Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Relationship Between [Atp], Growth Rate, And Inoculum Effect In Β-Lactamase Producing Bacteria, Ariane R. Kalifa

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

2.8 million Americans are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria on an annual basis, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. With the incidence of infection due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria on the rise, it is critical to understand the mechanisms bacteria use to resist antibiotics. The inoculum effect (IE) is a phenomenon that has been observed for many antibiotics and bacterial species. In IE, the density of the bacterial population determines the minimum inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic (MIC) of an antibiotic; as the density of the bacterial population increases, the MIC increases. IE is highly prevalent in bacteria that express β-lactamases where …

Rock Glaciers In Utah, Scott Hotaling, Kendall Becker, Matthew Morriss

All Current Publications

Utah’s primary water supply––winter snowpack––is in decline due to climate warming coupled with more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow. As snowpack dwindles, other sources of cold stream water, such as rock glaciers, will become more important. Rock glaciers contain significant volumes of internal ice covered by debris. This internal ice provides cold meltwater to mountain streams, sustaining flows in summer and supporting biodiversity. Rock glaciers are common in Utah’s mountains and are projected to be more stable under climate change than Utah’s snowpack. Thus, rock glaciers are likely to persist in their current form even as snowpack volumes …

Twelve Years Of Drug Prioritization To Help Accelerate Disease Modification Trials In Parkinson’S Disease: The International Linked Clinical Trials Initiative, Camille Carroll

Peninsula Medical School

In 2011, the UK medical research charity Cure Parkinson’s set up the international Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) committee to help expedite the clinical testing of potentially disease modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The first committee meeting was held at the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2012. This group of PD experts has subsequently met annually to assess and prioritize agents that may slow the progression of this neurodegenerative condition, using a systematic approach based on preclinical, epidemiological and, where possible, clinical data. Over the last 12 years, 171 unique agents have been evaluated by the iLCT …

Characterizing The Role Of The Complement Receptor C3ar In Regulating Inflammatory Responses And Mitochondrial Function In Activated Macrophages, Jesse Alan Corcoran

Dissertations and Theses

The complement system is an integral part of the innate immune response, and consists of a series of proteins that are mostly (although not exclusively) synthesized in the liver that circulate in the plasma as inactive precursors, as well as receptors on the surface of immune cells. In immune cells such as macrophages, recognition of pathogens by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) leads to the initiation of inflammation and triggers complement activation through a coordinated sequential enzyme cascade that results in the production of bioactive C3a, which interacts with membrane-bound receptor C3aR to regulate innate immune cell function and outcome of bacterial …

Comparison Of Different Pinning Techniques For 3d-Printed Radius With Salter-Harris Type I Fracture, Tea-Hyung Kim, Hwi-Yool Kim

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of the present study was to compare different pinning techniques for distal radius with Salter-Harris type I fracture. Computed Tomography (CT) images of a distal antebrachium of the 6.5 kg, growing, 6-month-old intact male mongrel dog were 3D-printed with Polycarbonate (PC) material. Twenty-one synthetic bones were classified into three groups. Cross pinning, Parallel pinning, and HK2 pinning techniques were applied to each group. A compressive shear test was applied to each group, and the results at 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm displacement and the load at failure were analyzed through statistical software. It was found that …

The Intersection Of Sleep, Pain, And Executive Function In Girls Following The Menarcheal Transition, Sofia Khatoon

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Menarche, the onset of menstruation, is marked by numerous psychological, physiological, and cognitive shifts, including pain, sleep (timing and quality), and executive functioning (EF). Pain impacts executive function; however, less is known about how pain and sleep might interact to impact EF. The current study addresses this gap and examines the relation between pain and various domains of EF, and whether sleep buffers this association in a sample of menarcheal girls.

A community sample of menarcheal girls (n = 159; M age = 12.8; SD age = 1.1) and their caregivers were recruited from a Midwestern metropolitan area. …

Ampicillin Resistance Dynamics And Adaptation In Evolved E. Coli Populations, Nina Sharma

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This project explores the complex relationships between antibiotic resistance, nutrient limitation, and bacterial adaptation, focusing on E. coli. Antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges to public health. Nutrient limitation plays a crucial role in shaping E. coli’s ability to adapt and develop resistance against ampicillin. The Antibiotic Microbial Experiment (AME) provides valuable insights into bacterial adaptation dynamics over extended periods. I used growth curves to analyze bacterial growth kinetics and the differential effects of antibiotic concentrations on the evolved bacteria. The findings from this project give insight to the trade-offs E. coli populations exhibit when coping with antibiotic stressors.

