Digital Commons Network^™

Label-Free Characterization Of Organic Nanocarriers Reveals Persistent Single Molecule Cores For Hydrocarbon Sequestration, Terry Mcafee, Thomas Ferron, Isvar A. Cordova, Phillip D. Pickett, Charles L. Mccormick, Cheng Wang, Brian A. Collins

Faculty Publications

Self-assembled molecular nanostructures embody an enormous potential for new technologies, therapeutics, and understanding of molecular biofunctions. Their structure and function are dependent on local environments, necessitating in-situ/operando investigations for the biggest leaps in discovery and design. However, the most advanced of such investigations involve laborious labeling methods that can disrupt behavior or are not fast enough to capture stimuli-responsive phenomena. We utilize X-rays resonant with molecular bonds to demonstrate an in-situ nanoprobe that eliminates the need for labels and enables data collection times within seconds. Our analytical spectral model quantifies the structure, molecular composition, and dynamics of a copolymer micelle …

Nutrient Content And Stoichiometry Of Pelagic Sargassum Reflects Increasing Nitrogen Availability In The Atlantic Basin, B. E. Lapointe, R. A. Brewton, L. W. Herren, M. Wang, C. Hu, D. J. Mcgillicuddy, S. Lindell, F. J. Hernandez, P. L. Morton

Faculty Publications

The pelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum spp. have grown for centuries in oligotrophic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean supported by natural nutrient sources, such as excretions from associated fishes and invertebrates, upwelling, and N₂ fixation. Using a unique historical baseline, we show that since the 1980s the tissue %N of Sargassum spp. has increased by 35%, while %P has decreased by 44%, resulting in a 111% increase in the N:P ratio (13:1 to 28:1) and increased P limitation. The highest %N and δ¹⁵N values occurred in coastal waters influenced by N-rich terrestrial runoff, while lower C:N and …

Accurate Diagnosis Of Colorectal Cancer Based On Histopathology Images Using Artificial Intelligence, K. S. Wang, G. Yu, C. Xu, X. H. Meng, J. Zhou, C. Zheng, Z. Deng, L. Shang, R. Liu, S. Su, X. Zhou, Q. Li, J. Li, J. Wang, K. Ma, J. Qi, Z. Hu, P. Tang, J. Deng, X. Qiu, B. Y. Li, W. D. Shen, R. P. Quan, J. T. Yang, L. Y. Huang, Y. Xiao, Z. C. Yang, Z. Li, S. C. Wang, H. Ren, C. Liang, W. Guo, Y. Li, H. Xiao, Y. Gu, J.P. Yun, D. Huang, Z. Song, X. Fan, L. Chen, X. Yan, Z. Li, Z.C. Huang, J. Huang, J. Luttrell, Chaoyang Zhang, W. Zhou, K. Zhang, C. Yi, C. Wu, H. Shen, Y.P. Wang, H.M. Xiao, H.W. Deng

Faculty Publications

Background: Accurate and robust pathological image analysis for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis is time-consuming and knowledge-intensive, but is essential for CRC patients’ treatment. The current heavy workload of pathologists in clinics/hospitals may easily lead to unconscious misdiagnosis of CRC based on daily image analyses.

Methods: Based on a state-of-the-art transfer-learned deep convolutional neural network in artificial intelligence (AI), we proposed a novel patch aggregation strategy for clinic CRC diagnosis using weakly labeled pathological whole-slide image (WSI) patches. This approach was trained and validated using an unprecedented and enormously large number of 170,099 patches, > 14,680 WSIs, from > 9631 subjects …

Osmr Signaling Induces Tamp-Specific Bbb Dysfunction Following Autoimmune-Mediated Neutrophil Recruitment, Travis Scott Wertz

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Integrity of the brain microvessels that form the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is maintained through fine-tuned regulation of endothelial tight junction proteins, chiefly represented by claudin 5 and the tight junction-associated MARVEL protein (TAMP) occludin. Under proinflammatory conditions in autoimmune-mediated multiple sclerosis (MS), autoreactive effector T cells are activated in white matter regions of the brain and spinal cord and release cytokines to recruit circulating neutrophils that, in turn, release neurotoxic substances. Lack of tight junctions in peripheral blood vessels allows neutrophils to exit blood vessels unhindered, but BBB tight junctions must first be downregulated before neutrophils can transmigrate into the …

