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Is Increased Mutation Driving Genetic Diversity In Dogs Within The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone?, Megan N. Dillon, Allison N. Dickey, Reade B. Roberts, Jennifer A. Betz, Timothy Mousseau, Norman J. Kleiman, Matthew Breen

Faculty Publications

Environmental contamination can have lasting impacts on surrounding communities, though the long-term impacts can be difficult to ascertain. The disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 and subsequent remediation efforts resulted in contamination of the local environment with radioactive material, heavy metals, and additional environmental toxicants. Many of these are mutagenic in nature, and the full effect of these exposures on local flora and fauna has yet to be understood. Several hundred free-roaming dogs occupy the contaminated area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and previous studies have highlighted a striking level of genetic differentiation between two geographically …

Is Increased Mutation Driving Genetic Diversity In Dogs Within The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone?, Megan N. Dillon, Allison N. Dickey, Reade B. Roberts, Jennifer A. Betz, Timothy Mousseau, Norman J. Kleiman, Matthew Breen

Faculty Publications

Environmental contamination can have lasting impacts on surrounding communities, though the long-term impacts can be difficult to ascertain. The disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 and subsequent remediation efforts resulted in contamination of the local environment with radioactive material, heavy metals, and additional environmental toxicants. Many of these are mutagenic in nature, and the full effect of these exposures on local flora and fauna has yet to be understood. Several hundred free-roaming dogs occupy the contaminated area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and previous studies have highlighted a striking level of genetic differentiation between two geographically …

A Network Analysis Of Social Determinants Of Health And Youth Suicidal Ideation And Suicide Attempts At The Neighborhood-Level In Houston, Tx, Tyler Hendley

LSU Master's Theses

Youth suicide is a complex, multi-faceted human phenomenon that has no singular cause but instead is theorized to be a result of an interplay of psychological, biological, and social risk and protective factors. To best identify youth suicide risk and possible avenues for intervention, a social-ecological model approach may prove beneficial. As community-level risk factors (i.e., social determinants of health (SDOH)) have shown to impact health outcomes, it is important to understand the association between community-level risk and youth suicide-related behaviors. Utilizing a network analytic approach, this study developed an estimated partial correlation network to understand the relationship between youth …

Love As A Commitment Device: Evidence From A Cross-Cultural Study Across 90 Countries, Marta Kowal, Adam Bode, Karolina Koszałkowska, Biljana Gjoneska, David Frederick, Anna Studzinska, Dmitril Dubrov, Dmitry Grigoryev, Tolvo Aavik, Pavol Prokop, Caterina Grano, Hakan Çetinkaya, Derya Atamtürk Duyar, Roberto Balocco, Carlota Batres, Yakhlef Belkacem, Merve Boğa, Nana Burduli, Ali R. Can, Razleh Chegeni, William J. Chopik, Yahya Don, Seda Dural, Izzet Duyar, Edgardo Etchezahar, Feten Fekih‑Romdhane, Tomasz Frackowiak, Felipe E. García, Talia Gomez Yepes, Farida Guemaz, Brahim B. Hamadoul, Mehmet Koyuncu, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Samuel Lins, Tiago Tiago, Marlon Mayorga‑Lascano, Moises Mebarak, Mara Morelli, Izuchukwu L. G. Ndukaihe, Mohd Sofian Omar Fauzee, Ma. Criselda Tengco Pacquing, Miriam Parise, Farid Pazhoohl, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Koen Ponnet, Ulf‑Dietrich Relps, Marc Eric Santos Reyes, Ayşegül Şahin, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Oksana Senyk, Ognen Spasovski, Singha Tulyakul, Joaquín Ungaretti, Mona Vintila, Tatiana Volkodav, Anna Wlodarczyk, Gyesook Yoo, Benjamin Gelbart, Piotr Sorokowski

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Given the ubiquitous nature of love, numerous theories have been proposed to explain its existence. One such theory refers to love as a commitment device, suggesting that romantic love evolved to foster commitment between partners and enhance their reproductive success. In the present study, we investigated this hypothesis using a large-scale sample of 86,310 individual responses collected across 90 countries. If romantic love is universally perceived as a force that fosters commitment between long-term partners, we expected that individuals likely to suffer greater losses from the termination of their relationships—including people of lower socioeconomic status, those with many children, and …

