Digital Commons Network^™

Readers Matter: The Development Of An Individualized Professional Development Model, Daniel Jacob Super

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An alarming trend of student non-compliance with reading assignments in secondary and post-secondary environments is causing concern in many areas, including college readiness. Public school teachers and university faculty alike are responsible for the literacy levels of graduating students; however, many educators are not implementing the adequate literacy supports within their content area courses. This project used current research on best practice in literacy instruction, as well as the Characteristics of Highly Effective Teaching and Learning to create the Readers Matter™ evaluative process in which faculty members self-select to be assessed regarding the current levels of student literacy support. After …

National Park Service Cave And Karst Resources Management Case Study: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Daniel C. Nolfi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As discussed in the National Parks Service’s (NPS) Directors Orders/Natural Resources Management Reference Manual #77 and the 2006 NPS Management Policy Handbook, implementing a management plan specifically for cave and karst resources within a national park is paramount to afford these resources appropriate protection. With support from the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act and the National Park Service Organic Act of 1906, management actions protecting caves has begun to place significant importance outside the traditional cave environment onto a broader karst landscape. The need to understand and protect the karst environment and caves as a karst resource has taken a …

Determining The Lon-Exchange Mechanism Of Strontium Into A Niobium Doped Titanosilicate, Samantha Jane Kramer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A 25% niobium substituted sitinakite was exchanged with strontium as time resolved X-ray diffraction data was collected. The structural modeling of this data by Rietveld method1 has lead to the determination of the atomic positions of the ions and unit cell parameters as strontium occupancy increases.

The starting material of the exchange experiment is the protonated phase, H2Nb0.67Ti1.33SiO7·1.9 H2O, with space group P42/mcm2,3. Once strontium (Sr2+) enters the unit cell, extra-framework H2O molecules shift to provide the necessary hydration coordination. These new positions of H2O result in a lowering of symmetry to the P-42m space group, and it is thought …

Generation Of Transgenic Medicago Sativa Overexpressing "Osmotin-Chitinase" Gene Chimera, Jahnavi Reddy Kancharla

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Medicago is widely used as a forage crop. It is often susceptible to various pathogenic infections and exhibits low growth in drought and extreme climatic conditions. In the current study, a strategy was developed for over-expressing an “Osmotin-Chitinase” gene chimera in transgenic Medicago that could potentially confer resistance to different biotic and abiotic stresses. Seed germination of several cultivars of Medicago (M. sativa ssp. sativa, M. sativa ssp. falcata, M. sativa ssp. caerulea, M. truncatula, and M. Rugosa) was tested to determine the cultivars with good germination rates. Among these, M. sativa ssp. sativa showed an …

An Analysis Of Peer Leadership Competencies And Skills, John P. Baker

Dissertations

A significant leadership challenge exists while leading others without legitimate or formal authority. Leading without legitimate authority may require different and limited leadership skills and competencies, especially when leading peers. This quantitative study analyzed the leader competencies and skills needed for effective peer leadership.
A literature review identified four competencies cited frequently as important: (a) communication; (b) support; (c) mental/hard work ethic; and (d) reflection/feedback. Analysis of an ROTC leadership assessment database provided convergent validity for the literature review while adding one additional competency, physical. The lack of existing instruments measuring peer leadership competencies and skills necessitated the development of …

Kentucky Warbler (Vol. 87, No. 2), Kentucky Library Research Collections

The Kentucky Warbler

No abstract provided.

Drosophila Model For Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders: Role For The Insulin Pathway, Rachael L. French, K D. Mcclure, U Heberlein

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

Prenatal exposure to ethanol in humans results in a wide range of developmental abnormalities, including growth deficiency, developmental delay, reduced brain size, permanent neurobehavioral abnormalities and fetal death. Here we describe the use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model for exploring the effects of ethanol exposure on development and behavior. We show that developmental ethanol exposure causes reduced viability, developmental delay and reduced adult body size. We find that flies reared on ethanol-containing food have smaller brains and imaginal discs, which is due to reduced cell division rather than increased apoptosis. Additionally, we show that, as in mammals, flies reared …

Time-Dependent Effects Of Stress On Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference Using A Rat Model Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lily K. Helpenstell

