Digital Commons Network^™

To Swim Or Not To Swim: A Population-Level Model Of Xenopus Tadpole Decision Making And Locomotor Behaviour, R Borisyuk, R Merrison-Hort, Sr Soffe, S Koutsikou, W-C Li

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

We present a detailed computational model of interacting neuronal populations that mimic the hatchling Xenopus tadpole nervous system. The model includes four sensory pathways, integrators of sensory information, and a central pattern generator (CPG) network. Sensory pathways of different modalities receive inputs from an "environment"; these inputs are then processed and integrated to select the most appropriate locomotor action. The CPG populations execute the selected action, generating output in motor neuron populations. Thus, the model describes a detailed and biologically plausible chain of information processing from external signals to sensors, sensory pathways, integration and decision-making, action selection and execution and …

Sensory Qualities Of Oysters Unaltered By A Short Exposure To Combined Elevated Pco2 And Temperature, Anaëlle J. Lemasson, Victor Kuri, Jason M. Hall-Spencer, Stephen Fletcher, Roy Moate, Antony M. Knights

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Reliance on the marine environment for the provision of food is ever-increasing, but future climate change threatens production. Despite this concern, the impact on seafood quality and success of the seafood industry is unknown. Using a short-term study, we test these concerns using a major aquaculture species-Crassostrea gigas-exposing them to three acidification and warming scenarios: (1) ambient pCO₂ (~400 ppm) & control temperature (15°C), (2) ambient pCO₂ (~400 ppm) & elevated temperature (20°C), (3) elevated pCO₂ (~1,000 ppm) & elevated temperature (20°C). Oyster quality was assessed by scoring appearance, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. A panel of …

Increasing Habitat Complexity On Seawalls: Investigating Large‐ And Small‐Scale Effects On Fish Assemblages, Rl Morris, Mg Chapman, Lb Firth, Ra Coleman

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The construction of artificial structures in the marine environment is increasing globally. Eco-engineering aims to mitigate the negative ecological impacts of built infrastructure through designing structures to be multifunctional, benefiting both humans and nature. To date, the focus of eco-engineering has largely been on benefits for benthic invertebrates and algae. Here, the potential effect of eco-engineered habitats designed for benthic species on fish was investigated. Eco-engineered habitats (“flowerpots”) were added to an intertidal seawall in Sydney Harbour, Australia. Responses of fish assemblages to the added habitats were quantified at two spatial scales; large (among seawalls) and small (within a seawall). …

Evaluation Of Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles For The Removal Of Heavy Metal Ions From Aqueous Media, Khaula A. Ai Jahoushi

Theses

Sorption is one of the most efficient techniques for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste water. It involves the use of solid materials, known as sorbents, which can be natural of synthetic in origin. Recently, synthetic nanomaterials of various compositions have been used as sorbents. Among these materials, calcium phosphate; also known as hydroxyapatite (HAp), and magnetite were previously investigated as potential sorbents. In the current study, commercial HAp, and magnetite nanoparticles as well as their physical and chemical mixtures were investigated as potential sorbents for the removal of Cd²⁺ ions from simulated wastewater. A comparison is made …

Comparative Degradation Of Emerging Pollutants Using Chemical And Enzymatic Approaches, Khadega Abobaker Al-Maqdi

Theses

Organic pollutants, especially those found in water bodies; pose a direct threat to various aquatic organisms as well as humans. A variety of different remediation approaches, including chemical and biological methods have been developed for the degradation of these organic pollutants. However, comparative mechanistic studies of pollutant degradation by these different systems are almost non-existent. In this study, the degradation of two emerging pollutants an antibiotic pollutant, Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and a model thiazole pollutant, Thioflavin T (ThT), was carried out using advanced oxidation process (AOP), using UV+H2O2 or a peroxidase enzyme system. Optimization conditions for Sulfamethoxazole degradation by peroxidase enzyme …

Determination Of Primordial And Anthropogenic Radionuclide Concentrations In Agricultural Soil Of The United Arab Emirates Using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry, Rahaf Moutaz Billah Ajaj

Theses

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has initiated the first civilian nuclear power plant, and it will be operating four reactors between (2018-2020). The establishment of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which will employ the nuclear power to generate clean energy, is a significant step forward minimizing the UAE carbon footprint. Before the construction of any regulated nuclear facility, it is essential to investigate the environmental background radiation level in the country. Such an investigation is critical for providing the background data for the environmental impact assessment of the nuclear facility. The present study represents the first research effort in the (UAE) …

Mmtv Gene Expression Depends Upon A Short Cis Acting Sequence Within The 5' Untranslated Region Of The Viral Genome, Shaima Akhlaq

Theses

Retroviral genomes have been shown to contain regulatory sequences at the 3’ end of their genomes that have been implicated in critical steps of the viral life cycle, including nucleocytoplasmic RNA export, RNA stability, and post-nuclear export functions, such as translation. Recently mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been shown to encode Rem protein and its cis-acting cognate sequence located at the 3’ of the genome, the Rem-responsive element (RmRE). The binding of Rem to RmRE facilitates the export of genomic RNA (gRNA) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Using an expression system, our previous results have shown that …

