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Examining Multiple Cellular Pathways At Once Using Multiplex Hextuple Luciferase Assaying, Alejandro Sarrion-Perdigones, Lyra Chang, Yezabel Gonzalez, Tatiana Gallego-Flores, Damian W Young, Koen J T Venken

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Sensitive simultaneous assessment of multiple signaling pathways within the same cells requires orthogonal reporters that can assay over large dynamic ranges. Luciferases are such genetically encoded candidates due to their sensitivity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. We expand luciferase multiplexing in post-lysis endpoint luciferase assays from two to six. Light emissions are distinguished by a combination of distinct substrates and emission spectra deconvolution. All six luciferase reporter units are stitched together into one plasmid facilitating delivery of all reporter units through a process we termed solotransfection, minimizing experimental errors. We engineer a multiplex hextuple luciferase assay to probe pathway fluxes through five …

Parental Influence On Sedentary Behavior In Children: A Systematic Review, Kaitlyn Albrecht Bsn, Rn, Neil Peterson Phd, Rn, Np-C, Agacnp-Bc, Jane Lassetter Phd, Rn

Student Works

The purpose of this systematic review is to appraise and synthesize the evidence regarding parental influences on sedentary behavior (SB) in children and explore associations promoting parent-based interventions. Prominent research in the last decade has established SB as a health risk, but to our knowledge, no systematic reviews observing parent to child SB associations have been conducted. Inclusion criteria required publication in the English language, utilization of objective measures for SB evaluation, and samples that included the 11 to 17 year age range, thus yielding a total of 15 identified studies. PRISMA guidelines were used to lead the search methodology …

The Diamond, December 13, 2019, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: One Expensive Longboard Ride; Trump Impeachment Inquiry Timeline; Beyond a Prank: East Hall Feels Effects of Policy Violations
• Opinion: "Dordtspeak" Trumps Biblical Teaching?; A Thankful State of Mind; A Whole New World Awaits: The Advent of Disney Plus; Seven Tips for Surviving Your First Winter
• News: Rhinos Face Extinction as Christians Face Facts
• Arts & Entertainment: The Making of Airwaves; The Irishman: Long but Worth It; For the First Time in Forever... or Since 2013; Wind Symphony Prepares for Christmas; Knives Out: A Twist of a Mystery; Service of Lessons and Carols
• Sports: Dordt Men's Basketball Shows Confidence …

Perceptions Of Nurses After The First Year Of Practice: Expectations And Reality, Susan R. Lesser

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: The nursing profession is facing a critical shortage stemming from retirement of experienced nurses, increasing healthcare needs of an older population, and more inclusive healthcare coverage. Newly licensed nurses (NLNs) have been the long-term plan to fill the gap. Despite the support from nurse residency programs (NRPs), many of these graduate nurses are leaving their first position. This turnover of nurses is detrimental to the nursing shortage, and financially burdensome for health care systems.

Purpose: Two aims were explored: 1) to better understand the perceptions of newly licensed nurses after the first year of practice about their expectations and …

Breaking Down Barriers: Teaching Students To Communicate Effectively, Eva Claire Coffman

Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

This portfolio explores the journey of learning English language and composition from reading to understand, to writing to be understood. A major research essay, “Truth and Lying in Dystopian Literature”, compares and contrasts the theories presented in Plato’s Republic and Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Truth and Lying in a Non-Moral Sense” with the main themes of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orwell’s 1984. This essay is used to show students the importance of reading to understand the author’s intent. One teaching-based project, “I Put the AP in Happy”, explores the intricacies of teaching AP English Language and Composition by …

Interprofessional Activity Provides Pharmacy Students New Perspective, Whitney Tarpy

University of Mississippi News

Ole Miss student pharmacists participate in poverty simulation

Acceptability Of A Vaginal Ring To Prevent Hiv And Pregnancy: Integrating Multiple Qualitative Methods, Dana Watnick

Dissertations and Theses

Heterosexual vaginal sex can simultaneously put women at risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, disproportionately impacting poor women around the world. Both unintended pregnancy and HIV are persistent public health concerns associated with negative outcomes for mothers, families and communities. The current mix of prevention tools available to women to protect against unintended pregnancy and HIV is limited. Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) are innovative products that simultaneously offer protection against pregnancy and HIV. However, MPTs will only be effective in reducing unintended pregnancy and incident HIV if women are willing to use them. With an …

Implementing The Fast Track Improvement Bundle: A Total Joint Replacement Quality Improvement Project, Kathleen Cho, Grace Ryu, Laura Palmer, Crystal Eng, Shannon Danneman

Master's Projects and Capstones

The Fast Track program is a patient-centered and evidence-based intervention for post-surgical patients. It is widely used in many hospitals today because it has proven to promote early recovery, reduce postoperative complications, and decrease both length of stay and medical costs. Within a non-profit, Magnet community based hospital, the Fast Track program was implemented in April 2019. Currently, the success rate of the program is at 74%, which has warranted the initiation of a Quality Improvement (QI) project.

