Digital Commons Network^™

Fliposomes: Ph-Sensitive Liposomes Containing A Trans-2-Morpholinocyclohexanol-Based Lipid That Performs A Conformational Flip And Triggers An Instant Cargo Release In Acidic Medium, Nataliya M. Samoshina, Xin Liu, Barbora Brazdova, Andreas H. Franz, Vyacheslav V. Samoshin, Xin Guo

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

Incorporation of a pH-sensitive conformational switch into a lipid structure enables a drastic conformational flip upon protonation that disrupts the liposome membrane and causes rapid release of cargo specifically in areas of increased acidity. pH-sensitive liposomes containing the amphiphile (1) with trans-2-morpholinocyclohexanol conformational switch, a phospholipid, and a PEG-lipid conjugate were constructed and characterized. The optimized composition—1/POPC/PEG-ceramide (50/45/5)—could be stored at 4 °C and pH 7.4 for up to 1.5 years, and was stable in blood serum in vitro after 48 h at 37 °C. Liposomes loaded with ANTS/DPX or methotrexate demonstrated an unusually quick content release (in a few …

Stability Analysis And Application Of A Mathematical Cholera Model, Shu Liao, Jim Wang

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this paper, we conduct a dynamical analysis of the deterministic cholera model proposed in [9]. We study the stability of both the disease-free and endemic equilibria so as to explore the complex epidemic and endemic dynamics of the disease. We demonstrate a real-world application of this model by investigating the recent cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, we present numerical simulation results to verify the analytical predictions.

Using The Communication In Science Inquiry Project Professional Development Model To Facilitate Learning Middle School Genetics Concepts, Dale R. Baker, Elizabeth B. Lewis, Sibel Uysal, Senay Purzer, Michael Lang, Perry Baker

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

This study describes the effect of embedding content in the Communication in Inquiry Science Project professional development model for science and language arts teachers. The model uses four components of successful professional development (content focus, active learning, extended duration, participation by teams of teachers from the same school or grade level) and instructional strategies for inquiry, academic language development, written and oral discourse, and learning principles as components of science activities. Teachers were given a pre/ post-institute genetics assessment. There was a statistically significant increase in scores for the entire sample and a statistically significant difference between science and language …

Fathers' Time Investments In Children: Do Sons Get More?, Kristin Mammen

Publications and Research

Evidence suggests that, from birth, fathers treat sons differently than daughters in the U.S., as well as in developing countries. Fathers' time investments in children are one channel through which differential treatment by gender may affect children's outcomes. This paper uses data from the 2003 American Time Use Survey to explore three questions about paternal time in married two-parent families: Does the gender composition of his children affect the amount of time a father spends with them? If so, does the gender of the individual child have an additional effect? And is a girl advantaged or disadvantaged by the presence …

Joining The Great Plains In Space, Place, And Time Questioning A Time Zone Boundary, Rob Kuper

Great Plains Quarterly (through 2013)

Standard time zone boundaries are invisible in the landscape, yet they abruptly delineate a temporal difference of one hour between two large areas located relative to one another on Earth. In most cases, standard time zone boundaries follow political ones and define areas within which daylight saving time (DST)-the seasonal advancement of standard time by one hour-is observed. Moving time zone boundaries and the decision to observe daylight saving time occurs throughout the world for various reasons that result in the synchronization of socioeconomic and political activities within and between communities and the simultaneous separation from others.

The zone boundary …

Review Of In Trace Oftr: A Montana Hunter's Journey By Dan Aadland, Paul R. Krausman

Great Plains Quarterly (through 2013)

The title of Dan Aadland's latest book, In Trace of TR: A Montana Hunter's Journey, is intriguing. It implies a connection between Theodore Roosevelt (TR) and the author; less clear is what that connection is, based on the title. In his introduction, Aadland states that the connection between him and the twenty-sixth President of the United States was made with similar experiences in ranching, horsemanship, and hunting. The objective of the book is to invite the reader along for a good ride with TR and Dan. And quite a ride it is.

The book is divided into three parts. …

Native And European Haplotypes Of Phragmites Australis (Common Reed) In The Central Platte River, Nebraska, Diane L. Larson, Susan M. Galatowitsch, Jennifer L. Larson

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Phragmites australis (common reed) is known to have occurred along the Platte River historically, but recent rapid increases in both distribution and density have begun to impact habitat for migrating sandhill cranes and nesting piping plovers and least terns. Invasiveness in Phragmites has been associated with the incursion of a European genotype (haplotype M) in other areas; determining the genotype of Phragmites along the central Platte River has implications for proper management of the river system. In 2008 we sampled Phragmites patches along the central Platte River from Lexington to Chapman, NE, stratified by bridge segments, to determine the current …

