Digital Commons Network^™

Partisanship And Special Interest Influence On Environmental Policy As Illustrated Through Statewide Plastic Bag Policies, Jennifer Coryell

Graduate Student Capstone Projects

Prior to its advent in 1869, the world had zero plastic. In 1907, when a fully synthetic version of the polymer we now call plastic was invented, humans reveled in the idea that they were no longer constrained by the limits of what natural resources could provide. Through World War II, the uses for plastic grew exponentially, continuing post-war as a seemingly endless number of plastic products became available to the public (Science History Institute).

Demand for this material has not subsided since, and it is now estimated that 300 million tons of plastic are created annually (Paco, 2017). Much …

The Central Role Of Taxonomy In The Study Of Neotropical Biodiversity1, Laura P. Lagomarsino, Laura A. Frost

Faculty Publications

© 2020 Missouri Botanical Garden. All rights reserved. The Neotropics are the most species-rich area of the planet. Understanding the origin and maintenance of this diversity is an important goal of ecology and evolutionary biology. Success in this endeavor relies heavily on the past work of taxonomists who have collected specimens and produced the floras and monographs that constitute the foundation for the study of plant diversity. To illustrate this, we visualize collecting efforts through time and identify the importance of past taxonomic and collection efforts in generating the bulk of specimen data that broad-scale analyses rely on today. To …

Abundance Of The Species Clostridium Butyricum In The Gut Microbiota Contributes To Differences In Obesity Phenotype In Outbred Sprague-Dawley Cd Rats, Diana N. Obanda, Claudia Husseneder, Anne M. Raggio, Ryan Page, Brian Marx, Rhett W. Stout, Justin Guice, Diana Coulon, Michael J. Keenan

Faculty Publications

© 2020 Elsevier Inc. Objectives: Gut microbiota profiles contribute to differences in obesity phenotype. We examined the abundance of the species Clostridium butyricum in relation to obesity phenotype. Methods: In outbred Sprague -Dawley rats we examined effects of dietary fat, resistant starch (RS), and a microbiota transplant on obesity phenotype. Using targeted qPCR, we examined the abundance of total gut bacteria and C. butyricum in relation to the propensity of obesity prone and obesity resistant rats to accumulate abdominal fat. Results: Before inclusion of dietary RS, obesity resistant (OR) rats had higher amounts of total bacteria, and C. butyricum compared …

Abundance Of The Species Clostridium Butyricum In The Gut Microbiota Contributes To Differences In Obesity Phenotype In Outbred Sprague-Dawley Cd Rats, Diana N. Obanda, Claudia Husseneder, Anne M. Raggio, Ryan Page, Brian Marx, Rhett W. Stout, Justin Guice, Diana Coulon, Michael J. Keenan

Faculty Publications

© 2020 Elsevier Inc. Objectives: Gut microbiota profiles contribute to differences in obesity phenotype. We examined the abundance of the species Clostridium butyricum in relation to obesity phenotype. Methods: In outbred Sprague -Dawley rats we examined effects of dietary fat, resistant starch (RS), and a microbiota transplant on obesity phenotype. Using targeted qPCR, we examined the abundance of total gut bacteria and C. butyricum in relation to the propensity of obesity prone and obesity resistant rats to accumulate abdominal fat. Results: Before inclusion of dietary RS, obesity resistant (OR) rats had higher amounts of total bacteria, and C. butyricum compared …

All-Atomic Molecular Dynamic Studies Of Human And Drosophila Cdk8: Insights Into Their Kinase Domains, The Lxxll Motifs, And Drug Binding Site, Wu Xu, Xiao-Jun Xie, Ali K. Faust, Mengmeng Liu, Xiao Li, Feng Chen, Ashlin A. Naquin, Avery C. Walton, Peter W. Kishbaugh, Jun-Yuan Ji

Faculty Publications

Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and its regulatory partner Cyclin C (CycC) play conserved roles in modulating RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent gene expression. To understand the structure and function relations of CDK8, we analyzed the structures of human and Drosophila CDK8 proteins using molecular dynamics simulations, combined with functional analyses in Drosophila. Specifically, we evaluated the structural differences between hCDK8 and dCDK8 to predict the effects of the LXXLL motif mutation (AQKAA), the P154L mutations, and drug binding on local structures of the CDK8 proteins. First, we have observed that both the LXXLL motif and the kinase activity of CDK8 …

Dietary Methionine Restriction Signals To The Brain Through Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 To Regulate Energy Balance And Remodeling Of Adipose Tissue, Laura A. Forney, Han Fang, Landon C. Sims, Kirsten P. Stone, Leighann Y. Vincik, Alicia M. Vick, Amanda N. Gibson, David H. Burk, Thomas W. Gettys

Faculty Publications

© 2020 The Obesity Society. Objective: Restricting dietary methionine to 0.17% in mice increases energy expenditure (EE), reduces fat deposition, and improves metabolic health by increasing hepatic fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). The goal of this study was to compare each of these responses in mice with the coreceptor for FGF21 deleted in either adipose tissue or the brain. Methods: Methionine-restriction (MR) diets were fed to age-matched cohorts of mice with the coreceptor for FGF21 deleted in either adipose tissue or the brain. The physiological and transcriptional responses to MR were compared in the respective cohorts. Results: Tissue-specific deletion of …

