Digital Commons Network^™

Exponential Random Graph Models For Multilevel Networks, Daniel Tattersall

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This master's thesis investigates the use of exponential random graph models for multilevel networks. It begins by describing some basic ideas in network analysis and then moves into the use of models to describe observed networks. After establishing modeling concepts for single-level networks, the discussion expands to modeling multilevel networks, which is a less common practice, and provides a brief multilevel modeling application. Focus is given to ERGM theory basics and highlights potential problems that researchers may encounter when employing these methods. Ultimately, the reader leaves with a sense of how and why network complexity can be modeled and some …

Extending Self-Discrepancy Theory To The Social Role Of Mother, Nicole J. Holmberg

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Three studies were conducted in order to extend self-discrepancy theory to an online sample of mothers, both in terms of global self-discrepancies (i.e., self-as-person) and as they relate to the specific social role context of mother (i.e., self-as-mother). Study 1 yielded minimal support for the application of self-discrepancy theory to a sample of mothers. Study 2 yielded partial support for the specificity of the relationships between self-discrepancies from the social role perspective of mother and negative emotions, with ideal discrepancies predicting dejection. Results indicated that self-discrepancy accessibility did not moderate the relationship between self-discrepancies and negative emotion. Study 3 replicated …

Characterization Of The Native Microbial Communities In The Karst Aquifer Of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Anni Moore

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The karst aquifer in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, serves the population as their only drinking water source, and is extremely vulnerable to pollution from sewage and agricultural practices. Because the native microbes are expected to handle this organic pollution load, this study was conducted in order to characterize the phylogenetic and metagenomic composition of these communities as well as microbe-mineral interaction in this virtually metal-free water. Three karst sinkholes and an abandoned drinking water well at a hotel territory were sampled at fresh, saline, and fresh-saline water interface during dry and rainy seasons. The phylogenetic analysis showed an overall high microbial …

The Games Men Play : How Community College Men Use Video Games To Construct Masculinity, Eric J. Niemi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Employing a critical discourse analysis as a methodology, the study provides information into the intersection of male student development, video games, and two-year higher education institutions. Using a sample of 13 participants, this research study examines how male students at two year higher education instructions use video games to construct their masculinity. This study provides evidence that college men construct multiple definitions of masculinity by playing video games. Further, the benefits explored include academic and workplace strategies for success. Finally, opportunities for two year institutions to further engage this student population is included.

Integrating Spirituality And Religion With Counselors-In-Training In Practicum : A Look At Competence And Comfort Level, Nikki Renee Ruffin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In the past 20 years, the counseling profession has increased the amount of research and focus on integrating spirituality and religion into applied practice, curriculum, and supervision. In the last few years, some have argued that spirituality is the fifth force in the counseling field. The purpose of this study was to (a) explore counseling students' exposure to religious and spiritual issues in counseling (SRIC) practica and their comfort with addressing SRIC with clients, (b) explore counseling students' exposure to an intervention of SRIC practica and their perceived competence with addressing SRIC with clients, and (c) assess the impact of …

Examining Teacher Self-Efficacy About Best Practices In Science During A Professional Development Series, Jessica L. Menez

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Using extant data that were collected as part of a larger project, the current study examined teacher self-efficacy and the teachers' intentions to implement workshop content throughout the course of a six-week professional development workshop focused on enhancing science motivation for students through the adoption of specific instructional strategies. There were a total of 20 middle and high school teacher participants. Results indicated teacher self-efficacy changed significantly from pre to post. Teachers showed higher teacher self-efficacy after the professional development, in particular for influencing student engagement. In addition, we found a moderate correlation between the level of confidence after the …

The Importance Of Pre- And Postnatal Thermal Conditions In Determining Growth Trajectories In Three Viviparous Grassland Snakes, Tanya K. O'Brien

