Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Serum Exosome Proteins In Systemic Sclerosis With Interstitial Lung Disease By Aptamer Proteomics, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Simon T. Dillon, Xuesong Gu, Towia A. Libermann, Sergio A. Jimenez

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

OBJECTIVE: A major unmet need for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) clinical management is the absence of well validated biomarkers for early diagnosis of SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The objective of this study was to identify proteins contained within serum exosomes that may serve as potential biomarkers to differentiate patients with Diffuse SSc without SSc-ILD from patients with Diffuse SSc with SSc-ILD employing aptamer-based proteomics.

METHODS: Serum exosomes were isolated from two cohorts of patients. The first cohort included 15 patients with Diffuse SSc without SSc-ILD and 14 patients with Diffuse SSc with SSc-ILD and the second cohort included 12 patients …

Recent Insights Into Electrochemical Sensing Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Christopher T. Lebarron, Pavithra Hosseini, Seyyedamirhossein Hosseini

Faculty Publications

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely studied due to their persistence, prevalence, and harmful effects on human and environmental health. Key challenges include improving detection methodologies, such as lowering detection limits, and developing more sensitive and selective approaches. Given the ubiquity of PFAS, effective sensing must be paired with remediation strategies that transform these pollutants into value-added or less toxic products. This perspective explores recent advances in electrochemical PFAS detection, highlighting challenges and future opportunities.

The Unique Relationship Between Perceived Body Image, Measured Body Composition, And Self-Efficacy In Female Collegiate Athletes, Candace Langston

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Problem: Female athletes are at an increased risk for body image disturbance, and subsequently disordered eating and eating disorders. There is an established, perplexing dichotomy in this population of high-self efficacy and low body image perception not seen in other populations. More research is needed to further understand this phenomenon, including examining the role that body composition plays in the relationship. Purpose: To explore the relationship between body image perception, measured body composition, and self-efficacy in female collegiate athletes. A secondary measure of athlete identity was also explored. Methodology: Seventy-five female collegiate athletes were recruited from two Southeastern universities. Participants …

Conversational Systems For Social Care In Older Adults: Protocol For A Scoping Review, Rosiered Brownson-Smith, Ananya Ananthakrishnan, Oksana Hagen, Cen Cong, Amir Aly, Ray B. Jones, Edward Meinert

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Background: Social care systems worldwide face increasing demographic and financial pressures. This necessitates exploring innovative technological solutions to enhance service delivery without substantially increasing costs. Conversational interfaces, including interactive voice response, chatbots, and voice assistants, have gained traction as a means to improve accessibility and efficiency in social care. The rapid development of large language models such as ChatGPT has further accelerated interest in conversational artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies can offer intuitive interactions, particularly for individuals with limited digital literacy. However, their real-world impact, usability, and ethical considerations in social care remain underexplored. Objective: This scoping review aims to …

Framework For Mapping Sublimation Features On Mars’ South Polar Cap Using Object-Based Image Analysis, Racine D. Cleveland, Vincent F. Chevrier, Jason A. Tullis

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mars’ south polar cap hosts dynamic landforms known as Swiss cheese features (SCFs), which form through the sublimation of carbon dioxide (CO2) ice driven by the planet’s extreme seasonal and diurnal solar insolation cycles. These shallow, rounded depressions—first identified by Mars Global Surveyor in 1999 and later monitored by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)—have been observed to increase in size over time. However, large-scale analysis of SCF formation and growth has been limited by the slow and labor-intensive nature of manual mapping techniques. This study applies object-based image analysis (OBIA) to automate the detection and measurement of SCFs using High-Resolution …

Long-Read Sequencing Is Required For Precision Diagnosis Of Incontinentia Pigmenti., Monica H. Wojcik, Robin D. Clark, Abdallah F. Elias, Casie A. Genetti, Jill A. Madden, Dana Simpson, Linda Golkar, Miranda P G Zalusky, Angela L. Miller, Araceli Rodriguez, Joy Goffena, Camille A. Dash, Nikhita Damaraju, Sophia B. Gibson, Sophie H R Storz, Zachary B. Anderson, Jonas A. Gustafson, Isabelle Thiffault, Emily G. Farrow, Tomi Pastinen, Jasmine Lin, Jennifer T. Huang, Alan H. Beggs, Pankaj B. Agrawal, Genomics Research To Elucidate The Genetics Of Rare Diseases (Gregor) Consortium, David T. Miller, Danny E. Miller

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is caused by loss-of-function variants in IKBKG, with molecular genetic diagnosis complicated by a pseudogene. We describe seven individuals from three families with IP but negative clinical genetic testing in whom long-read sequencing identified causal variants, including one family with the common exon 4-10 deletion not identified by conventional clinical genetic testing. Concurrent methylation analysis explained disease severity in one individual who died from neurologic complications, identified a mosaic variant in an individual with an atypical presentation, and confirmed skewed X chromosome inactivation in an XXY individual.

The Indigenous Land Struggles Amidst The Pressures For Change In The Lake Toba Areas Of North Sumatra, Indonesia, Betty B. S. Naibaho, Shew-Jiuan Su

Forest and Society

Many Masyarakat Adat (Indigenous People), including those in the Lake Toba areas of North Sumatra, Indonesia, struggle to protect their rights to land and resources. This article examines the agencies and dynamics of indigenous-land-related development in Lake Toba amidst modernization, focusing on their roles, relationships, perceptions, interests, and strategies. Semi-structured interviews using snowball sampling were conducted with Indigenous People around Lake Toba, local NGOs, and local government representatives. Five key groups were identified in the process of procuring Indigenous land use rights for the Toba Batak ethnic group: tribal leaders (elders), community members, land dealers, local government, and NGOs. The …

Conflict And Compromise, Discourse And Action: Political Ecology In The Complexity Of Land Management In Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Salsa Rizkia Meilinda, Darmawan Salman, Sawedi Muhammad

Forest and Society

Peatlands in Mantangai District, Central Kalimantan, have emerged as a site of contention among many stakeholders with differing interests, illustrating the intricacies of natural resource management in Indonesia. This research seeks to examine the contestation process, identify main actors, and comprehend how various forms of knowledge and power influence the results of peatland management. This research employs a case study method with a qualitative approach, incorporating direct observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to achieve a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of contestation. The findings indicate three primary viewpoints in peatland management: eco-conservationism exemplified by Mawas Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation …

Nongovernmental Organizations In The Design And Implementation Of Social Forestry Programs In Indonesia: Interests, Power And Strategies, Arsad Ragandhi, Agus Heruanto Hadna, Setiadi Setiadi, Ahmad Maryudi

Forest and Society

Many social forestry projects have failed to produce expected outcomes. In many cases, they do not suit specific local contexts, problems, and needs because they only articulate the interests of powerful actors outside local communities. In this study, we examine how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) affect social forestry implementation. In many cases, NGOs are characterized as benevolent actors, often claiming to represent voiceless groups, including poor local communities, in the social forestry context. We are specifically interested in analyzing the ways by which the studied NGOs have shaped the implementation of social forestry models in the forests managed by the state …

Rhythms For Living: Fluid Cultural Adaptations Within The Dynamic Watersheds Of Eastern Indonesia, Cynthia Twyford Fowler, Blajan Konradus, Sri Widinugraheni, Agustinus Gergorius Raja Dasion

Forest and Society

Tectonics literally and figuratively create rhythms for living in the seismically active nation of Indonesia where shifting plates generate landforms around which cultures construct their homelands. Eastern Indonesian communities who have built their societies around the region’s dynamic watersheds have constructed traditional ecological knowledge and place-based skills for accessing freshwater. What is the water-related knowledge and skills of Indigenous societies who live in the tropical monsoon climate zone of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province (NTT)? How have communities living on Sumba Island in southern NTT adapted to their homelands where they find water to pose the most difficult challenge to survival? …

Assessing The Potential Of Thailand's National Forest Reserves For Tourism Development And Sustainable Recreational Use, Nantachai Pongpattananurak, Sangsan Phumsathan

