Digital Commons Network^™

Defining The Role Of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia., Vipul Shukla

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represents the most common adult leukemia in the Western hemisphere. Despite considerable progress in our current understanding of CLL, this disease remains incurable and the molecular events underlying the complex pathogenesis of CLL are not fully elucidated. Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4) belongs to the IRF superfamily of transcription factors that has been shown to play critical roles at multiple stages of B cell development. Interestingly, a Genome Wide Association Study identified Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) mediated IRF4 down regulation, as a major predisposing genetic event during the development of CLL. However, whether low levels of …

Developing Assisted Reproductive Technologies For Endangered North American Amphibians, Cecilia Jane Langhorne

Theses and Dissertations

An alarming number of anuran (frog and toad) species are facing the threat of extinction in the wild. In efforts to address this conservation crisis, captive breeding programs are rapidly being established at zoos and research institutions worldwide. However, the captive management of anurans can be challenging, as their reproduction is a tightly regulated hormonal response to environmental stimuli, often unknown or absent in captivity. Consequently, ex-situ breeding efforts tend to be greatly hindered by a paucity of knowledge in anuran reproductive physiology and, for many species on the brink of extinction, time is running out. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), …

Global Gains, Local Costs? Evaluating The Nexus Of Industrial Agriculture, Conservation Science, And Rural Livelihoods In The African Tropics, Rachel E. Palkovitz

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Industrial agriculture and protected areas for biodiversity conservation are two major drivers of land use policy in the African tropics, with consequences for both biodiversity and rural human populations. In Tanzania, conservation and development have led to the marginalization of pastoralists, including and especially rural Maasai. I examine how local perceptions of land use and livelihoods are influenced by recent and historical expansion of protected areas and large-scale industrial crop plantations in Longido, northern Tanzania. Using the framework of political ecology, I situate the emergence of industrial agriculture, especially that of palm oil, and protected areas in the African tropics …

The Effect Of Depression On Bone Mineral Density In College-Aged Females, Caitlin A. Cadematori

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Research regarding the relationship between depression and bone mineral density (BMD) has produced very inconsistent and limited results, especially in younger females. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between depression scores and BMD in college-aged female students. Forty-six participants, ages 18-24 (+/-1.0368) completed a 24-hour dietary recall, medical history, Beck’s Depression Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) and had their femur and sacral vertebrae BMD, z-score, and t-score measured in the Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) machine. Participant demographics were analyzed with descriptive statistics and potential variable correlations were analyzed by partial and bipartial …

Applying The Social Cognitive Theory To The Hookup Culture Embodied In The Undergraduate Students Of James Madison University, Jacqueline M. Crawford

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The hookup culture on college campuses is creating a social shift away from traditional dating. The social influence of this culture could potentially be explained through the use of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The SCT examines the effects of peer influence, environmental influence, and personal beliefs on individual behavior. The current study applied the SCT to the hookup culture embodied in the undergraduate student body at James Madison University. Research found that many students may be influenced by their peers and environment to participate in this culture and students misperceive the hookup behavior of their peers. These results can …

Cancer Perceptions And Health Behaviors In Tazewell County, Virginia, Sarah E. Waddle

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Tazewell County is a community the citizens feel is plagued by cancer. This concern was so great the county officials requested a study be done by a local university, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), to explore potential external factors causing these perceived high rates of cancer within the community. The results of the Virginia Tech study found the rates of cancer were no higher in Tazewell County than elsewhere in the state of Virginia. The purpose of the current study was to explore the idea of perceptions and the effect they may have on the health behaviors …

The Synthesis Of 1,3-Difluoro-2-Methyl-4-Phenylbenzene From A One-Pot Reaction Of Difluorocarbene And 1-Phenyl-2-Methylcyclobutene, Ruth Felicitas Menger

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Previous studies show that 1,2-disubstituted cyclobutenes can be used in reaction with difluorocarbene to produce 1,3-difluorobenzenes. A pathway to the synthesis of these types of compounds is of interest due to their presence in fluoroquinolone antibacterials, resins, and insecticides. The synthesis is unique because the fluorine atoms from the difluorocarbene are not adjacent to each other when the ring expands to a benzene ring. This study focuses on the reaction of difluorocarbene with 1-phenyl-2-methylcyclobutene, which was synthesized in one-pot in 4 steps starting from 1-phenyl-1-propyne and zirconocene dichloride.

The Synthesis And Colloidal Characterization Of Several Triscationic Amphiphilic Antibacterial Agents, Kristin R. Mckenna

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

M-P,12,12, a triscationic amphiphile, was characterized for its antibacterial and colloidal properties as well as its ability to associate with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). This amphiphile has a mesitylene core, one pyridinium headgroup, and two dimethyldodecylammonium tails. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) for M-P,12,12 was determined by three different methods. According to isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), the CAC is 2.54 mM, conductivity studies determined the CAC to be 2.07 and the degree of ionization to be 0.188, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy yielded a CAC value of 1.73 mM. The NMR study of the water-insoluble solid formed by M-P,12,12 …

The Effect Of Hofmeister Series Counterions On The Colloidal And Antimicrobial Properties Of Triple-Headed Cationic Amphiphiles, Kirstie A. Thompson

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Antibacterial resistance is becoming increasingly prominent, causing a great need for novel antibacterial products. This work focuses on developing an understanding of the relationship between counterion identity on colloidal and antibacterial activity for cationic amphiphiles. In an amphiphile series with three hydrophilic quaternary ammonium bromide head groups and one hydrophobic tail, the amphiphile with a linear hydrocarbon chain with 18 carbons is more antibacterial than those with longer or shorter tails. Counterion exchange of the bromide counterions with various Hofmeister series anions significantly affects both antibacterial and colloidal activity. The logarithm of critical aggregation concentration [log(CAC)] was found to have …

Isolation And Enumeration Of Vibrio Vulnificus And Vibrio Parahaemolyticus From Coastal Virginia, Zackary A. Zayakosky

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus are gram-negative, halophilic bacteria that are found throughout estuarial waters during the summer months, and are commonly associated with human infection. Gastroenteritis and other related symptoms can occur following infection from either organism, which most often occurs as a result of consumption of raw oysters or other seafood. V. vulnificus is particularly virulent, and can also produce wound infections that lead to severe septicemia and death. Due to the increasing rates of infection for these two organisms, recent research efforts have focused on potential environmental conditions and reservoirs that would be indicative of increased Vibrio …

Population Projection And Habitat Preference Modeling Of The Endangered James Spinymussel (Pleurobema Collina), Marisa Draper

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) is an endangered mussel species at the top of Virginia’s conservation list. The James Spinymussel plays a critical role in the environment by filtering and cleaning stream water while providing shelter and food for macroinvertebrates; however, conservation efforts are complicated by the mussels’ burrowing behavior, camouflage, and complex life cycle. The goals of the research conducted were to estimate detection probabilities that could be used to predict species presence and facilitate field work, and to track individually marked mussels to test for habitat preferences. Using existing literature and mark-recapture field data, these goals were accomplished …

Modulation Of Nitric Oxide Synthase I Transcription By Tau And Alpha-Synuclein And Its Relevance To Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Diseases, Taelor A. Weaver, Alexandra L. Deal

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are both progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect millions of Americans and for which there are no cures. AD can significantly impair the ability to think, remember, communicate, and carry out daily activities, while PD can affect motor functions such as balance, coordination, and the ability to speak. Intracellular protein aggregation is a hallmark of both diseases, with AD being characterized by the build up of neurofibrillary tangles composed of misfolded tau protein and PD being characterized by Lewy bodies composed of alpha-synuclein. Both normal tau and alpha-synuclein can localize to the nucleus; however, …

Searching For Potential Binding Partners Of Arabidopsis Β-Amylase2 Using Yeast 2-Hybridization, Megan E. Hines

