Digital Commons Network^™

The Unfolded Protein Response And Its Potential Role In Huntington's Disease Elucidated By A Systems Biology Approach, Rkr Kalathur, J Giner-Lamia, S Machado, T Barata, Krs Ayasolla, Me Futschik

School of Biomedical Sciences

Huntington ́s disease (HD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease with a fatal outcome. Although the disease-causing gene (huntingtin) has been known for over 20 years, the exact mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death are still controversial. One potential mechanism contributing to the massive loss of neurons observed in the brain of HD patients could be the unfolded protein response (UPR) activated by accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). As an adaptive response to counter-balance accumulation of un- or misfolded proteins, the UPR upregulates transcription of chaperones, temporarily attenuates new translation, and activates protein degradation via the proteasome. …

Xenoestrogens From Household Plastics Bind Estrogen Receptors And Affect Cell Proliferation, Susan G. Hurley, Brett R. Lackey, Patricia L. Tate, Sandra L. Gray

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Xenoestrogens are “foreign” chemicals or compounds that interact with estrogen receptors as either agonists or antagonists to interfere with endocrine system function. Xenoestrogens include phytoestrogens, pesticides, industrial by- products and synthetic estrogens. In this study, consumer plasticware, including baby bottles and food storage containers, were found to release xenoestrogenic compounds that bound to ERα and ERβ and affected cell proliferation.

Novel Strategies To Promote Smoking Cessation, Matthew J. Carpenter

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Nudging The Public's Health: The Political Psychology Of Public Health Law Intervention, Hosea H. Harvey

DePaul Law Review

No abstract provided.

Near-Infrared Bio-Imaging Labels And Sensors Using Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Daniel Roxbury

Amgen Seminar Series in Chemical Engineering

The intrinsic band-gap photoluminescence (fluorescence) of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibits exceptional photostability, narrow bandwidth, near-infrared (nIR) tissue-penetrating emission, and microenvironmental sensitivity, which enables their usage in a variety of biomedical imaging applications. Amphiphilic biopolymers, such as single-stranded DNA or peptides, are capable of singly-dispersing SWCNTs, enabling photoluminescence in aqueous solutions. A DNA sequence-dependent scheme for SWCNT species (chirality) separation has been observed that highly correlated with DNA-SWCNT binding strengths. Using all-atom replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations (REMD), equilibrium structures confirmed that a variety of novel DNA secondary structures form when confined to the exterior surface of the SWCNT in …

New Data On The Distribution Of Butheoloides Littoralis Lourenço, Touloun Et Boumezzough, 2011 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Oulaid, Oulaid Touloun, Moulay Abdelmonaim El Hidan, Ali Boumezzough

Euscorpius

Morocco is the region in Africa with the highest diversity of Butheoloides Hirst, 1925 species. Until now, the total number of species of this genus known from Morocco is raised to five. A field study conducted in southern Morocco discovered a new specimen of Butheloides littoralis in the Tighmi region (southeast of Tiznit), the most continental site of this species in Morocco. This specimen is the third of this endemic species of Morocco but it is the first male discovered.

Animal Welfare At Home And In The Wild, Kyle Johannsen

Animal Sentience

In recent work, economist Yew-Kwang Ng suggests strategies for improving animal welfare within the confines of institutions such as the meat industry. Although I argue that Ng is wrong not to advocate abolition, I do find his position concerning wild animals to be compelling. Anyone who takes the interests of animals seriously should also accept a cautious commitment to intervention in the wild.

Animal Suffering And Human Bias, Stijn Bruers

Animal Sentience

Ng proposes concrete ways to decrease animal suffering on the basis of commonsense economic logic and research in welfare biology. But to reduce animal suffering effectively in livestock farming, animal experimentation or the natural environment we have to become more aware of our pervasive and spontaneous but unreliable intuitive moral judgments. These can generate biases that prevent us from decreasing animal suffering effectively.

The Engaged Microbiologist: Bringing The Microbiological Sciences To The K-12 Community, David J. Westenberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Exposing K-12 students to cutting edge science that impacts their daily lives can bring classroom lessons to life. Citizen-science projects are an excellent way to bring high-level science to the classroom and help satisfy one of the cornerstone concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), "engaging in practices that scientists and engineers actually use." This can be a daunting task for teachers who may lack the background or resources to integrate these projects into the classroom. This is where scientific societies such as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) can play a critical role. ASM encourages its members to …

T6ss Expression Of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus In Intraspecific Competition, Alex Campbell

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has reached an alarming level. The recently discovered type VI secretion system (T6SS) appears to be a bacterial defense mechanism that could potentially become involved with addressing this concern. Previous studies suggest Vibrio spp. may express T6SS. In this study, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a common foodborne pathogen, is used as a model to study T6SS. The objectives of this study were to evaluate culturing conditions that would stimulate swarming motility in strains of V. parahaemolyticus and to detect for the presence of T6SS based on phenotypic criteria. Different media (BHI, TSAS), agar concentration (0.7%, 1%, 2%) …

Effects Of Food Consumption On Neurogenesis In Juvenile Python Regius, Stacey Habroun

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

Neurogenesis is an important and vastly unexplored area in reptiles. While the ability to generate new brain cells in the adult mammalian brain is limited, reptiles are able to regenerate large populations of neuronal cells. What makes pythons a particularly interesting subject in this field is their characteristic specific dynamic action (SDA) response after food intake with an increase in metabolic rate in order to process the meal. Further, they exhibit impressive plasticity in their digestive and cardiovascular physiology due to the sheer magnitude of the increase in organ growth that occurs after a meal to allow digestion and to …

Factors Influencing Hindgut Fermentation Characteristics Of The Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys Pardalis): Survey Of The Microbiome, Breanna P. Modica

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

Novel fecal microbiome identification of mature female leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis, n = 16) fed exclusively one of three, nutritionally complete, pelleted diets was evaluated in a blind, complete randomized design study. Two diets included insoluble fiber (powdered cellulose) consisting of either 2.0 mm or 0.2 mm length. There were no differences in diversity indices (J’ and H’) of total OTUs by diet, with and without unidentified sequences. Analysis of phyla similarity by diet revealed three distinct groups with > 92% similarity. Analysis of genera similarity revealed two distinct groups with > 80% similarity. At both phyla and genera levels, fecal microbiomes …

Understanding The Transition From Dispersive Larva To Benthic Adult: A Study Of The Environmental Factors That Impact Kelletia Kelletii Larval Settlement, Megan Wilson

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

There is a paucity of information concerning the growth, development, and behavior of early life history stages of Kelletia kelletii, a marine predatory gastropod and emerging fisheries species. This is a significant barrier to our current understanding of the population dynamics of this species, as the early life stages are responsible for the dispersion of individuals. For this project, Kelletia kelletii specimen were collected and spawned, their egg capsules incubated, and their larvae reared in a laboratory setting. We measured the size of individual larvae at each developmental stage within the capsule, and fit several growth functions to the data. …

Food Sustainability At Cal Poly: Comparative Analysis Between Global And Local Distribution Of Produce Items, Ariana Brandao, Elizabeth Jacobs, Olivia Surnow, Stacy Olsen

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

Baseline data for Cal Poly produce items purchased in 2014, were generated using food miles and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of transportation related impacts measured in units of global warming potential. A regional simulation of a local food system compiled using Harvest Santa Barbara serves as a model of a regional wholesale produce distributor. Research objectives aim to identify produce items that would significantly decrease food miles and transportation related impacts when sourced through a regional food distributor. Comparative analysis between the global and local food distribution systems, associated with 59 produce types illustrate tomatoes having the most significant impact …

Point-Of-Care Diagnostic Device For The Quantitative Analysis Of Human Estradiol At Low-Picomolar Concentrations, E Brandon Strong, Brittany A. Lore, Zachary B. Hoffman

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

A fundamental issue in healthcare is the development of cost-effective and reliable diagnostic assays. While still a relatively new field, paper-based analytical devices are emerging as inexpensive and portable methods of providing healthcare professionals with real-time diagnostic information. Furthermore, these devices can often be used at the point of care, thus eliminating the need for a myriad of time-consuming laboratory techniques. While the original goal of this project was to develop a paper-based lateral flow immunoassay capable of colorimetric quantitation, the device design was altered over the course of the past year. Upon testing, the originally proposed lateral flow assay …

The Association Between Vitamin A Status Or Supplementation And Hiv/Aids, Mikaela Kathleen Curtis

Food Science and Nutrition

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected millions of people since the start of the epidemic in the early 1980s. HIV is the etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has taken millions of lives. It is extremely difficult for particular populations to receive medication to treat HIV infection and prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS. Multiple studies have examined the effect of vitamin A on HIV infection, due to its immune stimulating effects. It is unclear whether an association exists between vitamin A and different aspects of HIV. This review examined the effect of vitamin A …

Variation In Metapopulation Dynamics Of A Wetland Mammal: The Effect Of Hydrology., Jorista Van Der Merwe, Eric C. Hellgren, Eric M. Schauber

Publications

Key factors affecting metapopulation dynamics of animals include patch size, isolation, and patch quality. For wetland-associated species, hydrology can affect patch availability, connectivity, and potentially habitat quality; and therefore drive metapopulation dynamics. Wetlands occurring on natural river floodplains typically have more dynamic hydrology than anthropogenic wetlands. Our overall objective was to assess the multiyear spatial and temporal variation in occupancy and turnover rates of a semi-aquatic small mammal at two hydrologically distinct wetland complexes. We live-trapped marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) for 3 yr and >50 000 trap nights at nine wetland patches on the Mississippi River floodplain …

The Mare As A Model For Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome: Intrafollicular Endocrine Milieu., S T Bashir, M O Gastal, S P Tazawa, S G S Tarso, D B Hales, J Cuervo-Arango, A R Baerwald, E L Gastal

Peer-reviewed Articles

Luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome is a recurrent anovulatory dysfunction that affects up to 23% of women with normal menstrual cycles and up to 73% with endometriosis. Mechanisms underlying the development of LUF syndrome in mares were studied to provide a potential model for human anovulation. The effect of extended increase in circulating LH achieved by administration of recombinant equine LH (reLH) or a short surge of LH and decrease in progesterone induced by prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on LUF formation (Experiment 1), identification of an optimal dose of COX-2 inhibitor (flunixin meglumine, FM; to block the effect of prostaglandins) for …

Fire Disturbance Effects On Land Surface Albedo In Alaskan Tundra, Nancy H. F. French, Matthew A. Whitley, Liza K. Jenkins

Michigan Tech Research Institute Publications

The study uses satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer albedo products (MCD43A3) to assess changes in albedo at two sites in the treeless tundra region of Alaska, both within the foothills region of the Brooks Range, the 2007 Anaktuvuk River Fire (ARF) and 2012 Kucher Creek Fire (KCF). Results are compared to each other and other studies to assess the magnitude of albedo change and the longevity of impact of fire on land surface albedo. In both sites there was a marked decrease of albedo in the year following the fire. In the ARF, albedo slowly increased until 4 years after …

Wofford Today Spring 2016, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Wofford Today

No abstract provided.

Daily Announcements March 2016, Wofford College. Office Of Marketing And Communications

Communications Office Daily Announcements

No abstract provided.

Cytotoxic Potential Of Medicinal Plants – A Comparative Evaluation, Litty Joseph, K K. Srinivasan, Sudheer Moorkoth, Jyoti Harindran

Manipal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Human Perinatal Tissues As A Model For Drug Screening And Toxicity Testing – A Perspective, Nitya Shree, Ramesh R. Bhonde

Manipal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Air Force Institute Of Technology Research Report 2015, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit

AFIT Documents

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems Engineering and Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics.

2015 Annual Report Of The Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Air Force Institute Of Technology, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Graduate School Of Engineering And Management, Afit

AFIT Documents

The Graduate School's Annual Report highlights research focus areas, new academic programs, faculty accomplishments and news, and provides top-level sponsor-funded research data and information.

Cord Blood Methylmercury And Fetal Growth Outcomes In Baltimore Newborns: Potential Confounding And Effect Modification By Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Selenium, And Sex, Ellen M Wells, Julie B Herbstman, Yu Hong Lin, Jeffery Jarrett, Carl P Verdon, Cynthia Ward, Kathleen L Caldwell, Joseph R Hibbeln, Frank R Witter, Rolf U Halden, Lynn R. Goldman

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Methylmercury (MeHg) may affect fetal growth; however, prior research often lacked assessment of mercury speciation, confounders, and interactions.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the relationship between MeHg and fetal growth as well as the potential for confounding or interaction of this relationship from speciated mercury, fatty acids, selenium, and sex.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes 271 singletons born in Baltimore, Maryland, 2004-2005. Umbilical cord blood was analyzed for speciated mercury, serum omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), and selenium. Multivariable linear regression models controlled for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, parity, prepregnancy body mass index, smoking, …

The Educated Citizen And Global Public Health Issues: One Model For Integration Into The Undergraduate Curriculum, Rosemary M. Caron

Health Management & Policy

The Educated Citizen Initiative proposes that an understanding of public-health issues is a core component of an educated citizenry and is essential to develop one’s societal responsibility. This initiative supports the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that “all undergraduates should have access to education in public health.” Furthermore, the Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) framework developed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities supports the “integration of public-health education into general and liberal education with an aim to produce an educated citizenry.” The LEAP framework is implemented by teaching about the role of social determinants in a population’s health …

Thyroid Cancer Metabolism: A Review, Kurren Gill, Ba, Patrick Tassone, Md,, James Hamilton, Md, Nikolaus Hjelm, Md, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Md, David Cognetti, Md, Madalina Tuluc, Md, Ubaldo E. Martinez-Outshoorn, Md, Jennifer Johnson, Md, Joseph Curry, Md

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Posters

Abstract

Metabolic dysregulation within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical to the process of tumorigenesis in various cancer types. Thyrocyte metabolism in papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, however, remains poorly characterized, and studies analyzing the role of multicompartment metabolism in thyrocyte oncogenesis are sparse. We present a review of the current knowledge on cellular metabolism in non-cancerous and cancerous thyroid tissues, focusing on the monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 and MCT4, and on a transporter of the outer mitochondrial membrane TOMM20. Understanding the metabolic phenotype of tumor cells and associated stromal cells in thyroid cancer can have profound implications on the use …

Perceptions Of International High School Students Regarding Flipped Classroom Strategies In The Humanities Classroom, Nathanael Gibson

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research project sought to gauge student perceptions of the use of flipped classroom strategies in an eleventh grade class at a Christian international school in Japan. The participants were twenty-two eleventh graders in a Humanities class--a two-period blend of U.S. History and American Literature. Students wrote a Document-Based Question essay (DBQ) on the causes of the Civil War, having received most of the historical content through the use of short teacher-made lecture videos, which they watched outside of class. Class time was used to do a variety of activities to build on or apply the content from the …

Scholarworks Statistics - March 2016, Scholarworks

ScholarWorks Reports

For the month of March 2016, ScholarWorks recorded a total of 30,371 full-text and additional file downloads and 11,980 page views.