Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Ten Alternative Treatments For The Management Of Harlequin Bug (Murgantia Histrionica) On Brassica Crops, Sarah Clark, Ricardo Bessin, David J. Gonthier, Jonathan L. Larson

Entomology Faculty Publications

Harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) poses a significant threat to cruciferous vegetable crops, leading to economic losses and challenges in sustainable agriculture. This 2-year field study evaluated the efficacy of exclusion netting and selected biopesticides in controlling harlequin bug populations in a field-grown broccoli crop. Treatments included an untreated control, industry standards Azera and Entrust, and ProtekNet mesh netting. Additionally, three commercial essential oil treatments including Essentria IC-3, Nature-Cide, and Zero Tolerance were tested along with two bokashi fermented composting products BrewKashi and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN). During both the first and second year of the study, none of the commercially …

Row Covers Limit Pests And Disease And Increase Profit In Organic Acorn Squash, Kathleen Fiske, Nieyan Cheng, Ryan Kuesel, Wendong Zhang, Ricardo Bessin, Mark A. Williams, David J. Gonthier

Entomology Faculty Publications

Organic cucurbit growers face many challenges to production including insect pests, insect-vectored diseases, and non-vectored diseases. While Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) -listed pesticides underperform at suppressing pests and diseases, some alternative pest management strategies hold promise, but little research exists on their cost-effectiveness. We compared the efficacy of mesotunnel systems (nylon-mesh netting row covers deployed over bent metal hoops) and OMRI-listed pesticides (fungicides and insecticides) on acorn squash across 2 years. During the early part of the season, before row covers were removed for pollination, we found 1.7 (2020) and 0.3 (2021) times more cucumber beetles in the uncovered …

Snpaimer: R Package For Evaluating Ancestry Informative Marker Contributions In Non-Model Population Diagnostics, Kim L. Vertacnik, Oksana V. Vernygora, Julian R. Dupuis

Entomology Faculty Publications

Motivation: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are increasingly popular for population genomics and inferring ancestry for individuals of unknown origin. Because large SNP datasets are impractical for rapid and routine analysis, diagnostics rely on panels of highly informative markers. Strategies exist for selecting these markers, however, resources for efficiently evaluating their performance are limited for non-model systems.

Results: snpAIMeR is a user-friendly R package that evaluates the efficacy of genomic markers for the cluster assignment of unknown individuals. It is intended to help minimize panel size and genotyping effort by determining the informativeness of candidate diagnostic markers. Provided genotype data …

Shared Patterns Of Population Genomic Variation And Phenotypic Response Across Rapid Range Expansions In Two Invasive Lady Beetle Species, Angela G. Jones, John J. Obrycki, Arun Sethuraman, David W. Weisrock

Entomology Faculty Publications

Non-native lady beetle species have often been introduced, with variable success, into North America for bio- logical control of aphids, scales, whiteflies, and other agricultural pests. Two predatory lady beetle species, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Hippodamia variegata, both originating from Eurasia, were first discovered near Montreal, Quebec, in North America in 1968 and 1984, respectively, and have since expanded into northeastern North America and the midwestern United States. In this study, we estimate the range-wide pop- ulation structure, establishment and range-expansion, and recent evolutionary history of these lady beetle species using reduced-representation genotyping-by-sequencing via ddRADseq. In addition, we quantified the responses …

Staufenc Facilitates Utilization Of The Erad Pathway To Transport Dsrna Through The Endoplasmic Reticulum To The Cytosol, Jinmo Koo, Subba R. Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

RNA interference (RNAi) is more efficient in coleopteran insects than other insects. StaufenC (StauC), a coleopteran-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein, is required for efficient RNAi in coleopterans. We investigated the function of StauC in the intracellular transport of dsRNA into the cytosol, where dsRNA is digested by Dicer enzymes and recruited by Argonauts to RNA-induced silencing complexes. Confocal microscopy and cellular organelle fractionation studies have shown that dsRNA is trafficked through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in coleopteran Colorado potato beetle (CPB) cells. StauC is localized to the ER in CPB cells, and StauC-knockdown caused the accumulation of dsRNA in the …

The Metaverse As A Future Threat Landscape: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Sam T. Hunter, Alexis L. D'Amato, Joel Elson, Austin C. Doctor, Averie E. Linnell

Reports, Projects, and Research

In response to the emergence of new, paradigm-shifting technology that increases capability for the benefit and – as is the focus of this work – harm, we sought to provide contributions across three key areas. First, as a foundation, we provide a definition of the ambiguous and, at times, confusing term ‘metaverse’ and outline its unique characteristics as an emerging ecosystem. Second, we synthesise definitional framing with the violent extremist literature to offer guidance on how the metaverse can (and currently is), manifest in terrorist and extremist activities, such as recruitment, planning, finance, and malevolent creativity. We offer that while …

