Digital Commons Network^™

Statistical Methods For Mendelian Randomization Under Nonlinearity And Non-Normality, Mary Appah

ETDs from 2020-2029

Instrumental variable (IV) methods are widely used for estimating causal effects in observational studies where unmeasured confounding may bias traditional regression estimates. The core idea is to use a variable referred to as an instrument that is associated with the exposure of interest, independent of unmeasured confounders, and influences the outcome only through the exposure. While originally developed in econometrics, IV methods have been increasingly adopted in epidemiology and genetic research under the framework of Mendelian Randomization (MR), where genetic variants, most commonly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), serve as instruments. MR provides a powerful tool for investigating causal relationships between …

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola Enucleator) Exhibit Collective Vocal Behavior During Foraging Bouts, Stefani A. Crabtree, Thomas J. Crabtree

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) are boreal finches whose winter ecology and social behavior remain only sporadically documented due to their remote distributions and irruptive dispersions. From 18 December 2023 to 6 March 2024, we conducted repeated daily observations of a flock of up to twelve P. Enucleator occupying a temporary wintering range in an urban neighborhood in Oregon. During these observations, we documented a previously undescribed collective vocalization associated with feeding. Comparison with 2674 archived Pine Grosbeak recordings from major bioacoustic repositories revealed that no clear matches between our recording and archives could be established. The low amplitude …

Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence Is Associated With Increased Complications Following Clavicle Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Akin A. Adio, Rahul K. Goyal, Abby Skiena, Mohammad Daher, John G. Horneff, Hafiz F. Kassam, Brian W. Hill, Joseph A. Abboud

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Tobacco dependence is well established to impair bone healing and increase postoperative complications. However, the independent effects of nicotine, separate from combustion-related factors, remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of non-tobacco nicotine dependence (NTND) following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of clavicle fractures, including midshaft and lateral fracture subtypes.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a large national database. Patients undergoing ORIF of clavicle fractures were identified using procedural and diagnostic codes. Patients with non-tobacco nicotine dependence (e.g., vaping, patches, or gum) were identified and propensity score matched to (1) patients without nicotine …

From Cardiovascular Safety Assessment To Peptide Hemolytic Activity Prediction: Integrative Computational Analyses For Drug Evaluation And Discovery, Xinran Zhu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applied integrative computational approaches to two major areas of drug evaluation and discovery: cardiovascular safety assessment and peptide hemolytic activity prediction. First, pharmacovigilance data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), electronic health records (EHRs) from TriNetX, and transcriptomic analyses were combined to evaluate anesthetic-associated cardiac rhythm adverse drug events. Among propofol, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and midazolam, dexmedetomidine showed the strongest association with bradycardia across both FAERS and propensity score-matched EHR analyses. Stratified analyses further suggested substantially higher bradycardia prevalence among older patients and a modestly increased risk among male patients. Drug-drug interaction analyses identified risperidone and albuterol …

The Joy And Privilege Of Social Justice Lawyering: Fulfillment Through Integrating Work And Life, Ascanio Piomelli

UC Law Journal of Race and Economic Justice

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Poly-Β-Hydroxybutyrate And Its Biosynthesis In Priestia Endophytica Ucm B-5715, Alina Kharchuk, Maksym Kharchuk, Maksym Kharkhota, Sergiy Rogalsky, Oksana Tarasyuk, Oleksandr Kisten, Anastasiia Hubina, Illya Kapats, Liliia Avdieieva

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers with promising applications in biotechnology and medicine; however, the diversity of their biosynthesis within the genus Priestia remains poorly characterized. Although Priestia species have been recognized as potential PHA producers, the detailed genomic architecture and physicochemical properties of the polymers synthesized by these bacteria, particularly in the type strain, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by Priestia endophytica UCM B-5715 and to investigate the PHB biosynthetic genes across related strains.

