Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring How Rural Schools And Communities Influence The Academic Journeys Of College Students In Stem Majors, Elise J. Cain, Anne Valauri, Jennifer R. Perry, Aliyah Deloach

The Rural Educator

An incongruence exists between the growing job opportunities in rural areas and the educational opportunities provided to rural students, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Positive change is possible, however. As one means to tackle this complex issue, this study sought to understand the perceptions and experiences of students who graduated from rural high schools and pursued STEM majors in college as exemplars of rural students who pursued postsecondary education in STEM disciplines. This phenomenological study explored how college students in STEM majors perceived their rural schools and communities as influencing their academic journeys. Rather than focusing …

The Hoof Inside Out: A Comprehensive Investigation About The Shoe Configuration Effects On The Behavior Of The Equine Hoof, Rita Aoun

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The equine hoof is a unique organ in biology that has intricate elastic properties. From simple protection to therapeutic and corrective measures, horseshoes are widely used in the equine industry. Various types of shoeing have been designed and used based on their unique targeted functions following hoof care. Shoes can modify the gait of the horse, affect the alignment of the distal joints, and alter stress and strains on specific hoof regions. The objective of this dissertation is to provide an overview of the available research on the existing methodology and literature on the effects of shoeing on equine gait …

Enabling Cross-Modality Translation Between Single-Cell Rna-Seq And Single-Cell Atac-Seq Through Web-Based Portal, Zhen Lyu, Sabin Dahal, Shuai Zeng, Juexin Wang, Dong Xu, Trupti Joshi

Biomedical Sciences

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in profiling multiomic modalities within individual cells simultaneously. One such example is integrating combined single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and single-cell transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) data. Integrated analysis of diverse modalities has helped researchers make more accurate predictions and gain a more comprehensive understanding than with single-modality analysis. However, generating such multimodal data is technically challenging and expensive, leading to limited availability of single-cell co-assay data. Here, we propose a model for cross-modal prediction between the transcriptome and chromatin profiles in single cells. Our model is based on a deep neural …

The Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Portrayal In News Media, Megan K. Mcarthur, Monica V. Ogra

Student Publications

The Colorado gray wolf (Canis lupus) reintroduction began in December 2023 in the hope of restoring this once native population to the area, and it has received mixed responses from the media. By answering the research question of 'How has the wolf reintroduction in Colorado been framed in news media?', this research poster looks at the portrayal of the reintroduction in news articles from six months before and after the first wolves were released. Media is an influential factor in people's opinions and it is important to be aware of the information being shared and any bias within them.

Characterization And Evaluation Of Bacteriophages Φpa-C And Φpa-Tc Infecting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Joanne Harrison

Master's Theses

Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prevalent opportunistic bacterial pathogens that cause nosocomial infections in at-risk individuals. The rise of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa poses an immense threat to hospitals. Additionally, P. aeruginosa are common food spoilage organisms that contribute to food waste. Alternative effective treatment methods are needed to improve public health and reduce food waste. Recent studies have shown that bacteriophages, viruses that only kill host-specific bacteria, are promising alternatives. This study characterizes two lytic P. aeruginosa phages, ΦPa-C and ΦPa-Tc, and evaluates their efficacy against P. aeruginosa in two model food systems. The morphology, genome, structural proteins, host range, growth kinetics, …

Association Of Hiv Status And Other Minoritized Identities With Psychiatric Diagnoses Among Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals In The All Of Us Research Program, Fanghui Shi

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, whose gender identities or expressions differ from the sex assigned at birth, are disproportionately affected by adverse health outcomes, including various psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, stress, and substance use disorders. The Gender Minority Stress Model emphasizes that TGD people face both proximal stressors at a personal/individual level (e.g., internalized stigma) and distal stressors at a societal level (e.g., discrimination) due to their minority status, which largely contributes to their increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses. Despite these health disparities, there is a paucity of gender identity data collected in large population-based health …

Book Review: The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way To Chronic Health, Michele Hoffnung, Emily Stier Adler

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Animal Personality And Sentience As Distinct Concepts, Mark Briffa

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Owens et al (2024) discuss how knowledge of both animal personality and sentience in target populations can be leveraged to enhance wildlife conservation programmes. In this commentary I expand on the distinction between these two concepts. Behavioural differences should be considered broadly across conservation programmes, not just those involving species deemed sentient.

