Digital Commons Network^™

Fall Commencement Program, December 17, 2011, Coastal Carolina University

Commencement Programs

Program of Commencement Exercises at Coastal Carolina University.

Micrornas As Effectors For Acetyltransferase P300 In Cardiac Hypertrophy, Salil Sharma

Open Access Dissertations

Myocardial transcriptional response to stress is critically dependent on availability of the histone acetyltransferase p300. p300 is a transcription coactivator which is rapidly induced by hemodynamic stress in the myocardium. This induction is both necessary and sufficient to drive myocardial hypertrophy in vivo. Although short-term elevation of p300 may be adaptive, sustained elevation of p300 increases the risk of heart failure. The mechanism of p300 induction during stress is unknown. The downstream effectors of p300 have been only incompletely elucidated. In this context, the role of microRNAs in regulating p300-driven cardiac hypertrophy can be of potential interest. MicroRNAs are short …

A Hierarchical Image Processing Approach For Diagnostic Analysis Of Microcirculation Videos, Nazanin Mirshahi

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of the microcirculatory system has added significant value to the analysis of tissue oxygenation and perfusion. While developments in videomicroscopy technology have enabled medical researchers and physicians to observe the microvascular system, the available software tools are limited in their capabilities to determine quantitative features of microcirculation, either automatically or accurately. In particular, microvessel density has been a critical diagnostic measure in evaluating disease progression and a prognostic indicator in various clinical conditions. As a result, automated analysis of the microcirculatory system can be substantially beneficial in various real-time and off-line therapeutic medical applications, such as optimization of resuscitation. …

The Relationship Of Strength And Body Composition To Vertical Jump Ability In Division 1 Female Volleyball Players., Alyssa Shedlarski

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Jump ability is important in volleyball; therefore analysis of factors that influence jump performance is necessary to ensure maximal jump ability. Purpose: To analyze how strength characteristics associated with jumping are affected by percent body fat, lean body mass and free fat mass. Methods: Data from eleven female NCAA DI volleyball players as part of an ongoing athlete monitoring program collected from 2007-2010 was analyzed. Data was separated into weakest and strongest based on isometric peak force allometrically scaled. In all cases the weakest data corresponded to testing during the athletes first year at ETSU. Body composition was measured using …

Mathematical Modeling Of Peristaltic Flow Of Chyme In Small Intestine, Daniel N. Riahi, Ranadhir Roy

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Mathematical models based on axisymmetric Newtonian incompressible fluid flow are studied for the peristaltic flow of chyme in the small intestines, which is an axisymmetric cylindrical tube. The flow is modeled more realistically modeled by assuming that the peristaltic rush wave is a non-periodic mode composed of two sinusoidal waves of different wavelengths, which propagate at the same speed along the outer boundary of the tube. Both cases of flow in a tube and in an annulus that are modeled and investigated in the present paper correspond respectively to the cases of flow of chyme in the small intestine in …

The Maturation Of Pulse: The Rhythmic Evolution From Swing To Bebop, Sam Weber

Masters Theses

The musical style that came to prominence in US in the 1940s, known as bebop, is a style that is remembered and discussed in terms of its harmonic characteristics and its notable soloists. This is the view that is taken in most scholarly writing on the music and also the view that is taught to most students of jazz today. However, there is arguably an equally if not more profound evolution in the rhythmic language of this music which is almost totally un-discussed. By digitally analyzing recordings, tracing musical and personal influence, and by examining related technological developments, it becomes …

Impacts Of Psychotropic Pharmaceuticals On Hybrid Striped Bass: Altered Predation Behavior As A Function Of Changes In Brain Chemistry, Joseph Bisesi

All Dissertations

Advances in Analytical Chemistry have led to the detection of low concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewater treatment plant effluents as well as their receiving waters. Antidepressants are routinely found among these contaminants, but have been shown to be relatively non-toxic at environmentally measured concentrations using traditional toxicity testing techniques. The neurochemical mode of action of antidepressants warrants investigation of the effects these chemicals may have on fish behavior due to the highly conserved nature of neurotransmitter transporter targets. Using a predator prey bioassay designed in our laboratory, previous studies has shown that the antidepressant fluoxetine …

