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Migration Diversity, Spawning Behavior, And Temperature Selection Of Winter Flounder, Catherine Ziegler

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Winter Flounder have declined to less than 11% of their historical abundance in offshore areas and have experienced severe declines and inbreeding in coastal subpopulations. Overfishing, unfavorable environmental conditions and predation have been suggested as drivers of this species’ decline. Stocks that migrate inshore to spawn exhibit metapopulation structure, migration diversity and localized responses to large-scale environmental drivers. Understanding metapopulation structure and disparate migratory behavior is vital to understanding the species’ dynamics in the region. We used acoustic telemetry to evaluate migratory types and natal homing in adult Winter Flounder (n = 76) in Mattituck Creek, NY. Telemetry results showed …

The Immunomodulatory Role Of Acid Ceramidase In Ulcerative Colitis, Mel Pilar Espaillat

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The lysosomal hydrolase acid ceramidase (AC) regulates the levels of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites ceramide and sphingosine. Bioactive sphingolipids have emerged as critical regulators of immune processes and their metabolism is often altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the major forms of IBD, is characterized by chronic mucosal inflammation that affects the rectum and distal colon. Importantly, UC is associated with an increased risk for development of colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While UC is considered an idiopathic disorder, the current model suggest a multifactorial mechanism predisposed by …

Effects Of Nutrient Enrichment And Elevated Temperature On Cyanobacteria Bloom Diversity And Toxicity In Temperate Freshwater Lakes, Jennifer G. Jankowiak

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Freshwater harmful algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria (CyanoHABs) are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration. There remains a limited understanding of how bloom communities respond to multiple environmental drivers in ecosystem settings, in part because many prior studies have focused on individual genera or have considered CyanoHABs as a uniform community. To gain further insight into environmental controls on CyanoHABs this study explored shifts in total cyanobacteria biomass, cyanobacteria genera, and microcystin-producing genera within naturally occurring blooms. Specifically, spatial and temporal monitoring was performed in Lake Erie and Mill Pond (Watermill, NY, USA) and incubation experiments were conducted to assess …

A Comparison Of Traditional Model Surgery And Virtual Surgical Planning For Accuracy In Le Fort I Osteotomies, Joseph Barrese Jr.

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Maxillary surgeries have been performed since the 1940’s. Historically, these treatments were planned using plaster models, lateral cephalometrics, postero-anterior cephalometrics, and hand-fabrication of occlusal splints by the orthodontist or surgeon. Treatment planning was done in two-dimensions (2D) and extrapolated into a 3-dimensional plan. With new digital and technological advances, plans can be constructed in three-dimensions (3D) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, digital intraoral scans, computer aided simulation, and computer aided fabrication of splints. It has been suggested that this new form of virtual surgical planning (VSP) yields more desirable results. However, accuracy of surgical outcomes from traditional planning …

Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Short-Finned Pilot Whale And Pelagic Longline Distribution In The Northwest Atlantic: An Assessment To Inform The Management Of Fisheries Bycatch, Julia Eve Stepanuk

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) depredate pelagic longlines along the shelf break of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. The mortality and serious injury of short-finned pilot whales in the U.S. pelagic longline fishery has recently exceeded Potential Biological Removal levels, and the bycatch mitigation techniques developed to date have been unsuccessful. The objectives of this thesis were to describe the spatial and temporal characteristics of pilot whale and longline data, to examine spatiotemporal patterns of bycatch based on environmental factors, and to assess the potential for a spatial management approach for mitigating pilot whale-longline interactions. I used pilot whale telemetry, longline fishing …

Computational Modeling Of Indentation Of Thin Films And Flow Through Porous Media, Zheng Zhi

