Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Nicotine In Oxidative Stress, Rakesh Kacham

Masters Theses

"Nicotine, a major alkaloid, is present in tobacco products as well as in smaller amounts in potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Although it is the addictive compound in cigarettes, nicotine is believed to play a protective role in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Researchers have found that the short-term administration of nicotine may help improve the memory process by reducing oxidative stress in the brain. Our studies have shown that, by blocking Fenton's reaction, nicotine is able to inhibit free radical generation, so this research has focused on the antioxidant properties of nicotine. The cell lines of the alveoli, blood …

Processing And Properties Of Zrb₂-Zrsi₂ Matrix Composites Reinforced With Continuous Sic Fiber, Benjamin John Bowin Lai

Masters Theses

"The research presented in this thesis focuses on the processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ZrB₂-based composites. The main goal was to develop a process that incorporates high strength continuous SiC fiber in a ZrB₂-based matrix. In order to achieve this, the densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ZrB₂-ZrSi₂ monolithic ceramics were characterized along with various SiC fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) utilizing the same matrix.

There were two main areas of study in this thesis. The initial study demonstrated that additions of ZrSi₂ into a ZrB₂ ceramic increases densification at significantly reduced processing temperatures ≤1600ºC). This study revealed …

When Tigers Bare Teeth: A Qualitative Study Of University Patent Enforcement, Jacob H. Rooksby

Law Faculty Publications

The pursuit of patents is a key avenue of economic development and revenue generation for American research universities, and one with significant policy implications for higher education. In a time of shifting funding models for higher education, the $1.8 billion dollars American universities generated in revenues in 2011 from licensing their patents makes patenting an attractive candidate for further university attention and resource investment. Spurred in part by the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, research universities across the country have created vast institutional  apparatuses—typically centered in technology transfer offices (“TTOs”)—to help move ideas invented in the laboratory and classroom into commercial …

The Last Rites Of Public Campaign Financing?, James Sample

Hofstra Law Faculty Scholarship

This Article asserts the current predicament of public campaign financing is this: options that are still on the table under the Court's First Amendment jurisprudence are, with only rare and idiosyncratic exceptions, fiscal and political non-starters. Conversely, options that would be, and indeed previously had been, fiscally and politically viable, are now, even after years of their routine practice in varied jurisdictions, no longer constitutional. It is, in short, simultaneously a legal and practical dilemma. Short of highly unlikely swings of the Supreme Court pendulum, and absent an even more unlikely constitutional amendment, cities, states, and federal government actors, who …

Policing, Protestors, And Discretion, Alafair Burke

Hofstra Law Faculty Scholarship

An essay is presented on protestors' policing and police discretion in enforcing criminal law against protestors. It offers a history of Occupy Wall Street or Occupy protests, which reflects upon the unlawful actions of the New York Police Department (NYPD). It also sheds light on the impact of discretion in the policing of protests, with special focus on both overenforcement and underenforcement of criminal law.

Rico Trends: From Gangsters To Class Actions, Pamela Bucy Pierson

Articles

This article addresses the question why isn't RICO used much RICO the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act both a crime and a civil cause of action was passed in 1970 with much fanfare The fanfare was deserved RICO was an imaginative criminal justice initiative aimed at complex systemic crime RICO's civil cause of action was viewed as a robust tool for plaintiffs and a vital supplement to strained law enforcement resources After conducting an indepth analysis of RICO opinions reported and unreported rendered by the federal appellate courts during the seven year time period from 20052011 this article has …

Photochemical Electrocyclic Ring Closure And Leaving Group Expulsion From N-(9-Oxothioxanthenyl)Benzothiophene Carboxamides, Majher I. Sarker, Tasnuva Shahrin, Mark G. Steinmetz, Qadir K. Timerghazin

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

N-(9-Oxothioxanthenyl)benzothiophene carboxamides bearing leaving groups (LG⁻ = Cl⁻, PhS⁻, HS⁻, PhCH₂S⁻) at the C-3 position of the benzothiophene ring system photochemically cyclize with nearly quantitative release of the leaving group, LG⁻. The LG⁻ photoexpulsions can be conducted with 390 nm light or with a sunlamp. Solubility in 75% aqueous CH₃CN is achieved by introducing a carboxylate group at the C-6 position of the benzothiophene ring. The carboxylate and methyl ester derivatives regiospecifically cyclize at the more hindered C-1 position of the thioxanthone ring. …

