April 2013 Awards


BRUNO, RICHARD
Human Sciences
Project Title: Vasoprotective activities of low-fat milk in individuals with metabolic syndrome
Project Dates: 9/1/2012 – 8/31/2013 (no cost extension through 8/2014)
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $72,716
Project Sponsor: Dairy Research Institute
Project Abstract: Low-fat milk is a high quality protein source containing bioactive compounds that are proposed to enhance vascular endothelial function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this project is to define the mechanisms by which the acute consumption of low-fat milk protects against postprandial vascular endothelial dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress responses that limit nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability to the vascular endothelium. Our central hypothesis is that the consumption of low-fat milk will improve postprandial vascular endothelial function in an oxidative stress-dependent manner that allows greater NO bioavailability.To assess this hypothesis, we will complete the following specific aims: 1) examine improvements in postprandial vascular endothelial function in response to low-fat milk ingestion, 2) define low-fat milk-mediated improvements in circulating biomarkers of redox status, and 3) define the mechanism by which low-fat milk improves NO bioavailability. We will enroll men and women (18-50 y; >30 kg/m2) having the metabolic syndrome to complete a randomized, cross-over study that examines the extent to which low-fat milk (2 cups, 204 kcal) compared to an isocaloric volume of rice milk (negative control) protects against postprandial vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress responses known to increase CVD risk. More Information

BRUNO, RICHARD
Human Sciences
Project Title: Cardioprotective Synergy of Smoking Cessation and γ-Tocopherol in Restoring Vascular Endothelial Function
Project Dates: 10/1/2012 – 4/30/2013 (no cost extension through 4/2014)
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $58,330
Project Sponsor: Connecticut Department of Public Health Project Abstract: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is the leading cause of premature mortality. The detrimental effects of smoking on vascular dysfunction are attributed to the oxidative/nitrative stress responses from smoke itself and the inflammatory responses it induces. Smoking cessation restores vascular function by alleviating these stress responses. However, smoking cessation with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), the prevailing approach to mitigate tobacco dependence, fails to allow full restoration of vascular function due to nicotine-mediated oxidative/nitrative stress. The involvement of oxidative/nitrative stress, especially our evidence demonstrating that gamma-tocopherol (γ-T) disappearance is faster in smokers and that smoking cessation reduces γ-T nitration, supports that γ-T, a unique antioxidant capable of detoxifying reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, could be used as an effective therapy to overcome NRT-mediated vascular impairments. Thus, a critical public health problem exists to define the mechanisms by which NRT prevents restoration of vascular function and how these NRT-mediated impairments can be overcome by using γ-T as an innovative co-therapy. The basic knowledge and practical solutions gained from this project will contribute directly to the health and well-being of our stakeholders by providing a solution that better reduces the risk of CVD. More Information

GIMBERT, BELINDA G; Mahlman, Robert Alan
CETE
Project Title: Cross-project evaluation of the FY13 Ohio mathematics and science partnership (OSMP) program: Year one
Project Dates: 1/28/2013 – 6/30/2016
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $50,875
Project Sponsor: Miami Univ (US Department of Education)
Scope of Work (no abstract available): The Cross-Project Evaluation of the FY13 Ohio Mathematics and Science Partnership (OSMP) Program is a collaboration among Ohio’s Evaluation & Assessment (E & A) Center for Mathematics and Science Education (Miami University), the Evaluation Services Center (University of Cincinnatt), the Center ofEducation and Training for Employment (CETE) (The Ohio State University), the Center on Urban Poverty & Community Development (Case Western Reserve University), and Evaluation Data Solutions (EDS). This evaluation is being conducted under the direction of Dr. Sarah Woodruff (MU), Dr. Debbie Zorn (UC), Dr. Belinda Gimbert (Ohio State), Dr. Robert Fischer (CWRU), and Dr. Raeal Moore (EDS). OSUCETE will: Provide coordination of evaluation activities and facilitate communication among theevaluation centers and with ODE; Co-lead with UCESC monitoring and assessment of projects’ model implementation fidelity and “fit”; Co-lead with UCESC monitoring and assessment of projects’ PD quality and effectiveness; With EDS, conduct one site visit each at two of the state grantees (tentatively both at The Ohio State University: Math Coaches and Materials Science); With EDS, serve as the Cross-Project liaison to the two projects; Co-facilitate project meeting; Participate equally with MU, UC, CWRU, and EDS in researching and/ or developing potential evaluation tools and templates to be suggested to Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and grantees; Participate equally with MU, UC, CWRU, and EDS at training events; Participate equally with MU, UC, CWRU, and EDS in the assessment of project plans and project evaluation plans; Contribute to periodic feedback to ODE; Attend periodic meetings and conference calls to coordinate services to ODE from the five partners; Communicate regularly with the other four partners; Participate in data analysis. More Information

LUTHY, NICOLE
Ohio Resource Center
Project Title: Scaffold to the stars/Educause
Project Dates: 12/1/2012 – 6/30/2013
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $134,060
Project Sponsor: Wright State Univ (EDUCAUSE)
Project Overview: Scaffold to the Stars provides access to a collection of open educational learning digital resources (textbooks, videos, problem sets) available to support instructors who teach developmental (remedial and credit bearing) mathematics courses. The library of resources is based on key topics and learning objectives developed by Ohio mathematics instructors. Once launched, teachers may search the collection to find resources aligned to their specific teaching goals and to create custom resource sets for their classes. Scaffold to the Stars support student achievement and success in mathematics. It reduces costs to students by providing free access to quality learning resources and connects to ongoing efforts throughout Ohio in K-12 and higher education to address math remediation concerns. The program is funded through a grant from Educause as part of the Next Generation Learning Challenge and was initially awarded to Steve Acker, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State (managed by Wright State University). Responsibility to complete the remaining grant activities was transferred to the Ohio Resource Center earlier this year through a subaward from Wright State University. More Information

MAHLMAN, ROBERT ALAN; Julian, David A
CETE
Project Title: Regional outcomes trainings
Project Dates: 2/21/2013 – 6/30/2013
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $12,000
Project Sponsor: OH Dept Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Project Abstract: On behalf of Ohio State, David Julian from CSNP/CETE shall develop 5 regional outcomes training sessions; collaborate with ODADAS Division of Prevention Services to ensure training is consistent with the National Outcomes Measurement System; and provide 5 regional trainings on the development and collecting of outcomes for prevention. More Information

SLESNICK, NATASHA
Human Sciences
Project Title: OSU STAR House: Engagement and stabilization services for homeless youth in Central Ohio
Project Dates: 2/20/2013 – 9/30/2013
Anticipated Total Award Amount: $57,380
Project Sponsor: Ohio Office of Attorney General (Office of Justice Programs) More Information