Digital Commons Network^™

A Review Of The Current Literature Regarding The Effectiveness Of Psychedelics In Treatment-Resistant Psychiatric Disorders, Emmy Weisenberg

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

In recent years, the numbers of psychiatric cases have nearly doubled. While some treatments options are available, an increase in the prevalence of treatment-resistant mental health disorders represent a need to develop other therapeutics for maladaptive behavioral management. Currently, the serotonergic psychedelic LSD, ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA in the micro-dosing form are being investigated for their efficacy in the treatment-resistant individuals. Ongoing trials indicate that not only are psychedelics efficacious and safe in the micro-dosing form, but this form of medication may provide both immediate and long-term relief. There is evidence to show that all four aforementioned hallucinogens are capable …

Assessment Of A New Mouse Model For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Studies Of The Viral Mimetic Poly I:C On Biochemical Measures Of Brain Inflammation And Serotonin Signaling, Tiffany Zhang

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, multisystem disease characterized by severe fatigue without medical explanation. Due to the complexity of the disease, treatments only partially alleviate symptoms and currently there is no cure. To develop more effective treatments and better understand its etiology, valid preclinical models need to be developed. Evidence suggests infection and serotonin homeostasis plays a role in the development of ME/CFS. Therefore, I aimed to examine whether a viral mimetic (Poly I:C) triggers long-term fatigue behavior and neuroinflammation in a mouse model. C57 and CD1 male mice were treated with Poly I:C and only CD1 …

An Analysis Of Mitochondrial Distribution Across Neuron Types In C. Elegans, Reggie Joseph

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

Parkinson’s disease is known to have a greater impact on dopaminergic neurons when compared with other neurons. Dopaminergic neurons regulate muscle movement and coordination, and mitochondria supply the energy needed for that function in the form of ATP. Along with ATP production, mitochondria play an essential role in various other cell processes, and it is quite plausible that neurons of different functional and neurotransmitter types have different dependencies on mitochondria. To further investigate this possibility, mitochondrial distribution was analyzed in different neuron types in electron micrographs of Caenorhabditis elegans. Mitochondria were longest (1.65±0.12 μm) in cholinergic interneurons, and shortest in …

Defining The Structural And Functional Organization Of Elfn1, Manan Patel

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

Interactions involving Extracellular Leucine-Rich Repeat And Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 1 (ELFN1) and Extracellular Leucine-Rich Repeat And Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 2 (ELFN2) proteins are important for establishing synaptic properties. Specifically, metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) is a G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) that trans-synaptically binds to presynaptic leucine-rich repeat (LRR) ELFN1. ELFN1 has also been reported to anchor mGluR6 across retinal synapses thus highlighting the need to explore the effects of ELFN1 on mGluR signaling and pharmacology, as the interactions on these properties are largely unknown. Another important aspect of research involves establishing the necessity for both ELFN1 …

Do Sponges Niphates Digitalis And N. Erecta Survive A Multi-Year Coral Reef Bleaching Event?, Alexandra Perez

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses

The 2014-17 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) created a multi-year thermal anomaly that had a severe global impact on coral reefs; however, it is unknown if all reef organisms were negatively impacted. Previous studies suggest that sponges (phylum Porifera) utilize their regenerative capability to survive stress-inducing conditions; however, it is unknown if they employ this ability to survive multi-year thermal stress. This honors thesis determined if populations of the conspicuous Caribbean sponges, Niphates erecta and Niphates digitalis, were affected by the 2014-17 ENSO event in Florida, Broward County Reefs, and evaluated if sponges utilize their regenerative ability under extreme thermal …

Examining The Effect Of Mentoring On New Hire Aprns, Rochelle Kelly

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Novice advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are at risk for isolation, transition difficulties, and burnout. These elements can lead to job dissatisfaction which can negatively impact employee turnover but improving job satisfaction can help retain novice APRNs. Establishing a built-in support system, such as an assigned mentor, upon hire of the novice APRN can improve job satisfaction for both the novice APRN and the experienced mentoring APRN. Improvements in clinic processes, such as implementing a mentoring program, allow the novice APRN to advance their career to an experienced APRN while retaining career satisfaction. Decreasing turnover can lead to significant cost …

