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Injury-Induced Hand Dominance Transfer, Kathleen E. Yancosek

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Hand dominance is the preferential use of one hand over the other for motor tasks. 90% of people are right-hand dominant, and the majority of injuries (acute and cumulative trauma) occur to the dominant limb, creating a double-impact injury whereby a person is left in a functional state of single-handedness and must rely on the less-dexterous, non-dominant hand. When loss of dominant hand function is permanent, a forced shift of dominance is termed injury-induced hand dominance transfer (I-IHDT).

Military service members injured in combat operation may face I-IHDT following mutilating injuries (crush, avulsion, burn and blast wounds) that result in …

Spectroscopy And Structures Of Metal-Cyclic Hydrocarbon Complexes, Jung Sup Lee

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Metal-cyclic hydrocarbon complexes were prepared in a laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by single-photon zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) and IR-UV resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) spectroscopy. The ionization energies and vibrational frequencies of the metal complexes were measured from the ZEKE spectra. Metal-ligand bonding and low-lying electronic states of the neutral and ionized complexes were analyzed by combining the ZEKE measurements with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In addition, C-H stretching frequencies were measured from the R2PI spectra.

In this dissertation, metal complexes of 1, 3, 5, 7-cyclo-octatetraene (COT), toluene, p-xylene, mesitylene, hexamethylbenzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, pyrene, perylene, and …

Yersinia Pestis Virulence Factor Yopm Undermines The Function Of Distinct Ccr2+Gr1+ Cells In Spleen And Liver During Systemic Plague, Zhan Ye

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the infective agent of bubonic and pneumonic plague, is classified as a category A agent of bioterrorism. YopM, a protein toxin of Y. pestis, is necessary for full virulence in a systemic plague mouse model with ambient-temperature grown bacteria. We used this model to identify the cells undermined by YopM. Natural killer (NK) cells were previously reported to be lost in spleen and blood in a YopM-associated way; however, NK cell depletion was found not to occur in liver, and ablation of NK cells had no effect on bacterial growth, indicating that NK cells are redundant …

Protection Against Endothelial Inflammation By Green Tea Flavonoids, Yuanyuan Zheng

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Endothelial inflammation is a pivotal early event in the development of atherosclerosis. Long term exposure to cardiovascular risk factors will ultimately exhaust those protective anti-inflammatory factors such as the heme oxygenase (HO) system. The HO system plays a critical role in cellular and tissue self-defense against oxidative stress and inflammation. Caveolae are membrane domains and are particularly abundant in endothelial cells, where they are believed to play a major role in the regulation of endothelial vesicular trafficking as well as the uptake of lipids and related lipophilic compounds, possibly including bioactive food components such as flavonoids. Research in this dissertation …

Characterization Of Soil Carbon Stabilization In Long-Term Row-Cropped Agro-Ecosystems, Soraya Patricia Alvarado-Ochoa

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a dynamic soil property, sensitive and responsive to many factors. The possibility of increasing soil carbon (C) sequestration by changing land use and management practices has been of great interest recently due to concerns with global changes in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) balance. Nonetheless, as a result of the complex dynamics of SOM, there is still the need for SOM characterization procedures capable of monitoring SOM stabilization, taking into account all the factors involved.

This study characterized SOM stabilization as affected by management practices in three long-term field experiments, considering physical, chemical …

Targeted Polymeric Biomaterials For The Prevention Of Post Surgical Adhesions, John M. Medley

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Despite recent advances in surgical technique and the development of numerous therapeutic agents, the formation post surgical adhesions (PSA) continues to cause complications for many patients. In this research, we have employed a rational system to develop a novel treatment to address this clinical need. Based on an understanding of the biochemical events that lead to PSA formation, a series of targeted polymeric biomaterials was designed to interrupt the fibrin gel matrix propagation and suppress PSA formation.

