. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate kindergarten teachers’ perspectives on implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate manner. Shulman’s theory of teacher knowledge was the conceptual framework for the study. The research question focused on kindergarten teachers’ perspectives of implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate way. Twelve kindergarten teachers were recruited from three Title 1 elementary schools in a rural southeastern state in the United States. Thematic data analysis …

The Psychological And Physical Impact Of The Opioid Crisis On Families, Adrienne Antoinette Hunter Wells Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many rural areas in the United States have experienced an opioid crisis. Social support programs could be created to address social support for the families affected by opioid addiction. The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional research study was to examine the possible relationship between (a) prescription or non-prescription addiction; (b) opioid addiction or another addiction; (c) the amount of family social support of a family member who has ongoing interactions with the individual struggling with addiction; and (d) stress of the family member in a rural area. Bowen’s family systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. A non-probability …

Influenza Knowledge And Barriers To Vaccination In Immunosuppressed Patients In The Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic., Julia G. Harris, Leslie Favier, Jordan T. Jones, Maria Ibarra, Michael J. Holland, Emily Fox, Kelly Jensen, Ashley K. Sherman, Ashley M. Cooper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Most patients with a pediatric rheumatic disease are at increased risk of influenza due to immunosuppressive medication use. Despite initial quality improvement efforts, our influenza vaccination rate plateaued at 72%, which prompted a survey of patients and families to assess provider vaccine recommendations, influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination.

METHODS: Patients on immunosuppressive medication or their parent were eligible to complete a survey between July 2019 and January 2020. Survey questions assessed demographics, rheumatology diagnosis, immunosuppressive medication(s), influenza vaccination recommendation, patient/parent influenza knowledge, and barriers to influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination rates for immunosuppressed patients were acquired each influenza …

Structural Variant Allelic Heterogeneity In Mecp2 Duplication Syndrome Provides Insight Into Clinical Severity And Variability Of Disease Expression., Davut Pehlivan, Jesse D. Bengtsson, Sameer S. Bajikar, Christopher M. Grochowski, Ming Yin Lun, Mira Gandhi, Angad Jolly, Alexander J. Trostle, Holly K. Harris, Bernhard Suter, Sukru Aras, Melissa B. Ramocki, Haowei Du, Michele G. Mehaffey, Kyunghee Park, Ellen Wilkey, Cemal Karakas, Jesper J. Eisfeldt, Maria Pettersson, Lynn Liu, Marwan S. Shinawi, Virginia E. Kimonis, Wojciech Wiszniewski, Kyle Mckenzie, Timo Roser, Angela M. Vianna-Morgante, Alberto S. Cornier, Ahmed Abdelmoity, James P. Hwang, Shalini N. Jhangiani, Donna M. Muzny, Tadahiro Mitani, Kazuhiro Muramatsu, Shin Nabatame, Daniel G. Glaze, Jawid M. Fatih, Richard A. Gibbs, Zhandong Liu, Anna Lindstrand, Fritz J. Sedlazeck, James R. Lupski, Huda Y. Zoghbi, Claudia M B Carvalho

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, also known as X-linked intellectual developmental disorder Lubs type (MRXSL; MIM: 300260), is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by copy number gains spanning MECP2. Despite varying genomic rearrangement structures, including duplications and triplications, and a wide range of duplication sizes, no clear correlation exists between DNA rearrangement and clinical features. We had previously demonstrated that up to 38% of MRXSL families are characterized by complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) of intermediate complexity (2 ≤ copy number variant breakpoints < 5), yet the impact of these genomic structures on regulation of gene expression and phenotypic manifestations have not been investigated.

METHODS: To study the role of the genomic rearrangement structures on an individual's clinical phenotypic variability, we employed a comprehensive …

Transcriptomic Clustering Of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Molecular Subtypes Based On Bruton’S Tyrosine Kinase Expression Levels, Gorkem Kismali, Ganiraju Manyam, Nitin Jain, Cristina Ivan, Betty Lamothe, Mary L Ayres, Lakesla R Iles, William G Wierda, Varsha Gandhi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Historically, CLL prognostication relied on disease burden, reflected in clinical stage. Later, chromosome abnormalities and genomics suggested several CLL subtypes which were aligned with response to therapy. Gene expression profiling data identified pathways associated with CLL progression. We hypothesized that transcriptome and proteome may identify functional omics associated with CLL nosology. As a test cohort, we utilized publicly available treatment-naïve CLL transcriptomics data (n = 130) and did consensus clustering that identified BTK-expression-based clusters. The BTK-High and BTK-Low clusters were validated in public and our in-house databases (n = >550 CLL patients). To associate with functional relevance, we took samples …

Characterization Of An Inorganic Powder-Based Scintillation Detector Under A Uhdr Electron Beam, Daline Tho, Sam Beddar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiation therapy needs a reliable dosimetry solution and scintillation detectors are promising candidates. In this study, we characterized an inorganic powder-based scintillation detector under a 9 MeV UHDR electron beam.

Methods: A mixture of ZnS:Ag powder and optic glue was coupled to an 8 m Eska GH-4001-P polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optical fiber. We evaluated the dependence of the detector on dose per pulse (DPP), pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and pulse width (PW). Additionally, we determined the stability and the reproducibility of the detector.

Results: The signal ratio between the PMMA clear optical fiber and the …