Digital Commons Network^™

Patenting Genes And Genetic Methods: What’S At Stake?, Eileen M. Kane

Faculty Scholarship

The emergence of genetic medicine following decades of molecular biology research has been accompanied by the procurement of patent rights to many medically significant genes and methods for their use. The intellectual force of reductionism in the life sciences – to explain biological phenomena with molecular precision – generates direct conflicts with patent law’s exclusion of basic knowledge from patenting: laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas must remain in the public domain. This is a period of renewed attention to the issue of patentable subject matter in the life sciences, with a particular focus on genetic patenting. Patents …

Domestic Mitigation Of Black Carbon From Diesel Emissions, Hannah Chang

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Black carbon, a component of soot and particulate matter, competes closely with methane as the largest anthropogenic contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Regulation of black carbon has been identified as an affordable, politically feasible, fast-action means to mitigate the warming temperatures caused by climate change. With an emphasis on domestic mitigation, this Article examines how emissions are controlled under the CAA and what EPA, states, and municipalities can do to mitigate black carbon emissions further.

Effects Of Vocal Toning And Bio Acoustics Assessment On Pain And Bio Acoustics Vocal Profile, Crista Marie Orefice

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The objective of this research study was to investigate the effects of vocal toning interventions informed by a BioAcoustics assessment tool on the perceived pain and the vocal profile in a participant diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The study employed a single case study design. The participant (N=l) was a woman diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who underwent a series of ten 25-minute music therapy treatments of vocal toning, twice a week, for five weeks. Vocal profile was recorded and measured with the BioAcoustics nano Voice program for each session, pre- and post-treatment. Perceived pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire …

'Race', Nation And Belonging In Ireland, Jonathan Mitchell

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

Despite consistent efforts to counteract those attitudes and practices that give rise to it, most putatively modern Western nations continue to experience the concrete effects of racial discrimination. This essay argues that nationality is all too easily conflated with ‘race’ or ethnicity, such that a seeming essence or givenness is manifested amongst all those within a particular geographic boundary. It is suggested that on the contrary, there is nothing natural about nationality as commonly understood; this being so, it must be continually shored up and reconstituted through social, linguistic and material practices. For modern nations in the West, this has …

Technology Assessment 2.0: Revamping Our Approach To Emerging Technologies, Albert C. Lin

Brooklyn Law Review

No abstract provided.

Divine Command Moral Ontology, Kiefer Owens

A with Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Reflections On Science, Ken Smith

A with Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Biology Of Consciousness, G. Edelman, J. Gally, B. Baars

CCRG Papers

No abstract provided.

Modeling Medical Diagnosis Using A Comprehensive Cognitive Architecture, S. Strain, S. Franklin

CCRG Papers

No abstract provided.

Psychological Functioning In Adulthood: A Self-Efficacy Analysis, Daniele Artistico, Jane M. Berry, Justin Black, Dan Cervone, Courtney Lee, Heather Orom

Psychology Faculty Publications

In the first edition of this handbook, we laid the foundation for a self-efficacy approach to understanding learning in adulthood. We examined self-efficacy applications to learning in adulthood from two broad-based theoretical perspectives: KAPA (knowledge and appraisal personality architecture; Cervone, 2004a) and SOC (selective optimization with compensation, Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 2006). Both perspectives emphasize the dynamic interplay between dispositional, motivational, situational, and developmental contexts for successful functioning and adaptation in life. In this edition, we build upon earlier claims with new evidence regarding the central role of self-efficacy to adult development, aging, and well-being in memory, health, work, and …

Perceived And Capitalization Support Are Substantially Similar: Implications For Social Support Theory, Ryan C. Shorey, Brian Lakey

