Digital Commons Network^™

Mucking About: Hydrologic Regime And Soil Carbon Storage In Restored Subtropical Wetlands, Alicia Huber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands are extremely important ecosystems that have declined drastically worldwide, continue to be lost, and are threatened globally. They perform a number of important ecosystem services such as flood control, provide habitat for many species, and have aesthetic and recreational value. Wetlands are also important to the global carbon (C) cycle. Wetland soils are especially effective C sinks because they have high primary productivity and low decomposition rates due to flooded, anoxic conditions. Increased recognition of wetlands' value has led to more ecological and hydrological restoration of degraded wetlands to mitigate the effects of wetland destruction. Hydrological restoration, which attempts …

Examining Racism And White Allyship Among Counseling Psychologists, Kathryn H. Owen

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Historically, research has focused on White individuals’ initial responses to learning about White privilege and other indicators of early stages of racial awareness and identity development. However, the literature is relatively sparse regarding understanding the experiences of racial identity development in White individuals who are beyond initial introductions to racial awareness, such as Counseling Psychologists (CPs). The assumption is that Counseling Psychology professionals are adequately trained to provide efficacious mental health services and engage in culturally sensitive work activities; however, research indicates that Black clients, colleagues, and graduate students experience racism, such as microaggressions, when interacting with White CPs.

The …

“I Wonder What You Think Of Me”: A Qualitative Approach To Examining Stereotype Awareness In Appalachian Students, Chelsea G. Adams

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Historically, Appalachia has been stereotyped as being a culture bred in poverty and ignorance. Much research has shown that stereotyping reveals a pattern of behavioral change and an impact on psychological well-being for the stereotyped (e.g., Pinel, 1999; Woodcock, Jernandez, Estrada, & Schultz, 2012), and has largely been centered on race and gender (e.g., Byrnes, 2008; Tuckman & Monetti, 2011). Less is known about the development of culture-specific stereotypes such as those related to Appalachians – a highly stigmatized group (Daniels, 2014; Otto, 2002). The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how adolescents in rural Appalachia …

Characterization Of Novel Borrelia Burgdorferi Transcripts Expressed During Tick And Mammalian Infection, Philip Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to characterize the transcriptome of Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi to discover novel transcripts, important for pathogenesis. As a spirochete and the etiological agent of Lyme disease, the foremost vector-borne bacterial infection in the world, B. burgdorferi fulfills a distinctive niche among bacterial pathogens. Persisting in the disparate environments of a tick vector and mammalian reservoirs, it is absolutely dependent on its hosts for transmission and nutrient acquisition. B. burgdorferi harbors a complex fragmented genome which is largely linear, unlike that of most prokaryotes, lacks an array of classically described metabolic genes, and contains an unusually …

Canine-Assisted Therapies Among U.S. Veterans With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Olivia A. Kondos

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A sizeable number of U.S. veterans of all ages experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can impact their quality of life; physically, mentally and socially. Consequences of PTSD are associated with physical and emotional disabilities, including ideation of self-harm and even suicide. Increasingly, animal-assisted therapies (AAT) are used to treat PTSD and other physical and behavioral conditions in veterans. Over the decades, AATs have used dogs, cats, horses, and dolphins among other animals. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine the use of AAT focusing on canine assisted therapy (CAT) among veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The methodology involved …

On The Calculus Of Parameterized Fractal Curves, Alireza Khalili Golmankaneh

Turkish Journal of Physics

In this paper, we apply $F^{\alpha}$-calculus on the fractal Koch and Ces\`{a}ro curves with different dimensions. A generalized Newton's second law on the fractal Koch and Ces\`{a}ro curves is given. Density of the moving particles absorbed on fractal Ces\`{a}ro are derived. Illustrative examples are given to present the details of $F^{\alpha}$-integrals and $F^{\alpha}$-derivatives.

