Digital Commons Network^™

Transcending Borders: Mexican Experiences With Migration, Race And Identity, 1910-1965, Marissa Nichols

Honors Program Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Generation Peace: Peace Education To Unify A Globalized Society, Jocelyn Coombs

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The purpose of this study is to discuss how Peace Education may build on the objectives of Global and Diversity Education, and how it may enhance these objectives in higher education. Through a qualitative study of survey data and analysis of curriculum and diversity programs at Bridgewater State University, I examine connections between the diversity-oriented campus environment and student attitudes towards diversity. I use responses from a fifty-question survey distributed to over 300 students at BSU to analyze student attitudes towards diversity, individualism, and political engagement. While students enjoy meeting people from diverse backgrounds, a significant percent of respondents do …

Cytochrome P450s And Uses Thereof, Joe Chappell, Lyle F. Ralston

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Patents

The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.

Social Opportunity Rapidly Regulates Expression Of Crf And Crf Receptors In The Brain During Social Ascent Of A Teleost Fish, Astatotilapia Burtoni, Russ E. Carpenter, Karen P. Maruska, Lisa Becker, Russell D. Fernald

Faculty Publications

In social animals, hierarchical rank governs food availability, territorial rights and breeding access. Rank order can change rapidly and typically depends on dynamic aggressive interactions. Since the neuromodulator corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) integrates internal and external cues to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, we analyzed the CRF system during social encounters related to status. We used a particularly suitable animal model, African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, whose social status regulates reproduction. When presented with an opportunity to rise in rank, subordinate A. burtoni males rapidly change coloration, behavior, and their physiology to support a new role as dominant, reproductively …

Novel Telomere-Anchored Pcr Approach For Studying Sexual Stage Telomeres In Aspergillus Nidulans, Nengding Wang, Saajidha Rizvydeen, Mithaq Vahedi, Daysi M. Vargas Gonzalez, Amanda L. Allred, Dustin Wayne Perry, Peter M. Mirabito, Karen E. Kirk

Biology Faculty Publications

Telomere length varies between germline and somatic cells of the same organism, leading to the hypothesis that telomeres are lengthened during meiosis. However, little is known about the meiotic telomere length in many organisms. In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, the telomere lengths in hyphae and asexual spores are invariant. No study using existing techniques has determined the telomere length of the sexual ascospores due to the relatively low abundance of pure meiotic cells in A. nidulans and the small quantity of DNA present. To address this, we developed a simple and sensitive PCR strategy to measure the telomere length …

Asymmetric Disulfides And Aryl-Alkyl Disulfides As Anti-Bacterial Agents, Edward Turos, Kevin D. Revell

USF Patents

The present invention provides N-alkylthio β-lactams and disulfide compounds (e.g., alkyl-coenzyme A asymmetric disulfides or aryl-alkyl disulfides), compositions containing such compounds, and method of their use as anti-bacterial agents.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1Α Restricts The Anabolic Actions Of Parathyroid Hormone, Julie L. Frey, David P. Stonko, Marie-Claude Faugere, Ryan C. Riddle

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

The hypoxia inducible factors (Hifs) are evolutionarily conserved transcriptional factors that control homeostatic responses to low oxygen. In developing bone, Hif-1 generated signals induce angiogenesis necessary for osteoblast specification, but in mature bone, loss of Hif-1 in osteoblasts resulted in a more rapid accumulation of bone. These findings suggested that Hif-1 exerts distinct developmental functions and acts as a negative regulator of bone formation. To investigate the function of Hif-1α in osteoanabolic signaling, we assessed the effect of Hif-1α loss-of-function on bone formation in response to intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH). Mice lacking Hif-1α in osteoblasts and osteocytes form more bone …

Degradation Of Tatp, Tnt, And Rdx Using Mechanically Alloyed Metals, Christian Clausen, Rebecca Fidler, Michael Sigman, Cherie Yestrebsky

UCF Patents

Bimetallic alloys, such as iron nickel (FeNi), iron palladium (FePd), and magnesium palladium (MgPd) provide in situ catalyst system fo remediating and degrading nitro and peroxide explosive compounds. Specifically, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine RDX), triacetone triperoxide (TATP), nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine which are contaminants in ground water, soil, and other structures can be treated on site to remediate explosive contamination.

In The Grey Of The Superfund, Krysti Shallenberger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The oil-soaked ground underneath several homes near the Tank Hill Facilities released vapors into the homes. The people in Cut Bank, Montana complained, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality held a meeting in 2010. But that was just the beginning.Residents in Cut Bank, Montana just filed a complaint against four oil companies who used the Tank Hill crude oil storage and transportation facility. But the complaint only culminated after 24 years of suffering oil fumes, contaminated water and decreased property value. The Tank Hill Facilities superfund site had been used to store and transport crude oil since the 1930s. …

Activation Of C-Met And Upregulation Of Cd44 Expression Are Associated With The Metastatic Phenotype In The Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Model, Victoria Allison Elliott, Piotr G. Rychahou, Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva, B. Mark Evers

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background

Liver metastasis is the most common cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer. Despite extensive research into the biology of cancer progression, the molecular mechanisms that drive colorectal cancer metastasis are not well characterized.

Methods

HT29 LM1, HT29 LM2, HT29 LM3 cell lines were derived from the human colorectal cancer cell line HT29 following multiple rounds of in vivo selection in immunodeficient mice.

Results

CD44 expression, a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, and cancer cells adhesion to endothelial cells was increased in all in vivo selected cell lines, with maximum CD44 expression and cancer cells …

Synthesis Of Modified Indocyanine Green Dyes And Targeting Hypoxia In Tumor Cells And Influence Of Distal Methyl Group On Base Induced Isomerization Of Terminal Alkynes, Innus Mohammad

Doctoral Dissertations

Tumor hypoxia is a major indicator of treatment resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and fluorescence optical tomography has tremendous potential to provide clinically useful functional information by targeting tumor hypoxia. The current techniques to detect hypoxia involve invasive and non-invasive probes, for example MRI, PET (non-invasive) and polarographic needle electrodes (invasive). The polarographic needle electrode technique is limited to superficial tumors, such as cervix, neck, and head. Non-invasive techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are expensive for routine clinical use and these techniques suffers from low spatial resolution, high back ground counts, needs an injection …

Volume 111, Number 26 - Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Saint Mary's College Of California

The Collegian

No abstract provided.

Approaches To Reduce Selection Of Genomic Variants In Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture, Marion Riggs

Theses and Dissertations

Optimizing culture conditions that reduce genomic instability in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is an unmet challenge in the field. Results from our lab and numerous research groups demonstrate that hPSCs are prone to genomic aberrations and single-cell passaging increases the rate of genomic alterations. However, single-cell based passaging maintains advantages for scale-up and standardizing differentiation protocols. In this study, we investigated the problem of genomic instability in hPSC cultures with the goal towards identifying and characterizing candidate genes that could contribute to generation and survival of abnormal hPSCs. Based on microarray analysis, we identify ARHGDIA, located on 17q25, as …

Associations Between Student-Teacher Relationships And Kindergarten Students' Outcomes, Leslie Marie Wells

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The student-teacher relationship (STR) is an important component of a student's success in school. STRs have the potential to serve as an asset for students' well-being and achievement throughout their school career. Current literature suggests that there are two major components of STRs associated with student's academic and behavioral outcomes: closeness and conflict. Research has indicated that STRs characterized by closeness are linked to positive academic and behavior outcomes for students while STRs characterized by conflict are associated with negative academic and behavior outcomes for students. Although research has demonstrated that closeness and conflict have an impact on student outcomes, …

College Students’ Attitudes Towards Adults With Developmental Disabilities: Does Direct Contact Make A Difference?, Caroline E. Greene

Honors College Theses

Data were collected from thirty college students who participated in an alternative break trip and approximately seventy college students who did not attend the trip. Study subjects served as counselors at a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. Data were collected using five measures: a) before the week started, students filled out a survey which questioned their comfort level and attitude when interacting with this population; b) this same survey was administered to a random sample of college students who did not attend the break trip c) at camp, students kept a journal throughout the week documenting their experiences; d) …

High Speed Atomic Force Microscope Design Using Dvd Optics, Thomas Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

We examine the design of a high speed atomic force microscope using an optical pickup from a commercially available compact disc/digital versatile disc drive. An investigation of the commercial optical pickup is done with the goal of determining how it can be used for dimensional measurements on nanometer scale. An evaluation of noise sources, imaging capabilities, and functionality is performed.

