Digital Commons Network^™

Subseafloor Sulfate Reduction: Investigation Of An Unrecognized Pathway And Quantification Of Low Rates, Heather Nicole Schrum

Open Access Dissertations

Bacterially-catalyzed sulfate reduction is the dominant respiratory pathway in much of the deep subseafloor sediment, where it yields energy for a significant fraction of the Earth's total biomass. Sulfate reduction impacts the ecology of the deep biosphere, the biogeochemistry of sediment pore water and the global marine sulfur and carbon cycles. Chemical concentration profiles, thermodynamics, and sulfate isotopic compositions are a few of the methods used to determine the presence of sulfate reduction, its biochemical mechanisms, and the rates at which it occurs. By employing these methods we show that a previously unrecognized sulfate reduction pathway is likely to occur …

Identification And Regulation Of Hemolysin Genes Of Vibrio Anguillarum, Ling Li

Open Access Dissertations

Vibrio anguillarum is a causative agent of vibriosis. One hemolysin gene, vah1, does not account for all hemolytic activity. Further studies identified a putative rtx operon with six genes (rtxACHBDE). Mutation in both vah1 and any of rtx genes resulted in a hemolysin negative mutant. Vah1 and RtxA each have cytotoxie activity against fish cells. Finally, virulence examination in fish suggested that RtxA is a major virulence factor for V. anguillarum. Additionally, RtxA is a MARTX toxin, and causes fish cell rounding and death. A conserved domain in the RtxA was identified to be a cysteine protease (CPD). CPD was …

Pyrethroid Resistance In The Annual Bluegrass Weevil, Listronotus Maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), From Southern New England Golf Courses, Darryl Ramoutar

Open Access Dissertations

The annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis Kirby (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has emerged as a serious pest of Poa annua L. (Poales: Poaceae) (annual bluegrass), in the Northeastern US. In 2007, topical application bioassays of bifenthrin and λ-cyhalothrin conducted on field-collected populations of L. maculicollis Kirby from eight southern New England golf courses resulted in LD50 ranges of 1.80-244.67 ng/insect and 0.52-159.53 ng/insect for bifenthrin and λ-cyhalothrin respectively. These results revealed low to high levels of resistance to bifenthrin (6.1-135.9 fold) and λ-cyhalothrin (28.7-306.8 fold), possibly due to insecticide overuse. In 2008, topical application bioassays with bifenthrin and bifenthrin plus synergists affecting …

Polyaniline As Stationary Phase For Hplc, Gang Li

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two manuscripts. The first manuscript concerns the study of polyaniline as a stationary phase for high performance liquid chromatography and the elucidation of the mechanism for chemical separation in these chromatographic columns. The second manuscript is an analysis of the reproducibility and reliability of the experimental data. The objective is to prove that dispersion forces in polyaniline stationary phase are the dominant, non-Coulombic interactions that determine the order of the retention time of the analytes. In the first manuscript we compared the chromatograms of a pair of anionic analytes eluded in a polyaniline stationary phase and …

Functional Silane Based Co-Polymers For Biofunctionalization Studies, Chemical Sensing And Separations, Swapna Addagulla

Open Access Dissertations

The focus of the research reported in this dissertation has focused on two areas: (1) Synthesis of silane-containing polymers and (2) the application of these polymers to surface modification of substrates such as PDMS (for microfluidic applications), glass, quartz, silicon wafers and various nanoparticles (magnetic iron oxide, silica) for use in chemical and biological sensing and separation applications as well as in biofunctionalization of magnetic nanoparticles.

Chapter 1 of this dissertation described the preparation of a library of silane containing co- and terpolymer prepared with various substituted maleimides along with their characterization by FTIR, UV-Visible, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, …

Stereotype Threat And Implicit Attitudes: Implications For The Leaky Pipeline Of Women In Science, Karen E. Stamm

Open Access Dissertations

Historically, women have been under-represented in science disciplines. This phenomenon has been described as a "leaky pipeline" where fewer women advance to higher levels of the pipeline. A possible mechanism behind the leaky pipeline is stereotype threat, the fear of being negatively evaluated because of one's group membership. Stereotype threat can undermine the performance of the members of any disadvantaged group. For example, women may not perform well on science tasks because of the stereotype that "women can't do science."

This project examined whether stereotype threat negatively influences performance on an Implicit Association Test (IAT), a test that measures unconscious …

Reference Database Usage Statistics 2007-2008

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics on the use of online reference databases at the University of Rhode Island during the period from July 2007 through June 2008. Includes COUNTER-compliant data on sessions, searches, turnaways, full text articles downloaded, cost per search, and other metrics.