Investigation Of Skid Resistance On Asphalt Pavements In Utah, Aaron B. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Friction is one of the essential aspects of pavement performance and safety. Unfortunately, the rate at which the friction data are being collected exceeds the rate at which the data can be proficiently analyzed. Furthermore, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) lacks long-term trend analysis for the many years of locked-wheel skid trailer (LWST) data collected in Utah. In addition, UDOT is missing a statistically adequate correlation equation between friction-testing devices. Likewise, only one method is used in Utah to prequalify aggregates for use in pavements. Finally, there has not been an investigation of the potential use of lithium silicate …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Macular Thickness Map And Texture En Face Images For Detecting Glaucoma In Eyes With Axial High Myopia, Christopher Bowd, Akram Belghith, Jasmin Rezapour, Mark Christopher, Leslie Hyman, Jost B Jonas, Robert N Weinreb, Linda M Zangwill

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel optical coherence tomography texture-based en face image analysis (SALSA-Texture) that requires segmentation of only 1 retinal layer for glaucoma detection in eyes with axial high myopia, and to compare SALSA-Texture with standard macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) thickness, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness maps.

Design: Comparison of diagnostic approaches.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 92 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 44 healthy control eyes with axial high myopia (axial length >26 mm). Optical coherence tomography texture en face images, …

Factors Associated With Endowed Chair Allocation In Medical Oncology In The United States, Lena Jia, Michael Kevin Rooney, Clare E Jacobson, Kent A Griffith, Christina Mangurian, Reshma Jagsi, Merry Jennifer Markham

2020-Current year OA Pubs

To explore persisting gender disparities across leadership roles in medicine, we examined factors associated with holding endowed chairs in US oncology divisions. In 2019, we identified 95 academic oncology divisions, using the Oncology Division Chiefs and Department Chairs listing in the American Society of Clinical Oncology myConnection forum. We collected public information on gender, degree, total National Institutes of Health funding as principal investigator, H-indices, publication and citation numbers, and graduation year and constructed a multivariable logistic regression model. All statistical tests were 2-sided. We identified 1087 oncology full professors. Of these, 287 (26.4%) held endowed chairs: 60 of 269 …

Eliminating Moisture In Military Footwear: An Air Flow Solution For Soldiers Perspiring Feet When Training In Extremely Cold Weather, Mingshuo Li

Theses

Ground soldiers in extremely cold environments could easily suffer terrible foot conditions because of the wet environment inside their boots produced by generated perspiration. The current winter military boot products on the market focus more on warmth and weather protection, eliminating moist air and functional design is lacking in winter boot products. A military boot system is proposed that will absorb and eliminate foot perspiration and provide a warm and comfortable environment for feet. This proposed design is to add an airflow system to the midsole of the shoe, pushing the air inside the shoe by naturally squeezing the airbag …

A Smart Walker That Reduces Falls And Injuries, Jungwhan Park

Theses

Most of the elderly fall in their homes. As a result, the elderly may be socially, psychologically, fatally affected. Living spaces and the safety of residents are essential factors so that the elderly can lead an independent life. The purpose of this study was to develop a protective product for the elderly that will decrease the impact of falls and reduce injuries. Living alone, a slippery floor, a lack of exercise, spatial cognitive ability problems, dark environment or low vision, are the top five factors that showed the highest risk of falls. The results of this study is expected to …

Portable Exercise Equipment For Chinese Middle School Students To Stimulate Their Interest In Exercise, Bowen Zhang

Theses

This study was intended to explore how to enhance Chinese junior high school students' interest in physical education classes and develop lifelong exercise habits through assembled multifunctional exercise equipment. By combining traditional exercise equipment with interactive software, new teaching possibilities for physical education for middle school students were explored. For this case study, the test participants were physical education teachers and students in China. By comparing the designed exercise models with traditional exercise equipment in terms of functionality, material comfort, and attractiveness, the discussion results showed that students had a positive relationship between enhancing physical activity and using the new …

How To Help Students Who Live In Rural Areas Get Equal Education Resources., Shunjie Yang