Exploring The Relationship Between Microplastics And Neurotoxicity, John Stathopoulos

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation will look at the relationship between microplastics and neurotoxicity, focusing on the limits of our current knowledge. Despite being an especially relevant topic of conversation in the realms of environmental and public health, little is known about the effects that microplastics have on the brain. As a neuroscience student with interests in medicine, neurodegeneration, and public health, I found the lack of research shocking. Throughout this semester, I looked at primary research and news articles to explore the extent of our knowledge and limits of current microplastic research, as well as their potential neurotoxic effects and future steps.

Introducing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Phage Spongy, Alexis Avalos

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that has increasingly been a concern with regard to human health given its resistance to multiple antibiotics. To overcome this challenge, Western medicine has renewed interest in an alternative solution, the use of bacteriophages, i.e., phage therapy. Phages have been successfully used to combat P. aeruginosa infections including aortic graft infections, chronic rhinosinusitis infections, chronic lung infections, and urinary tract infections, to name a few. To increase our catalog of P. aeruginosa-infecting phages for future therapeutic use, we have been isolating temperate phages from clinical isolates. Here I present the temperate phage Spongy, induced …

Exploring Buddhism In Chicago, Tochukwu Enekamma

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

For my Engaged Learning Project for THEO 299, I chose to visit the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. I chose this site because Buddhism is highly prevalent in my community and in several pieces of media that often circulate in my community. This Buddhist temple in particular has a Japanese-American background that focuses on Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism). I also chose this location because of its uniqueness and rich history. It was created as a haven for Japanese Americans after being freed from the internment camps in World War II, and has undergone many changes, becoming a temple that accepts all …

Analyzing The Impact Of The Bglb (M114s) Mutation On Catalytic Efficiency, Leonardo Vargas, Daniel Ghannad

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The BglB enzyme, B-glucosidase, is a component in cellulase. It plays a role in catalyzing the enzymatic reaction of glucose formation during cellulose hydrolysis (Wright RM et al, 1992). We performed a mutation (M114S) on the BglB enzyme and performed data analysis to characterize the mutation's effects on the protein’s structure and function. The series of laboratory methods performed included sequencing, bacterial transformation, affinity purification, enzymatic kinetic assay, and finally analyzing our data with unsuccessful submission to the D2D database. We hypothesized that our BglB mutation, M114S, would show decreased catalytic efficiency compared to the wild type. We confirmed that …

Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms Prior To Menarche: The Role Of Sleep And Physical Activity, Katherine Jabaay

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Although research has shown that female adolescents experience increased anxiety and depression symptoms following menarche, there is limited evidence in the months leading up to menarche and even less attention paid to behavioral effects on this transition. This study examines pubertal status, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and sleep health in 120 premenarchal, biological females. This study addresses: (1) the association between pubertal status, anxiety and depressive symptoms among female adolescents in the months leading up to menarche, and (2) considers the role of modifiable actions such as sleep health and physical activity on these symptoms.

Beyond The Clinic: Characterizing The Long-Term Individual And Familial Implications Of Art-Linked Birth Defects, Grace Ellerbeck, Delano Gonzalez

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Infertility, the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse, affects millions of couples. As a result, individuals often turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to grow their family. Despite great success, ARTs have been associated with a higher risk of birth defects compared to natural pregnancy. Furthermore, isolating the factors that contribute to this increased risk has been a challenge thus far. Our research has characterized the factors that have been identified as potential modulators and proposed critical ethical concerns related to informed consent and longitudinal care for ART infants and their families “beyond the clinic.”

Finding My Path: Transitioning From Clinician To Professor, Jordan Tinsley

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This manuscript is a reflection on the author’s transition from practicing as a clinical speech-language pathologist (SLP) to entering the academic arena as a clinical assistant professor. The author considers various steps that may be supportive of the transition from clinical practice to academia for SLPs without a research degree (i.e., Ph.D.). Lessons learned throughout the job transition process are shared to illuminate the path for SLPs who are curious entering a university setting. Additionally, the author’s experience in the TLCSD SoTL Fellows Program is discussed.