Using group transfer polymerization, a series of well controlled block copolymers of polyacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol-methacrylate) based materials was synthesized. Subsequent functionalization …

Modulation Of The Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Following Experimental Rat Brain Injury Improves Cellular And Behavioral Outcomes, Thomas Matt Woodcock

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, and survivors are often left with cognitive deficits and significant problems with day to day tasks. To date, therapeutic pharmacological treatments of TBI remain elusive despite numerous clinical trials. An improved understanding of the molecular and cellular response to injury may help guide future treatment strategies. One promising marker for brain injury is the translocator protein (TSPO), which is normally expressed at a low level, but is highly expressed following brain damage and is associated with neuroinflammation. The isoquinoline carboxamide PK11195 binds selectively to the TSPO …

Immobilization Of Mercury And Arsenic Through Covalent Thiolate Bonding For The Purpose Of Environmental Remediation, Lisa Y. Blue

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Mercury and arsenic are widespread contaminants in aqueous environments throughout the world. The elements arise from multiple sources including mercury from coal-fired power plants and wells placed in natural geological deposits of arseniccontaining minerals. Both elements have significant negative health impacts on humans as they are cumulative toxins that bind to the sulfhydryl groups in proteins, disrupting many biological functions. There are currently no effective, economical techniques for removing either mercury or arsenic from aqueous sources. This thesis will demonstrate a superior removal method for both elements by formation of covalent bonds with the sulfur atoms in N,N’-Bis(2-mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide (commonly called …

Distribution Of Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, In Eastern Kentucky And The Susceptibility To Invasion By The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae, Joshua Taylor Clark

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive non-native insect, is threatening eastern hemlock in Kentucky. This study examined three techniques to map the distribution of eastern hemlock using decision trees, remote sensing, and species distribution modeling. Accuracy assessments showed that eastern hemlock was best modeled using a decision tree without incorporating satellite radiance. Using the distribution from the optimal model, risk maps for susceptibility to hemlock woolly adelgid infestation were created using two species distribution models. Environmental variables related to dispersal were used to build the models and their contributions to the models assessed. The models showed similar spatial distributions of …

Stability Of Spore-Based Sensing Systems, Abhishek Sangal

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The full exploitation of bacterial whole-cell biosensing systems in field applications requires the survival of bacterial cells and long term-preservation of their sensing ability during transportation and on-site storage of such analytical systems. Specifically, there is a need for rapid, simple and inexpensive biosensing systems for monitoring human health and the environment in remote areas which often suffer from harsh atmospheric conditions and inadequate commercial distribution and storage facilities. Our laboratory has previously reported the successful use of bacterial spores as vehicles for the long-term preservation and storage of whole-cell biosensing systems at room temperature.

In the present research, we …

Critical Geopolitics Of Islam In Astrakhan, Russia: Mosque Construction And Community Building, Meagan Lucinda Todd

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This thesis examines how and under what influences communities of Islamic faith have developed in post-Soviet Russia. My arguments are based on research conducted in Astrakhan, Russia in the summer of 2009. Astrakhan is the capital of Astrakhan Oblast in southwest Russia and has a reputation for being a multi-confessional and multi-ethnic city. Astrakhan is home to Russians, Tatars, Kazakhs, Kalmyks, and many other nationalities. I draw from interviews and newspaper analysis to examine what the local landscape of Islam looks like in Astrakhan, how has it changed since the collapse of the USSR, and what future trends are emerging. …

The No. 5 Block In Eastern Kentucky: A Critical Re-Examination Of The Petrology With Special Attention To The Origin Of Inertinite Macerals In The Splint Lithotypes, Allison Ranae Richardson

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Microbes, including fungi and bacteria, and insects are responsible for the consumption and subsequent degradation of plant materials into humus. These microbes directly and indirectly affect the physical and chemical characteristics of coal macerals. Efforts to understand and determine the origins of inertinite macerals are largely misrepresented in the literature, conforming to a single origin of fire. This study focuses on the variability of physical and inferred chemical differences observed petrographically between the different inertinite macerals and discusses the multiple pathways plant material may take to form and or degrade these macerals.

