Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Perfluorinated Compounds (Pfcs) On Metabolic Tissues And The Benefits Of Caloric Restriction, Deanna M. Salter

Open Access Dissertations

The CDC states that there has been a dramatic increase in obesity from 1990 to 2010. Type-II diabetes and obesity prevalence are increasing worldwide. Often, obesity and Type-II diabetes are concurrent, and predispose individuals to development of fatty liver disease, referred to as Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are two commonly studied perfluorinated compounds (PFC’s) that are considered environmental toxicants that have the potential to elicit diabetic and NAFLD phenotypes. This dissertation presents novel findings of gaps within the literature to date. Traditionally, diabetes and obesity have been discussed in regard with …

Enhanced Quality Of Experience Based On Enriched Network Centric And Access Control Mechanisms, Andreas Roos

Doctoral

In the digital world service provisioning in user satisfying quality has become the goal of any content or network provider. Besides having satisfied and therefore, loyal users, the creation of sustainable revenue streams is the most important issue for network operators [1], [2], [3]. The motivation of this work is to enhance the quality of experience of users when they connect to the Internet, request application services as well as to maintain full service when these users are on the move in WLAN based access networks. In this context, the aspect of additional revenue creation for network operators is considered …

Generation Z: Facts And Fictions, Ashley Cole, Trenia Napier, Brad Marcum

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Libraries have long embraced service-oriented, user-centered approaches. Consider Ranganathan’s 1931 theory Five Laws of Library Science, which includes three clearly user-centered tenants (every reader his/her book, every book its reader, save the time of the reader) and two that arguably hint at a user-centered approach (books are for use, the library is a growing organism). Despite such early user-focused theories, early research into information seeking focused not on user needs and behaviors but on “the artifacts and venues of information seeking: books, journals, newspapers, [...] and the like”; this method of investigation persisted through the 1960s (Case, 2002, p. 6). …

Criminalization Of Juror Misconduct Arising From Social Media Use, Matthew Aglialoro

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

This Essay analyzes criminalization as an alternative solution to juror misconduct arising from social media use, where jury instructions fail to prevent such misconduct. Despite the lack of scholarship on the subject, criminalization is far from a radical solution—California enacted legislation in 2011 that sought to criminalize jurors’ improper use of social media. By criminalizing juror misconduct, states can deter misconduct from occurring while also instilling the importance of the jury institution in the public. At the same time, it is important to be cognizant of objections that judges and jurors may raise. This Essay proceeds in three parts. Part …

A Practical Guide To The Use Of The Commissioned Public Report As An Effective Crisis-Management Tool, F. Joseph Warin, Oleh Vretsona, Lora E. Macdonald

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

When terrorists attack an energy installation, disaster strikes a nuclear power plant, or a hurricane tears through wide swathes of a city, immediate concern is for the persons affected by the disaster. Close on the heels of this concern is often criticism of how the organization responsible for those persons’ safety has handled the catastrophic event, and an inept response—or one perceived as inept—can spell the organization’s demise. Institutional cracks are laid bare for the world to see, the public narrative turns it from victim to villain, reputational damage mounts, and a wave of public scrutiny and litigation looms. If …

The Endless Bummer: California's Latest Attempt To Protect Children Online Is Far Out(Side) Effective, Stephen J. Astringer

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

More so than any preceding medium, the Internet has provided users the ability to communicate quickly and without significant restrictions. Today’s children face the challenge of seemingly mundane activities, part of everyday life, that have the potential to ruin futures. A single status update on Facebook, post on Twitter, or video on YouTube can have lasting ramifications. Minors are not the only population to later experience post regret, but unlike politicians, athletes, or any other adults, youthful indiscretion will often lead to less prudent and thoughtful decision-making. Before nearly every person had an Internet-capable camera in their pocket at all …

Legal Myths Of Ebola Preparedness And Response, James G. Hodge Jr.

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

In March 2014, Ebola viral disease (“EVD”) emerged from several

West African countries as a substantial threat to global health.

