Digital Commons Network^™

Ida B. Wells And The Forces Of Democratization, Jane Duran

Ethnic Studies Review

The work of Ida B. Wells is examined not only from the standpoint of her anti-lynching writings, but from a perusal of her diaries and her efforts as a young woman. It is concluded that she exemplifies the best of the notion of a genuine democratic political force.

Dirty Jew-Dirty Mexican: Denver's 1949 Lake Junior High School Gang Battle And Jewish Racial Identity In Colorado, Michael Lee

Ethnic Studies Review

This article details how Jews and Mexicans in Denver, Colorado came together in 1949 in the wake of a widely publicized interracial gang battle at one of the city's local middle schools. It documents the response of the local chapter of the Anti-Defamation League and its involvement in a interracial neighborhood council and how Jewish racial identity in Denver was informed by the broader racial geography of the West-a racial geography that was too often shaped by contrast with Mexicans. The article also challenges the notion that Denver was relatively free of anti-Semitism. Indeed, the 1905 lynching of Jacob Wesskind …

The Geopolitical Context Of Chamorro Cultural Preservation In Guam, U.S.A., Maria-Elena D. Diaz

Ethnic Studies Review

An unincorporated Pacific Island territory of the United States, Guam has been under American rule since 1 898. While proudly "Chamorro," the descendants of indigenous islanders have been American citizens since 1 950. U.S. foreign policy, Americanization of island institutions, immigration flows from Asia and Micronesia, and economic uncertainty present challenges to the perpetuation of Chamorro culture-a syncretic blend of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences that has endured through centuries of foreign domination. As a gateway from the East to the United States and a frequent destination for Micronesian immigrants from the Compacts of Free Association, Guam regularly receives immigrants …

Ethnic Studies Review

Ethnic Studies Review

No abstract provided.

Opposing Roles Of The Μ-Opioid And Nociceptin/Orphanin Fq Receptors In Oligodendrocyte Development And Myelination, Allison Vestal-Laborde

Theses and Dissertations

While the classical function of myelin is to facilitate saltatory conduction, this membrane and the myelin-making oligodendrocytes (OLGs) are now recognized as regulators of plasticity and remodeling in the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, OLG maturation and myelination are highly vulnerable processes along CNS development. We previously showed that rat brain myelination is altered by perinatal exposure to buprenorphine, an opioid analogue in clinical trials for the treatment of pregnant opioid addicts. We now found that the in vivo effects on myelination could result from direct alteration in the balance between μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOPR) activities …

Annual Higher Ground Women's Leadership Conference 2012, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute At Virginia Commonwealth University

GEHLI - 2026 VCUL Team Project Publications

No abstract provided.

Targeting The Endocannabinoid System To Reduce Inflammatory Pain, Sudeshna Ghosh

Theses and Dissertations

The endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) exert their effects predominantly through cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, but these actions are short-lived because of rapid hydrolysis by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), respectively. Selective inhibition of either enzyme elevates CNS levels of the appropriate endocannabinoid and produces analgesic effects with fewer psychomimetic side effects than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of marijuana. While cannabinoid receptor agonists and FAAH inhibitors reliably produce anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects in the carrageenan test and other inflammatory pain models, much less is known about the consequences of inhibiting …

Artemis And Metnase Mediated Processing Of 3΄-Blocked Dna Lesions: Role In Radio/Chemoresistance And Dna Repair, Susovan Mohapatra

Theses and Dissertations

DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) with chemically modified end-termini are the most significant lesions resulting from radio/chemotherapeutic intervention of cancer and non homologous end-joining (NHEJ) factor Artemis nuclease has been implicated in the repair of such breaks. To examine whether the resolution of terminally blocked DNA DSBs is the biologically relevant function of Artemis, Artemis deficient fibroblasts were stably complemented with wild type or an endonuclease deficient D165N mutant Artemis. Physiological levels of wild type (WT) Artemis completely restored DSB repair proficiency and resistance to γ-radiation, bleomycin, and neocarzinostatin. Cells expressing the D165N mutants remained as chemo/radiosensitive and as repair deficient …

Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors On Selective Cellular Subtypes In Epileptogenic Malformed Cortex, William Bruch

