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Elucidation Of The Pathway Required For The Stimulation Of G6pdh Gene Expression By Insulin And Its Mimetics, Asavari Wagle

Masters Theses

Insulin, an anabolic hormone, exquisitely controls cellular physiology and metabolism by modulating the activity of key proteins which regulate metabolic and mitogenic events. Insulin activates several cytosolic proteins via a phosphorylation cascade, but only some of these proteins are required for its specific action. We have elucidated the insulin signal transduction cascade in primary rat hepatocytes, and outlined some of the events that are required for the insulin induced stimulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) gene expression. Using well-characterized and structurally different inhibitors, we show that insulin stimulation of the gene requires the IRS-1/P13K pathway and not the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway. Gene …

A Comparison Study Of Water Well Grouting Materials, Sherry L. Callaway

Masters Theses

To prevent contamination from occurring in water wells, and thereby groundwater, the annulus between the well casing and borehole wall must be sealed with a grout that is capable of maintaining a proper seal. Several factors and properties determine the integrity of the grout and the seal formed by that grout.

A field study discovered limitations in all of the tested grout types. Most grouts were found to vary greatly in thickness surrounding the well casing. Bentonite slurry grouts settled excessively. Cement and bentoni tecement grouts did not adhere to PVC well casing. Bentonite-cement grout fractured. The granulated bentonite was …

Lithological And Stratigraphic Analysis Of Glacial Diamictons, Sturgis, Michigan, R. Christopher Gardner

Masters Theses

Seven diamictons are identified in the subsurface glacial drift near Sturgis, Michigan using textural analyses and x-ray diffraction of clay minerals. The clay mineral content is quantified by comparing the 7-A/10- A peak height ratios from x-ray diffraction diffractograms of oriented clay-size particle (<2um) mounts. Two diamictons occur at the base of the drift. Unit 1 is gray , resembling the shale it overlies. The texture of Unit 1 is sandy clay loam to loam and average 7-A/10-A peak height clay mineral ratios of 0.446 ±0.069. Unit 2 is a yellowish-brown diamicton, it overlies Unit 1, and is a sandy loam to loam with average 7-A/10-A clay mineral ratio of 0.657 ±0.151. Diamicton Units 4 and 5 overlie a thick unit of sand and gravel on top of Unit 2. Units 4 and 5 have similar color and texture, however the 7-A/10-A ratios are 1.059 ±0.090 and 0.810 ±0.072 respectively. Unit 6 is a thin diamicton unit, leached of calcite, and x-ray diffraction suggests that there is a range of weathering horzins between borings. Unit 7 is loamy, whereas Unit 8 generally ranges from sandy clay loam to sandy loam with average 7-A/10-A ratios of 0.865 ±0.090 and 1.195 ±0.189.

Structure In Zero-Divisor Graphs Of Commutative Rings, Philip S. Livingston

Masters Theses

In this research, we associate a graph in a natural way with the zero-divisors of a commutative ring. We endeavor to characterize various attributes of the graph, including connectivity, diameter, and symmetry. In exploring symmetry in the graph, we examine the automorphism group of the graph, and provide a complete characterization for the rings Z_N. Secondly, we seek ring-theoretic properties which may be described in terms of the associated zero-divisor graph. These include, among other results, a strong relationship between finite local rings and graphs admitting a vertex connected to every other vertex.

A Large Scintillation Detector For Nuclear Physics Experiments At Indiana University Cyclotron Facility, Apurva Pathak

Masters Theses

A new, large, scintillation detector, called the "K" detector has been designed and built for use in a series of nuclear physics experiments being performed at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF). This project describes the design, construction and testing of this scintillation detector. The K detector was designed to augment an existing detector stack at IUCF, and will serve to increase the energy range of previous studies of neutral pion production in proton-proton collisions near threshold. The test data for the current project came from a proton-proton scattering experiment, during which several runs were carried out between the bombarding …

Pan, Ppn And Mpan Measurements And The Systematic Relationship Between Mpan And Macr At A Semi-Rural Site In Tennessee, George Nouaime

