Digital Commons Network^™

Bending And Breaking The Boundary Between Horror And Comedy: An Exploration Of The Existentialist Function Of The Abject In The Works Of John Landis And Woody Allen, Alaynna K. Bromley

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis explores the line between comedy and horror in an increasingly postmodern world through the cinema of John Landis and Woody Allen. Chapter One explores the theoretical and historical material that link Landis and Allen, namely in their dealing with (1) Edgar Allan Poe’s effect, (2) Julia Kristeva and Judith Butler’s abject, (3) Sigmund Freud’s “uncanny,” and (4) Mikhail Baktin’s carnivalesque. The chapter will conclude with John Landis’ portions of The Twilight Zone: The Movie, as a linked history that welcomes exploration of Landis alongside Allen. Chapter Two conducts a comparative study of two horror-comedies: John Landis’ An American …

Transgender And Gender-Diverse Healthcare Through Virtual Social Networking, Francis Peter Furmanek Iii

PhD of Social Work

This study examined the behavior of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) utilizing virtual social networking (VSN) to address their healthcare needs. Presently, the TGD community has been facing discrimination in policy and social structure across the United States. Accepting safe spaces are vital to survival and growth of TGD people, and the current wave of anti-trans legislation seeks to eliminate these spaces. This phenomenological mixed-methods study examined mechanisms that TGD people use to address healthcare needs in virtual spaces alongside a backdrop of negative healthcare experiences in traditional settings. Informed by Intersectional theory, Minority Stress Theory, and considering Andersen’s Behavioral …

August 2026, Office Of Sustainability

Office of Sustainability Newsletter

No abstract provided.

From Influence To Exhaustion: How Leadership Styles Predict Burnout In Healthcare Leaders, Jasmine Carmell Rice

All Dissertations

Burnout among healthcare leaders is a serious issue because it can degrade organizational performance, staff welfare, and patient care. Previous studies have shown a correlation between leadership and burnout, but few have examined how burnout connects directly to leadership styles. Primary data were collected through an online survey administered to healthcare leaders using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), and the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI). The dataset was analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, ordered logistic regression, and moderation analysis to examine the relationships between leadership styles, organizational culture, and burnout while …

The Kdm-Family Inhibitor Jib-04 Sensitizes Aml Cells To Venetoclax By Inducing A Ferroptosis-Like Phenotype, Katharina Wohlan, Dandan Fan, Anna G Guzman, Alexis Quezada, Hyunji Park, Elmira Khabusheva, Farzane Sivandzade, Matthew Wither, Amber Alcorn, Tamara Thevarajah, Steven M Kornblau, Courtney D Dinardo, Jianzhong Su, Margaret A Goodell, Rachel E Rau

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with various molecular and cytogenetic subtypes. Treatment options for older adult patients are limited due to high toxicity of conventional chemotherapy. The B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 inhibitor venetoclax is effective in combination with hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine, but ∼30% of patients do not respond to the initial combination treatment. Thus, alternative combinations are needed to sensitize AML cells to venetoclax and overcome resistance mechanisms. Here, we report that targeting histone lysine-specific demethylases induces a ferroptosis-like phenotype driven by oxidative stress in various AML subtypes. In both patient samples and cell lines, …

