bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the significance of caspase-cleaved tau in tauopathies and as a complementary pathology to phospho-tau in Alzheimer’s disease: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic targeting
Authors: Rizzi Liara , Grinberg Lea T.
Published: February 2024

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases that typically require postmortem examination for a definitive diagnosis. Detecting neurotoxic tau fragments in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum provides an opportunity for in vivo diagnosis and disease monitoring. Current assays primarily focus on total tau or phospho-tau, overlooking other post-translational modifications (PTMs). Caspase-cleaved tau is a significant component of AD neuropathological lesions, and experimental studies confirm the high neurotoxicity of these tau species. Recent evidence indicates that certain caspase-cleaved tau species, such as D13 and D402, are abundant in AD brain neurons and only show a modest degree of co-occurrence with phospho-tau, meaning caspase-truncated tau pathology is partially distinct and complementary to phospho-tau pathology. Furthermore, these caspase-cleaved tau species are nearly absent in 4-repeat tauopathies. In this review, we will discuss the significance of caspase-cleaved tau in the development of tauopathies, specifically emphasizing its role in AD. In addition, we will explore the potential of caspase-cleaved tau as a biomarker and the advantages for drug development targeting caspase-6. Developing specific and sensitive assays for caspase-cleaved tau in biofluids holds promise for improving the diagnosis and monitoring of tauopathies, providing valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Advanced systems and technologies for the enhancement of user experience in cultural spaces: an overview
Authors: Capece Sonia , Chivăran Camelia , Giugliano Giovanna , Laudante Elena , Nappi Maria Laura , Buono Mario
Published: February 2024

Human–computer interaction, Artificial Intelligence, and the multilingualism of digital culture open up unexpected scenarios in the contemporary design of cultural spaces with the creation of artifacts in which the analogic and digital dimensions come together to enhance the experience. Sensors and devices track user movement in the real world and translate the inputs into commands through hand gestures, speech recognition, head movements, tangible interfaces, or a combination of these elements. Through theorical models, concepts and tools, the paper reports the evolution of “User Experience” applied to personalized enjoyment and use of cultural places. The functional-performance survey of tools and technologies for perception, narrative and augmented interaction revealed models that highlight the diversity and richness of tangible and intangible cultural heritage through new forms of interaction and knowledge transfer. In this direction, new technological tools make it possible to detect, track and evaluate the personalized user experience by processing or producing large amounts of data. Therefore, on one hand the paper explores the limitations dictated by data management and user privacy in using such systems and, on the other, it prefigures new scenarios for amplifying and personalizing the user experience.
An in vitro investigation into the impact of corneal rinsing on riboflavin/UVA corneal cross-linking
Authors: Morgan Siân R. , O’Brart David P. S. , Huang Jinhai , Meek Keith M. , Hayes Sally
Published: February 2024

Background

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) using riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light (UVA) is a treatment used to prevent progression of keratoconus. This ex vivo study assesses the impact on CXL effectiveness, as measured by tissue enzymatic resistance and confocal microscopy, of including a pre-UVA corneal surface rinse with balanced salt solution (BSS) as part of the epithelium-off treatment protocol.

Methods

Sixty-eight porcine eyes, after epithelial debridement, were assigned to six groups in three experimental runs. Group 1 remained untreated. Groups 2–6 received a 16-min application of 0.1% riboflavin/Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) drops, after which Group 3 was exposed to 9 mW/cm2 UVA for 10 min, and Groups 4–6 underwent corneal surface rinsing with 0.25 mL, 1 mL or 10 mL BSS followed by 9 mW/cm2 UVA exposure for 10 min. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was recorded at each stage. Central 8.0 mm corneal buttons from all eyes were subjected to 0.3% collagenase digestion at 37 °C and the time required for complete digestion determined. A further 15 eyes underwent fluorescence confocal microscopy to assess the impact of rinsing on stromal riboflavin concentration.

Results

Application of riboflavin/HPMC solution led to an increase in CCT of 73 ± 14 µm (P < 0.01) after 16 min. All CXL-treated corneas displayed a 2–4 fold greater resistance to collagenase digestion than non-irradiated corneas. There was no difference in resistance between corneas that received no BSS rinse and those that received a 0.25 mL or 1 mL pre-UVA rinse, but each showed a greater level of resistance than those that received a 10 mL pre-UVA rinse (P < 0.05). Confocal microscopy demonstrated reduced stromal riboflavin fluorescence after rinsing.

