Digital Commons Network^™

Every Day Is Earth Day: Using A Latent Curriculum To Develop An Ethic Of Sustainability Among College Students, Robert Longwell-Grice, Rebecca Nordensten

New York Journal of Student Affairs

As educators, colleges are in a unique position to inform future leaders about environmental issues. This paper reviews a specific plan for developing an ethic of care for the environment in students, based on the work of Aldo Leopold. The plan focuses on the latent curriculum, and argues that divisions of student affairs are best suited to develop it.

Genes, Language, Cognition, And Culture: Towards Productive Inquiry, W. Tecumseh Fitch

Human Biology

The Queen Mary conference on “Integrating Genetic and Cultural Evolutionary Approaches to Language,” and the papers in this special issue, clearly illustrate the excitement and potential of trans-disciplinary approaches to language as an evolved biological capacity (phylogeny) and an evolving cultural entity (glossogeny). Excepting the present author, the presenters/authors are mostly young rising stars in their respective fields, and include scientists with backgrounds in linguistics, animal communication, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and computer science. On display was a clear willingness to engage with different approaches and terminology and a commitment to shared standards of scientific rigor, empirically driven theory, and …

Are Languages Really Independent From Genes? If Not, Whatwould A Genetic Bias Affecting Language Diversity Look Like?, Dan Dediu

Human Biology

It is generally accepted that the relationship between human genes and language is very complex and multifaceted. This has its roots in the “regular” complexity governing the interplay among genes and between genes and environment for most phenotypes, but with the added layer of supraontogenetic and supra-individual processes defining culture. At the coarsest level, focusing on the species, it is clear that human-specific—but not necessarily faculty-specific—genetic factors subtend our capacity for language and a currently very productive research program is aiming at uncovering them. At the other end of the spectrum, it is uncontroversial that individual-level variations in different aspects …

Introduction: Integrating Genetic And Cultural Evolutionary Approaches To Language, Alex Mesoudi, Alan G. Mcelligott, David Adger

Human Biology

The papers in this special issue of Human Biology address recent research in the field of language evolution, both the genetic evolution of the language faculty and the cultural evolution of specific languages. While both of these areas have received increasing interest in recent years, there is also a need to integrate these somewhat separate efforts and explore the relevant gene-culture coevolutionary interactions. Here we summarize the individual contributions, set them in the context of the wider literature, and identify outstanding future research questions. The first set of papers concerns the comparative study of nonhuman communication in primates and birds …

Method For Determining The Specific Growth Rate Of A Distinct Cell Population Within A Non-Homogeneous System, Peter George Stroot, Matthew Raymond Cutter

USF Patents

The present invention provides a method for measuring the specific rate of ribosome synthesis for a distinct cell population, such as a distinct microbial population. For an actively growing (or non-growing) culture, the specific rate of ribosome synthesis is identical to the specific growth rate of the culture. With the method of the invention, researchers will be able to measure the specific growth rate of distinct cell populations in mixed cultures, such as biological reactor systems or environmental samples. In addition, the method of the invention provides the ability to identify members of a distinct cell population that are rapidly …

The Interaction Of Cofilin With The Actin Filament, Diana Wong

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The regulation of filamentous actin: F-actin) production from the polymerization of globular actin: G-actin) within the cell is critical for many cell functions. Since actin is found in all cells, understanding how actin-binding-proteins: ABPs) bind and how their regulating mechanisms work is not only important to the basics of cytoskeletal pathways, but also to understanding associated diseases and creating possible therapeutics to combat them. Cofilin is an ABP that plays an important part in the regulation process and in recent times, has come to be known as a player in maintaining a cell's homeostasis. It's activity has been shown to …

Oral Ingestion Of Hexavalent Chromium Through Drinking Water And Cancer Mortality In An Industrial Area Of Greece - An Ecological Study, Athena Linos, Athanassios Petralias, Costas A. Christophi, Eleni Christoforidou, Paraskevi Kouroutou, Melina Stoltidis, Afroditi Veloudaki, Evangelia Tzala, Konstantinos C. Makris, Margaret R. Karagas

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen when inhaled, but its carcinogenic potential when orally ingested remains controversial. Water contaminated with hexavalent chromium is a worldwide problem, making this a question of significant public health importance.

