Digital Commons Network^™

Temporal Information Processing Across Primary Visual Cortical Layers In Normal And Red Light Reared Tree Shrews., Wenhao Dang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Visual neuroscience research has benefitted from decades of efforts of comparative studies of different species, since exploring and understanding the diversity of functional properties of visual system in different species has helped us identify both general organization rules and unique traits of certain species. In this study, spatio-temporal receptive fields (STRFs), together with some other functional properties (etc. stimulus preference to different visual stimuli, orientation tuning, temporal frequency tuning and the F1/F0 ratio of responses to sine-wave grating stimuli), of primary visual cortex (V1) cells were measured in normally reared and red-light reared tree shrews (Tupaia), a species considered the …

A Dual Function Of White Coloration In A Nocturnal Spider Dolomedes Raptor (Araneae: Pisauridae), Tai-Shen Lin, Shichang Zhang, Chen-Pan Liao, Eileen A. Hebets, I-Min Tso

Eileen Hebets Publications

Nocturnal animals frequently possess seemingly conspicuous color patterns that can function in a variety of ways (e.g. prey attraction, camouflage, predator avoidance, etc.). The use of color patterns in intraspecific signaling, especially reproductive activities, in nocturnal animals has received relatively little attention. This study tested for a dual function of color in the nocturnal fishing spider, Dolomedes raptor (Araneae: Pisauridae), whose males develop dimorphic white stripes at sexual maturation. We tested for a role in foraging as well as mate assessment. First, quantifications of the natural variation of male stripes indicated a correlation between stripe area and male body size …

Synthesis, Optimization, And Degradation Of A Fish Glue/Plga Polymer., Adam T. Schworer 1989-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomaterials used for tissue engineering, specifically polymers, come from either naturally occurring, like gelatin or collagen, or synthetic sources, such as polyesters. Often times, it is advantageous to combine biomaterials in order to maximize certain material properties, such as cellular adhesion and degradation. The purpose of this study is to provide direction for the synthesis, characterization, and a combination of a combination biomaterial between fish glue (FG), a natural source polymer, and poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), a synthetically made polyester. First, FG is characterized for molecular weight via Gel Permeation Chromatography, GPC. Two combination methods to mix FG/PLGA solutions are then …

The Evolution Of Physical Activity Promotion, Elizabeth Richards

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Overview: A physically active lifestyle has numerous physical and mental health benefits for patients of all ages. Despite these significant benefits, a majority of Americans do not meet current physical activity guidelines. Health care providers, especially nurses, play a vital role in physical activity promotion. Over the past several decades, exercise and physical activity guidelines have evolved from a focus on structured, vigorous exercise to a focus on moderate-intensity “lifestyle” physical activity. The author updates nurses on physical activity guidelines and provides tips for promoting physical activity, with a focus on lifestyle activities such as walking to work. This article …

The Risk Of Secondary Lymphedema Due To Procedures In The Affected Arm Post-Mastectomy: A Literature Review, Lindsay Perna

HIM 1990-2015

The risk for upper extremity lymphedema post-mastectomy in women surgically treated for breast cancer is a concern since it is often painful, aesthetically displeasing, and can increase the risk of infection. However, there is a paucity of data examining if diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy increases the risk of lymphedema. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy and the occurrence of lymphedema with or without related complications. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple, online databases available from 1992 through 2014, and …

The Effect Of Protandim Supplementation On Oxidative Damage And Athletic Performance., Seteena Leigh Ueberschlag

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial determined the long term effects of Protandim® supplementation on 5-km running performance, as well as on acute and long-term oxidative damage assessed by serum lipid peroxides (Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances: TBARS). Thirty-eight subjects were placed into one of two groups: an experimental (675 mg/day Protandim®) or control group (675 mg/day corn starch). 5-km runs were performed at baseline and 88 (SD 4) days post-supplementation with samples taken immediately pre- and 10-min post 5-km run, as well as at rest ∼30 and ∼60 days during the supplementation period. There was ~25% week-to-week coefficient of variation of TBARS at …

The Regulation And Mechanisms Of Egfr-Mediated Apoptosis In Mda-Mb-468 Cells., Nicole Marion Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a 170- kilodalton transmembrane protein that belongs to the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Upon ligand-mediated activation, the EGFR responsible for cell growth, proliferation, and tissue homeostasis in epithelial cells; however, the EGFR is overexpressed in many human malignancies including MDA-MB-468 cells, a metastatic breast epithelial cell line. Previous studies have indicated that within the MDA-MB-468 cell line, receptors at the cell surface promote cell growth when activated with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) ligand. Activated receptors that are internalized to the endosomes however induce apoptosis. This contrasting response at different cellular …

Combination Treatment With Conjugated Linoleic Acid And Nitrite Protects Against Myocaridal Infarction., Natia Qipshidze Kelm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to the CDC, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which frequently leads to myocardial infarction (MI). Therapeutic approaches to lessen the resulting cardiovascular injury associated with MI are limited. Recently, the management paradigm for cardiac injury has entered the molecular era and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to act as negative regulators of gene expression by inhibiting mRNA translation and/or stimulating mRNA degradation. A single miRNA can modulate physiological or disease phenotypes by regulating whole functional systems. Importantly, miRNAs can regulate cardiac function, thereby modulating heart muscle contraction, heart growth and morphogenesis. MicroRNA-499 (miRNA-499) …

What We See Changes How We See : Analyzing The Plasticity Of The Horizontal Effect., April Marie Schweinhart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between the processing of orientations by the human visual system has been related to the orientation content of the natural environment; horizontal orientations, while predominant in natural environments, are perceived less well than vertical and oblique orientations are perceived best, though they are least prevalent in the natural world. This ‘horizontal effect’ has further extended the well-studied relationship between visual encoding and natural scene statistics as the differential perception of orientations in broadband scenes inversely matches their differential representation in the natural environment. However, the original hypothesis that this relationship may have evolved across millennia in order to …

Mediation In Literacy : Language, Technology, And Modality., Hem Sharma Paudel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The issue of difference in writing, both in terms of language diversity and modalities, has received increasing attention in the context of new developments in technologies, increasing global migration, and intensified intersections of cultural and linguistic practices accompanying these changes. Theories of language and modality are trying separately to develop ways to best respond to the challenges and opportunities brought about by these changes. Responding to scholars’ recent calls for bridging the gap between studies of multilingualism and those of multimodality, this dissertation offers an approach that, instead of separating the study of modality and languages, questions such a tendency …

Tradeoffs Of Warm Adaptation In Aquatic Ectotherms : Live Fast, Die Young?, A. Porreca, E. Martinez, R. Colombo, Michael Menze

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

In the face of a changing climate, questions regarding sub-lethal effects of elevated habitat temperature on the physiology of ectotherms remain unanswered. In particular, long-term responses of ectotherms to the warming trend in tropical regions are unknown and significantly understudied due primarily to the difficulties in specimen and community traceability. In freshwater lakes employed as cooling reservoirs for power plants, increased physiological stress from high water temperature can lead to an increase in mortality, reduce growth, and potentially alter the community structure of fishes. Throughout this study, we employ this highly tractable system to assess how elevated thermal regimes can …

August 2015 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Beef Cattle Management Systems For Estrus Synchronization And Heifer Development, Hazy Rae Nielson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate estrus synchronization and heifer development systems. In the first experiment delaying AI 19 h following GnRH administration in a hybrid estrus detection and time AI protocol was evaluated. Final pregnancy rate was not different among heifers detected in estrus, AI at the time GnRH administration, or delayed AI. The second study compared the effect of melengestrol acetate (MGA) -PG and 14-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR) -PG estrus synchronization protocols on estrus response and pregnancy rates of 311 d old heifers. Final pregnancy rate was similar between CIDR and MGA treatment groups. The objective …

Dietary Strategies For Mitigation Of Methane Production By Growing And Finishing Cattle, Anna C. Pesta

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Interest in reducing methane (CH₄) emissions by cattle has increased recently. Loss of feed energy as CH₄ represents both an environmental concern and an energetic loss to the animal. Manipulation of dietary composition has proven to be an effective mitigation strategy. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of several dietary characteristics on CH₄ production in growing and finishing cattle, and to develop a novel, non-invasive method for quantifying emissions from animals in a production setting. Short-term gaseous emissions of CH₄ and carbon dioxide (CO₂) were measured and the CH₄:CO_{2 …}

Structure-Based Screen Identifies A Potent Small Molecule Inhibitor Of Stat5a/B With Therapeutic Potential For Prostate Cancer And Chronic Myeloid Leukemia., Zhiyong Liao, Lei Gu, Jenny Vergalli, Samanta A. Mariani, Marco De Dominici, Ravi K. Lokareddy, Ayush Dagvadorj, Puranik Purushottamachar, Peter A. Mccue, Edouard J. Trabulsi, Costas D. Lallas, Shilpa Gupta, Elyse Ellsworth, Shauna Blackmon, Adam Ertel, Paolo Fortina, Benjamin E. Leiby, Guanjun Xia, Hallgeir Rui, David T. Hoang, Leonard G Gomella, Gino Cingolani, Vincent Njar, Nagarajan Pattabiraman, Bruno Calabretta, Marja T. Nevalainen

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Bypassing tyrosine kinases responsible for Stat5a/b phosphorylation would be advantageous for therapy development for Stat5a/b-regulated cancers. Here, we sought to identify small molecule inhibitors of Stat5a/b for lead optimization and therapy development for prostate cancer and Bcr-Abl-driven leukemias. In silico screening of chemical structure databases combined with medicinal chemistry was used for identification of a panel of small molecule inhibitors to block SH2 domain-mediated docking of Stat5a/b to the receptor-kinase complex and subsequent phosphorylation and dimerization. We tested the efficacy of the lead compound IST5-002 in experimental models and patient samples of two known Stat5a/b-driven cancers, prostate cancer and chronic …

A Comparative Evaluation Of Mitigation Wetlands In Broward County, Florida, Using Chironomid (Ditera) Pupal Exuviae: A Potential Technique For Assessing Mitigation Success, Ryan St. George

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Wetland resources in South Florida are regulated at three redundant jurisdictional levels: local or municipal regulations set forth by many independent jurisdictions, State regulations derived directly from Florida Statutes, and Federal regulations promulgated primarily under the Clean Water Act. All three levels of government can have jurisdiction over projects that affect regulated wetland resources, yet inconsistent policies and standards remain and continue to confound regulators despite decades of intensive coordination efforts and a rapidly growing scientific research base. The size of a wetland mitigation area is of primary consideration when evaluating its perceived ecological value, although wetland mitigation areas constructed …

Forage News [2015-08], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Diseases of Orchardgrass - Use good Management
• Summary of 2015 Stockpiling Fescue Demonstrations
• Advanced Grazing School August 17th in Lexington, KY
• Increasing Cool Season Pasture Production in the Spring Utilizing Plant Growth Hormones
• AFGC and UK hold first Warm Season Grass Workshop

General Catalog 2015-2016, Utah State University

University Catalogs

This catalog contains information on the Academic Departments and Programs as well as Course Descriptions for the above school year at Utah State University. To avoid large file downloads, the Academic Departments and Programs information is located in this file. The Course Description information is located in the secondary file.

Acute Myocardial Infarction And Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Comparison, Satwat Hashmi, Suhail Al-Salam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Myocardial infarction (MI) denotes the death of cardiac myocytes due to extended ischemia. Myocardial reperfusion is the restoration of coronary blood flow after a period of coronary occlusion. Reperfusion has the potential to salvage ischemic myocardium but paradoxically can cause injury, a phenomenon called as 'reperfusion injury' (IR). Standard histologic, immunohistochemical and Elisa techniques were used to study the histopathologic, oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory changes in MI and IR. The IL-6 levels in the LV of the MI group were significantly raised as compared to the IR group (P=0.0008). Plasma IL-6 was also significantly increased in the MI group as …

Faculty Handbook, 2015-2016, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Faculty Handbook

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Andrews University Seminary Student Journal

Full Issue

Assessing Functional Vasodilation In The Gracilis Collateral Arteriole, Megan T. Chu

Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) involves arterial occlusion due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. It is suggested that intermittent claudication, the most frequent clinical presentation of PAOD, is caused by impaired vasodilation. Current treatments for PAOD are not directed at improving vascular reactivity and are often insufficient. Stimulating arteriogenesis in collateral arterioles has therapeutic potential for PAOD, but because arterioles are the primary site of blood flow resistance, it is important that these treatments do not impair collateral vasodilation. Before this can be evaluated, the effects of arteriogenesis on collateral function must be studied in untreated collaterals. There is …

Infusion Of Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein, Csl112, In Patients With Atherosclerosis: Safety And Pharmacokinetic Results From A Phase 2a Randomized Clinical Trial, Pierluigi Tricoci, Denise M. D'Andrea, Paul A. Gurbel, Zhenling Yao, Marina Cuchel, Brion Winston, Robert Schott, Robert Weiss, Michael A. Blazing, Louis Cannon, Alison L. Bailey, Dominick J. Angiolillo, Andreas Gille, Charles L. Shear, Samuel D. Wright, John H. Alexander

Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Faculty Publications

Background CSL112 is a new formulation of human apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) being developed to reduce cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome. This phase 2a, randomized, double‐blind, multicenter, dose‐ranging trial represents the first clinical investigation to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of a CSL112 infusion among patients with stable atherosclerotic disease.