Materials and methods: PHB granules were visualized and measured using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron …

Deep Seabed Mining And The Law Of The Sea: Strategic Competition, Institutional Failure, And The Third Age, Michael W. Lodge

International Law Studies

Edited and annotated speech by Michael Lodge, former Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (2017–2024), delivered at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, on March 11, 2026.

Plant Extract-Enriched Mineral Beverages: Effects Of Temperature And Ultrasound Processing On Bioactive Content, Eli̇f Feyza Topdaş, İsa Arslan Karakütük, Memnune Şengül

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Functional beverages derived from herbal extracts have potential health benefits. There is a growing interest in these beverages because they are a sustainable and health-promoting alternative to conventional flavored drinks. This study aimed to produce phenolic rich mineralized herbal beverages using lyophilized purple basil, lavender, and thyme extracts at two different concentrations (2% and 4%). Changes in the physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, color, and viscosity), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays), and individual phenolic compounds were determined for beverages stored at 4, 25, and …

Ecological Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metal-Microplastic Interactions In Agricultural Soils Irrigated With Secondary Treated Wastewater, Senar Aydin, Osman Mücevher, Arzu Ulvi̇, Fatma Bedük, Özen Merken, Ci̇han Uzun, Mehmet Emi̇n Aydin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The increased reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation in arid and semiarid regions raises environmental concerns regarding microplastics (MPs), specifically their capacity to adsorb and transport heavy metals. This study assesses the quantity of MPs and associated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils irrigated with TWW in the Konya region of Türkiye. To this end, a total of 202 soil samples were collected from TWW-irrigated (180) and nonirrigated control fields (22) at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). MPs were extracted from the samples using a density separation technique, identified microscopically, and analyzed for …

Influence Of Crop Diversification On Climate Change Mitigation And Business Profitability: A Study Of The Southern Marmara Region, Türkiye, Engi̇n Tolga Önder, Nuray Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Crop diversification strategies are being put forward to mitigate the negative effects of climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and thus to ensure sustainable food production that is resilient to climate change and to reduce the risks faced by producers. By diversifying their agricultural products producers can insure themselves against the risks associated with climate variations, disease, and pests, contributing to both continuous food production and income flow. The present study investigates the effect of climate change on enterprise income in the Yenişehir district of Bursa province – a region noted for its intensive production of vegetables and other …

Effects Of Fenugreek And Shatavari On Vasomotor And Hormonal Balance In Ovariectomized Rats, Füsun Erten, Beşi̇r Er, Cemal Orhan, Abhijeet A. Morde, Muralidhara Padigaru, Kazi̇m Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek, TFG) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (shatavari, AR) have been extensively used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional folk medicine to support women’s health. TFG seeds are traditionally employed as galactagogues and hormonal modulators, while AR roots are valued as rejuvenating tonics with phytoestrogenic activity, prescribed for menopausal complaints and reproductive well-being. Both plants also exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting their potential as safe, nonhormonal alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of TFG and AR, administered individually or in combination, on vasomotor symptoms, hormonal balance, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine markers in …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Context-Dependent Regulation Of Six1 By Ets1 Within Emt-Associated Transcriptional Networks, İrem Yalim Camci

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process driving tumor plasticity, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Although E26 transformation-specific transcription factor 1 (ETS1) and Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) are individually implicated in EMT-related transcriptional programs, the regulatory interplay and functional coordination of these proteins across tumor states remain unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanistic and clinical behavior of the ETS1–SIX1 axis, with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and aggressive endothelial-like cancer phenotypes.

Materials and methods: ETS1–SIX1 expression patterns were analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in HCCderived cell lines and the endothelial-like SK-HEP-1 cell …

Small Rna Sequencing Identifies Tsrna-05020 As A Potential Regulator Of Cervical Cancer Progression, Cheng Peng, Cong Liang, Jie Liu, Yunlu Liu, Ping Liu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant gynecologic tumor. Small RNAs derived from tRNA (tsRNAs) have been reported to play regulatory roles in tumor progression and suppression. However, the functional role of tsRNAs in CC remains largely unclear.