This project began with a microsystem assessment, root cause analysis (RCA), and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis. Four main barriers were …

Standardization Of Postoperative Care Guidelines For Pediatric Cleft Palate Patients, Julie Barragan, Macy Andrada, Mercedes Greenberg, Tatiana Grib, Samantha Gerber, Amanda Dailor

Master's Projects and Capstones

At a large, community-based pediatric hospital in Southern California, a quality improvement project commenced with a goal to improve patient outcomes by decreasing length of stay and pain levels, while increasing toleration of feeds. Implementing a standardized guideline would ensure safe practice across the continuum and allow providers to use a systematic tool for postoperative care, including nursing care interventions and medications. The Root-Cause-Analysis tool was used to assess the microsystem and determine the contributing factors to the identified problem. A SWOT analysis was then performed, followed by a plan to collect data from all pediatric cleft palate procedures performed …

Improving The Rate Of Hand Hygiene Immediately Before And After Wound Care In The Street Nurse Microsystem, Amanda Ramos Sandoval

Master's Projects and Capstones

The street nurse team of Sacramento, CA provides many services to patients who are experiencing homelessness, including a substantial amount of wound care. While the street nurses were performing hand hygiene (HH) prior to and after wound care, they would often not be performing it immediately prior and post-wound care. Because the nurses hike to their patients (who are living on the streets or in out of the way camps) the street nurses would often perform hand hygiene while at their cars prior to going to the patient and again when they returned to their cars after performing wound care. …

The Workability Of Dominican University Of California (Duoc) Transitioning To A Community Choice Aggregation (Cca) Program Energy Supply, Alexandra Fuentes

Master's Theses

For almost 10 years Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), or community based energy programs, have been developing and or providing clean energy resources to both commercial and residential customers in various regions around the United States. Although there are several programs in communities in the surrounding regions of California, this study focuses on a specific California program known as MCE. This research examines the feasibility of Dominican University of California (DUoC) transitioning from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to becoming a client of MCE in the future. Out of the 19 community energy programs currently available in the state, MCE is …

Investigating The Relationship Between Hormone Receptors Dax-1 And Estrogen Receptor Within Prostate Cancer Cell Lines, Meghana G. Vijayraghavan

Master's Theses

Prostate cancer (PCa) is estimated to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States in 2019. While most prostate tumors rely on androgens for growth signaling, there are subsets of tumors that become androgen-resistant, therefore resisting conventional androgen-depravation therapy. Consequently, research has focused on targeting different hormone receptors for novel therapeutics. One such receptor is Dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1 (DAX-1). DAX-1 is known to interact with other hormone receptors, such as androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) to suppress the proliferative effects …

Evaluation And Development Of Effective Tank Cleanout Procedures Following Dicamba Use, Zachary Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

Sprayer hygiene and concerns of off-target injury from auxin herbicides have increased in recent years. New auxin tolerant crops have broadened the use patterns of these herbicides. Therefore, experiments were conducted across two locations in Mississippi in 2016, 2017, and 2018 to evaluate sprayer cleanout procedures to aid in dicamba removal. Standard sprayer cleanout consisted of a triple rinse of 10% tank volume, with either a tank cleaner or ammonia added in the second rinse. Samples collected in each rinse step for all treatments were applied to actively growing soybean and dicamba concentration quantified with HPLC. Experiments were conducted to …

Attributes Affecting Adoption Of Pollinator Conservation Practices, Shannon M. Westlake

Theses and Dissertations

Pollinator conservation has recently become a topic of greater interest and research around the world as native insect pollinator species increasingly face population declines. In the United States, growing concerns regarding food security and decreased biodiversity have led to the creation of programmatic and best management practices (BMPs) promotional efforts among governmental and non-governmental organizations. These efforts seek to support pollinators on public and private lands by addressing the primary causes of decline (e.g., habitat loss and increased chemical use). Although these organizations have worked diligently to increase awareness and applicability of programs to private landholders, there is still a …

Baseline Free Structural Health Monitoring Using Modified Time Reversal Method And Wavelet Spectral Finite Element Models, Nimesh Jayakody

Theses and Dissertations

The Lamb wave based, non-contact damage detection techniques are developed using the Modified Time Reversal (MTR) method and the model based inverse problem approach. In the first part of this work, the Lamb wave-based MTR method along with the non-contacting sensors is used for structural damage detection. The use of non-contact measurements for MTR method is validated through experimental results and finite element simulations. A novel technique in frequency-time domain is developed to detect linear damages using the MTR method. The technique is highly suitable for the detection of damages in large metallic structures, even when the damage is superficial, …

