Digital Commons Network^™

Phylogenetic Relationships In The Neo-Tropical Lizard Family Corytophanidae, Greg Taylor, Jack Sites

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The focus of this project was 1) to determine sexual dimorphism in head and body structures in the lizard family Corytophanidae 2) analyze phylogenetic relationships between the species within the family, and 3) analyze the relationship with other lizard clades.

Association Of Tm2d3 Gene With Lateonset Of Alzheimer’S Disease In Cache County, Eleni Tukuafu, Dr. John S. K. Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is estimated that 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. It is currently the 6th leading cause of death in America, killing around 500,000 seniors every year. A 68% increase of death from Alzheimer’s disease was observed from the year 2000 to 2010. These numbers are expected to continue climbing.

The Role Of Pas Kinase And The Gut Microbiome In Metabolism And Diabetes Onset In Mice, Andrew Rees, Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Diabetes and obesity are among the most prevalent health concerns in the modern world. However, prevention of their onset and control of their symptoms are still largely limited by our understanding of how these diseases arise. Recent research has indicated that the composition of the gut microbiome is one of the important factors in development of these diseases (5). However, current thinking is not definitive on the relative importance of genetic factors, diet and the gut microbiome, among other factors (5,6). PAS Kinase provided a model through which we could compare the relative affects of genetics, gut microbiome and diet …

The Role Of Cdk5r1 In Β-¬Cell Survival From Apoptosis, Amanda Hobson, Jeffrey Tessem

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are classified as a decrease in functional ß-cell mass, which results in impaired blood glucose regulation. Functional ß-cell mass is defined as the glucose stimulated insulin secretion rate multiplied by the total cellular mass which is determined by the proliferation and cell death rates. Though ß-cell mass proliferation rates generally decrease by adolescence, obesity and pregnancy have been shown to be times of significant ß-cell proliferation (1). This implies that the inherent molecular pathways necessary for ß-cell proliferation are present, but highly regulated. Discovering the molecular pathway of ß-cell proliferation could lead to diabetes …

Anatomical Variation Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament And Implications For Joing Stability And Surgical Rehabilitation, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1974, the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery was performed on Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. The damaged ligament of the medial elbow was repaired with tendons from the pitcher’s body. Since then, the surgery has been colloquially termed “Tommy John’s Surgery”, and the alarming increase of the rates of the procedure has now become a concern, being recently called an “epidemic” by the American Sports Medicine Institute¹. The procedure possesses risk of complications, and can lead to shortened careers, decreased performance over time², and can carry a heavy financial toll on individuals and …

Testing The Effect Of Antioxidants On The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer’S Disease Through The Rage/Nf-Kb Inflammatory Pathway, Harrison Snyder, Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is known to have a role in inflammatory processes. When produced in excess it induces oxidative stress by activating a number of ligand enzymes, resulting in the generation of excessive cytosolic reactive oxidant species. This oxidative stress then stimulates Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-kB), which regulates immune response and inflammation. When RAGE is incorrectly regulated, inflammation occurs in otherwise healthy tissue, a process implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. RAGE is found throughout the body and is seen in greater concentration in inflamed tissues; it has also been found in the brain tissue …

Alzheimer’S Disease And The P.V236e Variant In The Apoe Gene, Alton Chad Sorensen, John Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I was interested in trying to validate the findings of the publication by Medway et al. concerning the SNP rs199768005 using data from the Cache Country data set. Unfortunately, of the 4703 people from our data set, only 10 were carriers. Using R statistical analysis, I found that the p-value for this SNP with an association to protect for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) was not significant. It was similarly not significant in its association with Any AD. I also ran other models to include for factors such as education or age in conjunction with this SNP and its association with AD …

Ligament Microstructure Analysis, Michael Gillespie, Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Due to the relatively poor fiber contrast of tendons in comparison with muscles, the anatomical, and therefore, functional relationship of muscle attachments to bones via tendons has not been well mapped. We were interested in mapping the 3D gross anatomical structure of tendons using a MicroScribe 3D digitizer (GoMeasure3D, Amherst, VA), with the goal to compare fibrous architecture between tendons of various types of muscles and muscle classes. We developed a stain made of blue dye and powdered sugar to increase fiber visibility, thus allowing for 3D digitization. This technique was applied to human cadaveric calcaneal tendon and quadriceps tendon.

