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Bioengineering Of 2d Nanomaterials Via Green And Sustainable Routes, Ajith Pattammattel

Doctoral Dissertations

Applications nanomaterials in biology resulted in many exciting fields of research such as nanomedicine, nanotheraputics and bionanosensors. The development of these fields highly depends on the nature and stability of nanomaterials in biological fluids. The poor stability of nanomaterials in biological media due to the aggregation and/or agglomeration with the biomolecules, particularly with serum proteins, is a challenging problem. Conversely, the defined formation of protein corona around the nanomaterials is very useful to improve properties such as cellular uptake and compatibility of the materials. The primary goal of this thesis will be to design and develop methods for biologically stable, …

Protein-Polymer Nanocomposites For Enzymatic Catalysis In Hostile Media, Omkar V. Zore

Doctoral Dissertations

Recently use of protein-polymer nanocomposites in biocatalysis is becoming the area of interest for wide varieties of applications. Our lab focuses on development and design of the protein-polymer conjugates and then synthesizing nanocomposites using 2D nano-layered materials such as graphene oxide (GO) and graphene. These nanocomposites can be used in plethora applications such as solar cells, biofuel cells, bio-batteries and in biocatalysis for various industrial applications. The whole world is facing an energy crisis situation and we urgently need alternative to fuel source. Therefore, well thoughtful synthesis and design of protein-polymer nanocomposites are need of an hour. Preliminary part of …

Progress Testing In Undergraduate Dental Education: The Peninsula Experience And Future Opportunities, K Ali, L Coombes, E Kay, C Tredwin, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

Background Progress testing is well established as a longitudinal form of assessment in undergraduate medical programmes to measure growth in knowledge. Peninsula Dental School is the first school to use progress testing and remains the only one to do so. Aims To share the experience of developing progress testing in an undergraduate dental programme as a major summative assessment tool at a newly established dental school in the United Kingdom. Methods Data were collected for progress tests conducted from 2007 to 14. The tests were formative in the first 2 years of the programme and summative in subsequent years. Each …

Tools And Techniques For Computational Reproducibility, Stephen Piccolo, Michael B. Frampton

Faculty Publications

When reporting research findings, scientists document the steps they followed so that others can verify and build upon the research. When those steps have been described in sufficient detail that others can retrace the steps and obtain similar results, the research is said to be reproducible. Computers play a vital role in many research disciplines and present both opportunities and challenges for reproducibility. Computers can be programmed to execute analysis tasks, and those programs can be repeated and shared with others. The deterministic nature of most computer programs means that the same analysis tasks, applied to the same data, will …

Atlanta Ariejansseni, A New Species Of Shelled Heteropod From The Southern Subtropical Convergence Zone (Gastropoda, Pterotracheoidea), D Wall-Palmer, Ak Burridge, Ktca Peijnenburg

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Atlantidae (shelled heteropods) is a family of microscopic aragonite shelled holoplanktonic gastropods with a wide biogeographical distribution in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters. The aragonite shell and surface ocean habitat of the atlantids makes them particularly susceptible to ocean acidification and ocean warming, and atlantids are likely to be useful indicators of these changes. However, we still lack fundamental information on their taxonomy and biogeography, which is essential for monitoring the effects of a changing ocean. Integrated morphological and molecular approaches to taxonomy have been employed to improve the assessment of species boundaries, which give a more accurate picture …

The (Re)-Introduction Of Semiotics Into Medical Education: On The Works Of Thure Von Uexküll, John Tredinnick-Rowe

Peninsula Medical School

Thure von Uexküll's reputation as a pioneer in biosemiotics and also in psychosomatic medicine is well documented. It is easy to see these disciplines reflected in his notable publications, both in English and in German. However, if one spares the time to filter through all of his articles, monographs, conference papers and editorials in English and in German, a notable gap arises in his English language publications: that of clinical education. This gap in the English language literature may seem unimportant in and of itself, but it speaks volumes when we consider the total absence of medical semiotics in the …

Antimalarial Exoerythrocytic Stage Drug Discovery And Resistance Studies, Lynn Dong Blake

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Malaria is a devastating global health issue that affects approximately 200 million people yearly and over half a million deaths are caused by this parasitic protozoan disease. Most commercially available drugs only target the blood stage form of the parasite, but the only way to ensure proper elimination is to treat the exoerythrocytic stages of the parasite development cycle. There is a demand for the discovery of new liver stage antimalarial compounds as there are only two current FDA approved drugs for the treatment of liver stage parasites, one of which fails to eliminate dormant forms and the other inducing …