Masters Theses

Simultaneous measurements of peroxymethacryloyl nitrate (MPAN) and its primary and secondary precursors, methacarolein (MACR) and isoprene, were carried out for the first time in July 1995 at a semi-rural site southeast of Nashville. In addition to these compounds, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), peroxypropionyl nitrate (PPN), other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and supporting measurements were also collected in collaboration with other research groups. The mean concentrations of PAN, PPN, MPAN and MACR were found to be 485 pptv, 50 pptv, 30 pptv and 0.290 ppbv respectively. MP AN levels, which closely tracked those of MACR during the day, peaked and dropped earlier …

Laboratory Comparison Of Trench Design Options For Recovering Spilled Oil, Renuka Fernando

Masters Theses

The research goal was to improve the performance of drainage trenches used to recover spilled oil in the subsurface. Different trench designs were compared in two laboratory experiments. The first laboratory experiment clearly demonstrates that the performance of a oil recovering drainage trench could be improved by replacing the standard gravel pack sand used around the drain pipe with mixtures of teflon and sand. The effectiveness of a downgradient impermeable 'backstop' also was studied in the first experiment.

In experiment two, four trench designs were compared: perforated drain pipe; wire-wrapped horizontal well screen; perforated sheet pile; and gravel fill with …

Geophysical Characterization Of A Jp-4 (Lnapl) Contaminated Site At The Wurtsmith, Air Force Base, Oscoda, Michigan, Kristina C. Sprietzer

Masters Theses

The detection of hydrocarbon contamination in the subsurface using geophysical techniques has been based on the known physical properties of high electrical resistivities (ρa) (low conductivities). However, geophysical field investigations at uncontrolled spill sites yield measurements of low resistivity (high conductivity). The purpose of this study is to test that in the natural environment some hydrocarbon spills (in the case of LNAPLs), can exhibit changes with time due to biodegradation, from electrically resistive to conductive. Since time is an important factor, this hypothesis was tested at a site where the time when a hydrocarbon release occurred is known and where …

Extraction Of Premafloxacin Radiolabeled With Carbon Fourteen From Loam Soil, Steven Gregory Staskiewicz

Masters Theses

Premafloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic being developed by Pharmacia & Upjohn for veterinary indications. Since the parent drug and possibly metabolites will be applied to soil through the deposition of animal excreta, many regulatory agencies will require environmental assessment testing. In order to determine if ¹⁴C-premafloxacin would biodegrade in the soil, loam soil was extracted with solvents and C18 solid phase columns were used to isolate the compound after three weeks of incubation. In addition to extracting the soil, production of ¹⁴CO₂ was monitored by trapping the degradation by-product in 2 N NaOH. Liquid scintillation counting of …

Reservoir Characterization Of Crystal Field And Analysis Of The Tow#1-3 Hd-1 Well, Montcalm County, Michigan, Heidi Wines

Masters Theses

The goal of this project was to characterize the Dundee reservoir of Crystal oil field using the newly drilled Tow #1-3 well data in conjunction with historical well records to evaluate heterogeneity of facies and their controls on oil production.

From the Tow# 1-3 HD-1 well, three major facies were identified in the reservoir. A non-fractured intertidal grainstone facies provides storage of fluids with its uniform permeability and excellent intercrystalline porosity. The supratidal fractured micrites and open marine fractured biomicrites are interbedded with the grainstone facies providing conduits for fluid migration between the facies. Facies are important controls on oil …

Synthesis Of Biologically Active Substituted Chalcones, Kiel Steven Hoff

Masters Theses

Two different synthetic routes to poly-hydroxylated chalcones are investigated. The wittig synthesis and protection of the hydroxyl functionalities by forming the methyl ether followed by the base catalyzed Claissen-schmidt reaction and then deprotection were investigated. It was demonstrated that the protection-condensation- deprotection route was more efficient. The antiviral activity of 2,2', 4' - trihydroxychalcone against the HIV virus is also presented.

