Digital Commons Network^™

What's In My Histological Dyes Anyway?, Ashley Post

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

There are many different dyes that are used for biological research, but not much is commonly known about the origins of the dyes or how they are synthesized. Our dyes of interest were Coomassie Blue G and Rhodamine B. Coomassie Blue G is a blue colored dye used mainly for SDS-PAGE (gel electrophoresis) in biological research. Rhodamine B is used for its ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Both of these dyes have been used for research purposes for many years despite researchers who use the dyes not having little background knowledge regarding the purity of the manufactured dyes. We …

Terrible Am I, Child?, Camille Arnett

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The modern period of intergenerational strife between the aging-out Baby Boomers and the Millennials who have come forth to replace them in an infrastructure that cannot support them is a struggle that carries with it unique psychological implications ripe for literary exploration. Understanding these conflicts in a profound way is an important challenge to take on, and one which can, in my belief, be best achieved through literature. My work, a draft of a novel entitled Terrible Am I, Child?, is a family drama which takes the symbolic generational divide and uses it as a framework for exploring issues of …

An Analysis Of The Representation Of Black Men In Modern U.S. Television Commercials., Jackson Borman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Throughout the history of media, minority groups have been on the losing end of representation, with racist, stereotypical portrayals, or in many cases, no representation at all. This study analyzes the current representation of black men in modern television commercials. To answer the research questions posed about how black men are represented in commercials, a content analysis was conducted. A systematic sample of television commercials was taken from an online directory of television commercials, and the sample (N = 117) was analyzed using a coding instrument to determine the level of involvement and characterizations of the black male characters featured …

Reitz Or Wrong: An Industrial, Environmental, And Political Analysis Of Evansville’S “Lumber Baron”, Jarrod Koester

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

For nearly two centuries, the history of Evansville, Indiana has remained incomplete as historians and the general public have not recognized some of the key factors responsible for the city’s famed past. The generally accepted history of Evansville, the state’s third-largest city, conveys valiant tales of industrialization, transportation, and successful entrepreneurs who overcame insurmountable odds and left everlasting impressions on the people of the region. While the once-prosperous city was a significant national port and participated heavily in transatlantic and transcontinental trade, Evansville’s historical significance has diminished over the course of the twentieth century. What were once bustling factories, streams …

The Specificity Behind The Sparkle: The In’S And Out’S Of Disney Choreography And Park Productions, Laura Theisen

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The Walt Disney Company has revolutionized the use of choreography and dance in commercial settings to showcase the value, talent, and passion of the dancer while impacting and inspiring their guests. This has led to the development of their signature style felt throughout all of their productions. Dance is vital to the Disney aesthetic as they use the art form to illuminate the “Magic.” People have very high expectations for the Disney brand, especially the theme parks. To make sure that the Disney quality is upheld they utilize their foundational rules and promote their trademark style. The creative teams ensure …

Characterization Of Heavy Metal Bioremediation Pathways In Local Moss Species, Zachary Hanquier

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Heavy metals are found in natural water sources and are toxic to plants and animals. Metal removal remains a goal of environmental protection; one promising approach is to use plants that have been genetically modified to better remove metals from water. A known metabolic pathway to neutralize metals uses the Phytochelatin Synthase (PCS) enzyme to catalyze the production of phytochelatins. Our research characterizes the potential of Indiana moss species for heavy metal bioremediation as foundational research for future genetic modification. Mosses grow well in water and absorb metals through their entire surface area, and using locally collected moss species will …

Patterns Of Epiphytic Lichen Abundance On Aspen Stands In Proximity To Roads Of Varying Vehicular Traffic, D. Aragon, C. Castillo, J. Moffroid, G. Thomas

Aspen Bibliography

Although present in nearly any wild space with available moisture and on a wide variety of substrates, lichen, and its importance as a bioindicator for an ecosystem, is often overlooked. As air pollution becomes a greater concern for flora, fauna, and even humans, the story told by lichen growth becomes more useful as we try to make sense of the downstream effects of anthropogenic contributions to poor air quality. One such human-driven pollutant is the level of emissions that result from vehicular travel. The Jackson Hole area has experienced a large increase in vehicular traffic in the past five to …