Colocalization Of Eqtls With Type 2 Diabetes And Glycemic Traits Using Whole-Genome Sequences In Diverse Populations From The Nhlbi Trans-Omics In Precision Medicine (Topmed) Program, Ningyuan Wang, Daniel A Dicorpo, Yixin Zhang, Erica Kleinbrink, Donna K Arnett, John Barnard, John Blangero, Donald W Bowden, April P Carson, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Mina K Chung, Joanne E Curran, Dawood Darbar, Ravindranath Duggirala, Patrick T Ellinor, Diane Fatkin, Myriam Fornage, Nancy Heard-Costa, Jiang He, Lifang Hou, Sharon L R Kardia, Charles Kooperberg, Ruth J F Loos, David D Mcmanus, Braxton D Mitchell, Ryan L Minster, Kari E North, Bruce M Psaty, Laura M Raffield, Susan Redline, Stephen S Rich, Dan Roden, Jerome I Rotter, Moore B Shoemaker, Jonathan D Smith, David R Van Wagoner, Francois Aguet, Kristin Ardlie, Joshua C Bis, Jennifer A Brody, Brian E Cade, Clary B Clish, Paul S De Vries, James S Floyd, Barry I Freedman, Stacey Gabriel, Robert E Gerzsten, Mark O Goodarzi, Charles Gu, Xiuqing Guo, Namrata Gupta, Susan R Heckbert, Sarah Hsu, Yi-Jen Hung, Rita R Kalyani, Tanika N Kelly, Gregory L Kinney, Changwei Li, Simin Liu, Yongmei Liu, Donald M Lloyd-Jones, Joann E Manson, Rasika A Mathias, Josep M Mercader, Alanna C Morrison, Take Naseri, Suna Onengut, Nicholette D Palmer, Patricia A Peyser, Qibin Qi, Sridharan Raghavan, Alex P Reiner, Mary R Rooney, Magdalena Sevilla-Gonzalez, Chloe Sarnowski, Joshua D Smith, Jennifer A Smith, Nicole L Spartano, Usman Tahir, Kent D Taylor, Deirdre K Tobias, Russel P Tracy, Satupa'itea Viali, Heming Wang, Alexis C Wood, Lisa R Yanek, Wei Zhao, Yinan Zheng, Josée Dupuis, Ching-Ti Liu, Robert Sladek, Jennifer Wessel, James B Meigs, Alisa K Manning, Nhlbi Trans-Omics For Precision Medicine (Topmed) Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Large-scale multiancestry genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of loci associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and glycemic traits, yet imputed genotyping arrays limit the detection of low-frequency and rare variants. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) offers a more complete view of genetic variation, especially across diverse populations. We analyzed high-coverage (38×) WGS data from 21,913 T2D case subjects, 61,036 control subjects, and up to 50,011 individuals with no diabetes with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine Program. We performed single-variant association testing, conditional analysis, fine-mapping, and Bayesian colocalization to …

Rates Of, Reasons For, And Reactions To Discontinuation Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Narrative Review, Henry D Heisey, L Parker Gregg, Christopher D Verrico, Dennis T Villareal, Terri L Fletcher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

GLP-1RAs are increasingly used for their glucose-lowering and weight-management effects, but many patients discontinue them. In this narrative review we aim to review real-world, quantitative and qualitative GLP-1RA discontinuation, adherence, and persistence evidence as it aligns with an established conceptual framework for understanding medication adherence in noncommunicable chronic disease. Many inconsistencies exist in how discontinuation, adherence, and persistence are studied in this literature. Few qualitative studies have focused on discontinuation of GLP-1RAs. Quantitative approaches often focus on medication-related factors and more superficial aspects of socioeconomic and condition-related factors. Very few studies encompass all 5 dimensions of the medication adherence conceptual …

Margaret H. Vath, Margaret H. Vath

Faculty CVs

No abstract provided.

August 2026 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Musical Training Increases Anticipatory Responding And Predictive Control In Sequence Learning, Li Ann Leow, Jarrad Lum, Sara Johnson, Emily Corti, Welber Marinovic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Musicians demonstrate advantages in acquiring motor sequences, showing faster learning and better explicit sequence knowledge than non-musicians. However, it is unclear whether this advantage extends beyond acquisition to the consolidation phase, which is when newly learned skills stabilize and become resistant to interference. Additionally, while interference from executing competing motor tasks is well-established, less is known about whether purely sensory information presented after learning can disrupt consolidation of a bimodal motor sequence. We investigated how post-acquisition sensory interference affects performance of a learned audio-visual sequence, and whether musical training moderates this vulnerability. Participants first learned an explicit sequence in a …

Yorga Moorditj Koort: Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Women’S Perspectives About Heart Health On Noongar Boodjar, Elia Bidgood, Cathy Garlett, Richard Chenhall, Amie Bingham, Francine Eades, Emily Banks, Melinda J. Carrington, Grace Joshy, Sandra Eades, Tabassum Rahman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, despite overall declines in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women develop heart disease earlier and experience more than twice the rate of related morbidity and mortality compared with non-Indigenous women. This study explores Aboriginal women’s understandings of the factors that shape their heart health and lived experiences of CVD. We spoke with 28 Aboriginal women aged ≥18 years—15 semistructured interviews and two yarning circles with an additional 13 Aboriginal women—with/without pre-existing CVD, and 10 healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with Aboriginal communities in the Perth metropolitan region, between May 2024 and April 2025. Data were …