The 2024 Defence Policy Update And Its Predecessors: Why The Caf Is In A “Death Spiral”, Allan English

Canadian Military History

In March 2024 the Minister of National Defence characterised the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) inability to attract new members as a “death spiral” for the force. While the latest defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, recognises the seriousness of the CAF’s personnel crisis, it provides no concrete actions to solve it. However, this defence policy update is just the latest in a series of actions used by the CAF to manage perceptions of its personnel problems rather than addressing their root causes. This article examines the latest defence policy in the …

Medmicromaps, A Novel Decision-Tree Guide For Infectious Diseases Differential Diagnoses, And Evaluation Of Pre- And Post-Pandemic User Engagement By Preclinical Medical Students, Jason Ceballos, Tavsimran Luthra, Lucia Garces-Torres, Valerie Lentz, Jack Nelson, Claudia Carceles-Roman, Ian Holyoak, Jane Harrington

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

Background: Medical education has undergone major changes in the past 5 years to adapt to the digital-centered student population with diverse learning preferences. To address the challenges of shifting delivery modalities, multimedia resources were created to provide interactive e-learning material on infectious diseases for year 2 medical students.

Methods: Medical students at a USA-accredited Caribbean medical school were provided with supplemental e-learning materials including animations, illustrations, diagnostic algorithms aka MedMicroMaps, and Case-Based tutorials. Participants were classified by semester and lecture delivery: In-person: Cohort 1 (n=526); Virtual: Cohort 2 (n=651); and Hybrid: Cohort 3 ( …

Embracing The Irreplaceable: The Role Of Neurodiversity In Cultivating Human-Ai Symbiosis In Education, Piper Hutson

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

This study investigates the indispensable role of human skills—such as empathy, ethical judgment, and nuanced understanding—in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) within higher education, highlighting the unique contributions of neurodivergent perspectives in creating a symbiotic human-AI relationship. Drawing upon research that evidences the superior performance of diverse teams in creativity and innovation, the paper argues for the integration of neurodiversity into AI development as a means to address the philosophy of 'fearing the Other,' thereby mitigating biases and fostering ethical AI interactions. The technology sector's adoption of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including biopsychosocial interventions and …

Functional Characterization Of Potato Arp1 Gene Encoding Auxin- Repressed Protein In Arabidopsis Thaliana Under Salinity Stress Conditions, Sara Ali Alneyadi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Auxin-repressed proteins (ARPs) are conserved in higher plants and are involved in plant growth anddevelopment by controlling gene expression. ARP1 has been studied for its role in biotic stress response, but its role in abiotic stress response remains unclear. In this study, transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing potato ARP1 were evaluated for their salinity stress response. By gradually increasing NaCl concentrations from 0 to 200mM, plants were subjected to high salinity stress. As compared to wild-type (WT) control plants under stressed conditions, the ARP1 transgenic plants demonstrated improved height and root length and higher chlorophyll content. Under NaCl-induced salinity stress, the …

Development Of Next Generation Phage Applications Using -Omics And Machine Learning, Lauren Novak, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

Phages are viruses that infect bacteria and use their host machinery to replicate. They are one of the most ubiquitous and diverse biological entities in the biosphere with a long evolutionary history. There is renewed interest in phage therapeutics due to increased levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and decreased numbers of newly developed antibiotics. Phages also have applications in food safety, water quality, biocontrol, vaccines, and the global nutrient cycle. Both bacteria and phages employ internal and external self-defense strategies to outcompete one another which in turn drives genomic evolution. While many phage genomes have been sequenced and annotated, proteomic …

Continual Improvement In Laboratory Quality Management System Of A Regulatory Laboratory In West Africa, Nkem C. Ifudu, Zita Ekeocha, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

Medicines quality monitoring and quality control are essential components required to deliver health value to the people. These will also improve access to quality assured medical products that are safe for intended use. Quality Control Laboratories play an essential role in strengthening health systems in West Africa. Their role in providing excellent testing services that ensures correctness, trust, and consistency of laboratory test results is key in assuring product quality. Improving the laboratory Quality Management System (QMS) will require concerted and coordinated efforts by all interested parties in establishing relevant, continual improvement plans/strategies that will sustain and improve all components …

Reducing The Burden Of Inspections On Pharmaceutical Manufacturers By Regulatory Authorities In Benin City, Nigeria, Joseph Ali, Esther Itua, Zita Ekeocha, Kari Clase, Stephen Byrn

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

In Nigeria, pharmaceutical manufacturing is regulated by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The PCN Act gave the regulatory authority the mandate to register all pharmaceutical premises. With the later creation of NAFDAC to regulate drugs, comes the dual regulatory authority on those premises by both government agencies who carry out Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections in the process of carrying out their mandates. Dual regulatory authority and inspections puts a considerable inspection burden on the manufacturers and even the regulators. This study examined the inspection tools used …

Gmp In The Qc Laboratory And Analytical Method Validation, Stephen Byrn, Zita Ekeocha, Martin Hynes, Roger Ongosi, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

This document aims to provide suggestions for course content to the team designing a GMP QC laboratory and analytical method validation course. This course is a 30-minute high-level overview that is part of the USP GMP course.

