Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of "Caax" Protein Processing In The Retina, Jeffrey Rowan Christiansen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prenylation is a posttranslational modification which adds a lipid, either a farnesyl or geranylgeranyl group, to the C-terminal cysteine of proteins ending in a "CAAX" motif. Two additional steps referred to as "CAAX" protein processing follow prenylation. First, the terminal three amino acids are cleaved by the endoprotease RAS converting enzyme1 (RCE1), then isoprenylcysteine methyltransferase (ICMT) adds a methyl group to the cysteine. While it is clear that the addition of the prenyl group is required for the association of proteins with membranes, the function of proteolysis and methylation is not obvious. Two lines of evidence suggest a critical role …

Childhood Obesity In Context: Examining The Role Of Ecological Factors Related To Childhood Obesity Among West Virginia's Youth, Stephanie S. Frost

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nearly one third of youth in the United States are overweight or obese and rates are disproportionately higher among rural youth. These rates are cause for alarm given the many short- and long-term consequences of childhood obesity. A growing body of research has begun to explore how factors outside the individual might influence obesity and obesity-related behaviors. Guided by ecological frameworks, this research has demonstrated that factors such as the socioeconomic status of the community, access to physical activity opportunities, and quality of the community food environment may contribute to this epidemic. However, much of the research to date has …

Feeding Behavior Of Podisus Maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Implications For Mass Rearing And Biological Control, Sudan Gyawaly

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a generalist predator feeding on more than 70 different insect species. P. maculiventris is noted for its potential for augmentative release against coleopteran and lepidopteran larvae. Successful mass rearing and determination of potential prey of a biological control agent are crucial factors that need consideration for success of a biological control agent in augmentative biological control. Firstly, study was conducted to investigate feeding behavior of P. maculiventris using yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Using different life stages of T. molitor that P. maculiventris could potentially feed on in mass rearing …

Intelligent Reservoir Modeling Of Lower Huron Shale, Ognjen Grujic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The work presented in this thesis is an intelligent reservoir modeling and analysis of Lower Huron Shale in eastern Kentucky. Methodology used for this analysis is a recently developed Top Down Intelligent Reservoir Modeling, that couples artificial intelligence and data mining techniques with conventional reservoir engineering methods. A total of 77 wells completed in Lower Huron Shale in eastern Kentucky were used in this study. Well production data was obtained from the company operating the wells, while completion reports and well logs were downloaded from publicly available database at Kentucky Geological Surveys website. The downloaded well logs were digitized, and …

Security-Based Risk Assessment For Software Architecture, Fadi Haj Said

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Enterprise, medium and small companies develop and maintain different types of large-scale software systems for public and financial institutes. A security failure in such systems could lead to a significant impact. It is therefore essential to analyze security risk in the system components early on during the development process in order to prevent the occurrence of security failures.;The objective of this research is to develop a methodology for security risk assessment during the early software development phases to identify high security risk elements, thus enabling us to enhance security features in the early phases of software lifecycle. This methodology can …

Merger Simulation In An Administrative Context, Jonathan Baker

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This article addresses the application of the economic literature on merger simulation to the practical context of antitrust enforcement. It highlights the value of simple simulations as a basis for creating screens and presumptions – particularly the gross upward pricing pressure index for the preliminary review of unilateral effects among sellers of branded consumer products and a presumption based on identifying mavericks for the analysis of coordinated effects – in order to provide guidance to merging firms and judges, who may not have specialized competition policy expertise. The article explains why antitrust agencies should rely on these approaches to identify …

Getting To Know The Poor, Ezra Rosser

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

No abstract provided.

The Proof(Reading) Is In The Pudding, David Spratt

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

No abstract provided.

Gender Influences On Perceptions Of Marital Reconciliation, Allyson Rachel Hanten

Human Development and Family Science

This study examines the process of marital reconciliation. More specifically, it addresses gender influences regarding perceptions of the marital reconciliation process. Also, this study identifies how turning points in the process of marital reconciliation are similar and different between the partners in the marital dyad. A qualitative methodology was used to better understand gender similarities and differences in marital reconciliation. Interviews with six married couples, 11 participants total, were conducted for this study. This study allows for a better understanding of male and female perspectives related to potential threats to marital stability and processes that help couples resolve relationship difficulties …

Generative Fathering And Married Adult Children's View Of Connectedness Between Their Fathers And Themselves, Bethany Ann Peterson

