Digital Commons Network^™

Sex Differences In The Association Between Cardiac Vagal Control And The Effects Of Baroreflex Afferents On Behavior, Xiao Yang, Jacob Chaney, Aaron S. David, Fang Fang

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. While sex differences in CVD have been well documented, the physiological mechanisms of those sex differences remain unclear. As important components of the cardiovascular system, cardiac vagal control and baroreflex serve as mechanisms of sex differences in CVD and are modifiable factors for gender-specific CVD preventions. Methods: Ninety-four healthy adults (18–44 years of age; M_age = 21.09 years; 46 female) were recruited to complete the assessments of heart rate variability (HRV) at a resting baseline and the cardiac timing effect on an R-wave-locked reaction time (RT) …

On The Cultural Stakes Of Deep Seabed Mining, Julian Arato, Aline Jaeckel, Lucas Lixinski

Other Publications

Ownership over the deep seabed and its mineral riches was unsettled until well into the twentieth century. Yet, by the 1960s, a remarkable spirit of universalism prevailed. States declared the deep seabed to be the common heritage of [hu]mankind, determining that its exploitation and protection would require collective management. The seabed beyond national jurisdiction (or, the “Area”) spans roughly half of the surface of the Earth. It contains critical minerals, such as cobalt and copper, which technological advances have rendered increasingly within reach. States have worked collectively and proactively to regulate the near-future exploitation of the deep seas, thus far …

Long- And Short-Term Weather Variables Affect Capture Rates In Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys Picta Bellii) In Marshall Co., South Dakota, Amy Dolan, Heather L. Waye, Peter Dolan

Biology Publications

Turtle populations are declining globally, and yet accurate long-term population surveys are often lacking. Even amongst widespread species, information on long-term population trends is largely missing. As such, studies on demographics, population structure, and factors that affect capture efficacy are needed. In 2019 we began a long-term study on Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) in the Couteau des Prairie habitat in northeastern South Dakota. We captured turtles using several trapping techniques and investigated the effects of short- and long-term weather variables on catch per unit effort. Temperature was positively associated with daily capture rates, showing the strongest …

Refining The Scope Of Genetic Influences On Alcohol Misuse Through Environmental Stratification And Gene-Environment Interaction, Jeanne E. Savage, Christiaan A. De Leeuw, Josefin Werme, Spit For Science Working Group, Danielle M. Dick, Danielle Posthuma, Sophie Van Der Sluis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Gene-environment interaction (G X E) is likely an important influence shaping individual differences in alcohol misuse (AM), yet it has not been extensively studied in molecular genetic research. In this study, we use a series of genome-wide gene-environment interaction (GWEIS) and in silico annotation methods with the aim of improving gene identification and biological understanding of AM.

Methods

We carried out GWEIS for four AM phenotypes in the large UK Biobank sample (N = 360,314), with trauma exposure and socioeconomic status (SES) as moderators of the genetic effects. Exploratory analyses compared stratified genome-wide association (GWAS) and GWEIS modeling approaches. …

The Co-Occurrence Of Past Year Major Depressive Episodes And Marijuana Use And Its Relation To Mental Health Resource Utilization, Suicidal Ideation And Planning, Rachel I. Miranda

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Depression is a mental health disorder found worldwide affecting all demographics and is a major cause of global disability. For youth, depression can be very serious as it is a leading contributor to suicide, a top three cause of adolescent death. When we examine the onset of depression in adolescence, we also must acknowledge that youth access and usage of mental health resources and interactions with their communities may influence their outlook. We set out to examine how the co-occurrence of past year marijuana use and major depressive episodes (MDE), the variable we use to measure youth depression in this …

Exploring The Relationship Between Cold Medicine Abuse And Recreational Drug Use, Luis Barco

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Over-the-counter medicines such as cold and cough medications may be abused as an accessible alternative to other recreational drugs in order to obtain a desired ‘high.’ A lack of literature is currently present, with few studies specifically observing simultaneous drug use and cold and/or cough medicine abuse. Using publicly available data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the researcher sought to help bridge this gap in knowledge by identifying any risk factor relationship that could exist between cold medicine abuse and commonly used recreational drugs. The observed frequency of recreational drug use (marijuana, phencyclidine, ecstasy, …

Head For Feminism, Body For Fashion: Fashion And Feminism, Madeline Emke

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Fashion and feminism have been connected for a couple of decades in the history of the United States. However, they are often looked at separately by historians. Many historians focus on the history and evolution of fashion while others research and analyze the feminist movements throughout the United States. The current state of the field for a focus on the relationship between feminism and fashion is minimal in regard to the United States. The focus lies on either fashion or feminism and not the relationship between the two. My thesis, however, focuses on the relationship between fashion and feminism and …

A Digital Platform That Integrates Biogeographic, Molecular, And Phenotypic Relationships Of Wild Plants, Fruits, And Associated Insects In Kenya, Bonface Odhiambo Onyango

All Master’s Theses

Museum biocollections contribute to exploratory studies on insects, which are increasingly providing insights into their interactions with fruits. Scientists at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) conducted a study which documented data on biocollections of wild plants, fruits, and associated insects. Despite publishing this study, most of the data records remained secluded within icipe. In addition, the biocollections lacked associated molecular data information limiting the understanding of their phylogenetic relationships.The aim of this study was to digitize the icipe biocollections and integrate the corresponding publicly available molecular barcodes. First, a database was designed.Second, respective barcodes were retrieved …

Eachempati P, Mishra L, Francis T, Et Al. A Comprehensive Guide To Removable Partial Dentures. Part 2: Impressions, Laboratory Procedures, Insertion, And Case Studies., Prashanti Eachempati, Devi Prasad Nooji, Guy Lambourn, Himanshi Aggarwal, Kiran Kumar Krishnappa Salian, Ewen Mccoll

Peninsula Dental School

This two-part series provides a comprehensive guide to fabricating definitive metal partial dentures, addressing the challenges dental practitioners face in mastering prosthesis design. It aims to equip dental professionals with a thorough understanding of the theoretical foundations and clinical methods for effective metal partial denture fabrication. Part 2 covers removable partial denture (RPD) design philosophies, tooth preparation, secondary impressions, laboratory procedures, trial and final insertions, as well as post-insertion complications and their management. Additionally, four case scenarios are included to help readers apply the knowledge gained from both parts to design a metal partial denture.

Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (Hhxrf) As A Non-Destructive Method For Trace Element Analysis Of Ancient Maya (Pre-Conquest 800 Bc - Ad950) Teeth From Altun Ha, Belize, Griffon G. Binkowski

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In anthropology, elemental analysis of bone and teeth can provide significant details about an individual’s life history, such as diet, toxicity exposure, residency, and migration patterns. Intra-individual comparisons can help to gather information about a single individual’s life, while inter-individual comparisons can help illustrate a community’s life history during these periods. However, current methods of elemental analysis commonly involve the destruction of skeletal samples, which can damage a collection’s integrity and be perceived as disrespectful by descendant communities. Preliminary research has validated handheld x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (HHXRF) as an accurate and reliable method of analysis appropriate for determining the elemental …

Clostridioides Difficile: Identification Of Rival Organisms & Evaluation Of Non-Antibiotic Treatment Implementation, Justin Davis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostrioides difficile is a common cause of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections. Patients receiving antibiotic treatment experience dysbiosis of gut microbiota, and C. difficile, normally held in check by the various other organisms, takes this opportunity to propagate. Symptoms of infection generally include diarrhea, colitis, dehydration, and fever. Understanding that C. difficile generally only causes illness when it is the dominant bacterium (i.e. when growth is relatively unchecked by other microbes), it is appropriate to investigate potential competitive organisms that may be introduced after antibiotic courses or during active C. difficile infection to effectively displace it. Fecal samples from the University …

Studying Implicit Racial Bias In Breast Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, And Treatment: A Scoping Review, Lillian C. Nguyen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Breast cancer remains a significant public health concern worldwide, with persisting disparities in several aspects of breast cancer care. Implicit bias has emerged as a potential contributor to these disparities. While previous research has examined implicit bias in healthcare, particularly in the context of racial and ethnic disparities, no review has been conducted to examine the association of physician implicit bias and breast cancer care. There remains a need for further investigation into its role in breast cancer care. This scoping review aims to systematically analyze the existing literature on physician implicit bias in breast cancer care to discern its …

Tim/Tam Receptors: A Potential Biomarker For Predicting Sensitivity To Zika Virus-Induced Oncolysis In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers, Shankari Somasekar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) constitute 80-85% of lung cancers and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The most common cause is prolonged smoking. Current treatment options for NSCLC include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Although these medications are effective in the short term, patients often face issues of drug resistance and debilitating side effects with prolonged use. Currently, the use of Zika virus (ZIKV) is being researched as a possible alternative treatment for cancer, which minimizes side effects and the risk of drug resistance. TIM/TAM proteins are identified as the putative ZIKV receptors on …

How Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Injury In Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Ashley V. Malvita

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research indicates that female athletes have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Hormone fluctuations throughout the different periods of the menstruation cycle impacts the risk of injuries for women. Contraceptive use, most used in the form of an oral contraceptive pill, directly effects hormones and menstrual cycle related symptoms, with evidence of ameliorating some symptoms. Oral contraceptive use is suggested to influence musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes. However, there is little research and data that explores the direct relationship between oral contraceptive use and the injury rates of female athletes. Within this systematic review, five articles investigating this relationship fulfilled …