Investigating Using R, S, And X Charts In Monitoring Performance Of Laboratory Equipment, Mercy Okezue, Stella Ebonine, Amoreen Naluyima, Emeka Akobundu, William Boogere-Wakaalo, Lasisi Olayonu, Rhoda Olayonu, Emanuel Akpan, Abubakar Umar, Kikundwa Emma Mbabazi, Nkem C. Ifudu, Andrew Mukungu, Zita Ekeocha, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

Statistical process controls are often used for monitoring processes to identify special causes of variation. Signals generated can assess the operational status of equipment and indicate when corrective action is needed. Control charts are a major tool in statistical process controls used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It uses graphs as a statistical means of expressing the quality of a process or product. Quality improvement is inversely proportional to variability so that decreasing variabilities in product or process increases quality. Medicines testing laboratories employ various equipment to conduct analysis and generate reports to confirm a sample’s disposition. To ensure data integrity, laboratory …

Evaluating Active Content In Chloramphenicol Ophthalmic Solutions Available In A Low-Resource Setting: A Case Study, Mercy Okezue, Daniel T. Smith, Kelvin Musaya, Nsabo Kihore, Zita Ekeocha, Timothy Nowak, Susan Roth, Mikyung Lee, Michael Stepanovic Jr., Holly L. Maize, Adebola Adekoya, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

The Chloramphenicol molecule is not stable at elevated temperatures. The eye drop preparations require cold storage and this is a challenge for low-income countries. The study assessed the stability of chloramphenicol products likely stored and transported outside the recommended refrigeration temperatures. Twenty-four Chloramphenicol eye drops were randomly sampled from local medicine stores and pharmacies in Tanzania. High-pressure-liquid chromatography was used to conduct laboratory analysis to determine the content of chloramphenicol in the products. The results indicated the sampled products contained between 69.0% to 87.0% of the active ingredient; outside the Pharmacopeia limits (90.0% - 130.0%) for Chloramphenicol ophthalmic solutions. It …

Product Information Report: Gentamicin, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase, Zita Ekeocha, Farai Masekela

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It is a bactericidal inhibitor of protein synthesis. It is primarily used to treat infections caused by aerobic gram-negative bacteria. Aminoglycosides are complex small molecules containing aminosugars linked to an aminocyclitol ring by glycosidic bonds.

This product information report provides expert scientific analysis of the physicochemical, biopharmaceutics, and toxicological properties, analytical, formulation, and manufacturing of gentamicin. It is expected that the PIR will provide critical information and guidance to manufacturers, as well as stakeholders concerned with access and supply of priority essential medicines.

Improving Market Access With A Lean Approach To Quality, Bri'an Bigirwa, Zita Ekeocha, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

The veterinary vaccine market in Africa is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13-15%, compared to the US at 4-6% and Europe at 5-7%. In Uganda, and its neighboring countries, the livestock sector is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. BRENTEC is a young start-up company that is keen to enter this growing market. To be competitive in this market, the company has to invest in robust quality systems that enable the manufacturing of high-quality products while keeping production costs low. This has not been the case with the launch of its …

A Case Study On Completing Work In An Organizational Setting: Getting What You Need From Colleagues, Stacy Hoch, Stephen Byrn, Kari Clase

The Proceedings of the BIRS Community

Analyses in this article are based on data contained in proprietary databases accessible to the author.

Completing complex work in an organizational setting often relies on the cooperation and action of colleagues working together. These can be individuals on the same work team collaborating to accomplish a task, or multiple people working across various groups in an organization for one purpose. In doing so, it is critical that workers complete their work task within the required timeframe in order to meet project timelines. On projects such as these, one person can become a bottleneck that slows down activities downstream. This …

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Through The Lens Of Liberal Feminism, Morgan Croshal, Elizabeth Kresse, Angelee Valdez, Nelly Figueroa-Herrera, Rylee Gonzales

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

The Meanest Thing He Ever Did: A Theoretical Analysis Of “A Boy Named Sue”, Henry Scott

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Pepperdine Journal Of Communication Research 2024, Morgan Purdy

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

No abstract provided.