Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging Relational And Institutional Accountability: A Mixed Methods Study Of Implementing Sámi Ethical Research Guidelines In Finland’S Public Health Sector, Anna Charlotta Kihlstrom

Theses and Dissertations

The Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Sámi People in Finland represent a critical step toward ethical Indigenous research; however, a gap remains between these principles and their implementation. This study responds to a research priority identified by the Sámi Social Affairs and Health Committee and examines how ethical research guidelines can be operationalized in the collaboration between the Sámi Parliament and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed, grounded in an Indigenous research paradigm and relational accountability. Extensive community engagement was carried out as a foundational part of the research methodology. …

Inorganic Arsenite [I-As (Iii)] Represses Human Renal Progenitor Cell Characteristics And Induces Neoplastic-Like Transformation, Md Ehsanul Haque

Theses and Dissertations

Studies on populations exposed to inorganic arsenic (iAs) have shown an association between this particular exposure and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, there are few studies addressing how acute exposure of the human kidney to iAs might lead to long-term alterations that might lead to CKD or RCC. This study’s hypothesis is that renal exposure to iAs might alter the renal cells responsible for the repair and regeneration of nephrons damaged by iAs exposure or other renal toxicants. The kidney possesses a minority epithelial cell population that co-express PROM1 and CD24 that …

Ten Tips Taylored For Successful Talks With Landowners In Ranching And Range Management Landscapes, Taylor J. Linder, Susan N. Ellis-Felege, Christopher J. Felege

Biology Faculty Publications

Privately owned lands offer substantial land area that have the potential to contribute greatly to wildlife conservation. However, it is dubious for private landowners to engage in such programs that have not readily accepted their input. Given the future directions of wildlife conservation and needing to heavily integrate private lands into habitat objectives to meet wildlife population standards, it will be of growing importance to consider the needs and wants of private landowners to meet production goals and simultaneously wildlife habitat goals (and not the other way around). We recognize the important methodological research that has built foundations for current …

Theoretical Circular Dichroism Spectra Of The Α-Helical Protein Calexitin With The Dipole Interaction Model Including The N-Π* Transition, Akongnwi C. Jungong, Tsvetan Aleksandrov, Rahul Nori, Justin Erickson, Kathryn A. Thomasson, Igor V. Uporov, Ethan R. Austhof, Emily Holt, Felix N. Ngassa

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Circular dichroism (CD) is an important structural biology technique used to study protein dynamics, and most especially the secondary structure of peptides and proteins. Although CD is a technique that is relatively easy to introduce to undergraduate students, the high cost of obtaining a conventional CD instrument and the time required for sample preparation prevents a good number of students from having hands-on experiments demonstrating the principle of CD. Herein, theoretical circular dichroism with the dipole interaction model, DInaMo, is proposed as a tool for introducing students to CD. Using the dipole interaction model, the CD spectra of an α-helical …

Do The Lessons From Micro-Conflict Literature Transfer To High Crime Areas?: Examining Mexico’S War On Drugs, Muhammad Nasir, Marc Rockmore, Chih Ming Tan

Economics & Finance Faculty Publications

Exposure to political violence has been found to affect behavioural parameters. The effects of high levels of criminal violence, however, are largely unknown. We examine the effects of Mexico’s war on drugs on risk aversion, mental health and pro-social behaviour. Using a nonlinear difference-in-differences (DiD) model, we find that the post 2006 surge in violence significantly increased risk aversion and reduced trust in civic institutions without any simultaneous strengthening of kinship relationships. Although the deterioration of mental health due to violence exposure has been hypothesised to explain changes in risk aversion, we find no such effect.

Species-Recognition Program: A Computer-Assisted Approach To Recognizing Species, Steve Kelsch, Jeffrey Carmichael

Biology Faculty Publications

Species recognition is a crucial component for many types of biological studies. To that end, broadly trained students must be able to accurately identify many different types of organisms. Courses that focus on learning the names of different species traditionally rely on preserved specimens viewed during class or laboratory time. Unfortunately, reliance on preserved specimens comes with many challenges in providing students with an optimal learning experience. The curriculum activity described here uses a modified PowerPoint file (species-recognition program—SRP) as a means of helping students learn to recognize and identify fishes based on subtle visual cues. Our results indicate that …

Integration Of Multispectral Camera Systems For Enhanced Visualization Biological Studies Using Uas, Subin Shahukhal

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to enhance visualization of warm-blooded animals and analyze the vegetation in which they are located using a camera system mounted on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The results are coherently displayed in a single image at the same spatial location so that biologists will have accurate animal counts along with vegetation conditions. Application of aerial imagery has been used to analyze the vegetation health and determining the number of the animals by the wildlife service. However, a major obstacle of the research is to combine the two imaging systems to obtain the same spatial image …

Improving Far-Uv Cd Prediction With The Dipole Interaction Model, Akongnwi Cheo Jungong

Theses and Dissertations

Among the physical methods available for studying protein structures, CD stands out as a property that is easy to measure yet remarkably difficult to predict theoretically. The basic principle underlying the CD of polypeptides and proteins is reasonably understood: the mixing of electronic transitions of monomer groups in the context of a chiral environment of helices gives rise to transitions that are both electronically and magnetically allowed. Despite knowledge on the fundamentals of CD, accurate theoretical prediction is still a major challenge. A better theoretical understanding of protein CD would facilitate a fuller interpretation of protein CD experiments.

