Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Spatial Organization In Erbb Receptor Family Signaling And Identification Of Erbb3 As A Potential Anticancer Target, Shujie Yang

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

The ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases plays an important role in the development and pathogenesis of many cancers and two of its members, ErbB1 and ErbB2, are already important cancer therapeutic targets. The first goal of this project was to evaluate novel aspects of ErbB signaling complexity, by studying fine-scale membrane organization of three ErbB receptors (ErbB1, ErbB2 and ErbB3) under conditions of receptor overexpression and ligand-induced signaling in breast cancer cells. We used innovative immunoelectron microscopy techniques to map the relative proximity of ErbB family members on SKBR3 breast cancer cell membrane sheets, before and after introduction of …

Role Of Mmps And Timp-3 In Neuronal Death And White Matter Injury Following Transient Global Ischemia, Espen Jacob Walker

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Transient global ischemia to the mouse results in hypoxic hypoperfusion to the brain and can lead to regional vulnerability, inflammation, and cell death. Characterization of this model with varying occlusion and reperfusion times allowed us to provide evidence for a consistent injury to the hippocampus and white matter regions of the brain. Following 30 minutes of bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) and 7 days of reperfusion, hippocampal injury to the CA2 region was consistently identified with neuronal loss and fluorojade positive cells. Three days following reperfusion, white matter injury was demonstrated by increased astrocyte reactivity and oligodendrocyte loss. With a …

Development Of A Laboratory Protocol For The Micropropagation Of Monterey Pines (Pinus Radiata), Año Nuevo Stand, Karen E. Wells

Master's Theses

Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), a native tree to California and two Mexican islands, is important both ecologically and economically. Outside native stands, Monterey pines are grown for landscaping in California and on plantations around the world. Pitch canker, a disease caused by the fungus Gibberella circinata Nirenberg & O’Donnell (Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg and O'Donnell) is threatening the survival of Monterey pines. The disease currently affects Monterey pines in many parts of the world including the native stands. No effective chemical or biological control is available but some Monterey pines show resistance to the disease. The purpose of this project was …

The New Hampshire, Vol. 98 [99], No. 50 (May 1, 2009), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 98, but it is the 99th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

What Is The Evidence For Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Nurses Who Have Been Involved In Taking Care Of Victims From A School Shooting Tragedy?, Crystal Peltier

Theses and Dissertations

To combat consequences of long-term effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by \\'Orking conditions during and after a school shooting event, administration must ensure that their employees are offered adequate treatment. It is important to identify and address areas of work-related stress. Therefore, employees should be aware of the health needs of their staff following a traumatic event in the workplace. The purpose of this project was three fold: I) to explore current literature to discover experiences of nurses receiving victims of a school shooting at a health care facility; 2) to determine what the literature reveals about how …

Preliminary Study Based On The Ddscat Software To Explore Increasing The Contrast Of Breast Tumors For Microwave Imaging, Rachel Megee

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Microwave technology is being researched for its capabilities to detect breast tumors less painfully and at earlier stages. It is necessary to have a large contrast between cancerous and healthy tissue when the microwaves are reflected off the breast tissue. To model the increasing contrast between cancerous breast tissue and healthy breast tissue, the DDSCAT code is investigated for its capabilities and analyzed for its accuracy in scattering calculations. The DDSCAT is used to model homogenous and inhomogeneous targets. Simulations of the scattering field by the homogeneous and inhomogeneous targets are conducted and compared to Mie theory calculations for accuracy. …

Adobe Medicus 2009 3 May-June, Health Sciences Library And Informatics Center

adobe medicus

No abstract provided.

Regulation Of N-Formyl Peptide Receptor Trafficking And Signaling By Arrestins, Brant Michael Wagener

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

This work focuses on how arrestin regulates trafficking and signaling of the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). GPCRs are involved in almost all physiologic processes and numerous pathologic processes. There is an intimate relationship between GPCR trafficking and signaling that controls many cellular processes. However, the protein-protein interactions that control post-endocytic trafficking and signaling of GPCRs are poorly understood. Our previous reports demonstrated that three events take place upon FPR activation in the absence of arrestins: accumulation of FPR in the perinuclear recycling endosome, lack of FPR recycling and apoptosis. All of these phenotypes were rescued …

On-Plant Survival And Inheritance Of Resistance To Cry1ab Toxin From Bacillus Thuringiensis In A Field-Derived Strain Of European Corn Borer, Ostrinia Nubilalis, Andre L. B. Crespo, Terence A. Spencer, Analiza P. Alves, Richard L. Hellmich, Erin E. Blankenship, Leonardo C. Magalhães, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The high dose plus refuge is one of the major components of the resistance management plan mandated for transgenic corn expressing Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) that targets the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). This strategy was based on assumptions such as functional recessive inheritance, which has not been previously tested for O. nubilalis. The authors used a field-derived resistant strain of O. nubilalis to define the nature of resistance to Cry1Ab toxin by examining the inheritance and on-plant survival of susceptible and resistant insects and their F1 progeny.

