Digital Commons Network^™

Epitope Characterization Of Sero-Specific Monoclonal Antibody To Clostridium Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A., Cindi R Corbett, Erin Ballegeer, Kelly A Weedmark, M D Elias, Fetweh H Al-Saleem, Denise M Ancharski, Lance L Simpson, Jody D Berry

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are extremely potent toxins that can contaminate foods and are a public health concern. Anti-BoNT antibodies have been described that are capable of detecting BoNTs; however there still exists a need for accurate and sensitive detection capabilities for BoNTs. Herein, we describe the characterization of a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated to the non-toxic receptor-binding domain of BoNT/A (H(C)50/A) developed using a high-throughput screening approach. In two independent hybridoma fusions, two groups of four IgG MAbs were developed against recombinant H(C)50/A. Of these eight, only a single MAb, F90G5-3, bound to the whole BoNT/A protein …

¡Adelante Hermanas De La Raza! Josefina Silva De Cintrón, Artes Y Letras, And Puerto Rican Women’S Feminismo In The 1930s, Patricia A. Schechter

History Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article tells the story of Josefina Silva de Cintrón, (1884-1988), Puerto Rican journalist, feminist and arts impresario. Silva de Cintrón moved from San Juan to New York City in 1927. She published the Spanish language journal Artes y Letras from 1933 to 1939, and it circulated in 8 countries throughout the Americas. Artes y Letras was a publication that significantly enabled Spanish-speaking women’s activism in New York City. In its pages, women tested their ideas about feminismo. Their feminismo was Pan American in orientation and anti-racist in purpose, energized by the rhetoric of la raza. This article …

Unveiling Jewett's Hidden Voice: Discovering The Aborted Future Of Dunnet Landing In The Country Of The Pointed Firs, Katie Mcclelland

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Recent scholarship addresses a deeper significance to Jewett‟s female characters than was previously attributed in canonical history. Jewett imbues her women with complexity, but intentionally avoids portraying her females as disproportionately heroic. Indeed, a pervading recurrence of abortions and otherwise lost children among the predominately female community of Dunnet Landing creates a framework of death by which to interpret the actions and motivations of Jewett‟s characters. My thesis explores the larger metaphor Jewett establishes by juxtaposing the literal abortions of her female characters and the figurative abortion of Dunnet Landing‟s future; moreover, the aborted futures of Jewett‟s female characters mirror …

The Use Of Near Infrared Spectroscopy In Measuring Haemodynamic Response Of The Primary Visual Cortex To A Visual Bullseye Stimulus With Various Spatial And Temporal Frequencies, Luke Perkins

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The effects of spatial and temporal frequencies of a visual, sinusoidal bullseye stimulus on haemodynamic responses in V1 were investigated using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Eight psychology undergraduates viewed a reversing bullseye pattern with differing spatial and temporal frequencies and haemodynamic responses in V1 were measured. It was found that optimum responses were recorded when the spatial frequency was 4.00 c/deg and when temporal frequency was 7.55 Hz; however no significant differences between frequencies were found. The mixed findings provided some support for past findings, implying that cells are finely tuned to detect certain stimulus properties, and demonstrated NIRS as a valid …

Social Behaviour In Captive Reticulated Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Reticulata): Analysis Of Enclosure Use And Social Interactions Between Giraffes Housed At Whipsnade Zoo, Stephanie Perry

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Wild giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) herds have been described as random associations of individuals, but recent research has suggested that giraffe do form social bonds and have a complex social structure. The aims of this investigation were to determine whether a group of three captive giraffe associated randomly or patterned their behaviour and proximity in a way that suggests social relationships. Also to analyse how the giraffe use their enclosure in order for the zoo to develop the enrichment program to encourage the giraffe to use the enclosure more equally. Index of association and maintenance of proximity were used to analyse …

