Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Towards Development Of An Automated Haptic User Interface (Ahui) For Individuals Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired, Ravi Rastogi

Theses and Dissertations

An increasing amount of information content used in schools, work and everyday living is being presented in graphical form, creating accessibility challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially in dynamic environments, such as over the internet. Refreshable haptic displays that can interact with computers can be used to access such information tactually. Main focus of this study was the development of specialized computer applications allowing users to actively compensate for the inherent issues of haptics when exploring visual diagrams as compared to vision, which we hypothesized, would improve the usability of such devices. An intuitive zooming algorithm …

Automation Of Landmark Selection For Rodent Brain Mri-Histology Registration Using Thin-Plate Splines, Ayan Sengupta

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Image registration is the process of aligning two different images of the same object taken at different times, at different orientations or using different instruments. This is common in medical applications since multiple modalities are used to image different parts of the body. This is an important early step in many diagnostic procedures such as change detection, monitoring tumor or quantifying spread of a disease. The widely used landmark based registration approach is tedious, time consuming, inconsistent and error prone. Furthermore, the standard schemes based on rigid and affine transformation can only describe global geometric differences between the objects of …

Mass Spectroscopic Identification And Quantification Of Protein Carbonyls, Zafer Ugur

Theses and Dissertations

It is well established that free radical mediated oxidative stress plays a critical role in aging and age-related diseases. Among the post-translational protein modifications, carbonylation has attracted a great deal of attention due to its irreversible and irreparable nature. Despite the fact that protein carbonylation is associated with a series of physiological and pathological processes, there are still issues to be clarified such as why certain proteins are more vulnerable to modification, what are the locations of the protein modifications, and how does the nature of the oxidant affect the preferred site of modification. In this study, we will seek …

Translocation Mortality And Local, Regional, And Continental Diet Of The Northern River Otter (Lontra Canadensis), Casey Craig Day

Theses and Dissertations

The northern river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic carnivore whose range extends throughout most of the United States and Canada. The northern river otter experienced a severe range contraction post-European settlement, but due to widespread management has in recent decades begun to recover much of its former range and habitat. We translocated 27 river otters from Utah and Idaho to the Provo River, Utah from November 2009 through January 2012 in a reintroduction effort to restore the northern river otter to its native range. Of these 27 otters, 6 died as a result of effects related to the translocation. …

The Hidden Limits Of The Charitable Deduction: An Introduction To Hypersalience, Lilian Faulhaber

Faculty Scholarship

Behavioral economics introduced the concept of salience to law and economics. In the area of tax policy, salience refers to the prominence of taxes in the minds of taxpayers. This article complicates the literature on salience and taxation by introducing the concept of “hypersalience,” which is in many ways the mirror image of hidden taxation. While a revenue-raising tax provision must be hidden for taxpayers to underestimate their tax bill, a revenue-reducing tax provision – such as a deduction, exclusion, or credit – must be more than fully salient for taxpayers to underestimate their tax bill. In other words, the …

World Trade Center Health Effects, Erin Neill

Theses

The author worked with the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program to create part of a public health education campaign to advertise the existence of the program and to explain World Trade Center health effects. World Trade Center Dust contained particles of many sizes, and it caused irritation to the body's tissues resulting in aerodigestive disorders like World Trade Center Cough, Sinusitis, Bronchitis, Rhinitis and Tracheo-Laryngitis. At the completion of this project, 2 posters, 1 brochure, 4 fact sheets and an interactive web site were created. One of the posters designed was used to promote program awareness amongst …

Book Reviews, Criticism Editors

Criticism

Michel Foucault and the Subversion of Intellect (Karlis Racevskis) (Reviewed by Michael Sprinker, SUNY--Stony Brook)

Michel Foucault: Social Theory as Transgression (Charles C. Lemert) (Reviewed by Michael Sprinker, SUNY--Stony Brook)

