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2019

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Synthesis Of Polyurethane From Sustainable Sources, Jovan Jevric Jan 2019

Synthesis Of Polyurethane From Sustainable Sources, Jovan Jevric

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The most common method of polyurethanes involves a reaction between various petroleum-based isocyanates and a polyol along with a catalyst; all of which have a negative impact on environmental and human health. The objective of this research project is to eliminate or mitigate the risks and hazards associated with the production and degradation of polyurethane. Hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurates (3HDI) are one of the most common isocyanates used in the polyurethane processing industry. 3HDI contains numerous toxins, and it has a negative impact on the environment and human health1. It has been found that there are other compounds that …


Optimization Of Primary Cilia Detection In Musculoskeletal Tissue, Ragen Engel Jan 2019

Optimization Of Primary Cilia Detection In Musculoskeletal Tissue, Ragen Engel

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this research project was to optimize a laboratory technique for visualizing primary cilia in musculoskeletal tissue of young swine, specifically the growth plate of long bones. This was accomplished through varying fixation procedures, antigen retrieval methods, antibody concentrations, and incubation times. By varying these parameters, a reproducible procedure was developed to examine the primary cilia in multiple tissues including ligament, fascia, and growth plate. This experiment introduced variances in fixation methods, with methanol or formalin. Paraffin and frozen embedding techniques were also varied for comparison with regards to cilia visualization. Results from the acetylated alpha tubulin (aTUB) …


Chronoamperometry Analysis Of Sweat Sensor Technology, Evan Fritz Jan 2019

Chronoamperometry Analysis Of Sweat Sensor Technology, Evan Fritz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Due to the demand for in-situ electrolyte sodium sensors, prototype sensors have been produced to create a product for athletes and marathoners to monitor hydration levels. These senors address a desire in the marketplace for athletic monitoring for overall athlete wellness and performance. Sweat sensor samples were created using Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes functionalized on a Nylon-6 fiber mat using cyclo-oligomeric Calixarene. This production process produces sensors capable of detecting sodium ion concentration present in human sweat in presence of an electric current. Chronoamperometry analysis is used in this manner to determine the functionality of the sensors. Much of the research …


Effects Of Acute Hypoxia On Danio Rerio, Karly Crail Jan 2019

Effects Of Acute Hypoxia On Danio Rerio, Karly Crail

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research experiment was to determine the effects of acute hypoxia on the embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) cardiovascular system and assess the critical oxygen level at which embryonic function is compromised. This goal was achieved by exposing embryos to decreasing oxygen concentrations, (6.0 mg/L-0 mg/L) and observing the heart under an inverted microscope. Data analysis was conducted to determine end systolic volume, end diastolic volume, stroke volume, heart rate, and cardiac output. It was hypothesized that hypoxia would stimulate cardiac activity, because in early developmental stages, tissues are supplied with oxygen through bulk diffusion, and …


Investigating Iron Metabolism In Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients, Alexander A. Maynard, Gardenia Pacheco Jan 2019

Investigating Iron Metabolism In Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients, Alexander A. Maynard, Gardenia Pacheco

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a stroke characterized by bleeding into the subarachnoid space of the brain, typically resulting in high mortality rate.8 Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), characterized by vasospasms induced arterial constriction, occurs in roughly one third of the surviving patients.20 The development of DCI and neurodegeneration could be linked to metabolic pathology that occurs after SAH, specifically iron induced changes in redox status. The oxidized environment induced by iron has the potential to functionally affect the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (Cp), which is linked to neurodegeneration.15 Global LC-MS based metabolomics data revealed alterations in metabolism in the CSF …


Cloning The Vision Related G Protein Transducin For Live Cell Fluorescence Studies, Deanna M. Bowman Jan 2019

Cloning The Vision Related G Protein Transducin For Live Cell Fluorescence Studies, Deanna M. Bowman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

G coupled protein receptors (GCPR) are one of the largest families of receptors and mediate a variety of biological responses. Rhodopsin is the largest family and aids in sight, the α-subunit of the GCPR complex in extremely important to the activation and downstream signaling effects of GCPR. The α-subunit contains a small trans-domain portion and in this project the sequence of that portion will be inserted into a vector containing a fluorescent tag. These vectors will then be used to collect fluorescent cross correlation spectroscopy or FCCS data. The unit was cloned using assembly methods that include PCR and purification …


Pick-And-Place Robot For The 2019 Asme Student Design Competition, Riniah A. Foor, Megan Schmit, Aaron Urban, Jeanetta Davidsaver, Daniel Mugongo Jan 2019

Pick-And-Place Robot For The 2019 Asme Student Design Competition, Riniah A. Foor, Megan Schmit, Aaron Urban, Jeanetta Davidsaver, Daniel Mugongo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project was undertaken as an opportunity to participate in a holistic experience of designing, building, and competing as an engineering design team. In the ASME Student Design Competition, undergraduate students are able to experientially learn the process of design inception, manufacture, and product performance in addition to the development of critical project management skills. This is done through a creative design challenge to build a device capable of accomplishing a “pick-and-place” task in a fast and efficient manner.


