cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Distribution of genetic variants of oxidative stress metabolism genes: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and Glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1/GSTT1) in a population from Southeastern Mexico
Creators: name: I. García-González
name: R. Mendoza-Alcocer
name: G. J. Pérez-Mendoza
name: R. Rubí-Castellanos
name: L. González-Herrera
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Genetics
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: Background: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics. Variation in the enzyme concentration and activity suggests individual differences for the degree of protection against oxidative stress. Aim: This study analysed the distribution of SNPs Q192R, L55M (PON1) and variants in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in a population from Southeastern Mexico. Subjects and methods: One hundred and fifty-one Mexican Mestizo healthy volunteers were included. PON1 polymorphisms were determined by Taqman allele discrimination real time-PCR, whereas GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were determined with a multiplex PCR-based method. Results: All genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for GSTM1. The genotypic distributions of Q192R and L55M were 22% QQ, 48% QR, 30% RR, 62% LL, 34% LM and 4% MM, respectively, whereas the allele frequencies were 0.46 (Q), 0.54 (R), 0.79 (L) and 0.21 (M). The most frequent haplotype was R/L (46.7%). It was found that 31% and 9% of the individuals had the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype, respectively. The frequency of the combined null genotype GSTM1*0/GSTT1*0 was 4.64%. Conclusion: The results showed that the frequencies of polymorphisms of PON1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the Yucatán population differ to those observed in other ethnic groups and provide useful data for epidemiological studies.
Inferring the evolutionary history of the Sino-Himalayan biodiversity hotspot using a Bayesian birth–death skyline model
Creators: name: Allen, Bethany J.
name: Vaughan, Timothy G.
name: du Plessis, Louis
name: Schouten, Thomas L. A.
name: Yuan, Zili
name: Willett, Sean D.
name: Tanja, Stadler
Publisher: name: Geological Society of London
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 3705
subject: Geology
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences

description: Supplementary Figures S1–S5.
Asymmetric Information in the Unmediated Market: Theory and Evidence from the Used Car Market
Creators: name: Sun, Mingling
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: This study investigates the unmediated used car market, examining factors influencing individual seller’s hidden behavior which determines vehicle quality in the absence of dealerships as intermediaries. This paper explores the sale of lemons in unmediated transactions and whether unobservable lemon sales are influenced by regional factors along with cost-benefit considerations. While unmediated transactions involve varying degrees of screening and signaling, full information dis- closure remains uncertain. Concealing a lemon as a high-quality vehicle is costly but still happens, with these vehicles frequently sold directly without intermediaries. I document evidence of an aggregated quality premium and price premium in unmediated transactions in specific areas with higher opportunity costs of hidden action, highlighting the role of geographic factors. This research underscores the driving forces behind information opacity in the unmediated used car market, offering valuable information for buyers, sellers, and other market participants.
Disseminating a Health Information Website to Teens with Chronic Health Conditions Using a Three-Pronged Approach with Social Media Outreach
Creators: name: Knock, McKenna
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Objective: To widely disseminate a new health information website, iuveo.org, to teens using a three-pronged approach of social media, in-person, and emails. 

Methods: Dissemination methods included a combination of in-person, email, and social media campaigns starting in August 2022 to reach teens and stakeholders focused on teen health. Following Social Marketing Theory, a social media campaign was implemented utilizing Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The monthly reach of iuveo was measured utilizing Google Analytics. Other analytics recorded were the intrinsic analytics from X and Instagram.

Results: From August 2022-July 2023, iuveo attracted 1338 unique users to the website. The Instagram account reached 1,085 accounts and received 14,367 impressions on X, which occurred in the same time frame. Most website users (84.8%) were classified as ‘direct’ acquisition, meaning that they directly typed in the URL or clicked on a link. 7.3% of users were acquired through social media. 

Innovation: Combined three methods of disseminating a health information website for teens to broadly reach both teens and stakeholders in teen health care.
Inferring the evolutionary history of the Sino-Himalayan biodiversity hotspot using a Bayesian birth–death skyline model
Creators: name: Allen, Bethany J.
name: Vaughan, Timothy G.
name: du Plessis, Louis
name: Schouten, Thomas L. A.
name: Yuan, Zili
name: Willett, Sean D.
name: Tanja, Stadler
Publisher: name: Geological Society of London
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 3705
subject: Geology
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences

description: Supplementary Tables S1–S3.