Reiki And Healing Touch: Implications For Trauma Healing, Cynthia Ford

Capstone Collection

This research explores implications for trauma healing through the energy therapies Reiki and Healing Touch. This is explored through the perspectives of women living in Tacoma, Washington who receive Reiki and/or Healing Touch and are also practitioners of Reiki and/or Healing Touch. In recent decades trauma healing has proved to be a holistic endeavor, and as the practice of energy therapies such as Reiki and Healing Touch are becoming more mainstream and even accepted in the medical community, these therapies boast a myriad of physical and psychological benefits that include trauma healing. A phenomenological approach is taken to explore this …

Identification Of The Ubiquitous Antioxidant Tripeptide Glutathione As A Fruit Fly Semiochemical, Xavier Cheseto, Donald L. Kachigamba, Sunday Ekesi, Mary Ndung'u, Peter E. A. Teal, John J. Beck, Baldwyn Torto

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Many insects mark their oviposition sites with a host marking pheromone (HMP) to deter other females from overexploiting these sites. Previous studies have identified and used HMPs to manage certain fruit fly species; however, few are known for African indigenous fruit flies. The HMP of the African fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra, was identified as the ubiquitous plant and animal antioxidant tripeptide, glutathione (GSH). GSH was isolated from the aqueous extract of adult female fecal matter and characterized by LC-QTOF-MS. GSH level increased with increasing age of female fecal matter, with highest concentration detected from 2-week-old adult females. Additionally, GSH …

Physical, Rheological, Functional, And Film Properties Of A Novel Emulsifier: Frost Grape Polysaccharide From Vitis Riparia Michx, William T. Hay, Steven F. Vaugh, Jeffrey A. Byars, Gordon W. Selling, Derek M. Holthaus, Neil P.J. Price

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

A novel emulsifier, Frost grape polysaccharide (FGP), isolated from natural exudate of the species Vitis riparia Michx, was physically and rheologically characterized. The determination of the physical, structural, thermodynamic, emulsification, film, and rheological properties of FGP provide essential details for the commercial adoption of this novel plant polysaccharide. FGP is capable of producing exceptionally stable emulsions when compared with the industrially ubiquitous gum arabic (GA). The FGP isolate contained a negligible amount of nitrogen (0.03%), indicating that it does not contain an associated glycoprotein, unlike GA. Solutions of FGP have a high degree of thermostability, displaying no loss in viscosity …

The Relationship Between Extent Of Hemoglobin Purification And The Performance Characteristics Of A Blood-Based Flocculant, Rafael A. Garcia, Lorelie P. Bumanlag, George J. Piazza

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Whole blood is a highly complex substance. Hemoglobin, the most abundant blood protein, can function as a flocculant; most of the other blood components exhibit poor flocculant activity. For the purpose of processing raw whole blood into a flocculant product, the practical value of hemoglobin purification is uncertain.

RESULTS: This study compares the flocculant performance of whole blood to that of three different semi-purified hemoglobin preparations. The whole blood is processed to remove the plasma proteins, the solid cell components, or both. The flocculant performance of whole blood and each hemoglobin preparation is compared overwide ranges of flocculant dose …

Host Genetics Of Response To Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome In Nursery Pigs, Jack C.M. Dekkers, Raymond R.R. Rowland, Joan K. Lunney, Graham Plastow

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

PRRS is the most costly disease in the US pig industry. While vaccination, biosecurity and eradication effort have had some success, the variability and infectiousness of PRRS virus strains have hampered the effectiveness of these measures. We propose the use of genetic selection of pigs as an additional and complementary effort. Several studies have shown that host response to PRRS infection has a sizeable genetic component and recent advances in genomics provide opportunities to capitalize on these genetic differences and improve our understanding of host response to PRRS. While work is also ongoing to understand the genetic basis of host …

Gumbo Yearbook, Class Of 2017, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Gumbo Yearbook

The Gumbo yearbook chronicles the entire academic year at LSU. In words and especially photos, the Gumbo shows the people, places, and events that make each year unique. In addition to formal portraits of schools and departments, the book contains hundreds of snapshots of students with their friends and dozens of pages showcasing organizations.

