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Mechanisms Of Small Molecule-Dna Interactions Probed By Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy, Ali A. Almaqwashi, Thayaparan Paramanathan, Ioulia Rouzina, Mark C. Williams

Physics Faculty Publications

There is a wide range of applications for non-covalent DNA binding ligands, and optimization of such interactions requires detailed understanding of the binding mechanisms. One important class of these ligands is that of intercalators, which bind DNA by inserting aromatic moieties between adjacent DNA base pairs. Characterizing the dynamic and equilibrium aspects of DNA-intercalator complex assembly may allow optimization of DNA binding for specific functions. Single-molecule force spectroscopy studies have recently revealed new details about the molecular mechanisms governing DNA intercalation. These studies can provide the binding kinetics and affinity as well as determining the magnitude of the double helix …

Biophysical Measurements Of Cells, Microtubules, And Dna With An Atomic Force Microscope, Luka M. Devenica, Clay Contee, Raysa Cabrejo, Matthew Kurek, Edward F. Deveney, Ashley R. Carter

Physics Faculty Publications

Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are ubiquitous in research laboratories and have recently been priced for use in teaching laboratories. Here, we review several AFM platforms and describe various biophysical experiments that could be done in the teaching laboratory using these instruments. In particular, we focus on experiments that image biological materials (cells, microtubules, and DNA) and quantify biophysical parameters including membrane tension, persistence length, contour length, and the drag force.

Export To Arduino: A Tool To Teach Processor Design On Real Hardware, Michael Black

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Many computer organization courses teach digital design and processor architecture without a hardware lab or physical equipment. This paper introduces a module to allow students to export digital designs as C programs that run on an inexpensive Arduino Uno, thereby allowing students to test and observe their designs in actual hardware with minimal setup time and equipment. The module runs within Emumaker86, an open-source digital design tool previously developed by the author for teaching microprocessor architecture, and can handle designs ranging from simple combinational circuits to a complete processor. Students were given this module in an undergraduate "Systems Computing" course, …

Connecting Political Communication With Urban Politics: A Bourdieusian Framework, Yongjun Shin

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

In this article, I connect political communication with urban politics by conceptualizing an interdisciplinary urban politics research framework. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s theories of practice and communication, I offer an urban politics research model that simultaneously addresses the dimensions of power struggle and symbolic struggle in urban politics. The theoretical modeling is discussed from an interdisciplinary approach to social studies and constructed with a methodological suggestion of tripartite social network analysis.

Undergraduate Symposium Abstracts

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Ummra Info: Volume Xvii, Number 7, University Of Minnesota, Morris Retirees' Association

UMMRA Info

This newsletter includes: a letter from the UMMRA president, upcoming events, faculty and staff news, sad news, and a section titled "Hats off to UMM."

Serre Weights And Wild Ramification In Two-Dimensional Galois Representations, Lassina Dembélé, Fred Diamond, David P. Roberts

Mathematics Publications

A generalization of Serre’s Conjecture asserts that if F is a totally real field, then certain characteristic p representations of Galois groups over F arise from Hilbert modular forms. Moreover, it predicts the set of weights of such forms in terms of the local behaviour of the Galois representation at primes over p. This characterization of the weights, which is formulated using p-adic Hodge theory, is known under mild technical hypotheses if p > 2. In this paper we give, under the assumption that p is unramified in F, a conjectural alternative description for the set of weights. …

Pinedale Glacial History Of The Upper Arkansas River Valley: New Moraine Chronologies, Modeling Results And Geologic Mapping, Avriel D. Schweinsberg, Jason P. Briner, Ralph R. Shroba, Joseph M. Licciardi, Eric M. Leonard, Keith A. Brugger, Charles M. Russell

Geology Publications

This field trip guidebook chapter outlines the glacial history of the upper Arkansas River valley, Colorado, and builds on a previous GSA field trip to the same area in 2010. The following will be presented: (1) new cosmogenic 10Be exposure ages of moraine boulders from the Pinedale and Bull Lake glaciations (Marine Isotope Stages 2 and 6, respectively) located adjacent to the Twin Lakes Reservoir, (2) numerical modeling of glaciers during the Pinedale glaciation in major tributaries draining into the upper Arkansas River, (3) discharge estimates for glacial-lake outburst floods in the upper Arkansas River valley, and (4) 10Be ages …

Assessing Student Written Problem Solutions: A Problem-Solving Rubric With Application To Introductory Physics, Jennifer L. Docktor, Jay Dornfeld, Evan Frodermann, Kenneth Heller, Leonardo Hsu, Koblar Alan Jackson, Andrew Mason, Qing X. Ryan, Jie Yang

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Problem solving is a complex process valuable in everyday life and crucial for learning in the STEM fields. To support the development of problem-solving skills it is important for researchers and curriculum developers to have practical tools that can measure the difference between novice and expert problem-solving performance in authentic classroom work. It is also useful if such tools can be employed by instructors to guide their pedagogy. We describe the design, development, and testing of a simple rubric to assess written solutions to problems given in undergraduate introductory physics courses. In particular, we present evidence for the validity, reliability, …

Computer Problem-Solving Coaches For Introductory Physics: Design And Usability Studies, Ryan X. Qing, Evan Frodermann, Kenneth Heller, Leonardo Hsu, Andrew Mason

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

The combination of modern computing power, the interactivity of web applications, and the flexibility of object-oriented programming may finally be sufficient to create computer coaches that can help students develop metacognitive problem-solving skills, an important competence in our rapidly changing technological society. However, no matter how effective such coaches might be, they will only be useful if they are attractive to students. We describe the design and testing of a set of web-based computer programs that act as personal coaches to students while they practice solving problems from introductory physics. The coaches are designed to supplement regular human instruction, giving …

Glen Helen And Little Miami River Water Quality Fall 2015, Steven J. Ujvary, Sarah Izor, Lin Phu, Lauren Bruce, Justin Myers, Jessica Clemmons, Amy Mcneely, Ashlynn Boedecker, Ritu Ghose, Jessica Mckinley, Audrey E. Mcgowin

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Service Learning Intensive (SVI) - a teaching and learning pedagogy that engages faculty, students, and community members in a partnership to achieve academic learning objectives, meet community needs, promote civic responsibility, and reflect on the learning experience.

More specifically, the objectives for this course are for students to:

• Apply environmental chemistry concepts learned in the classroom to the interpretation environmental analysis results

• Use Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) through the use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and EPA methods for the analysis of metals, anions, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, ammonia, and turbidity

• Follow up on previous years’ results showing elevated …

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Final Report: Storm Water Pollutant Inputs To The Little Miami River Via Yellow Springs And Birch Creeks, Audrey E. Mcgowin

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This report describes the results of research performed with funds from the Sture Fredrik Anliot Grant Fund granted in March 2015. The primary aim of the project was to identify and measure various stormwater pollutant inputs to Yellow Springs Creek and Birch Creek into Glen Helen Nature Preserve and then into the Little Miami River in Greene County, Ohio from Spring 2015 to Winter 2016.

In order to better understand pollutant flow into Glen Helen and subsequently into the Little Miami River, three different types of samples were taken. One type of sample was a “grab” sample taken under normal …

University Of Central Florida Factbook 2015-2016, University Of Central Florida

Historical Fact Book and Enrollment

Historical fact book and enrollment data for the University of Central Florida.

Magnetic Nanocomposite Smart Skin, Ahmed Alfadhel, Jürgen Kosel

Journal of the Microelectronic Engineering Conference

No abstract provided.

National Research On The Postgraduate Student Experience : Case Presentation: Volume 1: First Year Postgraduate Student Experience, Gary Hamlin, Shelley Kinash, Linda Crane, Amy Bannatyne, Madelaine-Marie Judd, Ashley Stark, Bill Eckersley, Helen Partridge, Ken Udas

Higher education research

This is volume one of a set of case studies that explore the postgraduate student experience. The theme of this case study is first year postgraduate student experience and is based on experiences derived from student engagement breakfasts, interviews, and focus groups with 366 people across the stakeholder groups of postgraduate students, educators, and university executives from 26 institutions. The case studies constitute part of the output from the project, Engaging postgraduate students and supporting higher education to enhance the 21st century student experience.

National Research On The Postgraduate Student Experience : Case Presentation : Volume 2 : Postgraduate Student Diversity, Bill Eckersley, Linda Crane, Shelley Kinash, Amy Bannatyne, Gary Hamlin, Helen Partridge, Sarah Richardson, Harry Rolf, Ken Udas

Higher education research

This is volume two of a set of three case studies that explore the postgraduate student experience. The theme of this case study is postgraduate student diversity and is based on experiences derived from student engagement breakfasts, interviews, and focus groups with 366 people across the stakeholder groups of postgraduate students, educators, and university executives from 26 institutions. The case studies constitute part of the output from the project, Engaging postgraduate students and supporting higher education to enhance the 21st century student experience.

Increasing Middle School Students' Energy Literacy, Justin St. Onge, Karla Eitel

Research in Outdoor Education

The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of outdoor education on middle school students' energy literacy. An energy literacy curriculum was developed and taught in both outdoor and traditional, indoor classroom settings. Energy literacy constructs of knowledge, attitude, and behavior were evaluated and measured using a survey distributed pre, post, and 1–month after the curriculum was taught. The population (n=130) of this study was 6th grade students attending a five-day residential education program at an outdoor science school. Results showed greater increases in middle school students' energy literacy knowledge, attitude, and behavior when taught in …

Foreword, Tim O'Connell, Garrett Hutson

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 14, as well as acknowledging the efforts of all who contributed to the publication.

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

This article includes the Editors and Research Committee for Volume 14 as well as the Table of Contents.

The North Carolina Outward Bound School Course Impression Survey: A Psychometric Investigation, W. Brad Faircloth, Andrew J. Bobilya, Alan W. Ewert

Research in Outdoor Education

This study investigated the development and psychometric properties of the North Carolina Outward Bound School Course Impression Survey (NCOBSCIS). The NCOBSCIS measures character development, leadership, and environmental service, and was adapted from the previously established Outward Bound Outcomes Instrument (OBOI). The purpose of this study was to both conduct a psychometric evaluation of the NCOBSCIS and to also describe the processes that were used to develop and validate a series of outcome measures. These processes are applicable to other programs interested in measuring participant outcomes.