Conclusions

All protocols, with and without rinsing, were effective at enhancing the resistance to collagenase digestion, although resistance was significantly decreased, and stromal riboflavin fluorescence reduced with a 10 mL rinse. This suggests that a 10 mL surface rinse can reduce the efficacy of CXL through the dilution of the stromal riboflavin concentration.
Renal function and lipid metabolism in Japanese HIV-1-positive individuals 288 weeks after switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to tenofovir alafenamide fumarate: a single-center, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Abe Kensuke , Imamura Junji , Sasaki Akiko , Suzuki Tomoko , Kamio Satomi , Obara Taku , Ito Toshihiro
Published: February 2024

Background

Continued use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), an antiretroviral drug, causes renal function decline and tubular damage in individuals with HIV. While tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) may have less damaging effects, it causes weight gain and abnormal lipid metabolism.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective cohort study used medical records from the National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center to investigate renal function of Japanese HIV-1-positive individuals who switched from TDF to antiretroviral therapy including TAF by 2017. The endpoints were: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary β2 microglobulin (Uβ2MG), weight, and lipid metabolism parameters at 288 weeks after switching. Possible correlation between eGFR and Uβ2MG and factors affecting eGFR decline were examined.

Results

Sixty patients switched from TDF to TAF and continued therapy for 288 weeks. eGFR showed a significant decline after 144 weeks, although it was controlled from the time of change until 96 weeks. In the renal impairment group, the decline was suppressed until week 288. Uβ2MG continued to decrease significantly after 48 weeks. However, the suggested correlation between eGFR and Uβ2MG disappeared when patients switched from TDF to TAF. Weight and lipid metabolic parameters increased significantly at 48 weeks and were maintained. Factors associated with decreased eGFR were: history of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Uβ2MG. However, considering the odds ratio, the switch from TDF to TAF suppressed the eGFR decline in the group with a history of AIDS, and Uβ2MG had no effect on the eGFR decline.

Conclusions

Switching from TDF to TAF for the long term slows eGFR decline, decreases Uβ2MG levels, and reduces worsening of renal function. Weight gain and abnormal lipid metabolism may occur in the short term but are controllable.
Exercise therapy, education, and cognitive behavioral therapy alone, or in combination with total knee arthroplasty, in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized feasibility study
Authors: Rognsvåg Turid , Bergvad Ingvild Buset , Furnes Ove , Indrekvam Kari , Lerdal Anners , Lindberg Maren Falch , Skou Søren T , Stubberud Jan , Badawy Mona
Published: February 2024

Background

One in five patients experience chronic pain 1 year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), highlighting the need for enhanced treatment strategies to improve outcomes. This feasibility trial aimed to optimize the content and delivery of a complex intervention tailored to osteoarthritis (OA) patients at risk of poor outcome after TKA and assess the feasibility of initiating a full-scale multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

Patients scheduled for TKA were included between August 2019 and June 2020 and block-randomized into one of three groups: (a) 12-week exercise therapy and education (ExE) and 10-module internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), (b) TKA followed by ExE and iCBT and (c) TKA and standard postoperative care. Outcomes were (i) recruitment and retention rate, (ii) compliance to the intervention and follow-up, (iii) crossover, and (iv) adverse events, reported by descriptive statistics.

Results

Fifteen patients were included in the study. Only 1 out of 146 patients screened for eligibility was included during the first 4 months. During the next 3 months, 117 patients were not included since they lived too far from the hospital. To increase the recruitment rate, we made three amendments to the inclusion criteria; (1) at-risk screening of poor TKA outcome was removed as an eligibility criterion, (2) patients across the country could be included in the study and (3) physiotherapists without specific certification were included, receiving thorough information and support. No patients withdrew from the study or crossed over to surgery during the first year. Nine out of 10 patients completed the ExE program and six out of 10 completed the iCBT program. Fourteen out of 15 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. One minor adverse event was registered.

Conclusions

Except for recruitment and compliance to iCBT, feasibility was demonstrated. The initial recruitment process was challenging, and necessary changes were made to increase the recruitment rate. The findings informed how a definitive RCT should be undertaken to test the effectiveness of the complex intervention.

Trial registration

The MultiKnee RCT, including the feasibility study, is pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03771430 11/12/2018.
Adopting Gartner’s hype cycles to investigate the lifespan of computer assisted language learning from EFL learners' perspectives
Authors: Meihami Hussein , Alexander Christopher
Published: February 2024

It is crucial to study how L2 learners use technology when examining the lifespan technology in L2 pedagogy. Therefore, we adopted Gartner’s hype cycles to investigate the lifespan of CALL from the perspectives of EFL learners. To this end, we utilized an explanatory narrative design and gathered and analysed the perspectives of 87 EFL learners regarding the CALL lifespan using autobiographical narratives and semi-structured interviews. The results of the deductive thematic analysis presented motivating and demotivating factors that were asserted to affect EFL learners’ uptake of CALL technologies. Moreover, the findings revealed that EFL learners had fallacies about CALL in the first stages of using technology for L2 learning and tended to reduce those fallacies later on. Therefore, it can be concluded that EFL learners start their use of CALL with some misconceptions stemming from the motivating factors of CALL, continue their use of CALL by facing some demotivating factors originating from fallacies about CALL that they have already committed, and finalise their use of CALL by exploring about CALL features that help them avoid their fallacies. The study has implications to shorten the time of reaching the awareness zone by the L2 learners.
Impact of Parkinsonism comorbid depression on cognitive functions
Authors: Shehata Ghaydaa A. , Farweez Hassan M. , Ali Anwar M. , Hassan Huda S. , Tohamy Amal M. , Mostafa Mohamed , Ibrahim Mostafa A. , Tarek Khaled , Elrashedy Asmaa Ahmed , Abdelnaby Ramy , Elsayed Mohamed , Gaber Dina Elsayed
Published: February 2024