Peer Reviewed Articles

Social support is typically thought to protect people from bad events, whereas capitalization support augments people’s reactions to good events. Because social support and capitalization support apply to different classes of events, most theory predicts that measures of perceived support and capitalization support should be empirically distinct. We tested a new theory that hypothesizes that the main effects between perceived support and mental health do not reflect stress and coping primarily, but instead reflect ordinary, yet affectively consequential conversations and shared activities, some of which include positive events. According to this view, perceived support and capitalization support should be substantially …

Fatal Familial Insomnia: An Overview, Eric Schools

Senior Honors Theses

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is an insidious prion disorder that tends to manifest itself as a patient reaches middle age following a pattern consistent with autosomal dominance. A wide range of symptoms are represented, many related to motor function and autonomic regulation, but degeneration of certain areas of the thalamus is present in every case. Genetically, the condition is transmitted only within families, but it has been demonstrated by Jackson et al. (2009) that FFI can be transmitted by exposure to/ingestion of infected material. A number of groundbreaking studies are discussed. These include the initial documentation of FFI as a …

Immunohistochemical Evaluation Of The Effects Of Nebivolol On Intimal Hyperplasia Following Endothelial Injury, İlker Akar, Ali̇ Rahman, M. Cengi̇z Çolak, Bi̇lal Üstündağ, İbrahi̇m Hani̇fi̇ Özercan, Ayhan Uysal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Intimal hyperplasia is a vascular remodeling process. It is a clinical problem that forms in the vascular wall as a result of smooth muscle cell migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix accumulation. In this study we examined the immunohistochemical evaluation of the effects of nebivolol on intimal hyperplasia in damaged endothelial tissue. Materials and methods: The study was conducted using 21 rabbits equally divided into 3 groups: control, solvent, and nebivolol. The rabbits in the control group only underwent balloon injury of the abdominal aorta. The rabbits in the solvent group and nebivolol group underwent balloon injury and were treated with …

A Molecular Ecological Survey Of Tick (Ixodes Scapularis) Population Density And Their Infection Rates With Borrelia Burgdorferi At The New Jersey School Of Conservation, Nathaly M. Salazar-Vasquez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Studying vector populations of the Ixodes scapularis tick is of major importance in New Jersey, an endemic area of Lyme disease. This species of tick is a vector for various disease pathogens including the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. This study focused on Ixodes scapularis tick surveillance at the New Jersey School of Conservation, in Sussex County, New Jersey. Collection of host-seeking ticks began in July 2009 and has continued until December of 2010, by drag-cloth sampling in order to monitor tick abundances of all life-cycle stages.

In 2010 relative abundances for larvae and nymphal stages declined as …

Methionine-35 Of Aβ(1-42): Importance For Oxidative Stress In Alzheimer Disease, D. Allan Butterfield, Rukhsana Sultana

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder. This devastating disease is characterized by the presence of senile plaques (SP), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and loss of synapses. Amyloid beta-peptide 1–42 (Aβ(1–42)) is the main component of SP and is pivotal to AD pathogenesis. Brain of subjects with AD and arguably its earliest manifestation, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), demonstrate increased levels of oxidative stress markers. Our laboratory combined these two aspects of AD and MCI and proposed the Aβ(1–42)-associated free radical oxidative stress hypothesis to explain oxidative stress under which the MCI and AD brain exist …

Synthesis, Biochemical And Molecular Modelling Studies Of Antiproliferative Azetidinones Causing Microtubule Disruption And Mitotic Catastrophe, Niamh O'Boyle, Miriam Carr, Lisa M. Greene, Niall O. Keely, Andrew Js Knox, Thomas Mccabe, David G. Lloyd, Daniela M. Zisterer, Mary J. Meegan

Articles

The structure-activity relationships of antiproliferative β-lactams, focusing on modifications at the 4-position of the β-lactam ring, is described. Synthesis of this series of compounds was achieved utilizing the Staudinger and Reformatsky reactions. The antiproliferative activity was assessed in MCF-7 cells, where the 4-(4-ethoxy)phenyl substituted compound 26 displayed the most potent activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.22 μM. The mechanism of action was demonstrated to be by inhibition of tubulin. Cell exposure to combretastatin A-4 and 26 led to arrest of MCF-7 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis. Additionally, mitotic catastrophe for …

