Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Effects Of Nucleopore Defects On The Cellular Response To Stress In Als/Ftd Ipsc-Derived Neurons, Alicia Christine Collins

Open Access Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease spectrum characterized by motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and death within a few years of clinical onset. Hallmark features of ALS/FTD include defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) and abnormal cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43, both of which have been shown to be exasperated by oxidative stress (OS). It remains unclear how these processes are connected and how they collectively contribute to neurodegeneration. To fill this gap of knowledge, we used human embryonic kidney cells, neuroblastoma cells, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons harboring the ALS/FTD C9ORF72 …

Using An Ecological And Cultural Lens To Examine The 1st Year Persistence And Science Identity Development Of At-Risk Biology Students Experiencing Multiple Equity-Minded High Impact Practices, Aura Fajardo Grandidge

Open Access Dissertations

In this study, I used an ecological and a cultural perspective to examine the first-year experiences of two cohorts of biology students exposed to multiple equity-minded High Impact Practices (HIPs) designed to promote their persistence and science identity development.

In chapter 1, I applied Graham et al.’s Persistence Framework (2013) and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1977) to investigate the bridges and barriers to persistence that biology students face while experiencing either an equity minded learning community, a first-year seminar, a course-based research experience, and/or an active learning introductory biology course. Using a mixed methods approach that focused on phenomenology, I …

An Investigation Of Alkb-Family Dna Repair Enzymes And Their Interaction With Synthetic, Modified Oligonucleotides, Samuel Dean Howarth

Open Access Dissertations

Chapter One will detail the synthesis, purification, and characterization of DNA oligonucleotides containing one of fifteen modified nucleic acid bases. For each modification, relevant background information is provided to highlight its biological significance. This chapter primarily focuses on the development of oligonucleotide stocks for use in future biochemical and cellular assays. Several of these modifications are recognized substrates of AlkB-family enzymes, while others remain uncharacterized as potential substrates.^1-4 The discovery of novel substrates for AlkB-family enzymes can be facilitated through comprehensive in vitro biochemical assays, contingent upon the availability of well-characterized substrate stocks. The methods and findings presented here …

Comparative Analysis Of Smartwatch Data In Children With Adhd And Non-Adhd, Friederike Hicking

Open Access Master's Theses

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which often lead to significant challenges in academic and social settings. Diagnostic methods for ADHD rely on subjective assessments which are prone to bias. Researchers have explored technology-based objective assessment methods to help diagnose ADHD. In particular, this thesis investigates behavioral differences between children with ADHD and neurotypical children (6-11 years old) using smartwatch data collected from both hands during various classroom-like activities including drawing, math and English worksheets, and magnetic tiles puzzles. The primary objective is to identify distinct behavioral patterns to enhance …

Classification Models For Predicting Mouse Spinal Motoneuron Physiological Type Based On Their Electrical Properties, Reuben Mawuena Kwadzo Ahorklo

Open Access Master's Theses

Accurate prediction of mouse spinal motoneuron physiological types based on electrical properties faces challenges due to missing data and imbalanced class distributions. Technical difficulties, physiological variations, and experimental issues contribute to data gaps in electrophysiological recordings. Imbalanced class distributions arise from the rarity of certain motoneuron types. The resulting risk of biased or unreliable classification models hampers their utility in motor control studies. Thus, we claim that the electrical properties of mouse spinal motoneurons can be accurately predicted and classified based on specific, measurable features.

This study focuses on two classification models, a multinomial logistic regression (MLM) and a Random …

Democratic Belonging As Informed Citizenry - Empowering Faculty To Empower Learners Via Information Literacy, Anna Santucci, Amanda K. Izenstark, Mary C. Macdonald

Public Services Faculty Presentations

Presentation at the AAC&U 2022 Annual Meeting as a Pre-Meeting Workshop.

Responsible citizens need the agility to navigate a changing information landscape. Intentionally designing learning experiences that integrate accessible Information Literacy (IL) skills for all students is a crucial step towards educational justice, a paramount responsibility in the democratic mission of our institutions. With this goal, the University of Rhode Island’s Office for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning has partnered with instruction librarians since 2018 in developing and facilitating a High Impact Teaching Seminar for faculty. Participants will learn about the seminar’s theoretical framework, impact and structure, engage in …

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Estimation Of Combined Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Capacity And O2 Diffusion Capacity In Humans, Andrea M. Pilotto, Alessandra Adami, Raffaele Mazzolari, Lorenza Brocca, Emanuela Crea, Lucrezia Zuccarelli, Maria A. Pellegrino, Roberto Bottinelli, Bruno Grassi, Harry B. Rossiter, Simone Porcelli