Michel Foucault: Beyond Structuralism and Hermeneutics (Hubert L. Dreyfus and Paul Rabinow) (Reviewed by Michael Sprinker, SUNY--Stony Brook)

Jane Austen: New Perspectives (Janet Todd) (Reviewed by Julia L. Epstein, Drexel University)

Bread and Circuses: Theories of Mass Culture as Social Decay (Patrick Brantlinger) (Reviewed by Martha Vicinus, University of Michigan)

The Land Before Her: Fantasy and Experience of the American Frontiers, 1630-1860 (Annette Kolodny) (Reviewed by Mitchell Breitwieser, The University …

Book Reviews, Criticism Editors

Criticism

Powers of Horror. An Essay on Abjection (Julia Kristeve) (Reviewed by Cynthia Chase, Cornell University)

Desire in Language. A Semiotic Approach to Literature and Art (Julia Kristeve) (Reviewed by Cynthia Chase, Cornell University)

Representations of Revolution (1789-1820) (Ronald Paulson) (Reviewed by Regenia Gagnier, Stanford University)

The Hegelian Aftermath. Readings in Hegel, Kierkegaard, Freud, Proust, and James (Henry Sussman) (Reviewed by Russell A. Berman, Stanford University)

T. S. Eliot and the Poetics of Literary History (Gregory S. Jay) (Reviewed by Charles Baxter, Wayne State University)

Book Reviews, Criticism Editors

Criticism

James I and the Politics of Literature: Jonson, Shakespeare, Donne and Their Contemporaries (Jonathan Goldberg) (Reviewed by Jonathan Dollimore, University of Sussex)

Costly Monuments: Representations of the Self in George Herbert's Poetry (Barbara Leah Harman) (Reviewed by Richard Strier, University of Chicago)

Centre and Labyrinth: Essays in Honour of Northrop Frye (Eleanor Cook) (Reviewed by Dan O'Hara, Temple University)

The Myth of Deliverance: Reflections on Shakespeare's Problem Comedies (Northrop Frye) (Reviewed by Dan O'Hara, Temple University)

Early Nigerian Literature (Bernth Lindfors) (Reviewed by Joseph H. Summers, University of Rochester)

Active Induction Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis By Mog35-55 Peptide Immunization Is Associated With Differential Responses In Separate Compartments Of The Choroid Plexus, Nivetha Murugesan, Debayon Paul, Yen Lemire, Bandana Shrestha, Shujun Ge, Joel S. Pachter

UCHC Articles - Research

Background

There is increasing awareness that, aside from producing cerebrospinal fluid, the choroid plexus (CP) might be a key regulator of immune activity in the central nervous system (CNS) during neuroinflammation. Specifically, the CP has recently been posited to control entry of sentinel T cells into the uninflamed CNS during the early stages of neuroinflammatory diseases, like multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). As the CP is compartmentalized into a stromal core containing fenestrated capillaries devoid of typical blood–brain barrier properties, surrounded by a tight junction-expressing choroidal epithelium, each of these compartments might mount unique …

Ndls Update 08/07/2012, Notre Dame Law School

NDLS Update

No abstract provided.

Needs Assessment And Service Strategy, Daila Shimek, Claudette Robey

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report describes the needs identified by member communities and organizations of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP) that could be adopted by CRWP as part of its service strategy. The results suggest that members are pleased with the services provided by CRWP. Additional needs fell into one of eight categories: (1) Information, education, and training, (2) Planning, development, redevelopment, and resolutions/ordinances, (3) Funding and grants, (4) Technical assistance, (5) Regulations and requirements, (6) Storm water infrastructure maintenance, (7) Providing a strategic role in helping manage the watershed, and (8) Managing relationships.