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In many reptile species, the onset of reproductive maturity is determined by size rather than age. Rapid growth during the first year may therefore promote population growth by shortening generation time and increasing the probability of survival to reproduction. Patterns of neonatal growth were observed over five years in three sympatric grassland snakes at Potawatomi Woods in Northern Illinois. Growth of Dekay's Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi), Red-bellied Snakes (S. occipitomaculata) and Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) varied in parallel among years such that neonates achieved 20-44% greater snout-vent length (SVL) in warmer years (mean April 1 thru September 30 temperature) than in …

Individual Phenotypic Variation Reduces Interaction Strengths In A Consumer–Resource System, Jean P. Gibert, Chad Brassil

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Natural populations often show variation in traits that can affect the strength of interspecific interactions. Interaction strengths in turn influence the fate of pairwise interacting populations and the stability of food webs. Understanding the mechanisms relating individual phenotypic variation to interaction strengths is thus central to assess how trait variation affects population and community dynamics. We incorporated nonheritable variation in attack rates and handling times into a classical consumer–resource model to investigate how variation may alter interaction strengths, population dynamics, species persistence, and invasiveness. We found that individual variation influences species persistence through its effect on interaction strengths. In many …

Functional Limb Morphology Of Extinct Carnivores Smilodon Fatalis, Panthera Atrox, And Canis Dirus Based On Comparisons With Four Extant Felids And One Extant Canid, Burcu Carlon

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Adaptations for hunting and locomotor functions of animals are related to the limb functional characteristics of limb muscles, muscle attachment sites on bones, and joint articular surface shapes. This dissertation includes study of extant Felis catus, Neofelis nebulosa, Panthera leo, and Acinonyx jubatus and extinct Smilodon fatalis, Panthera atrox, and Canis dirus. The extant species exhibit different locomotor modes. The functional characteristics of extinct species are predicted based on limb bone morphology.||N. nebulosa, F. catus, and V. vulpes forelimb musculature was described, muscle maps were generated, and muscle fiber analysis was completed. Muscle attachment sizes were also compared in these …

Gas-Phase Chemistry Of Tryptophan-Based Radicals, Andrii Piatkivskyi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This work is devoted to the fundamental study of gas-phase tryptophan-based radical cations. It covers: mechanisms of the radical ion formation in the gas-phase; the description and contrast of the two types of tryptophan side chain radicals (pi and N-indolyl) based on their reactivities, infrared spectra, structural energetics and fragmentation patterns; investigation of the N-indolyl tryptophan radical cation fragmentation pathways; formation of the two types of tryptophan radicals (pi and N-indolyl) within short peptides; their characterization and comparison based on the fragmentation patterns and reactivity; and gas-phase study of intramolecular radical migration from tryptophan to cysteine and from tryptophan to …

Impact Of Post-Mortem Alternation On Oxygen Isotope Values Of Diatom Silica, Wilson Wiedenheft

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Oxygen isotope values of biogenic silica are increasingly used as proxies of paleoenvironmental conditions. A number of studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the diatom silica and the temperature/oxygen isotope value of the formation water; however, some studies have indicated that early diagenesis of biogenic silica may alter the oxygen isotope values by several permil. Quantification of the maturation process has proven difficult since the mechanisms that drive post-mortem changes in the silica oxygen isotope values have not been well characterized. New silica maturation data from marine diatom, Stephanopyxis turris, cultured in a controlled laboratory experiment, demonstrate a rapid …

Inhibition Of The Mep Pathway : Design, Synthesis And Evaluation Of Ispf Enzyme Inhibitors; Synthesis Of Pde4d Partial Inhibitors And Exploration Of Atropisomeric Analogs, Zheng Zhang

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation contains two major projects. The first project focused on the design and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors of the methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. Known as a non-mevalonate isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, plants and apicomplexan protozoa such as malaria parasites use this to produce isoprenoids (terpenoids). Additionally, most bacteria, including pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, synthesize IPP and DMAPP via the non-mevalonate pathway.1 Among the seven enzymes involved in this pathway, a highly conserved enzyme is 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (IspF). Fragment screening hits on Burkholderia pseudomallei IspF (BpIspF) afforded the basis for our chemistry leads, allowing the design of …

Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Nanocomposite Coating Applications : Formulation, Characterization, And Evaluation, Tsehaye Eyassu

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Nanotechnology applications in coatings have shown significant growth in recent years. Systematic incorporation of nano-sized inorganic materials into polymer coating enhances optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties significantly. The present dissertation will focus on formulation, characterization and evaluation of inorganic/organic hybrid nanocomposite coatings for heat dissipation, corrosion inhibition and ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) cut applications. In addition, the dissertation will cover synthesis, characterization and dispersion of functional inorganic fillers.||In the first project, we investigated factors that can affect the "Molecular Fan" cooling performance and efficiency. The investigated factors and conditions include types of nanomaterials, size, loading amount, coating …

The Differences Between Iron And Iron-Substituted Manganese Superoxide Dismutase With Respect To Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment, Jianing Wang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Iron-substituted manganese superoxide dismutase (Fe(Mn)SOD) was produced using an in vivo preparation method. It’s an inactive enzyme in catalyzing superoxide radical dismutation owing to the mis-incorporation of Fe in the active site evolved to use Mn. To investigate the possible toxicity of human Fe(Mn)SOD proposed by Yamakura, we studied the properties of Fe(Mn)SOD upon H₂O₂ treatment and compared to that of FeSOD. It’s found that the responses to H₂O₂ treatment were different, including the changes of optical spectra, variations of active site coordination and secondary structures. Fe³⁺ reduction was not observed in Fe(Mn)SOD …

Novel Uncharged Local Anesthetics, Rob Hussain

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Bupivacaine is among the most widely used local anesthetics (LAs) for invasive procedures and postoperative pain relief because of its long duration of action and considerable potency. Bupivacaine carries a risk for cardiotoxicity and the relationship between its structure and its anesthetic action is incompletely known. This study was designed to characterize how changes in the aromatic ring of a class of carbamoyl piperidines (CPs), which structurally resemble bupivacaine, alter anesthetic action. In most of the CPs, the carbonyl carbon is directly bonded to the piperidine nitrogen (called the 1N position) and the piperidine nitrogen lacks substitution; bupivacaine, in contrast, …

Addressing Public Health Risks Of Persistent Pollutants Through Nutritional Modulation And Biomimetic Nanocomposite Remediation Platforms, Bradley J. Newsome

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Due to their relative chemical stability and ubiquity in the environment, chlorinated organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pose significant health risks and enduring remediation challenges. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) provide a novel platform for sensing/remediation of these toxicants, in addition to the growing use of NPs in many industrial and biomedical applications, but there remains concern for their potential long-term health effects. Research highlighted herein also represents a transdisciplinary approach to address human health challenges associated with exposure to PCBs and NPs. The objectives of this dissertation research are two-fold, 1) to develop effective methods for capture/sensing and remediation …

Outside University Walls : Alexandra David-Neel's Influence In Developing The Field Of Buddhist Studies, Mary Michele

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Alexandra David-Neel (1868-1969) was a Frenchwoman who is known primarily as an adventurer, explorer, and travel writer because she walked across the Himalayan Mountains into the city of Lhasa in 1924 when foreigners were prohibited from entering Tibet. She returned to Europe to write about her experiences in two famous books: My Journey to Lhasa (1993) and Magic and Mystery in Tibet (1971).||David-Neel wrote twenty more books about mystical, philosophical, sociological, political, and historical themes (published on five continents) that reflect discourses that changed over time within different cultures. The discourses about Orientalism and colonialism along with feminist and gender …

Parental And Adolescent Characteristics Predicting Adolescent Disclosure To Parents Across Various Social Domains, Michael Patrick Flores