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disabling disease and involves about 1–3% of the worldwide population over the age of 60. A significant prevalence of psychopathological symptoms has been recorded as most patients with PD developed over their disease course neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, psychosis, and cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. These non-motor symptoms, which could appear decades before motor ones, become disturbing symptoms during the later phases of the disease. Hence, the current research aims to study depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Thirty-six patients with Parkinson’s disease aged from 40 to 65 years (20 males and 16 females) and 36 age and sex-matched controls (19 males and 17 females) were included in the study. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale, Schwab and England’s scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were applied to assess depression in both groups.

Results

Patients were 20 males and 16 females (mean age 52.44 ± 7.45), mean duration of Parkinsonism was 3.88 years. The mean value for Hoehn and Yahr scale was 1.97 ± 1.42, for UPDRS T was 42.41 ± 20.91 and Schwab England's scale was 74.77 ± 17.78. Concerning cognition, MMSE was significantly lower among patients 25.33 ± 3.63, than in the control group and CAS total was significantly lower in patients (16 ± 71.35) than in the control group 9.81 ± 84.62.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms are widespread in Parkinson's disease. Depression should be strictly determined and addressed, particularly in patients with more advanced cognitive impairment who are at a higher risk of developing or worsening depression.
The future of minimally invasive spine surgery in low-income Latin American countries
Authors: Santos Daniel Encarnacion , Bozkurt Ismail , Nurmukhametov Renat , Dosanov Medet , Volovish Alexander , Chmutin Gennady , Sierra Ariel Tapia , Eneliz Brenda , Bernard Edwin , Nakry Phon , Scalia Gianluca , Chaurasia Bipin
Published: February 2024

Treatment of spinal disorders can be managed conservatively or surgically. With the trend toward minimalistic approaches, minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) has gained much more importance over the last decade. Its use along with the required training has tremendously increased in developed countries. However, the availability of MISS today is uneven in different regions due to the development and availability of technology, as well as the level of training and qualifications of surgeons who are able to perform such operations on the spine. The purpose of this article is to analyze the prospects for minimally invasive spine surgery in Latin America in comparison with higher income countries.
Indolent Behavior of Malignant Bethesda III Nodules Compared to Bethesda V/VI Nodules
Authors: Endo Mayumi , Peng Jing , Nabhan Fadi A , Brock Pamela , Azaryan Irina , Long Clarine , Ryan Laura E , Ringel Matthew D , Sipos Jennifer A
Published: February 2024

Background

The Bethesda system classifies all fine-needle aspiration specimens into 1 of 6 categories. We speculated that cancers within each Bethesda category would have distinct clinical behavior.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of patients from a single academic medical center with a histologic diagnosis of thyroid cancer who had an initial diagnosis of Bethesda III, IV, V, or VI cytology.

Results

A total of 556 cases were included, with 87 cases of Bethesda III, 109 cases of IV, 120 cases of V, and 240 cases of VI. Bethesda III showed similarities with V/VI compared to IV with a predominance of papillary thyroid cancer. The interval from diagnosis to surgery was longer in Bethesda III compared to Bethesda V/VI (median 78 vs 41 days, P < .001) (Fig. 1). Yet, patients with Bethesda III had a higher probability of achieving remission (62% vs 46%, P < .03), a lower possibility of recurrence (8% vs 24%, P < .001), and a shorter interval to achieve remission (median 1218 vs 1682 days, P = .02) compared to Bethesda V/VI, which did not change after adjusting for age, sex, radioactive iodine therapy, mode of surgery, and tumor size. More than 70% of Bethesda III that later presented with recurrence had T3/T4 disease or distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Cancers with Bethesda III cytology had a less aggressive clinical phenotype with better prognosis compared to V/VI despite histological similarities. The time to remission was shorter in Bethesda III despite a longer interval between diagnosis and surgery. The initial cytological diagnosis may guide management.
Expression and Prognostic Relevance of PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 Immune Checkpoints in Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Authors: Landwehr Laura-Sophie , Altieri Barbara , Sbiera Iuliu , Remde Hanna , Kircher Stefan , Olabe Julie , Sbiera Silviu , Kroiss Matthias , Fassnacht Martin
Published: February 2024

Context

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with poor prognosis in advanced stages. While therapies targeting the checkpoint molecules programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), its ligand PD-L1, and the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) have revolutionized treatment in many cancers, the results in ACCs were heterogeneous.

