Digital Commons Network^™

Using Problematic Sexual Behaviors And The Developmental Life Course Model To Predict Criminal Justice Involvement And Psychopathology By Early Adulthood, Amanda Schwartz

Theses and Dissertations

The developmental life course (DLC) model explains risk factors and developmental patterns among juveniles who have committed more than one sexual offense by considering the impact of major life events, experiences, and risk and protective factors throughout various developmental stages. Using an archival longitudinal dataset, the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), this study applied the DLC model to explore the relationship between gender and onset and persistence of problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs) in childhood and adolescence with criminal justice involvement and psychopathology by early adulthood (N = 330, 46% male, M = 18.26 years) after controlling for …

Empowering Community Leaders To Drive Sustainable Tourism And Small Business Development In Dangriga, Belize, Philip Nunez

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper discusses the complexities of tourism development in Dangriga, Belize and how simple efforts can greatly impact small businesses in Central America.

The Effectiveness Of Mbsr On The Occupational Stress Of Correctional Officers, Nikolas Kerr

Dissertations

This dissertation looks at the negative effects of the work environment and other factors related to correctional officers lived experience. The intervention concentrates on the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the occupational stress of correctional officers. Correctional officers have always dealt with difficult work conditions, but over the last 30 years the increase in the number of incarcerated people, the lack of retention among correctional officers, and the proliferation of inmates with complex mental health issues and gang affiliations have all created a much more complex and dangerous work environment. Combine this with the new understanding of the effects …

Enhancing Webtas: From An Atam Simulator To A Developmental Environment, Elizabeth G. Schmidt

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

As interest in a niche research area, like the abstract Tile Assembly Model (aTAM), grows it is crucial to ensure that simulation tools are accessible and user-friendly for a broad audience. Existing resources can pose challenges for less experienced users, highlighting the need for enhancements that improve usability and functionality. To address these issues, key upgrades to the current online simulation platform, WebTAS, were implemented, including breakpoint functionality and nondeterminism checks, alongside features such as XML file integration, image capturing, and simulation view resets. These enhancements collectively elevate the platform from a basic learning tool to a comprehensive environment for …

Polarimetry Terahertz Imaging Of Human Breast Cancer Surgical Specimens, Nikita Gurjar, Keith Bailey, Magda O. El-Shenawee

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

We investigate terahertz (THz) polarimetry imaging of seven human breast cancer surgical specimens. The goal is to enhance image contrast between adjacent tissue types of cancer, healthy collagen, and fat in excised breast tumors. Based on the biological perception of random growth of cancer and invasion of surrounding healthy tissues in the breast, we hypothesize that cancerous cells interact with the THz electric field in a different manner compared with healthy cells. This difference can be best captured using multiple polarizations instead of single polarization.

Approach

Time domain pulsed signals are experimentally collected from each pixel of the specimen …

Sorgoleone (Lipophilic Benzoquinones) Levels In The Root Exudates Of Elite Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench] Cultivars, Suleica J. Lee

All Theses

Nitrogen loss from cropping systems is significant and is estimated at more than 50% of the amounts applied. Root exudates of certain plant species including sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] contain sorgoleone which can reduce nitrification and nitrogen loss through biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). Therefore, the goal of this study was to screen selected elite sorghum germplasm comprising hybrids and parents to determine the best sorgoleone secreting cultivars. The hypothesis was that nitrogen loss from croplands could be curbed through exploring sorghum BNI traits. Screening of the cultivars selected was done using an established sorghum culture and extraction pipeline that …

Tocilizumab In The Management Of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review Of Literature And Critical Appraisal, Salman Mansoor, Samar Iltaf Mairajuddin, Saqib Gul

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Background and objective

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum disorder (NMOSD) mostly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. This manuscript aims to explore the treatment potential of tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and regulates inflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathophysiology of NMOSD. Methods

A thorough search of the pertinent literature was done for this research utilising electronic databases, specifically PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, which contained studies published from 2016 to 2024.

Results Clinical studies show that tocilizumab improves clinical outcomes and lowers recurrence rates in people with NMOSD, especially those who don't respond to traditional treatments. …

An Exploration Of Adverse Childhood Experiences In K-12 Teachers, Michelle E. Marciniak

Doctorate in Education

“Trauma during childhood has the potential to adversely affect one’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan” (Champine et al., 2021). Given the epidemic of trauma across the United States, it is statistically probable that teachers who serve in the trenches to provide safe, engaging, and nurturing environments for students are still suffering from the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Dunn, 2022). This qualitative grounded theory study sought to capture and highlight the experiences of 12 K-12 teachers who have experienced past childhood trauma and shed light on their experiences in the classroom day to day. Participants were …

Exploring Green Photochemical Reactions Of Bio-Based Heterocyclic Compounds: 4-Hydroxy-2(5h) Furanone And 2-Pyridone, Solmaz Asadi