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The current study examined associations between adolescents' externalizing problem behaviors (EPBs), maternal and paternal parenting characteristics (i.e., parental warmth), and adolescents' disclosure of behavior to their mother- and father-figures across several specific social domains (i.e., personal, multifaceted, moral/conventional, electronic) in order to provide a better understanding of the forces behind adolescent's decisions to disclose. Complete data were collected from 170 ninth and tenth-grade students from a suburban Chicago high school. Based on actual reported experiences disclosing to parents, three social domains that have been previously considered were identified as was an unexpected social domain which was labeled the "electronic" domain. …

Poeisis As Political Educator : Aristotle And The Purpose Of Poeisis, Stephen Eugene Clouse

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This inquiry into Aristotle's thought focuses on the relationship between the poetic arts and moral education. Specifically, it looks at whether poetry can be used as a means for teaching moral virtue. Aristotle is clear that the arts, broadly speaking, are inferior to virtue. However, the political context of poetry as well as Aristotle's account of katharsis and the relationship between philosophy and poetry seem to indicate that the purpose of poetry may serve an educative function in the life of the city. I argue that while poetry is not moral education, it serves an educative role by facilitating an …

Marriage Equality Setback In Puerto Rico, Arthur S. Leonard

Other Publications

No abstract provided.

H3k27me3 And H3k4me3 Chromatin Environment At Super-Induced Dehydration Stress Memory Genes Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Ning Liu, Zoya Avramova, Michael Fromm

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Pre-exposure to a stress may alter the plant’s cellular, biochemical, and/or transcriptional responses during future encounters as a “memory” from the previous stress. Genes increasing transcription in response to a first dehydration stress, but producing much higher transcript levels in a subsequent stress, represent the super-induced “transcription memory” genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The chromatin environment (histone H3 tri-methylations of Lys 4 and Lys 27, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3) studied at five dehydration stress memory genes revealed existence of distinct memory-response subclasses that responded differently to CLF deficiency and displayed different transcriptional activities during the watered recovery periods. Among the most …

Assessing Optimal Set Of Implemental Physical Parameterization Schemes In A Multi-Physics Land Surface Model Using Genetic Algorithm, S. Hong, X. Yu, S. K. Park, Y.-S. Choi, Boksoon Myoung

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Optimization of land surface models has been challenging due to the model complexity and uncertainty. In this study, we performed scheme-based model optimizations by designing a framework for coupling "the micro-genetic algorithm" (micro-GA) and "the Noah land surface model with multiple physics options" (Noah-MP). Micro-GA controls the scheme selections among eight different land surface parameterization categories, each containing 2–4 schemes, in Noah-MP in order to extract the optimal scheme combination that achieves the best skill score. This coupling framework was successfully applied to the optimizations of evapotranspiration and runoff simulations in terms of surface water balance over the Han River …

Effects Of Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide On Voltage-Dependent Sodium And Calcium Channels In Rat Ventricular Myocytes, Lina T. Al Kury, Oleg I. Voitychuk, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Faisal T. Thayyullathil, Petro Doroshenkp, Ali M. Ramez, Yaroslav M. Shuba, Sehamuddin Galadari, Frank Christopher Howarth, Murat Oz

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The endocannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide; AEA) exerts negative inotropic and antiarrhythmic effects in ventricular myocytes.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Whole-cell patch-clamp technique and radioligand-binding methods were used to analyse the effects of anandamide in rat ventricular myocytes.