Striatal Dopamine And Norepinephrine Levels In Conjunction With Ocd-Like Behaviors In A Novel Animal Model Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Brooke Bokal, Miya Carmichael, Jessica Krupa Emily Bellow, Kayla Elder, Danielle Stern

Research Days Posters 2020

This study evaluated behaviors and monoamine levels of the neonatal clomipramine (neoCLOM) model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in male and female rats (36 of each). Subjects were injected with 15 mg/kg of the serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor clomipramine during a developmentally sensitive period. A unique combination of Hole Board (HB) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) apparatuses was used to evaluate compulsiveness and anxiety. There was a significant effect of Treatment in the HB. Male neoCLOMs had increased hole poke and repeats versus control male neoSALs. In contrast, there was a significant effect of Sex in the EPM. Female neoCLOMs spent …

Neonatal Clomipramine Model Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Ocd) Demonstrates Treatment And Sex Differences, Allison Radin, Lenah Midani, Samantha Paley, Eliana Safer, Emily Walters

Research Days Posters 2020

This study evaluated behaviors and monoamine levels of the neonatal clomipramine (neoCLOM) model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in male and female rats (36 of each). Subjects were injected with 15 mg/kg of the serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor clomipramine during a developmentally sensitive period. A unique combination of Hole Board (HB) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) apparatuses was used to evaluate compulsiveness and anxiety. There was a significant effect of Treatment in the HB. Male neoCLOMs had increased hole poke and repeats versus control male neoSALs. In contrast, there was a significant effect of Sex in the EPM. Female neoCLOMs spent …

Sex Influences Behaviors And Neurochemistry Of The Neonatal Clomipramine Model Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Ocd), Erika Hryhorenko, Julia Mende, Abigail Reilly, Sydney Tse, Sophia Valerino, Hannah Wojcik

Research Days Posters 2020

Current treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are ineffective. This study evaluated the neo-clomipramine (neoCLOM) animal model of OCD using elevated plus maze (EPM) testing and HPLC analysis of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in punches of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Treatment had an effect on total arm entries, whereas Sex had an effect on open arm entries: (a) neoCLOM females had increased total arm entries compared to neoSAL females; (b) both female groups had more closed and total arms entries compared to respective male groups; (c) neoCLOM females spent more time in the open …

Adolescent Intermittent Ethanol Influence On Kappa Opiod Receptor Function Within The Nucleus Accumbens In Adult Rats, Raymond Amirault, Mary Spodnick, Trevor Towner

Research Days Posters 2020

Adolescent alcohol use is associated with a risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) in rats augments ethanol consumption in adulthood. In addition, chronic intermittent ethanol exposure reduces dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) via a kappa opioid receptor (KORs) mechanism. However, the impact of AIE on KOR-mediated regulation of dopamine is unknown. The goal of this study is to examine the impact of AIE exposure on dopamine transmission and KOR function. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed on alternating days to ethanol or water via orogastricgavage during early (P25-45; e-AIE) or late (P45-65; l-AIE) adolescence. Following …

Effects Of Dietary Choices On Anxiety And Depression, Frederick Mignone, Lina Begdache

Research Days Posters 2020

Anxiety is commonly defined as a set of emotions including nervousness, restlessness or being fidgety. Depression is commonly defined as a state of unhappiness, hopelessness, worthlessness and a sense of futility. Previous research reported a positive relationship between the consumption of energy drinks, dairy and anxiety. On the other hand, other studies revealed a negative relationship between the consumption of fruit and anxiety. In addition, there is an established negative relationship between exercise, fish consumption and depression. However, there is a need to assess dietary patterns in relation to mental distress as nutrients collectively contribute to brain chemistry . An …

The Effects Of 5-Ht2ar Stimulation On Psychosis-Associated Behaviors In Naive And L-Dopa Treated Hemiparkinsonian Rat, Annique Mclune, Evan D'Almeida