Theses and Dissertations

The present work examines the photoreactivity of 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and 2-pyridone un-der varying conditions, with the aim of investigating how solvent and wavelength can influence their photochemical reactivity. In the first chapter, the photoreactivity of 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in its crystalline state was observed to undergo a [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction when exposed to UV-C light and led to a new cyclobutane containing dimer (CB-SA-1). More impressively, CB-SA-1 was determined to be stable at room temperature for two years. This method was solvent-free and catalyst-free offering an environmentally friendly method for synthesizing furanone deriva-tives. Further, in order to study the photoreactivity of 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in …

The Impact Of Land Use And Land Cover Change On Vegetation, Ecosystem Dynamics, And Conservation In The Northern Great Plains, Seth R. Fore

Theses and Dissertations

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is one of the primary contributors to global biodiversity and habitat loss. Identifying sustainable development strategies requires understanding the social drivers of land use and conservation decisions as well as their impacts on ecological processes. These socio-ecological interconnections were explored in Northern Great Plains region. Results showed that common responses to socio-economic drivers have resulted in widespread loss of grassland areas throughout the region and that shifts in the functional characteristics of plant communities caused by LULCC have significantly altered key ecosystem functions linked to primary production, carbon/nutrient turnover, and water cycling. Expanding …

Developing Inclusive Practices Through Peer Coaching In College Science Teaching, Briana Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Historically underrepresented students pursuing STEM majors encounter systemic barriers. Students are more likely to experience success when faculty implement inclusive practices. Faculty often lack the pedagogical training necessary to adopt inclusive practices, further perpetuating inequities. To eliminate barriers and offer equitable opportunities for success in STEM majors, this case study explores the implementation of peer coaching and Culturally Relevant Science Teaching (CRST) in college level science teaching, focusing on the experiences of three participating faculty. Through a year-long professional development (PD) cycle, three science faculty members from a small liberal arts college engaged in reflective practices aimed at improving their …

Assessing Reproducibility Challenges In Clinical Metabolics, Darcy Lin Cochran

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Current metabolomics research is expanding to be multiplatform and interdisciplinary. Metabolomic analysis has the potential to provide detailed insight into any biological system of interest to analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms of variables like environment, disease, and genetics. Human clinical metabolomics is a major research area that is often focused on finding biomarkers or panels of biomarkers for different diseases. However, results are difficult to compare across different laboratories since the field of metabolomics has yet to widely adopt best practices for sample preparation, data acquisition and data processing, results are difficult to compare across different laboratories.

This thesis focuses …

Microbiome Variation In Production Phenotypes And The Role Of Colonization History In Microbiome Establishment, Seidu Adams

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ruminant-based agriculture is expected to continue to be a major contributor to food security to feed the growing population. At the heart of nutrient degradation of complex organic matter within the rumen are its microbes. These microbes can convert otherwise unusable organic matter into usable protein and energy and can provide up to 50% of the animal’s protein needs and up to 70% of the energy needs. The microbial functional capacity within the rumen determines the nutrients utilized and the end products of fermentation. However, our understanding of microbial functional capacity within the rumen and factors that influence the rumen …

Domain-Specific Machine Learning Approaches For Geospatial Problems, Shine Bedi

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores novel algorithms for complex geospatial problems at the intersection of environmental, social, and computational sciences. Emphasizing the unique challenges of the geospatial domain, particularly the deviation from the independent and identical distribution (IID) assumption, the research spans various methodologies across different domains, demonstrating the benefits of specialized approaches in spatial analysis.

First, we show that machine learning techniques can be effectively used in environmental modeling, which often has severe class imbalance challenges. Using artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) and techniques to address class imbalance provides insights into groundwater quality …

Nitrogen Limitation In Soybean: Physiology And Diagnosis, Luzviminda Ann Ramos Sazon

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

In high-yield soybean environments, the seed yield is limited by nitrogen (N) supply. However, the response of soybean to N fertilizer application is inconsistent. Understanding the seasonal N uptake dynamics in soybean can provide insights on diagnosing N limitation if soybean. To understand soybean N dynamics, we assessed seasonal trends on dry matter and N accumulation in vegetative organs (leaves, stems, and petioles) from 42 field experiments. Each experiment included a ‘zero-N’ treatment, where crops relied on N supply from soil and biological N fixation (BNF), and a ‘full-N’ that received ample N via N fertilizer addition. Vegetative storage proteins …

(R2104) On The Qualitative Results Of Riemann-Liouville Fractional Order Nonlinear Neutral Singular Systems With Mixed Delays, Abdullah Yiğit, Cemil Tunç

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this manuscript, we discuss new conditions for asymptotic stability of nonlinear Riemann- Liouville fractional mixed-delay neutral singular systems. By constructing a set of improved Lyapunov-Krasovski˘ı functionals (LKFs), we establish some new delay-dependent conditions in terms of matrix inequality, which guarantees that the systems are asymptotically stable. In the particular case, we give four numerical examples with their solutions and graphs via MATLAB software demonstrating the practical applicability of these proven conditions. With this study, some conditions existing in the literature are developed and generalized.

