Digital Commons Network^™

Altering Gait Variability With An Ankle Exoskeleton, Prokopios Antonellis, Samuel Galle, Dirk De Clercq, Philippe Malcolm

Journal Articles

Exoskeletons can influence human gait. A healthy gait is characterized by a certain amount of variability compared to a non-healthy gait that has more inherent variability; however which exoskeleton assistance parameters are necessary to avoid increasing gait variability or to potentially lower gait variability below that of unassisted walking are unknown. This study investigated the interaction effects of exoskeleton timing and power on gait variability. Ten healthy participants walked on a treadmill with bilateral ankle-foot exoskeletons under ten conditions with different timing (varied from 36% to 54% of the stride) and power (varied from 0.2 to 0.5 W∙kg-1) combinations. We …

Analysis Of Factors That Influence Pre-Med Undergraduate Selection Of Osteopathic Or Allopathic Medical School, Laura Alison Kuizin

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the decision to apply to the medical doctor program or the doctor of osteopathic medicine program. This study examined selected demographic factors that influence students’ decision to apply to the medical doctorate program or the osteopathic medical program. This study consisted of an online self-report questionnaire that was sent to undergraduate pre-med programs around the United States. The quantitative research questions were be analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The Mann Whitney U and the Kruskal Wallis test were used to determine whether there was a difference in beliefs and …

Early Detection Of Capping Risk In Pharmaceutical Compacts, Xiaochi Xu, Chaitanya Krishna Prasad Vallabh, Stephen W. Hoag, Vivek S. Dave, Centin Cetinkaya

Pharmacy Faculty/Staff Publications

Capping is a common mechanical defect in tablet manufacturing, exhibited during or after the compression process. Predicting tablet capping in terms of process variables (e.g. compaction pressure and speed) and formulation properties is essential in pharmaceutical industry. In current work, a non-destructive contact ultrasonic approach for detecting capping risk in the pharmaceutical compacts prepared under various compression forces and speeds is presented. It is shown that the extracted mechanical properties can be used as early indicators for invisible capping (prior to visible damage). Based on the analysis of X-ray cross-section images and a large set of waveform data, it is …

Hyperspectral Imaging For Characterizing Single Plasmonic Nanostructure And Single-Cell Analysis, Nishir Sanatkumar Mehta

LSU Master's Theses

Orientation of plasmonic nanostructures is an important feature in many nanoscale applications such as photovoltaics, catalyst, biosensors DNA interactions, protein detections, hotspot of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) experiments. Silver nanocubes with significant spectral signatures between 400-700 nm are observed in this experimental research. Whereas study of single cells will enable the analysis of cell-to-cell variations within a heterogeneous population. These variations are important for further analysis and understanding of disease propagation, drug development, stem cell differentiation, embryos development, and how cells respond to each other and their environment. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells possess the …

Economic Impacts Of Groundwater Salinity In Louisiana, Rajan Dhakal

LSU Master's Theses

In the United States, nearly 60 million acres of land is affected by water and soil salinity problems that pose a serious threat to the long-term economic and environmental viability of the agricultural sector. Understanding the economic impacts of soil salinity in agricultural lands is essential for planning farming practices in several salinity affected regions. This study presents a two-stage approach to assess the damage from salinity in two major aquifers in Louisiana. In the first stage, looking at the trend of rise in salt content within these aquifers, I predict the future level of salinity by assuming three different …

Course Design…Online: Helping Students Perform In The Digital Age, Joseph W. Harris

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The current study sought to test the relationship between course design, as described by the rubric produced by Quality Matters, and online university student performance. Due to the link between student motivation and active learning behaviors, and thus performance, it was predicted that the better-designed courses would facilitate student motivation. It was also predicted that goal orientation would moderate this relationship. While a significant relationship was observed between student motivation and course performance, no relationship was observed between course quality, as measured by the QM Rubric, and motivation, or performance. Only slight evidence was found for a moderating effect of …

Development Of Polymer-Based In-Plane Nanopore For Dna Sequencing, Zheng Jia

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Mechanically robust solid-state nanopores have the potential to be the next generation DNA sensing platforms. However, mass production and limited base-calling accuracy are the hurdles for solid-state nanopore based DNA sensing. In order to solve these problems, a polymer dual-nanopore device fabricated via high throughput nanoimprint lithography (NIL) was proposed to sequence DNA by time-of-flight (ToF) measurement. As a proof of concept, this study presents mononucleotides discrimination via ToF measurement using polymer in-plane dual-nanopore device.

