Digital Commons Network^™

Ice Concentration Linked With Extractive Stirrer (Icecles), Nujud Omar Maslamani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Clean water is very important for human health. Therefore, drinking water contamination is a significant research concern, especially with the increasing global population. Some contaminants, such as pesticides, can cause health effects even at low levels. Therefore, trace and ultratrace analysis of contaminants in drinking water is essential. Ultratrace analysis typically requires highly effective sample preparation methods and/or highly sensitive instruments. There are currently advanced sample preparations techniques available to analytical chemists that may allow trace analysis of certain analytes. These include liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE), solid phase micro extraction (SPME), and stir bar sorpitive extraction (SBSE). …

Effects Of Visitors And Enrichments On Behavior Of Captive Red Wolves’ (Canis Rufus) At The Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kylee S. Shotkoski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Red wolves (Canis rufus) are the first animals to maintain a wild population from captive, released individuals. A captive breeding program for red wolves was started before complete extirpation, and 4 breeding pairs were released in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (North Carolina) in 1987 and a small wild population still exists there. Currently, there are several captive breeding facilities for red wolves within the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. The Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota participates in the SSP program. My study was initiated to create a natural history background and evaluate interaction between …

From Readerly To Writerly (And Back Again) : A Rhetorical Analysis Of Greentext Stories, Agustin Morado Iv

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Greentext stories, a relatively new genre of short fiction, emerged from the image board site 4chan in early 2010. Although 4chan is known for its off-color, offensive humor, the popularity of greentext stories on the imageboard as well as on other websites warrants a serious rhetorical analysis. Drawing primarily on ideas from Collin Gifford Brooke, Roland Barthes, Kenneth Burke, and Carolyn Miller, greentext stories are first posted to 4chan as part of a performative dialogue, creating threads which are large writerly texts made of smaller readerly ones; this offers anonymous 4chan users, who tend to be outsiders from mainstream society, …

Analysis Of Blood Flow And Drug Concentration Distribution In Tumor-Affected Cerebral Artery Tissue Region, Sindhuja Moda

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Brain tumors occur in the brain with the growth of abnormal cells. Despite the advancements in medical technologies and treatments, the complex geometry of the brain impedes the treatment of tumors in brain. A promising and efficient drug targeting to the diseased regions with the limited dosage input reduces the risk of potential damage of healthy tissue cells in the vicinity of tumor. Insertion of drug particles into the blood stream through intravenous administration is one of the efficient treatment methods which is gaining importance. Currently, extensive research is being conducted in the areas of treating brain tumors effectively with …

Encapsidation Of The Host Rnas By Broad Bean Mottle Virus (Bbmv) And Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (Ccmv), Nipin Shrestha

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Encapsidation of the viral genome into capsid is a highly specific process. Despite the viral RNA specificity, evidence of the host cellular RNA co-encapsidation have been shown in some insect viruses like Flock house virus (FHV) and plant viruses like Cucumber necrotic virus (CNV). This study is dedicated to finding the similar evidence of host RNA encapsidation by the two members, BBMV and CCMV of the Bromovirus family -- model virus system. The Next Generation RNA sequencing (NGS RNA-seq) can be implemented to sequence the RNAs encapsidated by the highly purified virions. We mapped and aligned the reads obtained from …

Evidence Of Genotypic Variation, Mhc Class I Copy Number Variation And Recombination Within The Chicken Major Histocompatibility Complex-Y System, Renee T. Kopulos

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a gene region found in all jawed vertebrates. These highly polymorphic, tightly linked genes are responsible for immune regulation by presenting self and non-self antigens to the immune system. The MHC is the most polymorphic vertebrate genome region because its genes face considerable selective pressure since survival depends on the capacity to respond to bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. The MHC organization in different species has clearly evolved in separate and unique ways since the time that birds and mammals diverged from a common ancestor 310 million years ago. The size and organization of …

Copassion And Consumption: The Difference Between Cats And Cows, Miles Mcavoy

A with Honors Projects

Within the last four decades, small town family farms have given way to industrialized farming practices. Laying the foundation for a perpetually growing industry that confines and condemns livestock of all kinds to unethical atrocities unparalleled in our history while simultaneously victimizing all of humanity, ignorant and educated alike, to a future of seemingly unavoidable consequences. Our generations of many are now unjustly burdened by the actions of a few who’ve unfairly deemed the unregulated industry of confined animal feeding operations justifiable and an appropriate response to our expanding populous. Our groundwater is perpetually polluted at a rate of 1.3 …

