Digital Commons Network^™

Predictors Of 3pq And Quickboard Performance In Power-Oriented Collegiate Athletes, Brendan Putney

Honors Scholar Theses

The measuring of athletic performance via pre participation experiments has been the norm for a long time from high school sports, all the way to professional athletics. These tests help gauge an athlete's physical growth over the offseason, as well as aid in predicting their potential performance in the future. However, performance may diminish as multiple maximum effort assessments are completed due to fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine targeted assessments for possible novel qualities as performance predictors. Baseline data was taken from a larger performance enhancement study for analysis. Twenty-six men (age: 25+4 yr; height 1.78+0.07m; …

The Black Experience In Postwar Germany, Jamie Christopher Morris

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper endeavors to find the extent of anti-black racism in various sectors of German society following World War Two through an examination of primary sources and secondary scholarship. While some Germans, often women, tolerated and even loved African-American soldiers, many German men actively sought to keep black GIs out of their communities, encouraged by white GIs. Afro-German children were viewed as a huge and shameful problem to be dealt with en masse by the government. The development of German anti-black racism is interesting to track how the German people shifted from Nazi attitudes towards Americanized ones.

Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Satisfaction With Interpersonal Life Changes, Kelly J. Foy

Honors Scholar Theses

This study looked at the life satisfaction of young adult cancer survivors in comparison to adult cancer survivors. Satisfaction was focused on three separate domains: romantic relationships, fertility and sexuality, and family and friendships. 292 participants completed the survey, which included measures such as the Zebrack Cancer Impact Scale, the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index, the Post-Traumatic Growth Scale, and a new measure developed for this study. Bivariate correlation analyses were used to identify significant relationships among the domains. It was determined that there was no significant difference between young adult cancer survivors and adult cancer survivors in …

Examination Of The Chromatin Structure Of Xlr3b Using The Chromosome Conformation Capture Assay, Sarah Elise Conderino

Honors Scholar Theses

Imprinted genes contain epigenetic modifications that influence expression patterns based on parent-of-origin. Recent studies have shown that imprinted genes contribute to numerous human diseases and disorders. Xlr3b, an imprinted gene on the X chromosome, has been implicated in social and behavioral deficits characteristic of disorders such as Turner syndrome and autism. The imprinting mechanism of this gene is still unknown, and this study analyzed the native chromatin structure of Xlr3b through the chromosome conformation capture assay to determine if there are any long-range interactions that regulate the expression of this gene. Brain tissue from a mouse model of Turner …

Generating Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells From Human Fibroblast Utilizing Controlled Expression Of Transcription Factors, Ju-Sung Song

Honors Scholar Theses

Human Embryonic stem cells (hESCs) represent a pluripotent cell population derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst stage of the developing embryo. Ethical concerns have been raised regarding the derivation process, as the procedure ultimately results in the destruction of the embryos. Recently, alternative approach has been devised that encompasses reprogramming of terminally differentiated cells into an hESC-like state. This process relies on the over-expression of four pluripotency-associated factors, and successfully reprogrammed cells are termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These cells hold great promise for the use in future cell-based therapeutics such as evaluating drug induced …

Genocide In The Classroom: How Transitional Societies Are Affected By The Quality Of Genocide Education, Leah Oppenheimer

Honors Scholar Theses

Recognized as a legal term since 1944, genocides have been an unfortunate occurrence since the beginning of world history. However, many countries have failed to properly educate students about genocides that have taken place in their own countries by either not providing accurate or consistent information about what took place or denying the genocide outright. Additionally, in many countries, relations between formerly warring ethnic groups have not improved, despite the often large amount of time that has passed since the end of the genocide. This study examines how history education, both accurate and inaccurate, has affected the current social situation …

Honors Retention: The Persistence Of Juniors And Seniors In The Honors Program Through Examination Of Commitment To Completion Of Honors Thesis, Amy A. Holland

Honors Scholar Theses

The goal of the Honors Program is to engage intellectually stimulated students in a unique, challenging experience culminating in the writing of an undergraduate thesis, a piece of scholarly work. The four elements to the mission of the Honors Program include challenging academics, a scholarly environment, a supportive community, and on-campus engagement. This study conducted a qualitative assessment of the Honors Program through written questionnaires and oral interviews of ten juniors or seniors either completing an Honors Thesis or not committed to the Thesis. This research did not find significant differences between these two groups due in part to small …

Eternal Insurance--No Boys Allowed! Understanding Gender Disparities In Church Attendance Through A Study Of Churches In Hartford, Connecticut, Caitlin Leffingwell

Honors Scholar Theses

: If you peeked into a typical Protestant church service, what might you observe? First there could be prayer, as the Believers address God the Father in the name of His one Son, Jesus Christ. Then perhaps songs would follow—some proclaiming God’s greatness, others worshipping a loving Savior, and all utilizing masculine terms to do so. To elaborate a bit more on this man who died to pay the penalty for sins, a message might then discuss how his resurrection sparked a change so great in those who knew him that their zeal for sharing his Good News would eventually …