Human Development and Family Science

This study utilized a phenomenological approach to examine adult children's views of how their fathers connected with them as children. Participants consisted of 10 men and 12 women between the ages of 30 and 60 who were interviewed about connection experiences with their fathers. Participants completed interviews related to their perspectives on being fathered, experiences as a son or daughter, and what they experienced in connecting with their fathers. Findings indicated that fathers connect with children through a variety of contexts that include memorable occasions, activities, personal interactions, routines, events, and other means. Also. obstacles to connection between fathers and …

Virginia Thoren: Chasing Beauty - New York And Paris, Patricia Cutright

Library Scholarship

This exhibition catalog describes the life, education, career and achievements of photographer Virginia Thoren. It includes 15 full-color plates of her fashion photography from the Virginia Thoren collection of the Pratt Institute Libraries.

Referring Clients Based Solely On Sexual Orientation: An Exploration Of The Role Of Homophobia And Clinical Competence, Molly Teresa Farrell

Human Development and Family Science

The purpose cf this study was to explore how homophobia and clinical competence influence experienced clinicians' beliefs and practices regarding referring a LGB client based solely on the sexual orientation of the client. The data for this study came from a larger study with a sample of 741 experienced clinicians who were all members of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Participants were contacted through email and if they chose to participate they completed the survey on-line. There were two measures used for this study, 1) the combined Modem Homophobia Scale (MHS); (Raja & Stokes, 1998) and …

Concussion Awareness & Recognition: Youth Sport Parent's Perceptions, Marissa Jae Lindback

Health Nutrition and Exercise Science

Youth sport concussion has recently become a topic of concern for health care professionals. Young athletes are at greater risk of sustaining a concussion because children have a greater head-to-body ratio and their cervical musculature and cranial bones are not fully developed. Access to on-site medical professionals is limited for young athletes, leaving recognition and management of the injury to the parents. Limited research has examined parental knowledge of concussion. The purpose of this study was to examine youth sport parents' knowledge regarding the recognition, assessment, and management of concussion. A cross-sectional descriptive design utilizing a SurveyMonkey™ questionnaire was emailed …

Integration Of Simulation And Dea To Determine The Most Efficient Patient Appointment Scheduling Model For A Specific Clinic Setting, Nazanin Aslani

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This study develops a method to determine the most efficient scheduling model for a specific clinic setting. The appointment scheduling system assigns clinics' timeslots to incoming requests. There are three major scheduling models: centralized scheduling model (CSM), decentralized scheduling model (DSM) and hybrid scheduling model (HSM). In order to schedule multiple appointments, CSM involves one scheduler, DSM involves all the schedulers of individual clinics and HSM combines CSM and DSM. Clinic settings are different in terms of important factors such as randomness of appointment arrival and proportion of multiple appointments. Scheduling systems operate inefficiently if there is not an appropriate …

A Study Of Graduate Student Parents’ Perceptions: Barriers And Resources, Megan Rae Theisen

Human Development and Family Science

The present study explored the perceptions of students who were both parenting and pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. Specifically, this study examined students' perceptions regarding the usefulness of resources that were currently and could potentially be provided to facilitate successful degree completion. Differences between mothers and fathers were examined as well as differences between master's and doctoral students. Previous literature indicated that women and men experience graduate school differently and that the genders are not represented proportionally as master's and doctoral graduates. Therefore, this study sought to explore differences in the perceptions of resources offered on campus, resources offered …

Introduction, John Shuford

Journal of Hate Studies

On behalf of the Gonzaga University Institute for Hate Studies and the Journal of Hate Studies, it is our pleasure to offer Volume 9 of the Journal. Herein readers will find a collection of eleven articles, a special interview with a recent Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a remembrance of a woman whose life and work helped inspire the field of Hate Studies.