Theses

With the development of China's economy, the imbalance between the east of China and the west of China appears. Developed cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen attract more people to work and live. As a consequence of the good economy, the education in those cities is professional. Students in those cities kept the best education resource. Unfortunately, students who live in rural areas or the west of China cannot share the same education re- source. The coming of the coronavirus exceeded the inequality of education resources since a lot of rural schools closed. That means students who live in rural areas …

A Smart Yoga Mat System Designed For Visually Impaired People, Dan Han

Theses

Globally, nearly 2.2 billion people are visually impaired, while 39 million are blind at present. Due to various factors, it is difficult for the blind to exercise. Though associations for blind people and disabled schools provide more possibilities for sports training for visually impaired people, these resources cannot reach everyone in need because of location and foundation limits. The project aims to make fitness more accessible for visually impaired people to help them keep healthy. Thus it could support their confidence and independence as they expected. Furthermore, society's awareness of visually impaired people's difficulties while exercising then, more studies could …

Identification Of Essential Gene Relations For Lung Adenocarcinoma Therapy Targets By Cross-Referencing Literature-Mined And Rnaseq Data, Mariel V. Pridmore

Theses

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed subtype of lung cancer, and while the disease itself can be strenuous, the typical treatments such as chemotherapy are also known to cause whole body harm to the patient due to its systemic nature. Target therapies are increasingly gaining popularity for their ability to selectively apply the therapy to a specific cell. In terms of cancer, this method would lessen some, if not all the painful side-effects of chemotherapy and enhance a patient’s quality of life. Narrowing down what genes are deemed to be essential to the operation of the cell can help …

“Onq”: Contextual Information Design, Sally Boniecki

Theses

There is a countless amount of entertainment media available to a single viewer, and the internet makes that media easily accessible. However, keeping up with the rules, objectives, backstory, or culture of each one is difficult, and confusion hinders enjoyment. My thesis, “OnQ” dismantles the barrier of information in broadcast sports, viewership of which has been declining for 10-20 years. By exploring the flow of information, user interaction, user multitasking, and graphic design via on-demand explanations and statistics on top of live video, “OnQ” takes existing multitasking behavior and integrates it onto the same screen as the broadcast. Instead of …

Und Strategic Planning Focus Group Notes: Student Aerospace Advisory Council, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Development Documents

Notes from a May 2, 2022 UND strategic planning focus group with the Student Aerospace Advisory Council. The notes capture student perspectives on aerospace education, student experience, campus culture, communication, affordability, advising, facilities, and opportunities for strengthening UND’s future.

Alexios: Transporting Disaster Relief, Power Supply System In Urban Flooding, Yannan Pan

Theses

Due to the terrain and river distribution, floods occur in China every year. The Yangtze River and the lower plain of Yellow River in eastern China are flood-prone, especially in urban areas. Whenever a flood comes, a lot of material and human resources are invested in the affected areas. However, there are some potential hazards in the existing flood control methods and related resettlement and management modes. In this paper, the author of this article will attempt to design a conceptualized urban flood relief and management system with a focus on the near future. the system will take use of …

Community Cat Shelter - A System That Brings The Community Together To Raise Community Cats, Zhishuo Sun

Theses

Due to the frequent abandonment of domestic cats and their proliferation in the wild, more and more stray cats, or feral cats, have been born in the city. These cats have a high mortality rate, kill birds, make noise, and have an impact on the human habitat. This study explores the pain points of harmonious coexistence between humans and stray cats and proposes a design intervention for some of these problems. The goal is for each community to address the problem of stray cats in that community from within, including issues such as securing the survival of stray cats and …

Transitional Car Living, Between Homelessness And Permanent Shelter, Isaac Hertzson

Theses

The worsening eviction crisis facing countries like the United States is caused by a variety of factors. The increasing costs of the housing market as large multi-national investing firms speculate on value of housing, to soaring rental prices, stagnating wages, inflation, and the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Eviction creates destructive ripple effects throughout society as it often begets a negative feedback loop in which the evicted face housing discrimination leading to further eviction. Eviction is causally linked to issues with both mental and physical well being. To help those facing eviction this project proposes the creation of a …

Und Strategic Planning Focus Group Notes: Student-Athletes, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Development Documents

Notes from a May 2, 2022 UND strategic planning focus group with student-athletes. The notes capture student-athlete perspectives on choosing UND, athletics, academics, campus identity, student support, belonging, communication, and opportunities for strengthening UND’s future.