Synthetic And Mechanistic Studies Of Ruthenium Catalyzed C–N And C–H Bond Activation Reactions, Krishna Prasad Gnyawali

Dissertations (1934 -)

Transition metal catalyzed C–H and C–N functionalization methods have emerged as an innovative tool for designing efficient synthesis of fine chemicals by using readily available starting materials without the formation of wasteful byproducts. One of the paramount challenges in C–H functionalization research field has been to promote regio- and stereoselective C–H bond activation on saturated hydrocarbon substrates. While much progress has been achieved on promoting selective sp2 C–H activation reactions on unsaturated hydrocarbon substrates in the past decades, catalytic sp3 C–H bond and functionalization methods on saturates hydrocarbon substrates remain as the frontier topic of C–H functionalization research. The well-defined …

Understanding Foster Parents' Experiences Of Secondary Traumatic Stress, Sarah Marie Boeding

Dissertations (1934 -)

Secondary traumatic stress, which has been studied across many helping professions, refers to symptoms similar to posttraumatic stress disorder which an individual may develop as a result of indirect exposure to another individual’s trauma (Sprang et al., 2019). Foster parents may be particularly susceptible to developing secondary traumatic stress due to their exposure to their foster child’s trauma history and trauma symptoms, which has been confirmed in recent studies (Bridger et al., 2020; Whitt-Woosley et al., 2020). Importantly, foster parents’ experiences of secondary traumatic stress may differ from those of other helping professionals given their unique role. The purpose of …

Deep Machine Learning Algorithms For Hvac Energy Usage And Cost Optimization In Smart Grids, Rahman Heidarykiany

Dissertations (1934 -)

This dissertation investigates the application of advanced machine learning (ML) and optimization methods to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in smart homes. The research is structured into three main chapters, each addressing different aspects of energy management through innovative technologies and strategies. The first part focuses on improving electrical energy demand forecasting using long short-term memory (LSTM) models. It examines the impact of various model parameters on forecasting accuracy, finding that certain configurations can significantly enhance model performance measured as model accuracy. The research identifies optimal model settings, including layer numbers and …

Precision Deuteration And Hydrofunctionalization Of Aryl Alkynes And Alkenes, Samantha E. Sloane

Dissertations (1934 -)

The similar nature of the hydrogen atom to its isotope, deuterium, allows for the simple exchange of hydrogen atoms for deuterium atoms in drug molecules to alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties. Installing the deuterium functionality into a specific site in the molecule is essential. Selective hydrofunctionalization reactions of alkynes and alkenes using the highly reactive catalytic Cu–H species have been well developed, and synthetic organic chemistry methods to selectively incorporate one or two deuterium atoms into the benzylic site of organic compounds, a key metabolic position, are elusive. A Cu–H catalytic approach offers selectivity and reactivity to …

Mechanisms Of Fatigability In Individuals With Prediabetes And The Effect Of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation, Blaine Evan Arney

Dissertations (1934 -)

Prediabetes is characterized as elevated blood glucose levels below the clinical threshold for type 2 diabetes. Previous research identified an increased fatigability (exercise-induced reduction in limb force or power) of the lower limb muscles in individuals with prediabetes which can impair physical function and lead to reduced physical activity. The mechanisms of fatigability in people with prediabetes are not known but are likely related to suggested vascular dysfunction in prediabetes. An important healthcare goal is to determine effective treatments to offset the increased fatigability in people with prediabetes to improve daily function. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine …

Sacred Heart University Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 2, Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Financial Incentives For Smoking Cessation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Darla Kendzor, Michael Businelle, Summer Frank-Pearce, Joseph Waring, Sixia Chen, Emily Hébert, Michael Swartz, Adam Alexander, Munjireen Sifat, Laili Kharazi Boozary, David Wetter

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals (ie, those with low socioeconomic status [SES]) have difficulty quitting smoking and may benefit from incentive-based cessation interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of incentivizing smoking abstinence on smoking cessation among adults with low SES.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study used a 2-group randomized clinical trial design. Data collection occurred between January 30, 2017, and February 7, 2022. Participants included adults with low SES who were willing to undergo smoking cessation treatment. Data were analyzed from April 18, 2023, to April 19, 2024.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to usual care (UC) for smoking cessation (counseling …

Putting Creative Thinking At The Core Of The English School Curriculum: An Exploratory Study, Sladana Krstic

Assessment and Reporting

Across much of the world, in more than 20 educational jurisdictions, the ability to think creatively is seen as a core aspect of what it is to be a successful learner today and, consequently, it has been included within various national curricula (Taylor et al., 2020). In England this is not yet the case, despite strong arguments being made for creative thinking being a core part of the curriculum in the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education (2019). In 2023 Rethinking Assessment and ACER UK conducted an exploratory study to examine the feasibility of integrating creative thinking into five subjects …

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Interactions With Foodborne Pathogens And Impact On Plant Productivity In A Model Hydroponic System, Esther Titilope Oginni

Theses and Dissertations

Food production is a global problem, and this has been further compounded with changes in weather patterns necessitating the need for a sustainable approach to production. Chapter 1 introduces the broad concept of the Control environment agriculture (CEA) and then narrows it doe to the hydroponic system its food safety risks. The CEA has been employed alongside conventional practices methods to improve meet the demand for food without placing pressure on the land available. Foodborne outbreaks have been recorded in the production medium and are therefore susceptible to contamination. In Chapter 2, the study focused on using Lactobacillus rhamnosus and …

Viewing Ir Through A Unicolonial Lens: A Case Study On The Effects Of Cultural Recognition On State Behavior, Andrew Viera

Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis utilizes the concept of unicoloniality, a process found within several ant species, to analyze the aggressive behavior and alliance-forming behavior of states. Through the unique lens of ant colony behavior, this study creates a new variable for quantifying culture that measures whether two states can recognize each other based on their cultural identity. Utilizing this noble variable, a logistic regression model was run to test the impact of cultural recognition on state behavior. The results indicated that cultural recognition had no effect on the decision of a state to join an alliance or engage in a militarized …

Identifying And Training Deep Learning Neural Networks On Biomedical-Related Datasets, Alan E. Woessner, Usman Anjum, Hadi Salman, Jacob Lear, Jeffrey T. Turner, Ross Campbell, Laura Beaudry, Justin Zhan, Lawrence E. Cornett, Susan Gauch, Kyle P. Quinn

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This manuscript describes the development of a resources module that is part of a learning platform named 'NIGMS Sandbox for Cloud-based Learning' https://github.com/NIGMS/NIGMS-Sandbox. The overall genesis of the Sandbox is described in the editorial NIGMS Sandbox at the beginning of this Supplement. This module delivers learning materials on implementing deep learning algorithms for biomedical image data in an interactive format that uses appropriate cloud resources for data access and analyses. Biomedical-related datasets are widely used in both research and clinical settings, but the ability for professionally trained clinicians and researchers to interpret datasets becomes difficult as the size and …

A Global Perspective On The Treatment And Maintenance Of Mature Skin Using Gentle Cleansers And Moisturizers, Joachim Fluhr, Andrew Alexis, Anneke Andriessen, Olga Barrios, Peter Bjerring, Peter Foley, Michael Gold, Hashim Kaderbhai, Chengfeng Zhang

