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Cloning, Overexpression, Purification And Characterization Of Gcp Ii Homologous Metalloprotein From Caulobacter Crescentus, Dilani Nilushika Gigiriwala Gamage

Masters Theses

A novel zinc metalloprotease gene isolated from Caulobacter crescentus (CCM) was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A protease database search using MEROPS predicted this protein is a homolog of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCP II), a zinc metalloprotease found in humans and many other organisms. GCP II is considered as a suitable target for treating stroke, neurological disorders and a biomarker for prostate cancer. Chromatographic purification of CCM produced pure protein in milligram quantities. Molecular weight detern1ination using MALDI-TOF showed 51,582 Da and the extinction coefficient was found to be 33,007 M"1cm·1. Metal analysis and substrate profiling showed neither sufficient …

Stability Of Heme Proteins: Cytochrome C And Horseradish Peroxidase, Mini Gupta

Masters Theses

A heme protein is a metalloprotein containing the heme prosthetic group. This prosthetic group is responsible for the wide range of biological functions found in heme proteins, from oxygen transport to electron transport. Moreover, heme proteins show a fascinating range of folding architectures, leading to their interest in research on structure-function relationships. The objective of this research in bioinorganic chemistry is to study the structural stability of two heme proteins, iron cytochrome c (Fecyt) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Absorbance spectroscopy is used to monitor the structural changes in the protein environment around the heme prosthetic group.

With just a change …

Electrochemical And Spectroscopic Characterization Of A Polypyridyl Ru(Ii) Complex Containing A Fused Alloxazine, Waynie Wilson Olaprath

Masters Theses

Phenanthroline pteridinedione (pptd) is an alloxazine derivative capable of 2e/ 2H+ transfer reactions. Coordination of pptd to a Ru(II) metal center allows for the synthesis of water-soluble metal complexes capable of being reduced by as many as 6 Hatoms making them candidates to be electrochemical mediators. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of pptd and [Ru(bpy)2(pptd)](PF6)2(b py = 2,2-bipyridine). The dipyrido[3,2-a: 1' ,2' -c] phenazine (d ppz) and [Ru(bpy)2(d ppz) ](PF6)2 are also synthesized and studied in order to distinguish the properties of the free and coordinated pteridinedione-based pptd ligand from the well-characterized phenazine based ligand.

Detailed cyclic voltammetry, …

Ecology And Impacts Of Lianas In Regenerating Forests, Laura Marie Ladwig

Masters Theses

Although they are important components of forest communities, the general ecology of temperate lianas, especially during forest regeneration, is largely unknown. The dependence of lianas on other plants for physical support makes them a potentially important driver of community dynamics. I examined current and past vegetation data from an old-field succession study in the Piedmont region of New Jersey, USA to determine the dynamics of liana expansion and their role in forest regeneration. Fifty years of vegetation data were utilized to determine community controls and population dynamics oflianas during expansion. Five lianas, Celastrus orbiculatus, Lonicera japonica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, …

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 …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Elementary School Children In A Rural Illinois School District, Amy M. Miller

Masters Theses

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders, adversely affects children's academic, social, and emotional functioning. There were three purposes for this study. First, this study attempted to determine the number of students diagnosed with ADHD in the three elementary schools of a rural Midwestern school district as reported by parents. Secondly, the study attempted to discover discrepant practices in the methods of diagnosis and treatment ofADHD for students from a lower socioeconomic status than for those from the middle or upper class as reported by the parents. Thirdly, this study assessed teachers' knowledge and …

Analysis Of Transcription Factor Promoter Binding In Rat Hepatoma/Fibroblast Hybrids, Jordan C. Angle

Masters Theses

When hepatomas (liver cancer cells) are fused with fibroblasts (undifferentiated body cells), there is complete extinguishing of all tissue-specific gene expression. Once it was discovered that many hybrid cell lines do not express needed transcription factors for liver-specific gene transcription, the factors were reintroduced and forced to express through the use of plasmids. Even if the two primary transcription factors were present in the system, downstream tissue-specific gene expression was not rescued. To examine potential mechanisms for the repression of liver-specific gene expression in hepatoma x fibroblast hybrid cells, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChlP) was used. This procedure allows the liver-specific gene …

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 …

Survival Strategies Of The Endangered Physaria Ludoviciana (Silvery Bladderpod; Brassicaceae), Marissa Catherine Jernegan Grant

Masters Theses

Physaria ludoviciana (Nuttal) O'Kane and Al-Shehbaz is an endangered species in Illinois and Minnesota sand prairies, but has many individual populations in western states. Areas where P. ludoviciana occurs have high summer temperatures, a sandy soil with low water holding capacity and high drainage, the frequent disturbance of blowing sand and little canopy vegetation, giving it a full sun environment. This habitat is where few other plants are able to establish, providing P. ludoviciana with little competition. Physaria ludoviciana exists in a niche where it is adapted and able to establish and persist. The focus of this study was to …

Factors Affecting Dietary Compliance In The Adolescent With Type 1 Diabetes, Maryjean K. Bargren

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to research adult persons with type 1 diabetes and determine what factors played a role in both compliance and non-compliance of their diabetes management as an adolescent. The purpose was also to determine what factors may have caused an adolescent to be non-compliant throughout their adolescent years but who in adulthood became compliant.

Managing diabetes throughout adolescence can be difficult with many changes occurring both hormonally and socially. A medium sized hospital in the Midwest was used to obtain participants for this study. Questionnaires were distributed to patients at their medical appointments. There were …

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 …

Gender And Performance In The Mathematics' Sections Of The Illinois Standards Achievement Test And The Prairie State Achievement Exam, Lindsey Leaf

Masters Theses

Despite criticisms about their inability to assess students' learning accurately, high stakes tests are currently used in the United States to measure student and teacher progress. Because of the need for schools to demonstrate students have achieved or maintained satisfactory progress, schools in Illinois regularly administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISA T) and Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE), despite limitations in the statistical and technical infonnation available for both of these tests. This study examined possible gender differences on the mathematics portion of the ISA T and PSAE by gathering data from one school district in Illinois. Findings indicated …

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 …

Facets Of Mindfulness As Predictors Of Resistance To Alcohol-Related Disorders, Jacob Landers

Masters Theses

Mindfulness is defined as a state of mind, a tendency and willingness to 'bring one's complete attention to the experiences occurring in the present moment in a nonjudgmental and accepting way' (Brown & Ryan, 2003). The concept originated from the Eastern spiritual traditions and has recently made its way to the West. Although mindfulness-based practices have met with success in alleviating a wide range of problematic conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction, it is still unclear as to which specific dimensions of mindfulness are responsible for the positive effects. Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, and Toney (2006) extracted five facets …

Relationship Between Theory Of Mind Performance In A Nonverbal Task And Functioning Level Of Children With Autism, Michael J. Grenda

Masters Theses

Individuals with autism often show deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM), their ability to understand the perceptions of others. The relationship between functioning level and ToM abilities in children with autism has not been adequately explored. This study utilized a nonverbal task of ToM adapted from previous research (Colle, Baron-Cohen, & Hill, 2007) which allowed examination of lower functioning or nonverbal individuals. Participants included nine individuals with autism spectrum disorders and nine normally developing individuals. Functioning level was estimated using a brief autism rating scale. When controlling for nonverbal abilities and age, no significant differences in ToM abilities were found …

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

December

No abstract provided.

December 11, 2008, Council On Academic Affairs

Minutes

No abstract provided.

December 9, 2008, Faculty Senate

Minutes

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.

December 4, 2008, Council On Academic Affairs

Minutes

No abstract provided.

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

November

No abstract provided.

November 20, 2008, Council On Academic Affairs

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 19, 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.