Through a series of core legal powers pursuant to its declaration of a

public health emergency of international concern (“PHEIC”) on

August 8, 2014, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) averted a

global health disaster by requiring member countries to engage in mul- tiple public health interventions. These efficacious WHO-mandated

measures included implementation of border closures to limit the

spread of EVD within and outside of countries like Guinea, Liberia,

Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Industrialized nations, including the

United States, responded …

Applying Lessons From The Opioid Abuse Epidemic To Protect Consumers From Gray Market Biologics, Michael C. Barnes, Stacey L. Worthy

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

lmost 17,000 people die per year of overdoses involving prescription opioids, controlled substances prescribed to treat pain and addiction. As such, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has deemed prescription drug abuse a national epidemic. In addition to opioids, several other classes of prescription medications have become prone to abuse, including stimulants and benzodiazepines. As many as twenty percent of college students have used stimulants at some point in their studies for nonmedical use, and the number of admissions to substance abuse treatment programs for benzodiazepine use nearly tripled between 1998 and 2008. And in 2011, benzodiazepines caused …

The People's Nih? Ethical And Legal Concerns In Crowdfunded Biomedical Research, Joshua E. Perry

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

Over the last decade, online crowdfunding has become a mainstream source of capital formation for a range of artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors. Low-barrier websites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo that fund production of a movie or recording of an album, in addition to charity conduits such as Kiva that facilitate the dissemination of microloans in the developing world, are trusted fundraising mechanisms that offer alternatives to traditional financing through banks and venture capitalists. Moreover, these models predicated on the solicitation of relatively modest amounts of money create a more egalitarian investment environment wherein donors can join the effort—and often receive …

No Longer Left To Their Own Devices: Evaluating The Non-Traditional Medical Device Excise Tax, Kensington A. Wolgamott

Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy

When the United States federal government entered a shutdown in the fall of 2013, the budget crisis took center stage in the political debate. The Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) was one of the most contentious issues on the agenda, and among the bargaining chips in the discussion was the disputed issue of the medical device excise tax (“MDET”). The excise tax, imposed upon the sale of certain medical devices, has raised quite a bit of bipartisan opposition and has been up for repeal or reform over a dozen times to date. The increasing attention the tax has received since its …

The A-Bomb Victims' Plea For Cosmopolitan Commemoration: Toward Reconciliation And World Peace, Hiro Saito

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This paper critically revisits the A-bomb victims' plea for cosmopolitan commemoration that takes humanity, rather than nationality, as a primary frame of reference. To this end, I first elaborate the nature of cosmopolitan commemoration espoused by A-bomb victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in comparison with another form of cosmopolitan commemoration pertaining to the Holocaust victims. I then analyze limitations in these cosmopolitan commemorations and explore how they can be transcended. In light of my critical analysis, I argue that genuinely cosmopolitan commemoration, a prerequisite for reconciliation and world peace, will appear on the horizon if the commemorations of the two …

2015-2016 Lynn University Academic Catalog, Lynn University

Academic Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Advanced Industry Economy In The Mountain West: Finding The Next Silicon Valley, Robert E. Lang

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

No abstract provided.

The Architecture Of Knowledge: The Jesuit College Of Oaxaca (Xvi-Xix Centuries)., Marina Mellado Corriente

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE ARCHITECTURE OF KNOWLEDGE: THE JESUIT COLLEGE OF OAXACA (XVI-XIX CENTURIES).

By Marina Mellado Corriente, MA.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Art Historical and Curatorial Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015

Major Director: Michael Schreffler, Associate Professor, Department of Art History

The educational endeavor that the Jesuits – members of the religious order known as the Society of Jesus – carried out in Mexico in the course of the colonial period, when this territory belonged to the Viceroyalty of New Spain (sixteenth to nineteenth …

Computational Modeling To Assess Surgical Procedures For The Treatment Of Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity, Brian A. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Several surgically corrective procedures are considered to treat Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD) patients, relieve pain, and restore function. Procedure selection is based on best practices and surgeon preference. Recent research created patient specific models of Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD) to explore their predictive capabilities and examine effectiveness of the surgical procedure used to treat the deformity. The models’ behavior was governed solely by patient bodyweight, soft tissue constraints, and joint contact without the assumption of idealized joints. The current work expanded those models to determine if an alternate procedure would be more effective for the individual. These procedures …

Avatar, Cyborg, Icevorg: Simulacra’S Scion, Guido E. Alvarez

Theses and Dissertations

I propose a theoretical framework that describes how avatars incorporate media as an inherent part of their nature and find a hosting body in cyborgs to navigate and spawn in media. I propose the birth of a new scion that combines avatar, medium and cyborg into a conceptual being that I call “ICEVORG.”

The ICEVORG expands beyond representation into the actual physical world by means of media transgression—more specifically, by the use of the Strange Loop also known as Metalepsis ICEVORG find an effective soil to thrive and interrogate our ideas of reality by means of iteration, expansion, fragmentation and …

Expanding Eco-Visualization: Sculpting Corn Production, Jennifer E. Figg

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation expands upon the definition of eco-visualization artwork. EV was originally defined in 2006 by Tiffany Holmes as a way to display the real time consumption statistics of key environmental resources for the goal of promoting ecological literacy. I assert that the final forms of EV artworks are not necessarily dependent on technology, and can differ in terms of media used, in that they can be sculptural, video-based, or static two-dimensional forms that communicate interpreted environmental information. There are two main categories of EV: one that is predominantly screen-based and another that employs a variety of modes of representation …

The Role Of Α3Β4* Subtype Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Reversing Opioid-Induced Constipation In Mice, Aravind Gade

Theses and Dissertations

Opioids are excellent pain relievers. A major side-effect of chronic opioid treatment is constipation whereas withdrawal following chronic exposure leads to diarrhea and increased gastrointestinal motility. These effects of chronic opioids are mediated by μ-opioid receptors expressed on enteric neurons. Previous studies have shown that chronic opioids enhance sensitivity to nicotine in the gastrointestinal tract. This suggested that prokinetic effects of nicotine mediated through the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) may be useful in reversing opioid-induced constipation. The goal of this dissertation was to investigate the nAChR subtype expressed on enteric neurons and their role in reversing opioid-induced constipation. …

Designed Synthesis Of Nanoporous Organic Polymers For Selective Gas Uptake And Catalytic Applications, Pezhman Arab

Theses and Dissertations

Design and synthesis of porous organic polymers have attracted considerable attentions during the past decade due to their wide range of applications in gas storage, gas separation, energy conversion, and catalysis. Porous organic polymers can be pre-synthetically and post-synthetically functionalized with a wide variety of functionalities for desirable applications. Along these pursuits, we introduced new synthetic strategies for preparation of porous organic polymers for selective CO₂ capture.

Porous azo-linked polymers (ALPs) were synthesized by an oxidative reaction of amine-based monomers using copper(I) as a catalyst which leads to azo-linkage formation. ALPs exhibit high surface areas of up to 1200 …

First-Year Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Preparedness To Integrate 21st Century Skills Into The Technology-Rich Classroom, Tracie Omohundro

Theses and Dissertations

School districts continue to integrate emerging technologies and expectations for 21^st century teaching and learning. This movement began with release of Goals 2000 (1994) and has continued through National Education Technology Plan (2010) that noted the “challenge for our education system is to leverage technology to create relevant learning experiences that mirror students’ daily lives and the reality of their futures.” In order to meet that challenge, schools must enlist teachers who are prepared to teach 21^st century skills in the technology-rich classroom. Teacher education programs also need to align their preparation models to prepare teachers for that …

Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity And Its Modulation In The Treatment Of Colorectal Cancer, Asim Alam

Theses and Dissertations

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 141,000 new cases of and about 50,000 deaths from colorectal cancer every year. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy and targeted therapies such as anti-angiogenics. However, no therapies address the key driving factor of colorectal cancer: inflammation. It is well known that chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, obesity and cigarette smoking all elevate the risk of developing colorectal cancer. One of the hallmarks of chronic inflammation is the elevated levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). A primary source of these ROS/RNS is uncoupled Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS). Under …

Examining The Parent-Adolescent Bond And Parent-Offspring Marijuana Communication On Marijuana Use And Problems: A Test Of Primary Socialization Theory, Nikola Zaharakis

Theses and Dissertations

Marijuana use among American young adults is rising, and perceptions of harm are declining. Individual states continue to enact more lenient marijuana use and possession laws. Marijuana use is associated with many serious negative outcomes. Thus, marijuana use among this age group has become a public health concern. According to Primary Socialization Theory, parents exert their influence on youth behavior through the parent-adolescent bond and through communication. Previous researchers have identified parent-offspring communication about alcohol and tobacco as a potentially important target of prevention efforts. Little research has yet explored marijuana communication and its potential influence on use-related outcomes. This …

Sexual Behavior And Hiv Risk In Black College Women: The Influence Of Gender, Peer, And Relationship Beliefs, Melanie P. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Black women in the United States disproportionately represent 64% of women with an HIV infection (CDC, 2013). Research is needed to better understand gender and culturally-specific factors that contribute to Black women’s HIV risk. The Theory of Gender and Power and the Theory of Planned behavior were used as theoretical frameworks in examining the effect of attitudinal beliefs (gender related beliefs), subjective norm beliefs (peer norms), and perceived behavioral control beliefs (relationship power) on sexual behavior in Black college women. Condom use and assertiveness in sexual communication were the dependent variables. Participants included 136 Black college women recruited through the …

Perspectives And Obstacles Of The Shareholder Activism Implementation: A Comparative Analysis Of Civil And Common Law Systems, Khurram Raja, Alex Kostyuk

All Works

© 2015, Virtus Interpress. All rights reserved. The paper outlines shareholder activism development in common law and civil law countries and identifies features of these legal systems that create preconditions and obstacles for shareholder activism. Our findings show that tendencies of shareholder activism depend on the type of the legal system, but also vary within the countries that share the same legal system. Thus, we conclude that the type of legal system is not the chief determinant of shareholder activism. A comparative analysis of shareholder activism in Germany and Ukraine (civil law countries) and the USA and the UK (common …

One Small Problem With Administrative Driver's License Suspension Laws: They Don't Reduce Drunken Driving, Steve R. Darnell

Transportation Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Relational Coordination: An Exploration Of Nursing Units, An Emergency Department And In-Patient Transfers, Mary Coffey

Theses and Dissertations

Emergency department (ED) crowding is a patient safety concern that has been increasing for more than a decade. Increased visits have resulted in ED crowding, longer wait times, ambulance diversions, and boarding of admitted patients (Hing & Bhuiya, 2012). Numerous factors affect ED crowding. Once various extraneous issues are resolved and a bed is available for a patient, it becomes the responsibility of nurses across unit boundaries to coordinate the patient transfer. This study applies Relational Coordination Theory (RCT) as a framework to provide nurses insight into the relational aspects of their work in the transfer of ED patients to …

Variations In Specialized Policing Response Models As A Function Of Community Characteristics- A Survey Of Crisis Intervention Team Coordinators, Anna M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Although a specific program called the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has been generally recognized as the best-practice model that addresses the needs of the police officers in responding to mental health calls, many jurisdictions across the country have not only adopted the full CIT model but also have taken the liberty of adding new components and/or removing components of the original model in order to create a unique program that fits the needs of their individual community. The issue of differentiated adaptations of the original CIT model has created a controversy around best practice in the area of police response …

Normalizing Tumor Vasculature Using Sepiapterin To Increase Radiosensitivity, Ninu Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

Our studies examine the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in tumor vasculature. NOS is “uncoupled” in tumor cells, resulting in peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) formation in lieu of nitric oxide (NO). NO signaling is critical for vascular function, thus uncoupling of eNOS in endothelial cells may partly explain the poor vasculature found within tumors. NOS can be “recoupled” through Sepiapterin (SP) treatment of tumor cells. We examined whether SP could normalize tumor vasculature, promoting radiosensitivity. Optoacoustic tomography of flank xenografts and spontaneous tumor models demonstrate that SP significantly enhances percent oxyhemoglobin in tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis of SP-treated tumors showed …

Lowering The Number Of False Positive Responses To Electric Pulp Tests By Qualifying Patient Response, Katherine Js Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The electric pulp test (EPT) has been shown to be a valuable tool in assessing pulp vitality. One of its drawbacks, however, is its high number of false positives. The purpose of this study was to determine if qualifying the type of sensation elicited by the test could lower the percentage of false positive responses. A retrospective chart review of an eleven-month period was conducted, examining all patients with necrotic teeth tested with the EPT. Of 189 teeth, when the patient responded to EPT at first sensation 23.3% of teeth were incorrectly identified as vital. When the patient was asked …

Deconstructing Anesthesia Handoffs During Simulated Intraoperative Anesthesia Care, Jason S. Lowe

Theses and Dissertations

Anesthesia patient handoffs are a vulnerable time for patient care and handoffs occur frequently during anesthesia care. Communication failures contribute to patient harm during anesthesia patient handoffs. The Joint Commission has recognized the potential for communication failure during patient handoffs and has recommended processes to improve handoff safety. Handoffs are made more difficult by latent conditions such as time constraints, pressure and distractions, which often result in incomplete or inaccurate handoff reports. This nonexperimental, correlation study identified the latent conditions that occur during the handoff process and their relationship to the quality of the handoff. This research shows an inverse …