Effect Of Relative Humidity And Temperature Control On In-Cabin Thermal Comfort State, Ali Alahmer

All Dissertations

This dissertation discusses the effect of manipulating the relative humidity RH levels inside vehicular cabins on the thermal comfort and human occupants' thermal sensation. Three different techniques are used to investigate this effect. Firstly, thermodynamic and psychometric analyses are used to incorporate the effect of changing RH along with the dry bulb temperature on the human comfort window. Specifically, the study computes the effect of changing the relative humidity on the amount of heat rejected from the passenger compartment and the effect on occupants comfort zone. A practical system implementation is also discussed in terms of an evaporative cooler design. …

Michelle Voss Roberts' "Dualities", Laurel C. Schneider

Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies

Dualities is an important book. It represents a contribution to the field of Hindu Christian studies, but it also adds considerably to women's studies in religion and to the emergent field of comparative theology. Michelle Voss Roberts has managed to treat with sensitivity and creativity two enigmatic figures, each from long ago and far away (from us and from each other), and each from two dramatically different religious traditions. What is remarkable about this study is that Voss Roberts manages to introduce us to the basic shape of both of these women's thought while at the same time pursuing a …

Teaching Ethnobotany In China, Gordon C. Tucker

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

China has a rich and well documented tradition and diverse usage of plants. China provides examples of the incorporation of plant derived drugs in medicine. The diverse usage of plants is also reflected in the many kinds of Chinese food that are consumed by people of various nations around the world. China is one of the "cradles" of agriculture, the birth place of the cultivation of many important crops, including rice, millet, soybeans, and water chestnuts, and is the only undisrupted major ancient civilization in the world. Some plants find use in almost every aspect of Chinese life, such as …

Harnessing Opportunities In Non-Animal Asthma Research For A 21st-Century Science, Gemma L. Buckland

Experimentation Collection

The incidence of asthma is on the increase and calls for research are growing, yet asthma is a disease that scientists are still trying to come to grips with. Asthma research has relied heavily on animal use; however, in light of increasingly robust in vitro and computational models and the need to more fully incorporate the ‘Three Rs’ principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, is it time to reassess the asthma research paradigm? Progress in non-animal research techniques is reaching a level where commitment and integration are necessary. Many scientists believe that progress in this field rests on linking disciplines …

The Impact Of An Enacted Social Support Training Intervention On Worklife Interaction And Stress In A Sample Of Working Adults, Justin P. Boren, Jess K. Alberts

Communication

The present investigation explores utilizes an enacted social support intervention among a group of working adults. Reductions in psychological and physiological stress were hypothesized to occur following the experimental intervention. Participants (N = 46) were all full time staff members at a large university and were randomly assigned to treatment or wait-list control groups. Treatment group members attended two 90 minute enacted social support meetings over the course of four weeks. Psychological (perceived stress and worklife conflict) and physiological (salivary cortisol) data were collected at both pretest and posttest periods. Results did not support the research hypotheses; however, a research …

Firefly--Fusion-Powered Interstellar Rendezvous And Exploratory Flying Laboratory, Mitchell Rodriguez

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Training Of Aquatic Ecosystem Scientists: Continue To Languish Or Accept Our Responsibilities?, Robert G. Wetzel

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

No abstract provided.

