Digital Commons Network^™

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-22

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-18

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-15

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-11 [Front Page Has 2008-09-08]

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-08

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-09-04

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Mechanism Of Transferrin-Iron Acquisition By Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Noto Jennifer Mcmillan

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen that requires iron for its survival within the host. N. gonorrhoeae expresses high-affinity iron acquisition systems to acquire iron from host iron binding proteins. The gonococcal transferrin-iron uptake system is composed of two transferrin binding proteins, TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent, outer membrane transporter, while TbpB is a surface-exposed lipoprotein. Unlike TbpA, TbpB is not required for transferrin utilization, but makes the process more efficient. The precise mechanism by which TbpA and TbpB function to mediate transferrin-iron uptake has not been fully characterized. However, the mechanism of iron acquisition from transferrin …

Application Of Shortest-Path Network Analysis To Identify Genes That Modulate Longevity In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Jr Managbanag

Theses and Dissertations

Shortest-path network analysis was employed to identify novel genes that modulate longevity in the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based upon a set of previously reported genes associated with increased life span, a shortest path network algorithm was applied to a pre-existing protein-protein interaction dataset in order to construct a shortest-path longevity network. To validate this network, the replicative aging potential of 88 single gene deletion strains corresponding to predicted components of the shortest path longevity network was determined. The 88 single-gene deletion strains identified by a network approach are significantly enriched for mutation conferring both increased and decreased replicative life …

Commonwealth Times 2008-08-28

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2008-08-25

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

[2008-08-21] August 21, 2008 A Regular Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.

Commonwealth Times 2008-08-21

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Virulence Determinants For Streptococcus Sanguinis Infective Endocarditis, Lauren Turner

Theses and Dissertations

Streptococcus sanguinis is the second most common causative agent of bacterial infective endocarditis (IE). Risk of S. sanguinis IE is dependent on pre-disposing damage to the heart valve endothelium, which results in deposition of clotting factors for formation of a sterile thrombus (referred to as vegetation). Despite medical advances, high mortality and morbidity rates persist. Molecular characterization of S. sanguinis virulence determinants may enable development of prevention methods. In a previous screen for S. sanguinis virulence determinants by signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) an attenuated mutant was identified with a transposon insertion in the nrdD gene, encoding an anaerobic ribonucleotide reductase. Evaluation …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyionic Hydrogels, Pooja Desai

Theses and Dissertations

In this study we describe novel polyionic dendrimer – PEG hydrogels for drug delivery. Hydrogels have a crosslinked insoluble network of polymer chains, which have found many applications including drug delivery and tissue regeneration. Dendrimers provide an ideal platform for drug delivery as they possess a well-defined highly branched nanoscale architecture with many reactive surface groups. Their highly clustered surface groups allow for targeted drug delivery and high drug payload to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. This study presented a new type of polyionic hydrogels based on dendrimers with potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) with various …

Physiological And Molecular Characterization Of Genetic Competence In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Alejandro Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The ability of bacteria to assimilate free DNA from the environment is known as competence. Though many studies have focused on competence regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus sanguinis has yet to be examined. Physiological characterization of competence in S. sanguinis strain SK36 and its comC mutant, JFP41, led to the genome-wide transcriptional analysis of cells induced to competence via addition of competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). A total of 128 genes were induced at least 2-fold, 74 of which were classified as either “early” or “late” based on their induction patterns. Expression patterns were verified using qRT-PCR. This study …

The Role Of Microrna-155 And Microrna-146a As Putative Oncomirs In The Tumor Progression Of Prostate Cancer, Jennifer Hoyt

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer occurring in males. The identification of novel microRNAs (miRs) that contribute to tumor progression represents prospective treatment targets. miRs are small non-coding RNAs important in gene regulation with specific tissue expression patterns. Each miR is thought to affect the expression of hundreds of different RNA targets. Two putative oncomiRs, miR-155 and miR-146a, were shown to be differentially expressed in the human derived, prostate cell sublines M12 and F6. Quantification of endogenous miR expression showed high levels in the metastatic M12 cell line versus low in its weakly tumorigenic F6 variant. The restoration of …

Promotion Of Tumor Cell Death Through The Induction Of, Tuyen Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

Microtubule poisons have proven to be effective in the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Although taxol-based derivatives promote microtubule stabilization, there is continuing interest in compounds that, like colchicines, act as microtubule destabilizing agents. Previous work from this laboratory showed that the novel microtubule poison, JG- 03-14, was active against breast tumor cells, promoting autophagic cell death. In the current work, we studied the influence of JG-03-14 on p53 wild type HCT116 colon carcinoma cells. A crystal violet sensitivity assay indicated that JG-03-14 induced growth inhibition, with 75% suppression of growth evident at a concentration of 500 nM. Time …

Preventing Weight Gain In First Year College Students: An Internet-Based Intervention, Rachel Gow

Theses and Dissertations

The transition to college has been identified as a critical period for increases in overweight status. Overweight college students are at-risk of becoming obese adults, thus prevention efforts targeting college age individuals might be one key to reducing adult obesity rates. The current study developed and implemented an intensive, 6-session, internet intervention. This intervention was evaluated with first year college students assigned randomly to one of four treatment conditions: 1) no treatment, 2) 6-week weight and caloric feedback only, 3) 6-week internet intervention, and 4) 6-week combined feedback and internet intervention. As expected, the combined intervention group had lower BMI …

The Response Of Hn4 Cells To Porphyromonas Gingivalis Dna, Cheyanne Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is one of the most common human diseases. Bacteria trigger the onset and progression of the disease and among them Porphyromonas gingivalis has been demonstrated to be a major etiologic agent. Although the interaction of the bacterium with the host is of major importance for the understanding of the disease mechanisms, both the host as well as the pathogen components involved in the interaction remain poorly understood. One of the bacterial components capable of eliciting a host response is unmethylated CpG DNA motifs found in bacteria. Thus, the first aim was to determine the response of oral epithelial …

The Scarab (2008-06)

The Scarab, 1952-2010

From the cover: "Official Organ of the Alumni Association of the Medical College of Virginia."

After August: Museums As Mirrors, William Pinholster

Theses and Dissertations

The After August Museum collects and exhibits an open, user-generated body of content. Its primary objective is to help heal the post-Katrina Lower Ninth Ward community. It is respectful and considerate of the area's established traditions, present concerns, and future goals. The museum assumes multiple shapes and plays multiple roles as it acts as the center of the transitioning community.

[2008-05-16] May 16, 2008 A Regular Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.

Typography As Performance: Bringing The Stage Into The Design Process, Ann Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Graphic design is historically a visual language consisting of text and image composed for the purposes of sending messages in print format. The voice of graphic design is typography—structuring and arranging letter forms into visual language. Over the past two decades, new communication formats such as motion and interaction have frequently been related to performance. My intention, however, is to explore how performance can influence typography in two and three dimensions, and even in digital environments.

What Is A Partition?, Lee Dijoseph

Theses and Dissertations

Buildings from the nineteenth century are rich with history and tradition in their materials,design and construction. Over the past few years in Richmond, many of the formerly vacant buildings have been converted into residential “lofts”. These spaces have the potential to teach and serve us in a way we could never duplicate today. The space we live in has the power to determine how well we function. I believe this is one of the keys to happiness. I like to think of these buildings holistically in terms of past, present, and future . I will supplement the space with partitions …

Mods: Collaboration And Play In Design, Margaret O'Saben

Theses and Dissertations

Located in Richmond, Virginia, MO Design is a small design/build company founded by Molly O’Saben. Ms. O’Saben received her bachelor’s degree in Craft & Material Studies and her master’s in Interior Environments from Virginia Commonwealth University. MO Design was founded in 2010 with a team of fellow alumni from VCU.

We make objects that inspire inventiveness. Our reconfigurable components offer our clients the unique ability to adapt their environments to life’s ever-changing needs.

We make MODs: Make your Own Designs.

Our products are for people who appreciate efficient spaces, are open to exploring possibilities, and like to play. Just as …

Unlisted Properties: An Exploration In Solo Performance, Jason Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the process of creating, producing and performing a solo performance titled UNLISTED PROPERTIES. We intend to intertwine historical text and contemporary narratives to create portraits of women throughout different periods of history/her-story dealing with the theme of women as property or owning others as personal property. The historical text will be taken from the self-written works of Mary Chesnut, Harriet A. Jacobs, and Elizabeth Packard. The contemporary pieces have been pulled from a variety of sources, which include an interview with Mary Ford, an Army bride during World War II, Pagan Moss, a website blogger describing her …

Unlisted Properties: An Exploration In Solo Performance, Lauren White

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the process of creating, producing and performing a solo performance titled UNLISTED PROPERTIES. We intend to intertwine historical text and contemporary narratives to create portraits of women throughout different periods of history/her-story dealing with the theme of women as property or owning others as personal property. The historical text will be taken from the self-written works of Mary Chesnut, Harriet A. Jacobs, and Elizabeth Packard. The contemporary pieces have been pulled from a variety of sources, which include an interview with Mary Ford, an Army bride during World War II, Pagan Moss, a website blogger describing her …

The Vine (2008-05)

The Vine, 1994-2008

The Vine was a successor to Reflections in Ink, published from 1994 to 2008. It transitioned from a mostly African American student perspective to a multi-cultural one.

Commonwealth Times 2008-05-01

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

The Experience Of Volunteering For Hurricane Katrina Relief / Theoretical Explanations For Nurses’ Involvement As Volunteers In Global Disasters, Deborah Ulmer

Theses and Dissertations

This study is about the nature of nurses' decision making related to volunteering to provide humanitarian aid in a major national disaster. Additionally, it is about the lived experience of nurses who volunteered in that disaster. It is a transcendental phenomenological study using the approach of Clarke Moustakas and the purpose of the study was to describe the experiences of the nurses, their reasons for volunteering, and the impact of their experience on their lives several years later.