Digital Commons Network^™

Using Dna To Identify The Source Of Invasive Mongooses, Herpestes Auropunctatus (Carnivora: Herpestidae) Captured On Kaua‘I, Hawaiian Islands, Darren J. Wostenberg, Matthew W. Hopken, Aaron B. Shiels, Antoinette J. Piaggio

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Two small Indian mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) were live-captured in 2012 at separate locations on the Hawaiian Island of Kaua'i, which was previously considered to be free of this invasive species. Genotypes from these two individuals were compared to genotypes of H. auropunctatus from the islands of Hawai'i (n =39), O'ahu (n =91), Maui (n = 39), and Moloka'i (n = 19) to determine the island of origin of the Kaua'i individuals. Genotypes were generated from each individual using five microsatellite loci. Genetic clustering was estimated by Bayesian inference of spatial clustering of individuals and …

Reducing Prairie Dog Populations And Damage By Castration Of Dominant Males, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) occur widely across the prairie states of North America. They compete with livestock for forage, transmit plague, and damage lawns, landscaping, and property. Interest in non-lethal methods, such as immunocontraception, is growing; however, reductions in the population due to contraception may be offset by increases in survival because adults and yearlings are not subject to the energetic demands of reproduction, and lower densities may increase the amount of resources available to growing offspring. Surgical sterilization provides a means for modeling these effects. Thus, we castrated males prior to the 1998 breeding season to simulate the …

Enhanced Expression Of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mer (Mertk) On Socs3-Treated Polarized Raw 264.7 Anti-Inflammatory M2c Macrophages, Sankhadip Bhadra

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Macrophages are phagocytic cells located in tissues, organs and even circulated within our body as white blood cells. They are critical in detecting tissue damage and infection. Resident tissue macrophages initiate the signals for inflammation recruiting neutrophils and blood monocytes which mature into macrophages at sites of infection and in the resolution of inflammation. Based on the local cytokine milieu in tissue sites, macrophages may be polarized into pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (MERTK) helps in clearing dead neutrophils and other apoptotic cells from damaged tissue sites preventing chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. MERTK aids …

Annotation Of Gene Product Function From High-Throughput Studies Using The Gene Ontology., Helen Attrill, Pascale Gaudet, Rachael P Huntley, Ruth C Lovering, Stacia R Engel, Sylvain Poux, Kimberly M Van Auken, George Georghiou, Marcus C Chibucos, Tanya Z Berardini, Valerie Wood, Harold J. Drabkin, Petra Fey, Penelope Garmiri, Midori A Harris, Tony Sawford, Leonore Reiser, Rebecca Tauber, Sabrina Toro, Gene Ontology Consortium

Faculty Research 2019

High-throughput studies constitute an essential and valued source of information for researchers. However, high-throughput experimental workflows are often complex, with multiple data sets that may contain large numbers of false positives. The representation of high-throughput data in the Gene Ontology (GO) therefore presents a challenging annotation problem, when the overarching goal of GO curation is to provide the most precise view of a gene's role in biology. To address this, representatives from annotation teams within the GO Consortium reviewed high-throughput data annotation practices. We present an annotation framework for high-throughput studies that will facilitate good standards in GO curation and, …

Representing Glycophenotypes: Semantic Unification Of Glycobiology Resources For Disease Discovery., Jean-Philippe F Gourdine, Matthew H Brush, Nicole A Vasilevsky, Kent Shefchek, Sebastian Köhler, Nicolas Matentzoglu, Monica C Munoz-Torres, Julie A Mcmurry, Xingmin Aaron Zhang, Peter N Robinson, Melissa A Haendel

Faculty Research 2019

While abnormalities related to carbohydrates (glycans) are frequent for patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases as well as in many common diseases, these glycan-related phenotypes (glycophenotypes) are not well represented in knowledge bases (KBs). If glycan-related diseases were more robustly represented and curated with glycophenotypes, these could be used for molecular phenotyping to help to realize the goals of precision medicine. Diagnosis of rare diseases by computational cross-species comparison of genotype-phenotype data has been facilitated by leveraging ontological representations of clinical phenotypes, using Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), and model organism ontologies such as Mammalian Phenotype Ontology (MP) in the context …