Senior Theses

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the entire population within their lifetimes. A startling trend of co-occurring PTSD and cocaine use has surfaced among humans who express these disorders. The present study employed the rat model of PTSD, Single Prolonged Stress, to examine the effects of stress on the rewarding properties of cocaine. Place conditioning was used to specifically evaluate differences between animals that had undergone a post-stress delay of conditioning in comparison to animals that were not delayed. This delay before conditioning, or incubation period, is a time spent undisturbed in the home cage for 10-days post-stress …

Novel Model For Multispecies Biofilms That Uses Rigid Gas-Permeable Lenses, Rebecca Peyyala, Sreenatha S. Kirakodu, Jeffrey L. Ebersole, Karen F. Novak

Center for Oral Health Research Faculty Publications

Oral biofilms comprise complex multispecies consortia aided by specific inter- and intraspecies interactions occurring among commensals and pathogenic bacterial species. Oral biofilms are primary initiating factors of periodontal disease, although complex multifactorial biological influences, including host cell responses, contribute to the individual outcome of the disease. To provide a system to study initial stages of interaction between oral biofilms and the host cells that contribute to the disease process, we developed a novel in vitro model system to grow biofilms on rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPLs), which enable oxygen to permeate through the lens material. Bacterial species belonging to early- …

Prism #55, May 2011, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

The Long Haul

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

In Tanzania, Humane Society International works with local animal welfarists to improve the treatment of working donkeys

Xy Needs In Education, Jennifer Neidlinger

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

This project examined the unique needs of boys in education. Biologically and physically, male students’ developmental needs differ from their female counterparts. As a result, their educational needs are typically underserved and misunderstood in the standard co-educational classroom. This misunderstanding has led to a gap in educational achievement with girls outperforming boys throughout their school careers, from kindergarten through college. The purpose of this study is to establish the validity of boys’ differential needs. Five elementary school teachers, awarded their teaching credential within the past six years and within their first six years of teaching, were recruited to participate in …

Using Portfolio Theory To Assess Tradeoffs Between Return From Natural Capital And Social Equity Across Space, Benjamin S. Halpern, Crow White, Sarah E. Lester, Christopher Costello, Steven D. Gaines

Biological Sciences

Spatial variance in returns from natural resources, driven by resource dynamics and regulations, can have strong consequences for equitable delivery of value to individuals and communities. Yet resource management models implicitly weight returns equally across space, even when space is explicitly included in model dynamics and policy. Here we translate financial portfolio theory from the temporal to spatial realm and use it to quantify the inherent tradeoff between resource returns and social equity, defined as a more uniform distribution of resource value across space. We illustrate this approach with a marine case study of the Channel Islands, California, USA. Depending …

Distinct Microbiome In Pouchitis Compared To Healthy Pouches In Ulcerative Colitis And Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Garrett C. Zella, Elizabeth J. Hait, Tiffany Glavan, Dirk Gevers, Doyle V. Ward, Christopher L. Kitts, Joshua R. Korzenik

Biological Sciences

Background: Pouchitis occurs in up to 50% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Pouchitis rarely occurs in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who undergo IPAA. Our aim was to compare mucosal and luminal flora in patients with UC-associated pouchitis (UCP), healthy UC pouches (HUC), and healthy FAP pouches (FAP).

Methods: Nineteen patients were enrolled in thi s cross-sectional study (nine UCP, tl1ree HUC, seven FAP). Patie nts with active pouchitis were identified using the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). Ileal pouch mucosal biopsies and fecal samples were analyzed with a 16S rDNA-based terminal …

Preparing Horses For Transit And Competition, Rebecca Bott

SDSU Extension Extra Archives

When it comes to transportating your horses, preparedness is essential for the safety and health of both you and your horses.

Neuronostatin Acts In Brain To Biphasically Increase Mean Arterial Pressure Through Sympatho-Activation Followed By Vasopressin Secretion: The Role Of Melanocortin Receptors, Gina L.C. Yosten, Alicia T. Pate, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuronostatin is a recently described neuropeptide that is derived from the somatostatin preprohormone. We have shown previously that neuronostatin led to a biphasic, dose-related increase in mean arterial pressure when injected into the lateral cerebroventricle of adult, male rats. Because neuronostatin depolarized both magnocellular and parvocellular, paraventricular nucleus neurons in hypothalamic slice preparations, we hypothesized that neuronostatin elevated mean arterial pressure first by stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity followed by the release of a pressor hormone, specifically vasopressin. We found that the first phase of neuronostatin-induced increase in mean arterial pressure was reversed by pretreatment with phentolamine, indicating that phase …

Huntsman Alumni Magazine, Spring 2011, Usu Jon M. Huntsman School Of Business

Huntsman Business Magazine

Alumni magazine for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.