(R2113) A Numerical Method For Solving Linear First-Order Volterra Integro-Differential Equations With Integral Boundary Condition, Zelal Temel, Musa Cakir

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

We investigate an efficient numerical method for the linear first-order Volterra integro-differential equations with integral boundary condition. To solve this problem, boundaries are determined for its derivative and the solution. The numerical solutions of the problem are modeled over a uniform mesh using the composite right-side rectangle concept for the integral component and the implicit difference rules for the differential component. Next, the stability and convergence of the numerical approach are discussed. The numerical experiments are presented confirming the accuracy of the proposed scheme.

Understanding The Interactions Between Pollen-Borne Ilarviruses And Pollinators In Peach Orchards, Mandeep Tayal

All Dissertations

Pollen-mediated virus transmission is a common problem in fruit crops. Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) are pollen-borne ilarviruses endemic to the southeastern U.S. and cause substantial losses in peach production. PNRSV and PDV are primarily transmitted through vegetative propagation (grafting) as well as via pollen and seed. However, the role of pollinators in transmission dynamics of these viruses is not well understood. First, I documented the bee diversity and abundance during peach bloom in South Carolina, identifying Bombus and Apis as the most dominant genera, followed by Eucera, Andrena and Habropoda. Bee community composition …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 33. The Story In Evolution., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) is best known for his independent formulation of the principle of natural selection. In this work I first review my understanding of Wallace’s intellectual development on this subject, including the notion that he had no model for the evolution of higher consciousness as of his first treatment of natural selection in 1858. This leads to some conclusions about his approach to the subject, and links to parallel ideas inherent in the philosophy of Baruch de Spinoza (1632-1677).

Environmental Impact Assessments (Eia): Analysis Of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessments For The Development Of A Uniform Teia Model, Nicolas Chapa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the evolution, processes, and importance of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), focusing on transboundary EIAs and the need for a uniform framework. Originating from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 in the U.S., EIAs have become globally adopted instruments for assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of development projects. This work reiterates historical milestones, strengths, and current limitations of EIAs. Research also included a review of environmental regulations from Mexico, such as the General Law on Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA). Through several case studies requiring the use of transboundary EIAs, where shared resources and concerns …

Heat Acclimated Algae Improves Heat Tolerance And Longevity In Daphnia, Ashit Dutta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Xenohormesis suggests that consuming stressed food provides physiological adaptation to the consumer for similar stresses. To evaluate this, Daphnia magna was provided with heat-stressed Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 25℃ whereas the control group was provided Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 12℃. In the heat tolerance experiment, Daphnia kept at 28℃ and 20℃ while consuming 25℃ algae had significantly higher heat tolerance compared to the control. Additionally, in stressed conditions, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown food had significantly higher lifespan compared to the control. Next, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown algae had significantly higher levels of antioxidants which could explain the lifespan extension. Finally, in fatty …

Electrochemical Biosensing Of Cerium With A Tyrosine-Functionalized Ef-Hand Loop Peptide, Sogol Asaei, Geeta Verma, Nicholas S. Sinclair, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

The significance of easily detecting rare earth elements (REEs) has increased due to the growing demand for REEs. Addressing this need, we present an innovative electrochemical biosensor, focusing on cerium as a model REE. This biosensor utilizes a modified EF-hand loop peptide sequence, incorporating cysteine for covalent attachment to a gold working electrode and tyrosine as an electrochemically active amino acid. The sensor was designed such that binding to cerium induces a conformational change in the peptide, affecting tyrosine's proximity to the electrode surface, modulating the current. A calibration curve was generated from cyclic voltammetry current peaks at ~0.55–0.65 V …

Epanorama December 2024, Southern Adventist University

Panorama Parent Newsletter

This electronic issue of Panorama includes information on campus holiday events, enrollment information, and awards won during the Society of Adventist Communicators competition in Chicago in October.

