Digital Commons Network^™

Mammal Collections Of The Western Hemisphere: A Survey And Directory Of Collections, Jonathan L. Dunnum, Bryan S. Mclean, Robert C. Dowler, Sergio Ticul Alvarez-Castañeda, Jeff E. Bradley, Robert D. Bradley, Leslie N. Carraway, Juan P. Carrera-E, Christopher J. Conroy, Brandi S. Coyner, John R. Demboski, Carl W. Dick, Kate Doyle, Jacob A. Esselstyn, Eliecer Gutiérrez, John D. Hanson, Paula M. Holahan, Thorvald Holmes, Carlos A. Iudica, Rafael N. Leite, Thomas E. Lee, Burton K. Lim, Jason L. Malaney, Suzanne B. Mclaren, Nancy D. Moncrief, Link Olson, Nicte Ordóñez-Garza, Caleb D. Phillips, Marcia A. Revelez, Eric A. Rickart, Duke S. Rogers, Cody W. Thompson, Nathan S. Upham

Faculty Publications

As a periodic assessment of the mammal collection resource, the Systematic Collections Committee (SCC) of the American Society of Mammalogists undertakes decadal surveys of the collections held in the Western Hemisphere. The SCC surveyed 429 collections and compiled a directory of 395 active collections containing 5,275,155 catalogued specimens. Over the past decade, 43 collections have been lost or transferred and 38 new or unsurveyed collections were added. Growth in number of total specimens, expansion of genomic resource collections, and substantial gains in digitization and web accessibility were documented, as well as slight shifts in proportional representation of taxonomic groups owing …

Investigating The Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Tetrahymena Thermophila Sirtuin,Thd 18, Emmanuel Dubuisson

Publications and Research

Sirtuins are a family of enzymes that fulfill various important biological functions. Investigators have looked for the implication of Sirtuin genes in cell signaling mechanisms, in the formation and silencing of heterochromatin, in the regulation of ion channels, and in the modulation of the cellular redox reactions[2]. Different model organisms have been previously used to conduct these studies; among them, there are yeasts, nematodes, and fruit flies. Each one has made some valuable contribution into the vast body of knowledge related to this field.

However, gaps in the understanding of Sirtuins functions still remain to be filled. In this optic, …

Design Synthesis Of Flexible Antennas Using Artificial Neural Network, Ali Isam Hammoodi

Theses and Dissertations

Nowadays, flexible devices have witnessed a great deal of interest in both industrial and academia. Consistently, flexible electronic systems require the integration of a conformal and flexible antenna operating in specific frequency bands to provide wireless connectivity which is highly demanded in today’s information-oriented society. Designing of microstrip antenna has become the focus of modern technologies due to their light weight, ease of fabrication, and ability to integrate electronics devices. Simple structure such has square patch, circular patch, or rectangular patch are easy to maintain using empirical equations which based on some experimental results. However, more complicated structures are hard …

Simulating The Impacts Of Irrigation Levels On Soybean Production In Texas High Plains To Manage Diminishing Groundwater Levels, Vaishali Sharda, Prasanna H. Gowda, Gary Marek, Isaya Kisekka, Chittaranjan Ray, Pradip Adhikari

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

There is an increasing need to strategize and plan irrigation systems under varied climatic conditions to support efficient irrigation practices while maintaining and improving the sustainability of groundwater systems. This study was undertaken to simulate the growth and production of soybean [Glycine max (L.)] under different irrigation scenarios. The objectives of this study were to calibrate and validate the CROPGRO-Soybean model under Texas High Plains’ (THP) climatic conditions and to apply the calibrated model to simulate the impacts of different irrigation levels and triggers on soybean production. The methodology involved combining short-term experimental data with long-term historical weather data (1951–2012), …

Chillicothe’S First Family Teaching Political Science On The Chillicothe Campus (December 5, 2018), University Communications And Marketing

OHIO News Articles Archive

No abstract provided.