Visualizing Parcel-Level Lead Risk Using An Exterior Housing-Based Index., Neal J. Wilson, Ryan Allenbrand, Elizabeth Friedman, Kevin Kennedy, Amy Roberts, Stephen Simon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pediatric lead poisoning remains a persistent public health problem. Children in the US spend the preponderance of their time at home; thus, housing is an important social determinant of health. Improving health outcomes derived from housing-based sources involves differentiating the risks posed by the existing housing stock. In this paper, we developed a parcel-level lead risk index (LRI) based on external housing conditions and the year of home construction. The purpose of this study was to introduce a housing-based lead risk index (LRI), developed using retrospective data, to estimate parcel-by-parcel variation in housing-based lead risk. We described how the LRI …

Yy1 Drives Parp1 Expression Essential For Parylation Of Nono In Mrna Maturation During Neuroblastoma Progression, Minxiu Tian, Zhijie Wang, Xiaolin Wang, Xinyue Li, Shunchen Zhou, Bosen Zhao, Yanhua Guo, Liduan Zheng, Qiangsong Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB), the most prevalent solid tumor in children, arises from sympathetic nervous system and accounts for 15% of pediatric cancer mortality. This malignancy exhibits substantial genetic and clinical heterogeneity, thus complicating treatment strategies. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), a key enzyme catalyzing polyADP-ribosylation (PARylation), plays critical roles in various cellular processes, and contributes to tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. However, the functions and regulatory mechanisms of PARP1 in NB progression still remain to be determined.

Methods: The association of PARP1 expression with NB patients' survival was analyzed by mining of R2 database. Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, MTT colorimetric, soft …

A Comparative Analysis Of The County-Level Covid-19 Lockdown’S Impact On Child Sexual Abuse Rates, Aunastasia Fantasia Marie Zsidiewicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National reported rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were significantly lower than expected. This quantitative study explored rates of CSA before and after the lockdown for 22 Michigan counties by considering socioeconomic status (SES) demographics to isolate the lockdown’s specific impact on reported CSA rates. The SES of the counties was measured using the Kuppuswamy scale, a numerical compilation of the mean occupation, education, and income of households within a given county. The Social Determinants of Health framework provided a blueprint for understanding the impact of exploring the different socioeconomic variables. This framework also helped …

Association Among Student Retention And Program Utilization Within An Independent Community College In Northeastern New Mexico, Geno Castillo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was the trend of decreasing student retention of first-year, degree-seeking college students at an independent community college located in northeastern New Mexico. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between student retention and program utilization. The research question was to determine if statistically significant differences existed between first-year students at an independent community college in northeastern New Mexico who did and did not utilize government-funded tutoring programs, which is a peer-led program managed by the Center for Academic Excellence. The theoretical foundation for the study was Tinto’s student retention theory model. …

Effectives Strategies Leaders Use To Engage Nurses In Safe Work Practices, Madeline Ortiz Gonzalez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Work-related injuries remain a significant challenge in the healthcare sector, leading to reduced productivity and financial losses despite improvements in workplace safety. Healthcare leaders are concerned that unsafe work practices negatively affect organizational performance and service quality. Grounded in Burn’s transformational leadership framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore effective strategies used by six nurse leaders in Southern United States use to encourage nurses to adopt safe work practices and foster a culture of safety. Through thematic analysis, three core themes were identified: implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective communication channels, and fostering a safety-first …

The Lived Experiences Of Black College Students And Counseling Based Upon Social Media Influences, Shamanda Burston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite social media's use as a tool for social influence and increase in mental health disclosures within Black communities, limited literature describes how Black college students, specifically, are utilizing social media related to mental health. This qualitative study includes a description of the influence of social media on the perception of counseling services for Black college students. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) through the lens of Kelman's social influence theory, the influence of social media on Black college students' perception of counseling services was explored. Currently enrolled Black or African American college or university students within the United States, over …