Use Of Second Harmonic Generation (Shg) Imaging For 3-Dimensional Ultrastructural Visualization Of Muscle Repair Mechanisms, Matthew Dufner

Honors Scholar Theses

In this study, we have combined SHG imaging with various fluorescent dyes which are designed to stain nuclei and used a skeletal muscle injury and regeneration model to establish the ability of this approach to reliably and reproducibly evaluate the above nuclear parameters. By using the cobra cardiotoxin (CTX-1), which creates acute well defined injuries within the muscle, on the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius hind limb muscles of mice, predictable and reproducible regenerative patterns (in response to acute injury) can be observed by harvesting muscle samples at specific time points during recovery. Through SHG imaging, we endeavor to document …

Growth And Expression Of Halorhodopsin For Application In A Protein-Based Artificial Retina, Megan Ryan Gillespie

Honors Scholar Theses

Halorhodopsin (HR), a light-activated chloride ion pump, demonstrates potential for use as the scaffolding in an artificial retina. Retinal implants are needed to restore vision to people afflicted with ophthalmic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A protein-based chloride ion-patch would be utilized by the eye to create an influx of chloride ions, similar to ion concentrations in healthy retinas during the conversion of light stimuli to electrochemical signals. This protein-based retinal prosthesis will directly stimulate the bipolar cells of the retina, replacing the function of damaged photoreceptor cells. Other alternative treatments for AMD and …

Identifying Progenitor Cells Of Heterotopic Ossification, Eileen E. Semancik

Honors Scholar Theses

Heterotopic Ossification (HO) is the abnormal formation of bone within extraskeletal soft tissues. The condition can occur through both genetic and acquired means. Acquired cases of HO result from invasive surgery or traumatic injuries, with increasing prevalence of ectopic skeletogenesis as a result of combat-related blast injuries. HO has been characterized to some extent, including the histological features and the mutation underlying the genetic form, but the cells resident in skeletal muscle that represent the progenitors of heterotopic bone have yet to be determined. Only a few publications have attempted to definitively determine the progenitor cells in this disorder. Findings …

Evolution Of Effect: The Numinous In Gothic And Post-Gothic Ghost Experience Literature, Ryan P. Kennedy

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis undertakes to examine Rudolf Otto's work on the rational understanding of God and authentic experience, referred to as the "numinous," as it applies to the authentic ghost experience as it exists in Gothic literature and its successors. We begin by establishing the scene in 19th century Europe, where the Enlightenment is the primary philosophical force and superstition is seen as a primitive concern of the past. The playful fascination with tales of ghosts and spectral forces begins here, with the publication of Walpole's The Castle of Otranto, an ultimately failed, farcical piece, which nonetheless serves as the …

Mechanistic Studies And Optimization Of Microwave-Assisted Palladium-Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Bond Forming Reactions And An Academic Prospective On “Quality By Design”, Neha K. Grewal

Honors Scholar Theses

This compilation of work includes four aspects: (1) an academic review on the significance and implementation of Quality by Design (QbD), (2) mechanistic studies on the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of diarylmethanes, (3) the optimization of microwave-assisted click reactions and Suzuki couplings for use in an undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory manual, and (4) monitoring the progress of organic transformations using Raman spectroscopy.

Adenosine-Dopamine Interactions In The Open Field Arena: Studies Related To Locomotion And Anxiety, Rothem Kovner

Honors Scholar Theses

Nucleus accumbens dopamine (DA) is an important regulator of locomotion. The neuromodulator adenosine also has a role in regulating locomotion. The adenosine A_2A receptor subtype is colocalized with DA D2 receptors on medium spiny neurons in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Interactions between adenosine A_2A and DA D2 receptor antagonists are significant for regulating various aspects of motor and motivational function. The adenosine A_2A antagonist MSX-3 has been shown to reverse the suppression of locomotion induced by the DA D2 antagonist eticlopride. The structure of MSX-3 was modified to produce the prodrug MSX-4 which has high oral …

Evolution Of The Bacteriorhodopsin Gene Bop In Haloarchaea, Maulik Jitesh Jani

Honors Scholar Theses

Rhodopsins are among the most studied protein families. They all incorporate a light based chromophore and an opsin. They are found in all three domains of life and can be found in diverse environments, such as the membrane of the haloarchaea, Haloarcula (Haa) marismortui, growing on salt flats in Death Valley, to within human tissues and deep sea water (Briggs and Spudich 2005). Rhodopsins can serve multifarious purposes, from phototaxis away from harmful light to efficient energy generation. Bacteriorhodopsin is the best studied rhodopsin in haloarchaea. The evolutionary pattern of bacteriorhodopsin through its gene, bop, is the main focus of …

Electronic Circuit To Mimic The Neural Network For The Saccade Controller, Justin D. Morse

Honors Scholar Theses

The proposed device is an electronic circuit that mimics the neural network controlling fast eye movements, or saccades. The device simulates the signals produced by each neuronal population during the control of a horizontal saccade and allows for observing and recording. It will serve as a valuable teaching tool in the field of neural control. Furthermore, the device will have applications in the realm of diagnosing and properly treating brain injury. Finally, this device could be incorporated into a system for controlling the eye movements of a realistic, artificially intelligent robot.

