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Fatty acid mediated alterations in biofilm formation with Vibrio cholerae
Get PDFVibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacterium known as a waterborne pathogen. It is often found in marine conditions and can infect humans through ingestion. V. cholerae is responsible for cholera, a disease characterized by profuse diarrhea, vomiting, and other dehydration symptoms. Ultimately, severe cases can cause extreme electrolyte imbalances, shock, and acute renal failure which lead to death in a short period of time. Annually, V. cholerae causes approximately 3 million cases of cholera and 100,000 deaths worldwide. V. cholerae can persist in motile and biofilm lifestyles under aquatic and host conditions, a unique biphasic lifestyle that contributes to Vibrio’s survival and pathogenicity. Previous research has shown that V. cholerae responds to various fatty acids by altering behavior associated with virulence (biofilm formation, motility, and antibiotic resistance). This study aimed to identify V. cholerae genes that participate in fatty acid-mediated formation of biofilms, which are communities of bacteria formed for survival, persistence, and pathogenicity. Using a transposon library, bioinformatically selected mutants were evaluated for their ability to form biofilms in distinct physiological conditions with or without three polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The candidate mutants were subjected to 3 physiologically relevant PUFAs (alpha-linoleic acid [18:3ɑ], arachidonic acid [20:4], and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6]). Each mutant’s growth characteristics and biofilm formation were assessed under marine (30°C, pH 8.1, 600mM NaCl) and human host (37°C, pH 7.1, 150mM NaCl) conditions. As indicated in preliminary research, temperature and salt induced changes in biofilm formation and growth among the selected mutants. Interestingly, transposon mutant VCA0785 displayed a decrease in biofilm production in marine and host conditions, indicating an importance of this gene in biofilm formation. VC1348 produced biofilm mimicking wild-type under marine conditions, but showed striking amounts of biofilm when PUFAs were available under host conditions. Interestingly 18:3ɑ elicited almost 10 times the amount of biofilm in host versus marine conditions. Under marine conditions, VC1710 displayed a stark decrease in biofilm formation in the presence of each fatty acid, with 22:6 causing opposite effects between conditions. Collectively, this study identified environment-specific alteration to fatty acid-mediated biofilm formation, as well as implicating some potential methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins involved in signaling biofilm production in V. cholerae
Miranda rights comprehension and advice to juveniles
Get PDFJuveniles have limited understanding of their Miranda rights. Reforms including simplified wording and the presence of an “interested adult” have been implemented to assist juveniles with legal decisions, but adults’ understanding of Miranda rights is also limited. The present study examined whether adults’ Miranda knowledge related to their estimates of juveniles’ Miranda understanding and their advice to juveniles being questioned by police. Online participants (n= 498) completed measures of Miranda knowledge and read one of eight hypothetical scenarios varying the juvenile’s age (13 or 16 years), Miranda rights version (standard or simplified), and crime (shoplifting or shooting). Across all conditions, most participants felt that juveniles would not fully understand their rights and advised juveniles to invoke them. The simplified Miranda warning did not improve expectations of juvenile understanding or improve adults’ explanations of these rights. Findings from this study have policy and practice implications for juvenile justice and police procedure
Investigating the perceptions to and effectiveness of an ally skill-building workshop
Get PDFThere is limited research examining the antecedents, moderators, and determinants of ally skill-building workshops, a new methodology in the diversity management field. A three-part longitudinal quasi-experimental research design measured levels of implicit person beliefs, color blind racial attitudes, modern sexist attitudes, and perceptions of inclusive norms to determine effectiveness of an ally skill-skill building workshop and behavioral intentions over time. Data were collected from employees (N = 218) working for a Fortune 500 organization and were analyzed using simple moderation analysis using PROCESS and regression-based techniques. Results suggest that an ally skill-building workshop may be effective for increasing awareness of racism, which then influences workers’ perceptions of the workshop’s efficacy, and personal intentions to display allyship behaviors over time. Results suggest an ally skill-building workshop may support allyship development influencing more inclusive environments within organizations. Limitations of the present study and more in-depth results are discussed in the following report
Cultural responsiveness of Tennessee school counselors : an exploration of perceptions of multicultural counseling competence regarding racially and/or ethnically diverse students
Get PDFIn this study, the researcher explored self-reported multicultural counseling competence of licensed and practicing Tennessee school counselors. The researcher used the multicultural counseling competence and training survey-revised (MCCTS-R) to identify school counselors’ self-reported multicultural counseling competence. Participants in this study were employed in various levels of school settings across the State of Tennessee. Participants reported working in each region of the state: east, middle, and west. The response rate of 8.25% represented 280 participants, and, as a result, was a limitation of this study. The multicultural counseling competency of the school counselors as identified by the MCCTS-R served as the dependent variable. The independent variables included the demographic factors such as school community setting, school level, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation status of school counselor education programs, and membership in a professional counseling organization. Comparative and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate participants’ responses to the survey. Results of this study were analyzed and indicated that there were no significant differences between multicultural counseling competence (MCC) and school community setting, school level, and CACREP accredited school counselor education programs compared to non-CACREP accredited school counselor education programs. However, results indicated a significant difference between school counselors who have membership in a professional counseling organization compared to those who do not
A topology user package for LAMMPS
Get PDFWe created an extension of LAMMPS, a popular molecular dynamics simulator. Our extension is a part of the creation of a larger user-package that enables the measurement of topological entanglement through rigorous mathematical measures from topology. In this part of the user-package we created a method to measure the linking in a system of macromolecules in Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. We present the software and explanatory material which are easily accessible to the engineering and bio-engineering community
Molecular Dynamic Study of Polymer Chains to Viscoelastic Response
Get PDFWe use molecular dynamics simulations of coarse grained models of polymer melts to study the viscoelasticity of polymeric material as a function of their molecular weight. These results will be used in future work to examine how the topology of the constituent chains correlates with viscoelasticity
EMG Controlled Biped Robot
Get PDFIn this project, the 6 DOF biped robot was controlled by bio signals. The robot has been adapted for remote control via a bluetooth MYO armband which uses electromyography (EMG) signals from the upper forearm to communicate motion to the robot
Nafanua and the Afakasi sister : seven linked lyrical memoir essays with a craft essay
Get PDFAfter receiving my adoption file from Hawaii, discovering my ethnic DNA, and finding biological family located on the islands of the South Pacific, I knew I had to document my experience. The process I used to create my collection combined conversations with relatives, and research of Pacific Island culture. During my research I found that many people in the southern region of the United States, were unfamiliar with Samoan culture. I hope my work will expand the field of creative writing by connecting readers to culture, and the adoptee experience, and to encourage readers to discover and feed their own curiosities about identity. My collection is a journey about who I thought I was, the scientific discovery of who I am, and how I have become part of a family I never knew existed. My goal is to complete 13 essays and submit them for publishing
A look into the impacts of tele-optometry expansion
Get PDFObjective This study aims to assess the health and economic costs and benefits to society and patients resulting from the expansion of telemedicine into online refractive exams and to determine the likelihood of potential consumers to utilize such services. Methods A paper survey was distributed at the Inaugural Cempa Health Fair in October of 2019 to both vendors and participants. 105 responses were used to evaluate personal perceptions, practices, and likelihood across a diverse range of demographics. Responses were then entered and analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentages/frequencies. Results Results showed respondents were most attracted to online refractive exams due to cost and convenience factors; however, the majority would still prefer to use in-person exams if costs were the same but were less likely to seek out comprehensive exams when accurately priced. Implications Tele-optometry, per the AOA, can be useful in a variety of mediums unless they are being used as substitutes. Both the survey and literature show interest in expansion, especially in populations which may be susceptible to missed diagnoses. Cost-benefit analysis is positive for patients but may have more negative implications for society and the economy as a whole. Further modifications should be made within the vision field to ensure proper education, access, safety, and insurance opportunities are made a priority
Using local primary sources to study school desegregation in Chattanooga lesson plan and workbook
Get PDFhttps://scholar.utc.edu/primary-source-instructional-materials/1005/thumbnail.jp