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Evaluation Of White Rot Fungus As A Pretreatment For Thermochemical Processing Of Switchgrass, Melody Embry

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Hydrothermal liquefaction is a thermochemical technique for obtaining crude bio-oil from lignocellulosic biomass with moderate temperature and pressure. The crude bio-oil can then be upgraded to various biofuels and bioproducts. Hydrothermal liquefaction is amenable to use of biomass feedstocks that have high-moisture. The overall goal of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of white rot fungus (WRF) as a pretreatment option in the production of bio-oil from switchgrass through hydrothermal liquefaction. If WRF is an effective pretreatment, it could be a cost-effective option for commercialization, allowing hydrothermal liquefaction to be used on an industrial scale to produce high quality …

Muskrats, James E. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series

The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a common, semi-aquatic rodent native to the United States (Figure 1). It spends its life in aquatic habitats and is well adapted for swimming.

Although muskrats are an important part of native ecosystems, their burrowing and foraging activities can damage agricultural crops, native marshes and water control systems, such as aquaculture and farm ponds and levees. Such damage can significantly impact agricultural crops like rice that rely on consistent water levels for growth.

Muskrats also cause damage by eating agricultural crops, other vegetation, and crayfish, mussels and other aquaculture products. Loss of vegetation …

Wild Turkeys, James E. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series

Like other bird and mammal species whose populations have been restored through conservation efforts, wild turkeys (Figure 1) are treasured by many recreationists and outdoor enthusiasts. Wild turkeys have responded positively to wildlife habitat and population management. In some areas, however, their increased populations have led to increased damage to property and agricultural crops, and threats to human health and safety. Turkeys frequent agricultural fields, pastures, vineyards and orchards, as well as some urban and suburban neighborhoods. Because of this, they may cause damage or mistakenly be blamed for damage. Research has found that despite increases in turkey numbers and …

The Intersection Of Garp And B Cells For Maintaining Immunological Tolerance Via Surface Tgf-Β Modulation, Caroline Hathaway Wallace

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Glycoprotein-A repetitions predominant (GARP, encoded by Lrrc32) is a cell surface docking receptor for latent TGFβ, with no known direct signaling mechanism. GARP is highly expressed by megakaryocytes, platelets, and activated regulatory T cells and is implicated in immune evasion by cancer. While the pleotropic roles of active TGF-β on immune cell functions have been largely elucidated, the function of the membrane latent TGF-β – GARP axis has only been investigated in regulatory T cells and platelets. We discovered that GARP is expressed on the surface of highly activated human and mouse B cells by ligands for multiple Toll-like receptors. …

Generating Race Specific Research Models To Examine The Role Of Advanced Glycation End Products (Ages) On Cancer Health Disparity, Narges Anbardar

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

African Americans have highest death rate in prostate and breast cancers (BCa), Socioeconomic and environmental risk factors are known to contribute to cancer health disparity [1-5]. Such factors possibly altering cell signaling and gene expression to alter tumor development and progression. To examine the effects of disparity risk factors we need to develop innovative molecular models to test working hypotheses of the biological effects of disparity risk factors and develop potential treatments. Glycation is the non-enzymatic addition of sugar moieties to biological macromolecules which leads to the formation of reactive metabolites known as Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). AGE accumulation …

Diet Composition Of Long Beach Coyotes Via Solids Scat Analysis, Armaan Zare, Delisa Madere

Center for Urban Resilience Research Posters

Canus latrans (coyotes) have posed threats against both urban wildlife and domesticated animals all across the United States. In the urban and residential areas encompassing Long Beach, green areas such as parks and golf courses create a series of wildlife corridors that coyotes may use to provide themselves with food, shelter, and a means of refuge for breeding. Along with wildlife corridors, anthropogenic food sources also contribute to the increased coyote density in the city of Long Beach; this inevitably leads to more frequent coyote-human interactions. Now in its second year, our study aims to accurately assess the diet of …

Genetic Diet Analysis Of Coyote Scat From Populations In Long Beach, Alexis Isaev, Matthew Sheridan

Center for Urban Resilience Research Posters

Interactions between humans and local wildlife are inherent to urbanization and have created a demand for management solutions. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are prominent in urban ecosystems and can potentially cause a variety of residential threats, as seen at Long Beach, CA. Currently, a project is underway assessing the coyote population, in order to better understand how the animals function in the city and how best to manage them. The main components of the study include monitoring coyote activity and dispersal patterns, how the urban environment affects coyote living strategies, and a dietary analysis. The dietary analysis has two components: a …

Attic Salt, 2018, Loyola Marymount University, The Honors Program

Attic Salt

No abstract provided.