Stigmatizing Beliefs And Attitudes Held By Students Toward Borderline Personality Disorder: Recovery Knowledge As A Moderator, Danyelle Salpietro

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether recovery knowledge in psychology doctoral students reduced stigma toward individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Participants of this study consisted of 287 psychology doctoral students who differed in theoretical orientation, program type, clinical experience, and program year. More specifically, this study examined differences between different levels of recovery knowledge (low, medium, high) and different diagnoses (major depressive disorder [MDD], generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], BPD) on expressed stigma. Each student completed the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI), read a vignette describing either BPD, depression, or anxiety, completed the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27) based on …

The Role Of Cognitive Distortions In Predicting Mental Toughness In Athletes, Courtney Dougherty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Mental toughness is one of the most commonly applied concepts in sports but also one of the least understood terms used by individuals in the athletic community (Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2002). Mental toughness in sports is also characterized as the ability to be more consistent and better than opponents in remaining determined, focused, and confident under pressure (Jones et al., 2007). Despite the advancements in the cognitive understanding of mental toughness, little research has focused on evaluating the basis or rationality as to why or how mentally tough athletes possess the tendency to have an unshakeable confidence and belief …

Mental Health Attitudes And Stigma Among Medical Students: An Evaluation Of The Student Mental Health Initiative, Jennifer Hess Kengeter

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

There is a plethora of literature on the formation and prevalence on mental health stigma; however, literature on anti-stigma programs is scarce. The current mixed method study evaluated an anti-stigma program for medical students that contained a peer testimony component. A total of 25 participants were included in the quantitative component of the study. Data were collected over 3 consecutive years. All participants attended the Student Mental Health Initiative (SMHI) and completed a pre- and post-survey examining stigmatizing beliefs and negative attitudes toward mental illness. The qualitative portion of the study was a focus group with two participants who examined …

Urss Event Program Booklet 2017, Office Of Research

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

This event program booklet contains a schedule of the event, list of awards, and student abstracts.

Bid-Induced Release Of Aif/Endog From Mitochondria Causes Apoptosis Of Macrophages During Infection With, Wei-Lin Hu, Hai-Yan Dong, Yang Li, David M. Ojcius, Shi-Jun Li, Jie Yan

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospire-induced macrophage apoptosis through the Fas/FasL-caspase-8/3 pathway plays an important role in the survival and proliferation of the pathogen in hosts. Although, the release of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG) in leptospire-infected macrophages has been described, the mechanisms linking caspase and mitochondrion-related host-cell apoptosis has not been determined. Here, we demonstrated that leptospire-infection induced apoptosis through mitochondrial damages in macrophages. Apoptosis was caused by the mitochondrial release and nuclear translocation of AIF and/or EndoG, leading to nuclear DNA fragmentation. However, the mitochondrion-related CytC-caspase-9/3 pathway was …

Mononuclear-Macrophages But Not Neutrophils Act As Major Infiltrating Anti-Leptospiral Phagocytes During Leptospirosis., Xu Chen, Shi-Jun Li, David M. Ojcius, Ai-Hua Sun, Wei-Lin Hu, Xu'ai Lin, Jie Yan

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

OBJECTIVE: To identify the major infiltrating phagocytes during leptospirosis and examine the killing mechanism used by the host to eliminate Leptospira interrogans.

METHODS: Major infiltrating phagocytes in Leptospira-infected C3H/HeJ mice were detected by immunohistochemistry. Chemokines and vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VECAMs) of Leptospira-infected mice and leptospirosis patients were detected by microarray and immunohistochemistry. Leptospira-phagocytosing and -killing abilities of human or mouse macrophages and neutrophils, and the roles of intracellular ROS, NO and [Ca2+]i in Leptospira-killing process were evaluated by confocal microscopy and spectrofluorimetry.

RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear-macrophages rather than neutrophils were the main infiltrating phagocytes in the lungs, liver …

The Gmo/Ge Debate, Joanna K. Sax

Faculty Scholarship

The scientific community and the public sphere are having different debates about the application of genetic engineering to improve our food supply. Many that are deeply steeped in the science view genetically engineered food as a more precise way to accomplish what we have been doing for centuries, which is genetically modifying our food supply. Some members of the public view genetically engineered food with skepticism especially as it relates to health, safety and the environment. A disconnect between the scientific consensus and public perception is not a new phenomenon. This Article attempts to bridge this gap by explaining what …

3d Bioprinting Patentable Subject Matter Boundaries, Tabrez Y. Ebrahim

Faculty Scholarship

3D bioprinting combines emerging 3D printing technologies with synthetic biology. The promise of 3D bioprinting technology is to fabricate organs for transplantation, treat burn victims with in vivo skin repair, and create wearable microbiomes. 3D bioprinting can successively build, repair, or reproduce living human cells. This capability challenges eligible subject matter doctrine in U.S. patent law because the law has no brightline standard for patent eligibility for nature-based products. As 3D bioprinting technologies mature, U.S. patent law will need to respond to situations where living and nonliving worlds merge. This Article proposes a "Mixed-Scanned-Transformed" standard to supplement U.S. patent law's …

Biotechnology And Consumer Decision-Making, Joanna K. Sax

Faculty Scholarship

Society is facing major challenges in climate change, health care and overall quality of life. Scientific advances to address these areas continue to grow, with overwhelming evidence that the application of highly tested forms of biotechnology is safe and effective. Despite scientific consensus in these areas, consumers appear reluctant to support their use. Research that helps to understand consumer decision-making and the public’s resistance to biotechnologies such as vaccines, fluoridated water programs and genetically engineered food, will provide great social value. This article is forward-thinking in that it suggests that important research in behavioral decision-making, specifically affect and ambiguity, can …

White Doors, Black Footsteps: Leveraging "White Privilege" To Benefit Law Students Of Color, Leslie Culver

Faculty Scholarship

Law students of color typically avoid seeking the mentorship of white law professors, largely white males, finding female faculty and faculty of color more approachable and willing to serve as mentors. Yet, according to recent ABA statistics, white people make up eighty-eight percent of the legal profession, with sixty-four percent being male. In addition, relevant scholarship comments that one of the primary privileges of whiteness is having greater access to power and resources than people of color do. It follows then, as recent legal scholarship suggests, that law students of color who fail to develop a cultural competence may be …

Integrating Forgiveness Therapy And The Treatment Of Anger: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Michael Schaefer Ballard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although the costs of uncontrolled anger are well-known, interventions for anger are less frequently studied and less effective than interventions for either depression or anxiety (NAMA, 2012). One hundred eighty-seven patients requesting anger management treatment at an outpatient counseling center in Denver participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: an experimental treatment integrating forgiveness therapy and anger management, or anger treatment as usual. Treatment consisted of twelve 90-minute sessions held once a week in small groups led by group facilitators. Participants in both treatment conditions reported clinically significant decreases in state anger and increases …

Damaged Bodies, Damaged Lives: Immigrant Worker Injuries As Dignity Takings, Jayesh Rathod, Rachel Nadas

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

Government data consistently affirm that foreign-born workers in the U.S. experience high rates of on-the-job illness and injury. This article explores whether—and under what circumstances—these occupational harms suffered by immigrant workers constitute a dignity taking. The article argues that some injuries suffered by foreign-born workers are indirect takings by the state due to the government’s lackluster oversight and limited penalties for violations of occupational safety and health laws. Using a framework of the body as property, the article then explores when work-related injury constitutes an infringement upon a property right. The article contends that the government’s weak enforcement apparatus, coupled …

Biological Maturity And The Anthropometric, Physical And Technical Assessment Of Talent Identified U16 Australian Footballers, A Cripps, C Joyce, C Woods, L Hopper

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

This study compared biological maturation, anthropometric, physical and technical skill measures between talent and non-talent identified junior Australian footballers. Players were recruited from the under 16 Western Australian Football League and classified as talent (state representation; n = 25, 15.7 ± 0.3 y) or non-talent identified (non-state representation; n = 25, 15.6 ± 0.4 y). Players completed a battery of anthropometric, physical and technical skill assessments. Maturity was estimated using years from peak height velocity calculations. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the variables demonstrating the strongest association with the main effect of ‘status’. A receiver operating characteristic curve …

