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Interactions between lipopolysaccharide and capsule retention in Klebsiella pneumoniae and the resultant effects on macrophages
No full textKlebsiella pneumoniae is the third most common cause of nosocomial infections in the United States. The capsular polysaccharides (CPS) are virulence factors allowing K. pneumoniae to evade host immune systems. The current model of capsule structure indicates that CPS fibrils interact with the external O-antigen of lipopolysaccharide molecules to enhance retention to the bacterial outer membrane. These interactions may influence pathogenicity in clinically relevant strains. This study characterized alterations to LPS and CPS structure, the impact of these changes on capsule retention, membrane permeability, biofilm formation, and macrophage interactions. LPS and CPS were quantified and visualized in four strains of K. pneumoniae: lab strain ATCC 43816, O-antigen knockout ΔwbbO, capsule knockout ΔwcaJ, and lab-evolved cephalothin resistant strain 14T which harbors multiple mutations, including in the capsule synthesis gene wcaJ. ΔwbbO exhibited significantly less CPS compared to 43816 despite exhibiting similar quantities of LPS core structures to 43816. Visualization of LPS from each strain via SDS-PAGE confirmed the absence of O-antigen associated LPS in the ΔwbbO strain. These results corroborate the suggested model that capsule retention is, in part, associated with the LPS O-antigen in K. pneumoniae. Strain 14T showed significantly increased LPS content compared to the three other strains, but similar CPS content to ΔwcaJ. Membrane permeability decreased only in ΔwbbO. Biofilm formation was significantly increased in both ΔwcaJ and 14T. This study also explored alterations to macrophage viability, bactericidal activity, and phagocytosis of bacteria, with variations in CPS and LPS. Infection with ΔwcaJ and 14T resulted in higher phagocytosis and increased bactericidal activity but similar drop in macrophage viability to 43816. Infection with ΔwbbO resulted in similar phagocytosis to 43816 but reduced bactericidal activity and increased macrophage viability. These results suggest that capsule retention is complex, associated with more than LPS, and may influence virulence and outcomes of infection
The impact of STEM self-efficacy and sense of belonging on academic performance for students of color in introductory STEM courses
No full textThe study explores the interplay between STEM identity development, race and gender in relation to academic performance in STEM at the beginning of post-secondary education. Statistical analyses of this study included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and a multiple linear regression. The quantitative results indicated no statistically significant differences in self-efficacy and sense of belonging scores between White students and students of color. However, participants’ open-ended responses warranted a holistic examination to look for qualitative differences in the STEM identities of students of color and White students. The findings supported existing literature on disparities in support, inclusion and access to positive academic environments for students with marginalized identities in STEM. Additionally, the multiple linear regression model suggested that self-efficacy has a significant impact on students’ academic performance while sense of belonging also warrants further exploration. The findings from this study can inform and influence the development of inclusive teaching practices, support programs and other interventions that will aid in the promotion of positive academic experiences and the improvement of retention and persistence in STEM while addressing equity gaps in higher education
Retrospective recall of food parenting practices during childhood, current adult health outcomes, and intuitive eating
No full textEmerging adulthood is a time of exploration, change, and emerging independence, which can make individuals vulnerable to health changes. Previous research demonstrates that food parenting practices (coercive control, structure, and autonomy support) during childhood may relate to health outcomes into adulthood. In the current study, it was hypothesized that intuitive eating during emerging adulthood would be associated with food parenting practices; with coercive control and structure practices hindering intuitive eating, while autonomy support encourages it. The current study tested these relationships further, utilizing retrospective reports of food parenting practices during childhood and examining their relation to intuitive eating, dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction in emerging adults. A sample of 225 students participated in the present study regarding recall of food parenting practices, and current intuitive eating and health outcomes. Mediation models were tested to examine the direct effects of each food parenting practice on dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction through the indirect effect of intuitive eating. Results demonstrated that coercive control was negatively related to intuitive eating, while autonomy support was positively related to intuitive eating. The relationships between coercive control, dietary quality, BMI, and body satisfaction were mediated by lower intuitive eating. Structure was not related to intuitive eating, nor were the associations between structure and adult health outcomes mediated by intuitive eating. The associations between autonomy support, BMI, and body satisfaction were mediated by higher intuitive eating. Interventions should focus on encouraging intuitive eating, by increasing autonomy support food practices and reducing coercive control food practices
Lipschitz conditions on operators and matrices
No full textLipschitz functions on the real line find various applications across mathematics, including in differential equations, optimization, and machine learning. The goal of this thesis is to investigate functions which satisfy certain Lipschitz conditions when ap- plied to operators and matrices. Our study will review two classes of such functions, the class of Operator Lipschitz functions with respect to a given matrix norm, and the class consisting of functions which do not meet Lipschitz conditions in the traditional sense but satisfy inequalities which are Lipschitz in nature – we call such conditions ”Lipschitz-like”. The thesis concludes with a survey of these two categories of results, along with establishing relations between the two
Pier I
No full textThis artwork is part of a triptych showing an oil well landscape.https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/campus_art/1822/thumbnail.jp
Collection Items, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History
No full textAllen Lastinger Center for Florida History collection items on display, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History, Thomas G. Carpenter Library. Date: September 5, 2025https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/alcfh-events/1017/thumbnail.jp
Attendees, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History - 3
No full textAttendees observe map on glass table, part of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History collection, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History, Thomas G. Carpenter Library. Date: September 5, 2025https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/alcfh-events/1016/thumbnail.jp
Dean Murray, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History
No full textJennifer Murray, Dean of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, speaks at the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History, Thomas G. Carpenter Library. Date: September 5, 2025https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/alcfh-events/1008/thumbnail.jp
Dean Murray with Mr. and Mrs. Lastinger, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History
No full text(Left-right) Dean Jennifer Murray, Mrs. Delores Lastinger, and Mr. Allen Lastinger, Grand Opening Ceremony of the Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library Date: September 5, 2025https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/alcfh-events/1000/thumbnail.jp
Episode 24 Engineering Resources
No full textEpisode 24: Engineering Resources In this episode of Instruction Request, Librarians Beryl White-Bing and Lauren Odom dive into the wealth of engineering resources available through the UNF Library and the Virtual Learning Center.
Beryl introduces Short Circuit VR, a hands-on virtual reality experience where students can safely explore circuits, electrical components, and troubleshooting skills in an immersive lab setting. She highlights how VR can support engineering instruction by giving students a risk-free environment to experiment and build confidence before applying their knowledge in real-world labs.
Lauren explores the library’s engineering databases that provide essential support for coursework and research. She discusses AccessEngineering, which offers authoritative textbooks and interactive tools across multiple engineering disciplines; the ASCE Library, a premier resource for civil engineering standards, journals, and conference proceedings; and ASTM Compass, which provides access to critical materials science and engineering standards. These resources empower students and faculty to stay current with engineering research and best practices.
The Library VR Champion for this episode is Dr. Aiyin Jiang, recognized for her innovative integration of virtual reality into engineering education and her commitment to enhancing student learning through emerging technologies.
Together, Beryl and Lauren showcase how the UNF Library connects students with both immersive tools and scholarly resources to advance engineering education, research, and professional preparation.https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/instructionpodcast/1023/thumbnail.jp