Methods: We conducted an ecological mortality study within the Oinofita region of Greece, where water has been contaminated with hexavalent chromium. We calculated gender, age, and period standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all deaths, cancer deaths, and specific cancer types of Oinofita residents over an 11-year period (1999 - 2009), using the greater prefecture of Voiotia as the standard population.

Results: A total of …

A Novel Mode Of Chromosomal Evolution Peculiar To Filamentous Ascomycete Fungi., James K. Hane, Thierry Rouxel, Barbara J. Howlett, Gert Hj Kema, Stephen B. Goodwin, Richard P. Oliver

Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

Background

Gene loss, inversions, translocations, and other chromosomal rearrangements vary among species, resulting in different rates of structural genome evolution. Major chromosomal rearrangements are rare in most eukaryotes, giving large regions with the same genes in the same order and orientation across species. These regions of macrosynteny have been very useful for locating homologous genes in different species and to guide the assembly of genome sequences. Previous analyses in the fungi have indicated that macrosynteny is rare; instead, comparisons across species show no synteny or only microsyntenic regions encompassing usually five or fewer genes. To test the hypothesis that chromosomal …

Effects Of Movement Context On Reach-Grasp-Lift Motion And Grip Force After Stroke, Stacey Dejong

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Loss of upper extremity function after stroke is a significant problem resulting in enormous personal, societal, and economic costs. Neurophysiological discoveries over several decades have revealed great potential for use-dependent neural adaptation, and have revitalized the search for training strategies that optimize recovery. Although task-specific repetitive practice is recognized as a key stimulus to promote upper extremity function after stroke, choices of what to practice and how to practice remain challenging and poorly guided by evidence. This research was inspired by evidence in healthy individuals, that movement can be altered by characteristics of the task and the environment, together referred …

A Dlk And Jnk Dependent Axon Self-Destruction Program Promotes Wallerian Degeneration, Bradley Miller

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Axon loss is a debilitating consequence of a wide range of neurological conditions. As axons degenerate, they go through a stereotyped sequence of morphological changes termed Wallerian degeneration. It has long been hypothesized that there is an active axonal breakdown program, conceptually similar to apoptosis, which underlies Wallerian degeneration. However, the molecular pathways that accomplish this program in neurons have remained elusive. We demonstrate that dual leucine kinase: DLK) promotes degeneration of severed axons in Drosophila and mice, and its target JNK promotes degeneration locally in axons as they commit to degenerate. This pathway also promotes degeneration after chemotherapy exposure, …

Analysis Of Zinc Transporters In C. Elegans, Hyun Cheol Roh

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Zinc is a trace element essential for organisms, and organisms have homeostatic mechanisms to control zinc metabolism. Zinc metabolism is mediated by numerous proteins including zinc transporters, zinc-responsive transcription factors and zinc-binding proteins. Of these proteins, zinc transporters, composed of CDF and ZIP families, play a major role and are implicated in a variety of human diseases. However, the mechanisms by which zinc transporters coordinate to regulate zinc homeostasis in whole animals and by which they are related to human diseases are not well understood. To address these questions, we used C. elegans as a model system. While three C. …

Using Dirichlet Process Priors For Bayesian Mixture Clustering, Xiao Huang

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

We describe a non-parametric Bayesian model using genotype data to classify individuals among populations where the total number of populations is unknown. The model assumes that a population is characterized by a set of allele frequencies that follow multinomial distributions. The Dirichlet Process is applied as the prior distribution. The method estimates the number of populations together with the allele frequencies and the ancestry coefficients of each individual. Distance matrices and bootstrap support numbers based on MCMC runs are generated to create a phylogeny of the ancestral populations.

Simulation Of The Undiseased Human Cardiac Ventricular Action Potential: Model Formulation, Experimental Validation And Application, Thomas O'Hara

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Creation of an accurate model for the undiseased human ventricular action potential: AP) which reproduces a broad range of physiological behaviors requires extensive experimental data, of which essential elements have been unavailable. We developed and validated such a model using new experimental data from endocardium of 140 undiseased human hearts. 78 were from male: 56%). Average age was 41 with standard deviation of 12 years. New experiments include: Ca²⁺ versus voltage dependent inactivation of L-type Ca²⁺ current; kinetics for the transient outward, rapid delayed rectifier, Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange, and inward rectifier currents; AP recordings at all …

The Psycho-Economic Model Of Ecstasy Consumption And Related Consequences: A Multi-Site Study With Community Samples, Arbi Ben Abdallah

