Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Subject Presentation Types In Problem Based Learning (Pbl) Problems On Student Motivation: A Pbl Implementation In Speech Language Pathology, Elaine Kim Pyle

Theses and Dissertations

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an evidence-based instructional approach designed to maximize one’s ability to use static knowledge as evidence for solving authentic problems (Barrows, 1986). Students have been observed as underprepared or skipping steps during the PBL process due to fatigue or low motivation (Czabanowska, Moust, Meijer, Schr��-B夫, & Robertson, 2012). This study considered the impact of the presentation of the PBL subject (i.e., the key character involved in the problem) on student motivation within the context of Speech and Voice Science curricula. The results of this mixed-methods study showed the frequency of engagement behaviors declined overall. Although engagement levels …

Immune Regulatory Mechanism And Myeloid Cells Functions In Brain Parasite Infection, Fredice Quenum Zangbede

Theses and Dissertations

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the helminth parasite Taenia solium (T. solium) and affects 50-100 million people worldwide. Its clinical symptoms include headache, seizures, hydrocephalus, epilepsy and stroke. These clinical symptoms can have life-long detrimental effects. As many as half of the total adult-onset seizures and 10% of the stroke cases in the endemic areas are attributed to NCC, whereas 20% to 30% of symptomatic patients display hydrocephalus. Treatment of NCC remains a major challenge as the severity of the symptoms is thought to be elicited by the degenerating …

Chromatographic Analysis Of Low Molecular Weight Polar Compounds In Complex Environmental Matrices And Renewable Materials, Jana Rousova

Theses and Dissertations

One of the challenges in characterization of complex environmental matrices and renewable materials is the determination low molecular weight polar compounds (LMWPCs). Depending on the matrix, the targeted LMWPCs include acids, aldehydes, sugars, sugar alcohols or aminoacids. To investigate the role and impact of these species, a development of accurate and precise analytical protocols is essential. One of the challenges in analysis of LMWPCs is their volatility and thus potential losses during sample preparation. The various matrices including renewable materials may contain >100 compounds that are either non-targeted (i.e., their identity is not known prior to the analysis) or targeted …

The Role Of Α-Synuclein In Brain Lipid Metabolism And Inflammation, Drew R. Seeger

Theses and Dissertations

Alpha-synuclein (Snca) is a small cytosolic protein that is ubiquitously expressed in the nervous system and comprises 0.5-1% of all cytosolic protein, but its biological function is poorly understood. Although Snca function has been studied in lipid metabolism, the function of Snca in brain lipid metabolism under inflammatory conditions is yet to be elucidated. We utilized several model systems including primary cultured astrocytes and microglia, Snca deficient and mutant knock-in mice, and a radiolabeled free fatty acid steady state-kinetic mouse model to determine Snca role in neuroinflammation. Herein, we have determined several major roles of Snca during inflammation: (i) dBcAMP …

Contextual Factors Related To Stereotype Threat And Student Success In Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Education: A Mixed Methods Study, Lindsey Leker

Theses and Dissertations

Stereotype threat is a widely researched phenomenon shown to impact performance in testing and evaluation situations (Katz, Roberts, & Robinson, 1965; Steele & Aronson, 1995). When related to gender, stereotype threat can lead women to score lower than men on standardized math exams (Spencer, Steele, & Quinn, 1999). Stereotype threat may be one reason women have lower enrollment in most science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors, hold a smaller number of STEM careers than men, and have a higher attrition rate in STEM professions (Hill, Corbet, & Rose, 2010; Picho & Brown 2011; Sorby & Baartmans, 2000). Most research …

An Investigation Of The Thermal Degradation Of Lignin, Sara Pourjafar

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to explore selected non-biological lignin decomposition reactions to determine if these reactions have the potential to generate fuel and chemical intermediates in a commercially feasible manner. Two different strategies were employed: 1) metal doped silica-alumina and γ-alumina catalytic decomposition reactions, and 2) base catalyzed sub- and supercritical water liquefaction.

