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Computational Investigation Of Particle Settling Effects On Inhaled Submicron Bioaerosol Deposition In The Human Lung, Mohammed Ali, Essam A. Ibrahim

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 1-5

Asme Early Career Technical Journal (Front Matter), Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. -x

Significance Of Mwcnt And Tio2 Nanofillers On Low-Density Polyethylene Thermal & Mechanical Properties: Applicability For Pipes Used In Water & Energy Systems, Erin E. Mcdonald, Gail D. Jefferson, Andrew J. Whelton, Tinh Nguyen

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 22-26

Asme Early Career Technical Journal (Complete Issue), Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Fuzzy-Logic Health Monitoring Robots For The Elderly, Wuqayan Alwuqayan, Sabri Tosunoglu

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 87-90

Development Of A Modular Companion Robot For The Elderly, Jaime Mudrich, Andres Pacheco, Leonardo Ampie, Sabri Tosunoglu

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 113-119

A Study Of Tissue Strains Induced In Airways Due To Mechanical Ventilation, Trenicka Rolle, Ramana Pidaparti

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 136-141

Solar Power Generation: Methods And Comparisons, Rambod Rayegan, Yong X. Tao

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 78-86

Gabaergic Signaling To Adult-Generated Neurons In Hippocampus, Sean Markwardt

All ETDs from UAB

In the central nervous system of adult mammals, new neurons are produced throughout life in at least two regions, the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. New neurons in the SVZ migrate via the rostral migratory stream and eventually participate in adaptive olfactory processes. In the dentate gyrus, a variety of physiological functions for continued addition of neurons have been proposed, but its role in normal or pathological conditions remains largely unclear. Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus consists of the stepwise process of generating fully functional granule cells (GCs) from adult neural stem cells. Regulation of neurogenesis can …

Factor Structure Of The Functional Activities Questionnaire In Cognitively Normal And Cognitively Impaired Older Adults, Janice Camille Marceaux

All ETDs from UAB

The Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) was developed to assess instrumental activities of daily living involving higher level functional skills. The FAQ is included in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center's (NACC) Uniform Data Set (UDS) battery, to assess declines in functional abilities that may be related to cognitive decline. Previous studies have suggested that functional measures similar to the FAQ have multidimensional properties related to physical or cognitive demands. In this study, exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were conducted utilizing polychoric correlation matrices, a technique that is appropriate for ordinal data. EFAs were conducted for the entire NACC sample as well …

Role Of Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels In Glioblastoma Volume Regulation, Michael Bryan Mcferrin

All ETDs from UAB

The most common and most malignant gliomas are the Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), characterized by a highly proliferative tumor mass and extremely invasive phenotype that allows for profuse dispersal of tumor cells throughout the brain. GBM cells must specifically regulate their cell volume to thrive within the edematous tumor mass and infiltrate throughout the tortuous extracellular spaces of the brain. These rapid and directed volume changes are governed by the controlled flux of potassium and chloride ions across the cell membrane, which move osmotically obliged water. The goal of this dissertation was to investigate the role of calcium-activated potassium …

Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors And Human Leukocyte Polymorphisms In Hiv-1 Pathogenesis, Aimee Marie Merino

All ETDs from UAB

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules influence the adaptive and innate immune responses through interactions with cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells (NK). HLA influence the activation state of NK through direct binding to killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and presentation of HLA-derived peptides to NKG2 receptors. Activated NK can kill HIV-infected cells through direct cytolysis and release cytokines that influence other aspects of the immune system. Variations in KIR gene content and allelic variants have been associated with autoimmunity, transplantation success, and infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. We investigated the impact of KIR genes and potential KIR-HLA …

Supporting Autonomy In Early Childhood: A Case Study Of Educators Offering Choice, Jann Montgomery

