Digital Commons Network^™

Implementing The Flipped Classroom In An Undergraduate Corporate Finance Course, Jayendra S. Gokhale

Publications

This study analyzes flipped mode of instruction in Corporate Finance. In the current environment, with many students in quarantine and greater emphasis on self-study, it is even more relevant to understand how students understand and retain concepts derived from online environment. In this study, performance of students in flipped mode is compared with the performance in traditional lecture-style. In flipped class, students watched a brief video-lecture, took an online assessment quiz prior to attending an interactive discussion-based class session, unlike the traditional lecture style. The results of this study suggest that with flipped mode, most students take greater responsibility of …

Microbiomes For All, Theodore R. Muth, Avrom J. Caplan

Publications and Research

Microbiome research projects are often interdisciplinary, involving fields such as microbiology, genetics, ecology, evolution, bioinformatics, and statistics. These research projects can be an excellent fit for undergraduate courses ranging from introductory biology labs to upper-level capstone courses. Microbiome research projects can attract the interest of students majoring in health and medical sciences, environmental sciences, and agriculture, and there are meaningful ties to real-world issues relating to human health, climate change, and environmental sustainability and resilience in pristine, fragile ecosystems to bustling urban centers. In this review, we will discuss the potential of microbiome research integrated into classes using a number …

From Wave Propagation To Spin Dynamics: Mathematical And Computational Aspects, Oleksii Beznosov

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

In this work we concentrate on two separate topics which pose certain numerical challenges. The first topic is the spin dynamics of electrons in high-energy circular accelerators. We introduce a stochastic differential equation framework to study spin depolarization and spin equilibrium. This framework allows the mathematical study of known equations and new equations modelling the spin distribution of an electron bunch. A spin distribution is governed by a so-called Bloch equation, which is a linear Fokker-Planck type PDE, in general posed in six dimensions. We propose three approaches to approximate solutions, using analytical and modern numerical techniques. We also present …

Inoculum Potential Of Pinus Edulis-Associated Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Across A Forest Extirpation Chronosequence, Annie M. Montes

Biology ETDs

Few studies have examined inoculum potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) in the absence of plant hosts, yet persistence of these fungi may be paramount to resilience of Pinus edulis and other mycorrhizal plant species. We conducted a study in which seven sites were selected in northwestern New Mexico with known dates of P. edulis extirpation and a lack of regeneration. Age classes included: two sites extirpated 10-20 years ago, two extirpated 55-65 years ago, two extirpated 500+ years ago, and one extirpated 11,000+ years ago. At each site, two plots were paired: an extirpated plot and the nearest live adult …

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics Of Fungal Communities And Their Effects On Plants, Kel Cook

Biology ETDs

Fungi perform several critical functions in the environment. Spatiotemporal distributions of fungal communities will mediate when and where these functions happen and how they vary across the landscape. I first explored tropical tree canopy fungal community variation at small spatial scales and documented near total turnover of fungi across sub-meter distances and among adjacent substrates. The second chapter analyzed fungal turnover over the course of three years, where community stability was driven primarily by abundant fungi. In the third chapter, I tested effects of the environment, including host plant and habitat, on canopy fungal communities and found only small effects, …

A Comprehensive Spectral Assay Library To Quantify The Escherichia Coli Proteome By Dia/Swath-Ms., Mukul K Midha, Ulrike Kusebauch, David Shteynberg, Charu Kapil, Samuel L Bader, Panga Jaipal Reddy, David S Campbell, Nitin Baliga, Robert L Moritz

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) is a method to improve consistent identification and precise quantitation of peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry (MS). The targeted data analysis strategy in DIA relies on spectral assay libraries that are generally derived from a priori measurements of peptides for each species. Although Escherichia coli (E. coli) is among the best studied model organisms, so far there is no spectral assay library for the bacterium publicly available. Here, we generated a spectral assay library for 4,014 of the 4,389 annotated E. coli proteins using one- and two-dimensional fractionated samples, and ion mobility separation enabling deep proteome …