Research Days Posters 2020

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by dopamine (DA) loss. Patients also experience non-motor symptoms, such as PD-associated psychosis (PDAP). Unfortunately, L-DOPA may increase the risk of developing PDAP. Changes to serotonin (5-HT) and particularly 5-HT 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) might underlie these risks. We used the hemi-parkinsonian rat model to investigate how DA loss, L-DOPA, and 5-HT2AR activation impacts unconditioned responses (head twitch response (HTR), rearing, and locomotor activity) which are all disrupted in preclinical models of psychosis. In Experiment 1, sham or DA-lesioned rats were treated chronically with L-DOPA or vehicle. After L-DOPA washout rats underwent …

Identification Of Genes That Affect Cardiac Failure In Diabetic Drosophila Melanogaster, Ashley O'Toole, Christie Santoro

Research Days Posters 2020

High sugar diets exacerbate type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease in humans and model organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster. High sugar diets are linked to cardiovascular disease through lipotoxicity, which causes lipid accumulation in the blood and organs. While the lipids and mechanisms underlying lipotoxicity are not well understood, increased abundance of cardiac diacylglycerides, triacylglycerides, and other lipids is strongly associated with impaired cardiovascular function. We used tissue-specific loss-of-function genetics to target genes that we hypothesized might contribute to the accumulation of toxic lipid species in Drosophila. Genes encoding enzymes in several metabolic pathways were knocked down in a screen in …

The Effects Of Prenatal Methadone Exposure On Learning And Memory In Sprague Dawley Offspring, Rhea Marfatia

Research Days Posters 2020

The opioid epidemic has escalated in recent years and while this widespread usage is recognized as a public health crisis, a significant component of this epidemic that is understudied is opioid abuse during pregnancy. The fetal brain and placenta are permeable to opioids, so usage during gestation may have consequences for offspring. While studies have reported that animals prenatally exposed to opiates exhibit deficits in memory and learning, neither the onset nor the duration of these effects are known. Therefore, we assessed the effects of prenatal methadone exposure on learning and memory across ontogeny. Pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were …

Effects Of Maternal Care And Estrogen Treatment On Dopamine Receptor D2 Expression In The Ventral Hippocampus Of Male And Female Long Evans Rats, Deven Loschiavo, Ashley Bui

Research Days Posters 2020

Expression of the dopamine receptor D2 (D2R) has been extensively studied in connection with alcoholism. Experimentally increasing D2R expression reduces ethanol consumption and the inverse result has been found when D2R expression is decreased. Ethanol consumption is also affected by maternal care. Previous studies in our lab found that animals which received lower maternal licking/grooming (LG) displayed a higher ethanol preference and drank more ethanol g/kg than High LG animals. These effects were particularly driven by females. Animals of both phenotypes decreased ethanol consumption following an acute estrogen treatment. Downregulation of D2R was found in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), …

Effects Of Prenatal Methadone Exposure On Ethanol Intake In Adult Sprague Dawley Offspring, Michelle Montero

Research Days Posters 2020

Studies have found that early drug exposure is a predisposing factor for later alcohol abuse. Therefore, comprehending the lasting effects of in utero opiate exposure is imperative. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal methadone exposure on basal and stress-induced alcohol consumption in adulthood given that prenatal opioid exposure has been linked to heightened stress reactivity. The methadone exposure was conducted twice a day from G4-20. Offspring were allowed to age to adulthood (postnatal day ~ P70) at which male and female offspring were given 30-minute access to an EtOH solution mixed with a sweetener …

Neonatal Clomipramine Rat Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ocd) Demonstrates Neurochemical Differences In Prefrontal And Motor Cortices And Behavioral Differences In Elevated Plus Maze And Hole Board, Rebecca Nussbaum, Maylin Vititow, Juan Mato, Kristen Coletti, Dana Silberstein

Research Days Posters 2020

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurring, unwanted thoughts and uncontrollable behaviors that are known to be caused by defects in neurochemical circuits. The main pharmacological treatment for OCD is Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs). These drugs are insufficient in providing symptom relief effectively and painlessly. Animal models are necessary for screening new drugs that could potentially surpass SRIs in terms of efficacy. A preliminary study concerned with developing the neoCLOM rat model of OCD was conducted. Male and female rat behaviors were observed in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Hole Board (HB) assays after they were injected with either clomipramine …

Norepinephrine And Corticosterone In The Neoclom Animal Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Effects Of Treatment And Sex, Hannah Rockwood, Jason Howard, Lea Safarpour, Kate Lerner

Research Days Posters 2020

This study examined a novel animal model of OCD, the neoCLOM model, in which rats are treated twice daily from postnatal Days 9-16 with 15 mg/kg of the serotonin-norepinephrine uptake inhibitor clomipramine. Results showed there was an effect of neonatal TREATMENT on levels of norepinephrine (NE) measured from micropunches of post-mortem brain tissue using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Compared to control males, neoCLOM males had higher levels of NE in the amygdala and the lateral thalamus. Compared to control females, neoCLOM females had higher levels of NE in the motor cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and the hypothalamus. There was also an …

Colonial Hangover And The Politics Of Space In Kiran Desai’S Inheritance Of Loss, Aparajita Nanda

English

Spatial history has been defined by Nigel Thrift as the merger of space, a term he associates with human geography, with time, a word borrowed from history. This paper analyzes the spatial history at play in Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss, a novel that ponders on questions of identities flawed by a deep sense of deprivation and loss left by colonization that manifests itself in various forms through generations. It particularly focuses on two characters, Gyan and Biju, whose responses to space are determined by the historical resonance of these places even as they are influenced by other inhabitants …

Low Doses Of Bisphenol S Affect Post-Translational Modifications Of Sperm Proteins In Male Mice, Hedvika Řimnáčová, Miriam Štiavnická, Jiří Moravec, Marouane Chemek, Yaroslav Kolinko, Olga García-Álvarez, Peter R. Mouton, Azalia Mariel Carranza Trejo, Tereza Fenclová, Nikola Eretová, Petr Hošek, Pavel Klein, Milena Králíčková, Jaroslav Petr, Jan Nevoral

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Bisphenol S (BPS) is increasingly used as a replacement for bisphenol A in the manufacture of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins. However, further studies of BPS exposure are needed for the assessment of health risks to humans. In this study we assessed the potential harmfulness of low-dose BPS on reproduction in male mice.

Methods: To simulate human exposure under experimental conditions, 8-week-old outbred ICR male mice received 8 weeks of drinking water containing a broad range of BPS doses [0.001, 1.0, or 100 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day, BPS1-3] or vehicle control. Mice were sacrificed and testicular tissue taken …

Narrative Of The Wild: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of Protected Areas Within The United States Of America, Isaac S. Reimer

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

As conditions for the global environment continue to degrade and the climate crisis deepens, wilderness and protected areas (PAs) serve as a bulwark for sustainability goals. As much of the protections and strengths of PAs stem from the public’s opinion of them, this research seeks to further understand the communicative underpinnings of PAs. Utilizing autoethnography and applying it to a rhetorical framework, this study explores the constitutive qualities narrative in conjunction with the wilderness can possess. The results offer suggestions for future communication scholars and advocates to employ while discussing and communicating about the wilderness.

Reduced Production Of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles Predicts Mortality In St45/Usa600 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia, S Dey, Smitha Gudipati, C Giuliano, Marcus J. Zervos, J M. Monk, R Szubin, S Cj Jorgensen, G Sakoulas, A D. Berti

Infectious Diseases Articles

Immune biomarkers can stratify mortality risk in staphylococcal bacteremia. Microbial biomarkers may provide more consistent signals during early infection. We demonstrate that in ST45/USA600 bacteremia, bacterial membrane vesicle production in vitro predicts clinical mortality (773 vs. 116 RFU, survivors vs. decedents, p < 0.0001). Using a threshold of 301 relative fluorescence units (RFU), the sensitivity and specificity of the membrane vesicles to predict mortality are 78% and 90%, respectively. This platform is facile, scalable and can be integrated into clinical microbiology lab workflows.

Impacts Of Variation In Food Availability On Spatial Habitat Use Of Breeding And Non-Breeding Red Crossbills (Loxia Curvirostra), Liam Pendleton

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Movement patterns, habitat use, and reproductive behavior are among many attributes impacted by the distribution of resources within habitats. Our study used radio telemetry to investigate the relationship between food availability and movement patterns of breeding and nonbreeding red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra). Crossbills were captured and tracked in different seasons and under conifer seed mast and non-mast conditions. Telemetry data were used to generate statistical models to analyze spatial habitat use. Total linear distance traveled per total area of the home range was used as a comparative measure of activity within home ranges across specimens. We found a …

Seeding Shakespeare And Drama In Diverse 21st-Century Classrooms Through A Cross-National Partnership: New Teachers’ Challenges And Early Practices, Steven Z. Athanases, Sergio L. Sanchez

Benerd College Faculty Articles

Classroom drama holds promise for student learning across disciplines. When Shakespeare’s works are included in diverse classrooms, supported by drama activities, students can embody, voice, and explore themes and societal issues, bringing such themes alive. This study documents challenges and opportunities reported by teachers in their first-year teaching as they participated in an innovative cross-national partnership between Globe Education, Shakespeare’s Globe, London and the School of Education, University of California, Davis. Survey results found new teachers’ value exceeded their self-confidence in implementing Shakespeare and drama-based practices in their teaching. Teachers managed to infuse drama activities in classrooms, conducted inquiry into …

Non-Canonical Targets, Reaction Kinetics, And Cellular Potency Of Amino Acid-Linked Platinum(Ii) Compounds, Bett Kimutai

Wayne State University Dissertations

DNA serve as an ideal target where drugs such as cisplatin (cisPt) bind and exert their anticancer activities. CisPt is known to preferentially coordinate with DNA leading to formation of cisPt-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) adducts. The adducts distort the DNA structure and contribute to inhibition of DNA-mediated cellular functions and ultimately cancer cell death. Despite its utilization as an anticancer drug, cisPt has a number of drawbacks, which include toxic side effects and cellular resistance. Resistance occurs through processes such as repair of damaged DNA and inactivation of cisPt present in the cell. To overcome these challenges, the aim of this thesis …

Evolutionary Ecology Of The Native Johnny Darter (Etheostoma Nigrum) And The Invasive Round Goby (Neogobius Melanostomus): A Genomic Perspective, Abby Joyce Wicks

Wayne State University Dissertations

Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive fish present in all five Great Lakes and is becoming increasingly common in their tributaries. Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum) is a native species that often coexists with round goby. Here, I use traditional population genetic methods and genomic tools to explore the evolutionary ecology of these species. First, historic factors are addressed as a source of variation in study populations by characterizing patterns of mitochondrial DNA variation throughout Lower Michigan. Round goby populations were largely homogenous and exhibited no evidence of overarching historical genetic structure, consistent with the recent invasion and rapid expansion …

Contributors

Bryant Literary Review

No abstract provided.

Using Site Visits To Strengthen Collaboration, Victor Piercey, Rebecca Segal, Afroditi Filippas, Tao Chen, Soloman Kone, Rosalyn Hargraves, Jack Bookman, John Hearn, Debbie Pike, Kathy Williams Phd

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The SUMMIT-P project is a multi-institutional endeavor to leverage interdisciplinary collaboration in order to improve the teaching of undergraduate mathematics courses in the first two years of college. One goal of this work is to establish collaborative communities among the institutions involved. As part of the project, institutions visit one another on site visits that are structured according to a common protocol. The site visits have been valuable to the project. Participating institutions report the exchange of actionable ideas and feedback; members of the grant leadership team have used the site visits to direct the overall project, and evaluators have …

Feelings Of Incompleteness As Linking Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder And Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Examination Using A Computerized Approach-Avoidance Task, Sarah R. Lee

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the construct of incompleteness as it relates to both Obsessive-

Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Incompleteness is a

construct which was developed to describe symptoms of OCD which are not accounted for using

a traditional, harm-avoidance and fear-based conceptualization. Unlike harm-avoidance based

OCD, in which an individual engages in compulsions to prevent some feared outcome,

individuals with incompleteness-based OCD engage in compulsions to resolve an internal feeling

that their experience is uneven, asymmetrical, incomplete, or not-just-right.

Recently, researchers have begun to examine feelings of incompleteness in the context of

other disorders, such as ASD. …