August 7, 2012 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Multimodal, Multifunctional Polymer Coated Nanoparticles, J. Manuel Perez Figueroa, Santimukul Santra

UCF Patents

Disclosed are nanoparticles having a metallic core consisting essentially of superparamagnetic iron oxide: a polymeric coat surrounding said core, the coat having a matrix of polyacrylic acid and forming an outer periphery of said nanoparticle; a pleurality of hydrophobic pockets formed by the polymeric coat; a plurality of carboxylic groups along an outer periphery of the polymeric coat and effective to conjugate with a predeterminded targeting ligand which functionalizes the nanoparticle; a lipophylic fluorescent dye encapsulated in the pleurality of hydrophobix pockets. Associated methods of making the nanoparticles and of treatments using the nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Characterization Of The Cellular And Organellar Dynamics That Occur With A Partial Depletion Of Mitochondrial Dna When Arabidopsis Organellar Dna Polymerase Ib Is Mutated, John D. Cupp

Theses and Dissertations

Plant mitochondrial genomes are large and complex, and the mechanisms for maintaining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) remain unclear. Arabidopsis thaliana has two DNA polymerase genes, polIA and polIB, that have been shown to be dual localized to mitochondria and chloroplasts but are unequally expressed within primary plant tissues involved in cell division or cell expansion. PolIB expression is observed at higher levels in both shoot and root apexes, suggesting a possible role in organelle DNA replication in rapidly dividing or expanding cells. It is proposed that both polIA and polIB are required for mtDNA replication under wild type conditions. An Arabidopsis …

Purification And Reconstitution Into Planar Bilayers Of The Human Dopamine Transporter, Yoori Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The human dopamine transporter (hDAT) provides the primary mechanism for dopamine clearance in synapses and thus facilitates the regulation of dopaminergic functions in cognition and reward. It is the molecular target of many centrally-active agents including amphetamines and cocaine. Therefore, an understanding of hDAT function and its modulation by these therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse can provide insight into the mechanisms of abuse and addiction. In the presented studies, hDAT is tagged with a hexahistidine construct and heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The plasma membranes are isolated, solubilized, and applied to a Nickel affinity column to obtain purified …

The Forgotten Medium: The Impact Of Reading Violent Literature On Aggressive Thoughts, Mckay Robert Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Media violence in television, film, video games, and music has been linked to increased aggression. Only in recent years have researchers begun to investigate the impact that reading violent literature can have on individuals. The present study exposed individuals to either a violent or nonviolent story and measured aggressive cognitions. No significant effect was found for story type on aggressive cognitions but a gender effect for aggressive word completions was found. Discussion centers on possible differences between media types as well as future suggestions for investigations into violent literature.

Report: The Illinois State University Faculty-Staff Newsletter, August 7, 2012, Illinois State University

Illinois State University Report (1966-2012)

Illinois State University bi-weekly employee newsletter.

Grandparents' Visitation Rights: A Survey Of Reciprocal Kinship-Ties Based In Historical Common Law And Legislative Policies, Jane E. Atkinson

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article presents an in-depth exploration of the view that family ties and relationships should play an important role in determining grandparent-grandchild visitation rights, based on the important role of the extended family throughout recorded history. Atkinson postulates that post-Troxel visitation decisions should include increased consideration of the value to the child of grandparent visitation.

The Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit: Who Wins And Who Loses? , Enrich Andreas Drotleff

Marquette Elder's Advisor

The author examines the new Medicare Part D Program, discusses first the background history which led to its enactment, and then explains how enrollment decisions affect different classes of beneficiaries. The politics involved in the passage of this legislation are explored. Transitioning dual eligibles (those covered by both Medicare and Medicaid) into the new drug program has often resulted in reduced benefits.

Ensure Your Pet's Future: Estate Planning For Owners And Their Animal Companions , Rachel Hirschfeld

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Pets are a central and vital part of their owners' lives, and it is statistically well-documented that seniors and people with health issues derive substantial benefits from their pets. However, pet owners often do not consider what will happen to their pets if they die or become disabled. Many older people do not have pets because they are concerned about who will care for their pets if they become disabled or die and their pet survives them. Often, older people would like to have a pet companion and would benefit from acquiring one or keeping the one they already have. …

Long Term Care In The Political Balance , Alison Barnes

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article is a compilation of various observations from presenters at the Marquette University Law School's 2007 Health and Elder Law Symposium. The comments by the author connect the observations from the presenters at the Symposium with viewpoints from the various articles in the Marquette Elder's Advisor Volume 9, Article 1. The comments begin by discussing the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and its history of limiting Medicaid eligibility for elderly individuals who are disabled but are not destitute. The comments also discuss Medicaid planning, cost-of-living adjustments, and long term care insurance. The comments conclude by stating that the status …

Table Of Contents

Marquette Elder's Advisor

No abstract provided.

