Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Daam1 In Kidney Development, Vanja Krneta-Stankic

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Kidneys, like most organs in our bodies, consist of a network of epithelial tubules. Kidney tubules are called nephrons, and their morphology is important for kidney function. Nephrons develop from mesodermally derived aggregates of progenitor cells. The nephric progenitors organize into nephric tubules lined with hair-like sensory projections called cilia. Many diseases of the kidney are characterized by abnormal nephron morphology with current treatment aimed at symptom control. To understand the mechanisms underlying kidney diseases and achieve the development of novel therapies, a better understanding of how nephrons develop is needed. Although the actin cytoskeleton is critical for cell behaviors …

Ionic Mechanism Of Lysosomal Function And Cell Metabolism, Jian Xiong

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Two Pore Channels (TPCs) are endolysosomal ion channels that are permeable to sodium and calcium. Defects in TPCs have been implicated to impair vesicle trafficking, autophagy and cell metabolism control; however, the detailed mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, I show that TPCs are critical for appropriate cargo delivery to the lysosomes and deletion of either TPC1 or TPC2 leads to delayed clearance of autophagosomes, resulting in enlarged lysosomes and accumulated contents inside the lysosomes. Cells with both TPC deleted also exhibit 50% reduction in lysosomal amino acids under normal culture conditions, leading to reduced homeostatic mTORC1 activation.

Glutamine …

Fibroblast Heterogeneity In Pancreatic Cancer Immunity, Josephine Darpolor

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Fibroblasts are a unique cell type defined by their mesenchymal phenotype and exclusion from epithelial, immune, and endothelial cell subsets. Although well studied in wound healing, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are incredibly heterogeneous, leading to contradictions as to the roles CAFs play in the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs were thought to be a barrier to treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, general stromal targeting strategies have largely failed in the clinic likely due to the heterogeneity of CAFs in the TME. Therefore, our groups and others have worked to unravel the heterogeneity of CAFs in PDAC. In the works …

Investigation Of Proliferation Suppressors In Genetic Fitness Screens, Walter Frank Lenoir Iv

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Innovation of CRISPR gene-editing technology has provided scientists genome manipulation tools that allowed rapid advancement of scientific capabilities and thus improved our ability to systematically study mammalian genetic functional profiles. Genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens conducted in collections of human cell lines can knock out genes at multiple loci, and have provided new insights into functional roles for independent genes. This method has launched massive efforts in looking across genetic backgrounds for context specific genetic vulnerabilities within cancer. Much of the research effort thus far has been spent on optimizing phenotype distinctions between essential, genes required for cell fitness, and non-essential, …

Combined Inhibition Of Ddr1 And Cdk4/6 Induces Synergistic Effects In Er-Positive, Her2-Negative Breast Cancer With Pik3ca/Akt1 Mutations, Maryam Shariati, Maryam Shariati

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

COMBINED INHIBITION OF DDR1 AND CDK4/6 INDUCES SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS IN ER-POSITIVE, HER2-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER WITH PIK3CA/AKT1 MUTATIONS

Maryam Shariati, M.S. Advisory Professor: Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D.

Molecular alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K)/ serine/threonine protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway occur frequently in estrogen receptor–positive (ER-positive) breast tumors. Patients with ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2-negative) metastatic breast cancer are often treated with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4/6) inhibitors such as palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy. Although this is a very effective regimen, disease progression ultimately occurs in most patients. Further, the modulators of palbociclib sensitivity remain unclear. The purpose …

The Hunt For Loot: Proposed Solutions To More Effectively Regulate Addictive Gambling Mechanics In Video Games, Andrew Brewer

Journal of Law and Policy

Over the past decade, more and more video game developers have embraced “loot boxes” as a lucrative source of revenue. But recent concerns over the potential harms of loot boxes, particularly to children, have raised questions about their use and prompted attempts to regulate them throughout the world. This Note explores recent attempts—both foreign and domestic—to regulate loot boxes and proposes new solutions based on those strategies’ shortcomings. By carefully and competently defining terms and exceptions, and providing for more aggressive oversight of agency regulatory efforts, federally-crafted loot box legislation can more effectively protect children from predatory gambling mechanics in …

Community Health Benefits And For-Profit Hospitals: The Need For New Legislation, Sarah Colgan

Journal of Law and Policy

For-profit hospitals and non-profit hospitals fundamentally have two separate goals they wish to achieve. For-profits seek profit maximization, while non-profits, as a result of their federal tax-exempt status, are required to maintain missions dedicated to serving the public and subsequently, the indigent and uninsured. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the goals of the Nation’s health care system began to shift towards more cost effective and high-quality treatment that focuses on providing preventative health care access to all Americans to reach a more health equitable society. This Note offers a dual approach that will help …

