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The Effects Of Multicollinearity In Multilevel Models, Patrick Carl Clark Jr.

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This study examined a method for calculating the impact of multicollinearity on multilevel modeling. The major research questions concerned a) how the simulation design factors affect (multilevel variance inflation factor) MVIF, b) how MVIF affects standard errors of regression coefficients, and c) how MVIF affects significance of regression coefficients. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to address these questions. Predictor relationships were manipulated in order to simulate multicollinearity. Findings indicate that a) increases in relationships among Level 1 predictors and also relationships among Level 2 predictors led to increased MVIF for those specific variables, b) as MVIF increases for a predictor, …

Dual-Stimuli Responsive Poly(Ethylenimine)S With A Tunable Lcst For Gene Delivery, Mary Abraham

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Hyperbranched poly(ethylenimine)s (HPEI) were modified with hydrophobic isobutyryl amide groups (HPEI-IBAm_0.60) to cause an LCST. These modified polymers were then further substituted with hydrophobic alkyl chains (HPEI-IBAm_0.60-R_0.40), a mixture of alkyl chains and hydroxyethyl groups (HPEI-IBAm_0.60-EtOH_0.20-R_0.20), and a mixture of alkyl chains and low molecular weight PEG (HPEI-IBAm_0.60-PEG_0.20-R_0.20) to determine the effect of different functional groups on solubility behavior. At pH 7.4, all but three LCSTs were below body temperature (37 °C), while at pH 5, all but three LCSTs were above …

Mining Diversified Decision Trees Across Multiple Datasets To Capture Similarities And Alignable Differences, Qian Han

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation studies the problem of mining shared and alignable difference knowledge structures across multiple datasets/applications. Shared and alignable difference knowledge structures are important for identifying analogies between application domains and for forming new hypothesis in challenging research applications, and for assessing the degree and types of knowledge-level similarities and differences between application domains for use in learning transfer. Generally speaking, shared knowledge structures characterize underlying datasets and highlight conceptual-level structural similarities among the datasets. This dissertation studies the mining of shared decision trees, which are a special type of shared knowledge structures. We first consider building one shared decision …

Driving Characteristics Of Teens With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity And Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sherrilene Classen, Miriam Monahan, Yanning Wang

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among teens. Teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or both (ADHD–ASD) may have a greater crash risk. We examined the between-groups demographic, clinical, and predriving performance differences of 22 teens with ADHD– ASD (mean age 5 15.05, standard deviation [SD] 5 0.95) and 22 healthy control (HC) teens (mean age 5 14.32, SD 5 0.72). Compared with HC teens, the teens with ADHD–ASD performed more poorly on righteye visual acuity, selective attention, visual–motor integration, cognition, and motor performance and made more errors on the driving simulator pertaining …

A Simple Model For The In-Plane Rotational Response Of A Disk Resonator In Liquid: Resonant Frequency, Quality Factor, And Optimal Geometry, Mohomad S. Sotoudegan, Stephen M. Heinrich, Fabien Josse, Nicholas J. Nigro, Isabelle Dufour, Oliver Brand

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Cantilever-Based Resonant Gas Sensors With Integrated Recesses For Localized Sensing Layer Deposition, C. Carron, P. Getz, J. J. Su, D. S. Gottfried, Fabien Josse, Stephen M. Heinrich

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This work presents mass-sensitive hammerhead resonators with integrated recesses as a gas-phase chemical microsensor platform. Recesses are etched into the head region of the resonator to locally deposit chemically sensitive polymers by ink-jet printing. This permits the sensing films to be confined to areas that (a) are most effective in detecting mass loading and (b) are not strained during the in-plane vibrations of the resonator. As a result of the second point, even 5-μm thick polymer coatings on resonators with a 9-12 μm silicon thickness barely affect the Q-factor in air. This translates into higher frequency stability and ultimately higher …

Timoshenko Beam Effects In Lateral-Mode Microcantilever-Based Sensors In Liquids (Proceedings), Joshua A. Schultz, Stephen M. Heinrich, Fabien Josse, Nicholas J. Nigro, Isabelle Dufour, Luke A. Beardslee, Oliver Brand

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Recognition And Enforcement Of Out-Of-State Adoption Decrees Under The Full Faith And Credit Clause: The Case Of Supplemental Birth Certificates., Karel Raba

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

Abstract Forthcoming.

Filling The Gap: A Call For Legislative Action And Community Mobilization To Implement Physical Education Requirements In Colleges And Universities., Lia M. Krautmanis

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

Abstract Forthcoming.