Mountaintop Removal Mining in Appalachia & its Economic and Well-being Impacts on Surrounding Populations
Creators: name: Jackson-Wald, Eliza
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: This research seeks to build on the existing literature to determine the impact of mountaintop removal mining (MTM) on the economic and well-being outcomes of surrounding communities. We utilize satellite imagery data from SkyTruth.org of active MTM sites in Central Appalachia in tandem with data from the American Community Survey from 2012-2021 in order to build a two-way fixed effects linear model with inverse probability weighted group balancing. We observe fixed effects by year as well as at three regional levels: state, public use microdata area (PUMA), and mining versus non-mining areas of a state. Our model seeks to uncover the causal impact of MTM intensity in a given region on that population’s employment, poverty, total income, and instance of disability. We determine significant yet somewhat ambiguous results, indicating a relatively positive impact of increased MTM activity on a PUMA, when compared to itself over the years, but a negative impact of MTM when compared to other MTM PUMAs and non-MTM PUMAs.
title: 01_1700
Creators: name: Wesley Baldwin, John
name: Baldwin, John W.
Publisher: name: NAKALA - https://nakala.fr (Huma-Num - CNRS)
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/04ces3204
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2018
Subjects: subject: LaMOP
subject: Laboratoire de Médiévistique Occidentale de Paris

description: L'ensemble de ces notes ont été crée par John Baldwin lors d'une de ses premières périodes de résidence à Paris. Ces documents comprennent tous les magistri qu’il avait pu rencontrer dans ses sources. Aux XIIème et XIIIème siècles, les universités n'existant pas encore, le titre de magister s'il évoque certainement une compétence n'est pas rattaché de façon systématique au passage par les écoles. De surcroît, les magistris sont le plus souvent désignés par leur seul prénom. La lecture de ces données est donc difficile et suppose un long travail pour tenter d'identifier un individu auquel on pourrait rattacher plusieurs mentions. John Baldwin avait donc renoncé à utiliser ces données pour donner un prolongement à sa magnifique étude sur les gradués d'université et leur emploi par les Capétiens et les Plantagenêts. Néanmoins, il a conservé ces données et elles sont potentiellement très utile dans le cadre de Studium, comme le sont toutes les mentions dans les volumes des Fasti Ecclesiae Gallicanae de chanoines portant ce titre de magister sans autres précisions. L'ampleur des dépouillements rend ces données très utiles et nous devons une grande reconnaissance à John Baldwin pour avoir pris la peine de faire photocopier ses fiches et de nous les avoir transmises amicalement.
Les données ainsi que les images des fiches sont accessibles sur le site Internet à l'adresse suivante : http://studium-baldwin.lamop.fr/.
Les transcriptions des fiches ont été effectuées par des étudiants de Paris 1 Panthéon - Sorbonne mais elles n'ont pas été corrigées par la suite.
description: Relation: https://lamop.hypotheses.org/
Free speech shocks in the marketplace of ideas: How speaker deplatforming incidents affect American college students
Creators: name: Aidan Buehler
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Theorists in law and economics have suggested that increased liability for speech could deter expression, resulting in a “chilling effect.” This paper explores whether the same phenomenon is true of social liability for speech, using attempts to disinvite or disrupt the events of conservative speakers on American college campuses as quasi-experimental shocks. Cross-sectional data on college students in 2022 and 2023 collected by the Foundation for Individual Right and Expression (FIRE) allows me to compare students within the same school and semester before and after a shock. Using a stacked difference-in-differences method, I find that a shock, on average, makes conservative students 11 percentage points less comfortable discussing a controversial political topic in an in-class discussion relative to liberal students, and (when one outlier school is omitted) increases self-censorship among conservative students by 8 percentage points in absolute terms. Effects are considerably heterogeneous by school, however, and depend on the details of the shock. I also examine student attitudes towards college administrators and find that, after a deplatforming incident, liberal students are 8 percentage points more likely to think their administrators would defend a speaker in a controversy over offensive speech, but are not more likely to think their administrators clearly protect free speech.
title: 01_2623
Creators: name: Wesley Baldwin, John
name: Baldwin, John W.
