Digital Commons Network^™

Commonwealth Times 2015-03-23

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-03-16

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-03-02

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Ink (2015 Spring/Summer, Culture Cover)

Ink, 2008-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online. This issue had two covers.

Ink (2015 Spring/Summer, Fashion Cover)

Ink, 2008-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online. This issue had two covers.

Commonwealth Times 2015-02-23

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Inside The Institution Of The Prison: A Researcher’S Perspective, Jane Carrigan

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

This paper provides a researcher’s perspective on conducting research in prisons and offers advice for researchers. It provides a reflection on research experiences gained in prisons in Ireland. The author argues that by reading as much as you can, understanding the prison for what it is, knowing the context in which the prison operates and, in particular, by making connections with others, prison researchers will be able to negotiate the often difficult research journey and may also be in a position to help other researchers too.

Commonwealth Times 2015-02-16

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

No abstract provided.

Editor's Welcome For Volume 2, Issue 1, Arve Asbjørnsen

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-02-09

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-01-26

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-01-13

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Integrating Basic Research With Prevention/Intervention To Reduce Risky Substance Use Among College Students, Danielle M. Dick, Linda C. Hancock

Psychiatry Publications

Too often basic research on etiological processes that contribute to substance use outcomes is disconnected from efforts to develop prevention and intervention programming. Substance use on college campuses is an area of concern where translational efforts that bring together basic scientists and prevention/intervention practitioners have potential for high impact. We describe an effort at a large, public, urban university in the United States to bring together researchers across the campus with expertise in college behavioral health with university administration and health/wellness practitioners to address college student substance use and mental health. The project “Spit for Science” examines how genetic and …

Genetic Encoding Of The Post-Translational Modification 2-Hydroxyisobutyryl-Lysine, William A. Knight, Thomas A. Cropp

Chemistry Publications

We report the synthesis and genetic encoding of a recently discovered posttranslational modification, 2-hydroxyisobutryl-lysine, to the genetic code of E. coli. The production of homogeneous proteins containing this amino acid will facilitate the study of modification in full-length proteins.

Metabolic Interplay Between Astrocytes And Neurons Regulates Endocannabinoid Action, Andreu Viader, Jacqueline L. Blankman, Peng Zhong, Xiaojie Liu, Joel E. Scholsburg, Christopher M. Joslyn, Qing-Song Liu, Aaron J. Tomarchio, Aron H. Lichtman, Dana E. Selley, Laura J. Sim-Selley, Benjamin F. Cravatt

Pharmacology and Toxicology Publications

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a retrograde lipid messenger that modulates synaptic function, neurophysiology, and behavior. 2-AG signaling is terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis—a reaction that is principally performed by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). MAGL is broadly expressed throughout the nervous system, and the contributions of different brain cell types to the regulation of 2-AG activityin vivo remain poorly understood. Here, we genetically dissect the cellular anatomy of MAGL-mediated 2-AG metabolism in the brain and show that neurons and astrocytescoordinately regulate 2-AG content and endocannabinoid-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity and behavior. We also find that astrocytic MAGL is mainly responsible …

Anticancer Activity Of A Thymidine Quinoxaline Conjugate Is Modulated By Cytosolic Thymidine Pathways, Qiong Wei, Haijuan Liu, Honghao Zhou, Dejun Zhang, Zhiwei Zhang, Qibing Zhou

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Background

High levels of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) are key molecular targets by thymidine therapeutics in cancer treatment. The dual roles of TYMP as a tumor growth factor and a key activation enzyme of anticancer metabolites resulted in a mixed outcome in cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the roles of TK1 and TYMP on a thymidine quinoxaline conjugate to evaluate an alternative to circumvent the contradictive role of TYMP.

Methods

TK1 and TYMP levels in multiple liver cell lines were assessed along with the cytotoxicity of the thymidine conjugate. Cellular accumulation of the thymidine …

6-Hydroxyflavone And Derivatives Exhibit Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity Among Mono-, Di- And Polyhydroxylated Flavones In Kidney Mesangial Cells, Xing Wang, Zhiwei Wang, Preetpal Singh Sidhu, Umesh R. Desai, Qibing Zhou