Theses and Dissertations

Cortical malformations from altered development are common causes of human epilepsy. The cellular mechanisms responsible for the epileptic state of cortex remain unclear and a significant portion of these cases do not respond to treatment. Previous electrophysiological recordings in the Jacobs lab in a rat polymicrogyria model indicated an increased response to group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists in the region adjacent to the malformation (PMZ). In addition there was a novel response in low threshold spiking (LTS) interneurons via mGluR5 activation. To determine whether cell specific expression of these receptors was altered in malformed cortex immunohistochemical stains were performed …

Virginia Dental Journal (Vol. 89, No. 1, 2012)

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Biochemical Actions Of A Novel Cis-Terpenone, Lin Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract BIOCHEMICAL ACTIONS OF A NOVEL CIS-TERPENONE By Lin Zhang, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Director: Qibing Zhou, Ph.D Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry

Quinone methides are reactive species due to their electrophilicity, and natural quinone methide analogs have broad biological activities. Based on known actions of cytochrome P450 enzymes, we hypothesized that trans-terpenones can be metabolized in cells to form a cascade of metabolite products, which may be biologically active due to the generation of quinine and quinone methide …

Addressing Increased Ridership And Demand: Grtc – Care Paratransit Service Sustainability For The City Of Richmond, Ashray Pande

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis will be to evaluate and assess the current Care Service being offered by GRTC and recommend economic efficient, equitable and sustainable opportunities for a better Human Mobility Service transportation effectiveness and coordination. Transportation demand management strategies that generate revenue and contain costs are required to meet the demands and needs of future aging populations without compromising quality of service. With the baby boomer population set to retire and advancing health care improvements, the elderly population and disabled segment of the population is bound to rise, increasing the demand for human mobility services. This trend and …

A Comparison Of Maximal Exercise Responses Among Patients With A Total Artificial Heart, A Left Ventricular Assist Device, Or Advanced Heart Failure, Justin M. Canada

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate graded exercise responses to treadmill exercise in patients with a total artificial heat (SynCardia, Tucson, AZ). Additionally, this study sought to compare the exercise response in total artificial heart (TAH) patients to both advanced heart failure (HF) patients on medical management only and HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA) left‐ventricular assist device (HMII) patients. For patients with biventricular heart failure the TAH is a viable option to bridge patients until transplant becomes available. Its demonstrated improvement in mortality and increasing usage necessitates a shift in focus to quality of life in the …

Investigating The Role Of Α6 And Α4 Containing Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Nicotine And Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference Tests In Mice., Sarah Sanjakdar

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate both cholinergic and non-cholinergic synaptic transmission. Our research concerns α6 and α4 neuronal nicotinic subunits because they often co-assemble with the β2 subunit, which has abundant expression in the CNS and previous work has demonstrated that β2* nAChRs are involved in nicotine and cocaine reward. α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs are highly expressed in midbrain, which is known to be critical for the incentive salience associated with natural and artificial (drug) reward. Our goal was to assess the role of α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs in nicotine and cocaine reward using an unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) …

Adam10: A Novel Regulator Of Mast Cell Function And Activation, Travis Faber

Theses and Dissertations

In this study we show, to our knowledge, the first description of the role ADAM10 plays on mast cells. ADAM10 is abundantly expressed on mast cells both in vitro and in vivo. Its expression is inhibited by IL-10, a suppressive cytokine. siRNA depletion of ADAM10 on bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) caused decreased IL-6 production following IgE cross-linking and also impaired BMMC stem cell factor (SCF)-induced migration through collagen IV. Mast cells and T helper cells (Th cells) in the peritoneum were reduced in ADAM10 KO mice. In addition, ADAM10 KO BMMC produced significantly less of all cytokines measured following …

The Role Of Fyn And B-Cell Expressed Adam10 In Early B Cell Development, Germinal Center Formation And Terminal B Cell Differentiation, Natalia Chaimowitz

Theses and Dissertations

In these studies we sought to determine the role of Fyn kinase and ADAM10 in B cell biology. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is a zinc dependent proteinase related to matrix metalloproteinases. ADAM10 has emerged as a key regulator of cellular processes by cleaving and shedding extracellular domains of multiple transmembrane receptors and ligands. In particular, ADAM10 has been identified as a key regulator of lymphocyte development. Here we report that ADAM10 is dispensable for early B cell development within the bone marrow. However, deletion of ADAM10 from all peripheral B cells or in post-switch cells leads to severe …

