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Decrease In Hyperosmotic Stress-Induced Corneal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis By L-Carnitine, N Khandekar, M Willcox, S Shih, P Simmons, J Vehige, Q Garrett

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: To characterize the osmoprotective properties of L-carnitine on human corneal epithelial cell volume and apoptosis during hyperosmotic stress.

Methods: Human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells were exposed to culture medium at 300 mOsm (isotonic) or 500 mOsm (hyperosmotic) with or without L-carnitine (10 mM). Induction of apoptosis was detected by quantifying the proteolytic activity of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3/7 using caspase activity assays, the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and annexin V/propidium iodide staining of HCLE cells evaluated with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Cell volume changes in response to hyperosmotic stress were analyzed …

Assessment Of Potential Anti-Cancer Stem Cell Activity Of Marine Algal Compounds Using An In Vitro Mammosphere Assay, J De La Mare, J Sterrenberg, M Sukhthankar, M Chiwakata, D Beukes, G Blatch, A Edkins

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory proposes that tumours arise from and are sustained by a subpopulation of cells with both cancer and stem cell properties. One of the key hallmarks of CSCs is the ability to grow anchorage-independently under serum-free culture conditions resulting in the formation of tumourspheres. It has further been reported that these cells are resistant to traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

Methods: In this study, the tumoursphere assay was validated in MCF-7 cells and used to screen novel marine algal compounds for potential anti-cancer stem cell (CSC) activity in vitro.

Results: MCF-7 breast cancer cells were observed …

How Does Culture Influence Corporate Risk-Taking?, Kai Li, Dale Griffin, Heng Yue, Longkai Zhao

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

We investigate the role of national culture in corporate risk-taking. We postulate that culture influencescorporate risk-taking both through its effect on managerial decision-making and through its effect on acountry’s formal institutions. Further, we postulate that the influence of culture is conditioned on theextent of managerial discretion as measured by earnings discretion and firm size. Using firm-level datafrom 35 countries and employing a hierarchical linear modeling approach to isolate the effects of firmleveland country-level variables, we show that individualism has a positive and significant association,whereas uncertainty avoidance and harmony have negative and significant associations, with corporaterisk-taking. Greater earnings discretion strengthens and …

Review On The State Of Sustainability Reporting In Singapore, Soo Chiat Hwang, Teng Aun Khoo, Dan Chi Wong

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The trend of sustainability reports has increased inexorably as the clamor by various stakeholders including NGOs have been growing louder and louder. Some countries have even made sustainability reporting mandatory. In Singapore only a small percentage of listed companies are voluntary providing sustainability reporting but this number is set to increase in line with the world trend. As sustainability reporting in Singapore will continue to grow this study attempts to address the perceptions of the importance and usefulness of sustainability reporting, the reporting framework and the training needs of both users and preparers to provide such reports. The results from …

“It Is Not A Disease We Treat, But A Person”: Medical Students’ Reflections On Their First Rotations To An Oncology And Palliative Care Unit, John Kearsley, Elizabeth Lobb

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

The vast array of technologic advances in medicine has transformed traditional medical practice and education. However, these advances are not without their critics (1-7). Some medical educators and students suggest that the “final product” of medical education has many of the characteristics of the applied scientist (2) rather than those of the humane physician-healer (8). Many medical students bring to their studies an idealism and an empathy that, for many, is quickly eroded over time. According to Bellini and Shea (4), they may never fully recover their empathy. Several studies have concluded that a significant decline in empathy occurs during …

Online Prostate Cancer Screening Decision Aid For At-Risk Men: A Randomized Trial, Kaaren J. Watts, Bettina Meiser, Claire E. Wakefield, Alexandra Barratt, Kirsten Howard, Benjamin C. Cheah, Graham J. Mann, Elizabeth Lobb, Clara Gaff, Manish I. Patel

