Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Of Stress, Sleep, Physical Activity, And Food Insecurity On Eating Behaviors And Obesity, Amy Lee Richards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an urgent need to find effective interventions to prevent and reduce obesity as it is associated with chronic disease and decreased quality of life. Gaining a better understanding of how modifiable variables such as stress, sleep, physical activity, and food insecurity are related to eating behaviors associated with obesity is essential to guide the direction of future interventions and research. Interventions that hold promise need to be tested to determine if they have merit or not. This dissertation presents three papers. Two papers are cross-sectional studies evaluating associations between eating behaviors, obesity, and modifiable variables (stress, sleep, physical …

Full Issue, Socio-Legal Review

Socio-Legal Review

No abstract provided.

Development And Properties Of Kernel-Based Methods For The Interpretation And Presentation Of Forensic Evidence, Douglas Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The inference of the source of forensic evidence is related to model selection. Many forms of evidence can only be represented by complex, high-dimensional random vectors and cannot be assigned a likelihood structure. A common approach to circumvent this is to measure the similarity between pairs of objects composing the evidence. Such methods are ad-hoc and unstable approaches to the judicial inference process. While these methods address the dimensionality issue they also engender dependencies between scores when 2 scores have 1 object in common that are not taken into account in these models. The model developed in this research captures …

Investigation Of The Use Of An Authentic Learning Environment For Development Of Graduate Attributes In Third Year Chemistry Students, Aine M Whelan, Vanessa Murphy

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

This work describes the redesign of a Quality Assurance and Validation module for third year students in the School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland. The module, which had been previously assessed by summative examination, was changed to a completely continuously assessed module. The students had to work in teams to complete a series of tasks, reflective of those performed in various regulated environments. The development of graduate attributes during the module was assessed by a survey instrument. Students from two class groups (2016 and 2017) were assessed on their perception of the development …

The Philosophers' Paul For Earthlings: Stanislas Breton And The Ecological Significance Of The Way Of The Cross., Justin Klassen

Theology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Christian eco-theology, a maturing subfield in the area of religion and ecology, was born as a response to the historian Lynn White, Jr.'s suggestion that "we shall continue to have a worsening ecological crisis until we reject the Christian axiom that nature has no reason for existence save to serve man." Whether this claim is in fact axiomatic for Christianity is certainly debatable; nonetheless, many eco-theologians today agree that White was onto something.

Cardiovascular Risk, Remote Ischemic Postconditioning, And Endothelial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Brian A. Hemenway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Remote ischemic postconditioning (rIpost) is a potent vasculoprotective stimulus that is thought to reduce reperfusion injury associated with heart disease. However, certain animal models of cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension suggest the beneficial effects of rIpost to lessen reperfusion injury may be diminished. These findings have not been studied in clinically relevant humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether the protective effects of rIpost are reduced in the context of raised cardiometabolic risk in humans. Seven participants with raised cardiometabolic risk burden (age:57±7 years; BMI: 31±4kgm²participated in this 2X2 randomized cross-over …

The Indirect Effect Of Bvdv On Immune Suppression: The Role Of Infected Macrophages In Lymphocyte Apoptosis, Karim Abdelsalam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BVDV is an important pathogen of cattle that affects both the dairy and beef industry causing severe economic losses. The main problem of BVDV is the immune suppression that is associated with lymphoid depletion shortly post infection. The mechanism of this immune suppression is not well understood. In this in vitro study, we sought to determine the indirect effect of BVDV infection in macrophages as a key player in the pathogenesis of BVD especially, the apoptotic effect induced on lymphocytes. We infected bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) with either high or low virulent strains of cytopathogenic or non-cytopathogenic strains of BVDV …

An Evaluation Of Deer And Pronghorn Surveys In South Dakota, Kristopher W. Cudmore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To properly manage white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and the American pronghorn antelope (Antilocapridae americana), wildlife managers must identify population perimeters, sample size, age and sex ratios of these three species. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate age and sex ratios and determine a minimum sample size for each study area for all deer species and pronghorn, in addition to deriving a methodology and population estimate for white-tailed deer in the Black Hills. Sample size needed for both species of deer and pronghorn ranged from 60-70 groups of does. Age ratios calculated from daylight …