Jamie Jay Rothstein, Rn, Ccrc

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

As Clinical Research Nurse and the Project Manager for the Department of Surgery, Jamie Jay Rothstein builds systems for implementing and managing all aspects of the Department’s clinical trials – from protocol development to fiscal management. She also guides the Department’s research coordinators, interacting with them regularly for ongoing education and training.

Before joining Jefferson in July 2013, Rothstein created, developed and managed a research department of 10 physicians. Through strategic planning, analysis, business plan development, quality and performance improvement, the department grew to a staff of several coordinators. She says that while she enjoyed the position, she jumped at …

Innovative Projects Explore Metabolism, Chemotherapy Resistance In Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

A generous contribution via the Gail V. Coleman-Kenneth M. Bruntel Charitable Grant Fund (see “Those Who Give” on p. 4) has enabled Jordan M. Winter, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery, and his team to initiate two innovative studies in pancreatic cancer. Here, Dr. Winter provides an overview of the purpose – and potential impact – of each project.

Studying Cancer Cell Metabolism

As Dr. Winter explains, metabolism is a fundamental biologic process for the viability of any cell – including cancer cells. “If you can find a way to impair that biology, you have an opportunity to treat cancer …

Susan Lanza-Jacoby, Phd

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

It’s been 35 years since the Chair of Surgery at the time, Dr. Francis E. Rosato, Sr., hired Susan Lanza-Jacoby, PhD, to develop a research function within Jefferson’s Department of Surgery. Since then, her lab has been among the first to show that COX2 inhibitors are protective against the development of breast cancer. More recently, it was the first to identify that a 25-percent decrease in daily caloric intake delayed the onset of pancreatic cancer. And despite growing competition for grant dollars, Dr. Jacoby has been able to remain an independent investigator since coming to Jefferson in 1979.

Outside the …

Treating Acute Respiratory Failure

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

In March, Jefferson’s Adult ECMO Program saved the life of Kennett Square resident and entrepreneur Steve Burkes. Burkes, 59, and his wife, Caroline Henrich, an attorney, report that his symptoms started with chills and fever. Since Burkes had recently been playing with their new Amazon parrot, the couple thought perhaps he had contracted an infection from the bird. Instead, it turned out to be Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), caused by a rare bacterial infection unrelated to the parrot.

By the time Henrich drove her husband to Jennersville Regional Hospital, he was incoherent. (“I felt like I was burning up …

Area Hospitals Turn To Jefferson's Adult Ecmo Program

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

In 2010, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital introduced new capabilities for portable extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which provides both cardiac and respiratory support to individuals with severely diseased or damaged heart and lungs. Since then, the hospital has built the area’s only comprehensive, surgeon-led Adult ECMO Program that includes a dedicated unit and team of clinicians with special training and experience in using this life-saving technology.

“Our program is gaining recognition in the community, with other hospitals increasingly referring critically ill patients to our team,” says Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, MD, FACS, FCCP, Director of the Surgical Cardiac Care Unit and Professor …

From The Chair: Overview

Jefferson Surgical Solutions

One Jefferson

There is palpable excitement in the air here at Jefferson. Efforts to transform our University, led by our new President Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, are well underway. Many from our Department have contributed to the changes we see on the horizon. “Health Is All We Do”…has been embraced as our new motto.

“We will reimagine health care, health education and discovery to create unparalleled value”...has been embraced as our vision statement.

A recent extensive strategic retreat process has generated a Blueprint for Strategic Action (BSA) with four foundational enablers. These are:

• Partnerships

• Diversity

• Technology …

An Hsi Fact Sheet: Biosecurity Challenges Of Industrial Farm Animal Production, Humane Society International

HSI FACT SHEETS

Industrial farm animal production (IFAP) has become increasingly common throughout the world. Worldwide, industrial systems now account for approximately two-thirds of poultry meat production and half of egg and pig meat production, with developing countries already producing approximately half of the world’s industrial pork and poultry by 2006.