Outcomes From An Undergraduate Cadet Women's Backpacking Experience, Guy Ilagen, Jill Ilagen, Annie N. Simpson, Todd Shealy, Jennifer Bennett-Mintz, Kally Mccormick

Research in Outdoor Education

Women undergraduates at military colleges are likely to experience challenges including heightened stress, isolation, and discrimination. Wilderness-based programs show promising outcomes in an array of areas including stress-coping, fitness motivation, self-efficacy, social support, and improved cognitive functioning. This mixed-methods exploratory study examined outcomes for 17 cadet women (N=17) who participated in a preparatory workshop series and backpacking event. Quantitative data indicated the backpacking workshop series was associated with decreases in perceived stress (p < .05). The backpacking trip was associated with increases in self-efficacy (p < .01). Cadets attributed decreases in perceived stress and increases in self-efficacy to interpersonal/intrapersonal factors and the wilderness/ backpacking experience. These results support the use of wilderness experience to bolster coping and wellness among cadet women.

Personal Meaning Mapping As A Tool To Uncover Learning From An Out-Of-Doors Free-Choice Learning Garden, Deborah L. Bailey, John H. Falk

Research in Outdoor Education

Garden-based learning (GBL), a form of outdoor education contextualized and framed within unpredictable and real-world learning environments, is ideally suited to the teaching of science. However, the vast majority of GBL educational research has utilized a cognitive and positivist research paradigm, one that artificially restricts the investigative lens. The goal of the larger project from which this paper was drawn was to develop a better understanding of how youth perceived a garden experience. This paper shares the affordances and constraints of the constructivist framework utilized and the primary measurement tool, Person Meaning Mapping (PMM). Despite some inherent limitations, the PMM …

The Function Of Field Study: Comparison Of Limited And Full Field Experience Courses, Lauren Fine, Telyn Peterson, Mat Duerden, Riley Nelson, John Bennion

Research in Outdoor Education

Fieldwork, an experiential and outdoor component of a traditional lecture class, has been effective in improving students' content knowledge and attitudes. However, most studies of these courses use a full lecture course as the comparison group rather than comparing amounts or types of fieldwork. This study compares two classes that incorporate fieldwork (n > = 18 and 12 participants, respectively) and uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze changes in content knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived value of the subject (entomology). Pre- and post-test scores suggest that information memorization is best taught in a traditional classroom environment. Qualitative data illustrate …

Identity Awareness Through Outdoor Activities For Adolescents With Serious Illnesses, Ann Gillard

Research in Outdoor Education

The purpose of this study was to (1) identify which activities in a seven-day outdoor-based program most related to adolescents’ identity awareness and (2) investigate potential changes in participants’ identity awareness. Seventy-four adolescents aged 16 – 18 with serious illnesses (e.g., cancer, sickle cell disease) answered an open-ended question about a time during the program when they “discovered who they were,” and completed an 11-item identity awareness scale. Results showed that structured activities (e.g., night climb, fire council) and unstructured activities (e.g., personal reflection, talking with others) most related to participants’ identity awareness, and that identity awareness increased some or …

Beyond Checklists And Evaluation Reports: The Benefits Of Accreditation As A Tool For Program Improvement Through Stakeholder Collaboration, Mary D. Burbank, Melissa M. Goldsmith, Alisa J. Bates

CUP Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

A Comprehensive Exploration Of The Conformational And Energetic Landscape Of A Rotaxane System: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Kentaro Bodzewski, Andrew Johnson

CUP Undergraduate Research

Rotaxanes are composed of a dumbbell shaped molecule threaded through a ring shaped macrocycle; see Figure1. Rotaxanes are used in molecular machines due to the thread’s ability to rotate (pirouette) within the macrocycle. This rotation is often coupled with a shuttling movement as well making them especially useful. Unfortunately, rotaxanes are extremely difficult to synthesize, making it a challenge to study them. By being able to study them using molecular dynamics, one can predict their conformational energies before having to create them. In a previous study, energy barrier values were found for three DAP based rotaxane pirouettes using NMR spectroscopy. …

The Current [January 2016 - March 2016], Institute Of Business Administration

The Current

No abstract provided.

Southern Adventist University Graduate Handbook & Planner 2016-2017, Southern Adventist University

Student Handbooks, Graduate

No abstract provided.

Studying Macroinvertebrate Diversity In An Urbanized Watershed Of Rock Island, Illinois., Brittany A. Poynor

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Urban land-use covers millions of hectares in the United States. Rock Island is an urbanized city in Illinois, U.S.A. that currently has issues with their stormwater system due to being an urban area. For the past few years, the water quality of the streams in this watershed has been examined, but the biodiversity which can also contribute to water quality knowledge, has not been studied in depth.

The study proposed in this paper is based on the amount of biodiversity in the streams at ten sites in the Rock Island watershed and the water quality at those same sites. It …