RESULTS: The …

University Reporter - Volume 13, Number 09 - May 2009

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles on Padraig O’Malley’s “Forum for Cities in Transition” conference, Governor Patrick's meeting with New England Ethnic Newswire members, UMass Boston's recurring segment on New England Cable News, a conference on older workers and social policy issues, and other news from UMass Boston.

A Cross-Cultural, Comparative Analysis Of The Domestic Violence Policies Of Nicaragua And Russia, Jo-Ann Della Giustina

Journal of International Women's Studies

This is a cross-cultural comparative analysis of the domestic violence policies of Nicaragua and Russia. While these two countries have striking differences, they both had socialist revolutions that established workers and farmers governments. The Soviet Union was the main economic and political support for Nicaragua following the 1979 Frente Sandinista Para Liberación Nacional (FSLN - Sandinista Front for National Liberation) revolution.

This article examines the domestic violence policies of post-Soviet Russia and Nicaragua. While both countries have serious domestic violence problems, only Nicaragua is taking an aggressive stance to eradicate the problem. The Russian government barely even acknowledges that there …

Best Management Practices For Corn Production In South Dakota : Corn Diseases In South Dakota, Troy Bauder, Dwayne L. Beck, Sue L. Blodgett, C. Gregg Carlson, Michael A. Catangui, David E. Clay, Sharon A. Clay, Darrell L. Deneke, Martin A. Draper, B. Wade French, Billy W. Fuller, Robert G. Hall, Curt A. Hoffbeck, Daniel S. Humburg, Marie A. Langham, Douglas D. Malo, Mike J. Moechnig, Richard E. Nicolai, Kurtis D. Reitsma, Bradley E. Ruden, Thomas E. Schumacher, Dennis P. Todey, Todd P. Trooien, Hal D. Werner, James A. Wilson, Howard J. Woodard, Leon J. Wrage

SDSU Extension Circulars

Corn diseases can be separated into 1) seed and seedling diseases, 2) root-infecting nematodes, 3) leaf diseases, 4) rusts, 5) stalk rots, and 6) ear and grain molds. Yield losses can result from diseases directly reducing yields or from harvestability, spoilage, or marketing and/or use issues associated with mycotoxin contamination. See Table 9.1 for corn disease management information. Attention to optimal seed quality, hybrid selection, seed treatments, weed and insect control, crop rotation, soil fertility, irrigation, and prompt harvest can reduce disease impacts. This chapter discusses aspects of recognizing and managing South Dakota corn diseases.

Productivity Environmental Preference Survey (Peps) Of Undergraduate Nursing Students - A Generational Perspective, Susana Machado

Master's Projects

A change in the generational demographics of college students is occurring throughout the United States. By 2012, the number of Millennial students, those born from 1982 to 2003, will jump from 44 percent to 75 percent of the total college enrollment. It has been suggested that their methods of learning are different from those of previous generations. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare individual productivity and learning style preferences of undergraduate nursing students that fall into the Generation X and Millennial age cohort. Using the Dunn & Dunn Learning Style Model and the Productivity Environmental Preferences …

Changes In Female Behavior In Eusocial Wasp Mischocyttarus Mastigophorus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Due To The Removal Of Males From The Nest, May 2009, Elizabeth C. Feit

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Males of independent founding hymenoptera contribute little to the nest by not foraging for food or feeding larvae. Males are a potential cost to the nest because they consume resources and are not used for reproduction, but males of Myschocyttarus mastigophorus can be found on the nest year. To investigate if the behavior of females changes when the males are not present, baseline behaviors of both males and females were recorded for four nests M. mastigophorus, then the males were removed and observations continued. Baseline behaviors indicate that females departed (t = 2.33) and arrived (t = 2.81). Departures increased …

Effects Of Ultraviolet Radiation And Degraded Water Quality On Growth And Survival Of Bufo Marinus Tadpoles, May 2009, Brenna Levine

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Amphibian species worldwide are currently experiencing population declines and decreased ranges. This decrease in amphibian populations is due in part to habitat degradation such as canopy cover loss and decreased water quality. Other amphibian species, however, such as Bufo marinus, are experiencing population growth and global expansion. In this study, I tested the effects of loss of canopy cover and degraded water quality on growth and survival of B. marinus tadpoles by exposing them to conditions of elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation, degraded water quality, and a combination of these two factors. I found that B. marinus tadpoles have high …