The Honors Beacon, Issue 18, Fall 2020, Honors Program At Minnesota State University, Mankato

Honors Beacon

Fall 2020 newsletter of the Honors Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Human Confusion: Why There Must Be Justice For Non-Humans, David Johns

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the last twelve millennia—since agriculture first emerged—humans have increased their exploitation and efforts to control other species and to colonize the Earth. Human on human hierarchy and colonization of other humans follows on the colonization of the natural world. The task of conservation is to undo that colonial relationship. We have been causing the extinction of other life-forms, including hominid species, since we left Africa at least 60,000 years ago. In the last 50 years, or just about two human generations, nearly 68% of all vertebrate animals have disappeared due to human activity (WWF 2020). Humans go into an …

Effect Of Conjugated Estrogens And Bazedoxifene On Glucose, Energy And Lipid Metabolism In Obese Postmenopausal Women, Kara L. Marlatt, Dragana Lovre, Robbie A. Beyl, Chandra R. Tate, Evelyn K. Hayes, Charles F. Burant, Eric Ravussin, Franck Mauvais-Jarvis

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: Combining conjugated estrogens (CE) with the selective estrogen receptor modulator bazedoxifene (BZA) is a novel, orally administered menopausal therapy. We investigated the effect of CE/BZA on insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism, and serum metabolome in postmenopausal women with obesity. Design: Randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot trial with washout was conducted at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Eight postmenopausal women (age 50-60 years, BMI 30-40 kg/m2) were randomized to 8 weeks CE/BZA or placebo. Primary outcome was insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp). Secondary outcomes included body composition (DXA); resting metabolic rate (RMR); substrate oxidation (indirect calorimetry); ectopic lipids (1H-MRS); fat cell size, adipose and …

Testosterone Supplementation Upregulates Androgen Receptor Expression And Translational Capacity During Severe Energy Deficit, Emily E. Howard, Lee M. Margolis, Claire E. Berryman, Harris R. Lieberman, J. Philip Karl, Andrew J. Young, Monty A. Montano, William J. Evans, Nancy R. Rodriguez, Neil M. Johannsen, Kishore M. Gadde, Melissa N. Harris, Jennifer C. Rood, Stefan M. Pasiakos

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Testosterone supplementation during energy deficit promotes whole body lean mass accretion, but the mechanisms underlying that effect remain unclear. To elucidate those mechanisms, skeletal muscle molecular adaptations were assessed from muscle biopsies collected before, 1 h, and 6 h after exercise and a mixed meal (40 g protein, 1 h postexercise) following 14 days of weight maintenance (WM) and 28 days of an exercise- and diet-induced 55% energy deficit (ED) in 50 physically active nonobese men treated with 200 mg testosterone enanthate/wk (TEST) or placebo (PLA) during the ED. Participants (n = 10/group) exhibiting substantial increases in leg lean mass …

Three Cohorts' Vulnerabilities On The Issue Of Sexual Consent, Anita Bernstein

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Piwi-Interacting Rnas: Mitochondria-Based Biogenesis And Functions In Cancer, Jin-Fen Su, Anthony Concilla, Dianzheng Zhang, Fang Zhao, Fang-Fang Shen, Hao Zhang, Fu-You Zhou

PCOM Scholarly Works

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNAs), once thought to be mainly functioning in germlines, are now known to play an essential role in somatic and cancerous tissues. Ping-pong cycle initiation and mitochondria-based phased production constitute the core of the piRNA biogenesis and these two processes are well conserved in mammals, including humans. By being involved in DNA methylation, histone marker deposition, mRNA degradation, and protein modification, piRNAs also contribute to carcinogenesis partly due to oncogenic stress-induced piRNA dysregulation. Also, piRNAs play important roles in cancer stemness, drug resistance, and tumor immunology. Results from liquid biopsy analysis of piRNA can be used in both …

Toward A Rational Policy For Dealing With Marijuana Impairment – Moving Beyond “He Looked Buzzed To Me, Your Honor”, William J. Mcnichol Jr.

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

This paper examines how marijuana impairment is currently proven, especially in states where marijuana has been legalized under state law. Much of the currently used proofs and some legislatively imposed standards are scientifically unsound and their use should be discontinued or severely limited. It is recommended that development of a valid biochemical proxy for marijuana impairment should be a priority funding item in states where marijuana is legalized.

Louisiana Agriculture Fall, 2020

Louisiana Agriculture

No abstract provided.

Northeast- Fall 2020, Lsu Agcenter

Horticulture Hints

No abstract provided.

Southwest- Fall 2020, Lsu Agcenter

Horticulture Hints

No abstract provided.

Lsu Research Fall 2020, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Research Magazine

LSU Research is published annually by the Office of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University.

Fall 2020 Catalog, Lsu Press

LSU Press Seasonal Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Evaluation Of Wildlife Detection Systems, Nick N. Ferenchak Ph.D

Data

Every year in the United States, wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) cause 200 human fatalities, 26,000 human injuries, and substantial harm to wildlife populations, resulting in approximately $8.4 billion in total costs. The research team examined two US 64 bridges located near Lumberton, New Mexico that were designed to allow wildlife to cross underneath. Monitoring stations were positioned at each of the crossings so that both wildlife approaches and passages were observed. Special mounting brackets were designed and fabricated to allow for the installation of monitoring equipment. Wildlife observations were supplemented with WVC counts. Over seven months of study, nearly 100,000 wildlife …

Metabolic And Energetic Benefits Of Microrna-22 Inhibition, Marc Thibonnier, Christine Esau, Sujoy Ghosh, Edward Wargent, Claire Stocker

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: We previously demonstrated in primary cultures of human subcutaneous adipocytes and in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity that specific microRNA-22-3p antagomirs produce a significant reduction of fat mass and an improvement of several metabolic parameters. These effects are related to the activation of target genes such as KDM3A, KDM6B, PPARA, PPARGC1B and SIRT1 involved in lipid catabolism, thermogenesis, insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We now report a dedicated study exploring over the course of 3 months the metabolic and energetic effects of subcutaneous administration of our first miR-22-3p antagomir drug candidate (APT-110) in adult …

Exercise Training Impacts Skeletal Muscle Clock Machinery In Prediabetes, Melissa L. Erickson, H. U.I. Zhang, Jacob T. Mey, John P. Kirwan

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Purpose Disruption of the skeletal muscle molecular clock leads to metabolic disease, whereas exercise may be restorative, leading to improvements in metabolic health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-wk exercise intervention on skeletal muscle molecular clock machinery in adults with obesity and prediabetes, and determine whether these changes were related to exercise-induced improvements in metabolic health. Methods Twenty-six adults (age, 66 ± 4.5 yr; body mass index (BMI), 34 ± 3.4 kg·m-2; fasting plasma glucose, 105 ± 15 mg·dL-1) participated in a 12-wk exercise intervention and were fully provided isoenergetic diets. Body composition …

How To Fix Legal Scholarmush, Adam J. Kolber

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Several Houses, Anthony L. Cudahy

Theses and Dissertations

Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the thinking that informed my painting practice fixated on the purgatorial temporal space of waiting, a questioning of utopian and apocalyptic impulses, and the preservation of deceased artists' archives.

For The Love Of Existence, Paul Joseph Vogeler

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, artist Paul Joseph Vogeler discusses his influences and current art practice. He covers topics like Catholicism and mortality, BDSM and erotic art, Tarot, spirits and the afterlife, photography and painting, and bones and relics.

2020 Fall Nutshell, Morehead State University. Institutional Research & Analysis.

Office of Institutional Research & Analysis Publication Archive

Fall 2020 issue of the Nutshell.

Cardiac Neuroanatomy And Chronotropic Modulation Of The Adult Giant Danio Heart, Alyssa Koch, Emma Nelson, Pascal Lafontant

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Studies in non-mammalian models species have contributed significantly to our understanding of the biology and the nature of innervation in the heart. The giant danio (D. malabaricus) is a teleost fish species closely related to zebrafish, that is also capable of heart regeneration. We previously described the development and maturation of the giant danio (GD) heart. However, little is known about its innervation. We hypothesized that the pattern of innervation in the GD heart is anatomically and physiologically complex, and that the heart is responsive to physiological modulation similar to that seen in cyprinid fish and mammals. Using various neuronal …

Alternative Treatments To Koalas With Chlamydia, Kelsey Thornton

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Koala populations have declined rapidly in the past 2 decades due to many reasons such as disease, vehicle collisions, dog attacks, urbanization and deforestation, and climate-related issues. Chlamydia is one of the leading causes for population declines in koalas. Koalas are difficult to treat for chlamydia because antibiotic treatment kills the specialized gut bacteria they have and need for degrading toxic compounds within eucalyptus leaves, their only source of food. I propose that doxycycline, a drug with a 97% cure rate and reduced dysbiosis, to be administered at higher concentrations less frequently. Additionally, I propose that koalas treated with antibiotics …

Comparative Analysis: Animal Research Versus Animal Testing, Hannah Vanhoose

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Currently, there is a push to eliminate the use of animals in all experimental settings. Animal rights organizations like PETA and the Animal Welfare Institute consistently advocate for the well-being of animals in many aspects, including in the laboratory setting. While it is necessary to eradicate the maltreatment of animals found in unregulated testing centers, it is important to distinguish the differences between testing and research involving animals. The focus of this research is to demonstrate that while it is essential to cut down on harmful testing, the use of animals in medical research is crucial. 

Diversity In Adaptations For Young People: Dahl's The Witches, Elizabeth Garri

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

This project considers the role adaptations play both as reflections of their hypotexts and as independent works. Here, I examine three adaptations of Roald Dahl's The Witches in the context of broader conversations about diversity in children's media. 

The Great Stroke, Danielle Walton

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

During this game I will be talking about a women who will experience having a stroke. A Stroke is when your blood vessels that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Having a stroke can have many effects on your body such as: not being able to talk, losing movement in body, and can cause diabetes.