November 12, 2020, Caa

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Inferring Life History Characteristics Of The Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus Longimanus From Vertebral Bomb Radiocarbon, Michelle S. Passerotti, Allen H. Andrews, Lisa J. Natanson

Faculty Publications

Oceanic whitetip sharks Carcharhinus longimanus are a cosmopolitan epipelagic species that was once prolific throughout the tropics and subtropics but was recently listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and as Threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act. Although historically conspicuous in oceanic fisheries catches, relatively little is known about their habitat use, movement, and life history during migration. Given the paucity of data on migratory patterns and lack of age estimate validation available for this species, we evaluated vertebral growth bands for bomb radiocarbon (14C) patterns to derive additional information on these …

Curriculum Minutes 11/12/2020, Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Pyrococcus Horikoshii Rada Intein Site Selection, Noah Stallins

Honors College Theses

Inteins are protein segments interrupting polypeptides with the unique ability to excise from the host protein and link flanking protein fragments (exteins) to form a functional protein. Many of these proteins are involved in crucial processes such as DNA replication, DNA recombination, and DNA repair. The functionality of these elements in nature and applications in biotechnology necessitates the study of inteins. Pyrococcus horikoshii (Pho) provides an array of inteins to study, with a total of nine different proteins possessing inteins. Among the nine total inteins, the DNA repair and recombination protein RadA gained interest due to the speed …

November 12, 2020, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Optical Monitoring Of Endotracheal Tube Displacement, Ramzan Ullah, Karl Doerfer, Pawjai Khampang, Faraneh Fathi, Wenzhou Hong, Joseph E. Kerschner, Bing Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Proper ventilation of a patient with an endotracheal tube (ETT) requires proper placement of the ETT. We present a sensitive, noninvasive, operator-free, and cost-effective optical sensor, called Opt-ETT, for the real-time assessment of ETT placement and alerting of the clinical care team should the ETT become displaced. The Opt-ETT uses a side-firing optical fiber, a near-infrared light-emitting diode, two photodetectors with an integrated amplifier, an Arduino board, and a computer loaded with a custom LabVIEW program to monitor the position of the endotracheal tube inside the windpipe. The Opt-ETT generates a visual and audible warning if the tube moves over …

Gan Nanowire Laser For A Universal Atomic Force Microscope Probe: A Computational And Feasibility Study, Neal Wostbrock

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

This thesis attempts to establish the groundwork for integrating a GaN nanowire into an AFM probe resulting in a universal atomic force microscope probe. Previous studies have shown GaN nanowires have stable mechanical properties, can be fabricated at scale with high aspect ratios and very smooth side walls, and have intrinsic lasing capabilities; however, mechanical and lasing capabilities have not yet been integrated into a single AFM probe. Here, we develop and analyze a suspended waveguide optical pumping concept that can be fabricated and applied to an AFM probe cantilever, unlocking full potential of GaN’s optical and mechanical properties as …

The Experience Of Being Gender Nonbinary: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Gene Crofts

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

The call for research on the growing population of persons who identify as gender nonbinary includes the need for in-depth explorations of lived experience, especially among Persons of Color. This study focuses on four individuals, 27 to 32 years of age, who identify as gender nonbinary as well as Hispanic/Latinx and reside in the unique minority-majority, conservative/progressive state of New Mexico. Interpretative phenomenological analysis, with its idiographic approach, was used to gather data through interviews and present the findings in both descriptive and interpreted terms. Results focus on three themes: realization required a unique journey, allowances are made for mothers …

Strain And Stress Relationships For Optical Phonon Modes In Monoclinic Crystals With Β-Ga2O3 As An Example, Rafal Korlacki, Megan Stokey, A. Mock, Sean Knight, Alexis Papamichail, Vanya Darakchieva, Mathias Schubert