Developing Molecular Methods For Detection Of Blood Meal Sources Of A Free-Living Marine Ectoparasite, Gina Carole Hendrick

Student Theses and Dissertations

Gnathiid isopods are one of the most common ectoparasites found in coral reef habitats. Sequencing of host blood meals from wild-caught specimens is a promising tool for addressing the extent to which they feed on available hosts. Challenges must be overcome when samples are subjected to conditions that may contribute to DNA degradation, and efforts to slow DNA degradation during field collection can play an important role in the successful identification of the blood-meal source. Herein, we developed and validated molecular-based host identification methods for a Caribbean gnathiid isopods based on the degradation rate of blood meals. These methods were …

Discovery From Failure: Understanding Developing Countries' Battles With Poverty And Culturally Appropriate Answers To Them, Daniel Tennant

Honors Theses

This paper is an examination of a failed research attempt, followed by examination of successful research literature on the subject of the informal economy and poverty. The research is centered on peripheral regions of the world, namely in Sub-Saharan countries such as Senegal. The informal economy continues to grow without thorough understanding or measurement of it creating greater problems in the future. The examination highlights the need for culturally appropriate questions, methodologies, and answers to issues of poverty in developing countries. Western World bias needs to be considered when creating and executing research in developing countries if the results are …

Mirror Therapy, A Pain Management Therapy, Gabriella Andrews

Honors Theses

This project was undertaken to explore the use of mirror therapy (MT) as a palliative for stroke patients and amputees experiencing phantom limb pain. MT is a relatively new treatment and while it has limited research, it is starting to be used more within the rehabilitation setting. Research suggests MT has beneficial effects occur with phantom limb pain as well as post-stroke patients. This study will explain the history, uses, and research behind MT not only as a form of therapy but also a non-medicinal pain reliever.

Included are interviews from physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) along with …

The Use Of Neurologic Music Therapy And Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation As Treatment For Parkinson’S Disease, Shaima Shebrain

Honors Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, is common in people who are 50 years of age or older. It is characterized by the loss of function of the substantia nigra in producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows for smooth and coordinated movement. Due to the lack of dopamine, an individual with PD experiences involuntary and stiff movements such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and abnormal gait patterns along with other motor symptoms. Over the years, the motor symptoms that are associated with PD progressively worsen; thus, limiting the individual’s independency and ability to perform daily tasks. Those with …

Gmaim: An Analytical Pipeline For Microrna Splicing Profiling Using Generative Model, Kan Liu

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short (~22 nt) single strand RNA molecules predominantly found in eukaryotes. Being involved in many major biological processes, miRNAs can regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs to facilitate their degradation or translational inhibition. The imprecise splicing of miRNA splicing which introduces severe variability in terms of sequences of miRNA products and their corresponding downstream gene expression regulation. For example, to study biogenesis of miRNAs, usually, biologists can deplete a gene in the miRNA biogenesis pathway and study the change of miRNA sequences, which can cause impression of miRNAs. Although high-throughput sequencing technologies such as …

Structural Characterization Of Feruloylated Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides Isolated From Rice Bran Fiber, Kan Takahashi

Student Theses and Dissertations

Increased consumption of soluble cereal arabinoxylan (AX), and feruloylated arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (FAXOs) generated from it, may promote healthful gastro-intestinal functioning through modulating the gut microbiota and tuning innate immune response function at the gut epithelium. FAXO compositions isolated from rice bran fiber were characterized for their oligosaccharide mass profiles (MALDI-TOF MS) and monosaccharide compositions (GC-FID). Results indicated gluco-oligosaccharides were covalently associated with the FAXOs. I tested the hypothesis that the association represents a novel intermolecular crosslink between mixed linkage β-glucan and AX in rice caryopsis cell walls. The structural characteristics of gluco-oligosaccharides were analyzed to determine glycosidic linkages (GC-MS) and …