Extensive theoretical …

The Impact Of Trauma On Children’S Functioning And The Utility Of The Cbcl Ptsd Profile, Nicola Ashton Herting

Theses and Dissertations

The high rates of trauma exposure among children and adolescents is a major public health concern due to the many ways trauma can adversely impact cognitive, emotional, and social development and functioning. The high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other mental health disorders translate to complex diagnostic pictures. When conducting psychological, educational, or neuropsychological evaluations it is therefore imperative that clinicians assess for trauma to accurately diagnose, but ultimately to ensure appropriate recommendations for treatment and interventions are made. Several challenges to screening and assessing PTSS among children and adolescents have prompted the identification of efficient …

Volume 52, Number 45: June 24, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Syntheses And Characterization Of Bis(Amino)Cyclodiphosphazane Complexes Of Group 4- And -15 Elements, Mathew Etang Otang

Theses and Dissertations

In the first part of this work, the interaction of sodium tert-butoxide and sulfur with Group 4 metal bis(tert-butylamido)cyclodiphosph(III)azanes dichlorides, {[tBuNP)2tBuN)2]MCl2}, where M is Zr or Hf, is reported. The reaction of two equivalents of NaOtBu with {[tBuNP)2tBuN)2]MCl2}, M = Zr, Hf, resulted in the isolation of the first metal alkoxide complexes {[tBuNP)2tBuN)2]M(OtBu)2}, 35 (M =Zr) and 36 (M = Hf) of cyclodiphosphazanes. The oxidation of compounds 35 and 36 with elemental sulfur yielded {[tBuNP=S)2tBuN)2]M(OtBu)2}, 37 (M = Zr) and 38 (M = Hf), respectively. Similarly, the oxidation of {[tBuNP)2tBuN)2]MCl2}, M = Zr, Hf, with elemental sulfur led to the …

A Novel Assembly Algorithm That Optimizes For Rna-Seq Data, Yi Yang

Theses and Dissertations

The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has shown unprecedented promise for accurately identifying and quantifying genomic variants for living organisms. For species whose genome sequences are unknown, the first step of RNA sequencing data analysis is to assemble all short reads. The de Bruijn graph-based algorithms, such as Oases, are usually used for short reads assembly to resolve the issue of computational complexity. However, de Bruijn graph-based assemblers normally generate high error rates when assembling RNA-Seq data. We have developed a novel assembly algorithm that can be used jointly with any other assembly methods for RNA-Seq short reads. The …

Part I: An Approach To The Synthesis Of Plakortethers A-E Part Ii: Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular C-H Insertion On Diazosulfonates And Its Synthetic Applications, Duminda Shiromalee Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

This research work consists of two independent studies. The first study is the development of a synthetic route to plakortethers A-E along with possible derivatives. The second study focuses on the synthetic applications of rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion on diazosulfonates.

Plakortethers (A-G) represent a set of marine natural products, which contain of a characteristic tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofuran fragment. This group of compounds was isolated from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis simplex. Their selective cytotoxic activity against the RAW 264-7 cell lines (murine macrophage) makes them promising candidates for biological studies and, along with their unusual structure, warrants the synthesis of these natural …

Silica Nanomatrix Effect On The Properties Of Encapsulated Molecules And Silica-Metal Nanoparticles For Bioapplications, Song Liang

Theses and Dissertations

Dye-doped silica nanoparticles (DDSNs) are one of the most popular fluorescent nanomaterials in bioapplications. The first chapter of this dissertation provides an overview of the DDSNs including general fabrication methods, unique properties, and current challenges. In the following three chapters, this dissertation is focused on two challenging areas of DDSN studies. One is the fundamental properties of dye molecules in the DDSNs, and the other is the design of new multifunctional DDSNs for bioapplications. In the first area, the effect of silica nanomatrix on the properties of doped molecules was investigated. Two important molecular properties were covered including the reaction …

Studies In Organic Synthesis: Part I: Total Synthesis Of Plakortethers F And G Part Ii: Carbon-Hydrogen Insertion On Diazosulfones And Diazosulfonates, Jinu Philip John

Theses and Dissertations

This work consists of two independent studies. The first part of the dissertation focuses on the total synthesis of two marine based natural products, Plakortether F and G which represent a class of non-peroxide derivatives of Plakortin related metabolites that are isolated from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis simplex. The selective cytotoxic activity of Plakortethers against the RAW 264-7 cell line (murine macrophage) makes them promising candidates for biological studies. A strategy utilizing desymmetrization of a C2 symmetric intermediate was proposed and demonstrated to be effective for the synthesis of the core of Plakortethers. Initially, the symmetric intermediate could only be …

An Approach To The Synthesis Of Plakortethers A-E, Duminda Shiromalee Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Volume 48, Number 3: September 08, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

On The Nexus Of Socialism And Evolution, Allison Grace Krause

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Cortisol Response Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurers Versus Non-Self-Injurers Exposed To A Social Rejection Laboratory Stressor, Patrick L. Kerr

Theses and Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSI) represents a growing area of concern in a variety of clinical settings, yet remains a poorly understood phenomenon. An influx of research on the functions of NSI over the past decade has suggested a biopsychosocial emotional regulation model of this behavior. This model proposes that self-injurers engage in NSI to reduce negative emotions, and presupposes that self-injurers are characterized by emotional dysregulation. The present study evaluated the biological component of this model by assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPAA) functioning in a group of self-injurers(n=26) and non-injuring healthy controls (n=28). HPAA functioning was assessed via measuring salivary cortisol levels …

The Design And Synthesis Of Zinc(Ii) Ion Fluorescence Sensors, Julius Ngunde Ngwendson

Theses and Dissertations

This work is a study of a new class of aromatic amines as fluorescent zinc sensors. N-(Carboxymethyl)-N-[3-[(carboxymethyl)amino]-2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl]glycinate exhibits more than 20-fold fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Zn(II) ions when excited at 300 nm. This compound shows a fluorescence emission at 390 nm, which in the presence of Zn(II) ion exhibits a 20 nm emission blue shift. The tetraacetate version, potassium N,N'-(2-methoxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis[ N-(carboxymethyl)]glycinate, exhibits a 7-fold sensitivity to Zn(II) ion, and there is no emission band shift observed. Investigations point to the methoxy group for the ratiometric behavior and increased sensitivity to zinc. The diacetate versions—sodium N-(carboxymethyl)- N-(2-methoxyphenyl)glycinate, sodium N,N'-(2-methoxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bisglycinate …

History Of The Department Of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, Gene A. Homandberg

UND Departmental Histories

This departmental history was written on the occasion of the UND Quasquicentennial in 2008.

A History Of The Biology Department, Omer R. Larson

UND Departmental Histories

This departmental history was written on the occasion of the UND Quasquicentennial in 2008.

Syntheses And Characterizations Of Diazaphosphasiletidines, Diazasilastibetidines, And Their Metal Complexes, Brian K. Wegley

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment For Depression In Native American Middle-School Students, Lori B. Listug-Lunde

Theses and Dissertations

Depression and suicide are serious conditions among Native American adolescents. Despite the need for effective treatment approaches in this population, there continues to be a dearth of empirical research in this area. Intervention studies examining Native American adults at risk for depression and Native American youth at risk for suicide have found effectiveness utilizing group skill-based interventions. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy has demonstrated effectiveness among Caucasian adolescents; however, its effectiveness has never been examined with Native American youth experiencing depressive symptoms.

The current study modified, implemented, and evaluated a cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression among Native American middle-school students. A modification of …

Volume 41, Number 38: May 28, 2004, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Characterizing A Rapid Extraction Apparatus For The Removal Of Vocs From Aqueous Samples And Interfacing It With Fast Analysis Systems Such As The Aromatic Specific Laser Ionization Detector., Melissa Jean Meyer

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an important analytical task because of the prevalence of these compounds and the detriment they pose to the environment and human health. There are many improvements that are possible in the extraction and detection steps of these analytes. This dissertation will focus on these improvements. In particular, an extraction apparatus was developed in our laboratory for the removal of VOCs from aqueous samples in less than one minute. Also, a detector that is highly selective for aromatic VOCs will be discussed in detail.

Extraction of VOCs from aqueous samples into the gas phase …

Synthetic And Computational Studies On Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives, Nucleoside Analogs And Peptides, Felix Nyuangem Ngassa

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the understanding of the structure and functions of biological macromolecules has advanced rapidly, the result of which is a better mechanistic understanding of many biological processes. As an outgrowth of this understanding, organic molecules that react with biological macromolecules (DNA) or adopt conformations responsible for specific functions in biological macromolecules (peptides and proteins) have been synthesized and computational modeling studies performed. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and β-peptides are among synthetic organic compounds known to interact with natural biological macromolecules. This interaction may affect the specific biological functions of the biomacromolecules. A variety of synthetic methodologies have been …

Volume 39, Number 28: March 15, 2002, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 39, Number 20: January 18, 2002, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 39, Number 13: November 23, 2001, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.