Digital Commons Network^™

Genomic Comparisons And Genome Architecture Of Divergent Trypanosoma Species, Katie Bradwell

Theses and Dissertations

Virulent Trypanosoma cruzi, and the non-pathogenic Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli are protozoan parasites with divergent lifestyles. T. cruzi and T. rangeli are endemic to Latin America, whereas T. conorhini is tropicopolitan. Reduviid bug vectors spread these parasites to mammalian hosts, within which T. rangeli and T. conorhini replicate extracellularly, while T. cruzi has intracellular stages. Firstly, this work compares the genomes of these parasites to understand their differing phenotypes. Secondly, genome architecture of T. cruzi is examined to address the effect of a complex hybridization history, polycistronic transcription, and genome plasticity on this organism, and study its highly …

A Study About How To Create A Mythical Beast Successfully, Focusing On The Example Of The Nine-Tailed Fox In Eastern Art, Yidan Xie

Theses and Dissertations

Mythical beasts appear in many forms across multiple cultures throughout human history. Their narratives and visual designs express important beliefs and desires of a given culture. By focusing on the aesthetics and history of the nine-tailed fox, a Chinese mythological, this thesis will explore the constructions and artistic techniques that have given shape to the myth. This thesis will also discuss my thesis project named Classic of Mountains and Seas. The ultimate aim of my creative project has been to develop an animation of new mythical beasts, and this paper situates my creations within the much broader history that has …

Supporting Teen Leaders: Validation Of The I Drive Smart Survey, Cynthia M. George

Theses and Dissertations

Recent policy change allows states to spend federal dollars directly on teen-led driver safety efforts and requires regular evaluations of effectiveness. There are currently no standardized instruments to measure change in teen driving behavior relevant to teen leaders. This study serves the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee Highway Safety Office and their network of teen leaders to empirically test and refine the I Drive Smart survey developed by partners and grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The survey is designed to be administered by teen leaders to their peers and produce data relevant for use …

Functional Consequences Of Mtdna Methylation On Mitochondrial Transcription Factor Binding And Transcription Initiation, Elliot N. Burton

Theses and Dissertations

The role of cytosine modifications on nuclear transcription has been well characterized, but the function of DNA methylation in the mitochondrial genome has not been determined. Previous studies conducted by the Taylor laboratory have shown overexpression of the mitochondrial isoform of DNMT1 leads to strand-specific changes in gene expression. Here, we show that increased mtDNMT1 expression leads to an increase in the polycistronic transcript encoding the ND1 and Cox1 sequences. In order to understand the mechanistic basis of these changes, we investigated the effects of CpG methylation in the heavy strand promoter on transcription initiation and TFAM binding. Methylation was …

Shifting Focus, Dawn R. Gillis

Theses and Dissertations

My photographic and craft works focus on the flowing forms of flowers; the delicate, ruffled edges of feathers; and the complex veining patterns of leaves. To highlight these natural elements I use a limited palette, often no more than two close value colors. My photographs are extreme close-ups and are referred to as macrophotography. The images are abstracted yet still hint at the organic original. In my crafts, which include jewelry, textiles, and books, I also use a reduced palette when presenting abstracted natural structures.

I use a process-oriented approach to allow for repetitive tasks. The repetition is rewarding in …

Investigation Of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum And Anaplasma Marginale Adhesin-Host Cell Interactions, Kathryn S. Hebert

Theses and Dissertations

Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. marginale are the etiologic agents of bovine anaplasmosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis, respectively. As obligate intracellular pathogens, binding and entry of host cells is a prerequisite for survival. The molecular events associated with these processes are poorly understood. Identifying the adhesins mediating binding, delineating their key functional domains, and determining the molecular determinants to which they bind not only benefits better understanding of Anaplasma spp. pathobiology, but could also benefit the development of novel approaches for protecting against infection. We previously demonstrated that A. phagocytophilum outer membrane protein A (ApOmpA) is critical for bacterial binding and …

Assembly And Regulation Of The Dream Complex, Jessica G. Felthousen

Theses and Dissertations

The DREAM complex assembles during G0/G1 when RB-like protein p130 recruits E2F4, DP1, and a core complex of five MuvB proteins to repress genes involved in cell cycle progression. In S-phase, the MuvB core dissociates from p130 and binds to BMYB transcription factor. Binding of the MuvB core to p130 requires phosphorylation of its subunit LIN52 at S28 residue by DYRK1A protein kinase. However, little is known about how the MuvB core interacts with p130 to form the DREAM complex, and how these interactions are manipulated throughout the cell cycle. In collaboration with Dr. Seth Rubin, we characterized the structural …

The Effects Of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone On Hippocampal Neurogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Mary K. Wurzelmann

Theses and Dissertations

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to damage, and BDNF, an endogenous neurotrophin that activates the TrkB receptor, has been shown to play a key role in the brain’s neuroprotective response. Activation of the TrkB signaling pathway by BDNF in the CNS promotes cell survival and aids in cell growth. However, due to its inability to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), the therapeutic advantages of BDNF treatment following TBI are limited. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is a flavonoid that mimics the effects of BDNF, is a potent TrkB receptor agonist, and can successfully cross the BBB. Our …

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture In Association With Systemic And Local Factors As Potential Predictors Of Implant Failure, Diego A. Camacho Dmd

Theses and Dissertations

Clinicians have described the success rates of dental implants. The use of implants is projected to increase in the future. With a 5-10% failure rate, it is unclear the exact factors that are associated with implant failures. To improve upon these success rates, it is critical to understand parameters associated with implant failure including: periodontitis, peri-implantitis, systemic diseases, site preparation, dental history of the implant site, bone quality, materials, occlusion, and treatment timelines. While bone quality is associated with failure, objective measures to assess bone quality and characteristics are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine whether …