Objective

Their expression in ACC has not been systematically studied and might explain the variable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods

The expression of PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 was examined in 162 tumor samples from 122 patients with ACC by immunohistochemistry (threshold of >1%) and correlated with tumoral T lymphocyte infiltration and clinical endpoints. Finally, univariate and multivariate analyses of progression-free and overall survival were performed.

Results

PD-1 and PD-L1 were expressed in 26.5% and 24.7% of samples, respectively, with low expression in most tumor samples (median positive cells: 2.1% and 21.7%). In contrast, CTLA-4 expression was observed in 52.5% of ACC with a median of 38.4% positive cells. Positive PD-1 expression was associated with longer progression-free survival (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.98, P = .04) even after considering prognostic factors. In contrast, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 did not correlate with clinical outcome. Additionally, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression correlated significantly with the amount of CD3+, CD4+, FoxP3+, and CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

The heterogeneous expression of PD1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 in this large series of well-annotated ACC samples might explain the heterogeneous results of the immunotherapies in advanced ACC. In addition, PD-1 expression is a strong prognostic biomarker that can easily be applied in routine clinical care and histopathological assessment.
Outcomes of Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Managed With Genomic Sequencing Classifier
Authors: Ahmadi Sara , Kotwal Anupam , Bikas Athanasios , Xiang Pingping , Goldner Whitney , Patel Anery , Hughes Elena G , Longstaff Xochitl , Yeh Michael W , Livhits Masha J
Published: February 2024

Context

Molecular testing can refine the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology to decrease unnecessary diagnostic surgery.

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules managed with Afirma genomic sequencing classifier (GSC) testing.

Methods

Adult patients who underwent a biopsy at 3 major academic centers between July 2017 and June 2021 with Bethesda III or IV cytology were included. All patients had surgery or minimum follow-up of 1 year ultrasound surveillance. The primary outcomes were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of GSC in Bethesda III and IV nodules.

Results

The median nodule size of the 834 indeterminate nodules was 2.1 cm and the median follow-up was 23 months. GSC sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV across all institutions were 95%, 81%, 50%, and 99% for Bethesda III nodules and 94%, 82%, 65%, and 98% for Bethesda IV nodules, respectively. The overall false-negative rate was 2%. The NPV of GSC in thyroid nodules with oncocytic predominance was 100% in Bethesda III nodules and 98% in Bethesda IV nodules. However, the PPV of oncocytic nodules was low (17% in Bethesda III nodules and 45% in Bethesda IV nodules). Only 22% of thyroid nodules with benign GSC results grew during surveillance.

Conclusion

GSC is a key tool for managing patients with indeterminate cytology, including the higher-risk Bethesda IV category. GSC-benign thyroid nodules can be observed similarly to thyroid nodules with benign cytology.
Emerging insights into CP110 removal during early steps of ciliogenesis
Authors: Xie Shuwei , Naslavsky Naava , Caplan Steve
Published: February 2024

The primary cilium is an antenna-like projection from the plasma membrane that serves as a sensor of the extracellular environment and a crucial signaling hub. Primary cilia are generated in most mammalian cells, and their physiological significance is highlighted by the large number of severe developmental disorders or ciliopathies that occur when primary ciliogenesis is impaired. Primary ciliogenesis is a tightly regulated process, and a central early regulatory step is the removal of a key mother centriole capping protein, CP110 (also known as CCP110). This uncapping allows vesicles docked on the distal appendages of the mother centriole to fuse to form a ciliary vesicle, which is bent into a ciliary sheath as the microtubule-based axoneme grows and extends from the mother centriole. When the mother centriole migrates toward the plasma membrane, the ciliary sheath fuses with the plasma membrane to form the primary cilium. In this Review, we outline key early steps of primary ciliogenesis, focusing on several novel mechanisms for removal of CP110. We also highlight examples of ciliopathies caused by genetic variants that encode key proteins involved in the early steps of ciliogenesis.
Race and the Mismeasure of School Quality
Authors: Angrist Joshua , Hull Peter , Pathak Parag A. , Walters Christopher R.
Published: February 2024

In large urban districts, schools enrolling more White students tend to have higher performance ratings. We use an instrumental variables strategy leveraging centralized school assignment to explore this relationship. Estimates from Denver and New York City suggest that the correlation between school performance ratings and White enrollment shares reflects selection bias rather than causal school value added. In fact, value added in these two cities is essentially unrelated to White enrollment shares. A simple regression adjustment is shown to yield school ratings uncorrelated with race while predicting value added as well as or better than the corresponding unadjusted measures. (JEL H75, I21, I24, I28, J15)
The Marginal Disutility from Corruption in Social Programs: Evidence from Program Administrators and Beneficiaries
Authors: Gaduh Arya , Hanna Rema , Olken Benjamin A.
Published: February 2024

