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Aging In The Mammalian Olfactory System, Stephen Clark

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to investigate genetic and age~related differences in the mammalian olfactory system. The molecule of interest is apolipoprotein E (apoE), a component oflipoprotein molecules which functions in the transport of cell membrane components (triglycerides, lipids, and cholesterol). Specifically in the nervous system, apoE is synthesized by glial cells that function in recycling dead nervous tissue components for delivery to growing or dividing neurons. ApoE is present in three protein isofon11s: apoE2, which has been associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia; apoE3, rhe normal human isoforrn; and apoE4, which has been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The …

Interaction Of Apoe With Estrogen In The Olfactory System During Nerve Maintenance And Recovery, Michael M. Tonsor Ii

Masters Theses

Estrogen replacement profoundly aids in nerve regeneration after injury in adult mammalian models. Estrogen replacement also protects against olfactory dysfunction in mammals. The mechanism underly1ng estrogen's neuroprotective effects remains ambiguous. My goal is to investigate and better clarify if apolipoprotein E (apoE ), a lipid transporting protein, is a critical intermediary to estrogen's effects on nerve maintenance and regeneration.

My hypothesis is that apoE is a mediator of estrogen's beneficial effects. This hypothesis is based on the following observations from previous studies. First, olfactory nerve regeneration was delayed in apoE-gene knockout (KO) mice as compared to wild type (WT) mice. …

Fragmentation Effects On Fitness In Five Common Prairie Species, Lydia Miramontes Loyd

Masters Theses

Midwest tallgrass prairies have suffered extensive habitat loss and as a result persist as isolated and highly fragmented remnants. In such small, isolated remnants, genetic drift and inbreeding depression can lead to a loss of genetic variation over time. Reduced genetic variation is often associated with reduced levels of growth, survival, and reproduction as well as increased susceptibility to stress. This study examined fitness traits of five common prairie species to determine whether plants in small fragmented remnants had reduced fitness as compared to those in a larger remnant. Five prairie species were chosen for this study based on their …

Nest Success, Nesting Habitat, & Nestling Feeding Rates Of Red-Headed Woodpeckers In East-Central Illinois, Nathan Cole Hudson

Masters Theses

The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a classic oak savanna species that has suffered significant population declines caused, in part, by extensive loss of savanna habitat and agricultural development. Despite consistent data that reveal a dramatic decline throughout much of their range, few studies have examined other possible explanations. In an effort to determine potential causes for their continued decline (as well as add to existing knowledge of nesting biology), we examined nest success and nesting micro-habitat features. We compared micro-habitat variables at: 1) golf and non-golf course sites, 2) successful and failed nest sites, and 3) nest and random …

Taking Out The Trash: Critiquing The Equipment For Living Of White Trash Films, Tasha Rose Dunn

Masters Theses

Over the past decade, class has become a lightning rod issue in the United States as the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. One of the main reasons for growing class segregation is the mere fact that U.S. culture carries enormous social anxieties about poverty and, in turn, blame the poor for being poor. As a result of hegemonic beliefs about class, crude discourses are formed and fostered through the mainstream media creating both inaccurate and damaging portrayals. Such damaging portrayals are immediately evident in a variety of mainstream Hollywood films produced in the past decade …

Long-Term Assessment Of Predatory Fish Removal On A Pond-Breeding Amphibian Community In Central Illinois, Lee M. Gross

Masters Theses

Habitat loss and fragmentation are important contributors to population declines in many species, so maintaining suitable habitat has become a priority for wildlife management. Removal of introduced fish can help restore suitable habitats for amphibian populations, although long-term assessments of such removals are lacking at the community level. In 2001, drift fences and pitfall traps were constructed around the majority of four ponds to monitor an amphibian community in a nature preserve in central Illinois. Rotenone™ was applied to ponds containing introduced fish in 2001, and again, in 2003. I collected data from 2005-2007 to determine the long-term impacts of …

Habitat Selection And Niche Partitioning Of Fox And (Sciurus Niger) And Gray (Sciurus Carolinensis) Squirrels In Charleston, Il, Katelyn Marti

Masters Theses

Two species of tree squirrels inhabit Charleston, IL; fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrels (Sciurus caro/inensis). Although these species are sympatric throughout much of the eastern U.S., urban settings are usually occupied by one or the other. In the few localities where they co-occur, little is known about how they partition habitat. Therefore, the objectives of my study were to determine: (1) the relative abundance of each species, (2) whether habitat use differs between species, (3) if habitat use shifts with season, time of day, domestic predator abundance, or mast availability, and (3) observe interspecific and intraspecific interactions. The …

A Three Part Study Exploring Psi-Conduciveness And Psi-Defensiveness In Groups, Gretchen M. Conner

Masters Theses

The current study examined three separate experiments, conducted during the Spring semester of 2006, designed to explore variables related to telepathy performance. The common theme which runs through all studies in the parapsychology laboratory including the three experiments covered in this document is the exploration of variables related to psi-defensiveness and psi-conduciveness within groups of participants. In Part I, groups of participants were rated by research assistants on the dimensions of friendliness and enthusiasm. It was hypothesized that as friendliness and enthusiasm ratings increased or decreased for a session, hit rates would correspondingly increase or decrease. Results indicated that as …

Construct Validity And Diagnostic Utility Of The Cognitive Assessment System: Discriminating Individuals With Adhd From Random Normals, Allison R. Gaboury

Masters Theses

This study examined the construct validity and diagnostic utility of the Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri & Das, 1997). Distinct group differences and discriminative validity of 40 kindergarten through second grade students (20 meeting ADHD criteria on the Structured Diagnostic Interview for Parents and the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents, 20 random matched control) on measures of Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive Processing were completed. The ADHD and random matched control groups differed significantly on Planning and Attention scores with large effect sizes but not on Simultaneous or Successive scores. Low Planning and Attention scores but normal Simultaneous and Successive …

Daily Eastern News: December 12, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 10, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 09, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 08, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 05, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Tarble Arts Center Newsletter December-January 2008-2009, Tarble Arts Center

Tarble Arts Center Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 01, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 21, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 20, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 17, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 14, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 13, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 10, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

November 6, 2008, Council On Academic Affairs

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 06, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 05, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 04, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 03, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Voices Of Hope, Mildred M. Pearson Dr.

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Using the self-efficacy literature as a theoretical framework, this article discusses the reality of academic achievement and academic performance among selected African American middle school girls. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches are used to investigate the influence of selfefficacy. Thirty-seven African American middle school girls filled out an adversity questionnaire and also responded to the Children’s Self-efficacy Survey. Based on the results, 10 girls were selected for in-depth interviews. Responses to interview questions reveal how these girls’ self-efficacy helped them not only cope with obstacles in their lives but also excel academically. These responses provide important insights for educators …

Daily Eastern News: October 27, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

October

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: October 24, 2008, Eastern Illinois University

October

No abstract provided.