Digital Commons Network^™

Rmeseeartcah Abrtoiclelic Flexibility Revealed In The Genome Of The Cyst-Forming Α-1 Proteobacterium Rhodospirillum Centenum, Wesley D. Swingley, Yih-Kuang Lu, Jeremiah Marden, Mira Han, Stephen D. Mastrian, Sugata Roy Chowdhury, Jicheng Hao, Tamer Helmy, Sun Kim, Ahmet A. Kurdoglu, Heather J. Matthies, David Rollo, Paul Stothard, Robert E. Blankenship, Carl E. Bauer, Jeffrey W. Touchman

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Background: Rhodospirillum centenum is a photosynthetic non-sulfur purple bacterium that favors growth in an anoxygenic, photosynthetic N2-fixing environment. It is emerging as a genetically amenable model organism for molecular genetic analysis of cyst formation, photosynthesis, phototaxis, and cellular development. Here, we present an analysis of the genome of this bacterium. Results: R. centenum contains a singular circular chromosome of 4,355,548 base pairs in size harboring 4,105 genes. It has an intact Calvin cycle with two forms of Rubisco, as well as a gene encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) for mixotrophic CO2 fixation. This dual carbon-fixation system may be required for regulating …

Prospects And Pits On The Path Of Biomimetics: The Case Of Tooth Enamel, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This review presents a discourse on challenges in understanding and imitating the process of amelogenesis in vitro on the molecular scale. In light of the analysis of imitation of the growth of dental enamel, it also impends on the prospects and potential drawbacks of the biomimetic approach in general. As the formation of enamel proceeds with the protein matrix guiding the crystal growth, while at the same time conducting its own degradation and removal, it is argued that three aspects of amelogenesis need to be induced in parallel: a) crystal growth; b) protein assembly; c) proteolytic degradation. A particular emphasis …

Localization Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme In Rabbit Cornea And Its Role In Controlling Corneal Angiogenesis In Vivo, Ajay Sharma, Daniel I. Bettis, John W. Cowden, Rajiv R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: The renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been shown to modulate vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis. In this study we investigated (i) the existence of the RAS components angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptors (AT1 and AT2) in the rabbit cornea using in vitro and ex vivo models and (ii) the effect of enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, to inhibit angiogenesis in rabbit cornea in vivo.

Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were used. Cultured corneal fibroblasts and corneal epithelial cells were used for RNA isolation and cDNA preparation using standard molecular biology techniques. PCR was performed to …

Aav Serotype Influences Gene Transfer In Corneal Stroma In Vivo, Ajay Sharma, Jonathan C. K. Tovey, Arkasubhra Ghosh, Rajiv R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This study evaluated the cellular tropism and relative transduction efficiency of three AAV serotypes, AAV6, AAV8 and AAV9, for corneal gene delivery using mouse cornea in vivo and donor human cornea ex vivo. The AAV6, AAV8 and AAV9 serotypes having AAV2 plasmid encoding for alkaline phosphatase (AP) gene were generated by transfecting HEK293 cell line with pHelper, pARAP4 and pRep/Cap plasmids. Viral vectors (109 vg/μl) were topically applied onto mouse cornea in vivo and human cornea ex vivo after removing the epithelium. Human corneas were processed for transgene delivery at day 5 after viral vector application. Mouse corneas were harvested …

Development Of Cytarabine Prodrugs And Delivery Systems For Leukemia Treatment, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance of the field: Cytarabine is a polar nucleoside drug used for the treatment of myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The drug has a short plasma half-life, low stability, and limited bioavailability. Overdosing of patients with continuous infusions may lead to side effects. Thus, various prodrug strategies and delivery systems have been extensively explored to enhance the half-life, stability, and delivery of cytarabine. Among the recent cytarabine prodrugs, amino acid conjugate ValCytarabine and fatty acid derivative CP-4055 (in phase 3 trials) have been investigated for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors, respectively. Alternatively, delivery systems of cytarabine have …

Synthesis, Antiviral And Contraceptive Activities Of Nucleoside-Sodium Cellulose Sulfate Acetate And Succinate Conjugates, Hitesh K. Agarwal, Anil Kumar, Gustavo F. Doncel, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chemical conjugates between sodium cellulose sulfate (CS), displaying contraceptive and HIV-entry inhibiting properties, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT), 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (FLT), or 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC)) were designed to simultaneously provide contraceptive and anti-HIV activity. Two linkers, acetate and succinate, were used to conjugate the nucleoside analogs with CS. The conjugates containing cellulose sulfate-acetate (CSA) (e.g., AZT-CSA and FLT-CSA) were found to be more potent than CS and other conjugates (e.g., AZT-succinate-CS, and FLT-succinate-CS). The presence of both sulfate and the acetate groups on cellulose were critical for generating maximum anti-HIV activity. In addition to showing equal potency against wild-type …

Contemporary Knowledge And Research Needs Regarding The Effects Of Tall Structures On Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus And C. Minimus), Terry A. Messmer, R. Hasenyager, J. Burruss

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Nonpoint Source Pollution, Shaowei Sun, Zhiqiang Deng, Daniel Dianchen Gang

Faculty Publications

This article presents a comprehensive review of research advances in 2009 on nonpoint source water pollution caused by urban stormwater, highway stormwater, agricultural runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Modeling progresses in total maximum daily load calculations for nonpoint source pollution are also reviewed. Various low impact development technologies and best management practices for mitigating nonpoint source pollution and their socioeconomic impacts are assessed. Copyright © 2010 Water Environment Federation.

Layers Of Vulnerability In Occupational Health And Safety For Migrant Workers: Case Studies From Canada And The Uk, Eric Tucker, Malcolm Sargeant

Articles & Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

Body Polluted: Questions Of Scale, Gender, And Remedy, Dayna Nadine Scott

Articles & Book Chapters

This Article offers a critique of tort remedies grounded in feminist theory of the body. It demonstrates how tort law is invested in a notion of an individuated legal subject, which fails to capture the critical interconnectedness of bodies in a social, political, historical, and colonial context. Taking the "injury" of endocrine disruption in a Canadian Aboriginal community as an example of a contemporary pollution harm, the analysis considers various torts on a conceptual level, and what they might offer the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in the way of remedies. In each case, what the tort can do depends on how …

Air Quality During Demolition And Recovery Activities In Post-Katrina New Orleans, Raghunathan Ravikrishna, Han Woong Lee., Stephen Mbuligwe, K. T. Valsaraj, John H. Pardue

Faculty Publications

Air samples were collected during demolition and cleanup operations in the Lakeview district of New Orleans, Louisiana,USA, in late 2005 during the period immediately after Hurricane Katrina. Three different high-volume air samples were collected around waste collection areas that were created to temporarily hold the debris from the cleanup of residential properties in the area. Particular teconcentrations were elevated and included crystalline fibers associated with asbestos. Metal concentrations on particulate matter aesembled those measured in sediments deposited by floodwaters with the exception of B a, which was elevated at all three locations. The highest organic contaminant concentration measured on particulates …

On The Thermodynamics Of Friction And Wear-A Review, M. Amiri, Michael M. Khonsari

Faculty Publications

An extensive survey of the papers pertaining to the thermodynamic approach to tribosystems, particularly using the concept of entropy as a natural time base, is presented with a summary of the important contributions of leading researchers. © 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Synthesis And Antimicrobial Activities Of Some New 1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives, Nesli̇han Demi̇rbaş, Ahmet Demi̇rbaş, Hacer Bayrak, Hakan Bektaş, Şengül Alpay Karaoğlu

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The synthesis of ethyl [3-(cyanomethyl)-5-alkyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol- 4-yl]carbamates (2a-d) was performed starting from ethyl 2-[ethoxy(4- (aryl)methylene]hydrazinecarboxylates (1a, 1b). The treatment of 2a with thiosemicarbazide afforded ethyl [3-[(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol- 2-yl)methyl]-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]carbamates (3a), whereas compound 2b produced 5-{[4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)- 4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]methyl}-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3b) in the same reaction conditions. The treatment of tert-butyl 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-ethoxyethylidene]hydrazinecarboxylate (5) with malonohydrazide or cyanoacethydrazide gave the corresponding 1,2,4-triazol-ylcarbamate derivatives (6 or 9); then the hydrolysis of these compounds resulted in the formation of 3-{[4-amino-5-(4- chlorobenzyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]methyl}-5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4H- 1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (7) and [4-amino-5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4H- 1,2,4-triazole-3-yl]acetonitrile (10), respectively. The synthesis of the Schiff base derivatives 3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-5-{[5-(4-chloroben- zyl)-4-[(2-hydroxyphenyl-methylene)amino]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]methyl} -N-(2-hydroxyphenylmethylene)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (8), and (5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-{[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)methylene]amino}-4H-1,2,4- triazol-3-yl)acetonitrile (12) was performed from the reaction of compounds 7 …