Publisher: name: NAKALA - https://nakala.fr (Huma-Num - CNRS)
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/04ces3204
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2018
Subjects: subject: LaMOP
subject: Laboratoire de Médiévistique Occidentale de Paris

description: L'ensemble de ces notes ont été crée par John Baldwin lors d'une de ses premières périodes de résidence à Paris. Ces documents comprennent tous les magistri qu’il avait pu rencontrer dans ses sources. Aux XIIème et XIIIème siècles, les universités n'existant pas encore, le titre de magister s'il évoque certainement une compétence n'est pas rattaché de façon systématique au passage par les écoles. De surcroît, les magistris sont le plus souvent désignés par leur seul prénom. La lecture de ces données est donc difficile et suppose un long travail pour tenter d'identifier un individu auquel on pourrait rattacher plusieurs mentions. John Baldwin avait donc renoncé à utiliser ces données pour donner un prolongement à sa magnifique étude sur les gradués d'université et leur emploi par les Capétiens et les Plantagenêts. Néanmoins, il a conservé ces données et elles sont potentiellement très utile dans le cadre de Studium, comme le sont toutes les mentions dans les volumes des Fasti Ecclesiae Gallicanae de chanoines portant ce titre de magister sans autres précisions. L'ampleur des dépouillements rend ces données très utiles et nous devons une grande reconnaissance à John Baldwin pour avoir pris la peine de faire photocopier ses fiches et de nous les avoir transmises amicalement.
Les données ainsi que les images des fiches sont accessibles sur le site Internet à l'adresse suivante : http://studium-baldwin.lamop.fr/.
Les transcriptions des fiches ont été effectuées par des étudiants de Paris 1 Panthéon - Sorbonne mais elles n'ont pas été corrigées par la suite.
description: Relation: https://lamop.hypotheses.org/
Viewpoints of working sandwich generation women and occupational therapists on role balance strategies
Creators: name: Kiah L. Evans
name: Girdler, Sonya J.
name: Torbjorn Falkmer
name: Richmond, Janet E.
name: Wagman, Petra
name: Millsteed, Jeannine
name: Falkmer, Marita
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Science Policy
subject: 111714 Mental Health
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases

description: Occupational therapists need to be cognizant of evidence-based role balance advice and strategies that women with multigenerational caring responsibilities can implement independently or with minimal assistance, as role balance may not be the primary goal during many encounters with this population. Hence, this study aimed to identify the viewpoints on the most helpful role balance strategies for working sandwich generation women, both from their own perspectives and from the perspective of occupational therapists. This was achieved through a Q methodology study, where 54 statements were based on findings from interviews, sandwich generation literature and occupational therapy literature. In total, 31 working sandwich generation women and 42 occupational therapists completed the Q sort through either online or paper administration. The data were analysed using factor analysis with varimax rotation and were interpreted through collaboration with experts in the field. The findings revealed similarities between working sandwich generation women and occupational therapists, particularly in terms of advocating strategies related to sleep, rest and seeking practical assistance from support networks. Differences were also present, with working sandwich generation women viewpoints tending to emphasize strategies related to coping with a busy lifestyle attending to multiple responsibilities. In contrast, occupational therapy viewpoints prioritized strategies related to the occupational therapy process, such as goal setting, activity focused interventions, monitoring progress and facilitating sustainable outcomes.
Bitcoin Mining and Electrical Grid Reliability
Creators: name: Conroy, Andrew
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: The recent rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies has resulted in an exponential increase in electricity usage for the purpose of mining these currencies. The heavy electrical demand these operations place upon the electrical grid raises serious concerns regarding the reliability of grid operations. I utilize outages data from the Department of Energy alongside weather and county level data from a variety of sources to analyze the effects of China’s 2021 cryptocurrency ban on power outages in the U.S. I employ a difference-in-differences approach to determine how demand response programs can be utilized to alter the impact of this ban. My results show that states with demand response experienced roughly 30% less outages relative to the control states following the ban. These effects are heterogeneous throughout the day, with demand response having the greatest reduction in outages during the early morning, experiencing a 65.8% reduction relative to the control.
Complex Confederacy: Water and Consciousness in William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury"
Creators: name: Askew, Olivia
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Confederate monuments in the southern United States stand as emblems to commemorate the loss of the Civil War. The profound presence of the statues that are erected over a century after the end of the war indicates a refusal to move forward. In "The Sound and the Fury" (1929), William Faulkner portrays a similar refusal to move forward through images of water throughout the novel. Stream of consciousness is a metaphor for the natural flow of water. The natural progression of water mirrors the natural progression in Sigmund Freud's theory of human sexual development. According to Freud, children will repress the Oedipus Complex as they develop, but if there is any interruption, incest is likely to occur. Faulkner's use of stream of consciousness presents sexual regression through images of moving water and confederate monuments. Freud and Faulkner indicate that the Oedipus Complex is not a sane or natural stage of sexual development to remain in and that progression must occur.