The Merit Of Merit Pay, Melissa May Pemberton Albright

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of Missouri educators and state education leaders toward merit pay. In addition, a secondary purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of educators on the impact of merit pay on recruiting and retaining highly-qualified teachers. Due to the current economic situation, districts are looking at ways to compensate teachers while recruiting and retaining highly-qualified teachers. Districts must continue to meet federal and state mandates to increase student achievement, and researchers have identified teacher quality as one such influence. Therefore, many believe the traditional salary schedule, which has been …

Role Of The Mar-Sox-Rob Regulon In Regulating Outer Membrane Porin Expression, Lon Chubiz, Christopher Rao

Biology Department Faculty Works

Multiple factors control the expression of the outer membrane porins OmpF and OmpC in Escherichia coli. In this work, we investigated the role of the mar-sox-rob regulon in regulating outer membrane porin expression in response to salicylate. We provide both genetic and physiological evidence that MarA and Rob can independently activate micF transcription in response to salicylate, leading to reduced OmpF expression. MarA was also found to repress OmpF expression through a MicF-independent pathway. In the case of OmpC, we found that its transcription was moderately increased in response to salicylate. However, this increase was independent of MarA and Rob. …

Functional Analysis Of Cdc7 Kinase Activity Reveals Multiple Roles In Budding Yeast Meiosis, Hsiao-Chi Lo

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Cdc7, a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase, is essential for DNA replication in mitotically dividing cells. Previous work using temperature-sensitive mutants of CDC7 demonstrated a requirement for this kinase in meiotic recombination and progression, but the mechanisms by which Cdc7 promotes these processes were unknown. Using a chemical genetic approach, my work demonstrated that Cdc7 kinase activity allows entry into the meiotic divisions by enabling expression of NDT80. NDT80 is a meiosis-specific transcriptional activator required for expression of middle sporulation genes involved in exit from pachytene, meiotic progression and spore formation. In addition, this work revealed a previously unknown role for …

Basal Mesoeucrocodylian Morphology And Phylogenetic Systematics, Joseph John-Warren Sertich

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The Mesozoic was a time period of major biologic and geologic change in Earth's history, culminating in the breakup of the southern supercontinent Gondwana during the Cretaceous. Vertebrate fossils recovered from this interval have generated dramatic insights into the biogeographic and plate tectonic history of Gondwana, instigating competing hypotheses regarding the early pattern and sequence of the breakup of the southern landmasses and the biogeographic processes that shaped them. Among the most abundant, best preserved, and most complete remains yet recovered from the supercontinent are crocodyliforms, a clade that includes the extinct ancestors of today's crocodiles. Basal mesoeucrocodyilans represent a …

Coupling Ligand Binding To Ion Channel Gating In Nmda Receptors, Iehab Talukder

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The NMDA receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel that mediates a fundamental component of excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Aberrant NMDA receptor function causes and/or exacerbates multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders, thus creating the need for pharmacological modulation of its activity. The defining feature of ligand- gated ion channels is gating--the energetic coupling of ligand binding into opening of the associated ion channel pore. In an NMDA receptor subunit, gating is initiated in the extracellular ligand-binding domain (LBD) and is propagated via three linkers--S1-M1, M3-S2, and S2- M4--to the transmembrane domain (TMD) forming the ion channel. …

First Principle Study Of Water: From Fundamental Properties To Photocatalytic Reaction, Jue Wang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of liquid water, based on density functional theory (DFT), yield structural and diffusive properties in reasonable agreement with experiment when artificially high temperatures are used in the simulations for gradient-corrected (GGA) functionals, with NVT ensemble. A series of simulations with GGA functionals is performed and underestimation of equilibrium density, at ambient conditions, is found. Electronic density of water molecules with several GGA functionals is examined and used to explain structural and dynamical property differences. Dispersive non-local electron-electron correlations are studied with a van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF) of Dion et al. When a …

Migration Of Powers, David Weiner

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

This thesis is an exploration of my artwork throughout graduate school. It addresses my transformation from a formalist sculptor making objects, to an adventure artist creating mixed media installations. My thesis exhibition presented a multi-channel video and sculptural installation, examining energy exchange, scale and heroics. The paper investigates scientific, personal and theoretical concerns of my event-based creative practice including movement, physical forces, risk, faith, and endurance.