“A Climate Of Lawlessness”: Upholding A Government’S Affirmative Duty To Protect The Environment Using Deshaney’S Special Relationship Exception, Katherine G. Horner

Journal of Law and Policy

The Industrial Revolution introduced an era of exceptional technological advances. However, it also led to rampant environmental pollution and degradation. The proliferation of toxic pollutants in the air, water and soil has led us to the precipice of an unimaginable future; a future defined by climate change. This Note argues for the use of the special relationship exception, affirmed by the Supreme Court in DeShaney v. Winnebago, in environmental litigation in order to uphold governments’ affirmative duty to protect the environment. As federal and state governments have the sole power to regulate environmental pollution and enforce environmental protections, individuals are …

When Equitable Is Not Equal: Experimental Evidence On The Division Of Marital Assets In Divorce, Jennifer B. Shinall, Joni Hersch

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Upon divorce, marital assets in most U.S. states are divided equitably, often with the underlying legal purpose of equalizing outcomes. To examine whether decisionmakers value economic considerations, such as opportunity cost, specialization, and bargaining power, we conducted a vignette study in which we asked subjects to divide marital assets equitably between an employed husband and a wife without labor market income in a wealthy household. Subjects award less than 50 percent of assets to the wife, regardless of her education or the level of marital assets. Men award lower shares but, unlike women, award a larger share to a more …

Teacher Perceptions Regarding The Purpose Of K-12 Education, Peter M. Grostic

Dissertations

This study explored the perceptions of teachers regarding the purposes of K-12 education and the influence of belief sources on their perceptions. Purposes of K-12 education and the ways in which they have changed over time are topics for which researchers are concerned (Carpenter, 2005; Labaree, 2013). Addressing this concern, there is existing literature focused on understanding purposes through K-12 school mission statements (Schafft & Biddle, 2014; Stemler & Bebell, 2012), and a multitude of reflections regarding what K-12 education purposes should be (Biesta, 2015; Macallister, 2016; Robinson & Aronica, 2014). Less is known regarding what frontline K-12 education practitioners …

Providing Head Start Services Amid A Global Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Explanatory Study Of Capacity, Resources, And Support, Kelly L. Vigants

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic altered education in dramatic ways including immediate building closures and the implementation of virtual instruction. In March of 2020, Michigan faced a statewide shutdown on all non-essential travel as Michiganders were ordered to “Stay Home. Stay Safe.” Head Start began to provide remote services to families and students. Head Start lead teachers were charged with using virtual methods to teach their students. With little direction in the beginning and many unknowns, Head Start lead teachers used innovative methods to promote family engagement.

This study used a mixed method, explanatory sequential design to evaluate the most effective methods …

Is Media Assistance Obsolete? A Practice-Based Perspective On The Potential For Digital Technologies To Achieve Media Development Goals In Sub-Saharan Africa, Daire Higgins

Doctoral

The area of media assistance is not a widely known part of the Development Aid sector, even though it has been in existence since after World War II and has grown significantly since then as part of the development agenda. Media Assistance has been included in the strategies of Western and non Western donors as part of their overseas Aid programmes in many regions, supporting journalism and media with the objectives of contributing to accountability, transparency, governance and ultimately, democracy. This thesis examines the impact on the Media Assistance sector of the arrival of digital technologies into the ‘information ecosystems’ …

Beyond Wickedness: Managing Complex Systems And Climate Change, Michael P. Vandenbergh, Jonathan M. Gilligan

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

This Article examines the argument that climate change is a "super wicked" problem. It concludes that the wicked problem concept is best viewed as a rhetorical device that served a valuable function in arguing against technocratic hubris in the early 1970s but is unhelpful and possibly counterproductive as a tool for modern climate policy analysis. Richard Lazarus improved on this analysis by emphasizing the urgency of a climate response in his characterization of the climate problem as "super wicked." We suggest another approach based on Charles Lindblom's "science of muddling through." The muddling through approach supports the rhetorical points for …

The Law On Police Use Of Force In The United States, Christopher Slobogin, Brandon Garrett

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Recent events in the United States have highlighted the fact that American police resort to force, including deadly force, much more often than in many other Western countries. This Article describes how the current regulatory regime may ignore or even facilitate these aggressive police actions. The law governing police use of force in the United States derives in large part from the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. As construed by the United States Supreme Court, the Fourth Amendment provides police wide leeway in using deadly force, making custodial arrests, and stopping and …

Designing Law To Enable Adaptive Governance Of Modern Wicked Problems, J. B. Ruhl, Barbara A. Cosens A. Cosens, Niko Soininen, Lance Gunderson

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

This Article contributes to the development of adaptive governance theory by articulating and situating the role of formal law and government as the facilitator, but not central controller, of adaptive governance. To advance the understanding of adaptive governance, we argue that it can be understood in the broader context of scholarship covering the observed emergence of new governance, the efforts to develop theoretical understandings through decentered theory, and the refinement of constitutional understanding through democratic experimentalism. Synthesis of these three themes in turn informs the role of law and government in working with emergent governance responses to complexity to manage …

Conventional And Molecular Characterization Of Sheep Poxvirus (Spv) In Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, Hagar Ghander, Mohamed El-Tholoth, Sahar Abd-El Rahman, Ali El-Kenawy

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: Isolation, conventional and molecular characterization of sheep poxvirus (SPV) from clinically diseased vaccinated sheep in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Design: Descriptive study. Samples: Forty samples including 20 skin nodules and 20 from lung, liver, lymph node and tongue (5samples from each) were collected from sheep flock consisted of 25 adult and 5 lambs. Procedures: The suspected virus was isolated through embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). SPV was detected by agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and histopathology in field and egg passaged samples. Ten samples were selected for molecular characterization by conventional and real time polymerase chain …

Predicting Personality Type From Writing Style, Tanay Gottigundala

Master's Theses

The study of personality types gained traction in the early 20th century, when Carl Jung's theory of psychological types attempted to categorize individual differences into the first modern personality typology. Iterating on Jung's theories, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) tried to categorize each individual into one of sixteen types, with the theory that an individual's personality type manifests in virtually all aspects of their life. This study explores the relationship between an individual's MBTI type and various aspects of their writing style. Using a MBTI-labeled dataset of user posts on a personality forum, three ensemble classifiers were created to predict …

Comparison Of Combined/Carvedilol Moderate Dose Atorvastatin To Single High Dose Atorvastatin For The Prevention Of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Cardiac Catheterization, Rabab Ahmed El-Gazara, Maggie M. Abbassi, Nirmeen A. Sabry, Mohamed Seleem Mohamed, Soad Zakaria

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased morbidity, and the need for short-term hemodialysis. Although several preventive measures have been used, the best approach to prevent CIN is still controversial. Objectives: This study is intended to evaluate the protective effect of carvedilol/ medium dose statin compared to the recommended high dose atorvastatin on the development CIN in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization (CC). Methods: A total of 144 patients planned for CC were randomly assigned to: • Group (A): 49 patients received atorvastatin as single high dose 80 mg 12 hours before CC and another 40 mg of atorvastatin …

Nanocrystal Based Orally Disintegrating Tablets As A Tool To Improve Dissolution Rate Of Vortioxetine, Eknath Ahire, Shreya Thakkar, Yogeshwari Borade, Manju Misra

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression is a heterogeneous mental illness which have direct effect on patient’s behavior and cognition; causing constant feeling of unhappiness and loss of concern in earlier enjoyed events. Vortioxetine (VOR) is a new atypical serotonergic antidepressant reported for the treatment of major MDD and has its use in various psychological disorders. Despite its therapeutic potential, it has poor water solubility which creates problem in delivery. Nanocrystal based orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are proposed to enhance water solubility and dissolution rate of VOR. Nanosuspension was prepared by nanoprecipitation method after optimizing various parameters. The formulated nanosuspension …

Encystation And Glycogen Metabolism In Entamoeba Histolytica, Jordan Lynne Wesel

All Dissertations

Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protozoan that causes amebic dysentery, which affects approximately 90 million people annually, killing between 50-100,000. E. histolytica is transmitted via the oral-fecal route, through ingestion of contaminated food and water. The infectious form of the disease is the quiescent cyst, which after ingestion, undergoes excystation in the small intestine to the proliferative trophozoite. The trophozoite is the disease-causing form of the parasite, which colonizes the large intestine. Some trophozoites encyst in the large intestine and are passed out of the host, propagating the infectious cycle.

Despite the global burden of this disease, study of the …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, October-December 2020, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Examining Pathogenesis And Preventatives In Spontaneous And Staphylococcus-Induced Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis In Broilers, Nnamdi Simon Ekesi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis is the most important cause of lameness in broilers. This is important to poultry production, as it poses animal welfare issues, and causes a significant loss in revenue. The remediation of this disease requires the study of its etiology with fitting models and evaluating preventatives. The research reported herein covers genomic virulence analysis of BCO isolates, mainly Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli retrieved from lame birds. We found that S. aureus isolates were closest to chicken strains in Europe but may have been in the Arkansas area for a decade. Phylogenomics suggest our S. aureus is …

Embedding Metaliteracy In The Design Of A Post-Truth Mooc: Building Communities Of Trust, Thomas P. Mackey

Communications in Information Literacy

Metaliteracy is examined as a comprehensive framework to develop learners as informed consumers and active producers of information in collaborative communities of trust. In today's post-truth society, personal and political beliefs have often diminished the meaning and impact of truth and objective reasoning. Metaliteracy prepares reflective learners to responsibly consume and ethically produce information in participatory social environments. As civic-minded citizens, metaliterate learners take control of their learning while mindfully participating in cooperative and productive communities. The innovative Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Empowering Yourself in a Post-Truth World, is analyzed as part of this pedagogical strategy to prepare …

Learning Before And During The Covid-19 Outbreak: A Comparative Analysis Of Crisis Learning In South Korea And The Us, Seulki Lee, Jungwon Yeo, Chongmin Na

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Learning is imperative in government responses to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the South Korean and United States governments’ responses to COVID-19 from a comparative perspective. The analysis focuses on crisis learning conducted before and during the COVID-19 outbreak, using the conceptual categories of intercrisis/intracrisis learning and single-/double-loop learning. The findings suggest that double-loop, intercrisis learning allows for more effective crisis management by (re)developing a common operating framework. The efficacy of learning is enhanced when double-loop learning is followed by single-loop learning that embeds new structures and operational procedures. The findings also suggest that intercrisis learning facilitates …

Disparity And Applicant Faking Behaviors: How Comparison With The Ideal Applicant Affects Faking?, Yadi Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Applicant faking behavior (AFB) on personality measures remains a major concern in selection context. This study introduces a new construct of “disparity” which captures the difference between individuals’ self-evaluation personality score and the perceived ideal applicants’ personality score. Based on the Perceptual Control Theory (PTC), applicant will generate intention to fake in order to close the perceptional gap between an ideal applicant and themselves to increase their chances of getting hired. The study distinguishes intention to fake and actual faking behaviors as two separate constructs. Specifically, the study empirically examined the effect of disparity on applicant faking behaviors through intention …

Educator Perspectives On English Learner Identification: An Explanatory Mixed Methods Study, Rachel E. Hoffman

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore English learner identification and placement through the lens of teacher knowledge and attitude, with the goal of identifying ways to ensure that the intended outcome (correct identification and placement) occurs. Employing explanatory mixed methods research, data was collected from teachers and other educators in the Jackson Public School district through both a web administered survey and one to one phone interviews. The survey data showed that the number of ELs that an educator has had in the past few years had a statistically significant effect on educator knowledge, but none of the …

The Lived Experience Of Obesity, Spirituality, And Health Behaviors In African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. More than one-third of the U.S. adult population is classified as being obese (Obesity Society, 2014). Novak and Brownell (2012) identified that “obesity rates are consistently rising higher each year than in previous years” (p. 2345). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition. Obesity rates are well documented within the literature but what is lacking is the …

Birdcage, Mirella Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Birdcage is a coming of age story. It is, ultimately, a story about a young woman dealing with issues that she is now barely confronting, and with the help of positive outside influences, comes to accept herself and continues her path with a new perspective. There are prevalent themes such as mental illness, sexual and romantic identity, and the confrontation of toxic parental roles and how it can affect a child as they grow up. The purpose of this Critical Introduction of Birdcage is to explain my goals and purpose with this story, as well as to explain certain themes …

A Targeted Adversarial Attack On Support Vector Machine Using The Boundary Line, Yessenia Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, a targeted adversarial attack is explored on a Support Vector Machine (SVM). SVM is defined by creating a separating boundary between two classes. Using a target class, any input can be modified to cross the “boundary line,” making the model predict the target class. To limit the modification, a percentage of an image of the target class is used to get several random sections. Using these sections, the input will be moved in small steps closer to the boundary point. The section that took the least number of steps to cause the model to predict the target …

The Integration Of Iterative Convergent Photogrammetric Models And Uav View And Path Planning Algorithms Into The Aerial Inspection Practices In Areas With Aerial Hazards, Michael James Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

Small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV) can produce valuable data for inspections, topography, mapping, and 3D modeling of structures. Used by multiple industries, sUAV can help inspect and study geographic and structural sites. Typically, the sUAV and camera specifications require optimal conditions with known geography and fly pre-determined flight paths. However, if the environment changes, new undetectable aerial hazards may intersect new flight paths. This makes it difficult to construct autonomous flight path missions that are safe in post-hazard areas where the flight paths are based on previously built models or previously known terrain details. The goal of this research is …