Psychology Postdoctoral Resident Program Handbook, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Ph.D. Program In Clinical Psychology Handbook, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Master Of Science In Experimental Psychology 2018, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Master Of Science In General Psychology 2018, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Municipal Dissemination Of Utilizable Information With Mobile Applications To Effectuate Lifestyle Changes To Combat And Prevent Obesity, Robert J. Wishnia

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Blended And Flipped Instruction In Numerical Methods At Multiple Engineering Schools, Renee Clark, Autar Kaw, Yingyan Lou, Andrew Scott, Mary Besterfield-Sacre

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

With the literature calling for comparisons among technology-enhanced or active-learning pedagogies, a blended versus flipped instructional comparison was made for numerical methods coursework using three engineering schools with diverse student demographics. This study contributes to needed comparisons of enhanced instructional approaches in STEM and presents a rigorous and adaptable methodology for doing so. Our flipped classroom consisted mostly of in-class active learning, with micro-lectures as needed, and technology used both in and out of class, including for expected pre-class review of new content. Our blended classroom consisted mostly of lecture with some in-class active learning, and technology utilized both in …

Assessing Peer Leader Skill Acquisition And Group Dynamics In A First-Year Calculus Course, Rebecca Glover, Nicholas B. Hammond, Justin Smith, Dalyana Guerra

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Peer-led team learning (PLTL), specifically the model known as ‘Workshops’, has been shown to contribute positively and significantly to student success in STEM courses across subjects (Gosser et al., 2001). Our research adds to the SOTL literature describing the effectiveness of Workshops by reporting on the changes in student leaders. We examine the level to which leaders acquired new skills in effective teaching and describe the pedagogical interactions in the groups they led as a result of the combination of training and experience facilitating first-year Calculus Workshop sections. This was a semester-long study on twenty-two Workshop leaders for two multi-section, …

Teaching Health Disparities Awareness In Undergraduate Public Health Courses, Anuli Njoku

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Disparities in health outcomes between U.S. population subgroups, related to factors like race/ethnicity, income, and geographic location, are alarming. By integrating health disparities awareness content into the curriculum, academic institutions can play an important role in developing conscious health practitioners to help close gaps in health outcomes. This paper presents the implementation, results and feedback of efforts to incorporate health disparities awareness content into two undergraduate public health courses at a rural Midwestern U.S. university. Throughout this process, the author’s work was supported by a faculty development program. Students completed pre- and post-surveys to report health disparities knowledge and attitudes …

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus Adamanteus) Telemetry Techniques And Translocation, Michael Thomas Jungen

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Internal implantation of radio-transmitters is the preferred attachment technique for snakes, but the high costs and invasive nature of the surgery make a functional alternative desirable. External radio-transmitters are cost-effective alternatives to surgical implantation. Rattlesnake rattles are unique morphological features that can serve as an attachment site for external radio-transmitters. Using thread and epoxy, I attached transmitters to the rattles of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus; EDB). I calculated average monitoring duration using radio telemetry data collected from 49 adult EDBs telemetered from 2014 to 2017 in coastal South Carolina. On average, we monitored EDBs for 189 ±78 days with …

Teachers' Practices And Perceptions Concerning The Implementation Of Inquiry-Based Instruction In Middle School Science, Jill E. Wood