Changes In Channel Morphology And Flood-Plain Ecosystems Of The Green River Between The Flaming Gorge Dam, Utah And The Gates Of Lodore, Colorado, Gloria Christine Celeste Britton

Masters Theses

Closure of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1962 reduced the flow rate and variability of discharge on the Green River below this dam. These changes, coupled with the decreased sediment load due to stilling and sporadic peaking in response to demand for hydroelectric power and controlled releases of up to 4500 cfs to cope with snowmelt have impacted the channel morphology and ecosystems of the main stem Green River between the Dam and the Gates of Lodore. Detailed comparative analysis of channel shape and riparian ecosystems or pre-dam and post-dam aerial photographs revealed that significant changes occurred after closure. Channel width …

Geophysical Investigation Of Anomalous Conductivity Associated With A Hydrocarbon Contamination Site, Mike S. Nash

Masters Theses

The high electrical conductivity measured from chemical analyses from ground water below a hydrocarbon contaminated site was the focus of this study. Most theoretical studies have indicated that the electrical conductivity of hydrocarbon contamination is lower than that of the surrounding medium. Geochemical studies at other sites have shown that areas of dissolved fuel oil plume have a higher electrical conductivity. Six methods: Self Potential, Mise-a-la-Masse, Vertical Electrical Sounding, Dipole-Dipole Resistivity Profiling, Electromagnetic Induction, and Ground Penetrating Radar were all used in an attempt to see which method( s) could identify regions of high conductivity.

The findings of this study …

Stratigraphy And Structure Of Part Of The Western Blue Ridge Foothills Near Tellico Plains, Southeastern Tennessee, Steven L. Martin

Masters Theses

The Upper Proterozoic Walden Creek and Great Smoky Groups (Ocoee Supergroup) are a thick sequence of metasedimentary rocks that underlies the western Blue Ridge Foothills in southeastern Tennessee. These rocks represent synrift sedimentation along the Late Proterozoic to Early Cambrian Laurentian margin. They were subsequently deformed and metamorphosed during the Taconic orogeny (Ordovician), then brittlely deformed by northwestward thrusting during the Alleghanian orogeny (Permian). Rejected alternative interpretations suggest that the Walden Creek Group may be Middle Ordovician to Mississippian in age, and deposited in a post-Taconic successor basin, possibly during the Acadian orogeny. Those interpretations require that these rocks were …

The Greenbrier And Hayesville Faults In Central-Western North Carolina, Camilo Montes

Masters Theses

Detailed mapping in the easternmost western Blue Ridge of central-western North Carolina revealed that the premetamorphic Greenbrier fault separates the Snowbird Group from Great Smoky Group, and the Haysville fault separates eastern Blue Ridge assemblages from the Ocoee Supergroup units and western Blue Ridge basement. The faulted nature of the Snowbird-Great Smoky Groups contact suggests that the Great Smoky Group may have been transported northwestward farther than previously thought along the Greenbrier fault, and permitted the reinterpretation of changes in Snowbird Group stratigraphy within the footwall of Greenbrier fault previously associated with lateral facies changes later telescoped by Paleozoic thrusts. …

Thermal Studies Of Complex Formations Of First Row Transition Metals With Phenolic Compounds In Aqueous Solution, Nabil Adnan Amro

Masters Theses

The coordination chemistry of protocatechuic acid and catechols with the first row of transition metals was studied as a model for the more complicated natural humic substance.

The reaction between Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and the phenols, catechol and protocatechuic acid in aqueous solution was studied by the spectrophotometric method. The composition of the complexes formed was determined by continuous variation, iso-molar series and molar ratio methods. The presence of complexes with metal:ligand ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 was established in the pH range 3 to …

Thermal Characterization Of Ground And Surface Waters At The Upjohn Company's Portage Road Manufacturing Facility, William K. Hunsberger

Masters Theses

This study focused on thermal characteristics of the ground water and recharged surface water at The Upjohn Company's (now Pharmacia and Upjohn) Portage Road manufacturing facility. Major objectives were: (a) a compilation and graphical evaluation of historical lower aquifer ground water temperatures; (b) estimates of thermal energy introduced into the ground water system through recharge from Upjohn Pond, and predictions of future production well discharge temperatures; (c) an evaluation of hydraulic conductivity related to changes in water density and viscosity influenced by variable temperature; and (d) the stratigraphy beneath Upjohn Pond.