The first strategy was built upon previous research to explore metal doped silica-alumina and γ-alumina catalytic lignin decomposition reactions in a batch reactor system. Commercially available silica-alumina and γ-alumina catalysts were individually doped with 5 and 10 wt % of molybdenum or copper via a …

Epigenetic Remodeling As A Mediator Of Environmental Toxicant Exposure In The Brain, Christopher David Walden

Theses and Dissertations

Natural toxins and artificial toxicants are abundant throughout our environment and may play an integral role in remodeling our epigenome and in the development of neural diseases. Exposure to heavy metals and organic pollutants, such as DDT and its derivatives, have been linked to neural disease. Additionally, there are links between direct exposure, in both adults and children, to short-lived pesticides and neural diseases. While the link has been established, understanding the root cause has yet to be elucidated. One increasingly relevant field offering promise in achieving this goal is epigenetics. Epigenetic remodeling is one potential mechanism by which environmental …

Development Of An Electrospun And 3d Printed Cellular Delivery Device For Dermal Wound Healing, Ryan M. Clohessy

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop a system of individualized medicine that could be applied to dermal wounds serving as a wound dressing and synthetic extracellular matrix while delivering stem cells to the wound bed. First, fabrication parameters for electrospinning polymer fibers were determined. This involved evaluating fiber morphology with respect to polymer selection and solution concentration. Next, construct fabrication was examined to produce an integrated void space, or cargo area, suitable to maintain stem cells. In vitro studies to ensure stem cell viability and phenotype were conducted, and results supported the notion that cells could be administered …

Silver Diamine Fluoride And Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life, Nazafarin Javdan

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the association between Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life as assessed by “The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale” questionnaire. Methods: Parents of healthy children (ASA I and II) ages 1-5 with early childhood caries with reversible pulpitis who had application of SDF filled out a questionnaire at baseline and again after one month. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the child’s behavior, physical abilities, pain, temperament, and how well the child gets along with others. Results: Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to …

Quantitative Analysis And Process Of High Speed Live Cell Interferometry Measurements, Daniel Guest

Theses and Dissertations

The application of auto focus, using an optical beam deflection technique, to existing live cell interferometry measurements was developed and examined. The benefit to relevant experiments, currently being performed, is shown as well as its performance across various magnifications. Enough information is given so that the system can be reproduced to fit any end users needs.

Negotiating Desire: Resisting, Reimagining And Reinscribing Normalized Sexuality And Gender In Fan Fiction, Charity A. Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

Fan studies has examined how fan fiction resists heteronormativity by challenging depictions of gender and sexuality, but to date, this inquiry has focused disproportionately on slash, to the exclusion of other genres of fan fiction. Additionally, scholars disagree about slash’s subversive effects by setting up a seemingly stable dichotomy—subversive vs. misogynistic—where one does not necessarily exist.

In this project, I examine multiple genres of fan fiction—namely, slash arising from bromances; femslash from female friendships; incestuous fan fiction from dysfunctional familial relationships; and polyamorous fics. I chose fics from four televisions shows—NBC’s Revolution, MTV’s Teen Wolf, the CW’s The …

Antidepressant-Like Effects Of Amisulpride, Ketamine, And Their Enantiomers On Differential-Reinforcement-Of-Low-Rate (Drl) Operant Responding In Male C57/Bl/6 Mice, Doug Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread psychiatric disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is hypothesized to occur due to impairments in several neurotransmitter systems, including the monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems. Antidepressant medications targeting multiple monoamine neurotransmitters have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. Racemic amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic that has been used at low doses to treat dysthymia, a mild form of depression, and functions as an antagonist at DA_2/3, 5-HT_2B, and 5-HT₇ receptors. Recent preclinical studies have suggested that the S(+) isomer may be more …

Mast Cell Activation By Diverse Stimuli Can Be Suppressed By Steroid Therapy And Targeting The Fyn-Stat5b Cascade, Anuya Paranjape

Theses and Dissertations

Mast cells are critical effectors of allergic disease that can be activated by numerous stimuli. We have examined mast cell control by the inflammatory cytokine, IL-33, as well as IgG. In the first study reported here, we found that the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, potently and rapidly suppressed IL-33-induced cytokine production from murine bone marrow–derived and peritoneal mast cells, as well as human mast cells. Dexamethasone also antagonized IL-33-mediated enhancement of IgE-induced cytokine production and migration. Although dexamethasone had no effect on IL-33-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinases or NFκB p65 subunit, it antagonized AP-1 and NFκB-mediated transcriptional activity. Finally, intraperitoneal administration …

Ain’T I Black Enough?: Anxiety Related To The Questioning Of One’S Group Membership, Michelle Stith

Theses and Dissertations

During late adolescence and emerging adulthood, individuals undergo identity formation (Erikson, 1956). During this period, individuals may be insecure about their group memberships (Myers & DeWall, 2015). Subcategorizations have developed among Black people in America resulting from their traumatic history (Blair, Judd, Sadler, & Jenkins, 2002; Levingston & Brewer, 2002). This subcategorization creates in-group/out-group dichotomies. In order to increase one’s self-image, Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) poses that individuals attempt to enhance the image of their in-group. This study aimed to determine whether a person feels anxiety due to fear of rejection from the in-group when challenged on …

Nitrosative Stress Sensing In Porphyromonas Gingivalis: Structure And Function Of The Heme Binding Transcriptional Regulator Hcpr, Benjamin R. Belvin

Theses and Dissertations

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram negative anaerobe implicated in the progression of periodontal disease, is capable of surviving and causing infection despite high levels of reactive nitrogen species found in the oral cavity due to its efficient nitrosative stress response. HcpR is an important sensor-regulator that plays a vital step in the initiation of the nitrosative stress response in many Gram negative anaerobic bacteria. We employ a combination of X-ray crystallography, SAXS, resonance Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and molecular biology techniques to better understand this key regulator. Knockout of the hcpR gene in W83 P. gingivalis results in the inability of …

The Justification Of Prejudice Toward Childfree Women, Annalucia Bays

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research suggests that women without children are perceived negatively by others and experience adverse outcomes in various settings. This study investigated psychosocial justifications of prejudice toward childfree women. Participants (N = 891) completed measures of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), the internal (IMS-S) and external (EMS-S) motivations to respond without sexism, and prejudice toward childfree women (i.e., perceived disadvantages of being childfree, evaluations of childfree women, and perceptions of childfree women’s warmth). Most participants also completed one or more justification measures of hostile sexism (HS), benevolent sexism (BS), gender-specific system justification (GSSJ), and femininity ideology. Results indicated that greater RWA …

"C-Terminal Binding Protein 2" An Emerging Oncogene In Colon And Pancreatic Cancers, Ayesha Chawla

Theses and Dissertations

The C terminal binding proteins (CtBP) 1 and 2 are a family of transcriptional co-repressors overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and are frequently associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. CtBP has also been characterized in cell culture models as drivers of migration/invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CtBP mediates its transcriptional corepressor activity via its dehydrogenase domain, and inhibition of this domain interferes with CtBP oncogenic functions. The role of CtBP in APC mutant neoplasia remains obscure even though APC is responsible for degradation of both β-catenin and CtBP in suppressing colorectal tumorigenesis. Our prior work demonstrated that CtBP proteins can …

The Effect Of Chronic Nutrient Addition From Wastewater On Forest Ecosystems At The Rice Rivers Center, Michael Beck

Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater application to land can be a useful tool for mitigating impacts of nutrient enrichment on aquatic systems. A land application treatment system at VCU’s Rice Rivers Center in Charles City County, VA provided an opportunity to study the impact of wastewater addition on the biogeochemistry of forests representative of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Nutrient concentrations in throughfall and leachate were measured at Treatment and Control sites to assess differences in nutrient deposition and retention. Wastewater amended plots from the Walter L. Rice education building received 20-fold (N) and 6-fold (P) higher inputs relative to Control plots and plots located …