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this research study was to investigate West Virginia middle school science teachers’ perceptions regarding inquiry-based instruction. Teacher efficacy level, extent of use, and supports and obstacles in regard to inquiry-based instruction were considered. In addition, demographic relationships were explored in comparison with efficacy level and extent of use in regard to inquiry-based instruction. Demographics included number of preps taught, years of science teaching experience, class size, class time, planning time, professional development opportunities attended, and exposure to inquiry-based instruction in education science course work. West Virginia middle school science teacher perceptions of this study were measured using …

Fortaleciendo Las Capacidades De Programación Centradas En Niños, Niñas, Adolescentes Y Jóvenes: Ejercicio Para La Construcción De Activos Protectores—Tercer Taller, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Diseñemos juntos nuestro programa es una colección de herramientas elaboradas con el objetivo de complementar el aprendizaje de las y los coordinadores de los Programas de Infancia, Adolescencia y Juventud (PMIAJ/COMVIDA) que se implementan en diferentes municipios de Honduras. Estas herramientas son un complemento al material producido por Population Council como parte de una serie de talleres llamados “Fortaleciendo las capacidades programáticas centradas en niños, niñas, adolescentes y jóvenes,” impartidos en 2017.

Las herramientas de esta colección (ver más abajo) ayudarán a quienes las utilicen a asesorar estrategias de reclutamiento de participantes del programa, identificar subgrupos de participantes en mayores …

Efficacy Of A Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection For The Treatment Of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Pilot Study, Gavin M. Levy, Phil Lucas, Nigel Hope

Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of an ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in the treatment of patients with proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT).

Design: Pilot prospective cohort study

Methods: Administration of a single PRP injection under ultrasound guidance to 29 patients with PHT confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pain, function and sporting activity were measured via the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Proximal Hamstring Tendons (VISA-H) questionnaire, administered before injection and at 8-weeks follow-up.

Results: The study sample consisted of 22 females and 7 males with a mean age of 45.2 years (95% CI40.8–49.5). When comparing pre-injection VISA-H scores (mean: 43.90; …

A Minimal Mechanics Model For Mechanosensing Of Substrate Rigidity Gradient In Durotaxis, Bahador Marzban, Xin Yi, Hongyan Yuan

Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Durotaxis refers to the phenomenon in which cells can sense the spatial gradient of the substrate rigidity in the process of cell migration. A conceptual two-part theory consisting of the focal adhesion force generation and mechanotransduction has been proposed previously by Lo et al. to explain the mechanism underlying durotaxis. In the present work, we are concerned with the first part of the theory: how exactly is the larger focal adhesion force generated in the part of the cell adhering to the stiffer region of the substrate? Using a simple elasticity model and by assuming the cell adheres to the …

Wear Of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Against Synthetic Sapphire As Bearing Coating For Total Joint Replacements, Kevin D. Gemmell Jr., D.M.L. Meyer

Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Materials commonly found in hip replacements are a polymer paired with metals or alloys. Tribological behavior of polyethylene bearing surfaces against synthetic sapphire are compared against other bearing combinations to evaluate sapphire as a viable means to lower the incidence of revision surgery by mitigating production of wear debris. Sapphire disks against polyethylene plates were tested utilizing a tribometer. The polyethylene wear rate was found to be 22.6mm³ per year, less than the 40-80mm³ per year typically found in traditional hip replacements. A power law function is presented correlating a decreasing friction coefficient as polyethylene volume loss increases …

An Inexpensive Microfluidic Pdms Chip For Visual Detection Of Biofilm-Forming Bacteria, Rico Kolossa, Assem Abolmaaty, D.M.L. Meyer, Zongqin Zhang

Mechanical, Industrial & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Aims: Design and assembly of an inexpensive microfluidic PDMS chip for visual detection of cell adhesion and biofilm formation.

Study Design: Three different styles of microchannels (2.6, 5.0, and 11.5 μl volumes) were designed, fabricated and tested for adhesion and biofilm formation in a microfluidic system. The pressure drop measurements system includes a bio-Ferrograph connected to the PDMS microchannel via a syringe and a pressure transducer.