KEY RESULTS: In the presence of 1-10 μM AEA, suppression of both Na(+) and L-type Ca(2+) channels was observed. Inhibition of Na(+) channels was voltage and Pertussis toxin (PTX) - independent. Radioligand-binding studies indicated that specific binding of [(3) H] batrachotoxin (BTX) to ventricular muscle membranes was also inhibited significantly by 10 μM metAEA, a non-metabolized AEA analogue, with …

From Quanta To Qualia: How A Paradigm Shift Turns Into Science. Philosophy Study Vol. 4, Deepak Chopra, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Ever since the development of quantum mechanics in the first part of the 20th century, a new world view has emerged. Today, the physicalist objective assumption that objects exist independently of acts of observation has been challenged. The repercussions of this radical challenge to our common-sense perception of the world are far-reaching, although not yet generally realized. Here we argue that there is a complementary view to the way science which is being practiced, and that consciousness itself is primary and qualia form the foundation of experience. We outline the arguments of why the new science of qualia will tie …

Is Big Data Enough? A Reflection On The Changing Role Of Mathematics In Applications, Domenico Napoletani, Marco Panza, Daniele C. Struppa

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The advent of computers, and especially high-performance computers, has had a dramatic impact on the way in which mathematics is done and even more on how mathematics is applied, as demonstrated by the growth of computational mathematics as well as what goes under the name of “experimental mathematics”, to which a journal is now devoted. More importantly, computers are now used to perform highly complex computations in order to apply mathematical models to a variety of empirical problems that could never be attacked otherwise.

To Compare The Accuracy Of Prayer's Sign And Mallampatti Test In Predicting Difficult Intubation In Diabetic Patients, Mirza Mudassir Ali Baig, Fazal Hameed Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To determine the accuracy of Prayer's sign and Mallampatti test in predicting difficult endotracheal intubation in diabetic patients.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, over a period from January 2009 to April 2010, and comprised 357 patients who required endotracheal intubation for elective surgical procedures. Prayer's sign and Mallampatti tests were performed for the assessment of airway by trained observers. Ease or difficulty of laryngoscopy after the patient was fully anaesthetised with standard technique were observed and laryngoscopic view of first attempt was rated according to Cormack-Lehan grade of intubation. SPSS 15 was …

Ento 403/803: Management Of Horticultural Crop Pests—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Thomas J. Weissling

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

ENTO 403/803, management of horticultural crop pests, is an important class for many students. It is required by undergraduate horticulture majors at UNL, but because it is offered online, it is also of interest to entomology and horticulture graduate students across the U.S. and globally. I chose this class for the peer review process because I find it challenging due to online course delivery, and the breadth of knowledge of students that are enrolled. I feel I need to take this course to a higher level where I can engage students of all backgrounds, and ensure that each of them …

Agen/Bsen 344: Biological And Environmental Transport Processes—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Shadi F. Othman

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The course I am providing a portfolio for is BSEN/AGEN 344 which is a required course for all our undergraduate students. The Department provides an assessment for the course to align itself with the ABET's Accreditation Process. I taught the course in Spring 2012 adapting a new Team Based Learning Approach. I have three main objective from my portfolio: (1) refine my methods in documenting the linkage between my course goals and assessment measures, (2) document the efficacy of team based learning approach, (3) refine team based learning approach for the current course and adapt the approach to future courses, …

Ento 401: Insect Physiology—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Nicholas Miller

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Insect Physiology (ENTO 401) is a required course for majors in Insect Science. This portfolio documents my efforts to improve the course as I teach it for the second time. My intention was to use the development of a portfolio as a vehicle to modify the course so that the methods I use are better aligned to my overall goals for the course. Consequently, I have produced a portfolio that is directed toward my efforts to develop a more varied approach that improves integrated understanding and scientific thinking and to better document that the development of integrated understanding and scientific …

Bioc 435: Advanced Topics In Biochemistry—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Edward N. Harris

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

BIOC 435 or Advanced Topics in Biochemistry is an ACE 10 (Achievement centered education)course for students in their senior year. This is a capstone course for Biochemistry majors and is the last of several biochemistry courses that they will take in their undergraduate enrollment. The course is also open to non-majors in a related science such as Biology and Biological Sciences, although these students typically do not do as well as the majors. Students who take this course should be well-prepared in the basic concepts of biochemistry with regards to nucleic acids and proteins as well as some familiarity with …