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The Impact Of Revenue Diversification And Economic Base On Revenue Stability: An Empirical Analysis Of County And State Governments, Wenli Yan

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

In recent decades, revenue diversification has become a prevalent practice in state and local government finance. The trend of revenue diversification, according to the portfolio theory, has far-reaching implication for public financial management as it may change revenue stability, which has been an important policy objective for state and local government administrators. This study explores how revenue diversification affects revenue stability from both empirical and theoretical perspectives. Drawing on portfolio theory and regional science literature, this study develops a theoretical framework to explain how the effect of revenue diversification on revenue volatility of sub-national governments varies in terms of its …

The Effects Of Lobeline On Methamphetamine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference And Dopaminergic Alterations In The Nucleus Accumbens Shell, Nichole Marie Neugebauer

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Previous research has suggested that lobeline, a plant alkaloid derived from Lobelia inflate, has potential to be an efficacious pharmacotherapy for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. In addition to attenuating methamphetamineinduced dopaminergic alterations in vitro, lobeline has been shown to decrease the primary rewarding effects and discriminative stimulus properties of methamphetamine in rats. It is of clinical interest to assess the utility of lobeline to decrease methamphetamine conditioned cues as these cues have been shown to significantly contribute to relapse.

The current studies assessed the ability of lobeline to block the acquisition and expression of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place …

Thermal Degradation And Aging Of High Temperature Piezoelectric Ceramics, Sunil W. Gotmare

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Piezoelectric materials have numerous applications like high temperature accelerometers, pressure, flow and NDT transducers, acoustic emission, ultrasonic cleaning, welding, high voltage generators, medical therapy etc. The commonly used piezoelectric material, PZT continues to dominate the commercial market for piezoelectric actuators applications. The primary limitations of PZT are the lower Curie temperature T_C <390^oC and rapid thermal degradation avobe 200^oC.

Continuing efforts are focused on the development of piezoelectric materials suitable for high temperature applications >200^oC. These materials will be very useful for making sensors for space exploration, oil and geothermal well drilling tools, oil …

Selective Regulation Of Cardiomyocyte Signaling By Rgl2, Leah M. Allen

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

A key cardiovascular signaling molecule involved in both physiologic and pathologic regulation of cardiomyocytes is the small molecular weight G-protein, Ras. Differential effects of Ras are mediated by multiple effector molecules, including the RalGEFs which activate Ral. Studies performed in cardiomyocytes have indicated a role for Ral in cardiac hypertrophic signaling and the RalGEF family member, Rgl2, was shown to specifically interact with Ras in the heart. Therefore, I hypothesized that Rgl2 was an important Ras effector that would regulate cardiomyocyte signaling.

To elucidate the potential importance of Rgl2 in regulating cardiomyocyte signaling, a gain-of-function approach was utilized in which …

Personality-Related Problems In Living: An Empirical Approach, Stephanie N. Mullins-Sweatt

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Research has suggested that the Five Factor Model (FFM) is useful in describing personality pathology as well as personality traits. However, there appears to be disproportionate implications of the five domains for problems in living. Previous empirical research concerning the differential direction and magnitude of the relationship of the FFM domains to problems in living and personality disorder symptomatology has perhaps been limited in part by the use of a measure of the FFM that itself includes a disproportionate representation of maladaptive personality functioning across the domains. The current study also tests the hypothesis that the relationship of the FFM …

Gas Sensing Properties And Transport Properties Of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Raghu Mangu

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) grown in highly ordered porous alumina templates were incorporated into a resistive gas sensor design and were evaluated for their sensitivities. The material characteristics and electrical properties of the nanotubes were analyzed. A study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of UV light on desorption characteristics and the dependence of sensitivity on (i) thickness of amorphous carbon layers and (ii) flow rates of analyte gases. These sensors were highly responsive to both oxidizing and reducing gases with steady state sensitivities of 5% and 10% for 100ppm of NH₃ and NO₂ respectively, at room …

Induction Of The Heat Shock Response To Protect Against Polyglutamine Diseases And The Role Of Protein Sumoylation In Laminopathies And Alzheimer's Disease, Yu-Qian Zhang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Heat shock proteins function as molecular chaperones which help protein folding and prevent protein aggregation. My study shows that celastrol, a pharmacological compound capable of up-regulating the levels of heat shock proteins, inhibits cell death and protein aggregation caused by expanded polyglutamine containing protein, and the protective effects of celastrol are dependent on heat shock factor 1. These results suggest the potential of celastrol as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of polyglutamine diseases.