Synthesis And Integration Of Oligoviologens Into Hydrogel Actuators, Kevin Liles

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Interest in the development of soft-material artificial molecular muscles has inspired scientists to pursue novel stimuli-responsive systems capable of undergoing change in the physical and mechanical properties of a material in response to external stimuli. This interest has been driven primarily by advances, or the desire for advances, in fields such as soft robotics, microfluidics, and bio-compatible drug-delivery systems. In this work, redox-responsive viologens and their ability to form stable radical-cation complexes were evaluated as a method of actuation in stimuli-responsive materials, specifically hydrogels. First, a brief overview of hydrogel actuators is covered, with some examples given of the broad …

The Parthenon, December 5, 2018, Sadie Helmick, Sarah Ingram, Rick Farlow, Franklin Norton, Heather Barker

The Parthenon

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content.

Science In The News - Between Sisters: Watching Replication-Associated Recombinational Dna Repair, Aprilrose M. Fabro

CHEM151

1. Lovett S. Between sisters: Watching replication-associated recombinational DNA repair. Rockefeller University Press. 2018;217(7):2225-2227

http://jcb.rupress.org/content/jcb/early/2018/06/11/jcb.201805091.full.pdf

Sexual Harassment Of Biology And Biomedical Sciences Undergraduates: A Study On The Effects Of Larry Nassar And William Strampel, Kathleen Ryan

Honors Theses

Sexual harassment amongst undergraduate women of science is a prominent issue, gaining much media attention. The goal of this study is to determine if, and how, major sexual harassment cases impact women pursuing science-related careers, and what the sexual harassment climate is like for these individuals. The study will examine prevalence of harassment, common types of sexual misconduct, perpetrators, and severity through an anonymous survey. Additionally, this study will look into the effects of the Nassar and Strampel cases regarding desire to report harassment, and students’ fear of experiencing harassment in their future educations and careers. It is hypothesized that …

Variation Of Protein Molecular Weight Distribution Parameters And Their Correlations With Gluten And Mixing Characteristics For Winter Waxy Wheat, Jae‐Bom Ohm, Linda Dykes, Robert A. Graybosch

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

Background and objectives: Little data have been reported on protein molecular weight distribution (MWD) for waxy (amylose‐free) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) despite their importance in quality. This research aimed to investigate variations of protein MWD parameters and their associations with gluten strength in winter waxy wheat.

Findings: Winter waxy wheat genotypes varied significantly (p < 0.001) for most protein MWD parameters including SDS‐extractable polymeric protein (EPP) and unextractable polymeric protein (UPP) fractions, which are major components of gluten proteins. Allelic variation of HMW glutenin subunits had significant influence on variations of EPP and UPP in waxy genotypes. Negative correlations for EPP and positive correlations for UPP were observed with mixograph peak time and gluten index for wheat genotypes. In particular, highly significant (p < 0.001) correlations were observed between mixograph peak time and the proportion of EPP in total protein for waxy genotypes.

Conclusions: Winter waxy wheat genotypes showed significant variations for EPP and UPP parameters, which were associated with variation of gluten strength.

Significance and novelty: This research identified variation of protein MWD parameters and their associations with gluten strength. The information should be valuable in segregating winter …

Priming Of Grasping Muscles When Viewing A Safety Handle Is Diminished With Age, David A.E. Bolton, Sarah E. Schwartz, Manhoud Mansour, Garrett Rydalch, Douglas W. Mcdannald

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Merely viewing objects within reachable space can activate motor cortical networks and potentiate movement. This holds potential value for smooth interaction with objects in our surroundings, and could offer an advantage for quickly generating targeted hand movements (e.g. grasping a support rail to maintain stability). The present study investigated if viewing a wall-mounted safety handle resulted in automatic activation of motor cortical networks, and if this effect changes with age. Twenty-five young adults (18–30 years) and seventeen older adults (65+ years) were included in this study. Single-pulse, transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over the motor cortical hand representation of young …

Fractals And The Geometry Of Matrix Operators, Xiaona Zhou

Publications and Research

In this project, we are interested in how certain fractals can be generated by using introductory linear algebra techniques. A fractal is an object or a structure that is self-similar in all length scales. Sierpinski Carpet and Sierpinski Triangle are two classic examples of fractals. Fractals have many applications in real life, for instance, in imaging, art and biological sciences. In this project, we apply classes of linear transformation to describe and generate fractals in the Euclidean plane, and we generate different examples of fractal using MATLAB.

