Digital Commons Network^™

Activities Of Muscadine Grape Skin And Polyphenolic Constituents Against Helicobacter Pylori, Joseph Brown

All Dissertations

Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic, gram-negative bacterium and among the most persistent of all human pathogens. Its presence in the gastric environment is corre-lated with diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric carcinoma. Multiple factors are believed responsible for disease progression and outcome including infecting strain(s) genetic composition, age of acqui-sition, host immune response, environment, and diet. Due to the complexity of H. pylori infection, all possible host-pathogen interactions should be considered. One important factor frequently underplayed is host dietary habits which may serve a more important role during and immediately following infection with H. …

Eastern Temperate Forests, Frank S. Gilliam, Christine L. Goodale, Linda H. Pardo, Linda H. Geiser, Erik A. Lilleskov

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Human activity in the last century has led to a substantial increase in nitrogen (N) emissions and deposition. This N deposition has reached a level that has caused or is likely to cause alterations to the structure and function of many ecosystems across the United States. One approach for quantifying the level of pollution that would be harmful to ecosystems is the critical loads approach. The critical load is dei ned as the level of a pollutant below which no detrimental ecological effect occurs over the long term according to present knowledge.

The objective of this project was to synthesize …

Molecular Recognition Of Amino Acids, Peptides, And Proteins By Cucurbit[N]Uril Receptors, Adam R. Urbach, Vijayakumar Ramalingam

Chemistry Faculty Research

At the forefront of the endeavor to understand and manipulate living systems is the design and study of receptors that bind with high affinity and selectivity to specific amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Cucurbit[n]urils are among the most promising class of synthetic receptors for these targets due to their high affinities and selectivities in aqueous media and to the unique combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions that govern binding. The fundamental supramolecular chemistry in this area has been explored in depth, and novel, useful applications are beginning to emerge.

Bodies Of Flesh, Bodies Of Knowledge: Representations Of Female Genital Cutting And Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery, Maureen Whitcomb

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

This paper will examine popular feminist and mainstream representations of female genital cutting (FGC) and female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) and its influence on the creation of effective cross-cultural dialogue and engagement in a deeper understanding of cultural practices. I suggest that these current depictions of FGC and FGCS highlight cultural differences and overlook similarities that exist between the two practices. I further posit that the inability to recognize similarities that exist between FGC and FGCS does not allow for an examination of power structures in regards to who has the power to define these cultural practices as they exist …

May 2011 Commencement Program, Bowling Green State University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

The Inevitable Trend Toward Universally Recognizable Signals Of Property Claims: An Essay For Carol Rose, Robert C. Ellickson

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

Presented at the 2010 Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference.

The Role Of Facial Appearance In Gender Categorization, Joshua J. Simpkins

HIM 1990-2015

Of the many systems of social organization which members of US society use to categorize other members, gender is one of the most important. The gender system operates to place members of US society into categories, and then allocate labor and resources to those members on the basis of their category membership. In order to better understand the gender system, this study examines the methods by which members of US society use the gender system to place other members into a gender category. First, full facial photographs were taken of a group of participants of varying gender, race, ethnicity, and …

Calcium Provision In A Placentotrophic Lizard: Structural Differentiation Reflects Functional Specialization., Haley K. Stinnett

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Viviparity (live birth) and placentation have evolved in more than 100 lineages of squamate reptiles. However, highly placentotrophic species in which embryos receive the majority of nutrients for development via maternal transport across a placenta are rare. Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is a viviparous Australian scincid lizard with extensive placental transfer of nutrients. For example, 90% of neonate calcium is received via placental transfer. This species has a regionally differentiated chorioallantoic placenta distinguished by an elliptical-shaped region, the placentome. The placentome is characterized by hypertrophied uterine and embryonic epithelial cells supported by dense vascular networks. The remainder of the chorioallantoic placenta is …

The Third Sector: A Cluster Approach, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Theoretical cluster analysis is used to sort out and organize the complex relations involved in empirically defining a sector. Cluster analysis is a quantitative technique to identify clusters of similar traits of empirical observations or cases. It is similar to factor analysis, except that the latter is ordinarily more concerned with identifying groups of related variables. The term Theoretical Cluster Analysis denotes a set of logical operations and arguments used to link the existing literature to questionnaire and scale items.

