Digital Commons Network^™

Gold Nanosensor Based On The Optical Detection Of Streptavidin Conjugated Quantum Dots, Christina Sharp

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Philosophy And Theology: Reflections On Speciesism, Christopher Kaczor

Philosophy Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Dredging Disturbance On Seagrass Coverage, Sediment Composition And Infaunal Assemblages Within A Sw England Zostera Marina Bed, Rachel Cole

The Plymouth Student Scientist

A previously surveyed Zostera marina (L.) bed in South West England was mapped using SCUBA in September- October 2011 to assess changes in bed extent, environmental and faunal characteristics following disturbance from a scallop dredger in 2006. Surveys indicated a continued absence of seagrass within the dredged area, suggesting no recovery five years after the dredging damage occurred, but new growth was apparent at the shoreward edges of the bed. Within the surveyed area, five conditions were sampled: bare sand (BS), the dredge scar (DS), low density seagrass (LOW: 0-50 shoots 25cm-­­­­2), medium density (MED: 50-100) and high density (HIGH: …

Secondary Sexual Characters In Crawling Water Beetles (Coleoptera: Haliplidae): Evidence For Sexual Conflict?, Katy Potts

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Conflict between sexes occurs as a result of asymmetric reproductive trade-offs during mating. When the rates of these trade-offs differ, sexual conflict can occur, this can lead to coevolutionary arms races between the sexes. Such arms races may result in the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics and the coevolution of sex related structures. This study analysed the morphology of three genera of Haliplidae: Haliplus, Brychius and Algophilus using Scanning Electron Microscopy to determine whether there was evidence of sexual conflict. Males in this family possess small tarsal suckers on the fore and mid-legs that aid the male to grasp the …

Comparison Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines (Il-6, Il-1α And Il-1β) Released By Mpi And Marco (-/-) Knockout Cells When Stimulated By Heat Killed Fungi- Candida Albicans And Aspergillus Niger, Sherin Chacko

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Background: Alveolar Macrophages serve the first line of defence against invading pathogens within the lungs. During the innate immune response, they recognise pathogens such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger as “non-self”, phagocytosing them before the pathogen can infiltrate the body and cause disease. There are many Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) that detect specific patterns on the pathogen (PAMPs), inducing an immune response which recruits different immune cells to the site of infection, releasing many cytokines that help with recruiting and clearance of the pathogen. MARCO is a Scavenger receptor that has an important role in the recognition and response …

You'll Face Me: An Investigation Into Improving Puffin Crossing Safety By Controlling Pdu Placement, Ibrahim Aliouche

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The main aim of this project is to analyse and possibly alter a puffin crossing in order to increase pedestrian comfort and safety by making the pedestrian display unit (PDU), the box with the red and green man lights, more visible and the pushbutton easy to reach and press. A literature review was carried out to determine pedestrian field of view and standard puffin crossing component sizes and two zones were determined; the visible and blind zone. As the names would suggest, the visible zone at the puffin crossing is the area in which the pedestrian can see the PDU …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Underwater Bubble Formations On Sound Speed And Attenuation, Erin King

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Underwater bubbles are prevalent in the marine environment, from natural sources such as breaking waves, biological and geological activity, and artificial sources such as wash from vessel motion and cavitation. Bubbles can remain entrained within the water column for long periods. Due to the attenuative properties of bubbles and the changes to the sound speed profile their presence causes, bubble clouds present a major challenge to commercial sonar operations. These same properties are used positively through implementation of bubble screens to protect structures and wildlife from marine construction operations. This study sought to examine the effects of bubble clouds at …

"It's Such A Battle": A Phenomenological Account Of Raising A Child On The Autistic Spectrum - A Battle With Bureaucracy And Behaviour, Tara Vassallo

The Plymouth Student Scientist

A sharp rise in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has led to it becoming one of the most widely researched neurodevelopmental conditions. Although the predominant focus in autism research is child centred, research on parent outcomes has highlighted considerable impact, in terms of parent’s mental health and wellbeing. Previous studies have shown that parents of children with autism suffer extremes of distress, in excess of that of parents of children with other disabilities. However, why this is so is less understood. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse data, gathered from semi-structured interviews of seven parents raising children …

Aubrey’S Fragile Psyche And The Signal Of The Real: A Lacanian Analysis Of John William Polidori’S “The Vampyre”, Melissa Powell

Masters Essays

No abstract provided.

The Biblical Foundations Of Just-Peacemaking Theory: Matthew 5:38–41 As Active Nonviolent Resistance Within The Honor-Shame Paradigm, John A. Barrett

Masters Essays

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Rice Bran Oil On Lipid Accumulations On 3t3-L1 Cells, Jierada Rabalert, Narongsuk Munkong, Wason Parklak, Nusiri Lerdvuthisopon

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Rice bran oil (RO) reduced hyperlipidaemia, oleic acid is a major fatty acid of RO. However, the direct effects of RO in 3T3-L1 adipocyte have not been previously investigated. Thus, the aim of this study investigated the direct effects of RO and oleic acid (OA) on lipid accumulation in vitro on 3T3-L1 cells.

Method: Cells were treated with different concentrations of RO, OA and palmitic (PA). After incubation, the cells were determined cells viability by MTS assay, the lipid accumulation by oil red O staining assay and cell size by microscope.

Result: In this study, on cytotoxicity results demonstrated …

Ecological And Reproductive Consequences Of Morphological Variation In Egregia Menziesii (Turner) Areshoug, Heather K. Fulton-Bennett

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The extensive morphological plasticity of seaweeds has been appreciated since the first species were described, however, the costs and benefits of this strategy are not yet well understood. Studies have reported that morphological variants differ in reproduction, growth, and physiology, in addition to the ways in which they impact surrounding communities. This study examined the consequences of morphological plasticity in the intertidal kelp, Egregia menziesii, which is common along rocky shores from Baja California to British Columbia. Egregia is also considered to be a foundation species due to the dense canopy it forms and the numerous species that depend on …

The Moderating Effect Of Anticipatory Grief On The Relationship Between Attachment And Perceived Closeness With Satisfaction Of Life And Marriage For Spousal Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia, Steven C. Pote

Dissertations

With the population of individuals with dementia growing every year, spouses are frequently finding themselves in caregiving roles. The progressive nature of dementia often leads to grief over actual and expected declines in the physical and psychological functioning of those with the disease. Spouses may grieve over losses that have not yet occurred. This anticipatory grief may affect how spousal caregivers perceive their relationship. This may further affect the spouses’ satisfaction with life and marriage and impact the quality of care they provide to their loved one with dementia. Using electronic data collection through three national organizations that support caregivers, …

Exploring The Lived Experience And Meaning Of Resilience For Nurses: A Descriptive Phenomenological Inquiry, London Draper-Lowe

Dissertations

Using descriptive phenomenological investigation, this study shed light on the phenomenon of resilience for nurses in high acuity clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to explore, understand, and describe experiences of resilience by nurses in the clinical setting who demonstrate characteristics of resilience and investigate the meaning these experiences held for them. Another purpose for this study was to increase the knowledge base that nurses and nurse educators have regarding resilience including what factors contribute to the emergence and maintenance of resilience. One-on-one interviews with 14 female nurses and one male nurse who had five or more years …

Exploration Of Intergenerational Ambivalence, Parenting Practices, And The Impact On Grandparenthood Dimensions, Janae Raquel Sones

Dissertations

Changing population demographics have important implications for intergenerational relationships. While research abounds on certain family relationships, less attention has been given to the relationship between an aging parent and her or his adult child. Two theoretical constructs that have consistently been useful for examining these relationships include intergenerational ambivalence (IGA) and, to a lesser degree, dimensions of grandparenthood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to suggest new measurement strategies for these constructs, expand on the correlates of IGA and a grandparent’s perceived ambivalence regarding her or his adult child’s parenting practices, and bring new perspectives to the experience of …

Effects Of Exercise Training On Physiological And Psychological Measurements Of Cancer-Related Fatigue, Trista Manikowske

Dissertations

While exploring the differences in psychological and physiological fatigue among cancer survivors is not completely novel, the relationship between muscle function and perceptions of fatigue in cancer survivors remains mechanistically unclear. Furthermore, the effect of exercise on objectively measured muscular fatigue has yet to be studied in cancer patients. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between subjective self-reported psychological fatigue measures and objectively-measured muscular fatigue in cancer survivors following a 24-week exercise intervention. METHODS: Cancer survivors were asked to complete two measures of fatigue prior to and following 12 and 24 weeks of an exercise intervention. Participants completed the revised Piper …

Unveiling Leadership Giftedness: Identifying Its Attributes And Significance For Children With Promise, Theresa Yvonne Newsom

Dissertations

Leadership giftedness continues to be the hidden dimension in gifted and talented education. There are numerous definitions, a lack of clarity for identifying leadership giftedness and an unfulfilled federal mandate for programming. Yet, leadership continues to be a hidden dimension in gifted and talented education, especially for children with promise who are sometimes identified as at-risk. With a nation’s need for the development of future leaders, this study used phenomenology to conduct interviews with eight individuals to better understand their insights and experiences with leadership as they faced and overcame adversity in their childhood or youth. By conducting open-ended interviews …

Evaluation Of The Phase Training Model Of Cancer Rehabilitation, Jessica Marlene Brown

Dissertations

Exercise is a well-established method of alleviating cancer-related toxicities during and following treatment in cancer survivors. Due to this clear evidence, exercise-based rehabilitation programs have begun to emerge. Of concern, specific recommendations of exercise prescription for patients at different time points on the cancer continuum have not been developed, and available guidelines are broad and unclear. The Phase Training Model of cancer rehabilitation was created to address this issue and replace our previously used method of exercise-based prescription and intervention. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the Phase Training Model on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength (MS), and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) …

Gfap-Positive Radial Glial Cells Are An Essential Progenitor Population For Later-Born Neurons And Glia In The Zebrafish Spinal Cord, Kimberly Johnson, Jessica Barragan, Sarah Bashiruddin, Cody J. Smith, Chelsea Tyrrell, Michael J. Parsons, Rosemarie Doris, Sarah Kucenas, Gerald B. Downes, Carla M. Velez, Caitlin Schneider, Catalina Sakai, Narendra Pathak, Katrina Anderson, Rachael Stein, Stephen H. Devoto, Jeff S. Mumm, Michael J.F. Barresi

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Radial glial cells are presumptive neural stem cells (NSCs) in the developing nervous system. The direct requirement of radial glia for the generation of a diverse array of neuronal and glial subtypes, however, has not been tested. We employed two novel transgenic zebrafish lines and endogenous markers of NSCs and radial glia to show for the first time that radial glia are essential for neurogenesis during development. By using the gfap promoter to drive expression of nuclear localized mCherry we discerned two distinct radial glial-derived cell types: a major nestin+/Sox2+ subtype with strong gfap promoter activity and a minor Sox2+ …

Engineering Xylose Utilization In Yarrowia Lipolytica By Understanding Its Cryptic Xylose Pathway, Gabriel M. Rodriguez, Murtaza Shabbir Hussain, Lauren Gambill, Difeng Gao, Allison Yaguchi, Mark Blenner

Publications

Background

The oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, has been utilized as an industrial host for about 60 years for various applications. Recently, the metabolic engineering of this host has become increasingly popular due to its ability to accumulate lipids as well as improvements made toward developing new genetic tools. Y. lipolytica can robustly metabolize glucose, glycerol, and even different lipid classes. However, little is known about its xylose metabolizing capability. Given the desirability of having a robust xylose utilizing strain of Y. lipolytica, we performed a comprehensive investigation and elucidation of the existing components of its xylose metabolic pathway. …

Royal Jelly Promotes Daf-16-Mediated Proteostasis To Tolerate Β-Amyloid Toxicity In C. Elegans Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Xiaoxia Wang, Min Cao, Yuqing Dong

Publications

Numerous studies have demonstrated that dietary intervention may promote health and help prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recently reported that bee products of royal jelly (RJ) and enzyme-treated royal jelly (eRJ) were potent to promote healthy aging in C. elegans. Here, we examined whether RJ/eRJ consumption may benefit to mitigate the AD symptom in the disease model of C. elegans. Our results showed that RJ/eRJ supplementation significantly delayed the body paralysis in AD worms, suggesting the β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity attenuation effects of RJ/eRJ. Genetic analyses suggested that RJ/eRJ-mediated alleviation of Aβ toxicity in AD worms required DAF-16, rather …

High-Throughput Screening Of Clinically Approved Drugs That Prime Polyethylenimine Transfection Reveals Modulation Of Mitochondria Dysfunction Response Improves Gene Transfer Efficiencies, Albert Nguyen, Jared P. Beyersdorf, Jean-Jack Riethoven, Angela K. Pannier

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Nonviral gene delivery methods are advantageous over viral vectors in terms of safety, cost, and flexibility in design and application, but suffer from lower gene transfer efficiency. In addition to modifications to nucleic acid design and nonviral carriers, new tools are sought to enhance transfection. Priming is the pharmacological modulation of transfection efficiency and transgene expression, and has demonstrated transfection increase in several compounds, for example, chloroquine and glucocorticoids. To develop a library of transfection priming compounds, a highthroughput screen was performed of the NIH Clinical Collection (NCC) to identify clinical compounds that prime polyethylenimine (PEI) transfection. HEK293T cells were …

The Maintenance Of Phenotypic Divergence Through Sexual Selection: An Experimental Study In Barn Swallows Hirundo Rustica, Rebecca Safran, Yoni Vortman, Brittany R. Jenkins, Joanna K. Hubbard, Matt Wilkins, Rachel J. Bradley, Arnon Lotem

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Previous studies have shown that sexual signals can rapidly diverge among closely related species. However, we lack experimental studies to demonstrate that differences in trait-associated reproductive performance maintain sexual trait differences between closely related populations, in support for a role of sexual selection in speciation. Populations of Northern Hemisphere distributed barn swallows Hirundo rustica are closely related, yet differ in two plumage-based traits: ventral color and length of the outermost tail feathers (streamers). Here we provide experimental evidence that manipulations of these traits result in different reproductive consequences in two subspecies of barn swallow: (H. r. erythrogaster in North …

Differential Diagnosis Between Pancreatic Neuroendocrine And Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms On Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration: An Immunohistochemical Study, Emad M. Raddaoui, Majid A. Almadi, Abdulrahman M. Aljebreen, Faisal A. Alsaif, Ahlam A. Alshedoukhy, Abed H. Al-Lehibi, Khalid A. Almohameed, Apostolos V. Tsolakis, Mousa A. Alabbadi, Amna R. Almutrafi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the role of applying a limited panel of immunohistochemical stains on the cellblock preparation from samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the aim of differentiating solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods: We retrospectively retrieved all the EUS-FNAs of the pancreas that have a diagnosis of NET or SPN that were performed at 2 tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 2004 to December 2014. Diff-Quik, Papanicolaou, and Immunohistochemistry stains on cellblock preparations were performed. Results: Twenty cases were available (16 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) and 4 …

Illicit Substance Use Among Persons Admitted To Probation Polyclinic Of A Regional Mental Hospital In The Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Selda Telo, Dilara Kaman, Sevda Korkmaz

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the illicit substance use trends by gender and year in Eastern Turkey, Elazığ. Methods: This is a retrospective study designed to assess the drug use prevalence in persons who admitted to the Probation Policlinic of Elazig Mental Health Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014 in Eastern Turkey, Elazığ. Laboratory screening tests for drugs were studied using the cloned enzyme donor immunoassay technique in urine. Results: The study consisted of 10267 males (95.3%) and 510 females (4.7%), with a mean age of 30.42±10.83 years. Overall prevalence was 32.1% for cannabis, 3.8% for opiate, 0.35% for cocaine and …

Crowdsourcing Management Education Assessment, Owen P. Hall Jr, Charla Griffy-Brown

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Assessment is now at the center of the new business education zeitgeist. This focus is the direct result of feedback from the business community regarding the growing gap between their needs and graduates from many business schools. Recently this divide has fallen under even closer scrutiny because of increasing student debt and the growing controversy over return-on- investment. Today business leaders are looking for web-savvy, problem-solving graduates. To this end, AACSB and regional accrediting bodies are calling for the adoption of comprehensive collaborative learning strategies to better align graduates’ skill sets with the real needs of business. Crowdsourcing, which is …

Reducing And Eliminating Health Disparities Through Prevention And Public Health, Daniel S. Blumenthal

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

N/A

87th Annual Georgia Public Health Association Meeting & Conference Report, Dianne Mcwethy, Regina Abbott, Christy Sims, Brian Morgan, Nicholle Harrison, Angela Peden, David Gowan

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

The 87th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 22-23, 2016, with pre-conference (March 21st) and post-conference (March 23rd) Executive Board meetings. As Georgia’s leading forum for public health researchers, practitioners, and students, the annual meeting of the GPHA brings together participants from across the state to explore recent developments in the field and to exchange techniques, tools, and experiences. In recent years the venue for the GPHA annual conference has been Atlanta, with the 2017 GPHA Annual Meeting and Conference also scheduled to be held in Atlanta. Several new initiatives …

Collecting Physiological Stress Measures In Research Among High-Risk Parents For Child Maltreatment: A Qualitative Investigation, Ashwini Tiwari, Shannon Self-Brown, Charles Robinson, Colleen Mccarty, Laura Carruth

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Studies on evidence-based, behavioral training programs have shown a positive reduction in self-reported stress among parents at high risk of child maltreatment (CM). However, no known studies on these programs have examined physiological biomarkers for stress, such as impaired levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and telomere length. Further, no details are known regarding the feasibility of collecting biological markers from parents. This research examined qualitative findings from a multidisciplinary neurobiology and public health study that examined physiological responses to a six week, evidence-based, behavioral parenting program, among a maternal population at risk of CM perpetration in Atlanta, Georgia. …

Screening For Developmental Delay In Georgia’S Family Shelters: Formative Evaluation Of A Quality Improvement Initiative, Marvin So, Luisita G. Agbayani, Mariel K. Gutierrez, Josef T. Griffins

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Children in families experiencing homelessness are at elevated risk for cognitive, motor, speech, and other developmental delays. Given the prevalence of family homelessness in Georgia and across the U.S., investigating the feasibility of implementing developmental screeners while families are in shelters is warranted.

Methods: Three pilot shelters were selected for the development and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) Teams, who used Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycles to make progress towards universally screening children for delay. We employed a formative evaluation to (1) characterize screening rates and shifts in shelter as a result of QI initiatives, and (2) identify barriers and facilitators …