Novel Ion Trap Made Using Lithographically Patterned Plates, Ying Peng

Theses and Dissertations

A new approach of making ion trap mass analyzers was developed in which trapping fields are created in the space between two ceramic plates. Based on microfabrication technology, a series of independently-adjustable electrode rings is lithographically patterned on the facing surfaces of each ceramic plate. The trapping field can be modified or fine-tuned simply by changing the RF amplitude applied to each electrode ring. By adjusting the potential function applied to the plates, arbitrary trapping fields can be created using the same set of ceramic plates. Unlike conventional ion traps, the electrodes of planar ion traps have a non-equipotential surface, …

Multiple Protein Kinases Determine The Phosphorylated State Of The Small Heat Shock Protein, Hsp27, In Sh-Sy5y Neuroblastoma Cells, Linda A. Dokas, Amy M. Malone, Frederick E. Williams, Surya M. Nauli, William S. Messer Jr.

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

In SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, the cholinergic agonist, carbachol, stimulates phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). Carbachol increases phosphorylation of both Ser-82 and Ser-78 while the phorbol ester, phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) affects only Ser-82. Muscarinic receptor activation by carbachol was confirmed by sensitivity of Ser-82 phosphorylation to hyoscyamine with no effect of nicotine or bradykinin. This response to carbachol is partially reduced by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with GF 109203X and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) with SB 203580. In contrast, phosphorylation produced by PDB is completely reversed by GF 109203X or CID 755673, an …

Conceptualizations And Issues Related To Learning Progressions, Learning Trajectories, And Levels Of Sophistication, Michael T. Battista

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this paper the nature of learning progressions and related concepts are discussed. The notions of learning progressions and learning trajectories are conceptualized and their usage is illustrated with the help of examples. In particular the nuances of instructional interventions utilizing these concepts are also discussed with implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Can Dual Processing Theories Of Thinking Inform Conceptual Learning In Mathematics?, Ron Tzur

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Concurring with Uri Leron’s (2010) cross-disciplinary approach to two distinct modes of mathematical thinking, intuitive and analytic, I discuss his elaboration and adaptation to mathematics education of the cognitive psychology dual-processing theory (DPT) in terms of (a) the problem significance and (b) features of the theory he adapts. Then, I discuss DPT in light of a constructivist stance on the inseparability between thinking and learning. In particular, I propose a brain-based account of conceptual learning—the Reflection on Activity-Effect Relationship (Ref*AER) framework—as a plausible alternative to DPT. I discuss advantages of the Ref*AER framework over DPT for mathematics education.

Environmental Law, Travis M. Trimble

Mercer Law Review

Relatively few environmental cases were decided in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in 2010. The court decided a case holding that the portion of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, which funded a mile-long bridge in the Everglades, repealed the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Endangered Species Act, and other environmental laws to the extent they applied to the construction project. Additionally, the court decided that the leadbased paint hazard warning required to be included in residential leases pursuant to the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act had to be reproduced in such leases …

The Distribution And Life Cycle Of Alliaria Petiolate In Lincoln, Nebraska, Caleb Pharris

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) is a biennial alien invasive plant species of the Brassicacea family. It is responsible for displacing native plant species throughout North America and its management has proven to be extremely difficult. Recently several populations of Alliaria petiolata have been discovered in southwestern Lincoln, Nebraska. The spread of Alliaria petiolata is a concern for natural resource managers and the general public. Due to the difficulty of its control, Alliaria petiolata is capable of creating monocultures which diminish the aesthetic value of an ecosystem. While most commonly found in the understory of hardwood forests, it is capable of …

Normative Comparative Analysis Of Missouri School District‘S Technology Plans Using Ict180 Evaluation Tool, Norris Lee Roberts Jr.

Dissertations

This research study explored written plans for effective technology integration. The research study included a normative and comparative analysis of school technology plans using a researcher-developed, evaluation tool named Information Communication Technology (ICT) ICT180. The sample of 30 included Missouri public school districts that had plans reviewed and approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in June of 2009. ICT180 was an evaluation tool, which was used to critically review the objectives, strategies, and action steps in the school district technology plans. The tool provided an in-depth assessment of the five Technology Focus Areas of the Missouri …

Sleep Habits Of High School Students: An Intervention To Improve Them, John Edward Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations

Adolescence is a time of tremendous growth: physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Many experts state that good sleep habits are very important for adolescents and emotional well-being. The few studies of adolescents' sleep habits have reported that many high school-age students sleep less than eight hours when their bodies actually need nine hours a night. Research has found a relationship between shortened sleep duration and chaotic sleep patterns to overall poor school performance.

