31825 research outputs found
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A multi-platform analysis of the E2-DNA interaction in HPV oncogene regulation
No full textBiswas, SubhasisThe human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with approximately 13 million new infections in the United States each year. While many HPV infections are transient, persistent infections with high-risk strains can lead to various cancers, including cervical, anal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV is classified into different types, with high-risk strains, such as HPV 16 and 18, being strongly associated with cancer. Despite the development of vaccines that target several high-risk HPV types, there remains no cure for existing infections. HPV's lifecycle and its role in oncogenesis are driven by a complex interplay of viral proteins, including the E2 protein, which is central to viral replication and transcriptional regulation. ☐ The HPV genome consists of a double-stranded DNA of approximately 8 kb, divided into three main regions: the early region, late region, and long control region (LCR). The E2 protein, which is encoded by the early region, plays a crucial role in regulating viral DNA replication and transcription. Specifically, E2 binds to conserved DNA sequences in the LCR, facilitating viral replication and controlling the expression of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7. These oncogenes are responsible for the progression and development of cancer in host cells. E2 also controls transcription by acting as a repressor or activator, depending on its binding affinity and the presence of viral DNA integration. In cases where the E2 gene is disrupted due to viral integration into the host genome, the expression of E6 and E7 becomes deregulated, leading to oncogenic progression. ☐ Despite advances in understanding HPV's molecular mechanisms, gaps remain, particularly regarding the role of the E2-DNA interaction in regulating oncogenesis. This thesis aimed to address three key areas: (i) investigate whether synthetic expression systems can be utilized to study HPV oncogenic regulation, (ii) evaluate the effects of HPV mutations on E2-mediated transcription of the E6/E7 oncogenes across different HPV types, and (iii) assess the utility of various gene expression techniques in enhancing our understanding of the E2-DNA interaction and its role in transcriptional regulation. Through biochemical assays and the study of DNA binding site variants, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the E2 protein's role in regulating HPV gene expression and oncogenesis. ☐ The findings presented in this thesis offer insights into the dynamic between HPV E2, its DNA binding sites, and the consequences of mutations in these sites. By exploring how the E2-DNA interaction affects transcriptional regulation and oncogene expression in both clinical and experimental contexts, this research provides a foundation for the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting HPV infections and their associated cancers. Understanding these molecular processes is critical for advancing the development of antiviral treatments that could prevent or halt the progression of HPV-induced cancers, addressing a major public health concern globally.University of Delaware, Department of Medical and Molecular SciencesPh.D
Understanding evidence and its use in out-of-school time programs
No full textFarley-Ripple, ElizabethAcross a number of fields, “evidence” provides valuable information as to what works in practice. In out-of-school time (OST) settings, including before school, after school, and in the summer, we have observed as funders increasingly require programs to use “evidence” or “evidence-based practice” to obtain funds, with inconsistency among funders in how this term is used and defined. While evidence serves as valuable information that can guide programs in creating the best possible environment for young people, families, and communities, K-12 scholars have shown that evidence means different things to different people, and that several organizational and individual factors influence whether and how it is used in practice. If the use of evidence is tied to high stakes matters such as the operational funding for programs, we must deepen our understanding of what this term means in the field and how professionals use it in practice. Without this information, certain types of programs might face disadvantages in complying with requests for evidence use in funding applications. ☐ In this dissertation, I use two papers to critically examine what evidence means in the OST field, how professionals use evidence, and what factors influence the use of research as evidence. Overall, these studies demonstrate that OST programs are largely evidence-informed. However, many OST funders use the term “evidence” without defining what they mean by this word. When funders do define “evidence,” their definition is “research,” whereas OST professionals conceptualize the term more often as “data” or their own professional experiences. Several factors influence the use of evidence as research among professionals, including leadership, policy, staff, and partnership support, as well as professionals’ beliefs about whether research is relevant, valuable, and actionable. Taken together, findings can be used to encourage more critical consideration of what types of evidence we elevate in the field, and how calls for evidence, especially research, might systematically disadvantage some programs from obtaining funding. Additionally, this research can build greater external recognition of the value of OST programs as intentional, evidence-informed programs that can support young people, families, and communities beyond the school day.University of Delaware, School of EducationPh.D
Where power and scholarship collide: Gender and coauthorship in public administration research
No full textThis is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Smith, Amy E., Norma M. Riccucci, Kimberley R. Isett, Leisha DeHart-Davis, and Rebekah St. Clair Sims. 2025. “ Where Power and Scholarship Collide: Gender and Coauthorship in Public Administration Research.” Public Administration Review 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13923, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13923. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
© 2025 American Society for Public Administration.