The present volume includes selected proceedings from the Second International Conference on Hate Studies, which took place April 6-9, 2011 in Spokane, Washington. These articles exemplify the conference’s theme of “Interdisciplinary Approaches to Understanding the Nature of …

Habits Of Hate: A Pragmatist Analysis Of Habits Of Racism And Nativism, Terrence Macmullan

Journal of Hate Studies

There are many different ways of recognizing, describing, and combating racism. This essay extends my previously published research on the topic of whiteness and habit to advance the argument that A) racism (by which I mean primarily white supremacist racism directed against people of color) still exists as a corrosive impediment to the realization of a truly fair and democratic American community, and B) it is best understood as a network of flexible, persistent, yet correctable habits. The primary value of seeing racism in America as being a problem of bad habits rather than as conscious actions or attitudes is …

Arizona’S Senate Bill 1070: Targeting The Other1 And Generating Discourses And Practices Of Discrimination And Hate, William Arrocha

Journal of Hate Studies

The state of Arizona, through its Senate Bill 1070, has made legal the practice of profiling as one of the key tools to regulate migration and differentiate those who are presumed to be residing in the state without legal documents. The state is encouraging xenophobia and empowering the groups with a strong anti-immigrant sentiment to become directly involved in the monitoring of such practice. History has shown us that when the state and large sectors of civil society exclude the “other” and criminalize his/her presence, hate toward the “other” is the most common result. The consequences of such a dynamic …

‘Combating The Scourge’: Constructing The Masculine ‘Other’ Through U.S. Government Anti-Trafficking Campaigns, Sarah L. Steele

Journal of Hate Studies

The author argues that nativism, racism, and anti-immigrant sentiment presented by representatives of the U.S. government in the context of human trafficking leaves both victims and traffickers portrayed as one-dimensional criminals. Current anti-trafficking regimes embody and restate xenophobic reactions directed against illegal migrant men, while often disguising the role domestic actors have in trafficking. Additionally, the images presented imply that traffickers are lacking in “proper” masculinity, particularly of the sort embraced by Americans. This article not only explores how government anti-trafficking statements made between 1998 and 2010 create and reinforce divides in masculinities based on regimes of racial domination, but …

Policing Hatred: A Case Study Of An English Police Force, Jordan Blair Woods

Journal of Hate Studies

This article makes an important contribution to the field of hate studies by advancing the understanding of hate crime policing in the United Kingdom. The article presents an ethnographic case study on hate crime policing within a small-city police station in England. The study focused primarily on the police station’s Community Cohesion Unit (CCU), which was responsible for supporting hate crime informants, and for monitoring and assisting police officers handling hate incidents and hate crimes. The case study is mostly descriptive and exploratory in nature. Its primary objective is to provide needed insight into the inner workings of a police …

The Community Security Trust – Best Practice In Combating Antisemitic Hate, Michael Whine

Journal of Hate Studies

The author describes antisemitic activity in post WWII Britain and the Jewish community’s response. as well as legal and political developments in the realm of antisemitism. The author recounts how the Community Security Organisation, which in 1994 became the Community Security Trust (CST), was established in an effort to address security issues being confronted by the Jewish community in Britain. The author details the structure of the CST and lays out its goals and methods. The organization’s activities, which are offered free of charge to the entire community, include providing suggestions and training to community groups and individuals regarding security …

Anger And Compassion On The Picket Line: Ethnography And Emotion In The Study Of Westboro Baptist Church, Rebecca Barrett-Fox

Journal of Hate Studies

Feminist ethnographic methods stress the role of empathy for research subjects and researchers’ willingness for their work to be useful to their subjects. When the research subjects are “unloved groups,” though—people whose actions or beliefs are hateful or harmful—some ethnographers argue that such empathy and empowerment is misplaced or leads to uncritical scholarship. In this reflection on the author’s ethnographic study of Westboro Baptist Church, a small Kansas-based congregation infamous for preaching its anti-gay theology at funerals, including the funerals of fallen servicemen and -women, she questions the usefulness of denying an emotional connection with “hatemongers.” Instead, she argues for …

From Hate To Collective Violence: Research And Practical Implications, Anne Nassauer

Journal of Hate Studies

This paper deals with the question of how hate leads to collective physical violence: Why is it that people who are filled with hateful emotions sometimes use violent action but mostly do not? By themselves, underlying emotions such as hate are not sufficient conditions for physical violence. However, emotions are not irrelevant for the emergence of violence. My main argument is that situational interaction sequences create emotional dynamics that make collective actors overcome their inhibition threshold and act violently. Insights into the micro-timing of interaction sequences prior to violence are therefore crucial. As social movement demonstrations have recently become reconstructable …