Analyzing Structural Differences In Quadriceps Femoris Tendon Fibers Using Microscribe Technology, Nathaniel Hainsworth, Jon Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Not all tendons and ligaments are created equally. Many have different structural characteristics based on functionality or need for stability. This turns out to be true even between different portions of the same tendon. This project’s purpose was to analyze and compare structural differences between tendon fibers of the patellar portion and quadriceps portion of the quadriceps femoris tendon. We hypothesized that there are significant structural differences between these two portions because they act very different biomechanically, as well as different in the amount of tension/strain put on each portion. We mapped individual tendon fibers of both portions using MicroScribe …

Three-Dimensional Model Of Undocumented Lingual Nerve Branches For The Education Of The International Anatomy, Medical, And Dental Population, Craig D. Clayton, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The floor of the oral cavity is covered by a mucosal layer to protect underlying structures against the digestive events of the mouth. Ducts of the salivary glands open into this mucosa along the lingual frenulum. The lingual nerve from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve immediately begins to branch after passing through the foramen ovale, and continues its descent medial to the inferior alveolar nerve. Just superior to the angle of the mandible, the nerve turns anteriorly 90 degrees and continues a lateral to medial path to the anterior of the mouth. It crosses the submandibular salivary duct …

Targeting Superoxide Dismutase-¬1 In Cancer, Laura Oh, Josh Andersen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

SOD1 is overexpressed in many cancers such as lung adenocarcinoma, non-­ small-­cell lung cancer, and 70% of primary breast cancers. Traditionally, SOD1 is known as an antioxidant in the human body, but only 1% of SOD1 expressed in cells is necessary to keep superoxide radicals below cytotoxic levels, suggesting that SOD1 may have undiscovered functions. One of the known trademarks of cancer is the Warburg Effect defined by up-­regulated glycolysis and down-­ regulated respiration. It is thought that this unique mode of metabolism promotes cancer cell growth. A recent study demonstrated that SOD1 functions to repress respiration through the casein …

Developing A Microfluidic Lab-On-A-Chip Device To Assess The Correlation Between The Ratio Of H And L Ferritin In Maternal Serum And Preterm Birth, Kaitlyn Brower, Adam Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5¹ and is defined by the Centers for Disease Control as birth before 37 weeks gestation.² It is estimated that 15 million babies are born premature annually and that PTB kills nearly 1 million babies every year. Currently, accurate detection of PTB risk isn’t possible and extrauterine treatments and interventions are insufficient.

Cosm News, Georgia Southern University

College of Science & Mathematics: News & Publications (2012-2022)

• COSM recognized for Assessment Efforts

Off The Lip Conference - Transdisciplinary Approaches To Cognitive Innovation. Conference Proceedings, Sue Denham, Michael Punt, Edith Doove, Martha Blassnigg, Raluca Briazu, Kathryn Francis, Agi Haynes, Guy Edmonds, Adam Benjamin, Matthew Emmett, Iris Garrelfs, Christopher B. Germann, Joanna Griffin, Diane Humphrey, Bryanna Lucyk, Christie Purchase, Rachel Sansone, Emily Baxter, Amy Ione, Frank Loesche, Abigail Jackson, Alexis Kirke, Eduardo Miranda, Luke Rendell, Simon Ingram, Yutaka Nakamura, Gi Taek Ryoo, Eugenia Stamboliev, Michael Straeubig, Chun-Wei Hsu, Pinar Oztop, Mihaela Taranu, Sundar Sarukkai, James Sweeting, Minami Hirayama

Off the Lip Conference - Transdisciplinary Approaches to Cognitive Innovation

The promise of cognitive innovation as a collaborative project in the sciences, arts and humanities is that we can approach creativity as a bootstrapping cognitive process in which the energies that shape the poem are necessarily indistinguishable from those that shape the poet. For the purposes of this conference the exploration of the idea of cognitive innovation concerns an understanding of creativity that is not exclusively concerned with conscious human thought and action but also as intrinsic to our cognitive development. As a consequence, we see the possibility for cognitive innovation to provide a theoretical and practical platform from which …

Soil Functional Zone Management: A Vehicle For Enhancing Production And Soil Ecosystem Services In Row-Crop Agroecosystems, Alwyn Williams, Daniel A. Kane, Patrick M. Ewing, Lesley W. Atwood, Andrea Jilling, Meng Li, Yi Lou, Adam S. Davis, A. Stuart Grandy, Sheri C. Huerd, Mitchell C. Hunter, Roger T. Koide, David A. Mortensen, Richard G. Smith, Sieglinde S. Snapp, Kurt A. Spokas, Anthony C. Yannarell, Nicholas R. Jordan

Faculty Publications

There is increasing global demand for food, bioenergy feedstocks and a wide variety of bio-based products. In response, agriculture has advanced production, but is increasingly depleting soil regulating and supporting ecosystem services. New production systems have emerged, such as no-tillage, that can enhance soil services but may limit yields. Moving forward, agricultural systems must reduce trade-offs between production and soil services. Soil functional zone management (SFZM) is a novel strategy for developing sustainable production systems that attempts to integrate the benefits of conventional, intensive agriculture, and no-tillage. SFZM creates distinct functional zones within crop row and inter-row spaces. By incorporating …

Incomplete Protection Against Dengue Virus Type 2 Re-Infection In Peru, Brett M. Forshey, Robert C. Reiner, Sandra Olkowski, Amy C. Morrison, Angelica Espinoza, Kanya C. Long, Stalin Vilcarromero, Wilma Casanova, Helen J. Wearing, Eric S. Halsey, Tadeusz J. Kochel, Thomas W. Scott, Steven T. Stoddard

Faculty Publications

© 2016 Public Library of Science. All Rights Reserved. Background: Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk for dengue, yet no licensed vaccine or anti-viral drug is currently available. Dengue is caused by any of four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 through DENV-4), and infection by a DENV serotype is assumed to provide life-long protection against re-infection by that serotype. We investigated the validity of this fundamental assumption during a large dengue epidemic caused by DENV-2 in Iquitos, Peru, in 2010–2011, 15 years after the first outbreak of DENV-2 in the region. Methodology/Principal Findings: We estimated the age-dependent prevalence …

The Observer, Central Washington University

Student Newspaper

Student newspaper for Central Washington University for February 4-10, 2016. Vol. 102, No. 4.

The Asiatic Clam (Corbicula Fluminea) As A Bio-Monitor For Determining The Distribution Of Antimony, Arsenic And Thallium In The Water Column And Sediments Of Manadas Creek, Laredo, Texas, Natasha Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Manadas Creek is an urban tributary of the Rio Grande that flows past a decommissioned antimony smelter. This smelter is associated with the heavy metal contamination in the creek and still poses a threat to the surrounding aquatic environment. With concerns on the rise of metal pollution, the biomonitor, the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) was used to determine bioaccumulation from the water column and sediments in Manadas Creek. The metals arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and thallium (Tl) were analyzed in the water, sediments, gills, mantle, foot, digestive (DI) tract, gonads and shell of clams collected from sites between March to …

The Firece Green Fire: Vol. 6 Issue 13, Wofford College Environmental Studies Program

The Fierce Green Fire

No abstract provided.

Neuroprediction And Criminal Law, Fritz Allhoff

Spring Convocation

No abstract provided.