Petrographic results show that fungal activity plays a …

Exotic Invasive Plants In Kentucky, Yu Liang

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Invasion of exotic species is a significant problem in natural ecosystems, reaching epidemic proportions and resulting in significant economic losses. However, insufficient knowledge of explicit spatial distribution of invasive species hinders our ability to prevent and/or mitigate future invasion. In this study, we demonstrate the use of existing voluntary data to survey invasive plant species in Kentucky. We also reconstructed the historical distribution of 16 exotic invasive plants typical to Kentucky using herbarium records. We found that Kentucky is facing a large threat from exotic invasive plants as they are reported throughout most counties. The distribution maps for four of …

Spiny Amaranth Control And Aminopyralid Persistence In Kentucky Pastures, Meghan Elizabeth Edwards

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Spiny amaranth is a problematic weed of heavily grazed pastures in Kentucky and surrounding states. The first objective was to evaluate spiny amaranth control when herbicides are applied before and after emergence. Spiny amaranth seed collected in 2008 were seeded in rows in the fall (November) and the following spring (March) in fields located near Lexington and Princeton, KY. Treatments consisted of five application dates and five herbicides plus an untreated control arranged in a split-split plot design. The following parameters were measured: fresh weight, plant height and percent visual control. At both locations pendimethalin applied in November, March and …

Impact Of Dietary Diversification On Invasive Slugs And Biological Control With Notes On Slug Species Of Kentucky, Anna K. Thomas

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Increasing introductions of non-native terrestrial slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) are a concern to North American regulatory agencies as these generalists impact the yield and reduce the aesthetic value of crop plants. Understanding how the increase in diversification in North American cropping systems affects non-native gastropods and finding effective biological control options are imperative for pest management; however, little research has been done in this area. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary diversification affects the biological control capacity of a generalist predator and allows the slug pest Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) (Stylommatophora: Agriolimacidae) to more effectively fulfill its nutritional requirements. Results showed …

Impact Of High-Input Production Practices On Soybean Yield, Daniel L. Jordan

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

High-input management practices are often heavily marketed to producers to increase soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] yield in already high-yielding environments. Field research was conducted in three locations within 6 states (Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, and Minnesota) in 2009 to determine the effect of seed treatment, inoculant, foliar fungicide, additional soil fertility beyond state recommendations, foliar fertilizer, increased population over state recommendations, and narrow row spacing on yield. The high-input system (combination of the management practices) yielded higher than standard-input system (University recommended management practices) in only 8 of the 18 locations. Narrow rows, in both the high …

Synthesis, Characterization And Development Of Catalysts For Co2 Capture, Anitha Suhas Wishrojwar

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Fossil fuel and advanced industrialization techniques contribute to global warming through emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂. In order to mitigate climate change, there is a desperate need to reduce CO₂ emissions from different sources. CO₂ capture and sequestration (CCS) play an important role in these reductions.

Naturally occurring enzymes, e.g., carbonic anhydrase (CA), can catalyze these reactions in living systems. Much effort has been focused on complexes of zinc with ligands such as teta, cyclen and tripodal ligands including BIMA and Trispyrazolylborates. These complexes have many interesting CO₂ capture properties, but maintain toxic …

Effects Of Livestock Antibiotics On Nitrification, Denitrification, And Microbial Community Compositon In Soils Along A Topographic Gradient, Sagarika Banerjee

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Several types of antibiotics (roxarsone, virginiamycin, and bacitracin) are widely included in poultry feed to improve animal growth yields. Most of the antibiotics are excreted in manure which is subsequently applied to soils. One concern with this practice is that antibiotics may affect several microbially-mediated nutrient cycling reactions in soils that influence crop productivity and water quality. The main objectives of this study were to determine the effects of livestock antibiotics on nitrification, denitrification, and microbial community composition in soils along a topographic gradient. These objectives were addressed in a series of lab experiments by monitoring changes in inorganic N …

Shelter Availability, Occupancy, And Residency In Size-Asymmetric Contests Between Rusty Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus, Nathan M. Klar

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Contest outcomes are usually determined by differences in resource holding potential, the social histories of the combatants, and perceptions of resource value. One understudied aspect of gaining an advantage is the residency effect. Prior occupancy of a particular place can affect the knowledge and motivation of the resident. There could be a tactical advantage in knowing the terrain or an increased willingness to fight to maintain control of a familiar area. In this study we evaluated the importance of shelter residency effects relative to size differences between rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) as potential competitors for access to shelter. …

Hydraulic Geometry Relationships And Regional Curves For The Inner And Outer Bluegrass Regions Of Kentucky, Ruth Roseann Brockman

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Hydraulic geometry relationships and regional curves are used in natural channel design to assist engineers, biologists, and fluvial geomorphologists in the efforts undertaken to ameliorate previous activities that have diminished, impaired or destroyed the structure and function of stream systems. Bankfull channel characteristics were assessed for 14 United States Geological Survey (USGS) gaged sites in the Inner Bluegrass and 15 USGS gaged sites in the Outer Bluegrass Regions of Kentucky. Hydraulic geometry relationships and regional curves were developed for the aforementioned regions.

Analysis of the regression relationships showed that bankfull discharge is a good explanatory variable for bankfull parameters such …

Alcohol Dose And Aggression: Another Reason Why Drinking More Is A Bad Idea, Aaron Adriel Duke

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

A wealth of studies have examined the impact of alcohol on violence; however, only a small number have addressed differences elicited by different doses of alcohol. Such studies are seriously limited by mixed findings, small sample sizes, inconsistent alcohol doses and control conditions, a bias toward studying only male participants, and the predominant use of only one particular measure to assess aggression. The present laboratory investigation was designed to elucidate and advance this literature by improving upon these limitations. Participants were 187 (95 men and 92 women) social drinkers. Following the consumption of one of 6 alcohol doses (i.e., 0.0g/kg; …

Chromium, Copper, And Arsenic Concentration And Speciation In Soil Adjacent To Chromated Copper Arsenate (Cca) Treated Lumber Along A Topohydrosequence, Donald Roy Schwer Iii

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), and Copper (Cu) are ubiquitous in soils as a result of anthropogenic and geogenic processes. The fate of As, Cr, and Cu in the environment is largely governed by their speciation, which is influenced by soil physiochemical properties. This study investigated the influence of soil physiochemical properties and landscape position on As, Cr, and Cu concentration and speciation in soils adjacent to Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated lumber fence posts. Concentration gradients showed elevated total As and Cu adjacent to the three fence posts, which decreased with increasing distance from the posts. In addition, As and …

Creating An Interactive And Dichotomous Key To The World Subfamilies Of Braconidae, Kacie Jo Johansen

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Members of Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) are mostly parasitoids of other holometabolous insects. It is a large family with a little over 18,000 described species and many more to be described. Subfamily classification in this group has been unstable and resolution of phylogenetic history at the subfamily level has been problematic. Since 1993, no new keys to the subfamilies of Braconidae have been produced. Many taxonomic and phylogenetic changes have taken place since then, including a recent phylogeny proposing 47 subfamilies and representing the most robust and resolved analysis to date. A pressing need for new keys to the world subfamilies …

Opioid-Cannabinoid Codrugs With Enhanced Analgesic And Pharmacokinetic Profile, Harpreet Kaur Dhooper

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The central hypothesis of the dissertation is that “the design and synthesis of a codrug of an opiate and a cannabinoid can be achieved which is stable in the gastrointestinal tract and shows a superior pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profile when compared to a physical mixture of the two parent drugs.” To prove the hypothesis, a series of novel codrugs were prepared by conjugation of the opiate drug codeine with Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), cannabidiol, abn-cannabidiol and an opiate prodrug 3-O-acetylmorphine with Δ⁹-THC. Codeine-cannabinoid codrugs were evaluated for analgesic activity in the rat after oral administration. The …

Role Of Group X Secretory Phospholipase A2 In Murine Adipocytes, Xia Li

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) family is a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position, generating free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The sPLA₂ family has been implicated in various physiological and pathological activities. Eleven sPLA₂’s have been identified in mammals, and the function of each isoform likely reflects its tissue distribution and substrate specificity. Studies in vitro indicate that Group X (GX) sPLA₂ potently releases arachidonic acid (AA) and lysophosphatidylcholine from mammalian cell membranes. Interestingly, some of the biological effects mediated by GX sPLA₂ in vitro …

Examining Manual And Visual Response Inhibition Among Adhd Subtypes, Zachary W. Adams, Richard Milich, Mark T. Fillmore

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study compared inhibitory functioning among ADHD subtype groups on manual and visual versions of the stop task. Seventy-six children, identified as ADHD/I (n = 16), ADHD/C (n =42), and comparison (n = 18) completed both tasks. Results indicated that both ADHD groups were slower to inhibit responses than the comparison group on both tasks. Comparison children were faster to inhibit than activate responses on both versions of the task. Children in the ADHD groups also demonstrated this robust pattern on the manual task. However, on the visual task, children in the ADHD groups evidenced slowed inhibition …

Chronic Illness And Mental Health Issues, Marlene B. Huff, Kimberly K. Mcclanahan, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

By 2015, worldwide, 1.2 billion children aged 5-14 years will have some kind of significant chronic disease. Although scientific evidence indicates that children with chronic illness have more mental health issues than their healthy peers, many controversies and gaps in the literature exist. It is imperative that an understanding of the effects of chronic illness upon the mental health status of children and adolescent be undertaken. This article uses a biopsychosocial perspective to investigate the connection between chronic illness and mental health. The intent of the article is to suggest ways that medical and mental health professionals can provide services …

Quality Of Life And Adolescents In Rural Kentucky, Hatim A. Omar, Søren Ventegodt, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

In many rural areas in Kentucky, adolescents lack the basic assets for a good quality of life, such as having caring adults, a safe place and useful activities after school. In this chapter we analyze data from middle and high school students referred to a comprehensive school based health promotion center (SBHPC). From August 2006 to February 2008, a total of 382 students (200 female, 182 male, aged 12-18 years) were referred to the SBHPC for help. Only two (0.5%) students had two parents living with them and 12 (3.1 %) had safe, organized after school activities. 19.9% of the …

Effect Of Fluorination On Partitioning Behavior And Bilayer Self Assembly, Vivian Aramide Ojogun

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Fluorinated systems are defined by unique properties that offer advantages in drug delivery, material synthesis and industrial applications. In comparison to their hydrocarbon counterparts, the design of fluorinated solutes for tailored applications is limited by the inability to predict the effect of fluorination on phase behavior. This work examines and interprets the influence of fluorination on the phase behavior of fluorinated solutes and surfactants, with emphasis on their impact on vesicle bilayers.

Thermodynamic partitioning of functionalized series of fluorinated and hydrocarbon nicotinate prodrugs fashioned to promote solubility in a fluorocarbon solvent (perfluorooctyl bromide; PFOB) is measured. Predictive approaches are also …

Impact Of Central And Peripheral Trpv1 And Ros Levels On Proinflammatory Mediators And Nociceptive Behavior, Karin N. Westlund, Mikhail Y. Kochukov, Ying Lu, Terry A. Mcnearney

Physiology Faculty Publications

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels are important membrane sensors on peripheral nerve endings and on supportive non-neuronal synoviocytes in the knee joint. TRPV 1 ion channels respond with activation of calcium and sodium fluxes to pH, thermal, chemical, osmotic, mechanical and other stimuli abundant in inflamed joints. In the present study, the kaolin/carrageenan (k/c) induced knee joint arthritis model in rats, as well as primary and clonal human synoviocyte cultures were used to understand the reciprocal interactions between reactive nitroxidative species (ROS) and functional TRPV1 channels. ROS generation was monitored with ROS sensitive dyes using live cell …