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

A finite element model that captures the indentation force-depth response of a thin film system that exhibits isotropic elastic behavior and transversely isotropic plastic behavior on a substrate material that exhibits isotropic elastic behavior, indented by a sharp conical indenter was developed. Using dimensional analysis and a large number of finite element simulations, the relationships between the indentation response and the fundamental elastic and plastic properties of the substrate and the thin film were captured. It is demonstrated that both the forward analysis that predicts the indentation response from known material properties and the reverse analysis that predicts the material …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of The 3rd Generation Taxoids And Novel Taxoid-Based Small Molecule Drug Conjugates (Smdcs), Changwei Wang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Cancer is one of the top two leading causes of death in the United States, responsible for one in six deaths worldwide. Although paclitaxel and docetaxel are still being heavily used in clinic for treatment of various cancers, the multi-drug resistance (MDR) problems are becoming more and more serious. Therefore, it is still important to develop next-generation taxoid anticancer agents with superior pharmacological properties and improved potency against various classes of tumors, in particular drug-resistant cancers and cancer stem cells. Highly potent taxoids are also very important as the warheads of tumor-targeting drug conjugates. Building upon our extensive SAR studies …

Efforts Towards Development Of New Generation Taxoids: Sar Study, Combination Treatment, And Gold Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System, Xin Wang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of people living with cancer is expected to rise to 19 million by 2024. While significant advancements have been made in chemotherapy, combating drug resistance and cancer stem cells have remained a major challenge. Therapeutic effectiveness of first generation taxoids, i.e. | paclitaxel, is limited in melanoma, pancreatic, gastric, brain and renal cancers. Therefore, it is essential to develop new taxoid anticancer agents with superior pharmacological properties and improved potency against various tumors, particularly against drug-resistant cancers and cancer stem cells. Building upon our extensive SAR studies on taxoids, new -05 and …

Layer And Cell Type Specific Functional Properties Of Gustatory Cortex Neurons, Gulce Nazli Dikecligil

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The primary gustatory cortex is the cortical region devoted to processing taste. The gustatory cortex receives a wide range of projections from brain regions involved in sensory, limbic and cognitive functions. The functional properties of gustatory cortical neurons reflect this complex anatomical connectivity, encoding taste, sensorimotor, hedonic and anticipatory components of taste stimuli. No study to date has addressed whether there are differences in the functional properties of cortical neurons belonging to distinct layers and cell types. To address this question, I have performed a series of experiments using tract tracing and extracellular electrophysiological methods in mice. I demonstrate that …

Graphical And Machine Learning Algorithms For Large-Scale Genomics Data, Han Fang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

One fundamental question in computational genomics is to understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype. In this dissertation, I developed graphical and machine learning algorithms for large-scale genomics data, allowing accurate genotyping and molecular phenotype quantification. This work has helped to shed new light on the genetic contributions to autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and other psychiatric disorders, as well as enabled detailed analysis of the molecular biology of several model organisms. The first major theme of my research has been in the study of genomic variations, in particular insertion and deletion (indel) mutations. As the second most common type …

Role Of Alkaline Ceramidase 1 (Acer1) In Regulating Epidermal Homeostasis And Tumorigenesis, Chih-Li Lin

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Ceramides and their metabolites are important for the homeostasis of the epidermis, but much remains unknown about what are the roles of specific pathways of ceramide metabolism in skin biology. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most aggressive non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), is the second most common form of malignancy in humans. The SCC arises from the malignancy of epidermal keratinocytes, the major cell type of the epidermis. A tight control of the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes (EK) is key to the homeostasis of the mammalian epidermis and its appendages. Alkaline ceramidase 1 (Acer1) is a skin-specific enzyme that …

Surgical Implications And Variability In The Use Of The Flat Epithelial Atypia Diagnosis On Breast Biopsy Specimens., Laura S Samples, Mara H Rendi, Paul D Frederick, Kimberly H Allison, Heidi D Nelson, Thomas R Morgan, Donald L Weaver, Joann G Elmore

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

OBJECTIVES: Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is a relatively new diagnostic term with uncertain clinical significance for surgical management. Any implied risk of invasive breast cancer associated with FEA is contingent upon diagnostic reproducibility, yet little is known regarding its use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathologists in the Breast Pathology Study interpreted one of four 60-case test sets, one slide per case, constructed from 240 breast biopsy specimens. An electronic data form with standardized diagnostic categories was used; participants were instructed to indicate all diagnoses present. We assessed participants' use of FEA as a diagnostic term within: 1) each test set; 2) …