Hydrogenation And Hydrogenolysis Of Furan Derivatives Using Bipyridine-Based Electrophilic Ruthenium(Ii) Catalysts, Anitha Shankaralinge Gowda

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

The catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes cis-[Ru(6,6′-Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ (2, Z = CF₃SO₃; 3, Z = (3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄B ,i.e. BArF), cis-[Ru(4,4′-Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ (4, Z = CF₃SO₃; 5, Z = BArF) and cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(PR₃)(OH₂)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (7, bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine, PR₃ = P(C₆H₄F)_{3 …}

Understanding Multidrug Resistance In Gram-Negative Bacteria -- A Study Of A Drug Efflux Pump Acrb And A Periplasmic Chaperone Sura, Meng Zhong

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) has been a severe issue in treatment and recovery from infection.Gram-negative bacteria intrinsically exhibit higher drug tolerance than Gram-positive microbes. In this thesis, two proteins involved in Gram-negative bacterial MDR were studied, AcrB and SurA.

Resistance-nodulation-cell division pump AcrAB-TolC is the major MDR efflux system in Gram-negative bacteria and efficiently extrudes a broad range of substances from the cells. To study subtle conformational changes of AcrB in vivo, a reporter platform was designed. Cysteine pairs were introduced into different regions in the periplasmic domain of the protein, and the extents of disulfide bond formation were …

Characterization Of And Controlling Morphology Of Ultra-Thin Nanocomposites, Guy C. Laine

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Ultrathin film nanocomposites are becoming increasingly important for specialized performance of commercial coatings. Critical challenges for ultrathin film nanocomposites include their synthesis and characterization as well as their performance properties, including surface roughness, optical properties (haze, refractive index as examples), and mechanical properties. The objective of this work is to control the surface roughness of ultrathin film nanocomposites by changing the average particle size and the particle volume fraction (loading) of monomodal particle size distributions. This work evaluated one-layer and two-layer films for their surface properties. Monodispersed colloidal silica nanoparticles were incorporated into an acrylate-based monomer system as the model …

Influence Of Surface Modification On Properties And Applications Of Complex Engineered Nanoparticles, Binghui Wang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Complex engineered nanoparticles (CENPs) are being used on various applications. Their properties are different from those of neat nanoparticles. The dissertation explores these differences from four aspects: 1) Modify carbon nanomaterials’ inert surfaces and investigate the effect on thermal and rheological behavior of their dispersions; 2) Generate self-assembly bi-layer structure of oxide nanoparticles via surface modification; 3) Study interaction between lysozyme and different surface-charged ceria nanoparticles; 4) Investigate the biodistribution and transformations of CENPs in biological media.

An environment-friendly surface modification was developed to modify surfaces of carbon nanomaterials for increasing their affinity to non-polar fluid. It can offset formation …

Hyper-Gender Roles In Relation To Sexual Aggression, Jaclyn May D'Andrea

Masters Theses

This study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize, midwestern university. The question examined through the research was whether hyper-gender roles affect an individual's sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Secondly, it researched the risk factors behind fraternity and sorority groups through membership and traditions concerning these groups such as hypermasculinity male bonding and desensitization of sorority women. Hypermasculinity, hyperfemininity, and sexual aggression were collected using Koss and Gidycz (1985) Sexual Experience Survey, Mosher and Sirkin (1984) Hypermasculinity Inventory and Murne and Byrne (1991) Hyperfemininity …

Students' Consumption Of Healthy Food Items Using A Social Marketing Intervention, Kayla Autumn Dalton

Masters Theses

This study was an analysis of student eating habits in an "all-you-care-to-eat" dining center at a mid-size, four year, Midwest residential institution. The present, quantitative study was replicated based off a study conducted in 2008 at a similar Midwest university by Diana Poovey Duncan. The present study examined college students' (n = 218) eating habits and consumption patterns over a nine-week study period. Participants were solicited to take the pre-intervention survey in person with incentives during the second week of the study while a post-intervention survey was sent electronically during the seventh week only to those whom provided an …

Organizational Identity As A Promotional Tool: The Case Of The Panther Paw, Samantha L. Neal

Masters Theses

This paper examines a promotional campaign that was put together during the fall semester of 2012. The campaign was for a local bar, the Panther Paw Bar and Grill, and after data collection, it was determined that the main issue the bar suffered from was a lack of identity. So, with this knowledge, organizational identity was chosen as the main promotional tool for the campaign. The content of this paper outlines this process from start to finish including data collection, the plan put in place for the bar, and the promotional work that was done throughout the fall semester of …

College Women And Body Image Perception: The Influence Of Peers, Television, And Print Media, Sarah J. Knapp

Masters Theses

This study sought to identify how college women's image of self and their bodies are impacted by their peers, as well as by television and print media. The findings were based on qualitative research methodology by conducting in-depth interviews with four college-aged women at a rural, Midwestern university.

The findings were not substantially different from other researchers findings on women in previous literature. The women in this study faced similar problems that other women had encountered before them: peer influence, body image dissatisfaction, their own college development path, and how they perceive their body image in comparison to other women. …

Suicide Promotion Online: Frequency Of Access By High Risk Individuals, Daniel Stabin

Masters Theses

Online suicide promotion is a recent and potentially problematic phenomenon in which individuals provide detailed instructions for or encouragement to enact self-harm to other internet users. These types of resources are freely available to anyone willing to look for them, and there is no legal hindrance to prevent their continued operations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency with which people in the general, nonclinical population access these sites with a particular interested in individuals experiencing depressive symptoms and in young adults. Both populations are likely to be influenced by suicide promotion. I predicted that individuals with …

Student Organization Advisors: What Role Do Advisors Play And How Are They Trained?, Tyler J. Micek

Masters Theses

The position of a Registered Student Organization faculty or staff advisor is one that encompasses a wide variety of roles; these roles are ever changing based on the situation and the students involved. With each faculty and staff advisor bringing a different set of previous knowledge and experience, advisors may not be fully prepared for all aspects of the job. Some come in with the knowledge of the organization or an understanding of the goals of the organization, but they are not familiar with the operating procedures at the institution or have any background in student development or group dynamics. …

Dietary Iron Intake And Knowledge Of Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Recreational Female Marathon Runners, Jamie Merritt

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Internet Accessible Remote Real-Time Laboratory For Computer Networking Curriculum, Oyindamola Idowu

Masters Theses

Despite the availability of equipment required to teach hands-on laboratory practices in a computer networking curriculum, educators are faced with the challenge of extending such practices to students in remote locations. Distance learning has become a substantial part of the current education system, requiring institutes of learning adjusting from traditional face-to-face courses to content that can be carried out over the internet so that students can complete part or all the requirements for certain courses in an online modality. Unfortunately, traditional networking laboratories were designed with the assumption students will be physically present. This research is aimed to provide at …

Pygmalion Music Festival As Alternative Media? A Critical Analysis Of The Intersection Of Independence And Corporatization, Patrick R. Singer

Masters Theses

This study of Pygmalion Music Festival utilizes a theoretical framework of alternative media theory to analyze the festival's position in independent and corporate music festival and concert production. Pygmalion Music Festival is a mid-sized independently owned and operated music festival held annually in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. This research investigates the progression of independent ( or "indie") music culture, how the industry has gradually become co-opted by the corporate music industry, and how Pygmalion Music Festival is situated within the indie/corporate binary. This binary is not black and white, rather an intersection that creates a blurred area between the two. "Indie" artists …

Video Game Cultivation: Sowing The Seeds Of Consumer Behavior, Jonathan K. Mattson

Masters Theses

George Gerbner (1998) dedicated a significant amount of this life attempting to understand the creation and impact of mass media messages on viewers. Out of this research sprang cultivation theory, which holds viewers' realities can be impacted over time by the media environment they inhabit and its overarching messages. While often applied to television, cultivation theory has largely ignored other mediums, specifically video games. Video games have evolved as a medium since the public arcades of the 1980's and now run on high-powered, internet-enabled consoles. These consoles allow producers into the home of the consumer, saturating them with messages. This …

Those Who Slay Together, Stay Together: A Thematic Analysis Of Concert Fan Narratives And The I-57 Youth Punk Music Scene, Michael James Janowski

Masters Theses

This study uses qualitative methods of narrative interviewing and thematic analysis of narrative to explore the communicative phenomenon of youth punk concert fan story-telling. It explores how the phenomenon functions to construct the subculture of the I-57 youth punk concert fan music scene. Through methods of thematic analysis of narrative, the study works to deconstruct numerous implicit understandings and taken-for-granted assumptions that drive and govern interactions among youth punk music fans participating within the I-57 youth punk music scene. The study is broken down into four exploratory categories where meanings are derived and critically analyzed: youth, punk, fandom, and the …

Juvenile Delinquency: A Comparative Analysis Between Divorced And Married Homes, Cristina R. Prestin-Latham

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine if children being raised in divorced homes are more likely to be juvenile delinquents that children being raised in married homes. Additionally, this study sought to determine if the age of the child during the divorce further contributes to the likelihood of delinquent behavior. The majority of previous studies indicate children from divorced homes are more prone to juvenile delinquency than children from married homes. The sample in this study consisted of 544 participants. Using a self-reporting, anonymous questionnaire, participants were asked questions about their childhood home structure and their adolescent delinquent …

Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Interaction Of Apoe And Estrogen In Olfactory Neuronal Growth-Potential Relevance To Alzheimer's Disease, Minh Luong

Masters Theses

In recent years, there have been many studies looking at estrogen therapy (ET) as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Literature review suggests a close relationship between estrogen and apolipoprotein E (apoE) in the central nervous system. The mechanism underlying the interaction of apoE genotype with estrogen in the nervous system is not yet known. Therefore, the objectives of this research are 1) to determine the effects of estradiol treatment on basal cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation and 2) to identify the estrogen receptor subtype (ERα and ERβ) that mediates the increase of apoE levels, neurite outgrowth and neuronal numbers.

Results …

Identity Theft Among College Students, Laura B. Lucas

Masters Theses

Identity theft is prominent and is specifically affecting the general population of young adults. There is a void the in research that focuses on parental influence regarding identity theft on their college children. Prior research shows that identity theft is rapidly growing and is a problem. (Winterdyk & Thompson, 2008). The aims of this study are to enhance the awareness of identity theft, and to show the importance of identity theft education. Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory is applied to the study as well, and is used a potential guide to understanding the effects of parental behavior and perceptions of …

"A Few Smooth Moves": Phi Rho Eta Fraternity Inc. National Branding Campaign, Shea E. Brunson

Masters Theses

For my creative thesis, I chose to conduct a public relations campaign for Phi Rho Eta Fraternity Inc. For the past 18 years, Phi Rho Eta Fraternity Inc. has worked towards emphasizing academic excellence, community development, and brotherhood among black men, with all efforts relating to the core fraternity principles of pride, respect, and excellence. As the fraternity nears its second decade of existence and grows at an exponential rate; the need for a cohesive, unified brand has become the focus of the national executive board. It is for this reason that my PR campaign focuses on branding and re-branding. …

Cup Size Effects On Soda Consumption, Lisa Heiser

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Teaching Genre Utilizing The Common Core Standards: A Study Examining Students With Disabilities Within Different Academic Settings, Amber Laquet

Masters Theses

Due to a shift to the Common Core State Standards, many teachers are in a state of transition. This thesis examines this transition by taking an in-depth look into three different classroom settings: an 8th grade general education literature and grammar classroom, an 8th grade special education (resource) literature and grammar classroom, and a co-taught 10th grade English classroom. As the Common Core State Standards require more rigorous and deeper understanding of material, the goal of the study is to look specifically into the role of teaching writing genres to students and the acquisition of the genre based on the …

Is Nigeria's Conflict Ethnic Or Religious?: Resolving The Escalating Conflict In Nigeria, Ejikeme Nonso Alo

Masters Theses

The history and politics in Nigeria have often been characterized and marred with conflict, ranging from political to religious, ethnic and electoral violence. In this study, Edward Azar's Protracted Social Conflict theory which advocates for a multidimensional analysis of conflict was adopted in an attempt to properly understanding the nature and manifestation of the current Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria. Methodologically, both the qualitative and quantitative methods were deployed. Survey's (questionnaires and evidence from social media) was conducted in the three regions with the aim of comparing and contrasting various perspectives on the root cause of the conflict. While lack …

Don't Waist Your College Experience: Administering Nutrition Education Through Facebook, Brittany A. Zaring

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media, specifically Face book, as a medium of providing nutrition education and its impact on college students' food choices. A Facebook group was designed, Don't Waist Your College Experience, and college students were invited to join and participate in the nutrition education intervention and complete a pre- and post- revised version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients (REAP). Fortytwo participants (98% Caucasian, 86% females, 60% graduate students) completed the pre-REAP questionnaire and 10 of those also completed the post-REAP questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to assess dietary …