NATO in a New Millennium: Why European States and Civilians Vary in Support for NATO
Creators: name: Gummel, Harrison
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: On February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massive escalation of a long-running political dispute. In this new geopolitical environment, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - long an opponent of Russian expansionism - has closely aligned with Ukraine and its defensive struggle. While the conflict has prompted a massive increase in support for the bloc among both civilians and politicians, this trend has not been universal. This paper attempts to explore why these differences exist, as well as the factors that make support for NATO more likely. I create a dataset that includes information about most European NATO members - including aid provision to Ukraine, military capacity, democratic strength, and more - and run a series of regressions to uncover which factors are statistically significant. I ultimately find mixed results. While military capacity and foreign military presence don't explain state support for NATO, the strength of democratic institutions has a significant impact. Likewise, when excluding outliers, popular support for Ukraine, support for the European Union, and fear of Russia all influence civilian attitudes towards the bloc. These findings suggest that if NATO hopes to maintain the unity and support generated by the war in Ukraine, it must continue to impress the conflict's importance geopolitically and morally - and that it must contest democratic backsliding among its members. Future research might attempt to analyze this question without the influence of the Ukraine war, or by looking at the issue of democratic decline more closely.
Climate Factors and Gestational Age
Creators: name: Madhani, Dheya
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Climate change and weather-related variables like snowfall, temperature, rainfall, and humidity have extensively been studied and used to predict health outcomes, labor outcomes, and agricultural outcomes. However, several models do not control for all weather variables. Moreover, the weather dataset is a multi-dimensional panel dataset where the dimensions include time, location, and weather variables like temperature, precipitation, rainfall, and snowfall. Factor modeling is an approach that addresses the high dimensionality of the dataset and captures its essential information. Traditionally, factor modeling is used in macroeconomics and finance analysis. Thus, this paper aims to achieve two main goals using the climate dataset. Firstly, it aims to study the causal effects of two key weather variables on a birth outcome like gestational age. Moreover, this thesis aims to control for several weather variables using a novel method called tensor principal component analysis (PCA) to avoid omitted variable bias. As a result, existing studies could improve predictions of other health, agriculture, and labor outcomes affected by climate through the use of tensor PCA.
An untargeted metabolomic analysis of acute AFB1 treatment in liver, breast, and lung cells
Creators: name: Heidi Cao
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a class 1 carcinogen and mycotoxin known to contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), growth impairment, altered immune system modulation, and malnutrition. AFB1 is synthesized by Aspergillus flavus and is known to widely contaminate foodstuffs, particularly maize, wheat, and groundnuts. The mechanism in which AFB1 causes genetic mutations has been well studied, however its metabolomic effects remained largely unknown. A better understanding of how AFB1 disrupts metabolism would provide insight into how this mycotoxin leads to carcinogenesis, growth impairment, and/or immunomodulation, and may reveal potential targets for pharmacological or nutritional interventions to protect against these effects. The current study evaluated the metabolomic effects of various doses (2.5 µM, 5 µM, 10uM) of AFB1 treatment to HepG2 (liver), MDA-MB-231 (breast), and A549 (lung) cells. Treated and control cells’ metabolomic profiles were evaluated via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed significant alterations in metabolite concentrations from each dose of AFB1 treatment in each cell type. Pathway analysis was then used to understand broader biochemical functions affected by AFB1 treatment in each cell type. HepG2 cell pathway analyses revealed significant pathway perturbations in lipid metabolism, carnitine synthesis, catecholamine biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and spermidine and spermine biosynthesis. Analysis of A549 cells found a greater emphasis of perturbations on various amino acids along with lipid synthesis-related pathways, and catecholamine biosynthesis. Finally, analysis of treated MDA-MB-231 cells found spermidine and spermine biosynthesis, carnitine synthesis, plasma membrane-related pathways (phosphatidylcholine synthesis and alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism), and various amino acid metabolism pathways to be most affected. These highlighted pathways should be targeted in future investigations to evaluate their potential in mitigating or preventing the development of negative health effects associated with AFB1 exposure.