Using A Culturally Adapted Learning Tool With Latinos Diagnosed With Depression, Monica Lechuga

Social Work Theses - Archive

Due to stigma, low mental health knowledge, and cultural beliefs a significant number of Latinos do not seek treatment for depression. Interventions and treatment methods that are culturally adapted and consider the patient's cultural perspective are minimal due to the lack of bilingual mental health providers. Using secondary data, this study reviewed a quantitative research study conducted at a community health center. The study conducted by Dr. Sanchez at a community health clinic, utilized a culturally adapted fotonovela as a depression education intervention (DEI) for Latinos diagnosed with depression. The purpose of this review was to analyze the effectiveness of …

Assessing The Impact Of Pain On Decision-Making In A Rat Gambling Task (Rgt), Celina Antionette Salcido

Psychology Theses - Archive

Recent clinical assessments using the Iowa Gambling Task have revealed pain can negatively affect decision-making processes, leading to risky or poor decisions. Despite the gain these models have made in further elucidating the cognitive components of pain, they fail to fully address neurobiological factors of decision-making on behavior. As a result, there remains significant limitation in assessing the extent of how acute or chronic pain and the relief of pain with analgesics can affect cognitive abilities. Therefore, we examined the effect of acute and chronic pain on decision processing and the impact of morphine on that decision processing. In this …

Negative Emotionality, Activity Level And Externalizing Problems In Preschoolers: The Influence Of Maternal Mental Health And Education, Ogechi Katherina Nwadinobi

Psychology Theses - Archive

Early childhood temperament has been extensively linked to child externalizing behavioral problems such as aggression, violence, disobedience and antisocial behaviors. Individuals with such behavioral patterns are at greater risk for psychopathologies including oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder (Caspi, Henry, McGee, Moffitt & Silva, 1995). The current investigation examined whether the child temperament factors of negative emotionality and activity level predict externalizing problems in preschool. In addition, the study assessed whether maternal mental health and education moderate the relationship between child temperament and externalizing behavior problems. The sample consisted of 201 typically developing children (males = …

Emergent Ecologies By Eben Kirksey, Cheryl Lousley

The Goose

Review of Emergent Ecologies by Eben Kirksey.

A Mathematical Model Of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Incorporating Immune Responses And Cell Proliferation, Huda Amer Hadi

Mathematics Theses - Archive

This thesis introduces a mathematical model of differential equations for the chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is a contagious disease that infects the liver cells. Firstly, we present the early mathematical models for the basic dynamics of virus infection that developed and analyzed to understand the dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and some other viruses. Next, we present the extended model of the basic HCV virus dynamics that incorporate the effectiveness of a treatment. After that, the mathematical model that includes proliferation terms for both infected and uninfected hepatocytes is discussed. Lastly, the …

Globular Domain Structure And Function Of Restriction-Like-Endonuclease Bearing Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements, Mst Murshida Mahbub

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements (LINEs) are a major group of eukaryotic transposable elements that have profoundly influenced and sculpted eukaryotic genome structure and function. LINEs replicate within the host genome, often to high copy number. Replication occurs through an RNA intermediate, which is integrated back into the host genome by target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). The element encoded protein is known to contain a restriction-like DNA endonuclease, a reverse transcriptase, and nucleic acid binding domains. However, the secondary and tertiary structure of these domains as well as the overall protein is poorly understood. The protein encoded by the R2 element …

Starch-Entrapped Microsphere Fibers Improve Bowel Habit But Do Not Exhibit Prebiotic Capacity In Those With Unsatisfactory Bowel Habits: A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Human Trial, Heather E. Rasmussen, Bruce Hamaker, Kumar B. Rajan, Ece Mutlu, Stefan J. Green, Michael Brown, Amandeep Kaur, Ali Keshavarzian

