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Mechanisms Of Division Site Selection And Role Of The Atp-Dependent Protease Clpxp In Mind Regulation And Proteostasis In E. Coli, Christopher James Labreck

Open Access Dissertations

Cell division in Escherichia coli depends on mechanisms to spatially and temporally regulate selection of the division site. In dividing cells, the Z-ring, composed of linear polymers of FtsZ, assembles at the site of septation. For division to yield two identical progeny, the septum must form at the longitudinal cell center, also known as midcell. Septation at locations other than midcell results in uneven division and gives rise to daughter cells with chromosome abnormalities and functional defects, which may arise from chromosome severing or impaired chromosome segregation. Therefore, an organism's overall viability necessitates cellular strategies that ensure correct placement of …

The Brown Macroalga Colpomenia Peregrina (Sauvageau, 1927) Reaches Rhode Island, Usa, Lindsay A. Green-Gavrielidis, Niels-Viggo Hobbs, Carol S. Thornber

Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications

Introduced, or nonnative, marine species are a threat to local biodiversity, disrupt marine industries, and can have negative effects on coastal communities. Colpomenia peregrina (Sauvageau, 1927) is one of the most successful brown algal invaders in the world. Originating from the Northwest Pacific, Colpomenia peregrina was first collected in the Northwest Atlantic in Nova Scotia, Canada in the 1960s. Since then populations of C. peregrina have been discovered at 57 sites ranging from Grand Barachois Lagoon, Saint Pierre and Miquelon to South Wellfleet, MA, USA. The spread of Colpomenia peregrina can be attributed to its broad tolerance to environmental conditions, …

Multi-Antigen Vaccination With Simultaneous Engagement Of The Ox40 Receptor Delays Malignant Mesothelioma Growth And Increases Survival In Animal Models, Peter R. Hoffmann, Fukun W. Hoffmann, Thomas A. Premeaux, Tsuyoshi Fujita, Elisa Soprana, Maddalena Panigada, Glen M. Chew, Guilhem Richard, Pooja Hindocha, Mark Menor, Vedbar S. Khadka, Youping Deng, Leonard Moise, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, Antonio Siccardi, Andrew D. Weinberg, Anne S. De Groot, Pietro Bertino

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare and highly aggressive cancer that develops from mesothelial cells lining the pleura and other internal cavities, and is often associated with asbestos exposure. To date, no effective treatments have been made available for this pathology. Herein, we propose a novel immunotherapeutic approach based on a unique vaccine targeting a series of antigens that we found expressed in different MM tumors, but largely undetectable in normal tissues. This vaccine, that we term p-Tvax, is comprised of a series of immunogenic peptides presented by both MHC-I and -II to generate robust immune responses. The peptides were …

Promiscuous Coxiella Burnetii Cd4 Epitope Clusters Associated With Human Recall Responses Are Candidates For A Novel T-Cell Targeted Multi-Epitope Q Fever Vaccine, Anja Scholzen, Guilhem Richard, Leonard Moise, Laurie A. Baeten, Patrick M. Reeves, William D. Martin, Timothy A. Brauns, Christine M. Boyle, Susan Raju Paul, Richard Bucala, Richard A. Bowen, Anja Garritsen, Anne S. De Groot, Ann E. Sluder, Mark C. Poznansky

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium transmitted via aerosol. Regulatory approval of the Australian whole-cell vaccine Q-VAX^® in the US and Europe is hindered by reactogenicity in previously exposed individuals. The aim of this study was to identify and rationally select C. burnetii epitopes for design of a safe, effective, and less reactogenic T-cell targeted human Q fever vaccine. Immunoinformatic methods were used to predict 65 HLA class I epitopes and 50 promiscuous HLA class II C. burnetii epitope clusters, which are conserved across strains of C. burnetii. HLA binding …

Growth Characteristics Of Newly Isolated Indonesian Microalgae Under Different Salinity, Wa Iba, Michael A. Rice, Lucie Maranda, Gary H. Wikfors

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth characteristics of microalgae strains isolated from Kendari Bay and the Wanggu River estuary, Indonesia. The growth of the isolates, denoted as Kb1-2, Kb1-3, Kb1-5, and Kb2-6, were evaluated under controlled conditions. A batch culture experiment of these strains except Kb2-6 was conducted for 15 days under salinity levels of 20, 25, 30 and 35 gL-1. Tetraselmis chui, Tisochrysis lutea and Chaetocero sneogracile were also culture and used as the growth references. Cell density was measured every day and cell size was measured from 50 live cells during the logarithmic …

Determining The Amsr-E Sst Footprint From Co-Located Modis Ssts, Brahim Boussidi, Peter Cornillon, Gavino Puggioni, Chelle Gentemann

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

This study was undertaken to derive and analyze the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer - EOS (AMSR-E) sea surface temperature (SST) footprint associated with the Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) Level-2 (L2) product. The footprint, in this case, is characterized by the weight attributed to each 4x4 km square contributing to the SST value of a given AMSR-E pixel. High-resolution L2 SST fields obtained from the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), carried on the same spacecraft as AMSR-E, are used as the sub-resolution “ground truth“ from which the AMSR-E footprint is determined. Mathematically, the approach is equivalent to a linear inversion problem, and …

A Mindful Model Of Sexual Health: A Review And Implications Of The Model For The Treatment Of Individuals With Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder, Gretchen R. Blycker, Marc N. Potenza

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Background and aims: Mindfulness-based approaches, derived from centuries of eastern philosophy and practice, have been increasingly incorporated into western medicine. For example, data support the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapies to reduce stress and promote mental health. Methods: In this study, we briefly review models and approaches to sexual health in the context of considering compulsive sexual behavior disorder, describe mindfulness-based approaches to stress, addiction, and compulsive sexual behaviors, and present a Mindful Model of Sexual Health (MMSH) that incorporates elements of eastern and western philosophies. We further illustrate the clinical utility of the MMSH in a clinical case …

Performance Of Riverbank Filtration Under Hydrogeologic Conditions Along The Upper Krishna River In Southern India, Thomas B. Boving, K. Patil, F. D’Souza, S. F. Barker, S. L. Mcguinness, J. O’Toole, M. Sinclair, A. B. Forbes, K. Leder

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Riverbank filtration (RBF) systems were installed in four rural villages along a 64 km stretch of the upper Krishna River in southern India; with each one designed to supply approximately 2500 people. Site selection criteria included hydrogeological suitability, land availability and access, proximity to villages and their population sizes, and electric power supply. Water samples were collected from the river and the RBF wells over more than one year (November 2015 to December 2017) and were analyzed for Escherichia coli bacteria, major ions, and a range of other physicochemical and chemical parameters. The shallow groundwater at the study sites was …

Ocean Deoxygenation And Zooplankton: Very Small Oxygen Differences Matter, Karen F. Wishner, Brad A. Seibel, Christopher Roman, C. Deutsch, Dawn Outram, C. T. Shaw, M. A. Birk, K. A. S. Mislan, T. J. Adams, D. Moore, S. Riley

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), large midwater regions of very low oxygen, are expected to expand as a result of climate change. While oxygen is known to be important in structuring midwater ecosystems, a precise and mechanistic understanding of the effects of oxygen on zooplankton is lacking. Zooplankton are important components of midwater food webs and biogeochemical cycles. Here, we show that, in the eastern tropical North Pacific OMZ, previously undescribed submesoscale oxygen variability has a direct effect on the distribution of many major zooplankton groups. Despite extraordinary hypoxia tolerance, many zooplankton live near their physiological limits and respond to slight …

Concentrations Of Multiple Phytoplankton Pigments In The Global Oceans Obtained From Satellite Ocean Color Measurements With Meris, Guoqing Wang, Zhongping Lee, Colleen B. Mouw

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

The remote sensing of chlorophyll a concentration from ocean color satellites has been an essential variable quantifying phytoplankton in the past decades, yet estimation of accessory pigments from ocean color remote sensing data has remained largely elusive. In this study, we validated the concentrations of multiple pigments (Cpigs) retrieved from in situ and MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) measured remote sensing reflectance (R_rs(λ)) in the global oceans. A multi-pigment inversion model (MuPI) was used to semi-analytically retrieve Cpigs from R_rs(λ). With a set of globally optimized parameters, the accuracy of the retrievals obtained with MuPI is …