This article will be embargoed until 01/14/2027.Publishing is a source of capital and power in academia, and coauthoring is a common way to publish. However, studies in public administration have not yet examined the structure of coauthorship patterns, how these patterns have evolved over time, or the extent to which these patterns are gendered. We use bibliometric data to examine coauthorship in public administration scholarship over four decades with a particular focus on gendered patterns. Descriptive statistics, regression, and social network analysis suggest that when women are first authors, the research team is more likely to contain other women and while women are increasingly represented in coauthorship structures, men-only groups of coauthors continue to persist. These findings have implications for the coauthoring practices of individual scholars, perceptions of coauthorship in hiring, tenure, and promotion decisions, and efforts in the field to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Evidence for practice
- Coauthorship patterns and the extent to which these patterns are gendered should be of interest to public administration scholars because collaborations are important in the production of scientific research, affect individual researcher productivity, and, increasingly, can be factors in funding opportunities.
- Given the high value placed on social equity in public administration, the inclusiveness of collaboration with respect to gender is important.
- Individual scholars should be mindful of how coauthorship provides access to research networks. In this context, considering gender diversity in research teams is important.
- In tracking bibliometric measures, journals should consider not only gender diversity in authorship of published articles, but also of those submitting to the journal
Private versus Public Flood Insurance: Differences in Premiums and Uptake Observed in Two Coastal Housing Markets Using Survey Data
No full textThis article was originally published in Marine Resource Economics. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1086/732848.
© 2024 MRE Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the MRE Foundation.
This article will be embargoed until 01/01/2026.Using a natural experiment created by the 1982 Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), we measure the extent to which insurance premiums vary between private and publicly backed flood insurance policies. The CBRA resulted in homeowners living in neighboring housing markets in which some have access to the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and others do not. Flood risks and other features of the neighborhoods are otherwise indistinguishable. Those without access to publicly backed insurance must purchase private insurance if they desire coverage. We compare insurance premiums and uptake in the two markets and find that premiums for private coverage are significantly higher than public rates (after controlling for other factors in a reduced-form regression), implying a subsidy by NFIP. We also find a much lower uptake of insurance in the areas without federally backed insurance. Our results are based on a mail survey of residents in two US coastal communities with a 50% response rate: North Bethany Beach, Delaware, and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina. We also present results related to perceptions of flood hazards, of being under- or overinsured, and measures taken to mitigate flood damage
Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (DelCAN) & Contraceptive Reform in Delaware
No full textIn 2015 Delaware launched a comprehensive program to reduce unintended pregnancies by increasing access to contraceptives and to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in particular. This brief outlines the components of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (DelCAN) initiative, and evaluates how effectively the program achieved its goals
The Respool Fiber Research (RFR) model: A protocol for the evaluation of mechanically recycled materials towards “second life” product applications
No full textThis article was originally published in International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18827.
© 2024 The author(s). Published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.The Respool Fiber Research (RFR) model provides a comprehensive protocol for evaluating mechanically recycled textiles for "second life" product applications, addressing critical gaps in the circular economy. With textile waste predominantly landfilled, mechanical recycling often results in short, weak fibers unsuitable for high-value products. The RFR model leverages sensory evaluations and laboratory testing to guide the transformation of recycled fibers into yarn or nonwoven prototypes. Demonstrating its applicability with 100% recycled cotton denim and wool, the model prioritizes material consistency, compatibility, and upcycling potential. Key steps include assessing fiber properties, blending for consistency, and determining appropriate prototype pathways through tensile and elongation testing. The RFR model advances beyond existing frameworks, enabling educators, researchers, and developers to optimize recycled materials for multi-use cycles. Future research will scale the model for broader industry application, fostering sustainability and innovation in textile recycling
Exploring the advantages and limitations of Bayesian methods for causal inference in small-sample randomized experiments in education: a Monte Carlo study
