Digital Commons Network^™

Process-Structure-Property Relationships Of Nanofibers For Biomedical Applications, Dipasree Bhowmick

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the fabrication, characterization, and applications of nanofiber membranes utilizing Forcespinning® technology. Two distinct nanofiber systems were developed and evaluated, one focusing on pH-responsive Eudragit-baicalin loaded nanofibrous membranes for wound healing and the second one on thermo-responsive nanofiber-hydrogel (PNIPAAm) systems for biosensing applications, specifically dopamine detection. In the first project, nanofiber membranes loaded with Eudragit and baicalin demonstrated superior antibacterial properties against both gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (B. meg) bacteria. Additionally, these membranes exhibited antioxidant properties and enhanced cell proliferation of 3TT cells, making them promising candidates for wound healing dressings. In the second project, a …

Monitoring The Effectiveness Of Wildlife Exits And Bobcat Use Along A South Texas Highway, Jamie E. Langbein

Theses and Dissertations

Roadside exclusion fencing is commonly used to mitigate wildlife road mortalities and property damages caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. A potential consequence is that animals may become trapped on the road by fencing. On State Highway 100 in South Texas, the Texas Department of Transportation installed ten wildlife exits (WE) allowing animals to exit the roadway through a modified opening in the fence. However, some individuals used the WE to access the roadway. In this study, a new design was implemented, with narrower openings, a ramp and a clear plastic one-way door. While the updated design prevented road access for wildlife, …

Examining Social Factors Influencing Latino Students' Academic Learning In Rio Grande Valley Via A Quantitative Design, David T. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to examine the social factors that could influence the academic learning experiences of Latino college students. Hispanic students are pursuing post-secondary degrees at a higher rate than in previous years. Many Hispanics represent their respective family members as the first members of their respective families to attend college (Trevino & DeFreitas, 2014). The academic achievement of Latino college students is becoming a major concern in the United States due to their growing population and special needs (Trevino & DeFreitas, 2014).

It is imperative to examine the social factors that could affect the academic learning experiences of …

Using Noninvasive Calibrated Cuff Plethysmography To Observe The Effects Of Cold-Water Immersion On Arterial Compliance, Rita M. Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering: Graduate Reports and Projects

As the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to exponentially grow in populations across the globe, the necessity of determining underlying factors, effective methods of diagnoses, and universally available preventive measures also grows. Early detection of endothelial dysfunction, a proven precursor of cardiovascular diseases, can be extremely impactful in encouraging preventative measures and early intervention before medical conditions become chronic. In recent years, ice plunging, a form of cryotherapy involving full body immersion in cold water, has gained popularity within circles of fitness and health practitioners, gaining the interest of people of all backgrounds. Certain parallels observed between the human physiological …

Fabrication Of Pvc Enrofloxacin-Selective Electrodes For Estimating Enrofloxacin In Pure Form And As Preparation Formula, Omar Salih Hassan, Sahar S M Alabdullah, Amina M. Abass, Ahmed Ahmed

Baghdad Science Journal

This study explored the development and qualities of the response of electrochemical properties of enrofloxacin-selective electrodes using precipitation based on producing phosphotungstic, after utilizing a matrix of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and dibutyl phthalate or dibutyl phosphate as a plasticizer. The resulting membrane sensors were an enrofloxacin-phosphotungstic electrode (sensors 1) and an ENR-DOP-PTA electrode (sensors 2). Linear responses of (ENR-DBPH-PTA) and (ENR-DOP-PTA) within the concentration ranges of 2.1×10-6-10-1 and 3.0×10-6-10-2 mol. L-1, respectively, for both sensors were observed. Slopes of 51.61±0.24 and 39.40± 0.16 mV/decade and pH ranges equal to 2.5-8.5 and 2.0-9.0 were observed for sensors 1 and 2, respectively. …

Disrupting Childhood Trauma With Holistic Health Practices In Low Ses Elementary Schools, Unna G. Burns, Ketzia Kogan, Sarah M. Wingerden, Hannah Meck