Materials and methods: Small RNA sequencing was performed on normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CC clinical cell samples to identify differentially expressed tsRNAs (DEtsRNAs). qRT-PCR was used to validate the selected DEtsRNAs. The effects of tsRNA-05020 on HeLa cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were assessed.

Results: Compared with the normal group, 215 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in CIN tissues, …

Retinoic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Enhance Macrophage-Mediated Control Of Leishmania Infantum, Zeynep İşlek, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Di̇la Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.

Materials and methods: ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated …

Nutrient Uptake Of Two Microalgae From Culture Medium Under Nickel Treatment, Di̇lara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gi̇zem Çeti̇n, Hüseyi̇n Altundağ, Hati̇ce Tunca

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel …

An In Vitro Mechanistic Study Of Cholinergic-Associated Mechanisms Relevant To Masld In Hepg2 Cells, Gamze Sönmez, Müslüm Gök, Suat Sari, Ebru Bodur

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the hepatic cholinergic axis are critical regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling; however, their time-dependent interplay in hepatocytes remains incompletely understood. Clarifying how n-6 and n-3 PUFAs interact with cholinergic pathways may provide mechanistic insight into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Materials and methods: HepG2 cells were used to examine the combined effects of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) overexpression and PUFA exposure. Cells were treated with linoleic acid (LA; n-6) or α-linolenic acid (α-LA; n-3) for 24 or 48 h. Gene expression analyses were performed to assess pathways involved in de novo lipogenesis, β-oxidation, …

Fibulin-4 Expressed In Metastatic Breast Cancer Is A Target Of Peptide-Based Imaging Probes And Experimental Therapeutics, Alexes C Daquinag, Sukhen C Ghosh, Solmaz Aghaamiri, Stephen M Farmer, Sheng Zhang, Servando Hernandez Vargas, Ashwin K Ramesh, Zhiqiang An, Ali Azhdarinia, Mikhail G Kolonin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

There is a lack of approaches to detect and kill metastatic cells. As an agent for metastasis targeting, a cyclic peptide BLMP6 has been previously characterized. As a step toward translation, we designed AZDye555-labeled BLMP6 and demonstrated its homing to metastases of human MDA-MB-231 cells in mice. We show that 68Ga-radiolabeled BLMP6 can be used for the detection of MDA-MB-231 metastases. We designed a peptide-drug conjugate consisting of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and BLMP6. We show that MMAE-BLMP6 kills MDA-MB-231 cells in cell culture and in vivo. In mouse models of lung metastases, treatment with MMAE-BLMP6 suppressed metastasis growth …

Qeith: Quantifies Tumor Ecosystem Heterogeneity To Predict Cancer Progression And Treatment Benefit, Xiaosheng Wang, Linjun You

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is a fundamental driver of therapeutic failure and disease progression. However, the complexity of the tumor ecosystem is a critical yet underexplored aspect, making its precise quantification essential for fully deciphering ITH and its clinical implications. To address this, we developed Quantifying Ecosystem Intratumor Heterogeneity (QeITH), a computational framework that applies Shannon entropy to quantify ecosystem heterogeneity by measuring the diversity and distributional entropy of cellular compositions and functional states across single-cell, bulk, and spatial transcriptomics. At the single-cell resolution, QeITH identifies elevated ITH as intrinsic markers of malignant transformation, yet enhanced sensitivity to therapy. Pan-cancer bulk …

Epidermicin Ni01 Demonstrates Potent In Vivo Activity In A Murine Model Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infection, Vicky Bennett, Gordon Barker, Andrew Sharp, Victoria L. Birkett, Jennifer Williams, Pani Tourlomousis, Mathew Upton