No full textMay, HenryBackground: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are foundational in educational research for establishing causal effects, yet small-sample pilot studies—a common reality in the field—pose persistent methodological challenges. Classical frequentist methods, which rely heavily on p-values and null-hypothesis significance testing, often suffer from low statistical power, wide and imprecise intervals, and limited interpretability in these settings (Schoot & Miočević, 2020). These limitations can lead to exaggerated effect sizes or misleading conclusions, undermining the credibility of intervention evaluations and the evidence base for educational policy and practice. ☐ Purpose: The primary goal of this proposed dissertation is to explore the advantages and limitations of Bayesian methods for causal inference in small-sample randomized experiments in education. Specifically, the research aims to demonstrate through a simulation study how Bayesian methods compare with frequentist methods in terms of precision, statistical conclusion, interpretability, and flexibility. The Bayesian models utilize prior knowledge, posterior distributions, and credible intervals, whereas the frequentist models rely on asymptotics (large-sample assumptions) and p-values (McNeish, 2016). The research specifically examines scenarios with negligible, small, and medium/large true effects, and explores the impact of prior-data alignment and misalignment on inference quality. ☐ Research Design: A Monte Carlo simulation study with at least 5,000 replications per condition was used to compare the performance of Bayesian and frequentist methods. The Monte Carlo simulation is designed to replicate the small-sample conditions typically observed in underpowered educational experiments intended to improve students’ achievement test scores. The experimental designs considered include the basic singlelevel experiment and the two-level cluster-randomized experiment. Key factors such as sample size, effect sizes, prior-data conflict are systematically varied to evaluate their impact on the performance of both methods. In particular, the study examines misalignments between the prior distribution specified in the analysis and the true data-generating process, focusing on discrepancies in both location (central tendency) and dispersion (variability). ☐ Data Analysis: Simulated datasets were analyzed using both Bayesian and frequentist linear regression models under single-level and multilevel designs. Key performance metrics included bias, root mean squared error (RMSE), interval coverage, standard error, posterior standard deviation, and robustness to prior specification. Statistical conclusion validity was assessed using calibration, Type M (magnitude) and Type S (sign) errors, and interpretability was compared through the lens of posterior probabilities and credible intervals (Bayesian) versus p-values and confidence intervals (frequentist). ☐ Findings: Bayesian methods demonstrated advantages in small-sample settings, producing more precise estimates, with narrower and better-calibrated intervals than frequentist methods—especially when well-aligned or weakly informative priors were used. Bayesian models also showed superior control over Type M and Type S errors, reducing the risk of effect size exaggeration and incorrect directionality. However, these benefits depended critically on thoughtful prior specification. When priors were overly optimistic or misaligned with the data-generating process, Bayesian inference became overconfident, leading to poor coverage and inflated error rates. Computational demands and the need for transparent, interpretable communication of posterior probabilities were additional practical considerations. In contrast, frequentist methods, while familiar and computationally efficient, tended to yield wider intervals. ☐ Implications: These findings demonstrate that Bayesian techniques provide a flexible, precise, and interpretable alternative to traditional frequentist methods in small-sample educational experiments. The capacity to make direct probability statements about parameters—such as the likelihood that an effect exceeds a meaningful threshold—offers a more intuitive way to assess practical significance. Combined with improved calibration and control of inferential errors, Bayesian inference emerges as a valuable tool for both researchers and decision-makers. The growing availability of Bayesian software has made these methods increasingly accessible to applied educational researchers. This dissertation encourages researchers to leverage the strengths of the Bayesian framework—particularly its suitability for threshold-based decision-making and rich, probabilistic interpretation— while also recognizing the importance of thoughtful prior specification, the computational demands of some models, and the complementary role of frequentist validation. By adopting a transparent and well-justified approach to statistical modeling, educational researchers can improve the accuracy, clarity, and trustworthiness of their causal inferences, ultimately strengthening the foundation for evidence-based policy and practice.University of Delaware, School of EducationPh.D
Low spin flip probability of Kondo scattering in Cu channels with dilute Fe impurities
No full textRaw data associated with Shen, X., & Ji, Y. (2025). Low spin flip probability of Kondo scattering in Cu channels with dilute Fe impurities. Phys. Rev. B. https://doi.org/10.1103/kxbn-933yIt is commonly accepted that the Kondo effect is associated with a substantial probability of spin flip owing to the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction. An accurate experimental determination of the Kondo spin flip probability is of fundamental interest. In this work, we determine this quantity by using nonlocal spin valves with nonmagnetic Cu channels that contains dilute magnetic Fe impurities. The measured spin flip probability is considerably lower than previously assumed and decreases from 0.14 0.07 to 0.032 0.007 as the Kondo resistivity increases from 0.61 ncm to 8.7 ncm. The findings are attributed to a cancellation effect from randomly oriented impurity spins within the spatial extent of the Kondo screening cloud