Effects Of Phase Feeding During Gestation On Gilt Performance, Offspring Quality And Robustness, Agatha Ampaire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A total of 51 gilts in 6 blocks were randomly assigned to one of 3 feeding regimens: Constant (Constant-f), 2.21 kg/d of a standard diet from breeding to d 112 of gestation (1.7 g Lys/kcal ME; 3276 kcal ME/kg); Bump feeding (Bump-f), the standard diet at 2.21 kg/d from breeding to d 89 and 2.61 kg/d from d 90 - 112; Phase feeding (Phase-f ), 2.21 kg/d from breeding to d 89 (1.5 g Lys/kcal ME; 3275 kcal ME/kg) and 2.61 kg/d from d 90 - 112 (2.1 g Lys/Kcal ME; 3290 Kcal ME/kg) over 2 reproductive cycles. Sows received …

Understanding The Impacts Of Ammonia Fiber Expansion (Afex™) Pretreatment And Densification On Densified Products Quality And The Bioproducts Yield Through Enzymatic Hydrolysis And Fast Pyrolysis, Vijay Sundaram

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lignocellulosic biomass poses significant challenges during handling, transportation, and storage due to its low bulk density. Densification involves conversion of the low bulk density biomass into a highly compacted product which helps in improving the handling, transporting, and storage obstacles associated with biomass logistics. Besides the logistical challenges, the recalcitrant nature of the lignocellulosic biomass makes it even more challenging during the enzymatic hydrolysis. The carbohydrate components, cellulose and hemicellulose are not readily accessible by the enzymes during the hydrolysis process due to the presence of lignin. Pretreatment is the process to convert the native recalcitrant biomass in the form, …

Comprehensive Structural, Thermal And Toxicological Characterization Of 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Alkylbenzenesulfonate Ionic Liquids, Hiranmayee Kandala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Synthesis and characterization of 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium alkylbenzenesulfonate ionic liquids for extraction of lignin from prairie cord grass have been studied. The ionic liquids (ILs) 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium benzenesulfonate (EBS), 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium toluenesulfonate (ETS) and 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium xylenesulfonate (EXS) have been synthesized in this research. An extensive structural, physical, thermal and toxicological characterization has been performed to understand the behavior of these ionic liquids. The reaction yield for the synthesis of EBS, ETS, and EXS ionic liquids was determined to be 91.2 ± 1.5 %, 96.1 ± 0.7 %, 99.0 ± 0.5 % respectively. Spectral analysis using NMR and FTIR confirms the …

Indexing Walleye Recruitment In Eastern South Dakota Natural Lakes, Todd M. Kaufman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of the popularity of Walleyes and the need for recurrent supplemental stockings, substantial resources are allocated to their management in eastern South Dakota. For nearly 20 years, fall night electrofishing has been used to monitor age-0 Walleye population parameters, and index future year-class strength in select waters but with limited evaluation. Additionally, knowledge of recruitment patterns and factors that influence those patterns were of interest. Thus, the objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the utility of fall electrofishing age-0 Walleyes to index future year-class strength; 2) to explore whether measures of fall age-0 body size or condition …

The Relationship Between Recollection, Knowledge Transfer, And Student Attitudes Towards Chemistry, Oluwatobi Omobonike Odeleye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Certain foundational concepts, including acid-base theory, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces (IMFs), appear throughout the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The level of understanding of these foundational concepts influences the ability of students to recognize the relationships between sub-disciplines in chemistry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student attitudes towards chemistry and their abilities to recollect and transfer knowledge of IMFs, a foundational concept, to their daily lives as well as to other classes. Data were collected using surveys, interviews and classroom observations, and analyzed using qualitative methods. The data show that while most students were able …