Perceptions of Accessibility on a Largely Inaccessible College Campus
Creators: name: Hall, Bailey
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, but over thirty years later disabled people still struggle to access public spaces - like college campuses - and society makes disabled people accept that as their reality. UNC students have continually protested inaccessible spaces and resources at UNC and pushed for equal access: to their living spaces, to their resources, to their extra-curricular clubs and activities, and to their education. Through this thesis, I challenge the underlying notion that anthropology is consistently the study of the "other" - other people, other places, other ideas, other norms. The "normal" student at UNC should not be based on a non-disabled body, but by the intellect that allowed our admission into this prestigious public university. Examining factors of inaccessibility that introduce struggles into disabled students' daily lives is an important application of anthropological research because to make a place accessible, one must first understand why it is inaccessible. Underrepresentation of disabled student voices and disconnect between university resource departments are cause for a reformation of University accessibility measures.
The Ballad of the American Bullet: The Impact of U.S. Military Intervention During the Cold War on Present Human Rights Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Creators: name: Calayan, Carlyn Alexandra
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024
Subjects: Human rights
Sub-Saharan Africa
Cold War (1945-1989)

description: This thesis investigates the enduring impact of U.S. intervention during the Cold War on current human rights conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative analysis and qualitative case studies to analyze the correlation between Cold War-era U.S. intervention and contemporary human rights situations in the region. Drawing upon data from Sub-Saharan African countries and quantifying the impact of U.S. intervention while controlling for other factors such as GDP per capita and democracy scores, the quantitative analysis utilizes a multiple regression test to assess the statistical significance of historical interventions on present human rights outcomes. The quantitative analysis findings indicate a significant positive association between U.S. intervention and human rights violations, demonstrating the lasting repercussions of decisions made during the Cold War on today's human rights landscape. Complementing the multiple regression analysis are case studies on Angola and Namibia to offer in-depth insights into of U.S. intervention and its effects on human rights in these two Sub-Saharan African countries. Despite research constraints, this thesis emphasizes the necessity for further investigation to deepen comprehension and foster informed strategies in international relations and human rights advocacy.
Algorithm and Tool Development for Skynet’s New Multi-Wavelength and Multi-Messenger Curriculum
Creators: name: Selph, Logan
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: With the importance of quality nearly matching that of its advanced major courses, astronomy at the introductory level strives not only to draw in new students with some of the most interesting material in science but also to inspire these new students to become the next generation of modern-day scientists. To do so, Skynet has been bolstering both its robotic network and introductory astronomy curricula. These curricula aim to inspire new students to pursue, or at least understand and respect, STEM-related fields by exposing them to modern examples of cutting-edge astronomy research. Here, I outline two tools that I have developed to assist students in gaining the most from these Skynet-based curricula. The first is a plotting tool that allows users to model data obtained by gravitational wave detecting facilities - covering one of the newest fields in science, let alone astronomy. This tool fits gravitational wave data in the same exact way as the facilities themselves, allowing students to analyze cutting- edge datasets and produce results that agree with professional calculations. The second tool is an algorithm based on Chauvenet criterion robust rejection, designed to remove imperfections such as bad columns and hot/cold pixels from astronomical observations. Covering this tool, I will demonstrate its exceptional cosmetic results and show that using the correct parameters can both maintain and improve photometric values within observations, making it applicable to both astrophotography and professional data
analysis.
c-Myc shapes metabolic dependencies of exhausted CD8 T Cells
Creators: name: Kodre, Reva
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Upon chronic or long-term stimulation of antigen proteins during infections, T cells (CD8+) are limited in their function as they differentiate into exhausted cell states (often defined by high expression of TIM3 and PD-1). During activation, T cells reprogram their metabolic pathway to use glycolytic, pentose-phosphate, and glutaminolytic pathways. The c-Myc transcription factor is upregulated upon T cell activation and highly involved in metabolic pathway linking glycolysis and glutaminolysis to biosynthesize energy for T cells. There is growing evidence that shows c-Myc plays an essential role in development, differentiation, and activation of immune T cells as it progresses between progenitor-like and exhaustive states. This study investigates the overexpression of c-Myc (referred here as Myc-OE) in mouse CD8 T cells on the metabolic dependencies and capacities and on the T cell differentiation upon chronic stimulation. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Myc-OE CD8 T cells had less exhaustive (TIM3+ PD1+) phenotypes after Day 8 of chronic activation with IL-2, CD3, and CD28 (p<0.05). Although Myc-OE cells had less memory-like CD62L+ expression on Day 8, they exhibited higher CD62L expression on Day 10. Metabolic analysis through the Single Cell ENergetIc metabolism by profilIng Translation inhibition (SCENITH) assay failed to show that Myc-OE CD8 T cells had higher glucose dependence and mitochondrial functions through amino acid oxidation (FAO & AAO) during exhaustion compared to control cells. Further studies must be conducted to confirm the role of Myc in CD8 T cells exhaustion and metabolic switch in order to enhance current immunotherapies and avoid relapse of cancers.