Smarthelp: Smartphone-Based Hemoglobin Level Prediction Using An Artificial Neural Network, Md Kamrul Hasan, Md. Munirul Haque, Riddhiman Adib, Jannatul F. Tumpa, Azima Begum, Rechard M. Love, Young Kim, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Blood hemoglobin level (Hgb) measurement has a vital role in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of numerous diseases. We describe the use of smartphone video imaging and an artificial neural network (ANN) system to estimate Hgb levels non-invasively. We recorded 10 second-300 frame fingertip videos using a smartphone in 75 adults. Red, green, and blue pixel intensities were estimated for each of 100 area blocks in each frame and the patterns across the 300 frames were described. ANN was then used to develop a model using the extracted video features to predict hemoglobin levels. In our study sample, with patients …

Canvass: A Crowd-Sourced, Natural-Product Screening Library For Exploring Biological Space, Sara E. Kearney, Gergely ZahoráNszky-KőHalmi, Kyle R. Brimacombe, Mark J. Henderson, Caitlin Lynch, Tongan Zhao, Kanny K. Wan, Zina Itkin, Christopher Dillon, Min Shen, Dorian M. Cheff, Tobie D. Lee, Danielle Bougie, Ken Cheng, Nathan P. Coussens, Dorjbal Dorjsuren, Richard T. Eastman, Ruili Huang, Michael J. Iannotti, Surendra Karavadhi, Carleen Klumpp-Thomas, Jacob S. Roth, Srilatha Sakamuru, Wei Sun, Steven A. Titus, Adam Yasgar, Ya-Qin Zhang, Jinghua Zhao, Rodrigo B. Andrade, M. Kevin Brown, Robert B. Grossman

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Natural products and their derivatives continue to be wellsprings of nascent therapeutic potential. However, many laboratories have limited resources for biological evaluation, leaving their previously isolated or synthesized compounds largely or completely untested. To address this issue, the Canvass library of natural products was assembled, in collaboration with academic and industry researchers, for quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS) across a diverse set of cell-based and biochemical assays. Characterization of the library in terms of physicochemical properties, structural diversity, and similarity to compounds in publicly available libraries indicates that the Canvass library contains many structural elements in common with approved drugs. The …

Analysis Of Land Surface Temperature Over Urban Landcover Types Using Satellite Remote Sensing And Ground-Based Applications, Makini Valentine, Justine Ginchereau

Publications and Research

Urban areas have discrete differences in their land surface temperatures (LST) compared to rural areas. These regions are covered with impermeable materials with less vegetation and moisture. Consequently, this phenomenon causes major thermal intensities of different land surfaces, negatively impact people and environment. The objective of this project is to examine and to compare land surface temperature obtained from in-situ data and satellite-based observations in order to understand the diurnal variation and heat transfer at each surface type. The study utilizes series of hand held thermal infrared cameras and one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) infrared camera to find land surface …

Computational Studies Of Fullerene-Porphyrin Dyads, Sumreen Gul

Theses and Dissertations

Fullerene (C60) has generated much scientific interest since its discovery due to its novel optical, electronic, and physical properties. Fullerene has been shown to be an excellent electron acceptor and as a result is the acceptor of choice in organic photovoltaics. Porphyrins are excellent electron-donors due to their stability, low ionization potential, and excellent light absorption properties. As a result, fullerene-porphyrin dyads form unique donor-acceptor systems that can be useful for a variety of photoactive applications. In this research, computational studies have been performed on different varieties of C60-Porphyrin dyads and the relationship between molecular topology and the properties of …

