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Freeman Honors Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2022 Issue
Get PDFSpring/Summer 2022 Newsletterhttps://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/freeman_honors/1006/thumbnail.jp
Teaching how supply chain operations impact financial results: A case study using cloud-based simulation
Get PDFUnderstanding how the execution of the supply chain business processes affect the financial performance a firm is key to running a successful enterprise. These processes are integrated across many functional groups within a business organization, and it is difficult to illustrate this integration in a classroom setting. This paper presents a case study of teaching supply chain operations and business analytics using the cloud-based SAP ERPsim manufacturing game. Although teaching about enterprise systems is often classified as part of the MIS or accounting domain, the ERPsim simulation encompasses the primary supply chain business processes, and because the enterprise system on which it is based captures the financial impact of supply chain transactions during the simulation, it is an ideal tool to teach supply chain operations, financial integration, and analytics. The results of this preliminary study demonstrate that there is a significant improvement in graduate supply chain students’ knowledge and understanding of the impact of supply chain operations on financial performance
A Mixed Method-Approach to Exploring Human Organ Trafficking and Its Policy Implications
Get PDFHuman organ trafficking, which involves the exploitation, coercion, illegally purchasing or selling of organs, has become a primary international concern. According to the United Nations, legally available organs for transplants only accommodate roughly 10% of the global industry demand. The shortage in organ supply means a new patient is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes worldwide even as 20 patients die every day in the United States alone waiting for an available organ. Previous researchers have found empirical support for significant relationships between human organ trafficking and its adverse globalized effects. Using primary and secondary data, the main aim of this dissertation is to shed light on the crime of human organ trafficking and its policy implications. The multi-disciplinary approach based on social conflict, rational choice, routine activities, structural-functional, and strain theories are applicable in various contexts when understanding human organ trafficking and human rights. The implications for social change include (a) legal actions to stop the thriving global organ trade, (b) a transparent regulatory oversight system that ensures donor and recipient safety and enforces the prohibitions of unethical medical transplant procedures, (c) and recommendations for governmental agencies to focus on the prevention of organ trafficking, prosecution of organ traffickers, and protection for human organ trafficking victims
Preclinical Development of Novel Chemotherapeutic Agent AC1LPSZG: Formulation Optimization, in Vitro Characterization, and in Vivo Pharmacokinetics
Get PDFPreclinical development of novel chemotherapeutic agent AC1LPSZG, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, involved development of sensitive reverse-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and LC-MS/MS methods for quantification of AC1LPSZG in in vitro study samples and rat plasma, respectively. Pharmacokinetic studies were done in SD rats after intravenous injection of cosolvent formulations. The resulting pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using non-compartmental analysis (NCA) and two-compartmental modeling. Poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is most used biodegradable synthetic polymer for nano drug delivery due to its non-toxic and biodegradable nature, and tunable release properties. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by ‘nanoprecipitation’ technique using a nonionic surfactant poloxamer P188. The particle size, size distribution, and zeta potential of prepared nanoparticles were analyzed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The drug entrapment efficiency (%EE) was accessed by ultra-sonication of lyophilized NPs with acetonitrile and analyzing the drug content using UPLC. Design of Experiments (DoE) strategy using Design Expert® software (version 13) was successfully used to optimize PLGA (50:50) based NPs of AC1LPSZG. Optimized batch was prepared using 5 mg drug and 4 mL aqueous phase volume with EE of 41.2%, NP size of 124 nm, drug load of 2.6% and zeta potential of – 15 mV. We conclude similar DOE approaches can help to understand and optimize innovative manufacturing processes, needed for the quality by design (QbD) preparation of other nano-formulations. The in vitro drug release was tested in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 for 72 hours, employing USP-4 apparatus CE7-smart (SOTAX®) incorporated with Float-A-Lyzer dialysis cells at 300 kDa molecular weight cut–off (MWCO), flow rate 16 mL/min and temperature 37°C. Different surfactants were explored to enhance the drug solubility and accelerate the in vitro drug release. The influence of three different surfactants: SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-anionic), Tween 80 (non-ionic) and CTAB (Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide- cationic) on drug solubility, sink conditions and dissolution behavior was demonstrated. The solubility improvement was in the order of SLS \u3e Tween80 \u3e CTAB and dissolution efficiency was improved with the increase of surfactant concentration. The developed in vitro drug release method was able to discriminate among different release profiles. In brief, similar discriminatory test method can be used as a quality control tool to identify critical formulation and process parameters and can also be used as a surrogate for bioequivalence studies if a predictive IVIVC (In vitro In vivo correlation) is obtained
Effects of AHCC on the Interaction between T and B Lymphocytes
Get PDFAHCC is a beta-glucan derived from the shiitake mushroom. It is used as an immune supplement and is known to boost the immune system. The mechanisms involved are increased lymphocyte proliferation and reduction of inflammation. The effects have been well studied in T cells. However, factors produced by T cells that affect B cells have not been studied. In this study, we explored the gene products stimulated by the AHCC exposure in T lymphocytes which play a role in B cell function. Data from a prior gene array experiment were used to delineate the effects of AHCC on the interaction between T and B lymphocytes
HSP- 70 Mediated Nervous System Enhancement by ETAS
Get PDFNeurodegenerative disease in the CNS is usually a product of increased oxidative stress in the brain. In this study we tested the ability of an asparagus supplement ETAS to help reduce oxidative stress in the normal brains of Balb C mice. Oxidative stress pathways (Heat shock proteins) are usually cumulative in the damage they cause when disrupted. We treated normal Balb C mice with ETAS and had control groups with no ETAS supplementation in their regular diet. We then sacrificed the mice and conducted microarray studies to compare oxidative stress pathway genes. We also characterized the effects of regular oxidative cells in a mammalian cell model treated with alcohol to understand how oxidative stress impairs the functions of a normal neuronal cell. Results from both in vivo and in vitro experiments will be described in this study
Assessment of Soil, Water Contamination and Land Cover Changes in the Urban and Suburban Watersheds of Houston, Texas
Get PDFIntense urbanization and increased anthropogenic activity are two important factors contributing to the decline of soil and water quality in Houston watersheds, which poses a great environmental and human health risks. This study, therefore, was designed to: 1) determine nutrient and metal concentrations in soil and water samples along Carpenters Bayou (CaB), Cedar Bayou (CB), Sims Bayou (SB), Spring Creek Bayou (SC) and Vince Bayou (VB), 2) analyze land cover changes in watersheds using Landsat image analysis and 3) evaluate socio-economic characteristics and human health risks for each watershed. Soil and water samples were collected from three different locations with three replicates per location during the summer and winter seasons along each bayou. Samples were analyzed for a series of elemental concentrations using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and total carbon and nitrogen (TCN) analyzer. Land cover changes and post-classification change detection for Landsat satellite imageries were performed using ERDAS Imagine v16.5 software. Spatial analysis and interpolation were conducted using ESRI ArcGIS-10.8 software. Analytical results showed that concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, P and N in water samples were in the range of 0.0–0.12, 0.0–2.80, 0.0–4.67, 0.0–2.62, 0.0–1.68, 0.0–44.35, 29.08–1829 and 539–4229 µg L–1, respectively, with concentrations decreasing as follows: CaB\u3eVB\u3eSB\u3eSC\u3eCB. Metal concentrations in soil samples for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, P and N were in the range of 0.20–1.02, 8.19–41.73, 3.33–35.57, 3.35–17.33, 3.56–31.66, 2.63–120, 48.94–883 and 323–3152 µg L–1, respectively, with concentrations decreasing in the following order CB\u3eVB\u3eSB\u3eCaB\u3eSC. Land cover change patterns were similar for all the bayou watersheds with high vegetative surfaces decreasing and low vegetative surfaces increasing significantly over the past three decades. All watersheds had increased population growth with population rates as follows SC\u3eSB\u3eCaB\u3eCB\u3eVB. Health risk assessments revealed risks for Cd, Cr, and Ni in soil via ingestion for children under age 6 as follows CB\u3eVB\u3eSB\u3eCaB. This research is critical in improving our understanding on the impact of natural and human activities on Houston watersheds