Reforming New Jersey's Vaccination Policy: The Case For The Conscientious Exemption Bill, Michael Poreda

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

Shades Of Gray: The Life And Times Of A Free Family Of Color On The Texas Frontier, Jason A. Gillmer

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

Individual Psychology (Adlerian) Applied To International Collectivist Cultures: Compatibility, Effectiveness, And Impact, Shahab Dean Aslinia, Masuma Rasheed, Chris Simpson

Journal for International Counselor Education

The following article explores the process of Adlerian Therapy and how this theory can be applied to international collectivist cultures. The authors offer an overview of the Individual Psychology perspective and its concepts and discuss the gap in the lack of understanding among counselors and other mental health professionals in the applicability of Adlerian techniques with collectivist clients. In addition, the authors highlight the importance of cultural understanding by mental health professionals by giving clear examples and connections to real life therapeutic situations.

Techno-Economic Analysis And Engineering Design Consideration Of Algal Biofuel In Southern Nevada, Jian Ma

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

As the biological and chemical technologies in algae biofuels production, engineering design, siting and resources are playing some dominant role in successfully developing and scaling locally. The southwest region in U.S. has been identified by DoE and the USDA as the most suitable area for developing algal biofuel production due to several merits like the high level of solar radiation, large arid land not good for food production. Among this region, Southern Nevada has unique advantage to grow microalgae biomass, which is the large amount of CO2 emission from about 16 power plants in Clark County to support the world …

A Phylogeographic And Population Genetic Analysis Of A Widespread, Sedentary North American Bird: The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides Villosus), John Klicka, Garth M. Spellman, Kevin Winker, Vivien Chua, Brian T. Smith

Ornithology Program (HRC)

The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) has one of the broadest breeding distributions of any North American bird and is also one of the most morphologically variable with as many as 21 described subspecies. This wide distribution and high degree of phenotypic diversity suggests the presence of underlying genetic structure. We used ND2 sequence from 296 individuals from 89 localities throughout the Hairy Woodpecker distribution to address this question and to explore this species’ evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analyses identified three main Hairy Woodpecker clades, each ~1.5% divergent from one another. One clade was comprised of birds from boreal and eastern zones …

Examination Of Gene Flow In Populations Of Gypsy Moth, Lymantria Dispar Dispar (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Lymantriinae), Nirosha K. Ranawaka

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Approach To The Synthesis Of Plakortethers A-E, Duminda Shiromalee Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

2011-2012 Unlv Mcnair Journal, Cyndy Anang, Sajar Camara, Pamela Cornejo, Carla Antonieta Farcello, Ilse Anahi Garcia, Natiera Magnuson, William L. Mccurdy, Lorena Munoz, Maxym V. Myroshnychenko, Ricardo Rios, Theodore Waldeck, Barbara Wallen, Ana Zuniga, Brenda M. Aguilar, Tiffany Alexandra Alvarez, Daniel N. Erosa, Paige C. Espinosa, Carla Antonieta Farcello, Julienne Jochel Paraiso, Nathaniel Derek Phillipps, Carmen Vallin, Jacent N. Wamala, Ernesto Zamora-Ramos

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program

Table of Contents

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements:

Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

McNair Scholars Institute Staff

The Effect Of Spiritualism On The Neuropsychological Function Of Memory, Carla Farcello

McNair Poster Presentations

The amount of physiological-neurological research performed over the past few years has dramatically increased due to our ability to view the structure and function of the brain in living human beings. The use of imaging tools has resulted in huge strides forward in unlocking some of the mysteries of the 3 pound universe-the human brain. One of the more unique neural processes being recently addressed is the affect of belief and spiritualism-the sense of being connected to something larger than oneself-on the human brain. This study hypothesized that better memory will be documented among the experimental group who report being …

