Digital Commons Network^™

Community Capitals: Examining The Socioeconomics Of A Rural Community, Margaret R. Tweten

Theses and Dissertations

This research project study centered on the examination of community capitals that exist within a thriving rural community located in the upper Great Plains region. Grounded theory helped in the analysis of the data to understand how community capitals contributed to the socioeconomic growth and well-being of a thriving rural community. Interview data were collected from key informants and questionnaire results from business owners showed there were a number of factors that contributed to the community's ability to thrive. The main contributing factor to the growth of the community was a change to a positive mindset among rural community leaders. …

Lipid Raft Mediated Lyn Kinase Activation Regulates Host Innate Immune Response Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Lung Infection, Shibichakravarthy Kannan

Theses and Dissertations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a common opportunistic pathogen that invades the susceptible host. Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a pivotal role in defending against invading pathogens in the lungs. The effectiveness of AM in combating PA infection has not been studied in detail. The goal was to identify the key components involved in mounting an effective innate immune response using the murine lung infection as a model to understand the host - pathogen interactions. Our most important finding was the involvement of Lyn tyrosine kinase, a member of Src family tyrosine kinases, in orchestrating the host cell response to PA invasion. …

Volume 46, Number 18: December 17, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 46, Number 16: December 03, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Quadrupedal Walking Algorithm For The 12-Tet Walker, Kirk A. Ogaard

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cortisol Response Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurers Versus Non-Self-Injurers Exposed To A Social Rejection Laboratory Stressor, Patrick L. Kerr

Theses and Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSI) represents a growing area of concern in a variety of clinical settings, yet remains a poorly understood phenomenon. An influx of research on the functions of NSI over the past decade has suggested a biopsychosocial emotional regulation model of this behavior. This model proposes that self-injurers engage in NSI to reduce negative emotions, and presupposes that self-injurers are characterized by emotional dysregulation. The present study evaluated the biological component of this model by assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPAA) functioning in a group of self-injurers(n=26) and non-injuring healthy controls (n=28). HPAA functioning was assessed via measuring salivary cortisol levels …

Constituent Order And Participant Reference In Dolnia Hani Narrative Discourse, Karen L. Gainer

Theses and Dissertations

Hani is a language in the Loloish family, spoken primarily in Yunnan Province of southwest China. This thesis presents a description of constituent order and participant reference in written Hani narrative discourse. The primary data source for this thesis consists of three narratives, which are included in the appendices.

Constituent order in Hani is largely constrained by the principle of natural information flow. In order to conform to this principle, some constituents may appear in two or more different positions in the clause, depending on the information structure of the assertion being made. Information structure also influences the use and …

Verbal Tone In Mpyemo, Bradley D. Festen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the tonal patterns and alternations present in the Mpyemo language (Bantu A.86c – ISO code mcx), with special attention to the verbal system. Rules and autosegmental representations are used to clarify and provide a formal analysis. A tone raising rule causes the underlying two-tone system to display three phonetic levels at the surface. This thesis explores nominalized verbs and verbs in the imperative. In addition, inflected verbs are described, although only a limited set of inflectional morphemes are treated. Thus, I look at verbs with inflectional prefixes for subject agreement, the perfect, and a single verbal auxiliary …

Movements, Resource Selection, And Risk Analyses For Parasitic Disease In An Expanding Moose Population In The Northern Great Plains, James J. Maskey Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known regarding moose ecology in North Dakota, and a decline in moose in northeastern North Dakota may be linked to parasites of white-tailed deer (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and Fascioloides magna). I investigated the ecology of moose, including the potential effects of parasitic disease. I used global positioning system collars to estimate home ranges and habitat selection and collected fecal samples for diet estimates. I reviewed historical data and examined livers moose for evidence of F. magna infection. I examined 3730 white-tailed deer for P. tenuis and investigated whether prevalence had increased since 1991. I modeled the relationship …

Volume 46, Number 14: November 19, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Exploring Future Workforce Perceptions Of Leadership And Relationships, Brandon J. Semler

Theses and Dissertations

It is the aim of this study to increase available literature regarding leadership by identifying the most common perceptions of college students about leadership and relationships. With increased understanding of the perceptions of college student regarding leadership and relationships in comparison to definitions of leadership and relationships in current literature Will come improvements in communication strategies that aid in the training of future leaders in the organizational environment. College students at the University of North Dakota were interviewed about their perceptions of leadership and relationships using the focus group method. Qualitative analysis was used to discover common themes among these …

Personality Factors Influencing Bemidji State University Industrial Technology Majors Making Heavy Industrial Construction Career Choices, Timothy M. Brockman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to apply Holland's theory and gather information about Bemidji State University (BSU) construction management (CM) students, CM graduates, CM faculty, and the heavy industrial construction workforce for a greater understanding of students, the academic environment, and the heavy industrial construction environment. A secondary purpose was to help increase recruitment and retention of students within the CM emphasis of the Industrial Technology major at BSU, and provide support for development of curricula within the CM emphasis as it meets needs of the construction industry. The study examined five research questions using Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) …

The Design And Synthesis Of Zinc(Ii) Ion Fluorescence Sensors, Julius Ngunde Ngwendson

Theses and Dissertations

This work is a study of a new class of aromatic amines as fluorescent zinc sensors. N-(Carboxymethyl)-N-[3-[(carboxymethyl)amino]-2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl]glycinate exhibits more than 20-fold fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Zn(II) ions when excited at 300 nm. This compound shows a fluorescence emission at 390 nm, which in the presence of Zn(II) ion exhibits a 20 nm emission blue shift. The tetraacetate version, potassium N,N'-(2-methoxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis[ N-(carboxymethyl)]glycinate, exhibits a 7-fold sensitivity to Zn(II) ion, and there is no emission band shift observed. Investigations point to the methoxy group for the ratiometric behavior and increased sensitivity to zinc. The diacetate versions—sodium N-(carboxymethyl)- N-(2-methoxyphenyl)glycinate, sodium N,N'-(2-methoxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bisglycinate …

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Modulates Nmda Receptors In The Central Nervous System, Javier H. Jara

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple cytokines are secreted in the brain during inflammatory conditions and likely affect neuronal survival. Previous studies demonstrated that glutamate and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) kill neurons via activation of the NMDA and TNFα receptors, respectively. Nevertheless the mechanisms of neuronal death are not completely elucidated. The goal of this study was to characterize the signaling cross-talk pathway initiated during this inflammation-related mechanism of cell death. Stimulation of mouse cortical neuron cultures with TNFα resulted in a transient increase in NMDA receptor-dependent calcium influx that is additive with NMDA stimulation and inhibited by pretreatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist. …

November 6, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Senate Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the November 4, 2008, meeting of the University Senate. 33 pages

Volume 46, Number 12: November 05, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 46, Number 11: October 29, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 46, Number 10: October 22, 2008, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

164th Infantry News: October 2008, 164th Infantry Association

164th Infantry Regiment Publications

October 2008 edition of the 164th Infantry News. A total of 40 pages, containing news articles, event notices, photographs, and personal memories from the veterans of the 164th Infantry Regiment.

Evaluation Of An Oral Vaccination Program To Control Raccoon Rabies In A Suburbanized Landscape, Jason R. Boulanger, Laura L. Bigler, Paul D. Curtis, Donald H. Lein, Arthur J. Lembo Jr.

Biology Faculty Publications

We evaluated the efficacy of an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program conducted in Erie County, New York, from July through September, 2002–2005. Ingress of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies variant first occurred along the southern border of Erie County, New York, during 1992 and began to spread northward at a velocity of 31 km/year. Fixed-wing aircraft dropped ORV baits in rural landscapes; helicopters, hand baiting, and bait stations distributed baits in suburban landscapes (x̄ bait densities ranged 59–118 baits/km²). Our study objectives were to quantify rabies case densities, evaluate efficacy of intervention efforts, and determine biological, …

Fall 2008, University Of North Dakota Alumni Association

ALL: UND Alumni Review Master List

Fall 2008 issue of "The University of North Dakota Alumni Review." 70 pages

Volume 91, Number 4

Vol. 33, No. 4: Fall 2008, School Of Medicine & Health Sciences

North Dakota Medicine Archive

No abstract provided.

Altered Vascular Function In A Rat Model Of Reduced Utero -Placental Perfusion., Cindy M. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to characterize vascular responsiveness and leptin signaling in small mesenteric and uterine arcuate arteries in a rat model of reduced uterine perfusion pressure. The reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model was utilized to mimic the underlying pathology of preeclampsia. The uterine arteries and abdominal aortae of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were surgically constricted on day 14 of gestation. Systolic blood pressure measurements were obtained before and during pregnancy using a tail cuff measuring system. Weight was measured with each blood pressure evaluation. The rats were euthanized on gestational day 20. Fetal number, fetal weight and placental …

Experimental Polychondritis: Induced Vs. Spontaneous., Jennifer L. Lamoureux

Theses and Dissertations

We demonstrate evidence supporting two independent hypotheses related to experimental polychondritis: (1) co-expression of a “nonpathogenic” HLA-DQ allele with a “pathogenic” allele results in enhanced susceptibility to disease; and (2) age related immunological changes allow for the spontaneous onset of disease. Relapsing polychondritis (RP), a human autoimmune disease of unknown etiology in which cartilaginous sites are destroyed by cyclic inflammatory episodes, occurs most commonly during middle age. Collagen-induced polychondritis (CIP) develops in heterologous type II collagen (CII) immunized young (6–8 wk old) mice expressing HLA-DQ6α8β transgenes (tg) regardless of gender, and mirrors clinical RP. Although both DQ6αβ8αβ tg and DQ6α8β …

Cervical Extracellular Matrix Changes Due To Parturition, Rhonda R. Schafer

Theses and Dissertations

Cervical ripening involves an active process of extracellular matrix remodeling to produce dramatic changes in the biomechanical properties of the cervix. Comparison of temporal changes in proteoglycan synthesis, glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in rat cervices related to pregnancy will allow us to better understand the sequence of events that control cervical ripening. To maintain clinical relevance, we will compare the effects of clinically used cervical ripening agents on extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation using human cervical fibroblasts in vitro.

Sprague-Dawley rat cervices were radiolabeled in organ and extracted. Measurements of wet weight shows significant increases at gestational …

Pcor Partnership Atlas, Wesley D. Peck, Barry W. Botnen, Lisa S. Botnen, Daniel J. Daly, John A. Harju, Melanie D. Jensen, Erin M. O'Leary, Steven A. Smith, James A. Sorensen, Edward N. Steadman, Stephanie L. Wolfe, Darin R. Damiani, John T. Litynski, David W. Fischer

EERC Maps and Infographics

The Plains CO₂ Reduction (PCOR) Partnership Atlas, revised 2nd edition, introduces global climate change and provides a regional profile of CO₂ sources and potential sinks across the PCOR Partnership region. Carbon sequestration offers a promising set of technologies through which CO₂ can be stored for long periods of time.

Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase Isoforms Associated With Mitochondria In Rat And Human., Dean Allen Frolich

Theses and Dissertations

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDP kinases) are a family of enzymes that transfer the gamma-phosphate group from a NTP (nucleoside triphosphate) to a NDP (nucleoside diphosphate). The reaction follows a ping-pong mechanism in which the enzyme is transiently phosphorylated on a conserved histidine residue. In the cell, activity appears to be ubiquitous as it is associated with the cytosol, nucleus, mitochondria and plasma membrane. NDP kinase enzymatic activity has been demonstrated in a variety of tissues. The classical role proposed for NDP kinase in mitochondrial matrix is the transfer of a phosphoryl group from GTP (produced in the TCA cycle) to …

Development Of A Definition, Classification System, And Model For Cultural Geology., Lloyd W. Mitchell Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The concept for this study is based upon a personal interest by the author, an American Indian, in promoting cultural perspectives in undergraduate college teaching and learning environments. Most academicians recognize that merged fields can enhance undergraduate curricula. However, conflict may occur when instructors attempt to merge social science fields such as history or philosophy with geoscience fields such as mining and geomorphology. For example, ideologies of Earth structures derived from scientific methodologies may conflict with historical and spiritual understandings of Earth structures held by American Indians. Specifically, this study addresses the problem of how to combine cultural studies with …

Risky Behaviors Among University Students: The American College Health Survey 2000 And 2002 At The University Of North Dakota., Alan Allery

Theses and Dissertations

Health promotion professionals lack data regarding incidence and prevalence regarding risky behavior that University of North Dakota (UND) students engage in on a regular basis. Because of the lack of data and analysis, professionals were unable to develop a strategic plan that included science based interventions to reduce risky behavior and improve health status. The researcher used the health belief model as a theoretical framework for the study. A comparison of data from National College Health Surveys conducted at UND, in 2000 and 2002 to determine changes in behavior from 2000 to 2002. The results were also compared with a …

Adrenergic Modulation Of Ca1 Neuron Activity, Kristin L. Hillman

Theses and Dissertations

Adrenergic receptors (ARs) represent a family of G protein-coupled receptors endogenously activated by norepinephrine and epinephrine. One area of the brain where AR activation modulates cellular activity is CA1 hippocampus, however it is not known which AR subtypes are specifically involved, nor the mechanism behind the AR-mediated changes in activity. The goal of this study was thus two-fold; (1) Identify the specific AR subtypes expressed in CA1, and (2) Identify the mechanism by which AR activation changes CA1 neuron excitability. I set forth the hypothesis that α1B-AR activation initiates phospholipase C (PLC) signaling in CA1 interneurons, causing them to depolarize …