Thomas University Research Articles

Arthropod Diversity in an Urban Forest from Miami Dade County, Florida, US

Arthropods are excellent candidates for studying how the formation of urban ecosystems impacts the environment for several reasons. Foremost of these is the variety of roles played by arthropods in ecosystem functioning (e.g., food web dynamics, nutrient cycling and redistribution, and pollination) with many of these roles being economically important [e.g. pollination by domestic bees is an $18 billion/year industry in the US alone]. Urban ecosystems have been neglected in ecological research. Arthropods are abundant in urban settings, but little is known about how these animals respond to urbanization. In this project, we present data on species composition and structure of the communities of arthropods from Saint Thomas University Urban Forest, in the city of Miami Gardens, Miami Dade County, State of Florida, USA. In order to conduct our samplings, we set up 16 pitfall traps, as is usually done for invertebrate soil biodiversity. We then sorted and identified collected individuals using a Dissecting Microscope. Data were analyzed using PAST to calculate diversity indices of the sites studied and species organization. We collected a total of 31 species distributed in 21 Families and 13 Orders. Most species were identified up to the species level. Total number of individuals was 2147, representing a high abundance. The most abundant species was Solenopsis molesta, represented by 1313 individuals. Invertebrates are sensitive to climatic and ecological alterations. Their small bodies desiccate easily, a factor which may limit their evolutionary response to accelerated temperature increases. Consequently, the understanding, preservation, and development of urban forests can provide an avenue through which the conservation of local communities is sustained, starting with some of its most numerous and ecologically sensitive species.

Abstract 3827: Schinus terebinthifolius extracts impair migration of BT549 triple negative breast cancer cells in vitro

Abstract Bark extracts, derived from the Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) were tested on BT549 triple negative breast cancer cells, a model system for invasive, metastatic cancers. Crude extracts, prepared with a 50% ethanol-50% water solvent, were investigated for cytotoxicity and effects on cell migration in vitro. Extract-treated cells exhibited statistically significant slower migration velocities than untreated control cells. Crude bark extracts, screened at a concentration of 3.15mg/mL in five independent experiments, produced an approximate 80% decrease in average migration velocity (p<0.05 in every experiment). Three independent tetrazolium based MTT cytotoxicity experiments confirmed that cells exposed to the same 3.15 mg/mL crude extract concentrations displayed similar viability as untreated control cells. Interestingly, these data suggest the Brazilian peppertree bark extract harbors bioactivity that impairs BT549 cell migration without cytotoxic side effects. Current experiments aim to discover which bioactive molecules, present in the crude extract, impede cancer cell migration. Silica-based column chromatography was used to separate the crude extract into fractions of increasing polarity. A wet method, which commenced with hexane, followed by dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and butanol, was employed. Fractions which retained anti-migratory activity were identified. Gas chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) was performed on crude extracts, samples with strong anti-migratory activity, and samples with weak anti-migratory activity, solubilized with ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile. Data from two independent, complete sets of experiments, involving column chromatography, cellular assays with fractionated extracts, and GCMS, replicated results. Compounds that were unique to specific samples, as well as compounds that were found in multiples samples were identified. Rstudio software was utilized to organize and visualize data. This work lays down the preliminary foundation for future experiments testing specific purified forms of candidate molecules present in Brazilian peppertree bark extracts for the ability to limit BT549 cancer cell migration in vitro. Furthermore, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry experiments are underway to determine cellular signaling pathways targeted by the extract. Funding was provided by St. Thomas University’s Summer Research Institute and U.S. Dept. of Education STEM grants P03C110190, P031C160161, and P031C210035. Citation Format: Alexis Tapanes-Castillo, Mariacira Di Santi, Abel Sousa, Jonathan M. Brown, Paola M. Gonzalez Rodriguez, Thiago P. Leal, Leticia Saladrigas, Vadym Trokhymchuk, Leonardo M. Soto Chumpitaz, Andrea Peterson, Susana Gutierrez, Rolando J. Petit, Carlos Planchart, Christian Del Corro, Daniela A. Ramos, Valeria Nazaire, Sean Mondesire, Maria Pina. Schinus terebinthifolius extracts impair migration of BT549 triple negative breast cancer cells in vitro. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3827.