Records reveal increasing ground water temperatures through time in …

Well Screen Characteristics Which Constrain Hydraulic Conductivity Calculated From Slug Tests, Christopher G. Amore

Masters Theses

With the growing concern over ground water protection and waste water management, interest in the use of slug tests to characterize hydraulic properties of aquifers has increased. While slug tests offer an inexpensive alternative to pump tests, problems arise with collection of the tests and the interpretation of the results. Field tests and mathematical studies show that both positive and negative biases of formation properties have been obtained. The resulting errors can be traced to improper analytical techniques, incorrect assumptions of well configuration and aquifer properties, poor well installation and data gathering. Most of these problems can be corrected by …

Prototype Implementation Of The Comprehensive Parallel Integration Tool Parint, Jay Ball

Masters Theses

The ParInt project allows users to integrate multivariate functions using parallel computers via different methods encompassed in an easy to use interface. This thesis describes the initial version of the ParInt package. Various pop up windows of the graphical user interface, program procedures, programming paradigms, integration theory, and future considerations are all described.

Potential Underground Gas Storage Reservoirs In Latvia, Santis Limez

Masters Theses

The Baltic state of Latvia, produces no natural gas; all natural gas consumed is imported. In order to address future gas needs in Latvia, this study was undertaken to provide geological background and select sites with the best gas storage potential and reduce costs of more detailed field analyses in the next phase of gas storage development. Russia is the sole natural gas supplier and delivers the gas to Latvia via transmission pipelines. The Inchukalns underground gas storage field is the only underground gas storage field in the Baltic states. Although this structure accommodates current needs, projections show additional storage …

Analysis Of Organic Nitrates In Artic Outflow, Deanna Elyea-Piper

Masters Theses

The Arctic Outflow Study (AOS) was a project funded by the National Science Foundation to assess the impact of tropospheric ozone concentrations by the measurement of oxidized nitrogen. Measurements of arctic outflow were made to assess the seasonal cycle of compounds in arctic air and the partitioning of NOy during transport to the North Atlantic region. These photochemically active compounds are elevated in the arctic during the winter and spring because of the lack of photochemical processes to destroy them.

Measurements of PAN, Alkyl nitrates, NOy, NO, NO₂, CO, HNO₃, O₃, and particulate nitrate …

Some Properties Of Hereditarily Indecomposable Chainable Continua, Thomas John Kacvinsky

Masters Theses

"In 1920, B. Knaster and C. Kuratowski raised the question of whether each homogeneous plane continuum is a simple closed curve. In 1921, S. Mazurkiewicz raised the question of whether each subcontinuum of Euclidean n-space which is homeomorphic to each of its subcontinua is necessarily an arc. In that same year, B. Knaster and C. Kuratowski raised the question of whether there exists a nondegenerate hereditarily indecomposable continuum.

The third question was answered in the affirmative in 1922 by B. Knaster, when he constructed a nondegenerate hereditarily indecomposable subcontinuum of the plane.

The second question was answered in 1947 by …

An Expeditious Synthesis Of Β,Γ-Unsaturated Δ-Lactones: Useful Pharmacological Synthetic Intermediates, Li Xiong

Masters Theses

Two-carbon ring expansions of vinyl β-lactones, were carried out by Lewis acids (BF₃-Et₂O or Et₂AlCl) via an ionization/cation rearrangement. β,γ-unsaturated δ-lactones were produced as efficient protocols for the synthesis of bioactive substances.

Vinyl β-lactones were prepared via ring closure of corresponding unsaturated β-hydroxy acids. Differently structured substrates were examined to study the influence of the substituents on the rearrangement. Other factors, such as temperature, solvent and catalyst were also studied in search of suitable reaction conditions.

