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Lighting Up the Deep: Transcriptomic Analysis of Bioluminescent Organs in Stomiiformes (Teleostei)
No full textBioluminescence, the production and emission of light by a living organism, is a phenomenon that has fascinated people for centuries. However, the genomics that underlie this phenomenon has largely remained unexplored within vertebrates. Dragonfishes and their allies (Teleostei: Stomiiformes) include over 450 species of deep-sea fishes that are all known to be bioluminescent. Bioluminescence in dragonfishes is hypothesized to occur through intrinsic processes without the aid of bacteria, making them an ideal study system to explore the genetics associated with bioluminescence in vertebrates. Luminescent and non-luminescent tissue samples from four stomiiform species were freshly sampled, with the transcriptome from each tissue subsequently sequenced and assembled. Assessment of completeness, quality, and annotation of the transcriptomes was completed. Orthologous genes were identified across the four different species and tissue samples. Differential gene expression between luminous and non-luminous tissues was examined, with over forty upregulated genes found in luminescent tissues when compared to non-luminescent tissues. Candidate proteins of interest following transcript annotation based on previously published information on known luminescent systems in other taxa were modeled in 3D, with structural similarity analyses conducted to compare protein structure with known luciferases in other taxa. A flavoprotein identified in the bioluminescent barbel tissue of Stomias was successfully modeled with 100% confidence that showing significant structural similarity to luciferases previously characterized in corals and fireflies. Additional accessory functional domains and oxidoreductases were identified that could putatively support the metabolic infrastructure needed to support a light-producing reaction, further providing support for an intrinsic bioluminescent pathway in dragonfishes
Self-Correcting Automated Workflows with XAML Code Generation
No full textRobotic Process Automation (RPA) workflows generated to automate repetitive tasks are vulnerable to failure and often incur high maintenance costs due to the ever-evolving nature of client applications and graphical user interfaces (GUIs). To address this, we propose embedding large language models (LLMs), fine-tuned using Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning (PEFT), into the workflow generation and validation pipeline to generate and update XAML snippets based on user-defined requirements. Together with a memoryless and stateless sandbox testing environment, workflows can be autonomously and securely validated, leveraging Reinforcement Learning (RL) for iterative improvement. This paper presents a conceptual design of such a system and explores its potential, as well as its inherent limitations
University Counselor Experiences of Providing Online Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textAbstract
College students’ mental health is pivotal to academic success, persistence, and their overall well-being. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of college mental health in the United States was precarious. Factors such as staffing shortages, time constraints, logistical issues, and stigma often prevented students from accessing needed mental health support. The reliance on traditional face-to-face counseling services exacerbated these challenges, further decreasing the utilization of college mental health services.
When the COVID-19 pandemic precluded face-to-face classes, universities swiftly transitioned coursework online, and mental health services rapidly followed suit. However, unlike online and hybrid coursework, most college mental health centers lacked experience in providing online therapy. This qualitative narrative inquiry explored the perceptions of seven college mental health counselors regarding their provision of online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through semi-structured interviews analyzed through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model, the findings revealed that although counselors were initially skeptical about online therapy, they successfully adapted their practices to meet student needs. Participants reported increased accessibility, reduced waitlists, and enhanced flexibility in service delivery.
This study highlights the importance of integrating online counseling as a permanent component of university mental health services and advocates for expanded training, policy reforms, and practitioner licensure portability. The findings contribute to understanding how technology influences professional practice in university mental health counseling and suggest opportunities for improved student mental health outcomes through enhanced service delivery options.