Metabolic Shifts In Ratio Of Ucocn To Cocn Toward Bone Resorption Contribute To Age-Dependent Bone Loss In Male Mice, Matthew Bernhard, Obinna Okorie, Wei-Ju Louis Tseng, Mengcun Chen, Julia Danon, Mingshu Cui, Elisabeth Lashbrooks, Yanmei Yang, Bin Wang

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The study of the senile osteoporosis in men still lags significantly behind that in women. The changes of protein molecule levels and their relationships with bone loss remain poorly understood. In the present study, we used C57BL/6J male mice at ages from 3 to 24 mo to delineate the mechanisms of aging effects on bone loss. We used the microcomputed tomography, mechanical testing, histomorphometry assays, and detection of serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOcn) and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOcn) to assess bone mass changes and their relationships with the ratios of ucOcn-to-cOcn in mice from different age groups. The results showed …

Impact Of Place Based Learning On Community Engagement And Ownership, Alexis Mendez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Place-based learning (PBL) offers an educational approach that emphasizes local history, environments, and communities, allowing students to engage with relevant content through the expertise gained from lived experiences. By utilizing their immediate surroundings, students are able to absorb educational material and foster a sense of place that can encourage civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and community ownership. This senior capstone research project explores the potential to enhance community ownership and engagement in Salinas, California through a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. This project integrates the local geological and cultural history of California, Monterey Bay, and the Salinas Valley, alongside hands-on water quality …

Parenting With Grace, Eva Nelson Cole

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parents are often caught off guard by the upheaval of adding children to their lives. Feelings of guilt, shame, isolation, and depression can arise when parents are faced with the demands and stressors that come along with having children. Studies have shown that children who have distressed parents endure lasting negative outcomes that can extend into the primary school years (Mihelic et al., 2018). Educating parents and giving them some awareness about what to expect can make a real difference. To have these conversations, I created a two-part parenting workshop for new parents at Parents’ Place in Pacific Grove, CA. …

Increasing College Students' Awareness Of Stress, Mental Health, And Well-Being, Marlene Villicana

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

College students face many stressors due to the transitions and responsibilities of young adulthood. According to Karyotaki et al. (2020), 93% of respondents in an international study of college students reported at least one type of mild stress, and 73% named stress in at least three life areas. The same study found that stress management interventions effectively reduce perceived stress, mood, and anxiety problems through a combination of problem-focused and appraisal-focused strategies. In order to address the issues of stress, mental health, and well-being among college students, I created an interactive two-day presentation for Human Development and Family Science students …

Addressing Ethical Issues In Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Using A Lifecycle-Informed Process, Benjamin X Collins, Jean-Christophe Bélisle-Pipon, Barbara J Evans, Kadija Ferryman, Xiaoqian Jiang, Camille Nebeker, Laurie Novak, Kirk Roberts, Martin Were, Zhijun Yin, Vardit Ravitsky, Joseph Coco, Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, Ishan Williams, Ellen W Clayton, Bradley A Malin, Bridge2ai Ethics And Trustworthy Ai Working Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Artificial intelligence (AI) proceeds through an iterative and evaluative process of development, use, and refinement which may be characterized as a lifecycle. Within this context, stakeholders can vary in their interests and perceptions of the ethical issues associated with this rapidly evolving technology in ways that can fail to identify and avert adverse outcomes. Identifying issues throughout the AI lifecycle in a systematic manner can facilitate better-informed ethical deliberation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed existing lifecycles from within the current literature for ethical issues of AI in healthcare to identify themes, which we relied upon to create a lifecycle …

Targeting The Glutamine-Arginine-Proline Metabolism Axis In Cancer, Di Wang, Jiang-Jie Duan, Yu-Feng Guo, Jun-Jie Chen, Tian-Qing Chen, Jun Wang, Shi-Cang Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metabolic abnormalities are an important feature of tumours. The glutamine-arginine-proline axis is an important node of cancer metabolism and plays a major role in amino acid metabolism. This axis also acts as a scaffold for the synthesis of other nonessential amino acids and essential metabolites. In this paper, we briefly review (1) the glutamine addiction exhibited by tumour cells with accelerated glutamine transport and metabolism; (2) the methods regulating extracellular glutamine entry, intracellular glutamine synthesis and the fate of intracellular glutamine; (3) the glutamine, proline and arginine metabolic pathways and their interaction; and (4) the research progress in tumour therapy …

Genetic Ablation Of The Isoform Γ Of Pi3k Decreases Antidepressant Efficacy Of Ketamine In Male Mice, Gabriela N Vaz, Flávia C Turcato, Isabel A V Lima, Franciele F Scarante, Melissa R Araújo, Tamires A V Brigante, Livia C M Rodrigues, Francisco S Guimarães, Jaime E C Hallak, Jose A Crippa, Antonio L Teixeira, Antonio C P De Oliveira, Alline Cristina Campos

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

About one-third of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients demonstrate unresponsiveness to classic antidepressants, and even the clinical efficacy of fast-acting drugs such as ketamine varies significantly among patients with treatment-resistant depression. Nevertheless, the lack of suitable animal models that mimic a possible ketamine-resistant phenotype challenges the understanding of resistance to drug treatment. In this study, we showed that PI3Kγ knock-out (KO) mice do not respond to classical doses of ketamine and classical antidepressants. PI3Kγ KO mice were unresponsive to both the rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects of a single dose of ketamine in the forced swimming test. Additionally, they were …