Pharmaceutical And Natural (Exercise) Mechanisms To Mitigate The Negative Impact Of Ptsd And Chronic Stress On Synaptic Plasticity And Memory, Roxanne M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Synapses can be altered due to experiences in a process called synaptic plasticity, which causes memory formations. Synapses can be strengthened through methods known as long-term potentiation (LTP) or weakened through long-term depression (LTD). Stresses can cause changes by altering synapses through either LTP or LTD. Rats were used to study the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms and a prophylactic treatment using pharmaceuticals. The first model used was the single prolonged stress (SPS) with two weeks of chronic light, which was not as effective for causing changes in synaptic plasticity. The second model, seven days of social defeat …

Investigating The Mechanistic Mode Of Action Of Novel Cu(Ii) Complexes As Potential Chemotherapeutics Drugs, Garret Rochford

Doctoral

A new class of Cu(II) phenanthroline-phenazine complexes (developed in Dublin City University) have recently been reported to have the highest DNA binding constants of any copper therapeutic complex and at a similar level to Actinomycin. These new complexes show great clinical potential with their high activity against a range of in-vitro mammalian cell lines including those with cisplatin resistance however the underlying biological mechanism of their action has yet to be explored in-depth. The biological data generated in this project has examined the activity of the Cu(II) phenanthroline-phenazine complexes in selected mammalian cells lines in-vitro and demonstrated that the Cu(II) …

Exploitation Through Small Decisions: How Quick Choices Destroy The Aesthetic World, Melissa Jennings

Agora

No abstract provided.

Beautifully Sustainable, Lisa Gervasoni

Agora

No abstract provided.

Glory And Companionship: Motivators Of Life That Lead To Demise, Win Matsuda

Agora

No abstract provided.

Application Of The Adjusted Weak Axiom Of Profit Maximization To New Zealand Dairy Farming, Anne E. Dooley, Nicola M. Shadbolt, Koohyar Khatami, Loren W. Tauer

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

The weak axiom of profit maximization is a nonparametric, empirical approach that has been used in the United States to analyze dairy farmers’ production and profit behavior under input and output price changes to determine whether farmers effectively respond to these changes. The expectation is that profit calculated using the current year’s input and output combination will be greater than that calculated from the previous year’s combination with current prices more often than due to chance. This approach was replicated using New Zealand dairy farm data (1,785 pairs of records over five years). Current year’s profits were significantly greater in …

Demographic Influences On Nonadoption Of Calf Management And Marketing Practices For Cow-Calf Operations, Stephanie Schumacher, Derrell S. Peel, Kellie Curry Raper

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

Though research indicates that many calf management and marketing practices are available to add value for the cow-calf producer, a high percentage of producers are still nonadopters of such practices. Little information identifies nonadopters in the beef cattle industry, limiting efforts to provide educational support. This study uses a binomial logit model and primary survey data to examine the demographic influence on producers’ nonadoption of commonly recommended value-added management and marketing practices specific to feeder calves in the cow-calf segment.

Personal Values Within Our Profession, Gordon L. Gray

The Catholic Lawyer

No abstract provided.

From Oral To Written Language: Scaffolding Literacy Development In A Kindergarten Classroom, Cynthia Leung

Journal of Contemporary Research in Education

The purpose of the present study was to explore how an experienced kindergarten teacher used oral language to scaffold her students in their development of written language skills. The research design was a yearlong qualitative case study that employed prolonged engagement, persistent observation, and triangulation. Data sources included participant observation, fieldnotes, audio and video recording of classroom literacy events, informal interviews with the teacher and students, photographs, and a collection of students’ drawings/writings. This article provides examples of read-aloud and writing events where the classroom teacher made connections between oral and written language or re-accented the students’ oral productions into …

The Utah Statesman, October 31, 2017, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Spartan Daily, October 31, 2017, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2017

Volume 149, Issue 29

Back Matter, The Editors

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

No abstract provided.

Back Matter, The Editors

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

No abstract provided.

Inklings And Tentacled Things: Grasping At Kinship Through Video Games, Melissa Bianchi

Communication, Media, and Arts Faculty Articles

Connecting Haraway’s recent observations about “making kin” to video games, this essay examines how particular elements of the medium might cultivate nuanced considerations for multispecies relations. To fully grasp how video games broadly redefine relations between human and nonhuman animals, we must consider the role of game aesthetics and play mechanics in players’ experiences of becoming-with. These elements of games fundamentally shape players’ engagements with the medium and are inextricably linked to their storytelling and production. Moreover, game aesthetics and play mechanics (in conjunction with storytelling) demand that players take specific actions and inhabit distinct roles during play, enabling players …

Awaaz.De Mobile Social Impact Assessment Framework, Taylor Maya Tromburg, Nithya Vemireddy

Miller Center Fellowship

Awaaz.De’s voice messaging platform enables client organizations to efficiently address their “last mile” connectivity challenges. End users can listen to client generated voice messages and apply what they hear to their work and personal lives.

