Copyright (c) 2009 Boise State University All rights reserved. http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu Recent documents in ScholarWorks en-us Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:57:48 PST 3600 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/chem_facpubs/5 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/chem_facpubs/5 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:16:03 PST Background: Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the USA with the highest number of cases (27444 patients) reported by CDC in the year 2007, representing an unprecedented 37% increase from the previous year. The haematogenous spread of Borrelia burgdorferi to various tissues results in multisystemic disease affecting the heart, joints, skin, musculoskeletal and nervous system of the patients. Objectives: Although Lyme disease can be effectively treated with doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil, discovery of novel drugs will benefit the patients intolerant to these drugs and potentially those suffering from chronic Lyme disease that is refractory to these agents and to macrolides. In this study, we have explored 50-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase as a drug target for B. burgdorferi, which uniquely possesses three genes expressing homologous enzymes with two of these proteins apparently exported. Methods: The recombinant B. burgdorferi Bgp and Pfs proteins were first used for the kinetic analysis of enzymatic activity with both substrates and with four inhibitors. We then determined the antispirochaetal activity of these compounds using a novel technique. The method involved detection of the live-dead B. burgdorferi by fluorometric analysis after staining with a fluorescent nucleic acids stain mixture containing Hoechst 33342 and Sytox Green. Results: Our results indicate that this method can be used for high-throughput screening of novel antimicrobials against bacteria. The inhibitors formycin A and 5'-ρ-nitrophenythioadenosine particularly affected B. burgdorferi adversely on prolonged treatment. Conclusions: On the basis of our analysis, we expect that structure-based modification of the inhibitors can be employed to develop highly effective novel antibiotics against Lyme spirochaetes. Kenneth Cornell http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/brc_facpubs/3 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/brc_facpubs/3 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:33:31 PST Alpha 1 (XI) collagen (Col11a1) is essential for normal skeletal development. Mutations in Col11a1 cause Marshall and Stickler syndromes, characterized by craniofacial abnormalities, nearsightedness and hearing abnormalities. Despite its link to human diseases, few studies have characterized the factors that control Col11a1 transcription. We previously identified Col11a1 as a differentially expressed gene in Lef1-suppressed MC3T3 preosteoblasts. Here we report that Lef1 activates the Col11a1 promoter. This activation is dependent upon the DNA binding domain of Lef1, but does not require the ß-catenin interaction domain, suggesting that it is not responsive to Wnt signals. Targeted deletion of Col11a1 with an antisense morpholino accelerated osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in C2C12 cells, similar to what was observed in Lef1-suppressed MC3T3 cells. Moreover incubation with a purified Col11a1 N-terminal fragment, V1B, prevented alkaline phosphatase expression in MC3T3 and C2C12 cells. These results suggest that Lef1 is an activator of the Col11a1 promoter and that Col11a1 suppresses terminal osteoblast differentiation. Rachel A. Kahler http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/electrical_facpubs/46 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/electrical_facpubs/46 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:11:13 PST This paper presents a study of Cu diffusion at various temperatures in thin SiO2 films. Film composition and diffusion products were analyzed using Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, X-ray Diffraction and Raman Spectroscopy methods. We found a strong dependence of the diffused Cu concentration, which varied between 0.8 at.% and 10-3 at.%, on the annealing temperature. X-ray diffraction and Raman studies revealed that Cu does not react with the SiO2 network and remains in elemental form after diffusion. Programmable Metallization Cell (PMC) resistive memory cells were fabricated with these Cu-diffused SiO2 films as the active elements and device performance is presented and discussed in the context of the materials characteristics. S.C. Puthen Thermadam http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/physics_facpubs/16 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/physics_facpubs/16 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:02:28 PST Nanotechnology represents a new and enabling platform that promises to provide a range of innovative technologies for biological applications. ZnO nanoparticles of controlled size were synthesized, and their cytotoxicity towards different human immune cells evaluated. A differential cytotoxic response between human immune cell subsets was observed, with lymphocytes being the most resistant and monocytes being the most susceptible to ZnO nanoparticle-induced toxicity. Significant differences were also observed between previously activated memory lymphocytes and naive lymphocytes, indicating a relationship between cell-cycle potential and nanoparticle susceptibility. Mechanisms of toxicity involve the generation of reactive oxygen species, with monocytes displaying the highest levels, and the degree of cytotoxicity dependent on the extent of nanoparticle interactions with cellular membranes. An inverse relationship between nanoparticle size and cytotoxicity, as well as nanoparticle size and reactive oxygen species production was observed. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles induce the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-y, TNF-α and IL-12, at concentrations below those causing appreciable cell death. Collectively, these results underscore the need for careful evaluation of ZnO nanoparticle effects across a spectrum of relevant cell types when considering their use for potential new nanotechnology-based biological applications. Cory Hanley http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/cgiss_facpubs/19 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/cgiss_facpubs/19 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:57:31 PST We show that microbaroms, continuous infrasound fluctuations resulting from the interaction of the ocean with the atmosphere, have long-range correlation properties that make it possible to estimate the impulse response between two microphones from passive recordings. The processing is analogous to methods employed in the emerging field of ambient noise seismology, where the random noise source is the ocean coupling with the solid Earth (microseisms) instead of the atmosphere (microbaroms). We find that timedependent temperature fields and temperature inversions determine the character of infrasonic impulse responses at Fourpeaked Volcano in Alaska. Applications include imaging and monitoring the gross structure of the Earth's atmospheric boundary layer. Matt Haney http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/bio_facpubs/14 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/bio_facpubs/14 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:33:01 PST The TAR DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) has been identified as a major constituent of inclusions found in frontotemporal dementia with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To determine a possible role for TDP-43 in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a site-directed caspase-cleavage antibody to TDP-43 based upon a known caspase-3 cleavage consensus site within TDP-43 at position D219 was designed. In vitro, this antibody labeled the predicted 25 kDa caspase-cleavage fragment of TDP-43 without labeling full-length TDP-43 following digestion of recombinant TDP-43 with caspase-3 or treatment of Hela cells with staurosporine. Application of this antibody in postmortem brain sections indicated the presence of caspase-cleaved TDP-43 in Hirano bodies, tangles, reactive astrocytes and neuritic plaques of the AD brain. Caspase-cleaved TDP-43 also co-localized with ubiquitin labeled neurons as well as dystrophic neurites within plaque regions. These results suggest that caspase-cleaved TDP-43 is a major pathological finding in AD and may contribute to the neurodegeneration associated with this disease. Troy Rohn http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/lib_facpubs/17 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/lib_facpubs/17 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:42:27 PST A failure to adapt to and adopt new and changing technology caused the music industry to crash, a fate that the information industry currently faces. This proposal is an overview of the music industry's crash, as a result of changing technology, and the lessons that the information industry can learn from the music industry's mistakes in order to avoid its own crash now that technology allows for quicker, easier, and cheaper publication. In the 80s & 90s record companies refused to effectively adapt to and adopt the new technologies of CDs, MP3s, and digital recording. This resulted in a slow downward spiral toward the demise of major record companies. Though the music industry has recently embraced new technologies and is trying desperately to catch up with technology, it is much too late for them to return to their former power and economic status. Today the information industry (including publishers, vendors, libraries and universities) face a similar struggle with new publishing technologies, especially Institutional Repositories, which could result in publishers and vendors facing the same fate as record companies. This session will give an overview of both industries as well as the mistakes which the music industry could have avoided and that the information industry should take as cautionary tales. We'll also look at potential solutions, or ways to circumvent the music industry's mistakes. Discussion will be encouraged and attendees can expect to consider the future of publishing, vendors, libraries, universities, and institutional repositories and offer their ideas for the success of the information industry as a whole. Amy M. Elliott Library http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/5 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/5 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:47:51 PST The purpose of this design project was to develop a system that will allow employees of the ARC to be able to work on a greater variety of projects and to improve their productivity. The hardware dispenser group developed a design for a tray that would help the ARC employees work quicker and more efficiently. The tray has bins to hold hardware which the supervisor loads onto the tray. The employee slides a bag over the tip of the funnel and into the clip which holds the bag in place. The worker then chooses which parts need to be in the bag and slides each one of them down the tray from the bin and into the funnel. They can then remove the bag and the task is completed. John D. Raff http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/4 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/4 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:40 PST Working in collaboration with the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority (BC/ACHA) the BSU Nursing Student research group conducted a study to find out how to best help their clients to quit smoking. BC/ACHA provides assistance and affordable housing to low income clients. BC/ACHA's goals are to improve the health and socioeconomic well being of their clients. The future plans of the Housing Authority include making their housing smoke free. The research group constructed a survey to find the best methods to help this specific population quit smoking. A "smoking cessation" class was offered to the BC/ACHA clients providing relevant education and available community resources. David Navarro http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/3 http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/slp/3 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:39 PST Volunteering at the ANA meant helping new Americans feel welcome in a new place. It meant helping people feel capable at new things, make connections, and feel like they belong. We assisted them to become leaders of tomorrow. By lending a helping hand to a family, we were embraced by the sharing of two totally different yet very similar cultures. They taught us, we taught them Rachel Rasmussen