Digital Commons Network^™

A Prototype Miniaturized Metabolic Gas Analysis Sensor, Tammy Anderson, Joseph Orr

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Microgravity adversely affects several physiological systems. As space exploration moves to extended flights, understanding which mechanisms microgravity influences may contribute to the health and safety of astronauts aboard. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) testing is used to monitor changes to cardiorespiratory function. Currently the equipment used to such testing aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is large and requires a significant amount of power. We propose the use of a modified metabolic management system, currently approved for clinical use, for exercise stress testing.

High-Speed, Three-Dimensional Quantification Of Ladybug Flapping Wing Kinematics During Takeoff, Ryan B. George, Scott L. Thomson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Ladybug wing and body kinematics during takeoff is explored using high-speed stereoscopic images acquired at a rate of 3000 frames per second. A direct linear transformation algorithm is used to quantify positions of selected locations on the body, forewings (elytra), and hindwings. Design and setup of instrumentation and analysis procedures are explained. Flapping frequency is reported. Significant motion of the forewing and other findings are presented and their applications are discussed.

Planar Electrode Quadrupole Ion Traps, Brett J. Hansen, Hannah Quist, Ying Peng, Zhiping Zhang, Junting Wang, Aaron R. Hawkins, Daniel E. Austin

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A simple method has been proposed to study the effects of multipole components on the performance of a radiofrequency quadrupole ion-trap mass analyzer, named the planar Paul trap. The device consists of two parallel ceramic plates, the opposing surfaces of which are lithographically imprinted with 24 metal rings. This suggested method combines the unique properties of this type of trap: the multiple-circular-ring structure, and ease of changing the electric field through differing capacitor configurations on printed circuit boards. Using this approach, the magnitude and sign of different multipole components, including octopole and dodecapole, can easily be adjusted through altering the …

Mustang Daily, May 10, 2010

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

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

The Ticker, May 10, 2010

The Ticker

The Ticker is the student newspaper of Baruch College. It has been published continuously since 1932, when the Baruch College campus was the School of Business and Civic Administration of the City College of New York.

Ecology And Evolution Of Diet Expansions To Exotic Hosts In Generalist And Specialist Rolled Leaf Beetles (Genus Cephaloleia, Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae), Carlos Garcia-Robledo

Open Access Dissertations

The interactions between plants and their insect herbivores are one of the main generators of biological diversity. A fundamental process generating this outstanding diversity is diet expansion to novel host plants. During the last four decades scientists accumulated evidence showing that co-adaptation between plants and herbivores is a major process assembling plant-herbivore interactions. However, rescent research suggests that adaptation is not always a prerequisite to generate novel plant-herbivore interactions. Novel associations between plants and insect herbivores may be assembled by ecological fitting - an ecological process whereby herbivores colonize novel host plants as a result of the suites of preadapted …

Intrinsic Contact Geometry Of Protein Dynamics, Yosi Shibberu, Allen Holder, David Cooper

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

We introduce a new measure for comparing protein structures that is especially applicable to analysis of molecular dynamics simulation results. The new measure generalizes the widely used root-mean-squared-deviation (RMSD) measure from three dimensional to n-dimensional Euclidean space, where n equals the number of atoms in the protein molecule. The new measure shows that despite significant fluctuations in the three dimensional geometry of the estrogen receptor protein, the protein's intrinsic contact geometry is remarkably stable over nanosecond time scales. The new measure also identifies significant structural changes missed by RMSD for a residue that plays a key biological role in …

Porciones 71 And 72, Vanessa Santillan

Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) Educational Resources

Hidalgo County, San Juan, El Cajon Subdivision.

Cbd & D9-Thc - The Two Faces Of Cannabis, N/A Zeissler, Cb Carroll, J Zajicek

Peninsula Medical School

Cannabidiol (CBD) and D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) are phytocannabinoids produced by the plant Cannabis sativa which have both shown promising therapeutic value as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in a variety of neurological disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in their protective function are thought to be distinctly different probably due to their divergent receptor pharmacology. D9-THC is a potent agonist at the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 through which it is thought to modulate synaptic plasticity and inflammatory responses respectively. CBD on the other hand exhibits negligible affinity for both receptors prompting research into cannabinoid receptor independent mechanisms of action such as …

Spartan Daily May 10, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 134, Issue 50

05/10/2010 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 05/10/2010. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Oral History Transcript - Basilio David Villarreal Iv, Basilio David Villarreal Iv, Nancy Jasmine Serna

Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, May 10, 2010, Daily Egyptian Staff

May 2010

No abstract provided.