Plasmin-Mediated Cleavage Of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (Mcp1) Affects Its Biological Activities, Yao Yao

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) is a potent chemokine for monocytes and microglia. Previous studies in our lab showed that plasmin cleaved mouse MCP1 at lysine (K) 104 and the truncated MCP1 (N terminal fragment 1-104) had a higher chemotactic potency. Here we reported the mechanisms underlying the enhanced activity. Plasmin-mediated truncation of mouse MCP1 increased MCP1-CCR2 interaction, promoted Rac1 activation and lamellipodia formation on microglia. Besides chemotactic activity, MCP1 also functions to disrupt the integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). We also showed here that plasmin-mediated truncation of MCP1 is indispensable for its BBB-compromising activity. Binding of MCP1 to CCR2 …

Fault Detection And Diagnosis For Multi-Actuator Pneumatic Systems, Kunbo Zhang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

In pneumatic actuating systems, various kinds of faults are key factors in degrading system performance and increasing air consumption. It is therefore valuable to monitor pneumatic systems and implement predictive maintenance based on detection and diagnosis of fault conditions. This research investigates effects of leakages on a PLC control industrial multi-actuator (9 cylinders) pneumatic system. Leakages at 8 different levels and 9 different places are introduced in experimental tests. The dynamic models of actuators and control valves in pneumatic systems are discussed and extracted as system performance features in a quantitative study of leakage fault. Due to nonlinear properties of …

Bioavailability Of Arsenic, Cadmium And Chromium For The Deposit-Feeding Polychaete Nereis Succinea, Zofia Aleksandra Baumann

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

My dissertation addressed the issue of metal bioaccumulation in marine deposit-feeding polychaetes that may serve as a conduit for metals between sediments and benthic predators. The ubiquitous polychaete Nereis succinea was used as a model species to study bioaccumulation patterns and processes of arsenic (V), cadmium and chromium (III). Sediments used in my study were collected from three different sites - two in Chesapeake Bay and one in San Francisco Bay. Specific objectives were to understand the relative significance of metal uptake route (water vs. diet) contributing to the total metal body burden accumulated by the worm, and secondly to …

Viscous Core-Annular Flow In Microfluidic Chambers And Ultrafast Laser Microfabrication, Samira Darvishi

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Microfluidic devices were utilized to study the behavior of highly viscous liquids surrounded by less viscous ones. This study mainly focuses on the lubrication transition of viscous threads flowing in sheaths of less viscous fluids, i.e. | viscous core-annular flows. Miscible and immiscible fluid pairs with various viscosities, were tested in microchambers. A variety of flow patterns resulting from the viscous folding and capillary instabilities were observed and the relationships between flow morphologies and system parameters, including fluid viscosities, interfacial properties, flow rates of injection, and micro-cell geometry were examined. In addition, in order to fabricate microchannels more efficiently, a …

Nanostructured Hydrogel Implants For Post Lumpectomy Patients, Mahati Elluru

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Breast cancer patients encounter several complications while undergoing the lumpectomy procedure. Modified Pluronics possessing the ability to crosslink can function as implants for post lumpectomy patients. In this project, the tri-block copolymer, Pluronic F127, a member of the Pluronics copolymers, has been chemically modified by introducing vinyl groups at the terminal ends of the polymer chain. The modified copolymer is cross-linkable by UV irradiation and forms a soft, tough gel with mechanical properties comparable to native human breast tissue. The polymer can be engineered to replicate the physical and mechanical properties of the human breast tissue. This can be done …

Evaluation Of Synthetically And Naturally Derived Polymers For Drug Delivery And Adhesion Reduction Applications, Christine Angelica Falabella

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Polymeric materials have a wide application of use in biomedical applications. The evaluations of several polymers (synthetically and naturally derived) are presented in this dissertation as drug/protein delivery vehicles and solid adhesion barriers. A blended polymer matrix consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-chitosan (PEG-g-CHN) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used to produce microspheres for therapeutic protein delivery. The release kinetics of a model protein was also investigated as PEG-g-CHN content was varied. A hamster cheek pouch microvascular model was utilized to evaluate the inflammatory potential of both the PEG-g-CHN/PLGA microspheres and released basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). We found the protein release …