Digital Commons Network^™

Brain Tumor Stem Cells: Role In Neuro-Oncogenesis And Therapeutic Implications, Muhammad Zeeshan Ozair, Adil Hameed Khan, Ather Enam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Malignant brain tumors are notorious for high morbidity and mortality. Our deficient understanding of brain tumor pathogenesis is reflected in our inability to cure this disease. Treatment remains palliative at best. The cancer stem cell hypothesis of brain tumors promises to consolidate many observations which have previously eluded neuroscientists and may reveal why aberrations in developmental programs are among the commonest findings in brain tumors. It is ironic that brain ontogeny and cancer - two processes with very different outcomes - exploit similar mechanisms to multiply, migrate,and survive. Implications of this hypothesis extend beyond mere academic interest. It may explain …

Spark: Summer, 2006, Calvin Alumni Association

Spark

Student-organized conference focuses on faith, international development

Tree service is his business: Calvin landscape supervisor earns arborist certification

Calvin student presents research at prestigious science conference

Biology professor wins service-learning award

A global gathering: Record number of overseas guests attends Calvin Symposium on Worship

Mayom's Long Walk by Myrna DeVries Anderson

A Wise Investment: Changes in the economics and business department pay big dividends by Lynn Bolt Rosendale

A Classic Teacher: Ken Bratt wins Calvin's top teaching honor by Phil de Haan

Promoting a Homegrown Stalk-Umentary: Alumna's film showcases plight, pluck of 'asparagus capital of the world' by Debra L. …

What's Real For Law?, Joseph Vining

Law Quadrangle (formerly Law Quad Notes)

The following essay is adapted from a paper the author presented this March, at a Lilley Foundation conference at Notre Dame Law School, and a lecture given last October, at a symposium at the Center for Law, Philosophy, and Culture, Catholic University Law School. The October symposium and March conference explored issues and questions raised by University of San Diego Law Professor Steven D. Smith's Law Quandary (Harvard University Press, 2004). The complete lecture, together with lectures responding to the book given by Professor Patrick McKinley Brennan, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Professor Lloyd Weinreb, and a further presentation by Professor …

For Such A Time As This, John W. Reed

Law Quadrangle (formerly Law Quad Notes)

The following essay is based on the talk the author delivered to the annual meeting of the International Society of Barristers at Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 17, 2006.

Trial lawyers have a long and honorable history of defending unpopular clients or cause in trying times such as these.

The High Cost Of Textbooks: A Convergence Of Academic Libraries, Campus Bookstores, Publishers?, John H. Pollitz, Anne Christie

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

[First two paragraphs]

While the attention of Oregon State University librarians, like many others around the world, has been directed to the rising costs of journals and their impact on our resources, another form of inflation has been occurring which has a much more dramatic effect on the lives of our students. This is the spiraling inflation in the cost of textbooks. In this status report we discuss issues concerned with textbook costs on campus and the possible roles of the library.

The cost of textbooks is not a new concern for our students; it has been an ongoing issue …

Librarian Publishing Preferences And Open-Access Electronic Journals, Elaine Peterson

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

Librarians have often led the way in championing Open-Access (OA) journals on the Internet as an alternative to established journal titles that are subscription based. In the discipline of Library and Information Science, all types of journals continue to be published—paper and electronic, subscription-based and free. Using a survey, this article explores how some librarians view OA titles. The article collects suggestions for editors of OA journals. The article also asks questions about the relationship of OA journals to the promotion and tenure process for academic librarians.

Decreasing Emissions Of Methane From Rice Agriculture, M. A. K. Khalil, Martha J. Shearer

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Methane emissions from rice fields are controlled by several key factors. The most important are the application of organic soil amendments and water management: whether the fields are flooded intermittently or continuously. The total annual emissions from any country or the world are thus affected by the area of rice harvested, and a composite emission factor that takes into account how the various agricultural practices are distributed in terms of fertilizer use and water management, as well as other less important variables. Over decades the area of rice harvested changes but so does the composite emission factor. The product therefore, …

Calibration Of Vissim For Bus Rapid Transit Systems In Beijing Using Gps Data, Liu Yu, Lei Yu, Xumei Chen, Tao Wan, Jifu Guo

Journal of Public Transportation

Bus Rapid Transit systems have grown in popularity in recent years. With the rapid development of computer technologies, using microscopic simulation models to study various strategies on planning, implementation and operation of BRT systems has become a hot research area in the field of public transportation. To make the simulation models accurately replicate field traffic conditions, model calibration is crucial. This paper presents an approach for calibrating the microscopic traffic simulation model VISSIM using GPS data for application to Beijing BRT systems. The Sum of Squared Error (SSE) of the collected versus simulated vehicle speeds at the cross-sections along the …