D2-Thr92Ala, thyroid hormone levels and biochemical hypothyroidism in preeclampsia
Creators: name: Procopciuc, Lucia Maria
name: Caracostea, Gabriela
name: Hazi, Georgeta
name: Nemeti, Georgiana
name: Stamatian, Florin
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Cell Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: 19999 Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: Developmental Biology

description: Aim: To identify if there is a relationship between the deiodinase D2-Thr92Ala genetic variant, thyroid hormone levels and biochemical hypothyroidism in preeclampsia. Materials and methods: We genotyped 125 women with preeclampsia and 131 normal pregnant women using PCR-RFLP. Serum thyroid hormone levels were determined using ELISA. Results: Our study showed higher TSH and FT4 levels and lower FT3 levels in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women, with statistical significance for women with mild and severe preeclampsia. The risk to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), mild or severe preeclampsia was increased in carriers of at least one D2-Ala92 allele. TSH and FT4 levels were significantly higher and FT3 levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic women with severe preeclampsia if they carried the D2-Ala92 allele compared to non-carriers. Pregnant women with PIH and mild preeclampsia, carriers of at least one D2-Ala92 allele, delivered at lower gestational age neonates with a lower birth weight compared to non-carriers, but the results were statistically significant only in severe preeclampsia. Conclusion: The D2-Thr92Ala genetic variant is associated with the severity and the obstetric outcome of preeclampsia, and it also influences thyroid hormone levels. The study demonstrates non-thyroidal biochemical hypothyroidism – as a result of deiodination effects due to D2 genotypes.
From Revolution to Resilience: The Impact of the U.S. Embargo on the Post-Revolutionary Cuban Public Health System
Creators: name: Ciano, Anthony
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: This focused study delves into the intricate interplay between the US embargo and the post-revolutionary Cuban public health system. It takes into account shifts in the nation’s socioeconomic landscape across distinct periods, defined by changes in US policy voiced by different presidential administrations and congressional sessions: the Soviet era, the Special period, early 2000s, the Cuban thaw, and the present (-2023). While acknowledging the academic debate surrounding specific period dates, I employ these delineations to elucidate the defining characteristics within the spectrum of US-Cuba relations. The primary objective of this thesis is to gain a nuanced understanding of the embargo’s historical and ongoing impact on health in Cuba.
Throughout the tumultuous course of US-Cuba relations, the nature and scope of the embargo has undergone significant changes. The period spanning from the Cuban Revolution to the end of the Soviet era (1959-1990) saw the enforcement of measures such as the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations of 1963, predominantly restricting the exportation of food and medicine to Cuba. Notable adjustments emerged with the Cuban Democracy Act (Torricelli Act) of 1992, which exempted the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, albeit with a limited improvement of access to food and medicine. Against the backdrop of continually changing circumstances, which include the strained relations during President Bush’s tenure, a gradual warming of relations during the Obama administration, and the distinct challenges brought about by the reintroduction of restrictive policies under President Trump, as well as the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of public health in Cuba within the context of the embargo remains perpetually dynamic. Given the unquestionably shifting nature of U.S. policy across different administrations and congressional sessions, a focused analysis necessitates a period-specific examination. Only through this approach can we gain a deep understanding of the direct influence the United States has exerted on Cuban public health and broader health outcomes.
My Weapon has no Body: A Study Examining the Influence of Drone Strikes on Perceptions of Democracy in the Greater Middle East
Creators: name: Juzaitis, Allison
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: The utilization of drone strikes by the United States has increased substantially during the 21st century though the research as to how this new technology effects people in the counties which are targeted remains limited. Pakistan and Yemen have been targeted extensively by the United States resulting in a large-scale loss of life and humanitarian crises. As a figurehead for both the foundational attributes of democracy and concept of democracy itself, the United States’ actions have the potential to reflect negatively on democracy as a whole. In this study, I measure the rate of disillusionment regarding both the foundational attributes of democracy and the concept of democracy itself over the time period during which drone strikes have been utilized in both Pakistan and Yemen. I find that no correlation can be drawn between the utilization of drone strikes and greater rates of disillusionment with democracy. These results suggest that the Greater Middle East is indeed trending away from viewing democracy favorably, but the usage of drone strikes has not exacerbated those views.