Best Management Practices Of Non-Irrigated Soybean (Glycine Max) Production Systems In The Mid-South, Daniel Zachary Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the most profitable and effective management practices for non-irrigated soybean production. Common production practices were compared side by side to evaluate yield response and economic returns. Combinations of row spacings and planting dates were evaluated to determine interactions between the two factors and also the effects on yield. Lastly, the effectiveness of various iron sources was examined in iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) susceptible soybeans when applied foliar, inurrow at planting, and a split application. These data suggest that in non-irrigated soybeans, “low input management” practices do not maximize yields, but can be more profitable, depending …

Biochemical Characterization And Regulatory Mechanisms Of Plant Thimet Oligopeptidases Under Oxidative And Reductive Stress, Thualfeqar Almohanna

Theses and Dissertations

Two main Arabidopsis thimet oligopeptidases (AtTOP) involved in stress responses are: (1) thimet metalloendopeptidase 1 (TOP1), found in the mitochondria and chloroplasts, annotated as At5g65620, and (2) thimet metalloendopeptidase 2 (TOP2), found in the cytosol annotated as At5g10540. Both AtTOP1 and AtTOP2 are located on chromosome 5 and share high homology. AtTOP1 and AtTOP2 are zincin-like metalloendopeptidases with the characteristic HEXXH active motif of the M3 clan. Their peptidase activity is related to the oxidative stress triggered by plant immune responses. AtTOPs are involved in plant immune responses through a mechanism regulated by Salicylic Acid (SA); both AtTOP1 and AtTOP2 …

The Effect Of Maternal Nutrition And Genetic Background On Myogenic And Adipogenic Development In Skeletal Muscle Of Angus And Brahman Cattle Offspring, Racheal L. Lemire

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine breed specific effects of nutritional insults during gestation on regulation of muscle and adipose tissue growth in beef cattle offspring during fetal and early postnatal development. Angus and Brahman heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments consisting of 100% or 60% based on net energy requirements for gestating heifers. Nutritional treatments were imposed from day 50 to 180 of gestation. Fetuses harvested at 180 days of gestation had smaller frames and spared critical organs. Gene expression in several fetal tissues indicated potential for compensatory growth. Postnatally, Brahman offspring weighed …

Use Of Formative Research To Inform Family-Based Approaches To Prevent Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Mississippians, Mary Nelson Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, which is leading to approximately 130 deaths each day. While research on family-based approaches for substance misuse prevention, such as alcohol and tobacco prevention, has been conducted, few if any studies have focused on prescription opioid misuse prevention. Previous literature suggests that a comprehensive family-based approach can be effective in preventing substance misuse at the family-level. Considering the multiple age groups the sandwich generation cares for, the sandwich generation may have greater access to reaching multiple age groups to prevent prescription opioid misuse. Therefore, the purpose of this study …

A Systematic Approach For Waste Management In The Semiconductor Industry, Vivian Hui

Theses and Dissertations

One area that has received attention in the literature is sustainable production. This research has focused upon modifying production processes to improve sustainability. Semiconductor manufacturing has evolved into one of the most important industries in the world. However, as a new industry, semiconductor manufacturing has had far less attention in the sustainability literature as compared to more mature industries. Amongst the sustainability frameworks and methodologies that have been developed to measure the sustainability of an entity, waste is treated as an afterthought, not as the focus of the research. The literature rarely considers waste management as a component of sustainable …

Examining The Experiences Of Chinese Multilingual Therapists In Training, Stephanie Li-Wei Lin

Doctoral Dissertations

According to the 2015 Census, 44% of people ages five and older in California speak a language other than English in their household, indicating the growth of multilingual persons in California. Among the top three languages spoken at home in California, Chinese takes third following English and Spanish. The demand for multilingual mental health services may continue to grow with the increase of multilingual individuals. Although there is an increase in need for multilingual mental health services, there remains a lack of formal training and clinical supervision for multilingual trainees. This study adopted a qualitative approach and utilized semi-structured interviews …

Assistance In Mine Action: Resolution Adopted By The General Assembly On 13 December 2019, Un

Global CWD Repository

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 72/75 of 7 December 2017 and all its previous resolutions on assistance in mine clearance and on assistance in mine action, all adopted without a vote,

Recalling also all relevant treaties and conventions1 and their review processes,

Noting the twentieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction,2 and the establishment of both the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action,