Corporations Without Representation: The Constitutionality Of Gender Diversity Mandates, Talley Ransil

Utah Law Review

Biases and structural barriers contribute to the glacial pace at which women are represented on corporate boards. Even though companies with at least one female board of director outperform companies with no female directors, women only held 20% of board of director positions in 2019. Companies nationwide would not reach gender equality in the boardroom for decades without legally enforceable gender diversity requirements. In response, California Senator Jackson proposed SB 826—requiring California-based publicly held corporations to include at least one woman on their board of directors. However, conservative legal organizations filed lawsuits claiming California’s gender diversity mandate violates the California …

Effect Of Hydrogen Peroxide On Algae And Microcystin In Control And Lake Waters, Tatiana Castillo Hernandez

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cyanobacteria are photo-autotrophic organisms with a worldwide distribution, which can result in Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) producing toxins. One of the most common strains of cyanobacteria is Microcystis, which produces the most abundant cyanotoxin, microcystin. In this study, we analyzed the effect of H₂O₂ on algae and microcystin using both lake and reagent grade water. The first objective was to determine the effect of H₂O₂ on algae and cyanobacteria in lake water that was nutrient enriched. The second objective was to detect the effect of H₂O₂ at oxidizing microcystin in …

Using Dynamic In Vivo Kinematics For Subject-Specific Calibration Of Knee Ligament Parameters, Stephen Nelson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In vivo clinical studies are the optimal way to investigate the biomechanical outcomes of new prosthetic devices. This particular style of testing can be difficult and, in certain cases, unethical to perform. The testing of unproven devices, surgical techniques, and materials put patients at risk from unanticipated outcomes in how these devices respond to the in vivo environment and patient-specific loading conditions. Biomechanical computational models were developed to provide validation to new devices prior to clinical testing. Computational models for use in optimizing knee prosthetics frequently include ligament representations, but these representations have inherent uncertainty due to wide intersubject variation …

Liposomes: Production And Applications For Controlled Drug Delivery, Gamid Abatchev

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation recognizes the enormous potential presented by the ever-evolving development of liposomes as drug carriers and seeks to offer further investigation into their useful production and utilization. The first chapter presents the basic principles governing their formation by self-assembly in water solutions, briefly describes the most common production methods, and points out essential past advances that led to their use as drug carriers. Chapter two exemplifies production of liposomes by the traditional methods of extrusion and sonication, detailing passive and active loading, as well as physical characterization by Dynamic Light Scattering, microscopy imaging, and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the next …

Training Wheels For Web Search: Multi-Perspective Learning To Rank To Support Children's Information Seeking In The Classroom, Garrett Allen

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bicycle design has not changed for a long time, as they are well-crafted for those that possess the skills to ride, i.e., adults. Those learning to ride, however, often need additional support in the form of training wheels. Searching for information on the Web is much like riding a bicycle, where modern search engines (the bicycle) are optimized for general use and adult users, but lack the functionality to support non-traditional audiences and environments. In this thesis, we introduce a set of training wheels in the form of a learning to rank model as augmentation for standard search engines to …

From Microbes To Management: Spatial And Temporal Variations In Available Vegetation Affect The Gut Microbiota In A Population Of Free-Ranging Generalist Herbivores, Olivia K. Rodríguez

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The effects of extrinsic environmental factors that shape ecological systems are not only seen at the macroscopic level, but additionally influence and govern the host-associated microbial communities of their mammalian hosts. These microbial communities are susceptible to the fluctuation of abiotic and biotic factors which affect their host organisms. The surge in the research of microbiota–communities of archaea, bacteria, fungi, and viruses residing in various environmental systems–has shown that these communities can profoundly influence animal health. As such, monitoring microbiota has allowed for a new approach to study animal health and physiology. This is of particular benefit in the conservation …

Social Media Influencers (Smis) In Context: A Literature Review, Charles Alves De Castro, Isobel O'Reilly Dr, Aiden Carthy