The Effects of Chronic Ethanol Consumption and Severe Stress on  Dorsal Hippocampal Interleukin-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Creators: name: Steinsberger, Sidney
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often found to be comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder, yet there remains a lack of preclinical evidence on how prior alcohol dependence can exacerbate the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Astrocytes and the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been suggested to play a key role in the neural mechanisms behind this comorbidity. To address this gap in literature, a rodent model was created that combined a fifteen day ethanol exposure with a severe footshock stressor to mimic comorbid AUD and PTSD in rodents. Immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize GFAP, a marker for astrocytes, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The tissue was then imaged and analyzed using widefield microscopy and ImageJ software. Following ethanol exposure, TNF-α levels were found to decrease while GFAP and IL-1β levels remained unaltered. Following a severe stressor, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were found to decrease while GFAP protein levels remained unaltered. These results suggest that decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus could be a mechanism underlying the comorbidity of AUD and PTSD.
Measuring Chemobrain: A comparative assessment of executive function, attention, and memory between neuropsychological tests and the Dot Pattern Expectancy task
Creators: name: Dutta, Ritushree
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024
Subjects: Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroscience

description: Breast cancer affects a significant portion of the female population in the United States, with approximately 1 in 8 women receiving a diagnosis at some stage of their lives. Following breast cancer treatment, around 20-80% of survivors report cognitive deficits, encompassing memory, attention, and executive function, a phenomenon commonly known as "chemobrain." Despite its recognition as a critical area of research, the existing literature on the cognitive effects of chemotherapy presents inconsistencies attributed to various methodological challenges. In this exploratory study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of experimental cognitive paradigms, specifically the Dot Pattern Expectancy (DPX) task, in detecting subtle differences in cognition across key domains, including processing speed, sustained and selective attention, working memory, and response inhibition. We recruited a cohort of 20 early-stage (I-IIIA) breast cancer survivors who had recently completed chemotherapy, alongside 20 age and education-matched healthy controls. Alongside a battery of neuropsychological assessments, we administered the DPX task. While statistical significance was only observed in a working memory measure of the DPX task among breast cancer survivors, trends suggesting poorer performance within the cohort emerged across other cognitive domains. Effect sizes, as indicated by Cohen’s d, consistently favored DPX measures over neuropsychological assessments, indicating the DPX’s superior sensitivity to subtle differences in task performance. However, limitations inherent to our cross-sectional design, including a small sample size and lack of statistical power, underscore the need for future research to further elucidate observed trends.
Acetylation mediated histone H3 accessibility by chromatin modifiers
Creators: name: Smith, Brett
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: The addition of chemical groups (i.e., post-translational modifications) on DNA and histone proteins is a vital biochemical process important for regulating gene expression. One such post translational modification (PTM) is histone N-terminal tail acetylation, which is thought to increase histone tail and DNA availability towards transcriptional and epigenetic machinery. Recently, studies have shown that acetylation and other post translational modifications often regulate gene expression in combination with each other rather than in isolation. Notably, H3 tail acetylation has been linked to increased H3K4 methylation by methyltransferase enzymes MLL1 and MLL4, but it is unknown whether this mechanism can be extended to other H3 methyltransferases. Using in vitro endpoint assays of methyltransferase activity on differentially acetylated nucleosomes, we observed that the methylation activity of H3K36 methyltransferases SETD2 and NSD2 is stimulated by H3K27 acetylation and that the activity of other H3 writers is largely unaffected. Taken together, these results hint towards the presence of acetylation-specific interactions that mediate PTM crosstalk that could uncover a broader mechanism of biophysical gene regulation.
Meristem Size in CLE mutant embryos
Creators: name: Avni Bannuru
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: The CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION-RELATED (CLE) gene family encodes important signaling proteins that control the size of plant meristems, which produce various plant structures including organs used for food.4,5 Understanding CLE signaling has significant implications for agriculture and crop improvement.2 This study investigated the genetic interactions and shoot apical meristem (SAM) phenotypes of multiple Arabidopsis thaliana CLE signaling mutants, focusing on pub4 crn and clv1 bam1/2/3 mutants which exhibit severe meristem disruption. A novel embryo extraction and preparation method was developed to enable high-quality confocal imaging and quantification of embryo SAM size. Embryos were treated with a strong base to crack open the seed coat, then cleared using Visikol and stained with calcofluor white. Confocal imaging and analysis revealed that pub4 crn mutant embryos displayed enlarged SAM’s comparable to or larger than clv1 bam1/2/3 quadruple receptor mutants, suggesting pub4 crn’s disruption of CLE signaling is as severe as complete primary receptor loss. This optimization of Arabidopsis embryo imaging and quantification of the role of PUB4 in CLE signaling provides insights into meristem regulation with potential applications in crop breeding and yield improvement.2 The new embryo preparation method enables high-throughput phenotypic analysis of early plant development.