Concerns about fraud in welfare programs are common arguments worldwide against such programs. We conducted a survey experiment with over 28,000 welfare program administrators and over 19,000 beneficiaries in Indonesia to elicit the “marginal disutility from corruption”—the trade-off between more generous social assistance and losses due to corruption. Merely mentioning corruption reduced perceived program success, equivalent to distributing more than 26 percentage points less aid. However, respondents were not sensitive to the amount of corruption—respondents were willing to trade off $2 of additional losses for an additional $1 distributed to beneficiaries. Program administrators and beneficiaries had similar assessments. (JEL D73, H53, I32, I38, O15, O17)
Effects of Impaired Verbal Abilities on Miranda Comprehension and Reasoning: "Do You Understand Your Rights?"
Authors:   , Tazi Kamar Y.
Published: February 2024

In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the Supreme Court of the United States required that custodial arrestees be informed of their constitutional and continuous rights to silence and to legal counsel. Moreover, the ruling mandated that waivers be considered valid only if they were made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. However, in the decades that followed, evidence from both caselaw and empirical scholarship clarified that, for many vulnerable populations, these rights are in jeopardy. Among these vulnerable populations, those with limited cognitive capacities (LCCs) have been functionally excluded from research which primarily focused on persons with intellectual disabilities. This thesis offers a novel exploration of the role of specific cognitive impairments on Miranda comprehension and reasoning, with a focus on verbal intelligence (VIQ). Using a large archival sample of pretrial defendants (N = 820), current results suggest that defendants struggled with Miranda abilities regardless of other, individual characteristics. However, verbal intelligence emerged as a very strong predictor of Miranda comprehension such that those with lower VIQ were considerably more vulnerable to impaired comprehension. More so, data suggest that several compounded vulnerabilities (i.e., minoritized racial/ethnic identity status, limited academic achievement, illiteracy) are essential to understanding the extent of vulnerability in the criminal legal system in addition to the negative impacts of cognitive impairments. Several crucial implications for clinical practice and legal decision-making are explored. Finally, essential areas for future research are presented.
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the Legume Model Medicago truncatula
Authors:   , Arias Gaguancela Omar Paul
Published: February 2024

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a widely conserved amidase in eukaryotes, best known for inactivating the signal of N-acylethanolamine (NAE) lipid mediators. In the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, FAAH-mediated hydrolysis of NAEs has been associated with numerous biological processes. Recently, the phylogenetic distribution of FAAH into two major branches (group I and II FAAHs) across angiosperms outside of Arabidopsis (and in other Brassicaceae), suggests a previously unrecognized complexity of this enzyme. Although A. thaliana has long been used to assess biological questions for plants, in this case it will fall short in understanding the significance of multiple FAAHs in other plant systems. Thus, in this study, I examined the role (s) of six FAAH isoforms in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and two FAAHs in the legume Medicago truncatula.
A Performance Guide to Zili Li's Viola Concerto No. 1 (2010)
Authors:   , Chen Fang
Published: February 2024

The Viola Concerto No. 1 was commissioned in 2010 by Xidi Shen, a viola professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and composed the same year by Zili Li (b. 1938), a Chinese composer and violinist. For musical, cultural, and technical reasons, this little-known Chinese viola concerto strongly aroused my interest, leading me to use it as the research subject for my doctoral dissertation and to also introduce this work to Western violists. This dissertation provides a performance guide to Zili Li's Viola Concerto No. 1. By analyzing the Mongolian music topics used in the work as well as addressing its typical Mongolian-style string performance techniques, the dissertation should provide a foundation for viola players who wish to play the work but are not familiar with this specific style. In addition, I hope that it can serve as an inspiration to other string players who are playing works based on Mongolian music.
Are We Zwisch-ing Yet? An Examination of the Zwischenfach Voice Category and Selected Twenty-First Century American Arias
Authors:   , Taylor Hilary Grace
Published: February 2024

