Digital Commons Network^™

Mathematical Modeling Of Tumors Growth: Competition Based On Gompertz Model In Two Dimensions, Aya Khamis Jabbar, Hayder M. Al-Saedi

Baghdad Science Journal

This article studies the competition between cancer cells within the human body depending on Gompertz’s growth. This model depends on two types of cancer cells, which grow to a certain extent, termed the carrying capacity. The carrying capacity is taken into account and defined as the number of cancer cells in which a certain density of cells eventually reaches stability. When this happens, the growth rate fluctuates, either it goes a little above or a little below the carrying capacity. This paper will cover the mathematical modeling aspects of Gompertz growth and a means to determine how competition creates growth …

Apr-246 Enhances The Anticancer Effect Of Doxorubicin Against P53-Mutant Aspc-1 Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Ali Haider Alhammer, Shaymaa Ismael Al-Juboori, Shahad Ali Mudhafar

Baghdad Science Journal

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a disease with a high mortality rate, and the early diagnosis of PC is still challenging. The 5-year relative survival rate remains below 8%, and therapeutic strategies are ineffective at increasing patient survival rates. In PC cells, resistance to treatment has been associated with genetic changes that initiate aberrant developmental signaling pathways; therefore, new strategies for treating PC are warranted. Here, we sought to explore the small molecule p53 reactivator, APR-246, either as a mono-drug or combined with doxorubicin (Doxo) in the p53 mutant (p53-mut) AsPC-1 PC cell line. Cytotoxicity of APR-246 and Doxo was studied …

Exploring The Degrees Of Ableism Nursing Students With Disabilities Experience, Elizabeth Ruth Brox

Dissertations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) estimated about 24% of adults in the United States live with a disability. However, the literature suggested only 4.4% of healthcare workers reported having a disability in the United States. Stigmatization and ableism have likely led to nurses hiding their disabilities while practicing, creating less diversity and representation in practice. When healthcare workers have little resemblance to the population they serve, it can lead to distrust, uncaring behaviors, and feelings of exclusion. Increasing diversity and helping to recognize the value of disability in practice could begin in nursing school. This study aimed …

The Impacts Of Gender Minority Stress On Wellness Among Trans And Gender Diverse Adults, Nathan R. Landers

Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impacts of gender minority stress and its connection with wellness among trans and gender diverse adults. Trans and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience unique and pervasive stress due to living within a society that is hostile towards their gender identities. They are also more than their experiences of gender minority stress. Better understanding TGD wellness is crucial for both researchers and counseling psychologists as a means of holistically viewing TGD communities. The present study examined the impacts that gender minority stress had on the overall wellness among a sample of …

Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Potential Regulatory Role Of Nsmase2 (Smpd3) In Nervous System Development And Function Of Middle-Aged Mouse Brains, Zhihui Zhu, Timothy S. Mcclintock, Erhard Bieberich

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2), gene name sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-3 (Smpd3), is a key regulatory enzyme responsible for generating the sphingolipid cer- amide. The function of nSMase2 in the brain is still controversial. To better under- stand the functional roles of nSMase2 in the aging mouse brain, we applied RNA-seq analysis, which identified a total of 1462 differentially abundant mRNAs between +/fro and fro/fro, of which 891 were increased and 571 were decreased in nSMase2-deficient mouse brains. The most strongly enriched GO and KEGG annota- tion terms among transcripts increased in fro/fro mice included synaptogenesis, syn- apse development, synaptic signaling, axon development, and …

Cigarette Smoke-Induced Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition: Insights Into Cellular Mechanisms And Signaling Pathways, Sarah Mohammed Alqithami, Amrita Machwe, David K. Orren

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

This review delves into the molecular complexities underpinning the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by cigarette smoke (CS) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). The complex interplay of pathways, including those related to WNT//β-catenin, TGF-β/SMAD, hypoxia, oxidative stress, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB, plays a central role in mediating this transition. While these findings significantly broaden our understanding of CS-induced EMT, the research reviewed herein leans heavily on 2D cell cultures, highlighting a research gap. Furthermore, the review identifies a stark omission of genetic and epigenetic factors in recent studies. Despite these shortcomings, the findings furnish a consolidated foundation not only for the …

Cryo-Em Reconstruction Of Oleate Hydratase Bound To A Phospholipid Membrane Bilayer, Michael L. Oldham, M. Zuhaib Qayyum, Ravi C. Kalathur, Charles O. Rock, Christopher D. Radka

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Oleate hydratase (OhyA) is a bacterial peripheral membrane protein that catalyzes FAD-dependent water addition to membrane bilayer-embedded unsaturated fatty acids. The opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus uses OhyA to counteract the innate immune system and support colonization. Many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the microbiome also encode OhyA. OhyA is a dimeric flavoenzyme whose carboxy terminus is identified as the membrane binding domain; however, understanding how OhyA binds to cellular membranes is not complete until the membrane-bound structure has been elucidated. All available OhyA structures depict the solution state of the protein outside its functional environment. Here, we employ liposomes to …

