Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Study: Integrating Art And Science In The Environment, Deborah Naughton Mills

Wayne State University Dissertations

The study was used to develop an understanding of the nature of a creative learning experience that incorporated the foundational elements of Reggio Emilia, place-based education, and experience design. The study took place in an urban high school with eight students in an advanced placement art class. The qualitative research project revolved around the pollinator garden that the science teacher planted in the year prior to the study and the garden that was planted in the spring. Students were asked to create an art project that could withstand the Michigan climate. The science teacher lectured on elements of the pollinator …

The Relationship Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder In Women And Hormonal Imbalances, Self-Efficacy And Lifestyle: Implications For Licensed Professional Counselors And Counselor Educators, Gillian Bernadette Robbins

Wayne State University Dissertations

The intent of the study was to conduct a preliminary enquiry of the relationship between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in women and hormonal imbalances, self-efficacy, and lifestyle. Key consideration was given to the study as it points to implications for licensed professional counselors and counselor educators. A nonexperimental, correlation design was used in the study and conducted in a large urban city in Ontario, Canada. Participants in the study were female clients receiving bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for a minimum of three month at a Medical Health Spa. A total of 55 participants completed a demographical survey, the Generalized …

Acidic Pericellular Ph: Effects On Proteolysis And Gene Expression As Determined In 3d Models Of Breast Carcinoma, Jennifer M. Rothberg

Wayne State University Dissertations

Among the non-cellular microenvironmental factors that contribute to malignancy of solid tumors is an acidic peritumoral pH. The first objective was to determine if an acidic extracellular pH observed in vivo (i.e., pHe 6.8) affects the activity of proteases, such as cathepsin B, that contribute to degradation of collagen IV by tumor cells when grown in biologically relevant three-dimensional cultures. At pHe 6.8 there were increases in pericellular active cysteine cathepsins and in degradation of DQ-collagen IV, which was partially blocked by a cathepsin B inhibitor. Imaging probes for active cysteine cathepsins localized to tumors in vivo. The amount of …

Elucidation Of The Functional Role Of Pcbp-The Cytosolic Iron Chaperone Protein Family, In Cellular Iron Homeostasis, Poorna Subramanian

Wayne State University Dissertations

Biological Role of Ferritin - Iron is essential for life and often utilized as a cofactor in many proteins. In humans, iron accumulation causes cirrhosis, arthritis, cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus, and it is associated with increased risk of cancer and heart disease. In contrast, decreased brain iron content results in permanent neurocognitive and motor impairment. Intracellular iron content must be maintained within a narrow range to avoid the adverse effects of iron depletion or excess, and this function is performed by the protein ferritin. Ferritins are iron storage proteins that are ubiquitously expressed in animals, plants and bacteria. They serve …

Progress Towards Development Of Multifunctional, Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor Agonists As Symptomatic And Disease-Modifying Therapeutic Agents For Parkinson's Disease, Mark Andrew Johnson

Wayne State University Dissertations

Parkinson¡¯s disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that arises primarily through the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), resulting in a diminished level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway and ensuing loss of motor function. Common symptoms of PD include resting tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness and decreased amplitude of movement), along with postural instability and cognitive psychiatric complications. PD affects 1% of the population ¡Ý 65 and is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder next to Alzheimer¡¯s disease (AD). Although the etiology of PD is not yet clear and may be …

Modeling Of Mouse Eye And Errors In Ocular Parameters Affecting Refractive State, Gurinder Bawa

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

MODELING OF MOUSE EYE AND ERRORS IN OCULAR PARAMETERS AFFECTING REFRACTIVE STATE

by

GURINDER BAWA

September 2013

Advisor: Dr. Ivan Avrutsky

Major: Electrical Engineering

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Rodents eye are particularly used to study refractive error state of an eye and development of refractive eye. Genetic organization of rodents is similar to that of humans, which makes them interesting candidates to be researched upon. From rodents family mice models are encouraged over rats because of availability of genetically engineered models. Despite of extensive work that has been performed on mice and rat models, still no one is able …

Mechanisms Mediating Modulation Of The Cardiopulmonary Chemoreflex Control Of Regional Sympathetic Outputs By Adenosine A1 And A2a Receptors In The Nts, Zeljka Minic

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

by

ZELJKA MINIC

August 2013

Advisor: Dr. Tadeusz J. Scislo

Major: Physiology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Adenosine is an important neuromodulator of cardiovascular control at the level of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) where cardiovascular and other autonomic reflexes are primarily integrated. Levels of adenosine increase in the NTS during life threatening hypotension, ischemia and hypoxia. Adenosine may modulate cardiovascular reflexes to correct hemodynamic imbalance, acting via A₁ and A_2a receptors which inhibit and facilitate neurotransmitter release, respectively. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that NTS A₁ adenosine receptors inhibit the arterial baroreflex whereas …

Progress Towards Understanding Of Mechanisms Of Action Of Potent Multifunctional Disease Modifying Therapeutics For Parkinson's Disease & Investigating The Methamphetamine-Induced Striatal Microglia Activation., Mrudang M. Shah

Wayne State University Dissertations

PROGRESS TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING OF MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF POTENT MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISEASE MODIFYING

THERAPEUTICS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

by

MRUDANG MANOJKUMAR SHAH

December 2013

Advisor: Dr. Aloke Dutta

Major: Pharmaceutical Sciences

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Our long term goal is to design and develop potent multifunctional disease modifying therapeutics for Parkinson's disease. The objective of my dissertation was to understand the mechanisms of action of some potent small molecules (synthesized in our lab) as a disease modifying Parkinson's disease therapeutic. The objective was achieved by pursuing the following two specific aims:

1. Investigating anti-oxidant and neuroprotective effects of a lead molecule (D-512) …

A Tale Of Two Lawyers: How Arbitrators And Advocates Can Avoid The Dangerous Convergence Of Arbitration And Litigation, Neal M. Eiseman, John E. Bulman, R. Thomas Dunn

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

When modern arbitration became popular in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, courts viewed it as a threat to their exclusive powers. Over time, that mindset has changed dramatically. The passage of the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") in 1926 embraced a federal policy strongly favoring arbitration as a method of relieving court congestion and providing parties with a speedier, less costly means of resolving disputes. Thereafter, agreements to arbitrate found their way into many standard form agreements and business contracts as arbitration became accepted as a bona fide alternative to litigating in court. Today, as litigators can …

Is Adjudication A Public Good? "Overcrowded Courts" And The Private Sector Alternative Of Arbitration, Stephen J. Ware

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Courts are underfunded, dockets are crowded, and litigation is slow. These observations lead many lawyers and judges to call for increased court funding. While I would like to see a significantly higher percentage of government spending go to courts, I do not believe that is likely to happen. So I suggest we think about "underfunded" courts differently.

As Clear As Mud: A Critical Review Of Evidence For The Ecological Roles Of Australian Dingoes, Benjamin L.R. Allen, Peter J.S. Fleming, Lee R. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Guy Ballard, Luke K.-P. Leung

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Top-predators have been reported to have an important role in structuring food webs and maintaining ecological processes for the benefit of biodiversity at lower trophic levels. This is thought to be achieved through their suppressive effects on sympatric mesopredators and prey. Great scientific and public interest surrounds the potential use of top-predators as biodiversity conservation tools, and it can often be difficult to separate what we think we know and what we really know about their ecological utility. Not all the claims made about the ecological roles of top-predators can be substantiated by current evidence. We review the methodology underpinning …

The Influence Of Trap Type And Cover Status On Capture Rates Of Pocket Gophers In California, Roger A. Baldwin, Daniel B. Marcum, Steve B. Orloff, Stephen J. Vasquez, Cheryl A. Wilen, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Population reduction through trapping is among the most common techniques used to mitigate damage caused by pocket gophers in a variety of crops. A new trap called the Gophinator was recently developed that combined many positive attributes of previous pocket gopher traps. Because efficacy data for this trap was lacking, we compared capture rates of this trap to the Macabee trap, the most commonly used pocket gopher trap in the western U.S. We also addressed factors that may influence the efficacy of traps such as cover status of the trap set, season, gender, and weight of the captured pocket gopher. …

Patterns Of Human–Coyote Conflicts In The Denver Metropolitan Area, Sharon A. Poessel, Stewart W. Breck, Tara L. Teel, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Kevin R. Crooks, Lisa Angeloni

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In many cities throughout North America, human–coyote conflicts are an emerging problem. Little research has described temporal and spatial patterns of human–coyote conflicts, although such information can be an important step in developing and optimizing management efforts. We used reports from 22 entities within the Denver Metropolitan Area (DMA) in Colorado that provided information on coyote observations (signs, sightings, and encounters) and conflicts (incidents, pet-attacks, and human attacks). Our objectives were to 1) define, quantify, and map categories of coyote observations and conflicts, and 2) investigate temporal and spatial patterns of conflicts, particularly related to land cover types and housing …

Influence Of Vegetation Structure On The Small Mammal Community In A Shortgrass Prairie Ecosystem, Craig M. Thompson, Eric M. Gese

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The structure of vegetation, and how this structure varies across a landscape, is crucial to understanding the distribution of wildlife species. Between 2002 and 2004, we sampled small mammal communities and measured vegetation structure at 185 locations across a range of disturbance regimes in a shortgrass prairie ecosystem in southeastern Colorado, USA. At each sampling location, the local disturbance regime was some combination of varying intensity of livestock grazing, military training activity, and fire. Vegetation structural characteristics measured included percent bare ground, basal cover, litter, shrub density, and mean grass and shrub height. Rodent communities were described by richness, diversity, …

As Clear As Mud: A Critical Review Of Evidence For The Ecological Roles Of Australian Dingoes, Benjamin L. Allen, Peter J.S. Fleming, Lee R. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Guy Ballard, Luke K.-P. Leung

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

Nonsurgical Fertility Control For Managing Free-Roaming Dog Populations: A Review Of Products And Criteria For Field Applications, Giovanna Massei, Lowell A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

About 75% of dogs worldwide are free to roam and reproduce, thus creating locally overabundant populations. Problems caused by roaming dogs include diseases transmitted to livestock and humans, predation on livestock, attacks on humans, road traffic accidents, and nuisance behavior. Nonsurgical fertility control is increasingly advocated as more cost-effective than surgical sterilization to manage dog populations and their impact. The aims of this review were to 1) analyze trends in numbers of scientific publications on nonsurgical fertility control for dogs; 2) illustrate the spectrum of fertility inhibitors available for dogs; 3) examine how differences between confined and free-roaming dogs might …

Changes In Grouping Patterns Of Saiga Antelope In Relation To Intrinsic And Environmental Factors In Mongolia, B. B. Buuveibaatar, T. K. Fuller, A. E. Fine, B. Chimeddorj, J. K. Young, J. Berger

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Factors that affect group sizes in large ungulates are generally poorly understood for species from remote regions. Understanding grouping patterns is important for effective species management, but is lacking for the endangered Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica).We studied seasonal changes in the group size and social structure of saigas in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors in western Mongolia during 2009–2012. To identify group size and composition, we observed saigas monthly while conducting monitoring surveys, and weekly while tracking radio-collared animals. We observed 9268 individuals; median group size was 6.5 (SE = 1.7; range = 1–121), and groups …

The Effect Of Social Hierarchy On Captive Coyote (Canis Latrans) Foraging Behavior, Lynne B. Gilbert-Norton, Ryan R. Wilson, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Foraging efficiency of individuals in pack forming species may be influenced by social dynamics within a pack. The effects of social hierarchy in particular may influence individual foraging behavior in canids, such as coyotes (Canis latrans). To examine the impact of social hierarchy on foraging behavior, we tested 16 captive coyotes in eight naturally established dominant–subordinate pairs, using the guesser–knower paradigm. We measured the efficiency of subordinate coyotes to relocate a food resource when alone and then allowed pairs to forage together, such that subordinates had prior knowledge of food location but dominants did not. To determine whether …

Functional Significance Of Ultraviolet Feeding Cues In Wild Turkeys, Scott J. Werner, Richard Buchholz, Shelagh K. Tupper, Susan E. T. Pettit, Jeremy W. Ellis

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Most birds are able to sense ultraviolet (UV) visual signals. Ultraviolet wavelengths are used for plumage signaling and sexual selection among birds. The aim of our study was to determine if UV cues are also used for the process of food selection in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). We used avoidance conditioning to test the hypothesis that UV feeding cues can be used functionally for foraging behavior in wild turkeys. Female turkeys exhibited no avoidance of untreated food and 75–98% avoidance of food treated with an UV-absorbent, postingestive repellent (0.5–4% anthraquinone; wt./wt.) during repellent exposure. Male turkeys exhibited 78–99% …

Benzo[A]Pyrene Effects On Fundulus Heteroclitus Reproductive Endpoints, Frank Booc

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that modulates aromatase enzyme function and, thus, potentially interrupts normal reproductive function. The aim of this study was to use a fish model, Fundulus heteroclitus, to assess whether BaP exposure adversely impacted reproduction. Adult fish were exposed to waterborne BaP concentrations of (0, 1 or 10 μg/L) for 28 days. Males and females were combined for the second half of the exposure (days 14-28) in order to quantitate egg production and fertilization success. Egg fertilization and subsequent hatching success of F1 embryos was significantly decreased by 10 μg/L BaP. In males, both …

Snp-Snp Interaction Network In Angiogenesis Genes Associated With Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness, Hui-Yi Lin, Ernest K. Amankwah, Tung-Sung Tseng, Xiaotao Qu, Dung-Tsa Chen, Jong Y. Park

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Angiogenesis has been shown to be associated with prostate cancer development. The majority of prostate cancer studies focused on individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) while SNP-SNP interactions are suggested having a great impact on unveiling the underlying mechanism of complex disease. Using 1,151 prostate cancer patients in the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) dataset, 2,651 SNPs in the angiogenesis genes associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness were evaluated. SNP-SNP interactions were primarily assessed using the two-stage Random Forests plus Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (TRM) approach in the CGEMS group, and were then re-evaluated in the Moffitt group with 1,040 patients. …

Differential Bait Preference And Rate Of Attraction By Argentine Ants (Linepithema Humile Mayr) At Freshwater And Saltwater Marsh Sites In Southern California, Victor D. Carmona-Galindo, Meghan Moore, Melanie Tansuwan

Biology Faculty Works

Ants are a type of foraging insect species which harvests food resources based on availability. When ants locate food resources that are scarce within their habitat, they tend to be more strongly attracted to that food resource. This study used protein, carbohydrate and control based baits to examine if there was a deficiency in resources demonstrated by the ants at two different wetland habitats. We sampled Argentine ants (Linepithema humileMayr) within the saltwater and freshwater marshes of Ballona Wetlands in Los Angeles, CA. We found significant differences in the rapid deployment of Argentine ants towards protein baits over …

Comparative Analysis Of Edwardsiella Isolates From Fish In The Eastern United States Identifies Two Distinct Genetic Taxa Amongst Organisms Phenotypically Classified As E. Tarda, Matt J. Griffin, Sylvie M. Quiniou, Theresa Cody, Maki Tabuchi, Cynthia Ware, Rocco C. Cipriano, Michael J. Mauel, Esteban Soto

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Edwardsiella tarda, a Gram-negative member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, has been implicated in significant losses in aquaculture facilities worldwide. Here, we assessed the intra-specific variability of E. tarda isolates from 4 different fish species in the eastern United States. Repetitive sequence mediated PCR (rep-PCR) using 4 different primer sets (ERIC I & II, ERIC II, BOX, and GTG5) and multi-locus sequence analysis of 16S SSU rDNA, groEl, gyrA, gyrB, pho, pgi, pgm, and rpoA gene fragments identified two distinct genotypes of E. tarda (DNA group I; DNA group II). Isolates that fell into DNA group II demonstrated more similarity …

Lysine Optimization Of A Commercial Fishmeal-Free Diet For Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Chrysops × M. Saxatilis), Steven D. Rawles, S. Adam Fuller, Benjamin H. Beck, T. Gibson Gaylord, Frederic T. Barrows, Matthew E. Mcentire

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Substitution of fishmeal with alternate proteins in aquafeeds often results in dietary imbalances of first-limiting essential amino acids (EAA) and poorer fish performance. This growth trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that ideal protein theory accurately predicts first-limiting amino acids and optimumlysine level for a fishmeal-free, commercial-grade diet formulated for hybrid striped bass (HSB). The ideal model for formulation was the amino acid pattern of hybrid striped bass muscle. A negative control diet based on soybean (45%), corn gluten (10%), and poultry by-product (13%) meals was formulated on an ideal basis to contain 18% lipid, 40% crude protein (CP), …

Evaluation Of Response To Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Type 2 Vaccination And Timing Of Weaning On Yearling Ultrasound Body Composition, Performance, And Carcass Quality Traits In Angus Calves, R. G. Tait Jr, E. D. Downey, M. S. Mayes, C. A. Park, J. F. Ridpath, D. J. Garrick, J. M. Reecy

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

There are concerns about antagonisms between immunity and animal productivity in livestock production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibody levels through a response to vaccination protocol, weaning timing, and their interaction on performance and carcass quality traits in Angus beef cattle. Final antibody level and response to vaccination were based on neutralizing serum antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 (BVDV2). Calves were followed through development and the feedlot phase, with collection of yearling ultrasound (n = 957), preharvest (n = 762), and carcass (n = 673) data. In this …

Organic Carbon Dynamics And Soil Stability In Five Semiarid Agroecosystems, Lisa M. Fultz, Jennifer Moore-Kucera, Ted M. Zobeck, Veronica Acosta-Martinez, David B. Wester, Vivien G. Allen

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Interest in integrated crop-livestock agroecosystems (ICL) has increased due to their versatility in management options, potential to offset increasing levels of atmospheric C and enhanced agronomic and ecosystem sustainability. Identifying agroecosystems that have the greatest potential for C sequestration requires an understanding of soil organic C distribution within aggregate fractions. Six soil aggregate C pools were physically isolated to evaluate the C sequestration potential of three ICLs and two continuous cotton (CTN) agroecosystems in the Texas High Plains. The proportions of the water stable aggregate fractions were used to calculate mean weight diameter, an indicator of soil stability. The first …

An Abundant Biological Control Agent Does Not Provide A Significant Predator Subsidy, Philip Tipping, Melissa Martin, Paul Pratt, Min Rayamajhi, Ted Center

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Classical weed biological control agents, regardless of their effectiveness, may provide subsidies to predators and parasites. The chemically defended weevil Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe is a successful agent that was introduced to control the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia. Two consecutive small plot experiments that lasted two and three years, respectively, examined the population dynamics of O. vitiosa while subjected to predation by Podisus mucronatus, a native generalist predator. During this time the estimated mean (±SE) percent predation of O. vitiosa larvae was 7.2 ± 1.7% per sample date in the two year study and 8.4 ± 0.8% in the three year …

Biofortified Cassava Increases Β-Carotene And Vitamin A Concentrations In The Tag-Rich Plasma Layer Of American Women, Michael R. La Frano, Leslie R. Woodhouse, Dustin J. Burnett, Betty J. Burri

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Biofortification of cassava with the provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene is a potential mechanism for alleviating vitamin A deficiency. Cassava is a staple food in the African diet, but data regarding the human bioavailability of b-carotene from this food are scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate provitamin A-enhanced cassava as a source of β-carotene and vitamin A for healthy adult women. The study was a randomised, cross-over trial of ten American women. The subjects consumed three different porridges separated by 2 week washout periods. Treatment meals (containing 100 g cassava) included: biofortified cassava (2mg β-carotene) porridge with …

Editorial: Introduction To Themed Section— Supporting Ecosystem Services With Conservation Agricultural Approaches, Alan J. Franzluebbers

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Ecosystem services are the properties and processes of the natural world that contribute to the well-being of plants, animals and humans in a holistic and global context. For too long, members of the agricultural community have been solely focused on the provision of food, feed and fiber. Of course, this essential human innovation has provided hugely important products engineered for mass production that serves all of human society. However, agriculture and the ecosystems in which it is practiced provide numerous other services that are becoming increasingly relevant to its very survival and the survival of humans that it supports. Several …

Elucidation Of The Structure And Reaction Mechanism Of Sorghum Hydroxycinnamoyltransferase And Its Structural Relationship To Other Coenzyme A-Dependent Transferases And Synthases, Alexander M. Walker, Robert P. Hayes, Buhyun Youn, Wilfred Vermerris, Scott E. Sattler, Chulhee Kang

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT) from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) participates in an early step of the phenylpropanoid pathway, exchanging coenzyme A (CoA) esterified to p-coumaric acid with shikimic or quinic acid as intermediates in the biosynthesis of the monolignols coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. In order to elucidate the mode of action of this enzyme, we have determined the crystal structures of SbHCT in its apo-form and ternary complex with shikimate and p-coumaroyl-CoA, which was converted to its product during crystal soaking. The structure revealed the roles of threonine-36, serine-38, tyrosine- 40, histidine-162, arginine-371, and threonine-384 in catalysis and specificity. Based …