Digital Commons Network^™

Commonwealth Times 2010-02-08

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2010-02-04

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2010-02-01

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Ink (2010-02)

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.

Commonwealth Times 2010-01-28

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2010-01-25

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of Telomerase Expression In Stem Cell Reprogramming, Patrick Sachs

Theses and Dissertations

A great need exists for an abundant, easily accessible source of patient-specific cells that will function for use in regenerative medicine. One promising source is the adult stem cell derived from adipose tissue (ASCs). Isolated from waste lipoaspiration, these cells could serve as a readily available source for the regeneration of damaged tissues. To further define the biology of ASCs, we have isolated multiple cell strains from different adipose tissue sources, indicating wide-spread distribution in the body. We find that a widely used set of cell surface markers fail to distinguish ASCs from normal fibroblasts. However, our ASC isolations are …

Commonwealth Times 2010-01-21

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Virtual Reality In Art Education, Sohhyoun Yoon

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project presents possible uses of Virtual Reality for art education. To understand VR, this thesis reviews the history of using technology in educational environments and explores the concepts, definitions, and characteristics of VR in general. Then, it shows diverse purposes of VR for education and art educational environments. For an art class, the units present the use of Teen Second Life, which is a free on-line virtual world. The units demonstrate how art educators may use Teen Second life for high school art classes to build students’ understandings of their identities by creating their avatars, clothing, objects and …

The Effect Of Implicit Stereotypes On The Physical Performance In Older Adults, Gabriele R. Moriello

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how stereotypes affect physical performance in older adults. A multigroup pretest post test design was utilized to determine whether implicit activation of positive or negative stereotypes has an effect on physical performance. Ninety six community dwelling older adults 65 years of age or older were included in the sample. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: exposure to positive stereotypes of aging, exposure to negative stereotypes of aging, or a control condition. In order to simulate how older adults are exposed to stereotypes in real world settings, participants were primed …

High Magnetization Aqueous Ferrofluid: A Simple One-Pot Synthesis, Kyler J. Carroll, Michael D. Schultz, Panos P. Fatouros, Everett E. Carpenter

Chemistry Publications

A one-step polyol method was utilized to prepare a stable aqueous iron/iron oxide ferrofluid. The dried powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry for the determination of phase, morphology, and magnetic properties. To show its potential for imaging applications, the ferrofluid was also investigated as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Metabolic Oscillations In Pancreatic Islets Depend On The Intracellular Ca2+ Level But Not Ca2+ Oscillations, Matthew J. Merrins, Bernard Fendler, Min Zhang, Arthur Sherman, Richard Bertram, Leslie S. Satin

Pharmacology and Toxicology Publications

Abstract

Plasma insulin is pulsatile and reflects oscillatory insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. Although both islet Ca²⁺ and metabolism oscillate, there is disagreement over their interrelationship, and whether they can be dissociated. In some models of islet oscillations, Ca²⁺ must oscillate for metabolic oscillations to occur, whereas in others metabolic oscillations can occur without Ca²⁺ oscillations. We used NAD(P)H fluorescence to assay oscillatory metabolism in mouse islets stimulated by 11.1 mM glucose. After abolishing Ca²⁺ oscillations with 200 μM diazoxide, we observed that oscillations in NAD(P)H persisted in 34% of islets (n = 101). …

Chemotherapy In Conjoint Aging-Tumor Systems: Some Simple Models For Addressing Coupled Aging-Cancer Dynamics, Mitra S. Feizabadi, Tarynn M. Witten

Study of Biological Complexity Publications

Background

In this paper we consider two approaches to examining the complex dynamics of conjoint aging-cancer cellular systems undergoing chemotherapeutic intervention. In particular, we focus on the effect of cells growing conjointly in a culture plate as a precursor to considering the larger multi-dimensional models of such systems. Tumor cell growth is considered from both the logistic and the Gompertzian case, while normal cell growth of fibroblasts (WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts) is considered as logistic only.

Results

We demonstrate, in a simple approach, how the interdependency of different cell types in a tumor, together with specifications of for treatment, can …

Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program [2010], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Podcasting Possibilities For Art Education, Melanie L. Buffington

Art Education Publications

Technological developments influence the way artists create works of art. Newer technologies associated with the Web, called Web 2.0, are changing and affecting the work of contemporary artists. One form of Web 2.0 is the development of podcasts, which are compressed files that can be shared through the Internet. Podcasts are mainstream and many art museums use them as a means to provide audio or video for visitors, virtual or real. Over the last few semesters, I worked with groups of undergraduate and graduate art education students to develop podcasts based on their interpretations of works of art. Through these …

Web 2.0 And Social Constructivism, Melanie L. Buffington, Kathryn R. Helms, Jan A. Johnston, Sohhyoun Yoon

The Melanie Buffington Papers

The emergence of Web 2.0 and its related technologies has the potential to dramatically alter current educational practices. Because users now have the ability to rapidly create content and to engage in social interactions through the World Wide Web, we argue that Web 2.0 supports socially mediated, constructivist learning environments in ways that are becoming seamless. In this chapter, we describe the tenets of social constructivism and then discuss three technologies associated with Web 2.0 and explore how teachers and students could utilize them to promote constructivist learning.

The Development Of A Web- And A Print-Based Decision Aid For Prostate Cancer Screening, Caroline S. Dorfman, Randi M. Williams, Elisabeth C. Kassan, Sara N. Red, David L. Dawson, William Tuong, Elizabeth R. Parker, Janet Ohene-Frempong, Kimberly M. Davis, Alexander H. Krist, Steven H. Woolf, Marc D. Schwartz, Mary B. Fishman, Carmella Cole, Kathryn L. Taylor

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

Background Whether early detection and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) will reduce disease-related mortality remains uncertain. As a result, tools are needed to facilitate informed decision making. While there have been several decision aids (DAs) developed and tested, very few have included an exercise to help men clarify their values and preferences about PCa screening. Further, only one DA has utilized an interactive web-based format, which allows for an expansion and customization of the material. We describe the development of two DAs, a booklet and an interactive website, each with a values clarification component and designed for use in diverse …

Phenotype, Functions And Fate Of Adoptively Transferred Tumor Draining Lymphocytes Activated Ex Vivo In Mice With An Aggressive Weakly Immunogenic Mammary Carcinoma, Catriona H.T. Miller, Laura Graham, Harry D. Bear

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

Regression of established tumors can be induced by adoptive immunotherapy with tumor draining lymph node lymphocytes activated with bryostatin and ionomycin. We hypothesized that tumor regression is mediated by a subset of the transferred T lymphocytes, which selectively infiltrate the tumor draining lymph nodes and proliferate in vivo.

Results

Adoptive transfer of B/I activated tumor draining lymphocytes induces regression of advanced 4T1 tumors, and depletion of CD8, but not CD4 T cells, abrogated tumor regression in mice. The predominant mediators of tumor regression are CD8+ and derived from CD62L^- T cells. Transferred lymphocytes reached their peak concentration …

Dual-Doped Thermographic Phosphor Particles As Surrogates For Green Fluorescent Protein-Labeled Cells In Tests Of Cytometric Neurocatheters, S. W. Allison, G. T. Gillies

Neurosurgery Publications

We investigated the laser-induced fluorescence of particles of a compound thermographic phosphorLa2O2S:Eu(1%) and Gd2O2S:Eu(1%) to see if they can serve as a surrogate for cells transfected with the green fluorescent protein, in tests of neurocatheters used for intraparenchymal celldelivery. At an excitation wavelength of 337 nm and a concentration of ≈2×106 particles ml−1, the resulting slurries produced fluorescence intensities at 625 nm that were within a factor of 2 of those produced by similar number densities of relevant cells, thus suggesting the utility of this approach.

Dynamic Dependence On Atr And Atm For Double-Strand Break Repair In Human Embryonic Stem Cells And Neural Descendants, Bret R. Adams, Sarah E. Golding, Raj R. Rao, Kristoffer Valerie

Radiation Oncology Publications

The DNA double-strand break (DSB) is the most toxic form of DNA damage. Studies aimed at characterizing DNA repair during development suggest that homologous recombination repair (HRR) is more critical in pluripotent cells compared to differentiated somatic cells in which nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is dominant. We have characterized the DNA damage response (DDR) and quality of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and in vitro-derived neural cells. Resolution of ionizing radiation-induced foci (IRIF) was used as a surrogate for DSB repair. The resolution of γ-H2AX foci occurred at a slower rate in hESCs …

Virginia Commonwealth University Fall Commencement Program [2010], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate And Professional Programs Bulletin Courses [2010], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of professional and graduate courses for 2010-2011.

Genetic Basis Of Growth Adaptation Of Escherichia Coli After Deletion Of Pgi, A Major Metabolic Gene, Pep Charusanti, Tom M. Conrad, Eric M. Knight, Karthik Venkataraman, Nicole L. Fong, Bin Xie, Yuan Gao, Bemhard O. Palsson

Study of Biological Complexity Publications

Bacterial survival requires adaptation to different environmental perturbations such as exposure to antibiotics, changes in temperature or oxygen levels, DNA damage, and alternative nutrient sources. During adaptation, bacteria often develop beneficial mutations that confer increased fitness in the new environment. Adaptation to the loss of a major non-essential gene product that cripples growth, however, has not been studied at the whole-genome level. We investigated the ability of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 to overcome the loss of phosphoglucose isomerase (pgi) by adaptively evolving ten replicates of E. coli lackingpgi for 50 days in glucose M9 minimal medium and …

Here, There, And Everywhere: A Review Of Diy U By Anya Kamenetz, Jonathan D. Becker

Educational Leadership Publications

Book Review of DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education by Anya Kamenetz.

Berberine Inhibits Hiv Protease Inhibitor-Induced Inflammatory Response By Modulating Er Stress Signaling Pathways In Murine Macrophages, Weibin Zha, Guang Liang, Jian Xiao, Elaine Studer, Phillip B. Hylemon, William M. Pandak Jr., Guangji Wang, Xiaokun Li, Huiping Zhou

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

HIV protease inhibitor (PI)-induced inflammatory response plays an important role in HIV PI-associated dyslipidemia and cardiovascular complications. This study examined the effect of berberine, a traditional herb medicine, on HIV PI-induced inflammatory response and further investigated the underlying cellular/molecular mechanisms in macrophages.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Cultured mouse J774A.1 macrophages and primary mouse macrophages were used in this study. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Activations of ER stress and ERK signaling pathways were determined by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescent staining was used to determine the intracellular localization of RNA binding protein …

Imaging South Africa: Collection Projects By Siemon Allen, Siemon Allen

Anderson Gallery Art Exhibition Catalogues

"This catalog was published in conjunction with the exhibition Imaging South Africa: Collection Projects by Siemon Allen, August 27-October 31, 2010, and made possible by generous support from the Office of the Dean, VCU School of the Arts."--p. 83.

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate And Professional Programs Bulletin [2010], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate and professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2010-2011. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin Courses [2010], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of undergraduate courses for 2010-2011.

Menorah Review (No. 72, Winter/Spring, 2010)

Menorah Review

A Philosopher Rediscovers His Jewish Roots -- An Extraordinary Rabbinic Life -- An Interpretation of Isiah 6.8-10 -- Books in Brief: New and Notable -- Moreshet: From the Classics -- The Noah Affair -- Who Owns and Who is Responsible for a Soul?

Putative Cis-Regulatory Elements Associated With Heat Shock Genes Activated During Excystation Of Cryptosporidium Parvum, Benjamin Cohn, Patricio A. Manque, Ana M. Lara, Myrna G. Serrano, Nihar U. Sheth, Gregory A. Buck

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Abstract

Background

Cryptosporidiosis is a ubiquitous infectious disease, caused by the protozoan parasitesCryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum, leading to acute, persistent and chronic diarrhea worldwide. Although the complications of this disease can be serious, even fatal, in immunocompromised patients of any age, they have also been found to lead to long term effects, including growth inhibition and impaired cognitive development, in infected immunocompetent children. The Cryptosporidium life cycle alternates between a dormant stage, the oocyst, and a highly replicative phase that includes both asexual vegetative stages as well as sexual stages, implying fine genetic regulatory mechanisms. The …