Digital Commons Network^™

Gsu Continues To Go Green, Office Of Public Affairs

Press Releases

No one is quite sure how long the automobile engine had been in the bottom of Thorn Creek, but it isn't there any longer. Or how long the bowling shoes, bald tires, and yards and yards of coiled wire have blocked the water flow. But all that trash and truckloads more were hauled recently from the banks and bottom of the creek, and deposited where they belong.

The tires were sent to a tire recycling center to be shredded for ground material. Most of the metal, such as the engine block and wire coils, were sold as scrap, and what …

Modeling Methane Emission From Wetlands In North-Eastern New South Wales, Australia Using Landsat Etm+, Clement E. Akumu, Sumith Pathirana, Serwan Baban, Daniel Bucher

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Natural wetlands constitute a major source of methane emission to the atmosphere, accounting for approximately 32 ± 9.4% of the total methane emission. Estimation of methane emission from wetlands at both local and national scale using process-based models would improve our understanding of their contribution to global methane emission. The aim of the study is to estimate the amount of methane emission from the coastal wetlands in north-eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, using Landsat ETM+ and to estimate emission with a temperature increase. Supervised wetland classification was performed using the Maximum Likelihood Standard algorithm. The temperature dependent factor was …

Gulf Oil Spill: It's What We Can't See That Worries Researchers, Tyler Greer

Browse All News

No abstract provided.

American Indian Stories: A Guide To The Development Of Zitkala-S̆A'S Sioux Identity, Robert Alan Brown

English

"This thesis is a work of literary criticism, specifically psychological criticism, of American Indian Stories (1921), a collection of autobiographical and fictional short stories previously written and published by writer Zitkala-S̆a during the early 1900s. The purpose of this thesis is to solve one of the most debated aspects of the work--the identity of Zitkala-S̆a--and to show how identifying Zitkala-S̆a as a Sioux Indian offers a different perspective on American Indian Stories. The collection of Stories provides key evidence that provides insight into the healthy development of Zitkala-S̆a's personality as she progresses through Erik Erikson's 'Eight Stages of Man, ' …

Design, Function, And Applicability Of A New Multiple Axis-Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer For Observing Halogen Chemistry In The Arctic, Daniel A. Carlson

Chemistry and Biochemistry

"Every springtime reactive halogen species (e.g. bromine atoms and bromine monoxide radicals, BrO) are photochemically released into the Arctic atmosphere by heterogeneous reactions on snow/ice surfaces. These halogens subsequently alter the chemical pathways of the atmosphere by depleting ozone levels to near zero, taking over as the primary oxidizer. An autocatalytic chemical mechanism for the release of reactive halogens from ice surfaces has been described; however, the environmental conditions that lead to halogen production are still unclear, limiting our ability to understand and predict these halogen chemical events. This thesis describes the design and operation of a new autonomous multiple …

Hush, Little Baby: Exploring The Need For Interpersonal Affection In Infancy, Estrella D. Lee

Communication

"This study seeks to explore the links that are being made between a lack of interpersonal affection during infancy and an individual's later integration into society. Researching neglect proves difficult due to the limited ways in which data can be collected. Therefore, the base of this study employs qualitative content analysis of secondary data sources, with a supplemental piece employing standardized open-ended interviews. Interpretation of results informed the following five links, each connecting a lack of interpersonal affection to: arrested physiological development, an inability to fulfill attachment needs, erratic behavior, an inability to connect socially, and the ability to effectively …

Biologically Relevant Secondary Metabolites Of Vaccinium Uliginosum: Bioassay-Directed Natural Products Identification Of Anti-Neuroninflammatory Agents In The Alaska Bog Blueberry, Colin Mcgill

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dietary blueberry supplementation has demonstrated numerous health benefits including improved learning and memory in aging and neurodegenerative models, neuroprotection from ischemic events, anti-diabetic properties, and modulation of multiple inflammatory cascades. Despite previous research on antioxidant components prevalent in blueberries, no adequate explanation for a molecular mechanism for the benefits of blueberry supplementation has been proposed. Vaccinium uliginosum, the Alaska bog blueberry, possesses higher concentrations of antioxidant components than commercial varietals, and exhibits a greater oxygen radical scavenging capacity, making it an excellent candidate for the identification of biologically relevant secondary metabolites. An approach of bioassay-directed natural products identification was utilized …

Natural Compounds Isolated From Wild Alaska Bog Blueberries Intervene With Molecular Targets Of Neuroinflammation, Sally Jane Gustafson