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

The final steps of the O2 cascade during exercise depend on the product of the microvascular-tointramyocyte PO2 difference and muscle O2 diffusing capacity (DmO2). Non-invasive methods to determine DmO2 in humans are currently unavailable. Muscle oxygen uptake (mVO2) recovery rate constant (k), measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using intermittent arterial occlusions, is associated with muscle oxidative capacity in vivo. We reasoned that k would be limited by DmO2 when muscle oxygenation is low (kLOW), and hypothesized that: i) k in well-oxygenated muscle (kHIGH) is associated with maximal O2 flux in fiber bundles; and ii) Δk (kHIGH-kLOW) is associated with capillary …

Overstraining Human Nature In The Nicomachean Ethics, Douglass Reed

Philosophy Faculty Publications

In this paper, I investigate Aristotle’s claim in Nicomachean Ethics III.1 about situations that “overstrain human nature.” By setting out and answering several interpretative questions about such situations, I offer a comprehensive interpretation of this passage. I argue that in (at least some of) these cases, the agent voluntarily does something wrong, even though there is a right action available. Furthermore, I argue that Aristotle would think it is possible for a rare agent to perform the right action in (at least some of) these cases, overcoming the limitations of human nature by identifying with the divine part of the …

A Review Of Contemporary Techniques For Measuring Ergonomic Wear Comfort Of Protective And Sport Clothing, Yetanawork Teyeme, Benny Malengier, Tamrat Tesfaye, Izabela Ciesielska-Wrobel, Atiyyah Binti Haji Musa, Lieva Van Langenhove

Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Faculty Publications

Protective and sport clothing is governed by protection requirements, performance, and comfort of the user. The comfort and impact performance of protective and sport clothing are typically subjectively measured, and this is a multifactorial and dynamic process. The aim of this review paper is to review the contemporary methodologies and approaches for measuring ergonomic wear comfort, including objective and subjective techniques. Special emphasis is given to the discussion of different methods, such as objective techniques, subjective techniques, and a combination of techniques, as well as a new biomechanical approach called modeling of skin. Literature indicates that there are four main …

Influence Of Sex On Lower Limb Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Capacity And Muscle Diffusion In Endurance Trained Individuals, Lotte Black

Open Access Master's Theses

Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive methodology that allows in vivo measurement of the skeletal muscle tissue metabolism. Recently, a novel, of short duration, NIRS-based approach, based on a brief set of muscle contractions followed by a series of repeated intermittent arterial occlusions, has been validated to determine the skeletal muscle oxygen consumption (mV̇ O₂) recovery rate constant (k, min^-1), which is proportional to the muscle oxidative capacity. However, since its relatively recent introduction, the validity of this approach in investigating the difference in lower limb muscle oxidative capacity between female and male …

Avian Bornaviral Ganglioneuritis: Current Debates And Unanswered Questions, Susan Boatright-Horowitz

Psychology Faculty Publications

Avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis, often referred to as parrot wasting disease, is associated with a newly discovered avian virus from the taxonomic family Bornaviridae. Research regarding the pathogenesis and treatment for this disease is ongoing, with implications for understanding other emerging human and nonhuman diseases, as well as the health and ecology of wildlife. At this time, numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the transmission of the disease, best practices for diagnostic sampling and testing, and whether currently used drug therapies are effective or harmful for afflicted birds. The pathogenesis of the disease also remains unclear with many birds showing resistance to …

The Impact Of A Curricular Change On Undergraduate Human Anatomy And Physiology Students’ Academic Behavior And Performance, Jessica A. Adams

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation explores learning in context. Undergraduate introductory human anatomy and human physiology courses are either taught as discipline-specific or integrated anatomy and physiology (A&P) sequences. These courses are critically important to future health care professionals yet a consensus is lacking on the optimal course approach. Our institution underwent a curricular revision to change pedagogical methodologies from discipline-specific human anatomy and human physiology to an integrated A&P I and II sequence. Thus, providing a unique opportunity to study the potential impact of contextual learning. Specifically, over three years the effects integrating physiological concepts had on anatomy education were explored as …