Monitor Newsletter May 10, 2010, Bowling Green State University

Monitor

Official Publication of Bowling Green State University for Faculty and Staff

Oral History Transcript - Dr. Lucas Hinojosa, Lucas Hinojosa, Baldemar Chavez, Vanessa Santillan, Katherine Tapia

Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

An Ensemble-Based Computational Approach For Incremental Learning In Non-Stationary Environments Related To Schema- And Scaffolding-Based Human Learning, Ryan Elwell

Theses and Dissertations

The principal dilemma in a learning process, whether human or computer, is adapting to new information, especially in cases where this new information conflicts with what was previously learned. The design of computer models for incremental learning is an emerging topic for classification and prediction of large-scale data streams undergoing change in underlying class distributions (definitions) over time; yet currently, they often ignore significant foundational learning theory that has been developed in the domain of human learning. This shortfall leads to many deficiencies in the ability to organize existing knowledge and to retain relevant knowledge for long periods of time. …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Postinjury Lithium Treatment: Determining The Optimal Dosing Paradigm And Assessing Potential Mechanisms Of Action, Katharine Eakin

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a dramatic impact on our society in terms of mortality, morbidity, and inherently high financial costs. Formidable research efforts are being addressed to the identification of neuroprotective agents capable of ameliorating the neurological outcome after TBI. Preclinical studies have recently demonstrated lithium to be a promising neuroprotective agent for both acute ischemic brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative disease. In light of these encouraging data, we designed a lateral fluid-percussion injury (FPI) study aimed at investigating the role of early post-traumatic administration of lithium as a strategy for reducing TBI-induced motor and cognitive deficits. The optimal …

Cbd & D9-Thc - The Two Faces Of Cannabis, Zeissler, Cb Carroll, J Zajicek

Peninsula Medical School

Cannabidiol (CBD) and D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) are phytocannabinoids produced by the plant Cannabis sativa which have both shown promising therapeutic value as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in a variety of neurological disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in their protective function are thought to be distinctly different probably due to their divergent receptor pharmacology. D9-THC is a potent agonist at the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 through which it is thought to modulate synaptic plasticity and inflammatory responses respectively. CBD on the other hand exhibits negligible affinity for both receptors prompting research into cannabinoid receptor independent mechanisms of action such as …

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - April 9, 2010, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the May 9, 2010 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents Include:

• Alabama's 2005 Professor of the Year to Speak at COM
• COM Spring Faculty Assembly Meeting
• Commencement Exercises
• Family Medicine Center Implements EHR Software
• USA College of Medicine's Honors Convocation
• Library Art Exhibit Features Work of USA's Medical Illustrator

Commencement Convocation Program, St. Petersburg Campus, May 9, 2010, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg

USF St. Petersburg Graduations and Commencements

King O'Neal Awards: Sybil Crocetti, Melissa Harris, Joy Scholing, Tiffany Tran; Outstanding Graduate: Alanna L. Lecher

Determination Of The Myogenic Potential Of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Rory Coleman

Honors Scholar Theses

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to

differentiate to all adult somatic cells. This property makes hESCs a very promising area of research for the treatment of disorders in which specific cell populations need to be restored. Despite this potential, research that focuses on producing mesodermally derived cell populations from hESCs is decidedly limited, notwithstanding the prevalence of disorders involving mesodermal tissues for which treatment options are limited. Skeletal muscle myoblasts are derivatives of mesodermal cells and are characterized by the expression of the MyoD gene. These cells are difficult to obtain from hESCs in a reproducible and …

Emotional Content In Autobiographical Memory Through An Attachment Theory Framework, Elizabeth Tsatkin

Honors Scholar Theses

The current study investigates the relationship between individual differences in attachment style and the recall of autobiographical memories. According to attachment theory, affect regulation strategies employed by individuals high in attachment anxiety and high in attachment avoidance are likely to influence how information about the past is recalled. This study examines how attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance relate to the presence of negative emotions in autobiographical memories of upsetting events with important relationship figures (i.e., mother, father, or roommate). Participants included 248 undergraduate students ranging from ages 18-22 that attend a public university in the northeast. As hypothesized, individuals with …

Assessing The Phylogenetic Utility Of Dna Barcoding Using The New Zealand Cicada Genus Kikihia, Megan Ribak

Honors Scholar Theses

DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al. 2003) has the potential to revolutionize the process of identifying and cataloguing biodiversity; however, significant controversy surrounds some of the proposed applications. In the seven years since DNA barcoding was introduced, the Web of Science records more than 600 studies that have weighed the pros and cons of this procedure. Unfortunately, the scientific community has been unable to come to any consensus on what threshold to use to differentiate species or even whether the barcoding region provides enough information to serve as an accurate species identification tool. The purpose of my thesis is to analyze …