Biomass and Carbon Capture in Trees at Amelia Earhart Park, Miami Dade County, Florida, US

In the context of climate change, scientists strive to look for ways to calculate the constant CO2 emissions as well as carbon sequestration to find solutions to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. In this context, it is important to recognize that trees within urban environments operate as “carbon sinks” that significantly contribute to the effort of reducing carbon in the atmosphere. During previous studies in biomass and carbon stock determination conducted in the St. Thomas University campus we have found evidence that “urban forests” play an important role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and can serve as a foundation for developing biomass recordings within nearby locations, to support the importance of increasing the number of parks and hardwood trees in urban environments that operate as “carbon sinks”. Our project was conducted in the Amelia Earhart Park, in Hialeah, Florida, with the purpose of calculating the amount of Biomass and Carbon Stock produced by the hardwood trees and palm trees in selected areas of the park. Tree perimeters were measured using a tailor’s tape as a first step to determining their biomass. Data transformation and allometric equations were used to determine biomass and carbon stock. The objectives of our project were (1) to determine the average total biomass and carbon stock (expressed in Kg and Mg) in selected locations, 2) compare the biomass and carbon sequestration between hardwood trees and palm trees. The overall biomass was 706,437.95 Kg (706.44 Mg), and overall, Carbon Stock was 332,026 Kg (332.02 Mg. The area sampled constitutes around 25% of the park land area, so if we extrapolate to the whole land area of the park, we could say that the overall biomass would be roughly 2,825,751.80 Kg (2,825.75 Mg), and Carbon Stock ca. 1,328,104 Kg (1,328.10 Mg). In order to calculate the totals, we only used Brown & Iverson equation. In conclusion, total Biomass calculated expressed by area is 33.9 Mg Ha-1, and Carbon Stock is 15.93 Mg Ha-1. This information strongly supports the importance of increasing the number of parks, and hardwood trees in urban environments that operate as “carbon sinks”, and consequently carbon reservoirs. Total Biomass for Hardwood trees was 689,218.93 Kg (689.22 Mg), and Total biomass for Palm Trees was 17,219.02 Kg (17.22 Mg) (Tables 3 to 8). Differences in Biomass between hardwood trees, and palm trees, are very significant (T= 7.67, p< 0.01). Between the palm trees and hardwood, 16 species were identified in different areas of the Amelia Earhart Park. Of the palm trees, Sabal palmetto and Sabal mexicana palm are the most abundant with over 68 trees in total. Of hardwood trees, Casuarina equisetifolia and Quercus virginiana are the most abundant with over 430 trees combined.

Viral Loads: Anthropologies of Urgency in the Time of COVID‐19. Lenore Manderson, Nancy J. Burke, and Ayo Wahlberg, eds., London: UCL Press, 2021, 488 pp.

Medical Anthropology QuarterlyEarly View BOOK REVIEW Viral Loads: Anthropologies of Urgency in the Time of COVID-19. Lenore Manderson, Nancy J. Burke, and Ayo Wahlberg, eds., London: UCL Press, 2021, 488 pp. Abin Thomas, Abin Thomas University of HullSearch for more papers by this author Abin Thomas, Abin Thomas University of HullSearch for more papers by this author First published: 22 August 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/maq.12728AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Scrutinizing Emerging Markets and Exploring the Impact of Paradigms on Knowledge Production in International Business

Over the last few decades, the global economy has witnessed an unprecedented interest in Emerging Markets. They have become critical players in the global economy and contribute a significant proportion of the GDP in many countries. Indeed, most of the fast-growing economies today are Emerging Markets, and this trend will become more pronounced in the next decades. Some regions that were underrepresented in global economic forums because of their negligible economic influence are now emerging as promising destinations for foreign direct investments (FDI) and international trade. This is the case of the African region where some of the fastest growing Emerging Economies are located. The continent is projected to become a major economic hub by 2050, with more than 25% of the world’s population and consumers, the largest percentage of youth population and labor in the world, the largest reserves of mining and rare minerals, the largest reserves of underutilized water and arable land, and the largest Regional Economic Integration in the world, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) that was efective in 2019. With these considerations, it is unsurprising to notice a growing interest among researchers and academic journals in Emerging Markets, especially those in the African region. This is the case of the Journal of Comparative International Management (JCIM). Although this journal has focused on Emerging Markets for the last 25 years, it has reaffirmed its interest in Emerging Markets as one of its new strategic goals and is reinforcing its positioning in this regard with new leadership. I would like to mention that the second strategic goal of the journal is to raise its standard.
 The journal is fortunate to have a high-profile editorial team that I have the distinct honor to coordinate. The Editorial Board is comprised of 105 scholars from 25 countries located on five continents. Many of them are leading scholars, including a former president of the Academy of International Business (AIB), fellows of AIB, chairs of AIB regional chapters, and editors and associate editors of leading journals. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their support. Not one of them hesitated to join the journal when I contacted them, which was immensely encouraging. Due to space limitations, I cannot name all of them here in this editorial article, but I thank the following colleagues for their exceptional support since the beginning of this new journey, and most importantly, for their contributions to this inaugural issue: Robert Grosse, former president and fellow of AIB; Elizabeth Rose, former president of ANZIBA (Australia and New Zealand International Business Association) and fellow of AIB; Gary Knight and Rebecca Piekkari, both fellows of AIB; Helena Barnard, former vice-president of AIB; and Tanvi Kothari, co-chair of AIB-US West and board member of Women of Academy of International Business (WAIB). Also, I extend special thanks to Nandini Lahiri of American University, Katherina Pattit of St. Thomas University, Malou Roldan of San Jose University, Richard Fletcher of the University of Western Sydney, Claudine Gaibrois of the University of St. Gallen, and Marijana Johansson of the University of Glasgow for their contribution to this inaugural issue. 
 I extend my heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to Prof. Basu Sharma, who founded JCIM 25 years ago and served as its Editor-in-Chief until passing this role to me recently. Serving as Editor-in-Chief is a time and energy consuming responsibility. Without the tenacity of Prof. Basu Sharma, JCIM would not have become the well‑established and ABDC ranked journal that it is today.
 This inaugural issue of JCIM contains six papers that focus on subjects related to Emerging Markets. These subjects vary from a new theory of the competition in Emerging Markets firms to women entrepreneurship in Emerging Countries, influence of the institutional environment on trust in Emerging Countries, Corporate Social Responsibility, marketing communication strategies in Emerging Countries, and finally, the impact of researchers’ paradigms on language-sensitive research in IB research. In this editorial article, I present these six papers by identifying their contributions and discussing the questions that they raise to inspire and enrich the conversation among International Business scholars.