Chemistry and Biochemistry

NADPH Oxidase (NOX) has emerged as a key mediator of inflammatory processes that are prevalent in acute and chronic pathologies of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and the immune system. Activation of NOX results in the formation of superoxide, a specific type of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive accumulation of superoxide causes severe oxidative stress and ultimately, progressive cellular damage and degeneration. Despite the implications of NOX in a multitude of pathologies, pharmaceutical interventions against this molecular target remain non-existent. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has immense health benefits beyond the high content of antioxidant compounds. Dietary intake …

Assessment Of An Alaskan Willow With Potential For Polychlorinated Biphenyl Rhizoremediation, Heather Ann Slater

Chemistry and Biochemistry

"Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are priority pollutants targeted for remediation efforts in many areas of the world. Rhizoremediation, the use of plants and their associated root microorganisms for the degradation of a pollutant, may be an inexpensive and effective approach to biodegrading PCBs and detoxifying contaminated soils in situ. Two Alaskan native tree species, Salix alaxensis (willow) or Picea glauca (white spruce), were assessed for the ability to stimulate microbial PCB degradation by measuring PCB loss, toxicity and microbial community shifts in soil microcosms following the addition of crushed roots. Incubation of polluted soils with root crushates of S. alaxensis led …

Investigating Controls Over Methane Production And Bubbling From Interior Alaskan Lakes Using Stable Isotopes And Radiocarbon Ages, Laura S. Brosius

Biological Sciences

"Large uncertainties in first-order estimates of the magnitude of CH₄ emissions from lakes (global lakes: 8-48 Tg CH₄ yr⁻¹ Bastviken et al. 2004) result from variation in ebullition (bubbling) rates between and within lakes. Based on a comparison of two interior Alaska thermokarst lakes, I suggest that variation in CH₄ ebullition observed within and between lakes can be explained by a few key differences in substrate quality and sediment density. Killarney Lake, which has a 130 cm-thick modern sediment package, emitted 120 mg CH₄ M⁻² day⁻¹ produced from a mixture of modern C and permafrost C sources, while Goldstream Lake, …

May 17, 2010 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

A Review Of The Species Status Of The Angayukaksurak Charr (Salvelinus Anaktuvukensis) Of Northern Alaska: Perspectives From Molecular And Morphological Data, Scott David Ayers

Fisheries

"The Arctic, known for its dynamic past, is a significant place to examine drivers of and spatial variation in diversity of life history strategies in fishes. Diversity in heritable life history traits can lead to speciation, as may be the case for the putative Angayukaksurak chair (Salvelinus anaktuvukensis). The goal of this study was to determine the species status of this fish, the only described freshwater species endemic to Alaska. I examined and compared the morphology and genetics of Angayukaksurak charr and its most closely related species, the Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Meristic characters divided the specimens into three forms …

Life History And Spawning Movements Of Broad Whitefish In The Middle Yukon River, William K. Carter

Fisheries

"Broad whitefish Coregonus nasus have long been an important subsistence resource across its Arctic and sub-Arctic range. Despite its regional importance, little is known about the life history and ecology of this species. This research illuminates fundamental life-history information through the use of catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) run timing, gonadosomatic index (GSI), radio telemetry, and aging and microchemical analysis of otoliths. From 2001 to 2006, fishwheels were used to capture individuals 1,200 km upstream from the mouth of the Yukon River. CPUE data indicated a consistent increase in daily fish numbers through mid-September. The GSI showed an increasing gonad weight over the …

Variably Saturated Flow And Heat Transport Simulations Of An Interior Alaskan Fen, Collin A. Macheel

Engineering

"The objectives of this research are: to identify the applicably and limitations of a one-dimensional coupled model to simulate variably saturated hydrologic and energy transport processes in peat; to assess the sensitivity of the hydrologic input parameters and water fluctuations on heat transport; and to test an in situ frequency domain method of soil freezing characteristics versus a statistical approach. Soil temperatures and energy transfer through soils and hydrology are interrelated. Chemical, macro- and microbiological activities are largely dependent on both of these processes in peatlands. It is important to model these processes to assess the interaction of hydrology and …

Micro-Hardiness Agriculture Zones In The North Star Borough, Alaska: Past And Future Scenarios, Ellen W. Hatch