The Integration Of Quantitative Genetics, Paleontology, And Neontology Reveals Genetic Underpinnings Of Primate Dental Evolution, Leslea J. Hlusko, Christopher A. Schmitt, Tesla A. Monson, Marianne F. Brasil, Michael Mahaney

School of Medicine Publications

Significance

Experimental research on mice has yielded tremendous biological insight. However, the ∼140 million y of evolution that separate mice from humans pose a hurdle to direct application of this knowledge to humans. We report here that considerable progress for identifying genetically patterned skeletal phenotypes beyond the mouse model is possible through transdisciplinary approaches that include the anatomical sciences. Indeed, anatomy and paleontology offer unique opportunities through which to develop and test hypotheses about the underlying genetic mechanisms of the skeleton for taxa that are not well suited to experimental manipulation, such as ourselves.

Abstract

Developmental genetics research on mice …

The Blurred Lines Of Hpv And Cervical Cancer Knowledge: Exploring The Social And Cultural Factors Of Identity, Gender, And Sexuality In Caribbean Immigrant Women, Maisha Standifer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how the sociocultural experiences of migration and acquisition of health knowledge influence the beliefs and behaviors related to human papillomavirus (HPV) risks and cervical cancer prevention among women who have emigrated from English-speaking Caribbean nations and now live in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Genital human papillomavirus is very common, and cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer. Additionally, all cervical cancers are caused by the HPV infection. More women of color, including Black and Hispanic women, are diagnosed with cervical cancer and at a later stage of the disease than women of other races or …

Utilitarianism Generalized To Include Animals, Yew-Kwang Ng

Animal Sentience

In response to the seventeen commentaries to date on my target article on reducing animal suffering, I propose that the term “welfarism” (when used pejoratively by animal advocates) should be qualified as “anthropocentric welfarism” so as to leave “welfarism” simpliciter to be used in its generic sense of efforts to improve conditions for those who need it. Welfarism in this benign sense — even in its specific utilitarian form (maximizing the sum total of net welfare) with long-term future effects and effects on others (including animals) appropriately taken into account — should be unobjectionable (even if not considered sufficient by …

Dance Movement Therapy And Holism: Moving Beyond Body/Mind/Spirit, Laura Miller

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of holism and its meaning to the field of dance/movement therapy (DMT.) This research focused specifically on the meaning of holism for dance/movement therapy because holistic is a word that is used to describe a variety of interventions in a variety of fields and contexts, and it can be interpreted in many different ways. In this phenomenological qualitative study, data was collected through interviews with dance/movement therapists, who identified themselves as taking a holistic approach to their work. From the data, themes were identified, which revealed how dance/movement therapists perceive …

The Source Newsletter, Yolanda Carr, Kem Mendizabal

The Source

No abstract provided.

Conference Program, Samiul Amin, Saad Khan

Colloidal, Macromolecular & Biological Gels: Formulation, Properties & Applications

No abstract provided.

Spectroscopic Studies Of Anthracyclines: Structural Characterization And In Vitro Tracking, Zeineb Farhane, Hugh Byrne, Malgorzata Baranska

Articles

A broad spectroscopic characterization, using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared absorption as well as Raman scattering, of two commonly used anthracyclines antibiotics (DOX) daunorubicin (DNR), their epimers (EDOX, EDNR) and ten selected analogs is presented. The paper serves as a comprehensive spectral library of UV-vis, IR and Raman spectra of anthracyclines in the solid state and in solution. The particular advantage of Raman spectroscopy for the measurement and analysis of individual antibiotics is demonstrated. Raman spectroscopy can be used to monitor the in vitro uptake and distribution of the drug in cells, using both 488 nm and 785 nm …

Metal Mixtures Toxicity And Bioaccumulation In Tilapia Nilotica At 96-Hr Lc50 Exposure, Faiza Ambreen, Muhammad Javed

Journal of Bioresource Management

Laboratory tests were conducted on fingerlings of Tilapia nilotica to check the bioaccumulation patterns of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co) during acute toxicity at constant water temperature, pH and total hardness. Metal mixtures viz. Lead + Cadmium, Cobalt-Lead and Cadmium-Cobalt were selected to assess the acute toxicity in terms of 96-hr LC50 along with bioaccumulation patterns in selected organs of Tilapia nilotica (skin, muscles and liver). Sensitivity of Tilapia nilotica in terms of 96-hr LC50 for all mixtures varied significantly. The 96-hr LC50 of binary metal mixtures agreed in that order: cadmium-cobalt > lead-cadmium > cobalt-lead with statistically significant differences …

Bistorta Amplexicaulis: A Brief Insight To Its Ethnobotany, Salma Batool, Muhammad Sheeraz Ahmed

Journal of Bioresource Management

Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Greene is an herb that belongs to the Family Polygonaceae. Its local name in Pakistan is Rain and masloon (Saqib and Sultan, 2005) and in India it is Sarbguni (Sharma et al., 2004).

A Survey Of Weed Varieties In Samanabad, Lahore, Sadaf Nazir, Beenish Zia Butt, Anjum Navid

Journal of Bioresource Management

A weed is an herbaceous plant that grows as a wild plant, and is considered a hindrance in the growth of preferred vegetation or cumbering the ground, and has no value for beauty or use. However, some weeds have roles in medicine, ecology and many other fields. A survey was conducted in Lahore to observe the weed varieties present in the area of Samanabad. The present study was carried out in May and June 2014.The primary purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about the availability of the total number of species present in this area. We also assessed …

Status Of Basic Taxonomic Skills In Botanical Articles Related To Azad Jammu And Kashmir, Pakistan: A Review, Arshad Mahmood Khan, Rahmatullah Qureshi, Mirza Faisal Qaseem, Waseem Ahmad, Zafeer Saqib, Tariq Habib

Journal of Bioresource Management

The problems of synonymy, incorrect species author citation/abbreviation and spelling errors are hampering botanical research around the globe. This article was aimed to quantify the intensity and errors encountered in this regard in published botanical articles pertaining to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. To address this issue, 100 articles published in 1999-2015 were reviewed. A total of 5460 entries were processed carefully and 1350 species binomials (excluding repititions) were extracted that were linked with 1333 accepted binomials according to theplantlist.org. Out of these accepted species binomials, 1109 were communicated correctly, whereas the remaining 224 binomials were conveyed in the …

Temporal Patterns In Habitat Use By Small Cetaceans At An Oceanographically Dynamic Marine Renewable Energy Test Site In The Celtic Sea, S. L. Cox, M. J. Witt, C. B. Embling, B. J. Godley, P. J. Hosegood, P. I. Miller, S. C. Votier, S. N. Ingram

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

Food Habits, Lifestyle Factors, And Risk Of Prostate Cancer In Central Argentina: A Case Control Study Involving Self-Motivated Health Behavior Modifications After Diagnosis, Winston J. Craig, Sandaly O. S. Pacheco, Fabio J. Pacheco, Gimena M. J. Zapata, Julieta M. E. Garcia, Carlos A. Previale, Hector E. Cura

Faculty Publications

Cancer is the second most important non-communicable disease worldwide and disproportionately impacts low- to middle-income countries. Diet in combination with other lifestyle habits seems to modify the risk for some cancers but little is known about South Americans. Food habits of Argentinean men pre- and post-diagnosis of prostate cancer (n = 326) were assessed along with other lifestyle factors. We studied whether any of the behaviors and risk factors for prostate cancer were found in men with other cancers (n = 394), compared with control subjects (n = 629). Before diagnosis, both cases reported a greater mean consumption of meats …

Do Girls With Excess Adiposity Perform Poorer Motor Skills Than Their Leaner Peers?, Daniel V. Chagas, Joyce F. Carvalho, Luiz A. Batista

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(3): 318-326, 2016. The main aim of this study was to analyze the joint association of body fat percentage and physical activity levels on motor coordination scores in girls with different adiposity status. Sixty-eight school-aged children between 12 and 14 years participated in the study. Skinfold thickness was measured and the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder test was administered. Participants completed a selfreporting questionnaire on physical activity. Children’s adiposity status was attributed in according to age-specific cutoff points of a Brazilian database. Analysis of Variance was used to compare motor coordination scores among groups with different status …

Changing Through Laughter With “Laughter For A Change”, Laurel J. Felt, Ed Greenberg

Occasional Paper Series

This paper describes systematic observation, research, and analysis of Laughter for a Change (L4C)’s 2011–2012 after-school improv workshop, revealing the program’s multiple impacts. Our data suggest that improvising creates a “safe space,” a supportive context in which participants feel empowered to take risks and play freely.

Comparative Look At The Depression Treatment Modalities Of Cognitive, Teresa M. Page

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

This integrative review provides a comparative view of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy (PCT) as treatment modalities for adult depression. The foci of this integrative review are to examine research articles on CBT and PCT to determine which therapy, monotherapy or combination therapy, provide a higher level of therapy for depression. The metrics utilized are depression symptom remission, response to therapy, recovery from depression, and quality of life. Individual preference and response to treatment vary. This makes the reader more aware that specific populations may be more receptive to one therapy instead of the other.