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Approximately one-third of individuals in the United States experience unsatisfactory bowel habits, and dietary intake, especially one low in fiber, could be partly responsible. We hypothesized that intake of a fermentable fiber (starch-entrapped microspheres, SM) that has a delayed, slow fermentation profile in vitro would improve bowel habit while exhibiting prebiotic capacity in those with self-described unsatisfactory bowel habits, all with minimal adverse effects. A total of 43 healthy volunteers completed a 3-month,double-blind, parallel-arm randomized clinical trial to assess the ability of a daily dose (9 or 12 g) of SM vs. psyllium (12 g) to improve bowel habit, including …

Production Of A Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone 2 Receptor Knockdown (Gnrhr2 Kd) Swine Line., Amy T. Desaulniers, Rebecca Middleton, Ginger A. Mills, Clay A. Lents, Brett R. White

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Swine are the only livestock species that produce both the second mammalian isoform of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH2) and its receptor (GNRHR2). Previously, we reported that GNRH2 and GNRHR2 mediate LH-independent testosterone secretion from porcine testes. To further explore this ligand-receptor complex, a pig model with reduced GNRHR2 expression was developed. Small hairpin RNA sequences targeting porcine GNRHR2 were subcloned into a lentiviral-based vector, lentiviral particles were generated and microinjected into the perivitelline space of zygotes, and embryos were transferred into a recipient. One GNRHR2 knockdown (KD) female was born that subsequently produced 80 piglets from 6 litters with 46 hemizygous …

Splitting Hairs: The Eleventh Circuit’S Take On Workplace Bans Against Black Women’S Natural Hair In Eeoc V. Catastrophe Management Solutions, D. Wendy Greene

University of Miami Law Review

What does hair have to do with African descendant women’s employment opportunities in the 21st century? In this Article, Professor Greene demonstrates that Black women’s natural hair, though irrelevant to their ability to perform their jobs, constitutes a real and significant barrier to Black women’s acquisition and maintenance of employment as well as their enjoyment of equality, inclusion, and dignity in contemporary workplaces. For nearly half a century, the federal judiciary has played a pivotal role in establishing and preserving this status quo. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal’s recent decision in EEOC v. Catastrophe Management Solutions exacerbates what Professor …

Patterns Of Variation In Deciduous Second And Permanent First Molars Among Chimpanzee Taxa, Livia A. Taylor

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This project aims to expand our understanding of the utility of molar outline morphology in discriminating between primate taxa as well as to determine whether there is a significant advantage to using deciduous second molars (dm2) over permanent first molars (M1). Recent research in paleontology and paleoanthropology have demonstrated the usefulness of Elliptical Fourier Analysis of molar crown outlines in distinguishing between closely related animal taxa, including hominins, mice, and pigs. I apply this methodology to three Pan taxa: Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes troglodytes, and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii to determine how well biological distance information gleaned from molar outline analysis …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 29, No. 4, August 2017

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome - Congratulations Graduates - Publications - Faculty News - North Central Branch Meeting News - Student News - Meet an Online Student - Grants - Bee Fun Day 2017 - Busy as a Bee, er, BugMaster

Hypomethylation Of Cntfrα Is Associated With Proliferation And Poor Prognosis In Lower Grade Gliomas., Kun Fan, Xiaowen Wang, Jingwen Zhang, Romela Irene Ramos, Haibo Zhang, Chunjie Li, Dan Ye, Jiansheng Kang, Diego M Marzese, Dave S B Hoon, Wei Hua

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor α subunit (CNTFRα) and CNTF play important roles in neuron survival, glial differentiation and brain tumor growth. However, the molecular mechanisms of CNTFRα regulation and its clinical significance in glioma remain largely unknown. Here, we found CNTFRα was overexpressed in lower grade gliomas (LGG) compared with glioblastoma (GBM) and normal brain specimens in TCGA datasets and in an independent cohort. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a CpG shore of the CNTFRα gene regulated its mRNA expression in TCGA datasets. This observation was further validated with clinical specimens and functionally verified using demethylating agents. Additionally, we observed that independent …

Examining The Effects Of Altered Avatars On Perception-Action In Virtual Reality, Brian Day

All Dissertations

In virtual reality avatars are animated graphical representation of a person embedded in a virtual environment. Previous research has illustrated the benefits of having an avatar when perceiving aspects of virtual reality. We studied the effect that a non-faithful, or altered, avatar had on the perception of one's action capabilities in VR. In Experiment 1, one group of participants acted with a normal, or faithful, avatar and the other group of participants used an avatar with an extended arm, all in virtual reality. In Experiment 2, the same methodology and procedure was used as in Experiment 1, except only the …

Increased Expression Of M1 And M2 Phenotypic Markers In Isolated Microglia After Four-Day Binge Alcohol Exposure In Male Rats, Hui Peng, Chelsea Rhea Geil Nickell, Kevin Y. Chen, Justin A. Mcclain, Kimberly Nixon

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Microglia activation and neuroinflammation are common features of neurodegenerative conditions, including alcohol use disorders (AUDs). When activated, microglia span a continuum of diverse phenotypes ranging from classically activated, pro-inflammatory (M1) microglia/macrophages to alternatively activated, growth-promoting (M2) microglia/macrophages. Identifying microglia phenotypes is critical for understanding the role of microglia in the pathogenesis of AUDs. Therefore, male rats were gavaged with 25% (w/v) ethanol or isocaloric control diet every 8 h for 4 days and sacrificed at 0, 2, 4, and 7 days after alcohol exposure (e.g., T0, T2, etc.). Microglia were isolated from hippocampus and entorhinal cortices by Percoll density gradient …

Scholarworks Statistics - August 2017, Scholarworks

ScholarWorks Reports

For the month of August 2017, ScholarWorks recorded a total of 24,697 full-text and additional file downloads and 9,833 page views.

New Dentist News (August 2017), Ada Committee On The New Dentist

New Dentist News

New Dentist News offers timely information on scientific, social, educational, political and economic developments affecting new dentists. This collection is historical and items may not reflect current standards. For up-to-date information contact the ADA. The New Dentist News was alternately titled ADA Lifeline, 1997-June 2001.

Impact Of Inpatient Care In Emergency Department On Outcomes: A Quasi-Experimental Cohort Study, Aisha Lateef, Soo-Hoon Lee, Dale Andrew Fisher, Wei-Ping Goh, Hui Fen Han, Uma Chandra Segara, Tiong Beng Sim, Malcolm Mahadehvan, Khean Teik Goh, Noel Cheah, Aymeric Yt Lim, Phillip H. Phan, Reshma A. Merchant

Management Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Hospitals around the world are faced with the issue of boarders in emergency department (ED), patients marked for admission but with no available inpatient bed. Boarder status is known to be associated with delayed inpatient care and suboptimal outcomes. A new care delivery system was developed in our institution where boarders received full inpatient care from a designated medical team, acute medical team (AMT), while still residing at ED. The current study examines the impact of this AMT intervention on patient outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective quasi-experimental cohort study to analyze outcomes between the AMT intervention and conventional …

Magnesium Isotope Investigation Of Stromatolitic Knobs In Storr’S Lake, San Salvador, Bahamas: Implications For Organomineralization And Laminae Formation, Zijian Li

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses - Archive

Storr’s Lake, a hypersaline lake located on San Salvador Island, Bahamas, contains modern, fine-grained stromatolites. This study focused on two morphological types of stromatolitic mounds in Storr’s Lake (pinnacle mound and plateau-mushroom) and systematically investigated their mineralogy, elemental abundance, carbon, oxygen and magnesium (Mg) isotopic signature to gain insights into the organomineralization process and laminae formation of stromatolites. In addition, the hydrochemistry of Storr’s Lake was characterized by in situ measurement of water parameters, elemental analysis, and Mg isotope investigation. Cations and anions analysis indicates the lake is spatially homogenous and shows little seasonal variation. Mg isotope analysis of the …