Senior Theses

Agriculture in the Arctic is often limited by the low receipt of heat energy, which is often measured in growing degree days (GDD). With the advent of increasingly powerful climate modeling, projection and downscaling techniques, it is becoming possible to examine future climates in high resolution. Recent availability in Alaska has prompted interest in examining the distribution of current and the potential future of local agriculture. The goal of this study was to utilize Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP) downscaled, ensemble projections to examine this in terms of GDDs in the Fairbanks North Star Borough of Alaska. Historic and …

Habitat Characteristics Of Black Oystercatcher Breeding Territories, Brooke A. Mcfarland

Marine Biology

Habitat use in birds is often related to forage resources and predation avoidance. The large, long-lived black oystercatcher is a shorebird that defends a composite breeding territory for foraging in the intertidal zone and nesting in the immediate upland. Predation on young is a major source of mortality for many bird species, including black oystercatcher. As these are long-lived birds with many reproductive opportunities, adult survival, associated with forage resources, is expected to be more important in habitat use than less-predictable breeding success. To identify which factors most influence black oystercatcher breeding territory use, logistic regression models were developed and …

Bjc Today

BJC Today

No abstract provided.

Cannabinoid-Mediated Inhibition Of Recurrent Excitatory Circuitry In The Dentate Gyrus In A Mouse Model Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Muthu D. Bhaskaran, Bret N. Smith

Physiology Faculty Publications

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a neurological condition associated with neuron loss, axon sprouting, and hippocampal sclerosis, which results in modified synaptic circuitry. Cannabinoids appear to be anti-convulsive in patients and animal models of TLE, but the mechanisms of this effect are not known. A pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus mouse model of TLE was used to study the effect of cannabinoid agonists on recurrent excitatory circuits of the dentate gyrus using electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices isolated from control mice and mice with TLE. Cannabinoid agonists WIN 55,212-2, anandamide (AEA), or 2-arachydonoylglycerol (2-AG) reduced the frequency of spontaneous and tetrodotoxin-resistant excitatory …

Ohio University Faculty Senate Minutes May 17, 2010, Ohio University Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Mustang Daily, May 17, 2010

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Microfiltration Membrane Material Properties And Surface Water Characteristics: Effects On Membrane Fouling, N/A N/A

Engineering

"Surface water can be challenging to treat due to high concentrations of organic matter. Membrane filtration produces high quality effluent but membrane fouling reduces system efficiency. A bench-scale, dead end filtration system was used to investigate the fouling effects of natural source waters on microfiltration flat sheet membranes. Membrane materials were selected to represent a range of surface charge characteristics and hydrophobicity. The source waters included an arctic lake, a subarctic river, as well as modified water samples, pre-filtered to include only the dissolved organics, or with deliberately changed pH values. Bench-scale results were compared with a pilot-system's seasonal performance. …

Application Of Nanoparticle Saturated Injectant Gases For Enhanced Oil Recovery Of Heavy Oils, Rusheet D. Shah

Engineering

"Heavy oil, an immense U.S. oil resource, is untapped because its highly viscous nature makes it challenging to produce. The high cost and additional time associated with heavy oil production make it uneconomical compared with light oil production. Currently, heavy oil reservoir production challenges are mostly addressed by thermal recovery techniques. These techniques are generally successful because heat 'thins' heavy oil by reducing its viscosity. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) flooding is a well-known tertiary production technique used in depleted oil reservoirs. Supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) dissolves in trapped oil and reduces oil viscosity by swelling it. More oil pushes towards the production …

The Association Between Teen Parenthood And Marital Status Among Women, Amy Feinberg

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Teen pregnancy and teen parenting are prevalent and significant public health issues. Teen parenting also has many social and economic consequences for mother and family. Single parenthood is associated with increased financial, work and child care strains compared to a more traditional family type. Therefore, the impact of teen pregnancy on marital status needs to be investigated. This study examines the association between teen parenthood and future marital status. Methods: The 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, Cycle 6 was analyzed. This study included 12398 women age 20 – 44 years who had children. Teen parenthood was defined as …

Polymorphism In The Duck Mx Gene And Association With Influenza Infection, Danielle M. Dillon

Biological Sciences

"Myxovirus-resistant (Mx) proteins are induced by interferon and inhibit viral replication as part of the innate immune response to viral infection in many vertebrates. Influenza A virus appears to be especially susceptible to Mx antiviral effects. We characterized exon 13 and the 3' UTR of the Mx gene in wild ducks, the natural reservoir of influenza virus and explored its potential relevance to influenza infection. We observed a wide range of intra- and interspecies variation. Total nucleotide diversity per site (π/bp) was 0.00 14, 0.0027, 0.0044, 0.005 1, and 0.0061 in mallards, northern shovelers, northern pintails, American wigeon, and American …

