Digital Commons Network^™

Promoting Professional Identity, Motivation, And Persistence: Benefits Of An Informal Mentoring Program For Female Undergraduate Students, Paul R. Hernandez, Brittany Bloodhart, Rebecca T. Barnes, Amanda S. Adams, Sandra M. Clinton, Ilana Pollack, Elaine Godfrey, Melissa Burt, Emily V. Fisher

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Women are underrepresented in a number of science, technology, engineering, and mathe- matics (STEM) disciplines. Limited diversity in the development of the STEM workforce has negative implications for scientific innovation, creativity, and social relevance. The current study reports the first-year results of the PROmoting Geoscience Research, Education, and SuccesS (PROGRESS) program, a novel theory-driven informal mentoring program aimed at supporting first- and second-year female STEM majors. Using a prospective, longitudinal, multi-site (i.e., 7 universities in Colorado/Wyoming Front Range & Carolinas), propensity score matched design, we compare mentoring and persistence outcomes for women in and out of PROGRESS (N = 116). …

Functional Role Of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 In The Regulation Of Melanogenesis And Epidermal Structure, Changsheng Dong, Shanshan Yang, Ruiwen Fan, Kaiyuan Ji, Junzhen Zhang, Xuexian Liu, Shuaipeng Hu, Jianshan Xie, Yu Liu, Wenjun Gao, Haidong Wang, Jianbo Yao, George W. Smith, Muren Herrid

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The mammalian integumentary system plays important roles in body homeostasis, and dysfunction of melanogenesis or epidermal development may lead to a variety of skin diseases, including melanoma. Skin pigmentation in humans and coat color in fleece-producing animals are regulated by many genes. Among them, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and paired-box 3 (PAX3) are at the top of the cascade and regulate activities of many important melanogenic enzymes. Here, we report for the first time that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is an essential regulator of MITF and PAX3. Cdk5 knockdown in mice causes a lightened coat …

Health-Promoting Phytochemicals From 11 Mustard Cultivars At Baby Leaf And Mature Stages, Marissa D. Frazie, Moo J. Kim, Kang-Mo Ku

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Mustard is a Brassica vegetable that provides a number of phytonutrients. However, the phytonutrient profile of mustard has been relatively limited. We analyzed the glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products, carotenoids, total anthocyanin and phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity of the leaves of 11 mustard cultivars grown in a greenhouse at the baby leaf and mature stages. An aliphatic glucosinolate sinigrin and its hydrolysis products allyl isothiocyanate and 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane were the major phytonutrients in the mustard leaves. Carotenoids β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin were detected. We found phytonutrient concentration and their change with plant growth were cultivar-dependent. The %RDA value for …

Chemopreventive Glucosinolate Accumulation In Various Broccoli And Collard Tissues: Microfluidic-Based Targeted Transcriptomics For By-Product Valorization, Young-Sang Lee, Kang-Mo Ku, John A. Juvik

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Floret, leaf, and root tissues were harvested from broccoli and collard cultivars and extracted to determine their glucosinolate and hydrolysis product profiles using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromotography. Quinone reductase inducing bioactivity, an estimate of anti-cancer chemopreventive potential, of the extracts was measured using a hepa1c1c7 murine cell line. Extracts from root tissues were significantly different from other tissues and contained high levels of gluconasturtiin and glucoerucin. Targeted gene expression analysis on glucosinolate biosynthesis revealed that broccoli root tissue has elevated gene expression of AOP2 and low expression of FMOGS-OX homologs, essentially the opposite of what was observed …

Comprehensive Analysis Of Lncrnas And Mrnas In Skeletal Muscle Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Exposed To Estradiol, Jian Wang, Pransanthi P. Kogan, Jianbo Yao, Shuo Wei, Beth Cleveland

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Estradiol (E2) is a steroid hormone that negatively affects muscle growth in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), but the mechanisms directing with this response are not fully understood. To better characterize the effects of E2 in muscle, we identified differentially regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs in juvenile rainbow trout exposed to E2. Here, we performed next-generation RNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to characterize the transcriptome profiles, including mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), in skeletal muscle of rainbow trout injected with E2. A total of 226 lncRNAs and 253 mRNAs were identified as differentially regulated. We identified crucial pathways, including several …