Cognitive Vulnerability For Social Anxiety And Depression: A Transdiagnostic Investigation Of Repetitive Negative Thinkers, Kimberly Anne Arditte

Open Access Dissertations

In the current study, emotional and cognitive vulnerability factors for social anxiety and depression were examined using an RDoC framework. The overarching goals of the study were (1) to elucidate the symptom-specific and/or transdiagnostic nature of two cognitive vulnerability factors, interpretation biases and executive control, and (2) to examine the synergistic impact of these cognitive processes on emotional responding and clinical symptoms. To address these aims, the study recruited a sample of individuals at risk for current or future difficulties with social anxiety and depression symptoms (i.e., persons reporting elevated levels of repetitive negative thinking). The study then investigated how …

How Personality Affects Vulnerability Among Israelis And Palestinians Following The 2009 Gaza Conflict, Daphna Canetti, Shaul Kimhi, Rasmiyah Hanoun, Gabriel A. Rocha, Sandro Galea, Charles A. Morgan Iii

National Security Faculty Publications

Can the onset of PTSD symptoms and depression be predicted by personality factors and thought control strategies? A logical explanation for the different mental health outcomes of individuals exposed to trauma would seem to be personality factors and thought control strategies. Trauma exposure is necessary but not sufficient for the development of PTSD. To this end, we assess the role of personality traits and coping styles in PTSD vulnerability among Israeli and Palestinian students amid conflict.We also determine whether gender and exposure level to trauma impact the likelihood of the onset of PTSD symptoms. Five questionnaires assess previous trauma, PTSD …

Chemistry Grad Develops New Assay In Search For Future Antibiotics, Ohio University College Of Arts & Sciences

All Forum Articles

No abstract provided.

Intrinsic Disorder In Transmembrane Proteins: Roles In Signaling And Topology Prediction, Jérôme Bürgi, Bin Xue, Vladimir N Uversky, F Gisou Van Der Goot

Molecular Biosciences Faculty Publications

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are peculiar stretches of amino acids that lack stable conformations in solution. Intrinsic Disorder containing Proteins (IDP) are defined by the presence of at least one large IDR and have been linked to multiple cellular processes including cell signaling, DNA binding and cancer. Here we used computational analyses and publicly available databases to deepen insight into the prevalence and function of IDRs specifically in transmembrane proteins, which are somewhat neglected in most studies. We found that 50% of transmembrane proteins have at least one IDR of 30 amino acids or more. Interestingly, these domains preferentially localize …

Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities, Soil Carbon And Nitrogen Storage Under Nitrogen Fertilization: A Meta-Analysis, Siyang Jian, Jianwei Li, Ji Chen, Gangsheng Wang, Melanie A. Mayes, Kudjo E. Dzantor, Dafeng Hui, Yiqi Luo

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Nitrogen (N) fertilization affects the rate of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition by regulating extracellular enzyme activities (EEA). Extracellular enzymes have not been represented in global biogeochemical models. Understanding the relationships among EEA and SOC, soil N (TN), and soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) under N fertilization would enable modeling of the influence of EEA on SOC decomposition. Based on 65 published studies, we synthesized the activities of α-1,4-glucosidase (AG), β-1,4-glucosidase (BG), β-d-cellobiosidase (CBH), β-1,4-xylosidase (BX), β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), leucine amino peptidase (LAP), urease (UREA), acid phosphatase (AP), phenol oxidase (PHO), and peroxidase (PEO) in response to N fertilization. The proxy …

Bee Cause: Is Legislative Action Protecting Bees From Neonicotinoids Justified?, Ursula A. Squire

Dissertations and Theses

The potential harm caused to bees and other pollinators by the widespread use of neonicotinoids has the capacity to pose a real and immediate threat to both the environment and humans. The benefits that bees and other pollinators provide, combined with the potential of harm they may face, are important enough to warrant a more comprehensive testing apparatus by which to evaluate threats to their population. Environmentally, bees and other pollinators are an important piece of ecosystemic balance--from pest management to pollination of plants that are a part of many species' diet. Anthropologically speaking, the way of life humans have …

Bioturbation By The Fungus-Gardening Ant, Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis, Walter R. Tschinkel, Jon N. Seal

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soil invertebrates such as ants are thought to be important manipulators of soils in temperate and tropical ecosystems. The fungus gardening ant, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, is an important agent of biomantling, that is, of depositing soil excavated from below onto the surface, and has been suggested as an agent of bioturbation (moving soil below ground) as well. The amount of bioturbation by this ant was quantified by planting queenright colonies in sand columns consisting of 5 layers of different colored sand. The amount of each color of sand deposited on the surface was determined from April to November 2015. In November, …