A Self-Regulating System For Assessing Scientific Predictive Power, Ted C. Rogers

Physics Faculty Publications

I propose a method for tracking and assessing scientific progress using a prediction consensus algorithm designed for the purpose. The protocol obviates the need for centralized referees to generate scientific questions, gather predictions, and assess the accuracy or success of those predictions. It relies instead on crowd wisdom and a system of checks and balances for all tasks. It is intended to take the form of a web-based, searchable database. I describe a prototype implementation that I call Ex Quaerum. The main purpose of the present document is to motivate the project, to explain it's underlying philosophy, to explain the …

Don't Forget The "G" In Esg: The Sec And Corporate Governance Disclosure, Jennifer O'Hare

Faculty Publications

For years, many shareholders—both institutional and individual investors—have pressured the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to require public companies to disclose more information about the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) risks facing the company. However, the SEC has generally refused calls to require public corporations to disclose, for example, how they are addressing climate change or workforce diversity challenges. With a new president in the White House and a new administration at the SEC, the SEC will soon propose new ESG disclosure rules, requiring more information about the “E” and the “S” in ESG. But the SEC has forgotten the …

Utah Farmers Market Network: Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Community Of Practice, Jaclyn Pace, Regan Emmons, Kelsey Hall, Celina Wille, Lacee Jimenez, Carrie Durward, Roslynn Mccann

All Current Publications

The Utah Farmers Market Network convened a virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Community of Practice (CoP) to explore how markets could be more welcoming and inclusive to historically excluded populations. Between May and November of 2021, members of seven Utah farmers markets convened at least twice monthly to explore basic DEI concepts and create personalized DEI strategic plans for their markets. This document reviews impacts on participants and the personal, market, community, and organizational goals created.

Percussion Ensemble, John Lawless

Bailey School of Music Concert Programs

Performance by KSU Percussion Ensemble, John Lawless, Director

David Phetmanysay, Viola, May 2, 2022 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

The Decision To Depart: Black Women Faculty's Experience With Departure And The Academy, Herlanda L. Hampton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine how the concept of departure influences the lack of diversity among higher education faculty. More specifically, what factors are currently influencing Black women faculty’s decisions to depart academic positions across two institution types, Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A phenomenological method of inquiry supported the research and included two research questions. The primary research question asked what influences impacted the decision to depart for each faculty member. A secondary question examined the similarities and differences of these influences for departure decisions from the PWIs and …

Dnp Final Report: Skilled Nursing Facility Readmissions: An Evidence-Based Telemedicine Innovation Project, Debra B. Graham

DNP Final Reports

Background: Nationally, 20% of patient readmissions occur within the first 48 hours after arrival to a skilled nurse facility (SNF), and 40-68% of these readmissions are potentially avoidable. Since 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid penalized SNFs when their return to hospital (RTH) percentages was above national benchmarks. The four SNFs in this project experienced rising transfer rates and diminished RTH percentages since 2017, despite using in-house providers Monday through Friday. Furthermore, there was no provision to address patients’ changes in conditions after hours.

Purpose: This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed to standardize the care provided to …

A Cohort Study Of The Impact Of Covid‐19 On The Quality Of Life Of People Newly Diagnosed With Dementia And Their Family Carers, B Hicks, S Read, B Hu, S Banerjee, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction COVID-19 has impacted people with dementia and their family carers, yet little is known about effects on overall quality of life. Methods In a UK cohort study, pre- and post-pandemic data were collected from 114 carers and 93 recently diagnosed people with dementia. Latent growth curve modeling examined change in quality of life. Results Carers reported significant decline in quality of life, although no change was demonstrated by people with dementia. In multivariable analyses, higher levels of cognitive impairment, deprivation, study site, and lower number of memory clinic contacts were associated with greater decline in carer quality of life. …

Hybrid Implant Supported Prosthesis: Transfer Of Prosthetic Data To The Laboratory. 4 Clinical Cases, Jihad Fakhouri, Maha Daou, Elyssia Inaty, Nada El Osta

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

The transfer of data to the laboratory remains the key to the success of hybrid implant supported prosthesis.