Beauty And Loss: Tolkien's Eucatastrophe As A Mandate For The Church, Mary K. Philpott

Senior Honors Theses

In his writings, Tolkien affirms the presence of loss and longing, beauty and despair and analyzes the function they serve in both the secondary world of Middle-earth and the primary world. This thesis will explore his theories of the eucatastrophe and the dyscatastrophe, and his insistence that the joy and hope which are expressed by the eucatastrophe are dependent upon the dyscatastrophe—the presence of sorrow and despair. This thesis will also examine how Christians’ knowledge of Tolkien’s philosophy can better equip them to cope with the brokenness of a fallen world as well as provide motivation for developing and engaging …

Growth In The Midst Of Perpetual Dependency, Hannah A. Lackey

Senior Honors Theses

International aid is a powerful, beneficial tool that has been known to improve many situations in a variety of targeted communities. While aid does provide basic necessities and resources to beneficiaries, it has the potential to simultaneously hinder or slow the development and independence of the assisted people groups if not correctly implemented. Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Boone, North Carolina, provides a variety of domestic and international relief services that break the trend of dependency through their encouragement of local self-sufficiency and growth. Specifically, Samaritan’s Purse’s Karamoja Integrated Maternal Child Health (KIMCH) project, based in …

Social Work Ethics: Decision Making And Accountability, James J. Clark, Molly Malany Sayre

Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Faculty Publications

Book accompanies course that examines the interplay of social work, values, ethics, and decision-making processes. Through the use of practice scenarios, social workers will learn how to approach risk management and thorny ethical dilemmas that are common to many practice areas. The course discusses the role of laws and regulations in regard to ethics, highlights the importance of the distinction between legal and moral problems, and describes the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Significance Of Using A Nonlinear Analysis Technique, The Lyapunov Exponent, On The Understanding Of The Dynamics Of The Cardiorespiratory System In Rats, Tamer Zeren, Mustafa Özbek, Neci̇p Kutlu, Mahmut Akilli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Pneumocardiography (PNCG) is the recording method of cardiac-induced tracheal air flow and pressure pulsations in the respiratory airways. PNCG signals reflect both the lung and heart actions and could be accurately recorded in spontaneously breathing anesthetized rats. Nonlinear analysis methods, including the Lyapunov exponent, can be used to explain the biological dynamics of systems such as the cardiorespiratory system. Materials and methods: In this study, we recorded tracheal air flow signals, including PNCG signals, from 3 representative anesthetized rats and analyzed the nonlinear behavior of these complex signals using Lyapunov exponents. Results: Lyapunov exponents may also be used to …

Effects Of Resveratrol On The Alterations Of Cavernosal Enos And Lox-1 Expression In The Hypercholesterolemic Condition: A Preliminary Study, Ozan Bozkurt, Aykut Kefi̇, Ömer Demi̇r, Nergi̇s Murat, Sedef Gi̇dener, Ahmet Adi̇l Esen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resveratrol on the alterations of cavernosal eNOS and LOX-1 mRNA expression in the hypercholesterolemic condition. Materials and methods: Twenty-one New Zealand white male rabbits were separated into three groups. Rabbits were fed with a normal dietary intake for the control group and a 2% cholesterol diet for the hypercholesterolemia and resveratrol groups for 6 weeks. Resveratrol 4 mg/kg daily was administered for the resveratrol group. Cavernosal LOX-1 and eNOS mRNA expressions were determined with real-time RT-PCR in all groups. The statistical analysis was performed with the Kruskal?Wallis and …

Study Of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Transplantation Intowistar Albino Rat Cochleae After Hair Cell Damage*, Mustafa Kürşat Gökcan, Selçuk Mülazi̇moğlu, Emre Ocak, Pinar Can, Murat Çalişkan, Ömer Beşalti, Serpi̇l Di̇zbay Sak, Gülşah Kaygusuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: As the regeneration capacity of hair cells is limited, inner ear stem cell therapies hold promise. Effects of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) on Wistar albino rats (WARs) with hearing impairment were investigated. Materials and methods: Thirty-five adult WARs with normal hearing were divided into 4 groups. Excluding the study group (n = 15), the other three groups served as control groups for ototoxicity and IPSC injection models. IPSC injections were performed via cochleostomy after a retroauricular approach. Auditory functions were evaluated with auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) before and after the injections. After a final hearing assessment the …