Certainty In A World Of Uncertainty: Proposing Statutory Guidance In Sentencing Juveniles To Life Without Parole., Sonia Mardarewich

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

In Miller v. Alabama, the United States Supreme Court held that mandatory life sentences without parole imposed upon juveniles was unconstitutional. The Court reasoned that the sentence was cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. The Court, however, did not hold it was unconstitutional to sentence a juvenile to life without parole if there was “transferred intent” or “reckless disregard.” Nonetheless, the Court effectively abolished state discretion and required sentencing courts to consider an offender’s youth and attendant characteristics as mitigating circumstances. The Court, however, did not specify what sentencing guidelines should dictate. Thus, states are now …

Frequency And Outcome Of Graft Versus Host Disease After Stem Cell Transplantation: A Six-Year Experience From A Tertiary Care Center In Pakistan, Natasha Ali, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Nehal Masood

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and outcome of graft versus host disease after stem cell transplantation for various haematological disorders in Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: Pretransplant workup of the patient and donor was performed. Mobilization was done with G-CSF 300 mu g twice daily for five day. Standard GvHD prophylaxis was done with methotrexate 15mg/m(2) on day +1 followed by 10mg/m(2) on days +3 and +6 and cyclosporine. Grading was done according to the Glucksberg classification.
Results: A total of 153 transplants were done from April 2004 to December 2011. Out of these were …

Diversity, Resource Partitioning, And Species Turnover In Neotropical Saproxylic Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Curculionidae) Associated With Trees In The Brazil Nut Family (Lecythidaceae), Joyce Lynn Fassbender

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Deforestation and global changes in temperature and moisture associated with rising levels of greenhouse gases are expected to have strong, direct effects on abundance of wood-boring beetles through loss of larval feeding substrates, and indirect effects through climate and microclimate change. This dissertation examines Neotropical saproxylic beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) diversity, niche breadth, and resource partitioning, and predicts possible impacts of climate change. Data from beetle rearing experiments conducted in French Guiana and Peru were analyzed to assess species richness, abundance, host specificity, seasonality and stratification of wood-boring beetles associated with the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae). Niche stability was assessed over …

Understanding A Pest: Phylogeography And Systematics Of The Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Samuel N. Crane

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an economically and ecologically important pest in North America but is understudied despite having a long history in the scientific literature. Its chemical ecology, life history habits, and distribution are all well characterized. However, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning the population structure and evolutionary history of the species. This study aims to use methods from evolutionary biology to better understand an agricultural pest species and provide tools to aid in its management.

Existing taxonomic classifications of North American Conotrachelus species have been tested for the first time. Using …

The Role Of Self And Parental Criticism In Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Brooke Aleece Ammerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is found at high rates among adolescents and young adults, and often produces many negative consequences, warranting additional research (Yates, 2004). Parental criticism and self-criticism may greatly influence the likelihood of NSSI in these populations (Wedig & Nock, 2007), but the relationship needs to be expanded upon. The purpose of the current study was to address this need by measuring self-criticism, perceived parental criticism, and parent-reported criticism among adolescents and young adults. Results suggest that levels of self-criticism and perceived expressed emotion may influence whether or not an individual engages in NSSI. One particular aspect of self-criticism, …

Cyclic Peptides: Design, Characterization, Self-Assembly, And Applications As Nano Drug Delivery Systems, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Open Access Dissertations

Over the past two decades, drug delivery systems have become a subject of major interest in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of different diseases, such as cancer, viral infections, and genetic disorders. A wide range of compounds show high binding affinity and great potential in in vitro non-cellular assays through direct interacting with molecular targets. However, many compounds show low potency in cell-based assays due to their limited delivery across the cell membrane. The physicochemical properties of several compounds, such as size, poor water solubility, hydrophobic nature, and negative charge, limit their cellular uptake significantly. Thus, there is an …

An Ecological View Of Language Choice In A Bilingual Program: A Dynamic Model Of Social Structures, Katherine Christoffersen

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

The present paper proposes a Dynamic Model of Social Structures as a model of language choice which highlights and synthesizes two significant themes repeated throughout the history of language choice research: agency and function. This model stems from ecological frameworks advanced in the fields of language planning (Hornberger, 2002) and language learning (Lam, 2007). Central to the model is the notion of language as a social structure (Gafaranga, 2005) among infinite other social structures (e.g., broader society, social network, local context, and individual linguistic behaviors). The Dynamic Model of Social Structures integrates the concept of agency and function in demonstrating …

Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book 2011-2012, Tennessee. Higher Education Commission.

Higher Education Fact Book

No abstract provided.