Forest and Society

This research aimed to evaluate the potential of Thailand's national forest reserves for promoting sustainable recreational activities. Research tools included a comprehensive tourism potential assessment form for evaluating tourism development. Additionally, semi-structured interviews and focus group meetings with key informants were conducted to gain insights into local perspectives, challenges, and opportunities related to tourism. Site surveys were conducted during January - August 2021. The study initially conducted an assessment of 122 destinations located within 85 national forest reserves across the country to determine their tourism development potential. Subsequently, 16 national forest reserves exhibiting high potential were selected for on-site surveys. …

Signifying The End Of Swidden? An Analysis Of Vocabulary Of The Fallow Stage Among A Kalimantan Indigenous Group, Indonesia, Syamsul Rijal, Muhammad Hasyim, Lukman Lukman, Ery Iswary

Forest and Society

This study examines how the Dayak Tunjung community in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, employs linguistic classifications to structure and transmit ecological knowledge within a traditional swidden agricultural system. It focuses on the vocabulary used to denote fallow stages and analyzes how generational shifts in language use reflect broader socio-ecological transformations. Data were collected through 16 semi-structured interviews and participant observation in Linggang Melapeh Village, stratified by age and occupation to capture intergenerational dynamics. The findings reveal that older generations retain a detailed lexicon tied to ecological succession and customary land practices, while younger members increasingly adopt shortened fallow cycles and show …

How Much And Why? Conservation Behavior And Valuation In Katunggan Coastal Ecopark, Mindanao Island, Philippines, Sheenamae P. Loreno, Peter Jan De Vera

Forest and Society

Mangrove forests are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems, providing critical services such as shoreline protection, fisheries support, and carbon sequestration. Despite their ecological and economic significance, mangrove forests continue to decline at an alarming rate due to land conversion for aquaculture, urban expansion, overharvesting, and climate-related impacts. Although national and community-based conservation programs exist in the Philippines, many of these efforts have struggled due to limited public participation and a lack of insight into how local communities perceive and value mangrove ecosystems. This study surveyed 503 residents living near the Katunggan Coastal Ecopark in Mindanao Island, Philippines, to …

Low-Magnitude High-Frequency Mechanical Vibration Enhances Osteogenesis In Human Pdl Cells Through Piezo1 Ion Channel, Mina Oh

Master's Theses (2009 -)

ABSTRACT LOW-MAGNITUDE HIGH-FREQUENCY MECHANICAL VIBRATION ENHANCES OSTEOGENESIS IN HUMAN PDL CELLS THROUGH PIEZO1 ION CHANNEL Mina Oh, D.M.D Marquette University, 2025 Introduction: Low-magnitude high-frequency (LMHF) mechanical vibration has been shown to enhance osteogenesis in various osteogenic tissues and cells, including periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, however its effectiveness remains relatively low. The Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel plays a critical role in mechanotransduction, however its specific involvement in the LMHF-induced osteogenesis is unknown. This study aims to elucidate the role of Piezo1 in mediating osteogenic responses in human PDL cells subjected to LMHF mechanical vibration. Materials and Methods: Human PDL cells were …

Salinity And Moisture Influence Co2 And Ch4 Emissions From High-Latitude Coastal Soils, B. N. Barr, K. C. Kelsey, A. J. Leffler, M. Petit Bon, K. H. Beard

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Sea level rise and more frequent and larger storms will increase saltwater flooding in coastal terrestrial ecosystems, altering soil-atmosphere CO₂ and CH₄ exchange. Understanding these impacts is particularly relevant in high-latitude coastal soils that hold large carbon stocks but where the interaction of salinity and moisture on greenhouse gas flux remains unexplored. Here, we quantified the effects of salinity and moisture on CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes from low-Arctic coastal soils from three landscape positions (two Wetlands and Upland Tundra) distinguished by elevation, flooding frequency, soil characteristics, and vegetation. We used a full factorial laboratory incubation experiment …

Missing Information: A Content Analysis Of U.S. Missing Persons Alerts Using The Missing And Endangered Persons Message Framework, Lauren Cain, Jeannette Sutton, Hugh Walpole, Micki Olson

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity Faculty Scholarship

Missing and endangered person (MEP) alerts are a prominent messaging strategy used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to recover missing persons, with over 1,800 AMBER Alerts issued via the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system and nearly 40 similar alerts introduced by state legislatures for other groups of missing people. Despite their prevalent use, the contents of MEP alerts have not yet been empirically examined. Drawing from warning message design and AMBER Alert best practices, we propose a new MEP Message Framework and use it to evaluate the contents of 4,053 MEP WEAs sent from 2013 to 2023. …

The Impacts Of Ocean Warming On Phytoplankton Dynamics And Links To Fisheries Management Around St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, Shelby Bargo

The Plymouth Student Scientist

In the context of a rapidly changing climate, understanding how ocean warming is reshaping the foundation of marine ecosystems has never been more important. This research investigates factors contributing to ocean warming, and where anthropogenically influenced climate change plays a critical role in the functionality of the physical marine environment, phytoplankton, and trophodynamics throughout the pelagic zone. Phytoplankton, whilst microscopic, are vital; they are regulated by physical oceanographic factors that control their access to growth-limiting factors, such as nutrients. With the formidable climate-driven physical and biological changes occurring in the marine environment, alongside the decline in fish stocks, it is …

Automated Analysis Of Tie And Dowel Rods In Concrete Using 3dgpr, Alexander Paul Betancourt

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Dowel bars and tie rods in concrete pavement hold concrete together when they are placed and positioned correctly and according to specifications provided by the federal and state departments of transportation. However, unintentional misalignments and omissions during pavement construction can adversely impact the integrity of pavements, leading to cracks and other types of pavement failure. Analyzing the positions of the dowel bars and tie rods, although crucial, can be tedious and laborious. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) can be used to detect objects within a material of mostly constant permittivity. When GPR is combined with multiple scans across a road, a three-dimensional …

Evaluating The Ulf Mri (0.64t) Image Quality Through In Vivo Test-Retest, Md Imran Hossain

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Ultra-low-field (ULF) MRI systems, such as the Hyperfine Swoop (64mT), represent a transformative advancement in neuroimaging by offering portable, affordable alternatives to conventional high-field MRI. This system has the potential to significantly expand access to diagnostic imaging in resource-limited, emergency, and point-of-care settings. This study evaluates the clinical reliability and reproducibility of the Hyperfine Swoop by conducting a series of controlled in vivo test-retest scans on a single participant. Quantitative assessment of brain image quality was performed using voxel volume consistency and the Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM). The results demonstrated high intra-subject repeatability with minimal variation across sessions, underscoring …

Large Bandgap Observed On The Surfaces Of Euzn2As2 Single Crystals, Dejia Kong, Siavash Karbasizadeh, Ganesh Narasimha, Paras Regmi, Chenggang Tao, Chenggang Tao, Sai Mu, Rama Vasudevan, Ian Harrison, Rongying Jin, Zheng Gai

Faculty Publications

EuZn₂As₂ (M = Zn, Cd, In, Sn etc.) is an excellent material system for studying magnetism-tuned topological properties. However, discrepancies exist between experimental data and theoretical calculations regarding the bulk and surface bandgaps. In this work, cleaved EuZn₂As₂ crystals are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Triangular-shaped defect-induced modifications in the local density of states help distinguish between Eu-terminated and AsZn-terminated surfaces. While large bandgaps ( ~1.5 eV at 77 K) are observed on both pristine surfaces, the bandgap size is found to be highly sensitive to local heterogeneity, tending …

Aerosol-Cloud Interactions In Cirrus Clouds Based On Global-Scale Airborne Observations And Machine Learning Models, Derek Ngo, Minghui Diao, Ryan J. Patnaude, Sarah Woods, Glenn Diskin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Cirrus cloud formation and evolution are subject to the influences of thermodynamic and dynamic conditions and aerosols. This study developed near global-scale in situ aircraft observational datasets based on 12 field campaigns that spanned from the polar regions to the tropics from 2008 to 2016. Cirrus cloud microphysical properties were investigated at temperatures ≤-40 °C, including ice water content (IWC), ice crystal number concentration (Ni), and number-weighted mean diameter (Di). Positive correlations were found between the fluctuations of these ice microphysical properties and the fluctuations of aerosol number concentrations for larger (>500 nm) and smaller (>100 nm) aerosols …

An Upper-Mesopelagic-Zone Carbon Budget For The Subarctic North Pacific, Brandon M. Stephens, Montserrat Roca-Martí, Amy E. Maas, Vinícius J. Amaral, Samantha Clevenger, Shawnee Traylor, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Philip W. Boyd, Ken O. Buesseler, Craig A. Carlson, Nicolas Cassar, Margaret Estapa, Andrea J. Fassbender, Yibin Huang, Phoebe J. Lam, Oliver Marchal, Susanne Menden-Deuer, Nicola L. Paul, Alyson E. Santoro, David A. Siegel, David P. Nicolson

Faculty Publications

Mesopelagic zone (MZ) carbon budgets comparing supply with demand can be difficult to constrain due to the temporal and spatial offsets between key sources and sinks, their associated uncertainties, and potential sampling biases. To address these challenges, the EXport Processes in the Ocean from RemoTe Sensing (EXPORTS) campaign increased the number and variety of simultaneous measurements to monitor temporal variability in the MZ carbon budget using both a Lagrangian frame of reference and long-term autonomous observations. In this study, we collate a comprehensive combination of new and previously published organic carbon supply and demand measurements collected from the surface (5 …

2024 Hon. James R. Browning Symposium Keynote Address: Martin, Grants Pass, And Houselessness As A Class, Howard Belodoff

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Unclear Landscape Of Prescriptive Easements In Montana, Natalie Sirmon

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Groo V. Montana Eleventh Judicial District Court: Montana’S Long-Arm Overreaches Into Cyberspace, Matthew Belle

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Significant Montana Cases, Will Dreesen, John Moorhead

Montana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Experiences And Meaning Of Seeking Help And Resources For Male Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Dr. Cierra A. Ozolin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Experiences and Meaning of Seeking Help and Resources for Male Victims of Intimate Partner Violence by Cierra Ozolin MSW, Walden University, 2022 BA, BS, Central Washington University 2019 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University August 2025

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And Race On Access To Maternal Healthcare Services For Patients Based On Insurance Status, Trishana Monlyn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to insurance status, COVID-19 has restricted how and when patients can access healthcare providers. In the health services community, examining obstetric care services during the coronavirus outbreak was important because it increased awareness about how changes to maternal healthcare access affect the health of the mother and unborn child during a pandemic. The theories and/or concepts that grounded this study include the intersectionality theory, which examined the connections between social groups and systems as individuals try to access health services based on health insurance reform, depending on their race. The purpose of this study was to determine if there …

Examining The Superintendent Search Process: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study On Superintendent Consultant Perspectives, Melissa A. Torrence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the Texas superintendent search process through a sequential mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from superintendent search consultants. Based on human capital theory, this research examines how candidate qualifications, experience, and perceived value influence selection decisions. The first phase analyzes archival data on Texas superintendents, using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns and trends in hiring practices. The second phase gathers insights from superintendent search consultants through a semi-structured digital discussion, exploring their interpretations of the data and perspectives on key factors influencing the selection process. The combination of statistical analysis and consultant …

The State Of School-Based Ot Practice Regarding Concussion-Related Vision Disorders, Kimberly Meany, Emily Behnke, Ariks Lanctot, Audrey Maynard, Samuel Szarowicz

Masters Projects

Purpose: More than 830,000 pediatric patients yearly are affected by a concussion (Rosenbaum, 2020). Occupational therapists can support a child's performance in the classroom. Yet, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the current practice of occupational therapists treating those with a concussion in the school setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand school-based occupational therapy practice regarding concussion-related vision disorders.

Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants were licensed OTs practicing in the US, working in a school-based or related pediatric setting, with more than two years of pediatric experience, holding at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited …