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The Functional Characterization Of Rmta, An Arginine Methyltransferase Gene In Aspergillus Flavus, Tim Satterlee

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This thesis involves two papers both of which involve members of the important fungal genus Aspergillus. The first paper involves the characterization of the rmtA gene, which encodes a putative arginine methyltransferase, in the agriculturally important fungus Aspergillus flavus. This methyltransferase has been described to be involved in epigenetics regulation through histone modification in the phylogenetically close model organism Aspergillus nidulans. Epigenetics regulation affects a variety of cellular processes, including morphogenesis and secondary metabolism. This study focuses on the role of rmtA on fungal morphological development, including the production of conidia and sclerotia, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (also …

Medical Laboratory Science Student Perceptions Of Learning During Clinical Education, Jeanne M. Isabel

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the perspectives of medical laboratory science (MLS) students completing their clinical education. Experiential learning provides the conceptual framework for clinical education in the healthcare professions. Students are placed into a community of practice where they are asked to apply learned theories in a sometimes stressful and distracting setting. Through a series of interviews and observations of selected MLS students completing clinical internships, descriptions of factors that contribute to how learning occurs are given in their words. The four categories of findings that are described in depth include student self-awareness, the clinical environment and setting, preparation for clinical …

Industry Career Guide: Mining, Roberto Raymundo

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

The mining industry in the Philippines plays a very significant role in the pursuit of industrial development because of the sector’s ability to provide mineral resources that serve as raw materials for manufacturing, construction, the utilities as well as the transportation and communications sector. It is also a major contributor of foreign currency through the exports of mineral ore and other processed mineral products and provides employment to communities in far flung areas where the only source of economic activity is mining operations. The extraction of copper, gold, silver, nickel, coal, gas, oil, stone and gravel as well as finding …

Industry Career Guide: Agribusiness, Roderick C. Bugador

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

Agribusiness is generally the commercial aspect related to agriculture or agricultural activities and its products. The Agribusiness sector is engaged in the production and operations of a farm, the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution of farm commodities. The very core of the industry is agriculture, which is supported by the manufacturing sector and service sector. As a whole, the Agribusiness sector is quite diverse as it encompasses input production, farm operations and management, equipment and supplies manufacturing, food/non-food processing, trading, and retailing.

'Making Things Fair': An Empirical Study Of How People Approach The Wealth Transmission System, Naomi R. Cahn

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The wealth transmission process is of great concern to many senior citizens in the United States. The American wealth transmission process is designed to respect private ordering. It encourages planning as a means to formalize intent and ensure smoother property transfer at death. Most people do not plan, nor do they use, the formal probate system for distributing property, but there is little research on what the actual wealth transfer process looks like for the majority of Americans. This article challenges the contemporary trusts and estates canon by showing that the nuts and bolts of the inheritance process for many …

Liver Perilipin 5 Expression Worsens Hepatosteatosis But Not Insulin Resistance In High Fat-Fed Mice, Michelle B. Trevino, David Mazur-Hart, Yui Machida, Timothy King, Joseph Nadler, Elena V. Galkina, Arjun Poddar, Sucharita Dutta, Yumi Imai

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) is a lipid droplet (LD) protein highly expressed in oxidative tissues, including the fasted liver. However, its expression also increases in nonalcoholic fatty liver. To determine whether PLIN5 regulates metabolic phenotypes of hepatosteatosis under nutritional excess, liver targeted overexpression of PLIN5 was achieved using adenoviral vector (Ad-PLIN5) in male C57BL/6J mice fed high-fat diet. Mice treated with adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) (Ad-GFP) served as control. Ad-PLIN5 livers increased LD in the liver section, and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry revealed increases in lipid classes associated with LD, including triacylglycerol, cholesterol ester, and phospholipid classes, …

Parent-Child Communication Among African American Families: Does "Being On The Same Page" Protect Against Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior?, Katherine Bonafide

Dissertations - ALL

African American adolescents continue to be at high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexual risk reduction efforts have focused on family-level sexual health communication, although they have yielded inconsistent findings. Using dyadic data from African American parents and their children (n= 298), the present study sought to elucidate the influence of sexual health communication on adolescent sexual behavior. Findings confirmed that adolescent reports of family-level sex communication were associated with greater sexual involvement, whereas parent reports of sexual health communication showed no associations to child sexual behavior. Including parent reports of communication did not enhance predictive models …

International Counseling Traits : Identifying Counseling Traits Ranked Most Important By International Counseling Professionals Through Q Sort Analysis, Nathan C.D. Perron

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Research has shown an increase in the study and discussion of international counseling throughout the past decade in the mental health community. This dissertation highlights the increased need for the counseling profession to take steps to promote counseling support to over 450 million people who lack access to counseling support throughout the world. This study advocates for steps toward developing a greater understanding of the traits deemed most important among experts of international counseling. An overview and description of the needs are reviewed and discussed in relation to international organizations and associations striving to make a difference, who continue to …

One Minute To Midnight: Amending The War Powers Resolution To Confront The Coming Cyber Wars, Benjamin L. Monarch

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Once We're Done Honeymooning: Obergefell V. Hodges, Incrementalism, And Advances For Sexual Orientation Anti-Discrimination, Jeremiah A. Ho

Kentucky Law Journal

Undoubtedly, the Supreme Court's marriage equality decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is the watershed civil rights decision of our time. Since United States v. Windsor, each recent victory for same-sex couples in the federal courts evidenced that the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States was becoming increasingly secure. Meanwhile, momentum was growing for the visibility of sexual minorities nationally. Yet, is marriage equality the last stop in the pro-LGBTQmovement, or should we expect sexual minorities to advance in other legal arenas? Should we expect that the recent strides in marriage equality from Windsor to Obergefell can …

The Influence Of Short-Term Quercetin Supplementation On Peak Oxygen Uptake During Simulated Altitude Exposure In Trained Cyclists, Justin Carlstrom, Jamie M. Vener, Justin L. Matthews, Ashleigh Raub

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Endurance performance and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) decline as altitude increases. Some data exist suggesting that quercetin supplementation improves aerobic capacity in trained and untrained individuals at sea-level (normobaric normoxic conditions). Few studies have examined the effects of quercetin on endurance performance during simulated altitude exposure (normobaric hypoxic conditions). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consuming 1000 mg·day-1 of quercetin for two weeks on cycling VO2peak in healthy trained male cyclists performing under normobaric normoxic and hypoxic conditions (NP and HP, respectively). Fourteen age-matched healthy male subjects were randomized to either a placebo or quercetin …

Participation In Undergraduate Research At Minority-Serving Institutions, Heather Haeger, Allison Brckalorenz, Karen Webber

UROC Staff Publications and Presentations

This research used a national dataset to examine factors associated with participation for underrepresented minority (URM) students, benefits of participation at minority-serving institutions, and examples of programs that work to decrease barriers for URM participation in UR. Findings showed that Latino and first-generation students participated in UR less than White peers, but students at Minority Serving Institutions who participated in research with a faculty member reported using more learning strategies, increased collaboration, and having more experience with quantitative reasoning than students not participating in an UR experience.

The Endosomal Sorting Complex Required For Transport Pathway Mediates Chemokine Receptor Cxcr4 Akt Signaling By Promoting Lysosomal Degradation Of Mtor Antagonist Deptor, Rita Ramkaran Verma

Dissertations

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. The cognate ligand for CXCR4 is the C-X-C chemokine known as CXCL12. The CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis is essential for a number of developmental processes including organogenesis, vascularization of the GI tract and hematopoiesis. Dysregulated CXCR4 signaling is also implicated in a variety of pathological conditions such as WHIM (Warts, Hypogammaglobunemia, Infections and myelokathexis) syndrome, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Despite its role in several pathologies, the molecular mechanisms mediating CXCR4 signaling are not completely understood. Upon CXCL12 binding to CXCR4, several signaling pathways are activated including the …

Desmoid Tumor (Fibromatosis) Of The Head And Neck, Ameen Z. Alherabi, Osama A. Marglani, Deemah H. Bukhari, Talal A. Al-Khatib

Saudi Medical Journal

Desmoid tumors (fibromatosis) are rare benign tumors, they arise from musculoaponeurotic structures throughout the body. They are locally infiltrative, resulting in a high rate of local recurrence following surgical resection. Due to the rarity of these tumors in the head and neck region, we report a case of a patient with a desmoid tumor in the upper neck that was diagnosed and treated in our institution, to increase the awareness of the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgeons, and report available treatment options of this condition.