Two Types Of Bone Necrosis In The Middle Triassic Pistosaurus Longaevus Bones: The Results Of Integrated Studies, Dawid Surmik, Bruce M. Rothschild, Mateusz Dulski, Katarzyna Janiszewska

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Avascular necrosis, diagnosed on the basis of either a specific pathological modification of the articular surfaces of bone or its radiologic appearance in vertebral centra, has been recognized in many Mesozoic marine reptiles as well as in present-day marine mammals. Its presence in the zoological and paleontologic record is usually associated with decompression syndrome, a disease that affects secondarily aquatic vertebrates that could dive. Bone necrosis can also be caused by infectious processes, but it differs in appearance from decompression syndrome-associated aseptic necrosis. Herein, we report evidence of septic necrosis in the proximal articular surface of the femur of a …

Impact Of Built-Up-Litter And Commercial Antimicrobials On Salmonella And Campylobacter Contamination Of Broiler Carcasses Processed At A Pilot Mobile Poultry-Processing Unit, Kawang Li, Lacey Lemonakis, Brian Glover, Joseph Moritz, Cangliang Shen

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The small-scale mobile poultry-processing unit (MPPU) produced raw poultry products are of particular food safety concern due to exemption of USDA poultry products inspection act. Limited studies reported the microbial quality and safety of MPPU-processed poultry carcasses. This study evaluated the Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalence in broiler ceca and on MPPU-processed carcasses and efficacy of commercial antimicrobials against Campylobacter jejuni on broilers. In study I, straight-run Hubbard × Cobb broilers (147) were reared for 38 days on clean-shavings (CS, 75) or built-up-litter (BUL, 72) and processed at an MPPU. Aerobic plate counts (APCs), coliforms, Escherichia coli, and yeast/molds (Y/M) …

Expression Of Cocaine- And Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (Cart) In Hen Ovary, Pengfei Li, Jianshan Xie, Xiaolei Yao, Wenzhong Liu, Jianbo Yao, Zhiwei Zhu, Lihua Lyu

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), discovered initially by via differential display RT-PCR analysis of brains of rats administered cocaine, is expressed mainly in central nervous system or neuronal origin cells, and is involved in a wide range of behaviors, such as regulation of food intake, energy homeostasis, and reproduction. The hens egg-laying rate mainly depends on the developmental status of follicles, expression of CART have not been identified from hen follicles, the regulatory mechanisms of CART biological activities are still unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the mRNA expression of CART in hen follicular granulosa cells and …

Cultivar-Specific Changes In Primary And Secondary Metabolites In Pak Choi (Brassica Rapa, Chinensis Group) By Methyl Jasmonate, Moo J. Kim, Yu-Chun Chiu, Na K. Kim, Hye M. Park, Choong H. Lee, John A. Juvik, Kang-Mo Ku

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Glucosinolates, their hydrolysis products and primary metabolites were analyzed in five pak choi cultivars to determine the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on metabolite flux from primary metabolites to glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products. Among detected glucosinolates (total 14 glucosinolates; 9 aliphatic, 4 indole and 1 aromatic glucosinolates), indole glucosinolate concentrations (153–229%) and their hydrolysis products increased with MeJA treatment. Changes in the total isothiocyanates by MeJA were associated with epithiospecifier protein activity estimated as nitrile formation. Goitrin, a goitrogenic compound, significantly decreased by MeJA treatment in all cultivars. Changes in glucosinolates, especially aliphatic, significantly differed among cultivars. Primary metabolites …

Patient Characteristics And Perceived Health Status Of Individuals With Hiv And Tuberculosis Coinfection In Guangxi, China, Yujia Zhu, Jizhou Wu, Xue Feng, Huanhuan Chen, Huaxiang Lu, Luo Li, Chao Rui

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

To explore demographics, clinical and medication profiles, patients’ social support, and perceived health status in HIV/TB coinfected patients in Guangxi, China.

We performed a cross-sectional study in the HIV clinic of the Guigang City People's Hospital (N = 150). Health professionals conducted face-to-face interviews and collected data from patients’ electronic medical records regarding patients’ demographic, clinical, and medication information, as well as their social support and perceived health status. We classified all HIV/AIDS patients into HIV monoinfected and TB coinfected, at a ratio of 2:1.

Compared with the HIV monoinfected, patients with HIV/TB coinfection were more likely to be older, …

Glucosinolates, Carotenoids, And Vitamins E And K Variation From Selected Kale And Collard Cultivars, Moo J. Kim, Yu-Chun Chiu, Kang-Mo Ku

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Glucosinolates, carotenoids, and fat-soluble vitamins E and K contents were analyzed from various kale and collard cultivars at mature stage. We found a significant difference in these phytonutrients among cultivars. Among kale cultivars, “Beira” and “Olympic Red” were the highest in the total glucosinolate and “Toscano” kale was the highest in total carotenoid content. “Scarlet” kale was highest in tocopherols. For collard, total glucosinolate was the highest in “Top Bunch” while carotenoids were the highest in “Green Glaze.” An accession PI261597 was the highest in phylloquinone. In addition to the total content of each phytonutrient class, their composition differed among …

The Effect Of Adherence To Dietary Tracking On Weight Loss: Using Hlm To Model Weight Loss Over Time, John S. Ingles, Ranjita Misra, Jonathan Stewart, Brandon Luke-Wold, Samantha Shawley-Brzoska

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The role of dietary tracking on weight loss remains unexplored despite being part of multiple diabetes and weight management programs. Hence, participants of the Diabetes Prevention and Management (DPM) program (12 months, 22 sessions) tracked their food intake for the duration of the study. A scatterplot of days tracked versus total weight loss revealed a nonlinear relationship. Hence, the number of possible tracking days was divided to create the 3 groups of participants: rare trackers (66% total days tracked). After controlling for initial body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, and gender, only consistent trackers had significant weight loss (−9.99 pounds), following …

Winter Grazing In A Grass-Fed System: Effect Of Stocking Density And Sequential Use Of Autumn-Stockpiled Grassland On Performance Of Yearling Steers, Domingo J. Mata-Padrino, E E D Felton, W B. Bryan, D P. Belesky

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Winter grazing can help reduce the need for purchased feeds in livestock production systems, when finishing cattle on pasture. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of stocking density and grazing stockpiled forage on performance of yearling steers during winter. Three grasslands were winter grazed for two years: I, naturalized pastureland, and II and III, sown and managed for hay production during the growing season but grazed in winter. Two stocking densities were used: low 7.41 and high 12.35 steers ha−1. Herbage mass was estimated before and after each grazing event, and disappearance (consumption, weathering, and trampling) was the difference …

Agonist Muscle Adaptation Accompanied By Antagonist Muscle Atrophy In The Hindlimb Of Mice Following Stretch-Shortening Contraction Training, Erik P. Rader, Marshall A. Naimo, James Ensey, Brent A. Baker

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: The vast majority of dynamometer-based animal models for investigation of the response to chronic muscle contraction exposure has been limited to analysis of isometric, lengthening, or shortening contractions in isolation. An exception to this has been the utilization of a rat model to study stretch-shortening contractions (SSCs), a sequence of consecutive isometric, lengthening, and shortening contractions common during daily activity and resistance-type exercise. However, the availability of diverse genetic strains of rats is limited. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to develop a dynamometer-based SSC training protocol to induce increased muscle mass and performance in plantarflexor muscles …

Lhx8 Interacts With A Novel Germ Cell-Specific Nuclear Factor Containing An Nbl1 Domain In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Liyuan Fu, Prasanthi P. Koganti, Jian Wang, Lei Wang, Cheng-Lun Wang, Jianbo Yao

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Lhx8 is an important transcription factor that is preferentially expressed in germ cells. Lhx8 null mice are infertile due to lack of oocytes and impairment of the transition from primordial follicles to primary follicles. Lhx8 deficiency also affects the expression of many important oocyte-specific genes. In this study, we report the characterization of rainbow trout lhx8 genes and identification of a novel germ cell-specific nuclear factor that interacts with Lhx8. Two lhx8genes, lhx8a and lhx8b, were identified, encoding proteins of 344 and 361 amino acids, respectively. The two proteins share 83% sequence identity and both transcripts are specifically expressed in …

Recruiting Women To A Mobile Health Smoking Cessation Trial: Low- And No-Cost Strategies, Kristopher J. Abbate, Melanie D. Hingle, Julie Armin, Peter Giacobbi, Judith S. Gordon