We begin by postulating a cluster of four sectors and four intersectors that together define the full extent of what …

Clean Energy Water Disinfection International Environmental Education Design Contest, Howard Heffington

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many technologies are used for water disinfection. Chlorine, iodine, and ozone are some chemical methods of water disinfection. Filtration, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, is used to remove bacteria. In addition to chemical and filtration technologies, one can disinfect water using UV irradiation, ultrasonic treatment, electrolysis, solar disinfection, and slow sand filtration.
Currently, there are few solutions being employed in third world settings for communities. The current solutions are either for one household or are part of an existing infrastructure and therefore are not portable. Slow sand filtration is used successfully to provide potable water for individual households. Tablet …

Water Purification For Rural Communities Using Ultraviolet Light And Bleach Systems, Ryan Lee

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many technologies are used for water disinfection. Chlorine, iodine, and ozone are some chemical methods of water disinfection. Filtration, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, is used to remove bacteria. In addition to chemical and filtration technologies, one can disinfect water using UV irradiation, ultrasonic treatment, electrolysis, solar disinfection, and slow sand filtration.
Currently, there are few solutions being employed in third world settings for communities. The current solutions are either for one household or are part of an existing infrastructure and therefore are not portable. Slow sand filtration is used successfully to provide potable water for individual households. Tablet …

Innovation And Development Of Biofuel Technologies, Nicole Lorenz

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The need for viable alternatives to gasoline has lead researchers to explore various options for renewable energy resources. This research study focuses on two major options for renewable energy. The first is biodiesel, which is a fuel that can be made from vegetable oils or animal fats. In this study, biodiesel was made from tall oil, a paper byproduct. A novel reaction method was used, employing high temperature methanol rather than acid or base catalysis. The second option that was investigated is butanol, which is an alcohol with advantages over ethanol. First, a two-step fermentation was examined to improve the …

Non-Natural Protein Mimetics For The Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease, Jennifer Herrera, Amanada Compean, Jasmine Brown, Melissa Moss, Shannon Servoss

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slow degenerative disease that causes memory loss and eventually leads to death. AD is caused by the aggregation of the amyloid-beta protein, found on the outside of brain cells; once the amyloid-beta protein begins to aggregate it forms plaques on the extracellular part of the neural cells. To date there is no AD medication commercially available that breaks up the amyloid-beta aggregates. Current research has found that certain molecules bind to the amyloid-beta protein and prevent aggregation. The purpose of this research project is to engineer a peptoid-based molecule to stop the aggregation of the …

Biokinetic Mechanisms Linked With Musculoskeletal Health Disparities: Stochastic Models Applying Tikhonov's Theorem To Biomolecule Homeostasis., Asit K. Saha, Yu Liang, Sean S. Kohles

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Multiscale technology and advanced mathematical models have been developed to control and characterize physicochemical interactions, respectively, enhancing cellular and molecular engineering progress. Ongoing tissue engineering development studies have provided experimental input for biokinetic models examining the influence of static or dynamic mechanical stimuli (Saha, A. K., and Kohles, S. S., 2010, “A Distinct Catabolic to Anabolic Threshold Due to Single-Cell Nanomechanical Stimulation in a Cartilage Biokinetics Model,” J. Nanotechnol. Eng. Med., 1(3) p. 031005; 2010, “Periodic Nanomechanical Stimulation in a Biokinetics Model Identifying Anabolic and Catabolic Pathways Associated With Cartilage Matrix Homeostasis,” J. Nanotechnol. Eng. Med., 1(4), p. 041001). In …

Mixed Methods Research Of Adult Family Care Home Residents And Informal Caregivers, Guy C. Jeanty, James Hibel

The Qualitative Report

This article describes a mixed methods approach used to explore the experiences of adult family care home (AFCH) residents and informal caregivers (IC). A rationale is presented for using a mixed methods approach employing the sequential exploratory design with this poorly researched population. The unique challenges attendant to the sampling strategy with this population, and an iterative approach of data collection and data analysis are discussed. A summary of the data integration process and outcome is presented.

Compatibility Between Text Mining And Qualitative Research In The Perspectives Of Grounded Theory, Content Analysis, And Reliability, Chong Ho Yu, Angel Jannasch-Pennell, Samuel Digangi

The Qualitative Report

The objective of this article is to illustrate that text mining and qualitative research are epistemologically compatible. First, like many qualitative research approaches, such as grounded theory, text mining encourages open-mindedness and discourages preconceptions. Contrary to the popular belief that text mining is a linear and fully automated procedure, the text miner might add, delete, and revise the initial categories in an iterative fashion. Second, text mining is similar to content analysis, which also aims to extract common themes and threads by counting words. Although both of them utilize computer algorithms, text mining is characterized by its capability of processing …

Dietary And Behavioral Strategies Of Neandertals And Anatomically Modern Humans: Evidence From Anterior Dental Microwear Texture Analysis, Kristin Lynn Krueger

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The extreme gross wear of Neandertal anterior teeth has been a topic of debate for decades. Several ideas have been proposed, including the excessive mastication of grit-laden foods and non-dietary anterior tooth use, or using the anterior dentition as a clamp or tool. This second idea has been the most examined, and was taken from analogy of Arctic populations who used their anterior dentition in this manner. However, combining wear variables and examining them in relation to important factors, such as climate, location, and time, has been challenging to incorporate into interpretive models. The present study seeks to better understand …

Stealth Carbon Nanotubes: Strategies To Coat Carbon Nanotubes To Prevent Opsonization And Improve Biodistribution, Nalinikanth Kotagiri

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have recently been in the limelight for its potential role in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Even before these medical applications can be realized, there is a need to address issues like opsonization, phagocytosis by macrophages and sequestration to liver and spleen for eventual elimination from the body. We believe coating CNT with biocompatible and opsonin resistant moieties will not only help CNT in traversing the blood stream to reach the target organ, but also improve biodistribution tremendously. We set out to achieve this by firstly identifying a new compound, mAmp, which is a fluorescent derivative of the …

Juridical Personality And Intimacy , Michael Mcauley

Journal of Civil Law Studies

No abstract provided.

Ontology For Psychophysiological Dysregulation Of Anger/Aggression, Swathi Vasanthapuram

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The advancement of Information Technology in the last four decades led to the use of computers in medicine. A new area called Medical Informatics has emerged. This area comprises the application of IT to healthcare with the aim of creating tools that help healthcare personnel diagnose and treat patients more accurately and efficiently. IT not only provides tools for storing, integrating, and updating patient information base but also for processing information efficiently. One of such tools is a Clinical Decision Support System. Ontologies are an integral part of clinical decision support systems because they help formalize and integrate domain knowledge. …

Potassium Ion Fluxes In Corneal Epithelial Cells Exposed To Uvb, John L. Ubels, Rachel E. Van Dyken, Julienne R. Louters, Mark P. Schotanus

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The goal of this study was to investigate the efflux of K+ from human corneal limbal epithelial cells (HCLE) exposed to ambient levels of UVB, which is known to cause apoptosis, and to examine the effect of K+ channel blockers on loss of potassium induced by UVB. HCLE cells were exposed to 100-200 mJ/cm2 UVB, followed by incubation in culture media with 5.5-100 mM K+, BDS-1, Ba2+ or ouabain. To measure intracellular cations, cells were washed in 280 mM sucrose and lysed in DI water. K+ and Na+ levels in lysates were measured by ion chromatography. HCLE cells showed maximal …

Hand Preference For Coordinated Bimanual Actions In 777 Great Apes: Implications For The Evolution Of Handedness In Hominins, William D. Hopkins, Kimberley A. Phillips, A. Bania, S. E. Calcutt, M. Gardner, J. Russell, J. Schaeffer, E. V. Lonsdorf, S. R. Ross, S. J. Schapiro

Psychology Faculty Research

Whether or not nonhuman primates exhibit population-level handedness remains a topic of considerable scientific debate. Here, we examined handedness for coordinated bimanual actions in a sample of 777 great apes including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans. We found population-level right-handedness in chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas, but left-handedness in orangutans. Directional biases in handedness were consistent across independent samples of apes within each genus. We suggest that, contrary to previous claims, population-level handedness is evident in great apes but differs among species as a result of ecological adaptations associated with posture and locomotion. We further suggest that historical views of nonhuman …

The Impact Of Teacher Attitudes On Technology Use During Instruction, Michael David Dartt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This collective, instrumental case study measured the impact of attitudes on the amount of time technology was used by three Algebra 2 teachers. The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) served as the theoretical framework. Data was collected through pre-observational surveys, classroom observations, and stimulated recall interviews. When common attitudes were discovered in participants, the amount of time that they used technology differed. Regarding the impact of attitudes on the amount of time spent using technology, results were mixed. In some instances attitudes had a profound influence, but in other circumstances they had none. There were cases where obstacles prevented …