Intranasal Immunization Of Pigs With Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus Like Particles Plus 2’, 3’ –Cgamp Vaccigrade™ Adjuvant Exacerbates Viremia After Virus Challenge, Alexandria Marie Van Noort

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an economically devastating virus that causes a persistent infection and spreads quickly. The virus causes abortions in sows and respiratory diseases in young piglets. Current PRRSV vaccines appear to provide limited cross-protection. A virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine is made up of key PRRSV structural proteins, which could be cross protective among the different strains. We tested PRRSV VLPs as a vaccine candidate with a 2’, 3’-cGAMP VacciGradeTM adjuvant against pigs infected with PRRSV after intranasal immunization to evaluate the immune response and protective efficacy by the VLPs and adjuvant. The VLPs contain …

Activated Carbon Preparation And Modification For Adsorption, Yuhe Cao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Butanol is considered a promising, infrastructure-compatible biofuel. Butanol has a higher energy content than ethanol and can be used in conventional gas engines without modifications. Unfortunately, the fermentation pathway for butanol production is restricted by its toxicity to the microbial strains used in the process. Butanol is toxic to the microbes, and this can slow fermentation rates and reduce butanol yields. Gas stripping technology can efficiently remove butanol from the fermentation broth as it is produced, thereby decreasing its inhibitory effects. Traditional butanol separation heavily depends on the energy intensive distillation method. One of the main issues in acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation …

Surveillance Of Emerging Livestock Viruses, Faten A. Okda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accurate and rapid diagnostic tests are essential for the management and control of emerging infectious diseases. Therefore, the overall goals of studies presented in this dissertation were to provide improved diagnostic and surveillance capabilities for several emerging viral diseases impacting the livestock industry and to provide insight into appropriate control strategies. Recent, severe outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Asia and North America highlighted the need for well-validated diagnostic tests for identification of PEDV infected animals and evaluation of their immune status. PEDV was first detected in the U.S. in May 2013 and another swine coronavirus, porcine deltacoronavirus …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Screening Of Novel Cucsinspired Estrone Analogues Towards Treatment Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mater Hussen Mahnashi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cucurbitacins (CUCS) are natural products with highly oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenes produced mostly by Cucurbitaceae family plant. They are known for their therapeutic efficiency with different biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Previous reports have shown the ability of CUCS to inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2) significantly. Structural activity relationship studies suggested the potential of the 23, 24 enone side chain of CUCS to bind to the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). Due to the limited quantities of CUCS upon isolation and the challenges …

Lignin Transformation And Characterization Of Pyrolytic Products, Eric Amo Boakye

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lignocellulosic materials derived from plants have the ability to serve as feedstocks in place of depleting petroleum and coal for production of fuels and chemicals. Lignin forms about 30% of lignocellulosic material, and is the second most abundant non-fossil organic carbon source in the biosphere. However, it is often treated as waste or, in some instances, burned to supply energy. Developing an efficient and environmentally benign method to convert lignin to high value-added aromatic monomers (e.g., guaiacol, vanillin, acetovanillone, and eugenol) for synthesis of polymers is of interest. Mineral bases, such as NaOH and CsOH, or supported-metal catalysts (Pt, Ru, …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Estradiol-Triazole Analogs Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors In Colorectal Cancer, Faez Alotaibi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer is a life threatening and second cause of death from cancer in the United States. Several proteins (molecular targets) are highly expressed in Colorectal cancer (CRC). Among these molecular targets is Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs) which are overexpressed in cancer cells. Targeting and blocking the downstream signaling could lead to cease cell proliferation and division and hence control the spread of the disease. Molecular modeling is a powerful tool in drug discovery, which has been utilized to design many drug candidates that exhibit biological effect in many disease including cancer. Additionally, pharmacophores such as 1,2,3-triazole showed potency …

