Digital Commons Network^™

Perioperative Oxygenation—What's The Stress?, Joseph Larvin, Mark Edwards, Daniel S. Martin, Martin Feelisch, Michael P.W. Grocott, Andrew F. Cumpstey

Peninsula Medical School

Oxygen is the most used drug in anaesthesia. Despite such widespread use, optimal perioperative oxygen administration remains highly controversial because of concerns about the competing harms of both hyperoxia and hypoxia. Notwithstanding a Cochrane review concluding that routinely administering a fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO₂) >0.6 intraoperatively might increase postoperative morbidity and mortality, the World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends all anaesthetised patients receive 0.8 FiO₂ during and immediately after surgery to reduce surgical site infections. Results from the largest trial available at the time of these two reviews (suggesting long-term survival may be worse with high …

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Behçet's Disease, Linjun Shi, Wenying Zhang, Xuanning Chen, Liying Gu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of BD. Materials and methods All the articles on BD were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. Regional comparison (Turkey versus outside of Turkey) and chronological comparison (before 2010 versus after 2010) were performed. Results Among the 7023 articles on BD, Turkey was the country publishing most articles (2012 articles). In Turkey, questionnaire, quality of life, depression, and scoring system were distinctive keywords. In outside …

Rapid Detection Of Lys-Gingipain Using Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate For Diagnosis Of Periodontitis, Dong-Sik Shin, Jeeyeon Park, Seongsoo Kim, Sang-Myung Lee, Hanseung Baek

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Early detection of periodontitis and its associated pathogens has become imperative in oral health. Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis ), a leading oral pathogen, is known to secrete Lys-gingipain (Kgp) enzyme. The aim of this study was to validate the detection of P. gingivalis in human saliva samples by measuring the fluorescence intensity generated by a Lys-specific peptide substrate after it is cleaved in the presence of Kgp. Materials and methods To confirm the biological activity of the fluorogenic His-Glu-Lys containing peptide substrate which is specific to the Kgp, we compared the fluorescence intensity of the fluorogenic peptide …

Triethylene-Glycol-Dimethacrylate Induces Caspase-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death In Cementoblasts By The Regulation Of Jnk And P38 Pathways-An In Vitro Study, Yu-Chao Chang, Wei-Ju Lai, Wen-Ying Shen, Li-Chiu Yang, Fu-Mei Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/Purpose Triethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) is one of the monomers used in composite resin matrix. Residual TEGDMA can be eluted from bulk fill composite resins and the amounts also increased with time. Composite resin used as root-end filling materials may invoke the critical biologic reactions in surrounding tissues. However, little is known about the effects of TEGDMA on cementoblasts. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible detrimental effects of murine cementoblast (OCCM.30) by TEGDMA in vitro. Materials and methods OCCM.30 cells were exposed to TEGDMA (0, 1, 2, 4 mM) for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by …

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Ameloblastoma, Hui Li, Chenping Zhang, Wei Liu, Lanming Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor derived from odontogenic epithelium in the jaws. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of ameloblastoma. Materials and methods All the papers on ameloblastoma were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2014 and 2014–2024 in the analysis of research trends. Results There were 2507 papers on ameloblastoma, with total citations of 34,691 and the h index of 70. The related disorders of the diagnosis of ameloblastoma were mandibular neoplasms, maxillary neoplasms, ameloblastic carcinoma, odontogenic cyst, lung neoplasms, and …

Vulnerable Reading Practices For Ecosocial Justice In Environmental Education, Karen Nociti, Mindy Blaise

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Environmental education has the potential to extend its transformative potential by reframing social and ecological justice as always interconnected. This paper introduces vulnerable reading as a method for unsettling anthropocentric and colonial influences on how educators conceptualise and respond to environmental precarity through a socio-ecological lens. It has emerged from a six-month walking project during which the authors developed vulnerable reading practices as they walked with young children, educators, and a weedy landscape in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia. With a focus on reimagining pedagogies to be inclusive of multiple weedy ideas, bodies and voices, the paper uses empirical examples of …