Effect Of Heavy Metals Found In Flue Gas On Growth And Lipid Accumulation For Green Algae Scenedesmus Obliquus, Reece Butler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent years there has been a growing interest within the United States to replace fossil fuels with biofuels for environmental and national security reasons. Algal feedstocks have the potential of producing significantly higher yields of oil for biofuels than any other source. It is well known that high concentrations of CO₂ can increase algal yields. Flue gas from coal fire power plants is an obvious source of CO₂. The flue gas, however, will contain other chemicals besides CO₂ that may not be beneficial to the algae. The research objectives for this study were to determine …

Graph Kernels And Applications In Bioinformatics, Marco Alvarez Vega

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nowadays, machine learning techniques are widely used for extracting knowledge from data in a large number of bioinformatics problems. It turns out that in many of such problems, data observations can be naturally represented by discrete structures such as graphs, networks, trees, or sequences. For example, a protein can be seen as a cloud of interconnected atoms lying on a 3-dimensional space. The focus of this dissertation is on the development and application of machine learning techniques to bioinformatics problems wherein the data can be represented by graphs. In particular, we focus our attention on proteins, which are essential elements …

Evaluating Fertilizer Rate, Crop Rotation And Trap Crops For Effects On Onion Growth And Yield, Soil Health, Thrips Densities And Iris Yellow Spot Virus Incidence, Kristine R. Buckland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Onion production in the United States is seriously affected by the tospovirus Iris Yellow Spot (IYSV), whose symptoms include lenticular-shaped lesions that reduce photosynthesis and bulb yield. Thrips tabacai Lindeman, onion thrips (OT), is the only known vector of the disease and a primary arthropod pest of onion. Frequent insecticide applications, increasing resistance in OT populations to insecticides, high nitrogen (N) fertilization rates and loss of yield to disease and insect pressure threaten sustainable onion production. The objectives of this study were to identify crop management strategies to enhance onion productivity while suppressing OT and IYSV. Three fertilizer rates and …

What Classroom Observations Reveal About Primary Grade Reading Comprehension Instruction Within High Poverty Schools Participating In The Federal Reading First Initiative, Rebecca S. Donaldson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reading comprehension is one of the most critical academic skills to be acquired in school; therefore, the comprehension instruction provided by teachers is of utmost importance. This study examined 3 years of classroom observation data to describe the comprehension instruction provided by kindergarten through third-grade teachers who were participating in the federal Reading First reading reform initiative within 22 high-poverty Title I schools located in rural, suburban, and urban school districts in one western state. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used to analyze data collected during 325 three-hour observations of classroom literacy instruction to identify both the quantity and …

Algal Biofilm Production And Harvesting System For Wastewater Treatment With Biofuels By-Products, Logan Christenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in discharged wastewaters can lead to downstream eutrophication, ecosystem damage, and impaired water quality that may affect human health. Chemical-based and physical-based technologies are available to remove these nutrients; however, they often consume significant amounts of energy and chemicals, greatly increasing treatment costs. Algae are capable of removing these pollutants through biomass assimilation, and if harvested, can be utilized as a feedstock for biomethane or biodiesel production. Currently, difficulties in harvesting, concentrating, and dewatering algae have limited the development of an economically feasible treatment and production process. When algae are grown as surface-attached biofilms, the biomass …

Sexual And Religious Identity Development Among Adolescent And Emerging Adult Sexual Minorities, Angie L. Dahl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As the majority of Americans identify with a religious affiliation, the religious context is an important backdrop upon which identity development occurs. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youths, the process of development may be complicated in a religious context due to denominational positions on same-sex sexuality. While recent researchers highlighted the importance of contextual influences on LGBTQA developmental processes, few studies have examined LGBTQA sexual and religious identity development. The goal of the current study was to gain a better understanding and appreciation of LGBTQA adolescent and young adult experiences of religious and sexual identity …

Ligand And Metal Effects On The Co-Release Reactivity Of Metal Acireductone And Flavonolate Complexes, Katarzyna Grubel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The research reported herein involves synthetic metal complexes of relevance to dioxygenase enzymes (Ni(II)-containing acireductone dioxygenase (Ni(II)-ARD) and quercentinase (2,4-flavonol dioxygenase) that promote oxidative carbon-carbon bond cleavage and CO release. The experiments focus on the elucidation of structure-reactivity relationships and evaluation of the conditions under which CO is generated.

It had been proposed that hydrogen bond donors in the secondary environment of the active site metal center in Ni(II)-ARD influence the coordination of the acireductone substrate on the nickel center. To evaluate this proposal, we investigated the Ni(II) coordination chemistry of an acireductone-type enolate anion using a supporting chelate ligand …