Psychology and Child Development

It is evident that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are a large challenge to tackle in the U.S., with 61% of adults reporting that they’ve experienced one ACE and 16% reporting four or more ACEs by age 18 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). ACE score items include, but are not limited to experiencing verbal, physical, sexual abuse, physical and/or emotional neglect, having a mentally ill family member, witnessing violence in the home towards a parent, and/or having a family member in prison. Such experiences serve as a public health threat that, without early intervention, bring about long-term effects biologically, …

Habitat Associations Of Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale Interrupta) Across The Plains Ecoregion. And The Landcover Occupancy Models Of The Gray Fox (Urocyon Cinereoargenteus) In The Southeastern Plains Region In Arkansas, Michael Shaw

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Much of the landscape of the United States has been altered by humans, leading to the eradication of most populations of large mammalian predators. Consequently, many species of mammalian mesopredators (medium-sized mammalian predators) have come to dominate the landscape. Species such as the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) may appear to be on the rise and doing well due to their widespread range, but at a local scale may need monitoring and less is known in areas of its range. Others such as the plains spotted skunk have a wide range across the plains but are on the decline even with …

From Periphery To Center: Re-Presenting Black And Afro-Arab Characters In Contemporary Arabic Literature, Samer Ahmad Mayyas

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black Arabs and Afro-Arabs tend not to be centered in Arabic discourse, especially modern Arabic literature, and Black people of other ethnicities are marginalized, as if Black peoples and Afro-Arabs were not part of the history and present-day of the Arabic-speaking world. I explore in this dissertation project the representations and experiences of Black and Afro-Arabs in contemporary Arabic fictional narratives. I argue that the contemporary literary era sees a shift in re-presenting Black peoples and Afro-Arabs in the Arabic fictional discourse. By moving Black and Afro-Arab characters from periphery to center, contemporary Arab writers challenge and disrupt, in an …

A Model Of Immediate Implant Placement To Evaluate Early Osseointegration In 129/Sv Diabetic Mice, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Alexandra Arteaga, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Evelin Rios, Ryan Margolis, Danieli C. Rodrigues

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Purpose: To analyze the process of early oral osseointegration of titanium (Ti) implants in diabetic 129/Sv mice through microCT and histologic and immunohistochemical analysis.

Materials and methods: A group of 30 male 129/Sv mice was equally subdivided into two groups: (1) nondiabetic (ND), in which mice did not undergo systemic alterations and received a standard diet, and (2) diabetic (D), in which mice were provided a high-fat diet from the age of 6 weeks until the conclusion of the study and received two intraperitoneal (IP) injections of streptozotocin (STZ) at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg each. Each mouse underwent extraction …

Community-Based Cultivation Of Medicinal Plants: Preserving Florida's Native Plants, Shayna Dimmer

USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)

This thesis explores the role of community-based cultivation of native medicinal plants as a strategy for promoting conservation, cultural awareness, and public health in Florida. Through a review of ethnobotanical literature and a hands-on case study conducted in a St. Petersburg community garden, the research documents the process of identifying, sourcing, propagating, and integrating two Florida native medicinal species, Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower) and Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), into a community setting. The study examines the historical and contemporary significance of medicinal plants, the challenges posed by overharvesting and habitat loss, and the growing need for sustainable cultivation practices. Findings …

Intersectionalities In Internationalization Studies: An Overview Of Brazilian Research, Simone M. Costa, Lauro Sérgio M. Pereira, Kléber A. Silva

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Special Issue

Post-Wildfire Export Regimes Of Solutes Along The Gallinas-Pecos River-Santa Rosa Fluvial Network, Asmita Kaphle

Civil Engineering ETDs

Wildfires significantly contribute to water pollution when ash and sediments, including nutrients and metals, are released into fluvial systems, impacting aquatic ecosystems and surrounding communities. This study focuses on the impacts of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire on the Gallinas and Pecos watersheds. It employs five monitoring stations along a 190km fluvial network to assess solute export regimes post-fire, where grab samples were collected for nutrient and metal analyses for a period of more than a year. The metrics used for characterizing mobilization, chemostatic, or dilution patterns indicated mobilization for most solutes at all sites upstream of Santa Rosa Lake. …

Preparing Teaching Assistants To Facilitate Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (Cures) In The Biological Sciences: A Call To Action, Erin Shortlidge, Amie M. Kern, Emma Goodwin, Jeffrey T. Olimpo

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) offer an expanding avenue to engage students in real-world scientific practices. Increasingly, CUREs are instructed by graduate teaching assistants (TAs), yet TAs may be underprepared to facilitate and face unique barriers when teaching CUREs. Consequently, unless TAs are provided professional development (PD) and resources to teach CUREs effectively, they and their students may not reap the assumed benefits of CURE instruction. Here, we describe three perspectives – that of the CURE TA, the CURE designer/facilitator, and the CURE student – that are collectively intended to inform the development of tentative components of CURE TA PD. …

Enhancing Urban Water Quality Through Biological-Chemical Treatment: Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community And Temporal Chlorophyll-A Response, Matthew Chaffee

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

With a growing human population, urbanization is impeding a plethora of natural waterways. Of these, urban ponds play a vital role in nutrient sequestration, flood prevention, and habitat sanctuaries. However, nutrient loading can reduce habitat effectiveness and promote harmful algae blooms. To reduce internal nutrient loads, a biological-chemical treatment strategy consisting of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) and lanthanum were applied to two urban retention ponds, Densmore and Wilderness Ridge Ponds. To measure effectiveness, chlorophyll-a samples were collected and correlated with Sentinel-2. A novel band algorithm termed 3BR1 produced a strong correlation (R² = 0.72) to physical chlorophyll-a …

Responses Of Maize To Different Irrigation Regimes In Semi-Arid Western Nebraska, Swathi Palle

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As the “Cornhusker State”, Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop in Nebraska. However, farmers in the state are challenged by unstable supply of surface water and limited groundwater resources. A better understanding of maize's response to water stress that occurs at different growth stages can help implement the best irrigation practices that conserve water while maintaining yields. In this study, we conducted field experiments at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center to compare the responses of maize to eight irrigation treatments which included both limited and deficit irrigation regimes during 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Specifically, …

Renovating The Ipmu Via Internet Of Things For Pollutant Emission Estimations In Poultry Facilities, Joshua Dotto

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The emissions of ammonia (NH₃), particulate matter (PM_2.5), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are major concerns in poultry facilities. They can pose environmental concerns and nuances. Robust and affordable measurement systems are needed to accurately measure in-barn concentrations and quantify the emissions.

The Intelligent Portable Monitoring Unit (iPMU or PMU3) developed in 2016 was reconstructed into PMU4 to include upgraded NH₃ and PM_2.5 sensors and wireless connectivity for a low-cost, robust, and accurate air quality monitoring device with contactless data transfer using the concept of Internet of Things (IoT). In addition, a user-friendly …

Exploring The Potential Of Tesla Valve For Filtering And Sorting Microscale Active Swimmers: A Computational Study, Ariel Rogers, Zhiyao He, Yong Wang

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

It is well-known that a Tesla valve allows fluids to flow unidirectionally without moving parts; however, how Tesla valves interact with active matters and the potential applications of Tesla valves in biology remain largely unexplored. Here, we present a computational study on the potential use of Tesla valves for filtering and sorting microscale active swimmers such as bacteria. We investigated the behavior of microscale swimmers passing through the Tesla valve at different linear and angular velocities using numerical simulations and quantified the diodicity of the Tesla valve for active swimmers. Our results demonstrate that the Tesla valve can effectively filter …

Human-Bat Interactions In A Disease Emergence Hotspot: Implications For Human Health And Bat Conservation, Reilly Tempest Jackson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bats are an ecologically important taxon that can host zoonotic pathogens. Globally, many bat species are synanthropic and live closely with humans, often roosting in man-made structures. The spatial overlap between humans and bats creates opportunities for human-bat contact, which can lead to human exposure to bat-borne pathogens and conflicts that cause bat mortality. Despite this risk, little is known about the drivers and characteristics of these human-bat interactions in buildings and work is needed to understand this aspect of the wildlife-urban interface. In Chapter I, I present a literature review that identifies the geographic and taxonomic trends in reported …

The Effects Of Diet, Size, And Phylogeny On Primate Dental Proportions, Rudolph J. Wilkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is generally appreciated that there is a relationship between the relative size of the incisors, mandible length, and diet in primates. More specifically, the differences in relative incisor size among primate species are believed to be evolutionary adaptations to their use during food processing and acquisition. While this satisfactorily explains relatively large incisors, it fails to address the relatively small incisor size seen in many taxa. One hypothesis is that there is a trade-off between molar size and incisor size in species with relatively short mandibles. The following study uses two-way ANOVA to evaluate the possibility that spatial constraint …

Exploring Underserved Communities’ Perspectives On Wilderness Character In Everglades National Park, Elena R. Thomas, Jaclyn F. Rushing, William L. Rice, Jennifer M. Thomsen, Christopher A. Armatas

Society and Conservation Faculty Publications

Issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are becoming increasingly important to park and protected area managers. Recently, several Executive Orders have established policies and priorities for steering public lands to better serve the diversity of the US public. Certain groups, compared to the US population at large, are underrepresented as visitors to parks and protected areas in the US, including BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color), women, people with disabilities, veterans, people with lower socioeconomic status, and the elderly. This disparity in visitation may be even more pronounced in federally designated wilderness areas. We present a …

Granulocytic Anaplasmosis In Cats From Central Europe And Molecular Characterization Of Feline Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Strains By Anka Gene, Groel Gene And Multilocus Sequence Typing, Anna Sophia Kruppenbacher, Elisabeth Müller, Matthew L. Aardema, Ingo Schäfer, Friederike D. Von Loewenich

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex and causes febrile illness called granulocytic anaplasmosis primarily in humans, horses, dogs, sheep, cattle and goats. In comparison, clinically apparent disease has been described rarely in cats especially compared to dogs and horses. It is currently unknown whether cats are less susceptible to A. phagocytophilum or whether granulocytic anaplasmosis might be underdiagnosed in cats. Methods: To address this question, we examined clinical signs and laboratory findings in seven A. phagocytophilum infected cats from Germany and Switzerland. …

Genomic Analyses Indicate The North American Ap-Ha Variant Of The Tick-Vectored Bacterium Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Was Introduced From Europe, Matthew L. Aardema

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-vectored, obligately intracellular bacterium that infects a diversity of vertebrate hosts. In North America, the Ap-ha variant of A. phagocytophilum can cause dangerous infections in humans, whereas symptomatic human infections in Europe are rare. Conversely, the European host-generalist ecotype of A. phagocytophilum frequently causes illness in domestic ruminants while no comparable infections have been recorded from North America. Despite these differences in pathogenicity, the Ap-ha variant is closely aligned phylogenetically with the European host-generalist ecotype. Furthermore, North American populations of A. phagocytophilum are less genetically diverse than those in Europe. Taken together, these observations suggest …

Anthropogenic Effects On Global Soil Nitrogen Pools, Shih Chieh Chien, Jennifer Adams Krumins

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The amount of nitrogen stored in terrestrial soils, its “nitrogen pool”, moderates biogeochemical cycling affecting primary productivity, nitrogen pollution and even carbon budgets. The soil nitrogen pools and the transformation of nitrogen forms within them are heavily influenced by environmental factors including anthropogenic activities. However, our understanding of the global distribution of soil nitrogen with respect to anthropogenic activity and human land use remains unclear. We constructed a meta-analysis from a global sampling, in which we compare soil total nitrogen pools and the driving mechanisms affecting each pool across three major classifications of human land use: natural, agricultural, and urban. …

The Future Of Terrorist Use Of Improvised Explosive Devices: Getting In Front Of An Evolving Threat, Austin C. Doctor, Samuel Hunter

Psychology Faculty Publications

Because of their outsized impact—as well as the wide availability of device components—violent extremists in the United States consider improvised explosive devices a valuable part of their arsenal. They are easy to make, difficult to combat, and cause significant harm and disruption. Yet this threat is not static. Violent extremists continue to innovate, drawing on emerging technologies and creative problem solving. The onus of initiative requires that the counterterrorism mission community looks over the horizon to identify emerging threats. In support of this need, the authors offer a forward-leaning taxonomy of emerging threats related to terrorist use of IEDs in …

