Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness And Eating : An Analysis Of Self-Reported And In Vivo Eating Behaviors In Undergraduate Females., Megan E. Jablonski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation theorized that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness (DM), the innate tendency to be aware and accepting of the present moment, is associated with fewer maladaptive eating behaviors, particularly in response to stress and negative emotions. Previous research has established that DM is predictive of decreased stress perception and more skillful emotion regulation. However, few studies have explored how this quality might relate to eating behaviors, which can be influenced by psychological stress and negative affect. A sample of non-clinical female undergraduates (N = 158) completed self-report questionnaires assessing DM, perceived stress, emotional regulation skills, and problematic eating patterns. …

Strengthening Stem Performance And Persistence : Influence Of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants On Entry-Level Stem Students., Stephanie B. Philipp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing retention of students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs of study is a priority for many colleges and universities. This study examines an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) program implemented in a general chemistry course for STEM majors to provide peer learning assistance to entry-level students. This study measured the content knowledge growth of UTAs compared to traditional graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) over the semester, and described the development of peer learning assistance skills of the UTAs as an outcome of semester-long training and support from both science education and STEM faculty. Impact of the UTA program on …

Recovery And Biogeography Of Pseudomonas And Burkholderia Species From The Human Home., Megan E. Purdy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

15 households in the Louisville Metro area were sampled, 7 had a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF), and 8 did not. Houses were sampled between 3 and 8 times each, and samples were collected from 123 different sites within and around the homes. These sites were categorized into the variable environment type based on ecological similarity of sites. Between 75 and 168 samples were collected from each home per visit. Recovery was examined for biogeographical patterns by environment type and season at multiple taxonomic levels. Approximately 10% of samples taken yielded Pseudomonas, and of these 61% were P. putida group, …

Effects Of Telemetry Emg Implants On Hindlimb Locomotor Recovery In Thoracic Spinal Contused Rats., Matthew L. Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spontaneous recovery in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI), and interventions that improve or impede spontaneous recovery are not well understood. During a study to characterize recovery landmarks after SCI using telemetry EMG, we discovered loss of function in telemetry implanted animals. To investigate this difference further, we implanted animals with leads in various hindlimb muscles to look for behavioral and kinematic differences in recovery. We found significant differences in both open field locomotor testing (BBB) and kinematics between implant and non-implant groups where implanted groups showed loss of coordination, as well as trends for animals implanted below the knee …

6-Phosphofructo-2-Kinase Inhibition Induces Autophagy As A Survival Mechanism., Alden Klarer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Altered metabolism has long been recognized as a defining characteristic of tumor cells. The increased glycolytic phenotype, an observation credited to Otto Warburg in 1956, is almost universal for cancer cells, making metabolic enzymes attractive targets for cancer therapy. However, anti-metabolic drugs, thus far, have not lived up to expectations as stand-alone agents to treat this disease. Unlike glycolytic enzymes that directly catabolize glucose to pyruvate, the family of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatases (PFKFBs) control the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to and from fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, a key regulator of the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1). One isoform, PFKFB3, has been shown to be highly expressed by …

Audiovisual Sensory Processing In Autism Spectrum Condition., Ryan Mikel Burdette Kiser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autism spectrum condition (ASC) consists of a set of pervasive developmental problems marked by measurable deficits in social interaction and communication, often coupled with specific and repetitive patterns of behavior. Featured restrictions in the capability to communicate and remain attentive can directly relate to the individual’s ability to interact with others within societal norms. Evidence has suggested that the deficits commonly demonstrated by individuals with autism may arise from a disconnect between neural processes governing sensory inputs. Comparing ASC subjects to controls, previous investigations had shown that electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked via separate auditory and visual …

Novel Methods Based On Regression Techniques To Analyze Multistate Models And High-Dimensional Omics Data., Sutirtha Chakraborty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation is based on four distinct research projects that are loosely interconnected by the common link of a regression framework. Chapter 1 provides an introductory outline of the problems addressed in the projects along with a detailed review of the previous works that have been done on them and a brief discussion on our newly developed methodologies. Chapter 2 describes the first project that is concerned with the identification of hidden subject-specific sources of heterogeneity in gene expression profiling analyses and adjusting for them by a technique based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression, in order to ensure a …