Immersive Rehearsal In A Simulated Environment (Irise), Cassandra Clouse Jan 2019

Immersive Rehearsal In A Simulated Environment (Irise), Cassandra Clouse

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Recent advancements in virtual environment (VE) technology and the growth of VE use in treating and training individuals are opening up new possibilities for rehearsal in safe and rich environments. Research has shown that VEs can be used to treat those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but very little research has been done to suggest good guidelines for creating an effective environment. This research was conducted to help inform the design of systems that let veterans rehearse potentially stressful experiences in a safe environment before having to physically step into that environment. We investigated responses to specific design components …


Differential Microrna Expression In Barrett's Esophagus Correlates With Regulation Of Posterior Homeotic Genes, Reilly June Clark Jan 2019

Differential Microrna Expression In Barrett's Esophagus Correlates With Regulation Of Posterior Homeotic Genes, Reilly June Clark

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) is characterized by the appearance of an intestinal-like epithelium in the distal esophagus. The molecular mechanisms behind BE development are unknown. BE is often preceded by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and predisposes patients to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Due to the high mortality rate associated with EAC, BE patients are continuously monitored through upper endoscopy with biopsy for progression to low grade dysplasia (LGD), high grade dysplasia, and EAC. This monitoring technique poses numerous risks, so alternative surveillance and diagnostic techniques for BE pathogenesis are continually studied. microRNA biomarkers in BE pathogenesis may provide alternative means of diagnosis …


Towards Data And Model Confidentiality In Outsourced Machine Learning, Sagar Sharma Jan 2019

Towards Data And Model Confidentiality In Outsourced Machine Learning, Sagar Sharma

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

With massive data collections and needs for building powerful predictive models, data owners may choose to outsource storage and expensive machine learning computations to public cloud providers (Cloud). Data owners may choose cloud outsourcing due to the lack of in-house storage and computation resources or the expertise of building models. Similarly, users, who subscribe to specialized services such as movie streaming and social networking, voluntarily upload their data to the service providers' site for storage, analytics, and better services. The service provider, in turn, may also choose to benefit from ubiquitous cloud computing. However, outsourcing to a public cloud provider …


Hierarchical Carbon Structures With Vertically- Aligned Nanotube Carpets For Oil-Water Separation Under Different Conditions, Kimia Kiaei Jan 2019

Hierarchical Carbon Structures With Vertically- Aligned Nanotube Carpets For Oil-Water Separation Under Different Conditions, Kimia Kiaei

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the role of surface nano-structuring in fluid separation. It is hypothesized that hierarchical carbon structures consisting of aligned carbon nanotube arrays strongly adhered to the surface of porous carbon solids such as fabric and foam, can be used for separation of polar and non-polar fluids by selective wettability of one fluid and rejection of another. The vertically-aligned carbon nanotube arrays, as synthesized, possess super hydrophobicity demonstrated by high water contact angle on their surfaces. On the other hand, they are incredibly oleophilic, showing a high affinity to adsorb oil. These properties …


An Exploratory Study Of The Impact Of Stigma And Acculturation On The Perception Of Mental Illness In The Black Community, Louis Appiah-Kubi Jan 2019

An Exploratory Study Of The Impact Of Stigma And Acculturation On The Perception Of Mental Illness In The Black Community, Louis Appiah-Kubi

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Mental health stigma serves as a chronic barrier to help-seeking and in some cases exacerbates mental health conditions (SAMHSA, 2013). Researchers and clinicians have tried many different methods to reduce these negative attitudes. A popular and usually successful method is education on what mental illness is, its causes, prognosis, and the availability and effectiveness of treatment. Large scale educational efforts have not been adequate in addressing these issues. Therefore, studies are being tailored to find stereotypes within specific communities so as to come up with matching educational protocols (Corrigan & Penn, 2015). The current study explored attitudes among African Americans …