Changes In Mirna Expression In A Model Of Microcephaly, Shan Parikh

Honors Scholar Theses

miRNAs function to regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional mechanisms to potentially regulate multiple aspects of physiology and development. Whole transcriptome analysis has been conducted on the citron kinase mutant rat, a mutant that shows decreases in brain growth and development. The resulting differences in RNA between mutant and wild-type controls can be used to identify genetic pathways that may be regulated differentially in normal compared to abnormal neurogenesis. The goal of this thesis was to verify, with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), changes in miRNA expression in Cit-k mutants and wild types. In addition to confirming miRNA expression …

Characterization Of The Putative Xyloglucan Glycosyltransferase Gt14 In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Najam R. Syed

Honors Scholar Theses

Plant cell walls largely consist of matrix polysaccharides that are linked to cellulose microfibrils. Xyloglucan, the primary hemicellulose of the cell wall matrix, consists of a repeating glucose tetramer structure with xylose residues attached to the first three units ('XXXG'). In Arabidopsis thaliana, the core XXXG structure is further modified by enzymatic addition of galactose and fucose residues to the xylose side chains to produce XLXG, XXLG, XLLG and XLFG structures. GT14 is a putative glycosyltransferase in the GT47 gene family. Initial predictions of GT14's hydrophobic regions, based on its translated amino acid sequence, are almost identical to its Arabidopsis …

Macroh2a1 Regulation During The Cell Cycle Of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Persis S. Thomas

Honors Scholar Theses

MacroH2A is a core histone variant that plays an important role in the X-inactivation process during differentiation of embryonic stem cells. It has been shown that macroH2A changes in localization during the cell cycle of somatic cells. This study aims to determine how macroH2A changes during the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells. Male and female mouse embryonic stem cells were transfected with a GFP::macroH2A construct and the relationship between macroH2A and the cell cycle was determined using FACS. This study shows that macroH2A is altered during the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells as it is in somatic cells …

The State Of The University Of Connecticut Health Center, Ankeet S. Bhatt

Honors Scholar Theses

Academic medical centers represent the integration of education, namely schools of medicine and dental medicine, research, often through a biomedical sciences graduate program, and a clinical experience, often supplied with an onsite hospital. These medical centers involve an intricate mix of individuals and personalities, making their operation a difficult and sometimes daunting task. The University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) financial struggles have created a new opportunity, an affiliation with Hartford Healthcare, which will equip the UCHC with a major tertiary care University Hospital. This thesis intends to provide an analysis of the challenges and potential benefits of such a …

The Effect Of Heavy Metal Stress On Avian Proximal Tubule Urate Secretion, Carla L. Maffeo

Honors Scholar Theses

In both humans and birds, urate is an important antioxidant when maintained at normal plasma concentrations. Though human kidneys primarily reabsorb filtered urate, while those of birds perform mostly secretion, both maintain urate levels at ~300microM. The importance of maintaining urate levels within the homeostatic range was observed when the study of several prominent diseases revealed an association with hyperuricemia.

This study examined the effect of elevated zinc concentration on avian urate secretion. Here, acute exposure of chicken proximal tubule epithelial cells (cPTCs) to zinc stress had no effect on urate secretion, but prolonged zinc-induced cellular stress inhibited active transepithelial …

Alterations In The Cellular Composition Of The Mouse Bladder Following Ovariectomy, Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction, And Aging, Diane Holly Smith

Honors Scholar Theses

Detrusor underactivity (DU) increases susceptibility to urinary retention and accordingly further complicates the management of urinary incontinence. Bladder muscle stretch, a lack of estrogen, and aging are 3 notable DU risk factors. The aim of this research is to better characterize the changes in cellular composition of the bladder that result from these 3 risk factors to gain a better understanding of DU pathogenesis and pathobiology. This research focuses on the effects of a lack of estrogen while also providing an outline for determining the effects of bladder muscle stretch and aging on the cellular composition of the bladder.

Oxygen Supplementing, Biocompatible Outer Membranes For Enhanced Performance Of Implantable Glucose Sensors, Hardeep Singh

Honors Scholar Theses

Lack of linearity and sensitivity, oxygen dependence, biofouling and tissue inflammation hinder the development of implantable biosensors for continuous monitoring of glucose. Herein, we report the development of stacked outer membranes based on LBL/PVA hydrogels that improve sensor sensitivity, linearity, oxygen independence and counter biofouling and inflammation. While the inner LBL membrane affords tunable diffusivity, the outer PVA is capable of releasing anti-inflammatory drugs/tissue response modifying agents to counter acute and chronic inflammation, and to induce neo-angiogenesis at the implant site. Sensors were fabricated by immobilizing GOx enzyme on top of 50 μm platinum wires, followed by deposition of stacked …