Nsd3::Nutm1 Fusion Sarcoma Mimicking Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor With Prolonged Survival, Jing Di, Ali M. Alhaidary, Chi Wang, Jinge Liu, Sainan Wei, Joseph Valentino, Therese J. Bocklage

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Nuclear Protein in Testis (NUT)-rearranged tumors comprise predominantly NUT car- cinoma but also include certain lymphomas, leukemias, skin appendage tumors, and sarcomas. Although histologically diverse, all are genetically identified by oncogenic rearrangement in the NUTM1 gene. Many fusion partners occur, and NSD3 is NUT carcinoma’s third most common partner. Herein, we present a case of a 26-year-old man with an NSD3::NUTM1 fusion sarcoma. The patient presented at the age of 13 months with a scalp nodule. Over the next 24 years, he experienced five local recurrences and ultimately expired of a rapidly progressive recurrence. His treatment included surgical resections, radiation, …

Shedding Light On Past Ice-Free Intervals In Northwest Greenland: Luminescence Dating Of The Base Of The Camp Century Ice Core, Hawke Woznick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The goal of this thesis is to provide greater resolution on the age and character of the subglacial sediment recovered from the base of the Camp Century ice core, northwestern Greenland. Geochemical analysis indicated that the upper sub-ice sediments were geochemically different and experienced greater weathering than the basal unit underlying a one-meter silty ice lens. Analysis of feldspars within the very fine sand fraction indicates they are dominated by potassium feldspar. Sediment was dated using luminescence, which provides an age for the last time sediment was exposed to light. Luminescence analysis returned ages around 420 thousand years old, which …

Msw Portfolio: A Growth Mindset Approach, Katherine D. Bettcher

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A growth mindset approach to Advanced Integrated Practice in Social Work.

The Role Of 5-Ht6 Receptor Activation In Learning Consolidation, Jasmine Alyssa Robinson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus on serotonergic dysfunction as a contributor to cognitive deficits in disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia drives researchers to investigate the functional impact of specific serotonin receptor types on executive functioning. By discerning the potential enhancement or impairment effects, this endeavor seeks to unravel the complex interplay between serotonin receptors and cognitive abilities. Specifically, within the three domains of learning, acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, we find serotonergic modulation to be pivotal. Recent studies have highlighted the 5-HT6 receptor as a novel target for cognitive enhancement. However, the majority of the research investigates the effects …

Development Of A Cookbook To Increase Calcium Intake In Black Women, Janai Yvonne-Aubrey Johnson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background:

Black women face considerable challenges in maintaining adequate calcium intake due to limited access to nutrition education and calcium-rich foods. This issue is compounded by the global prevalence of lactose intolerance, affecting 75% of the population (Isoa & Sarkar, 2022). Given the significance of calcium for overall health, it is imperative to ascertain the optimal daily intake for adults and assess the shortfall in consumption compared to recommended guidelines. Additionally, it underscores the importance of investigating current calcium consumption levels among diverse populations to identify deficiencies and potential health implications. By addressing these gaps in knowledge, policymakers, healthcare professionals, …

Msw Portfolio, Heather Hopkin

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Elizabeth E. Robledo

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The portfolio I constructed discusses how I have met the ten competencies and five elements of advanced integrated practices of social work practice.

The Link Between Classroom Diversity And Academic Advancements, Mary Kuik

Masters Projects

Racially diverse classrooms are not being taught in racially diverse ways, adding to an ever-growing academic gap for students of color. Various studies have pointed to several root causes to this issue, including a lack of representation, bias, inequitable discipline, poor curriculum, and socioeconomic disparity. Due to these causes, students of color are projected to be less successful in state testing and school overall, less likely to obtain a higher education, more likely to be disciplined, more likely to feel a detachment to historical content in the classroom, and more likely to feel a social disconnect from their peers. All …

Pfos Alters Metabolism In The Liver And Skeletal Muscle Of Cyp2b-Null And Humanized Cyp2b6-Transgenic Mice, Lanie Williams

All Theses

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent environmental pollutant previously used in industrial products such as fire-fighting foams, furniture, and stain-resistant coatings. PFOS is associated with adverse health outcomes, including hepatosteatosis and diabetes. Previously, humanized CYP2B6-transgenic (hCYP2B6-Tg) mice accumulated more PFOS than Cyp2b-null mice and experienced greater mortality; however, the Cyp2b-null mice experienced greater steatosis. Cyp2b-null and hCYP2B6-Tg mice were treated with 0, 1, or 10 mg/kg/day PFOS for 21 days. To determine how PFOS affected the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) oxylipin concentrations were measured via LC-MS/MS. Additionally, gene expression changes were measured using RNA sequencing. PFOS treatment increased the …