The German word Zwischenfach often refers to opera roles and singers whose voices lie between the categories of mezzo-soprano and soprano. While the term is not universally accepted as a voice category, Zwischenfach voices and roles are being discussed more openly and with more specificity in collegiate and professional circles. This document includes a discussion on the challenges of categorizing dramatic voices, mezzo-soprano voices, and those who could be considered Zwischenfach, taking into consideration the inherent ambiguity and flexibility within these voice categories. The elements that have led to developmental changes in opera voices and their categories over the centuries provide insight and context on how Zwischenfach has become a term that describes the ambiguity and challenge of classifying opera voices in the twenty-first century. A main focus of this document is a discussion of eleven pieces from twenty-first century American operas which a Zwischenfach singer could consider for auditions and performances. Operas included are: Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie, The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon, After Life and Glory Denied by Tom Cipullo, Lysistrata by Mark Adamo, Dinner at Eight by William Bolcom, and Fantastic Mr. Fox by Tobias Picker. My hope is that this document will give Zwischenfach voices a resource when choosing twenty-first century repertoire and promote further discussion and acceptance of the Zwischenfach voice category.
Protective Factors for Eating, Shape, and Weight Concerns across Diverse Gender Identities
Authors:   , Watson McKenzie Kimberly
Published: February 2024

We ran three MANOVAs in a sample of 422 young adults to examine differences in eating, shape, and weight concerns (i.e., ESW concerns) between gender diverse individuals, ciswomen, and cismen. Additionally, we examined the effects of self-esteem and sense of belonging on ESW concerns. We also tested for interaction (moderation) effects between gender and self-esteem and gender and sense of belonging. Findings indicated that gender diverse individuals experience ESW concerns at a significantly higher rate than cisgender men. There were no differences, however, in ESW concerns between gender diverse people and ciswomen. Self-esteem and sense of belonging significantly predicted ESW concerns, but no interaction effects were observed. Limitations of the current study include using one large gender diverse group rather than exploring each individual gender identity as well as limited recruitment. Future studies should recruit more participants across the gender spectrum in order to better understand the unique experiences of each gender group as it relates to eating, shape, and weight concerns and expand recruitment across broader regions of the United States.
Proteomic-Based Assessment of Estrogenic Endocrine Disruption in Hyalella azteca
Authors:   , Prokai Marcel Laszlo
Published: February 2024

In our studies, we used the environmentally important crustacean Hyalella azteca (H. azteca) as an invertebrate model and 17β-estradiol (E2) as a representative of environmental estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) for proteomics-based investigations of endocrine disruptions in an aquatic ecosystem. Using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, our investigation focused for the first time on the recognition of biological and molecular events affected by E2 exposure with the long-term goal of identifying panels of potential biomarkers for environmental estrogenic endocrine disruption. We analyzed E2-induced changes in protein expressions in female and male H. azteca using label-free quantitative proteomics. With discovery-driven shotgun approach, we identified over 50 proteins that were affected by E2 in a sex-specific manner in our model organism. We selected four E2-regulated proteins (vitellogenin, cuticle protein CPR RR, titin and clumping factor A-like protein) for validation by parallel reaction monitoring-based targeted proteomics. Altogether, our proteomics studies have characterized for the first time E2-triggered endocrine disruption in H. azteca and recognized sex-specific changes in the male and female H. azteca's proteome after aquatic exposure to this estrogen. Through targeted proteomics, we were also able to quantitatively characterize a panel of selected proteins that showed distinctive sex-specific responses to this estrogen. We also mapped differentially expressed proteins to protein interaction networks and biological processes through Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis to indicate the future applicability of a bioinformatics-supported strategy focusing on potential environmental biomarker discovery and development using H. azteca as a model.
Environmental Control of Pacing in Cougars
Authors:   , Fahlmann Elisabeth Anne
Published: February 2024

Pacing, a common form of stereotypy in captive animals, poses challenges for animal welfare and conservation initiatives. The current study used a comprehensive measurement system to investigate the impact of introducing a food-related activity on the daily patterns of multiple behaviors, including stereotypic pacing, in two zoo-housed cougars. The results showed that, while the intervention did not mitigate pacing overall, it did cause a shift in the cougars' routines. This demonstrated the significant influence of keeper behavior on the animals. Furthermore, the differing effects on each cougar's behaviors underscored the necessity for individualized interventions tailored to the specific needs of animals.
Avian Community Response to Riverby Ranch Restoration Reconstruction
Authors:   , Boucher Tessa Katrish
Published: February 2024

Anthropogenic activities have caused many wildlife spices to decline in populations worldwide. The grassland bird communities are especially being impacted by these land use changes. Breeding success is closely tied to functional habitats for most grassland bird species in North Texas. Restoring these degraded habitats is an important component to aid in conserving wildlife biodiversity. We surveyed the bird population at Riverby Ranch Mitigation site by conducting point count sampling. This site consists of recently restored grassland, wetland, and forested habitat. This research was focused on conducting post restoration monitoring of the bird community in the early succession of the restored habitats. We set out to use the bird community as biomonitors to help assess if the restoration practices could be considered successful. We found that density estimates were more than double at the restored site when comparing to three different references sites under different management practices. This included an unrestored working ranch, a wildlife management area, and a conservation managed prairie site. We found that biodiversity metrics were as high or higher than the reference sites. In addition, we also found that there were more observations of species of high conservation concern present at the restored stie. This research supports that the reconstructive restoration that took place at Riverby Ranch was highly effective at restoring a diverse and abundant grassland and wetland bird community.
Suburban Succession and Stream Dynamics
Authors:   , McGillewie Sara B.
Published: February 2024