Vocal Signaling In Henicorhina Leucosticta (Troglodytidae), May 2009, Amber Desneige Fandel

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

The communication between organisms has long been a fascination of mankind. Birds have been the subject of many such studies as they commonly have a large repertoire of communication techniques. This study examines the changes in several song measurements in order to determine the vocal responses of the breeding pairs to playbacks of various con-specifics. The researcher found that using measurements of low, high, center, maximum, and delta frequency of each pair before and after a playback, the pairs were easily differentiated from one another (Wilks != 0.61629, F20.455=3.57, p<0.001). Following playbacks, all pairs evaluated showed a decrease in maximum frequency of song phrases and a narrowing of frequency ranges (smaller delta frequency). Such changes in song characteristics may function to make the singing pair sound larger to intruders or to decrease call interference and the distance that the call travels.

Through The Eyes Of The Locals: The Role Of Ecotourism In The Monteverde Region Of Costa Rica, May 2009, Jenna Diggs

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Identifying economic and environmental gains and losses from the ecotourism industry in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica is easy because these factors are well studied. Recognizing the influence of ecotourism over political, social and cultural factors of the region can be more difficult. One way to study all of these aspects is to gather information from the locals themselves. The majority viewed it as the most important industry and maintained that the natural and social environment had changed significantly in their time spent living in Monteverde. Also, their jobs depended on the industry. The participants in the study generally …

Human Population Density Effects On Soil Nematode Abundance And Nitrogen Levels, May 2009, Sarah Hulick

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

This study investigates the effects on human population density on soil properties and found significant effects in nematode abundance and soil nitrogen levels. Five locations with differing human population densities around Monteverde, Costa Rica were chosen for soil sampling to conduct chemical tests and microfauna extractions. Chi square test (p = 0.02) prove that the differing soil location caused changes in nematode abundance, and a regression between nematode abundance and soil nitrogen (R square = .96) proved a strong relationship between the two. From this study we can see the impacts of human disturbance on levels of nitrogen and nematode …

The Effects Of Xanthosoma Spp. (Araceae) Temperature, Scent, And Flowers On The Mating Frequency Of Cyclocephala Sexpunctata (Scarabaeidae), May 2009, Sonia Lorraine Ghose

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Many pollinators have evolved very specified obligate mutualisms with the plants that they pollinate. One example of this kind of mutualism, in which the reproduction of both organisms relies on their relationship, is Xanthosoma spp. and Cyclocephala sexpunctata in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Xanthosoma spp. thermoregulate, attracting beetles because of a combination of heat, scent, and visual components of the inflorescence. The beetles crawl inside of the spathe and spadix inflorescence, where they both eat and mate. The specific stimuli that prompt the beetles to mate once inside the flower had not yet been widely examined. Through my experiments, I found …

Guidelines For Sustainable Ecotourism In Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2009, Valerie Caldas

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Tourists are increasingly attracted to the world’s natural wonders (Honey 1999). The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognized that tourism can also negatively impact the natural areas and formulated guidelines for the proper management of ecotourism. Costa Rican tourism has experienced a boom in the past two decades, and one of its most popular destinations is Monteverde, an area composed of many private reserves. Eleven of these reserves were investigated using the guidelines provided by the CBD. It was found that Monteverde’s private reserves followed some guidelines, such as offering local employment, local access to reserves and following good waste …

Effect Of Color And Height On Oviposition Preference And Attraction Of Volant Insects, May 2009, Emily Daniel

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Abundance of volant insects and aquatic larvae was investigated in relation to vertical stratification and color of either required resource or oviposition site within the understory at the Finca Cataracta, in San Luis, Costa Rica. Three insect traps were hung per tree (three trees total used) at heights of 8 ft, 4 ft, and ground level. Each platform at the respective height consisted of four bottles that were green, red, black, or clear. Oviposition in different colors by Ephydridae and Psychodidae was affected by height. Both larvae were most abundant at the bottom level, though Ephydridae showed significant preference for …

The Effects Of Cecropia Obtusifolia And Cecropia Polyphlebia On Lung Capacity In Relation To Alkaloid Concentration, May 2009, Mai Lee Xiong

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

For centuries, people have depended on nature to alleviate their ailments. A popular natural remedy for asthma is the use of Cecropia adenopus (Rivero 2008). In this study, I looked at two Cecropia spp., C. obtusifolia and C. polyphlebia, found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Cecropia obtusifolia is found at lower elevation and has a mutualism with Azteca ants while C. polyphlebia is found at higher elevation in the Cloud Forest with no ant mutualism. A previous study by Ross (2003) found that ingestion of C. obtusifolia leaf decoction increased lung capacity by three to four percent compared to a placebo …

The Effects Of Elevation And Land Use On Ant Activity And Ant Species Diversity, May 2009, Laura Heil

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the effects that humans have on Earth’s ecosystems. Approximately 39 to 50% of the Earth’s land has been transformed or degraded by human activity (Vitousek et al. 1997). Ten to fifteen percent of that land has been altered for row-crop agriculture or for industrial development and six to eight percent has been converted to pastureland. These transformations represent the leading causes of decreases in biodiversity. As a result, they alter the global biogeochemical cycles and have considerable effects on climate change. Humans contribute more and more everyday to climate change …

The Effects Of Farming Practices On Nectar Quality And Quantity In Coffea Spp, May 2009, Jennifer Carter

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

In the developing world traditional low-input farming practices are being replaced with high-input practices as a way to increase yield. The environmental and economic impact of inputs has driven researchers to seek ways to minimize inputs while maximizing crop yields. In some crops, like Coffea spp., pollination plays an important role in yield. The purpose of this experiment is to compare nectar quality and quantity of Coffea flowers between low-input and high-input farms, demonstrating a link between practices, pollination, and crop yield. I found that more traditional, low-input practices have higher sugar concentration than high-input practices (t = 2.82; p …

The San Luis River Continuum: A Look At The Chemical And Biological Changes Along A Longitudinal Pristine River Gradient, May 2009, Kit Hamley

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

From start to finish, physical changes along a river continuum create a natural longitudinal gradient to which biotic communities respond. This biotic response to natural physical change is a fundamental pattern of river ecology and is generally called The River Continuum Concept. The purpose of this study was to look at changes in water quality and aquatic insect communities along a pristine river continuum. Data was collected along a 1-kilometer series of 11 sites along the San Luis River in San Luis, Costa Rica. As expected, water quality did not change along the 1-kilometer reach. Overall percent abundances of insect …

Changes In Altitudinal Distribution Of Hummingbird Diversity Between Forest And Pasture Habitats, May 2009, Jessica Chute

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Climate change has affected the composition of bird communities elevationally in Monteverde, Costa Rica (Pounds et al. 1999). In addition, habitat transformation from forest to pasture has favored weedy species there (Feinsinger 1988). This study sought to combine hummingbird distributions across both habitat type and elevation, as the interaction of habitat disturbance and climate change is not well understood. Past studies have shown changes in hummingbird communities for either climate or habitat changes (Oliver 1993; Donnelly 1998; Smith 2000; Lynn 2001; Winchell 2001; Spear 2004). In order to observe these changes, I hung hummingbird feeders in different elevational zones in …

Antibodies Targeting Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor As A Novel Strategy In Treating Lung Cancer, Hening Ren, Zuoming Chu, Li Mao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is overexpressed in lung cancer and the overexpression correlates with aggressive biological behaviors and poor clinical outcomes. We developed anti-HDGF monoclonal antibodies and tested their antitumor activity in lung cancer xenograft models. We also determined biological effects in tumors treated with the antibody alone or in combination with bevacizumab/avastin (an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody) and/or gemcitabine (a chemotherapeutic agent). We found the anti-HDGF was effective to inhibit tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer xenograft models. In the A549 model, compared with control IgG, tumor growth was substantially inhibited in animals treated with anti-HDGF antibodies, …

The Essence Of Human Rights: A Religious Critique, Gordon Butler

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.

Whatever Happened To Old Mac Donald's Farm… Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, Factory Farming And The Safety Of The Nation's Food Supply, Julie Follmer, Roseann B. Termini

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Today, livestock farming is a far stretch from the nostalgic notion of animals grazing in green pastures, roaming free in the fresh country air and returning at the end of the day to a cozy barn. Simply stated, livestock farming is a large scale business, where tens of thousands of animals are swiftly raised industrial-style for maximum profit. Under the "factory farm" model, large corporate owned operations grow quantities of animals for slaughter for human consumption as food. In fact, livestock farms now raise 40% of all animals in the United States.

The Effects Of 1.25-Dihydroxyvitamin D On Hif-1a Expression In Breast Epithelial Cells Containing The Erbb2 Oncogene, Jessica Harris

CFS Honors Program Undergraduate Theses

There is evidence that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), may lead to reduced tumor formation by inhibiting vascularization, and thus feeding the tumor (1). Vascularization is controlled in part by the release of proteins which can be stimulated by low oxygen (hypoxia) to increase the transcriptional activity of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) (2). HIF-1α controls the level of an important protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates vascularization (2). The level of HIF-1α protein level is regulated both transcriptionally and by protein stability through the activity of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) (2). The purpose …