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High Quality Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth And Characterization Of Lead Titanate Zirconate Based Complex-Oxides, Xing Gu

Theses and Dissertations

Research interest in complex oxides has resurged owing to progress in modern epitaxial techniques. Among such oxides, lead-titanate-based thin films such as PbTiO₃ (PTO) and Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃ (PZT) offer attractive advantages for a wide variety of applications. Moreover, integration between functional oxides with compound semiconductors has the potential to realize multi-functional devices which enjoy the properties from both groups of materials. Ferroelectric materials with a perovskite structure (ABO₃) and semiconductors such as GaN with a hexagonal structure, require a careful choice of a bridge layer and suitable epitaxial technique. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) …

The Role Of Secreted Phosphoprotein-24 In Osteoblast Differentiation And Matrix Mineralization, Samuel Ramage

Theses and Dissertations

Secreted Phosphoprotein-24 (Spp24) was initially isolated and characterized as a component of bovine cortical bone matrix. Subsequent characterization has shown it is multiply phosphorylated and homologous to cystatin and TGF-β receptor type II. Spp24 is a minor component of the serum fetuin mineral complex that binds calcium-phosphate minerals and prevents their deposition. The TGF-β receptor homology domain binds BMP-2 weakly in vitro and enhances BMP-2’s osteogenic effects in vivo. The ability of Spp24 to affect BMP activity suggests an important role for Spp24 as a native, bioactive componentof bone that regulates bone development.

Spp24 was highly up-regulated in rat cortical …

Within And Without, Shane Robert Rocheleau

Theses and Dissertations

Within and Without is a document which illustrates my personal and artistic research into the nature of the postmodern conception of the self: that self is unfixed, multiple, and reactive. It explicates my myriad and explorative approaches to photographic portraiture. Furthermore, it indicates many of my theoretical and artistic references and how I have applied my lessons both as an artist and a researcher to maximize the effect of my concepts within the formal and aesthetic confines of my photographs. Finally, this document explains my own beliefs concerning the nature of self and how a synthesis of my influences has …

Victims' Perspectives On The Process Of Seeking A Protective Order: Predictors Of Perceived Empowerment, Sara-Beth Plummer

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined victims' perceived sense of empowerment during the process of seeking a Preliminary Protective Order. A cross sectional survey design with stratified sampling was used to gather information from women seeking Preliminary Protective Orders in Richmond City, Virginia. During a six month period 89 women agreed to participate, for a response rate of 83 percent. In general, the sample consisted of women who identified themselves as African-American, single, with either a high school/GED degree, and/or some college education.Overall, the women found the steps during the process of seeking an Order, either easy or very easy. In general, the …

Identification And Characterization Of Helper Phage Gene Products Involved In Mobilization Of Staphylococcal Pathogenicity Island Sapi1, Sandra Mckenzie Tallent

Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcal pathogenicity island SaPI1 is excised from genomic DNA and extrachromosomal copies are amplified during the vegetative growth of staphylococcal phage 80α. The amplified genetic element is subsequently encapsidated and transduced at very high frequency. Previous studies have demonstrated that the transducing particles have virions with tails that appear identical to those of helper phage 80α but have smaller capsids, commensurate with the smaller genome of the SaPI (Lindsay et.al., 1998). The morphology of the transducing particles, coupled with the observation that the genomic sequence of SaPIl (GenBank U93688) does not reveal any obvious phage structural proteins, has led to …

The Association Between Adult Self-Reported Asthma & Potential Exposures To Asthma Triggers In Virginia Workplaces: An Ecological Study, Jeanette R. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Work-related asthma (WRA) is thought to be the most common occupational lung disease in the U.S., but there is no standard case definition of WRA. Most states, including Virginia, do not require WRA diagnoses to be reported to health departments. At present, there is too little epidemiological data on WRA in Virginia to direct public health planning efforts. Objectives: The first objective of this study was to estimate potential exposure to workplace asthma triggers in each of Virginia's 35 health districts. The second objective was to examine associations at the health district level between workplace asthma triggers, other asthma …

Seeing It Straight, Heather Harvey

Theses and Dissertations

This Master of Fine Arts thesis is divided into four main sections:FAITH and DISBELIEF: In which I reckon with the implications of faith versus rationality as a secular nontheistic artist. IDEAS: The central locus of my work is a place of indeterminacy between what is known/familiar and what is just one step outside of that. This has nothing to do with mysticism, science fiction, or anything else unmoored from established fact. Section also touches on the particular vantage of a female artist with working class roots.THE WORK: Selection of work made during graduate school, and the the guiding thoughts behind …

The Substituted Pyrrole Jb-03-14 Induces Autophagic Cell Death And Growth Arrest In Breast Tumor Cells, Christopher Ryan Arthur