Epigenetic mechanisms underlying endometrial cancer (EC) outcomes: race-specific patterns of DNA methylation associated with molecular subtypes and EC survival
Creators: name: Hoos, Emery
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer in women in the United States. Stark racial disparities are present in EC outcomes where Black subjects have a significantly higher incidence of EC-related mortality. The factors that contribute to these disparities are complex, and likely include racial differences in epigenetic landscapes. To investigate race-specific epigenetic differences in EC tumor characteristics and outcomes, we utilized the most recent EC data within the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).  Genome-wide CpG methylation data for more than 850k CpG sites were analyzed across 245 tumor samples, of which 52 were from Black subjects and 181 were from White subjects. Race-independent and race-specific associations between CpG methylation and molecular subtypes of EC were examined using linear regression with empirical Bayes moderation. Race-independent and race-specific associations between CpG methylation and progression-free survival (PFS) were examined using Cox proportional-hazards regression. After Benjamini-Hochberg correction, 42,117 CpGs displayed race-independent association with molecular subtypes. Race-specific analysis identified subtype-associated CpGs within 9,572 genes in tumors from White subjects, but within only 10 genes in tumors exclusive to Black subjects. The genes in tumors from Black subjects included AC093496.1, AP005205.3, BAG3, CYP4X1, IL5, LINC00941, LINC01798, MEAK7, NMRAL2P, and SLC7A5. Race-specific survival-associated CpGs were also identified, where 1,940 CpG sites representing 1,119 unique genes were identified in tumors from White subjects while zero were identified in tumors from Black subjects. Identification of racial differences in EC tumor epigenetic landscapes may provide insight into strategies to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.
Inside the world of stepsiblings: Linking global production networks to sustainable supply chain management
Creators: name: Yawar, Sadaat Ali
name: Seuring, Stefan
Publisher: name: Universität Kassel
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: global production networks
subject: governance
subject: stakeholder management
subject: sustainable supply chain management
subject: theory development
subject: 330
subject: Nachhaltigkeit
subject: Supply Chain Management
subject: Netzwerkmanagement
subject: Entwicklungstheorie

description: Gefördert im Rahmen des Projekts DEAL
Associations Between Harsh-Intrusive Parenting, Infant Negative Affect, and Preschool Anxiety
Creators: name: Harris, Amelia
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: Early experiences increase risk for psychopathology; however, the behavioral
mechanisms behind this association are yet to be established. Previous research has shown
connections between harsh-intrusive parenting, negative affect, and internalizing symptoms;
however no study has looked at these associations specifically with preschool anxiety. The
present study tests associations between harsh-intrusive parenting, negative affect, and preschool
anxiety in a cohort of mother-child dyads (n = 153). Observations for harsh-intrusive parenting
and negative affect were taken at 6 months of child’s age and compared to parent report of
anxiety symptoms at 30 months. Harsh-intrusive parenting was measured using a semi-structured
parent child interaction task, negative affect was measured using the Still Face Paradigm, and
preschool anxiety was measured using the Preschool Anxiety Scale. Multiple linear regression
models show a positive association between harsh-intrusive parenting and obsessive-compulsive
symptoms (β = .304, p < .001). Additionally, infant negative affect during the Still Face and
Reunion Episodes were associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (β = .313, p < .001; β =
.186, p = .025, respectively). Finally, negative affect during the Still Face Episode was
negatively associated with physical injury fears (β = -.196, p = .016). These findings highlight
the importance of infant reactivity and experiences on subsequent mental health outcomes.
The Uncertain Status of the Imperfect Animal: Dante's Inferno
Creators: name: Parks, Logan
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2024

description: This thesis explores the relationship between the category of the “imperfect animal” and the exploitation of the creatures presented in Dante’s Inferno. The first chapter provides a historical overview of the “imperfect animal” and the process of spontaneous generation; the chapter ends with an analysis of Dante’s classical monsters. The second chapter examines Dante’s bloodsuckers and the transformation of them from creatures of disorder to order. The third chapter analyzes Dante’s complex depiction of serpents and how his exploitation of the serpent connects to historical understandings of them.