Increasingly higher numbers of people are moving into urbanizing environments, yet our understanding of ecosystem consequences of rapid urbanization is still in its infancy. In this dissertation, I assessed dynamics of residential landscapes during suburban succession and consequences for ecosystem functioning. First, I used a space-for-time approach to quantify more than a century of suburban succession in the Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex (DFW). Attributes of residential landscape plant diversity and habitat complexity were quantified for 232 individual properties nested within 14 neighborhoods constructed between 1906 and 2020. Suburban succession progressed from simple turf lawns with limited habitat complexity to landscapes dominated by deciduous trees and high habitat complexity, but homeowner decisions related to landscape management affect the rate of that transition and the number of plants and taxa present. Next, I used the novel spatial construct of "neighborhoodsheds" to test for effects of suburban succession on carbon export, and found that the proportion of carbon derived from C3 vs. C4 plants was affected by neighborhood plant community structure (i.e. greater proportion of trees and shrubs primarily in later stages of suburban succession). Finally, I conducted a mesocosm experiment to test effects of changes in allochthonous inputs during suburban succession on aquatic ecosystem functioning. The proportion of carbon from C3 vs. C4 sources interacted with time to affect abundance of emergent mosquitoes and chironomids. This work sets the stage for further research on urban ecology in DFW and provides conceptual advances for the study of urban ecosystems more broadly.
The Emergence of Arab Nation-State Nationalism as an Alternative to the Supranational Concept of Ummah
Authors:   , Alhamili Mohammed Ali M.
Published: February 2024

In this dissertation, I examine the political shift or reorientation of Arabs and Muslims from the supranational Ummah to the Western form of nation-state by attending to modern Arabic novel in the period between World War I and World War II. I explore the emergence of secularism in Arab national formation. One of my central arguments is that Arab nationalism is indeed a misleading phrase as it gives the impression of unity and coherence to a complex phenomenon that materialize in a number of trends as a form of struggle. In the first chapter, I defined the scope of my argument and the underlying structure and function of nationalism as a form of representation masked by nationalist ideologies. To investigate the reorientation of Arabs and Muslims from Ummah to adopting nation-state, I utilize Spivak's criticism of the system of representation along with Foucault's theorization of discourse. I argued along Edward Said that although the Western national discourse might have influenced the Arab nationalists, I do not believe they prevented them from consciously appropriating nationalism in a free creative way. I also explained that the Arab adoption of a secularist separatist nationalism was more an outcome than an effect in the dissolution of the supranational Ummah, since according to Hourani that "explicit Arab nationalism" did not emerge until the end of the nineteenth century. I wrote this dissertation with the hope that I could, to use Masood Raja's literary concepts, inundate the modern Arabic novel with "silenced knowledge" to not only prevent the untrained Western readers from reducing these works to a set of assumptions, prejudices, or preferences but also to shift the texts from being a point of arrival to a being a point departure.
The Politics of F. Scott Fizgerald
Authors:   , Shiveley Sara Carson
Published: February 2024

F. Scott Fitzgerald is valued for his contribution to literary arts, culture and his discussion of the American Dream. I argue that his discussion of the American Dream was a lens through which he gave readers access to political insights and an education about political philosophy, American politics, virtue, and reasoning. The American Dream, at its greatest, for Fitzgerald is a nation building myth but at its lowest is a dull materialistic construct. Throughout his works Fitzgerald connects philosophic ideas to the American Dream in attempts to educate and ennoble his readers. The ability to judge well is a critical piece of self-government that was a focus of Fitzgerald's throughout his body of work. In The Beautiful and Damned, by giving weight to Platonic ideals of beauty and goodness, and Platonic heuristics like the allegory of the cave he attempted to negate the detrimental effects of nihilism in America at his time and after. In The Great Gatsby, by presenting virtue of the contemplative life that could be cultivated by his readers, in his time, and including esoteric teachings on those virtues and values he attempted to negate the detrimental effects of materialism on the American dream. Finally, in The Last Tycoon, by articulating an American alternative to the philosopher-king he put forward a vision of statesmanship that could mitigate the effects of materialism and keep the American Dream alive against a socialist attack.
Memories of Troy in Middle English Verse: A Study of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," "Troilus and Criseyde," and the "Troy Book"
Authors:   , Johnson Frazier Alexander
Published: February 2024