Waste Illuminates Worlds: Printed Modular Lamp Design Based On Brick And Clay Tile, Yechen Zhu

Masters Theses

The building industry in the New England area is often in a state of entropy, with abandoned brick buildings contributing to urban decay. The recycling rate of brick and clay tile wastes generated by construction and demolition is only 12.2%, meaning the majority is sent to landfills. The expansion of landfills can lead to significant environmental and community challenges, including increased traffic from waste transport, habitat destruction, ecosystem degradation, and contributions to climate change. Specifically, the Bethlehem landfill in New Hampshire, which is planned to undergo a 5.71-acre lateral expansion through 2026, has already encountered issues such as leachate spills …

(R2070) Poisson-Exponentiated Weibull Distribution: Properties, Applications And Extension, Alphonsa George, Dais George

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this article, we introduce a new member of the Poisson-X family namely, the Poisson-exponentiated Weibull distribution. The statistical as well as the distributional properties of the new distribution are studied, and the performance of the maximum likelihood method of estimation is verified by a simulation study. The flexibility of the distribution is illustrated by a real data set. We develop and study a reliability test plan for the acceptance or rejection of a lot of products submitted for inspection when their lifetimes follow the new distribution. A real data example is also given to illustrate the feasibility of the …

(R2071) Global Stability Analysis Of Chikv Dynamics Model With Adaptive Immunity And Distributed Time Delays, Taofeek O. Alade, Samson Olaniyi, Hassan A. Idris, Yaqoob Al Rahbi, Mohammad Alnegga

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The application of mathematical biology and dynamical systems has proven to be an effective approach for studying viral infection models. To contribute to this research, our paper proposes a new CHIKV model that takes into account an adaptive immune response and distributed time delays, which accurately reflects the time lag between initial viral contacts and the production of new active CHIKV particles. By analyzing the model’s qualitative behavior, we establish a biological threshold number that can predict whether CHIKV will be cleared from or persist in the body. We demonstrate the global stability of both CHIKV-present and CHIKV-free steady states …

The Association Of Acute Stress And Single Leg Balance, Theodore W. Gehrig Iii

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Chronic low back pain is a widespread and expensive societal burden that is routinely near the top of the list of reasons people live with a disability. There is an undeniable connection between low back pain and psychological stress, and it has long been accepted that stress comes as a consequence of the burden of pain. Our group sought to determine if the inverse of this paradigm might be true: that stress may actually play a role in the etiology of low back pain through its influence on neuromuscular control and strategies for balance stability. In this dissertation, we include …

Effects Of Electrotherapy On Pain And Mobility, Pablo Mleziva

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Neck chronic pain is one of the most common problems in people today. However, people do not always seek medical treatment for their pain. Subclinical or mild pain generally does not prompt people to seek medical treatment. Consequences of this type of pain can be anxiety, disability and proprioception problems. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recommends transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an intervention to treat neck pain with mobility deficits. TENS for the treatment of pain has been used for many years; however, there is still an “efficacy-impasse” for the use of TENS despite half a …

E6 Inhibtion-Mediated Combinatorial Therapy For Hpv+ Hnscc, Sonia Whang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the causative agents of virtually all cases of cervical cancer and up to 80% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Current treatment options include chemo- and radiotherapy, though the effectiveness of these therapies is limited by the viral oncoprotein E6, which disrupts apoptotic pathways by binding to and accelerating the degradation of molecules such as p53 and caspase- 8. Our hypothesis was that inhibiting E6 and rescuing the apoptotic mediators would increase the effectiveness of apoptotic agents. The aims of this study were to first, develop an HPV+ HNSCC xenograft model to test …

Comparing Nurses’ Perceptions Of Work Environment And Health By Ethnicity, Nia M. Martin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A healthy work environment significantly affects nurse outcomes such as burnout and retention, but also physical and mental health-- for nurses as well as for the patients for whom they provide care. Black/African Americans (BAAs) face numerous and unique challenges from systemic discrimination that contribute to health-related disparities and numerous physical and psychological challenges. Given the inherent challenges BAAs face and the need for supportive work environment for nurses, this study examined how ethnicity was associated with perceptions of work environment and personal health, focusing on BAA nurses to identify specific challenges and areas for improvement. This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational …

The Impact Of Religion And Spirituality On Continental African Immigrant Health, Samuel A. Ekong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This research study explores the impact of religious affiliation and spirituality on the acculturation and health outcomes of continental African immigrants in the USA. These immigrants, distinct from the broader African American or Black population, bring unique religious, spiritual, and cultural norms, profoundly influencing their health behaviors and acculturation processes. Unlike the descendants of Africans living outside the continent, referred to as the African diaspora, continental Africans are specifically those born in Africa. This research operationalizes the term 'continental African' to focus on this unique group residing in the USA, aiming to deepen understanding of their specific health needs and …

Lead Along Arid Route 66: Concentration, Fate, Surface Transport, And Awareness, Dominic Joel Ombati

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Fate and transport of lead (Pb) are well studied in humid, high precipitation environments. Few studies have compared or addressed fate of lead (Pb) in arid, low precipitation areas where the soil binding capacity may differ from classic studies. The goal of this study is to identify the control of fate and transport in the arid section of Route 66 by determining the concentration, chemical forms, and surface transport mechanism of lead (Pb) along the arid section of Route 66. Understanding the fate and transport of lead (Pb) in different environments is key in the environmental mitigation of lead (Pb) …

Bridging The Paradigmatic Crevasse Between Lawyers And Scientists: The Need For New Institutional Models, Stanley P. Kowalski, Stanley Kowalski

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

The professions of science and law have traditionally been siloed paradigms, operating often in tandem with each other but rarely intersecting in the interdisciplinary pasture which separates them, a pasture from which an abundance of synergistic collaboration and ensuing creative concepts might sprout. However, the erstwhile never the twain shall meet situation is neither realistic nor even tenable in the current century, a century increasingly dominated by science, technology, invention, innovation, and intellectual property. Simply put, whereas lawyers are risk averse and build constructed realities to argue points and serve clients, scientists seek an objective assessment of truth and accept …

A Drug's Life: The Untapped Potential Of Secondary Pharmacology Studies In Drug Development, Christina Scott

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

The United States Food and Drug Administration has evolved over the past century to regulate new medicine and protect the public from harmful or ineffective drugs. Drug development and testing science have advanced rapidly alongside the FDA’s increased regulation, enabling pharmaceutical companies to assess a drug's potential adverse reactions by studying its reactivity with various proteins called "off-target receptors." Off-target proteins are often screened and reported in the Investigational New Drug Application as a percentage indicating the drug's binding strength to each protein, which suggests the strength of a particular adverse drug effect. Adverse drug effects often lead to unfavorable …

Drake Or Droid?: A.I.-Generated Music And The Legal Challenges In Safeguarding Artist Rights, Nicoletta Gasparis

Hofstra Law Review

The article explores the growing use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in music production and its legal implications. Topics include the rise of generative A.I. in music, exemplified by the creation of the song "Heart on My Sleeve," the ethical and legal concerns regarding A.I.'s ability to replicate artists' voices and styles, and the challenges in safeguarding artist rights amidst this new technological landscape.

Graduate Internship Report Aged 539, Kylin Costa

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship and project report includes documentation required in meeting the quality criteria for secondary-level programs of instruction in agriculture. The contents of this project are concurrently used for the Agriculture Incentive Grant review process at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. The supporting material includes information to receive state and local funding, outline the goals and objectives of the program, along with an overview of Santa Ynez High School, the agriculture program and the community.

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report - Nipomo High School, Russell A. Zimmerman

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report documents the implementation and outcomes of a comprehensive agricultural education program at Nipomo High School, aligning with California Career Technical Education (CTE) standards. The project focuses on enhancing student engagement through curriculum development, leadership activities, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), and career readiness initiatives. Key components include expanding pathway offerings in horticulture, mechanics, and agricultural sciences, integrating field experiences, and hosting guest speakers to connect students with industry professionals.

The Effects Of Lead, Copper, And Iron Corrosion Products On Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria And Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Veronika Folvarska, San Marie Thomson, Zihao Lu, Maya Adelgren, Adam Schmidt, Ryan J. Newton, Yin Wang, Patrick J. Mcnamara

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Antibiotic resistance is a public health crisis. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are present in drinking water distribution systems. Metals are known selective pressures for antibiotic resistance, and metallic corrosion products are found within drinking water distribution systems due to the corrosion of metal pipes. While corrosion products are a source of metals, the impact of specific corrosion products on antibiotic resistance has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of six corrosion products—CuO, Cu₂O, Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH, β-PbO₂, Fe₃O …

Production Of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Metarhizium Anisopliae Fungus For The Treatment Of Petroleum Pollutants In Water, Marwah Th. Alnuaimi, Zahraa Zahraw Aljanabi, Sarah Ibrahim Mahmood, Ula Farooq Ramzy

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, a silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) was created using a biological technique from an extract of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The characteristics of the prepared AgNPs were identified by utilizing the optical, ultraviolet, and infrared absorbance spectroscopy. The shape, size, and charge distribution on the particles were determined by using scanning electron microscopy and zeta voltage analysis. The analysis of biological activity of the silver nanoparticles showed its effectiveness in treating pollutants, as confirmed by the reduction of higher than 93% weight of crude oil in contaminated water samples. The crude oil mass was effectively transformed into the gelatinous …

Drug Use And Harm Reduction: Community Readiness As Pathway To Well-Being And Reintegration, Lauretta Ekanem Omale