Kinetics Of Microvesicle Particle Release In Keratinocytes, Pariksha Thapa Jan 2019

Kinetics Of Microvesicle Particle Release In Keratinocytes, Pariksha Thapa

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Microvesicle particles (MVPs) are subcellular particles that could be involved in inter-cellular communication because they carry various bioactive substances including cytokines. Previous studies from our lab has shown that that the lipid mediator Platelet-activating Factor (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-glycerophosphocholine; PAF) and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) enhances the release of MVP in various cell types like primary keratinocytes, epithelial cell lines, and murine skin. We hypothesized that there may be synergistic increases in MVP release after combination of treatment of keratinocytes with UVB and PAF agonist (CPAF)/phorbol ester (PMA). The combination treatment significantly increases MVP and cytokine release at 4 to 8 hours time …


Identification Of New Metabolic Mutations That Enhance The Cell-Killing Effect Of Hydroxyurea, A Clinically Used Drug With Multiple Implications, Rittu Elsa Samuel Jan 2019

Identification Of New Metabolic Mutations That Enhance The Cell-Killing Effect Of Hydroxyurea, A Clinically Used Drug With Multiple Implications, Rittu Elsa Samuel

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and a worldwide health issue. Intensive studies have been conducted in the past to unearth new anti-cancer agents. One such anti-proliferative drug is hydroxyurea (HU). HU has been used in clinics for ≥ 100 years to treat various neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. Although newer agents have been developed, as a WHO-enlisted essential medicine, it remains the staple drug for the management of chronic myeloproliferative disorders and sickle cell anemia. A better understanding of the HU-induced cell death may improve or expand the therapeutic spectrum of this clinically important drug. HU arrests …


Attitudes On Legal Insanity And The Impact Of Race, Jerie J. Bolin Jan 2019

Attitudes On Legal Insanity And The Impact Of Race, Jerie J. Bolin

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Jurors, representatives of the communities from which they are selected, are tasked with the responsibility of reaching a verdict in an impartial, unbiased manner. Previous research has found that bias and negative attitudes impact juror decision-making, despite practices that are in place to dismiss potentially biased jurors, such as voir dire. Studies have found a correlation between racial biases and juror verdicts. Additionally, a correlation has also been found between insanity defense attitudes and a juror’s propensity to favor (or not favor) a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) acquittal. However, there has been limited examination of the impact …


Social Buffering By Unfamiliar Adult Males In Periadolescent Guinea Pigs: The Effects On Hpa Axis Activity And Fos Induction In The Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Alexander Bertke Jan 2019

Social Buffering By Unfamiliar Adult Males In Periadolescent Guinea Pigs: The Effects On Hpa Axis Activity And Fos Induction In The Medial Prefrontal Cortex, Alexander Bertke

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In the guinea pig, the ability of the mother’s presence to buffer hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis activation in her young during exposure to stressful stimuli has been well documented. Under similar testing conditions, other conspecifics (littermates, other adult females) are less effective in doing so. The effect does seem to wane with age but is still present to a significant degree in offspring approaching adolescence. However, we recently observed that an unfamiliar adult male buffered HPA axis activation and increased Fos expression in the prefrontal cortex of preweaning infants exposed to a novel enclosure at both 60 and 120 minutes …


Multi-Sensor Approach To Determine The Effect Of Geometry On Microstructure In Additive Manufacturing, Joseph R. Walker Jan 2019

Multi-Sensor Approach To Determine The Effect Of Geometry On Microstructure In Additive Manufacturing, Joseph R. Walker

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technique used for making complex parts through a layer-by-layer process with fine feature resolution. However, the layer-by-layer process, with complex scanning patterns within each layer, introduces variability in thermal behavior leading to inconsistent microstructure and defects. The in- situ process monitoring approach in this work uses sensors including a high-speed visible camera, thermal camera, and spectrometer to evaluate each location in the LPBF process. Each sensor focuses on a different process phenomenon such as the melt pool or thermal behavior. An experimental study, using metallographic analysis and collection of sensor data, …


Globalization’S Effects On Mexico, Andrew Barry Jan 2019

Globalization’S Effects On Mexico, Andrew Barry

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research paper aims to investigate the effects of economic globalization on the Mexican economy. To contextualize the research presented, a brief historical summary is presented. Economic globalization is examined through trade and foreign investment in México, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and portfolio investment. The Mexican economy is measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). This research paper uses data from The World Bank to examine how economic globalization indicators affect the indicators chosen to measure the Mexican economy. The findings of this paper show that there is evidence that the Mexican economy has grown …