Elemental Ratios Link Environmental Change And Human Health, R. Paseka, A. Bratt, K. Macneill, A. Burian

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Isolation Of Presumptive Pathogens From The Pellets Of Seven North American Owl Species, Quoc Nguyen

Merge

Most birds, especially raptors such as owls (Strigiformes), egest pellets, which are regurgitated masses of the owl’s prey. The contents of the pellets may contain hair, teeth, and bones which are usually indigestible since an owl’s stomach lacks the necessary ability to break down the ingested material. Furthermore, the formed pellets cannot pass through the digestive tract and are regurgitated since it would either be too dangerous to pass through the digestive system or would block additional ingestion of new food, hence the reason to egest the pellets. Research on the pathogenic bacteria in owl pellets are scant but understanding …

The Study Of Discrete Emotions In Politics, Cigdem Sirin, Jose Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

The Study Of Discrete Emotions In Politics, Cigdem Sirin, José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

Numerous empirical works document that discrete emotions have substantive and differential effects on politically motivated processes and outcomes. Scholars have increasingly adopted a discrete-emotions approach across various political contexts. There are different theoretical paths for studying discrete emotions. Appraisal theories contend that cognition precedes emotion, where distinct cognitive appraisal tendencies elicit discrete emotional reactions associated with specific coping mechanisms. Affective Intelligence Theory, another dominant paradigm in the study of discrete emotions in politics, argues for affective primacy. Others are more concerned with the level of analysis issue than the emotion-cognition sequence. For instance, Intergroup Emotions Theory calls for differentiating between …

Baystate Medical Center Nursing Report - 2019, Christine Klucznik Dnp, Rn

Baystate Medical Center Nursing Report

No abstract provided.

The Innovator - Winter 2019, Allison Litera

Faculty Affairs & Research Newsletters - The Innovator

Quarterly newsletter published by the Offices of Faculty Affairs & Research.

Science Education, Perceived Objectivity, And Their Relationship With Racial Bias, Zachary Loomas

Theses & ETDs

Previous literature has proposed that physicians may have greater confidence in their own objectivity because of the emphasis on empiricism during their training in the natural sciences, and that this sense of personal objectivity promotes biased thought, thereby contributing to health disparities between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Psychologists know little about the construct of perceived objectivity, however. The current project addresses this gap in research by investigating the relationships between education in the natural sciences, perception of personal objectivity, and racial bias. Additionally, it examines a definition of objectivity as cognitive rigidity. College students recruited using Amazon’s mTurk (n = …

A Literary And Visual Analysis Of Extinction In The Anthropocene: Focus On Puma Concolor Coryi (Young And Goldman 1946) And Cyclargus Thomasi Bethunbakeri (W.P Comstock And Huntington 1943), Dani Patarroyo-Avila

Theses & ETDs

As growing evidence demonstrates the increased rates of biodiversity loss, methods and efforts for conservation are required to ameliorate flora and fauna devastation. My aim with this thesis is to review current biological and ecological barriers against the conservation of species, focusing on two recent case studies within Florida. Additionally, I consider the influence of visual conduits of conservation promotion for education and funding. I use previous literature on population loss to focus on the methods and results of new and ongoing conservation projects in regard to the Florida panther, Puma concolour coryi and the Miami blue butterfly, Cyclargus thomasi …

Pre-Existing Conditions: Christianity, Identity, Gender, And Bodily Autonomy, Alice Corinne Leavengood

Theses & ETDs

This art project is a culmination of research in Medieval and Gothic Christian culture, coupled with contemporary politics and social commentary on gender, identity, sexual freedom, and reproductive rights. Through an examination of the culture wars and development of the Religious Right and rise of anti-abortion propaganda, my thesis explores political iconography as a way to reaffirm personal freedom relating to gender, identity, and reproductive rights. Stained glass windows are simulated through screen printing on Plexiglass, a new technique of my own creation. Depicting narratives concerning the oppression of queer and female-bodied people and the need for the feminist and …

Nosocomial Chronic Osteomyelitis Of The Tibia In An Otherwise Healthy Adolescent: A Case Report, Walter N. Dehority, Selina Silva, Martha Muller

Pediatrics Research and Scholarship

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas osteomyelitis in otherwise healthy children is rare but may present following puncture wounds to the foot or involve the skull following mastoiditis. We present a case of nosocomial chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia caused by Pseudomonas in a previously healthy adolescent following surgical debridement of a non-pseudomonal chronic osteomyelitis in the same location 18 months prior. To our knowledge, such a case has not previously been described.

CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old previously healthy young man presented with several month duration of pain in the right leg below the knee with no prior trauma, overlying a site of chronic, …

Uab Magazine - Fall 2019/Winter 2020, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

UAB Magazine

No abstract provided.

Antibiotic Resistance Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae In The United States And Latin American Countries: Contributing Factors And Potential Solutions, Brian Sherman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Antibiotics have been heralded as one of the greatest contributions to modern medicine.

While antibiotics have been documented throughout many parts of the world, it was the discovery of penicillin in 1928 that marked the modern era of medicine.1 An antibiotic is a natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic compound that interferes with the growth of, or results in the death of a microorganism, specifically bacteria.2 These medications are used to treat or prevent infection of humans or animals. With the advent of antibiotics, many infections that would cause significant morbidity and mortality were greatly reduced. The 1930s-1960s is regarded as the …

Efficacy Of A Single Dose Hpv Vaccine And Its Potential Outcomes In Low-Income Countries, Brooke Schramm

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cervical cancer is a leading worldwide cause of cancer mortality in women and disproportionately burdens low-income countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been proven as the primary cause of genital warts, some oropharyngeal cancers, and anogenital cancers such as cervical, vulvar, anal, and penile malignancies. HPV vaccination coupled with regular HPV screenings are major strategies for preventing HPV infections, but with high costs and infrastructure complexities associated with current vaccination and screening programs, many world regions are unable to provide protection against HPV infection and its sequalae. If unabated, cervical cancer incidence is expected to increase worldwide over the coming decades …

Climate Change And Dengue Fever: Are They Connected?, Chelsey Rilatos

Theses and Graduate Projects

Dengue virus is the most common mosquito born disease worldwide and is an endemic infection in many tropical and subtropical habitats, especially areas where poor public health infrastructure makes it difficult to control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the dengue virus is a leading cause of febrile illness among travelers returning from Latin America. The dengue virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae and is transmitted to humans by the vector Aedes mosquitos, most frequently the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and secondarily by Aedes albopictus. Dengue infection results in a spectrum of clinical disease, ranging …

Addressing Cost And Time Barriers In Chronic Disease Management Through Telemedicine: An Exploratory Research In Select Low-And Middle-Income Countries, Saleem Sayani, Momina Muzammil, Karima Saleh, Abdul Muqeet, Fabiha Zaidi, Tehniat Shaikh

Office of the Provost

Despite evidence supporting telehealth provision in developed countries, there is limited evidence regarding its economic benefits for patients living in areas where access and cost present major barriers to health care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explores the economic benefits of telemedicine for patients, in terms of cost and times savings, and its potential role in improving chronic disease outcomes. This retrospective cross-sectional study compared telemedicine services with hypothetical in-person consultations, with a focus on patient travel time and travel cost savings. A database containing teleconsultation visits (N = 25,182) conducted at health facilities in remote …

Celest Newsletter, Issue 1, 2019, Faculty Of Law University Of Malaya

Archival Material (2010s)

No abstract provided.

Pulse@Um, Issue 1, 2019, Faculty Of Medicine University Of Malaya

Archival Material (2010s)

No abstract provided.

University Of Malaya Research Bulletin, Volume 19, Number 1, 2019, Institute Of Research Management & Monitoring University Of Malaya

Archival Material (2010s)

No abstract provided.

University Of Malaya Research Bulletin, Volume 19, Number 2, 2019, Institute Of Research Management & Monitoring University Of Malaya

Archival Material (2010s)

No abstract provided.

Sexual Negotiation Skills And Risky Behavior On Sexual Partnerships, Hiv Knowledge, And Risk Perception Among Urban Youth Of Colora Latent Class Analysis, David T. Lardier, Ijeoma Opara, Andriana Herrera, Melissa Henry, Pauline Garcia-Reid, Robert Reid

Department of Family Science and Human Development Scholarship and Creative Works

Adolescents of color in urban communities are at high risk for contracting HIV, unlikely to have access to HIV testing services, or any other form of screening services. Using latent class analysis among a sample of African American/Black (48.1%) and Hispanic/Latina(o) (42%) youth (N = 668; Mage = 16.30; 51% female), this study examined the association cluster group membership, based on sexual negotiation skills and risk behavior, had on HIV knowledge, perception of risk, and the number of sexual partners. Five distinct cluster groups emerged, with significant heterogeneity observed between cluster groups on select dependent variables. A larger proportion of …

Development Of Luminescent Tools For Use In The Study Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Krista A. Moore

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a growing problem worldwide due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant and extensively-drug resistant strains of the bacteria. A key to combatting the spread of these strains lies in the understanding of gene expression occurring in Mtb. This study focuses on the development and optimization of a luciferase-based bioluminescent transcriptional reporter that can be used to monitor gene expression in Mtb. The luminescent signal emitted from the reporter can be measured and correlated with the level of transcription of certain genes. This study focuses specifically on a gene called whiB7 which …

Split Probe Detection Of The Influenza A Virus For Improved Diagnostics In A Point Of Care System, Tamar Yishay

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A group of Influenza viruses, RNA containing viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family, consists of Influenza virus types A-D and has been known to cause the Flu, a respiratory illness associated with numerous detrimental symptoms that can lead to death. Influenza A virus (IAV) is constantly changing and is capable of causing pandemics. Currently used diagnostic methods include virus culturing, immunoassays including rapid influenza detection tests (RIDTs), and molecular assays including those based on RT-PCR. Most of the methods can be only performed in the certified diagnostic laboratories equipped with sophisticated instrumentation and/or special biosafety facilities. The results using these methods …

Timescales Of Global Tidal Flooding, Maria Bower

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Millions of people in low-lying areas are already affected by flooding, and the number will increase substantially in the future. Tidal flooding, the form of flooding caused by a combination of high tides and sea level rise to overcome protection levels, can cause damage and inconveniences such as road closures, overwhelmed drainage systems, and infrastructure deterioration from water damage. Tidal flooding already occurs annually in cities along the U.S. east coast, most notably Miami. However, the time it will take for other regions globally to begin to experience tidal flooding has not yet been assessed. Therefore, there is a limited …

Overview Of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors For Use In Staphylococcus Aereus Infections, Joseph C. Risler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The pathogenicity and intractable nature of the microorganism Staphylococcus aureus (SA) has been long documented and highlighted by many health care agencies, with emphasis on its ability to exploit the human coagulation system to deadly effect. Two drugs from a class of inhibitors known as Direct Thrombin Inhibitors (DTI) have been shown to have a substantial effect on the enzyme secreted by SA known as Staphylocoagulase (SC), but up until now the application of this potential treatment has been limited. This paper strives to supply an overview of these clinical studies and propose a novel protocol for testing DTI's on …

Examining The Role Of Reproductive Interference In The Decline Of Native Green Treefrogs Following Cuban Treefrog Invasions, Joseph Kennedy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reproductive interference occurs when the mating behaviors of one species negatively impact the fitness of another species. It is of increasing interest in invasive species biology because the introduction of alien species often leads to novel sexual interactions with native taxa, which can contribute to their decline. I examined whether reproductive interference plays a role in the decline of native green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) following invasions of Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in the southeastern United States. The impetus for this study revolves around similarities in spectro-temporal features of Cuban treefrog courtship calls and green treefrog aggressive calls. The significance of …