Dissertations

Drug abuse negatively impacts the life and well-being of those who use drugs; this harm often extends to their loved ones, communities, and society. One presumptive set of psychological explanations for drug abuse is an addictive personality, a psychological susceptibility resulting from challenging family relationships, inadequate reinforcement, the absence of healthy role models, conflicting parental expectations, and a lack of love and respect. Harm reduction is a public health approach that focuses on minimizing the harmful effects of drugs and reducing judgment. It aims to meet people where they are in life and provide judgment-free, empathetic, supportive, and needed medical …

Persistence Of Female Faculty In Stem, Andrea Constantinou

Dissertations

The lack of women entering certain STEM fields impacts female representation in research faculty, teacher faculty, and leadership positions in higher education. Through a narrative inquiry methodology utilizing the theoretical paradigms of self-determination theory and relational autonomy, this study extended understanding of the factors that motivate persistence for women in certain STEM fields. While prior research focused on understanding the barriers to retention, this study sought to identify the factors motivating retention for women in certain STEM fields. The results of this study contribute to understanding the motivating factors that influence a woman’s persistence in STEM. The data gathered from …

Undergraduate Student Sense Of Belonging And Edtech Tool Engagement: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Virtual Campus Experience, Veronica Wilson

Dissertations

The contemporary postsecondary learning experience is heavily mediated by educational technology (EdTech) tools and yet little is known about the ways in which these tools impact student engagement and sense of belonging, two indicators which are important to student persistence and graduation. Using Strayhorn’s (2023) critical socioecological sense of belonging framework, this convergent mixed methods study offers insights into these relationships by examining student engagement with EdTech and student sense of belonging and the impact of student traits on the relationship between EdTech and sense of belonging. This study was conducted at a private, broad access Hispanic-Serving Institution in the …

Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional And Decolonial Approach To Exploring The Sexualization Of Female Recording Artists And The Empowerment Of Women In The United States, H.B. Rebeka

Dissertations

This dissertation, titled Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional and Decolonial Approach to Exploring the Sexualization of Female Recording Artists and the Empowerment of Women in the United States, critically examines the phenomenon of sexualization of women in the music industry and its impact on female empowerment. Through an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens, the study delves into the historical and socio-cultural contexts that shape the portrayal and perception of female recording artists in the United States.

The research traces the roots of feminism and the commodification of racial stereotypes through music, exploring how female empowerment has been …

A Program Evaluation Of The Necessary Attributes, Accommodations, And Resources Neurodivergent Students Require For Success In Higher Education, Barbara Muñoz

Dissertations

Without academic resources and accommodations, neurodivergent students with mild to moderate Learning Disabilities (LD) may be unable to navigate the academic challenges and rigor associated with college success. I used a mixed-methods research design to collect data from various stakeholders to determine the supports neurodivergent students with LD need to be successful in college. My findings indicated students need accommodations for their learning differences, access to assistive technology, access to counseling or mental health services, and access to specialized support personnel to be successful. I recommended a policy to ensure neurodivergent students and their caregivers are aware of post-secondary institutions …

An Exploration Of Contributors To Intergenerational Trauma Transmission In American Families: Parental Life Experiences And Parenting Styles., Shantrell P. Sutton-Mckenzie

Dissertations

Preexisting research on intergenerational trauma transmission primarily addresses biological and behavioral routes of transmission, leaving little room for systemic influences. This research reviews preexisting biological and behavioral contributors and explores systemic contributors to intergenerational trauma transmission in American families as it relates to post-traumatic growth, parental centrality distress, and parenting styles. It was that post-traumatic growth and parental centrality of distress (comprised of ACES, centrality of events, and access to community resources) and PTG predict parenting styles. The research hypothesis was partially supported. It was found (1) Post-traumatic growth, ACEs, and perceived access to community resources while parenting added significantly …

A Modified Grounded Theory Analysis Of Luke’S Understanding Of His Thought Disorder, Daniel Dresher

Dissertations

This current Clinical Research Project examines patterns of therapeutic processing in “Luke”, a male diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how his understanding of his psychotic breaks and mental illness evolved over the course of person-centered psychotherapy. A modified grounded theory approach was used by multiple coders to analyze transcribed text samples from selected archival therapy sessions selected between 1996 and 2019 to develop further hypotheses as to how "Luke" uses schizophrenic language to process experience in ways that are clinically effective as well as ways that hinder his understanding of his experience. Results of this study demonstrated that while Luke’s use …

The Dutch Approach: Fifty Years Of Transgender Health Care At The Vu Amsterdam Gender Clinic (Book Review), Tony N. Jelsma

Pro Rege

Reviewed Title: The Dutch Approach: Fifty Years of Transgender Health Care at the VU Amsterdam Clinic. Boom, 2021. 224 pp. ISBN: 9789024444687.