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: This study examines the efficacy of an online decision aid (DA) for men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Methods: Unaffected Australian men (40 - 79 years) with at least one affected relative completed the first online questionnaire, were randomized to read either the tailored DA (intervention) or nontailored information about prostate cancer screening (control), then completed a questionnaire postreading and 12 months later. The primary outcome was decisional conflict regarding prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. The impact of the DA on longitudinal outcomes was analyzed by using random intercept mixed effects models. Logistic and linear regressions were …

The "Specter" Of Cancer: Exploring Secondary Trauma For Health Professionals Providing Cancer Support And Counseling, Lauren Breen, Moira O'Connor, Lauren Y. Hewitt, Elizabeth Lobb

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Health professionals are vulnerable to occupational stress and tend to report high levels of secondary trauma and burnout; this is especially so for those working in “high-death” contexts such as cancer support and palliative care. In this study, 38 health professionals (psychologists, social workers, pastoral carers/chaplains, nurses, group facilitators, and a medical practitioner) who provide grief support and counseling in cancer and palliative care each participated in a semistructured interview. Qualitatively, a grounded theory analysis revealed four themes: (a) the role of health professionals in supporting people who are experiencing grief and loss issues in the context of cancer, (b) …

Maternal And Infant Infections Stimulate A Rapid Leukocyte Response In Breastmilk, F Hassiotou, A Hepworth, P Metzger, C Lai, N Trengove, P Hartmann, L Filgueira

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Breastmilk protects infants against infections; however, specific responses of breastmilk immune factors to different infections of either the mother or the infant are not well understood. Here, we examined the baseline range of breastmilk leukocytes and immunomodulatory biomolecules in healthy mother/infant dyads and how they are influenced by infections of the dyad. Consistent with a greater immunological need in the early postpartum period, colostrum contained considerable numbers of leukocytes (13–70% out of total cells) and high levels of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Within the first 1–2 weeks postpartum, leukocyte numbers decreased significantly to a low baseline level in mature breastmilk (0–2%) …

The Opportunistic Reporting Of Material Events And The Apparent Misconception Of Investors' Reaction, Dan Segal, Benjamin Segal

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Using a comprehensive sample of non-earnings 8-K filings from 1996 to 2011, we examine whether firms engage in opportunistic reporting of mandatory and voluntary news. We find strong evidence of opportunistic reporting of negative news, especially among public firms. Public firms are more likely to delay disclosure of negative news, report negative news after trading hours, and report on the last day of the week. We also find evidence of opportunistic bundling of news. Our findings support the notion that managers engage in strategic disclosure by delaying or obfuscating negative news in order to mitigate the potential market reaction. Factors …

Comparison Of Volatile Blends And Nucleotide Sequences Of Two Beauveria Bassiana Isolates Of Different Virulence And Repellency Towards The Termite Macrotermes Michealseni, D. M. Mburu, N. K. Maniania, A. Hassanali

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Isolates of the fungus Beauveria bassiana have different levels of virulence and repellency against the termite Macrotermes michaelseni. In the present study, we compared the volatile profiles and gene sequences of two isolates of the fungus with different levels of virulence and repellence to the termite. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analyses showed quantitative and qualitative differences in the composition of volatiles of the two isolates. The repellencies of synthetic blends of 10 prominent components that mimicked the volatiles of each of the two isolates were significantly different. Subtractive bioassays showed that the repellency of each isolate was due to synergistic effects …

Development Of A Gravid Trap For Collecting Live Malaria Vectors Anopheles Gambiae S.L, Sisay Dugassa, Jenny M. Lindh, Florence Oyieke, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Steven W. Lindsay, Ulrike Fillinger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

BACKGROUND: Effective malaria vector control targeting indoor host-seeking mosquitoes has resulted in fewer vectors entering houses in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa, with the proportion of vectors outdoors becoming more important in the transmission of this disease. This study aimed to develop a gravid trap for the outdoor collection of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.l. based on evaluation and modification of commercially available gravid traps. METHODS: Experiments were implemented in an 80 m(2) semi-field system where 200 gravid Anopheles gambiae s.s. were released nightly. The efficacy of the Box, CDC and Frommer updraft gravid traps was compared. The Box …