Time Of Day And Performance On Cognitive Tests In Patients With Mild Dementia, Upinder Singh, Mandeep Gill, Rebecca Rice, Fallon Dimaano, Andrea Warburton, Michael R. Wells

College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUN) Publications and Research

Background

Cognitive screening for elderly patients with mild dementia is typically conducted in the morning under the impression that testing at this time will optimize performance and cooperation of patients. This study was conducted to determine if the time of day in which several cognitive screening tests would be normally given could significantly affect test performance in patients with mild dementia and normal control subjects.

Methods

Fifty nursing home residents with mild to moderate dementia and twenty normal control subjects were given three commonly used cognitive tests in two separate sessions (morning and afternoon) with a two week interval between …

Environmental Education In The Study Of Power And Transportation Technology, Allen Eugene Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Fifty/Fifty, Brianna Barron

School of Art Graduate Exhibitions, Portfolios, and Theses

No abstract provided.

Human Rights Abuses As Tort Harms: Losses In Translation, Nathan J. Miller

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Small Constellation: Risk Factors Informing Police Perceptions Of Domestic Abuse, Amanda L. Robinson, Gillian M. Pinchevsky, Jennifer A. Guthrie

Criminal Justice Faculty Research

Police in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) now routinely use risk assessment tools to identify common risk factors for re-abuse and lethality when responding to domestic abuse. Nevertheless, little is known about the extent to which officers understand and perceive the importance of factors commonly included on risk assessment tools for predicting future abuse. This study attempts to shed some light into this area of research by exploring the responses of 720 British and American police officers to questions regarding how important and how essential various risk factors are for evaluating the level of risk or …

Effects Of Microbiota On Starvation Resistant Drosophila Melanogaster, Andrea Darby, Mohamad Dahroug, Allen Gibbs

McNair Poster Presentations

Bacteria in modern society have often been perceived as having negative effects on humans with complications and potential death to their hosts. In recent years, the gut microbiota has shown that not all bacteria inhabiting a host cause negative side effects, but they instead can provide essential nutrients to their host and even directly impact growth rate and development. In this study, axenic Drosophila melanogaster were generated through egg dechorionation with 7% bleach to test the effects of the absence of commensal bacteria on the flies growth and development. Lipid content was recorded of control and axenic fruit flies from …

Graphic Design For The Shark Reef Aquarium [Course Project], Alexxis Rodriguez

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

This essay examines the thought processes of how a short, informative booklet was constructed for the Shark Reef Aquarium. Methods of research includes searching for valuable, credible articles, viewing competitor’s designs, visiting the company’s official information and media, and gathering design books for inspiration. Other ways of research include the designer’s ability to think critically in order to create intentional design that effectively communicates the information to the reader. Ultimately, looking at Lied Library’s resources has played a role in the booklet design and how to think about the supporting design elements.

Review Of Changing Hands: Industry, Evolution, And The Reconfiguration Of The Victorian Body By Peter J. Capuano, John Hay

English Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

What Is Known About Secondary Grades Mathematical Modelling, Micah S. Stohlmann, Lina Devaul, Charlie Allen, Amy Adkins, Taro Ito, Dawn Lockett, Nick Wong

Teaching and Learning Faculty Research

Mathematical modelling is garnering more attention and focus at the secondary level in many different countries because of the knowledge and skills that students can develop from this approach. This paper serves to summarize what is it known about secondary mathematical modelling to guide future research. A targeted and general literature search was conducted and studies were summarized based on four categories: assessment data collected, unit of analysis studied, population, and effectiveness. It was found that there were five main units of analysis into which the studies could be categorized: modelling process/sub-activities, modelling competencies/ability, blockages/difficulties during the modelling process, students’ …

What Is Known About Elementary Grades Mathematical Modelling, Micah Stohlmann, Lluis Albarracin

Teaching and Learning Faculty Research

Mathematical modelling has often been emphasized at the secondary level, but more research is needed at the elementary level. This paper serves to summarize what is known about elementary mathematical modelling to guide future research. A targeted and general literature search was conducted and studies were summarized based on five categories: content of mathematical modelling intervention, assessment data collected, unit of analysis studied, population, and effectiveness. It was found that there were three main units of analysis into which the studies could be categorized: representational and conceptual competence, models created, and student beliefs. The main findings from each of these …

Geologic Time, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

It is not surprising that humans have wondered how long Earth has existed. At one extreme, there were the Brahmans of India who believe that Earth never had a beginning and will never have an end. Others were of the opinion that Earth was old, but perhaps not eternally old. In 450 BC, for example, a Greek historian named Herodotus (484 - 425 BC) expressed the opinion that Earth was very old, basing his estimate on the results of his studies of the Nile Delta. He observed that the delta was growing layer by layer as a result of the …

Earthquakes, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

For centuries, earth scientists have known where the major earthquakes occurred. They also knew they occurred in the same locales as the most violent volcanoes, a fact that led to centuries of arguments as to which was the cause of the other. Now we know that they are not cause and effect; they are both associated with the convergent plate margins. During the mid-1900s, another major zone of both volcanic and earthquake activity was discovered, namely the divergent margins, the most important site being the oceanic ridges. Since then, we have also come to understand the occurrence of volcanic activity …

The Triassic Period And The Beginning Of The Mesozoic Era, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

The Triassic Period is the first period of the Mesozoic Era, a span of time from 245 million years ago to 66 million years ago. Although the Mesozoic era commonly known as the "Age of the Dinosaurs,', it should be pointed out that there were other important evolutionary developments taking place such as the appearance of the first mammal birds and flowering plans. The onset of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic Period, was also a time of profound tectonic activity affecting the entire North American craton. In the east, the primary event was the breakup of Pangea and the formation …

Inter-Sexual Social Interactions In Cebus Capucinus, Margaret S. Buehler

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Researchers examine an animal's behaviors in order to determine how they enhance the animal's fitness. However, animals often exhibit behaviors that expend energy, but do little to improve its proximate survival or reproductive success. These behaviors may represent long-term strategies and are therefore more difficult to document than behaviors that provide immediate benefits. I observed white-faced capuchin social behavior in Costa Rica with the goal of identifying inter-sexual social behaviors that are intentional, regular, and serve no immediate reproductive or survival advantage. For example, interactions with males and non-cycling females provide no immediate reproductive benefits I observed interaction patterns between …

Properties Of The Green Microalga Monoraphidium Sp. Dek19 For Phycoremediation Of Wastewater And Biofuel Production, Nicholas James Kirchner

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The focus of this thesis was to investigate the growth of Monoraphidium sp. Dek19 in post-primary filtration and final wastewater effluent for the purposes of phycoremediation and as a potential biofuel feedstock. The algae were inoculated in wastewater effluent collected from the local wastewater treatment facility in DeKalb, Illinois and grown in 1L flasks at 10°C and 22°C. It was determined that initial population density (IPD) played an important role in the successful growth of a culture. Cultures started at an E680 greater than 0.100 could grow, but at a suboptimal rate. However, it was found that when cultures were …

A Physiological Assessment Of Wetland Habitats For Spring-Migrating Ducks In The Agricultural Landscapes Of The Southern Prairie Pothole Region, Adam K. Janke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The conversion of grassland and wetland ecosystems in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has been a pervasive challenge for conservationists dating back to the early 1900s. The legacy of ever-increasing agricultural intensity in the southern portions of the PPR, including eastern South Dakota, has left many wetland ecosystems in a matrix of intensive agricultural production. With little surrounding nesting cover, these wetlands are thought to have limited potential for waterfowl reproduction but may still play an important role facilitating migration of waterfowl en route to northern breeding areas during spring. My research sought to understand the contributions of wetlands in …

Understanding The Impact Of Non-Thermal Processing And Co2 Assisted Extrusion On Antioxidant, Textural And Functional Properties Of Corn, Sorghum And Apple Pomace Based Extrudates, Umesh Chandra Lohani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there is a worldwide demand for antioxidant rich foods in diet, especially ready to eat foods, i.e. cereals and snacks. In recent years, the research has got momentum to valorize the underutilized crops, i.e. millet, sorghum and industrial food by-products, i.e. fruit pomace to incorporate into main stream of human diet due to their enrichment in nutritional as well as bioactive compounds like phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants. However, most of the phenolic compounds in plant are present in the bound form with the carbohydrates, lignin, pectin and proteins which reduces their ability to function as good antioxidants. Therefore, in …