Identification Of The Function Of A Unique B4 Mycobacteriophage Protein Via In Silico And In Vivo Analysis, Cameron Sargent, Dr. Julianne Grose

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Once the leading cause of death in the United States, tuberculosis still burdens the world as the second deadliest infectious disease worldwide, latently infecting one-third of the world population and causing 1.5 million deaths in 2013 [1]. Tuberculosis is particularly lethal largely because the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis has several characteristics that make detecting, treating, and studying the disease unusually hard. Among these traits, M. tuberculosis has a complex cell wall that limits the effect of many antibiotics and makes genetic manipulation of the bacterium, a necessity for effective research, nearly impossible through conventional transformation techniques [2]. Recently, Howard Hughes Medical …

The Role Of Wnt Secretion From Neural Crest Cells In Proper Craniofacial Development, Bradley Haynes, Stark Michael

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Both Wnt signaling and neural crest cells (NCCs) have a well-established role in the development of facial bones and cartilage. Wnt signaling is known to be required for neural crest cell formation; however, Wnt expression originating from the neural crest after their specification by Wnt1 has not been carefully explored. The purpose of our study is to investigate the role of Wnt secretion from NCCs in craniofacial development. Our hypothesis is that loss of Wnt secretion from NCCs will lead to improper craniofacial development and contribute to facial structure abnormalities.

Manuela And Randy Espartago Sosa, Csusb

South Colton Oral History Project Collection

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Biodiversity On Mount Timpanogos With A Focus On Flies, Diptera: Agromyzidae, Samantha Smith, Dr. Riley Nelson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mount Timpanogos, with an elevation of 3,582 meters, is home to an amazing array of insect species. Through much previous effort, many have studied the insects found in American Fork Canyon leading up to Mount Timpanogos. They have still barely scratched the surface of the abundant biodiversity on the mountain. Varied temperature regimes can cause changes in insects’ life cycle and the length of their feeding period, making the collections at different elevations of Mount Timpanogos during different years of particularly great value (Petitt et al 1991). Thus the value of collections along Mount Timpanogos is two-fold; both to study …

Measuring Metamphetamine’S Effects On Dopamine Production During Exposure To Glutathione, Eli Schriever, Scott Steffensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of the primary focuses of much addiction research involves finding methods to alleviate methamphetamine (METH) addiction. METH is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the United States. Estimates by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Statistics are that 5.5% of all adults ages 26 and above have at tried METH at least one time. Given its high addictive potential, the chance for entering damaging addiction cycles among these individuals is very high, and can have great societal and economic consequences in addition to physical and mental problems on the individual level. While the need for better …

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 8 2016-02-04, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.

Development And Pilot-Testing Of A Patient Decision Aid For Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement, Kristin Kostick, Estevan D. Delgado, Lidija A. Wilhelms, Courtenay R. Bruce, Jerry D. Estep, Matthias Loebe, Charles Minard, Jennifer S. Blumenthal-Barby

The VAD Journal

Objectives: This paper describes the development methodology and pilot-testing of a decision aid for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) placement, combining traditional needs-assessment with a novel user-centered approach.

Background: Studies indicate suboptimal patient understanding of the capabilities, lifestyle implications, and risks of LVAD therapy.

Methods and Results: We developed the decision aid in line with the Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) and the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) for ensuring quality, patient-centered content. Structured interviews were conducted with patients, caregivers, candidates for LVAD treatment, and expert clinicians (n=71) to generate content based on patient values and …

A Model For Hiv Disclosure Of A Parent's And/Or A Child's Illness, Gary J. Burkholder Jr, Grace Gachanja

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

HIV prevalence in Kenya remains steady at 5.6% for adults 15 years and older, and 0.9% among children aged below 14 years. Parents and children are known to practice unprotected sex, which has implications for continued HIV spread within the country. Additionally, due to increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-positive persons are living longer. Therefore, the need for HIV disclosure of a parent's and/or a child's HIV status within the country will continue for years to come. We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand the entire process of disclosure from the time of initial HIV diagnosis of an …

Emu Today, February 4, 2016, Eastern Michigan University

EMU Today

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: Feburary 04, 2016, Eastern Illinois University

February

No abstract provided.