The Role Of High Affinity Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors On Anxiety-Like Behavior: A Study In Female Mice, Jessicka Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence is high in women who suffer from anxiety disorders yet little is known about the contributions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on anxiety-like behavior. β2*nAChRs (*denotes assembly with other subunits) are the most abundantly expressed nAChRs in the brain yet little is known about the contributions of β2*nAChRs on anxiety-like behavior in female mice. In this study, antagonism and nicotine effects on anxiety-like behavior was investigated across the life span in 6, 12 and 24-month-old drug-naïve knockout (KO), heterozygous (HET) and a gain of function α6L9S mice and wild type (WT). HET mice showed increased sensitivity to di-hydrobeta-erythroidine …

Designing Direct And Indirect Factor Xa Inhibitors, Rami Al-Horani

Theses and Dissertations

Anticoagulants are the basis for treatment and prevention of thrombotic diseases. The currently available medicines are associated with a wide range of adverse reactions that mandates developing new anticoagulants. Several lines of evidence support the superiority of factor Xa (FXa) as a promising target to develop novel anticoagulants. This work focuses on the design of direct and indirect FXa inhibitors using an interdisciplinary approach. As indirect FXa inhibitors, a focused library of tetrasulfated N–arylacyl tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) nonsaccharide allosteric antithrombin activators was designed, synthesized, and biochemically evaluated to establish their structure–activity relationship (SAR). An N–arylacyl THIQ analog having carboxylate at position–3, …

Factors Influencing Pharmacists’ Decision To Report Adverse Events Related To Dietary Supplements, Ali M. Alhammad

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The increasing consumption of dietary supplements (DS) has drawn the attention of regulatory agencies, researchers and healthcare professionals. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require premarketing assessment of DS considering them safe unless proven otherwise. However, the reporting rate of DS adverse events (DS-AE) is low. Objective: To describe pharmacists’ attitudes and knowledge of DS and DS information resources, and to determine the importance of selected attributes in pharmacists’ decisions to report a DS-AE. Methods: A convenience sample of practicing pharmacists in Virginia was surveyed using a web-based self-administered questionnaire. A conjoint analysis exercise was developed …

Online Learning: Exploring The Landscape, Jonathan D. Becker, Jesse Senechal, Charol Shakeshaft

MERC Publications

The Policy and Planning Council of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) rightfully identified online learning as an area ripe for study. This report summarizes findings from both phases of the research is the first report of the study that was ultimately commissioned. After a brief review of the literature, this report includes a description of the survey research portion of the study as well as findings from the statewide survey that was undertaken and then phase 2, which consisted of case studies of four Virginia school divisions. The report concludes with a brief summary …

Biobehavioral Correlates In Fibromyalgia, Ann Trivigno Mcnallen

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by non-restorative sleep, and fatigue. Over 75% of individuals with FMS complain of poor sleep quality and fatigue. These have been ranked by patients with FMS as having great impact on quality of life. A literature review suggested that poor sleep quality may be a predictor of increased stress and FMS symptom onset in those affected. However, no experimental studies have demonstrated a causal relationship between poor sleep and stress in people with FMS. Methods: Using a single stage cross-sectional design, the primary study aim was to compare 25 women with …

Effectiveness Of Sensory Integration And Behavioral Interventions On Nonengagement In Preschool Aged Children, Tiffany Kuyper

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract EFFECTIVENESS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS ON NONENGAGEMENT IN PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN By Tiffany Ann Kuyper, OTR/L A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Director: Marie Anzalone ScD, OTR, FAOTA This single subject pilot study explored a combination of sensory-based interventions and behavioral interventions in a preschool aged child identified with Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR). Children often display nonengagement associated with escaping and avoiding tactile and/or vestibular information because they perceive sensory input as negative or aversive. The subject …

Predictors Of Carbapenem Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria In A Consortium Of Academic Medical Center Hospitals, Mera Ababneh

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Gram-negative resistance is a growing problem worldwide. It is generally believed that rates of resistant bacteria within a hospital are a function of antibiotic use, resistant organisms brought into the hospital, infection control efforts, and underlying severity of patient illness. The relative contribution of each to a particular resistance phenotype is unclear. P. aeruginosa is responsible for many hospital acquired infections and it may become resistant to carbapenems. In addition, newer threats to the future utility of the carbapenems are carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae Purpose: To determine if there is an association between the volume and composition of antibiotic use, …

