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Birth Of A Mother, Ashley Rae Curran Jan 2011

Birth Of A Mother, Ashley Rae Curran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Birth of a Mother is a memoir that tells the story of how my unplanned pregnancy helps me to transform from a damaged adolescent into an empowered mother. Using a first person, present tense narrative, I relive the nine months leading up to the unmedicated home birth of my first child, exploring the conflicts I faced over my obesity, over having no job and no place to call home, and over developing a relationship with a man who was not the baby's father. Weaving in past tense vignettes, I attempt to show how I prepared myself for impending motherhood by …

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A Paleopathological Assessment Of Osteoarthritis In The Lower Appendicular Joints Of Individuals From The Kellis 2 Cemetery In The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, Joshua B. Robin Jan 2011

A Paleopathological Assessment Of Osteoarthritis In The Lower Appendicular Joints Of Individuals From The Kellis 2 Cemetery In The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, Joshua B. Robin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative pathological condition of the appendicular joints which affects the cartilage and underlying bone. OA is relatively common in both the archaeological and clinical context, and a significant amount of research has been conducted on this osteological condition. The purpose of this thesis is to assess the incidence, demographic prevalence, and general severity of hip and knee OA in a Roman-Christian period (50 A.D – 450 A.D) population sample from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The bioarchaeological sample originates from the Kellis 2 cemetery which is associated with the ancient town of Kellis. The town of Kellis …

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Gender Composition Of Online Technical Communication Collaborations, Erika A. Wardell Jan 2011

Gender Composition Of Online Technical Communication Collaborations, Erika A. Wardell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Online collaborations are more prevalent in society due to electronic communication allowing students and professionals to communicate with each other, without needing to spend time or money traveling. The lack of visual cues in electronic communication means writing styles primarily set the tone of a message. A group member‟s gender can affect his or her writing style and what he or she assumes about the message. The differing writing styles and potential gender bias can cause misunderstandings, which delay projects and sometimes lead to ostracizing a group member. The gender composition of an online collaboration, therefore, can have a positive …

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Peak Performance Training, Matthew Gabriel Hallett Jan 2011

Peak Performance Training, Matthew Gabriel Hallett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peak performance is defined as an “episode of superior functioning” where an individual performs up to (and sometimes exceeds) their full potential (Privette, 1983, p. 1361). Most individuals do not consistently experience episodes of peak performance. After accounting for biological factors, motivation, and external constraints, the inability to achieve peak performance consistently is due to the challenge of successfully selecting and accessing knowledge and skills on demand while under pressure (Brown, 2009). This thesis describes the psychology of peak performance and skill training for peak performance. A peak performance training program is designed specifically for business professionals. The program was …

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The Collector As Arbiter Of Art A Phenomenological Investigation Of Collectors' Critical Judgment Development And Their Understanding Of Art Toward A Theoretical Model For Appreciation And Criticism In Art Education, Anne C. Grey Jan 2011

The Collector As Arbiter Of Art A Phenomenological Investigation Of Collectors' Critical Judgment Development And Their Understanding Of Art Toward A Theoretical Model For Appreciation And Criticism In Art Education, Anne C. Grey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate art collectors’ specific method of developing and making critical judgments in the context of their understanding of art. Phenomenological research methods were employed to obtain data through interviews with collectors of Contemporary African American art, Latin American art, and Minimalist and Conceptual art. Based on the findings, collectors’ approaches to critical judgment can be categorized into three areas. First, critical skills are both intuitive and developed over time, through a holistic and aesthetic process set in the art world. Collectors’ edification requires commitment, and intense looking enabling them to see how works …

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Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Using Quantum Cascade Laser And Fabry-Perot Interferometer, Gautam Medhi Jan 2011

Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Using Quantum Cascade Laser And Fabry-Perot Interferometer, Gautam Medhi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) at IR wavelengths offers an opportunity for spectral sensing of low vapor pressure compounds. We report here an ICLAS system design based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL) at THz (69.9 m) and IR wavelengths (9.38 and 8.1 m) with an open external cavity. The sensitivity of such a system is potentially very high due to extraordinarily long effective optical paths that can be achieved in an active cavity. Sensitivity estimation by numerical solution of the laser rate equations for the THz QCL ICLAS system is determined. Experimental development of the external cavity QCL is …

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Modeling Mass Care Resource Provision Post Hurricane, Tammy Marie Muhs Jan 2011