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to explore the behaviors of early childhood educators that support their students' autonomy. Researchers have shown that the most prevalent style of teaching is an autonomy-suppressive style that has been determined to undermine student functioning and achievement (Assor, Kaplan, & Roth, 2002; Reeve, 2009). Teachers are often unaware of the atmosphere they create in their classroom (DeVries & Zan, 1994) and this can result in learning environments that are coercive which has been found to impede children's autonomous thinking (Reeve, 2009). This study sought to explore autonomy-supportive teacher behaviors in the early childhood classroom. …

Modeling Incident And Emergency Management From A Regional Perspective, Ozge Cavusoglu

All ETDs from UAB

Traffic incidents and natural or man-made disasters can impose significant safety risks and disruptions on traffic flows, often resulting in non-recurring congestion. Congestion, in turn, may impede the ability of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) to provide timely response to those in need of medical attention. Thus, it is important to understand the potential impacts of incidents and emergencies on traffic network operations and develop response strategies with a potential of minimizing such impacts on traffic operations, emergency response and the safety of the traveling public. The objective of the dissertation was twofold: a. Study incident management options and benefits from …

Structural And Mechanistic Studies On Er Upr Sensor Perk And Mitochondrial Translocon Element Tim44, Wenjun Cui

All ETDs from UAB

The unfolded protein response is one mechanism utilized by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to maintain the homeostasis between ER protein folding machinery and ER proteins. UPR is induced by three ER transmembrane sensors: IRE1, ATF6 and PERK. PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) can sense the ER stress signal through its luminal domain to activate its cytoplasmic kinase domain catalytic activity. PERK kinase domain belongs to the eIF2α family. Members in this family are activated after being autophosphorylated at their activation loops and then specifically phosphorylate eIF2α at its Ser51 position. Phosphorylation of eIF2α can shutdown the cytosol protein translation from the initiation …

Academic Advising And Retention Of First-Generation College Students At A Research University In The Southeast, Hadyn K. Swecker

All ETDs from UAB

Student retention is an area of concern both academically and financially for higher education institutions. With the state of the current economy, finances are a critical component to higher education institutions. Retention rates, in addition to graduation rates, are used for assessing the overall success of an institution and in some instances future funding. According to Schneider (2010), only 60% of undergraduate students matriculate from four-year institutions within six years of initial enrollment. One population, first-generation college students, are 1.3 times more likely than their non-first-generation peers to leave an institution during their first year of college (Ishitani, 2006). The …

Effects Of Estrogen On Hippocampal Function In Young Adult And Aged Female Rats, Lindsey Celeste Vedder

All ETDs from UAB

In rodents, the ovarian estrogen 17b-estradiol (E2) is a potent modulator of hippocampal function and the hippocampus is critical for many types of learning and memory. Specifically, E2 increase the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA3-CA1 synapses, the density of dendritic spines in CA1 pyramidal cells and current mediated by NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. The E2-induced increase in LTP further requires NR2B-containing NMDARs. While considered a cellular correlate of learning and memory, enhanced LTP does not always predict enhanced learning. The first goal of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between E2-enhanced LTP and learning and memory in young …

Role Of Nr4a3 Nuclear Receptor In Physiological Regulation Of Metabolism, Grace R. Walton

All ETDs from UAB

Nuclear receptor NR4A3 (NOR-1, MINOR) mediates transcriptional responses to ß-adrenergic signaling, is increased in insulin sensitive mice and humans, and enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transport in cultured adipocytes and myocytes. We therefore sought to determine the role of NR4A3 in in vivo adipose tissue and skeletal muscle physiology. Following adipose-specific NR4A3 over-expression in mice, we observed reduced circulating epinephrine due to enhanced catabolism of catecholamines in adipose tissue. Furthermore, this reduction in circulating epinephrine produced broad physiological consequences, including poor glucose tolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, poor cardiac function, and behavioral alterations. In skeletal muscle, we show that NR4A3 protein associates …

Strategies For Combined Screening And Imaging Of Breast Cancer, Jason Morgan Warram

All ETDs from UAB

Successful treatment of breast cancer directly correlates with tumor stage and grade at diagnosis. Early diagnosis leads to a five-year relative survival rate of 96.8% as opposed to only a 22.5% five-year survival rate when diagnosed at late stage. Cancer-specific mechanisms need to be extended to enable cancer detection in an individual patient, in particular, the metastatic burden that currently cannot be assessed by conventional imaging. This approach for cancer detection would remove the biases of patient characteristics, permit immediate diagnostic feedback, improve sensitivity for early detection of small metastatic lesions, and be cost effective. Toward this goal, the cancer-specific …

Sustainable Urban Design Practices That Mitigate Urban Heat Islands And Reduce Energy Consumption, Candace Joy Watson

All ETDs from UAB

Urban cities are the largest consumers of energy. As global populations continue to increase in these areas, energy consumption is a growing concern for global leaders. Cities in developed countries are expanding beyond their central city-centers, resulting in increased natural resource consumption. This method of population management is referred to as urban sprawl and is the reason for increased consumption from expanding transportation networks, building materials, and fuel resources. In addition to increases in energy consumption, in recent years, built-up areas have experienced higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these differences can be as …

Ecology And Transmission Of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus In The Southeastern United States, Gregory Scott White

All ETDs from UAB

The virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a highly pathogenic arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) present in the US. The virus is listed as a reportable illness to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is also listed as a select agent by Human Health and Services (HHS). Studies on EEEV starting back in the 1930's have determined many important facets of the ecology, transmission and evolution of the virus. It is understood that in many endemic foci, the mosquito Culiseta melanura is the primary enzootic vector of the virus. EEEV is thus maintained in an enzootic cycle between …

Conceptualization Of Cervical Cancer And Screening Experiences Among Zambian Women Attending A Cervical Screening Program, Heather Leah White

All ETDs from UAB

Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide, and approximately 85% of the disease burden occurs in underdeveloped countries. In 2006, the Zambian government launched a cervical screening program within primary health clinics using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) coupled with immediate treatment via cryotherapy. The objective of this dissertation was to determine whether the VIA screening program is responsive to the needs and concerns of Zambian women in an effort to improve screening uptake, and for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women who are potentially subject to increased ICC screening and treatment, increase long-term …

Functional Interplay Between Trans Factors And Cis-Elements That Govern Il17a&F Transcription, Sarah Kern Whitley

All ETDs from UAB

Protective immunity against a variety of infections depends on the amplification and differentiation of naïve antigen-specific CD4 T cells. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are important for defending mucosal barriers from invading extracellular bacterial pathogens. This effector CD4 lineage is characterized by production of the cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, which elicit influx of inflammatory cells to promote pathogen clearance. The cytokines IL-6 and TGF&beta are the principal factors that initiate Th17 lineage development, and the STAT3-inducing cytokines IL-21 and IL-23 assist and/or maintain the Th17 developmental program. Recently, an additional cytokine has been demonstrated to encourage Th17 differentiation: …

Pick It Up, Put It Down: A Grounded Theory Study Of How Low Income African American Patients In The Deep South Start Smoking And Quit Smoking, Jessica Hillman Williams

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative was to use data extracted from the narrative stories of African American patients to generate a grounded theory to explain the process and act of initiating and of quitting smoking among low income African American patients in the Deep South. This is important since African Americans are more likely to suffer from smoking-related illnesses, which are the leading cause of death among African Americans. Data were analyzed from interviews conducted in 2005 as part of the Stories Project and supplementary interviews conducted in 2011. Convenience sampling strategies guided participant recruitment for primary interviews and theoretical …

Tear Component Interference In Bead-Based Biomarker Assays Using Magnetic Beads, Larezia Denise Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Cytokines in tears can be biomarkers for ocular inflammation in dry eye subjects. Multiplex bead-based assays measure the concentration of multiple cytokines in a single tear sample. Bio-Rad® polystyrene bead-based assay kits have provided acceptable results for tear samples in this lab. Recently, Bio-Rad decided to replace polystyrene beads with magnetic beads. In earlier experiments in this laboratory, magnetic bead-based as-says did not produce results equivalent to polystyrene bead-based assays. The purpose of this investigation was to modify the magnetic bead-based tear cytokine assay to produce equivalent results to those obtained with the polystyrene bead-based assay. The modifications included running …

Measuring Aniseikonia Using Scattering Filters To Simulate Cataract, Jason Anthony Wilson

All ETDs from UAB

MEASURING ANISEIKONIA USING SCATTERING FILTERS TO SIMULATE CATARACT JASON WILSON DEPARTMENT OF VISION SCIENCE ABSTRACT The relationship between anisometropia and aniseikonia (ANK) is not well understood. Ametropic cataract patients provide a unique opportunity to study this relationship after undergoing emmetropizing lens extraction. Because light scatter may affect ANK measurement in cataract patients, its effect should also be evaluated. The Basic Aniseikonia Test (BAT) was evaluated using afocal size lenses to produce specific changes in retinal height. Several light scattering devices were then evaluated to determine which produced effects most similar to cataract. Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity (VA) losses were …

Enamel Demineralization Around Bonded Orthdontic Appliances Using Resin Coatings, Michael Brett Wood

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: Orthodontists work to achieve a favorable esthetic and functional result, only to have the outcome tainted by the presence of demineralization upon appliance removal. The presence of WSL's is a disappointment to both orthodontists and patients. Several products have been developed to prevent this unfortunate damage to tooth structure, including "Opalseal" and "Ortho-coat". Opalseal is a 38% filled primer that releases and recharges fluoride. Ortho-coat is a fluoride releasing, light cure, hydrophilic resin that coats both the bracket and tooth surface preventing decalcification. The aim of this study was to investigate the barrier effect of Opalseal and Ortho-coat compared …

Regulation Of Neuronal Death By The Autophagy Lysosomal Pathway: Implications For Parkinson Disease, Violetta N. Pivtoraiko

All ETDs from UAB

Parkinson Disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized pathologically by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the stubstantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn), an intracellular protein involved in synaptic function, are all pathological hallmarks of PD have been implicated in PD pathogenesis. However, it is debated whether α-syn aggregates themselves are responsible for neurodegeneration in PD, cellular pathways involved in degradation of α-syn aggregates are believed to promote neuron survival. The autophagy lysosomal pathway (ALP), a physiological mechanism for recycling of intracellular components, …

Examination Of Ideal Physical Parameter Choices For Efficacious Hyperthermic Treatment Of Cancer, Lauren Rast

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation presents results on the computational modeling of electromagnetic and thermal effects during the hyperthermic treatment of cancer using magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia can be used for direct targeting and destruction of tumors through heat treatment or as a complement to chemotherapy. This method of treatment would be much less invasive than many current treatment options. Additionally, since these are nanoscale devices, the hyperthermic treatment of the cancer cells would be extremely localized. This would cause very minimal damage to surrounding tissue, making these systems superior to traditional hyperthermic treatment. The use of ferrofluids for cancer treatment requires …

Myosin Ii In Hippocampal Synapses: Regulation Of Synaptic Plasticity, Strength And Actin Dynamics By Two Distinct Isoforms, Maria Dolores Rubio

All ETDs from UAB

Cytoskeletal actin filaments underlie dendritic spine plasticity, critical for several forms of learning and memory. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate actin dynamics is essential to elucidate memory formation pathways. Myosins, a superfamily of actin binding proteins, have emerged as candidates for regulation of actin dynamics in the brain. Several myosin class II isoforms have been identified in brain, but their individual contribution to synaptic activity is still unknown. Based on the finding that myosin IIB regulates actin polymerization in the growth cone of developing neurons and that it is necessary for maintenance of dendritic spine structure, I hypothesized that …