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Inflammatory responses by kidney mesangial cells play a critical role in the glomerulonephritis. The anti-inflammatory potential of nineteen mono-, di- and polyhydroxylated flavones including fisetin, quercetin, morin, tricetin, gossypetin, apigenin and myricetin were investigated on rat mesangial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the inflammatory stimuli. 6-Hydroxyflavone and 4′,6-dihydroxyflavone exhibited high activity with IC50 in the range of 2.0 μM, a much better inhibition potential in comparison to the well-studied polyhydroxylated flavones. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory activity was not due to direct quenching of NO radicals. Investigation on derivatives with methylation, acetylation or sulfation of 6-hydroxyl group revealed that 6-methoxyflavone was the …

Van Gogh's Ghost Paintings: Chapters 1-3, Cliff Edwards

World Studies Publications

One of the most significant and revealing paintings by the world famous artist Vincent van Gogh was never seen by anyone but the artist himself. The painting was so important to the artist that he painted it twice. He was so conflicted about the painting that he destroyed it twice. Cliff Edwards argues these two unique paintings Vincent created and destroyed are at least as important to understanding the artist and his work as are the two thousand or more paintings and drawings that do exist. In Van Gogh's Ghost Paintings, Edwards invites his readers on a journey that …

Grunt Variation In The Oyster Toadfish Opsanus Tau: Effect Of Size And Sex, Michael L. Fine, Tyler D. Waybright

Biology Publications

As in insects, frogs and birds, vocal activity in fishes tends to be more developed in males than in females, and sonic swimbladder muscles may be sexually dimorphic, i.e., either larger in males or present only in males. Male oyster toadfish Opsanus tau L produce a long duration, tonal boatwhistle advertisement call, and both sexes grunt, a short duration more pulsatile agonistic call. Sonic muscles are present in both sexes but larger in males. We tested the hypothesis that males would call more than females by inducing grunts in toadfish of various sizes held in a net and determined incidence …

Faculty Development For Service-Learning: One Size Does Not Fit All, Lynn E. Pelco, Catherine Howard

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This conference presentation describes the development of the professional development continuum currently being used at Virginia Commonwealth University to build the faculty’s capacity for teaching high-quality service-learning courses. Our professional development continuum was developed over the past 5 years by the staff of the VCU Service-Learning Office and was informed by program evaluation data, the principles of adult learning theory, and an “exposure-experience-expertise” developmental framework. The continuum targets instructors at varying levels of service-learning knowledge and experience so that faculty instructors with more service-learning experience participate in different professional development opportunities than do instructors who are new to the pedagogy.

Pectoral Sound Generation In The Blue Catfish Ictalurus Furcatus, Yasha Mohajer, Zachary Ghahramani, Michael L. Fine

Forensic Science Publications

Catfishes produce pectoral stridulatory sounds by “jerk” movements that rub ridges on the dorsal process against the cleithrum. We recorded sound synchronized with high-speed video to investigate the hypothesis that blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus produce sounds by a slip–stick mechanism, previously described only in invertebrates. Blue catfish produce a variably paced series of sound pulses during abduction sweeps (pulsers) although some individuals (sliders) form longer duration sound units (slides) interspersed with pulses. Typical pulser sounds are evoked by short 1–2 ms movements with a rotation of 2°–3°. Jerks excite sounds that increase in amplitude after motion stops, suggesting constructive interference, …

Proteomics: In Pursuit Of Effective Traumatic Brain Injury Therapeutics, Pavel N. Lizhnyak, Andrew K. Ottens

Anatomy and Neurobiology Publications

Effective traumatic brain injury (TBI) therapeutics remain stubbornly elusive. Efforts in the field have been challenged by the heterogeneity of clinical TBI, with greater complexity among underlying molecular phenotypes than initially conceived. Future research must confront the multitude of factors comprising this heterogeneity, representing a big data challenge befitting the coming informatics age. Proteomics is poised to serve a central role in prescriptive therapeutic development, as it offers an efficient endpoint within which to assess post-TBI biochemistry. We examine rationale for multifactor TBI proteomic studies and the particular importance of temporal profiling in defining biochemical sequences and guiding therapeutic development. …

Identification Of Small-Molecule Inhibitors Against Meso-2, 6-Diaminopimelate Dehydrogenase From Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Victoria N. Stone, Hardik I. Parikh, Fadi El-Rami, Xiuchun Ge, Weihau Chen, Yan Zhang, Glen E. Kellogg, Ping Xu

Philips Institute for Oral Health Research Publications

Species-specific antimicrobial therapy has the potential to combat the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance and alteration of the human microbiome. We therefore set out to demonstrate the beginning of a pathogen-selective drug discovery method using the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis as a model. Through our knowledge of metabolic networks and essential genes we identified a “druggable” essential target, meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase, which is found in a limited number of species. We adopted a high-throughput virtual screen method on the ZINC chemical library to select a group of potential small-molecule inhibitors. Meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase from P. gingivaliswas first expressed …

New Media Photojournalism, Blog 1, Triet Le

Great VCU Bike Race Book Student Blog Posts

Student blog posts from the Great VCU Bike Race Book.