Hydrophobic Silver Nanoparticles Trapped In Lipid Bilayers: Size Distribution, Bilayer Phase Behavior, And Optical Properties, Geoffrey D. Bothun

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Lipid-based dispersion of nanoparticles provides a biologically inspired route to designing therapeutic agents and a means of reducing nanoparticle toxicity. Little is currently known on how the presence of nanoparticles influences lipid vesicle stability and bilayer phase behavior. In this work, the formation of aqueous lipid/nanoparticle assemblies (LNAs) consisting of hydrophobic silver-decanethiol particles (5.7 ± 1.8 nm) embedded within 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers is demonstrated as a function of the DPPC/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) ratio. The effect of nanoparticle loading on the size distribution, bilayer phase behavior, and bilayer fluidity is determined. Concomitantly, the effect of bilayer incorporation on …

Spatial Density Dependence Scales Up But Does Not Produce Temporal Density Dependence In A Reef Fish, Graham E. Forrester, Mark A. Steele, Jameal F. Samhouri, Bryn Evans, Richard R. Vance

Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications

Field experiments provide rigorous tests of ecological hypotheses but are typically of short duration and use small spatial replicates. We assessed empirically whether the results of experiments testing for density dependence applied at larger spatial domains and explained temporal population dynamics. We studied a small coral reef fish, the goldspot goby {Gnatholepis thompsoni), in the Bahamas. We assessed the effects of interactions with conspecifics and with an ecologically similar species, the bridled goby {Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). Two density manipulations on small reef patches revealed that goldspot goby mortality over one month increased as conspecifics became crowded. On …

Energetics Of Peptide (Phlip) Binding To And Folding Across A Lipid Bilayer Membrane, Yana K. Reshetnyak, Oleg A. Andreev, Michael Segala, Vladislav S. Markin, Donald M. Engelman

Physics Faculty Publications

The pH low-insertion peptide (pHLIP) serves as a model system for peptide insertion and folding across a lipid bilayer. It has three general states: (I) soluble in water or (II) bound to the surface of a lipid bilayer as an unstructured monomer, and (III) inserted across the bilayer as a monomeric α-helix. We used fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry to study the interactions of pHLIP with a palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid bilayer and to calculate the transition energies between states. We found that the Gibbs free energy of binding to a POPC surface at low pHLIP concentration (state I–state II …

Good + Bad = Ugly, And Other Pitfalls To Avoid When Calculating Free Energies, David A. Kofke

Amgen Seminar Series in Chemical Engineering

Molecular simulation is an experiment performed on a system defined by a molecular model. In recent years much of the effort to advance molecular simulation has been put toward improving the quality and quantity of information that it provides. These efforts have been very successful, and perhaps have improved the utility of molecular simulation even more than advances in raw computing power occurring over the same period. One important application of molecular simulation is the calculation of free-energy differences, which are required for analyses of phase and reaction equilibria, solvation, binding affinity, stability, kinetics, and so on. Some of the …

Interfacing Nanoparticles To Biological Systems, Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli

Amgen Seminar Series in Chemical Engineering

Nature has created biomolecular machines that function with remarkable efficiency and precision. In recent years, science has attained an unprecedented understanding of the mechanisms of biological “machines.” This has inspired utilization of Nature’s engineering for applications in computation, self-assembly, and mechanics. Because biomolecules are inherently on the nanoscale, nanotechnology has emerged as an appropriate means for controlling biology. This requires both understanding the inorganic properties of the nanoparticle as well as creating an interface that is compatible with the complex and highly disordered environments of real biological systems. We will discuss the use of nanoparticles composed of Au, Fe_{3 …}

Serials Unit Annual Report 2007-2008, Andree J. Rathemacher

Serials Unit Reports

Annual report of the Serials Unit, University of Rhode Island Library. Covers personnel, work flow, subscriptions, and statistics on expenditures by a number of variables.

