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Identification And Characterization Of Socs44a In Drosophila, Jason Scott Rawlings

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The JAK/STAT pathway is but one of the signal transduction cascades responsible for proper development and homeostasis. Gain-of-function mutations of pathway components are causative agents of several leukemias, highlighting the necessity for proper regulation of signal transduction. Drosophila presents an attractive model to study JAK/STAT signaling because mutations in the pathway behave in an analogous manner. Furthermore, the Drosophila cascade is much simpler as only one of each component required for activation has been characterized; whereas in mammals, there are many ligands, receptors, 4 JAKs and 7 STATs.Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) are one family of molecules which regulate JAK/STAT …

Contracting With Nonprofit Organizations: A Model For Local Governments, Renee Jackson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

A number of factors have contributed to the rise in nonprofit organizations during the last three decades. No matter the reasons one significant consequence has been an intensification of competition for available funding. With the increasing competition for funding there is growing concern that there may not be an equitable and efficient method in place for many funders to base their allocation decisions on. These concerns arise from the issues that occur during funding processes such as: how open and competitive is the request for proposal process; is there duplication of the same service; can the organization adequately provide the …

Quantitative Analysis Of Hemocyte Morphological Abnormalities Associated With Campoletis Sonorensis Parasitization, Matthew W. Turnbull, Stacy B. Martin, Bruce A. Webb

Entomology Faculty Publications

Endoparasitoids of arthropods evoke host cellular immune responses that result in hemocytic encapsulation of the endoparasitoid, unless these responses are disrupted by the parasite. Our interest has focused on mutualistic viruses found in some hymenopteran endoparasitoids that disrupt hemocyte function and prevent encapsulation. Specifically, the Campoletis sonorensis polydnavirus interacts with wasp factors to suppress immunity via expression of intracellular and secreted viral proteins. To study the roles of specific parasitization-associated factors on immunocyte morphology, fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the actin cytoskeleton in infected and uninfected cells, or after treatment with C. sonorensis ovarian proteins or plasma from infected …

Neuromechanical Control Of Locomotion In Intact And Incomplete Spinal Cord Injured Rats, Anil Kumar Thota

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Rodent models are being extensively used to investigate the effects of traumatic injuryand to develop and assess the mechanisms of repair and regeneration. We presentquantitative assessment of 2D kinematics of overground walking and for the first time3D joint angle kinematics of all four limbs during treadmill walking in the intact and inincomplete spinal cord contusion injured (iSCI) adult female Long Evans rats. Phaserelationship between joint angles on a cycle-by-cycle basis and interlimb footfalls areassessed using a simple technique. Electromyogram (EMG) data from major flexor andextensor muscles for each of the hindlimb joints and elbow extensor muscles of theforelimbs synchronized to …

Economic Analysis Of Cellulase Production By Clostridium Thermocellum In Solid State And Submerged Fermentation, Jun Zhuang

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Dependence on foreign oil remains a serious issue for the U.S. economy. Additionally, automobile emissions related to petroleum-based, fossil fuel has been cited as one source of environmental problems, such as global warming and reduced air quality. Using agricultural and forest biomass as a source for the biofuel ethanol industry, provides a partial solution by displacing some fossil fuels. However, the use of high cost enzymes as an input is a significant limitation for ethanol production.Economic analyses of cellulase enzyme production costs using solid state cultivation (SSC) are performed and compared to the traditional submerged fermentation (SmF) method. Results from …

Organizational Economics And The Food Processing Industry, Benjamin M. Tirrell

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The food processing industry is dominated by large corporations. These firms play a critical role in forming the derived demand faced by agricultural producers, but little is understood about how these companies make strategic choices. Organizational economics provides a framework for exploring the firm's decision process. However, several theories exist in this discipline, operating in fundamentally different ways. This paper examines the two prevalent organizational theories, Transaction Cost Economics and Agency Theory, through a study of the food processing industry. This sector is thoroughly analyzed in order to make predictions from each theory regarding the aspects of capital structure and …

Graphical Modeling And Simulation Of A Hybrid Heterogeneous And Dynamic Single-Chip Multiprocessor Architecture, Chunfang Zheng

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

A single-chip, hybrid, heterogeneous, and dynamic shared memory multiprocessor architecture is being developed which may be used for real-time and non-real-time applications. This architecture can execute any application described by a dataflow (process flow) graph of any topology; it can also dynamically reconfigure its structure at the node and processor architecture levels and reallocate its resources to maximize performance and to increase reliability and fault tolerance. Dynamic change in the architecture is triggered by changes in parameters such as application input data rates, process execution times, and process request rates. The architecture is a Hybrid Data/Command Driven Architecture (HDCA). It …

An Investigation On The Effects Of Influenza Virus Infection As It Pertains To The Initiation Of Translation, Morgan Hager Mccoy

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Like the majority of host cell mRNAs, the mRNAs of influenza virus are capped and polyadenylated. The NS1 protein of influenza has been implicated as a translational activator for both influenza and reporter gene mRNAs. Data is presented showing that influenza A virus infection resulted in an increased ratio of cap-dependent to cap-independent translation. This ratio increase was largely due to an increase in cap-dependent translation. These experiments employed a bicistronic reporter construct measuring cap-dependent and cap-independent translation in a single sample. Expression of NS1 alone resulted in a small, but reproducible increase in the ratio of cap-dependent to cap-independent …

Surface Electromyography Characterization Of The Local Twitch Response Elected By Trigger Point Injection And Snapping Palpation In Myofascial Pain Patients, Pei Feng Lim

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Local twitch responses (LTRs) can be elicited by snapping palpation of myofascial trigger points (TrP) or TrP injections. Objective: To characterize the LTR elicited by TrP injection and snapping palpation on surface electromyography (sEMG) in subjects with myofascial pain in 14 female subjects. Methods: Surface EMG electrodes were placed around the TrP and a control site on the trapezius muscle. Then the following protocol was carried out: tension and contraction of the ipsilateral trapezius muscle, baseline resting activity (five minutes), snapping palpation of the TrP and the control sites, TrP injection, and final resting activity (five minutes). The following data …

Nutrient Mediated Protection Against Endothelial Cell Dysfunction, Gudrun Reiterer

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Atherosclerosis is thought to be initiated by endothelial cell dysfunction. Research described in this dissertation is focused on interactions of nutrients, cytokines and pharmaceutical compounds in the intracellular signaling pathways leading to endothelial cell activation. The flavonoid quercetin could significantly downregulate the inflammatory pathways induced by linoleic acid as determined by DNA binding assays of the proinflammatory transcription factors nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1 as well as by gene expression studies of interleukin-6 and vascular adhesion molecule-1. Interestingly, quercetin and vitamin E also prevented the linoleic acid-induced activation of PPAR DNA binding - suggesting a role of oxidation in the …

Leptin Receptors In Caveolae: Regulation Of Lipolysis In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes, Gentle P. Chikani

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The present study has tested the hypothesis that leptin receptors are localized in caveolae and that caveolae are involved in the leptin-induced stimulation of lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Leptin, a peptide hormone, is secreted primarily by adipocytes and has been postulated to regulate food intake and energy expenditure via hypothalamic-mediated effects. Exposure to leptin increases the lipolytic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We isolated caveolae from 3T3-L1 adipocytes using a detergent free sucrose gradient centrifugation method. Leptin receptors were localized in the same gradient fraction as caveolin-1. Confocal microscopic studies demonstrated the colocalization of leptin receptors with caveolin-1 in the plasma …

Identification Of Signaling Factors Involved In The Regulation Of Alkaloid Metabolism In N. Tabacum, Nita Sachan

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

To identify the signaling mechanisms and components that are involved in regulation of a promoter for a gene involved in a secondary pathway I studied the nicotinic alkaloid biosynthetic pathway using various N. tabacum tissues. Nicotine and tropane alkaloids are widely known to be synthesized predominantly in the roots of species that produce pyrrolinium ring containing alkaloids. Putrescine Nmethyltransferase (PMT) catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of these alkaloid secondary products and earlier studies have indicated that PMT gene expression is restricted to root tissue in Solanaceae plants. To further elucidate the factors that govern the regulation of …

Genetic Diversity And Symptom Severity Determinants Of Bean Pod Mottle Virus, Hongcang Gu

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), a member of the genus Comovirus in the family Comoviridae, is widespread in the major soybean-growing areas in the United States. Soybean yield losses of 10-40% have been reported as a consequence of BPMV infection. The complete nucleotide sequences of two strains, K-Ha1 and K-Ho1, were determined. Field isolates of BPMV were classified into two distinct subgroups (I and II) based on slot blot hybridization and sequence analyses. Full-length cDNA clones from which infectious transcripts can be produced were constructed for strains K-G7, K-Ho1 and K-Ha1. Whereas strains K-Ha1 and K-G7 induced mild or moderate …

Sexual And Asexual Reproductive Characteristics Of The North American Pawpaw [Asimina Triloba (L.) Dunal], Sheri Beth Crabtree

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The North American Pawpaw [Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal] shows great potential as a new fruit crop. Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Ky. is the site for the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) for Asimina species. Both the fruit and the trees themselves are of high value to growers and nursery producers. Pawpaw cultivars are currently propagated by grafting or budding onto seedling rootstock; no method currently exists to clonally propagate pawpaw on its own roots. Three methods of layering were attempted in this study to clonally propagate pawpaw: trench layering, pot layering, and mound layering. Both trench layering …

Thymoquinone: The Evaluation Of Its Cytotoxic Potential, Effects On P53 Status And The Cell Cycle In Various Cancer Cell Lines, Alison Ann Mokashi

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Cancer is a group of diseases that are the second leading cause of human mortality in the United States. Discovering new therapies is vital to conquer cancer. Thymoquinone (TQ) is found in the plant Nigella sativa. TQ was found to be cytotoxic to the human ovarian cancer cell lines PA-1, CAOV-3 and SKOV-3, which have varying p53 status. PA-1 cells were the most sensitive, indicating that TQ was effective against cells having wild-type (WT) p53. Western blots indicated an increase in p53 in cell lines having WT p53. TQ when given concurrently with cisplatin resulted in antagonism for PA-1, A172 …

Comparative Mapping: Homology Within The Order Perissodactyla Of Four Genes Located On Equus Caballus Chromosome 20, Christine Marie Mains

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Since changes in chromosome morphology contribute to the knowledge of evolution as well as to chromosome dynamics, this study looks specifically at one chromosome compared in twelve different species of Perissodactyls: Equus caballus (ECA), E. przewalskii (EPR), Equus africanus somaliensis (EAF), E. asinus (EAS), E. hemionus onager (EHO), E. h. kulan (EHK), E. h. kiang (EKI), E. zebra hartmannae (EZH), E. grevyi (EGR), E. burchelli (EBU), Tapirus indicus (TIN), and Rhinoceros unicornis (RUN). While chromosome morphology studies have been done in some of the extant equids, none have followed the evolution of this chromosome, homologous to Equus caballus chromosome 20 …

Supernatant Protein Factor: Insights Into Its Regulation And Ability To Stimulate Cholesterol Synthesis In Vitro And In Cell Culture, Vishwesh Mokashi

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Supernatant protein factor (SPF) is a 46-kDa cytosolic protein that stimulates squalene monooxygenase, which catalyses the second committed step in cholesterol biosynthesis. The mechanism by which SPF stimulates this enzyme is not understood and the goal of these studies was to see if SPF affected cholesterol synthesis in cultured cells. Rat supernatant protein factor-like protein (SPF2) shares 77% sequence identity with human SPF. In my studies SPF2 also stimulated squalene monooxygenase in vitro and incubation of SPF2 with protein kinase A (PKA) and C increased its activity by about 2-fold, as shown earlier with SPF. GTP and GDP prevented the …

The Transport And Modulation Of Hiv Protease Inhibitors Into The Rat Central Nervous System And Milk, Jeffrey Earl Edwards

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation is to study the mechanism by which HIV protease inhibitors enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and breast milk of rats, and what effects MDR modulators have on the distribution and metabolism of HIV protease inhibitors. The transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been shown to limit the distribution of HIV protease inhibitors into the CNS of rodents. This thesis examined the effects of GF120918, an MDR modulator, on the CNS distribution of amprenavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, in rats. GF120918 significantly increased the unbound CNS concentrations of amprenavir without altering the unbound blood concentrations of …

Mechanisms Of Resistance To Halogenated And Non-Halogenated Ahr Ligands In Chronically Contaminated Killifish Populations, Xabier Arzuaga

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Chronically contaminated killifish from Newark Bay (NB) NJ, and New Bedford Harbor (NBH) MA, have developed resistance to halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons that bind to and activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). To study the mechanisms of resistance, adult killifish were exposed to halogenated and non-halogenated AHR ligands and enzymatic and toxicological endpoints were measured in adult and embryonic fish.

The chlorinated and non-chlorinated AHR ligands 3,34,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) and benzo-a-pyrene (B[a]P) induced cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) in reference site, but not in NB killifish. Expression of CYP3A (not part of the AHR gene battery) was inducible only in Flax Pond killifish. …

Regulation Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: An Application Of Economic Theory To Firm Decision Making And Applications For Public Policy, Benjamin Gramig

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The livestock industry in the United States has experienced significant concentration and vertical integration in recent years. This change has resulted in greater observed levels of pollution attributed to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) and society has attempted to use regulation to remedy these problems. Despite regulation at the federal and local level no documented improvement in water quality has been observed to date. This thesis is concerned with the response of profit-maximizing economic agents to the form of environmental regulation adopted at the federal level. A theoretical model of firm profit is proposed and analyzed using comparative statics to …

Breeding For Fusarium Head Blight Resistance In Soft Red Winter Wheat, Virginia Laura Verges

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Fusarium graminearum, the causative agent of Fusarium head blight, is an economically important pathogen of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Breeding Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistant wheat requires knowledge of the underlying genetic control of FHB resistance. Genetic parameters for FHB resistance and five related traits were estimated in three populations at two locations and in two years. Moderate broad sense heritabilities for FHB severity and Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) were observed. Incidence of FHB and the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation had low to moderate broad sense heritabilities. Correlations between FDK and severity and FDK and DON were moderate to high in …

Maintenance Of Sexually Dimorphic Patterns Of Growth And Reproduction In Marchantia Inflexa, Linda Catherine Fuselier

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Sexual dimorphism in life history traits may influence the distribution of the sexes,population sex ratios, the maintenance of sex in populations, and the evolutionarypotential of a species. In bryophytes, sexual dimorphism in traits related to growth andreproduction may be responsible for female-biased population sex ratios and a lack ofsexual reproduction. I examined the roles of natural selection in maintaining sexualdimorphism in the context of impacts on bryophyte population sex ratios, usingMarchantia inflexa as a model system. My studies included an assessment of amongpopulationvariation in habitat use by the sexes, comparison of phenotypes betweensingle-sex and both-sex populations, a field study of …

Challenges In Estimating Size And Conservation Of Black Bear In West-Central Florida, Joshua Hager Brown

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The Greater Chassahowitkza Ecosystem black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) population of west-central Florida is likely to be the smallest documented population of the species. It has experienced almost no recruitment since 1997 and exhibits behavior that appears to be a response to human activities. The local diet is dominated by the fruit of saw palmetto and sabal palm, species that exhibit patchy distributions and irregular mast production. These food supplies are often separated by busy highways that have killed 6 bears since 1997, 21% of known individuals. Motion-activated camera surveys suggest that the bear population is declining in this rapidly …

Finite Element Analysis And Reliability Study Of Multi-Piece Rims, Sandeep Chodavarapu

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Multi-piece wheels or rims used on large vehicles such as trucks, tractors, trailers, buses and off-road machines have often been known for their dangerous properties because of the large number of catastrophic accidents involving them. The main causes for these accidents range from dislocation of the rim components in the assembly, mismatch of the components, manufacturing tolerances, corrosion of components to tires. A finite element analysis of a two-piece rim design similar to one manufactured by some of the prominent rim manufacturers in the USA is undertaken. A linear static deformation analysis is performed with the appropriate loading and boundary …

Optimization Of Drill Design And Coolant Systems During Dental Implant Surgery, Varahalaraju Kalidindi

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Dental implants are an effective alternative for the replacement of missing teeth. The success of the implant depends on how well a bone heals around the implant, a process known as osseointegration. However, excessive heat generated during the bone drilling will cause cell death and may prevent osseointegration of the implant, resulting in early failure. There are many factors which contribute to the heat generation during drilling. Experiments were carried out to investigate the affect of variable drilling factors on heat generation during drilling operation. Natural bone is not an ideal material for such research, as it varies widely in …

Impaired Antigen Receptor Induced Calcium Mobilization In A Phospholipase C-Gamma1 Deficient B Cell Line., Natarajan Muthusamy, Do Joon Park, Hei-Won Rho, Sue Goo Rhee, Subbarao Bondada

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

B lymphocytes express phospholipase C-gamma(1) (PLC-gamma(1)) and phospholipase C-gamma(2) (PLC-gamma(2)) isozymes. However, the relative importance of these two isozymes in B cell signaling is not known. We report here the identification and analysis of a B cell line deficient in PLC-gamma(1). Mature splenic B lymphocytes and a panel of cell lines representing pre-B, immature and mature B cell stages expressed phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma), but not the beta or delta isoforms of phospholipase C (PLC). While all the tested B cell lines and primary splenic B cells expressed PLC-gamma(1) and PLC-gamma(2) isozymes, the L1.2 B cell line exclusively expressed PLC-gamma(2), but …

Assessing The Benefits Of Misting-Cooling Systems For Growing-Finishing Swine In Kentucky As Affected By Environment And Pig Placement Date, Thomas C. Bridges, R. S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

The growth performance of animals is often affected by extreme environmental conditions. In the case of swine, generally a cold environment will increase feed intake as the pig strives to maintain body temperature, while warmer environments may reduce growth, increase body maintenance demands, and subject the animal to environmental stress. Confinement houses are widely used as a primary means of modifying the environment to improve conditions for the growth of swine. Environment in these structures is usually controlled by natural or mechanical ventilation and by insulation for cold climates and limited use of evaporative cooling for summertime conditions.

Efficient Grazing Systems: Putting Pieces Together, Charles T. Dougherty

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pros and cons of grazing systems are well-known to this audience. Efficient grazing systems, however, are a different story. What is an efficient grazing system? I think we could argue that topic until the cows come home and I do not believe we could come to any agreement. I am going to approach the subject of efficiency from several angles but you will probably see them differently. Economic efficiencies will not be covered.

Kentucky Goat Friendly Pasture Concepts, Terry Hutchens

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Goats are accomplished grazers of grass and browse plants. In addition, they can be managed within a grazing system both intensively or extensively as long as quality forage is made available. Goats are facultative browsers, they prefer to feed at eye level and upward and then feed on forage from the top of the plant down. Goats prefer to move freely from plant to plant-removing foliage from select portions of plants. Foliage meals are dictated by quality factors that insure adequate protein and energy levels. Each stem or leaf is clipped with precision leaving the forage residue standing equal in …

Effective Use Of Pastures For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pastures can serve two very necessary functions for the care and maintenance of horses. Not only do these areas of grasses and legumes provide a place for the horse to exercise, they can provide a significant portion of the horse’s nutrient requirement. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, so it is reasonable that many classes of horse can be adequately maintained on well-managed pastures.