Sumoylation is a protein modification which plays diverse roles in regulating the target proteins. My study shows that lamin A is a target of protein sumoylation, …

Implications For The Hsf2/Prc1 Interaction And Regulation Of Condensin By Phosphorylation During Mitosis, Lynea Alene Murphy

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

At the beginning of mitosis, chromosomes are condensed and segregated to facilitate correct alignment later in cytokinesis. Condensin is the pentameric enzyme responsible for this DNA compaction and is composed of two structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) subunits and three non-SMC subunits. Condensin mutations generate chromosomal abnormalities due to improper segregation, leading to genome instability and eventual malignant transformation of the cell. Cdc2 phosphorylation of the non-SMC subunits, CAP-G, CAP-D2, and CAP-H, has been demonstrated to be important for condensin supercoiling activity and function. While these subunits are thought to be phosphorylated by Cdc2, the exact sites have not yet …

Endothelial Cell Dysfunction By Environmental Contaminants, Elizabeth Grace Oesterling

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Within the last few decades, epidemiological evidence has linked exposure to air pollution, both its particles and its organic components, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. CVD is a life long disease with the disruption of the endothelium being the inaugural event in this inflammatory process. The vascular endothelium is extremely susceptible to environmental insults given its tremendous surface area and that it is in constant contact with blood and components circulating within the blood, including xenobiotics. The endothelium is important as a barrier from blood constituents however, dysfunction of this barrier leads to the influx of lymphocytes and granulocytes that …

Caffeine Consumption Patterns And Beliefs Of College Freshmen, Gary Eugene Mcilvain

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Recently, energy drinks that contain high caffeine content without any age restrictions for purchase, have been introduced into the U.S. market. Caffeine consumption in the U.S. has increased dramatically, resulting in an increase in emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers. This increase in energy drink consumption, along with the traditional coffees, teas, and soft drinks that people consume regularly, have pushed caffeine consumption to new highs in a multi-billion dollar market.

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the amount of caffeine consumed by a sample of freshmen students at Marshall University, (2) their beliefs …

Benzene-1,3-Diamidoethanethiol (Bdeth2) And Its Metal Compounds, Kamruz Md Zaman

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

There is a global need to find a permanent and readily implemented solution to the problem of heavy metal pollution in aqueous environments. A dithiol compound, benzene-1,3-diamidoethanethiol (BDETH₂), also known as N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl) isophthalamide or N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-benzenedicarboxamide, capable of binding divalent metal ions, has been synthesized and characterized. A broad range of BDET-metal compounds, spanning the periodic chart, has been prepared and characterized by IR, MS, EA, Raman, XAFS and TGA. The characteristics of the BDET-M compounds were determined through secondary reactions. In an effort to derivatize BDET-M compounds through alkylalumination a new cyclic compound, 1,3- bis(4,5-dihydrothiazolo)benzene, has …

Translational Regulatory Mechanisms Of The Rat And Human Multidrug Resistance Protein 2, Yuanyuan Zhang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) is the second member the C subfamily in the superfamily of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters. MRP2 is a critical player for generation of bile acidindependent bile flow and biliary excretion of glutathione, glucuronate and sulfate conjugates of endo- and xenobiotics. Dysfunctional expression of MRP2 is associated with Dubin-Johnson Syndrome.

Pathological and physiological states or xenobiotics change the MRP2 expression level. Under some conditions, expression of the human MRP2 and rat Mrp2 proteins are regulated at the translation level. There are several transcription initiation sites in MRP2/Mrp2 gene. The 5’ untranslated regions (5’UTRs) …

Gentrification Moves To The Global South: An Analysis Of The Programa De Rescate, A Neoliberal Urban Policy In México City's Centro Histórico, David M. Walker

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation argues that urban neoliberal programs currently formulating in the Global South are unprecedented in historical México as well as in examined practices of gentrification and globalization. In this dissertation I specifically focus on the Programa de Rescate – an urban policy being amassed in México City’s Centro Histórico as a nexus of processes of gentrification, neoliberalization, and globalization. This work re-theorizes how gentrification functions when it is implemented in the Global South – as the neoliberalization of space.

Application Of Linear Free Energy Relationships In The Prediction Of Triglyceride/Water Partition Coefficients And Lipid Bilayer Permeability Coefficients Of Small Organic Molecules And Peptides, Yichen Cao

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Computational methods such as linear free energy relationships (LFERs) offer a useful high-throughput solution to quickly evaluate drug developability, e.g. membrane permeability, organic solvent/water partition coefficients, and solubility. LFERs typically assume the contribution of structural components/functional groups to the overall properties of a given molecule to be constant and independent. This dissertation describes a series of studies in which linear free energy relationships were developed to predict solvation of small organic molecules in lipid formulations, specifically, triglyceride containing solvents and phospholipid-based liposomes. The formation of intermolecular HBs in triglyceride solvents (homogenous with H-bond accepting ability) and intramolecular HBs within the …

Thermal Sensitivity Of Vagal Pulmonary Sensory Neurons: Role Of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Channels, Dan Ni

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Hyperthermia can occur in lungs and airways during both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. A previous study carried out in our laboratory showed that hyperthermia activates and sensitizes vagal bronchopulmonary Cfiber afferents, whether this effect is through a direct action of hyperthermia on sensory nerves is not known. This dissertation study was aimed to investigate the thermal-sensitivity of pulmonary sensory neurons, and the roles of thermalsensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of neurons isolated from nodose/jugular ganglia were applied in the study. Results of this study showed that hyperthermia directly activates pulmonary sensory neurons, and this effect …

Genetic Regulation Of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging, Erin J. Oakley

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

It is well documented that both quantitative and qualitative changes in the murine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) population occur with age. In mice, the effect of aging on stem cells is highly strain-specific, thus suggesting genetic regulation plays a role in HSC aging. In C57BL/6 (B6) mice, the HSC population steadily increases with age, whereas in DBA/2 (D2) mice, this population declines. Our lab has previously mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) to murine chromosome 2 that is associated with the variation in frequency of HSCs between aged B6 and D2 mice. In these dissertation studies, I first aim to …

Nitration And Inactivation Of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Plays A Critical Role In Metabolic Switch, Muthuswamy Anantharaman

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disease. Oxidative stress hypothesis is most prevalent and is gaining significant support. Inspite of the progress achieved on oxidative stress related damages in AD brain; the modification occurring on the various cellular antioxidant enzymes antioxidant has not been identified. Tyrosine nitration, a marker for peroxynitrite induced oxidative damage to protein is widespread in AD brain and Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme is prone to peroxynitrite induced nitration and inactivation. Nitration of proteins involved in energy metabolism has been demonstrated in AD brain, which may explain the altered glucose …

The Underlying Mechanism(S) Of Fasting Induced Neuroprotection After Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury, Laurie Michelle Helene Davis

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is becoming a national epidemic, as it accounts for 1.5 million cases each year. This disorder affects primarily the young population and elderly. Currently, there is no treatment for TBI, which means that ~2% of the U.S. population is currently living with prolonged neurological damage and dysfunction. Recently, there have been many studies showing that TBI negatively impacts mitochondrial function. It has been proposed that in order to save the cell from destruction mitochondrial function must be preserved. The ketogenic diet, originally designed to mimic fasting physiology, is effective in treating epilepsy. Therefore, we have used …

Surfactant And Metal Sorption Studies By Functionalized Membranes And Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Abhay R. Ladhe

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Functionalized membranes provide an elegant platform for selective separations and sorptions. In this dissertation, application of functionalized membranes for surfactant and metal sorption studies are discussed. Sorption behavior of surfactants is also studied using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and other techniques.

Adsorption of the ethoxylated surfactants on polymeric materials (cotton and polyester) and model gold surface was quantified from a non-aqueous siloxane based solvent (D5) and water. The role of ethylene oxide group and the effect of nature of polymeric materials on adsorption behavior was quantified and established. In the case of gold-water interface, the adsorption data was fitted to …

Carbon Nanotube Supported Metal Catalysts For NoX Reduction Using Hydrocarbon Reductants, Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are atmospheric pollutants that pose a serious threat to both the environment and human health. Although catalytic deNO_x technologies for engines working under stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratios (i.e., most gasoline engines) are already available, their performance is unsatisfactory under excess air conditions like those under which diesel engines operate.

The selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with hydrocarbon reductants (HC-SCR) is a potential deNO_xsolution for diesel engines, whose operating temperatures are 150-500 ºC. Given that is unlikely for a single catalyst to show acceptable activity throughout this entire temperature span, the use of …

A Novel Class Of Immunoproteasome Catalytic Subunit Lmp2 Inhibitor And Its Therapeutic Potentials In Cancer, Yik Khuan (Abby) Ho

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The immunoproteasome, known to play an important role in MHC class I antigen processing and presentation, have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and hematological cancers. However, the pathophysiological functions of the immunoproteasome in these diseases are still not very well established. This can be attributed mainly to the lack of appropriate molecular probes that selectively target the immunoproteasome catalytic subunits. Herein, we report the development of a small molecular inhibitor (AM) that selectively targets the major catalytic subunit, LMP2, of the immunoproteasome. We show that the compound covalently modifies the LMP2 subunit with high specificity in human prostate …

Effect Of Chronic Airway Inflammation Induced By Allergen Sensitization On Vagal Bronchopulmonary Sensory Nerves In Rats, Guangfan Zhang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Airway hyperresponsivness (AHR) is one of most prominent pathophysiological features of asthma. Increasing evidence suggests that vagal bronchopulmonary afferents may be involved in the development of AHR. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the effect of chronic airway inflammation induced by allergen sensitization on vagal bronchopulmonary afferents. The study was carried out in an animal model of allergic asthma. Brown-Norway rats were sensitized by intraperitoneal Ovalbumin (Ova) and exposed to aerosolized Ova 3 times/week for three weeks. Control rats received the vehicle. In vivo single-fiber recording technique was applied in …

The Role Of Stem Cell Antigen-1(Sca-1) In Muscle Aging, Sonia Angela Richards-Malcolm

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Muscle aging is associated with a decrease in the number of satellite cells and their progeny, muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) that are available for muscle repair and regeneration. However, there is an increase in non-immuno-hematopoietic cells (CD45 negative) in regenerating muscle from aged mice characterized by high stem cell antigen -1(Sca-1) expression. In aged regenerating muscle, 14.2% of cells are CD45neg Sca-1pos while 7.2% of cells are CD45neg Sca-1pos in young adult muscle. In vitro, CD45neg Sca-1pos cells over express genes associated with fibrosis, potentially controlled by Wnt2. These cells are proliferative, non-myogenic and non-adipogenic, and arise in clonally-derived MPCs …

Irritability, Executive Functioning, And The Alcohol-Aggression Relation, Aaron John Godlaski

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The purpose of this investigation was twofold. First, to test the hypothesis that irritability and executive functioning (EF), two previously established risk factors for alcohol-related aggression, would interact to conjointly confer multiplicative risk for intoxicated violence that is not observed when testing either variable alone. Second, to test the hypothesis that irritability would mediate the relation between EF and alcohol-related aggression. EF was measured using seven well-established neuropsychological tests. Irritability was measured using the Caprara Irritability Scale-CIS. Participants were 310 male and female social drinkers between the ages of 21 – 35 years old. After consuming an …

Integrated Geophysical Imaging Of Subsurface Geologic Conditions Across A Contaminant Plume, Mccracken County, Kentucky, Cora A. Blits

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Over 7.8 km of seismic reflection data and 2 km of electrical resistivity data were acquired, processed, and interpreted during this multi-method geophysical study. Objectives included the definition of geologic conditions underlying a contaminant plume in McCracken County, western Kentucky, and the determination of the potential for structural control on the rate and direction of plume migration. Both geophysical methods indicate the presence of multiple high-angle normal faults outlining a series of asymmetric grabens ranging in width from 160 m to almost 300 m and striking between N40°E and N45°E. There was agreement between the two methods on fault location …

Distress And Health Information Interests Of Women Following A Benign Breast Biopsy, Rachel Fancher Steffens

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Benign breast biopsy (BBB) can be a stressful experience for many women. Few studies have examined the specific aspects of the BBB more and less distressing. However, no research studies have examined demographic and clinical variables as they relate to distress associated with specific aspects of the BBB or the informational interests of women following a BBB. This study evaluated the magnitude of distress associated with each aspect of the BBB (additional mammography, waiting for the results of the mammography, being informed of needing a biopsy, etc.) as well as the clinical (family history of BC in first degree relative, …

Effects Of Mindfulness And Experiential Avoidance In Responding To Emotional Film Clips, Erin Celine Walsh

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This study examined if levels of self-reported mindfulness and experiential avoidance were associated with subjective and physiological outcomes following exposure to distressing film clips. Participants consisted of 108 college-aged young adults who completed self-report measures assessing levels of mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and negative affect. Several devices designed to monitor physiological activity, specifically sympathetic nervous activation, were also attached to participants. Participants were shown four brief film clips of neutral and unpleasant stimuli while these devices were attached. After each film, subjective distress ratings were gathered every 20 seconds for a period of two minutes to determine extent of emotional recovery. …

Use Of Parthenolide Derivatives As Antileukemic And Cytotoxic Agents, Peter A. Crooks, Craig T. Jordan, Xiaochen Wei

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

Compounds of the formula having anti-tumor activity, wherein R₁ and R₂ are as described herein

Forage News [2007-12], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Heart of America Grazing Conference to Be Held in Missouri
• Forage Producers to Be Featured at KCA
• SRM/AFGC in Louisville
• Panoramic 2SL Registered for Weed Control in Pastures
• Hay – 2007
• Energy Savings with New Light Bulbs
• Corn Stalks and a Protein Block…That All You Got?
• Reflections at My 80^th Birthday - Carl S. Hoveland, October 25, 2007
• Upcoming Events

Fiscal Year 2007 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state transportation agencies to submit a biennial report on local highway finances. The purpose of these reports is to provide FHWA with the data it needs to capture the financing of highway activities at the local level. Based on this information, it can identify trends in revenue, expenditures, investments, and program development, and in turn make decisions about future investments. The report, FHWA-536, asks agencies to report on four areas of local highway finance: 1) disposition of highway-user revenues; 2) revenues used for roads and streets identified by source and funding type; 3) road …