Life Sciences Commons^™

Central Role For Liver X Receptor In Insulin-Mediated Activation Of Srebp-1c Transcription And Stimulation Of Fatty Acid Synthesis In Liver., Guoxun Chen

Nutrition Publications and Other Works

Transcription of the gene encoding sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) is known to be activated by insulin in the liver. The resultant SREBP-1c protein activates transcription of the genes required for fatty acid synthesis. Here, we use SREBP-1c promoter reporter constructs to dissect the mechanism of insulin activation in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. The data show that a complete insulin response (increase of 6- to 11-fold) requires two binding sites for liver X receptors (LXRs), which are nuclear receptors that are activated by oxygenated sterols. Disruption of these binding sites did not lower basal transcription but severely reduced the …

Modifier Of Mdg4 Encodes A Protein Involved In Homologous Chromosome Pairing In Drosophila Melanogaster Males, Morvarid Soltani Bejnood

Doctoral Dissertations

Our research interest is to uncover mechanisms underlying meiotic chromosome pairing and segregation. pairing failure 2 (pf-2) is a gene involved in this process during meiosis I of male Drosophila. The three pf-2 alleles recovered in a screen for chemically induced (EMS) mutations on chromosome III that cause paternal loss of chromosome IV display strong meiotic phenotypes. Cytological analysis of testes of pf-2 mutant flies revealed unpaired chromosomes at prophase and metaphase I and “laggard chromosomes” at anaphase I in primary spermatocytes. Meiosis II appears relatively normal. Genetic data confirm that non-disjunction occurs at the first meiotic division …

Systematics And Species Concepts In The Genera Lentinus Fr. And Panus Fr., With Emphasis On The Lentinus Tigrinus, L. Crinitus And Panus Lecomtei Complexes, Edward A. Grand

Doctoral Dissertations

The monographic work of Pegler (1983) on Lentinus has established the taxonomic guidelines for most recent studies involving members of the genus (Moncalvo et al. 2002, Rolen 2001, Krüger 2002). Pegler’s taxonomic hierarchy combined both Lentinus Fr. and Panus Fr. into one large genus, Lentinus Fr. The combination of these genera and its validity was one of the reasons for beginning this study. For generic level comparisons, ribosomal DNA sequence data can be helpful for determining relationships among taxa (Binder and Hibbett 2002, Hibbett and Vilgalys 1991, 1993, Hibbett and Donoghue 2001, Moncalvo et al. 2002, Thorn et al. 2000). …

Integrating Geographic Information Systems And Remote Sensing With Spatial Economic And Mixed Logit Models For Environmental Valuation, Aaron Raymond Wells

Doctoral Dissertations

This research focuses on the Emory and Obed Watersheds in the Cumberland Plateau in Central Tennessee and the Lower Hatchie River Watershed in West Tennessee. A framework based on market and nonmarket valuation techniques was used to empirically estimate economic values for environmental amenities and negative externalities in these areas. The specific techniques employed include a variation of hedonic pricing and discrete choice conjoint analysis (i.e., choice modeling), in addition to geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Microeconomic models of agent behavior, including random utility theory and profit maximization, provide the principal theoretical foundation linking valuation techniques and econometric …

Role Of Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 (Ucp2) In Modulation Of Adiposity, Xiaocun Sun

Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is a disorder of energy balance in which energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Methods to control obesity through limiting energy intake have had limited success, and it is widely recognized that energy expenditure must also be increased if long-term weight loss is to be achieved. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are a family of integral membrane proteins of mitochondrial inner membrane, where they uncouple the process of mitochondrial respiration from oxidative phosphorylation, diminishing the resulting production of ATP and decreasing the metabolic efficiency of the organism. Thus, UCPs provide new molecular targets for increasing energy expenditure. Unlike the other UCP family …

Biological Knowledge Discovery Through Mining Multiple Sources Of High-Throughput Data, Yu Chen

Doctoral Dissertations

As we are moving into the post-genomic era, various high-throughput experimental techniques have been developed to characterize biological systems at the genome scale. The high-throughput data are becoming fundamentally important resources to shed new insights on system-level understanding of the ‘organization’ and ‘dynamics’ of molecules (e.g. genes and proteins), relationships between them, interaction cascades, pathways, modules and various networks (i.e. regulation, co-expression and metabolism). This dissertation focuses on developing computational tools to facilitate the process of translating the ever-growing volumes of high-throughput data into significant biological knowledge on protein functions, pathways and modules.