The Invasive Biology Of The Talitrid Amphipod Platorchestia Platensis In North West Europe, Rebekah Simpson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The talitrid amphipod Platorchestia platensis (Kröyer, 1845) is an invasive species which has been spreading along European coasts over the last 150 years. This paper will review what is known of the distribution of P. platensis to date, before discussing potential distribution methods, evaluating potential management strategies and providing a perspective on the future distribution of this species. Despite P. platensis having worldwide distribution, very little is known about its invasive history. It has been established that the most likely methods of dispersal for P. platensis are on currents and in ballast water, though further research is needed. Although dispersal …

Current And Emerging Issues In Nosocomial Infections And Antibiotic Resistance, Zoe Tridgell

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Antibiotic resistant pathogens are a major cause of nosocomial infections and exhibit an extraordinary ability to constantly adapt and acquire resistance determinants to overcome the effects of commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Glycopeptide resistant Enterococcus faecium, multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli are all pathogens of clinical interest, increasing in prevalence and causing large outbreaks of infection within hospitals. On the other hand, the emerging potential of vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and linezolid resistance in Gram-positive pathogens to follow suite provides a serious concern for the future treatment of hospital-acquired infections.

Investigation Into Inter-Alpha Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain 4 (Itih4) As A Biomarker For Prenatal Screening Of Down Syndrome Using Maternal Plasma Samples, Jessica Elliott-Friend

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) effects 3 per 1000 births and is a significant cause of fetal loss. Currently screening tests detect ~85% of affected pregnancies, with a 5% false-positive rate, whilst diagnosis requires invasive tests such as amniocentesis which is associated with a ~1% risk of miscarriage. More effective screening methods, or Non Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis (NIPD) methods, are required to reduce the need for invasive diagnostic tests. Aim: This study aims to investigate inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) as a potential biomarker in DS pregnancies. Method: Samples include 8 non-pregnant controls and 7 pregnant women known to …

Endotoxin Tolerance And The Immune System, Elyce Marshfield

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Endotoxin tolerance is a phenomenon known to cause innate immune cells, like macrophages, to produce a decreased pro-inflammatory response to a pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP), like LPS, after pre-stimulation. Innate immune cells involved have thought to be primarily monocytes/macrophages but evidence has been found for involvement of dendritic cells, neutrophils and T cells. The molecular mechanisms of endotoxin tolerance are vague. However, negative regulators such as SOCS1, IRAK-M and SHIP are believed to play a large role, along with the down-regulation of TLR4 on cell surface and gene re-programming. Clinically, sepsis is a major model of endotoxin tolerance due …

Marine Invertebrates In Hypoxia: Developmental, Behavioural, Physiological And Fitness Responses, Rebecca Loddington

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Hypoxia is occurring in the marine environment all around the world as a result of human activities and natural biological processes such as eutrophication and water stratification. Low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) can result in mass mortality and disruption for marine organisms. In this paper the effects of hypoxia (<5mg O2 l -1 ) will be reviewed focusing on developmental, behavioural, physiological and fitness responses of marine invertebrates. Differences in the units used and thresholds when measuring hypoxia, by different researchers, make comparisons difficult. It is clear that negative effects are being observed at higher levels than the 2.8mg O2 l -1 threshold previously proposed by Diaz and Rosenberg. Many responses to hypoxia seem to not affect marine invertebrates directly, but result in a decrease in reproductive output and physiological mechanisms for surviving long-term hypoxia seem to be poorly understood. More research should be completed above the 2.8mg O2 l1 threshold, and a priority should be quantifying the effects of hypoxia. Therefore, management targets can be enforced and a positive step can be made to combat hypoxia.

