Optimizing a Standard Fasting Time for 2-NBDG Uptake Studies in Murine Breast Cancers

Recently, there has been a larger use of 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analog, to study glucose uptake in different cell types. These cell types have ranged anywhere from bacteria to human cancer cells. However, there has yet to be a standard procedure and practice for using 2-NBDG. In this study, our goal is to create a standard fasting time for the cells before introducing 2-NBDG to them. This study uses 4T07 cells, a murine breast cancer cell line, to help optimize this fasting time. These cells were fasted at different time points in order to find the ideal fasting time. This ideal fasting time ensures the highest uptake of 2-NBDG in the cells. Intensity measurements, resulting from 2-NBDG fluorescence, were calculated to determine the optimal fasting time. The following paper details the procedure used including cell culturing and passaging, microscope setup, fluorescent imaging, and image processing

CN Bimodality at Low Metallicity: The Globular Cluster M53

We present low resolution UV-blue spectroscopic observations of red giant stars in the globular cluster M53 ([Fe/H]=-1.84), obtained to study primordial abundance variations and deep mixing via the CN and CH absorption bands. The metallicity of M53 makes it an attractive target: a bimodal distribution of 3883 angstrom CN bandstrength is common in moderate- and high-metallicity globular clusters ([Fe/H] > -1.6) but unusual in those of lower metallicity ([Fe/H] < -2.0). We find that M53 is an intermediate case, and has a broad but not strongly bimodal distribution of CN bandstrength, with CN and CH bandstrengths anticorrelated in the less-evolved stars. Like many other globular clusters, M53 also exhibits a general decline in CH bandstrength and [C/Fe] abundance with rising luminosity on the red giant branch.Comment: 8 pages including 11 figures and 1 table, accepted by PAS

The Impact of Imagined Reactions on Feelings About Disclosing Stigmatized vs. Non-Stigmatized Beliefs

Past research has shown that people tend to conceal some aspects of their status (e.g., HIV positive diagnosis, homosexual orientation) because they fear that they will be stigmatized (Chaudoir, 2009), however little to no research exists regarding the divulgence of beliefs that may be stigmatized (e.g., belief in Bigfoot, ghosts, unconventional religious beliefs). My thesis extends research on concealable stigmatized status to research on stigmatized beliefs, by examining the degree to which people’s feelings about disclosure of stigmatized beliefs are impacted by anticipated responses from other people. I investigated this issue by asking participants to write about either a conventional or an unconventional belief that they held, and then imagining a response by a confidant that was either supportive or unsupportive. The dependent variables measured the participant’s perceptions of their belief, how they relate to others socially with their belief, and their anticipated affective state after their confidant reacted to their belief. It was found that participants’ perceptions of the acceptability and the commonality of the belief were greater for conventional beliefs. In addition, participants expected their willingness to share their belief, as well as their experience of positive emotions to increase when the confidant reacted supportively to their belief

A survey of the occupational opportunities in agricultural off-farm occupations in Cherokee County

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1966 B85

Testing Bacterial Antibiotic Production under Carbohydrate and Protein Starvation

Bacteria produce antibiotics when they are under stress, including starvation stress. Bacteria were tested under carbohydrate and protein starvation against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli (due to the respective Gram positivity and negativity), in order to check for antibiotic production. The bacteria being tested were isolated by past Microbiology classes and stored in a -80°C freezer in the basement of Jones Science Center at Ouachita Baptist University. These test bacteria were grown on tryptic soy agar (TSA) to produce isolated bacterial colonies. Samples of isolated test colonies were then grown under conditions of carbohydrate starvation (M9 salts agar with 0.1 % glucose and 1 % peptone) or protein starvation (M9 salts agar with 1 % glucose and no peptone) in the presence of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. After five days of incubation at 28°C, antibiotic production by test bacteria was determined by measuring growth inhibition of B. subtilis or E. coli. Of the 27 bacteria tested, 10 were found to consistently produce the zones of inhibition. Three produced zones of inhibition under all conditions, two did so only under carbohydrate starvation conditions, and none only under protein starvation. Also, two bacteria only responded when grown in the presence of B. subtilis, while no bacteria responded when grown solely in the presence of E. coli

Vector magneto-optical generalized ellipsometry for determining magneto-optical properties of thin films

Modern growth techniques allow for highly complex nano scale thin films to be created. These new films possess highly anisotropic properties structurally, optically, and magnetically that are significantly different from that of their bulk counterparts and must be accurately characterized in order to optimize desired properties for applications in next generation devices. Current magnetometry techniques focus on high symmetry characterization, namely in and out of the sample plane, and therefore do not possess the capabilities to fully explore these anisotropic properties without complicated setups and multiple sample manipulations. The author describes a setup that combines generalized ellipsometry with an octu-pole vector magnet capable of producing magnetizing field of arbitrary amplitude and orientation to determine magneto-optical properties simultaneously in 3D without physical repositioning of samples. This combinatorial setup is referred to as vector magneto-optical generalized ellipsometry. Ferromagnetic thin films, both flat and three dimensionally structured, were probed via Mueller matrix ellipsometry at room temperature while under the influence of an external magnetic field. The resulting data was used to determine the magnetic induced changes in the dielectric tensor with model analysis and a differencing procedure. The determined changes in the dielectric tensor provide a 3D magnetic response and are used to determine magnetic anisotropy within nano-scale films both flat and highly anisotropic three dimensionally structured. The author presents and discusses results from the samples explored, both of which demonstrated shape induced magnetic anisotropy. In addition the author provides outlook for applications of the instrumentation and analysis procedure for future investigations. Advisor: Mathias Schuber

Does the Hygiene Hypothesis Contribute to Autoimmune and Allergic Disease in Children With Focus on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Asthma

The Hygiene Hypothesis first introduced in 1989 by an epidemiologist, Dr Strachan, as he observed an increased prevalence of allergic diseases in society. Further clinical studies and research have included autoimmunity and inflammatory disease under the umbrella of the Hygiene Hypothesis. Article searches were done in the electronic medical database, Pubmed, for articles related to the Hygiene Hypothesis and autoimmunity related to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and hygiene hypothesis and childhood asthma. Articles written in the last five years were utilized for the project. The subject group is male and female children ages birth to 18 years old with subject populations throughout the world. Research has shown that the decreased burden on the immune system due to declining family sizes, improved household amenities, higher standards of personal cleanliness, vaccinations and antibiotic use have begun to alter how the immune system responds to pathogenic stimulus as well as nonpathogenic stimulus. These are factors leading to increased autoimmunity and atopy found in children of modern society. Further study is indicated for understanding about what causes some of these conditions in modern societies. This has applications towards antibiotic use, trendy hygiene practices and further understanding of the environmental causes of these and other more common conditions.https://commons.und.edu/pas-grad-posters/1063/thumbnail.jp

Retired Female Gymnasts\u27 Reflections on Body Image and Sense of Self

Researchers identify the early stages of retirement as a key developmental period when many female athletes struggle with both body image disturbances and changes to identity. Body image disturbances and changes to identity may be especially challenging for former female athletes participating in aesthetic focused sports such as gymnastics, because physical appearance plays an important role in elite performance. This study utilized semi-structured, in-depth interviews with five former NCAA Division I artistic gymnasts to learn about their experiences and perceptions of body image and athletic identity in the early stages of retirement. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: (a) “Fit, Lean and Strong, not a Skinny Mini;” (b) Diverse Sources of Body Image Ideals and Identity; and (c) Protective Factors. In the first theme, athletes reported an ideal body image that was more athletic in nature than the traditional tall and thin ideal portrayed in the media. However, there was a fine line about not being “bulky and too masculine” and “getting fat” was a major body image fear reported by these athletes. In the second theme, participants reported an array of external sources contributing to thoughts about body image including social media, but underscored critical awareness about pros and cons of these different external influences. Finally, in the last theme, these retired athletes revealed protective factors such as supportive families and coaches and not immersing one’s identity completely into gymnastics that made the transition into retirement an easier process. Unlike previous research reports, these athletes did not experience extreme difficulties with their body image and identity in the early stages of retirement. In fact, these retired gymnasts showed that they could thrive beyond their time as competitive athletes due to healthy self-reflection, resilience, and several supporting factors