Electrospraying Extracellular Matrix To Form Nanoparticles, Patrick Link

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Alveolar wall destruction is a significant contributor to COPD. Inflammatory macrophages are a major source of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) proteolysis. ECM breakdown causes air to get trapped in the alveoli, obstructing airflow. One step in curing COPD may be to convert inflammatory to pro-regenerative macrophages. Recently, decellularized ECM scaffolds have shown the ability to induce a pro-regenerative phenotype.

Yet these scaffolds are incapable for reaching the alveolar region of the lungs. To reach the alveolar region particles need a diameter of 1-5 μm or smaller than 300 …

Podocyte Dedifferentiation And Glomerular Injury Mediated By Lysosome Dysfunction: Role Of Acid Ceramidase, Guangbi Li

Theses and Dissertations

Cell differentiation and senescence in podocytes are attributed to normal autophagy and associated cellular activities. It is possible that derangement of autophagy under different pathological conditions activates or enhances podocyte dedifferentiation leading to glomerular injury and ultimate glomerular disease. To test this hypothesis, we first tested whether autophagic deficiency due to lysosome dysfunction enhances podocyte dedifferentiation and explored the molecular mechanisms by which this lysosome dysfunction trigger or enhance podocyte dedifferentiation. By Western blot and confocal analysis, lysosome inhibition using an inhibitor or siRNA of V-ATPase inhibitor was found to markedly decrease the epithelial markers (P-cadherin and ZO-1) and increase …

Sleep And Pain In Older Adults: The Role Of Negative And Positive Affect, Scott Ravyts

Theses and Dissertations

Poor sleep is known to contribute to increased levels of pain. Preliminary findings suggest that negative and positive affect may mediate this relationship. Given that older adults are prone to both sleep disturbance and pain, the main objectives of the present study were to: 1) examine the relationship between sleep and pain in a non-clinical pain sample of community-dwelling older adults and 2) to examine whether negative and positive affect mediate the relationship between sleep and pain. Baseline measures from 82 older adults participating in the Active Adult Mentoring Project (AAMP) were used for secondary data analysis. A daily sleep …

Preparation And Application Of Catalysts For The Stereospecific Reduction And Photooxygenation Of Olefins In Continuous Operations: A Novel Method For The Production Of Artemisinin, Daniel C. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last two centuries, the discovery and application of catalysts has had a substantial impact on how and what chemicals are produced.Given their broad significance, our group has focused on developing new catalyst systems that are recoverable and reusable, in an attempt to reduce concomitant costs.

Our efforts have centered on constructing a recyclable chiral heterogeneous catalyst capable of effecting asymmetric hydrogenations of olefins with high stereoselectivity. A class of phosphinoimidazoline ligands, developed by researchers at Boehringer-Ingelheim, known as BIPI ligands, have proven efficacious in the asymmetric reduction of alkenes. However, these chiral ligands are homogeneous and coordinated to …

Structure-Activity Relationship Studies Of Bupropion And Related 3-Substituted Methcathinone Analogues At Monoamine Transporters, Abdelrahman R. Shalabi

Theses and Dissertations

The khat plant, catha edulis, has been abused for some time in the Middle East and the African horn for its short-term stimulant effects. However, it was not until 1975 when cathinone, β-ketoamphetamine, was identified as the major stimulant component of khat. Structural analogues of cathinone, synthetic cathinones, are new psychoactive substances available on the clandestine market of numerous countries including the USA. Abuse of these new illicit stimulants is a worldwide growing health concern which necessitates the investigation of the pharmacological properties of these new drugs of abuse. The abuse liabilities of these compounds seem to be related …

The Dual Faces Of Misery, Arden Moscati

Theses and Dissertations

Major Depression (MD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are psychiatric disorders that arise from dysfunction of the core human capacities for emotion. Sapience is inextricably bound up with the potential for feelings of regret, worry and concern. When these emotions lead to clinically significant impairment or distress, they may result in one or both of the disorders of MD and GAD. The occurrence of MD and GAD in the same person, known as comorbidity, is remarkably high; substantially higher than would be expected by chance.

MD and GAD have been studied since the mid-20^th century, resulting in a substantial …

Examining The Relationship Between Virtual School Size And Student Achievement, Sherrill Waddell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between virtual school size and student achievement in virtual schools in a southwestern state. Enrollment size and the following areas were studied in an attempt to determine student achievement: STAAR English Language Arts/Reading, STAAR Math, STAAR Science, and STAAR Social Studies testing scores in regards to race. This quantitative study used nonexperimental research utilizing a distribution approach. The effect of virtual school size on student achievement in a southwestern state was examined. Specifically, student achievement was defined by student passing rates on individual tests of the STAAR examination. This research …

University Research Development Offices: Perceptions And Experiences Of Research University Administrators, Roxana Ross

Theses and Dissertations

Universities are struggling to keep up with the cost of doing research. Some are searching for new ways to improve their likelihood of getting grant funding to support their research efforts. As a function of the academic research enterprise, research development offices and research development staff at universities utilize specific activities to enhance grant funding success and support university research goals. This study examines university research development activities and research development offices to determine if formal research development offices are perceived to have value and what research development activities are most impactful. The issue of fair measures of success for …

The Black Male's Perception Of Academic Success In The Black Belt Region, Lisa M. Morenzoni

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to explore the perceptions of academic success of Black males in the Black Belt in an effort for educators and community members to better understand and meet the needs of young Black men. In this study, the researcher conducted one 60-minute interview followed by one confirming interview with nine former students (Appendix D) who graduated from the local area high school. Interview questions (Appendix B) were developed by the researcher based on the research questions in the study. These use of these questions assisted in understanding the perceptions of academic success of these …

Teachers’ Perspectives: Exploring The Reading Gender Gap Among Elementary School Boys, Teleshia Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers’ Perspectives: Exploring the Reading Gender Gap Among Elementary School Boys. Teleshia Mincey-Jones, 2016: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. Keywords: academic achievement, achievement gap, elementary education, reading readiness, gender differences.

Reading mastery is essential for academic success. As an emphasis is placed on more rigor in education, some boys are being left behind in the area of reading. School districts are adopting new rigorous standards and transitioning to produce students who are career and college ready upon graduation. Girls are responding positively and thriving academically; yet, boys continue to underperform girls at the district, …

Relationship Of Initial Symptoms And Differential Dementia Diagnosis In A Memory Disorder Clinic Sample, Eugenia Milroy Boozer

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The present study examines the consistency of differential dementia diagnoses based on neuropsychological testing. The accuracy rate of clinical diagnoses of various types of dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, mixed dementia, and others, were identified. In addition, other common diagnoses made through neuropsychological testing such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mood disorder were examined as part of the overall analysis. Additionally, initial reported symptoms of dementia were examined to analyze how these first complaints might ultimately relate to a clinical diagnosis. Method: The neuropsychological testing data were catalogued from participants who …

Relationships Among Health Counseling Training Experiences And Time Engaged In Counseling, Percentage Of Patients Counseled, Practitioner Confidence, And Perceived Importance, Stephen Edward Lupe

Theses and Dissertations

In the current healthcare system, the need for collaborative care is higher than ever. With current reforms in reimbursement and healthcare policies, it is becoming increasingly necessary for psychologists and other practitioners to break ranks with their traditional roles and to participate as a part of a multidisciplinary team that works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. This study aims to look at the health counseling behaviors of psychologists and graduate psychology students from an APA accredited clinical psychology graduate program. It aims to examine the relationships among health counseling training variables and time spent engaging in health counseling, highest …