Opioid Therapy And Prescription Drug Diversion, Frederick W. Burgess, E. Pawasauskas

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Methadone Analgesia For Persistent Pain: Safety And Toxicity Considerations, Frederick W. Burgess, E. Pawasauskas

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Deep Sea Underwater Robotic Exploration In The Ice-Covered Arctic Ocean With Auvs, Clayton Kunz, Chris Murphy, Richard Camilli, Hanumant Singh, John Bailey, Ryan M. Eustice, Chris Roman, Michael Jakuba, Claire Willis, Taichi Sato, Ko-Ichi Nakamura, Robert A. Sohn

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

The Arctic seafloor remains one of the last unexplored areas on Earth. Exploration of this unique environment using standard remotely operated oceanographic tools has been obstructed by the dense Arctic ice cover. In the summer of 2007 the Arctic Gakkel Vents Expedition (AGAVE) was conducted with the express intention of understanding aspects of the marine biology, chemistry and geology associated with hydrothermal venting on the section of the mid-ocean ridge known as the Gakkel Ridge. Unlike previous research expeditions to the Arctic the focus was on high resolution imaging and sampling of the deep seafloor. To accomplish our goals we …

Perspectives On Using E-Journal Usage Statistics In A Serials Cancellation Project, Andrée J. Rathemacher, Michael C. Vocino

Technical Services Faculty Publications

This is the authors' manuscript of chapter 7 in the book Library Data: Empowering Practice and Persuasion, ed. Darby Orcutt, Libraries Unlimited, 2010. It is posted here with publisher permission.

Variable Morphologic Expression Of Volcanic, Tectonic, And Hydrothermal Processes At Six Hydrothermal Vent Fields In The Lau Back-Arc Basin, Vicki Lynn Ferrini, Margaret K. Tivey, Suzanne M. Carbotte, Fernando Martinez, Chris Roman

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Ultrahigh-resolution bathymetric maps (25 cm grid) are used to quantify the physical dimensions of and spatial relationships between tectonic, volcanic, and hydrothermal features at six hydrothermal vent fields in the Lau back-arc basin. Supplemented with near-bottom photos, and nested within regional DSL-120A side-scan sonar data, these maps provide insight into the nature of hydrothermal systems along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC) and Valu Fa Ridge (VFR). Along-axis transitions evident in localized volcanic morphology and tectonic characteristics include a change from broad low-relief volcanic domes (hundreds of meters wide,tall) that are dominated by pillow and lobate lava morphologies and are …

Developing Global Competence In Engineering Students: U.S. And German Approaches, Peggy Blumenthal, Ulrich Grothus

Online Journal for Global Engineering Education

This article presents a U.S. and a German perspective on the challenges and strategies of each country in developing globally competent engineering professionals. It reviews U.S., German, and wider EU interests and strategies for attracting international students, as well as national and campus-based programs through which American and German engineering students can study abroad and gain international experience relevant to their future careers. The authors discuss the shared challenges faced by universities in both countries, and the need for further investments by government, industry and academia.

Serials Solutions Subject Search Report 2007-2008

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics on the total number of Serials Solutions subject searches at the University of Rhode Island Libraries by month for 2007-2008. Shows how many times the A-Z full text electronic journal list (at http://zu4tq4pb5v.search.serialssolutions.com/) was browsed by specific subjects.

Serials Solutions Click-Through Statistics By Provider And Database 2007-2008

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics on the total number of database and journal-level clicks, by provider and database, of Serials Solutions tools at the University of Rhode Island Libraries by month for 2007-2008. Clicks may have originated from the A-Z full text electronic journal list (at http://zu4tq4pb5v.search.serialssolutions.com/), from OpenURL links ("360 Link"), or the 856 fields of Serials Solutions-generated MARC records ("360 MARC Updates").

Digitalcommons@University Of Rhode Island Statistics 2007-2008

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics on the total number of full text downloads from the DigitalCommons@University of Rhode Island institutional repository for 2007-2008. Data are provided monthly on the number of full text downloads by collection and document, and on the number of referrals by domain and country. Dissertations are included in the statistics. Digital Commons statistics are COUNTER-compliant, with downloads from robots and automated processes filtered out.

Development Of Methods For The Genetic Manipulation Of Flavobacterium Columnare, Andrew M. Staroscik, David W. Hunnicutt, Kate E. Archibald, David R. Nelson

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Background:

Flavobacterium columnare is the causative agent of columnaris disease, a disease affecting many freshwater fish species. Methods for the genetic manipulation for some of the species within the Bacteroidetes, including members of the genus Flavobacterium, have been described, but these methods were not adapted to work with F. columnare.