Circuit Development In The Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (Dlgn) Of The Mouse., Tania Seabrook

Theses and Dissertations

The visual system is one of the most widely used and best understood sensory systems and the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the mouse has emerged as a model for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development and activity-dependent refinement of sensory connections. Thalamic organization is highly conserved throughout species and the dLGN of the mouse possesses many features common to higher mammals, such as carnivores and primates. Two general classes of neuron are present within the dLGN, thalamocortical relay cells and interneurons, both of which receive direct retinal input. Axons of relay cells exit dLGN and …

Cns Neural/Glial Progenitors As Targets Of Hiv-1 And Opiates: Effects On Proliferation And Population Dynamics May Alter Behavior Outcomes., Yun Kyung Hahn

Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with a history of injection opiate abuse have higher incidences of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and neurological dysfunction. The use of combined anti-retroviral therapy has significantly reduced the prevalence of mortality and progression to AIDS. Due to extended life expectancy, these patients are still at a great risk for HIV-associated neurological disorders and impairment in their later life. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) play critical roles in brain growth and repair after injury and insult. Pediatric HIV patients whose glial populations are still developing are especially at risk for central nervous system (CNS) damage. Our …

Role Of Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factors In Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Suhasini Yanamandra Sai

Theses and Dissertations

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major etiological agent that is responsible for the cause and progression of periodontal diseases. The bacterium is exposed to various environmental conditions and oxidative stress conditions while it is in the oral cavity. So, P. gingivalis should have an efficient regulatory system in order to adjust and survive in the oral cavity. But little is known about the regulatory mechanisms that help the bacteria to survive in the oral cavity. So, it is essential to understand and characterize these regulatory mechanisms. The response and adaptation of P. gingivalis to environmental stress conditions occur at the level …

Development Of Dual-Pathway Inhibitors Of Raf/Mek/Erk And Pi3k/Akt Signaling Pathways., Sasha Fraser

Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, we designed a new chemical template that contains an oxindole moiety as potential dual-pathway inhibitors of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The design hypothesis is to evaluate whether the oxindole ring system will approximately orient functional groups in a similar manner to the thiazolidinedione moiety, and thus maintain biological activity as dual-pathway inhibitors of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, the oxindole ring will provide the flexibility to allow the introduction of various substituents on the oxindole moiety, thereby facilitating comprehensive SAR studies to further explore the biological activity.

Age Dependent Spatial Characteristics Of Epileptiform Activity In Malformed Cortex, L. Andrew Bell

Theses and Dissertations

Developmental cortical malformations are a major cause of intractable seizures. Determining the location and timing of susceptibility for epileptiform activity is critical to identifying what mechanisms contribute to epileptogenesis in any model. Using the freeze lesion rat model of polymicrogyria, we have identified, in lesioned cortex, these two aspects of epileptogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that epileptiform activity cannot be evoked prior to postnatal day (P) 12, but the malformed cortex is more susceptible to seizures as early as P10. An increase in excitatory afferents to the epileptogenic zone occurs before the onset of network epileptiform activity. Whether or not …

From Desegregation To Desexigration In Richmond, Virginia, 1954-1973, Leslee Key

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation explores the relationships and experiences in the urban community that connected black and white women to understand the complexities of Jim Crow, its breakdown, and the subsequent expansion of female activism in Richmond, Virginia. By examining the South’s famous department stores, Thalhimers and Miller & Rhoads, this research attempts to focus on female-created and female-oriented spaces within downtown Richmond, from 1954 until 1973, and draws a line from the Thalhimer boycott staged by African-American women in 1961 to the sit-in performed by white women in the Thalhimers male-only soup bar in 1970. Historical context is developed to show …

Assessing Parental Involvement In Type 1 Diabetes Management During Adolescence, Elizabeth M. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common pediatric chronic illnesses. Adolescents are at risk for poorer glycemic control; however, youth whose parents remain involved in diabetes care are in better control. The current study examined parental involvement (PI) using a multi-method, multi-source approach in a sample of 255 youth (Age M = 12.83). The Diabetes Family Responsibility Questionnaire, Parental Monitoring of Diabetes Care Scale, and 24-Hour Diabetes Interview assessed two types of PI, parental responsibility and parental monitoring. Global and specific assessment served to cross-corroborate indicators of PI related to HbA1c. Higher levels of monitoring related to lower …