Sleep problems among adolescents have been found to be associated with anxiety, depression, inattentive behavior, social problems, aggressive behavior, and delinquency. Additional studies indicate that adolescents who …

Apologies In The Healthcare System: From Clinical Medicine To Public Health, Michal Alberstein, Nadav Davidovitch

Law and Contemporary Problems

Alberstein and Davidovitch explore the role of apologies in healthcare systems from a broader perspective. The significance of apology in terms of social solidarity is addressed and the ways in which each apology situation entails a clash between cultural identities are demonstrated. The debate on apology is explored by presenting a public health perspective of apologies following collective traumatic events such as the application of sterilization laws or flawed human experimentations in various settings.

The Influence Of The Character Strengths Of Gratitude And Kindness On Subjective Well-Being, Tracy Harper Dossett

Doctoral Dissertations

The relationship between the character strengths of gratitude, kindness and factors of subjective well-being was explored, and the influence of personality factors on this relationship was examined. In this research, participants were assigned to an experimental or control group and completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Positive Affectivity and Negative Affectivity Scale (PANAS), International Personality Item Pool Values in Action Gratitude and Kindness Scales (VIA-Gratitude, and VIA Kindness), Mini-International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Form C. For two weeks, participants in the gratitude group kept a daily gratitude list, and those …

Predicting Body Mass From The Skeleton With An Application To The Georgia Coast, Shamsi R. Daneshvari

Anthropology ETDs

Body mass has been studied in multiple subfields within anthropology, including paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, biomechanics, and forensics. Most previous studies that focused on predicting mass from the skeleton utilized population averages, living subjects, and/or small sample sizes. This study sought to create an individualized predictive model of body mass estimation from multiple skeletal elements. The new multiple element model was then compared to three models currently used by anthropologists. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) the multiple element model has a lower predictive error than the other models, 2) upper limb elements will predict mass more accurately and 3) articular dimensions predict …

The Discourse And Practice Of Native American Cuisine: Native American Chefs And Native American Cooks In Contemporary Southwest Kitchens, Lois Ellen Frank

Anthropology ETDs

This dissertation analyzes the emergent Native American cuisine of the American Southwest. It consists of an ethnography of both Native American cooks, who are largely self-taught and practice in noncommercial settings, as well as Native American chefs, some self taught and some professionally trained and working in commercial settings. The ethnographic work includes both extensive and intensive field interviews with chefs and cooks, and close attention to their work in home and professional kitchens. Particular attention is paid to histories of food knowledge, as well as to food preparation concepts, techniques, performance, and aesthetics. The foods employed by these cooks …

Sequencing Of A Qtl-Rich Region Of The Theobroma Cacao Genome Using Pooled Bacs And The Identification Of Trait Specific Candidate Genes, Frank A. Feltus, Christopher Saski, Keithanne Mockaitis, Niina Haiminen, Laxmi Parida, Zachary Smith, James Ford, Margaret E. Staton, Stephen P. Ficklin, Barbara P. Blackmon, Chun-Huai Cheng, Raymond J. Schnell, David N. Kuhn, Juan-Carlos Motamayor

Publications

BAC-based physical maps provide for sequencing across an entire genome or a selected sub-genomic region of biological interest. Such a region can be approached with next-generation whole-genome sequencing and assembly as if it were an independent small genome. Using the minimum tiling path as a guide, specific BAC clones representing the prioritized genomic interval are selected, pooled, and used to prepare a sequencing library.

Loss Of Expression Of Neutrophil Proteinase-3: A Factor Contributing To Thrombotic Risk In Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Anna M. Jankowska, Hadrian Szpurka, Mark Calabro, Sanjay Mohan, Andrew E. Schade, Michael Clemente, Roy L. Silverstein, Jaroslaw P. Maciejewski

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: A deficiency of specific glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored proteins in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria may be responsible for most of the clinical features of this disease, but some functional consequences may be indirect. For example, the absence of certain glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored proteins in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria cells may influence expression of other membrane proteins. Membrane-bound proteinase 3 co-localizes with glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-linked neutrophil antigen 2a, which is absent in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Design and Methods: We compared expression of proteinase 3 and neutrophil antigen 2a by flow cytometry and western blotting in normal and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria cells and measured cytoplasmic …

Assessing Secondary And College Students’ Implicit Assumptions About The Particulate Nature Of Matter: Development And Validation Of The Structure And Motion Of Matter Survey, Marilyne Stains, Marta Escriu-Sune, Myrna Lisseth Molina Alvarez De Santizo, Hannah Sevian