Goodyear "As A Service" Project Plan, Nicholas Nutial, Tara Myatt, James Genetin, Brenna Paananen, Julian Moore Jan 2019

Goodyear "As A Service" Project Plan, Nicholas Nutial, Tara Myatt, James Genetin, Brenna Paananen, Julian Moore

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper summarizes the research conducted on how the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company can utilize the "as-a-service" business model. The research consisted of a survey, focus group, and a secondary research report. The primary research was focused around the consumers' opinions of tire-buying, car maintenance, and current subscription services that the participants used. Thus data led to the recommendation for Goodyear to implement a subscription service that includes text reminders for car maintenance, a meet your technician feature, and tire credits.


Factors That Influence Recruitment And Retention, Colton West, Jessica Ricks, Caroline Strachan, John Iacono, Carly Shay Jan 2019

Factors That Influence Recruitment And Retention, Colton West, Jessica Ricks, Caroline Strachan, John Iacono, Carly Shay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The project is to test and research the main factors that influence recruitment and retention with a focus on the company Sherwin-Williams. Specifically, this paper explores peer-reviewed articles that report on recruitment and retention findings from experts and everyday practitioners within human resources management and the retail industry. Major influences on turnover highlighted in this report include methods of pursuing talent, brand awareness and its effects on recruiting millennials and generation Z, compensation and benefits and their ability to attract and retain talent, and the integral component of job satisfaction and its role in employee and management retention. In addition, …


Cyberbullying In Education: A Literature Review, Harvey Kenworthy Jan 2019

Cyberbullying In Education: A Literature Review, Harvey Kenworthy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will analyze different pieces of literature on the topic of Cyberbullying and how it affects education. The project will outline the differences between traditional bullying and cyberbullying. The various psychological, social, and academic outcomes of cyberbullying. Some of the current intervention strategies used in schools to combat cyberbullying. This project will also include interviews from administrators and educators from Summit County Schools about anti-cyberbullying programs that are implemented in their schools and analyze whether or not these programs are consistent with what the literature suggests.


Evaluating Sex Related Differences In The Osteocyte Lacunar Canalicular Network Across The Lifespan: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach, Gina Tubo Jan 2019

Evaluating Sex Related Differences In The Osteocyte Lacunar Canalicular Network Across The Lifespan: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach, Gina Tubo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Bone is a dynamic tissue with the ability to remodel itself. This capability is facilitated via communication mechanisms through the osteocyte-lacunar-canalicular (LCN) network. Osteocytes are bone cells housed in small, hollow spaces called lacunae. Lacunae are linked by canals called canaliculi. A diminished network can lead to the inability to form bone following breakdown. A decrease in osteocyte-LCN density has been shown to correlate with aging (Ashique et al. 2017). This decline leads to the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis preferentially affects women. Prior studies have shown that women older than 50 are four times more likely to be osteoporotic when …


The Cemetery Of Traitors, Osman Balkan Jan 2019

The Cemetery Of Traitors, Osman Balkan

Political Science Faculty Works

No abstract provided.


Projected Climate Change Impacts On Indiana’S Energy Demand And Supply, Leigh Raymond, Douglas Gotham, William Mcclain, Sayanti Mukhopadhyay, Roshanak Nateghi, Paul V. Preckel, Peter Schubert, Shweta Singh, Liz Wachs Jan 2019

Projected Climate Change Impacts On Indiana’S Energy Demand And Supply, Leigh Raymond, Douglas Gotham, William Mcclain, Sayanti Mukhopadhyay, Roshanak Nateghi, Paul V. Preckel, Peter Schubert, Shweta Singh, Liz Wachs

Energy Publications

This paper estimates changes in future energy demand and supply for Indiana due to projected climate change impacts. We first estimate demand changes under both the business-as-usual emissions scenario (RCP 8.5) and a scenario based on reduced emissions consistent with a 2-degree increase in global mean temperature (RCP 4.5), on both a statewide basis and for major urban areas. We then use our adjusted statewide energy demand projections as an input to a comprehensive model of Indiana’s energy system, to project expected changes in the state’s energy supply under both scenarios. Finally, we consider the potential impacts of two policy …


Pwatem: An Anthology Of Literature And Art (2019) Jan 2019

Pwatem: An Anthology Of Literature And Art (2019)

Pwatem (Poictesme), 2006-

Pwatem is an anthology of literature and art from undergraduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Pwatem publishes poetry, prose and art of all kinds from talented undergraduate students of all majors.


Data Approximation Strategies Between Generalized Line Scales And The Influence Of Labels And Spacing, Jonathan C. Kershaw, Cordelia Running Jan 2019

Data Approximation Strategies Between Generalized Line Scales And The Influence Of Labels And Spacing, Jonathan C. Kershaw, Cordelia Running

Department of Food Science Faculty Publications

Comparing sensory data gathered using different line scales is challenging. We tested whether adding internal labels to a generalized visual analog scale (gVAS) would improve comparability to a typical generalized labeled magnitude scale (gLMS). Untrained participants evaluated cheeses using one of four randomly assigned scales. Normalization to a cross‐modal standard and/or two gLMS transformations were applied to the data. Response means and distributions were lower for the gLMS than the gVAS, but no difference in resolving power was detected. The presence of labels, with or without line markings, caused categorical‐like lumping of responses. Closer low‐end label spacing for gLMS increased …


Characterizing Dysgeusia In Hemodialysis Patients, Ciara Fitzgerald, Gretchen Wiese, Ranjani N. Moorthi, Sharon M. Moe, Kathleen Hill Gallant, Cordelia Running Jan 2019

Characterizing Dysgeusia In Hemodialysis Patients, Ciara Fitzgerald, Gretchen Wiese, Ranjani N. Moorthi, Sharon M. Moe, Kathleen Hill Gallant, Cordelia Running

Department of Food Science Faculty Publications

Dysgeusia (abnormal taste) is common in those with chronic kidney disease and contributes to poor nutritional intake. Previous sensory work has shown that taste improves after dialysis sessions. The goal of this pilot study was to characterize altered taste perceptions in patients on dialysis compared with healthy adults, and to evaluate relationships between serum parameters with taste perceptions. We hypothesized that patients undergoing dialysis would experience blunted taste intensities compared with controls, and that serum levels of potential tastants would be inversely related to taste perception of compounds. Using a cross-sectional design, we carried out suprathreshold sensory assessments (flavor intensity …


The Influence Of The Great Recession On The Identification Of Students From Non-White Populations In The State Of Texas, Jaret Hodges, Juliana Tay, Hyeseong Lee, Nielsen Pereira Jan 2019

The Influence Of The Great Recession On The Identification Of Students From Non-White Populations In The State Of Texas, Jaret Hodges, Juliana Tay, Hyeseong Lee, Nielsen Pereira

Department of Education Studies Graduate Student Publications

The Great Recession is an economic crisis which has had repercussions through different facets of U.S. society. Texas, despite overall economic health, enacted severe cuts to education as a result of the Great Recession. A potential consequence of these austerity measures is the identification of Black, Latinx, and Native American students for gifted education services. This article examines effects of the Great Recession and educational budget policy on the identification of Black, Latinx, and Native American students for gifted services in Texas. Publicly available data were acquired from the Texas Education Agency on district demographic data from 1999 to 2015. …


Cripping Modernism: An Introduction, Maren Linett Jan 2019

Cripping Modernism: An Introduction, Maren Linett

Department of English Faculty Publications

This introduction briefly introduces literary disability studies and crip methodology. After informing readers about a few key concepts of disability studies and giving some examples of modernist writers’ use of disability metaphors, it raises questions about how disability inflects modernist themes and modernist form. It then offers synopses of the nine articles in the special issue, articles that treat a range of authors from the early to mid-twentieth century. The essays engage with literary theory, various early twentieth-century historical contexts, and issues of race, imperialism, gender, sexuality, and class.


Report On The 2019 International Association Of University Libraries Pre-Conference Seminar: Library Strategies For Research Support Excellence, Amanda Bellenger, Katie Mills Jan 2019

Report On The 2019 International Association Of University Libraries Pre-Conference Seminar: Library Strategies For Research Support Excellence, Amanda Bellenger, Katie Mills

Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences

The Library Strategies for Research Support Excellence half-day seminar was held on the 23 June 2019 at the Reid Library, University of Western Australia (UWA). The event was organised by International Association of University Libraries (IATUL), UWA and Curtin University, and was sponsored by CNKI. The seminar provided an opportunity for senior university library leaders from around the world, including China, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Africa to discuss the current initiatives and challenges associated with research support in their respective regions.