Anti-Viral Capacity Of Quillaja Saponaria Molina Extract Against Vaccinia And Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Matthew Sean Spinks

Biology Theses - Archive

It is well known that Quillaja saponins have the ability to elicit a strong immune response when used as an adjuvant in an ISCOM matrix. However, to date, the antiviral capability of Quillaja saponins has not been documented. Using extracts from the Chilean Soap Bark Tree (Quillaja Saponaria Molina) we document the anti-viral capacities of Quillaja saponins against HSV-1 and Vaccinia. The saponin was ineffective against Vaccinia Virus, however neutralized HSV-1 in a time and temperature dependent manner. In addition, Quillaja Saponins were determined capable of preventing cell-to-cell spread when introduced in solution to cell monolayers.

Effect Of Cultivation And Within-Field Differences In Soil Conditions On Feral Helianthus Annuus Growth In Ridge-Tillage Maize, Michael G. Burton, David A. Mortensen, John L. Lindquist

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Differences in weed population dynamics with respect to within-field heterogeneity are not well documented despite increasing interest in site-specific management of agro-ecosystems. The focus of this study was to determine if mechanical weed management (cultivation) and/or soil factors help to explain observed within-field distributions of feral common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). The ridges and furrows created by the ridge–tillage system adds additional microsites to existing spatial heterogeneity for soil characteristics such as soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration. Experimental areas were selected on the basis of naturally high or low SOC concentration. Cultivation resulted in 100% mortality of H. annuus …

Two Spirits, Two Eras, Same Sex: For A Traditionalist Perspective On Native American Tribal Same-Sex Marriage Policy, Jeffrey S. Jacobi

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Recently, several states amended their constitutions to define marriage as only a union between a man and a woman. Many Native American Indian tribal governments thereafter also adopted laws prohibiting homosexual marriages. However, this new policy conflicts with traditional tribal values. This Note shows that historically many tribes accepted and even honored same-sex unions. This Note proposes that tribes consider their traditions as they existed before European contact, and argues that, for some tribes, same-sex civil unions are a historically and culturally appropriate answer to the modern objections to same-sex marriage.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor And Kinase Domain Region Receptor Are Involved In Both Seminiferous Cord Formation And Vascular Development During Testis Morphogenesis In The Rat, Rebecca C. Bott, Ryann M. Mcfee, Debra T. Clopton, Candice Toombs, Andrea S. Cupp

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Morphological male sex determination is dependent on migration of endothelial and preperitubular cells from the adjacent mesonephros into the developing testis. Our hypothesis is that VEGFA and its receptor KDR are necessary for both testicular cord formation and neovascularization. The Vegfa gene has 8 exons with many splice variants. Vegfa120, Vegfa164, and Vegfa188 mRNA isoforms were detected on Embryonic Day (E) 13.5 (plug date = E0) in the rat. Vegfa120, Vegfa144, Vegfa164, Vegfa188, and Vegfa205 mRNA were detected at E18 and Postnatal Day 3 (P3). Kdr mRNA was present on E13.5, whereas …

Concurrent Expression Of Hyaluronan Biosynthetic And Processing Enzymes Promotes Growth And Vascularization Of Prostate Tumors In Mice, Melanie A. Simpson

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Aggressive cells in prostate cancer secrete extracellular hyaluronan (HA) as a result of up-regulated HA synthase enzymes HAS2 and HAS3. Combined detection of HA and the HA processing hyaluronidase enzyme Hyal1 in prostate tumors correlates with poor outcome. HA oligomers produced by hyaluronidases are potent angiogenic stimuli. We investigated the respective roles of HAS2 and Hyal1 using 22Rv1 human prostate tumor cells that lack both enzyme activities. Stable transfectants were selected for overexpression of Hyal1 or HAS2 and for coexpression of Hyal1 and HAS2. HAS2 overexpression elevated HA production and excess pericellular HA retention. However, HAS2-transfected tumor cell growth in …

Fish & Wildlife News: Summer 2006

Fish and Wildlife News

Contents:
News Briefs / 2
Beating the Odds / 12
Cultivating Conservation / 14
Tracking a Killer / 18
Ranching 101 / 22
Faces in the Field / 24
Science & Technology / 25
Fish Tales / 27
Our People / 28
Transitions / 28
Honors / 31
In Memoriam / 33

The Prediction Of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy From Black And White Racial Identity Attitudes, Jennifer K. Montgomery

Doctoral Dissertations

Racial identity has been related to a variety of interpersonal, psychological, behavioral, environmental, and cognitive factors. Although Black racial identity is often researched in relation to career development, there are few studies examining the relationship between career development and White racial identity. Additionally, review of the career development studies that focused on Black racial identity reveals that they have failed to consider the role of social cognitive factors, instead using traditional career models that were created from the standpoint of middleclass non-minorities. The focus of this study was to examine the distinct relationship between Black and White racial identity and …

Sleep Quality Of College Students And Its Relationship To Coping Styles And Well-Being, Cathy Alison Word

Doctoral Dissertations

College students suffer from more sleep disturbances than the general population. Sleep difficulties in college students can lead to lower levels of performance, memory, and cognitive ability, as well as increased levels of anxiety and decreased levels of well-being. Sleep quality is known to impact individuals' physical and psychological health, which are indicators of well-being. Sleep also appears to influence individuals' choices of coping strategies. Sleep quality is also highly correlated with college students' emotional response to stress. The relationships between and among sleep quality, well-being, and coping style have not been fully examined. The purpose of this study was …

Delay Line Based Passive Radio Frequency Identification Tags, Aravind Chamarti

Doctoral Dissertations

This work describes the concept, design, fabrication, and characterization of delay-based radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID-based sensor tags, representing a novel RFID technology. The presented delay-based RFID concept is based on the LC-delay-line and transmission-delay-line based approaches. The proposed concept allows the realization of RFIDs and RFID-based sensor tags at any allowed radio frequency, with the limitation of realizing delay elements capable of producing required delays. The RFID configurations presented in this work are for operation at 915 MHz. Simulations are used to design and optimize components and devices that constitute the tags, and to integrate them to …

Effective Teaching Practices For Students With And Without Learning Difficulties: Constructivism As A Legitimate Theory Of Learning And Of Teaching?, Ken Rowe

Student learning processes

Much of what is commonly claimed as ‘effective teaching practice’ and implemented during the early and middle years of schooling in Australian schools, for either mainstream students or for those experiencing learning difficulties, is not grounded in findings from evidencebased research. Of particular concern is that despite a lack of supporting evidence for its utility, the prevailing educational philosophy of constructivism (a theory of self-directed learning rather than a theory of teaching) continues to have marked influences on shaping teachers’ interpretations of how they should teach – aided and abetted by the content emphasis given during pre-service teacher education, as …

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V02n3, Summer 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--InnoCentive

--Saylorville 2006 Weather Talk

--Jane Haugen receives Gold Star

--GLOBE ONE Posters go to Thailand

--Education and the Environment

--Upcoming Programs

Newscope - Summer 2006

Newscope

No abstract provided.

Otterbein Towers Summer 2006, Otterbein Towers

Towers Magazine

Into the Rainforest...; Features: Into the Rain Forest; Look Out World. Here Comes Billöah; Commencement; Alumni Weekend; Well Done, Maestro; Regulars: College News: Gateway Program Opening Doors; From the Chairman’s Desk; High Flying Year for Cardinal Sports; 2006-07 Common Book Selected; Community Involvement, Earth Day ’06; Chemistry Students Represent; Classnotes; Milestones; Where Are They Now - Class of 2005; Investing in Otterbein; The “O” Club; Alumni Notes, etc.

Investigation Of Ruthenium (Ii) Polypyridyl Dimers As Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents, Thamara K. Janaratne

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

The exploration of transition metal complexes as chemotherapeutic agents is still a relatively unexplored but promising area of research. Chapter 1 highlights the most successful anticancer drugs and potential drugs based on metal complexes, with an emphasis of platinum and ruthenium complexes. In Chapter 2, the biological activity of a series of novel ruthenium dimers is investigated with special attention given to evaluating their potential as anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. A partial list of the compound prepared includes: [Ru(bpy)(CO)2}2tpphz]4+ (74+), [Ru(bpy)(CH3CN)2}2tpphz]4+ (84+),[Ru(bpy)(C2O4)}2tpphz] (9), [Ru(bpy)(CO)(Cl)}2tpphz]2+ (102+), [(bpy)2Ru(tpphz)Ru(bpy)2]4+ (114+), [(phen)2Ru(tpphz)Ru(phen)2]4+ (124+), [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]4+ (Pp4+), [(phen)2Ru(tatpq)Ru(phen)2]4+ (Qp4+), [(bpy)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(bpy)2]4+ (Pb4+) and [(bpy)2Ru(tatpq)Ru(bpy)2]4+ (Qb4+). Systematic changes in …

Incorporating Solid Mechanics Into Biomedical And Life Sciences, Kai-Tak Wan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Integrating and interfacing solid mechanics and life sciences is challenging, but, with effort, the two disciplines can complement one another. This paper describes work ongoing at the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Missouri at Rolla on cellular biomechanics and mechanical characterization of single cells. Also discussed is the study of tissue biomechanics in understanding the mechanical aspects of lens accommodation in human vision.