Methods and Results Patients were randomized to single ascending doses of CSL112 (1.7, 3.4, or 6.8 g) or placebo, administered over a 2‐hour period. Primary safety assessments consisted of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations >3× upper limits of normal and study drug–related adverse events. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessments included apoA‐I plasma …

The Effect Of Isolation By Waterfalls And Dams On Stream Fish Morphology, Kayla M. Knoll

All NMU Master's Theses

Large dams with upstream reservoirs can cause divergent selection in fish morphology; however, the effect of isolation from small dams without upstream reservoirs is largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of isolation on stream fish body morphology and the related effect of isolation time on morphological divergence by comparing fish associated with older barriers (waterfalls) to very new barriers (dams). These effects were investigated in five species from the southern Lake Superior basin. Geometric morphometric techniques were used to quantify differences in fish body shape based on species-specific landmarks. Significant intraspecific differences between stream populations and between above-barrier and …

Kin Selection, Raymond Hames

Department of Anthropology: Faculty Publications

When Hamilton (1964) published his theory of inclusive fitness it had no immediate impact in the social and behavioral sciences, even though ethnographers knew kinship to be a universally fundamental factor in human social organization, especially in egalitarian societies in which humans have spent nearly all their evolutionary history. In many ways, it was a theory that perhaps anthropologists should have devised: Anthropologists knew kinship fundamentally structured cooperation, identity, coalition formation, resource exchange, marriage, and group membership in traditional societies. It was not until 1974 with the publication of Wilson’s Sociobiology (1975) and especially Richard Alexander’s The Evolution of Social …

Evaluation Of Reduced Subsets Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms For The Prediction Of Age At Puberty In Sows, Katherine L. Lucot, Matthew L. Spangler, Melanie D. Trenhaile, Stephen D. Kachman, Daniel C. Ciobanu

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Genomic information could be used efficiently to improve traits that are expensive to measure, sex limited or expressed late in life. This study analyzed the phenotypic variation explained by major SNPs and windows for age at puberty in gilts, an indicator of reproductive longevity. A genome-wide association study using 56,424 SNPs explained 25.2% of the phenotypic variation in age at puberty in a training set (n = 820). All SNPs from the top 10% of 1-Mb windows explained 33.5% of the phenotypic variance compared to 47.1% explained by the most informative markers (n = 261). In an evaluation population, consisting …

Climate Change Resilience And Socioeconomic Impacts Of Mpas And Mpa Networks In The Caribbean - Case Study: Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of The Management Of Mpas And Coastal Zones In The Dominican Republic, Andrea Isabella Vogel

HCNSO Student Capstones

Many Caribbean nations have established MPAs to preserve marine biodiversity and maintain their economically important marine resources. In some Caribbean nations, in particular the Dominican Republic, most MPAs have failed in these respects and have remained “paper parks” due to being modeled along traditional conservation lines without careful consideration of socioeconomic factors, good management practices or increasingly important climate change factors. Successful Caribbean MPAs and MPA networks effectively function as refuges, attractions, sources of socioeconomic development and ecosystem-based climate change resilience mechanisms. The latter is of utmost importance to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other larger island developing states …

Nutrinews, Volume 8, August, 2015, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Dementia or B Vitamin Deficiency?, Food Science News, Fruit of the Month Club: Featuring Guava

Evaluating The Economic Impacts Of Pipeline Useage On The Indian Oil And Gas Supply Chain., Atul Vilas Kamble

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

The objective of this dissertation is to find the minimum supply chain cost for the Indian oil and gas industry. The problem is solved by introducing a mixed – integer programming model which will avail in taking the obligatory decisions predicated on the cost estimates for sundry scenarios. In order to meet the objective, categorical objectives were put down to evaluate their impacts. This research was to evaluate the economic impact of mode of transport. This research primarily focusses on the Pipeline mode of transport and how the selected pipe diameter and the flow through the selected pipe affect the …

Unquantified Benefits And Bayesian Cost-Benefit Analysis, Jonathan Masur, Eric A. Posner

Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper Series

No abstract provided.