The Experience Of Occupational Therapists And Physiotherapists Using A Prototype, Evidence-Informed Online Knowledge Translation Resource To Learn About Patient-Defined, Personally-Meaningful Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Katrina J. Liddiard, Annette J. Raynor, Cary A. Brown

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Chronic pain is a complex biopsychosocial experience, and rehabilitation helps people to manage pain, and restore valued life roles. Evidence suggests that more positive outcomes occur when clients perceive their rehabilitation to be meaningful. People with chronic pain describe rehabilitation as personally-meaningful when they develop a genuine connection with a credible therapist who they see as a guiding partner, and when rehabilitation holds personal value, is self-defined, and relevant to their sense of self-identity. This paper presents a qualitative study of therapists’ experience using an e-learning package on patient-defined, personally-meaningful rehabilitation. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to …

A Cross-Cultural Study Of The Montreal Cognitive Assessment For People With Hearing Impairment, Stacey Theocharous, Greg Savage, Anna Pavlina Charalambous, Mathieu Côté, Renaud David, Kathleen Gallant, Catherine Helmer, Robert Laforce, Iracema Leroi, Ralph N. Martins, Ziad Nasreddine, Antonis Politis, David Reeves, Gregor Russell, Marie Josée Sirois, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Chyrssoula Thodi, Christiane Völter, Wai Kent Yeung, Piers Dawes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Cognitive screening tools enable the detection of cognitive impairment, facilitate timely intervention, inform clinical care, and allow long-term planning. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment for people with hearing impairment (MoCA-H) was developed as a reliable cognitive screening tool for people with hearing loss. Using the same methodology across four languages, this study examined whether cultural or linguistic factors affect the performance of the MoCA-H. Methods: The current study investigated the performance of the MoCA-H across English, German, French, and Greek language groups (n = 385) controlling for demographic factors known to affect the performance of the MoCA-H. Results: In a …

Maternal Health Considerations: Highlighting And Advancing Opportunities For Improved Maternal Health, Caitlin Fox-Harding

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The special collection on Maternal Health Considerations offers a comprehensive exploration of critical issues surrounding maternal well-being across diverse contexts and disciplines. Recognising that maternal health extends beyond the physiological realm, this collection delves into the multifaceted dimensions of maternal well-being, including physical, mental, and socio-ecological factors. The collection comprises a series of interdisciplinary studies that investigate various facets of maternal health, from conception to postpartum stages. It addresses the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants that influence maternal health outcomes. By adopting a holistic approach, the contributors shed light on the interconnectedness of maternal well-being. Key themes …

Storms Facilitate Airborne Dna From Leaf Fragments Outside The Main Tree Pollen Season, Mary Hanson, Geoff Petch, Beverley Adams-Groom, Thor Bjørn Ottosen, Carsten A. Skjøth

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bioaerosols are useful indicators of plant phenology and can demonstrate the impacts of climate change on both local and regional scales (e.g. pollen monitoring/flowering phenology). Analysing bioaerosols with eDNA approaches are becoming more popular to quantify the diversity of airborne plant environmental DNA (eDNA) and flowering season of plants and trees. Leaf abscission from broadleaved trees and other perennial species can also indicate the status of plant health in response to climate. This happens primarily during autumn in response to seasonal growth conditions and environmental factors, such as changing photoperiod and reduced temperatures. During this period biological material is released …

Textile Recycling And Recovery: An Eco-Friendly Perspective On Textile And Garment Industries Challenges, Shayan Abrishami, Armineh Shirali, Nicole Sharples, Gulsah Ekin Kartal, Lisa Macintyre, Omid Doustdar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The world has been facing a growing crisis in textile waste due to global population growth and improved living conditions, combined with a decrease in the life cycles of textile products. Textile recycling is one of the key aspects for reducing the massive waste problem generated by the fashion and textile industries. Despite the need to develop textile waste recycling industries, acceptable practical interim measures still need to be taken. Textile waste can affect people’s lives economically and environmentally. Producing apparel from natural or synthetic origin can produce pollutants and waste at each stage. In this review article, the effects …

Psychological Misconceptions And Expanded Refutation: Motivating And Informing Educational Practices To Elicit Conceptual Change One Misconception At A Time, Marissa Renee Bamberger

