Digital Commons Network^™

Innovation Of Petrophysical And Geomechanical Experiment Methodologies: The Application Of 3d Printing Technology, Lingyun Kong

Theses and Dissertations

The petrophysical and geomechanical properties of rocks link the geology origin with engineering practice, which serves as the fundamental of various disciplinaries associated with subsurface porous media, including civil engineering, underground water, geological exploration, and petroleum engineering. The research methodologies can be mainly divided into three aspects: theoretical modelling, numerical simulation, and experiments, in which the last approach plays a critical role that can support, validate, calibrate, or even refute a hypothesis. Only replying on repeatable trials and consolidate analysis of precise results can the experiments be successful and convincing, though uncertainties, due to multiple factors, need to be scrutinized …

Enhancing Liquid And Gas Separation With Activated Carbon Mixed-Matrix Membranes, Jeremy Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Mixed matrix membranes are one class of membrane material that are an especially promising separation media. By adding a particle phase to a matrix phase, multiple mechanistic pathways become available that are not present in pristine organic or inorganic membranes. These pathways can be exploited to better enhance separation performance for a variety of applications.

This research has focused on a specific mixed matrix membrane, which contains bio-derived activated carbon particles in a polysulfone matrix. In proper selection of activating agent, this research has shown that the surface functional groups of the activated carbon are highly influenced. This can lead …

Reproductive Strategies Of Common Eiders (Somateria Mollissima), Samuel Donald Hervey

Theses and Dissertations

Many reproductive strategies exist all with the same goal to maximize fitness. Because reproductive strategies affect fitness directly, there is interest to understand how they are utilized within a population. The two main strategies we focus on for this work related to Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) are the utilization of conspecific brood parasitism as an alternative tactic beyond simply nesting and their ability to shift timing of breeding to align young with the best opportunity for survival. To accomplish studying our two reproductive strategies we monitored the Mast and WaWao Common Eider colonies located within Wapusk National Park, Manitoba. Our …

Inflammation Is A Common Factor Between Central And Peripheral Neurodegeneration, Brett Anthony Mcgregor

Theses and Dissertations

The studies in this dissertation investigate neurodegenerative conditions of the central and peripheral nervous system utilizing bioinformatics and systems biology approaches. Various neurodegenerative conditions are associated with neuroinflammation or the inflammation of nervous tissue. We utilized Parkinson’s disease as our system for neuroinflammation in the central nervous system and diabetic peripheral neuropathy for the peripheral nervous system. Parkinson’s disease is associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and consequent loss of dopamine signaling in the striatum of the central nervous system. Characteristics of Parkinson’s Disease include symptoms such as shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, difficulty walking, dementia, …

Synthesis Of Biodegradable Star-Shaped Polymers Using Bio-Based Polyols Via Ring-Opening Polymerization Of Β-Butyrolactone With Amido-Oxazolinate Zinc Catalysts, Rawan Omar

Theses and Dissertations

A new series of star-shaped and highly branched poly(β-hydroxybutyrates) (PHBs) with a distinct structure was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of β-butyrolactone (BBL) with amido-oxazolinate zinc catalysts. The ROP of BBL using multifunctional hydroxyl-terminated initiators is an efficient methodology that allowed the preparation of PHBs with not only well-controlled molecular weights (Mn) and narrow dispersity (Đ), but also well-defined end-functional groups. Furthermore, the modifications of star-shaped and highly branched PHBs resulted in various architectures with tailored properties for many applications particularly for the biomedical field. Star-shaped structure is constructed via a core-first approach, in which the multi-functional alcohols will serve …

The Effects Of Psychotropic Medications On Developing Brains, Abass Jafuneh

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Treatment Challenges Of Delusional Disorders, Amanda Mikhaeil

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Synthetic Cannabinoid-Induced Psychosis, Kenna Kennedy

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Psychostimulants And Psychosis, Cherri L. Runde

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Urothelial Cell Line Urotsa Transformed By Arsenite And Cadmium Display Basal Characteristics Associated With Muscle Invasive Urothelial Cancers, Zachary E. Hoggarth, Danyelle B. Osowski, Brooke A. Freeberg, Scott H. Garrett, Mary Ann Sens, Xudong Zhou, Ke K. Zhang, Seema Somji

Pathology Faculty Publications

Muscle invasive urothelial carcinomas are divided into various molecular subtypes with basal and luminal subtypes being the prominent ones. The basal muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas are generally more aggressive at presentation and significantly enriched with squamous features. Our laboratory has developed an in-vitro model of urothelial cancer by transforming the immortalized cell line UROtsa with arsenite (As3+) and cadmium (Cd2+). In this study, we characterized the tumors formed by these transformed cell lines as more basal-like based on their gene expression patterns with increased expression of KRT1, KRT5, KRT6, KRT14, KRT16, KRT17 and CD44. In addition, histological examination of these tumor …

New Treatment Options For Tardive Dyskinesia, Haron N. Manwa

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Use Of Antipsychotic And Mood Stabilizing Medication In Pregnancy, Elizabeth Ann Murphy

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Winter Commencement: December 13-14, 2018, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Winter Commencement program from December 13-14, 2018.

Carbohydrate Extraction From The Chorella Vulgaris Microalgae Strain, William Hammann, Wayne Seames, Andrew Ross

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

The cultivation and exploitation of microalgae biomass as a source of renewable fuels and other chemicals has been an active area of research due to microalgae’s high productivity and the relatively high concentrations of valuable intracellular components, like lipids (fatty acid-based oils), proteins, and polysaccharides. Commercialization of this technology will help mitigate global climate change by reducing fossil-derived products by producing analog renewable fuels and chemicals. Traditionally, the main focus of microalgae-based fuels/chemicals research and development has been on the lipids that many strains generate, but current research shows that solely recovering the oils may not be cost competitive with …

Re-Describing Surface Roughness, Vincent Wagner

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

The purpose of this project is to explore a non-traditional method of identifying and describing variance in data. The original goal was to provide a more useful description of surface roughness for use in calculating pressure loss due to pipe friction in the oil and gas industry. This approach uses simple trigonometric calculations to capture more information about the point to point variance of a given data set, as well as information related to the ratio of measured length vs total contact length. This method utilizes steps similar to the bootstrap method in statistics, however, rather than sampling a data …

Modeling The Spread Of Disease, James Hollister

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

Mathematically modeling the spread of disease in a population is a focus among epidemiologists. Using an SIR model (susceptible, infected, and recovered), we can create a system of differential equations to help better understand how a disease spreads in a simple environment. However, if we are to create a more realistic environment, computer simulations may be necessary. We can use the results from these simulations to try and find ways to eradicate the disease as efficiently as possible. In this poster, we will present the SIR model, present a system of differential equations that describe the movement of disease in …

Habitat Suitability Analysis For Mountain Lions (Puma Concolor) Recolonization/ Reintroduction In Minnesota, Mbongowo J. Mbuh, Neil Vruno

Geography & Geographic Information Science Faculty Publications

The mountain lion range once extended throughout the state of Minnesota. The breeding population has been greatly reduced with time, new roads, and timber harvesting, which have broken large tracts of contiguous forest into isolated patches that are too small and no longer suitable for the breeding mountain lion population. The objective of this study is to use suitability analysis to determine the most suitable habitat to conserve mountain lion populations threatened by habitat fragmentation. To attain our objective, we created three sub models that contribute to the overarching goal of the suitability model. A habitat sub model was developed …

Und Today: December 2018, University Of North Dakota

UND Today Archive

No abstract provided.

A Brief Review Of Mueller Matrix Calculations Associated With Oceanic Particles, Bingqiang Sun, George W. Kattawar, Ping Yang, Xiaodong Zhang

Earth System Science and Policy Faculty Publications

The complete Stokes vector contains much more information than the radiance of light for the remote sensing of the ocean. Unlike the conventional radiance-only radiative transfer simulations, a full Mueller matrix-Stokes vector treatment provides a rigorous and correct approach for solving the transfer of radiation in a scattering medium, such as the atmosphere-ocean system. In fact, radiative transfer simulation without considering the polarization state always gives incorrect results and the extent of the errors induced depends on a particular application being considered. However, the rigorous approach that fully takes the polarization state into account requires the knowledge of the complete …

Motivations And Satisfaction Of North Dakota Deer Hunters During A Temporal Decline In Deer Populations, Kristen E. Black, William F. Jensen, Robert Newman, Jason Boulanger

Biology Faculty Publications

Achieving state wildlife agency biological goals for deer (Odocoileus spp.) management may often conflict with hunter desires. Concomitantly, better information is needed to optimize agency deer herd management goals with hunters’ social goals. In 2016, we surveyed 3,000 North Dakota, USA, resident deer hunters using a self-administered mail survey to gain a better understanding of motivations, satisfaction, and hunter demographics that may be used to inform hunter recruitment and retention (HRR) efforts during a period of reduced statewide deer populations. With deer-gun license availability strictly limited, we explored the possibility that some gun hunters may have been engaging …

Volume 56, Number 16: November 28, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 56, Number 15: November 21, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 56, Number 14: November 14, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Ketamine: An Underutilized Response To Treatment Resistant Depression, Courtney Naastad

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Und Today: November 2018, University Of North Dakota

UND Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Tumor Metabolic Microenvironment On Regulatory T Cells, Yi-An Wang, Xiao-Ling Li, Yong-Zhen Mo, Chun-Mei Fan, Le Tang, Fang Xiong, Can Guo, Bo Xiang, Ming Zhou, Jian Ma, Xi Huang, Xu Wu, Yong Li, Gui-Yuan Li, Zhao-Yang Zeng, Wei Xiong

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Recent studies have shown that on one hand, tumors need to obtain a sufficient energy supply, and on the other hand they must evade the body’s immune surveillance. Because of their metabolic reprogramming characteristics, tumors can modify the physicochemical properties of the microenvironment, which in turn affects the biological characteristics of the cells infiltrating them. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells that regulate immune responses in the body. They exist in large quantities in the tumor microenvironment and exert immunosuppressive effects. The main effect of tumor microenvironment on Tregs is to promote their differentiation, proliferation, secretion …

Volume 56, Number 12: October 31, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 56, Number 11: October 24, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 56, Number 9: October 10, 2018, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Long Noncoding Rna Afap1-As1 Acts As A Competing Endogenous Rna Of Mir-423-5p To Facilitate Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Metastasis Through Regulating The Rho/Rac Pathway, Yu Lian, Fang Xiong, Liting Yang, Hao Bo, Zhaojian Gong, Yumin Wang, Fang Wei, Yanyan Tang, Xiayu Li, Qianjin Liao, Hui Wang, Ming Zhou, Bo Xiang, Xu Wu, Yong Li, Xiaoling Li, Xiang Chen, Guiyuan Li, Can Guo, Zhaoyang Zeng, Wei Xiong

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Background: Actin filament-associated protein 1 antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1), a long noncoding RNA, is significantly highly expressed and associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in many cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we aim to identify the role of AFAP1-AS1 acting as an oncogenic lncRNA to promote NPC metastasis.

Methods: The role of AFAP1-AS1, miR-423-5p, and FOSL2 in NPC metastasis was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase activity assays were used to identify the interaction between AFAP1-AS1, miR-423- 5p, and FOSL2. Additionally, real-time PCR and western blotting were used to assess the …