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Optimizing Biocides To Control Microorganisms, Josh Taube

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Microorganisms can cause many problems during the papermaking process. These problems include slime deposits, corrosion, felt plugging, holes, and additive contamination. An effective biocide program can reduce the numbers of microorganisms resulting in a reduction of these associated problems. This study focuses on the control of microorganisms on the paper machine and the relevant sources of water. Observation of the paper machine began with bleach being pumped into the headboxes, AES screen rotating shower water system and Bel-Bond showers. There was approximately 250 ml/min of bleach being pumped into each of these systems. The amount of bleach being pumped into …

Silica Gel: An Experiment In Surface Area, Scott Vermullen

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Within the paper industry today, there are advancements in technology every year, every month, most likely every day as well. These new technologies work to obtain the same major goals. These goals include faster machine speeds for improved output. They-include less, pollution, and in fact are working towards a pollutant free system. And finally, product quality for today's high demanding consumer market.

To realize these goals, paper makers must effectively utilize the most amount of fiber and filler possible in their sheet. That is, they must bind up fines and filler within the sheet rather than sending it to the …

Alterations In Calcium Homeostasis And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling Pathway Induced By Carcinogenic Polycyclic And Halogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Human Mammary Epithelial Cells, Stacey L. Tannheimer

Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Breast cancer is a major health concern for women, with only a small percent of the risk factors currently identified. It has been estimated that environmental factors may contribute to up to 80% of breast cancer cases. Many environmental carcinogens, such as polycyclic and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs and HAHs), are proven mammary carcinogens in animal models. Therefore, these studies were conducted to elucidate potential roles of PAHs and HAHs in alterations in known signaling pathways in human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Carcinogenic PAHs have previously been shown to produce sustained alterations in the calcium (Ca2') homeostasis of lymphocytes Therefore, …

Effects Of Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein On Nitric Oxide Production In Macrophages, Annong Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effects of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on atherogenesis may be partly mediated by alterations in nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophages. A major goal of this study was to identify the lipid components in oxLDL modulating NO production. The effect of a water soluble antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine) and lipid soluble antioxidant (alpha-tocopherol) on NO production in macrophages was also determined. A second goal was to determine if the effects of oxLDL occurred at the transcriptional level. Human LDL was oxidized using an azo-initiator 2,2$\sp\prime$-azobis (2-amidinopropane) HCI (ABAP). OxLDL markedly decreased the production of NO in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 …

Comparison Of Beta-Adrenoceptor Coupled Camp Production In Cultured Human Mononuclear Leukocytes And Myometrial Cells, Yu-Li Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

$\beta\sb2$-Adrenoceptor ($\beta\sb2$-AR) agonists, such as terbutaline, are used as tocolytic agents in the treatment of preterm labor. $\beta$-Adrenoceptor stimulation relaxes myometrium through specific receptors coupled through Gs to adenylyl cyclase (AC) that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. The purpose of this study was to compare $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in cultured human leukocytes and myometrial cells, and to determine the importance of $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in isoproterenol-induced myometrial relaxation. $\sp{125}$I-iodopindolol was used to assess $\beta$-adrenoceptor affinity and number cAMP levels were analyzed before and after stimulation by isoproterenol, AlF$\sb4\sp-$, forskolin, and PGE$\sb1$. Isometric recording was used to …

Md Ribbing Instability Of Air Knife Coating Application, Bradley W. Fadden

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

The coating application process is an area of great concern for most mills that produce a coated media. During the roll application of the coating onto the sheet, the fluid that is passed to the sheet from the roll, goes through a process known as film splitting. Film splitting is the mechanism for the transfer of the fluid from the application roll to the sheet. Instead of smoothly transferring onto the sheet, the film splits away from the roll and then onto the substrate. Without even transfer and leveling of the coating fluid, the splitting results in stripes or ribs …

The Effect Of Antioxidant Addition On Lightfastness Of Color Ink Jet Printing, Jennifer M. Siuda

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Fluorescent office lighting has been shown to fade ink jet colors. Fading of ink jet dyes is a problem when the shelf life of documents is important. For effective, low cost ink jet printing, the color quality of the printed paper must be maintained for a duration of time. Research in hot melt adhesives has shown a reduction of color loss associated with the use of antioxidants.