The Effect Of Different Music Genres On Listeners' Emotions, Benjamin N. Rosenberg

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Music has been shown to have definitive effects on the emotions of listeners, but the effects of different genres of music have been less frequently studied. The purpose of this study was to examine three different genres of music (pop, metal, and EDM), and the different effects on listeners’ emotions that they would have. College students (n = 191), completed a questionnaire assessing genre preference and emotions, before listening to a selection of songs from one of the three genres. Afterwards, they reported their emotions once more. Metal music was found to cause an increase in negative emotions, while …

Exploring The Behavioural And Neural Bases Of Impulsivity In A Transdiagnostic Approach Relevant For Addiction., Kenza Kadri

School of Psychology Theses

This thesis aims to investigate the behavioural and neural basis of impulsivity, which is known to be a risk factor in the development of psychiatric disorders such as addiction. To tackle this issue, the thesis uses neuroimaging, behavioural, and machine-learning techniques to identify transdiagnostic markers of impulsivity and their relationship with striatal connectivity and decision-making variability. This thesis was divided into two studies. The first one aims to associate a set of transdiagnostic markers relevant to addiction with the connectivity profiles of the striatum, which is known to be implicated in processes of reward, motivation, and decision-making. In particular, this …

'A Knock At The Door': A Memoir With A Supplemental Dissertation About Its Craft In The Context Of Alan Bennett's 'The Lady In The Van' And Lemn Sissay's 'My Name Is Why', Robert Parsons

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

My project has two elements: a memoir, titled 'A Knock at the Door', and a critical dissertation.On December 23rd, 1975, Ronnie, a homeless man who had spent the majority of his childhood in care and had educational challenges, knocked on our door. At that time, I was a young lawyer and had been married for four years. I invited him in; my wife and I gave him a meal and offered that he stay the night. He never left. He died in September 2020 having lived with us for forty-five years. During that time, we had children, brought them up …

Mental Health Practitioners’ Trauma Knowledge And Self-Efficacy Post-Emdr Training, Christy R. Collins, Shelby L. Dean, Jose Carbajal

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This research study examines mental health practitioners’ level of trauma knowledge and trauma treatment self-efficacy pre- and post-EMDR therapy training in Texas. The purpose is to determine if practitioners' self-perception of efficacy in treating trauma and trauma knowledge will improve after completing EMDR training. The practitioner sample (N = 113) is from an EMDR trainer who conducted six EMDR trainings in Texas. Descriptive, correlational, and paired t-test statistical procedures were implemented to analyze the data for the study. The results show that practitioners’ self-perception of competence and knowledge could be attributed to their years of clinical experience treating clients with …

Describing The Experiences Of Fulfillment And Stress In Coptic Orthodox Priests, Dr. Martha Salama

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This qualitative study was conducted to understand how Coptic Orthodox priests describe their experiences of fulfillment and/or stress with their work. While many Christian leaders such as pastors, reverends, and clergy helping to serve their church members are represented in the literature, there is limited research on the roles and experiences of the Coptic Orthodox priesthood serving their communities. The Coptic church has been around for centuries, and the church has a history of religious persecution. The research question was “how do Coptic Orthodox priests describe their experiences of fulfillment and/or stress with their work?” The research methodology used in …

A Journey From Univariate To Multivariate Functional Time Series: A Comprehensive Review, Hossein Haghbin, Mehdi Maadooliat

Mathematical and Statistical Science Faculty Research and Publications

Functional time series (FTS) analysis has emerged as a potent framework for modeling and forecasting time-dependent data with functional attributes. In this comprehensive review, we navigate through the intricate landscape of FTS methodologies, meticulously surveying the core principles of univariate FTS and delving into the nuances of multivariate FTS. The journey commences with an exploration of the foundational aspects of univariate FTS analysis. We delve into representation, estimation, and modeling, spotlighting the effectiveness of various parametric and nonparametric models at our disposal. The stage then transitions to multivariate FTS analysis, where we confront the intricacies posed by high-dimensional data. We …

Table Of Contents

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This is the table of contents.

Pandemics Of Limitation Of Rights, Rinat Kitai-Sangero

Touro Law Review

This Article discusses the limitation of rights due to pandemics. It analyzes from a constitutional standpoint the holding of the German Federal Constitutional Court (Das BUNDESVERFASSUNGSGERICHT) from April 2022 as a symptom of moral panic disguised through an analytical process. Though it focuses on this case, it sheds light on the moral panic that characterized many countries’ approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 27, 2022, the German Federal Constitutional Court held that a provision to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, recovery from COVID-19, or a medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment in the health …

Table Of Contents

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.