Let's Collaborate! Process-Based Sculptures, Lena Isenberg

Middle School Resources

To begin this lesson, students will study action painting from the Abstract Expressionist movement. Students will watch videos of Jackson Pollock and Dale Chihuly painting, and compare their processes. Students will also view Pollock and Chihuly’s art-making processes in the context of existentialism. They will understand that an artist’s actions are what give his or her life meaning. Taking inspiration from these artists’ processes, students will create collaborative sculptures in response to their materials. While creating their collaborative sculpture, students will be challenged by the dynamic interplay between individual ideas and group decision-making.

Public Space Interventions: Collaborating With New Craft Artists In Action- Finger Knitted Basketball Nets, Jody Boyer

Middle School Resources

A variety of artists make artwork that intervenes in public spaces. There are many reasons why artists engage communities in their work. This lesson explores a variety of artists who make artwork that intervenes in public spaces and engage communities with their work and teaches students to finger knit a 4 foot piece of yarn with excellent technique and craftsmanship. This lesson explores how the NCAA New Craft Artists in Action Net Works project and their public space interventions with handmade basketball nets. This lesson explores how artists collaborate to make artwork and empowers students to collaborate with their peers …

Dual Action Of Mir-125b As A Tumor Suppressor And Oncomir-22 Promotes Prostate Cancer Tumorigenesis, William T. Budd, Sarah J. Seashols-Williams, Gene C. Clark, Danielle Weaver, Valerie Calvert, Emanuel Petricoin, Ema A. Dragoescu, Katherine O'Hanlon, Zendra E. Zehner

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

MicroRNAs (miRs) are a novel class of small RNA molecules, the dysregulation of which can contribute to cancer. A combinatorial approach was used to identify miRs that promote prostate cancer progression in a unique set of prostate cancer cell lines, which originate from the parental p69 cell line and extend to a highly tumorigenic/metastatic M12 subline. Together, these cell lines are thought to mimic prostate cancer progression in vivo. Previous network analysis and miR arrays suggested that the loss of hsa-miR-125b together with the overexpression of hsa-miR-22 could contribute to prostate tumorigenesis. The dysregulation of these two miRs was …

Dpy-17 And Mua-3 Interact For Connective Tissue-Like Tissue Integrity In Caenorhabditis Elegans: A Model For Marfan Syndrome, Pauline Fotopoulos, Jeongho Kim, Moonjung Hyun, Waiss Qamari, Inhwan Lee, Young-Jai You

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

mua-3 is a Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the mammalian fibrillin1, a monogenic cause of Marfan syndrome. We identified a new mutation of mua-3 that carries an in-frame deletion of 131 amino acids in the extracellular domain, which allows the mutants to survive in a temperature-dependent manner; at the permissive temperature, the mutants grow normally without obvious phenotypes, but at the nonpermissive temperature, more than 90% die during the L4 molt due to internal organ detachment. Using the temperature-sensitive lethality, we performed unbiased genetic screens to isolate suppressors to find genetic interactors of MUA-3. From two independent screens, we isolated …

Dissection Of C. Elegans Behavioral Genetics In 3-D Environments, Namseop Kwon, Ara B. Hwang, Young-Jai You, Seung-Jae V. Lee, Jung Ho Je

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a widely used model for genetic dissection of animal behaviors. Despite extensive technical advances in imaging methods, it remains challenging to visualize and quantify C. elegans behaviors in three-dimensional (3-D) natural environments. Here we developed an innovative 3-D imaging method that enables quantification of C. elegans behavior in 3-D environments. Furthermore, for the first time, we characterized 3-D-specific behavioral phenotypes of mutant worms that have defects in head movement or mechanosensation. This approach allowed us to reveal previously unknown functions of genes in behavioral regulation. We expect that our 3-D imaging method will facilitate new …