Computational Modelling Of Chemical Reactions Catalyzed By Cobalamin (B12)-Dependent Enzymes : Mechanistic Insights., Neeraj Kumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The biologically active derivatives of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) possess the only examples containing organometallic Co-C bonds in living systems where the cleavage of Co-C bond initiates the catalytic cycle of the enzymatic reactions. In this dissertation, the electronic structure of various intermediates and the mechanistic details of the methyl transfer reactions involved in the catalytic cycle of the methionine synthase (MetH) have been computationally investigated using hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations, density functional theory (DFT), and complete active space self-consistent field with second order perturbation theory (CASSCF/QDPT2) computational methodologies. QM/MM calculations in particular reveal that the cob(I)alamin intermediate is …

Preclinical Safety Assessment Of Griffithsin-Based Vaginal Microbicides., Amanda Lasnik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Griffithsin (GRFT) is a protein derived from the red alga Griffithsia sp. off the coast of New Zealand. It binds and inactivates number of enveloped viruses including HIV-1. For a product to be developed as a microbicide, it must be safe and effective after repeated use. For initial in vivo safety testing we exposed mice repeatedly to various vaginal products and found that increased concentration of mouse serum albumin (MSA) in the vaginal lumen is predictive of epithelial damage. Repeated intravaginal administration of GRFT did not result in increased amounts of MSA, but the known epithelial disrupters nonoxynol-9 and benzylkonium …

Mixture Of Poisson Distributions To Model Discrete Stock Price Changes., Rasitha Rangani Jayasekare Kodippuli Thanthillage Dona

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An application of a mixture of Poisson distributions is proposed to model the discrete changes in stock price based on the minimum price movement known as `tick-size'. The parameters are estimated using the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm with a constant mixing probability as well as mixing probabilities which depend on order size. The model is evaluated using simulations and real data. Both the simulated and real data show reasonable estimates. Several adjustments are made to the model implementation to improve the efficiency with user written codes for the Newton Raphson algorithm and also implementing one of the most recent versions of …

Hearing Loss In Perinatally Hiv-Infected And Hiv-Exposed But Uninfected Children And Adolescents, Peter Torre Iii, J. Hoffman, Ashley L. Buchanan, George K. Silberry, Mabel Rice, Patricia A. Sirois, Paige L. Williams

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Background - Little is known about hearing loss in children with HIV infection (HIV+). We examined the prevalence of hearing loss in perinatally HIV+ and HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children, compared these to the percentage with hearing loss in the general population, and evaluated possible risk factors for hearing loss in HIV+ and HEU children.

Methods - Audiometric examinations were completed in children who met any pre-specified criteria for possible hearing loss. The hearing examination consisted of a tympanogram in each ear and pure-tone air-conduction threshold testing from 500 through 4000 Hz. Hearing loss was defined as the pure-tone average …

The Effectiveness Of The Learning To Breathe Program On Adolescent Emotion Regulation, Stacie M. Metz, Jennifer L. Frank, Diane K. Reibel, Todd Cantrell, Richard Sanders, Patricia C. Broderick

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

This study assessed the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program, Learning to BREATHE, on adolescent emotion regulation. Participants included 216 regular education public high school students with pretest and posttest data participating in the program or instruction-as-usual comparison condition. Program participants reported statistically lower levels of perceived stress and psychosomatic complaints and higher levels of efficacy in affective regulation. Program participants also evidenced statistically larger gains in emotion regulation skills including emotional awareness, access to regulation strategies, and emotional clarity. These findings provide promising evidence of the effectiveness of Learning to BREATHE on the development of key social-emotional learning skills.

A Statement On Vemurafenib-Resistant Melanoma., Edward J Hartsough, A E Aplin

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Despite recent advancements in the treatment of late-stage mutant BRAF (V600E/K) melanomas, a major hurdle continues to be acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib. The mechanisms for resistance have proven to be heterogeneous, emphasizing the need to use broad therapeutic approaches. In this issue, the study "Stat3-targeted therapies overcome the acquired resistance to vemurafenib in melanomas" by Liu et al. proposes that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-paired box 3 (PAX3) signaling may be a mechanism that is used by melanomas to resist RAF inhibitors.