Construction Workers' Exposure To Crystalline Silica: Literature Review And Analysis, Charles Beaudry, Chantal Dion, Michel Gérin, Guy Perrault, Denis Bégin, Jérôme Lavoué

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

La silice est un des composés inorganiques les plus répandus dans la nature. Sous la forme cristalline du quartz on la retrouve abondamment dans divers minéraux, dont le granite et le sable. Lorsque des matériaux contenant de la silice cristalline sont manipulés, le quartz peut se retrouver sous forme de poussière en suspension dans l’air. L’inhalation de cette poussière par les travailleurs peut causer diverses maladies des voies respiratoires, dont les plus invalidantes sont la silicose et le cancer pulmonaire.

Dans le secteur de la construction, l’exposition professionnelle à la silice cristalline est fréquente dans plusieurs métiers, en raison de …

Front Matter Of Volume 8 Number 1, Tufail A. Qureshi

Business Review

Front matter, Contents and Editorial perspective

Comparison Of The Effects Of Extracts From Three Vitex Plant Species On Anopheles Gambiae S.S. (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae, Mokua G. Nyamoita, Innocent Ester, Mbwambo H. Zakaria, Lwande Wilber, Ochola J. Bwire, Hassanali Ahmed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Acetone and methanol extracts of different parts of three Vitex species (leaves and stem bark of Vitex trifolia, leaves, stem bark and root bark of Vitex schiliebenii and stem and root bark of Vitex payos) were evaluated for their potential to control Anopheles gambiae Giles s.s. larvae (Diptera: Culicidae). The extracts gave different levels and rate of mortality of the larvae. Some (methanol extract of V. trifolia leaves, acetone extracts of stem bark and leaves of V. schiliebenii, acetone extract of root bark of V. payos) caused 100% mortality at 100ppm in 72h, with those of V. schiliebenii and V. …

A New Approach To An Old Problem: Defining Nursing’S Role In Successful Transitions To Long-Term Residential Care, Kyleen Aldrich

Honors College Theses

A growing body of nursing research addresses the transitional period for older adults entering long-term residential care. However, gaps exist in our understanding of nursing’s role in the transition process. Our aim is to examine the available evidence and develop a model of nursing strategies and interventions to ease the transition to long-term care. This model describes interventions that nurses can incorporate into everyday practice.

A literature review was conducted to examine the transitional care needs and interventions for older adults with a goal of developing a model addressing transitions to long-term care.

Most nursing studies provided descriptive information about …

Frozen Rotor Approximation In The Mixed Quantum/Classical Theory For Collisional Energy Transfer: Application To Ozone Stabilization, Alexander Teplukhin, Mikhail V. Ivanov, Dmitri Babikov

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

A frozen-rotor approximation is formulated for the mixed quantum/classical theory of collisional energy transfer and ro-vibrational energy flow [M. Ivanov and D. Babikov, J. Chem. Phys.134, 144107 (Year: 2011)]. Numerical tests are conducted to assess its efficiency and accuracy, compared to the original version of the method, where rotation of the molecule in space is treated explicitly and adiabatically. New approach is considerably faster and helps blocking the artificial ro-vibrational transitions at the pre- and post-collisional stages of the process. Although molecular orientation in space is fixed, the energy exchange between rotational, vibrational, and translational digresses of freedom still occurs, …

Identification Of A Histidine Metal Ligand In The Arge-Encoded N-Acetyl-L-Ornithine Deacetylase From Escherichia Coli, Wade C. Mcgregor, Danuta Gillner, Sabina I. Swierczek, Dali Liu, Richard C. Holz