The FitzHugh-Nagumo model of the action potential is used …

The Role Of Actin Binding Proteins In Cell Motility, Elizabeth Ojukwu

Honors Scholar Theses

Actin binding proteins (ABPs) play key roles in the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton during cell movement. The general localization of ABPs during dynamic cellular processes has been characterized. However, their specific functions and mechanisms of regulating the cytoskeleton during motile cellular processes remain unclear. Two approaches have been utilized to ask how these proteins contribute to cytoskeletal function during motility. Using homologous recombination, mutant cell lines lacking α-actinin, fimbrin or both proteins have been created. By analyzing mutants that lack these proteins, we hope to disrupt processes that require a functional cytoskeleton such as phagocytosis, random motility, development, …

Effectiveness Of Marine Protected Areas Across A Latitudinal Gradient, Chelsea Roy

Honors Scholar Theses

Use of marine protected areas (MPA) as a tool for conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity is increasing worldwide. However, the geographic extent of MPA designation varies, as does a full understanding of the ecological utility of such designations. Progress towards marine conservation goals needs to be evaluated in order to determine areas lacking effective MPA designation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the representation (in terms of communities and habitats) and performance of marine protected areas in the Northwestern Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific across a latitudinal gradient. Presence or absence of MPAs in specific ecological …

Effort-Related Choice Behavior Is Affected By Pharmacological Manipulations Associated With Depression: The Effects Of Tetrabenazine, Megan Huizenga

Honors Scholar Theses

In humans, psychiatric symptoms such as anergia and psychomotor retardation reflect pathologies in behavioral activation. These motivational symptoms are fundamental aspects of depression and other disorders. Drugs such as reserpine and tetrabenazine deplete monoamines, including dopamine, and induce depressive like behaviors in humans. Our results indicate that administration of low doses of tetrabenazine can alter effort-related choice behavior, biasing animals towards low effort alternatives. These findings may be related to the ability of monoamine depleting agents such as tetrabenazine to blunt behavioral activation and induce psychomotor retardation, anergia and fatigue in humans, and this research could be useful for the …

University Of Richmond Commencement Exercises Program - 2012

Commencement Programs

University of Richmond Commencement Exercises Program, 2012. Including Conferring of Degrees to The E. Claiborne Robins School of Business The Richard S. Reynolds Graduate School: Master of Business Administration; School of Arts & Sciences: Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science; The E. Claiborne Robins School of Business: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jepson School of Leadership Studies: Bachelor of Arts.

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Fifty-Second Annual Commencement, May 6, 2011, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Normal, Illinois
Illinois State University
One Hundred and Fifty-Second Annual Commencement
May 6 and 7, 2011

Pathogen Response Genes Mediate Caenorhabditis Elegans Innate Immunity, Hannah L. Anthony

Celebration

Innate immunity is crucial in the response and defense against pathogens for invertebrates and vertebrates alike. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model to study the eukaryotic innate immune response to microbial pathogenesis. Prior research indicates that the protein receptor FSHR-1 plays an important role in the innate recognition of intestinal infection due to pathogen consumption. Determining what genes are controlled by FSHR-1 may uncover an unknown pathway that could increase not only the comprehension of the C. elegans immune system but also innate immunity generally. To characterize the function of FSHR-1, four candidate pathogen response genes that …

Celebration Schedule 2012, Provost's Office

Celebration

Full presentation schedule for Celebration, May 5, 2012

Gpsa Student Council Meeting, 5/5/2012, Graduate And Professional Student Association

GPSA Meeting Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Fayetteville State University 145th Spring Commencement Program May 5th 2012, Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University: A Commencement Exhibition

Program from the Fayetteville State University Spring Commencement/Graduation Ceremony, May 2012.

Keynote speaker: General Lloyd J. Austin III, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army

School Of Law Commencement: May 5, 2012, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

School of Law Commencement program from May 5, 2012.

Fundamentals Of Protein Structure Alignment, Allen Holder, Mark Brandt, Yosi Shibberu

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

The central dogma of molecular biology asserts a one way transfer of information from a cell’s genetic code to the expression of proteins. Proteins are the functional workhorses of a cell, and studying these molecules is at the foundation of much of computational biology. Our goal here is to present a succinct introduction to the biological, mathematical, and computational aspects of making pairwise comparisons between protein structures. The presentation is intended to be useful for those who are entering this research area. The chapter begins with a brief introduction to the biology of protein comparison, which is followed by a …

Commencement Program 2012 May Undergraduate, Gcsu Special Collections

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

South Dakota State University Graduate Commencement, May 5, 2012, Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

Commencement Programs

Please be advised that the names listed in the program do not constitute official confirmation of meeting the graduation requirements. The Fall 2014 South Dakota State University Annual Undergraduate Commencement ceremony will begin with introductions by University President David L. Chicoine. Honorary marshals are Delvin DeBoer and Mylo Hellickson. State Representative Scott Munsterman will deliver the commencement address, titled "Today and Tomorrow.”

School Of Engineering And Computer Science, Diploma And Hooding Ceremony, University Of The Pacific

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.