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Belief in psychological misconceptions, especially those regarding brain function and learning (i.e., neuromyths), hinders students’ decision-making and learning. This necessitates conceptual change. Using an experimental design, this dissertation examined whether a utility value instructional induction (UVII) facilitated conceptual change. Participants (N = 61) were assessed on their neuromyth endorsements and then randomly assigned to a UVII or control condition, with the UVII condition participants primed to think about experiences with and benefits of acting according to a utility value before reading refutation texts. Finally, participants were again assessed on their neuromyth endorsements. Participants were also assessed on comprehension and motivational …

Heritable Genome Editing, And The Future Of Novel Reproductive Technologies, Kerry L. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

This Article compares human reproductive cloning (HRC) and
heritable genome editing (HGE) to identify factors that encourage bans
on novel reproductive technologies. HRC drew legislative opposition
in part because it involved asexual reproduction and was incorrectly
associated with copying. HGE and other technologies that involve
sexual reproduction do not have those problematic qualities. HRC also
became entangled with research in which human embryos were cloned
to be harvested for their stem cells. HGE did not because scientists
learned how to create and edit pluripotent stem cells without creating
embryos. However, the legal history of HRC predicts that reproductive
technologies strongly …

Short, Full, Best: Analysis Of Different Conference Papers, Miguel Williams

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Research, publish, repeat. This is the basic cycle of anyone in academia. Individuals in academia conduct research, write up your research into a paper or journal article, submit to a conference or journal, and repeat the process. If you're skilled you may even obtain the coveted best paper award from the conference. In this research, I compare full papers to short papers and full papers to best papers. I start by fine-tuning three transformer models for classification capabilities. After I calculate lexical diversity and readability metrics of the papers, I use the features to train three traditional machine learning models. …

The Role Of Self-Assertion And Academic Self-Efficacy In Predicting Acculturation Of Saudi Students Studying In The United States, Abdulmohsen Hasen Alomran

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation study examines the acculturation experiences of Saudi Arabian students pursuing higher education in the United States. It investigates the relationships among students’ acculturation strategies, self-assertion, and academic self-efficacy, while exploring the moderating effects of English proficiency and length of stay. The study is grounded in Berry et al.’s model of acculturation, which proposes four acculturation strategies: integration (maintaining one’s original cultural identity while participating in the host society), assimilation (adopting the host culture while relinquishing one’s heritage culture), separation (preserving the original culture while avoiding contact with the host culture), and marginalization (rejecting both cultures). These strategies are …

Development And Evaluation Of A Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller, Ahmed Abdalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The need to optimize resource utilization while increasing crop productivity is paramount. This research proposes a Low-cost Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller (VRAC) that aims to leverage the adoption of Variable Rate Technologies. The controller operates via the Raspberry Pi platform, a Global Positioning System (GPS), a stepper motor drive, and an anti-slip wheel encoder. The VRAC allows precise, on-the-fly control of variable-rate application of farming inputs. It utilizes GPS with 10 cm accuracy to pinpoint geographic coordinates in real-time. A wheel encoder measures traveling speed with a slip-resistant wheel design for precise RPM readings. The Raspberry processes the data, …

Kidney-Targeted Mrna Nanoparticles: Exploration Of The Mrna Loading Capacity Of A Polymeric Mesoscale Platform Employing Various Classes Of Excipients, Arantxa Roach

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Mesoscale nanoparticles (MNPs) for the therapeutic relief of renal ailments can be modulated to deliver various payloads – including biomolecules such as mRNA. In preparing mRNA loaded-MNPs, we observed a point of saturation for mRNA loading of these particles, when aiming to increase the payload per particle. Here, we aimed to circumvent this limitation by incorporating various excipients that interact with mRNA for increased loading. These interactions involved the reduction of mRNA electrostatic repulsion and improving mRNA stability during formulation and release. Thereafter, we tested the encapsulation efficiency of these modified particles and compared it to our original formulation. Further, …

Digital Physicians: Unleashing Artificial Intelligence In Transforming Healthcare And Exploring The Future Of Modern Approaches, Ban Salman Shukur, Mohd Khanapi Abd Ghani, Burhanuddin Bin Mohd Aboobaider

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Growing global awareness that attention to health care is the basis for maintaining citizens' quality of life. Health institutions seek to increase interest in electronic care services and enhance patient results by integrating artificial intelligence techniques. Artificial intelligence tools are indispensable to diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Integrating artificial intelligence techniques into the development of the electronic healthcare environment works to enhance public health and disease prevention and provide free services to all citizens. Designing electronic platforms raises health awareness in society, provides health programs and initiatives, and reaches homes, gardens, schools, and universities through applications based on artificial intelligence. …

Machine Learning Techniques To Predictive In Healthcare: Hepatitis C Diagnosis, Hussein Alkattan, Bashar Talib Al-Nuaimi, Alhumaima Ali Subhi

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The accurate prediction and classification of medical data, such as Hepatitis C, play a significant role in upgrading symptomatic accuracy and treatment planning. This study utilized progressed machine learning algorithms, including RF, SVR, and Gradient Boosting, to analyze features and predict outcomes viably. By coordination robust preprocessing strategies and feature engineering, the models tended to missing values and categorical transformations, enabling exact predictions from complex datasets. The models accomplished high accuracy and unwavering quality in execution, as prove by comparative measurements and validation results. These discoveries highlight the potential of machine learning in increasing clinical decision-making and emphasize the require …

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains, Grace Damiano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss caused by land use changes. Much of the American Midwest where milkweed, the only host plant of the monarch butterfly, was once much more abundant has been converted to a predominantly agricultural landscape. There are nineteen species of milkweed native to the northern Great Plains region occupied by South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Some of these milkweed species may be preferable to monarch butterflies for different reasons, including morphological factors such as stem length, species-level chemical factors, and temporal factors. As monarch …

Competition Between Bradyrhizobium Strains For Soybean Nodulation, Lilia Ernestina Montanez Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) has surged as a natural strategy to provide available nitrogen to crops by taking advantage of diazotrophs, microorganisms that can reduce atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. Soybean, a major crop, greatly benefits from BNF by forming endosymbiotic relationships with rhizobacteria from the genus Bradyrhizobium, which culminates in the formation of specialized organs called nodules, where nitrogen fixation occurs. This is known as Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation (SNF). Inoculation of soybean fields with high nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium strains to stimulate SNF is being used as a strategy to increase crop productivity and nitrogen content. However, in North America, SNF …

Sword Or Shield? The Weaponization Of Title Ix Against Transgender Athletes, Jacqueline Brant

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

The Behemoth Of The Last Ice Age: The Evolutionary Saga Of The Columbian Mammoth In North America, Nathaniel Valentine

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

The Columbian’s mammoth evolutionary history can be traced back to the origin of life and its evolutionary lineage can be tracked down by examining select species over geologic time. I conducted a literature review with multiple scientific journals to identify key transitional species that trace their lineage to the Columbian mammoth. Transitional species were selected from the Precambrian and the various periods of the Phanerozoic which exhibited vertebrate-like body structures and behaviors. Evidence suggests that early vertebrate-like animals were present by the Cambrian period. Mammal evolution would continue in the Mesozoic era and radiate in the Cenozoic era. The Columbian …

Variation In Las Vegas Tree Diversity Based On Socioeconomic Status, Fabrizio Ciccone

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

An increased level of plant biodiversity has been observed in urban communities of above average socioeconomic status. This phenomenon was previously termed the luxury effect. This study aimed to identify potential disparities in tree diversity of different communities across Las Vegas and Henderson. Communities were selected based on the zip code’s median income for 2023; this information was gathered from the Healthy Southern Nevada database. Public parks were chosen from a range of zip codes, with trees initially being identified with PictureThis, then cross-referenced with Southern Nevada Water Authority’s regional plant list for validity. Trees were counted, identified, and …

Musical Chills: The Impact Of Age And Musical Ability, Isabella Aceituno

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

Listening to music is widely regarded as a pleasant experience, but sometimes music evokes such a strong rush of emotions that it elicits physical sensations. Musical chills, also referred to as frisson or thrills, is a peak emotional response to music often distinguished by goosebumps, tingling sensations, or raised hair on the skin (del Campo & Kehle, 2016). Musical chills are typically described as pleasurable, as evidenced by subjective self-reported pleasure ratings of songs that elicit chills (Grewe et al., 2007; Grewe et al., 2011; Salimpoor et al., 2009; Sumpf et al., 2015, Mori & Iwagana, 2015, 2017; Bannister, 2020) …