Although high-throughput data provide a …

Pb1745-Beekeeping In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Most people realize that beekeeping is important to world-wide agricultural production, because bees pollinate fruits and vegetables valued in billions of dollars. Without the honey bee, our food supply could be in serious jeopardy. The economic value of honey, wax and other hive products is continually increasing as we find new uses for bee-related products. People of either sex or any age can keep bees almost anywhere. When asked why they become beekeepers, people’s responses are variable, including “to pollinate my garden,” “to make honey to sell,” “to teach my children something useful,” “to put honey on my biscuits,” “as …

Group Differences In Safety Climate Among Workers In The Nuclear Decommissioning And Demolition Industry In The United States, Michael Everett Findley

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated group differences in safety climate among workers in the nuclear decommissioning and demolition (D&D) industry in the United States. The study population representative of workers in a high reliability industry included employees and subcontractors who worked at one of 10 locations in the United States managed by a multi-national corporation performing nuclear D&D operations. Safety climate was measured with a self-reported questionnaire, the Health and Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Climate Survey Tool (CST). The voluntary and anonymous responses totaled 1,587 out of an available population of 3,296 for an overall response rate of 48.1 percent. Significant …

Mechanisms Of Paracrine And Endocrine Actions Of Angiotensin Ii, Suyeon Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

Adipose tissue expresses high levels of angiotensinogen (agt), the only known precursor of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and we have previously shown that this hormone plays a paracrine role in regulation of adipocyte metabolism by increasing activity and gene expression of two key liogenic enzymes, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glycerol-3-phosephate dehydrogenase (GPDH). However, molecular mechanisms by which Ang II regulates an adipocyte lipogenic gene, namely FAS and transcription factors mediating this regulation are largely unknown. Furthermore, signaling mechanisms whereby Ang II induces adiposity need to be further explored. Accordingly, our studies were designed to investigate transcriptional regulation of FAS …

Prescribed Burning In Tennessee: Importance And Barriers, Goals, And Information Needs Of Private, State, And Federal Managers, Brian T. Hemel

Masters Theses

Early in the 20^th century, intense and severe wildfires were frequent due to abundant fuels generated by logging and the presence of anthropogenic ignition sources in close proximity to these fuels. As timber was depleted, this period of lumbering ceased and the realization that vast tracts of cutover land had to be reforested and protected led to the inception of fire suppression organizations and techniques. The fire exclusion that occurred over much of the 20^th century due to organized fire suppression efforts has led to two sets of problems: the buildup of fuels and the decline of fire-adapted …

Prevalence Of Potential Zoonotic Enteric Bacterial Pathogens In Dogs And Cats And Factors Associated With Potential Transmission Between Animals And Humans, Omaima Maamoun Ahmed

Masters Theses

With the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), concerns about dangers of pet ownership have increased. Zoonotic organisms associated with cats and dogs, may cause life-threatening infections in immuosuppressed human beings. The objectives of this project were to determine the prevalence of potential zoonotic enteric pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter) in feces of dogs and cats (diarrheic, healthy, and hospitalized), to evaluate the association of diarrhea in dogs and cats with diarrhea in human beings sharing the same household, and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella, Listeria …

Identifying The Signature Of The Natural Attenuation Of Mtbe In Groundwater Using Molecular Methods And "Bug Traps", Anita Eva Biernacki

Masters Theses

Natural attenuation through intrinsic bioremediation is the risk-based management approach commonly used for gasoline (BTEX) contamination sites. This approach has not yet been utilized for the fuel oxygenate methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). MTBE is more resistant to biodegradation than BTEX. MTBE is more abundant than benzene in oxygenated gasoline, has a greater water solubility than BTEX, and sorbs weakly to soil. These properties complicate developing a risk based management option to be implemented as easily as for BTEX. The purpose of this project is to contribute to a growing database containing information on MTBE contaminated sites nationwide with a variety …