Basil Glynn, The Mummy on Screen: Orientalism and Monstrosity in Horror Cinema

Basil Glynn, The Mummy on Screen: Orientalism and Monstrosity in Horror Cinema. Bloomsbury Academic, 2020. Pp. 216. ISBN: 9781350194830 Author: Rachel L. Carazo, University of Southern Mississippi & St. Thomas University ‘Unraveling’ the Cinematic History of the Mummy and ‘Bandaging’ its Marginalized Past Unwrapping mummies has sometimes been a task infused with problematic social implications, for these beings, the once-living, have caused many critics to urge scientists and historians to p...

Piers Plowman and the Reinvention of Church Law in the Late Middle Ages Arvind Thomas University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 2019, xiv + 267 pp (hardback $77) ISBN: 978-1-4875-0246-1

Piers Plowman and the Reinvention of Church Law in the Late Middle Ages Arvind Thomas University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 2019, xiv + 267 pp (hardback $77) ISBN: 978-1-4875-0246-1 - Volume 23 Issue 2

Transition Words Progression of Written Texts Made by the Second-Semester Students of the English Study Program of FKIP Saint Thomas University in Academic Year 2019/2020

This research is written to achieve an objective as follow: (1) to find out the progression of transitional in writing text has been made by the second semester of English Education Study Program in academic 2018/2019. The writer used descriptive qualitative research to give description systematically and factually about facts of a certain population. The researcher determines that the design is descriptive quantitative method because it describes the data that is taken from the sample, and the results of the data were tabulated in the form of percentage. There were 18 students (90%) agreed that transition words were used to connect the sentences. There were 20 (100%) students (90%) agreed that transition words were used to organize the sentences. There were 17 students (85%) agreed that transition words were used to remember about the topic. There were 20 (100%) students agreed that transition words were used to tell the experience, and there were 20 (100%) students agreed transition words were used to enhance the connections between facts.

Invention: The Art of Liberal Arts

Invention: The Art of Liberal Arts

Disruption of Moral Reasoning and Moral Judgment: Moral Injury and Healing Through Forgiveness

Although morality (systemic judgment of determining right or wrong), has been taught, researched and written about over the decades, society has been faced with the challenges of a questionable moral structure and a plethora of moral injuries. This paper reviews current literature and research about moral injury as well as the structure on which morality is founded. Current research shows that one of the consequences of an irreconcilable moral belief is moral injury or a soul injury, (coined by Dr. Marvin Westwood in a recent lecture at St. Thomas University), with symptoms that are similar to PTSD and other mental illnesses or disorders. By focusing on moral injury as a deep psychological and spiritual wound, forgiveness as a theological and spiritual approach, is the most effective framework to address the wound of moral injury.