Perceptions Of The Skills Gap In Career And Technical Education In An Urban School District, Kyna Monic Eberhardt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A gap in career and technical education (CTE) skills can negatively influence outcomes for students who plan to enter the workforce or college following high school graduation. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of principals, counselors, teachers, and business leaders from different industries, about the skills gap among CTE students and their preparation for the workforce or college. Kathuria’s organizational alignment theory grounded this study. For this case study design, semistructured interviews were conducted with nine participants purposively selected from each stakeholder group: principals, counselors, teachers, and business leaders from different industries. All participants …

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Minoritized Students’ Underrepresentation In K-8 Gate, Vernice Verona Sharpe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand SWSD administrators’ perceptions of the practices and identification criteria that exacerbated this underrepresentation, guided by a culturally responsive school leadership framework. For this basic qualitative design, eight SWSD administrators with direct knowledge of the GATE programs participated in semistructured interviews. Data analysis involved initial and axial coding, resulting in three key themes: limited cultural awareness among administrators, the importance of incorporating community perspectives, and the need to reevaluate traditional GATE identification practices. Based on these themes, it is recommended to enhance cultural competency training, to engage community members in decision-making, and …

U.S. Patented Medication Prices Too High To Warrant Affordable Costs By Patients, Kisa Mwenelupembe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Optimal pricing of patent medicines is needed to ensure profitability of pharmaceutical companies while managing ease of access to these medicines for patients. The general problem that necessitated this study was that the prices of most patent medications in the United States are too high to warrant affordable costs by patients while simultaneously fostering drug innovation. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the best practices for ensuring equal access to patent medicines while maintaining profitability of pharmaceutical companies to pursue needed innovation and development of new drugs. This study was underpinned by Bandura’s social cognitive …

Redo Minimally Invasive Right Atrial Mass Removal After Surgical Atrial Septal Defect Closure, Chirag Doshi, Pratyaksha Rana, Vidur Bansal, Megha M Sheth, Dinesh Patel

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Atrial septal defects are among the most prevalent congenital anomalies necessitating surgical intervention. Thrombus formation is a recognized complication that is typically characterized by an embolic event following patch-based repair. However, thromboembolic complications following primary repair of atrial septal defects are exceedingly uncommon.

Minimally invasive surgery is a suitable alternative to redo sternotomy. We present a 46-year-old man who was diagnosed with a right atrial mass eight years following the patch repair of an atrial septal defect and underwent a successful minimally invasive redo surgery.

Zilebesiran And Hypertension: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mohamed Lemine, Saif Almuzainy, Rayan Aljubeh, Ahmad Alilo

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Abstract: Objectives: Zilebesiran is an investigational RNA interference therapeutic designed to lower blood pressure by targeting the hepatic production of angiotensinogen, the most upstream precursor of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. This approach aims to offer long-lasting blood pressure control with potentially fewer doses compared to traditional antihypertensive medications. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the antihypertensive efficacy of zilebesiran in patients with hypertension. Methods: We conducted a search across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, EBSCO, up until July 2024. The eligible studies included randomized controlled trials that examined Zilebesiran versus placebo in hypertensive patients. These studies …

Antifungal Effects Of Cinnamon And Clove Essential Oils On Oral Candida Albicans: In Vitro Comparative Study, Ghada Bouslama, Haifa Boudegga, Nour Sayda Ben Messaoud, Lamia Ouala, Souha Ben Youssef

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen responsible for oral infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Essential oils, derived from plants such as cinnamon and cloves, have been reported to have antifungal properties. This study aimed to compare the antifungal activity of cinnamon and cloves essential oils against oral C. albicans while determining the minimum fungicidal concentration for each extract. Materials and Methods: In this comparative in vitro study, four different volumes (0.25 μL, 0.5 μL, 1 μL, and 2 μL) of cinnamon and cloves essential oils were tested for their antifungal activity against C. albicans isolated …

Risk Factors Associated With Systemic Reactions In Allergen Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Prayuth Poowaruttanawiwit, Teerawat Nitichaikulvattana, Chanida Chantim, Kanyakorn Potikit, Supitchada Songkram