Modeling Mass Care Resource Provision Post Hurricane, Tammy Marie Muhs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Determining the amount of resources needed, specifically food and water, following a hurricane is not a straightforward task. Through this research effort, an estimating tool was developed that takes into account key demographic and evacuation behavioral effects, as well as hurricane storm specifics to estimate the number of meals required for the first fourteen days following a hurricane making landfall in the State of Florida. The Excel based estimating tool was created using data collected from four hurricanes making landfall in Florida during 2004-2005. The underlying model used in the tool is a Regression Decision Tree with predictor variables including …

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Biology, Ecology And Control Of The Invasive Channeled Apple Snail, Pomacea Canaliculata, Christina M. Trexler Jan 2011

Biology, Ecology And Control Of The Invasive Channeled Apple Snail, Pomacea Canaliculata, Christina M. Trexler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted of three parts. First, to identify possible methods to control P. canaliculata in the egg stage, I experimentally evaluated the effects of photoperiod, substrate availability, and food …

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Characterization Of Composite Broad Band Absorbing Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles Using Steady-State, Time-Resolve And Single Particle Spectroscopy, Maxwell Scotland Bonner Jan 2011

Characterization Of Composite Broad Band Absorbing Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles Using Steady-State, Time-Resolve And Single Particle Spectroscopy, Maxwell Scotland Bonner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the global economy searches for reliable, inexpensive and environmentally friendly renewable energy resources, energy conservation by means of photovoltaics has seen near exponential growth in the last decade. Compared to state-of-the-art inorganic solar cells, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) composed of conjugated polymers are particularly interesting because of their processability, flexibility and the potential for large area devices at a reduced fabrication cost. It has been extensively documented that the interchain and intrachain interactions of conjugated polymers complicate the fundamental understanding of the optical and electronic properties in the solid-state (i.e. thin film active layer). These interactions are highly dependent on …

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Are We Becoming Superhuman Cyborgs? How Technomorphism Influences Our Perceptions Of The World Around Us, Heather Christina Lum Jan 2011

Are We Becoming Superhuman Cyborgs? How Technomorphism Influences Our Perceptions Of The World Around Us, Heather Christina Lum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although traditionally researchers have focused on making robotics more user-friendly from a human perspective, a new theory has begun to take shape in which humans take on the perspective of a robotic entity. The following set of studies examined the concept of technomorphism defined as the attribution of technological characteristics to humans. This concept has been mentioned anecdotally and studied indirectly, but there is nothing currently available to tap in to the various forms that technomorphism may take. Therefore, one goal of this dissertation was to develop a scale to fill that purpose. The results of the Technomorphic Tendencies Scale …

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The Innate Anti-Hiv-1 Activity Of Human Seminal Plasma, Julie A. Martellini-Moore Jan 2011

The Innate Anti-Hiv-1 Activity Of Human Seminal Plasma, Julie A. Martellini-Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a global pandemic over the past few decades, with new infections and related deaths in the millions each year. There is no cure in sight for HIV-1 infection, and there has been little progress in developing an efficacious vaccine. Heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 remains the principal mode of transmission throughout the world and thus measures, such as topical vaginal microbicides, to prevent infection of the female reproductive tract are actively being explored. Recent trials of topical vaginal microbicides have shown that their interaction with the mucosal surfaces of the female reproductive tract as well …

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Florida School Indicator Report Data As Predictors Of High School Adequate Yearly Progress (Ayp), John D. Carr Jan 2011

Florida School Indicator Report Data As Predictors Of High School Adequate Yearly Progress (Ayp), John D. Carr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to identify variables reported in the 2008-2009 Florida School Indicator Report (FSIR) that had a statistical impact, positive or negative, on the likelihood that a school would achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading or mathematics using the logistic regression technique. This study analyzed four broad categories reported by the FSIR to include academic, school, student, and teacher characteristics. FSIR and AYP data was collected for 468 Florida high schools that were categorized by the Florida Department of Education as presenting a comprehensive curriculum to grades 9-12 or grades 10-12. It was determined in …

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Do Immigrant Students Consume Less Energy Than Native-Born American Students?, Lei Lei Jan 2011