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

A Psycho-Economic Model of Ecstasy Consumption and Related Consequences: A Multi-Site Study with Community Samples By Arbi Ben Abdallah The consumption of mind-altering drugs is well recognized as a complex behavior entailing many different etiological precursors. To understand its complexity, drug use has to be considered from multiple perspectives. Over time, numerous theories have been advanced to explain drug use, the pattern of its use, and its related consequences. Because they approach such a behavior from slightly different vantage points, these theories offer unique explanations with different take on its genetic, physiological, psychological, and environment risk factors. A substantial body …

Antioxidant Activity Of Pyrolysis Oil Fractions From Different Biomass Feedstocks, Javeed Mohammad, Cedric Briens, Franco Berruti, Lorenzo Ferrante

Bioenergy III: Present and New Perspectives on Biorefineries

No abstract provided.

New 2010 Ada Standards Effective Now, Center For Persons With Disabilities

Blog Posts

No abstract provided.

Synaptically-Competent Neurons Derived From Canine Embryonic Stem Cells By Lineage Selection With Egf And Noggin, Jared T. Wilcox, Jonathan K.Y. Lai, Esther Semple, Brigitte A. Brisson, Cathy Gartley, John N. Armstrong, Dean H. Betts

Paediatrics Publications

Pluripotent stem cell lines have been generated in several domestic animal species; however, these lines traditionally show poor self-renewal and differentiation. Using canine embryonic stem cell (cESC) lines previously shown to have sufficient self-renewal capacity and potency, we generated and compared canine neural stem cell (cNSC) lines derived by lineage selection with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or Noggin along the neural default differentiation pathway, or by directed differentiation with retinoic acid (RA)-induced floating sphere assay. Lineage selection produced large populations of SOX2+ neural stem/progenitor cell populations and neuronal derivatives while directed differentiation produced few and improper neuronal derivatives. Primary canine …

The Sorcerer (2011) | Program, Jacksonville State University

Performance Archive

Performed: 23-28 May 2011; Gilbert and Sullivan's The Sorcerer was a musical comedy directed by Dr. Nathan Wight and conducted by Ken Bodiford. Teresa Stricklin and Dr. Danie Jones were assistant directors, Lauren Novak was assistant conductor, Dr. Wendy Faughn was rehearsal pianist, Chaney Billips was costume designer, Lynn Luke was assistant costumer, Caitlin Skinner was stage manager, Suzanna Wiltgen was choreographer, David Keefer was technical director, Alex Hooper was lighting designer, Scott Johnson was chorus master, Teresa Stricklin was publicity coordinator, Bill Sparrowhawk was publicity volunteer, Steve Latham was photographer, Keith Thomas was videographer. This file was created from …

Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Drives Tumor Progression And Metastasis: Should We Use Antioxidants As A Key Component Of Cancer Treatment And Prevention?, Federica Sotgia, Ubaldo E Martinez-Outschoorn, Michael P Lisanti

Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

The functional role of oxidative stress in cancer pathogenesis has long been a hotly debated topic. A study published this month in BMC Cancer by Goh et al., directly addresses this issue by using a molecular genetic approach, via an established mouse animal model of human breast cancer. More specifically, alleviation of mitochondrial oxidative stress, via transgenic over-expression of catalase (an anti-oxidant enzyme) targeted to mitochondria, was sufficient to lower tumor grade (from high-to-low) and to dramatically reduce metastatic tumor burden by >12-fold. Here, we discuss these new findings and place them in the context of several other recent studies …

Range-Expanding Populations Of A Globally Introduced Weed Experience Negative Plant-Soil Feedbacks, Krikor Andonian, José L. Hierro, Liana Khetsuriani, Pablo Becerra, Grigor Janoyan, Diego Villarreal, Lohengrin Cavieres, Laurel R. Fox, Ragan M. Callaway

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Biological invasions are fundamentally biogeographic processes that occur over large spatial scales. Interactions with soil microbes can have strong impacts on plant invasions, but how these interactions vary among areas where introduced species are highly invasive vs. naturalized is still unknown. In this study, we examined biogeographic variation in plant-soil microbe interactions of a globally invasive weed, Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle). We addressed the following questions (1) Is Centaurea released from natural enemy pressure from soil microbes in introduced regions? and (2) Is variation in plant-soil feedbacks associated with variation in Centaurea's invasive success? Methodology/Principal Findings: We conducted greenhouse …