Bringing Age Discrimination And Disability Discrimination Together: Too Few Intersections, Too Many Interstices, Leslie Pickering Francis, Anita Silvers

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Old age and disability would seem to have adverse features in common. Membership in either group suggests depleted capability, decreased social contribution, significant fragility, and heightened susceptibility to maltreatment by other people. Yet some have argued that no wrong occurs when advanced age is made disadvantageous, for the elderly have had a fair chance at the goods of life. By contract, this argument goes, there is never a fair chance for people with disabilities. This article challenges the view that takes discrimination based on disability and discrimination based on age as so discrepant that they do not deserve similar efforts …

I’Ll Take “Improper Declarations Of Mistrial” For $2,000.00: Applying The Protection Against Double Jeopardy - Robar V. Labuda, Daniel Fier

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.

Creating Imagined And Real Communities Through Classroom Activities, Bruna Tadross Ferrari

Sandanona

Young learners have strong negative associations with formal learning and uninteresting content. Furthermore, it is challenging for students to speak English outside the classroom in a TL removed context. To rectify this situation, the presenter will demonstrate some engaging and interesting activities to encourage student participation and make learning fun!

Memories From Vii World Congress Of Music Therapy, Vitoria Gasteiz, 1993, Heidi Ahonen, Diane Austin, Ruth Bright, Leslie Bunt, Ginger Clarkson, Janice Dvorkin, Jane Eisler, Suzanne B. Hanser, Sarah Hoskyns, Joanne Loewy, Joseph Moreno, Helen Odell-Miller, Serafina Poch, Jackie Robarts, Clive Robbins, Patricia L. Sabbatella, Marilyn Sandness, Alan Turry, Gabriela Wagner, Auriel Warwick, Barbara L. Wheeler

Music Faculty Publications

Some of the participants share their memories and photos from the VII World Congress of Music Therapy, held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 1993.

Constructing The Feem Sustainability Index: A Choquet-Integral Application, Caterina Cruciani, Silvio Giove, Mehmet Pinar, Matteo Sostero

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

This paper presents an application of a multi-attribute aggregation methodology to the construction of a sustainability index. Sustainability is a multi-faceted issue, in which synergies or conflicts may arise among the different components, thus making it a complex concept to which multi attribute methods can be applied. This paper addresses the development of the FEEM Sustainability Index (FEEM SI), a composite index including 19 different indicators grouped in the three classical pillars of sustainability ‒economic, social and environmental. We present the relevance of multi-attribute aggregation methodologies when dealing with such complex concepts and provide an aggregation methodology used for this …

The Effects Of Four Hypocaloric Diets Containing Different Levels Of Sucrose Or High Fructose Corn Syrup On Weight Loss And Related Parameters, Joshua Lowndes, Diana Kawiecki, Sabrina Pardo, Von Nguyen, Kathleen J. Melanson, Zhiping Yu, James M. Rippe

Nutrition Faculty Publications

Background:

The replacement of sucrose with HFCS in food products has been suggested as playing a role in the development of obesity as a public health issue. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of four equally hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Methods:

This was a randomized, prospective, double blind trial, with overweight/obese participants measured for body composition and blood chemistry before and after the completion of 12 weeks following a hypocaloric diet. The average caloric deficit achieved on the hypocaloric diets was 309 kcal.

Results:

Reductions were observed …

Nationwide Mutl Ins V. Timothy Shaw

2012 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania