Digital Commons Network^™

2015 Commencement For Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, And Jefferson School Of Population Health

Sidney Kimmel Medical College Commencements

No abstract provided.

Why Do Protein Structures Recur?, Rebecca G. Leong

Dartmouth College Undergraduate Theses

Protein tertiary structures exhibit an observable degeneracy in nature. This paper examines the connection between a protein motif's abundance in nature and its designability as measured by in silico methods. After generating a set of protein structures, we evaluated each structure's abundance in nature, ratio of possible contacts (contact degree) and in silico designability. Our results showed that any two or these metrics are moderately correlated. Together abundance and contact degree produced the strongest correlation with in silico designability. Our results suggest that abundance is indeed an indicator of designability. Furthermore, abundance and contact degree appear to correlate with some …

Understanding Copyright & Transformative Fair Use, Andrée Rathemacher, Angel Ferria, Julia Lovett

Technical Services Faculty Presentations

Slides and workshop examples from a session, "Understanding Copyright & Transformative Fair Use," given at the Rhode Island Library Association Annual Conference, "RILA 2015," on May 28, 2015 in Newport, Rhode Island.

"This interactive workshop will outline the basics of copyright and fair use, emphasizing the notion of transformative fair use as highlighted in recent court decisions. The majority of the session will be devoted to real-life scenarios, and audience members will be able to analyze texts, images, video, and sound recordings to determine whether the proposed use is fair. You’ll also learn about handy alternatives for situations when fair …

Performing Genders: A Study Of Gender Fluidity, Nicholas Jkmk Coney

Senior Theses

The subjective quality of identity and the relativistic nature of gender bemuse and attract social scientists. In this study I combine both topics by examining gender fluidity – an inconsistent gender identity – within the framework of Western ontology. Within my informants’ narratives I identify what I term feelings of gender as feelings that influence how people perceive and interact with their bodies. Gender fluidity entails a constant yet inconsistent fluctuation of those feelings. Furthermore, I found other important elements that may have influenced my informants' understanding of their gender identities and bodies: upbringing, previous relationships and interactions, communities, and …

Summer Ii | Want To Know If You Have Neanderthal Dna?, Ohio University College Of Arts & Sciences

All Forum Articles

No abstract provided.

Clinical Interviews Shed Light On Relationships Between Next Generation Science Standards Dimensions In Upper Elementary Students, Sean Thomas Mullins

Theses and Dissertations

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for the use of classroom discourse and investigation into the relationships between their dimensions of science education. This study investigated how upper elementary students use the dimensions when responding to interview questions involving real world data. Results indicate a strong relationship between these responses and the demonstration of the scientific practice of constructing explanations and designing solutions. To support this practice, students primarily drew upon the scientific concepts of cause and effect: mechanisms and explanation and systems and system models. When these concepts were utilized at or above grade level, as determined by …

2015 Commencement For Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, And Jefferson School Of Population Health

Jefferson College of Biomedical Sciences Commencement

No abstract provided.

2015 Commencement For Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, And Jefferson School Of Population Health

Jefferson College of Population Health Commencement

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Anti-Dengue Antibodies, Lauren Syndergaard, Brian Poole

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Dengue virus is a mosquitoes-borne virus that causes dengue fever. It is found primarily in tropical areas with over a third of the world’s population living in at-risk areas (WHO). The number of infections has grown rapidly in recent years with as many as 50 to 100 million infections occur each year (WHO). Though not widely present in the United States (small outbreaks occur with some regularity in Texas from the Mexican border; Hawaii and Florida relatively recently had cases), many travelers endemic areas contract the virus. Though several are being studied, as yet, there are no vaccines available for …

Molecular Diversity And Gene Evolution Of The Venom Arsenal Of Terebridae Predatory Marine Snails, Juliette Gorson, Girish Ramrattan, Aida Verdes, Elizabeth M. Wright, Yuri Kantor, Ramakrishnan Rajaram Srinivasan, Raj Musunuri, Daniel Packer, Gabriel Albano, Wei-Gang Qiu, Mandë Holford

Publications and Research

Venom peptides from predatory organisms are a resource for investigating evolutionary processes such as adaptive radiation or diversification, and exemplify promising targets for biomedical drug development. Terebridae are an understudied lineage of conoidean snails,which also includes cone snails and turrids. Characterization of cone snail venompeptides, conotoxins, has revealed a cocktail of bioactive compounds used to investigate physiological cellular function, predator-prey interactions, and to develop novel therapeutics. However, venom diversity of other conoidean snails remains poorly understood. The present research applies a venomics approach to characterize novel terebrid venom peptides, teretoxins, from the venom gland transcriptomes of Triplostephanus anilis and Terebra …

Rare Genetic Variant To The Protection Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Josue David Gonzalez Murcia, John Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top 10 causes of death in the world and the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, with 5.5 million people diagnosed with the disease. Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, prevented or slowed. Most research with Alzheimer’s disease has been done on SNPs that have a relatively high frequency in the population this has helped facilitate researchers in finding a broad genetic pathway in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (Naj et al. 2011; Harold et al. 2009). Our research will focus on a very rare SNP, with a much lower frequency than previously …

Engineering A Pathogen Specific High Affinity T-Cell Receptor Called Llo56, John Hancock, Dr. Scott Weber

Journal of Undergraduate Research

CD4+ helper T-cells play a vital role in the body’s immune response. When infectious agents attack the body, phagocytes engulf these invaders and present a peptide segment of the pathogen on a receptor (called MHCII). These receptors are located on the surface of the cell and the displayed peptide is termed an epitope. CD4+ T-cells with T-cell receptors (TCRs) specific for the displayed peptide bind to the MHCII complex. It is this binding that releases chemical signals to initiate an immune response. A disadvantage of TCRs is that their wild-type affinity for MHC is low and that they are membrane …

Discovery And Characterization Of Bacteriophage To Control Mrsa, Jacob B. Hatch, Bradford Berges

Journal of Undergraduate Research

About 20% of humans are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (SA). There were an estimated 11,000 deaths in the United States in 2005 attributed to SA, with the majority caused by MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) isolates [1]. Many MRSA isolates have developed resistance to all but one antibiotic drug: vancomycin. However, other bacteria have developed resistance to vancomycin, suggesting that in time MRSA will likewise become non-responsive to this last available drug and MRSA infections will be untreatable. This project looks to find an alternate method of MRSA treatment. Bacteriophage (phage) are viruses that infect bacterial cells in order …

Use Of Humanized Mice To Study The Production Of Human Antibodies, Steven Hallam, Dr. Bradford Berges

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The human immune system is composed of two main subsets: innate and adaptive immunities. Among the adaptive immune cells, B cells play a vital role in stopping infectious agents through the production of antigen specific antibodies. Human B cells are important targets of infection for many human-specific viruses that are poorly understood. Since the infection and study of human subjects is not possible, animal models have been developed to mimic the human immune environment. Rag2-/-γc-/- mice engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells produce human B lymphocytes and these cells are capable of mounting antigen-specific human antibody responses. However, there is …

Mapping The Trigeminal Nerve, Kinnison Edmunds, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goal of my project was to create a data-driven, three-dimensional map of the human trigeminal nerve from the trigeminal ganglion to the ends of its major pathways throughout the face and head. The purpose was to test conventional wisdom regarding the pathways of the trigeminal nerve and expose any inconsistencies between artistic representations and a data-driven mapping of the nerve. It was my hypothesis that by comparing my completed nerve map to the currently accepted anatomy literature, I will be able to challenge existing discrepancies and improve the validity of current anatomical representations.

Microarchitectural Analysis Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament To Inform Its Reconstruction, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ligaments are specialized connective tissues that stabilize the different synovial joints found in the body. Ligaments consist of fibroblast cells surrounded by a framework of dense fibrous bands of collagen, which anchor to bones to provide support and elasticity. Their varying biomechanical functions in different locations of the body require diversity in matrix composition, shape, density, and arrangement to adapt to the complex functions they perform. These characteristics may even vary within different regions of the same ligament. Damage to ligaments compromises integrity and movement of the joint and can lead to serious complications.

Customizing 3d Models From Mri Data: Creating Educational Anatomy Models Of Neurologic Disease, Brett Gardiner, Dr. Jon Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Neuroanatomy lab specimens are limited to cadaver availability and inconsistently demonstrate variations confronted in pathology. Using rapid prototyping (RP) technology to create 3D models from segmented MRI data offers distinct benefits to medical education. An efficient and replicable procedure for customizing these models can be developed to provide unique visual experiences for students and offer additional perspectives of brain models from real data.

Hydrocarbons In Deep-Sea Sediments Following The 2010 Deepwater Horizon Blowout In The Northeast Gulf Of Mexico, Isabel C. Romero, Patrick Schwing, Gregg R Brooks, Rebekka A Larson, David W. Hastings, Greg Ellis, Ethan Goddard, David Hollander

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill released 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) over 87 days. Sediment and water sampling efforts were concentrated SW of the DWH and in coastal areas. Here we present geochemistry data from sediment cores collected in the aftermath of the DWH event from 1000-1500 m water depth in the DeSoto Canyon, NE of the DWH wellhead. Cores were analyzed at high-resolution (at 2 mm and 5 mm intervals) in order to evaluate the concentration, composition and input of hydrocarbons to the seafloor. Specifically, we analyzed total organic carbon (TOC), aliphatic, polycyclic …

Civil Engineering Department Honored For Promoting Inclusiveness, Edwin Smith

University of Mississippi News

Recognition includes a plaque and $2,000 stipend to advance successful efforts

The Role Of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (Damps) In Human Diseases : Part Ii: Damps As Diagnostics, Prognostics And Therapeutics In Clinical Medicine, Walter G. Land

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

This article is the second part of a review that addresses the role of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in human diseases by presenting examples of traumatic (systemic inflammatory response syndrome), cardiovascular (myocardial infarction), metabolic (type 2 diabetes mellitus), neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s disease), malignant and infectious diseases. Various DAMPs are involved in the pathogenesis of all these diseases as they activate innate immune machineries including the unfolded protein response and inflammasomes. These subsequently promote sterile autoinflammation accompanied, at least in part, by subsequent adaptive autoimmune processes. This review article discusses the future role of DAMPs in routine practical medicine by highlighting the …

Ebolavirus And Haemorrhagic Syndrome, Gerald A. Matua, Dirk M. Van Der Wal, Rozzano C.

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

The Ebola virus is a highly virulent, single-stranded ribonucleic acid virus which affects both humans and apes and has fast become one of the world’s most feared pathogens. The virus induces acute fever and death, with haemorrhagic syndrome occurring in up to 90% of patients. The known species within the genus Ebolavirus are Bundibugyo, Sudan, Zaïre, Reston and Taï Forest. Although endemic in Africa, Ebola has caused worldwide anxiety due to media hype and concerns about its international spread, including through bioterrorism. The high fatality rate is attributed to unavailability of a standard treatment regimen or vaccine. The disease is …

Lifestyles Of Adult Omani Women : Cross-Sectional Study On Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour, Azza Al-Habsi, Hashem Kilani

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the lifestyles of adult Omani women with regards to physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour (SB). Methods: The study was carried out between May and June 2013 and included a total of 277 healthy women aged 18–48 years from five governorates in Oman. Total, moderate and vigorous PA levels and walking were self-reported by participants using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. SB (total sitting time and different types of sitting time) was self-reported using the Domain-Specific Sitting Time Questionnaire on both working and non-working days. PA levels and SB …

Students Present Range Of Studies At Neuroscience Research Showcase, Michael Newsom

University of Mississippi News

First-ever event for UM program raises awareness, provides opportunities for collaboration

The Observer, Central Washington University

Student Newspaper

Student newspaper for Central Washington University for May 28-June 3, 2015. Vol. 100, No. 8.

Mining Concept In Big Data, Jingjing Yang

Master's Projects

To fruitful using big data, data mining is necessary. There are two well-known methods, one is based on apriori principle, and the other one is based on FP-tree. In this project we explore a new approach that is based on simplicial complex, which is a combinatorial form of polyhedron used in algebraic topology. Our approach, similar to FP-tree, is top down, at the same time, it is based on apriori principle in geometric form, called closed condition in simplicial complex. Our method is almost 300 times faster than FP-growth on a real world database using a SJSU laptop. The database …

African American Doctoral Scholars’ And Fellows’ Professional Development Mentoring Experiences Toward Higher Education Professorship, Crystal J. Bryant, Adriel A. Hilton, Patricia A. Green-Powell

Journal of Research Initiatives

This research examined the professional development mentoring experiences of African American doctoral recipients who participated in the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholars Program or the McKnight Doctoral Fellows (MDF) Program, and are currently employed as faculty at an American college or university. The purpose of this research was to identify the types of professional development mentoring opportunities that assisted SREB and MDF program graduates in their transition into the professoriate, and to determine if race or gender of the faculty mentor played a significant role in their preparedness for the teaching, research, and service tasks required of faculty. …

End Matter, Vol. 8

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Vol. 8

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Conservation Genetics Of Six Species Of Genus Dionda (Cyprinidae) In The Southwestern United States, Ashley H. Hanna, Evan W. Carson, Gary P. Garrett, John R. Gold

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

We examined allelic variation at nuclear-encoded microsatellites and sequences of mitochondrial (mt)DNA in 10 geographic samples representing 6 nominal species of the cyprinid genus Dionda. Species of Dionda are found in springs and spring-fed headwaters in the southwestern United States and Mexico and are of particular interest to conservation and management, in part because of their limited distribution and habitat specificity, and in part as indicator species of habitat quality. All 10 samples examined appear to be discrete, demographically independent populations, with greater observed FST values between or among samples within species (0.123–0.280) than threshold values above which demographic …

Mapping Interaction Through Compensatory Phou Mutants In Escherichia Coli, Tanner Dean, William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this experiment was to identify the physical interaction site between two proteins in Escherichia Coli. These two proteins, PhoU and PhoR, are two proteins involved in Phosphate signal transduction. When these two proteins are mutated, so they no longer interact, the pathway is broken and signaling is inhibited. To break this pathway, we mutated one protein (PhoR) until we developed several mutations that no longer interact with PhoU. This loss of interaction is caused by a physical change to the site of interaction between the two proteins. We hypothesized that we could find a naturally occurring PhoU …