Degradation Products And Microbial Communities Associated With The Conversion Of Five Long-Chain Fatty Acids Relevant For Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Fog With Sludge, Claire Funk

All Theses

Anaerobic digestion is a technology that allows wastewater treatment plants to convert sludge to energy by recovering the biogas produced during the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Furthermore, adding fats, oils, and greases (FOG) through co-digestion with wastewater sludge can increase energy production as lipids have a higher methane yield than proteins and carbohydrates. However, adding FOG can also lead to operational problems in the digester due to the potential accumulation of certain long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Current research is limiting in the degradation pathways of prominent LCFAs in FOG and the microbial communities responsible for their degradation

The …

Factors Influencing Adventitious Root Formation Of Floral Hemp In Propagation, Alexandra Carver

All Theses

Commercial propagators have reported relatively poor propagation success, e.g., <75% rooting, for many hemp (Cannabis sativa) cultivars. These rooting percentages have a significant economic impact due to the wasted labor, space and supplies. Also, the market demands 100% of the propagation cells in a tray to be fully rooted, thus repairing and replacing poorly rooted or unrooted cuttings requires significant labor cost. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate several factors that influence adventitious root formation of hemp stem cuttings.

Chapter 2 describes an experiment conducted to identify rooting hormone treatments that could improve propagation success. Sixteen combinations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0, …

Hyperspectral Image Classification Of Bacteria Using A Deep Convolutional Neural Network, Bruce S. Vogelsberg Jr

All Theses

Hyperspectral imaging is a non-invasive imaging method capable of collecting both spatial and spectral information. However, because of the large volume of data collected, much of it is redundant or not useful for classification. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses artificial neurons in a multilayered structure to learn representations from data. One of the main advantages of deep learning is the powerful feature extraction capabilities, which allow the model to learn both high- and low-level features. Convolutional neural networks are a type of deep learning model that have alternating convolutional and pooling layers capable of extracting …

Influence Of Row Pattern And Prohexadione Calcium On Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Maturity And Profitability, Samantha N. Mehl

All Theses

Many newer peanut cultivars offer yield benefits but have larger canopies and are taking 10 or more days longer to reach desired maturity levels. Prohexadione calcium (PC) and twin row planting pattern have been reported to increase the amount of orange, brown or black pods compared to their respective alternatives. Four cultivars were selected and studied based on frequency of use in South Carolina then paired into an earlier maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 135 to 140 days after planting, and a later maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 150 or more days after planting.

Twin row …

Interactions Between High-Pressure Processing And Natural Antimicrobials In Ground White-Meat Chicken: An Analysis Of Microbial, Textural Charactheristics And Physicochemical Changes, Amalia M. Diaz Alejandro

All Theses

High Pressure processing is an innovative technique for preserving a wide variety of foods, including meat, and this method is increasingly used to satisfy consumer demand for quality food products. High-pressure treatment can impact, negatively or positively, various aspects of meat quality, including color, texture, protein denaturation, and microbial stability, particularly when food products are processed at ambient or low temperatures. By minimizing thermal exposure, appropriate high-pressure ranges help to prevent quality and nutrition degradation, reduce microbial contamination, and enhance tenderness.

The first objective of this research was to examine the influence of high-pressure processing and addition of natural antimicrobials …

Impact Of Nitrogen Species On Algal Carbon Capture, Lauren J. Todd

All Theses

Increasing global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and the resulting detrimental effects of climate change have created a need for atmospheric carbon drawdown. Biological-based carbon capture not only sequesters carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also provides a sustainable source of biomass for biofuels and biomaterials. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine freshwater green algal growth with total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) sources at high pH for improving carbon capture potential. The following objectives were accomplished: nitrogen uptake was identified as simultaneous or sequential, the effect of TAN and NO_{3 …}

Learning From Burning: Connecting Fire Managers And Fire Scientists, Coleman Lloyd Little

All Theses

The fire community is one of transparency and learning, and embedded in its culture is an openness of sharing successes and failures in order to learn and adapt. United by a shared desire to effectively understand and utilize controlled burns to successfully extinguish wildfires and research their lasting effects, fire managers and fire scientists coexist in partnerships commonly referred to as knowledge exchange networks. This research examines one such network, the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists (CAFMS), through the experiences of some of its members, serving to develop an understanding of how the consortium functions as a knowledge …