Constitutive Behaviour, Failure Mechanisms, And Life Cycle Assessment Of Internally Cured Fiber-Reinforced High-Strength Concrete, Kastro Kiran V, Dhanya Sathyan, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

High-strength concrete (HSC) with low water-to-cement ratios undergoes self-desiccation, resulting in incomplete hydration, capillary porosity, and autogenous shrinkage that can compromise long-term performance. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) functions as an internal curing agent by releasing stored water as internal relative humidity decreases, thereby sustaining hydration within the cement matrix. However, the combined influence of PEG grade, dosage, and fibre type on the constitutive response, fracture behaviour, and environmental performance of M65 HSC remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated twelve concrete mixes incorporating three curing regimes viz. Conventional curing, spray curing, and PEG-based internal curing (IC) using PEG 4000 (1.5%) and PEG …

Dietary Vitamin K Intakes And Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Incidence: Findings From The Uk Biobank, Montana Dupuy, Chengfeng Li, Pratik Pokharel, Liezhou Zhong, Benjamin H. Parmenter, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Jack Dalla Via, Allan Linneberg, Jette Jakobsen, Tilman Kühn, Aedín Cassidy, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and aims: Vitamin K is essential for processes that inhibit vascular and valvular calcification, attributes of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) and aortic stenosis (AS). Relationships between dietary vitamin K1 and K2 intakes, ASCVD and AS were explored.

Methods: In 112,111 participants from the UK Biobank without ASCVD or AS (median age 59.7 years, 57.3% female), dietary vitamin K1 (μg/day) and K2 (μgPKeq/day) intakes were calculated from Oxford WebQ 24-h dietary questionnaires, using vitamin K food composition databases. Associations with incident ASCVD, ASCVD subtypes and AS, obtained from self-reports, primary care data, hospital records and death registries, were examined using …

Is There Mush-Room For Bettongs On Dirk Hartog Island? Environmental Dna Assessment Of Food Resource Availability For Fauna Translocations, Rebecca J. Quah, Saul J. Cowen, Kelly J. Rayner, Aaron J. Brace, Robert A. Davis, Harriet R. Mills, Anna J.M. Hopkins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Conservation translocations require careful assessment of dietary resources to ensure population viability. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to characterise fungal assemblages across three major habitat types on Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia, prior to the planned reintroduction of two threatened mycophagous species: the boodie (Bettongia lesueur) and woylie (Bettongia ogilbyi). We detected 243 fungal ASVs, of which 75 represented taxa that are likely to produce macroscopic fruiting bodies accessible to mycophagous mammals. Ectomycorrhizal fungi dominated all habitats, with Pezizaceae being the most abundant family—a pattern consistent with known dietary preferences of both species across multiple Australian locations. Fungal community …

Reinforcement Learning For Cathode Material Design Through Sequential Decision-Making Frameworks, Taimoor Muzaffar Gondal, Muhammad Qasim, Yasir Arafat

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The cathode material design is a persistent challenge in the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries. The cathode performance is critically influenced by certain key parameters, i.e., composition, crystal structures, ion transport, and degradation behaviour. Moreover, techno-economic and sustainable considerations also play a pivotal role in the viable cathode material design. In recent years, the integration of static machine learning models with conventional experimental techniques has significantly enhanced the cathode material design. However, the sequential nature of cathode discovery has not been fully captured by these techniques as they do not update their decision strategy based on prior outcomes. In this …

Unilateral Numbers Need Context: Reference Values For Single-Leg Cmj Performance Relative To Bilateral Cmj Capacity, Karol Kruczek, Tim Gabbett, Jason Lake, Michał Nowak