Attribute-Level Neighbor Hierarchy Construction Using Evolved Pattern-Based Knowledge Induction, Thanit Puthpongsiriporn, J. David Porter, Bopaya Bidanda, Ming En Wang, Richard E. Billo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neighbor knowledge construction is the foundation for the development of cooperative query answering systems capable of searching for close match or approximate answers when exact match answers are not available. This paper presents a technique for developing neighbor hierarchies at the attribute level. The proposed technique is called the evolved Pattern-based Knowledge Induction (ePKI) technique and allows construction of neighbor hierarchies for nonunique attributes based upon confidences, popularities, and clustering correlations of inferential relationships among attribute values. The technique is applicable for both categorical and numerical (discrete and continuous) attribute values. Attribute value neighbor hierarchies generated by the ePKI technique …

The Voice, Summer 2006: Volume 51, Issue 4, Dordt College

The Voice Archive

Business Internships Give "Added Value"; A College Without Borders; English 305 Teaches Students How to Write for Their Specific Career; Ideafest 2006; Ag Majors Teach Farm Safety Course for Teens; Education Students Put on Community Story Hour; Club Plans Justice Week; Math Majors Make Good Showing in Competition; John Van Dyk Leaves a Legacy of Scholarship and Service; The Concert Choir... Takes to the Road: A Choir Journal from This Year's Spring Tour; Campus "Celebrities" Featured in Library Posters; Gen 300: Dordt's Senior Capstone Course Serves as a Bridge Between the Classroom and Adult Society; Spring Sports Updates; Dordt College …

Undergraduate Borrowing And Its Effects On Plans To Attend Graduate School Prior To And After The 1992 Higher Education Act Amendments, Dongbin Kim, Therese S. Eyermann

Journal of Student Financial Aid

As student loan indebtedness has more than doubled in the past decade, it has become important to examine the effects of undergraduate debt on graduate school attendance. The significant increase in student borrowing can be attributed primarily to the passage of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, which increased federal student loan limits and expanded eligibility in student loan programs. To measure the effects of the increased undergraduate borrowing on graduate school attendance, this study compared graduate school plans of students who attended colleges and universities between 1985-1989 (before the Amendments) and 1994-1998 (after the Amendments). The results indicated a …

Echoes From The Hill, Southwestern Oklahoma State University Office Of Institutional Advancement And Alumni

Echoes from the Hill

No abstract provided.

Uncertainty In Environmental Decision-Making: Issues, Challenges And Future Directions, Holger R. Maier, James C. Ascough Ii

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Environmental decision-making is complicated by the complexity of natural systems and the often competing needs of multiple stakeholders. Modelling tools are often used to assist at various stages of the environmental decision-making process. If such models are to provide effective decision support, the uncertainties associated with all aspects of the decision-making process need to be taken into account explicitly. However, as models become more complex in order to better represent integrated environmental, social and economic systems, achieving this goal becomes more difficult. Some of the important issues that need to be addressed in relation to the incorporation of uncertainty in …

State-Parameter Estimation Of Ecosystem Models Using A Smoothed Ensemble Kalman Filter, M. Chen, Shuguang Liu, Larry L. Tieszen

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Much of the effort in data assimilation methods for carbon dynamics analysis has focused on estimating optimal values for either model parameters or state variables. The main weakness of estimating parameter values alone (i.e., without considering state variables) is that all errors from input, output, and model structure are attributed to model parameter uncertainties. On the other hand, the accuracy of estimating state variables may be reduced if the temporal evolution of parameter values is not incorporated. This research develops a smoothed ensemble Kalman filter (SEnKF) to estimate simultaneously the system states and model parameters of an eddy flux partition …

The Development Of A Farming Systems Model (Apsim) A Disciplined Approach., Dean Holzworth, Holger Meinke, Peter Devoil, Malcolm Wegener, Neil Huth, Graeme Hammer, Mark Howden, Michael Robertson, Peter Carberry, David Freebairn, Chris Murphy

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) is a mature and stable modelling framework used widely in Australia in the domain of farming systems research and extension. It is capable of simulating a diverse range of farming systems including broad acre dryland and irrigated cropping, small holder farming, on-farm agroforestry systems including the interaction of trees and crops, and through collaboration with other groups, integrated stock and cropping enterprises. APSIM was developed primarily as a research tool to investigate on-farm management practices, natural resource issues including salinity and solute movement, climate risk studies looking at modifying farm practices and climate change …