Do Immigrant Students Consume Less Energy Than Native-Born American Students?, Lei Lei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper uses a sociological model to compare the residential energy consumption between immigrant students and native-born American students and to explain the difference by demographic characteristics, values, and specific attitudes. Further, it tries to explore whether the relationship between immigration status and residential energy consumption is mediated by value orientation towards frugality and specific attitudes towards energy conservation. The data of an online survey among native-born and foreign-born students at the University of Central Florida are used. The results suggest that immigrants consume less energy at home than native-born Americans, but the time stayed in the US doesn’t have …

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Variability Of Carbon Stock In Florida Flatwoods Ecosystems Undergoing Restoration And Management, Kathryn Elizabeth Becker Jan 2011

Variability Of Carbon Stock In Florida Flatwoods Ecosystems Undergoing Restoration And Management, Kathryn Elizabeth Becker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The global community is struggling with mitigating the effects of widespread habitat loss and degradation; the effects of which are being further magnified in the face of global climate change. Quality natural habitat is becoming increasingly limited and atmospheric carbon levels continue to rise. Therefore, land managers responsible for multiuse management are often faced with the dilemma of managing ecosystems for biodiversity, as well as optimizing ecosystem services such as carbon storage and sequestration. However, some management techniques used to meet these objectives may yield conflicting results, specifically, the management tool of prescribed fire. Fire is crucial in maintaining species …

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Stem Cell Biology And Strategies For Therapeutic Development In Degenerative Diseases And Cancer, Angel A. Alvarez Jan 2011

Stem Cell Biology And Strategies For Therapeutic Development In Degenerative Diseases And Cancer, Angel A. Alvarez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stem cell biology is an exciting field that will lead to significant advancements in science and medicine. We hypothesize that inducing the expression of stem cell genes, using the embryonic stem cell gene nanog, will reprogram cells and dedifferentiate human mesenchymal stem cells into pluripotent stem cells capable of neural differentiation. The aims of initial studies are as follows: Aim 1: Demonstrate that forced expression of the embryonic stem cell gene nanog induces changes in human mesenchymal stem cells to an embryonic stem cell-like phenotype. Aim 2: Demonstrate that induced expression of nanog up-regulates the expression of multiple embryonic stem …

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Surface Entropy Reduction To Increase The Crystallizability Of The Fab-Rna Complex, Priyadarshini Palaniandy Ravindran Jan 2011

Surface Entropy Reduction To Increase The Crystallizability Of The Fab-Rna Complex, Priyadarshini Palaniandy Ravindran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crystallizing RNA has been an imperative facet and a challenging task in the world of RNA research. Assistive methods such as Chaperone Assisted RNA Crystallography (CARC), employing monoclonal antibody fragments (Fabs) as crystallization chaperones have enabled us to obtain RNA crystal structures by increasing the crystal contacts and providing initial phasing information. Using this technology the crystal structure of [delta]C209 P4-P6 RNA (an independent folding domain of the self-splicing Tetrahymena group I intron) complexed to Fab2 (high affinity binding Fab) has been resolved to 1.95 Å (1). Although the complexed class I ligase ribozyme has also been crystallized using CARC …

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Applications Of Airborne And Portable Lidar In The Structural Determination, Management, And Conservation Of Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests, Claudia De Mendonca Costa Synek Listopad Jan 2011

Applications Of Airborne And Portable Lidar In The Structural Determination, Management, And Conservation Of Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests, Claudia De Mendonca Costa Synek Listopad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Active remote sensing techniques, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), have transformed the field of forestry and natural resource management in the last decade. Intensive assessments of forest resources and detailed structural assessments can now be accomplished faster and at multiple landscape scales. The ecological applications of having this valuable information at-hand are still only being developed. This work explores the use of two active remote sensing techniques, airborne and portable LiDAR for forestry applications in a rapidly changing landscape, Southeastern Coastal Pine woodlands. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of airborne and portable LiDAR, the tools used to extract …

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Nanoceria Inhibit The Development And Promote The Regression Of Pathologic Retinal Neovascularization In The Vldlr Knockout Mouse, Xiaohong Zhou, Lily L. Wong, Ajay S. Karakoti, Sudipta Seal, James F. Mcginnis Jan 2011

Nanoceria Inhibit The Development And Promote The Regression Of Pathologic Retinal Neovascularization In The Vldlr Knockout Mouse, Xiaohong Zhou, Lily L. Wong, Ajay S. Karakoti, Sudipta Seal, James F. Mcginnis

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Many neurodegenerative diseases are known to occur and progress because of oxidative stress, the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in excess of the cellular defensive capabilities. Age related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and inherited retinal degeneration share oxidative stress as a common node upstream of the blinding effects of these diseases. Knockout of the Vldlr gene results in a mouse that develops intraretinal and subretinal neovascular lesions within the first month of age and is an excellent model for a form of AMD called retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) catalytically scavenge ROS by mimicking …

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Mutagenesis Of Tryptophan199 Suggests That Hopping Is Required For Maug-Dependent Tryptophan Tryptophylquinone Biosynthesis, Nafez Abu Tarboush, Lyndal M. R. Jensen, Erik T. Yukl, Jiafeng Geng, Aimin Liu, Carrie M. Wilmot, Victor L. Davidson Jan 2011

Mutagenesis Of Tryptophan199 Suggests That Hopping Is Required For Maug-Dependent Tryptophan Tryptophylquinone Biosynthesis, Nafez Abu Tarboush, Lyndal M. R. Jensen, Erik T. Yukl, Jiafeng Geng, Aimin Liu, Carrie M. Wilmot, Victor L. Davidson

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The diheme enzyme MauG catalyzes the posttranslational modification of the precursor protein of methylamine dehydrogenase (preMADH) to complete biosynthesis of its protein-derived tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) cofactor. Catalysis proceeds through a high valent bis-Fe(IV) redox state and requires long-range electron transfer (ET), as the distance between the modified residues of preMADH and the nearest heme iron of MauG is 19.4 angstrom. Trp199 of MauG resides at the MauG-preMADH interface, positioned midway between the residues that are modified and the nearest heme. W199F and W199K mutations did not affect the spectroscopic and redox properties of MauG, or its ability to stabilize the …

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Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis, Pankaj Agrawal, Dheeraj Verma, Henry Daniell Jan 2011

Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis, Pankaj Agrawal, Dheeraj Verma, Henry Daniell

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Lignocellulosic ethanol offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels. One among the major limitations in the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis is unavailability of efficient and environmentally biomass degrading technologies. Plant-based production of these enzymes on large scale offers a cost-effective solution. Cellulases, hemicellulases including mannanases and other accessory enzymes are required for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. beta-mannanase catalyzes endo-hydrolysis of the mannan backbone, a major constituent of woody biomass. In this study, the man1 gene encoding beta-mannanase was isolated from Trichoderma reesei and expressed via the chloroplast genome. PCR and Southern hybridization analysis confirmed site-specific transgene integration …

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Losses Of Both Products Of The Cdkn2a/Arf Locus Contribute To Asbestos-Induced Mesothelioma Development And Cooperate To Accelerate Tumorigenesis, Deborah A. Altomare, Craig W. Menges, Jinfei Xu, Jianming Pei, Lili Zhang, Ara Tadevosyan, Erin Neumann-Domer, Zemin Liu, Michele Carbone, Ilse Chudoba, Andres J. Klein-Szanto, Joseph R. Testa Jan 2011

Losses Of Both Products Of The Cdkn2a/Arf Locus Contribute To Asbestos-Induced Mesothelioma Development And Cooperate To Accelerate Tumorigenesis, Deborah A. Altomare, Craig W. Menges, Jinfei Xu, Jianming Pei, Lili Zhang, Ara Tadevosyan, Erin Neumann-Domer, Zemin Liu, Michele Carbone, Ilse Chudoba, Andres J. Klein-Szanto, Joseph R. Testa

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The CDKN2A/ARF locus encompasses overlapping tumor suppressor genes p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF), which are frequently co-deleted in human malignant mesothelioma (MM). The importance of p16(INK4A) loss in human cancer is well established, but the relative significance of p14(ARF) loss has been debated. The tumor predisposition of mice singly deficient for either Ink4a or Arf, due to targeting of exons 1 alpha or 1 beta, respectively, supports the idea that both play significant and nonredundant roles in suppressing spontaneous tumors. To further test this notion, we exposed Ink4a(+/-) and Arf(+/-) mice to asbestos, the major cause of MM. Asbestos-treated Ink4a(+/-) and Arf(+/-) …

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Economic Impacts Of Non-Native Forest Insects In The Continental United States, Juliann E. Aukema, Brian Leung, Kent Kovacs, Corey Chivers, Kerry O. Britton, Jeffrey Englin, Susan J. Frankel, Robert G. Haight, Thomas P. Holmes, Andrew M. Liebhold, Deborah G. Mccullough, Betsy Von Holle Jan 2011

Economic Impacts Of Non-Native Forest Insects In The Continental United States, Juliann E. Aukema, Brian Leung, Kent Kovacs, Corey Chivers, Kerry O. Britton, Jeffrey Englin, Susan J. Frankel, Robert G. Haight, Thomas P. Holmes, Andrew M. Liebhold, Deborah G. Mccullough, Betsy Von Holle

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Reliable estimates of the impacts and costs of biological invasions are critical to developing credible management, trade and regulatory policies. Worldwide, forests and urban trees provide important ecosystem services as well as economic and social benefits, but are threatened by non-native insects. More than 450 non-native forest insects are established in the United States but estimates of broad-scale economic impacts associated with these species are largely unavailable. We developed a novel modeling approach that maximizes the use of available data, accounts for multiple sources of uncertainty, and provides cost estimates for three major feeding guilds of non-native forest insects. For …

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Postoperative Tumor Imaging, Laura W. Bancroft Jan 2011

Postoperative Tumor Imaging, Laura W. Bancroft

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Accurately interpreting the imaging findings in patients with prior musculoskeletal tumors can be difficult. Because most patients have anatomical changes related to surgery in addition to postradiation and postchemotherapy changes, the radiologist must systematically and critically evaluate all available radiographs, sonograms, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans to best differentiate normal posttreatment changes from residual or recurrent musculoskeletal tumor. Comparison with presurgical and postsurgical imaging is very important to detect subtle nodular tumor recurrence. Because postoperative fluid collections are relatively common, the radiologist must be vigilant for any nodular-enhancing foci that are actually residual or …

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Low-Cost Production Of Proinsulin In Tobacco And Lettuce Chloroplasts For Injectable Or Oral Delivery Of Functional Insulin And C-Peptide, Diane Boyhan, Henry Daniell Jan 2011

Low-Cost Production Of Proinsulin In Tobacco And Lettuce Chloroplasts For Injectable Or Oral Delivery Of Functional Insulin And C-Peptide, Diane Boyhan, Henry Daniell

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Current treatment for type I diabetes includes delivery of insulin via injection or pump, which is highly invasive and expensive. The production of chloroplast-derived proinsulin should reduce cost and facilitate oral delivery. Therefore, tobacco and lettuce chloroplasts were transformed with the cholera toxin B subunit fused with human proinsulin (A, B, C peptides) containing three furin cleavage sites (CTB-PFx3). Transplastomic lines were confirmed for site-specific integration of transgene and homoplasmy. Old tobacco leaves accumulated proinsulin up to 47% of total leaf protein (TLP). Old lettuce leaves accumulated proinsulin up to 53% TLP. Accumulation was so stable that up to similar …

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A Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticle/Polyelectrolyte Fibrous Nanocomposite Prepared From Electrospinning Process, Hui Chen, Anindarupa Chunder, Xiong Liu, Feroz Haque, Jianhua Zou, Lauren Austin, Genevieve Knowles, Lei Zhai, Qun Huo Jan 2011

A Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticle/Polyelectrolyte Fibrous Nanocomposite Prepared From Electrospinning Process, Hui Chen, Anindarupa Chunder, Xiong Liu, Feroz Haque, Jianhua Zou, Lauren Austin, Genevieve Knowles, Lei Zhai, Qun Huo

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Gold nanoparticles are introduced to a fibrous nanocomposite material prepared from electrospinning a polyelectrolyte solution of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The functional groups in the fiber allow convenient thermal crosslinking of the fibers and the binding of tetrachloroaurate ions. Gold nanoparticle-modified nanofibers can be further treated by silver enhancement that increased the electrical conductivity of the nanofibers to 10(-2) S/cm. The FT-IR analysis of the nanocomposite fibers shows that the deposition of gold nanoparticles significantly enhances the IR absorption intensity of the polymer fibers, offering a potential sensing capability through enhanced FT-IR absorption of molecules. Upon laser …

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Role Of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3-Mediated Alpha-Synuclein Cleavage In Dopaminergic Cell Death, Dong-Hee Choi, Youn-Jung Kim, Young-Gun Kim, Tong H. Joh, M. Flint Beal, Yoon-Seong Kim Jan 2011

Role Of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3-Mediated Alpha-Synuclein Cleavage In Dopaminergic Cell Death, Dong-Hee Choi, Youn-Jung Kim, Young-Gun Kim, Tong H. Joh, M. Flint Beal, Yoon-Seong Kim

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Evidence suggests that the C-terminal truncation of alpha-synuclein is equally important as aggregation of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson disease (PD). Our previous results showed that an endopeptidase, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3), was induced and activated in dopaminergic (DA) cells upon stress conditions. Here, we report that MMP3 cleaved alpha-synuclein in vitro and in vivo and that alpha-synuclein and MMP3 were co-localized in Lewy bodies (LB) in the postmortem brains of PD patients. Incubation of alpha-synuclein with the catalytic domain of MMP3 (cMMP3) resulted in generation of several peptides, and the peptide profiles of WT alpha-synuclein (WTsyn) and A53T mutant (A53Tsyn) were different. …

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Distribution And Habitat Use Of The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger Avicennia), Danielle A. Eisenberg, Reed F. Noss, Jane M. Waterman, Martin B. Main Jan 2011

Distribution And Habitat Use Of The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger Avicennia), Danielle A. Eisenberg, Reed F. Noss, Jane M. Waterman, Martin B. Main

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Human population growth and development reduce the area and quality of natural communities and lead to a decline of associated wildlife populations. Sciurus niger avicennia (Big Cypress Fox Squirrel), a state-listed threatened subspecies endemic to south Florida, appears sensitive to habitat fragmentation and fire regime. This research assessed the distribution and habitat use of the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel from interviews with biologists, private land owners, and golf course managers and by transect sampling in natural areas on public and private lands in southwest Florida. Our findings indicate that the distribution of fox squirrel populations is influenced by land use …

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Airtight Container For The Transfer Of Atmosphere-Sensitive Materials Into Vacuum-Operated Characterization Instruments, Romain M. Gaume, Lydia-Marie Joubert Jan 2011

Airtight Container For The Transfer Of Atmosphere-Sensitive Materials Into Vacuum-Operated Characterization Instruments, Romain M. Gaume, Lydia-Marie Joubert

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

This paper describes the design and operation of a simple airtight container devised to facilitate the transfer of atmosphere-sensitive samples from a glovebox to the vacuum chamber of an analytical instrument such as a scanning electron microscope. The use of this device for characterizing the microstructure of highly hygroscopic strontium iodide ceramics by scanning electron microscopy is illustrated as an application example.

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Effect Of A Pre-Workout Energy Supplement On Acute Multi-Joint Resistance Exercise, Adam M. Gonzalez, Allyson L. Walsh, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Jie Kang, Jay R. Hoffman Jan 2011

Effect Of A Pre-Workout Energy Supplement On Acute Multi-Joint Resistance Exercise, Adam M. Gonzalez, Allyson L. Walsh, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Jie Kang, Jay R. Hoffman

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The effect of a pre-workout energy supplement on acute multi-joint resistance exercise was examined in eight resistance-trained college-age men. Subjects were randomly provided either a placebo (P) or a supplement (S: containing caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, creatine, beta-alanine, and the amino acids; leucine, isoleucine, valine, glutamine and arginine) 10 minutes prior to resistance exercise. Subjects performed 4 sets of no more than 10 repetitions of either barbell squat or bench press at 80% of their pre-determined 1 repetition-maximum (1RM) with 90 seconds of rest between sets. Dietary intake 24 hours prior to each of the two training trials was kept constant. …

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Retention Time Variability As A Mechanism For Animal Mediated Long-Distance Dispersal, Vishwesha Guttal, Frederic Bartumeus, Gregg Hartvigsen, Andrew L. Nevai Jan 2011

Retention Time Variability As A Mechanism For Animal Mediated Long-Distance Dispersal, Vishwesha Guttal, Frederic Bartumeus, Gregg Hartvigsen, Andrew L. Nevai

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Long-distance dispersal (LDD) events, although rare for most plant species, can strongly influence population and community dynamics. Animals function as a key biotic vector of seeds and thus, a mechanistic and quantitative understanding of how individual animal behaviors scale to dispersal patterns at different spatial scales is a question of critical importance from both basic and applied perspectives. Using a diffusion-theory based analytical approach for a wide range of animal movement and seed transportation patterns, we show that the scale (a measure of local dispersal) of the seed dispersal kernel increases with the organisms' rate of movement and mean seed …

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