Theses and Dissertations

The use of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer has stimulated the demand for better chemotherapeutic agents that are more potent at destroying tumor cell populations and more selective for the specific tumor versus normal host tissues. This project is directed at discovering new anti-tumor agents that are effective against breast cancer based on structures derived from marine organisms, specifically brominated pyrroles. We utilized an in vitro breast cancer model to study the effects of pyrroles on tumor proliferation and survival, as well as growth arrest and cell death. Our findings indicate that the substituted pyrrole JG-03-14 induces time dependent …

The Ksga Methyltransferase: Characterization Of A Universally Conserved Protein Involved In Robosome Biogenesis, Heather Colleen O'Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

The KsgA enzymes comprise an ancient family of methyltransferases that are intimately involved in ribosome biogenesis. Ribosome biogenesis is a complicated process, involving numerous cleavage, base modification and assembly steps. All ribosomes share the same general architecture, with small and large subunits made up of roughly similar rRNA species and a variety of ribosomal proteins. However, the fundamental assembly process differs significantly between eukaryotes and eubacteria, not only in distribution and mechanism of modifications but also in organization of assembly steps. Despite these differences, members of the KsgA/Dim1 methyltransferase family and their resultant modification of small-subunit rRNA are found throughout …

The Constant Wife Revisited: The Progression Of A Play From Conception To The Final Stage Production, Kimberly H. Parkin

Theses and Dissertations

For my thesis, I recorded the progression of my show, The Constant Wife. I discuss the conception of my original scene design as well as the changes that occurred while working with the director and other designers. Throughout the thesis, I address the problems that arose during the pre-production, what I did to rectify those situations, and what I might have done differently if given the opportunity. I have divided the thesis into the following sections – Process of the Pre-Production, Execution of the Design and Evaluation of the Design. The final section of my thesis details what I learned …

The Effect Of Pediatric Hospital Specialization On Patient Safety And Effectiveness Of Care, James Mitchell Harris Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Provider specialization is an area of interest in health care as patients, payers and policy makers are now demanding better performance and demonstrated proof of the benefits of specialization. While previously ignored in the specialization debate, now even the hospitals focusing on pediatric care (i.e. children's hospitals) are experiencing pressure to demonstrate their value. The current study attempts to answer the questions: do hospitals specializing in pediatric care provide better quality pediatric inpatient care; and do they do so for differing types of patient outcomes and across different levels of care complexity? Contingency Theory is used to develop and assess …

The Muse In The Classroom: Some Effects On American Nonprofit Arts Organization Of Partnering With Schools, Susan A. Fitzpatrick

Theses and Dissertations

Nonprofits, including cultural organizations, are increasingly relying upon fees for service as part of their operating budgets. Arts organizations have taken an increasingly prominent role in arts education starting with federal budget cuts in the 1960s and 1970s. There is a lack of data on the effects of partnering with schools on nonprofit arts organizations as well as the effects of government contracting on nonprofits.This study consists of an email/internet survey to determine how contracting with schools to provide arts activities affects nonprofit arts agency independence, vendorism, bureaucratization, costs, and artistic quality. The survey was pilot tested with 22 leaders …

Determination Of Size Fractions And Concentrations Of Airborne Particulate Matter Generated From Construction And Demolition Waste Processing Facilities, Jason M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Construction and Demolition (C&D) processing and recycling facilities accept waste materials that are generated during construction and demolition activities. The processing facility sorts, processes, and transfers the material to another operation. A consequence of these processes is the generation of particulate matter.This study involved quantifying and qualifying airborne particulates at three C&D processing facilities. Active stationary particulate sampling devices were employed to quantify the particle sizes of interest. Results were compared to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS) and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)standards.The results from this study are not valid for …

Evaluating The Psychosocial Effects Of Two Interventions, Tai Chi And Spiritual Growth Groups, In Women With Breast Cancer, Sarah M. Rausch

Theses and Dissertations

One in seven women will develop breast cancer. Most will suffer medically and psychologically from the disease. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions such as tai chi and spiritual growth groups have proven to be beneficial for this population, however, many questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action in these techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial effects and mechanisms of two 10-week interventions (tai chi and spiritual growth groups) within the context of a larger randomized, controlled NCI-funded study (R01 CA114718, Nancy McCain, PI) in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The present study evaluated …

Analgesic Use In U.S. Emergency Departments For Patients Reporting Moderate To Severe Pain: Diagnosis And Select Patient Characteristics Influencing Narcotic Analgesic Prescribing Practices, Hassan Zakaria

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between emergency department patient encounter characteristics and narcotic analgesic prescribing practices in order to determine what patient characteristics, if any, influence the decision to prescribe narcotics.Methods: Cross sectional data on patients presenting to U.S. emergency departments from the 2003 and 2004 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were analyzed. Patients reporting moderate to severe pain were included in the sample and analysis. Chi square tests of significance were used to assess the association between individual demographic and encounter characteristics to narcotic prescription or administration. Separate multiple logistic regressions were then performed on …

Design Synthesis And Evaluation Of Diterpenones As Potent Chemopreventive Agents For Aflatoxin B1 Induced Carcinogenesis In Human Liver Cells, Miguel Angel Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations

DESIGN, SYNTHESIS, AND EVALUATION OF DITERPENONES AS POTENT CHEMOPREVENTIVE AGENTS FOR AFB1 INDUCED CARCINOGENISIS IN HUMAN LIVER CELLS By Miguel A. Zuniga, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Major Director: Qibing Zhou, Ph.D Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry Terpene quinone methides (TPQMs) have been isolated from a variety of plants and show broad activities against bacteria, fungi, and cancerous cell lines. The biological activity has been attributed to the reactive electrophilic QM moiety, this structural feature has long been recognized as an intermediate in organic …

The Effect Of A Nominal Fee On Treatment Choices For Children Needing Dental Rehabilitation, D'Audra M. Cole

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine if a co-payment resulted in a differential preference for general anesthesia (GA) or oral sedation (OS) and, if so, to examine whether age, the number of appointments, perceived risks of treatment, child's awareness during treatment, or insurance type appeared to play a role in this preference.Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, questionnaires were distributed to caregivers of patients in the waiting room of the Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Dental Clinic. Two different questionnaires were distributed randomly. Both surveys described a scenario with the need for dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) …

Oral Health Services In A Medical Setting, Robert William Mansman Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the baseline oral health status of infants and the level of their caregiver's oral health knowledge for families who received preventive oral health services in a medical setting. Methods: Using a prospective cohort study, children 0-3 years of age received an oral health screening, risk assessment, caregiver education, and a fluoride varnish treatment in an ambulatory pediatric medical clinic. A 16-item oral health knowledge and socio-demographic questionnaire was delivered to the caregiver of child. This questionnaire included knowledge, behavior and opinion items on risk factors for dental diseases, care of child's …

Llum: Light And Reflection, Kazue Taguchi

Theses and Dissertations

When I was nineteen years old, I traveled to ten countries in Europe. While there, I visited many museums and monuments, but it was in the solemn churches that I first saw stained glass and my aesthetic awakening occurred. My first impression was of a "living painting". By this I mean that a stained glass window is a non-static painting, as its appearance is dependant on the quality of light that shines though its panes. The same stained glass window looks different in the morning, evening and night. It has one color scheme on a sunny day and another on …

Familial And Self Systems As Contributors To Sexual Decision-Making Patterns Of Young African American Women, Christina M. Grange

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a is a two-phase mixed methods design to examine partner-based expectations and perceptions of factors that affecting condom use among African American women recruited at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Phase One utilized qualitative methods to analyze interviews from 25 unmarried, African American women between ages 18--26. Interviews explored the following two research questions: (1) How do young adult African American women conceptualize relationships as illustrated by their expectations of their partner and their expectations of themselves in the relationship? (2) What messages do women recall receiving from their family members about sexual opportunities, intercourse, consequences …

Overbite Correction And Smile Esthetics, Kevin Erick Kelleher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to investigate differences in outcomes from two common treatment modalities used to reduce deep overbite: maxillary incisor intrusion using an intrusion arch and posterior tooth eruption using an anterior bite plate. Pre-treatment, post-overbite correction and post-treatment records were gathered from 32 patients who presented with deep overbite malocclusions to the Virginia Commonwealth University orthodontic clinic. Both groups of patients experienced reductions in overbite and maxillary incisor display as well as maxillary and mandibular incisor proclination and mandibular incisor occlusal movement during treatment. In the intrusion arch group, the center of resistance of …

Prediction Of In-Vivo Antimuscarinic Activity (Ama) By In-Vitro Receptor Binding Assessment And Pk/Pd Modeling For Prototypical Drugs, Taghrid Y. Obied

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To establish a tool, termed as antimuscarinic activity (AMA), to predict the incidence of antimuscarinic adverse events (AMAEs).Methods: A literature review, focused on drugs having off-target interaction with muscarinic receptors, was performed. Prototypical drugs olanzapine, diphenhydramine, paroxetine were selected for the analysis. Scopolamine and darifenacin were included as positive and negative controls, respectively. Physiochemical properties, pharmacokinetic data, and clinical incidence of AMAEs for the selected drugs were collected from reported literature. Extrapolation of literature data was carried-out to obtain exposure data. To determine the drugs muscarinic affinity (Ki values), experiments were performed using 3H-QNB and membrane suspensions of M1, …

Disparities In The Use Of Emergency Contraceptives, Rebecca Dallman

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Unintended pregnancies are often a burden to pregnant women and to the health care system. The rates of unintended pregnancies have decreased since the wide use of contraceptives has increased; however, young women, women with low income, and racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to use contraceptives inconsistently, which increases the risk of an unintended pregnancy. This risk could be reduced with the proper use of emergency contraceptives (ECs).Methods and Analysis: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the data from the female respondents of the 2002 Cycle 6 NSFG. Logistic regression was used to determine rates of use of ECs …

Achieving High Performance In Local Government: Linking Government Outcomes With Human Resource Management Practices, Richard F. Huff

Theses and Dissertations

Historically public sector personnel policies and practices have been targets of reform. These reforms consisted of transferring private sector techniques to a public sector perceived to be more bureaucratic and less efficient. Private sector research is replete with evidence of a connection between "superior" human resource management (HRM) practices and the performance outcome of profitability. Public sector outcomes are more difficult to connect directly to management practices. As a result, the focus of public sector reform has become one of improving the processes of management rather than improving the outcomes of government. The linkage between reform and outcome is assumed.This …

Cafm Studies Of Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth Gan Films, Vishal P. Kasliwal

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses the techniques of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and conductiveAFM (CAFM) to study defect sites on GaN films. In particular, these defect sites demonstrate current leakage under reverse-bias conditions that are detrimental to device fabrication. Two growth techniques that were used to improve this leakage behavior for samples in this study included: epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) and nano-ELO using a Si3N4 film. Both techniques decrease defects such as threading dislocations by controlling the nucleation and growth behavior of the GaN films. The EL0 technique uses a patterned dielectric film to laterally grow micron-wide regions (referred to as 'wings') …

Interleukin-10 Suppresses Mast Cell Ige Receptor Expression And Signaling In Vitro And In Vivo, Sarah B. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Mast cells are known for their role in allergy, asthma, and systemic anaphylaxis, and have been shown to play a role in inflammatory disease. Interleukin-10 can regulate inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo, and may be a natural regulator of mast cell activation.Objective: To examine Interleukin-10 mediated regulation of FcεRI expression and related downstream signaling molecules, and to determine how this affects mast cell function in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Mast cell FcεRI expression was evaluated with and without IL-10 treatment in human lung and skin mast cells, and on peritoneal mast cells from mice overexpressing IL-10 …

Novel Sulfated 4-Hydroxycinnamic Acid Oligomers As Potent Anticoagulants, Brian Lawrence Henry

Theses and Dissertations

The occurrence of thrombosis in several pathophysiological conditions creates a huge need for anticoagulation therapy. Thrombin and factor Xa have been prime targets for regulation of clotting through the direct and indirect mechanism of inhibition. This work investigates chemo-enzymatically prepared oligomers of 4-hydroxycinnamic acids (DHPs) as potential anticoagulants. Oligomers were prepared through peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of 4-hydroxycinnamic acids. The products resulting from this reaction are called CDs, FDs and SDs. Structurally, these sulfated DHPs are unique and do not resemble any of the anticoagulants known in the literature.DHP oligomers were found to increase clotting times at concentrations comparable to heparin. …

Study Abroad And Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive Universities: Preparing Students From Underrepresented Racial Groups To Live In A Global Environment, Felecia D. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify current practices in study abroad offices and to investigate factors that may impact the number of minority students that participate in study abroad programs. The predictors, commitment to study abroad, proportion of staff and student workers, and awareness were selected for this current exploratory study are a result of the literature review. The other selected variables: endowment, financial aid and SAT/ACT scores are predictors typically used in higher education. This exploratory research focused on the policies, procedures, and strategies implemented allowing us to comprehensively describe the activities and efforts study abroad personnel …

The Utility Of Depression Screening Measures After Traumatic Brain Injury, Amy H. Riddick

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Identifying reliable, practical and easy to use tools to assess depression in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a necessary first step to addressing a high incidence problem. The intention of this study is to validate depression screening measures with a criterion-based structured interview among people with TBI. The final outcome will identify which measure is the best indicator of depression diagnosis in this population. Methods: 112 participants with TBI were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI), The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV TR Axis I …

The Cross Empowerment Of Singing And Acting, Stephanie C. Dean

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis details my process in teaching a class I devised, entitled, "Singing for Actors and Acting for Singers," in an attempt to develop a pedagogical bridge between singing and acting. In this thesis, I discuss the need for creating this course and evaluate how effectual it was. Additionally, I detail my research, curricular development and students' responses to the material.