Digital Commons Network^™

Age And Growth Of Bonefish, Albula Species Among Cuban Habitats, Jacob Joseph Rennert

Theses and Dissertations

Bonefish (Albula spp.) are a prized sportfish among avid anglers worldwide. Two morphologically indistinguishable species of bonefish (Albula vulpes and Albula goreensis) exist in the circumtropical waters of the western Atlantic. A. vulpes grows faster and reaches larger sizes in the Florida Keys than in the Bahamas and other insular regions, but the mechanisms driving this variation have not been identified. Cuba supports large populations of bonefish, but their age, growth rate, and reproductive biology has not previously been examined. I obtained specimens from fish markets and local research staff in 3 regions around the periphery of Cuba from November …

Pharmaceutical And Natural (Exercise) Mechanisms To Mitigate The Negative Impact Of Ptsd And Chronic Stress On Synaptic Plasticity And Memory, Roxanne M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Synapses can be altered due to experiences in a process called synaptic plasticity, which causes memory formations. Synapses can be strengthened through methods known as long-term potentiation (LTP) or weakened through long-term depression (LTD). Stresses can cause changes by altering synapses through either LTP or LTD. Rats were used to study the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms and a prophylactic treatment using pharmaceuticals. The first model used was the single prolonged stress (SPS) with two weeks of chronic light, which was not as effective for causing changes in synaptic plasticity. The second model, seven days of social defeat …

Encapsulation Of Inositol Hexakisphosphate To Facilitate Cellular Entry And Programmed Cell Death In Breast Cancer Cells, Ilham Hassoon Kadhim

Theses and Dissertations

There are more than 60 isoforms of InsPs generated by phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (InsP3), a key cell-signaling molecule produced during G-protein-coupled receptor activation. Among InsPs, inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6), also known as phytic acid (IP6), is the most abundant InsPs present in most cells. It plays a critical role in cellular differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis involving the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Several lines of studies have indicated the inhibitory activity of InsP6 in human and animal cancer cells via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. Increasing cellular contents of InsP6 is likely to inhibit cell proliferation and …

Exploring Gender In First-Year Composition, Ross Alan Bradley

Theses and Dissertations

Recently scholars in Creative Writing have begun researching gender and how gender relates to student success composition classes. This thesis uses critical discourse analysis and linguistic markers associated with different genders to examine student interaction with emphasis on gender domination and power inequalities between students of different genders. Data was collected from both face-to-face and online first-year composition classes. The first chapter gives a brief overview of relevant literature and outlines the other chapters, the second chapter describes literature that was researched for the study, and the third chapter lays critical discourse analysis, which was used to analyze the data. …

Aggression And Self Injurious Behaviors: The Effects Of Behavior Interventions In Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tara Buck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two behavioral interventions of young adults with Autism spectrum disorder that present with aggressive and self-injurious behavior. The results were analyzed to determine the successes and comparisons of the interventions to decrease challenging behaviors. The participants were two young adult male students diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder, both use an AAC device as their primary means of communication. Data was collected using a reversal (A-B-A-B) study design, with collection during a baseline phase, intervention phase one, reversal withdrawal of intervention phase two and re-implementation of intervention phase three. The …

Multi-Class Computational Evolution: Development, Benchmark Comparison, And Application To Rna-Seq Biomarker Discovery, Nathaniel Mark Crabtree

Theses and Dissertations

A computational evolution system (CES) is a knowledge-discovery engine that constructs and evolves classifiers with a small number of features to identify subtle, synergistic relationships among features and to discriminate groups in high-dimensional data analysis. CESs have previously been designed to only analyze binary datasets. In this work, the CES method has been expanded to accommodate multi-class data. The multi-class CES was compared to three common classification and feature selection methods: random forest, random k-nearest neighbor, and support vector machines. The four classifiers were evaluated on three real RNA sequencing datasets. Performance was evaluated via cross validation to assess classification …

Intercultural Accommodation: Accommodating Communication To People Of Different Groups, Marcus M. Gruwell

Theses and Dissertations

The current study attempts to address the widening division of race and communication due to a large continuation of demographics in Western countries like the United States. Using Communication Accommodation Theory and studies from Postcolonialism to the study, the researcher hopes to develop a more concrete understanding as to why people will change their speaking behaviors when encountering different groups. Concepts of the behavior of Postcolonial mentality and changes in speaking behaviors will better create a more social construct as to why people act in certain ways towards different people

Kinetic Characterization Of Listeria Monocytogenes 2-C- Methyl-D-Erythritol 4-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase ( Cms ) Enzymes Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography ( Hplc ), Mark Oblazny

Theses and Dissertations

Infectious diseases, with increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, coupled with the declining rate in discovery of antimicrobial agents, impose one of the most significant threats to human health. Here we identify 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (CMS) as a valid target for antibiotic development which is an enzyme in pathogenic organisms that leads to the biosynthesis of isoprene precursor molecules. Isoprene molecules are one of nature’s most common building blocks that are vital to many biological metabolic processes and are synthesized via the mevalonic acid dependent (MVA), or methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. Vertebrates utilize the MVA pathway, while many pathogenic bacteria …

The Biochemical Assessment Of Two Secreted Acid Phosphatases From Leishmania Tarentolae, Their Response To Electric Fields, Glycosidase Incubation, And / Or Vanadium, Benjamin M. Dorsey

Theses and Dissertations

Leishmaniasis, as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is a neglected tropical disease with 1.6 million new cases reported each year. However, there is yet to be safe, effective, and affordable treatments provided to those affected by this disease1. Still underappreciated as a potential pharmaceutical targets, especially for cutaneous leishmaniasis infections, are the two isozymes of secreted acid phosphatase (SAP); secreted acid phosphatase 1 (SAP1) and secreted acid phosphatase 2 (SAP2). These enzymes are involved in the survival of the parasite in the sand fly vector, and the prevention of host macrophages from forming parasitophorous vacuole and …

Learning A Language: The Gateway To Cosmopolitanism, Caleb Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the relationship between language acquisition and ethnocentrism. Specifically, does learning additional languages reduce ethnocentrism in an individual? After reviewing the literature on social groups, ethnocentrism, and language acquisition, a quantitative test was carried out. This consisted of a survey design implemented in Morocco using Moroccan subjects. Although learning additional languages was correlated with less ethnocentrism, the results did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. The variables that did have a statistically significant impact on ethnocentrism and prejudice were contact and age.

The Growth Mindset School Community, Christina A. Hild

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional school models perpetuate limited notions of ability. Established in systems designed to label and sort, educators must examine their beliefs about ability and the ways culture and power structures impact expectations and student achievement. By adopting a growth mindset lens and applying distributed leadership to systems within a school, educational leaders can enhance opportunities for all children. The Growth Mindset School Community describes an organization committed to growth and reflective processes intended to monitor thinking and procedures impacting learning and growth. Teacher expectations, feedback, assessment, and grading practices, behavior management, special education, teacher evaluation, and leadership models are all …

Diurnal And Seasonal Variation In Groundwater Nitrate -N Concentration In A Saturated Buffer Zone, Joseph Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Surface water pollution by nitrate (NO3-) is identified as a critical problem in agricultural land-use areas. Excess NO3- loading causes eutrophication and hypoxia in near-shore marine waters such as the Gulf of Mexico. Diversion of agricultural runoff into saturated buffer zones reduces NO3- loading. Although the mechanisms responsible for NO3- reduction in saturated buffer zones are well characterized, little is known about how NO3- concentrations vary temporally and what factors control those changes. The objective of this study is to understand NO3- concentration and environmental factor variability in a saturated buffer zone on a diurnal scale within and among the …

The Disproportionate Representation Of Minorities In Special Education, Rasuwl Medina

Theses and Dissertations

Students throughout the United States are promised that individuals who enter the U.S. educational system are placed on an even playing field and that each student will be given equitable treatment within the school they attend. Furthermore, students are assured that studying and learning class material will determine not only their placement within school but the success they will have in life. Despite this long held belief, research and demographic breakdowns of special education placement within the U.S. suggests minorities are disproportionately placed into special education (de Valenzuela, Copeland, & Qi, 2006). This finding is in concert with the already …

Communicating Consent: An Investigation Of Predictors Of College Student Sexual Consent Communication, Erin L. Link

Theses and Dissertations

Often, sexual consent is only discussed and explored in the context of sexual assault. While consent is often the deciding factor to determine if a crime occurred, consent is also a vital part of an equally enjoyable sexual encounter. The present study examines a variety of variables effects on consent attitudes, norms, and communication behaviors to attempt to identify predictors of college student consent communication. Findings and recommendations are discussed that highlight the necessity of viewing consent as a communicative act.

The Relationship Between Peer Tutoring And Learning Styles At Rowan University, Marissa Jean Wood

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the learning styles of peer tutors employed by the Tutoring Services department on the Glassboro campus of Rowan University during the spring 2017 semester. The study collected responses to two learning style instruments: the Learning Connections Inventory (LCI) Adult Education Form © and the VARK © instrument. Of particular interest was what were the most common learning styles among the tutors and was there a relationship between the reported styles and, length of time as a tutor, academic major, and class rank?