Heavy-Duty Vehicles Modeling And Factors Impacting Fuel Consumption., Lijuan Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A conventional heavy-duty truck PSAT model was validated and incorporated into the Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT). The truck that was modeled was a conventional over-the-road 1996 Peterbilt tractor, equipped with a 550 hp Caterpillar 3406E non exhaust gas circulation (EGR) engine and an 18-speed Roadranger manual transmission. A vehicle model was developed, along with the model validation processes. In the engine model, an oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions model and a fuel rate map for the Caterpillar 3406E engine were created based on test data. In the gearbox model, a shifting strategy was specified and transmission efficiency lookup tables …

Linear Methods For Analysis And Quality Control Of Relative Expression Ratios From Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Experiments, Robert B. Page, A. J. Stromberg

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Relative expression quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments are a common means of estimating transcript abundances across biological groups and experimental treatments. One of the most frequently used expression measures that results from such experiments is the relative expression ratio (RE), which describes expression in experimental samples (i.e., RNA isolated from organisms, tissues, and/or cells that were exposed to one or more experimental or nonbaseline condition) in terms of fold change relative to calibrator samples (i.e., RNA isolated from organisms, tissues, and/or cells that were exposed to a control or baseline condition). Over the past decade, several models of …

Development Of A Semi-Field System For Contained Field Trials With Aedes Aegypti In Southern Mexico, L. Facchinelli, L. Valerio, J. G. Bond, Megan R. Wise De Valdez, L. C. Harrington, J. M. Ramsey, M. Casas-Martinez, T. W. Scott

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Development of new genetic approaches to either interfere with the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus or to reduce vector population density requires progressive evaluation from the laboratory to contained field trials, before open field release. Trials in contained outdoor facilities are an important part of this process because they can be used to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of modified strains in settings that include natural environmental variations without releasing mosquitoes into the open field. We describe a simple and cost-effective semi-field system designed to study Aedes aegypti carrying a dominant lethal gene (fsRIDL) in semi-field conditions. We …

Evaluation On The Use Of The Frax Tool To Improve Recognition And Treatment Of Low Bone Mass In Primary Care Practice, Natalie J. Eddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background. Research has revealed that there is a consistent underutilization of treatment of osteoporosis especially after fragility fractures. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the application of the FRAXâ„¢ tool as a strategy to improve the assessment and treatment of osteoporosis in primary care. Objectives. The primary outcome was to improve primary care provider recognition and treatment of osteoporosis through the use of the FRAXâ„¢ tool. Secondary outcomes were to increase provider adherence to clinical practice guidelines on osteoporosis. Design. Primary care providers attended one educational session. Pre- and post-test assessed knowledge. Charts were audited for provider adherence …

Evaluation Of 1:5 Soil To Water Extract Electrical Conductivity Methods And Comparison To Electrical Conductivity Of Saturated Paste Extract, Yangbo He

Soil Science

Conducting a 1 :5 soil:water extract to measure electrical conductivity (EC) is an approach to assess salinity and is the preferred method used in Australia. However, the influence of salinity on plant growth is predominantly based on saturated paste extract electrical conductivity (ECe) and ECe is recommended as a general method for estimating soil salinity internationally, so it is necessary to convert EC1:s to ECe, The objectives of this research were to 1) compare methods of agitation (shaking plus centrifuging (shaking/centrifuging), shaking, and stirring) for determining EC1: 5; 2) determine optimal times for equilibration for each method across a range …

Effects Of Major Flooding On Water And Sediment Characteristics In An Urban Enviromnent, Adam Christopher Guy

Soil Science

Spring flooding of the Red River of the North is a common phenomenon, but no infonnation exits on how these flooding events impact both water and sediment quality within an urban area. The objectives of this study were to assess if urban enviromnents affect floodwater quality and to determine the quality of sediment deposited in an urban environment after floodwaters recede. Water samples were taken on 12 dates from two locations before and after the city limits of Pargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota (F-M), and were measured for 12 variables including total sediment, P04, 17/3-estradiol, and diesel range organics. …

An Examination Of Subjective And Physiological Responses To Smoking Cues In Young Adult Smokers., Eric S. Grady

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study investigated subjective craving and physiological responses to a series of smoking-related and smoking-unrelated cues in a sample of young adult smokers. Fifty-six young adult smokers (29 female) who were deprived of cigarettes for at least two hours, completed five 90 s experimental tasks in counterbalanced order, during which they manipulated in vivo smoking cues (a preferred cigarette and lighter), and watched a picture slideshow of others smoking in naturalistic environments. In vivo and pictorial smoking-related tasks were compared to neutral in vivo and pictorial cues and a mental arithmetic challenge. Physiological measures (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood …