Digital Commons Network^™

Acclimation, Long-Term Repeatability, And Phenotypic Correlations Of Aerobic Metabolic Traits In The Gulf Killifish, Fundulus Grandis, Jessica E. Reemeyer

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the effects of acclimation to lowered salinity, elevated temperature, and hypoxia on aerobic metabolism of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, a common estuarine resident of the Gulf of Mexico. Standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), absolute aerobic scope (AAS), and critical oxygen tension (P_crit) were each influenced by one or more acclimation treatments. Assessing the consistency of these traits measured in the same individuals over time, all were found to be significantly repeatable with no indication that the repeatability of any traits was affected by acclimation conditions. Significant correlations were found between …

Structural Connectivity And Immunological Correlates Of Emotion Processing In Children With Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Ashley F. P. Sanders

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Neurological abnormalities are associated with emotion processing deficits seen in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Research suggests that inflammatory mechanisms can negatively impact brain structure and function and are thought to play a role in these processing atypicalities. Children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) exhibit emotion processing impairments and associated neural abnormalities. We investigated the roles of inflammatory factors and structural connectivity in relation to emotion processing deficits in 28 children with 22q11.2DS and 33 typically developing children (M = 11.12 years old; SD = 2.17). Results indicate poorer social skills and significantly lower emotion recognition scores in children …

Understanding The Role Of Anisotropy On The Optoelectronic And Colloidal Properties Of Quantum Rods For Programmable Self-Assembly With Dna Origami, Yuetian Chen

Dissertations - ALL

Semiconductor nanocrystals, like quantum dots (QDs) and quantum rods (QRs), have tunable optoelectronic properties that depend on their composition, size and asymmetry. A small change in size or aspect ratio can lead to measurable changes in optical absorption and photoluminescence emission energies, as well as varied degrees of polarized optical behaviors at those energies. My dissertation research focuses on investigating the role of anisotropy on the optoelectronic and colloidal properties of quantum rods, as well as using DNA-mediated self-assembly to align these quantum rods on DNA origami for energy transfer applications in biocompatible systems. First, CdSe of systematically varied aspect …

Novel Shape Memory And Multi-Shape Memory Polymers For Biomaterial Applications, Shelby Lois Buffington

Dissertations - ALL

Biomaterial platforms have been used to probe how cells respond to chemical, topographical or mechanical changes in their environments. However, these traditionally static biomaterial platforms have not enabled the study of how cells respond to dynamic changes in their environment. Driven by a need to better understand cell behavior and its role it disease, development and tissue regeneration recent efforts have focused on designing dynamic biomaterial platforms to better mimic a cell’s natural environment. In this work, advanced shape memory polymers (SMPs) that respond to non-thermal triggers and multi-shape memory materials capable of multiple topographical transitions were developed for advanced …

Network Sampling Through Crawling, Katchaguy Areekijseree

Dissertations - ALL

In recent years, researchers have increasingly used OSN data to study human behavior. Before such a study can begin, one must first obtain appropriate data. A platform, e.g, Facebook or Twitter, may provide an API for accessing data, but such APIs are often ratelimited, restricting the amount of data that an individual collects in a given amount of time. In order for the data collector to efficiently collect data, she needs to make intelligent use of her limited budget. Therefore, when collecting data, efficiency is extremely important. We consider the problem of network sampling through crawling, in which the data …

: Examining How Factors Associated With Patients, Physicians, Hospitals, And Surrounding Communities Affect Primary And Repeat Cesarean Delivery Through A Social-Ecological Lens, Christina Ventura-Dipersia

Dissertations and Theses

Background: Childbirth is one of the most common reasons for hospitalization in the U.S., and Cesarean delivery (i.e., surgical childbirth) is costlier and has a higher likelihood of birth-related complications, maternal rehospitalization, and postpartum medical care utilization than vaginal delivery. The rate of Cesarean delivery in the United States (U.S.) has increased in recent years by over 60%, from 20.7% of all births in 1996 to 32.9% of all births in 2011. As Although this increasing trend of Cesarean delivery incidence has also been seen in other countries, the rate of Cesarean delivery has been rising more steadily within …

Computational Studies And Design Of Pparγ And Glut1 Inhibitors, Suliman Almahmoud

Theses & Dissertations

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor of the nuclear receptor superfamily that controls the expression of a variety of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, adipogenesis, and insulin sensitivity. PPARγ is a target for insulin-sensitizing drugs, and it plays a significant function in prostate cancer. PPARγ antagonists have anti-proliferative effects in a broad range of hematopoietic and epithelial cell lines. The ligand binding domain (LBD) of PPARγ is large and has orthosteric and allosteric binding sites. Several PPARγ-ligand co-crystal structures show two bound molecules, one to the orthosteric pocket and a second to the allosteric …

The Effectiveness Of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Varnish In Preventing White Spot Lesions During Fixed Appliance Orthodontic Therapy: An In Vitro Study, Bradley Herman

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of a glass ionomer varnish in preventing demineralization of enamel adjacent to and some distance away from an orthodontic bracket. Forty extracted human molars were divided into four different treatment groups (varnish in distilled water, varnish in acetic acid, enamel in acetic acid, and enamel in distilled water). Two 3 x 3 mm graphite windows were drawn on the tooth, one adjacent to the bracket and one 3 mm away from the first window, indicating the scanning area. Varnish was applied to the teeth in the varnish groups and all …

The Ethical Justification Of Increasing Awareness Of Preventive Medicine Among Healthcare Professionals, Patients And The General Public In The United States, Karishma Ether Moazzam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While practiced for centuries, preventive medicine has received increased attention during the recent times. Preventive medicine has a distinct mission to protect, promote, and maintain health as well as to prevent diseases, disabilities, and premature deaths. It aims to fulfill its mission through the combined form of clinical intervention and health promotion. In the recent years, preventive medicine has begun to lean more towards the clinical interventions, taking away from the health promotion. This imbalance has caused preventive medicine to lose its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. One of the leading causes for such imbalance is the lack of proper …

God, Land, Identity: Divine Fluidity And A Spatial Ecclesiology In West Africa, Clement Kanu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African theology is burdened with a major problem of identity, which stems from the lack of African history and memory in African theology. African theologians in the face of the delicate dilemma of creating a theology that is both African and Christian, have fallen into the epistemological compulsion to impose western Christian theological categories as foundational to African theology. Inculturation thus presupposes the already alien space on which the structures of the present ecclesiology is anchored. The result is a peripheral inculturation, a consumer ecclesiology, always seeking to solve its local pastoral problems in accordance with alien incongruous codes and …

The Mediating Role Of Differentiation In The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Working Alliance, Caleb P. Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved a mediation analysis exploring the relationship of counselor’s perceptions of mindfulness and working alliance through differentiation of self. Sample data (N=80) was collected and analyzed using the PROCESS mediation model to quantitatively determine the indirect effect of counselor’s perceptions of mindfulness and their perceptions of working alliance through the variable of differentiation of self. This indirect effect was not statistically significant, b = .08, 95% CI [-.11, .25], therefore no mediating effect was demonstrated for differentiation. A follow-up moderation analysis was also conducted on these same three variables. Results revealed that at low levels of …

Genetic Analysis Of A Novel Ftsk Homolog, Hfka, In Streptomyces Coelicolor Development-Associated Chromosome Segregation, Sumedha Sethi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A quintessential phenomenon occurring during prokaryotic development is accurate segregation of the replicated genomes into the daughter cells. Key energy-dependent processes like chromosome condensation and subcellular partitioning of the genomes are driven by conserved proteins like SMC, ParB, FtsK. During its complex developmental cycle, Streptomyces coelicolor segregates its genomes into chains of unicellular spores when its multigenomic syncytial aerial hyphae undergo division.

A novel ftsK-like gene, hfkA (Homolog of FtsK protein A), was examined for function and localization during development-associated chromosome segregation. Individual deletions did not affect segregation, but a ΔhfkA ΔftsK mutant exhibited 8% anucleate …

Status And Future Strategies Of Chinese Botanical Gardens, Jiao Yang, Shao Yunyun, Liao Jingping, Huang Hongwen, Hu Huabin, Zhang Quanfa, Ren Hai, Chen Jin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Chinese botanical gardens have a history of more than 100 years, but large-scale construction began in the 1950s with the establishment of modern botanical gardens led by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Currently there are 162 gardens in China, which have entered the stage of rapid construction and steady development. Chinese botanical gardens have made great contributions to native plant conservation, sustainable utilization, scientific research and environmental education in China, and have become the backbone and part of mainstream of international botanical garden community. To cope with negative effects of human disturbance on ecosystem, botanical gardens will play a more …

Problems And Prospects Of Laboratory Animal Resources In China, Zhao Xingang, Lu Fan, Cheng Ping, Tian Yong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Laboratory animals are important basic supporting conditions for life science and medical research in China. The construction and the scientific and technological innovation of laboratory animals have greatly promoted the development of life science and the construction of Healthy China Initiative. Upon analyzing the developmental status of laboratory animal resource construction internationally and domestically, this article elaborated major issues such as animal resources, laws, ethics, and integrated databases and proposed specific goals and suggestions for the construction of laboratory animal resources in China until 2035. The article hopes to make significant contributions to support the China's life science and medical …

Preservation And Utilization Of Microorganism And Cell Resources, Yang Leilei, Li Ting, Deng Fei, Hao Jie, Pang Shaojun, Song Lirong, Chen Yuelei, Zhou Yuguang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In 1995, the Committee on Typical Culture Collection of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was established and renamed as the Committee on Biological Genetic Resource Banks of CAS in 2015. Under the Committee there are 12 members of bio-resource bank from 11 institutes of CAS. Bio-resources like seeds, plant tissue in vitro, human cell lines and stem cells, animal cells and tissue samples, microorganisms, microalga, and seaweeds are collected and deposited in the banks of Committee. Each year about 40 000-50 000 cultures were shared. The basic orientation, composition, and bio-resource scale of the Biological Genetic Resource Bank of …

Big Data And Application Of Strategic Biological Resources In China, Liang Zhuo, Chu Xin, Zeng Yan, Zhou Ju, Ma Juncai

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

It is well understood among industries that biological resources are the strategic resources of the nation. The increase in the magnitude of the data generated by the arrival of the omniscience era will promote the transformation of life science research into a new paradigm of "data-intensive science". Therefore, the big data of biological resources has become a national strategic resource as well as the focus of international technology competition and strategic commanding heights. At present, to establish a national infrastructure for biological resources is urgently needed. This infrastructure incorporates a technical system that supports the conservation, utilization, development, mining and …

Bradykinesia Is Driven By Cumulative Beta Power During Continuous Movement And Alleviated By Gabaergic Modulation In Parkinson’S Disease., Emma J. Prokic, Gavin L. Woodhall, Adrian C. Williams, Ian M. Stanford, Stephen D. Hall

School of Psychology

No abstract provided.

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Tubacin Mitigates Endothelial Dysfunction By Up-Regulating The Expression Of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase., Jihui Chen, Jian Zhang, Noor F. Shaik, Bing Yi, Xin Wei, Xiao-Feng Yang, Ulhas P. Naik, Ross Summer, Guijun Yan, Xinyun Xu, Jianxin Sun

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) plays a critical role in the maintenance of blood vessel homeostasis. Recent findings suggest that cytoskeletal dynamics play an essential role in regulating eNOS expression and activation. Here, we sought to test whether modulation of cytoskeletal dynamics through pharmacological regulation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6)-mediated tubulin deacetylation affects eNOS expression and endothelial function in vitro and in vivo.Wefound that tubulin acetylation inducer (tubacin), a compound that appears to selectively inhibit HDAC6 activity, dramatically increased eNOS expression in several different endothelial cell lines, as determined by both immunoblotting and NO production assays. Mechanistically, we found …

Microbial Communities In Human Milk Relate To Measures Of Maternal Weight, Sara N. Lundgren, Juliette C. Madan, Margaret R. Karagas, Hilary G. Morrison, Anne G. Hoen, Brock C. Christensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

The process of breastfeeding exposes infants to bioactive substances including a diversity of bacteria from breast milk as well as maternal skin. Knowledge of the character of and variation in these microbial communities, as well as the factors that influence them, is limited. We aimed to identify profiles of breastfeeding-associated microbial communities and their association with maternal and infant factors. Bilateral milk samples were collected from women in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study at approximately 6 weeks postpartum without sterilization of the skin in order to capture the infant-relevant exposure. We sequenced the V4–V5 hypervariable region of the bacterial …

Early-Year Undergraduate Research Experiences: How Students Are Mentored, How Valuable They Find This Experience, And What Kinds Of Costs They Associate With It, Gaye D. Ceyhan

Dissertations - ALL

Undergraduate research has been considered as a high impact practice. Engaging in research in early college years are crucial to attracting and retaining students in research-related STEM careers. However, undergraduate research literature mostly focuses on the research experiences of students that are later in their undergraduate years. This dissertation is formed in an article-style format, which is a compilation of two separate research efforts to explore undergraduate students’ research experiences in their freshman and sophomore years. This article-style dissertation is part of a larger investigation into the academic and social experiences of high-achieving low-income undergraduate students. The context of the …

An In-Vitro Model To Understand Osteoblast Mediated Bone Mineralization, Vaikhari Abhay Marathe

Theses - ALL

Musculoskeletal diseases are widespread, and they affect hundreds of millions of people all around the world. Bone defects occurs due to various reasons such as surgeries, fracture and diseases. These bone defects need a surgical intervention and are generally treated with state-of-the-art grafting techniques such as natural bone grafts and implants. However, even the best available corrective treatments have several limitations such as availability, disease transfer, donor site scarcity, and immune rejection. Bone remodeling techniques which would support natural bone regeneration upon graft implantation, can be used to maximize the efficiency of current grafting techniques. In this study, our goal …

Thonningia Sanguinea Vahl. (Balanophoraceae) In Southern Nigeria: Ii. Patterns Of Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Within And Between Populations, Odoligie Imarhiagbe, Emmanuel Izaka Aigbokhan

Makara Journal of Science

Studies have yet to assess the genetic variability in Thonningia sanguinea populations in Southern Nigeria. Hence, this study was conducted to elucidate the pattern of genetic variability and population structure among T. sanguinea populations in Southern Nigeria. Genomic DNA was extracted from 31 individuals in 15 populations and tested using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Several genetic diversity parameters were examined using GenALEx Ver. 6.5. Reproducible RAPD markers indicated that all the sampled populations were composed of individuals with a high genetic variability. The populations were grouped into four distinct clusters. The populations from the Okour community forest had …

A Mathematical Model Of Regulatory Mechanisms Of Hepatocytes And Hepatitis B, Mahruy Saidalieva, Mohiniso Baxromovna Hidirova, Abrorjon Makhamatsolievich Turgunov

Makara Journal of Science

The study of the functioning of hepatitis B viruses in liver cells using methods of mathematical modeling is considered one of today’s pressing issues. In this article, the domains of functional- differential equations in a mathematical model of regulatory mechanisms of hepatocytes interacting with hepatitis B viruses (HBV) are presented. Characteristic molecular genetic systems regulatory mechanisms of the interrelated activities of liver cells and HBV are analyzed. A series of computational experiments show that the “chaos” and “black hole” theories describe two of the more dangerous regimes. As a result of the analysis of the “chaos” regime, small regions with …

Salutogenesis And The Prevention Of Social Death: Cross-Cultural Lessons From Genocide-Impacted Rwandans And Indigenous Youth In Canada, Jobb D. Arnold

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Combining trans-disciplinary theories with cross-cultural ethnographic research, this paper explores community-based approaches to genocide prevention among Canadian-Indigenous groups as well as with Rwandan student genocide survivors. A Salutogenic framework is used to examine community responses to the micro-foundations of genocide (Antonovsky 1987). These processes are explored using first-hand accounts from “New Family” networks of student genocide survivors in Rwanda and members of a Canadian urban-Indigenous “Village.” These perspectives shed light on how locally adaptive, socially networked practices can help promote emergent forms of genocide prevention (Williams 1977). This paper focuses on three areas of local practice that have helped build …

Status And Remediation Of Mercury In Fish And Aquatic Ecosystems, Geoffrey Dean Millard

Dissertations - ALL

Mercury is a known neurotoxin which can bioaccumulate and biomagnify as methylmercury, causing significant human and ecological impacts. New York State and the surrounding region is impacted by mercury in complex ways as some areas are recovering from the effects of acidic deposition while the entire region is increasingly influenced by climate change. In order to better understand the drivers and trends of mercury dynamics in New York State, my research was conducted in three phases: 1) the impact of lime (calcium carbonate) additions on mercury cycling in small acid-sensitive headwater streams of the Adirondack State Park; 2) applied advanced …

Pbrm1 Acts As A P53 Lysine-Acetylation Reader To Suppress Renal Tumor Growth., Weijia Cai, Liya Su, Lili Liao, Zongzhi Z Liu, Lauren Langbein, Essel Dulaimi, Joseph R Testa, Robert G Uzzo, Zhijiu Zhong, Wei Jiang, Qin Yan, Qing Zhang, Haifeng Yang

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

p53 acetylation is indispensable for its transcriptional activity and tumor suppressive function. However, the identity of reader protein(s) for p53 acetylation remains elusive. PBRM1, the second most highly mutated tumor suppressor gene in kidney cancer, encodes PBRM1. Here, we identify PBRM1 as a reader for p53 acetylation on lysine 382 (K382Ac) through its bromodomain 4 (BD4). Notably, mutations on key residues of BD4 disrupt recognition of p53 K382Ac. The mutation in BD4 also reduces p53 binding to promoters of target genes such as CDKN1A (p21). Consequently, the PBRM1 BD4 mutant fails to fully support p53 transcriptional activity and is defective …

Strengthening Effective Protection And Sustainable Utilization Of Strategic Biological Resources In China, Zeng Yan, Zhou Ju

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biological resources are strategic resources to support the sustainable development of national economy and guarantee people's health. They are also the momentous cornerstone of the development of life science, and the hotspot of international layout and competition. Developed countries have attached importance to the collection, preservation and utilization of biological resources. As one of the most species-rich countries in the world, Chinese government has drew out effective measure to support development of strategic biological resources. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has established the Biological Resources Programme, CAS (BRPCAS) by integrating Botanical Gardens, Biological Specimen Collections, Laboratory Animal Resources, Biological Genetic …

Current Situation And Future Of Biological Collections Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences, He Peng, Chen Jun, Qiao Gexia

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

With the increasing impact of global environmental change and human activities on biodiversity, human beings will face significant needs in the areas of biodiversity awareness, conservation and sustainable use, and national biosafety. The Biological Collections of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) include the Biological Collections/Museums belonging to 18 scientific research institutes of CAS. It is the main place for preservation, research, and scientific education of animal, plant, fungus, and fossil specimens in China. Among them, there are two institutes who are leading the National Animal Collection and the National Herbarium, respectively, which are listed into the National Science and …

Overview Of Chinese Biodiversity Observation Network (Sino Bon), Feng Xiaojuan, Mi Xiangcheng, Xiao Zhishu, Cao Lei, Wu Hui, Ma Keping

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biodiversity is key to the foundation and development of human society. Biodiversity monitoring and research provide essential scientific support for the national development of ecological civilization and for building a beautiful China. To monitor the dynamic distribution of important species in typical ecoregions of China, Chinese Biodiversity Observation Network (Sino BON) was founded in 2013 under the supports of 19 institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the sponsorship of the 12th and 13th FiveYear Plans. Covering 30 main sites and 60 affiliated sites all over China, Sino BON includes 10 subnetworks specialized at monitoring different groups of species …

Conduct Long-Term Observations Of Coastal Ecosystems And Lead The Marine Ecosystem Health Research, Sun Xiaoxia, Sun Song

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Based on long-term observation and systematic research of the Jiaozhou Bay Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the over-summering strategy of Calanus sinicus was revealed, and the concept of marine zooplankton functional group was proposed firstly. The long-term change and mechanism of Jiaozhou Bay ecosystem under the influence of global change were clarified. The key processes, mechanisms and ecological impacts of the jellyfish disaster were revealed. The cause, the prediction method, and the systematic prevention and control strategy were proposed for the green tides of the Yellow Sea. The microplastic characteristics in China coastal seawater and key marine …