Combined Effect Of A Mixture Of Tetracycline, Acid, And Detergent, And Nisin Against Enterococcus Faecalis And Actinomyces Viscosus Biofilms, Hanan A. Balto, Zahid A. Shakoor, Maha A. Kanfar

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the combined effect of a mixture of tetracycline, acid, and detergent (MTAD) and Nisin against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus) biofilms. Methods: This study was conducted between June and December 2013 in collaboration with Dental Caries Research Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Single-species biofilms (n=9/species/observation period) were generated on membrane filter discs and subjected to 5, 10, or 15 minute incubation with MTADN (MTAD with 3% Nisin), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or normal saline. The colony forming units were counted using the Dark field colony counter. Results: A …

Worldwide Accountability: The Wto's Failure To Create An Infrastructure That Delivers Pharmaceutical Drugs To Developing Countries, Arun J. Mohan

Emory International Law Review Recent Developments

In response to the public outcry over the death of millions of people in developing countries because of a lack of access to life-saving drugs, the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognized the need for developing countries to obtain pharmaceutical drugs at a reduced rate. However, the WTO received significant pushback from patent holders and pharmaceutical companies who insisted that their patents be upheld in every country. The dilemma resulted in the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the 2003 Doha Declaration. Despite these efforts, millions of people are still dying because of a lack of access to …

Self-Perceived Stress Of Undergraduate Students Before And After Participation In A Breathing Meditation Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study, Cindy Oneida Sloan

Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined the effects of an eight-week breathing meditation intervention on the self-perceived stress of undergraduate students. Previous research suggests meditation is an effective strategy to alleviate stress and stress-related symptomatology (Baer, 2003; Conley, Travers, & Bryant, 2013; Shapiro, Brown & Astin, 2011). Forty-one undergraduate student volunteers participated in the study and were randomized into either an intervention group or control group. The intervention group met once per week for eight weeks and participated in a nine minute guided breathing meditation. At the conclusion of eight weeks participants, when compared with the control group, reported significantly lower …

Introduction, Macarena Sáez

Contributions to Books

This book explores the tension between same-sex marriage and traditional structures of family law. It moves from countries that have recognized same-sex marriage and are now adjusting to a new family law structure, to countries where same-sex marriage is viewed as a foreign institution, only possible as an academic theoretical conversation,. The book covers analyses of countries as diverse as Turkey, Israel, Jamaica, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. It is divided in chapters that look at each country’s individual experience in recognizing same-sex couples in general, and same-sex marriage in particular. From systems that still deny the existence …

The Fda And The Rise Of The Empowered Patient, Lewis Grossman

Contributions to Books

No abstract provided.

Fundamental Mathematics Of Consciousness, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We explore a mathematical formalism that ties together the observer with the observed in the view that Consciousness is primary, operating through three principles which apply at all levels, the essence of qualia of experience. The formalism is a simplified version of Hilbert space mathematics encountered in quantum mechanics. It does, however, go beyond specific interpretations of quantum mechanics and has strong philosophical foundations in Western philosophy as well as monistic systems of the East. The implications are explored and steps for the full development of this axiomatic mathematical approach to Consciousness are discussed.

A Stochastic Model For Microbial Fermentation Process Under Gaussian White Noise Environment, Yanping Ma

Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science Faculty Works

In this paper, we propose a stochastic model for the microbial fermentation process under the framework of white noise analysis, where Gaussian white noises are used to model the environmental noises and the specific growth rate is driven by Gaussian white noises. In order to keep the regularity of the terminal time, the adjustment factors are added in the volatility coefficients of the stochastic model. Then we prove some fundamental properties of the stochastic model: the regularity of the terminal time, the existence and uniqueness of a solution and the continuous dependence of the solution on the initial values.

Stem Education And Sexual Minority Youth: Examining Math And Science Course Taking Patterns Among High School Students, Fernando Estrada

School of Education Faculty Works

Sexual minority students such as those identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, as well as those identifying with emerging self-labels (e.g., queer) face a host of risk factors in high school that can potentially compromise educational excellence, particularly in rigorous academic disciplines. The current study advances the area of diversity within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by empirically exploring the question: Is there a gap in STEM education participation based on sexual minority status? After reviewing the relevant research, we employed hierarchical linear modeling to explore advanced math and science course-taking patterns among a nationally representative sample of …

Space Use By Resident And Transient Coyotes In An Urban–Rural Landscape Mosaic, N. Mitchell, M. W. Strohbach, R. Pratt, W. C. Finn, Eric G. Strauss

Center for Urban Resilience Scholarship

Context. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have adapted successfully to human landscape alteration in the past 150 years and in recent decades have successfully moved into urban areas. While this causes concern about human–wildlife conflicts, research also suggests that coyotes tend to avoid humans and human activity in urban areas. For improving management, a better understanding of space use by coyotes is needed.

Aims. To study how coyote social behaviour influences fine-scale space use in urban areas we present results from an extensive, multi-year GPS telemetry study (2005–13). The study area in coastal Rhode Island is a mosaic of rural, …

Curriculum Mapping As A Strategic Planning Tool, Susan Archambault, Jennifer Masunaga

Librarian Publications & Presentations

Curriculum mapping is a procedure for documenting and visualizing student learning at the programmatic level. The process allows libraries the opportunity to record where information literacy skills are taught across the curriculum in order to locate gaps and redundancies within a library instruction program. It also allows for alignment of the library’s learning outcomes with the learning outcomes important to the institution. This paper presents a review of the history of curriculum mapping, followed by a case study of how Loyola Marymount University (LMU) used the process to support information literacy in a new core curriculum.

Inhibition Of Toxic Iapp Amyloid By Extracts Of Common Fruits, David Moffet

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Works

The aggregation of the 37-amino acid polypeptide islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin), as either insoluble amyloid or as small oligomers, appears to play a direct role in the death of pancreatic β-islet cells in type 2 diabetes. It is believed that inhibiting the aggregation of IAPP may slow down, if not prevent entirely, the progression of this disease. Extracts of 13 different common fruits were analyzed for their ability to prevent the aggregation of amyloidogenic IAPP. Thioflavin T binding, immuno-detection and circular dichroism assays were performed to test the in vitro inhibitory potential of each extract. Atomic force microscopy was …

Inhibition Of Toxic Iapp Amyloid By Extracts Of Common Fruits, David A. Moffet, Pei-Yu Kao, Evangeline Green, Catalina Pereirab, Shauna Ekimura, Dennis Juarez, Travis Whyte, Taylor Arhar, Bianca Malaspina, Luiza A. Nogaj

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Works

The aggregation of the 37-amino acid polypeptide islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin), as either insoluble amyloid or as small oligomers, appears to play a direct role in the death of pancreatic β-islet cells in type 2 diabetes. It is believed that inhibiting the aggregation of IAPP may slow down, if not prevent entirely, the progression of this disease. Extracts of thirteen different common fruits were analyzed for their ability to prevent the aggregation of amyloidogenic IAPP. Thioflavin T binding, immuno-detection and circular dichroism assays were performed to test the in vitro inhibitory potential of each extract. Atomic force microscopy was …

Dynamic Motions Of The Hiv-1 Frameshift Site Rna, Kathryn Mouzakis

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Works

The HIV-1 frameshift site (FS) plays a critical role in viral replication. During translation, the HIV-1 FS transitions from a 3-helix to a 2-helix junction RNA secondary structure. The 2-helix junction structure contains a GGA bulge, and purine-rich bulges are common motifs in RNA secondary structure. Here, we investigate the dynamics of the HIV-1 FS 2-helix junction RNA. Interhelical motions were studied under different ionic conditions using NMR order tensor analysis of residual dipolar couplings. In 150 mM potassium, the RNA adopts a 43°(±4°) interhelical bend angle (β) and displays large amplitude, anisotropic interhelical motions characterized by a 0.52(±0.04) internal …

Global Shape Mimicry Of Trna Within A Viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site Mediates Translational Reading Frame Selection, Kathryn Mouzakis

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Works

The dicistrovirus intergenic region internal ribosome entry site (IRES) adopts a triple-pseudoknotted RNA structure and occupies the core ribosomal E, P, and A sites to directly recruit the ribosome and initiate translation at a non-AUG codon. A subset of dicistrovirus IRESs directs translation in the 0 and +1 frames to produce the viral structural proteins and a +1 overlapping open reading frame called ORFx, respectively. Here we show that specific mutations of two unpaired adenosines located at the core of the threehelical junction of the honey bee dicistrovirus Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) IRES PKI domain can uncouple 0 and …

Increasing Retention In Stem: Results From A Stem Talent Expansion Program At The University Of Memphis, Alistair Windsor, Anna E. Bargagliotti, Rachel Best, Donald Franceschetti, John Haddock, Stephanie Ivey, David Russomanno

Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science Faculty Works

MemphiSTEP is a five-year STEM Talent Expansion Program at the University of Memphis sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The project focuses on retention and persistence to graduation to increase the number of STEM majors and graduates. The project includes a range of student retention programs, including a Summer Mathematics Bridge Bootcamp, Networking Program, Research Award Program, Travel Award program and STEM Learning Communities; Results from the first four years of the project suggest that MemphiSTEP is making a positive impact on student retention and performance in STEM fields. Our data indicate that even after controlling for gender, race, and …

Philosophy And Theology: Reflections On Dignity, Christopher Kaczor

Philosophy Faculty Works

The article discusses the human dignity of a person. The meaning of human dignity in the philosophy of religion means each and every person value or worth of great respect. In Catholic teachings it believes that human being are created in the image and likeness of God has had the dignity of a person.