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The H355A, H355K, H80A, and H80K mutant enzymes of the argE-encoded N-acetyl-L-ornithine deacetylase (ArgE) from Escherichia coli were prepared, however, only the H355A enzyme was found to be soluble. Kinetic analysis of the Co(II)-loaded H355A exhibited activity levels that were 380-fold less than Co(II)-loaded WT ArgE. Electronic absorption spectra of Co(II)-loaded H355A-ArgE indicate that the bound Co(II) ion resides in a distorted, five-coordinate environment and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) data for Zn(II) binding to the H355A enzyme provided a dissociation constant (K_d) of 39 μM. A three-dimensional homology model of ArgE was generated using the …

Molecular Docking And Nmr Binding Studies To Identify Novel Inhibitors Of Human Phosphomevalonate Kinase, Pornthip Boonsri, Terrence S. Neumann, Andrew Lawrence Olson, Sheng Cai, Timothy J. Herdendorf, Henry M. Miziorko, Supa Hannongbua, Daniel S. Sem

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) phosphorylates mevalonate-5-phosphate (M5P) in the mevalonate pathway, which is the sole source of isoprenoids and steroids in humans. We have identified new PMK inhibitors with virtual screening, using autodock. Promising hits were verified and their affinity measured using NMR-based ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) chemical shift perturbation and fluorescence titrations. Chemical shift changes were monitored, plotted, and fitted to obtain dissociation constants (K_d). Tight binding compounds with K_d’s ranging from 6–60 μM were identified. These compounds tended to have significant polarity and negative charge, similar to the natural …

Modification Of Luas Heating And Ventilation Systems To Reduce Energy Consumption, Eogan Sweeney, James Brunton

Conference Papers

Luas is a state of the art light rail system operating in Dublin Ireland. Being electrically powered, energy is a major operating cost for Luas. One component of rolling stock identified by this research that consumes a disproportional amount of energy is that of the heating and ventilation systems. The heating and ventilation systems fitted to Luas vehicles consume as much as 60% of total vehicle power, and under certain conditions can consume more than that of the traction motors. This paper explores solutions to reducing the energy consumption of Luas heating and ventilation systems. The identified software modifications and …

Analysis Of Vitamin D Status At Two Academic Medical Centers And A National Reference Laboratory: Result Patterns Vary By Age, Gender, Season, And Patient Location, Jonathan R. Genzen, Jennifer T. Gosselin, Thomas C. Wilson, Emilian Racila, Matthew D. Krasowski

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Testing for 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has increased dramatically in recent years. The present report compares overall utilization and results for 25(OH)D orders at two academic medical centers - one in New York and one in Iowa – in order to characterize the vitamin D status of our inpatient and outpatient populations. Results are also compared to those from a national reference laboratory to determine whether patterns at these two institutions reflect those observed nationally.

Methods: Retrospective data queries of 25(OH)D orders and results were conducted using the laboratory information systems at Weill Cornell Medical College / New York Presbyterian …

The Leadership Style Of Thatcher And Lincoln As Portrayed In Film., Deryugina Y. Aleksandrovna

Level 3

In this article I offer a psychological analysis of existing theories of leadership. At present there are generally nine theories of leadership listed in psychology literature. I will use the psychological characteristic of these nine theories to analyse the political styles of leadership of Margaret Thatcher and of Abraham Lincoln as portrayed in two recent films: Iron Lady and Lincoln.

Developmental Changes In Postural Stability During The Performance Of A Precision Manual Task, Jeffrey M. Haddad, Laura J. Claxton, Dawn Melzer, Joseph Hamill, Richard E. A. Van Emmerik

Psychology Faculty Publications

Posture becomes integrated with other goal-directed behaviors early in infancy and continues to develop into the second decade of life. However, the developmental time course over which posture is stabilized relative to the base of support during a dynamic manual precision task has not been examined. Postural-manual integration was assessed in 7-year-olds, 10-year-olds, and adults using a postural-manual task in which task precision (target fitting size) and postural difficulty (reaching distance to a target) were manipulated. The main dependent variable was postural time-to-contact (TtC). Results indicated systematic age effects in which TtC was shortest in the 7-year-olds, increased in the …