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The single-leg countermovement jump (SL CMJ) is widely used to assess limb-specific neuromuscular function, with interpretation commonly centred on inter-limb asymmetry. However, contextualising unilateral performance relative to bilateral capacity remains less clearly defined. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to develop exploratory descriptive benchmarks for SL CMJ kinetic, kinematic, and temporal variables expressed as a percentage of bilateral CMJ performance in a heterogeneous athletic cohort. A total of 348 athletes completed bilateral and unilateral CMJs using dual force plate sampling at 1000 Hz. The best trials were selected using the modified reactive strength index (mRSI), and averaged unilateral variables were expressed …

Perceptions Of Situational Leadership Styles On The Behavioral Intervention Skills Of General Educators, Kendall Jordan Baethge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher conducted the following study to describe the lived experiences and perceptions of general educators employed in a rural, central Texas school district. The study specifically inquired about the perceptions of leadership styles and strategies to successful behavior intervention strategies for inclusive general education classrooms. The problem addressed within the study was the growing diversity in general education classrooms ensuring inclusive opportunities to students with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors. The purpose of the study was to better understand those leadership styles currently being used and styles that are most appropriate to develop perceived self-efficacy and proficiency in behavior …

Attraction Of Nocturnal Scarab Beetles By Unusual Floral Volatiles In A Banksia (Proteaceae) With Functionally Diverse Pollinators, S. K. Wawrzyczek, B. Bohman, S. L. Krauss, I. M. Butler, G. R. Flematti, K. Farnier, S. E. Hoebee, R. A. Davis, R. D. Phillips

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Pollination by beetles has evolved multiple times in flowering plants but with relatively few plant species adapted specifically to pollination by scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). However, some plant species may produce floral scents and offer floral rewards that attract scarabs alongside other pollinator functional groups. In Banksia attenuata (Proteaceae), nocturnal observations led to the discovery of extensive floral visitation by beetles, alongside birds, mammals and diurnal insects. Given the distinctive melon-like floral scent of B. attenuata, we predicted long-distance attraction of beetles by chemical cues. We undertook floral visitor surveys aided by camera traps and video recordings, and quantified insect …

Differential Effects Of Physical Activity Interventions On Gross And Fine Motor Difficulties In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights From A Multilevel Meta-Analysis With Moderator Analyses, Changhui Peng, Jinrong He, Kai Xu, Xueping Wu, Dandan Wang, Lei Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Difficulties in gross and fine motor skills negatively affect the healthy development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet evidence for physical activity interventions (PAIs) remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the differential effects of PAIs on gross and fine motor difficulties in children with ASD and to explore potential moderators. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, empirical studies published from inception to April 21, 2026 were systematically searched across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus. Effect sizes were synthesized using a three-level random-effects model and were expressed as Hedges’ g (g). …

Post-Vaccination Confidence In Covid-19 Vaccines And Associated Determinants In Post-War Context Of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Study, Genanew Kassie Getahun, Yohannes Addisu Wondimagegne, Alemayehu Deressa, Barkot Tamiru, Trhas Tadesse Berhe, Moges Mekonnen, Tsegay Hadgu, Znabu Hadush Kahsay, Mussie Alemayehu, Gebrehaweria Gebrekurstos, Joy Kenyi, Eshetu Girma, Finina Abebe Ware, Nardos Gelana, Menen Tsegaw, Eyob Ketema Bogale, Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction It is widely recognized that access to and utilization of health services are negatively impacted by war. These effects worsen particularly when combined with pandemics such as COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to assess adults' COVID-19 post-vaccination confidence in the conflict-affected region of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods The study employed a concurrent parallel mixed-methods design, combining a quantitative survey of 1599 adults and six key informant interviews and six focus group discussions. Survey participants were selected using a multistage cluster sampling technique, while qualitative participants were purposively sampled. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire administered via …

Basketball Players Jump And Maximal Strength Performance Improvements After French Contrast Training, Yiqing Xie, Yemin Han, Qing Du, Zhen Zhang, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Kai Xu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

(1) Background: French contrast training (FCT) enhances sports performance, but its long-term efficacy in elite basketball players remains unclear. This study compared FCT and traditional strength training (TST) on jump performance and lower-limb strength.