Inherent design and operational requirements of IFAP facilities can create biosecurity problems with both bioexclusion and biocontainment—efforts to prevent the respective influx and efflux of pathogens. These may help explain why large commercial flocks may be up to 10,000 times more likely to report outbreaks with pathogens such as highly pathogenic avian …

Cal Poly Students To Present ‘Illuminate’ Spring Dance Concert May 22-23, Public Affairs Office

Press Releases

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Nanotrap Particles Technology In Capturing Hiv-1 Virions And Viral Proteins From Infected Cells, Elizabeth Jaworski, Mohammed Saifuddin, Gavin C. Sampey, Nazly Shafagati, Rachel Van Duyne, Sergey N. Iordanskiy, Kylene Kehn-Hall, Lance Liotta, Emanuel F. Petricoin Iii, Mary Young, Benjamin Lepene

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

HIV-1 infection results in a chronic but incurable illness since long-term HAART can keep the virus to an undetectable level. However, discontinuation of therapy rapidly increases viral burden. Moreover, patients under HAART frequently develop various metabolic disorders and HIV-associated neuronal disease. Today, the main challenge of HIV-1 research is the elimination of the residual virus in infected individuals. The current HIV-1 diagnostics are largely comprised of serological and nucleic acid based technologies. Our goal is to integrate the nanotrap technology into a standard research tool that will allow sensitive detection of HIV-1 infection. This study demonstrates that majority of HIV-1 …

Effect Of Long-Term Dietary Arginyl-Fructose (Af) On Hyperglycemia And Hba1c In Diabetic Db/Db Mice, Kwang-Hyoung Lee, Kyoung-Soo Ha, Sung-Hoon Jo, Chong M. Lee, Young-Cheul Kim, Kwang-Hoe Chung, Young-In Kwon

Nutrition Faculty Publications

We have previously reported that Amadori compounds exert anti-diabetic effects by lowering sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in normal Sprague-Dawley rats. In the present study we extended our recent findings to evaluate whether α-glucosidase inhibitor arginyl-fructose (AF) lowers blood glucose level in diabetic db/db mice, a genetic model for type 2 diabetes. The db/db mice were randomly assigned to high-carbohydrate diets (66.1% corn starch) with and without AF (4% in the diet) for 6 weeks. Changes in body weight, blood glucose level, and food intake were measured daily for 42 days. Dietary supplementation of AF resulted in a significant …

May 12th 2014, Csusb

Coyote Chronicle (1984-)

No abstract provided.

Basis Function Approaches For Two Dimensional Cochlear Models, Lihua Li

Dissertations

The human cochlea possesses the amazing ability of analyzing audio signals. The structures and mechanisms behind its characteristic response to sound stimuli has been an active area of research for decades. It has been demonstrated that mathematical cochlear modeling poses a promising alternative to discover the elusive activities in an in vivo cochlea. However, despite the successful application of numerical methods such as the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method, finite difference method (FDM) and finite element method (FEM), the critical effects of the choice of basis functions have not been studied exclusively for the numerical solutions of cochlea models. This work presents …

White-Nose Syndrome Fungus: A Generalist Pathogen Of Hibernating Bats, Jan Zukal, Hana Bandouchova, Tomas Bartonicka, Hana Berkova, Virgil Brack, Jiri Brichta, Matej Dolinay, Kamil S. Jaron, Veronika Kovacova, Miroslav Kovarik, Natália Martínková, Karel Ondracek, Zdenek Rehak, Gregory G. Turner, Jiri Pikula

KIP Articles

No abstract provided.

De Novo Transcriptome Assembly And Analyses Of Gene Expression During Photomorphogenesis In Diploid Wheat Triticum Monococcum, Samuel E. Fox, Matthew Geniza, Mamatha Hanumappa, Sushma Naithani, Chris Sullivan, Justin Preece, Vijay K. Tiwari, Justin Elser, Jeffrey M. Leonard, Abigail Sage, Cathy Gresham, Arnaud Kerhornou, Dan Bolser, Fiona M. Mccarthy, Paul Kersey, Gerard R. Lazo, Pankaj Jaiswal

IGBB Publications

No abstract provided.