Examining Varroa-Resistant Honey Bee Queens From Commercial Breeders: Colony Productivity, Hygienic Behavior, Suppression Of Mite Reproduction, And The Relationship Of Juvenile Hormone Iii To Mite Abundance, Laura L. Bryant

Masters Theses

This research was conducted to assess the performance of commercially bred honey bee queens sold as resistant to the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. The study’s objectives were to: 1) Compare honey and pollen stores and V. destructor infestation in colonies established with hybrid Russian, SMR, and control queens, 2) Determine levels of hygienic behavior and mite non-reproduction in the same colonies, and 3) Determine the relationship between juvenile hormone III in honey bee larvae and V. destructor reproduction.

In Part One, when honey, pollen, and V. destructor levels were measured, no significant differences were found among types of queens. …

Reproductive Efficiency Following Administration Of An Inhibitor Of Prostaglandin F2Α During Early Embryonic Development In Dairy Cattle, Charles Dexter Young

Masters Theses

A study was performed to examine the administration of flunixin meglumine (FM; an inhibitor of prostaglandin F_2α) following artificial insemination on pregnancy rates of lactating dairy cattle. Jersey and Holstein cows (n=106) were randomly assigned to receive intravenously either FM (2.2 mg/kg BW) or saline (SAL; 1 mL/23 kg BW). Cows were randomly allotted to treatment by lactation number, bovine somatotropin administration, breed, BW, days in milk, milk production, and 305 ME milk production. Study was performed from September through April and all cows were milked twice daily. Following estrous synchronization (cloprostenol, 500 µg im), cows were artificially …

Atmospheric Plasma Inactivation Of Foodborne Pathogens On Fresh Produce Surfaces, Faith Michelle Johnson

Masters Theses

A study was conducted to determine the effect of a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) on inactivation of nalidixic acid resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes on apples, cantaloupe, and lettuce, respectively, and culture media [tryptic soy agar (TSA) + 50 ppm nalidixic acid (TSAN) for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella; TSA for L. monocytogenes). A mixture of cultured test organisms was washed, suspended in phosphate buffer and spot inoculated onto produce or culture media (6 log CFU/sample). Inoculated produce or culture media (samples) were exposed inside a chamber affixed to the …

Production And Characterization Of Fungal Chitin And Chitosan, Tao Wu

Masters Theses

Chitin is a biopolymer. Theoretically, it is a homopolymer of acetyl-glucosamine. Chitosan is the deacetylated product of chitin. Chitin and chitosan have many applications in water purification, agriculture, food and pharmaceutical industries. Currently, industrial production for chitin and chitosan is from the shell wastes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of chitin and chitosan production from fungal sources.

The accumulation of chitin and chitosan during A. bisporus storage and Aspergillus niger and Mucor. rouxii. Growth was evaluated by total glucosamine determination. Chitin and chitosan were extracted from biomass by alkali and acid treatment and yield and …

Associations Between Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis) And Avian Occurrence And Nest Success In The Southern Appalachians, David Aaron Keller

Masters Theses

The recent decline of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a dramatic example of the effects exotic insect pests can have on forest composition and structure. Hemlock decline is attributed to defoliation caused by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA, Adelges tsugae), an exotic Hemipteran introduced to the northwest U.S. from Asia during the 1920s and the eastern U.S. during the early 1950s. Within the past several years, HWA infestations have reached the southern portions of the Appalachian mountains and threaten to eliminate both eastern and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga carolinensis) from the region.