(2) Methods: Sixteen elite basketball players (age 22.4 ± 1.4 years; 14 male, 2 female) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of FCT (n = 8) or TST (n = 8). The TST protocol consisted of barbell back squat, barbell Bulgarian split squat, conventional deadlift, and barbell hip thrust (4 sets of 8, 6, 4, 4 repetitions at 80%, 95%, 90%, 90% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]; …

Dietary Patterns And Cognitive Decline In Older Adults: Findings From The Western Australia Memory Study, Carolina Blagojevic Castro, Samantha L. Gardener, Farzana Jahan, Juliana Chen, Belinda M. Brown, Ruey L. Loo, Kevin Taddei, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Michael Weinborn, Ana Caroline R.Dos Reis, Manohar L. Garg, Ralph N. Martins, Hamid R. Sohrabi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Preventive strategies, including adherence to specific dietary patterns, have received increasing attention as approaches to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk. However, findings remain inconsistent, partly due to differences in dietary assessment methods, cognitive outcomes, and THE consideration of genetic susceptibility factors such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

Methods: This study examined associations between dietary patterns and longitudinal cognitive change in 185 older adults without dementia from the Western Australia Memory Study. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments at baseline and up to five follow-up visits at 18-month intervals. Composite scores were …

Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer With Liver-Only Metastases: A Retrospective Cohort Study Integrating Prospectively Collected Real-World Clinical And Molecular Data From An Australian National Database (2009–2024) To Guide Treatment Planning, Savio G. Barreto, Christos S. Karapetis, Shahid Ullah, Matthew Burge, Susan Caird, Angus Campbell, Azim Jalali, Ross Jennens, Muhammad A. Khattak, Belinda Lee, Stephanie H. Lim, Shehara Mendis, Louise Nott, Timothy J. Price, Jeremy D. Shapiro, Jeanne Tie, Javier Torres, Colin Williams, Rachel Wong, Vanessa Wong, Peter Gibbs

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To leverage the Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer (TRACC) registry (an Australian cancer database) to explore the ideal timing and sequence of therapies and the factors influencing these decisions in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with liver-only metastases to inform contemporary decision-making and future trials.

Study Type: Retrospective registry-based cohort study using the TRACC registry.

Setting and Participants: Consecutive patients with liver-only metastatic CRC enrolled in the TRACC registry.

Main Outcome Measures: To explore cancer biology, intended treatment at presentation, actual treatment received and the resultant outcomes for early-onset CRC (EOCRC) (≤ 50 years) and late-onset CRC (LOCRC) …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Marine Biosecurity, Marnie L. Campbell, Chi T.U. Le, Jumana Abu-Khalaf, Craig D.H. Sherman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Marine biosecurity stands at the crossroads of innovation and necessity, with artificial intelligence (AI) offering promising tools to enhance risk assessment, surveillance, and response strategies for invasive species management. Despite the rapid growth of AI applications in marine science, there has been no comprehensive overview of its potential role in enhancing and supporting marine biosecurity. Our literature review aims to fill this gap, showing that AI use in this field remains limited and underdeveloped. Through our literature analysis, we identify key opportunities for AI research and innovation across the marine biosecurity continuum, while also highlighting both general and domain-specific challenges. …

Validated Near-Infrared Spectroscopy And Chemometric Modelling For Rapid Quantification Of Essential Oil Yield And Α/Β-Santalol In Santalum Album L., Muhammad Hassnain, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The sandalwood industry remains constrained by destructive, time-intensive assays for essential oil (EO) yield, composition, moisture content, and wood fraction, which limit real-time decision-making. We report a unified near-infrared spectroscopy-artificial intelligence (NIRS-AI) platform for non-destructive analytics across the Santalum album L. value chain. Reflectance and transmittance spectra from solid matrices (disks, logs, chips, and powders), oils, ethanol extracts, and CID-derived emulsions were acquired using benchtop (400–2500 nm) and portable (900–1700 nm) spectrometers and calibrated against hydrodistillation, gas chromatography, extraction, and moisture assays. Advanced chemometric modelling using AI-based machine learning techniques, including regularised regression, ensemble learning, boosting algorithms, and neural networks, …

Characterising Manual Dexterity, Motor Cortex Neuroplasticity, And Intracortical Inhibition Long After Burn Injury, Grant S. Rowe, Alecia Wood, Mark Fear, Dale W. Edgar, Aleksandra Miljevic, Tyler Osborne, Natalie Morellini, Merrilee Needham, Ann Maree Vallence, Fiona Wood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Persistent motor dysfunction after burn injury may be due to altered motor cortex and corticospinal tract function. This study examined manual dexterity, motor cortex neuroplasticity, and intracortical inhibition in former burn patients 1–3 years after minor injury (<10% TBSA). Method: Thirty former burn patients (TBSA: 0.78 ± 1.08%) and 30 non-injured controls participated. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure motor cortex excitability (motor evoked potential [MEP] amplitude) and short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI, LICI) before and after paired-associative stimulation (PAS) to induce neuroplasticity. Results: Former burn patients performed worse than controls on the bimanual assembly subtest of the Purdue Pegboard. PAS did not induce changes in MEP amplitude but increased LICI in both burn patients and control participants. In burn patients, baseline LICI was related to bimanual performance differently than controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest poorer bimanual motor function persists after minor burns, and differences in the association between inhibition and bimanual dexterity between burn and control groups. Further research should explore whether targeting motor cortex inhibitory circuits can improve motor performance following burn injury

Promotion Architecture: A Deal Fairness Model Of Restricted Price Promotions, Shangwen Yi, David Hardisty, Dale Griffin, Thomas Allard

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This research examines the effectiveness of two common types of restricted price promotions: threshold promotions (conditional on spending more than a threshold amount; e.g., “Get $5 off on orders of $10 or more”) and capped promotions (limited to a maximum dollar value; e.g., “Get 50% off, up to $5 per order”). Results from seven pre-registered studies, including one field study, show that threshold promotions lead to higher purchase intentions and conversion rates (but potentially lower purchase amounts) than comparable capped promotions—even though capped promotions are equivalent in maximal economic savings for the consumer—when the trigger value (the spending amount at …

Cellular Senescence Links Muscle Atrophy And Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis After Acl Injury, Alexander R. Keeble, Allison Owen, Sara Gonzalez-Velez, Nicholas T. Thomas, Camille R. Brightwell, Peyton J. Balawender, Madeline G. O'Daniel, Helena C. Weiss, Haley Noehren, Heather Thompson, Karen Sofia Zuluaga-Osorio, Zane T. Bates, Lauren Gottlieb, Douglas E. Long, Douglas Harrison, Philip Kern, Caitlin E. Conley, Michael A. Samaan, Stephen Duncan, Austin Stone, Darren Johnson, Yuan Wen, Brian Noehren, Cory Dungan, Christopher Fry

Biology Faculty Publications

Traumatic knee injury leads to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and significant skeletal muscle weakness, resulting in chronic disability. The current standard of care frequently fails to prevent musculoskeletal dysfunction, underscoring the need to identify therapeutic mechanisms of PTOA. Using an established preclinical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection model of PTOA and leveraging an innovative SPiDER-senescence-associated β-galactosidase stain to discern senescent cells, we investigated cellular senescence at single-cell resolution and identified anti-inflammatory macrophages as a predominant contributor to the senescent cell burden in both muscle and knee joint after injury. Clearance of senescent cells using the senolytic dasatinib and quercetin (D + …

Chameleon Carriers In Trucking: Detection, Enforcement, And Financial And Safety Impacts, Brian Howell, Drew Law, Andrew Martin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Chameleon carriers are motor carriers that evade regulatory enforcement by dissolving and reregistering under new corporate identities. This study, commissioned by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), examined how states characterize, detect, and respond to chameleon carrier activity and assessed its financial and safety impacts in Kentucky from 2020 through 2025. The research team conducted a literature review of existing agency practices and relevant stakeholder perspectives, reviewed administrative codes and statutes across 13 pilot states, and administered two structured surveys to state motor carrier credentialing officials examining carrier characterization and enforcement practices. An analysis of KYTC's carrier data flagged by CVIEW …

2025-26 Review, University Libraries

University Libraries Annual Report

This 2025-26 Review highlights the achievements, services, and collections of University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. Explore the ways the Libraries support student success, teaching and research, preserve and share unique collections, and create opportunities for learning and discovery across the University and beyond.