Durability, Flexibility And Plasticity In The U.N. Convention On The Law Of The Sea, Sean Murphy

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The overall resilience of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea during the forty years since its adoption in 1982—its durability, its flexibility and its plasticity in the face of myriad challenges that have unfolded over time—is largely attributable to certain design features within the Convention, to a willingness to ‘bend’ the Convention toward practical outcomes when necessary, and to the foresight of the drafters in closely tying the Convention to other agreements and standards, as well as to the general field of international law, so that the Convention might evolve as the world evolves. There are risks …

The Battle Over Gender-Affirming Healthcare For Transgender Minors: Analyzing Anti-Transgender Healthcare Bills In Arkansas And Texas, Brandon Calton

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Tonneau1 Recruiting Motif Proteins And Ton2 Signaling Functions, Tyler Falk

Theses and Dissertations

Plants cells are fixed in place. As a result they have to carefully divide in order to function properly. Plants use a number of complex microtubule arrays to ensure proper division and orientation including the preprophase band (PPB) and the phragmoplast. The PPB orients the cell prior to division and marks the cortical division site, which is where the phragmoplast is guided to. The phragmoplast is a dynamic microtubule array that builds the cell plate which later becomes the cell wall that divides daughter cells. Proteins involved with PPB formation include Tonneau1 (TON1) and Tonneau2 (TON2) which localize to and …

Food For Thought: Fabricating The Cannibal In Colonization, Hannah Dubrovich

Theses and Dissertations

Anthropophagy means people-eating, as does cannibal, but the terms are not synonymous. After Europeans landed in the Americas, Christopher Columbus coined the word cannibal. Despite the two terms having similar base definitions, there are additional connotations associated with cannibal. The way in which cannibalism has been thought about by Western cultures is not about the act of people-eating, but the constructed character of the cannibal as a “savage” Other created through colonization. In addition to the term's associated meaning being cemented during this time, colonizers used the term as a tool to Other Native peoples and aid in colonization. It …

Ergot Alkaloid Consumption Alters Serotonin Receptor-Induced Vasoactivity In Ovine Umbilical Vasculature, James L. Klotz, Jessica L. Britt, Maslyn A. Greene, Coral Kent-Dennis, Susan K. Duckett

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Consumption of ergot alkaloids during the second half of gestation has been shown to decrease umbilical artery vasoactivity resulting in decreased birth weights. Negative vascular effects of ergot alkaloids are mediated predominantly through serotonergic and adrenergic receptors in other tissues. Vasoactivity of serotonin (5-HT) receptors 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_1B/1D in umbilical artery and vein from ewes receiving endophyte-infected seed (E + 1.77 mg ergovaline/hd/d) or a control total mixed ration (CON; 0 mg ergovaline/hd/d) tall fescue seed at d-110 and d-133 of gestation was evaluated. Gravid reproduction tracts were collected from ewes. Two-mm sections of umbilical artery and vein …

Essential Oil Supplementation Improves Insulin Sensitivity And Modulates The Plasma Metabolome Of Hyperinsulinemic Horses, Caroline M.M. Loos, Shuang Zhao, Liang Li, Janet Li, Wei Han, Eric S. Vanzant, Kyle R. Mcleod

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of essential oil (EO) supplementation on insulin sensitivity (IS) and the plasma metabolome in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses. Horses were blocked by degree of IS and assigned randomly to treatment: oral daily bolus (50 mL) of either a plant derived EO supplement or carrier (CON). Mares were housed in dry lots with ad libitum access to grass hay and supplemented individually twice daily with a concentrate to meet nutrient requirements for mature horses. Before and after 6 wks of treatment, mares underwent a combined glucose-insulin tolerance test (CGIT) and an …

Ovotransferrin-Depleted Egg White Hydrolysate Reduces Blood Pressure In Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats, Fatemeh Ashkar, Hongbing Fan, Zihan Wang, Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura Fernando, Jianping Wu

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Egg whites contain a variety of biologically active proteins and are a good source of bioactive peptides. Egg white hydrolysate prepared by thermoase (EWH) possesses antihypertensive effects. Our recent study showed that egg white proteins, after depleting ovotransferrin, also contained many angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides after hydrolysis using thermoase. In the present study, we aimed to explore the antihypertensive effect of the ovotransferrin-depleted egg white hydrolysate prepared by thermoase (OD-EWH) in spontaneously hypertensive rats, using EWH as the reference. The animals were orally administered with either hydrolysate at a dose of 1 g/kg body weight/d over 9 d. OD-EWH treatment …