This method is moderately successful in providing fused-ring δ-lactones, but higher yields (so far total yield of 24.8%) …

A Chemical Extraction Study Of Lead Contaminated Soil From Granite City, Il, Yan Zhang

Masters Theses

Granite City, IL, surface soil ( 0-10 cm ) contaminated with lead was studied by both single- and a four-step sequential chemical extraction procedures designed to establish the partitioning, mobility and availability of lead in soil. The five fractions corresponding to the selected extractants were exchangeable, carbonates-bound, Fe-Mn oxides bound, organic matter and residual. Lead contamination of the soil was determined as a function of particle size and soil depth.

The contaminated sample had the highest lead content of 573.1 mg/kg at the 4 cm soil depth level, and on average was about 8.8 times that of background soil. Most …

A Monte Carlo Model Of Uncertainty In A Deterministic Hazardous Waste Transportation Risk Assessment, Michael A. Cowen

Masters Theses

This thesis is aimed at developing and applying advanced modeling tools in the prediction of risk to the general public from transportation of chemical waste on public highways. The modeling tools developed can then be used to compare alternative waste management scenarios. The application considered is related to the transport of hazardous waste generated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to current treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. DOE is currently considering four different scenarios.

The application considered can be more specifically defined as an analysis of the risk to the general public from transporting the 63 shipments of …

Constancy Of Bond Dissociation Energy Ratios For Ab₂/Ab Systems, Danyu Xu

Masters Theses

G2 and G2(MP2) theories have been used to study the bond dissociation energies D⁰_m of a series of AB₂, AB₂⁺, AB₂^-, AB, AB⁺ and AB^- systems. A total of fifty-four molecules and ions have been examined, for which B = O, S or Se and A = C, S, Ge, N⁺, P⁺, As⁺, B^-, Al^- or Ga^-. Each triatomic system has sixteen valence electrons and each diatomic system has ten valence electrons. Both triplet and singlet spin …

Induced Acceleration Of Phosphine Exchange In Metal Carbonyls By Pendant Groups Of Coordinated Polyphosphines, Ping Ye

Masters Theses

The kinetics and thermodynamics of isomerization of (OC)₅CrPPh₂CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂ to its linkage isomer, (OC)₅CrPPh₂CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂, in chloroform-d have been studied with ³¹P{¹H} NMR.

(OC)₅Cr[η¹-PPh₂CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂] ⇄ (OC)5Cr[η¹-PPh₂CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂]

The equilibrium constants for the reaction are 3.60, 2.61, 2.04, and 1.67 at 10 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C, and 53 °C, respectively. The forward reaction becomes more favorable as the temperature …

Identification Of Organosulfur Compounds In Illinois Coal, Mandy N. Amin

Masters Theses

The goal of this research was to identify representative organosulfur compounds in Illinois coal which are removed by a mild, chemical desulfurization procedure. Pyridine was used to extract three raw Illinois coals. Coal with a significant amount of elemental sulfur was treated with 1:1 HCl/HF followed by lithium aluminum hydride before pyridine extraction. Pyridine soluble extracts were extracted with tetrahydrofuran. Nickel boride desulfurization was performed on the soluble extracts of the three coals. The before and after desulfurized THF soluble extracts were fractionated and purified by liquid chromatography and the eluents were anlyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to characterize the …

Azo Dyes Based On 1,10-Phenanthroline, Minchong Mao

Masters Theses

A series of new phenanthroline based azo-dye ligands, produced by diazotizing 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline (5-NH₂-phen) and then coupling this intermediate to a variety of coupling components, has been synthesized and characterized. The coupling components used were β-naphthol, phenol, and 2,6-dimethylphenol, and the three dye ligands were named phen-azo-β-naphthol, phen-azo-p-phenol, and phen-azo-2,6-dimethylphenol, respectively. ¹H-NMR and IR spectra showed that the dyes exist primarily in the azo form in DMSO solution and as solids. UV-Vis spectra (in MeOH) showed intense (ε ≅ 10⁴ M^-1cm^-1) absorptions ranging from 380 nm to 500 nm for these ligands.

The …