Department of Chemistry: Faculty Publications

Development of learning progressions has been at the forefront of science education for several years. While understanding students’ conceptual development toward “big ideas” in science is extremely valuable for researchers, science teachers can also benefit from assessment tools that diagnose their students’ trajectories along the learning progressions. In this paper, we describe the development and validation of a teacher-friendly survey, the Structure and Motion of Matter (SAMM) survey, designed to measure students’ trajectories along aspects of a research-based learning progression on the particulate nature of matter. Specifically, the survey assesses students’ implicit assumptions about four concepts: the structure of solute …

An Intelligent Diagnostic System For Diabetes Using Rule Based Reasoning And Object-Oriented Methodology, Vimala Balakrishnan, Vithyatheri Govindan

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases with many short and long term complications. This paper presents an intelligent diagnostic system specifically developed for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, using rule-based reasoning and object-oriented methodology. The system accurately diagnoses Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes based on the sign-symptoms entered, and also provides an explanation to reasoning. We believe that great improvements can be provided to the medical practitioners and also the diabetics with the implementation of this system.

Cobweb Support By Instructional Leaders In The Implementation Of Etems Programme, S. Baba, M. Yusoff

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Malaysia has opted the use of English in schools, although limiting this to the subjects of English Teaching of Mathematics and Science (ETEMS) since 2003. To achieve this instruction in a second language, a wide range of supports are offered to teachers and learners, whose proficiency in English may be limited. These supports include materials, technology used in teaching and learning process, in-service training, support from internal especially English teachers and technology technical support, mentoring by senior teachers, English for Science and Technology as an examination subject, and the fostering of a positive attitude to both English and the Malay …

Gendering Dance, Gazing Music: Dance Movements, Healing Rituals And Music Making, M.A. Md Nor, H. Hussin

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Within the community of the nomadic 'sea gypsies' of the Sulu Sea, the Sarna Bajau or Bajau Laut of Malaysia and the Sarna Dilaut of the Southern Philippines share commonalities in the way dancers are gendered through the choices of musical tunes while partaking in the ritual healing ceremony of magpaibahau or magduwata (offering of newly harvested rice) and magpa-igal (for ancestors' spirit) or in the offering ceremony of pagkanduli (offerings for sea-spirits). Ritual healing ceremonies are signified with dancing (mag-igal) and playing of specific tunes (titik) by the kulintang music, which is often referred to as tagunggu " consisting …

Sociodemographic Characteristics, Clinicopathological Parameters And Survival Among Malaysians With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oscc), W.M.N. Ghani, R.B. Zain, N. Jalil, I.A. Razak, Raja Jallaludin Raja-Latifah, A.R. Samsuddin

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Introduction: Western researchers showed that oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients exhibit lower survival rate and poorer prognosis compared to other type of cancer where several clinicopathological parameters have been implicated in the survival of patients. This study aims to assess the association between sociodemographic and clinicopathological parameters with survival of OSCC patients. Method: Data were collected from 253 histologically diagnosed OSCC patients attending selected clinics nationwide. Survival was analyzed for relation with habits, site, disease stage and nodal involvement. Results: Mean age was 58.9 ± 12.6 years with 8.3% aged less than 40. Majority is females (61.1%) and of …

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine 2011, Summer (Volume 45 No. 2), Noel T. Manning Ii

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine

Gardner-Webb, The Magazine, previously titled The Webb Magazine, focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. Inside this issue there are several new stories such as how GWU is setting new standards, for God and Humanity. GWU also bids farewell to Dr. Tony Eastman and Trustee Frank Stewart and his family gave $2 million to go toward the Tucker Student Center. Lastly, a few alum shares stories about culture, history, and heritage of the Cherokee to further support the idea of diversity on campus and why that is so important.

Nanoencapsulated Drug-Carrying System For Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (Pact), Gopala Krishna Murthy Kalapala

All Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to develop nanoparticulate drug-carrying systems that are capable of directly delivering photodynamic antimicrobial agents to treat patients with chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are considered as a pandemic health problem. Approximately 1% to 2% of the population in developing countries has experienced a chronic wound during their lifetime. In the United State States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the expense of treating chronic wounds constitutes over half of the total cost for all skin diseases, which exceeds $10 billion annually. For the last decade extensive basic science and clinical research in chronic wounds …

Novel Ruthenium Complexes As Photodynamic Therapeutic Agents, Sareen Kumar Kushangari

All Capstone Projects

This project reviews the literature of novel ruthenium c complexes in photodynamic drug therapy. (Abstract by OPUS staff)

Using A Systemic Model Of Accident For Improving Innovative Technologies: Application And Limitations Of The Stamp Model To A Process For Treatment Of Contaminated Substances, Karim Hardy, Franck Guarnieri

Publications

This paper presents the STAMP accident model, based on systems theory, and describes its application in the context of risk prevention related to the remediation of contaminated materials. The implementation of the model is described, and results are presented both in methodological and technical terms.