Methodology: Microfluidic chips were fabricated using Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by means of soft lithography. Different cell densities of E.coli K12 cells were introduced to investigate adhesion and biofilm formation at different time …

Reconciling The Lanham Act And The Fdca: A Comment On Chris Hurley’S Note, Christopher B. Seaman

Washington and Lee Law Review

No abstract provided.

2018 Georgia Southern University Football Roster, Georgia Southern University

Men's Football Records

• Georgia Southern University Athletics 2018 Football Roster

Endocrine Active Chemicals In Breast Cancer Cells: Environmental Impacts On Growth, Signaling And Epigenetic Pathways, And Drug Response, Melissa Lynn Sokolosky

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Individuals living in industrialized regions of Westernized societies are exposed to environmental contaminants by many routes, including plastics, personal care items and other consumer products. Endocrine-active chemicals (EACs), many of which are estrogenic, have been detected in human biofluids and breast tissue, warranting investigation of roles in mammary tumorigenesis. This dissertation explores the molecular changes that occur in breast cancer cells upon treatment with relevant human exposure levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), methylparaben (MP), propylparaben (PP), and decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE), including mixtures thereof with or without 17β-estradiol (E2). Nanomolar (nM) concentrations of these EACs induced viability increases in MCF-7 (ERα+) similar …

Analysis Of The Set/Fty720 Complex By Nmr Reveals A Unique Mechanism For The Activation Of Pp2a, Ryan M. De Palma

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase with tumor suppressor function. PP2A holoenzyme contains numerous combinations of its various isoforms of scaffolding (A), regulatory (B), and catalytic (C) subunits. In many cancer types, an endogenous PP2A inhibitor, inhibitor 2 of PP2A (SET) oncoprotein, is overexpressed, resulting in PP2A inhibition, leading to enhanced cell growth, and attenuation of cell death. It is known that targeting SET with bioactive sphingolipid ceramide or sphingolipid analogue drug FTY720 leads to the reactivation of PP2A, leading to necroptosis. However, structural details of the interaction between SET and FTY720 (or ceramide) with regards to …

The Role Of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Signaling In Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Renal Injury, Pallavi Bhargava

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase (sGC) is responsible for converting GTP to cyclic GMP (cGMP). sGC function and regulation is complex and cell -type dependent. An increase in cGMP production can target phosphodiesterases (PDEs), cGMP gated ion channels, and protein kinase G (PKG). Increasing sGC activity and inhibiting the degradation of cGMP by targeting PDEs are two approaches to maintaining cGMP levels in a given system. Interestingly, cGMP can also regulate mitochondrial biogenesis (MB), the generation of new and functional mitochondria. Previously in our laboratory, we have shown that MB is suppressed after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury and certain mitochondrial biogenic …

Survival Mechanisms Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis In Human Primary Gingival Epithelial Cells: An Investigation Of Host Antibacterial Nox And Autophagy Systems, Joann Simone Roberts

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Porphyromonas gingivalis, an opportunistic pathogen usurps gingival epithelial cells (GECs) as a primary intracellular niche for its colonization in the oral mucosa. P. gingivalis abrogates the effects of host danger molecule, extracellular ATP (eATP)/P2X7 signaling, such as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the mitochondria and NADPH oxidases (NOX) from primary GECs. Furthermore, P. gingivalis harnesses autophagic machinery to establish a replicative niche inside LC3-positive ER-rich autophagosomes. However, the antimicrobial functions of ROS production and precise characterization of the intracellular trafficking and fate of P. gingivalis in GECs are not well understood. Therefore, using a variety of phenotypic …

Exploring The Role Of Mirna-204 In Low Milk Supply, Clare Elizabeth Burton

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Breastfeeding is the optimal method for mothers to deliver nutrients to her newborn(s), providing both short- and long-term health benefits. Unfortunately, only 24% of infants receive exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, as recommended by the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics, with the most often cited reason for this being “low milk supply”. Low Milk Supply (LMS) is a real and growing problem in the United States, with at least 5-10% (approximately 200,000) mothers experiencing LMS in the US each year. We previously observed temporal expression of miR-204 during normal mammary gland development, which led us …