(Viewpoint): Science Should Guide Tsca Reform, Rainer Lohmann, Heather M. Stapleton, Ronald A. Hites

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Little is known about the fate of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) across the Oceans. Air and water were sampled using both active and passive polyethylene samplers on an east–west transect across the tropical Atlantic Ocean in 2009 and analyzed for PBDEs. Typical particle-bound concentrations of PBDEs in the surface water were low, at <1 pg L^–1. Truly dissolved concentrations from passive samplers were ∼0.5 pg L^–1 for BDE 47 and around 0.1 pg L^–1 for BDEs 28, 99, and 100 (results from active samples were compromised). In the atmosphere, particle-bound BDE 209 dominated overall concentrations (median 1.2 pg m^{–3 …}

Photographic Survey Of Benthos Provides Insights Into The Antarctic Fish Fauna From The Marguerite Bay Slope And The Amundsen Sea, Joseph T. Eastman, Margaret O. Amsler, Richard D. Aronson, Sven Thatje, James Mcclintock, Stephanie C. Vos, Jeffrey W. Kaeli, Hanumant Singh, Mario La Mesa

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

We reviewed photographic images of fishes from depths of 381–2282m in Marguerite Bay and 405–2007m in the Amundsen Sea. Marguerite Bay fishes were 33% notothenioids and 67% non-notothenioids. Channichthyids (47%) and nototheniids (44%) were the most abundant notothenioids. The deep-living channichthyid Chionobathyscus dewitti (74%) and the nototheniid genus Trematomus (66%) were the most abundant taxa within these two families. The most abundant non-notothenioids were the macrourid Macrourus whitsoni (72%) and zoarcids (18%). Amundsen Sea fishes were 87% notothenioids and 13% non-notothenioids, the latter exclusively Macrourus whitsoni. Bathydraconids (38%) and artedidraconids (30%) were the most abundant notothenioids. We observed that Macrourus …

The Subtle Intracapsular Survival Of The Fittest: Maternal Investment, Sibling Conflict, Or Environmental Effects?, Kathryn E. Smith, Sven Thatje

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Developmental resource partitioning and the consequent offspring size variations are of fundamental importance for marine invertebrates, in both an ecological and evolutionary context. Typically, differences are attributed to maternal investment and the environmental factors determining this; additional variables, such as environmental factors affecting development, are rarely discussed. During intracapsular development, for example, sibling conflict has the potential to affect resource partitioning. Here, we investigate encapsulated development in the marine gastropod Buccinum undatum. We examine the effects of maternal investment and temperature on intracapsular resource partitioning in this species. Reproductive output was positively influenced by maternal investment, but additionally, temperature and …

Examining Studies Of Inquiry-Based Learning In Three Fields Of Education: Sparking Generative Conversation, Brett L. M. Levy, Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, Kathryn Drago, Lesely A. Rex

Educational Theory and Practice Faculty Scholarship

Many educational researchers across the United States have found that inquiry-based learning (IBL) supports the development of deep, meaningful content knowledge. However, integrating inquiry-based learning into classroom practice has been challenging, in part because of contrasting conceptualizations and practices across educational fields. In this paper, we (1) describe differing conceptions of IBL, (2) summarize our own studies of IBL in three fields of education, (3) compare and contrast the processes and purposes of IBL in our studies and fields, and (4) suggest numerous opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations on IBL curriculum, teaching, and research that could bolster its inclusion in K-12 …

The Effect Of Bmi On The Age Of Menarche In Adolescent Girls, Samara R. Sterling

Master's Theses

Problem. Over the past century, the age of menarche has consistently declined in the United States and globally. Obesity has also increased by 82% globally over the past 20 years. Obesity, as measured by BMI percentiles in children, may contribute to the declining age of menarche. -- Method. Adolescent girls ages 12-19 were examined in California and Michigan. Physical development and the age of menarche were assessed through an online questionnaire. Height and weight measurements were taken at a clinic and converted to BMI percentile values. -- Results. A negative correlation was observed between BMI percentile values and the age …

Nutritional Intervention Restores Muscle But Not Kidney Phenotypes In Adult Calcineurin Aα Null Mice, K. Madsen, R. N. Reddy, S. R. Price, C. R. Williams, Jennifer L. Gooch

PCOM Scholarly Works

Mice lacking the α isoform of the catalytic subunit of calcineurin (CnAα) were first reported in 1996 and have been an important model to understand the role of calcineurin in the brain, immune system, bones, muscle, and kidney. Research using the mice has been limited, however, by failure to thrive and early lethality of most null pups. Work in our laboratory led to the rescue of CnAα-/- mice by supplemental feeding to compensate for a defect in salivary enzyme secretion. The data revealed that, without intervention, knockout mice suffer from severe caloric restriction. Since nutritional deprivation is known to significantly …

A Physical Sciences Network Characterization Of Non-Tumorigenic And Metastatic Cells, Abigail Hielscher, D. Wirtz, Et Al.

PCOM Scholarly Works

To investigate the transition from non-cancerous to metastatic from a physical sciences perspective, the Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OC) Network performed molecular and biophysical comparative studies of the non-tumorigenic MCF-10A and metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast epithelial cell lines, commonly used as models of cancer metastasis. Experiments were performed in 20 laboratories from 12 PS-OCs. Each laboratory was supplied with identical aliquots and common reagents and culture protocols. Analyses of these measurements revealed dramatic differences in their mechanics, migration, adhesion, oxygen response, and proteomic profiles. Model-based multi-omics approaches identified key differences between these cells' regulatory networks involved in morphology and survival. These results …

Matrigel Modulates A Stem Cell Phenotype And Promotes Tumor Cell Formation In A Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cell Line, Abigail Hielscher, Timothy Mcguire, Dennis Weisenburger, John Graham Sharp

PCOM Scholarly Works

Tumors may be maintained by subpopulations of cells possessing stem cell-like properties. We evaluated the stem cell-like and tumor-forming properties of side population (SP) and CD133+/ CD44+ cells in Granta 519, a human mantle cell lymphoma cell line. The in-vitro Cobblestone Area Forming Cell (CAFC) assay, designed to detect stem and progenitor cells, revealed that SP cells contained the greatest proportion of stem cell-like cells. The addition of Matrigel to CAFC assays of SP and non-SP cells both increased their respective stem cell frequencies in comparison to those cultures without Matrigel, and additionally resulted in observed stem cell frequencies which …

Hypoxia Affects The Structure Of Breast Cancer Cell Derived Matrix To Support Angiogenic Responses Of Endothelial Cells, Abigail Hielscher, Connie Qiu, Josh Porterfield, Quinton Smith, Sharon Gerecht

PCOM Scholarly Works

Hypoxia, a common feature of the tumor environment and participant in tumor progression, is known to alter gene and protein expression of several Extracellular Matrix (ECM) proteins, many of which have roles in angiogenesis. Previously, we reported that ECM deposited from co cultures of Neonatal Fibroblasts (NuFF) with breast cancer cells, supported 3-dimensional vascular morphogenesis. Here, we sought to characterize the hypoxic ECM and to identify whether the deposited ECM induce angiogenic responses in Endothelial Cells (ECs). NuFF and MDAMB 231 breast cancer cells were co-cultured, subjected to alternating cycles of 24 hours of 1% (hypoxia) and 21% (atmospheric) oxygen …

Full Issue, Digressions

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

The Cellular Nucleic Acid Binding Protein In Aging And Disease, Robin Webb

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

The ZNF9 gene on chromosome 3 encodes the cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP), a ubiquitously expressed, 177 amino acid (≈19.5kDa) protein that is highly conserved among vertebrates. The function of the protein is largely unknown, however an expansion in the first intron of the protein results in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), a multisystemic disease featuring cardiac arrhythmia, muscle wasting, cataracts, and a range of neuropathologies. Remarkably, we recently discovered that CNBP is involved in regulating the activity of β-secretase, the enzyme that produces the first cleavage event in the generation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). The progressive fibrillization …

The Disordered Regulation Of Calcineurin: How Calmodulin-Induced Regulatory Domain Structural Changes Lead To The Activation Of Calcineurin, Victoria B. Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Calcineurin (CaN) is a highly regulated Ser/Thr protein phosphatase that plays critical roles in learning and memory, cardiac development and function, and immune system activation. Alterations in CaN regulation contribute to multiple disease states such as Down syndrome, cardiac hypertrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune disease. In addition, CaN is the target of the immunosuppressant drugs FK506 and cyclosporin A. Despite its importance, CaN regulation is not well understood on a molecular level. Full CaN activation requires binding of calcium-loaded calmodulin (CaM), however little is known about how CaM binding releases CaN’s autoinhibitory domain from the active site. Previous work has …

Characterization Of G-Patch Motif Contribution To Prp43 Function In The Pre-Messenger Rna Splicing And Ribosomal Rna Biogenesis Pathways, Daipayan Banerjee

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The DExD/H-box protein Prp43 is essential for two biological processes: nucleoplasmic pre-mRNA splicing and nucleolar rRNA maturation. The biological basis for the temporal and spatial regulation of Prp43 remains elusive. The Spp382/Ntr1, Sqs1/Pfa1 and Pxr1/Gno1 G-patch proteins bind to and activate the Prp43 DExD/H box-helicase in pre-mRNA splicing (Spp382) and rRNA processing (Sqs1, Pxr1). These Prp43-interacting proteins each contain the G-patch domain, a conserved sequence of ~48 amino acids that includes 6 highly conserved glycine (G) residues. Five annotated G-patch proteins in baker’s yeast (i.e., Spp382, Pxr1, Spp2, Sqs1 and Ylr271) and with the possible exception of the uncharacterized Ylr271 …