Articles

This review focused on three main areas, "Social Media Influencers (SMIs) in Context, The Impact of SMIs on Adolescents, and Consumer Behaviour in a Digital Era – Generation Z in Perspective". This article aims to further the overall understanding of SMIs and outlines the impact of SMIs on adolescents‘ lives. Thus, the main objective of this literature review is to raise awareness within the marketing field about the influence of social media influencers on adolescents and how brands promote their products and content through social media influencers. The review comprised a regular search using electronic journal databases and secondary data …

Cultural Impact On Identity And How It Is Expressed Through Dress, Jenifer Thao

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined how students at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Arkansas incorporate their cultural background into their clothing as a form of self-expression. The study included an online survey platform, Qualtrics, created with a series of Likert-type and open-ended response questions to gather data regarding student opinions on clothing impacts. Results indicated that there were no significant associations when it comes to cultural influences on identity and how it is expressed through dress.

Determining The Presence Of Biological Fluids In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using The Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time Of Flight Instrument, Tim Perksen, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of biological fluids.

The Role Of The Serine/Threonine Phosphatase Pstp In The Mycobacterial Cell Wall Regulation, Farah Shamma

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of the deadly infection Tuberculosis (TB). The current standard antibiotic regimen for TB treatment combines fours drugs to be taken for at least six months. Mtb shows intrinsic phenotypic tolerance to antibiotics contributing to the long treatment regimen. In addition, Mtb cells can achieve a non-replicating state exhibiting antibiotic tolerance, reduced metabolism and altered cell wall staining. The changes in the cell wall and reduced permeability to antibiotics in stressed cells suggest that the regulation of the cell wall is a major contributor to antibiotic tolerance. The mycobacterial cell wall consists of covalently …

Enzymatic Degradation Of Microcystin-Lr By Microcystinase (Mlra), Faisal Alqhtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is affecting the water supply worldwide. Hence, a way to eliminate this toxin is an essential target. In this study, successful cloning of the mlrA gene and producing MlrA enzyme that can degrade the cyclic MC-LR to linearized MC-LR was done. MlrA protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21 (E. coli). Also, enhancing the MlrA yield by adding nickel to LB media was a success in producing more MlrA enzyme from the same volume. Even though the enzyme showed no activity after adding Ni, the enzyme was expressed at a higher yield. Furthermore, it was to investigate adding …

Examining The Relationship Between Lep Status And Delinquency Amongst High Schools Across America, Adrian Jesus Campos

Dissertations (2016-Present)

This research is intended to examine the relationship between the enrollment of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in American high schools and the rate of delinquency on campus. While the stigma and general belief that immigrants and criminality are correlated has existed throughout American History, empirical research findings have generally indicated the inverse to be true and often find that immigrants engage in lower rates of delinquency in comparison to their non-immigrant counterparts. Previous work in the field has primarily identified immigrants by legal or technical categorization, primarily nativity and immigrant status. Fewer are the studies who identify this group …

Factors Associated With Gestational Diabetes Among Women Registered At Secondary Hospitals In Karachi, Pakistan, Sumaira Feroz Ali, Tazeen S. Ali, Arusa Lakhani, Zaib Nadeem

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Introduction: Few things are proven, there are modifiable and non-modifiable factors that could impact on the health of pregnant women who have Gestational Diabetes Millitus (GDM). However, case control studies are lacking that explore the modifiable factors and identify which modifiable factors are associated with GDM.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the modifiable associated risk factors of GDM among women at 32 to 40 weeks of gestation.
Methodology: A case-control study design was conducted at secondary hospitals for women and children in Karachi, Pakistan. The data were collected from 100 cases and same number of controls, …

Effects Of Aging On Mouse Rotator Cuff Tendon Biomechanics, Chinmay Sagar Patwardhan

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Rotator cuff tendon injuries and tear are caused by overuse, falling, or other accidents, and are often associated with old age. The severe injuries and tear can be debilitating and require nonsurgical treatment for partial tear and arthroscopic surgery for complete tear. The frequent location of injuries and tear are at the enthesis region, the interface where the tendon tissue gradually hardens and merges into the bone. Although aging has been identified as an important factor for rotator cuff tendon injuries and tear, how the mechanical properties of the bone-tendon complex evolve along with age is still a knowledge gap. …

Refocusing Agricultural Subsidy For Food Security In Nigeria, Sulaiman A. Yusuf

Economic and Financial Review

Food security has remained a key human right-related issue and ranks second only to poverty on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objectives of this paper are to identify the gaps in agriculture subsidy regime; and to identify options for refocusing of the subsidy regime to improve food security.