Synthesis, Characterization And Enhanced Electrochemical Performance Of Amide-Based Metal Complexes As Electrocatalysts In Energy Devices And Non-Enzymatic Sensor, Charlette Parnell

Theses and Dissertations

The use of metal catalysts supported on the carbon nanomaterials as electrocatalysts has propelled the development of modified electrodes for electrochemical studies. They have been shown to increase sensitivity and electrical conductivity making them advantageous in applications for fuel cells, sensors and supercapacitors. In this dissertation, the synthesis and characterization of metal catalysts supported on carbon nanomaterials will be discussed and their electrochemical activity towards fuel cells, sensor and supercapacitor studies will be explored. Due to the great need for energy efficient and environmentally benign energy devices that can replace the use of fossil fuels in energy production, fuel cells …

The Interplay Between Early Childhood Education And Mental Health: How Students In An In-Service Early Childhood Teacher Education Program Experience Children With Mental Health And Behavioral Challenges In The Classroom, Katie Statman-Weil

Dissertations and Theses

All early childhood educators who work with children between birth and six years of age are likely to encounter young children who experience behavioral and mental health challenges throughout their careers. Research demonstrates that educators can play a vital role in children's mental health and behavioral development. However, often early childhood educators do not believe they have the knowledge or tools to accurately identify and successfully handle the unique challenges that arise when working with children with behavioral and mental health issues.

Using an Anti-Oppressive Framework, this research study explores, through a qualitative case study design, how students in an …

The Antelope, University Of Nebraska At Kearney

The Antelope

No abstract provided.

Green Supply Chain Management: A Perspective On Best Practices In Gscm Design, Leroy Paddock, Natasha Rao

Arkansas Law Review

Greening of company supply chains has become almost de rigueur for large, publicly facing companies. One indication of this situation is the fact that 35 of the Fortune 50 companies and at least 58 of the Fortune 100 companies discuss at least some aspects of their green supply chain management (GSCM) activities on their public websites, primarily under the heading of “responsible sourcing.” These GSCM activities ] have the potential to contribute in very important ways to meeting societal sustainability goals, influencing suppliers that are beyond the reach of the national laws of consumer nations, and driving changes in environmental …

The Great Divide: What Dr. Moreau Tells Us About Posthumanism And The Anthropocene, Cynthia Rosenfeld

Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research

This critique of three films of The Island of Dr. Moreau, a classic story that keeps resurfacing in popular culture, aims to shed light on the geologic era in which we live, the Anthropocene. What do these films reveal about the Western conceptualization of the differences between “human” and “animal,” and what does this conceptualization reveal about the Anthropocene? The post-human analysis primarily employs concepts from Lacan, Derrida, and Eagleton, and includes a detailed look at the role of language. Dr. Moreau’s conceit of human uniqueness (and superiority) fosters the kind of thinking that allows humanity to ignore the …

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall: Reflections Of A Fat Girl, Lisa P. Spinazola

Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research

This paper shows a day in the life of a woman who sees herself as fat. Her reflection in the mirror is a site of conflict and strife. While she feels accomplished and confident as a teacher, mother and friend, she lacks confidence about her body, which presents a dialectical tension in her sense of self. She writes as a way to understand this dialectic and how she might learn to live a healthier, happier life where she finds balance and is not flagellating herself about her weight. She explores the role food and exercise play in her existence and …

Front Matter

Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research

No abstract provided.

Incentives For Coastal Persistence, Porter Hoagland

Sustainability Seminar Series

Inundation, erosion, and property damages and losses are being observed at increasing rates in coastal areas. It is now well-recognized that rising sea levels, increases in storm intensities, and inadequate structural protections are contributing to the significant physical destruction of and economic losses to coastal properties. Scientists, coastal zone managers, and the general public have begun to call for implementing policies of resilience and adaptation to these losses, including retreating from the coast, yet humans continue to live—and even increase their presence—along the nation’s shorelines. What causes such persistence? It has become commonplace to identify lower-than-actuarially-fair premiums for participation in …