Results:

As a first step toward developing a robust set of genetic tools for F. columnare, a protocol was developed to introduce the E. coli – Flavobacterium shuttle vector pCP29 into F. columnare strain C#2 by conjugal mating at an efficiency of 1.5 × 10^{-3 …}

Bilayer Interactions Of Phlip, A Peptide That Can Deliver Drugs And Target Tumors, Manuela Zoonens, Yana K. Reshetnyak, Donald M. Engelman

Physics Faculty Publications

The pH-dependent insertion of pHLIP across membranes is proving to be a useful property for targeting acidic tissues or tumors and delivering drugs attached to its C-terminus. It also serves as a model peptide for studies of protein insertion into membranes, so further elucidation of the insertion mechanism of pHLIP and its features is desirable. We examine how the peptide perturbs a model phosphatidylcholine membrane and how it associates with the lipid bilayer using an array of fluorescence techniques, including fluorescence anisotropy measurements of TMA-DPH anchored in bilayers, quenching of pHLIP fluorescence by brominated lipids and acrylamide, and measurements of …

Searching The Biological Literature, John L. Kelland

Public Services Faculty Publications

Table of Contents. Chapter 1. Organization of the Scientific Literature and the Flow of Information in the Sciences. Chapter 2. Primary Sources. Chapter 3. Reference Sources. Chapter 4. Databases. Chapter 5. Basic Principles of Searching and Search Logic Chapter 6. Citation Indexes and Citation Searching . Chapter 7. The Citation Concept and its Impact on Society Chapter 8. Resources on the World Wide Web Chapter 9. U. S. Government Publications Chapter 10. Lessons Learned Index

The Many Faces Of Fear: Comparing The Pathways And Impacts Of Nonconsumptive Predator Effects On Prey Populations, Evan L. Preisser, Daniel I. Bolnick

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background:

Most ecological models assume that predator and prey populations interact solely through consumption: predators reduce prey densities by killing and consuming individual prey. However, predators can also reduce prey densities by forcing prey to adopt costly defensive strategies.

Methodology/Principal Findings:

We build on a simple Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model to provide a heuristic tool for distinguishing between the demographic effects of consumption (consumptive effects) and of anti-predator defenses (nonconsumptive effects), and for distinguishing among the multiple mechanisms by which anti-predator defenses might reduce prey population growth rates. We illustrate these alternative pathways for nonconsumptive effects with selected empirical examples, and …

Fy2008 Fiscal Close Report From Innovative Interfaces Acquisitions Module

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Fiscal close report produced by the Acquisitions module of the University of Rhode Island's Innovative Interfaces Millennium integrated library system.

Indicates total spending on library materials from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.

Specifically, provides appropriations, final expenditures, and encumbrances for monographs by fund code, including approval plan orders, firm orders, standing orders.

Also provides expenditures for serials and other subscriptions by fund code.

This year's data does not include expenditures from endowment funds.

Other years are found in Digital Commons@URI as supplementary files to the annual report of the library acquisitions department.

Combining Existing Monitoring Sites With A Probability Survey Design-Examples From U.S. Epa’S National Coastal Assessment, John F. Paul, Henry A. Walker, Walter Galloway, Gerald Pesch, Donald Cobb, Charles J. Strobel, J. Kevin Summers, Michael Charpentier, James Heltshe

Computer Science and Statistics Faculty Publications

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Coastal Assessment was envisioned as a research effort led by EPA’s Office of Research and Development to evaluate assessment methods for ecosystem condition monitoring. The program was conducted through strategic partnerships with the coastal states. These states conducted the survey in their waters with a common set of indicators. The resources targeted for initial monitoring were estuarine waters. A flexible probability survey design was used to incorporate, to the extent possible, existing state monitoring program sites. Three criteria were developed to evaluate existing monitoring program sites in the northeastern United States for possible incorporation …

Modern Leonidas: Spartan Military Culture In A Modern American Context, Samantha Henneberry

Senior Honors Projects

His tomb is pointed to with pride, and so are his children, and his children’s children, and afterward all the race that is his. His shining glory is never forgotten, his name is remembered, and he becomes an immortal, though he lies under the ground... (excerpt from Tyrtaeus 12) The Spartan national war-poet Tyrtaeus wrote the above hymn in the seventh century BC as a dedication to the brave hoplites who gave their lives for Sparta. Its words are startlingly relevant to a modern American society currently at war; a society full of families who take great pride in their …

Therapeutic Children’S Mural, Natalie Brooks

Senior Honors Projects

Painting on small canvases has been a hobby of mine since I was a child. My personal passion for tactile art has always made art therapy an aspect of psychology that has piqued my interest. However, I have left it unexplored during my undergraduate college career as a psychology major.

I did research on art therapy and discovered that one of the major ideas in the area was that the use of creative activities can promote the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. I also discovered that art can be seen as a self-esteem builder; the children will always …