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

BAM2 is a chloroplast-targeted member of the β-amylase gene family that currently has an unknown function in starch hydrolysis. Previous research indicated that BAM2 did not have significant catalytic activity, but, because the gene is highly conserved and there is a starch-excess phenotype in older plants lacking BAM2, it was hypothesized that BAM2 may instead have a regulatory function. Many regulatory proteins function by interacting with other proteins, so we wanted to test for potential protein binding partners for BAM2 using the yeast two-hybrid system. A plasmid containing the BAM2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was co-transformed into Y190-strain yeast ( …

Sensory Modalities Underlying The Escape Response Of The Cricket, Acheta Domesticus, To Looming Stimuli, Ariel M. Childs

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

In order to prevent injury or capture by a predator, animals have evolved escape behavior. Despite offering a more realistic, multimodal, approximation of an approaching predator, looming stimuli have rarely been used to evoke escape behavior in crickets. Wind stimuli, however, have been used on a variety of insects, including crickets where it has been found that direction of escape is directly correlated to the angle of incoming wind stimuli. Wind stimuli are detected by sensilla trichodea, small filiform hairs covering the cerci of crickets, locusts and cockroaches. Despite having other complex sensory systems, such as antennae and vision, …

Reverse Genetic Screening Of Innexin Gap Junction Proteins In Drosophila Neurons, Shannon P. Fox

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The reflexive response and perception of pain (nociception) is an evolutionarily conserved process in animals. Pain can be a major health concern and current treatments often prove insufficient, especially in regards to chronic pain. Greater understanding of the molecular processes underlying pain sensation could lead to new and more effective treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cold nociception in Drosophila melanogaster. A specific subset of peripheral sensory neurons (Class III dendritic arborization (da) neurons), are implicated in Drosophila larvae’s response to noxious cold.

Previous literature has associated a family of gap junction protein, …

The Purification And Characterization Of Beta-Amylase6 In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Catherine E. Torres

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Experimental evidence indicates that the family of beta-amylase (BAM) proteins is largely responsible for the hydrolysis of starch in land plants. In Arabidopsis thaliana there are nine BAM genes, six of which are targeted to the chloroplast, but only four of those are presumed to be catalytically active: BAM1, -2, -3, and -6. Currently, little is known about the expression, characterization, or function of BAM6. Our study of starch accumulation in Arabidopsis indicates that BAM6 may be playing a role in older plants, although it has a minimal role in young plants. To further investigate the function of BAM6 we …

Epigenetic Characterization Of Human Retina Cells, Nicholas R. Dunham

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modifier that modulates gene expression in plant and vertebrate genomes. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of DNA methylation in the human retina, particularly within rod and cone photoreceptor retinal neurons. Previous studies investigating DNA methylation in murine retinal cells and retina-derived human retinoblastoma immortalized cell culture lines demonstrate an inverse relationship between DNA methylation and transcriptional activity. Here, we used gene-specific bisulfite pyrosequencing analysis to measure DNA methylation in the genomes of human ocular cells in an effort to characterize the role of this important epigenetic modifier. These results can …

Escape Strategy Of The Cockroach (Gromphadorhina Portentosa) To Heat And Looming Stimuli, Jiangda Ou

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Escape responses to aversive stimuli have been observed in insects, including species of cricket, fly, locust, and cockroach. The goal of this study was to investigate the escape strategy of the Madagascar cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa. In regard to this species, Erickson and colleagues (2015) showed that electrical stimulation of both cerci and antennae together could generate an escape response. However, in other reports (Olsen and Triblehorn, 2014), it was observed that wind could not elicit the escape response. In this study, G. portentosa was stimulated by looming and heat stimuli. A 2.5’’ black ball approaching at 1 m/s was used …

Alignment Of Neurochemically Defined Modules In Multimodal Aspects Of The Mouse Inferior Colliculus., Chris H. Dillingham

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Processing of sound requires precise coordination of various levels of the auditory system. Auditory reflexes and orientation behaviors require interactions with other systems and modalities, emphasizing the importance of highly organized integrative circuits. The inferior colliculus (IC) is a unique midbrain structure in that it exhibits aspects that are specifically arranged for processing auditory cues, as well as regions that handle multisensory inputs and thereby exhibit an entirely different organization. While the central nucleus of the IC (CNIC) is primarily auditory and arranged tonotopically, the lateral cortex (LCIC) is multimodal and exhibits a unique array of modular and extramodular fields. …

Evaluation Of Interleukin-3 In Blood-Stage Immunity Against Murine Malaria Plasmodium Yoelii, Haley E. Davis

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the parasitic protozoan Plasmodium. This disease infects over 200-300 million people and causes nearly 400,000 deaths every year. Our laboratory previously examined malarial infection caused by Plasmodium berghei NK65, a lethal rodent strain that induces symptoms similar to those observed in humans. The results of this previous study indicated that the hematopoietic growth factor and immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3) suppressed protective immunity against infection with P. berghei NK65. However, the extent to which IL-3 contributes to host defense against blood-stage malaria infection caused by other Plasmodium species remains to be determined. In …

Role Of Interleukin-3 In An Experimental Model Of Mouse Cerebral Malaria Caused By Plasmodium Berghei Anka, Brendon R. Perry

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, with about 200 million new cases reported each year. In rodent models of malaria, a variety of immune proteins called cytokines have been noted to either promote or suppress protective immunity. While the cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3) clearly promotes host defense against some intestinal nematode parasites, few studies have reported a similar function for IL-3 in the pathophysiology of malaria. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-3 in a mouse model of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We infected wild-type (WT) and IL-3 …

Exploratory Study Of Graph Drawing On A Continuum Of Expertise, Emily Macleish

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Graphs are used in our lives daily to communicate information such as political ads or car sales. In the sciences, understanding graphs is essential to effective communication as graphs are often used to report experimental results or observed trends. However, research suggests that college students are not fluent in this form of scientific communication. Additionally, research has also found that standardized assessments of quantitative literacy fail to be clearly defined at the curricular or institutional levels. This research looks at the differences between the cognitive and metacognitive strategies of how individuals along a continuum of biological expertise visually represent data. …

Perceptions Of Safety In Urban Spaces: The Fan District, Richmond, Va, Lindy C. Westenhoff

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This project identifies and spatially analyzes environmental factors that influence the perception of safety in populations of women within Richmond’s LGBT community. The project was conceived due to increasing calls for awareness about street harassment. Its purpose is to examine what physical factors, at the street level, increase or decrease feelings of safety or discomfort for women within this community.

In the first part of the project, survey data was collected from volunteer participants, members of either Diversity Richmond, downtown Richmond’s local LGBT resource center, or Madison Equality, the LGBT student organization at James Madison University. Using blank paper maps …

Lamb Wave Based Active Damage Identification In Adhesively Bonded Composite Lap Joints, Prateek Jolly

Theses and Dissertations

Bonding composite structures using adhesives offers several advantages over mechanical fastening such as better flow stress, weight saving, improved fatigue resistance and the ability to join dissimilar structures. The hesitation to adopt adhesively bonded composite joints stems from the lack of knowledge regarding damage initiation and propagation mechanisms within the joint. A means of overcoming this hesitation is to continuously monitor damage in the joint. This study proposes a methodology to conduct structural health monitoring (SHM) of an adhesively bonded composite lap joint using acoustic, guided Lamb waves by detecting, locating and predicting the size of damage. Finite element modeling …

Sprouty 2: A Novel Attenuator Of B Cell Receptor And Mapk Signaling In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Ashima Shukla

Theses & Dissertations

Clinical heterogeneity is a major barrier to effective treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Emerging evidence suggests that constitutive activation of various signaling pathways plays a role in the heterogeneous clinical outcome of CLL patients. MAPK-Erk signaling represents one such pathway with a demonstrated role in CLL pathogenesis. In this study, we have investigated the role of Sprouty2 (SPRY2) as a negative regulator of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in the pathogenesis of CLL. We show that SPRY2 expression is significantly decreased in CLL cells, particularly from poor prognosis patients compared to those from good prognosis patients. Over-expression of …

Gross Anatomy Dissection Videos: Effect On Student Dissection Confidence And Laboratory Examination Scores, Kevin J. Selting

Theses & Dissertations

As medical colleges across the world experience cadaver shortages, faculty shortages, and decreased time allotted to teaching gross anatomy, a need for different teaching modalities has emerged. New ways of teaching are being studied to optimize efficiency and to acquire the same, or better, student outcomes as before the previously mentioned variables became prevalent. This was the stimulus for our research. Dissection videos were made, closely adhering to the dissections performed by Physician Assistant, Physical therapy, and Medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The current Gross Anatomy course at UNMC involves four written examinations covering material …

Investigating "Lithic Scatter" Variability: Space, Time, And Form, Kate M. Manning

Theses and Dissertations

Using flake dimensions and attributes commonly agreed are associated with site use, occupation age, and occupation duration, it was argued that relative estimations of site function and occupation age could be determined using debitage. This is particularly beneficial for assemblages that have little to no diagnostics that could provide a general cultural period for one or more occupations at a site. The results of this study suggest that, although certain attributes are generally associated with lithic production stage, relative age, and duration indicators, they were not all applicable within this study. The methods employed were relatively successful; however, reducing the …

Genetic Characterization Of Antimicrobial Activities Of The Bacteria Burkholderia Contaminans Ms14 And Pseudomonas Chlororaphis Ufb2, Peng Deng

Theses and Dissertations

Burkholderia contaminans MS14 shows excellent antimicrobial activities against a wide range of pathogens. Complete sequence analysis reveals that the MS14 genome harbors multiple gene loci that contribute to its antimicrobial activities and lacks key virulence features commonly found in pathogenic Burkholderia species. A mutagenesis study identified the genes required for MS14 antibacterial activities and gene expression profiling targeted a polyketide synthase (PKS) gene cluster. Site-specific mutagenesis confirmed the PKS gene cluster is directly related to MS14 antibacterial activities and the PKS gene product is predicted to be the MS14 antibacterial compound. Strain UFB2 isolated from Mississippi shows significant antifungal and …

Interactions Of Organodithiols With Gold And Silver Nanoparticles In Water, Manuel Gadogbe

Theses and Dissertations

Organodithiols including para-aryl dithiols (PADTs, HS-(C6H4)n-SH, n = 1, 2 and 3) and alpha, omega-alkanedithiols (ADTs, HS-(CH2)n-SH, n = 2, 4, …) with two distal thiols have been used extensively in molecular electronics, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and quantum electron tunneling between two gold or silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs). The popular belief is that these dithiols cross-link noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) as monolayer dithiolate spacers. Reported is the finding that PADTs predominantly exist as monothiolate forms on AuNPs or AgNPs. No PADT-induced NP cross-linking was observed regardless of NP/PADT concentration ratios. 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol (HS-CH2-(C6H4)-CH2-SH) and ADT can be completely deprotonated, …

Beyond The Urban Stream Syndrome: Organic Matter Budget For Diagnostics And Restoration Of An Impaired Urban River, Dave M. Epstein, Julia E. Kelso, Michelle A. Baker

Biology Faculty Publications

In response to water quality standard violations linked to excessive organic matter (OM) and a lack of sampling data informing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), an organic matter budget was created to quantify and identify sources of OM in the lower Jordan River (Salt Lake City, UT). By sampling dissolved, fine and coarse particulate OM, as well as measuring ecosystem metabolism at seven different sites, the researchers aimed to identify the origin of excess OM, and understand pathways by which different size classes of the OM pool are generated. The dissolved fraction (DOM; 94 %) was found to be …