Noting with appreciation the extent to which the International …

Rural Multilingual Family Engagement, Maria Coady

The Rural Educator

Rural teachers and educators are increasingly called upon to build partnerships with families who use languages other than English in the home (US DOE, 2016). This is equally true for rural schools, where the number of multilingual families is small, and the language and cultural backgrounds of students differs from those of school. This article reviews the research on parental involvement and three common models of parental involvement. In this article, I propose a revised conceptual model for teachers and educators for rural multilingual family engagement. This article calls for increasingly refined research that addresses the sociohistorical backgrounds of families …

Superintendents’ Perceptions Regarding The Supervision And Evaluation Of Principals In A Rural State, David Hvidston, Courtney Ann Mckim

The Rural Educator

The goals for this mixed methods study were to examine superintendents’ perceptions regarding their own supervision and evaluation of principals in a rural state. Five research questions guided the mixed methods inquiry. An online survey tool was used to gather perceptions from superintendents regarding their own evaluation and supervision of principals. Participants solicited included all 48 superintendents from a rural Mountain West state. Out of the participants solicited 23 superintendents agreed to participate (48% response rate). Results from this study provided implications for those who train superintendents and those who supervise and evaluate principals. Keywords: superintendents, principal supervision, principal evaluation, …

Bridging The Gap: The Collaboration Of Mental Health Services And The Juvenile Justice System, Gregory Medley

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Abstract

This paper explore the mental health needs of juveniles in the juvenile justice system. The need for mental health services in detention centers has been identified consistently throughout the United States. It is clearly noted in research that meeting the needs of youth in local community detentions centers are inadequate. With 65% to 70% of youth in contact with juvenile justice system having a diagnosable mental health disorder; over 60% of youth with a mental health disorder also having a substance abuse disorder (Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Collaborative for Change, 2015). As a result, I have created a …

How Does Access To Healthcare Affect Life Expectancy?, Yara Mahmoud

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Access to health care is a pressing issue in the United States, whether it be the cost of care or not having enough of it. To emphasize the importance of this topic, this paper assesses the impact of access to health services on life expectancy. A comparison is made between the universal health systems in France and Spain and the mixed system in the United States. Even though the United States spends the most on health care in the world, its statistics fall below those of other developed countries. After addressing other risk factors, it was found that individuals under …

Assessment Of Structural Competency In Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Descriptive Study, Elle J. Del Gallo

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Cultural competence has been investigated extensively in nursing education to better prepare nurses to care for individuals of diverse backgrounds. While developing cultural competence is important to address individual care needs, it may not address the social and structural factors that influence health. Structural competency describes the ability to assess not only cultural factors that affect health disparities, but also structural inequalities and stigmas that can alter a patient’s presenting symptoms and risk for certain diseases.

Quantification Of Neuronal Specific Responses To Depletion Of The Nascent Polypeptide-Associated Complex In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Harrison Hall

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Cells experiencing misfolded protein stress can become debilitated and die, consistent with this stress being linked to numerous diseases. When misfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the unfolded protein response (UPR) initiates mechanisms that resolve this stress or trigger apoptosis, dependent on the severity and/or duration of the stress. The nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) is a heterodimeric chaperone that mediates proper protein folding and localization during translation; depletion of the NAC promotes misfolded protein stress in the ER, resulting in the initiation of the UPR in affected cells. The relationship between the NAC and the UPR is not …

A Geographical Analysis Of Gentrification And The Changing Foodscape In Seattle 2010-2017, Alice Tiffany, Michele Romolini

Honors Thesis

Anguelovski defines food privilege as “the exclusive access to desirable ‘natural’ and fresh food thanks to one’s economic, cultural, and political power” (Anguelovski 2015a). Previous studies have demonstrated that access to fresh, healthy, affordable food is correlated with socioeconomic status (LA Food Policy Council 2017; Walker et al. 2010; Alkon & Agyeman 2011; Raja et al. 2008). However, as is being increasingly noted, the introduction of environmental amenities, such as farmers markets and community gardens, can have unintended consequences and trigger environmental gentrification (Kern 2015; Pearsall 2010; Eckerd 2011; Curran & Hamilton 2012; Wolch et al. 2014; Alkon & Cadji …

Finite Element Analysis Of The Mechanisms Of Impact Mitigation Inherent To The North American Bison (Bison Bison) Skull, Andrea Karen Persons

Theses and Dissertations

North American bison (Bovidae: Bison bison) incur blunt impacts to the interparietal and frontal bones when they engage in head-to-head fights. To investigate the impact mitigation of these bones, a finite element analysis of the skull under loading conditions was performed. Based on anatomical and histological studies, the interparietal and frontal bones are both comprised of a combination of haversian and plexiform bone, and are both underlain by bony septa. Additionally, the interparietal bone is thicker than the frontal. Data regarding the mechanical properties of bison bone are scarce, but the results of a phylogenetic analysis infer that the material …