Neonatal Vitamin A Supplementation For The Prevention Of Mortality And Morbidity In Term Neonates In Developing Countries, Batool A. Haider, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Background:Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in developing countries. Vitamin A supplementation in children greater than six months of age has been found to be beneficial, with no effect of supplementation between one to five months. Supplementation in the neonatal period has been suggested to have an impact by increasing body stores in early infancy.
Objectives: To evaluate the role of vitamin A supplementation in term neonates in developing countries with respect to the prevention of mortality and morbidity.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, May …

The Learning Marketspace, October 2011, Bob Heterick, Carol Twigg

The Learning MarketSpace (4/03 - 4/14)

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Supplemental Instruction For Physical Therapist Students In An Exercise Physiology Course, Kim Levenhagen, Cheryl Cavallo, Ethel Frese, Ginge Kettenbach, Elaine Wilder

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

An ongoing challenge for faculty is to determine effective and efficient mechanisms for assisting students to achieve academic success. Supplemental Instruction (SI), a form of peer tutoring, has been defined as a peer-led academic assistance program that targets difficult courses and is offered to students enrolled in those courses. Based on student feedback that exercise physiology is difficult, the authors chose this course in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum for this post-only pilot study. SI was offered over a three-year period to physical therapist students enrolled in an exercise physiology course. The purposes of this study were to …

Pharmacokinetic Pilot Study Of The Antiangiogenic Activity Of Standardized Platycodi Radix, Emma M. Twiner, Zhijun Liu, Jeffrey Gimble, Ying Yu, Frank Greenway

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Platycodi radix is a radish used in food, such as Korean kimchi, and has been shown to cause weight loss in rodents. Platycodin D is considered its active ingredient and has been shown to inhibit lipases. The authors hypothesized that platycodi radix and the platycodin D it contains inhibit angiogenesis; another mechanism for weight loss. Methods: This study tested platycodi radix extract, platycodin D, and an extract of platycodi radix standardized to platycodin D for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis in a human adipose tissue assay. This study treated five healthy volunteers, orally, with platycodi radix extract standardized to …

Learning Opportunities 2011/2012, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Course Catalogs

The graduation requirements of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are in concert with those maintained by the State of Illinois with additional requirements as established by the IMSA Board of Trustees. Each semester students must take a minimum of 5 academic courses (2.5 credits) for a grade (not Pass/Fail). Fine Arts, Wellness, and Independent Study courses, or any course taken on a Pass/Fail basis do not count towards the 5 course (2.5 credits) minimum. Most students will take between 5 (2.5 credits) and 7 (3.5 credits) academic courses per semester. Only courses taken for a letter grade will count …

Human Movement Variability, Nonlinear Dynamics, And Pathology: Is There A Connection?, Nikolaos Stergiou, Leslie M. Decker

Journal Articles

Fields studying movement generation, including robotics, psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience utilize concepts and tools related to the pervasiveness of variability in biological systems. The concept of variability and the measures for nonlinear dynamics used to evaluate this concept open new vistas for research in movement dysfunction of many types. This review describes innovations in the exploration of variability and their potential importance in understanding human movement. Far from being a source of error, evidence supports the presence of an optimal state of variability for healthy and functional movement. This variability has a particular organization and is characterized by a …

New Insights Into Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency And Reconstruction Through The Assessment Of Knee Kinematic Variability In Terms Of Nonlinear Dynamics, Leslie M. Decker, Constantina O. Moraiti, Nikolaos Stergiou, Anastasios D. Georgoulis

Journal Articles

Purpose

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur frequently, particularly in young adult athletes, and represent the majority of the lesions of knee ligaments. Recent investigations suggest that the assessment of kinematic variability using measures of nonlinear dynamics can provide with important insights with respect to physiological and pathological states. The purpose of the present article was to critically review and synthesize the literature addressing ACL deficiency and reconstruction from a nonlinear dynamics standpoint.

Methods

A literature search was carried out in the main medical databases for studies published between 1990 and 2010.