The Release Of Calcium In Bacillus Anthracis Pathogenicity, Natiera Magnuson, Manomita Patra, Maria Elena Reynaga, Ernesto Abel-Santos

McNair Poster Presentations

Bacillus anthracis spores form in response to starvation and can withstand extremes of heat, radiation, and chemical toxins, making B. anthracis spores ideal vehicles for infections.1 The resistance and dormancy of bacterial spores are dependent on a largely dehydrated core.2 The spore core is not only devoid of water, but contains between 0.8 to 1M calcium complexed with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid, DPA). The DPA-calcium complex (CaDPA) helps protect DNA, RNA, and the metabolic enzymes needed for the establishment of a vegetative cell cytoplasm.3 An anthrax infection starts with the germination of B. anthracis spores in a macrophage.4 The germinated …

Globalizing Conservation Easements: Private Law Approaches For International Environmental Protection, Gerald Korngold

Articles & Chapters

For the past thirty years nonprofit organizations have revolutionized open space and habitat conservation in the United States through the use of conservation easements. Pursuant to legislation, nonprofits may now acquire and hold perpetual restrictions that prevent alteration of the subject land’s natural and ecological features. These rights can be held “in gross,” with the result that the nonprofit need not own land near the restricted property and can be based in a distant location.

As a result of this success, proponents in more recent years have advocated the export of “conservation easements” from the United States to other countries. …

A Pooled Analysis Of The Resistance Patterns Of Escherichia Coli Strains Isolated From Urine Cultures In Turkey: A Comparison Of The Periods 1997-2001 And 2002-2007, Meltem Işikgöz Taşbakan, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Oğuz Reşat Si̇pahi̇, Tansu Yamazhan, Bi̇lgi̇n Arda, Sercan Ulusoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To compare the resistance patterns of Escherichia coli strains reported to be isolated from urine cultures in published medical literature from Turkey in 1997-2001 and 2002-September 2007. Materials and methods: To find the published series, 3 national databases (Ulakbim Turkish Medical Literature database, http://www.turkishmedline.com, http://medline.pleksus.com.tr), and 2 international databases (Pubmed and Science Citation Index (SCI)) were searched. Results: Data for 25,577 E. coli strains were obtained from 53 articles (28 articles from 1997-2001, 25 from 2002-2007). Of these strains 18,106 were isolated from outpatients, whereas 7471 were from inpatients. When the strains isolated from outpatients were evaluated, there was a …

An Efficient Method For Stable Transfection Of Mouse Myogenic C2c12 Cell Line Using A Nonviral Transfection Approach, Mehmet Deni̇z Akyüz, Burcu Hayta, Pervi̇n Ruki̇ye Di̇nçer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To describe in detail the use of the T-REx^{TM} System (a tetracycline-regulated mammalian expression system; Invitrogen) for rapid, easy, and effective generation of stable C2C12 cell clones. Tetracycline-inducible stable cell lines are useful tools to study the function of various genes in different types of mammalian cells. However, the generation of stable cell lines is a time-consuming, technically difficult, and expensive process. Materials and methods: Generation of a stable C2C12 cell line was performed by stable transfection of the cells with the pcDNA6/TR plasmid vector, which contains the tetracycline repressor and the blasticidin drug resistance genes. The establishment of the …

The Implementation Of Pre-Lecture Resources To Reduce In-Class Cognitive Load: A Case Study For Higher Education Chemistry, Michael Seery, Roisin Donnelly

Articles

This case study describes an effective method to ameliorate the cognitive load caused by new terminology and concepts in lectures. Ten online pre-lecture resources whose design was underpinned by the principles of cognitive load theory were provided to a class of 49 first year university level chemistry students. Each resource introduced a number of key concepts to the forthcoming lecture and included a quiz for students to test understandings and identify misconceptions. The evaluation of the implementation of resources was measured by considering the difference in exam marks for in-semester test and end of module exam. These showed that the …