Digital Commons Network^™

Structural Characterization Via Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry, Kenny Lee

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Structural biology, Isomer/conformer characterization, Gas-phase ion chemistry

Swallowable Capsules For Precision Probiotics And Future Gut Health Monitoring, Benjamin Terry, John M. Chaston, Scott Weber

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Gastrointestinal disease and therapy, medical devices, surgical tools

Muscle Transplants For Treating Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury, Jake Sorensen

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Skeletal Muscle Physiology/Pathology, Stem Cell Biology, Traumatic Musculoskeletal Injuries

Personalized Medicine In Pediatric Oncology, Jared Barrott

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Personalized medicine to treat cancer, Genomic sequencing methods, Pharmacology and drug testing, Antibody drug conjugates, 3D tumor modeling, ChIP sequencing

Liquid Biopsies For Cancer Detection And Monitoring, Amber Gonda

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Cancer Biology, Tumor Microenvironment, Tumor Immunology, Solid Tumor Detection and Monitoring, Liquid Biopsy

Finding Therapeutic Targets From Big (Biological) Data, Brett E. Pickett

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Cancer, Infections, RNAseq, Disease, Treatments, Diagnostics

Kairns Solutions: Stacking Molecular Insights For Epilepsy Control, Matthew H. Bailey

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Genomics epidemiology, Cancer Biology, big data analysis, writing grants, discovery, and statistics

Electron Microscopy Facility, Felipe Rivera

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Focused Ion Beam micro-machining, XEDS, CL, EBSD, EELS, etc.

Science Or Pseudoscience? Theory Or Conspiracy Theory? Critical Thinking In Practice, Sara Rich

Course Materials

In Coastal Carolina University's Honors Program, students are offered numerous variations of the seminar Critical Methods of Inquiry (HONR 105). The course was originally designed as an introduction to the Paul-Elder Model of Critical Thinking that students could apply to other coursework and to their Honors thesis. But as the Honors Program developed, its faculty have augmented the course with themes that correspond to their own areas of expertise: e.g., rhetoric, contemporary social issues, critical theory, and pseudoscience.

In the fall of 2021, students in Pseudoscience courses started creating this open educational resource (OER), which has been built upon by …

Biodiversity Assessment Of A Mississippi River Backwater Complex Using Edna Metabarcoding, Eric J. Ludwig, Veronica M. Lee, Leah K. Berkman, Aaron D. Geheber, David D. Duvernell

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

The backwater lowland habitats of large rivers, like the Mississippi River in North America, present complex and often inaccessible environments for traditional capture-based fish biodiversity sampling. Our knowledge of the assemblages of the fishes that occupy such habitats is often incomplete, and this can compromise management efforts. We employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding methods to sample a Mississippi River bottom wetland system to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity and the assemblage structure across habitat types, and we compared our results with capture-based survey records for the same habitats. We collected water samples in the spring and fall of 2022 from slough, …

Drug Discovery And Pig Kidney Transplants, Dario Mizrachi

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of Interest: Protein Engineering, Biotechnology Applications

Uncertainty Quantification & Radical Interdisciplinarity, Douglas Cook

BYU Research Development Office Research Networking Conference

Areas of interest: Limitations of scientific models; sensitivity analyses; theory-based and statistical modeling; systems thinking, systems analysis

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - August 1, 2024, Lindsay Hughes

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the August 1, 2024 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine’s newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include

• Welcome, Class of 2028!
• Medical students present summer research at 51st annual event
• New hospitalist joins internal medicine faculty
• USA Health Pediatrics expands with addition of Garlapati
• Menger invited to speak at UCSF Pediatric and Adult Spine Course in Hawaii

Publication Citations (Calendar Year 2023), Valparaiso University

Valparaiso Scholarship and Creative Works Reception

No abstract provided.

A Decade Of Progress In Sustainability Education And Research: 2014-2024 Impact Report, University Of Dayton. Hanley Sustainability Institute

Hanley Sustainability Institute Documents, Reports and Promotional Materials

• Letter from the Executive Director
• Introduction to the Hanley Sustainability Institute
• Strategic Plan
• Strategic Priorities: Developing Leaders for a Just Future
• Facilitating Impactful Research
• Catalyzing Institutional Transformation
• Engaging Communities Beyond Campus
• Acknowledgments

A Scoping Review: Comparison Of Tezepelumab And Mepolizumab In The Treatment Of Persistent Severe Asthma, Alex Liaw, William Chang, Travis Adelman, Josh Guffey, Jason Brumitt

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma is a disease process that persists despite the maximum therapy of either oral corticosteroids OCS or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting B2 agonists (LABA)1,4 . Severe asthma affects less than 10% of the patients with asthma.5 Asthma can be differentiated as type 2 (Th2) asthma which is characterized by inflammation driven by T-helper (Th) type-2 cells, and non-type 2 asthma, which encompasses all other forms of asthma that do not involve type 2 immune responses. About 50%-70% of the population is diagnosed with type 2 asthma and most patients with severe asthma have at least …