Results

Seven studies investigated knee kinematic …

The Association Between Leptin With Lipid Profile And Troponin In Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients, Lmmma Esmaeel Ibrahim, Hadef Dhafer El-Yassin, Hamid Kareem Sachit Al-Janabi

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

ABSTRACT : BACKGROUND: Fat cells, are the cells that primarily compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat. Adipose tissue also serves as an important endocrine organ by producing hormones such as leptin, resistin, and the cytokine. Leptin is a protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism. Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), is the interruption of blood supply to part of the heart, causing some heart cells to die. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of leptin and its effect on lipid profile level in Acute Myocardial Infarction. SUBJECTS AND …

Information: A Literature Review, Philip Smith

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Rhythmic Leptin Is Required For Weight Gain From Circadian Desynchronized Feeding In The Mouse, Deanna M. Arble, Martha H. Vitaterna, Fred W. Turek

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of leptin have been extensively researched since the discovery, and the later identification, of the leptin gene mutated within the ob/ob mouse. Leptin is required for optimal health in a number of physiological systems (e.g. fertility, bone density, body weight regulation). Despite the extensive leptin literature and many observations of leptin’s cyclical pattern over the 24-hour day, few studies have specifically examined how the circadian rhythm of leptin may be essential to leptin signaling and health. Here we present data indicating that a rhythmic leptin profile (e.g. 1 peak every 24 hours) leads to excessive …

Effect Of Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Erythorbate And Organic Acid Salts On Germination And Outgrowth Of Clostridium Perfringens Spores In Ham During Abusive Cooling, Mauricio A. Redondo

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The effect of sodium nitrite (NaNO₂), sodium erythorbate, sodium chloride (NaCl) and organic acid salts (potassium lactate and sodium diacetate) on C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in ham was evaluated. The research was divided in two parts. The first experiment consisted of potential C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in ham containing combinations of NaNO₂ (0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 ppm) and sodium erythorbate (0 or 557 ppm) during cooling. This experiment included the evaluation of residual nitrite levels as affected by temperature (heat shock at 75°C for 20 min and subsequent cooling from 54.4°C …

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, Emma Eccles Jones College Of Education And Human Services, September 16, 2011 – Heath Science Emphasis Request, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

The Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services has for many years offered a program in Health Education and Promotion (previously named Health Education Specialist) to prepare students to either work in public and private school systems as health teachers (School Health Education emphasis) or to work as health education specialists in public health departments, medical care settings, corporate wellness programs, and non-profit agencies (Community Health emphasis). In recent years students have expressed an interest in this degree who intend to pursue further study in a health or medical …

The Cresset (Vol. Lxxv, No. 1, Michaelmas), Valparaiso University

The Cresset (archived issues)

No abstract provided.

Does A Link Exist Between Examination Performance And Lecture Attendance For First Year Engineering Students ?, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

The objective of this study is to examine if a link exists between lecture attendance and examination performance of Level 7, Year 1, Electrical Engineering students at Dublin Institute of Technology in the Electrical Systems subject. Lecture attendance was monitored and analysed over four academic years (2007-8, 2008-9, 2009-10 and 2010-11). The average lecture attendance for students in the three academic years from 2007-10 was 55%, increasing noticeably in the 2009-10 academic year. A statistically significant weakly positive correlation between lecture attendance and examination performance was established. Each 10% increase in student attendance at lectures improved both Module 1 examination …

When To Pay Attention?: Asynchrony Requires A Trigger, Siminder Kaur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

LIDA is an integrated, comprehensive control architecture for autonomous agents capable of making complex decisions in dynamic environments. LIDA’s computational architecture consists of various modules that each operate asynchronously. However, the Global Workspace (GW) module, responsible for conscious attention, transfers information serially. There can be several computational techniques used to initiate the broadcast of content from the GW. The present study evaluated four techniques called “triggers” to start the GW broadcast under four different conditions. A parameter search was performed to find the optimum trigger parameters, followed by an investigation to identify the trigger(s) which were most useful for an …

Using Encapsulated Fluorescent Bioprobes To Detect Explosive Materials In Soil, Clint Smith, Joel Tabb

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article examines the methods involved in using fluorescent bioprobes to detect explosive devices within soil. By genetically modifying plants through the injection of certain chemicals, visible responses indicate the presence and placement of explosive material, aiding demining agents in the process of mapping and removing various landmines or other explosive remnants of war. The adoption of these tools proves useful for stand-off detection of low TNT concentrations in the laboratory and controlled microcosm studies.