Spectral Sensitivity Of Circadian Entrainment In Araneoid And Non-Araneoid Spiders, Craig Campbell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial lighting at night is a growing worldwide phenomenon that can negatively impact flora and fauna in the surrounding area. With new technology, there is now opportunity for change: newer LEDs can emit specific wavelengths of light that may be less ecologically damaging. In this study, we aim to describe the circadian spectral sensitivity of two phylogenetically distant urban spider species with similar life histories, the Araneoid Parasteatoda tepidariorum and non-Araneoid Pholcus manueli, to determine differences between them. We exposed these spiders to progressively dimmer levels of white, blue, green, or red light. Despite evidence that spiders lack visual …

Electrocatalytic Reduction Of Hydrogen Peroxide At Paraffin-Sealed Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Fiber Ultramicroelectrodes, Yakubu Gausu Mohammed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Compared to unmodified carbons and even some metal materials, nitrogen-doped carbons have been found to exhibit better performance for reducing oxygen-oxygen bonds, a key step in electroreduction of both O₂ (an important reaction in energy applications) and H₂O₂ (an important reaction in sensing and biosensing). Previous studies from our lab revealed that thermal decomposition of urea in the presence of carbon fiber (CF) results in N-doped that exhibited good electrocatalytic properties for H₂O₂ reduction. However, previous methods of sealing ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) made from N-doped CF using laser heating of borosilicate capillaries and epoxy …

An Application Of An In-Depth Advanced Statistical Analysis In Exploring The Dynamics Of Depression, Sleep Deprivation, And Self-Esteem, Muslihat Gaffari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression, intertwined with sleep deprivation and self-esteem, presents a significant challenge to mental health worldwide. The research shown in this paper employs advanced statistical methodologies to unravel the complex interactions among these factors. Through log-linear homogeneous association, multinomial logistic regression, and generalized linear models, the study scrutinizes large datasets to uncover nuanced patterns and relationships. By elucidating how depression, sleep disturbances, and self-esteem intersect, the research aims to deepen understanding of mental health phenomena. The study clarifies the relationship between these variables and explores reasons for prioritizing depression research. It evaluates how statistical models, such as log-linear, multinomial logistic regression, …

The Functional Role Of The Dynorphin-Kappa Opioid Receptor System In Cocaine-Dependent Male Rats, Jessica Lord

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Activation of the dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system produces a negative emotional state during drug withdrawal, thereby motivating continued cocaine-seeking behaviors. However, it is not clear whether dynorphin plays a functional role in the onset of compulsive cocaine-taking. Here, escalation of cocaine self-administration was significantly attenuated by pretreatment of a long-acting KOR antagonist, norbinaltorphimine (NBI), in long access (LgA; 6-hours) male rats, whereas there was no effect of NBI on short access (ShA; 1-hour) rats on a fixed or progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Additionally, optical density of prodynorphin was increased in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell, bed …

The Role Of Cardiac Mitochondria In Arrhythmias And Sudden Unexpected Death In Epilepsy In Models Of Dravet Syndrome, Jessa L. Aldridge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a pediatric epilepsy disorder. Individuals with DS are at increased risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). One mechanism implicated in the pathology of SUDEP is cardiac arrhythmias. A central element involved in cardiac regulation is mitochondria. In the heart, mitochondria maintain cardiomyocyte energy (ATP) generation and ion homeostasis but also produce harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) byproducts. We hypothesized that deficits in cardiac mitochondria could underlie arrhythmias and SUDEP in two independent mouse models of DS. Mitochondria produce ATP through the mitochondrial respiratory chain, also called electron transport chain, comprised of a series of …

The Effects Of A Period Of Match Congestion On Countermovement Jump Height And Match Performance Variables In Ncaa Division I Female Soccer Players, Fiona Dodge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effects of a congested match period on countermovement jump height (CMJ) and match performance variables were examined over the course of a D-I female soccer season. Twenty-one female collegiate soccer players (20.3 ± 1.8 yrs, body mass (kg): 62.3 ± 7.3, height (cm): 168.9 ± 6.1, body fat (%): 23.0 ± 3.7. performed CMJ testing prior to regular season matches. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to assess physical match performance, while pre- and post-season lab and field-based testing was also performed. Analysis of variance trend analyses (ANOVA) were conducted using a linear mixed-effects model (LMM) to examine trends in …

The Influence Of Teaching Digital Resources Of Myplate On Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practice (Kap) For Healthy Eating Habits Of Children, Afaf Alsofyani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the influence of teaching digital resources of MyPlate on the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to healthy eating habits among first and second-grade students. A pre-and post-assessment of this quasi-experimental research study measured the baseline KAP levels of 45 participants regarding healthy eating habits. Students were divided into three groups: digital MyPlate (n =16), pencil-and-paper (n =15), and control (n =14). Following the pre-assessment, an intervention was conducted involving teaching MyPlate and the five food groups. A post-assessment was then implemented to measure the change in KAP levels resulting from the intervention. …