Curriculum And Standards Committee Report No. #2019-20-2 (Courses), University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curriculum And Standards Committee Report No. #2019-20-2 (Courses), University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Report No. 2018-19-12 From The Graduate Council To The Faculty Senate: Curricular Changes, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curriculum And Standards Committee Report #2018-19-7 (Courses), University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Report No. 2017-18-9 From The Graduate Council To The Faculty Senate: Curricular Changes, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Report No. 2017-18-9 From The Graduate Council To The Faculty Senate: Curricular Changes, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Report No. 2017-18-7 From The Graduate Council To The Faculty Senate: Curricular Changes, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Curricular Report No. 2017-18-7 From The Graduate Council To The Faculty Senate: Curricular Changes, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Virtual Environments For The Induction Of Action, Brian Adrian Flowers

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation is a study on the ways in which Virtual Reality can actively and reactively affect human physiology. The first manuscript describes the design of a highly generalized Virtual Reality biofeedback system. This system was developed such that, given proper design, it would be able to provide users with a highly responsive Virtual Environment to meet the criteria of embodiment, which will increase the user's responsiveness to stimuli. The system also functions as a biofeedback system that can be used for biomechanical as well as physiological feedback by using a generalized design paradigm.

The second manuscript describes a biofeedback …

Treating Outer Space Like A Place: A Case For Rejecting Other Domain Analogies, Elizabeth Mendenhall

Marine Affairs Faculty Publications

The creation and augmentation of the outer space governance regime during the twentieth century was guided by the use of analogies with other planetary domains. These analogies compare the “target” domain of outer space with various “source” domains, especially airspace, the seabed, the high seas, and Antarctica. These analogies, highlighted at different times to provide guidance on the regulation of existing and emerging space activities, shaped the fundamental principles and rules of the Outer Space Treaty. A survey of contemporary literature demonstrates that analogies continue to be used to structure thinking about outer space activities. This paper argues that such …

The Five Hundred And Thirty-Eighth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee: Program Changes., University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

The Five Hundred And Thirty-Seventh Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee: Program Changes., University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Momentum: Research & Innovation For Spring 2016, University Of Rhode Island

Publications (Research and Economic Development)

The Spring 2016 issue of Momentum: Research & Innovation, a periodical focused on research at the University of Rhode Island.

A Novel Magnetics And Imu Based Design For Untethered And Hands-Free Human Computer Interaction, Stephen J. Norris

Open Access Master's Theses

The current status of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) stands to develop greatly, with many new technologies offering promising new methods interacting with a computer. The goal of this project is to develop a novel device that is compatible with desktop style point-and-click interfaces designed for mice but has the unique advantages of being 'Untethered' and 'Hands-free'. The use of Electromyography (EMG) and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) was initially investigated, leading to an alternative design utilizing a series of small Hall Effect sensors and corresponding magnet(s). The cursor response was identified as the most important factor to ease of use, …

Cell Capacitance Estimation And Detection, Stephen A. Sladen

Open Access Master's Theses

The aim of this thesis is to examine the behavior of the electrical properties such as the resistance and capacitance of the cell membrane. During specific biological processes, the electrical properties of the membrane can yield useful data which can be further exploited to study these phenomenons. Using simulations, an accurate model of the cell membrane was built based on a three-element analog electrical circuit. Presented in this thesis are several signal processing algorithms which are used to either estimate the parameter values of the model or detect the presence of a vesicle activity.

The estimation is achieved with least-squares …

Curricular Affairs Committee Report #511 Appendix C, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Committee Reports and Appendices

No abstract provided.

Model-Based 3-D Reconstruction Of Transparent Objects From A Single Image, Wiehrs Lewis Collier

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation describes an interdisciplinary research project that spans computer-vision, imaging of biological nanoparticles via cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-tem), and bio-informatics / proteomics. This research introduces a new method for reconstructing individual biological particles imaged via cryo-tem with typical accuracies of 88% to 98%. This individual particle reconstruction (IPR) technique is based on a hidden Markov model derived from the underlying biological structure. The processing presented in this dissertation reconstructs each individual particle from a single image, which is in contrast to current approaches that can require tens of thousands of images to create an ensemble representation …

Inner-Peace And Physical Health: Peace Of Mind And Physical Health Among Rhode Island Older Adults, Thupten Tendhar

Open Access Master's Theses

The number of older adults increases globally year after year at an unprecedented rate, and so does their healthcare expenditure. This trend is similar in Rhode Island. The proportion of older adults relative to the general population is rising sharply in this smallest state in the US. The quality of later life and well-being of the older adults remains questionable for many, due to the increasing chronic disease burden associated with advanced age.

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between inner-peace and physical health, with the aim of developing a clearer picture to improve the health …