Although measuring social impact across a variety of different social sectors and client organizations is inherently difficult, our field research has led to a standard and efficient social impact survey Awaaz.De can use to track social impact. The survey is designed to be administered over the phone through individual, synchronous voice exchanges between a survey administrator and respondent (a client’s end-user). An asynchronous, automated administration …

1759 - A Natural And Civil History Of California, Volume I

Miscellaneous Publications – Spanish

Volume I. is the 1759 English translation of Spanish Jesuit Miguel Venegas’s 1758 publication regarding the history of the Peninsula of California. It describes the soil, mountains, harbors, lakes, rivers and seas, the animals, vegetables, minerals and fishery for pearls; as well as the customs of the inhabitants, their religion, government, manner of living before their conversion to the Christian religion by the Jesuits. The Preface addresses the merits of the Spanish publication, the strengths and weakness of the Spanish in this far region, as well as the potential opportunities for England. Volume one contains Part I. through Part III, …

New Life For Old River Park, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Dayton's Old River Park served for more than a half-century as a recreational area for NCR employees and their families, leaving generations of local residents with warm memories of picnics, band concerts and canoe trips on its scenic lagoon.

An Examination Of Georgia Young Farmer Program Participants’ Learning Style Preferences, Barry S. Bailey, James R. Lindner, Brian Parr

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study was designed to describe Georgia Young Farmer Program participants’ learning style preferences. Using survey research methods, a questionnaire was designed to collect data related to the purpose of the study. The population for this study included active members in the program. Study findings showed that participants had a preference for kinesthetic learning over visual and auditory learning. While participants indicated a preference for kinesthetic learning, all three learning styles were deemed effective. Preferences for learning styles and perception of effectiveness did not differ by personal characteristics. Recommendations include taking learning style preferences into account when designing and delivering …

Xenobiotic-Induced Activation Of Human Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Target Genes In Drosophila Is Mediated By The Epigenetic Chromatin Modifiers, Angelina A. Akishina, J. E. Vorontsova, Roman O. Cherezov, Ilja B. Mertsalov, Olga G. Zatsepina, Mikhail S. Slezinger, Vladislav M. Panin, Svetlana Petruk, Grigori N. Enikolopov, Alexander M. Mazo, Olga B. Simonova, Boris A. Kuzin

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is the key transcription factor that controls animal development and various adaptive processes. The AHR's target genes are involved in biodegradation of endogenous and exogenous toxins, regulation of immune response, organogenesis, and neurogenesis. Ligand binding is important for the activation of the AHR signaling pathway. Invertebrate AHR homologs are activated by endogenous ligands whereas vertebrate AHR can be activated by both endogenous and exogenous ligands (xenobiotics). Several studies using mammalian cultured cells have demonstrated that transcription of the AHR target genes can be activated by exogenous AHR ligands, but little is known about the effects of …

The Parthenon, October 31, 2017, Jared Casto

The Parthenon

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2016 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published two days a week. Physical issues are printed on Tuesdays and Fridays. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content.

Bodies Of Water: Politics, Ethics, And Relationships Along New Mexico's Acequias, Elise Trott

Anthropology ETDs

Growing public attention to global economic and environmental instability and collapse have brought new urgency to a classic activity of anthropology: looking for alternative economic and environmental models in other ways of life. This dissertation is a case study of the complex and sometimes contradictory ways in which New Mexico’s acequias (communally-managed irrigation ditches) are produced, experienced, and contested as an alternative form of living, creating community, and relating ethically to the environment. Drawing on over six years of participant observation and in-depth interviews with Nuevomexicano (Spanish- and Mexican-descendant), indigenous, and non-indigenous acequia users and organizers in North-Central New Mexico …

Encapsulation Of Inositol Hexakisphosphate To Facilitate Cellular Entry And Programmed Cell Death In Breast Cancer Cells, Ilham Hassoon Kadhim

Theses and Dissertations

There are more than 60 isoforms of InsPs generated by phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (InsP3), a key cell-signaling molecule produced during G-protein-coupled receptor activation. Among InsPs, inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6), also known as phytic acid (IP6), is the most abundant InsPs present in most cells. It plays a critical role in cellular differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis involving the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Several lines of studies have indicated the inhibitory activity of InsP6 in human and animal cancer cells via the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. Increasing cellular contents of InsP6 is likely to inhibit cell proliferation and …

Center For Art & Theater News, Georgia Southern University

Center for Art & Theater (Archived)

• Blackface Meets Whiteface and Urges Viewers to Question Race: Georgia Southern Theatre & Performance to Present ‘An Octoroon’
• McManus explores divide between the ‘born’ and the ‘made’ in Neon Nature