During this thesis, a coating formulation was tested with and without an antioxidant present. The antioxidants tested were alpha tocopherol I vitamin E, and sodium thiosulfate. The addition rate was varied at 2.65 …

Effect Of Borax On Drying And Strength Properties Of Paper, Melanie J. Robydek

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

Sodium tetraborate, the most common of the borate minerals, is a salt believed to promote crosslinking among cellulose and hemicellulose fibers. Samples of bleached Burgess hardwood pulp (45% maple, 25% birch, 15% beech, 15% poplar) obtained from Crown Vantage were treated with borax at three different levels: 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%. The pulp was pre-soaked with borax at 10% consistency, for one hour, prior to refining in a PFI mill. The drying and strength properties of the paper produced from the control and treated pulps were tested according to standard TAPPI procedures and analyzed statistically. The addition of borax resulted …

Cationic Polymeric Microparticle Retention Systems And Fines Retention, Derek Maddox

Paper Engineering Senior Theses

A new cationic polymeric microparticle (CPMP), which is not yet commercialized, has been developed as a retention and flocculation aid. To study the effectiveness of this new cationic polymeric microparticle as a retention aid it was used in conjunction with both a cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and an anionic polyacrylamide (APAM). Laboratory evaluation involved using a Britt Dynamic Drainage Jar, two different furnishes and multiple retention system addition levels to test for fines retention. The two systems were then evaluated individually and compared.

It was found that both the CPMP-APAM and CPMP-CPAM systems were beneficial in retaining both fiber and filler …

Heavy Metal Toxicity In Bioremediation: Microbial Cultures And Microscopy, Jason B. Goodbody

Theses and Dissertations

This research employed a variety of microscopy and spread plating techniques to observe the effects of heavy metal treatments on a toluene-selected bacterial population. Microbial colonies were cultured on spread plates and the resulting numbers were compared to respiration data. The mechanisms of reproduction were demonstrated to be more sensitive to metal treatments than were the mechanisms of respiration. Phase contrast, Gram stain, fluorescent microscopy, were used to compare and document a wide variety of bacteria resulting from different metal treatments as well as from environmental changes within the source bioreactor. The removal of sensitive bacteria and the selection of …

Scanning Electron Microscopy, Histological, And Tissue Culture Studies Of Powdery Mildews Infecting Dogwoods, Leigh Ann Klein

Masters Theses

Powdery mildew has become a common and widespread foliar disease of dogwoods. Microsphaera pulchra Cooke and Peck, and Phyllactinia guttata (Wallr.: Fr.) Lev. are two causal agents of powdery mildew on dogwood species in eastern North America. A clear understanding of the host-pathogen relationship between these fungi and their host must be obtained to advance research in disease management and resistance breeding.

A necessary step in studying a disease is to identify the causal agent. Leaves of C. florida 'Cherokee Sunset' and C. amomum (silky dogwood) were observed under a compound microscope to determine causal agents of powdery mildew based …

Isolation And Characterization Of Cadmium Hypertolerant Mutants Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Santiago Xavier Navarro

Masters Theses

Cadmium is an environmental pollutant which accumulates by deposition from anthropogenic activities. Plants readily take-up cadmium from soil and is concentrated in shoot tissues. Plant and animal systems are affected detrimentally by the exposure to cadmium and are known to produce metal binding peptides as part of detoxification mechanisms. In an attempt to find alternative methods of soil cleanup, efforts are being undertaken to isolate heavy metal accumulating plants. Alternatively, to reduce the accumulation of cadmium in food, plants that exclude heavy metals are also being sought. The objective of this project was to isolate mutants which can be used …

The Effect Of Drying And Rewetting On Single Fiber Flexibility For Chemical And Mechanical Pulps, Mark E. Dulemba

Masters Theses

Over the years, various attempts have been made to develop methods to measure fiber flexibility. In the course of developing test methods for fiber flexibility, various studies have been performed that measure the flexibilities of different wood pulps.