School of Biomedical Sciences

Objectives: In the UK, over 16% of antibiotic prescriptions are for skin infections. New approaches are required to treat and prevent such infections, and new therapeutic modalities should be investigated. Epidermicin NI01 is a first-in-class bacteriocin with potent activity and a novel mode of action against MRSA and Streptococci, leading causes of community and healthcare acquired skin infections and a significant burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The activity of NI01 in a model of MRSA skin infection was assessed during this study. Methods: Immunosuppressed male CD1 mice were wounded dorsally using tape-stripping and S. aureus strain USA300 was topically applied. …

Epidemiology And Ultrasonographic Observations Of Urogenital Schistosomiasis Related Urinary Tract Morbidity In Itilima District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania, Coletha Yohana, Bruno A. Nyundo, Jared S. Bakuza, Peter F. Rambau, Safari M. Kinung’Hi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Chronic infection of urogenital schistosomiasis in humans is a major cause of urinary tract morbidity in endemic areas. However, information on the prevalence of schistosomiasisrelated urinary tract morbidity is lacking in most endemic countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity in schoolchildren and adults in Itilima District. Urine samples from 682 residents were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using urine filtration technique. Urinary tract morbidity was examined by ultrasound. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.4% (112/682) and varied significantly between villages (range 3.2% to 29.5%, χ2 = 48.467, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation of S. haematobium infection between male and female (8.3 % vs 8.1%, χ2 = 0.679, p = 0.410). Majority (93.8%) had light infections (

“He’S Got The Whole World In His Hands”: Seed Sovereignty And Agricultural Decision Making In Southeastern Kenya, Caroline Stahley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing corporate control of the global seed supply and restrictions to local exchange threaten the autonomy of smallholder farmers and Indigenous communities. This project contributes to agricultural sovereignty movements by examining the decisions farmers make to address climate uncertainty, market volatility, and development agendas. Specifically, how is seed saving practiced and understood in relation to sovereignty? It reimagines what global food systems might look like if investment were directed to producers rather than intermediaries, arguing that cultivators lack support, not knowledge or capacity. Across these domains, seeds act as a motif to describe the concerns, innovations, and visions of farmers.

House Sparrows Reveal Hidden Reservoirs Of Antimicrobial Resistance, Nathan Dowling

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, yet surveillance for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) remains concentrated in clinical and livestock systems, leaving environmental and wildlife reservoirs comparatively understudied. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether one synanthropic bird species integrates landscape-level antimicrobial resistance pressures across socioeconomic gradients and to identify the predictors most strongly associated with cross-national variation in ARG prevalence. We examined ARG occurrence in the globally distributed house sparrow (Passer domesticus), sampling 205 individuals across eight countries spanning large gradients in economic development, antimicrobial use, and governance structure. Using targeted molecular screening of gastrointestinal …

Amending Planting Media With Typha-Derived Biochar For Sustainable Horticulture, Elissa Touma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Constructed wetlands are widely used to improve water quality by removing excess nutrients from wastewater and stormwater. Nutrients are stored within wetland vegetation, particularly in fast-growing plants such as Typha. Harvesting vegetation provides an opportunity to permanently remove these nutrients while generating biomass suitable for beneficial reuse. Converting harvested biomass into value-added products such as compost and biochar can support nutrient recovery and sustainable biomass management. In addition, increasing concerns regarding the environmental impacts of peat extraction have created interest in renewable alternatives for horticultural growing media. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of harvested …

Testing The Impact Of Sexual Minority Stress On Endorsement Of Prospective Behaviors Related To Borderline Personality Disorder Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Queer Adults, E. Elisa Carsten

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sexual minority individuals face increased risk for numerous forms of psychopathology compared to heterosexual individuals, including borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous investigation into the causes of these mental health disparities highlights several sexual minority-specific factors that may render sexual minority individuals uniquely vulnerable to meeting criteria for a BPD diagnosis, including chronic exposure to minority stressors, such as sexual orientation-based discrimination and stigmatizing beliefs. Some scholars have argued that the relevance of these minority-specific stressful experiences hampers the utility of a BPD diagnosis among members of this historically marginalized population. The present study experimentally tested the influence of minority stressors …