Exploring The Use Of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) In Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review, Samuel Packham, Heather Justice, Travis Adelman

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common disorder affecting approximately 4% to 7% of US adults. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines GAD as persistent and excessive worrying about various aspects of life that occurs most days for at least six months. This anxiety is excessive in both its intensity and its scope, impacting various aspects of life and causing significant impairment in daily functioning. Due to its high prevalence, there is a need for effective and safe treatments. Current guidelines for treatment of GAD recommend either monotherapy or combination therapy using pharmacological and/or psychosocial modalities. Pharmacological …

Photoperiod Induced Shoot-Tip Growth Cessation, R. Kaur, Anne Fennell

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Dataset Collection

This dataset is a transcriptomic analysis of vine treated to long day or short day, samples taken after 7 or 21 days of treatment.

File type: xls
File size: 13 MB

The Role Of Efflux Pump Inhibitor In Enhancing Antimicrobial Efficiency Of Silver Nanoparticles And Methylene Blue As An Effective Photodynamic Therapy Agent, Yaran Allamyradov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Efflux pumps are critical active transport systems utilized by cells to expel toxic substances, including antibiotics and photosensitizer complexes, thereby contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), which are compounds that obstruct the transport of molecules through these pumps, play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies against pathogens. This study investigates the effects of the EPI reserpine on the photodeactivation rate of pathogens when used in conjunction with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and methylene blue (MB), a common photosensitizer.

Our research reveals that the application of reserpine, in combination with Ag NPs and MB, leads …

Evaluating Stormwater Erosion Prevention And Sediment Control Best Management Practices Using High-Resolution Rainfall Monitoring And Field-Based Assessment Tools, Brittany Pekara

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Advancing stormwater management methods and technology is critical as runoff from impermeable surfaces increases with urbanization and development. Stormwater runoff is highly susceptible to contamination from non-point source pollution and causing flood impacts following rain events, which varies spatially and temporally in an urban landscape. To counteract the impacts of contamination and drainage issues, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff; however, the unpredictable nature of storm events can make methods for effectively monitoring impacts difficult in trying to capture first flush inputs, flood threats, and sedimentation sources. This research utilizes a highresolution rainfall …

Effect Of Glucocorticoid Blockade On Inflammatory Responses To Acute Sleep Fragmentation In Male Mice, Zim Hasan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The association between sleep and the immune-endocrine system is well recognized, but the nature of that relationship is not well understood. Sleep fragmentation induces a pro-inflammatory response in peripheral tissues and brain, but it also activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing glucocorticoids (GCs) (cortisol in humans and corticosterone in mice). It is unclear whether this rapid release of glucocorticoids acts to potentiate or dampen the inflammatory response in the short term. The purpose of this study was to determine whether blocking or suppressing glucocorticoid activity will affect the inflammatory response from acute sleep fragmentation (ASF). Male C57BL/6J mice were injected …

Factors Influencing Teacher Retention In K-12 Public Schools In Rural Hawai’I As Perceived By K-12 Public School Teachers, Celeste Akiu

Dissertations

Purpose. This qualitative study aimed to identify and describe the factors influencing teacher retention in K-12 public schools in rural Hawai’i, as perceived by K-12 public school teachers examined within the framework of Mason and Matas’ (2015) conceptualization of four capital factors: human, social, structural, and positive psychological. Methodology. This qualitative study intended to identify factors that influenced teachers in rural Hawai’ian communities to remain in the profession. Convenience purposeful sampling was used to identify the nine teachers who participated in this study. The Four Capital Framework for Teacher Retention was used to guide the questions used in the interviews, …

Elucidation Of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf) Release From Mast Cells, Tolulope Eunice Ayo

Dissertations

Mast cells are one of the major producers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and mast cell-derived TNF (MC-TNF) is associated with pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and allergic asthma. However, the molecular machinery underlying TNF release from mast cells has been unclear, despite the conserved nature of exocytosis. To delineate the exocytic machinery required for TNF release from mast cells, we systematically dissected the exocytic fusion machinery (e.g., Munc13, Munc18, and VAMP families) expressed in mast cells, using a combination of CRISPR-dependent knockout, RNA interference, confocal microscopy, lentiviral rescue experiments, and cell-based assays. Out of the …

Effects Of Perceptions Of Forest Change And Intergroup Competition On Community-Based Conservation Behaviors, Matt Clark, Haji Masoud Hamad, Jeffrey Andrews, Vicken Hillis

Human-Environment Systems Research Center Faculty Publications and Presentations

Approximately one quarter of the earth's population directly harvests natural resources to meet their daily needs. These individuals are disproportionately required to alter their behaviors in response to increasing climatic variability and global biodiversity loss. Much of the ever-ambitious global conservation agenda relies on the voluntary uptake of conservation behaviors in such populations. Thus, it is critical to understand how such individuals perceive environmental change and use conservation practices as a tool to protect their well-being. We developed a participatory mapping activity to elicit spatially explicit perceptions of forest change and its drivers across 43 mangrove-dependent communities in Pemba, Tanzania. …

Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Autoimmune Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Pre-Clinical Studies, Hailey N. Swain, Parker D. Boyce, Bradley A. Bromet, Kaiden Barozinksy, Lacy Hance, Dakota Shields, Gayla R. Olbricht, Julie A. Semon

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Are of Interest in the Clinic Because of their Immunomodulation Capabilities, Capacity to Act Upstream of Inflammation, and Ability to Sense Metabolic Environments. in Standard Physiologic Conditions, They Play a Role in Maintaining the Homeostasis of Tissues and Organs; However, there is Evidence that They Can Contribute to Some Autoimmune Diseases. Gaining a Deeper Understanding of the Factors that Transition MSCs from their Physiological Function to a Pathological Role in their Native Environment, and Elucidating Mechanisms that Reduce their Therapeutic Relevance in Regenerative Medicine, is Essential. We Conducted a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human MSCs …

Women As Anti-Suffragists In The American West (1869-1920), Oluchi Angela Ekwenye

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The struggle for women’s suffrage in the American West was just as complicated as that of other parts of the United States with a lot of women on both sides of the issue. However, within the narrative of women’s suffrage lies an overlooked story that excludes the role of women who campaigned against the women’s suffrage movement in the American West. From the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, a significant portion of women who were described as “antis” vehemently opposed the quest for the enfranchisement of the female population in the American West. This opposition emerged based …

Surface Patterning On Zirconia Dental Implants Via Laser-Induced Shockwave Imprinting, Inomjon Majidov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Zirconia is rapidly becoming a preferred alternative to titanium in dental applications, primarily due to its aesthetic resemblance to natural teeth. This material’s tooth-like color avoids the aesthetic issues associated with the grey metal tint of titanium implants. Additionally, zirconia is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for patients with metal sensitivities or allergies. Despite these advantages, zirconia generally exhibits lower biocompatibility and osseointegration compared to titanium implants. This study investigates laser-assisted, controlled imprinting technique on zirconia surfaces to enhance these properties. Our research used zirconia pellets, produced from powdered monoclinic zirconia pressed in a pellet press machine. Two methods …

Carbon In Non-Forested Wetlands Of The Midwest And Eastern United States, Adrienne B. Keller, Stephen D. Handler

Michigan Tech Publications

Although wetlands make up a small percentage of total land area in the United States, they store a disproportionate amount of carbon largely due to their unique hydrology. Wetlands of the Midwest and Eastern regions are comprised of both mineral soil wetlands and organic soil wetlands (peatlands) and store a significant proportion of all wetland carbon in the contiguous United States. Here, a basic summary of how carbon is stored and moves through these wetlands, and how climate change and management may interact with site conditions to alter wetland carbon cycling, is provided.

Stimuli-Responsive Phosphate Hydrogel: A Study On Swelling Behavior, Mechanical Properties, And Application In Expansion Microscopy, Yokly Leng, Collin N. Britten, Fatema Tarannum, Kayla Foley, Christopher Billings, Yingtao Liu, Keisha B. Walters

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Phosphorus-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels have potential in a wide range of applications due to their ionizable phosphorus groups, biocompatibility, and tunable swelling capacity utilizing hydrogel design parameters and external stimuli. In this study, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PMOEP) hydrogels were synthesized via aqueous activators regenerated by electron transfer atomic transfer radical polymerization using ascorbic acid as the reducing agent. Swelling and deswelling behaviors of PMOEP hydrogels were examined in different salt solutions, pH conditions, and temperatures. The degree of swelling in salt solutions followed CaCl₂ < MgCl₂ < KCl < NaCl with a decrease in swelling rate at higher concentrations until reaching a saturation point. In water, the degree of swelling increased significantly around neutral pH and remained constant at basic pH values. The effects of polymerization conditions, including pH, temperature (30, 40, 50 °C), and MOEP concentration (40, 50, 60% v/v MOEP/H₂O), on the hydrogel swelling behavior in various salt solutions were also investigated. PMOEP hydrogels …

Localized Hermite Method Of Approximate Particular Solutions, Kwesi Acheampong

Dissertations

A localized Hermite method of approximate particular solutions (LHMAPS) is presented in this dissertation. This method is designed to improve the accuracy of the localized method of approximate particular solutions (LMAPS) for solving partial differential equations. LMAPS is a strong-form method that defines local radial basis function approximations to the solution values at a group of collocation points before applying the differential operator to this approximation function. Based on the LMAPS's local scheme, LHMAPS seeks Hermite-type local approximations based on both function values and derivatives. Numerical experiments validate the superior accuracy of the proposed method to the LMAPS by solving …