In this study, never-dried individual thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and bleached kraft fibers were mounted on the tip of a glass tube submerged in water and deflected by water flow. The deflection of the individual fibers was measured using a microscope and image analysis software. The fibers were then dried, rewetted, and the deflection was measured_again. This drying and rewetting cycle was repeated …

A Cytochemical Evaluation Of Blood-Brain Barrier Sodium, Potassium- And Calcium-Adenosine Triphosphatase Polarity, Panya Steve Manoonkitiwongsa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by cerebral vascular endothelial cells. Brain ion and fluid homeotasis essential for proper neural functioning is due to the BBB. Sodium-potassium and calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase) serve as one of the main mechanisms controlling brain Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ concentrations. The present accepted concept is that both of these enzymes are localized to the abluminal plasma membrane of endothelial cells although there have been contrary results from some studies. Because of these discrepancies, further work was needed. Various cytochemical procedures …

Effect Of Insulin And Vanadate On Sre-Mediated C-Fos Expression And Jnk Activation, Francisco J. Berguido

Masters Theses

Insulin mimetics are compounds that mimic the action of insulin in the body and are currently being studied as possible therapeutic agents against diabetes. Vanadium has been identified as an element with insulin-like properties with regard to metabolic processes such as lowering blood glucose levels. Few studies have implicated vanadium in mitogenic actions such as cell growth and differentiation. We studied the action of vanadate on the expression of the insulin-induced SRE, a cis-element of the well-characterized mitogenic gene c-fos. We measured this expression by means of a plasmid containing the reporter gene luciferase linked to the sequences from c-fos …

Activation Of Signal Proteins By Insulin And Selenite In Primary Rat Hepatocytes, Ginny Lynn Garlock

Masters Theses

Insulin has a wide range of metabolic and mitogenic effects in cells. The mechanism of insulin action in controlling these events is not well understood, but involves, at least in part, a complex phosphorylation cascade. Selenate has been shown to mimic insulin on several metabolic processes, including the regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) gene expression. Its mechanism of action, however, is not known. To investigate the mechanisms of insulin and selenate action on the regulation of G6PDH, signal proteins from primary rat hepatocytes were first studied. Insulin and sodium selenate similarly increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the β-subunit of the insulin …

The Repulping Of Wet-Strength Paperboard, Angelo N. Melchiorre

Masters Theses

Beverage carrier paperboard containing the polyamide wet-strength resin is one type of fiber that is presently landfilled. In this study, it was repulped at a 15% consistency and a pH of 10 at 150° F. in a z-bar mixer. Hydrogen peroxide (HP), ammonium perswulfate (AP), sodium persulfate (SP) and dimethyldioxirane (DMD) were used during repulping. The HP was added at 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0%, based on O.D. weight of the fiber. The remaining chemicals were added at the same oxidation equivalent. During repulping, the pulp was screened using a Britt Jar to determine percent yield over time. Samples were taken …

Effect Of Artificial Flooding On The Vegetation And Avifauna Of Riparian Woodlands At Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Hidalgo County, Texas, Charles David Castillo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Riparian habitats along the Rio Grande at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge have dramatically decreased since the construction of Falcon Dam in 1953. Riparian habitats are dependent on annual or periodic flooding to maintain their biological integrity. Lack of seasonal flooding has contributed to changes in vegetative composition from riparian forests to thornscrub. Effects of artificial flooding on vegetation and avifauna of riparian woodlands were evaluated from 1995-1997 at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Floodwaters caused the destruction of all existing herbaceous species along study transects and the regeneration of new and native seedlings. Avian abundance and diversity dramatically …

The Brood-Rearing Habitat, Brood Home Range, And Fecundity Of The Snowy Plover (Charadrius Alexandrinus) In Coastal Southern Texas, Jeffery R. Rupert

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Habitat fragmentation has been shown to have negative effects on avian communities. I looked at the effects of corridor width and vegetation characteristics on nesting densities and breeding success of birds in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. There were definite trends in this study of increasing species richness and nesting densities with increasing corridor widths. Multiple regression revealed little correlation between tree density, diameter at breast height, tree height, canopy cover and ground cover with nesting density or nesting success. However, factors such as parasitism by the Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) and predation were much greater in narrower corridors. This …

Breeding Densities And Habitat Of Riparian Birds Along The Lower Rio Grande, Texas, Corinna Elizabeth Rupert

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The breeding biology of Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexanderinus) was studied at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in coastal southern Texas. During 1995 and 1996 nests were found most often in high sand flat habitat and less frequently in low sand flat. Nest sites were dominated by open flat but had more rocks, pebbles and debris than control sites. Only 24% of the clutches hatched, while 67% were eaten by predators and 9% were flooded. Forty-three percent of Snowy Plover nests were within Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) colonies and these nests had a significantly greater chance of hatching than nests placed …

Metabolic Inhibition Of A Toluene-Enriched Microbial Population Due To Lead (Pb2+): Verification Of A Free Metal Ion Toxicity Model, Patrick J. S. Marbas

Theses and Dissertations

A dissolved oxygen probe and an ion specific electrode were used to study the lead-induced metabolic inhibition in a toluene-enriched microbial population. Predicted toxicity values were compared to the actual toxicity responses using a free metal ion toxicity model (TM) which linked metabolic inhibition with lead activity. Experimentally derived values for the model parameters (lead activity and a lead distribution coefficient) were used in the TM. It was postulated that cellular metabolism is disrupted by the conformational changes to the cell's plasma membrane produced by lead ion adsorption. The predicted toxicity values were higher than the actual toxicity response. This …

Fish Fauna Of The Upper Cumberland River Drainage In Tennessee, John T. Baxter

Masters Theses

This thesis reports the findings of an ichthyofaunal survey of the upper Cumberland River drainage in Scott, Campbell, and Claiborne counties, Tennessee. This drainage lies on the Cumberland Plateau in northeastern Tennessee and has been impacted by extensive coal mining activity in the region. Present in the drainage are five listed species of primary concern to this study, Phoxinus cumberlandensis, Ericymba buccata, Notropis rubellus rubellus, Etheostoma baileyi, and Etheostoma sagitta. An additional species found in this drainage, Etheostoma nigrum susanae, is being considered for protected status. Field work for this survey was conducted mainly during May-August 1996 and May-August …

Relationships Among Food Insufficiency, Dietary Status Index, And Food Group Intake In Women Of Childbearing Age: Secondary Data Analysis Of Nhanes Iii, Mary Leigh Miller

Masters Theses

(From the Introduction)

The purpose of this research was to study women of childbearing age at different levels of food sufficiency and to examine differences in relationships between food group intake and DSI. Specifically, this study attempted to determine if intake of a particular food group relates to dietary status (DSI) differently when women experience food insufficiency compared to food sufficiency. Examination of such relationships serves as a foundation for appropriate, population-specific interventions, policy-making agendas, and further surveillance efforts which affect women of childbearing age and their families. The following text is a review of current literature on …

Caloric Production Of Black Bear Foods In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Robert Michael Inman

Masters Theses

Understanding energetic potential of habitat patches is important for management designed to provide adequate habitat for wildlife species. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) has a high density of black bears that have been studied intensively from 1968-1997; habitats within the Park are relatively undisturbed, and similar vegetative cover types can be found throughout the southern Appalachian mountains. Black bear reproduction in the Park has been correlated to hard mast production, however little work has been done to assess the importance of soft mast. Geographic Information System (GIS) based habitat use models have been developed for bears in the Park, …

The Effect Of Systemic Doxycycline On Alveolar Bone Loss Following Periradicular Surgery, G. Reed Cummings

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies have shown an average of 0.5 mm to over 1.0 mm of bone loss following full thickness flap reflection. Recent investigations have revealed that the tetracycline family of antibiotics can prevent bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systemic Doxycycline on crestal alveolar bone loss following periradicular surgery in Beagle dogs.

The experiment was divided into two phases. The first phase served as the control (Non-Doxycycline), the second phase as the experiment (Doxycycline). Full thickness flaps were reflected in the mandibular left or right quadrant (control side) of five Beagle dogs. Using a …

The Effect Of Root End Demineralization On Cementogenesis : A Long Term Investigation, Hamid R. Abedi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Craig and Harrison¹² examined the effect of demineralization of resected root ends on wound healing following periradicular surgery. Based on its microscopic evaluations from 4-45 days, it was proposed that demineralization of resected root ends enhances cementogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longer term effects of demineralization on cementogenesis using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or amalgam as root end filling materials. After completion of root canal therapy and endodontic surgery on seventy-two roots of mandibular second, third and fourth premolars of six beagle dogs, 32/72 of the root ends at random were etched with 50% …

Cd40-Mediated Signaling Of Interleukin-1(Beta) Synthesis And Rescue From Apoptosis In Monocytes: Modulation By Il-4 And Il-10, Jonathan C. Poe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To date, the cellular mechanisms involved in the progression of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), remain largely unknown. However, cell-to-cell contact interactions between CD4+ helper T (Th) cells and monocytes have been implicated in the induction and maintenance of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis that is characteristic to the pathogenesis of RA. One such cytokine produced during monocyte-Th cell contact is interleukin (IL)-1 β, a mediator directly involved in the characteristic tissue destruction that occurs in the synovia of individuals with RA. Previous studies in our laboratories have shown that ligation of CD40 on monocytes with CD40 …

Age Related Changes In The Activity And The Responsiveness Of The Renin-Angiotensin System In The 15 Month Old Rat, Michele Mckee Thompson

Dissertations and Theses

Progressive deterioration of renal function is one consequence of aging. Glomerular maladaptation is one aspect of this and includes increased glomerular capillary hypertension and a reduced ultrafiltration coefficient, which can lead to glomerular sclerosis and proteinuria. In the aging rat, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI) lower proteinuria (U_protV) and decrease glomerular sclerosis (2, 18, 24, 45). Accordingly, alterations in the circulating and renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of renal disease in the aging rat. Previous studies using rat models have demonstrated a lower responsiveness to converting enzyme inhibitor treatment in …

Postnatal Observations Of Behavioral Patterns Within The Social Organization Of Captive Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Stacey R. Hanson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Mirage Dolphin Environment opened in 1991. The Mirage has eight Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. Four of these dolphins were relocated to the facility from other facilities that were either overcrowded or shutting down. The other four were born at the Mirage. The purpose and intent of the Mirage Dolphin Environment is to provide a nurturing environment for the dolphins and to educate the public about marine mammals and their ecosystems. The increased awareness associated with education will hopefully encourage public support for efforts to conserve and protect marine mammals and their environment.

Whole Body I=In Vivo Vascular Compliance In Two Amphibians, Bufo Marinus And Rana Cate, Todd Micheal Hoagland

Dissertations and Theses

The mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), vascular compliance (C) and unstressed volume (USV) were measured in Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana, using an in vivo preparation. Capacitance curves were constructed by varying total vascular volume and then measuring MCFP. These capacitance curves enable the extrapolation of USV and the measurement of vascular compliance. The MCFP, C, and USV were 8.6 ± 0.2 (mmHg), 3.7 (ml· mmHg-1 · kg- 1 ) and 2.5 (ml), respectively, in B. marinus. The MCFP, C, and USV were 9.5 ± 0.1 (mmHg), 2.2 (ml· mmHg-1 · kg- 1 ) and 14.2 (ml), respectively, …