This thesis explores the influence of the legend of Troy on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and Lydgate's Troy Book. This study seeks to understand why medieval English Christians held the pagan myth of Troy in such high regard beyond the common postcolonial critique of Trojan ancestry as a justification for political power. I begin by demonstrating how Vergil's Aeneid presents a new heroic ideal much closer to Christian virtue than Homeric values, Aeneas submitting his will to fate and earning his piety through suffering. I then turn to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, assessing how Gawain is not only descended from Aeneas but how the major events of his quest echo Aeneas' journey, especially in both heroes' submission of their wills to fate. Next, I reveal how Chaucer's Troilus enacts a platonic ascent from a state of ignorance to a state of truth, but as Troilus' name is also linked to the city of Troy itself, the fate of Troilus becomes the fate of Troy. In this way, Chaucer dramatizes the spiritual ascent of his Trojan ancestors in that they move from sin to salvation as a culture. Finally, I investigate how Lydgate refashions Troy into an earthly manifestation of Augustine's City of God. In doing so, Lydgate not only remembers his people's past but prophesies the fate of Trojan descendants. Such an analysis helps late antique and medieval scholars understand not only why such classical myths were popular in a predominantly Christian era, but also how the legends of Troy gave medieval English society a myth-history through which to dramatize their spiritual lives.
Using GIFs and Matrix Training to Teach Noun-Verb Tacts to Children with Autism
Authors:   , White Alexandria Blayce
Published: February 2024

Verbal behavior is a critical repertoire for children with autism spectrum disorder to acquire. Tacts—verbal behavior evoked by nonverbal stimuli—are important for communicating about the world around oneself. Noun-verb tacts are part of a robust tact repertoire and may be addressed during applied behavior analytic intervention. When acquiring noun-verb tacts, it is important that the speaker learn to respond to many variations of stimuli like novel combinations of learned nouns and verbs, which is called recombinative generalization. One strategy to teach multi-component targets, such as the noun-verb tact, and lead to recombinative generalization is matrix training. Matrix training is a framework utilized to arrange targets that can be combined in order to facilitate recombinative generalization by teaching a subset of combinations and then probing others. With three children with ASD, we used matrix training and evaluated the acquisition of trained and novel combinations of noun-verb tacts with GIFs as stimuli arranged in three matrices. We used a concurrent multiple probe design across sets, and our results indicated that all participants acquired trained noun-verb tact targets in the presence of the GIFs. The degree of recombinative generalization varied across participants, but each participant demonstrated recombinative generalization with some stimuli. We analyzed responding during generalization probes to identify possible sources of stimulus control. We discussed the errors that were emitted when testing for recombinative generalization and provided suggestions for future research on matrix training and recombinative generalization.
Returning to Our Roots: An Anthropological Evaluation of the Farm to Keiki Program
Authors:   , Migdol Steven Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

Farm to school programs are becoming a popular intervention to address childhood obesity. The hope is to prevent later chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease that can result from eating high-fat/high-calorie diets that are low in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. This study explores the impacts of one such program, Farm to Keiki, on students, their families, and teachers at two Native Hawaiian preschools on the island of Kauaʽi, Hawaiʽi. This program combined lessons about plants and nutrition with gardening at school and tastetesting in the classroom. Rooted in critical medical anthropology, this study utilized a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to understand these impacts, as well as the historical and cultural contexts that have contributed to dietary changes among Native Hawaiians. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, families and teachers described how the program encouraged the children to try new foods and eat more produce, and how the children demonstrated new knowledge about plants and healthy eating. Participants also spoke of ways in which their own knowledge and eating habits changed, and families reported carrying over many of the program's activities at home by gardening and preparing meals together. Additionally, participants offered valuable feedback on ways the program could be improved. This study, which appears to be the first of its kind to involve a Native Hawaiian farm-toschool program, demonstrates that an anthropological approach can provide critical depth and understanding of how programs like Farm to Keiki affect students and the people close to them.
Analyzing the Joint Effects of Network and Community Attributes on Network Performance: Evidence from Local Continuum of Care Homeless Service Networks
Authors:   , Kim Jintak
Published: February 2024

This dissertation examines the factors and combinations of factors that affect the performance of continuum of care homeless service networks, applying the configurational approach of contingency theory to data sets drawn from federal sources. The study accepts the two key assumptions from the theory: (1) that there are multiple paths to high performance and (2) key conditions have a joint influence on network performance. The data analysis in this study has two parts. The first employs OLS regression to examine the causal relationship between independent variables and the performance of permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs. This study also applies fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify multiple combinations of factors that influence the performance of PSH programs. The results identify key factors and multiple combinations of factors that lead to high and low network performance. Federal CoC funding emerges as a core condition for high and low performance, but all relevant conditions can be critical factors depending on how they interact with other relevant conditions. This analysis helps expand the utility of existing contingency theory by using it to explain the dynamic interactions between factors in the context of public service networks. Ultimately, this dissertation confirms that fsQCA can be a useful method for evaluating the performance of public service networks and helping them provide more services more effectively.