Digital Commons Network^™

Can We Say More Now? A Closer Look At Online Public Opinion Change In China, Ran Duan

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

This study examined the pattern of online public opinion change in China by investigating the top one hit blog and its following commentaries of every day from July 2009 to March 2012 on a famous Chinese website, and then discussed potential factors that affected the formation of online public opinion. The extent of freedom of online public opinion during this period presented regular fluctuations. Whether criticisms were registered by commentators was influenced by four factors. First and most important, the negative tone of bloggers increased criticism and the positive tone decreased criticism, which shows that the news that flows from …

Examination Of The Use Of Online And Offline Networks By Housing Social Movement Organizations, Jessica N. Kropczynski

Theses and Dissertations--Sociology

Resource mobilization theory and political opportunity theory are often used to describe separate portions of social movements. This dissertation proposes a combined model of these two theoretical perspectives which describes how social movement organizations effectively engage in social marketing both online and offline. The field of social marketing highlights the utility of standard commercial marketing practices to achieve non-commercial goals. I argue that, while commercial marketing practices may benefit social movement organizations and are more cost effective given emerging technology, momentum for gathering resources, will be stifled unless a political opportunity presents itself. Guided by theory about the ways that …

Natural Treatment Systems As Sustainable Ecotechnologies For The Developing Countries, Qaisar Mahmood, Arshid Pervez, Bibi Saima Zeb, Habiba Zaffar, Hajra Yaqoob, Muhammad Waseem, Zahidullah, Sumera Afsheen

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of natural treatment systems is the re-establishment of disturbed ecosystems and their sustainability for benefits to human and nature. The working of natural treatment systems on ecological principles and their sustainability in terms of low cost, low energy consumption, and low mechanical technology is highly desirable. The current review presents pros and cons of the natural treatment systems, their performance, and recent developments to use them in the treatment of various types of wastewaters. Fast population growth and economic pressure in some developing countries compel the implementation of principles of natural treatment to protect natural environment. The employment …

Saving Prince Peach: A Study Of “Gaymers” And Digital Lgbt/Gaming Rhetorics, M. William Macknight

Open Access Dissertations

This study looks at the tensions surrounding the inclusion and increasing presence of LGBT performances within video games, their surrounding industry and culture, and their related internetworked cyberspaces – an assemblage referred to in this research as the “game-sphere.” By analyzing the rhetorical activity performed within a specific LGBT game cyberspace (the Reddit subforum r/gaymers), this study offers insight into gaming and LGBT culture by answering the following research question: What rhetorical action is performed by LGBT video game players within r/gaymers? Data were collected over a period of two weeks, wherein screen-captures were taken and saved twice a …

Critical Events In Human Metapneumovirus Infection: From Entry To Egress, Brent A. Hackett

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory pathogen in Paramyxovirus family that demonstrates extremely high morbidity in the population, with most individuals having been infected by the age of five. Despite the prevalence of this negative-sense RNA virus in the population for decades, it was only identified in 2001. As such, there is currently no specific treatment for HMPV and the potentially severe consequences of infection for elderly and immunocompromised individuals and particularly infants make development of antivirals targeting HMPV of high significance. HMPV constitutes a quarter of all respiratory hospitalizations among infants, placing it second only to RSV, in addition …

A Novel Selective Lipid Uptake Pathway Contributing To Ldl-Induced Macrophage Foam Cell Formation, Jason M. Meyer

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by cholesterol-rich plaques within the intima of medium and large arteries. Cholesterol deposition is thought to occur by infiltration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) into lesions followed by uptake into macrophages, generating lipid-loaded “foam cells.” Foam cells can also be generated in vitro by treatment of macrophages with LDL or oxidized LDL (oxLDL). The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the contribution of selective cholesteryl ester (CE) uptake versus whole-particle uptake during LDL-induced foam cell formation in cultured macrophages. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) exhibited significant cholesterol accumulation when treated with LDL as indicated …

Program Assessment: Enough Or Too Much?, Eric G. Boyce

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

Examination Of Hippocampal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors Following Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure In Vitro, Anna R. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Chronic intermittent ethanol exposure (CIE) is associated with degeneration of hippocampal neurons. The present study used hippocampal cultures to examine the loss of NeuN immunoreactivity, a relaible marker or neuronal density, after 1, 2, or 3 cycles of 5 days EtOH exposure (50 mM), followed by a 24-hour period of EWD or continuous EtOH exposure. NeuN immunoreactivity was decreased by 13%, 19%, and 16% in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus after 3 cycles of CIE respectively; thionine staining confirmed significant cellular losses within each hippocampal subregion. Two cycles of CIE in aged tissue cultures resulted in significant decreases in …

Change In Envy As A Function Of Target Likeability, Chelsea M. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Envy is a painful emotion that can negatively impact one’s self-worth. It is also a shameful, socially undesirable emotion, implying both inferiority and hostility. Some scholars suggest that these features of envy lead to a need to cope with the emotion. Thus, over time, envy tends to be transformed into more socially acceptable responses such as resentment or dislike. The present study tested this claim. First, envy was manipulated by asking participants to read an article containing an interview with either a high- or low-envy target. The second article manipulated the likeability of the target by varying whether or not …

Wst 2309g : Women, Men, And Culture, Women's And Gender/Sexuality Studies

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Joints Or The Joint: Colorado And Washington Square Off Against The United States, Michael Vitiello

McGeorge School of Law Scholarly Articles

No abstract provided.

Responding To Ethnic And Religious Conflict In The New Arab Order: The Promise And Limits Of Rights, Omar M. Dajani

McGeorge School of Law Scholarly Articles

Intercommunal conflict has marred the political transitions unfolding in a number of states in the Middle East, raising questions about the status and protection of ethnic and religious minorities in the region's evolving political order. In view of the transnationalc haracter and regional scale of the problem, this Article considers the efficacy of one potential regional response-the development of an Arab convention on minority rights. The Article begins by describing three types of "minority problems" that have been sources of conflict in the Middle East: (1) religious minorities and Islamist majoritarianism; (2) nationalist minorities and territorial disputes, and (3) politically …

Regulation Of The Stability And Cellular Localization Of The Coxsackievirus And Adenovirus Receptor (Car), Ran Yan

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In polarized epithelia, the seven exon isoform of the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR^Ex7) is a basolateral cell-cell adhesion protein that is inaccessible for viral infection. In contrast, the eight-exon CAR isoform (CAR^Ex8) localizes at the apical surface and mediates adenovirus (AdV) infection. A PDZ-domain containing protein, MAGI-1, interacts with both isoforms of CAR. I hypothesized that each CAR isoform interacts with specific MAGI-1 PDZ domain(s). Co-immunoprecipitation, FRET and binding assays showed that CAR^Ex7 and CAR^Ex8 both interact with MAGI-1-PDZ3 with high affinity. CAR^Ex8 also interacts with MAGI-1-PDZ1. Whereas the CAR^Ex7-PDZ3 …

Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Knockdown In Labyrinthine Trophoblast Cells Results In Altered Morphology And Function, Erica Ashton Kayleigh Carey

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The placenta is a transient organ that develops upon initiation of pregnancy and is essential for fetal development and survival. The rodent placenta consists of three layers with predominantly analogous cell types in the human placenta. The labyrinth layer, which lies closest to the fetus, facilitates nutrient and waste exchange between mother and baby. Abnormalities of the placenta may occur as a result of cellular stress and have been associated with the pregnancy-associated disorders, intrauterine growth restriction and placental insufficiency. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master sensor of cellular stress and changes in AMPK expression or activation could be …

A Computational Study Of Linking Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Microstructure Parameters To Cell Performance, Chao Wang

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Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) has been considered as a promising technology to replace the traditional fossil fuels due to high efficiency, low emission, and silent operation. The configuration of microstructures throughout the electrodes plays a significant role in improving cell performance. However, current research did not capture the connections of the microstructure parameters, which is vital to simulate the SOFC behavior under practical circumstances. This study explored the correlations of microstructure parameters from a micro scale level, together with mass transfer and electrochemical reactions inside the electrodes, providing a novel approach to predict the SOFC performance numerically. The results …

K-Cl Cotransport: Role Of Kcc3 In Cellular Potassium (K) Homeostasis In Kcc3- Transfected Hek-293 Cells, Nagendra Babu Ravilla

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K-Cl cotransport (KCC) mediated by four protein isoforms, KCC1 to KCC4, plays a significant role in cell volume regulation, and in K and Cl homeostasis. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of KCC3 and its two threonine (T) phosphorylation sites T991 and T1048 in cellular K homeostasis in isogenic human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells transfected with KCC3 wild type (WT) or constitutively active double mutant KCC3 (AA) expressed under tetracycline or doxycycline control. In both WT and AA cells, under baseline conditions, the Na-K-2Cl cotransport (NKCC) (55 %- 60 %) was the major contributor of Rb influx followed by …

John R. Rice, The Sword Of The Lord, And The Fundamentalist Conversation: Comparisons With J. Frank Norris's The Fundamentalist And Carl Mcintire's The Christian Beacon, Robin L. Smith

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John R. Rice and his newspaper, The Sword of the Lord, were highly influential in the fundamentalist movement and the larger evangelical world in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. A comparison between Rice's writings and those of fellow fundamentalists J. Frank Norris in The Fundamentalist and Carl McIntire in The Christian Beacon reveal differences among fundamentalists that contributed to the split between fundamentalism and new evangelicalism in the 1950s. An examination of the men's attitudes toward separation, handling of conflicts and disagreements, political rhetoric and involvement in politics, and attention to social and cultural issues show that Rice is …

Effect Of Sample Miscut On Dissolution Kinetics Of Calcite (104) Cleavage Surfaces, Tahiru Sulley Addo

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Calcite is one of the most abundant naturally occurring carbonate minerals in the earth crust, and it is believe to play a crucial role in the long-term effectiveness of geochemical process works such as geological carbon sequestration. Due to the ease in which clean, flat calcite surfaces may be prepared, a lot of dissolution studies have been carried out on its (104) cleavage plane. However in geologic media, natural calcite grains consist of alternate surface terminations that do not display similar crystallographic properties as the (104) cleavage plane. This study focuses on the effect of miscut and step orientation on …

Cyclic Voltammetric And Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Analysis Of Lead And Cadmium Utilizing The Novel Titanium Dioxide/ Zirconium Dioxide/ Tween 80 Carbon Paste Composite Electrode, Phuong Khanh Quoc Nguyen

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Heavy metals, particularly Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd), had been long identified as hazardous pollutants in the environment. Joining the continuous effort to alleviate this dilemma, a new electro-chemical sensor has been developed to assess the level of Pb and Cd in aqueous environment. The current work describes the utilization of two different electro-analytical techniques, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), in conjunction with the novel Titanium Dioxide/ Zirconium Dioxide/ Tween 80 (TiO2/ ZrO2/ Tween 80) carbon paste composite electrode to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze Pb and Cd. In this dissertation, along with a comprehensive literature …

A Comprehensive Tool And Analytical Pathway For Differential Molecular Profiling And Biomarker Discovery, Claude Curtis Grigsby

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The key requirements to any empirically based study are to: (1) accurately measure and then compare the collected results in determining the result of the hypothesis being tested; and (2) collect a sample representative of the entities being studied. To demonstrate that an informatics tool can be designed that provides spectral registration, spectral and chromatographic alignment, visualization, and comparative analysis for data generated from multiple analytical platforms, e.g., LC-MS and GC-MS, the results and data analysis of five unique sets of experiments using a suite of novel informatics tools are presented. Comprehensive and reproducible sample collection techniques were developed concomitantly …

Simulating Hemodynamics In In Vitro Culture Models: Implications On Nano-Biointeractions, Monita Sharma

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Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have demonstrated great potential in the development of a variety of tools with applications ranging from biomedical to military fields. Consequently, there is increasing concern regarding the toxic potential of these nanomaterials. Biodistribution studies demonstrate clearance of Au-NPs from peripheral circulation and bulk localization primarily in the liver and spleen post- intravenous administration. Deposition of Au-NPs in spleen suggests the potential for direct exposure of immune cells to these foreign materials under relatively static conditions. Although much less, due to the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), Au-NPs appear to also deposit in the brain, suggesting that the resident …

Piezoelectric-Based, Self-Sustaining Artificial Cochlea, Jared Evans

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Hearing loss is a prevalent issue, affecting all ages in innumerable occupations. Cochlear implants are one solution to sensorineural hearing complications; and though they are commonly used, the electronic devices have limitations in power consumption and external equipment. Piezoelectric films emulate the relationship between the basilar membrane and inner hair cell structures of the human cochlear epithelium, inducing a potential difference in response to sound pressure. Through proper MEMS fabrication and material selection, an artificial cochlear can be developed utilizing piezoelectrics, which is self-sustainable and functions naturally with the mechanisms of the human ear. This research investigates the feasibility of …

The Effect Of Hsv-1 Infection On Differentiated And Polarized U937 Cells, Allolo Dreiwish Aldreiwish

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Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) challenges the host immune system through several mechanisms (Frey, et al., 2009). In vitro, U937 cells (human macrophage-like precursor cell line) are not susceptible to HSV-1 infection when they are not differentiating (Lopez-Guerrero and Alonso, 1997). Differentiation of these cells resistance can abrogates their resistance to HSV-1 (Tenney and Morahan, 1991). In this study, we examined the effect of HSV-1 infection on differentiated and polarized U937 cells. U937 cells are differentiated to M0 cells.

Then, M0 cells are polarized to distinct phenotypes, M1 or M2. M1 are proinflammatory macrophages while M2 are anti-inflammatory cells. …

Establishment Of A Quiscence Herpes Simplex Type 1 Infection In L929 Fibroblasts And Neuro-2a Cells By A Nucleoside Analogue Acyclovir, Noura Shaklawoon

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Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) quiescent infection was established in L929 cells, murine fibroblasts, and in Neuro-2A (N2A) cells, mouse neuroblastoma, by treating them with the nucleoside analogue acyclovir (ACV) 24 hours before infection. Subsequent release of virus from the non-productive state was accomplished by treating the cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). Treatment of both L929 and N2A cell lines with ACV 24 hours before infection induced protection from HSV-1 cytopathic effect. A quiescent state was confirmed by absence of virus plaques when supernatant fluids from ACV-treated HSV-1 infected cultures were titered on Vero cell monolayers. …

"Characterization Of Red Diamondback Rattlesnake Venom Proteins On Cell Death And Function", Venus Ebrahimian

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Snake venom is composed of many different toxins and protein components such as metalloproteases and phospholipase A2. Together, these proteins cause an up regulation in cell death pathways and disrupt the overall homeostasis of a living cell. The Red Diamondback Rattlesnake is abundantly available and well-known specie and has been used as a source for development of new drugs. It has been mainly used for the purposes of making anti-venom but it has also been therapeutically used for surgical purposes to act as an anti-aggregate. Integrins derived from RDB venom has been used for cancer cell treatment as well. Specifically …

Locating Chelerythrine, An Alkaloid, Within A Cytosolic Environment By Maldi-Tof Mass Spectrometry, Bradley Allen Williams

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The quaternary benzo-phenanthridine alkaloid (QBA) chelerythrine (CET) is a well-known inhibitor of PKC and cancer growth (Herbert et al., 1990). In human lens epithelial cells (HLECs), CET almost completely inhibits the Na+/K+ pump ATPase (NKA) without changes in phosphorylation (Lauf et al. 2013). Protein alignment studies revealed B-lymphocyte type 2 protein (Bcl-2) BH1- like motifs within the a1 subunit of the NKA to which CET, a drug mimicking Bcl-2 protein BH3-like motifs, might bind thus disrupting NKA function (Lauf et al, 2013). It is unknown by which mechanism CET crosses the plasma membrane to reach its intracellular targets, especially the …

Al Qaeda's Propaganda War: A War For Hearts And Minds, Jill Hannah Pohl

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Literature on terrorist efforts to win over hearts and minds discusses several influential factors: the politics of the organization, the relationship of the organization to the public, levels of violence, provocation of counterterror responses, and the use of various forms of propaganda. It is my contention that mass media propaganda, which reaches the widest audience, is most influential in the battle for hearts and minds. Al Qaeda has exploited this tool to sustain support.

In spite of this, Arab Public Opinion Surveys show a decline in support for Al Qaeda's anti-Western goals, and fluctuations in support for its methods. They …

Distributed Sensor Fault Diagnosis For Automated Highway Systems, Hui Chen

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Fault diagnosis problems for large-scale nonlinear systems have attracted significant attentions from researchers in recent years. Most fault detection and isolation (FDI) methods have been proposed based on a centralized architecture. However, due to the complexity of the system, most of these centralized fault detection and diagnosis schemes are not able to delivery effective fault detection and isolation performance for a large-scale nonlinear system, which contains subsystems interacting with neighboring subsystems.

In this thesis, a distributed fault detection and isolation method is developed for the automated highway systems (AHS). For each subsystem of AHS, a distributed fault detection and isolation …

Effects Of Red Diamondback Rattlesnake Venom On Keloid Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro, Mackenzie Shelby Newman

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Keloid scarring is an inflammatory healing response to physical injury such as incision or piercing in the dermis. It is characterized by aberrant extracellular matrix production, the overaccumulation of mature collagen, and excessive fibroblast proliferation and migration beyond the borders of the original wound site. This results in swelling, depigmentation, itchiness, and pain akin to a benign tumor. Although there are myriad treatments for the condition, most are invasive and exhibit a high recurrence rate. Previous studies have shown that rattlesnake venom stimulates apoptosis in the skin via multiple specific mechanisms, largely composed of extracellular matrix and its receptors' interactions. …

Rice, Tobacco, And Agricultural Globalization: Exploring The Narrative Of The Chinese Agricultural Colony In Sub-Saharan Africa, Hunter Bradley

Geography Honors Projects

According to media outlets, China's involvement in the Sub-Saharan African agricultural sector is part of a colonial land grab to meet the needs of a modernizing China. This paper challenges this narrative by examining the two constituent narrative elements: 1) China actively purchases land or land rights to meet the food needs at home and 2) that this process has led to decreased food security for African states. Using Zimbabwe and Mozambique as cases, this paper demonstrates China's participation is not part of a long-term food security strategy and is better understood in light of the "Go Out Policy." However, …