Being Virtuous And Prosperous: Sri’S Conflicting Goals, Benjamin J. Richardson, Wes Cragg

Articles & Book Chapters

Can SRI be a means to make investors both virtuous and prosperous? This paper argues that there can be significant tensions between these goals, and that SRI (and indeed all investment) should not allow the pursuit of maximizing investment returns to prevail over an ethical agenda of promoting social and economic justice and environmental protection. The discourse on SRI has changed dramatically in recent years to the point where its capacity to promote social emancipation, sustainable development and other ethical goals is in jeopardy. Historically, SRI was a boutique sector of the market dominated by religious-based investors who sought to …

Ioc Contributions To Science Synthesis, E. E. Hofmann, E. Gross

CCPO Publications

Over the past 50 years, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission has significantly influenced the direction and advancement of ocean science by using its unique position to encourage synthesis and integration across diverse activities and disciplines. International oceanographic programs focused on marine ecosystems, ecology, and living resources (Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics project), ocean carbon (International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project), and harmful algal blooms (Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms program) are used to illustrate IOC's role in synthesis activities. Results of these projects, including fundamental changes in how the marine science community approaches measurement protocols, data availability, and data sharing, …

On The Nature Of Winter Cooling And The Recent Temperature Shift On The Northern Gulf Of Alaska Shelf, Markus A. Janout, Thomas J. Weingartner, Thomas C. Royer, Seth L. Danielson

CCPO Publications

[1] In spring 2006 and 2007, northern Gulf of Alaska (GOA) shelf waters were ∼1.5°C below average throughout the similar to ∼250 m deep shelf and the salinity-dependent winter stratification was anomalously weak due to above (below) average surface (bottom) salinities. Spring 2007 and 2008 temperatures were also similar to ∼-1.5°C below average, but the anomalies were confined to the upper 100 m due to moderate salt stratification. Shelf temperatures in these 2 years were among the lowest observed since the early 1970s, thus interrupting an approximately 30-year warming trend. We examined winter cooling processes using historical conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profiles …

The Capacity Of Diatom Species To Survive Ingestion By The Algivorous Minnow, Pimephales Notatus, Paul Gregory Grubach

Masters Theses

The capacity of diatom species to survive gastrointestinal passage through the algivorous minnows Pimephales notatusand Campostoma anomalum was studied. From a site on the Grand River in northeastern Ohio, 27 minnows and 7 epilithic diatom samples were taken. In order to determine whether diatom taxa varied in digestibility, live/dead ratios of diatom cells taken from the minnows’ feces were compared with live/dead ratios of cells taken from immersed rocks. Diatoms that were live/undigested at the time of collection were differentiated from dead/digested cells under light microscopy by noting the presence of chloroplasts and/or lipid droplets. Seventy-seven percent of the …

Student-Consultant Continuum: Incorporating Writing Center Techniques Of Peer Review Into The Composition Classroom, Maria Lynn Soriano

Masters Theses

Peer collaboration about writing often functions as a required step in the writing processes of first-year writing students. Within the composition classroom, students read and respond to the writing of their peers, sometimes obtaining useful feedback, and sometimes just getting “You did a good job” as an evaluation. Outside of the classroom, the Writing Center exists as a space where students can work with a trained consultant to receive helpful suggestions and a thorough evaluation of their writing. Though the first-year writing classroom and the Writing Center exist as physically separate places, both rely on principles of collaboration and conversation …

Reconciliation And Third-Party Interests: Tsilhqot'in Nation V. British Columbia, Kent Mcneil

Articles & Book Chapters

The manner in which conflicts between Aboriginal title to land and private third-party interests should be dealt with is a major issue in Canadian law and policy. The matter came up at trial in Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, and again was left unresolved. However, Justice Vickers did acknowledge the vital importance of the issue and the need to reconcile these conflicting interests through honourable negotiations. While admitting that a courtroom is not the appropriate forum for achieving reconciliation, he provided detailed analysis of the applicable legal principles and insights into the public policy considerations that should guide the negotiations. …

Reflections: On Judicial Diversity And Judicial Independence, Sonia Lawrence

Articles & Book Chapters

In the Canadian context, judicial independence - the “cornerstone of democracy” - is described as dependent on a wide variety of conditions, including judicial remuneration, court budgets, the discipline of judges, politics and the appointments process, but these do not usually include a diverse judiciary. There is also a significant, but almost completely separate, Canadian literature about diversity on the bench. Why the separation? Part of the reason is that judicial independence (like any concept worth its salt) is not particularly well defined. Attempts at definition are often cabined by jurisdiction or limited to the world of theory. Furthermore, judicial …