Monosaccharide Coatings On Nanoparticles Affect Protein Corona Formation But Not The Interaction With Their Binding Receptor, Eva Clemente, Ruth Mateu, Avelino Ferreira, Tanja Ludtke, Hender Lopez, Sergio E. Moya, Luigi Lay, Mahmoud G. Soliman, Marco P. Monopoli

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Surface coatings with polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers have often been employed to improve nanoparticles (NPs) biocompatibility and extend circulation time by reducing protein adsorption. PEGylated NPs benefit from steric hindrance and repulsion effects, which are influenced by PEG molecular weight, density, and chain conformation. However, repetitive exposure to PEG can trigger acute and chronic immunological responses as a result of the development of Immunoglobulin G anti-PEG antibodies. NPs functionalisation with glycans has become an emerging approach to increase their biocompatibility as these biomolecules are highly hydrophilic, biocompatible interact with biological receptors expressed in the body, and can be conjugated, controlling …

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Program.

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Dr. Chris Heavey, Interim President

Dr. Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs

Ms. Zhanna Aronov, Associate Vice President for Retention & Outreach

Welcoming All: Closing Racial Gaps In School Connectedness, Ashley T. Sherman

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This mixed-methods improvement science dissertation in practice (ISDiP) explores the problem of racial gaps in school connectedness at a small suburban elementary school, where Black students report the lowest rates of connection. School connectedness is a crucial predictor of academic and social-emotional success. An exploration of scholarly and professional practice identified restorative practices coaching as a high-yield strategy to close this gap. Restorative practices is a framework of proactive and responsive practices aimed at building community and repairing harm when it occurs. Six fourth- and fifth-grade teachers participated in bi-weekly coaching sessions and classroom observations of circles, a fundamental element …

Effect Of Handheld Finger-Grip Relaxation Technique On Post-Neurosurgery Patients’ Pain And Anxiety, Marwa Abdo

Nursing

Introduction: Post-neurosurgery patients often experience pain and anxiety. Handheld finger-grip relaxation helps the body, mind, and spirit to achieve relaxation. Objective: This study investigated the effect of a handheld finger-grip relaxation technique on pain and anxiety in postneurosurgery patients. Method: A quasi-experimental study of 160 patients was randomly assigned to either the intervention group (received the handheld finger-grip relaxation technique) or the control group (received standard care). The intervention group received the handheld finger-grip relaxation technique for 15 min twice daily for 3 days. The control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety were assessed using a visual analog scale …

The Effect Of Parity, Breastfeeding History, And Duration On Clinical And Pathological Characteristics Of Breast Cancer Patients, Naziye Ak, Zeynep Tuz, Esra Aydin, Ferhat Ferhatoğlu, Murat Sari, Nail Paksoy, İzzet Doğan, Anıl Yildiz, Rian Di̇şçi̇, Pınar Mualla Sai̇p

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The study is aimed to determine the relationship between the delivery and breastfeeding history of the patients andthe clinicopathological properties of breast cancer.Materials and methods: A questionnaire was utilized for the study, which included the age of diagnosis, the number of children at thetime of diagnosis, the age of the children, and the breastfeeding period of each child.Results: The study included 828 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years for parous women and 42 years for nonparouswomen (p < 0.001). The tumor size of the patients diagnosed within the breastfeeding period was significantly larger compared to theother patients. Estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity were lower in patients diagnosed during breastfeeding. Additionally, themean number of positive lymph nodes, dissected lymph nodes, and positive lymph node/dissected lymph node ratio in parous andbreastfed patients with a nonmetastatic disease were statistically significantly higher in multivariable analysis than those patients whowere nulliparous and have not breastfed.Conclusion: Breast cancer is seen at a later age in patients who are parous than those who have never given birth. Patients who areparous and have breastfed tend to present with a higher stage of the disease.