Social Benefits Of Niche Agricultural Products: The Case Of Pasture-Based Beef In Appalachia Part 1: The Conceptual Framework, Inocencio Rodriguez, Gerard D'Souza, Alan R. Collins, Tim Phipps

Regional Research Institute Working Papers

Niche agricultural products are growing in economic importance. This growth is driven mainly by the increased demand for more healthy, nutritious, fresh and locally grown food products. There is obviously a potential increase in private benefits to producers/landowners as a result of increased production of the underlying crops to satisfy this demand. What is less obvious is the potential to also generate increased social benefits, particularly as they relate to energy conservation, alternative energy or biogas development and carbon sequestration. In other words, calories and kilo-calories are becoming more linked. The objective of this analysis is to develop a conceptual …

Optimizing High Volume Traffic Surges Using Discrete Event Simulation, Claire L. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The purpose of this applied research study is to determine the fidelity of a discrete event simulation tool called the Evacuation Simulation Prediction Tool (ESP) in predicting transit times during a high volume surge in traffic flow. The ESP tool was developed for the purpose of predicting and optimizing large-scale evacuations of counties or regions as an aide in emergency and disaster preparedness planning. The goal of the ESP model is to ascertain the balance of traffic flow capacity by managing the human factor events that impinge upon orderly highway travel without immobilizing the travel route. The objective of this …

Terrorism And Ressentiment: Using Nietzsche To Think About Inequality, Christy L. Lewis Ms

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This paper attempts to contribute to the sociological literature on terrorism by testing Friedrich Nietzsche's (1967) ideas about the relationship between inequality and terrorism. Nietzsche's work predicts that political and economic inequality are positively related to ressentiment, a hatred of the elites in society. Ressentiment, in turn, is positively related to political violence, one form of which is terrorism. Working from Nietzsche's writing and a body of literature that examines the connection between terrorism and regime type, it is also predicted that these relationships will be stronger in liberal democracies than any other regime type. Using country-level data, the findings …

Commencement, Georgia (2011), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

No abstract provided.

Modeling Erosion And Sedimentation Processes In The Chorro Creek Subwatershed To Evaluate And Develop Effective Watershed Management Approaches, Michael Randall, Misgana K. Muleta

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Morro Bay Watershed, located in San Luis Obispo County, California, covers more than 48,000 acres of land and discharges into Morro Bay through the Morro Bay National Estuary (MBNE). The Chorro Creek Subwatershed consists of approximately 30,000 acres of the overall watershed. The MBNE provides an ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife, from the common sea gull to the endangered sea otter. The estuary is also home to over 200 species of birds. The operational waterfront of the Morro Bay Harbor was and continues to be a strong supporter to the local economy of the City of Morro …

Synthetic And Acquired Corpora: Meeting At The Annotation, Rosalee Wolfe, John C. Mcdonald, Jerry C. Schnepp, Jorge Toro

Visual Communications and Technology Education Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Murray Ledger And Times, May 21, 2011, The Murray Ledger And Times

The Murray Ledger & Times

No abstract provided.

Pcr Amplification Of Trypanosoma Cruzi - Specific Dna From Raccoon Blood Samples, Colin Moss

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The parasitic protist Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas Disease. Chagas Disease causes greater than 15,000 deaths each year, and nearly 28 million people are believed to be at risk of infection in Central and South America. This parasite has been described in many mammalian host species and has also been described in the United States. The purpose of this study was to attempt to use PCR to amplify T. cruzi-specific DNA directly from blood samples obtained from raccoons (Procyon lotor) trapped in Warren and Barren Counties of Kentucky in 2007 and 2008. DNA was …

Volume Cxxviii, Number 26, May 20, 2011, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

The Cyber Pornography Use Inventory: Comparing A Religious And Secular Sample, John Sessoms

Senior Honors Theses

While Internet pornography use is becoming increasingly common in today’s society, until recently no instrument existed to measure compulsive use. Consequently, the Cyber Pornography Use Inventory (CPUI) was developed in order to assess Internet pornography addiction. While demonstrating promise as an assessment tool, the CPUI was only tested on a religious population. In addition to being strongly opposed to pornography, religious males experience extreme distress from their usage and often perceive their behavior as addictive, despite no supporting clinical evidence. Therefore, it seemed necessary to explore the psychometric capabilities of the CPUI further by administering it to a secular population. …