Nitrite Oxidation During Ozonation Revisited: Mechanisms Of Nitration Reactions, Tarek Manasfi, Christoph Dieziger, Simon A. Rath, Daisuke Minakata, Urs Von Gunten

Michigan Tech Publications

The formation of toxicologically relevant nitro compounds has been observed during ozonation of nitrite-containing secondary wastewater effluents, but their formation mechanism remains unknown. To identify key nitrating species, three reaction systems were investigated: ozonation of nitrite (O3/NO2^–), peroxynitrite (ONOOH/ONOO^–), and hydroxyl radical oxidation of nitrite with γ-radiolysis (γ/NO2^–). Nitrite ozonation (O3/NO2^–) yielded significant amounts of the nitrating agent nitrogen dioxide ^•NO2 (9.4% at pH 7 to 22% at pH 12) besides the main product nitrate. No peroxynitrite formation was detected during ozonation of nitrite-containing waters, suggesting that ^•NO2 is the …

Driving Innovation: Transatlantic Attitudes To The Bionics Bus As A Vehicle For Health Transformation And Stem Engagement, Christopher James, Sarang Shankar, Madeleine Dale, Bhathika Perera, Richard Laugharne, Matthew Allen, Maria Feijoo‐Renones, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Emerging mobile health and STEM engagement platforms are increasingly recognised as catalysts for improving public understanding of biomedical technologies and supporting digitally enabled models of healthcare delivery. The Bionics Bus (https://bionicsbus.org/) is a novel mobile laboratory designed to democratise access to robotics, artificial intelligence, prosthetics and digital diagnostics by delivering hands-on experiences directly to schools, communities and healthcare settings. This study provides the first transatlantic comparison of public attitudes toward the Bionics Bus within the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA), two countries with contrasting healthcare systems and digital transformation priorities. Using a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, 78 …

Centrifugally Spun Silica Fibers For Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes: Structure And Cycling Stability, Alejandra Guerrero, Valeria Tirado, Jason Parsons, Mataz Alcoutlabi

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Introduction: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) fiber structures have attracted attention as alternative anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their ability to improve cycling stability compared to commercial silicon particles.

Materials and methods: SiO2 composite fibers were prepared by centrifugal spinning of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/SiO2 precursor solutions followed by calcination at 500–700 ◦C for different holding times to produce short-fiber composites and micro-belt SiO2 fiber structures. The morphology and crystal structure of the SiO2 short fibers and micro-belts were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical performance was evaluated using CR2032 half-cells.

Results: The …

Beyond Predation: Invasive Green Crab (Carcinus Maenas) Alters Juvenile Pacific Oyster (Magallana Gigas) Function And Survival Across Environmental Gradients, Isabel Helena Mize

Dissertations and Theses

The establishment of the invasive green crab, Carcinus maenas, creates ecological and economic impacts in estuaries, particularly through predation on bivalves and alteration of species interactions. This thesis evaluates the direct predation, non-consumptive predator presence, and spatial management implications of C. maenas impacts on filtration rate of juvenile Pacific oysters, Magallana gigas, across laboratory, field, and GIS-based vulnerability mapping approaches. In laboratory conditions, clearance rates of M. gigas were measured over 72 hours across two temperatures (14°C and 18°C) and predator treatments including C. maenas, Pacific rock crab (Romaleon antennarium), both predators together, and a …

‘Latest And Greatest Findings In Aboriginal Cancer Research In Wa ’, Andrew Redfern

Talking Heads Seminar Series

In this talk we will invite the audience to walk with us along the path we have taken over the last 20 years, exploring the reasons why Aboriginal people can experience poorer outcomes when they develop cancer. From there we discuss our search for solutions; cultural, biological and medical, looking at how both improving and personalising our approach to the individual person and the services we build for them may overcome the problems uncovered.

Starting with improved cancer prevention, the talk will move to screening issues and their possible remedies, then on to optimising cure in people with early cancer …