A History Of Moose Management In Utah, Michael L. Wolfe, Kent R. Hersey, David C. Stoner

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

During the first half of the 20th century a moose (Alces alces) population gradually established itself on the North Slope of Utah’s Uinta Mountains from founders in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Formal management of the species commenced with an aerial survey conducted in 1957, and the first legal hunt in 1958. From this small initial population moose have expanded into other areas of northern Utah and, augmented by transplants, the statewide population has increased to an estimated 3,200 animals as of 2009. In the northern portion of the state moose appear to prosper in riparian willow (Salix sp.) habitats as …

Wolves And The Wolf Myth In American Literature, Cara Erdheim

English Faculty Publications

Book review by Cara Erdheim:

Robisch, S. K. Wolves and the Wolf Myth in American Literature. Reno, Nevada: Uniiversity of Nevada Press, 2009.

Reconfiguring The Space Of Agency In The Digital Age, Peggy Reynolds

Saint Louis University Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Embodied Music Theory - New Pedagogy For Creative And Aural Development, Nicholas Bannan

Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy

This article presents a snapshot of pedagogical practice that integrates singing, expressive physical gesture, aural development, music theory and creativity. The approach it outlines forms an attempt to transcend the instructional mode by which music theory is perceived by students to be independent of musical practice, or an artificial construct by which Western Conservatoire-trained educators impose their assumptions on students who find it of limited relevance or interest. It represents a response to the position, encountered in several educational contexts internationally, whereby students whose aural and musicianship development has failed to match their performing abilities or musicological knowledge aspire to …

Wildlifer's Log, Dave Willis, Emma Kanaan, Mike Kjellsen, Steven Chipps, Mike Brown, Melissa Wuellner, Jon Jenks

NRM Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Habitat-Based Conservation Legislation: A New Direction For Sea Turtle Conservation, Tara Zuardo

Animal Law Review

This Comment explores various agreements designed to protect sea turtles at international and local levels as migratory species. Traditional approaches have been unsuccessful at addressing the myriad threats that face sea turtles. The effectiveness of international agreements could be greatly increased through government enforcement of national and local laws that protect species and through increased cooperation and coordination. This Comment concludes that regional legislation in the European Community mandating habitat protection for listed species and local involvement in sea turtle protection offers direction for future agreements seeking to protect sea turtles.

Noneconomic Damage Awards In Veterinary Malpractice: Using The Human Medical Experience As A Model To Predict The Effect Of Noneconomic Damage Awards On The Practice Of Companion Animal Veterinary Medicine, Steve Barghusen

Animal Law Review

Many scholars have argued for and against the recovery of noneconomic damages in cases of veterinary malpractice involving companion animals. However, scholarship has not focused on the results that allowing noneconomic damages may have on the structure of companion animal veterinary practices. This Article uses the human medical field as a predictive model to explore the potential effects of granting noneconomic damages in veterinary malpractice cases. The author argues that awarding damages substantial enough to encourage increased litigation will result in significant changes in the field of veterinary medicine. Allowing for recovery of noneconomic damages will make veterinary care more …

Legal Personhood And The Nonhuman Rights Project, Steven A. Wise

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Can Cycles Of Neddylation And Deneddylation Provide Points For Possible Therapeutic Intervention?, Nadia Nocera

Quill & Scope

Neddylation plays a critical role in proteosomal degradation and the progression of the cell cycle. Inter- fering with the process of neddylation and deneddylation could provide points of therapy by promoting cell death or cell cycle arrest in cells that are undergoing rapid proliferation, such as in tumors. The cy- cle of neddylation and deneddylation is essential for cellular processes, and if it is inhibited or amplified in some way, this may disturb the proliferation of tumor and with further research, it may be used as a target for cancer therapy.

Antidepressants Misrepresented, Steve Rockoff

Quill & Scope

In a January 2010 study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, investigators determined that for patients who had less than “very severe depression”, antidepressants have no measurable effect on de- pressive symptoms when compared to placebo. This resounding statement was widely circulated by every major national media outlet. If true, it has powerful implications for the millions of Americans who are currently prescribed antidepressants. The commentary at hand highlights several glaring flaws in the design and conclusions of these researchers’ meta-analysis, in an attempt to portray their findings in a less alarming and more realistic light.