Diaporthe, Soybean Cyst Nematode, And Soybean Aphid: An Evaluation Of Potential Interactions Occurring Among Pests On Soybean In South Dakota, John Philip Posch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr., is an important crop grown in South Dakota, with an estimated production of $2.33 billion in 2015. However, soybean production in South Dakota is compromised by four pests, the fungal pathogens Diaporthe longicolla (Hobbs) Santos, Vrandecic, and Phillips and Diaporthe caulivora (Athow and Caldwell) Santos, Vrandecic, and Phillips, the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines Ichinohe (SCN), and the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Additionally, these pest can co-occur in fields within South Dakota and the implications associated with interactions among these pests are unknown. We hypothesized that both Diaporthe species would interact with …

Funding Of Higher Education: Variations In State Funding, Impacts Of State Funding On Differential Tuition, And Variables Impacting Differential Tuition, Michael Holbeck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public higher education in the United States has seen many changes since the Morrill Act of 1862. Specifically, the funding of higher education has changed greatly over the last half century, from very low tuition and relatively high state subsidies to an increased reliance on tuition to fund higher education. While this funding change has been the national trend, the impact on specific states and universities has varied greatly. This study examines the funding variation between university peers, normalized using state general funds per resident student FTE, to analyze the variation of state funding between states as well as the …

Effects Of Studying Abroad On College Students, Kaliana Villa

Honors Program Theses

This thesis focused on the ways short-term study abroad capstones may change students’ political stances, as well as the way it may impact their worldview. To do this, data was collected via an online survey before and after each student’s capstone with permission from the University of Northern Iowa’s Study Abroad Center. The specific variables which were measured are political standpoint (how liberal or conservative a student is), and their worldview (how the students see the world around them on a global scale). Although there has been some research done on the ways studying abroad helps students develop cross-cultural skills, …

The Hipaa Privacy Rule And The Eu Gdpr: Illustrative Comparisons, Stacey A. Tovino

Faculty Articles

In this Article, Professor Tovino compares and contrasts three illustrative concepts and rights in the Privacy Rule and/or the GDPR, including the concepts of authorization and consent, the rights of amendment and rectification, and the right to erasure. Identified similarities reflect the core values of HHS and the EU with respect to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of personal data and protected health information, respectively. Identified differences reflect the Privacy Rule's original, narrow focus on health industry participants and individually identifiable health information compared to the GDPR's broad focus on data controllers and personal data. Other differences reflect, perhaps, the …

Qualitative Diversity: Affirmative Action's New Reframe, Eang Ngov

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

Suffolk University Honors Program Newsletter, Issue 2, Winter 2017, College Of Arts & Sciences Honors Program

College of Arts & Sciences Torch Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Cas Honor Symposium Program, Fall 2017, College Of Arts & Sciences Honors Program

College of Arts & Sciences Honors Symposium

No abstract provided.

Bryant University Undergraduate Course Catalog 2017-2018

Bryant University Undergraduate Course Catalog

No abstract provided.

Winter Commencement, December 16, 2017, Eastern Michigan University

Commencement Programs and Materials

No abstract provided.

The Bible And Creationism, Susan L. Trollinger, William Vance Trollinger

English Faculty Publications

Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species (1859) marked a significant challenge to traditional understandings of the Bible and Christian theology. Darwin’s theory of organic evolution stood in sharp contrast with the Genesis account of creation, with its six days, separate creations of life forms, and special creation of human beings. More than this, Darwin’s ideas raised enormous theological questions about God’s role in creation (e.g., is there a role for God in organic evolution?) and about the nature of human beings (e.g., what does it mean to talk about original sin without a historic Adam and Eve?)

Of course, what really …

Gas Generation, Haorong Li, Daihong Yu, Yanshun Yu

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

A first system includes a feedstock load port and a feedstock discharge port. The first system also includes a tank configured to retain biomass feedstock for aerobic biodegradation. The first system further includes a mechanical ventilator in fluid communication with the tank. The mechanical ventilator is configured to supply air to facilitate the aerobic biodegradation of the biomass feedstock. The first system also includes an exhaust port configured to receive gas generated during the aerobic biodegradation. A second system includes a feedstock load port and a feedstock discharge port. The second system also includes a pressure vessel configured to retain …