The Effects Of Carbohydrate-Electrolyte Sports Drinks On Performance And Physiological Function During An 8km Cycle Time Trial, Jack Hornsby

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Background: Supplementation in the form of sports drinks has in latter years become an integral part of professional and amateur exercise. Currently much of the research is directed at carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) drink supplementation for exercises lasting one hour or above and has been shown to improve performance. However the effects of supplementation prior to and during intense, short term exercise on performance is less understood. Therefore the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of ingesting different CE drinks prior and during exercise on an 8km time trial (TT) performance against a placebo. Methods: Fifteen male subjects …

A Review In Overhydration Underlying Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia, Jahn Firth

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is hyponatremia occurring during or up to 24 hours after prolonged physical activity. There is clear evidence that the primary cause of EAH is overconsumption of fluids relative to fluid losses. The electrolyte imbalance, in particular sodium triggered by overhydration is the aetiologic basis behind the illness. If untreated, hyponatremia causes cerebral and pulmonary edema resulting in seizures, coma and on occasion, death. Current understanding of overhydration underlying EAH is discussed. Aetiology, pathology, diagnosis, the role of sodium and preventive measures are key focal points in this review. The body of research spans more than two decades …

The Effect Of An Invasive Species On Predation Rates Upon Intertidal Barnacles, Rachel Linaker

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Non-indigenous species invasions are considered a large threat to native biota however the effects of which have been relatively understudied with respect to intertidal systems. Current literature surrounds the movement of species, however relatively little attempt has been made to quantify the effect. Using the invasive oyster drill Ocenebra erinacea and the native dogwhelk Nucella lapillus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of an invasive species‟ on predation rates over a one-week period feeding on the intertidal barnacle Chthamalus montagui. This was conducted by testing for the effects of increased conspecific density (abundance increase) and biodiversity (species number/identity) against …

The Cowl - V. 76 - N. 11 - Dec 1, 2011

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Volume 76 - Number 11 - December 1, 2011. 40 pages.

The Reported Needs Of A Teacher Mentoring Program, Kimberly Myers Tillman

Dissertations

The following study was conducted in four public school districts in south Mississippi and involved a combination of 167 administrators, mentors, and novice teachers. The purpose of this study was to measure the reported needs of a teacher mentoring program as perceived by novice teachers, mentor teachers, and administrators. An additional purpose of the study was to examine administrators’ perceptions of how alternate route and traditional route teachers differ in their needs of a teacher mentoring program.

Two multivariate of analysis (MANOVA) tests were conducted to measure the differences among novice teachers, mentors, and administrators in their perception of what …

Correlations Among School Belonging And Self-Reported Factors Associated With Students' School Success, Stacey Mechelle Mcguire Lee

Dissertations

This study examined correlations among student sense of school belonging and the classroom learning climate, previous academic achievement, frequency of disciplinary sanctions, and participation in extracurricular activities. During August of the 2011-2012 school year, the Middle School Student Sense of Belonging Questionnaire was completed by a sample of 264 eighth grade students enrolled in three middle schools from three different school districts located in the coastal south. The sample.s mean school belonging score was 3.56 with a standard deviation of 0.81. Findings of this study suggest statistically significant positive correlations exist among student sense of school belonging and the learning …

The Relationship Between Attitude And Anxiety Toward Teaching Science In Pre-Service Elementary Teachers And The Use Of Science Olympiad Events, Allison Armstrong Downing

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the anxiety and attitudes of pre-service elementary teachers toward teaching science and the use of Science Olympiad events in an elementary science methods course. The participants were 34 pre-service elementary teachers enrolled in the Winter 2010 and Spring 2011 trimesters in the course Science in the Elementary School at a private university in south Mississippi. Attitude toward teaching science was measured using the Revised Science Attitude Scale. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y). Data collection involved participants taking pretests for attitude and state anxiety on …

Changes In Perceived Self-Efficacy And Attitude Toward Science And Teaching Science In Elementary School, Betsy Ann Sullivan

Dissertations

This study was developed in an effort to ascertain if a proposed biological laboratory curriculum as developed and modeled by the instructor would affect the attitudes and perceived self-efficacy towards science, science teaching and ability to learn science of pre-service elementary teachers. Self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies were incorporated as the variation. Attitudinal topics investigated were the perceived ability to learn science and to teach science.