Following the introduction, section 2 explores the nexus of agricultural subsidy and food security, while section 3 reviews the agricultural subsidy regime in Nigeria. Section 4 discusses the input-output dimensions of agricultural subsidy in Nigeria, and in section 5, the paper takes a dive into the agricultural subsidies from international perspective. …

Association Between Glycemic Control And Shift Working Among Healthcare Workers With Diabetes, Dammam, Saudi Arabia: Five Years’ Experience, Mona A. Albishri, Danah M. Alsubaie, Hassan A. Abugad

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To delineate the relation between shift work and glycemic control among the healthcare workers (HCWs) with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the hospitals of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs with DM working in 3 hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from November 2018 to January 2019. The study participants answered a self-administered questionnaire related to sociodemographic data, work-related questions, diabetes-related questions, the latest hemoglobin A1C test outcome, and self-management activities. The Chi-square and t-test were used to determine the association between the risk factor of glycemic control and shift work. Results: The HCW’s ages ranged …

Gaze, Volume 8, Number 6

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell, Bob Dumais. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 8, Number 4

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais, Kellie China, Joyce Russell. Feature Writers: E.C., Bob Reynolds, Jr. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell, Bob Dumais. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais. Nashville Advertising: Kellie China, Joyce Russell.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 7, Number 6

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Martin Palm-Leis, Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais, Charlie McMullen. Feature Writers: Dr. Harvey Thompson, Rev. Steven Quesnel, Nancy Roth. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell, Bob Dumais. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais. National Advertising: Rivendell Marketing.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 9, Number 1

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell, Bob Dumais. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 7, Number 8

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais, E.C., Kellie China, Joyce Russell, Landy, B.F.F. Feature Writers: Dr. Harvey Thompson, Rev. Steven Quesnel, Nancy Roth. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais. Nashville Advertising: Kellie China, Joyce Russell.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 9, Number 7

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Carole Taylor, Bob Dumais, Vincent Astor, Becky Caperton, John House. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, Bob Dumais, Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell, Bob Dumais. Advertising Manager: Bob Dumais.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

This issue is the first of two issues printed as volume 9, number 7.

Gaze, January 2008

Gaze, 1979-1990

"An independent newspaper for the Memphis GLBT Community." This issue is dated Mid-January 2008.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 11, Number 8

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Vincent Astor, Becky Caperton. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, John Stilwell, Vincent Astor. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Advertising: Vincent Astor.

This issue is noted as the July and August edition.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Gaze, Volume 11, Number 6

Gaze, 1979-1990

Co-Editors: Allen Cook, John Stilwell. Staff Writers: Vincent Astor, Ken Horton, Becky Caperton. Typesetting and Layout: Allen Cook, John Stilwell, Vincent Astor. Circulation: Cecil McLeod, John Stilwell. Advertising: Vincent Astor.

Special thanks to Rhodes College and the Paul Barret Jr. Library for providing initial scanning of this collection.

Writing Skills Development For Graduate Studies And Career Readiness In Science And Aging Fields: A Case Study Approach, Amanda Stafford Mcrell, Betty L. White, Sue E. Levkoff

Faculty and Staff Publications

Increasing the number of racially and ethnically underrepresented students who pursue scientific graduate studies in programs focusing on science and aging offers an opportunity to increase the number of aging specialists while simultaneously promoting diversity in the research labor market and supporting new ideas. This case study aims to better understand how students participating in an academic preparatory program experience a writing class contextualized within (1) students' writing background and (2) students' future ambitions related to science and aging. The individually-tailored writing class was taught as a critical component of a comprehensive educational program that targets underrepresented racial and ethnic …