Revolutionizing Fracture Fixation In Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Rats: High Mobility Group Box 1-Based Coating For Enhanced Osseointegration, Alexandra Arteaga, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Javier La Fontaine, Danieli C. Rodrigues

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Chronic inflammation and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients increase the risk of implant failure and impaired fracture healing. We previously developed and characterized a titanium (Ti) coating strategy using an imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IonL) with a fully reduced, non-oxidizable High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) isoform (Ti-IonL-HMGB1) to immunomodulate tissue healing. In this study, we used an open reduction fracture fixation (ORIF) model in non-diabetic (ND) and diabetic (D) rats to further investigate the effectiveness of this Ti-IonL-HMGB1 coating on orthopedic applications. Ninety male Lewis rats (12–15 weeks) were divided into D (n = 45) and ND (n = …

A Wearable Fluorescence Imaging Device For Intraoperative Identification Of Human Brain Tumors, Mehrana Mohtasebi, Chong Huang, Mingjun Zhao, Siavash Mazdeyasna, Xuhui Liu, Samaneh Rabienia Haratbar, Faraneh Fathi, Jinghong Sun, Thomas A. Pittman, Guoqiang Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Malignant glioma (MG) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumors. Surgical resection of MG remains the cornerstone of therapy and the extent of resection correlates with patient survival. A limiting factor for resection, however, is the difficulty in differentiating the tumor from normal tissue during surgery. Fluorescence imaging is an emerging technique for real-time intraoperative visualization of MGs and their boundaries. However, most clinical grade neurosurgical operative microscopes with fluorescence imaging ability are hampered by low adoption rates due to high cost, limited portability, limited operation flexibility, and lack of skilled professionals with technical knowledge. To overcome …

Use Of Interleukin-12/23 Inhibitor For The Management Of Acne Fulminans., Hannah Gier, Alexa Israeli, Austin Cusick, Dawn Merritt

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

Acne fulminans (AF) is a rare disorder marked by severe eruptions of inflamed nodules, hemorrhagic crusts, and ulcers accompanied by systemic symptoms and often laboratory abnormalities. Commonly affecting adolescent males with pre-existing acne, AF has been associated with isotretinoin therapy and elevated testosterone levels. With unknown pathogenesis, lesions frequently involve the trunk and face and are managed standardly with corticosteroids and isotretinoin. Uncontrolled or recurrent cases pose challenges due to prolonged high-dose corticosteroid use with increased scarring. In this study, we present a case of AF in a 17-year-old male unresponsive to corticosteroid and isotretinoin therapy, successfully treated with ustekinumab, …

Early Screening Of Oral Premalignant And Malignant Lesions Using Salivary Biomarkers, Sara Abdelwahed, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily, Mohamed Mansy, Myra De Guzman Angeles

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Art And Interdisciplinary Opportunities For Literacy Instruction: A Qualitative Study To Examine Educator Perceptions In The Rural Setting, Courtney Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine educator perceptions of teaching art and implementing literacy and interdisciplinary strategies in rural northeast Tennessee school districts. This study explored interdisciplinary connections and opportunities to expand access to literacy acquisition in the art room. Participants included twelve educators who served as art instructors, literacy specialists, and district supervisors in rural public-school systems in Tennessee's First Congressional District. Data were collected through virtual interviews using a semi-structured format. To qualify for the study participants held positions as elementary or secondary art teachers, literacy specialists, or district supervisors in rural northeast Tennessee …

Translational Research Targeting Biliary Tract Cancer, Yan Zhu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is malignant tumor that originates from the biliary tract, including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and gallbladder cancer (GBC). In this translational research program targeting BTC, we focus on three aspects: the development of a combination treatment against CCA, the exploration of the immune background of GBC, and the establishment of a CCA mouse model mimicking mutation profiles of CCA patients.

Patients with cholangiocarcinoma have poor clinical outcomes due to late diagnoses, poor prognoses, and limited treatment strategies. To identify novel drug combinations for this disease, we have conducted a genome wide CRISPR screen anchored on the bromodomain and …