First, fabrication of polymer in-plane nanopore with controllable dimensions was studied in consideration of experimental conditions and materials selection. Then, surface charge density effect on …

Citizen Science In 4-H: Youth Volunteer Motivations, Participation, Retention And Scientific Literacy, Veronica Del Bianco

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the influence of volunteer motivation, participation, and citizen science project type on the retention and scientific literacy of 4-H youth volunteers ages 8-19 years participating in science projects. The conceptual model of participation in organized activities (OA) proposed by Bohnert, Fredericks and Randall (2010) was used as a framework for the variables included in the study categorizing them as predictors of participation, participation, program characteristics, or outcomes. A systematic review of volunteer motivations, retention, and scientific literacy in citizen science projects exposed that the literature contains silos of information published in …

Analysis Of The Soil Health Of Pastures Over-Seeded With Winter Annuals, Kathleen M. Bridges

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Utilizing winter annuals in livestock pastures reduces feed costs of hay, and provides additional vegetative cover that is beneficial to the soil. However, how this practice affects the soil microbial communities has not been well studied. Two sites were included in this study. Both were commercial cattle grazing operations that over-seeded a mixture of grasses, legumes, and brassicas into pastures dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). Soil health was assessed using a suite of physical, chemical, and biological properties. Soil physical assessments included bulk density and aggregate stability. Soil chemical assessments included macronutrients, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total …

Calculation Guided Rational Design And Synthesis Of Novel Cationic Fluorescent Meso–Pyridinium Bodipys For Bio-Imaging, Daniel J. Lamaster

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chapter 1 contains a brief overview of the history, synthesis, and properties of BODIPY dyes as well as that of the biomedical applications of bio-imaging and photodynamic therapy. Additionally, an overview of the theoretical framework of density functional theory and its time-dependent variant are provided. In Chapter 2, the effects of structural modification on the electronic structure and electron dynamics of cationic meso-(4-pyridyl)-BODIPYs were investigated. A library of 2,6-difunctionalized meso-(4-pyridyl)-BODIPYs bearing various electron-withdrawing substituents was designed and DFT calculations were used to model the redox properties, while TDDFT was used to determine the effects of functionalization on the excited …

Effect Of Heat Stress On Bovine Follicular Development And Epigenetic Changes, Fabian Andres Diaz

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Climate is one of the most important limiting factors in animal production. Cattle under the effect of heat stress have reduced fertility. Negative effects during gamete maturation and embryo development have been observed at the morphological, biochemical, transcriptional and developmental levels. Epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in the regulation of gamete and embryo development. Several genes activated during gamete maturation and early embryo development are controlled by epigenetic mechanisms. There are no studies evaluating the effect of heat-stress on the epigenetic profile of bovine oocytes and embryos. Similarly, there is no information on the effect of heat stress on …

Natural Resources-Based Conflicts In Coastal Louisiana: A Multi-Faceted Social And Ecological Setting, Audrey Grismore

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana coastal zone supports numerous natural resource-based economies and due to overlapping demands on the same territory, conflicts among users and resource managers have emerged. When the state recognized serious depletion of oysters in the late nineteenth century, it intervened with a set of conservation polices to try to establish sustained yields that produced one set of conflicts. When the oil industry began operating in the coastal estuaries and wetlands in the 1930s, it produced additional conflicts with fishing folk. The zone of conflict gave rise to cyclic adaptations as each group struggled to sustain its environmentally based economic …

A Few Surprises About Non-Locality Interactions, Precognitive Interdiction, And The Spirit From Physics Viewpoint, Victor Christianto, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

There are various supernatural phenomena which hardly can be explained by the existing electromagnetic science, for instance non-locality interactions (may be associated with ESP etc), and also precognitive interdictions. And there are other problems such as how to include the Spirit in our consciousness. For example, it has been known for long time that intuition plays significant role in many professions and human life, including in entrepreneurship, government, and also in detective or law enforcement activities. Despite these examples, such a precognitive interdiction is hardly accepted in established science. In this paper, we discuss non-locality interactions and also advanced solutions …

Identification And Heterologous Reconstitution Of A 5-Alk(En)Ylresorcinol Synthase From Endophytic Fungus Shiraia Sp. Slf14, Huiwen Yan, Lei Sun, Jinge Huang, Yixing Qiu, Fuchao Xu, Riming Yan, Du Zhu, Wei Wang, Jixun Zhan

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

A new type III polyketide synthase gene (Ssars) was discovered from the genome of Shiraia sp. Slf14, an endophytic fungal strain from Huperzia serrata. The intron-free gene was cloned from the cDNA and ligated to two expression vectors pET28a and YEpADH2p-URA3 for expression in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ5464, respectively. SsARS was efficiently expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3), leading to the synthesis of a series of polyketide products. Six major products were isolated from the engineered E. coli and characterized as 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-undecane, 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-cis-6'-tridecene,1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-tridecane, 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-cis-8'-pentadecene, 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-pentadecane and 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-5-cis-10'-heptadecene, respectively, …

Longitudinal Study Of The Attitudes And Behaviors Of Environmental Education Program Participants., Kasie R. Dugas

LSU Master's Theses

The goal of this longitudinal study was to measure the attitudes and behaviors of participants of the Marsh Maneuvers program over the course of the last 25 years. The goal of the Marsh Maneuvers program is to educate students into becoming environmentally literate adults. Environmental literacy is considered herein to be people possessing knowledge about and positive attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. Although students learn basic science and environmental knowledge in the classroom, true environmental literacy is believed to require more hands-on understanding of the material. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, the following three objectives were completed. …

Local Warming In Low Latitude Locations: A Time Series Analysis, Ryan Pittman

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Global warming is a well-known and well-studied phenomenon pertaining to a gradual increase of average global temperatures over time. Many global warming mathematical models make certain assumptions regarding the factors that impact global temperature. These assumptions include effects from increased global carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and the melting ice sheets, among others. This paper draws conclusions about temperature changes without the assumptions needed for the global warming mathematical models. Instead of using computer models to project temperatures on a global scale, 33 low-latitude locations in the southern United States were individually studied to see if each one has …

On The Speed Of An Excited Asymmetric Random Walk, Mike Cinkoske, Joe Jackson, Claire Plunkett

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

An excited random walk is a non-Markovian extension of the simple random walk, in which the walk’s behavior at time n is impacted by the path it has taken up to time n. The properties of an excited random walk are more difficult to investigate than those of a simple random walk. For example, the limiting speed of an excited random walk is either zero or unknown depending on its initial conditions. While its limiting speed is unknown in most cases, the qualitative behavior of an excited random walk is largely determined by a parameter δ which can be computed …

Vaccine Myths: Setting The Record Straight, Julie A. Boom, Rachel M. Cunningham, Lindy U. Mcgee

Journal of Family Strengths

Despite their standing as one of the most remarkable public health achievements, vaccines have been surrounded by dangerous myths since the development of the smallpox vaccine in the 18th century. In recent decades, with the publication of a fraudulent article linking vaccines to autism, the involvement of celebrities in the debate, and the rise of the internet and social media as sources for information for patients, these myths have become more widespread. This paper reviews four common vaccine myths: vaccines cause autism, vaccines are not safe, too many vaccines are given too soon, and the influenza vaccine is not necessary. …

Open Science, Rusty Speidel

Open Access Week

Rusty Speidel from the Center for Open Science (COS) will provide an overview of COS activities which address ways to make research more open, transparent, and reproducible.

Teaming Up Against Rising Textbook Costs: Harnessing The Librarian/Faculty Collaboration To Locate Affordable Course Materials, Christina Wray, Sandy Avila

Open Access Week

Does the idea of the soaring price of textbooks and the lack of your student’s ability to purchase them keep you up at night? If so, then please join our Digital Learning & Engagement Librarian, Christina Wray and Research and Information Services’ Science Librarian, Sandy Avila for a presentation about partnering with your subject librarian to explore quality library-sourced or open access/online resources for your next class.

Biomimetic Promotion And Inhibition Of Crystal Growth In Calcium Carbonate, Adam M. Sadowski, R. Lloyd Carroll

Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review

Living organisms have evolved effective mechanisms to control the growth of inorganic crystalline materials as structural elements. Previous research has shown that proteins rich in aspartic acid play a pivotal role in driving crystalline orientation, structure, and morphology of calcium carbonate biominerals in the formation of shells in marine bivalves (mussels, clams, abalone). In our research, we examine the effect of aspartic acid on the growth of calcium carbonate by a novel vapor diffusion-based growth technique. The vapor diffusion approach uses a gas-permeable membrane as a barrier to control the physical location of crystal growth. In this way, we are …

Implementing Pursuit Of Prey Strategies In Autonomous Robots: A Systematic Reconstruction Of Behavior As Found In Tiger Beetles, Sawan Prabhu

Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review

Vision is a key factor in detecting and pursuing prey in many animals, yet it can be constrained both by intrinsic limitations and the complexity of the visual environment. For example, tiger beetles are visual predators that frequently stop during prey pursuits, possibly because the limitations of their visual systems cause them to lose sight of their target when advancing towards it at high speeds. This problem may be compounded as the visual environment becomes more complex. To test these hypotheses, we used simulations with a video system to model pursuit strategies used by the beetle. We matched the properties …

Development Of A Rapid Assay For Prolyl Hydroxylase In Mouse Lung, Nathan Pearson, Dale Porter, Kenneth P. Blemmings

Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is conducting research on the effects of respiratory exposure to carbon nanotubes. Exposure to some kinds of carbon nanotubes has been associated with a fibrogenic response in lungs that has negative effects on lung physiology and human health. A thorough understanding of the molecular events leading to fibrosis could offer prophylactic or therapeutic approaches to avoid the fibrosis. Several different enzymes are associated with fiber formation in the lung ,and one of interest is prolyl hydroxylase (PH-4). Current protocols for measuring PH-4 activity are expensive, cumbersome, and time-consuming. A rapid assay protocol …

35th Annual Reception Bibliography, 2017-2018, Leonard H. Axe Library

Bibliographies

Since 1984, Leonard H. Axe Library at Pittsburg State University has honored book authors and other creators for their outstanding scholarship and contributions to their fields.

The Utah Statesman, October 23, 2018, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

When Too Much Isn’T Enough: Does Current Food Production Meet Global Nutritional Needs?, Krishna Bahadur Kc, Goretty M. Dias, Anastasia Veeramani, Clarence J. Swanton, David Fraser, Dirk Steinke, Elizabeth Lee, Hannah Wittman, Jeffrey M. Farber, Kari Dunfield, Kevin Mccann, Madhur Anand, Malcolm Campbell, Neil Rooney, Nigel E. Raine, Rene Van Acker, Robert Hanner, Samantha Pascoal, Shayan Sharif, Tim G. Benton, Evan D.G. Fraser

Global Impacts of Industrial Farming Collection

Sustainably feeding the next generation is often described as one of the most pressing “grand challenges” facing the 21st century. Generally, scholars propose addressing this problem by increasing agricultural production, investing in technology to boost yields, changing diets, or reducing food waste. In this paper, we explore whether global food production is nutritionally balanced by comparing the diet that nutritionists recommend versus global agricultural production statistics. Results show that the global agricultural system currently overproduces grains, fats, and sugars while production of fruits and vegetables and protein is not sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the current population. Correcting …

Ua12/2/1 Homecoming, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special homecoming edition of the College Heights Herald.

• Tailgate Rules for Homecoming 2018
• Homecoming Calendar of Events
• Sisler, Julie. Alumni Celebrate 50^th Anniversary on the Hill – Chuck Dobelstein, Mary Lou Dobelstein
• Southers, Mariah, Sam Chumbley, Abbey Norvell. Your Weekend Back on the Hill – Parade, Food, Football
• Stahl, Matt. Masai Whyte, DeAndre Farris in Their Final Stretch as Longtime Teammates & Close Friends – Football
• Goodlett, Ryan. International Programs Help Students Find Sense of Home – Hovsep Yakubyan, Trevor Hoffman
• Southers, Mariah. Best Views of the Parade – Maps
• Fletcher, Griffin. National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show Returns to …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 94, No. 8 [9], Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Stahl, Matt. Moneyball – Title IX
• Alvey, Rebekah. Sigma Chi Fraternity Suspended for Alcohol Violations
• DeLetter, Emily. Barbara Burch’s Transition to Retirement Saves WKU Money
• Harsh, Spencer. WKU Police Department Hires Sixth Female Police Officer – Melissa Bailey
• Dobbs, Jack. Marketing Professorship Established at Gordon Ford – Joseph Walters
• Dobb, jack. Garrett Edmonds Optimistic About Future Amid Controversy – Student Government Association
• Breu, Natasha. WKU Ranks On List of Bets Online Colleges in Kentucky
• Nutter, Abbigail. Authors & Readers Connect Over Love for Books – …

Neuroscience Research Funding, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

The National Institutes of Health awarded a University of Dayton researcher $148,077 to study the role of a novel calcium-handling protein in the brain that could be involved in mental conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

New Online Portal Will Match Eye Banks With Researchers Seeking Human Ocular Tissues, Staff

Browse All News

No abstract provided.