Scholarly Commons @ MiamiOH
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Data archive for "Effects of orchiectomy on binge-like and inflexible alcohol consumption in mice"
(Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026) Zegarelli, Roman; Lewis, Delainey; O'Lalde, Lindsey; Shi, Haifei; Radke, Anna
Introduction: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and excessive alcohol use are a growing public health burden across the world, with sex differences in their presentation. Rodent models of drinking have revealed consistent sex differences in ethanol consumption, preference, and compulsive-like intake. Previous studies have found that ovariectomy reduces ethanol drinking. Increased consumption has also been observed in male, but not female, mice with XY sex chromosome complement. These results and others suggest an interaction between gonadal and genetic sex, but the influence of circulating gonadal hormones has not been assessed. Methods: Three experiments used removal of the gonads and the Four Core Genotypes (FCG) mouse line to further investigate interactions between gonadal hormones and sex chromosome complement on alcohol drinking. Experiment 1: ovariectomy (OVX) was conducted before the onset of drinking in XX/Sry- and XY/Sry- FCG females. Experiment 2: orchiectomy (ORX) was performed in C57BL/6J male mice. Experiment 3: ORX was conducted in XX/Sry+ and XY/Sry+ FCG males. Voluntary, binge-like intake of 15% ethanol was measured in a 4-h, two-bottle choice drinking-in-the-dark (DiD) paradigm followed by tests of quinine-resistant drinking (0-500 µM) and, in Experiments 2 and 3 only, ethanol vs. sucrose (1.5-12%) choice. Results: Removal of the testes increased 15% ethanol consumption and preference in male C57BL/6J mice and consumption in FCG mice. Conversely, there was evidence suggesting that ORX reduced quinine-resistance and ethanol vs. sucrose choice in C57BL/6J, but not FCG, males. Previously observed increases in binge-like consumption following OVX were not replicated in FCG female mice. Sex chromosome complement did not interact with gonadal status for any measure. Discussion: These studies demonstrate that testicular hormones suppress voluntary binge-like ethanol consumption in male mice and provide some evidence for facilitatory effects on two measures of inflexible drinking – quinine resistance and ethanol vs. sucrose choice. These findings are interesting to consider alongside clinical data demonstrating positive associations between testosterone and alcohol drinking in men. There was not evidence for interactions between circulating gonadal hormones and sex chromosome complement, which may suggest gonadal sex-dependent effects of sex chromosome complement on drinking rely on organizational changes earlier in development.
Memorials to Faculty of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford OH
(none, 2026-11) Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
A collection of memorials to faculty from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Miami University.
Raw Data for "Synthesis and Self-assembly of Limonene Oxide - Lactide Block Copolymers"
(2026) Dai, Ruxi; Valloppilly, Shah; De Alwis Watuthanthrige, Nethmi; Chakma, Progyateg; Deng, Shijie; Konkolewicz, Dominik; Diaconescu, Paula
"They Use You For Your License": An Analysis of Nursing Home Administrator Turnover and Retention
(2026-06) Denise A. Tyler; Leah M. Janssen,
Turnover among nursing home staff has been a persistent issue for decades, and turnover among administrators has been importantly linked to the quality of care provided by nursing homes, nursing homes’ financial performance, and turnover among other staff in nursing homes. Therefore, reducing administrator turnover is one important step in improving nursing home performance and outcomes. This study of nursing home administrator turnover and retention in Ohio found that nursing home administrators experience multiple stressors on several levels, specifically organizational, environmental, and personal.
Regardless of tenure at the current nursing home, Nursing home administrators reported that no one factor led to turnover, but that turnover was caused by burnout resulting from these myriad stressors.
Remediation as revival: transforming the environmental scars of the rust belt into sustainable, thriving spaces
(2025) Tazim, S M Shams;
Urban decay in American cities, particularly within the Rust Belt region, represents a significant challenge, characterized by abandoned buildings, deteriorating infrastructure, and widespread depopulation. Decaying industrial buildings, often ecologically contaminated and massive in scale, present unique difficulties for traditional renovation efforts. These issues have profound implications for society and the field of architecture as they directly impact public health, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. Without strategic and effective intervention, such conditions perpetuate cycles of disinvestment, increase crime rates, and exacerbate social inequality. This ultimately diminishes quality of life and hinders the potential for community development.
This design intervention focuses on the Mahoning River in Youngstown, Ohio, a city emblematic of industrial decline. Over decades, abandoned industrial sites have severely polluted the river, relegating it to a neglected state and severing its connections to the community. However, Youngstown has recently turned its attention toward restoring the river, seeking to bring back its lost flora and fauna and redefine it as the city's focal point, a "front yard" that unites people rather than a "backyard" they overlook.
The intervention approaches the grandeur of abandoned industrial spaces and the Mahoning River not as insurmountable challenges but as unique opportunities for architectural innovation and sustainable reuse. By retrofitting industrial structures with contemporary vernacular elements, the design aims to recondition both the past and future of these spaces while preserving the region's rich cultural heritage. The proposal aligns with broader objectives of sustainability, economic resilience, and social equality, ensuring that development benefits the community holistically.
Central to the proposal is the preservation and adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure. This reduces carbon emissions and transforms decaying industrial buildings into spaces for housing, healthcare services, public transportation, coworking hubs, and community-oriented facilities. These interventions address the housing crisis, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate the local economy, breathing new life into previously neglected areas.
The vision for Youngstown integrates sustainable design strategies along the Mahoning River, creating a walkable city enhanced by multi-modal transportation hubs, recreational opportunities, and innovative spaces for education and healthcare. This comprehensive, multi-faceted approach transforms the river into a symbol of the city's resilience and cultural identity, positioning it as a catalyst for economic growth and community revitalization.
Ultimately, this design intervention presents a forward-thinking model for cities in the Rust Belt and beyond, demonstrating how architecture can be a powerful tool in addressing urban decay and building a sustainable, equitable future.