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Functional Characterization Of The Csp Homologs Of E. Coli K-12, Christina Ventrice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

E. coli K-12 contains nine csp paralogs, cspA --cspI. Although the csp paralogs are conserved sequences that produce highly similar proteins, expression of each of these genes requires a different means of induction. While cspA, cspB, cspG, and cspI are induced by cold shock, cspC and cspE are constitutively expressed. cspD is induced by stationary phase. The type of induction, if any, needed for cspF and cspH is not known. Studies of CspE have demonstrated that the overexpression of this protein can confer a 10-fold resistance to the DNA decondensing agent, camphor, and upregulates the E. coli rcsA gene by …

Unsaturated Nitriles: Stereoselective Annulations And Alkylations, Zhiyu Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

N-metallated nitriles are fundamental intermediate that have been used to generate new C-C bonds for over a century. C-metallated nitriles are new but equally important intermediates in being able to deliver complementary stereoselectivity. C-magnesiated nitriles are directly generated from chelation-controlled conjugated addition and can successfully furnish complete stereocontrol during installation of three new stereocenters (Section II-1).

The recent development of chiral organometallics has identified a remarkable series of electrophile-dependent alkylations that are significantly impacting organic synthesis. C-magnesiated nitriles from chelation-controlled conjugated addition are chiral nucleophiles that alkylate an array of electrophiles with retentive or invertive alkylation depending on the electrophiles. …

Vitellogenin Induction As A Biomarker For Environmental Estrogens In Xenopus Laevis, Jamie Skoloda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In oviparous vertebrates, estrogen stimulates the liver to produce vitellogenin. Vitellogenin induction is a useful biomarker for exposure to endocrine disruptors, specifically environmental estrogens. The objective of this project was to design in vivo bioassays for environmental estrogens based on induction of vitellogenin in male Xenopus laevis. Frogs were exposed to ethinyl-estradiol by injection or immersion for different times and doses, than vitellogenin induction was assessed. An ELISA was developed to measure serum vitellogenin. Additionally, a vitellogenin rt-PCR assay was developed using species-specific vitellogenin primers, to detect mRNA induction. It was established that the induction of serum vitellogenin and hepatic …

Identification Of Protein Interaction Between The Drosophila Runx1 Transcription Factor Lozenge And Ets-1 Factor Pointed Using Site Directed Mutagenesis And Yeast Two-Hybrid Analysis, Shalini Singh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many classes of transcriptional regulatory proteins are known to function in both cell proliferation and differentiation. Runx1 proteins one such family of transcription factors, plays critical roles in hematopoiesis, osteogenesis and leukemogenesis and act as promoter organizers that cooperate with other transcription factors such as Ets-1 in the regulation of gene activation or repression. Genes that are regulated by the Runx1-Ets1 complex, frequently have multiple, adjacent consensus binding sites in their promoters. I have investigated a similar interaction in developing fly eye. Lozenge (DmRunx1) and Pointed P2 (DmEts-1) cooperate to upregulate expression of prospero, which has multiple Lz and Ets …

Development Of A Biochemical Probe For Arsenate Respiring Bacteria Using Bacillus Selenitireducens Strain Mls10, Mirunalni Thangavelu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To date, eighteen phylogenetically diverse prokaryotes have been found to utilize arsenic as the terminal electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration, converting arsenate into the more toxic and mobile arsenite. This process can lead to ground water contamination, making it imperative to detect in situ, active arsenate-respiring prokaryotes.

A biochemical probe that targets the catalytic subunit (ArrA) of the respiratory arsenate reductase (Arr) from Bacillus selenitireducens strain MLS10 was developed. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against a fifteen amino acids long highly conserved sequence at the C-terminus of ArrA. Highly specific antibodies obtained by affinity purification using the synthesized ArrA polypeptide, reacted …

Connections Between Gendered Constructions And Women's Lived Experiences In Light Of Feminist Awareness: An Empirical Hermeneutic Study, Erin Danto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored two women's gendered identities in an effort to elucidate oppressive aspects of patriarchal gender constructions. Gender was conceptualized in feminist post-structural terms, which meant that it was seen as an identity conferred upon women in the service of creating a hierarchical discourse. Since feminist post-structural theories are rarely explored empirically and women's experiences have often been overlooked, both of these issues were explored in the current study.

Participants' awareness of oppression and ability to dialogue with theory was addressed by soliciting women who had taken a gender-focused college course. The methodology was perspectival and co-participatory. The researcher's …

From Philosophy To Practice: A Hermeneutic Analysis Of Existential-Phenomenological Psychotherapy, David Danto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A hermeneutic analysis utilizing interpersonal process recall was employed to clarify how two existential-phenomenological psychotherapists apply the philosophies upon which their work is based. Two sessions of therapists and clients engaged in existential-phenomenological psychotherapy in a private practice setting were the focus of the study. Therapist and patient retrospective accounts and the researcher's observations regarding both sessions were analyzed via a hermeneutic method that entailed (1) explicating contextual information regarding the researcher and the sessions; (2) interpreting the therapists' intentions and actions as well as the clients' understandings of the sessions, and (3) integrating these results into a situated account …

Mourning, Evil And Grace: A Hermeneutical-Phenomenological Approach, James Dubose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation compares the debates on evil and grace between Augustine, Pelagius, and Manichean Gnosticism with those between Freud, Jung, Fromm, and Jaspers. Through a phenomenological understanding of mourniing and the hermeneutical interpretation of both fourth century theologians and twentieth century psychologists, I argue that evil and grace are different, equiprimordal ways of mourning-in-the-world.

Recognizing A Different Other: A Neo-Kleinian Analysis Of Lesbian Relationship Violence, Jacqueline Ann Neilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lesbian relationship violence is an important public and private concern, yet it has been insufficiently researched, theorized, and treated. This dissertation explores and analyzes discourse on lesbian relationship violence from the perspective of therapists, researchers, lesbians who are victimized, and lesbians who perpetrate violence. The discourse on lesbian relationship violence includes empirical research, theories, treatments, personal stories, and other communications through conversations and writings. These texts are dialogued with neo-Kleinian and postmodern feminist theory in order to unfold the parameters of the discourse on lesbian relationship violence, analyze its limits and exclusions on lesbian experiences of relationship violence, and reframe …