Scitech Book News Reviews, Susan Fingerman

Sci-Tech News

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Prenatal Stress, Depression, Cortisol And Preterm Birth: A Review, Kiran Shaikh, Shahirose Premji, Khurshid Khowaja, Suzanne Tough, Ambreen Kazi, Shaneela Khowaj

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Preterm birth is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal risk factors such as stress and depression have been associated with preterm birth. Preterm infants are at a higher risk of poor growth and neuro developmental outcomes. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between maternal stress, depression, cortisol level, and preterm birth. Preterm birth is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes with a global prevalence of 9.6% and one of the major contributors to infant mortality and morbidity. The association between psychosocial stress and preterm birth, although examined for more than 25 …

Diurnal And Nocturnal Avian Antipredator Behavior In Thermally Challenging Conditions, Jennie M. Carr

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diurnal avian antipredator behavior has been the focus of much past research, yet the influence of the thermal environment on such behaviors is often overlooked. Far less is known about nocturnal avian antipredator behavior, including how these behaviors are influenced by challenging thermal environments. The first portion of my research focused on how the thermal environment influences the diurnal antipredator behavior of wintering birds while (i) exposed to high wind speeds, (ii) foraging in sunlit and shaded microhabitats, and (iii) when using thermoregulatory postures to conserve body heat. In addition to increasing convective heat loss, high wind speeds increase the …

Trident - August 2013, Dugoni School Of Dentistry

Trident

The newsletter of the Pacific Orthodontic Alumni Chapter at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

Equity Or Marginalization? The High School Course-Taking Of Students Labeled With A Learning Disability, Dara Shifrer, Rebecca Callahan, Chandra Muller

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Placement of some students into the courses needed only for high school graduation and others into those that prepare them for college constitutes academic stratification. This study uses data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 to investigate whether students labeled with learning disabilities complete fewer academic courses by the end of high school compared to their peers who are not labeled. Results indicate large disparities in completion of college preparatory coursework, especially in math, science, and foreign language, even net of students’ academic preparation for high school and their cognitive and noncognitive skills. The evidence supports the possibility that …

Experimental Development And Analysis Of A Novel Setup For Insulated Dielectrophoresis, Johnie Hodge

All Theses

Dielectrophoresis has long been studied and utilized for the manipulation of microscale particles in solution. This phenomenon is due to the induced polarization of dielectric particles subjected to an electric field. When the field is also inhomogeneous in terms of the distribution of its strength through space, the polarized particles move and come to rest in certain areas due to the relationship between their and the solvent's relative permittivities. If the electric field is homogenous, such as within a parallel plate capacitor, the particles are polarized according to their permittivity and the field's frequency, but they will not move.
These …

Racial Microaggressions, Stress, And Depression In African Americans: Test Of A Model, Jessica Ra'chel Roberts

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships between daily hassle stressors (i.e., racial microaggressions and college hassle stress), racial identity, perceived stress, and depression among Black/African American college students. It was hypothesized that perceived stress would partially mediate the relationships between daily hassle stressors and depression. Racial identity was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between racial microaggressions and perceived stress. Data were analyzed from a sample of 142 Black/African American college students from a medium sized university in the Midwest. Utilizing EQS, a path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model. Findings from the analysis revealed …

A Humidity-Sensitive Hydrogel-Bacillus Spore Composite For Micropatterning Of Biomolecular Gradients, Richard L. Gieseck, Bin-Da Chan, Cagri A. Savran

Birck and NCN Publications

A composite material consisting of Bacillus subtilis spores suspended in a humidity sensitive hydrogel can be used to pattern biomolecules in different concentrations directly onto glass surfaces using a mechanical micromanipulator. By altering the relative humidity surrounding the composite gel during deposition, surface concentration of patterned biomolecules can be controlled and varied to create user-defined, biomolecular surface concentrations. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Reflections On The 2013 Gsc-Gsa ‘Roof Of The World’ China Meeting And Chengdu, Nazrul I. Khandaker

Publications and Research

The recently concluded First Joint Scientific Meeting of Geological Society of China (GSC) and Geological Society of America (GSA) proceeded efficiently in the modern setting of the Jinjiang Hotel, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. GSA’s International Section played a key role bringing this meeting to the overseas communities. The meeting, titled ‘Roof of the World’, ended on 19^th June, 2013, followed by several field trips that lasted from three to six days. The meeting was designed to promote and bolster the academic communication between the GSC and GSA, and covered a wide range of topics presented through 15 technical sessions …

2013 Tsu Undergraduate Research Program, David Owerbach

Office of Research Institutional Research and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide Prediction Of Age At Puberty And Reproductive Longevity In Sows, Julie Kathleen Tart, Rodger K. Johnson, Justin W. Bundy, N. N. Ferdinand, A. M. Mcknite, Jennifer R. Wood, Phillip S. Miller, M. F. Rothschild, Matthew L. Spangler, Dorian J. Garrick, Stephen D. Kachman, Daniel C. Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Traditional selection for sow reproductive longevity is ineffective due to low heritability and late expression of the trait. Incorporation of DNA markers into selection programs is potentially a more practical approach for improving sow lifetime productivity. Using a resource population of crossbred gilts, we explored pleiotropic sources of variation that influence age at puberty and reproductive longevity. Of the traits recorded before breeding, only age at puberty significantly affected the probability that females would produce a first parity litter. The genetic variance explained by 1-Mb windows of the sow genome, compared across traits, uncovered regions that influence both age at …

Capturing Fire: Rxcadre Takes Fire Measurements To Whole New Level, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

Models of fire behavior and effects do not always make accurate predictions, and there is not enough systematically gathered data to validate them. To help advance fire behavior and fire effects model development, the Joint Fire Science Program is helping fund the RxCADRE, which is made up of scientists from the U.S. Forest Service and several universities who orchestrate and collect data on prescribed burns in the southeastern United States. The RxCADRE-prescribed burns are yielding a comprehensive dataset of fire behavior, fire effects, and smoke chemistry and dynamics, with measurements taken systematically at multiple, cascading scales. RxCADRE data will help …

High-Resolution Δ13CCarb Chemostratigraphy From Latest Guadalupian Through Earliest Triassic In South China And Iran, Vladimir Davydov

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Large carbon cycle perturbations are associated with the end-Permian mass extinction and subsequent recovery, but Late Permian (Lopingian) carbon cycle dynamics prior to the mass extinction event remain poorly documented. Here we present a high-resolution δ¹³C_carb chemostratigraphic framework from latest Guadalupian to earliest Triassic time, calibrated with high-resolution conodont biostratigraphy and high-precision geochronology. We observe two large negative excursions in δ¹³C_carb, the first in uppermost Guadalupian strata and the second at the end of the Changhsingian stage, and between these events distinctive excursions from the middle Wuchiapingian to the early Changhsingian. The end-Changhsingian …

Isso Weekly Newsletter, August 1, 2013, University Of Northern Iowa. International Students And Scholars Office.

ISSO Weekly Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

-- ISSO Office Has Moved
-- International Culture Day August 3 at World's Window
-- Iowa Irish Fest August 2-4
-- Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band August 3
-- Waterloo Bucks Baseball August 2
-- ISSO Summer Office Hours
-- Things to Do in the Summer
-- Reminder to like our Facebook page
-- ISSO - Enhancing International Experiences

Topology Optimization Using A Level Set Penalization With Constrained Topology Features, Luis Fernandez

All Theses

Topology optimization techniques have been applied to structural design problems in order to determine the best material distribution in a given domain. The topology optimization problem is ill-posed because optimal designs tend to have infinite number of holes. In order to regularize this problem, a geometrical constraint, for instance the perimeter of the design (i.e., the measure of the boundary of the solid region, length in 2D problems or the surface area in 3D problems) is usually imposed. In this thesis, a novel methodology to solve the topology optimization problem with a constraint on the number of holes is proposed. …

Individual Behavioral Variation Of Juvenile Spiny Lobster (Panulirus Argus) Denning Behaviors And The Role It Plays In Shelter Competition During Habitat Loss, Katherine Heldt

All Theses

Variation in juvenile spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) aggressive and gregarious behaviors may play an important role in structuring population level interactions. Since aggressive and gregarious behaviors were not repeatable and were found to be highly correlated with size, these behaviors were found to be largely driven by a combination of behavioral plasticity and ontogeny. Although larger individuals were found to be the most aggressive and least gregarious individuals, often occupying crevice shelters by themselves, they did not exclude smaller, less aggressive lobsters from crevice shelters. Surprisingly, in shelter limited situations, small, less aggressive individuals were more likely to use dens …

Flexural Strength Reliability Of Visually Graded Southern Pine Dimensional Lumber, Mengyu Yang

All Theses

The reference design values published in the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction are derived from full-scale testing of lumber samples performed in the 1980s. This testing program is commonly known as the In-GradeTest Program. Selective annual sample tests of visually graded Southern Pine lumber from 1994 to 2010 revealed an overall decreasing trend in the mechanical properties. Because of this alarming observation, a new round of full-scale In-Grade test of visually graded Southern Pine was initiated in 2010. The new test data indicated significant reductions in certain design values published in the current design code (2005 NDS). …