Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Medicine and Health Sciences (84)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (41)
- Life Sciences (29)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (28)
- Psychology (24)
-
- Arts and Humanities (23)
- Art and Design (14)
- Engineering (13)
- Medical Sciences (13)
- Biology (12)
- Anatomy (11)
- Epidemiology (11)
- Health and Medical Administration (11)
- Nervous System (11)
- Public Health (11)
- Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration (10)
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (9)
- Medical Pharmacology (9)
- Biostatistics (8)
- Physiology (8)
- Statistics and Probability (8)
- Education (7)
- Art Education (6)
- Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering (6)
- Chemistry (6)
- Dentistry (6)
- Nursing (6)
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (6)
- Computer Sciences (4)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
- Keyword
-
- Virginia (7)
- Cancer (6)
- Children (6)
- Emotion (6)
- Nature (6)
-
- Stress (6)
- Apoptosis (5)
- Health (5)
- Health care (5)
- Adolescent (4)
- Anxiety (4)
- Clay (4)
- DNA (4)
- Enzyme (4)
- Healthcare (4)
- Painting (4)
- Photography (4)
- Protein (4)
- Trauma (4)
- Algorithm (3)
- Bacteria (3)
- Body image (3)
- Brain tumor (3)
- Cannabinoid (3)
- Canvas (3)
- Carcinoma (3)
- Cell proliferation (3)
- Cognition (3)
- Curriculum (3)
- Education (3)
Articles 1 - 30 of 233
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Cathexellanea, Pir Rothenberg
Cathexellanea, Pir Rothenberg
Theses and Dissertations
Cathexellanea is a portmanteau word blending "cathexis," a psychoanalytical term meaning an investment of mental or emotional energy on a person, object or idea; and "miscellanea," a collection of objects or writings. One theme running through these stories concerns characters attempt to define themselves through their desires. "Bottomless" explores the idea of emotional and physical fulfillment. "Croquembouche" revolves around self-loathing and corruptibility. In "Destripado," the protagonist discovers that one way to dispel fear is to become the thing that causes it. "Ghosts" asks whether it is a past lover the protagonist longs for, or her phantoms. "Versions" deals with the …
The Expression And Function Of Wilms' Tumor 1 In Malignant Glioma, Aaron J. Clark
The Expression And Function Of Wilms' Tumor 1 In Malignant Glioma, Aaron J. Clark
Theses and Dissertations
The Wilms' tumor 1 gene is overexpressed in many types of cancer and is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. In vitro studies in non-glioma cells types have demonstrated that WTl plays a role in increased proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and increased cellular invasion. We aimed to thoroughly characterize the expression pattern of Wilms' tumor 1 in human malignant glioma and discern its function in this complex disease process. We screened a large sample of established human malignant glioma cell lines and glioma tissue specimens of all grades for WT1 expression. The majority of cell lines and …
Chemometric Analysis Of Multivariate Liquid Chromatography Data: Applications In Pharmacokinetics, Metabolomics, And Toxicology, Sarah Elizabeth Graham Porter
Chemometric Analysis Of Multivariate Liquid Chromatography Data: Applications In Pharmacokinetics, Metabolomics, And Toxicology, Sarah Elizabeth Graham Porter
Theses and Dissertations
In the first part of this work, LC-MS data were used to calculate the in-vitro intrinsic clearances (CLint) for the metabolism of p-methoxyrnethamphetamine (PMMA) and fluoxetine by the CYP2D6 enzyme using a steady-state (SS) approach and a new general enzyme (GE) screening method. For PMMA, the SS experiment resulted in a CLint of 2.7 ± 0.2 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1 and the GE experiment resulted in a CLint of 3.0 ± 0.6 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1. For fluoxetine, the SS experiment resulted in a CLint of 0.33 ± 0.17 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1 and the GE experiment resulted in a CLint of 0.188 …
Healing Interior: Using Eastern Design Principles In Hotel Design, Yunju Lee Koh
Healing Interior: Using Eastern Design Principles In Hotel Design, Yunju Lee Koh
Theses and Dissertations
The main goal of this thesis is to explore how interior spaces in hotel designs can provide a less stressful environment and promote health and harmony by using Feng Shui Principles. It will first discuss the principles of Feng Shui and general hotel design, and then move on to demonstrate how the application of Feng Shui principles can be used to create a hotel environment that encourages health and harmony in its occupants. This project will demonstrate principles that not only can be applied to hotel space, but also can be practiced in any other interior space. This thesis, therefore, …
The Discriminative Stimulus Properties Of The Atypical Antipsychotic Clozapine In C57bl/6 Mice, Scott D. Philibin
The Discriminative Stimulus Properties Of The Atypical Antipsychotic Clozapine In C57bl/6 Mice, Scott D. Philibin
Theses and Dissertations
Serotonin and α1 adrenergic receptor antagonism may contribute to atypical antipsychotic drug effects. Clozapine (2.5 mg/kg) drug discrimination in C57BL/6 mice may selectively screen atypical antipsychotic drugs. Previous data show that the atypical antipsychotics olanzapine, risperidone, ziprasidone but not the typical antipsychotic haloperidol fully substitutes for clozapine. The present study demonstrated that the atypical antipsychotics quetiapine, sertindole, zotepine, iloperidone, melperone fully substituted for clozapine but aripiprazole did not. The typical antipsychotics fluphenazine and perphenazine failed to fully substitute for clozapine but chlorpromazine and thioridazine fully substituted for clozapine. This model does not differentiate between atypical and typical antipsychotic drugs but …
Isolation Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Adult Bone Marrow And Umbilical Cord Blood And Their Potential To Differentiate Into Osteoblasts, Andrew P. Pacitti
Isolation Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Adult Bone Marrow And Umbilical Cord Blood And Their Potential To Differentiate Into Osteoblasts, Andrew P. Pacitti
Theses and Dissertations
The demand for treatment strategies of musculoskeletal tissues is continuously growing, especially considering the increasing number of elderly people with degenerative diseases of the skeletal system. Despite major strides in the field of bone regenerative medicine during the years, current therapies, such as bone grafts, still have several limitations. Multipotent stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for tissue repair because of their differentiation potential and their capacity to undergo extensive replication. However, isolating a homogeneous population of MSCs from multiple sources is an area that needs to be addressed. Also, the knowledge regarding the mechanisms …
Characterization Of Perphenazine And Scopolamine Aerosols Generated Using The Capillary Aerosol Generator, Xihao Li
Theses and Dissertations
The characterization of perphenazine and scopolamine aerosols generated using the capillary aerosol generator (CAG) was reported. Variables including steady state power, the formulation vehicle, the drug concentration and the formulation flow rate were studied for their effects on the chemical stability and particle size of these drug aerosols.Stability-indicating HPLC and LC-MS assays were developed and validated for perphenazine and scopolamine, respectively. The chemical stability of each compound was investigated under a variety of stress conditions and the structure of degradation products was proposed.Perphenazine aerosols were generated from propylene glycol (PG) formulations with concentrations of 9, 48 and 90mM at formulation …
Optimal Clustering: Genetic Constrained K-Means And Linear Programming Algorithms, Jianmin Zhao
Optimal Clustering: Genetic Constrained K-Means And Linear Programming Algorithms, Jianmin Zhao
Theses and Dissertations
Methods for determining clusters of data under- specified constraints have recently gained popularity. Although general constraints may be used, we focus on clustering methods with the constraint of a minimal cluster size. In this dissertation, we propose two constrained k-means algorithms: Linear Programming Algorithm (LPA) and Genetic Constrained K-means Algorithm (GCKA). Linear Programming Algorithm modifies the k-means algorithm into a linear programming problem with constraints requiring that each cluster have m or more subjects. In order to achieve an acceptable clustering solution, we run the algorithm with a large number of random sets of initial seeds, and choose the solution …
Molecular Localization Of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1-Alpha In Post-Ischemic Myocardium Following In Vivo Prolyl-4 Hydroxylase-2 Gene Silencing, Julia Antoinette Messina
Molecular Localization Of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1-Alpha In Post-Ischemic Myocardium Following In Vivo Prolyl-4 Hydroxylase-2 Gene Silencing, Julia Antoinette Messina
Theses and Dissertations
Administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for prolyl-4 hydroxylase-2 (PHD2) results in PHD2 inhibition, Hypoxia Inducible Factor-I (HIF-1) activation, and cardioprotection versus Ischemia Reperfusion (IR). This study observes the effects of siRNA-mediated PHD2 inhibition on the distribution of cardioprotective proteins by immunofluorescence and basic histology. Fifteen mice were divided into 5 groups: PHD2 Control, Non-Targeting scramble (NTS) Control, IR Control, PHD2 IR, and NTS IR. Histologically, tissue damage was reduced dramatically in the PHD2 IR group compared to the NTS IR and IR control groups. From confocal images, total fluorescent pixels and intensities were quantified. The PHD2 IR group …
Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres
Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres
Theses and Dissertations
Acquisition and retention of spores of an anthrax surrogate, Bacillus atrophaeus Nakamura ("BG") were evaluated in eight insect species. Species included: house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.), German cockroach (Blatella germanica L.), common house fly (Musca domestics L.), blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria L.), hairy rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus L.), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), common paper wasps (Polistes exclamans exclamans Viereck), red paper wasps (Polistes Carolina L.), red harvester ant (Pogonymyrmex barbatus Smith). Individual insects were offered BG-treated food and sacrificed at specified time intervals following one, two or three meals. Resulting samples were surface-washed five consecutive times then homogenized …
Synthesis Of Novel Antimycobacterials And A Fluorescent Sensor For Simple Carbohydrates, Brian Thomas Walker
Synthesis Of Novel Antimycobacterials And A Fluorescent Sensor For Simple Carbohydrates, Brian Thomas Walker
Theses and Dissertations
Cell surface carbohydrates play an important role in a wide variety of biological processes such as inflammation, tumor metastasis, and viral and bacterial infection. The goal of our research has been two-fold. The first objective was the synthesis of antimycobacterial compounds. A mannose containing tetrasaccharide from the mannan core of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been synthesized using α-D-methylmannopyranoside as starting material and Koeings-Knorr reactions to couple saccharides. The synthesis was completed in nine steps and in 14% total yield. This compound should be useful in competitive inhibition studies with macrophages or as an immunological marker. We have successfully …
Genetic Assessment Of Rare Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus Chaetodon) Populations In Virginia, Diana Marie Kercher
Genetic Assessment Of Rare Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus Chaetodon) Populations In Virginia, Diana Marie Kercher
Theses and Dissertations
Enneacanthus chaetodon, the blackbanded sunfish, has become increasingly rare throughout its distribution in the Eastern United States. In Virginia, E. chaetodon maintains an endangered status and individuals persist in six populations. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data were assessed to determine the genetic characters and gene diversity of the Virginia populations. The results of these analyses were then compared to five additional populations; four from New Jersey and one from North Carolina that were known to have relatively good fitness and were not impacted severely by habitat alteration. The results of this study are relevant to selection of proper management …
Identification Of Novel Allosteric Regulators Of Human Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase, Shilpa S. Kharalkar
Identification Of Novel Allosteric Regulators Of Human Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase, Shilpa S. Kharalkar
Theses and Dissertations
Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (R-PK) is a key glycolytic enzyme catalyzing the transphosphorylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and ADP to pyruvate and ATP respectively3,4. The substrate PEP and product pyruvate of this reaction are involved in a number of energetic and biosynthetic pathways; hence a tight regulation of R-PK activity is crucial not only for glycolysis, but also for the entire cellular metabolism. Deficiency of R-PK is one of the most common enzymatic defects of RBC, and may be caused by mutations of the PK-LR (pyruvate kinase liver red blood cell) gene31, 32. Clinically, R-PK deficiency manifests itself as a chronic life-long …
Characterization Of The Rank Ligand Positive Giant Cell Found In The Interfacial Membrane, Patrick Emerson Jones
Characterization Of The Rank Ligand Positive Giant Cell Found In The Interfacial Membrane, Patrick Emerson Jones
Theses and Dissertations
Aseptic osteolysis is a major complication to total joint arthroplasty requiring several thousand people a year to have to undergo revisions of their joint prosthesis. The formation of the interfacial membrane has been associated with aseptic osteolysis leading to the failure of all types of total joints. Recent evidence suggests that RANKL, a potent activator of bone reabsorption, is present in the interfacial membrane. Prior research in this laboratory to determine the source of RANKL in the interfacial membrane has revealed the presence of intense areas of RANKL concentration in the membrane. These areas of RANKL concentration correspond to multiple …
A Critical Review Of Telomerase Biology And Model Systems For The Study Of Telomerase, Jeremy Charles Aisenberg
A Critical Review Of Telomerase Biology And Model Systems For The Study Of Telomerase, Jeremy Charles Aisenberg
Theses and Dissertations
The study of telomere and telomerase biology holds substantial promise in uncovering the molecular process of aging and the treatment of cancers. Studies have shown that telomere shortening is directly linked to cellular aging and that telomerase expression is found in over 85% of human cancers, including 95% of all advanced malignancies. Development of effective model systems to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of telomeres and telomerase in the processes aging and cancer is of particular importance. While inbred strains of mice have provided a wealth of information for a variety of pathways and diseases, the mouse model …
Meta-Analysis Of Open Vs Closed Surgery Of Mandibular Condyle Fractures, Marcy Lauren Nussbaum
Meta-Analysis Of Open Vs Closed Surgery Of Mandibular Condyle Fractures, Marcy Lauren Nussbaum
Theses and Dissertations
A review of the literature reveals a difference of opinion regarding whether open or closed reduction of condylar fractures produces the best results. It would be beneficial to critically analyze past studies that have directly compared the two methods in an attempt to answer this question. A Medline search for articles using the key words 'mandibular condyle fractures' and 'mandibular condyle fractures surgery' was performed. The articles chosen for the meta-analysis contained data on at least one of the following: postoperative maximum mouth opening, lateral excursion, protrusion, deviation on opening, asymmetry, and joint pain or muscle pain. Several common statistical …
The Post-9/11 Federal Homeland Security Paradigm And The Adoptive Capacity Of Public Administration Theory And Practice, Chaya Rani Jain
The Post-9/11 Federal Homeland Security Paradigm And The Adoptive Capacity Of Public Administration Theory And Practice, Chaya Rani Jain
Theses and Dissertations
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks redefined the federal approach to disaster planning. Prior to 9/11, disaster and emergency management meant preparedness for and response to natural and man-made emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and civil discord. The post-9/11 paradigm shift, a multi-pronged approach called "homeland security" strategy, now incorporates a multitude of man- and nature-made disasters to include border and transportation security; emergency preparedness, response and recovery against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats; as well as information analysis and infrastructure protection. These new priorities were communicated to the state and local governments. The purpose of this descriptive, …
Models Of Forgiveness And Adult Romantic Attachment In Ended Relationships: Forgiveness Over Time, Kathryn Louise Cooke
Models Of Forgiveness And Adult Romantic Attachment In Ended Relationships: Forgiveness Over Time, Kathryn Louise Cooke
Theses and Dissertations
This study examined models of self and other as they relate to attachment, forgiveness, emotional and cognitive reactions to a breakup, relationship variables, and positive and negative feelings toward the self and former partner after a romantic relationship is ended. This study also tested how these variables change over time. Data were collected over a period of five weeks from 130 undergraduates who had experienced a breakup within the two weeks prior to beginning the study. Data were analyzed with a series of univariate and multivariate analyses of variance. Results found that there were differences in how participants reacted to …
Cooking With Paint, Jody Lynn Schwab
Cooking With Paint, Jody Lynn Schwab
Theses and Dissertations
Graduate school has been a time of travel through experimentation. The journey has almost always been a search for materials and sources that match my need for working with the self-referential narrative within the framework of a process. Repeatedly, I would venture out and turn back, only to venture out again, packed with new materials and image sources, in search of a complete process. In retrospect, there have been no dead ends, only quenched curiosities that sometimes cleanly, often clumsily, lead one to the other. What is left is a series of explorations from which I can pluck similarities, clues …
Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles Reveal The Origin Of Silicate Grains In Circumstellar Environments, Peneé Armaize Clayborne
Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles Reveal The Origin Of Silicate Grains In Circumstellar Environments, Peneé Armaize Clayborne
Theses and Dissertations
The processes leading to the widespread presence of crystalline silicates throughout the galaxy and the origin of silicon nanoparticles thought to be responsible for the observed extended red emission in diffuse galactic background are still far from being understood. One of the most abundant oxygen bearing species in molecular astronomical regions is SiO. It has been conjectured that silicate formation probably proceeds via the agglomeration of these molecular species; however there are no studies to reveal the microscopic mechanism. We have used a synergistic approach combining experiments in molecular beams and first principles theoretical calculation to demonstrate that the passage …
A Longitudinal Investigation Of Cognitive Predictors Of Self-Care Behaviors In Youth With Type I Diabetes, Michelle Marie Greene
A Longitudinal Investigation Of Cognitive Predictors Of Self-Care Behaviors In Youth With Type I Diabetes, Michelle Marie Greene
Theses and Dissertations
Cross-sectional research of youth with type I diabetes has demonstrated that rote and working memory predict blood glucose monitoring (BGM) and carbohydrate consumption, respectively; however, to date, no longitudinal follow-up studies exist. Rote and working memory subtests from well-standardized memory measures, along with a problem-solving and executive functioning measures were administered to 118 youth with type I diabetes, aged 9-16 in two waves of data collection (mean interval = 2.07 years). Diabetes care behaviors were assessed through the 24-hour Diabetes Interview. This study was the first to document longitudinal prediction of BGM by rote memory and fat consumption by working …
The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace
The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace
Theses and Dissertations
Cancer and heart disease account for the largest proportion of morbidity and mortality among all adult diseases in the United States. Research has focused on identifying causal risk factors among adolescents. However, theories of health behavior change also stress the intermediary factors of intention and efficacy for effective behavior change. Existing research supports the potential of physical activity (PA), particularly learned through the domains of exercise and sport, as a means to developing these necessary skills (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale, 1993). The current investigation examined the influence of PA and television watching (TV) on intentions and efficacy to engage in …
Stretch-Dependant Tonic Force Maintenance In Rabbit Epigastric Artery, Krystina Michelle Berg
Stretch-Dependant Tonic Force Maintenance In Rabbit Epigastric Artery, Krystina Michelle Berg
Theses and Dissertations
The contractile state of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays a key role in blood pressure regulation. Abnormal VSM contractility characterizes hypertension and understanding the regulatory mechanisms of VSM may provide some insights to specific treatment of hypertension. Upon muscle stimulation, Ca2+, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, crossbridge cycling rates and force increase to high levels, but with time, force is maintained while all other parameters of muscle activation fall to low levels. Thus, contraction is divided temporally into early (phasic) and late (tonic) phases, as determined by the underlying regulatory mechanism. Muscles with more phasic characteristics have a higher peak …
Examining The Progression Of Disability Benefits Among Employees In The United States, Carolyn E. Danczyk-Hawley
Examining The Progression Of Disability Benefits Among Employees In The United States, Carolyn E. Danczyk-Hawley
Theses and Dissertations
The following project is a compilation of three separate articles all utilizing a database extracted from the UNUM/Provident Life Insurance Company, including all consecutive short-term disability (STD) claims filed with UNUM from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996 from claimants who were also insured for long-term disability (LTD) by UNUM. The resulting sample includes 77,297 claims.The results of these studies are part of a larger investigation that documented the Progression of Disability Benefits (PODB) phenomenon. PODB refers to the migration of workers with work-limiting disabilities through a system of economic benefits resulting in their placement onto Social Security Disability …
Influences On Health Related Quality Of Life In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years And Over, Hilary Beth Greenberger
Influences On Health Related Quality Of Life In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years And Over, Hilary Beth Greenberger
Theses and Dissertations
Interest in patient-reported health care outcomes such as health related quality of life (HRQL) has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Typically, HRQL has been conceptualized as having at least three domains: physical, psychological, and social functioning. Although research has attempted to identify factors that influence HRQL,few studies have simultaneously examined how various factors impact HRQL in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a causal model to identify factors influencing HRQL. The constructs and observed variables hypothesized to influence HRQL included medical burden, housing satisfaction, socioeconomic status,religion/spirituality, age, gender, and marital status.Three hundred …
Functional Consequences Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Over-Expression In Human Gliomas, Emily Mullet
Functional Consequences Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Over-Expression In Human Gliomas, Emily Mullet
Theses and Dissertations
Malignant brain tumors are among the deadliest of human cancers. Despit recent advancements in conventional therapies, glioblastomas remain incurable, largel y due to their ability to invade surrounding tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases are thought to contribute to the invaseive phenotype of human gliomas. Absent in normal brain, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) has been shown to be present in gliomas, and in particular in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). To begin to examine the role of MMP-1 in these tumore, two human glioma cell lines were stably transfected with MMP-1 cDNA. Confirmation of MMP-1 over-expression in these cells was achieved through real-time PCR and Western …
Experimental Study Of The Entrainment Of Nanoparticles From Surfaces, Srirupa Ganguly
Experimental Study Of The Entrainment Of Nanoparticles From Surfaces, Srirupa Ganguly
Theses and Dissertations
The adhesion and resuspension of nanoparticles is important in applications ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to pollution management. The objective of this work is to understand the effect of particle size on re-entrainment of nanometer scale particles. One of the major contributions is to reduce the randomness introduced in past measurements on resuspension by controlling humidity, temperature, material and the distribution of shape and particle sizes. In the process of studying particle size, the effect of surface roughness was also found. Measurements of the detachment fraction of carbon particles as a function of flow rate show three distinct regimes that we …
Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah
Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah
Theses and Dissertations
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), an age-old clinical problem facing the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of all health systems, is a common debilitating lung condition consequent upon severe systemic inflammation. Although several studies have gone into understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease thus making way for new advances in treatment strategies, there seems to be no known study tailored to its prevention. Neutrophil extravasation within the tissues during inflammation is the hallmark of this syndrome. Our study sought to block excessive neutrophil infiltration by inhibiting the biosynthesis of some essential proteins necessary for the process. In …
Bayesian Analysis, Endogenous Data,And Convergence Of Beliefs, Andrew T. Foerster
Bayesian Analysis, Endogenous Data,And Convergence Of Beliefs, Andrew T. Foerster
Theses and Dissertations
Problems in statistical analysis, economics, and many other disciplines often involve a trade-off between rewards and additional information that could yield higher future rewards. This thesis investigates such a trade-off, using a class of problems known as bandit problems. In these problems, a reward-seeking agent makes decisions based upon his beliefs about a parameter that controls rewards. While some choices may generate higher short-term rewards, other choices may provide information that allows the agent to learn about the parameter, thereby potentially increasing future rewards. Learning occurs if the agent's subjective beliefs about the parameter converge over time to the parameter's …
The Influence Of Sustained Cb1 Blockade During Adolescence On Breakpoints In A Progressive-Ratio Paradigm, Mayo Jerry Wright Jr.
The Influence Of Sustained Cb1 Blockade During Adolescence On Breakpoints In A Progressive-Ratio Paradigm, Mayo Jerry Wright Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
The developmental psychopharmacology of cannabinoids is poorly understood and little is known about the developmental consequences of repeated exposure to cannabinoid antagonists. In these experiments, male Long-Evans rats were treated with SR141716A, a cannabinoid antagonist, throughout adolescence and allowed unrestricted access to food. Control groups were treated with vehicle during the same developmental period and allowed either unrestricted access to food or were pair-fed with a member of the SR-treated group. Motivation to work for food was measured in progressive-ratio sessions at varying levels of food deprivation. For rats that consumed fewer calories throughout adolescence, whether because of pharmacological intervention …