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Successful recruitment of participants to mobile health (mHealth) studies presents unique challenges over in-person studies. It is important to identify recruitment strategies that maximize the limited recruitment resources available to researchers.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe a case study of a unique recruitment process used in a recent mHealth software app designed to increase smoking cessation among weight-concerned women smokers. The See Me Smoke-Free app was deployed to the Google Play Store (Alphabet, Inc., Google, LLC), where potential participants could download the app and enroll in the study. Users were invited in-app to participate in …

Effectiveness Of A Group-Based Culturally Tailored Lifestyle Intervention Program On Changes In Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes Among Asian Indians In The United States, Rupal M. Patel, Ranjita Misra, Sudha Raj, Ashok Balasubramanyam

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

This study used an experimental, pretest-posttest control group repeated measures design to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention program to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Gujarati Asian Indians (AIs) in an urban community in the US. Participants included 70 adult AIs in the greater Houston metropolitan area. The primary outcomes were reduction in weight and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and improvement in physical activity. Participants were screened for risk factors and randomly assigned to a 12-week group-based lifestyle intervention program () or a control group () that received standard print material on diabetes …

Topical Application Of The Anti-Microbial Chemical Triclosan Induces Immunomodulatory Responses Through The S100a8/A9-Tlr4 Pathway, Nikki B. Marshall, Ewa Lukomska, Ajay P. Nayak, Carrie M. Long, Justin M. Hettick, Stacey E. Anderson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The anti-microbial compound triclosan is incorporated into numerous consumer products and is detectable in the urine of 75% of the general United States population. Recent epidemiological studies report positive associations with urinary triclosan levels and allergic disease. Although not sensitizing, earlier studies previously found that repeated topical application of triclosan augments the allergic response to ovalbumin (OVA) though a thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathway in mice. In the present study, early immunological effects following triclosan exposure were further evaluated following topical application in a murine model. These investigations revealed abundant expression of S100A8/A9, which reportedly acts as an endogenous ligand …

Purpose And Resilience: The Experience Of Burmese Refugees In U.S. Higher Education, Rebecca Tervo

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

From 2005 to 2016, over 12,000 students from Burma have pursued higher education in the US, and the numbers have risen each year (Institute of International Education, 2016). Due to the ongoing civil war in Burma, many of these students come to the US as refugees. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the experiences of Burmese refugees in U.S. higher education to understand better their daily challenges and motivations. The participants in this study were six Burmese refugees enrolled in undergraduate programs at U.S. higher education institutions and one program director at a community organization that serves and empowers the local …

Investigating The Molecular Mechanism Of Dcm-Mj-I-21 As An Agent In Combination Chemotherapy Against Human Pancreatic Cancer, Emma Goodman

Honors Thesis Collection

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with a 1-year survival rate of 29% and a 5-year survival rate of 7%. Pancreatic cancer often goes undiagnosed until its late stages, at which point treatment options become limited to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are often ineffective at substantially prolonging life. Thus, there is a pressing need for improved pharmacologic treatment for pancreatic cancer. DCM-MJ-I-21, a compound developed in our laboratory, exhibits cytotoxicity against the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1, with preferential cytotoxicity under nutrient deprived conditions, which mimic the tumor microenvironment. This study investigated the mechanism …

Does Developmental Pollen Stress Affect The Performance Of Inspector Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera)?, Anita Yau

Honors Thesis Collection

A critical task performed by honey bee workers is foraging for nectar and pollen to produce honey and bee bread, a colony’s only two sources of nutrients. Pollen in particular serves as the primary source of essential proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals for colony members, especially during larval development. However, colonies can become pollen stressed for many reasons including habitat loss, natural fluctuations in pollen availability, or stressful management practices. Previous work in this lab has shown that adult workers reared under pollen-limited conditions were developmentally stunted and relatively inactive foragers and waggle dancers compared to adult workers reared with …

Ventral Veins Lacking Regulates Hormone Biosynthesis During Reproduction And Embryogenesis In Oncopeltus Fasciatus, Isabella Mcdonald