The Impact Of Competition On Prices With Numerous Firms, Xavier Gabaix, David Laibson, Deyuan Li, Hongyi Li

ESI Working Papers

We use extreme value theory (EVT) to develop insights about price theory. Our analysis reveals detail-independent equilibrium properties that characterize a large family of models. We derive a formula relating equilibrium prices to the level of competition. When the number of rms is large, markups are proportional to 1= (nF' [F^-1 (1- 1/n)], where F is the random utility noise distribution and n is the number of rms. This implies prices are pinned down by the tail properties of the noise distribution and that prices are independent of many other institutional details. The elasticity of the markup with respect to …

Snap-Ed Participants Increase Fruit And Vegetable Consumption, Heidi Leblanc, S. Haws, N. Christensen, D. Christensen, D. Christofferson

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables are documented, yet more than 75 percent of Americans do not eat the recommended servings advised by the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. Through a self-reported post/pre behavior checklist, the Utah State University Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) demonstrated an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption in low-income individuals through consistent education incorporating four or more lessons over a period of five years.

Food $Ense Website, Heidi Leblanc, D. Christofferson, E. Milligan

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Cloud Privacy Audit Framework: A Value-Based Design, David Coss

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid expansion of cloud technology provides enormous capacity, which allows for the collection, dissemination and re-identification of personal information. It is the cloud’s resource capabilities such as these that fuel the concern for privacy. The impetus of these concerns are not too far removed from those expressed by Mason in 1986, when he identified privacy as one of the biggest ethical issues facing the information age. There seems to be continuous ebb and flow relationship with respect to privacy concerns and the development of new information communication technologies such as cloud computing. Privacy issues are a concern to all …

Multi-Culturalism & Alzheimer’S Disease: Patient-Centered Design As A New Care Model For Multi-Cultural Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Sang Ryu

Theses and Dissertations

The multi-cultural demographics of those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease should be closely examined. From a designer’s standpoint, its cultural traits can foster positive behaviors that lead to better quality of life for patients and caregivers. A patient-centered approach in design was explored in order to shape community-based care that empowers (1) individuality in care services, (2) interpersonal connection in caregiver–patient activities, and (3) a communal culture of being valued via humanitarian approaches.

What?: Visual Interpretations Of The Miscommunication Between The Hearing And Deaf, Virginia Shou

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis visualizes the communication challenges both latent and obvious of my daily life as a hard of hearing individual. By focusing on a variety of experiences and examples I demonstrate the implications of a hard of hearing individual’s life. The prints, objects and videos that I have created for my visual thesis aim to enrich the understanding of a broader public on issues regularly faced by Deaf people. At the heart of my work my goal is to generate mutual empathy between the hearing and the Deaf.

Using Coaching As A Professional Development Modality To Train Teachers In The Use Of Evidence-Based Practices For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders., Samantha Hollins

Theses and Dissertations

Professional development for teachers currently working in the classroom is an important focus of educational programs and school systems. Continuous professional development is especially important for special education teachers to maintain current information related to strategies and supports that are effective in educating students with disabilities. The increase in identification of students with autism has forced many teachers to quickly adapt to working with a population of students they have limited experience in teaching through preservice education and previous classroom experience. Coaching is a popular method for professional development delivery to special education teachers currently working in the classroom. This …

The Impact Of Imprecision In Hcv Viral Load Test Results On Clinicians’ Therapeutic Management Decisions And On The Economic Value Of The Test, Roberta M. Madej

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical laboratory test results are integral to patient management. Important aspects of laboratory tests’ contributions are the use of the test information and the role they have in facilitating efficient and effective use of healthcare resources. Methods of measuring those contributions were examined using quantitative HCV RNA test results (HCV VL) in therapeutic management decisions as a model. Test precision is important in those decisions; therefore, the clinical use was evaluated by studying the impact that knowledge of inherent assay imprecision had on clinicians’ decisions. A survey describing a simulated patient at a decision point for HCV triple-combination therapy management …