Mechanical Basis Of Bone Strength: Influence Of Bone Material, Bone Structure And Muscle Action, N H. Hart, S Nimphius, T Rantalainen, A Ireland, Aris Siafarikas, R U. Newton

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

This review summarises current understanding of how bone is sculpted through adaptive processes, designed to meet the mechanical challenges it faces in everyday life and athletic pursuits, serving as an update for clinicians, researchers and physical therapists. Bone’s ability to resist fracture under the large muscle and locomotory forces it experiences during movement and in falls or collisions is dependent on its established mechanical properties, determined by bone’s complex and multidimensional material and structural organisation. At all levels, bone is highly adaptive to habitual loading, regulating its structure according to components of its loading regime and mechanical environment, inclusive of …

Quorum Quenching Activity Of Lysates From Bioluminescent Bacteria Isolated From Selected Philippine Marine And Freshwater Organisms, Janice A. Ragaza, Roja G. Angeles-Gumban, Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Minerva Fatimae H. Ventolero, Ronie J. Calugay

Biology Faculty Publications

Pathogens use cell density dependent gene expression known as Quorum Sensing (QS) to launch virulent factors. Targeting the QS circuit without killing the pathogens is a very promising alternative to using antibiotics which generate antibiotic resistance. The identity and diversity of bioluminescent bacteria associated with Philippine aquatic organisms, and their potential as sources of anti-QS or quorum quenching (QQ) molecules remain unknown. In this study, out of 43 organisms, 30 were observed to harbor bioluminescent bacteria with 26 from marine and four from freshwater sources. Purified bioluminescent bacterial cultures were screened for QQ activity using motility assay and the membrane …

Analysis Of The Oil Biosynthesis Transcripts Of The Moringa Oleifera Lam. Mature Seed Embryos Using Rna Sequencing, Vivian A. Panes, A Kitazumi, M Butler, R.D Baoas, B.G De Los Reyes

Biology Faculty Publications

Moringa oleifera seeds are capable of producing 40% edible oils that are gaining significance due to its nutritional advantages. Several studies have examined M. oleifera seed oil, nevertheless, these studies focused on the extraction of oil and methods of biodiesel production. There is a paucity of information on transcriptome level studies to determine the unigenes involved in oil biosynthesis metabolic pathways. The main objective of this study is to explore the transcriptome of the mature embryo of M. oleifera Lam. particularly the key genes related to oil biosynthesis. The transcriptome reflects the set of genes that are actively expressed at …

The Complex Evolutionary History And Phylogeography Of Caridina Typus (Crustacea: Decapoda): Long-Distance Dispersal And Cryptic Allopatric Species, Hendrik Freitag, Samuel C. Bernardes, Almir R. Pepato, Thomas Von Rintelen, Kristina Von Rintelen, Timothy J. Page, Mark De Bruyn

Biology Faculty Publications

The evolutionary history of the old, diverse freshwater shrimp genus Caridina is still poorly understood, despite its vast distribution – from Africa to Polynesia. Here, we used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA to infer the phylogeographic and evolutionary history of C. typus, which is one of only four species distributed across the entire range of the genus. Despite this species’ potential for high levels of gene flow, questions have been raised regarding its phylogeographic structure and taxonomic status. We identified three distinct lineages that likely diverged in the Miocene. Molecular dating and ancestral range reconstructions are congruent with C …

The Microbial Ecosystem Of Beer Spoilage And Souring: Competition And Cooperation In The Age Of Bioinformatics, Andrew Kettring

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The brewing industry generates $350 billion in revenue in the US annually, representing 1.9% of the gross domestic product. Spoilage is a persistent problem throughout production and distribution that causes economic loss, and is therefore meticulously avoided. Contrarily, artisanal sour beers are necessarily produced by a diverse variety of these spoilage organisms metabolically interacting in symbiosis as a microbial ecosystem. We sought to gain insight into factors driving assembly of microbial communities by testing a long-debated Darwinian hypothesis. A collection of community members were screened in co-culture and novel bioinformatics tools were developed to predict observed interactions. A fundamental understanding …