Keywords: university counselors, higher education counseling, online counseling, pandemic counselin
A Comparative Study of Thermal Rock Features at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (41EP2)
Full text linkThe following thesis presents a comparative archaeological study of limestone and syenite thermal rock features from Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site (41EP2), located in El Paso County, Texas. Previous investigations identified roughly 200 thermal rock features adjacent to the large syenite rock outcrops in the site. It was speculated rock used in thermal feature construction was selected based on availability and proximity. If this statement were true, there would not be any distinct differences in temporal periods of occupation, in the types of thermal rock features and their possible use, or in the categories of macrobotanicals used for food, construction materials, or fuels — and the rock used should be from resources that were both available and in proximity to the features. The current research proposed to compare data from thermal rock features in study area NW2 and WS2, where limestone or syenite rock was selected, respectively. In addition, a rock resource survey was implemented to determine where limestone rock resources were present in the site and whether they were in proximity to the excavated features. These data were then compared between the two study areas NW2 and WS2 to determine if the features were similar, or if discrete differences were apparent. Though the rock resource survey concluded rock was selected from resources that were both available and in proximity, the comparative data presented distinct differences between the limestone and syenite features regarding chronometric, feature form and function, and macrobotanical data from site 41EP2
Economic Development Causing a Shift in Crime Hot Spots in Minneapolis?
Full text linkIn 2018, Minneapolis Minnesota hosted Super Bowl LII (52), prompting significant infrastructure renovations in the Central Business District (CBD). This thesis investigates whether these development projects have attracted crime and potentially caused shifts in crime patterns within the CBD.
Using Hot Spot and Regression Analysis tools in ArcGIS Pro, the study examines whether these revitalization efforts are causing crime to move into areas that had previously experienced lower crime rates. Additionally, the mean locations of crime were calculated to identify and analyze any significant shifts within the CBD.
The objectives of this thesis are to map crime data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), identify and visualize crime hot spots and analyze the relationship between urban economic development and crime shifts through regression analysis.
Although slight shifts in crime hot spots were detected throughout the study area, there is insufficient evidence to conclusively link urban economic development to the shifting hot spots. Notably, the mean crime location shows a slight northwestern shift within the CBD, from the Minneapolis City Center toward Target Field
DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF GENDER-BASED PERCEPTION OF AVERSIVENESS IN INFANT CRY
Full text linkThe literature on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)/Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) has long noted that males are by far more prone to injuring crying infants than females. It is also widely reported that crying is often the singular event in the infant behavior that triggers abusive responses at the hand of fathers, stepfathers, boyfriends, male babysitters, or older male siblings. Attempts are made in this paper to identify the precise threshold at which males and females perceive infant crying as aversive. Fifty individuals, 36 females, 13 males, and one transgender participated in a socio-acoustic survey aimed at eliciting their responses to infant cries at four different decibels levels: £70 dBA, 71-75 dB, 76-80 dB, and ³ 81 dBA. Chi-square is used to gauge the statistical significance of the participants’ responses. Reactions are found to be similar across various cries except when decibel levels reach or exceed 81 dBA. The findings reported in this paper are seminal in that they help to pinpoint when crying signals are likely to overwhelm males’ neurophysiological system
Shedding the Story
Full text linkAfter too many years of carrying an abuse story around, the author decides it\u27s time to shed it. What do we do with stories that we outgrow
Vignettes of Vieques: Medical Tales of a Timeless Island
Full text linkVieques is an island that is both beautiful and underserved. Its rural location and complex colonial history have caused the area to receive little to no medical service. However, its people are vibrant and inspirational, despite the numerous health problems most families are facing. This essay aims to bring awareness to the circumstances, lifestyles, and values of the people of Vieques
Minnesota Judicial State Court Salaries
Full text linkSince 2020, judicial pay for the Minnesota courts has lagged behind inflation. There has been a drop in the number of applicants for judicial appointments and an increase in turnover, likely due to the increased salaries for publicly serving legal professionals such as county attorneys or public defenders. A rise in judicial pay by 6.9% in 2025 and 3.4% in 2026 would restore purchasing power and bring compensation for the judicial branch into a better competitive position to retain experienced jurists
The Economic Impact of the Proposed Outdoor Water Park at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA
Full text linkThis report assesses the economic impact of the construction and operation of the proposed YMCA outdoor water park in the St. Cloud, MN MSA region. The project is expected to spend 850,000 in revenue according to the organization. Construction is expected to support 155 full-time equivalent jobs with 500,000 in labor income. Output would rise by $1.6 million