Use Of Anthropogenic Foods By Glaucous Gulls (Larus Hyperboreus) In Northern Alaska, Emily L. Weiser

Biological Sciences

"Glaucous Gulls are abundant predators in northern Alaska and prey upon several bird species of conservation concern. To assess the benefit gulls may receive from scavenging garbage, I studied diet and reproduction at eight to ten breeding colonies in northern Alaska in 2008-2009. Garbage occurrence in diet was positively correlated with fledging rate; thus any development that increased available garbage could potentially subsidize gull populations through enhanced reproductive success. Garbage could also increase gull populations by enhancing subadult survival. Subadult gulls around the city of Barrow consumed much more garbage than breeding adults, which apparently switch to a mostly natural …

Respiratory Anatomy, Physiology, And Central Co₂ Chemosensitivity Of The Arctic Air-Breathing Fish Dallia Pectoralis, Megan Hoffman

Biological Sciences

"Aerial respiration using a ancestral lung, central respiratory rhythm generation, and central CO₂ chemosensitivity arose early in vertebrate evolution prior to the divergence of sarcopterygian and actinopterygian fish. All vertebrate air breathing, however, is not homologous as this trait evolved independently several times among teleost fishes. Two long-standing questions in respiratory physiology are whether air breathing in fish is controlled by a central rhythm generator and whether air breathing and central CO₂ chemosensitivity co-evolved. One means to address these questions is to investigate control of breathing in the brainstem; therefore, we established an isolated brainstem preparation from the Alaska blackfish, …

Hormonal Regulation Of Alternative Reproductive Strategies, Tawna Morgan

Biological Sciences

Variation in reproductive behavior permits individuals to optimize fitness given their genetics, physiological condition, social status, age and current environmental conditions. For species with alternative reproductive strategies, behavioral differences are driven by natural and sexual selection and further mediated by the endocrine system. In this study, I explore endocrinological mechanisms associated with alternative reproductive strategies in the ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Ruffs breed on leks, where males use one of three genetically determined alternative reproductive strategies or phenotypes. Resident males rely on male-male aggression, colorful plumage, large body size and intensive display activity to establish courts on a lek and attract …

The Ecological Niche Of Storm-Petrels In The North Pacific And A Global Model Of Dimethylsulfide Concentration, Grant R. Humphries

Biological Sciences

Ecological niche modeling techniques were used to create global, monthly predictions of sea surface dimethylsulfide (DMS) concentrations, and breeding season distribution of Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma luncorhoa) and Fork-Tailed Storm-Petrel (O. furcata) in the North Pacific. This work represents the first attempt to model DMS concentrations on a global scale using ecological niche modeling, and the first models of Storm-Petrel distribution for the North Pacific. Storm-Petrels have been shown to be attracted to DMS, and it is therefore likely that a model of sea surface DMS concentration would help explain and predict Storm-Petrel distribution. We have successfully created the most accurate …

Trichodectes Canis, An Invasive Ectoparasite Of Alaskan Wolves: Detection Methods, Current Distribution, And Ecological Correlates Of Spread, Theresa M. Woldstad

Biological Sciences

Trichodectes canis, (Ischnocera: Trichodectidae), was first documented on Alaska gray wolves (Canis lupis) in 1981. Two hypotheses may explain why T. canis was not observed in Alaska until the 1980s. Symptomatic wolves could be predisposed to pediculosis, whereas mild infestations outside the observed infestation region are undetected by visual inspection. A second possible explanation is that T. canis is an invasive ectoparasite, and Alaska wolves outside the infestation region do not harbor lice. We examined wolf hides from December 2003 to February 2009, to investigate potential sampling locations, determine T. canis current distribution within Alaska, and investigate potential ecological correlates …

Common Ravens In Alaska's North Slope Oil Fields: An Integrated Study Using Local Knowledge And Science, Stacia Ann Backensto

Biological Sciences

Common ravens (Corvus corax) that nest on human structures in the Kuparuk and Prudhoe Bay oil fields on Alaska's North Slope are believed to present a predation risk to tundra-nesting birds in this area. In order to gain more information about the history of the resident raven population and their use of anthropogenic resources in the oil fields, I documented oil field worker knowledge of ravens in this area. In order to understand how anthropogenic subsidies in the oil fields affect the breeding population, I examined the influence of types of structures and food subsidies on raven nest site use …