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Xerosis is highly prevalent in the population aged over 50 years and substantially impacts quality of life due to the associated stigma, related pruritus, and potential sequelae. We propose that the term mature xerosis be used for subjects over 50 who suffer from age-related xerosis and replace senile xerosis to describe the phenomenon. The etiology of xerosis depends on genetic and environmental factors that affect stratum corneum hydration and skin barrier function. Skincare to restore barrier function is essential in xerosis treatment and is relevant for maintaining and preventing its progression. Many moisturizers and cleansers are available for xerosis; however, …

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome After Sars-Cov-2 Infection, Elizabeth R. Unger, Jin-Mann S. Lin, Lauren E. Wisk, Huihui Yu, Michelle L'Hommedieu, Helen Lavretsky, Juan Carlos C. Montoy, Michael A. Gottlieb, Kristin L. Rising, Nicole L. Gentile, Michelle Santangelo, Arjun K. Venkatesh, Robert M. Rodriguez, Mandy J. Hill, Rachel E. Geyer, Efrat R. Kean, Sharon Saydah, Samuel A. Mcdonald, Ryan Huebinger, Ahamed H. Idris, Jocelyn Dorney, Bala Hota, Erica S. Spatz, Kari A. Stephens, Robert A. Weinstein, Joann G. Elmore

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Chronic symptoms reported following an infection with SARS-CoV-2, such as cognitive problems, overlap with symptoms included in the definition of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of ME/CFS-like illness subsequent to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, changes in ME/CFS symptoms through 12 months of follow-up, and the association of ME/CFS symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 test results at the acute infection-like index illness.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective, multisite, longitudinal cohort study (Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry [INSPIRE]) enrolled participants from December 11, 2020, to August 29, 2022. Participants were adults aged 18 to 64 …

Factors Affecting Educational Quality: A Study Using Neutrosophic Likert Scales And Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Carlos Jacinto La Rosa Longobardi, Livia Cristina Piñas Rivera, Lida Violeta Asencios Trujillo, Djamila Gallegos Espinoza, Juan Víctor Soras Valdivia, Felipe Aguirre Chávez, Elizabeth Gladys Garro Palomino

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study investigates the educational quality of graduate programs at public universities by employing neutrosophic set theory and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The analysis centers on three crucial factors: Teacher Training and Education (TTE), Educational and Technological Resources (ETR), and School Environment and Academic Climate (SEA). The results demonstrate that the combination of ETR (Educational Technology Readiness) and SEA (Student Engagement and Achievement) is the most reliable indicator of educational quality, with the highest overall metric of 0.826292. Although the ETR alone demonstrates substantial coverage, highlighting its wide-ranging significance, the study emphasizes the importance of considering both individual factors …

Using Plithogenic Statistics To Determine Optimal Guinea Pig Manure Dosing In Prickly Pear Cultivation, Jorge F. Troya-Sarzosa, Cristian Oña

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study applied plithogenic statistics to evaluate how different doses of guinea pig manure affect the cultivation of Opuntia ficus-indica (commonly known as prickly pear) and soil quality. It was determined that 7.5 tons/ha, referred to as treatment T3, is the optimal dose, as it maximizes the growth and production of the plant, improves plant height, and increases the production of buttons and berries. T3 also optimized organic matter and adjusted the pH to ideal levels, maintaining a nutritional balance that ensures the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This balance enhances agricultural production without sacrificing soil sustainability. In conclusion, …

Neutrosophic Clustering Analysis With Data From Cysticercus Tenuicollis Dna Samples, Blanca Mercedes Toro Molina, Rafael Alfonso Garzón Jarrin, Mauricio Rafael Aguilera Vizuete, Christian Geovanny Ávila Rocha, Luis Favian Cartuche Macas, Edilberto Chacón Marcheco