Predator Cues Increase Silkmoth Mortality, Alex K. Baranowski, Evan L. Preisser

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

While prey responses to predators reduce the threat of consumption, the physiological costs of these responses can be considerable. This is especially true for organisms that lack effective anti-predator defenses and must rely on camouflage or mimicry for protection. The luna moth, Actias luna, is a large saturniid native to Eastern North America that is preyed on and parasitized by a wide variety of predators and parasitoids. We report the results of two separate experiments assessing the responses of Actias larvae to predatory wasps (Vespula maculifrons) that were rendered non-lethal but remained able to move freely, as …

Usage Statistics: Project Counter R4 Database Report 1 (Db1) 2017-2018, Andrée Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Project COUNTER R4 Database Report 1 (DB1) for the University of Rhode Island for the period from July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018. Database Report 1 is defined as "Total Searches, Result Clicks and Record Views by Month and Database." This report presents an annual total only.

File for download is Excel spreadsheet generated by Alma Analytics.

Results: 808,084 regular searches, 365,398 result clicks, and 277,604 record views for 377 reported databases.

Usage Statistics: Project Counter R4 Book Report 2 (Br2) By Title 2017-2018, Andrée Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Project COUNTER R4 Book Report 2 (BR2) for the University of Rhode Island for the period from July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018. Book Report 2 is defined as "Number of Successful Section Requests by Month and Title." This report presents an annual total only.

File for download is Excel spreadsheet generated by Alma Analytics.

Results: 104,151 successful section requests for 6,475 reported titles.

Usage Statistics: Project Counter R4 Journal Report 1 (Jr1) 2017-2018, Andrée Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Project COUNTER R4 Journal Report 1 (JR1) for the University of Rhode Island for the period from July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018. Journal Report 1 is defined as "Number of Successful Full-Text Article Requests by Month and Journal." This report presents an annual total only.

File for download is Excel spreadsheet generated by Alma Analytics.

Results: 957,289 successful full-text article requests for 27,451 reported titles.

Using A Logic Model To Direct Backward Design Of Curriculum, Aria Mia Loberti, Bryan M. Dewsbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Contemporary approaches to STEM course design typically encourage the backward design of curricula. This is to say that the learning activities and assessments of the course are explicitly guided by the learning outcomes of the course. Less discussed is the fact that this paradigm is also used in nonacademic settings. From this perspective, drawing from the nonacademic world, we discuss the use of a logic model approach as a structured, orderly way to implement backward design. We use the design and implementation of an introductory biology class to illustrate how a logic model template helped frame our inclusive, Freirean approach …

Evolution Of The Natural Transformation Protein, Comec, In Bacteria, Zachary T. Pimentel, Ying Zhang

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Natural transformation enables the incorporation of exogenous DNA into host genomes and plays a fundamental role in the evolution of microbial populations. At the center of the natural transformation machinery, the ComEC protein mediates DNA import and serves potential functions in DNA recognition and single strand degradation. Despite its importance, the evolution of ComEC is not fully understood. Here, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by surveying putative ComEC proteins across 5,574 bacteria that span diverse phyla. We first derived the presence of a universal, core Competence domain through the analysis of ComEC proteins from known naturally competent species. …

Web Based Mapping Applications Evs 510, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Natural Resource Data Analysis Evs 515, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Natural Resource Data Management Visualization Evs 514, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Web Based Mapping Lab Evs 511, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Sustainable Natural Resource Management Evs 518, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Natural Resource Management Planning Evs 519, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Curriculum And Standards Committee Report #2018-19-4 (Courses), University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity And Obesity From A National Survey: Rural-Urban Health Disparities In Older Adults, Steven A. Cohen, Mary L. Greaney, Natalie J. Sabik

Public Health Faculty Publications

Background

Obesity is a critical public health issue, affecting over one-third of all Americans, and is an underlying cause of numerous health issues across the lifespan. For older adults, obesity is linked to premature declines in physical and mental health and cognitive functioning. The occurrence of obesity and related health behaviors and chronic diseases are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Furthermore, rural areas of the United States have a higher proportion of older adults than urban areas. Few studies, to date, have explored rural-urban differences in the relationships between dietary patterns and obesity among older adults. Therefore, …

Decoration Of Nanovesicles With Ph (Low) Insertion Peptide (Phlip) For Targeted Delivery, Federica Rinaldi, Patrizia N. Hanieh, Elena Del Favero, Valeria Rondelli, Paola Brocca, Mohan C. Pereira, Oleg A. Andreev, Yana K. Reshetnyak, Carlotta Marianecci, Maria Carafa

Physics Faculty Publications

Acidity at surface of cancer cells is a hallmark of tumor microenvironments, which does not depend on tumor perfusion, thus it may serve as a general biomarker for targeting tumor cells. We used the pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) for decoration of liposomes and niosomes. pHLIP senses pH at the surface of cancer cells and inserts into the membrane of targeted cells, and brings nanomaterial to close proximity of cellular membrane. DMPC liposomes and Tween 20 or Span 20 niosomes with and without pHLIP in their coating were fully characterized in order to obtain fundamental understanding on nanocarrier features and …

Minimal Influence Of Extracellular Dna On Molecular Surveys Of Marine Sedimentary Communities, Gustavo A. Ramírez, Steffen L. Jørgensen, Rui Zhao, Steven D’Hondt

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Extracellular DNA has been reported to comprise a large fraction of total DNA in near-seafloor sediment. However, the potential effect of extracellular DNA, arising from dead or moribund cells, on sequencing surveys is a critical concern that has largely not been addressed for marine sedimentary habitats. To address this concern, we interrogated freshly collected Arctic and Pacific sediment for extracellular 16S rRNA genes using the photoactive DNA-binding dye Propidium Monoazide. Significant differences between relative abundances of total (intracellular + extracellular) Bacterial 16S rRNA genes and relative abundances of intracellular Bacterial 16S rRNA genes are only detected in three of twelve …

Division Of Research And Economic Development Mid Year Monthly Report For December Fy2019 (Awards Report), Uri Division Of Research And Economic Development

Reports (Research and Economic Development)

The mid year monthly report includes awards report by individual academic and administrative departments at the University of rhode Island.

Division Of Research And Economic Development Mid Year Monthly Report For December Fy2019 (Expenditure And F/A Report), Uri Division Of Research And Economic Development

Reports (Research and Economic Development)

The mid year monthly report includes expenditures by academic departments, administrative divisions and facilities and administrative funds received at the University of Rhode Island.

Distribution Of Dengue And Zika Virus Igg Immunoglobulin, Madison Smith, Awadalkareem Adam, Anuja Mathew

Senior Honors Projects

Introduction. Dengue Virus (DENV) and Zika Virus (ZIKV) are viruses that belong to the Flavivirus family. They are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti species of mosquitoes. Infection with DENV can result in no symptoms, mild symptoms which include fever, rash, and headache (dengue fever) or more severe symptoms which include hemorrhage, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and shock, dengue shock syndrome (DSS). ZIKV, until recently caused mild disease but an outbreak in Brazil was associated with fetal complications such as microcephaly or Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Due to the similarity between ZIKV and DENV, antibodies (Abs) generated in humans to these …

In-Situ Mechanical Weakness Of Subducting Sediments Beneath A Plate Boundary Décollement In The Nankai Trough, Yohei Hamada, Takehiro Hirose, Akira Ijiri, Yasuhiro Yamada, Yoshinori Sanada, Saneatsu Saito, Noriaki Sakurai, Takamitsu Sugihara, Takahiro Yokoyama, Tomokazu Saruhashi, Tatsuhiko Hoshino, Nana Kamiya, Stephen Bowden, Margaret Cramm, Susann Henkel, Kira Homola, Hiroyuki Imachi, Masanori Kaneko, Lorenzo Lagostina, Hayley Manners, Harry Luke Mcclelland, Kyle Metcalfe, Natsumi Okutsu, Donald Pan, Maija Jocelyn Raudsepp, Justine Sauvage, Florence Schubotz, Arthur Spivack, Satoshi Tonai, Tina Treude, Man Yin Tsang, Bernhard Viehweger, David T. Wang, Emily Whitaker, Yuzuru Yamamoto, Kiho Yang

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

The study investigates the in-situ strength of sediments across a plate boundary décollement using drilling parameters recorded when a 1180-m-deep borehole was established during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 370, Temperature-Limit of the Deep Biosphere off Muroto (T-Limit). Information of the in-situ strength of the shallow portion in/around a plate boundary fault zone is critical for understanding the development of accretionary prisms and of the décollement itself. Studies using seismic reflection surveys and scientific ocean drillings have recently revealed the existence of high pore pressure zones around frontal accretionary prisms, which may reduce the effective strength of the sediments. …