Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThe study of neurogenesis is important for understanding the causes of many developmental defects, and crucial for the prevention and treatment of neuronal degeneration and injury. The olfactory system is an excellent model for the study of neurogenesis due to its unique ability to continuously regenerate olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), even in adults. Pituitary adenylate cyclaseactivating polypeptide (PACAP) functions in many aspects of neurogenesis and is present in the olfactory epithelium (OE). We examined the role of PACAP, in vivo, in the development and regeneration of the OE by comparing PACAP knock-out (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In early postnatal development, proliferation levels are reduced in PACAP KO mice but the number of OSNs is not different from WT mice. By 1 week of age, no differences between PACAP KO and WT mice were observed. Given that other growth factors may be present during development and could compensate for the absence of PACAP, we also examined adult OE. Although adult PACAP KO mice have normal food odorant detection, the OE exhibits decreased epithelial thickness due to loss of cells. However, immunostaining revealed no differences in OSN numbers between PACAP KO and WT mice, although expression levels for markers of OSNs were increased. Surprisingly, PACAP KO mice show increased proliferation compared to WT mice. Injury-induced degradation, resulting in iv regeneration of the OE, was also examined in adult PACAP KO and WT mice. Immediately after chemical insult, PACAP KO mice exhibited more inflammation than WT mice. A faster decline in OSNs, leading to quicker onset of anosmia, was seen in PACAP KO mice. In addition, PACAP KO mice recovered from anosmia more quickly, likely due to increased proliferation levels before insult. However, 1 week following insult there were no differences between PACAP KO and WT mice, and both groups were recovered functionally after 2 weeks. We conclude that PACAP has a minor influence promoting proliferation during OE development. PACAP is not required for adult proliferation, but is required for the survival and maintenance of adult OE. This study suggests PACAP may be important for future therapies aimed at promoting neuronal survival

A Look at Public Health

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Nouveaux Orthoptères (Ensifera, Insecta) du Trias des Vosges (France)

Three new Orthoptera, Ensifera (Hagloidea and Gryllavoidea) from the Grés à Voltzia (Upper Buntsandstein, transition Lower / Middle Triassic) of the Vosges (France) are described based on forewings. Galliagryllavus vogesiacus n.gen., n.sp. (Gryllavidae) shows affinities with Gryllavus madygenicus SHAROV 1968 from the Triassic of Madygen (Kirghizistan). Triassoparacyrtophyllites bifurcatus n.gen., n.sp. (Tuphellidae) displays some similarities with Paracyrtophillites undulatus SHAROV 1968 from the Upper Jurassic of Karatau (Kazakhstan). Voltziahagla pseudoveinosa n.gen., n.sp. (Haglidae) seems close to the genus Archaboilus MARTYNOV 1937 from the Lower Jurassic of Shurab (Tadjikistan). These three Ensifera which belong to distinct families underscore the diversity of the Hagloidea and the Gryllavoidea at the boundary between the Lower and Middle Triassic. A cladistic study would be necessary to determine the phylogenetical relationships between the different families

Global Challenge of Antibiotic-Resistant Treponema pallidum

Syphilis is a multistage infectious disease that is usually transmitted through contact with active lesions of a sexual partner or from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus. Despite elimination efforts, syphilis remains endemic in many developing countries and has reemerged in several developed countries, including China, where a widespread epidemic recently occurred. In the absence of a vaccine, syphilis control is largely dependent upon identification of infected individuals and treatment of these individuals and their contacts with antibiotics. Although penicillin is still effective, clinically significant resistance to macrolides, a second-line alternative to penicillin, has emerged. Macrolide-resistant strains of Treponema pallidum are now prevalent in several developed countries. An understanding of the genetic basis of T. pallidum antibiotic resistance is essential to enable molecular surveillance. This review discusses the genetic basis of T. pallidum macrolide resistance and the potential of this spirochete to develop additional antibiotic resistance that could seriously compromise syphilis treatment and control

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: Evaluation Report

The Consortium for Crime and Justice Research (CCJR) at the University of Nebraska – Omaha is conducting an evaluation of projects supported by Nebraska’s 2012 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program funds. The primary goal of the evaluation is to provide the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (Crime Commission) a summary of the law enforcement, training, prevention, and associated activities occurring as a direct or indirect result of the infusion of Bryne JAG funds. In other words, the intent of the evaluation is to provide a summary of the funded activities and resulting products from Byrne JAG dollars. A subsidiary goal is to track the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) supported by JAG funds. Because federal funding agencies continue to emphasize the use of practices that are supported by research evidence, we are tracking the use of EBPs, as well as fidelity to the model of the practices that have been adopted. This report provides an overview of activities and products of funded agencies based on required performance indicator data submitted for October to December 2012 and January to March 2013. Because the funded task forces report similar data, their feedback is included in one section. In addition to the task forces, information is provided to summarize the activities of Banister’s Leadership Academy, the Nebraska Crime Commission, The Indian Center, the Law Enforcement Training Center, the Nebraska Department of Corrections, the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office

Revivifying the Anointing of the Sick: A Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Case for Expanded Access to the Sacrament of Christian Healing

Thesis advisor: John BaldovinThesis advisor: Brian DunkleBuilding upon the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, this thesis explores the possibility of expanding access to the Anointing of the Sick beyond those who have begun to be in danger of death. The history of sacramental anointing is examined, with its periods of flexibility and contraction, along with the church’s attempts to recover elements of her earlier usages. Exegesis of James 5:13-18 and a theological examination of the church’s own liturgical orations are shown to contain elements which favor broader access to anointing, and the arguments of opponents to expansion are also considered. Contemporary challenges and opportunities - including extensive medical advancements, the expansion of the church in Africa, and postmodern narrative construction - each provide an avenue by which the broader use of the Anointing of the Sick could make a valuable contribution to effective pastoral care today.Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

Field-Level Land-Use Adaptation to Local Weather Trends

The intersection of agriculture and climate has been well researched for at least the last couple of decades. Largely, the motivation for previous research has been the potential impact on food security for the world's (growing) population. Many studies have predicted unfavorable yield scenarios for some geographic regions. As a result, another common research theme is farmer adaptation to a changing climate. Typically, these studies are concerned with what farmers could or should do to adapt to adverse outcomes. However, research examining whether farmers respond to weather patterns has largely been ignored. Answering this question can help provide more accurate food security analyses: if farmers do respond to changing patterns through cropping decisions, for instance, the global food supply outcome will be different than a world in which they do not respond. This article aims to provide insights into what and how farmers' cropping decisions respond to weather patterns. The study region is a set of eleven Kansas counties. The article provides an important step toward more credible estimates of global food supplies under changing climates and the methods themselves translate to other areas. Results suggest that land-use responses to changing weather patterns will vary across time and space