Students in one biology for non-science majors' biology laboratory class at the University of Southern Mississippi participated in this case study. The group participated in the modified laboratory section which utilized SRL activities, including reflections …

Establishing Construct Validity Of The Biology I Subject Area Testing Program In Mississippi, Christy Michelle Hollis Philippoff

Dissertations

Science education has undergone many revisions since it was permanently embedded in the country's educational curriculum at the end of the 19th century. Some of these revisions occurred as a direct result of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This legislation placed more accountability on schools than ever before by requiring that all students pass a series of standardized tests (USDE, 2010). High schools in Mississippi require four areas of standardized testing: English II, Algebra I, U.S. History, and Biology I (Wroten, 2008). The focus of this study is the Biology I Subject Area Test.

In an effort to …

Development Of An Instrument Measuring The Perceived Attributes Of Using A Healthy Diet Innovation, Holly Ann Federico Huye

Dissertations

The Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) is a rural region that is rich in agricultural resources but is one of the most impoverished areas in the US. Prior research has indicated LMD adults as having higher rates of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases as compared to US adults. While the need for dietary intervention in the LMD is evident, the first step in designing effective interventions is the assessment of one’s perceptions of dietary behaviors. The purpose of this research was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to assess individuals’ perceived attributes of using a healthy diet. Using the Diffusion …

The Effect Of Area On Resource Competition Among Migrant Birds At A Stopover Site, Sara Marie Beall

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Few studies have focused on the habitat and resource requirements of migratory landbirds along migration routes. Habitat fragmentation may exacerbate the costs of migration by reducing food availability and/or increasing competition at crowded stopover sites. I predicted that smaller forest fragments would have higher densities of birds, and that birds would compete for food more intensely in smaller fragments. I examined seven forest fragments of varying size (0.69 ha - 5.69 ha) at Savannah National Wildlife refuge in three migration periods between Spring 2007 and Spring 2008. I set up netted exclosure pairs to examine the relationship among fragment size, …

Evaluating Restoration Potential Of An Endangered Legume, Baptisia Arachnifera: Shade & Litter Effects On Early Life Stages, Timothy John Estep

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Baptisia arachnifera, hairy rattleweed, is a federally endangered, herbaceous, legume endemic to Wayne and Brantley Counties in Georgia. The species has declined by 89% in the past 20 years. Therefore I examined the early life stages of the species for weevil predation, fungus infection, and germination; information used to help prevent the species extinction. Seed pods of Baptisia arachnifera from six sites were examined for weevil predation and fungal infestation. Germination was examined under greenhouse conditions. One site had intense weevil predation, fungal infection, and reduced germination compared to other sites. Over 62% of seeds germinated within the greenhouse. To …

Behavioral Cues Associated With Lies Of Omission And Of Commission: An Experimental Investigation, Brianna Ratliff

Dissertations

Deception is a universal communication behavior across and within species. In humans, the purpose of verbal deception, or lying, is to intentionally mislead, and this behavior can be intuitively broken down into two unique categories based on the method used to mask the truth: omission and commission. Lies of omission involve the intentional exclusion of important information, whereas lies of commission involve the intentional generation of false information. Because these two types of deception involve contrasting methods of delivery, it is possible that lies of omission and lies of commission could result in differing behavioral presentations. Accordingly, the purpose of …

Continuity Of Operations Planning Preparedness Of Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments, Brandon Lane Allen

Dissertations

Collegiate athletic departments face the same threats of private and public businesses. Multiple disruptive events have caused havoc at various athletic events causing change of venues, loss of revenue, injuries, and deaths. Natural disasters and terrorism continue to pose serious threats on all types of organizations; therefore, athletic departments must become proactive in preparing for the unexpected (Wheatman, 2001).

The purpose of this study was to assess NCAA division 1 athletic departments’ continuity of operations planning preparedness. The population for this study was limited to athletic directors or facility directors responsible for continuity of operations planning (N=344). A total of …

Is There A Relationship Between Electronic White Boards In The Classroom And Student Success?, John Joseph Mundy

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of interactive electronic white boards, an advanced technology, on the academic performance of kindergarten through fifth grade elementary students. The participants represent seven local school districts with approximately 700 teachers instructing 16,421 students. The research gathered data from the teachers through a questionnaire designed by the researcher. Student data was also gathered as well as perceptions of trainers, teachers and administrators.

The study was designed to examine the independent variables and the impact or effect it has on students’ achievement in a Kindergarten through fifth grade elementary classroom. The independent …

Women's Cognitive Appraisals Of Their Birth Experience As Predictive And Maintaining Factors Of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity, Lauren Carr Spooner

Dissertations

Empirical support has accumulated for evidence of posttraumatic stress symptoms following approximately 30% of childbirth experiences (Olde, van der Hart, Kleber, & van Son, 2006). Researchers have suggested that there is a complex relationship among predisposing, precipitating, and maintaining factors that impact postpartum PTSD (Slade, 2006). Anxiety, perception of support, and negative cognitions are such factors that have been shown to significantly correlate with PTSD symptoms (Foa & Rothbaum, 1998; Olde et al., 2006; Soet, Brack, & Dilorio, 2003), but have not been studied together in relation to PTSD associated with traumatic birth. The current study controlled for trait anxiety …

Barriers And Enablers Of Interdisciplinary Research At Academic Institutions, Leslie Suzanne Thornton Butler

Dissertations

This research study examines the factors that motivate and lead to the success of faculty members who conduct interdisciplinary research. Because a comprehensive study of the research patterns of interdisciplinary researchers has not been conducted, the main intent of this research project was to create an instrument that would measure research habits and attitudes. It is important that such research be conducted using individuals who are interdisciplinary researchers as well as disciplinary researchers. One intent of the research study was to provide comparisons between disciplinary researchers and interdisciplinary researchers. Another intent was to provide university administrators with a better understanding …

The Effect Of Six Weeks Of Oral Echinacea Supplementation On Erythropoiesis, Nitric Oxide Production, And Exercise Performance, Tyler David Martin

Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of oral Echinacea supplementation on serum erythropoietin (EPO) and erythropoietic status, plasma nitric oxide [NO], submaximal endurance exercise performance, and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max). Twenty-four males (mean ± SE): age = 25.2 ± 1.4 yr, height = 178.1 ± 1.4 cm, mass = 78.1 ± 1.6 kg, percent body fat = 12.7 ± 0.9 %, V˙O_max = 52.9 ± 0.9 mL·kg^-1·min^-1 were randomly grouped using a matched-pair, double-blind design and self-administered 8,000 mg·d^-1(5 × 400 mg × 4 …

Factors Affecting Private School Choice, John Herman Hartsell Sr.

Dissertations

This study explored the underlying factors that influence parents’ choices of educational institution for their children in private schools in a southern United States coastal city. It also explored why parents chose the specific private school their child is currently enrolled in and their satisfaction level with teacher, parent and student relationships. Parental satisfaction with the overall instructional program and the services provided was also explored in this study. Data was collected from parents with students currently enrolled in one of two different private schools with input from 253 parents.

A central finding in this research is that parents who …

The Role Of Coastal Plant Community Response To Climate Change: Implications For Restoring Ecosystem Resiliency, Hannah June Kalk

Theses

Accelerated sea-level rise and increased intensity of tropical storm events have challenged the conventional approaches to conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems. In coastal communities, where survival will depend largely on the ability of species to adapt to rapidly shifting conditions or become established farther inland, historic assemblages may be lost. Seed banks may be an important component of resilience and recovery in response to altered inundation regimes, should they contain species able to adapt or migrate inland. This study assess the ability of seed banks to act as ecological buffers to storm surge disturbances and to instill ecological resilience …