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a well-established and effective intervention for managing allergic conditions. However, systemic reactions (SRs) pose a significant clinical concern. This meta-analysis seeks to synthesize existing research to identify and evaluate the risk factors associated with SRs in AIT. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was performed across multiple databases to identify studies focusing on SR risk factors in AIT. Study heterogeneity was quantified using I² statistics, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with a random-effect model. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Results: The build-up phase of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) emerged …

Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, And In Vitro Evaluation Of Hydroxythioxanthone Derivatives As Antimalarial Agents, Faris Hermawan, Jumina Jumina, Teni Ernawati, Puji Budi Setia Asih, Ismail Ekoprayitno Rozi, Elisabeth Farah Novita Coutrier, Din Syafruddin

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: In 2022, there were 247 million malaria cases spread across 84 malaria-endemic countries. One of the biggest obstacles to controlling malaria is the disease due to drug resistance. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the antimalarial activity of hydroxythioxanthone derivatives based on the molecular docking study, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation outcome with in vitro antimalarial evaluation. Materials and Methods: The molecular docking and MD were performed to assess the inhibition activity of hydroxythioxanthone derivatives toward Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH). Afterward, those compounds were evaluated the antimalarial activity against P. falciparum 3D7. Results: The docking result showed …

Assessing Dietary Supplement Misinformation On Popular Thai E-Marketplaces: A Cross-Sectional Content Analysis, Chawalin Inthong, Sanguan Lerkiatbundit, Sakorn Mekruksavanich, Piya Hanvoravongchai

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: The use of dietary supplements (DS) has risen over the past decade, supported by the growth of e-marketplace (EM) platforms as a primary source of product information and purchases. However, these platforms have experienced a surge in health and nutritional misinformation, leading to negative health effects. Objectives: This study explored the characteristics and estimated the prevalence of misinformation on web pages selling DSs on popular Thai EM platforms. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of misinformation was assessed based on Thai regulatory criteria by analyzing DS web pages from two popular Thai EM platforms. In December 2022, 332 …

Degradation Of Cyanobacteria And Microalgae Using Ultraviolet Radiation At 222 Nm And Its Application In The Bleaching Of Lampenflora On Cave Rock Surfaces, Keisuke Naito, Shuji Watanabe, Masuo Komukai, Takehiro Kazama, Masayuki Itoh, Masahiro Kawasaki

International Journal of Speleology

Cyanobacterial and microalgae blooms negatively affect ecological environments. One of the emerging problems of these blooms occurs in calcareous caves, where visible lighting systems in tourist caves induce the formation of photosynthetic biofilms known as lampenflora on rock surfaces. In this study, we evaluated the inactivation effect of ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation at 222 nm (rare gas halide lamp) and 254 nm (mercury lamp) on cyanobacteria and microalgae in a laboratory and on lampenflora in Ryusenshindo Cave in Japan. Based on the laboratory experiments, irradiation at 222-nm was more effective than that at 254-nm for degrading plants. The photosensitivity of …

Bioshock And Bioshock 2: A Case Study Of Tragic Posthumans, Madison Knight

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Video games offer unique perspectives when analyzing the social structures built into the world of a text; choice becomes a major factor in the central action of video games as players take control of the story’s main protagonists. Two video games that fixate on this idea of choice and its intersection with the posthuman are Ken Levine’s BioShock (2007) and its direct successor, Jordan Thomas’s BioShock 2 (2010). The games each feature posthuman protagonists. Posthumans themselves are often prejudiced and portrayed to be “other,” and while BioShock equally asserts posthumans as “others,” these games show a different side to the …

Volume 11, Issue 3, Critical Currents And Pedagogical Shifts In Popular Culture And Pedagogy, Journal Dialogue

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Volume 11, Issue 3 of Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy: On Confronting Identity and Global Challenges through Popular Culture and Pedagogy.

Read More Comics: Developing Student Analysis Skills And Engagement Through The Use Of Comic Books In General Education Courses, Keri Crist-Wagner

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Undergraduate student participation in general education classes constitutes a point of struggle for many educators. Using both critical constructivism and counter storytelling as theoretical frameworks, this multi-method phenomenological case study explored the experiences of undergraduate honors students in a semester-long general education literature class. The purpose of this study was to 1) explore how comics can be used as a pedagogical tool in higher education classrooms, 2) assess the ways in which students interacted with comics, and 3) investigate what role comics played in engagement and development of critical thinking and analysis skills. Primary data collection involved document review of …

Escaping The Pedagogical Cabin In The Woods, Tony Kemerly, Davis Ritenour

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

The American educational system, because of its seemingly innocuous yet ubiquitous nature, has become, to borrow a term from Roland Barthes, naturalized. By being naturalized, it has become a system that has somehow slipped beneath the radar of the American populace and operates on an autopilot of sorts that allows it to employ practices that don’t necessarily have the best interests of its constituents at heart. Murray Rothbard (1979) argued that compulsory schooling is not guided by altruism, but rather a desire to coerce the population into a mold that is desired by those possessing power in society. This need …

Building Transferable Skills In An Interdisciplinary Science And Science Fiction Capstone Course, John D. Carrell, Robert G. Weiner, Alexandria Prather

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

College graduates are entering an ever-competitive workforce. Interdisciplinary course experiences are critical for developing analytical abilities and learning and these courses can provide valuable skills that will aid students beyond the classroom. These transferable skills include communication, teamwork, analytical and critical thinking, and creativity. To provide a unique learning experience and, through it, the development of transferable skills, the Honors College at Texas Tech University created an upper-level Capstone course titled “Superheroes, Super Villains, AI, Time Travel, and Film in Science and Popular Culture.” The class is an interdisciplinary look at science and science fiction taught by an engineering faculty …

Seeing The Strange: Science Fiction, Critical Pedagogy, And Future Teachers, Jeremy Delamarter

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Critical pedagogy, which is the branch of critical theory devoted to uncovering hidden power differentials in educational settings, is too often taught in abstract terms, and future educators fail to understand its relevance to praxis in their future classrooms. As a genre, science fiction is particularly adept at helping students consider the power structures and dynamics occasioned by scientific advances. Even more specifically, science-fiction is a powerful tool for teaching future educators the fundamentals of critical pedagogy. This article provides a philosophical exploration of why science fiction is such a useful tool for teaching critical pedagogy and uses the specific …

Fandoms, Postfandoms In The Convergence Of Digital Media: A Case Study Of Youth Cultures From Two Afro-Boricua Musical Genres, Mariely Rivera-Hernández

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

The purpose of this work is to analyze the relation between media convergence and a series of habitual activities of youth groups belonging to fandoms. We have established two pedagogical objectives: on the one hand, to analyze the link between media convergence and the participatory culture of fandoms and postfandoms and, on the other, to learn about the cultural consumption of youth cultures in social media and digital platforms. The activity generated in digital communities by several sectors related to the Afro-Boricua musical genres of bomba and plena have led us to the work of cultural ambassadors who circulate and …

Editorial For Critical Currents And Pedagogical Shifts In Popular Culture And Pedagogy, Barbara Perez

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

Transformative Subjects: Discussions Of Nahualismo In Mylan Nguyễn’S Visual Art And Gloria Anzaldúa’S Writings, Sara Ishii-Bear

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Mylan Nguyễn is a Dallas-based artist of Mexican and Vietnamese descent, who uses her multimedia practice, inclusive of ceramics, risograph printing, and illustration, to create whimsical worlds that are infused with symbolism and characterized by transformation. Inspired by the concepts of Nahualismo, a Nahuatl cultural practice that involves human to animal shapeshifting, Nguyễn’s works are populated by shape-shifting humans, animals, and nature. Drawing on a Nahualismo perspective that emphasizes healing and interconnectivity, Nguyễn’s understanding of the concept aligns with Gloria Anzaldúa’s discussion of nagualismo. Coupling Nahualismo and creativity, both Nguyễn and Anzaldúa invite audiences to bridge the divide between humans …

Leaps And Bounds In Popular Culture And Pedagogy Dialogue: A Note From The Editor In Chief And Associate Editor, Anna Cohenmiller, Karina Vado

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

No abstract provided.