Recognized as nationally important bird …

A Survey Of Visitors To Mt. Leconte In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Amy Lynn Mathis

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the behaviors, attitudes, perceptions and preferences of visitors to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mt. LeConte (elevation 6,593 ft.) is a popular tourist destination year-round. In addition to the trails that access the summit, there is a backcountry shelter and a rustic lodge, built in 1926, for overnight guests. The upcoming expiration of the Concession Contract for Mt. LeConte Lodge makes it necessary to conduct an Environmental Assessment. This project serves the dual objectives of providing data needed for the Environmental Assessment (EA) and meeting the General Management Plan requirement to monitor …

The Relationship Between Steps Per Day And Bone Variables In Healthy Postmenopausal Women, Olivera Lukajic

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ambulatory physical activity (steps per day) and bone variables in healthy, Caucasian postmenopausal women. Additionally, we examined the relationship of body mass (BM), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) with bone variables in this group of women, Average steps taken per day were compared to bone mineral density (BMD) in 93 postmenopausal women (60.8 ±5.8 yrs). Ambulatory physical activity (steps per day) was measured for 14 consecutive days using a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200. Additionally, current physical activity (PA) level was estimated using a Paffenbarger Physical Activity Index …

Alumni Perceptions: A Review Of The Curriculum Within The Recreation Program At The University Of Tennessee, Knoxville, Angela Jeneanne Wozencroft

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of alumni who had graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s (UTK) recreation program. The data collection tool used in this study was a questionnaire developed by the researcher. The questionnaire gathered information from the alumni on the following research questions:

1. How many graduates were employed in the field of recreation upon graduation and what were some of the reasons for one not being employed in the field?

2. What were the alumni’s perceptions of the quality of their education, from the recreation program, in relation to their demands …

Establishment Of Upland And Bottomland Hardwood Agroforestry Plantations In Tennessee And Mississippi, David Michael Casey

Masters Theses

The feasibility of alley cropping as a means of afforestation was studied across seven different study sites in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi. Seeds were collected from 11 oak (Quercus spp) species and black walnut (Jug/ans nigra L.) trees in the region and grown under nursery protocols that are designed to produce seedlings of optimal size in one year. Seedlings were lifted by genetic family after one year and initial seedling measurements were recorded. Four bottomland studies and three upland studies were then sorted into an incomplete block design with multiple species and families within each block. …

Teachers' Perceptions And Concerns Of Year-Round Education In Tennessee High School Agriculture Programs, Gary Lee Blackwell Jr.

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to focus on the emergence of year-round education and its possible effects on agricultural education programs throughout the state of Tennessee. The study collected perceptions of teachers who currently teach in a Tennessee high school agriculture program regarding the implementation of a year-round program at their school.

A survey was designed and sent to all 284 teachers identified in the 2002-2003 Tennessee Agriculture teacher directory. Findings were based upon a 69% response rate.

Findings

• The total number of survey respondents was 197; of these 93 .1 % taught in schools operating on a traditional …

Performance And Fertility Of Yearling Beef Bulls Grazing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Pastures, Gustavo Martin Schuenemann

Masters Theses

During a two-year study, 80 bulls and 80 steers were utilized to determine the effects of grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue on growth performance, semen parameters, endocrine profiles, and IVF. Bulls and steers were allotted to graze Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infected with Neotyphodium coenophialum, an ergot alkaloid-producing fungal endophyte new stand (E+New; n = 20/yr), old stand (E+Old; n = 20/yr), E+Old plus ladino (Trifolium repens) and red (T. pratense) clovers (E+Cl; n = 20/yr), or Jesup tall fescue with the non-ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte MaxQ^{TM (MaxQ; n = 20/yr). Bulls and steers were grouped by body …}

Inactivation Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 And Listeria Monocytogenes By High-Intensity Ultrasound In The Presence Of Salts, Kimberly D. Stanley

Masters Theses

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes suspended in salt solutions Na2PO4, NaCl, NaNO3, NH4Cl, CaCl2, AlCl3, and L. monocytogenes in salt solutions NaCl, NaNO3, AlCl3 at concentrations ranging from 0 to 5% (wt/vol) by high-intensity ultrasound at two different temperature conditions (ice water bath, 40ºC water bath) and three ultrasonic intensity levels (9.49, 21.83, 49.22 W/cm2) was determined. Increases in sonication treatment time, intensity and temperature led to increased lethality of both pathogens. However, cell lethality, as a function of solute concentration, varied depending upon type of salt. CaCl2, NaCl, NaNO3, NaPO4, and NH4Cl had little or no …

Benefits And Challenges Of Service-Learning In Tennessee 4-H Youth Development: A Delphi Study, Lori Jean Mantooth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify benefits and challenges of implementing service-learning in Tennessee 4-H Youth Development. Furthermore, the researcher sought to describe any perceived differences among three subgroups: 4-H members, volunteers, and Extension agents.

A purposefully selected panel of 10 4-H youth, 10 volunteers, and 10 4-H agents utilized the modified Delphi Technique to generate and prioritize benefits and challenges of conducting service-learning projects in Tennessee 4-H Youth Development. Data were gathered through three rounds of questionnaires administered to the panel through the mail and/or the Internet. The first round of questionnaires asked panel members to generate …

Molecular Weight And Degree Of Acetylation Of Ultrasonicated Chitosan, Shari Rene Baxter

Masters Theses

Chitosan is a glucosamine polymer produced by deacetylation of chitin from crustacean shells. The functional properties of chitosan, such as thickening, film-formation and antimicrobial activity, are related to its molecular weight and degree of acetylation (DA). High intensity ultrasonication has the potential to modify molecular weight of chitosan and thus alter or improve chitosan functional properties. The objective of this research was to determine the DA and molecular weight of chitosan molecules as a function of sonication intensity and treatment time.

High molecular weight shrimp chitosan was purified by alkaline precipitation and dialysis from aqueous solution. A 1 % (w/v) …

Studies On Mycobacterium Ulcerans, Terri Alford

Masters Theses

Efforts to create a mycolactone-negative mutant of Mycobacterium ulcerans via transposon mutagenesis were undertaken to elucidate the genes involved in the production of this toxin. Though only five PRC-confirmed insertion mutants were produced, one of these, 1615:tnp6w, was confirmed to be deficient in mycolactone production via thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of acetone soluble lipids (ASLs), cytopathicity assay of culture filtrate on L929 fibroblasts, and mass spectroscopy of ASLs. Using nested-PRC, it was determined that the transposon insertion of 1615:tnp6w had occurred in a region of DNA containing a gene 97% identical to the M. marinum ferric uptake regulator homolog (FurA) gene …

High-Intensity Ultrasound Mediated Structure-Function Changes Of Bsa As Affected By Ph, İbrahim Gülseren

Masters Theses

The influence of high intensity ultrasound on the structure-function relationship of BSA sonicated at various sonication times at neutral, acidic and basic pH was determined. Protein solutions (3 x 10^-4 M) were treated with high-intensity ultrasound at an ultrasonic intensity of 20 Wcm^-2 with treatment times ranging from 0 to 90 minutes. Changes in structure-function properties of BSA were monitored using a wide variety of biochemical and physicochemical analytical methods including interfacial tensiometry, free sulfhydryl group assays, zeta potential analysis, hydrophobicity assays, circular dichroism spectroscopy, micro DSC and FTIR. The results were attributed to mechanical and chemical changes …

Sol-Gel Encapsulation Of A Bioluminescent Bioreporter, Elizabeth F. Mitchell

Masters Theses

Genetic engineering has allowed for the development of a number of whole-cell bacterial bioreporters. In order for these cells to be used in certain devices and field applications, they must be maintained, and protected, but exposed to environmental conditions. One approach used to accomplish this goal is cellular encapsulation. The recent development of techniques to form inorganic matrices, in particular through the sol-gel process, displays promise as a system of encapsulation. The silica sol-gel process was originally designed for the fabrication of glass, and given that reactions are performed in standard lab conditions and room temperature, the process can be …

Multistate Study To Determine The Presence Of Salmonella Spp. In Farm Animals And Their Environment, Andres Rodriguez Lozano

Masters Theses

Salmonella is the second most common cause of foodborne infection in the Unites States (US). It is estimated that about 1.4 million people suffer from salmonellosis a year in the US with an estimated annual cost of $2.9 billion. Human cases of salmonellosis are often related to the consumption of raw meat and unpasteurized milk and milk products. Whereas the fecal-oral contamination is well established at farm level, less in known about the role of the environment on the Salmonella survival. The objective of this study was to compare isolation of Salmonella in farm animals and their environment based on …