Honors Thesis Collection

The POU domain transcription factor Ventral veins lacking (Vvl) has recently been shown to play a critical role in ecdysone biosynthesis, which influences the molting of the hemimetabolous milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. In this study, the role of vvl on endocrine regulation during reproduction and embryogenesis was examined to determine whether its function is conserved across the insect’s life cycle. Given my results, I propose that the mechanisms of vertebrate and insect neuroendocrine regulation during these processes may share deep homology. A POU transcription factor similar to Vvl may, therefore, have played critical roles regulating endocrine gland development and …

In Vitro Probing Of Drug Interactions In Combination Anti-Cancer Agent Treatments With Dcm-Mj-I-21 Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Jennifer Chang

Honors Thesis Collection

A coumarin derivative, DCM-MJ-I-21 has shown promising antineoplastic effects against human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, PANC-1, with higher cytotoxicity and nutrient-deprived selectivity. Commercially available chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment for pancreatic cancer patients include gemcitabine (GEM) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), both DNA synthesis inhibitors. With the increasing resistance to chemotherapy drugs and the nature of pancreatic cancer growth, promising studies have shown more effective treatments with combination chemotherapy where drugs are taken simultaneously in a regimen. The research presented herein includes both ongoing monotherapy and combination therapy studies against PANC-1 monolayer cells on the cytotoxicity of a chemotherapeutic treatment when commercially …

Body Size As A Result Of Larval Nutrition Affects Foraging Rate And Behavioral Flexibility In Adult Bumblebees (Bombus Impatiens), Anne Shen

Honors Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Breakfast Of Unsung Heroes: Black Women's Forgotten Crusade For Survival In The Free Breakfast For Children, Meredith Wade

Honors Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Subjective Social Status In Minority Children: How It Is Understood And How It Affects Their Development, Michelle Momo Wang

Honors Thesis Collection

Most previous research on social status in children has solely focused on examining correlations between objective socioeconomic status (SES) and child developmental outcomes. However, no research to-date has examined how minority children understand and experience social status and how subjective social status (SSS) in middle childhood affects children’s socioemotional development and well-being. Given these gaps in the current literature, this study aimed to research 1) how children understand and experience SSS, and 2) associations between SSS and socioemotional development. Specifically, it examined how children assess and determine SSS, describe and perceive others of high/low social status, explain wealth/poverty, and choose …

Resolving Land Disputes Through Restitution Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis Of Country Case Studies, University Of Chicago Law School - Global Human Rights Clinic

Global Human Rights Clinic

This Report aims to support current efforts in Myanmar to address land ownership and land use disputes. Shifts in government administration, inconsistent legal property regimes, inadequate administrative recordkeeping, and unregulated government land seizures have resulted in wide spread conflicting claims to land. These have caused regional instability, internal population displacement, conflict and socio-economic distress. Resolution of these disputes through a restitution mechanism and establishment of a cohesive land ownership and use regime is central to ultimately establishing rule of law and respect for human rights as well as to the long-term economic development of Myanmar.

As stakeholders engage in discussions …

Growing Old In America, Where Do We Go From Here?, Holly Trevino

Integrated Studies

We at times find ourselves with an elderly grandparent, parent, sibling, partner or friend and we not sure what the next step is for them concerning their healthcare of everyday living and how to obtain it. This paper will help you explore the different options of care from home care to skilled nursing facilities and everything in-between. It will also give you information to help relieve stress worry if the decision you have made is the best fit for your loved one.

The Effects Of A Vegetarian Diet, Kelly R. Mathis

Integrated Studies

The purpose of this paper is to equip individuals with knowledge of the effects of a vegetarian diet. This paper will provide factual research for a group of individuals willing to investigate how certain dietary choices can provide benefits for current and future generations in all aspects of life. The consumption of a vegetarian diet impacts a person’s health, the environment, the economy, and society. This concept is examined through the idea of nutrition ecology. Exploring concepts related to these four components will provide insight into the food consumption choices that people make while also understanding the effect it may …

Play In Early Childhood Education, Sarah Ellis

Integrated Studies

The information in this paper was found in books, Murray Sates library website and other online sources. The purpose of this paper is to define play and the many roles and benefits it has for early childhood education. In this paper, it will define play by what many theorists and researchers have defined it by. The history section will be focused on the different theorists and their thoughts and beliefs about play, This paper will also discuss many sub topics to play such as outdoor play, babies and play and learning and play connected. Towards the end of the paper …