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Strain-stress relationships for physical properties are of interest for heteroepitaxial material systems, where strain and stress are inherent due to thermal expansion and lattice mismatch. We report linear perturbation theory strain and stress relationships for optical phonon modes in monoclinic crystals for strain and stress situations which maintain the monoclinic symmetry of the crystal. By using symmetry group analysis and phonon frequencies obtained under various deformation scenarios from density-functional perturbation theory calculations on β-Ga₂O₃, we obtain four strain and four stress potential parameters for each phonon mode. We demonstrate that these parameters are sufficient to …

Chemically Induced Phytoextraction Of Lead (Pb) Contaminated Soil By Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.), Austin Gilly

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Soils contaminated with lead (Pb) from human activities including industrial byproducts create an environmental and human health risk. Phytoextraction through chemical acquisition of Pb in soils offer a potentially cost effective and ecologically driven approach to remediation. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is known to have a tolerance for a wide range of heavy metals including Pb. Switchgrass is also able to grow in a wide range of climates. Soil chemistry manipulation, using chelates and plant growth promoters could provide an effective field method for phytoremediation using switchgrass. In this study chemically enhanced phytoextraction using the soil-fungicide Infuse (active ingredient …

The Colby Echo (2020-11-12), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

Near Haploidization Is A Genomic Hallmark Which Defines A Molecular Subgroup Of Giant Cell Glioblastoma., Tiffany G. Baker, Jay Alden, Adrian M. Dubuc, Cynthia T. Welsh, Iya Znoyko, Linda D. Cooley, Midhat S. Farooqi, Stuart Schwartz, Yvonne Y. Li, Andrew D. Cherniack, Scott M. Lindhorst, Melissa Gener, Daynna J. Wolff, David M. Meredith

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Giant cell glioblastoma (gcGBM) is a rare histologic subtype of glioblastoma characterized by numerous bizarre multinucleate giant cells and increased reticulin deposition. Compared with conventional isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas, gcGBMs typically occur in younger patients and are generally associated with an improved prognosis. Although prior studies of gcGBMs have shown enrichment of genetic events, such as

Methods: Through a multi-institutional collaborative effort, we characterized 10 gcGBMs by chromosome studies, single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis, and targeted next-generation sequencing. These tumors were subsequently compared to the genomic and epigenomic profile of glioblastomas described in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. …

Scientia Fall 2020 - Full Issue

Scientia

The full issue of the fall 2020 issue of Scientia.

Lab Notes

Scientia

Paleo Showcase; Expert Opinions; School of Nursing Director Appointed; EPISTEM Porject; CSH Honors Award Recipients; Diversity Fellowship

Protective Measures

Scientia

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and engulfed frontline health care providers, faculty, staff and students in the College of Science and Health stepped in to help by donating and fabricating personal protective equipment (PPE).

Research Focus: Depaul’S Tree Whisperer

Scientia

Jalene LaMontagne, a population ecologist and associate professor of biological sciences in DePaul's College of Science and Health, is researching mast seeding of white spruce and the seed cones they produce across the 3,000-mile span of North America to understand the patter of tree behavior along the ecological dipole.

Strength And Agility Power Up Online Learning

Scientia

DePaul's College of Science and Health pivoted to online learning when the COVID-19 pandemic precluded in-person instruction. Using Labster and personalized support from tech-savvy instructional designers in the college, faculty were able to create virtual lab experiences for such areas as nursing and biology.

An Examination Of An Engagement Indicator For Non-Traditional First-Generation Black Students Enrolled In U.S. Institutions, Chantae D. Still

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

More students than ever have been provided access to higher education; however, the increase in enrollment is outpacing the data on successful completion rates. Student engagement has been identified as fundamental for college student success and retention.

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the student engagement of non-traditional first-generation Black students attending 4-year public institutions in the United States. Using the Student-Faculty Interaction (SFI) National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) scales of student engagement, this study examined the relationship between SFI and selected personal characteristics of traditional and non-traditional, first-generation first-year and senior-year Black students, …

Maternal Social Status, Offspring 2d:4d Ratio And Postnatal Growth, In Macaca Mulatta (Rhesus Macaques), Juan Pablo Arroyo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Early life exposure to stressors can disrupt growth and development, resulting in long-term compromised function and increased risk for disease throughout the lifecourse. Maternal exposure to psychosocial stressors (i.e., stressors derived from social status, social inequalities, and social interactions) during pregnancy has been associated with reduced fetal growth, adverse birth outcomes, and increased morbidity for the offspring later in life. Maternal hormonal responses to stress, such as fluctuations in glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) and androgens (e.g., testosterone), can result in increased developmental instability, interfere with offspring growth in-utero, and may alter developmental processes of sexual dimorphism. Second digit to fourth digit …

Environmental Influences On Expression Of Virulence- And Survival-Associated Genes And Epigenetic Modifications Of Dna In Vibrio Vulnificus, James W. Conrad

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Vibrio vulnificus is an autochthonous inhabitant of warm, brackish coastal waters and is an opportunistic pathogen that causes the highest mortality of all seafood-related illnesses (1). These fatal infections are generally caused by the clinically-associated vcgC/16S rRNA type B genotypes within the biotype I group (2–5). However, the reasons for the heightened infectiousness of the clinically-associated strains over environmentally-associated ones remains elusive, as no unique clinically-associated virulence genes have been identified through genomic sequencing or other strategies. DNA methylation may contribute to regulation of virulence by affecting gene transcription, and was investigated in the highly virulent V. vulnificus strain CMCP6. …

Reproduction And Parasite-Mediated Selection, Meredith A. Krause

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sexual reproduction generates genetic diversity that can help hosts respond to selection by parasites, and in this thesis, I test three predictions on how reproduction impacts predictions by the parasite theory of sex and the Red Queen hypothesis. In Chapter one, using a meta-analysis, I found that asexuals (lower genetic diversity) have more parasites than sexuals (higher genetic diversity), but this difference can be heavily mediated by the mode and origin of asexuality. Further, hybridization but not polyploidy can blunt predicted differences in parasite loads among sexual and asexual hosts. In Chapter two, I flip the perspective of Red Queen …

Posttranslational Modification And Protein Disorder Regulate Protein-Protein Interactions And Dna Binding Specificity Of P53, Robin Levy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

p53 is an intrinsically disordered transcription factor that suppresses tumor development by arresting the cell cycle and promoting DNA repair. p53 deletions or mutations can lead to cancer due to the inability of cells to respond to stress. The protein levels and post-translational modification state of p53 changes in response to cellular stress like DNA damage. Previous studies have shown that p53 can undergo coupled folding and binding with the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2, and the histone deacetylase, p300. In normal cells, p53 is kept at a low level by Mdm2, which marks it with ubiquitin, targeting p53 for proteasome …

Spatial And Temporal Determinants Associated With Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity In Florida, Kristi M. Miley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is considered the most pathogenic mosquito-borne illness in the United States. Human mortality has been estimated to range between 35 to 75%, with horses experiencing mortality rates greater than 90%. A large number of EEEV cases occur in Florida. Though we have come a long way since the first human infection was identified in the 1930s, there is still much to learn regarding the virus’s ability to maintain transmission year-round in Florida. Phylogenic studies support that Florida may serve as the geographic reservoir for EEEV. This research investigated spatiotemporal and ecological variables associated with risk …

Thermoelectric Transport Control Using Single Phase Materials And Metamaterial Composites, Wencong Shi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The amount of annual energy consumption in today's human world is on an unprecedented level, as most of the energy used for industrial, transportation, and residential purposes are rejected or dissipated as waste heat, it is of crucial importance to find a way to harvest this wasted heat energy and convert it back into usages. Thermoelectric (TE) devices can help to achieve this purpose by utilizing the principle of thermoelectricity such as the Seebeck effect to generate the electric energy from the waste heat. The main challenges are to find TE materials that are highly efficient in energy conversion, low …