Although there is a plethora of research describing the relationship …

An Inquiry Into The Development Of Future Speech-Language Pathologists: A Mixed Methods Study, Kimberly Plotts

Theses and Dissertations

Upon graduating college, many students seek employment within the degree area in which they obtained. Employers are seeking skills in individuals that encompass interpersonal, technical, analytical, personal, and professional abilities. As with many careers, the allied health field requires content specific knowledge and specialized skills, which indicate sufficient work readiness. The allied health field of speech-language pathology is touted as one of the fastest growing professions in this decade and is in demand. To become a speech-language pathologist, one must complete a master's program and supervised clinical practicums. Despite participating in a master's program with quality curricula, having supervision by …

Development Of Novel Alkaloid Derivatives For The Treatment Of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Lindsay Michelle Renn

Theses and Dissertations

The majority of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients can be treated with and respond to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). Imatinib is known to inhibit BCR-ABLl kinase activity, and is effective for the treatment of the majority of CML patients. Multiple mutations have been found in patients resistant to imatinib treatment, including many located in the BCR-ABLl tyrosine kinase domain (e.g. E255K and T315I). Matrine is a bioactive alkaloid from Sophora flavescens and has been shown to inhibit several types of cancers and is used in Chinese medicine. The goal of this study is to develop new matrine derivatives that inhibit growth …

The Efficiency Of Dna Repair Processes In Proximity Of G 4 Dna Structures, Gloria Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Guanine-rich segments of genomes promote the formation of a four-stranded DNA structure called G-quadruplex (G4 DNA). While evolutionarily conserved, guanine repeats show increased rates of mutagenesis and instability, and this is likely associated with G4 formation. In this thesis, I sought to clarify the molecular sources of genetic instability by testing the repair, excision, and synthesis through guanine-rich DNA. Using E. coli UDG and human SMUG1, I found that uracil is inefficiently repaired in proximity to G4 DNA in vitro. Investigation of E. coli exonuclease III and exonuclease I activity indicated that G4 DNA is a block to activity and …

Utilization Of Lung Cancer Screening And Molecular Testing To Improve Lung Cancer Outcomes, Jennifer Lynne Ersek

Theses and Dissertations

Despite progress in detection and treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends adults at high risk for lung cancer undergo annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, however, lung cancer screening (LCS) uptake remains low. Qualitative research on family physician (FP) perceptions and experiences with LCS has been limited since USPSTF publication and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision memo. We conducted a qualitative study to assess FP knowledge and perceptions of LCS and gain insight into their current experiences with LDCT. A …

Design And Evaluation Of A Cmos Contact-Imaging System For Microfluidics, Andres Moroni Galan Cherrez

Theses and Dissertations

A CMOS contact-imaging system for microfluidics is presented. The microsystem integrates a five-layer PDMS microfluidic network and a CMOS image sensor fabricated in a standard 0.18 µ­m technology. The CMOS image sensor consists of two 10×1-pixel array, an amplifier, and a control logic. The imager is able to achieve a low dark signal of 1.67 mV/s, a maximum integration time of 514 s, and a high dynamic range of 75.2 dB at 1 s integration time. The microfluidic device integrates several actuated valve to achieve a fully automated lab-on-a-chip. This work also presents a quantitative comparison of the photomultiplier tube …

Mechanism Of Action Of American Ginseng And Its Components In The Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis, Anusha Chaparala

Theses and Dissertations

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract affecting millions of people worldwide. The incidence of IBD is steadily increasing in the modern world due to changes in dietary habits and other environmental influences that originated from industrialization. The etiology is poorly understood but is believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and overactive immune system. UC is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of colonic mucosa and rectum and has a higher incidence than CD. Aside from severely affecting the quality of life of the …

The Role Of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 In Vascular Disease, Desiree Leach

Theses and Dissertations

In response to injury, mature vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) undergo dedifferentiation, also known as phenotype modulation or switch. This process is characterized by a downregulation or loss of expression of contractile genes and concomitant with an increase in cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix production, thereby leading to vascular lesion formation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. The objective of my study was to determine whether cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), a transcription-regulating kinase, plays a mediator role in vascular SMC dedifferentiation and lesion formation. Our results from immunochemical staining and Western blot revealed that CDK8 expression …

Impact Of Electrospun Conduit Composition And Peritoneal Pre-Conditioning On Patency And Remodeling Of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts, Mozhgan Shojaee

Theses and Dissertations

Overall goal of this project was to develop a tissue engineered vascular graft by implanting an electrospun tubular conduit into the peritoneal cavity to recruit autologous cells to it and provide the cells with the components of the hysiological environment prior to grafting the conduit into the artery. This was accomplished through three complimentary studies: finding the best ratio of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and collagen that improves inflammatory response within the peritoneal cavity; determining the effect of peritoneal pre-implantation and the amount of incorporated collagen on graft functionality; and reducing the potential side effect of peritoneal adhesion formation. In the first …

Effect Of Bioglass Incorporation Into Electrochemically Aligned Collagen Threads On Mechanical Properties And Cell-Mediated Mineralization, Madhura Nijsure

Theses and Dissertations

Bone related diseases and disorders are a significant socioeconomic burden in the United States. Autografts and allografts are most commonly used for the treatment of bone defects and non-unions; however, they are associated with limitations such as donor site morbidity and immune rejection, respectively. Over the past few decades, bone tissue engineering (BTE) using scaffold and cells has garnered significant interest as an alternative method for the repair and regeneration of bone defects. Recreation of the tissue microenvironment via the development of biomimetic scaffolds that resemble the physicochemical aspects (i.e., composition, topography, stiffness) of native bone is a promising approach …

The Effects Of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, And Atherosclerosison Fluid Flow In The Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, Jennifer Ann Bowden

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity impacts health and disease in multiple body tissues including the intervertebral discs. Fluid flow within the disc is an indicator of disc health that can be observed using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We monitored activity levels of 26 participants, age 35 to 55 yrs, using Actigraph accelerometers for four days to evaluate vigorous-intensity activity, moderate to vigorous-intensity activity, and sedentary time. Participants underwent structural and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate intervertebral disc health and fluid flow. They also underwent bone density scans, carotid artery ultrasounds, a treadmill test, and a physical exam for pain, range …

Distributions Of Polychaetes As A Function Of Sediment Composition In A Subtropical Lagoon, Anthony William Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Fine-grained organic-rich sediments (FGORS) in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, the human activities and nutrient inputs and have a varied composition, including water content, silt-clay content, and organic matter. When these constituents reach, by weight, 75%, 60% dry, and 10% dry, respectively, this is sometimes referred to as IRL “muck”. Many polychaetes inhabit the benthic sediments of estuaries and must tolerate various degrees of FGORS. The Cox IRL Muck Index (CMI) is proposed as a mechanism for determining the organic sediment tolerances of infaunal species in a simple and direct manner. IRL muck will have a minimum CMI of …

The Clinical Utility Of Recaptured Baselines After Return-To-Play, Alicia Miran Kissinger-Knox

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the clinical utility of recaptured baselines or “rebaselines” in collegiate athletes after return-to-play. Several concussion management teams endorse the use of baseline neurocognitive assessments at the beginning of an athlete’s sports season to use as a measure of comparison in the instance of concussion or head injury. Once physical and cognitive symptoms are resolved, an athlete is requested to reestablish their baseline for the rest of the season. It has been questioned whether this “rebaselining” is necessary and warranted. Method: Forty-one Division II collegiate athletes at Florida Institute of Technology who sustained …

The Economic And Social Integration Of The Syrian Migrants And Refugees In El-Rehab City In Egypt., Miranda Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

The current Syrian refugee crises have captured the world's attention. Much of the existing research have focused on the humanitarian and security impacts of Syrians' displacement in hosting countries. This research, explores how Syrian refugees in el-Rehab city are unique through focusing on their economic and social impacts on the city since the beginning of their arrival in 2011. The study also sheds light on the relation of Syrian refugees and the Egyptian state. Moreover, it states the distinct reasons that dejects them from registering as asylum seekers with UNHCR. Syrians' and Egyptians' integration in el-Rehab city existed through shared …

Modeling The Niche Space Of Coral Assemblages Along The Florida Reef Tract, Kelly Renee Mccaffrey

Theses and Dissertations

Quantifying the niche space of organisms is critical for conservation and restoration purposes. Yet, with warming oceans, we cannot assume that the localities that were optimal for species in the past remain so today or will be optimal for that species in the future. Over the next century, the climate is predicted to drive sea-surface temperatures to even higher levels, consequently increasing the risk of mass coral bleaching and disease outbreaks, and potentially reducing the niche space available to corals. Yet, there is considerable temporal and spatial variation in coral bleaching, disease prevalence, and mortality. Using data collected from 2398 …

Spit Shined And Polished And Ready For College: A Critical Race Analysis Of Program Directors’ Perspectives On The Contexts Of College Access Programs, Jillian Havard

Theses and Dissertations

College access programs work to prepare underserved students for college admission and enrollment. It is important to identify how the assumptions of college access program leaders affect their common practices and implementation of programs serving African American students, as well as to identify the tensions that exist among theory, research and practice in the college access field. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of college access program directors on the contexts of college access program. Using critical race theory as a theoretical framework, the impact of whiteness, perpetuated by the college access of ideology, is examined.