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Parasitic diseases caused by Cysticercus tenuicollis significantly impact the livestock industry. The quantification of such impacts presents challenges due to the handling of data obtained through modern molecular techniques. This investigation explores the application of neutrosophic cluster analysis to the study of Cysticercus tenuicollis DNA. Neutrosophic clustering and the use of linguistic terms help interpret analyses, employing a five-step neutrosophic clustering algorithm: selection of the clustering algorithm, definition of distance metrics, data preparation, algorithm execution, and examination of results. Samples from 20 sheep exhibiting liver cysts were collected in Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The analysis resulted in a neutrosophic cluster where …

Neutrosophic Analysis In The Evaluation Of The Use Of Beauveria Bassiana Against The Potato White Grub, Edwin M. Chancusig-Espin, Paulina Imbaquingo Cachipuendo, Doris Guil-Camaigua

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that has been shown to have the potential to control the potato white grub (Premnotrypes vorax), a pest that significantly affects potato production, especially in Ecuador. Therefore, the present study has focused on evaluating the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana in the control of the potato white grub under laboratory conditions. To this end, neutrosophic statistics have been used to analyze larval mortality, by applying concentrations of 〖10〗^4, 〖10〗^6 and 〖10〗^8 conidia of Beauveria bassiana by spraying and immersion. Among the results, it was determined that treatment at a concentration of 108 conidia per spray …

Unm Pathology, Pathfinder Summer 2024, Unm Department Of Pathology

Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Nonlocal Frameworks For Nonlinear Conservation Laws And Advection-Diffusion Processes, Anh Thuong Vo

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

Conservation laws are fundamental principles that play an important role in modeling various phenomena in physics, chemistry, and biology. However, their limitations, such as the development of shocks despite smooth initial conditions, are well known. The nonlocal model framework can be used to overcome these challenges. Nonlocal frameworks utilize integral operators that mimic differential operators but also incorporate long-range interactions within a finite horizon. This approach not only allows for non-smooth solutions, but also provides flexibility in modeling different phenomena. This study investigates the convergence of nonlocal divergence operators, defined with a general flux density function, to their classical counterparts. …

Electrical And Morphological Investigation Of A Fe(Ii) Based Spin Crossover Complex And Its Composite, Rifat Mahbub

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

Spin crossover (SCO) complexes have unique properties of switching their spin state upon perturbations like temperature, pressure, light, etc. Along with the spin state, different properties vary like structural, electrical, magnetic, optical properties. This enables these materials to be potentially used in various applications like molecular electronics, memory devices, switching devices, sensors and many more. To incorporate spin crossover materials into devices with efficient performance, the electrical behavior needs to be understood. This dissertation aims to investigate the effect of crystal structure on the electrical properties of iron(II) triazole spin crossover complex and how it can be modified for better …

Uncovering Over 150 Years Of Herbarium Specimen Data To Examine The Impacts Of Climate Change On Alpine Plant Phenology In The Southern Rocky Mountains, Erin Berkowitz

Museum Studies Theses

Due to generalized botanical collecting practices, herbarium specimens provide important long term data dating back hundreds of years. The historical data preserved in herbaria can be used to study biological responses to climate change, such as changes in plant phenology, across various habitats including understudied alpine ecosystems. This study will use historical data from over one hundred years of plant collecting, along with updated collecting and community science efforts, to investigate how climate change is influencing alpine plant phenology in the Southern Rocky Mountains. These records will be analyzed alongside historical climate data to explore phenological sensitivities to climate change, …

Structural Analysis Of Dj-1 Glyoxalase Activity By Mix-And-Inject Serial Synchrotron Crystallography, Coleman Dolamore

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Observing enzyme structures while they are catalyzing a reaction has been a major goal of both enzymology and structural biology for decades. With the advent of time-resolved serial X-ray crystallography using X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and synchrotron sources, enzyme reactions can be monitored in real time in crystallo. Here, we use two different approaches to study related enzymes involved in methylglyoxal detoxification. For human DJ-1, we used pink beam mix-and-inject serial crystallography (MISC) at the Advanced Photon Source (BioCARS 14-ID) to probe the controversial mechanism of DJ-1’s action on methylglyoxal by using serial Laue diffraction. The high flux …