Walkability; The Relationship of Walking Distance, Walking Time and Walking Speed

Walking is cheap and healthy. It is the main transportation for the majority of students exploring their daily life in their campus area. Different types of people will have various types of walking behavior. To develop a better knowledge of the walkability of built environment, it is important to understand the complexity behind walking behavior. There are many possible factors in measuring walking behavior. Walking behavior can be measured by walking speed, walking directions, walking experiences, group formation, and density. In this research paper, only three factors are going to be used to testify the descriptive study of walking behavior on the campus of UNIKA St Thomas University; which are walking distance, walking time and walking speed. The method used in this study is known as walking distance test, and the data were analyzed using the comparative approach. The findings show that walking speed, walking time and walking speed are deeply related to each other. The results of the observation study of walking behavior revealed that the condition of the campus built environment related to the density, connectivity, and land-use diversity seem to influence the amount and variety of walking activities that occur in the given environment and also affect how the walking activities conducted. The researcher concluded that walking speed, walking time and walking distance the pedestrian in campus UNIKA St.Thomas are comfortable based on the related theories.

Psychological Impact of the Non Disclosure of the Diagnostic of HIV Seropositivity among Young People between 18-35 Years Old: Marian Ngouaby Health Centre Case Mozambique

Introduction: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is still a worldwide Health Problem with great psychological impact on young and adult couples. Several studies are carried out on HIV in Mozambique on its prevalence, antiretroviral treatment among other aspects but the psychological impact of this disease is poorly studied. The study aimed to understand the psychological impact that the non-disclosure of the Seropositivity has on the marital relationship from the existing conceptions regarding HIV. Materials and methods: The study was carried at Marian Ngouaby Health Centre from January 2017 to June 2018. The Research protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Saint Thomas University of Mozambique on October 8, 2017. It was done a documentary analysis of the clinical files of the users of the Centre’s antiretroviral treatment services to identify the participants who met the inclusion criteria. After selecting the users' files with the inclusion criteria, the day on which each user had ART was written down. On the day each user had consultation, the subject of the study was explained to them and they were subjected to an interview after signing the informed consent. Results: The study included 10 users aged 18 to 35 years. Among these participants 8 were women and all of them were unemployed and 2 employed men. They had a level of education ranging from fifth grade to twelfth grade with the exception of a man who had no education at all. All the participants hadn’t disclosed their HIV status to their partners. Conclusion: It is concluded that the non-disclosure of the HIV-positive diagnostic between couples affects them causing psychological problems in the person who did not disclose his/her status, such as anxiety, blame, changes in sexual patterns, social isolation, alcohol and drug use, suicide attempt and depression, and these problems negatively interfere in the couple’s life, thus reducing the couple’s quality of life.

Relationship between anthropometric and electromyographic variables of the scapular muscles

PurposeTo determine the relationship between skinfolds and onset latency of scapular muscles in healthy young adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out at the Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory of Saint Thomas University, Talca, Chile. Overall, 36 participants between 18 and 24 years of age were selected. The axillary, pectoral, and subscapular skinfolds were measured, as well as the electromyographic onset latency of the scapular muscles (serratus anterior and trapezius) when performing a voluntary arm abduction task. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between the axillary skinfold and the lower trapezius (<i>r</i> = 0.51, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and serratus anterior (<i>r</i> = 0.53, <i>p</i> = 0.001) muscle onset latencies, and also between the subscapular skinfold and the lower trapezius (<i>r</i> = 0.38, <i>p</i> = 0.022) and serratus anterior (<i>r</i> = 0.73, <i>p</i> < 0.001) muscle onset latencies.ConclusionsDuring a voluntary abduction arm movement, a greater thickness of axillary and subscapular skinfolds is related to an increase in the lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle onset latencies.

Ensure executive search committee members understand their roles, responsibilities

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.

Ensure executive search committee members understand their roles, responsibilities

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.

Ensure executive search committee members understand their roles, responsibilities

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.

Ensure executive search committee members understand their roles, responsibilities

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.

Living Narratively: From Theory to Experience (and Back Again)

On November 3, 2011, Clive Baldwin presented the fourth annual John McKendy Memorial Lecture on Narrative at St. Thomas University. The annual lecture, sponsored by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Narrative (CIRN), is named for John McKendy, PhD, a member of the Sociology Department at St. Thomas University and one of the founding members of CIRN, who died tragically in 2008. What follows is a transcript of Dr. Baldwin’s lecture, with an accompanying film. A list of further reading follows the transcript.

Ensure executive search committee members understand their roles, responsibilities

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.

Prepare to handle challenges, opportunities, legal obligations of executive searches

CLEARWATER, FLA. — When you serve on your institution's executive search committee, you can expect to encounter plenty of challenges, opportunities, and legal obligations. So before you launch headlong into that search for a new vice president, provost, or president, you'll want to equip yourself with proven strategies. You can start by reviewing the practical guidance and lessons learned shared by John Kroger, J.D., visiting professor of law at Harvard Law School and former president of Reed College in Oregon; David A. Armstrong, J.D., president of St. Thomas University in Miami; and Bobby Colón, J.D., general counsel at the Rochester Institute of Technology. They spoke at Stetson University's National Conference on the Law & Higher Education.