Optimal Control And Its Application To The Life-Cycle Savings Problem, Tracy A. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the course of this thesis, we give an introduction to optimal control theory and its necessary conditions, prove Pontryagin's Maximum Principle, and present the life-cycle saving under uncertain lifetime optimal control problem. We present a very involved sensitivity analysis that determines how a change in the initial wealth, discount factor, or relative risk aversion coefficient may affect the model the terminal depletion of wealth time, optimal consumption path, and optimal accumulation of wealth path. Through simulation of the life-cycle saving under uncertain lifetime model, we are not only able to present the model dynamics through time, but also to …

Pharmacological Inhibition Of Cyclophilin Ameliorates Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis, Zi L. Huang

Theses and Dissertations

A subset of cyclophilins have been implicated in mechanisms of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration that contributes to the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction leading to mitochondrial permeability transition plays a pivotal role in axonal damage and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis. Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a crucial regulatory component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and it was demonstrated that the cyclophilin D knockout animals showed reduced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) clinical disease severity and axonal injury. We investigated the effect of N-methyl-4-isoleucine-cyclosporin (NIM811), a non-immunosuppressive and non-selective cyclophilin inhibitor, on the course and severity of EAE. EAE mice treated …

Unknowable Terrain, Carli A. Holcomb

Theses and Dissertations

I see the moment of creation as a threshold, a fertile ground where anything is possible. My work combines an interest in science, mythology, cosmologies, and a childlike sense of wonderment to seek the unknowable. I create formless floating worlds that have a seducing, enlightening, and ultimately deceiving presence. Vibrant lusty clusters of candied opulence emphasize the wetness at the beginning of life. Dry folds give way to woozy nests and frenzied organisms while dripping crystalline structures puncture soft unknowable terrains.

Through the process of making I indulge my desire to create an otherworld, one that bubbles, garishly drips, and …

Synthetic Landscapes, Benjamin Thomas Jordan

Theses and Dissertations

My work explores the complex social geography of modern society and the intricate relationship between mankind and the environment. Through this work I explore the past and present lineage of manifest destiny, from its beginnings in Europe to western expansion in America, to forms it has takes in contemporary America. These ceramic forms serve as the conceptual grounds to explore the romanticizing of the western landscape especially from an individual and group perspective. I simultaneously celebrate the history of the pastoral life while questioning the authenticity, and motivations of that lifestyle, and use this platform as a jumping off point …

Bigger By The Dozens: The Prevalence Of Afro-Based Tradition In Battle Rap, Shingi Mavima

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

This paper interrogates the linguistic grounding of battle rap in Afro-based cultural practices, and the transformative power the understated art form possesses within the African American community. An integral part of hip-hop from the beginning, 'battling' has grown into a distinct subculture in recent years. Because of its oft-unmitigated rawness, it is often viewed as a lesser artistic form that embodies the worst of the violence, misogyny and other societal ills that hip-hop is accused of promoting. This paper argues that battle rap is not a corruption of Black culture: it is the modern incarnation of long-held oral, competitive, and …

Feasibility Of Integrating Tripterygium Wilfordii Into Modern Cancer Therapy For Increased Efficacy With Minimal Toxicity, Andy Vo

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and millions of novel cancer cases are being diagnosed each year. While chemotherapy and ionizing radiation are effective treatments against these malignant tumors, the adverse effects that accompany such treatments are devastating. In order to find alternative treatment methods with less side effects, we turn to Eastern herbal medicine. Recent scientific research has found that Tripterygium wilfordii, an herbal medicine traditionally used to treat inflammation in China, contains compounds (triptolide and celastrol) that prevent the growth of solid tumors, induce apoptosis, and prevent metastasis of developed tumors. Investigations on …

Acute And Chronic Effects Of Inhalants In Intracranial Self-Stimulation, Matthew Tracy

Theses and Dissertations

Inhalants are a loosely defined diverse group of volatile substances which people abuse. Despite widespread misuse of inhalants, there are limited preclinical methods available to study the reinforcement-like properties of inhalants. One procedure which has demonstrated substantial promise as a tool to investigate inhalant pharmacology is the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure. ICSS utilizes pulses of electrical stimulation to the mesolimbic reward pathway to serve as a temporally defined and controlled operant reinforcer with a highly adjustable efficacy. The first aim of the project was to characterize the effects of commonly abused inhalants: including toluene, trichloroethane, nitrous oxide, isoflurane and R134a …

Everywhere And Nowhere: Public Art Interventions In Qatar, Barbara Charrue

Theses and Dissertations

Qatar is rapidly becoming an internationally renowned art hub not only through the construction of numerous museums and galleries, but also through the development of public art projects.

I strongly believe that Qatar can be more than a place to work; it can be a space where art is part of public spaces. But how can we fully and effectively integrate art into public space in Qatar? How can Qatar be more than a place where we work, eat, sleep, and go to the mall from time to time? How can public art involve / benefit the community and local …

Seasonal Variation Of Fish And Macroinvertebrate Biomass Spectra In Southern West Virginia Streams, Andrew J. Kirk

Theses and Dissertations

The biomass size spectrum - the power-law scaling relationship between average individual size and total biomass - has often been studied in lake and marine ecosystems, but rarely in lotic systems. The objective of this study was to test for characteristic biomass spectra in small temperate streams. Seasonal fish and macroinvertebrate data, including population abundance and biomass estimates, were collected in three wadeable, southern West Virginia streams from October 2013 to May 2015. Fish abundances were estimated with 3-pass electrofishing (depletion) surveys and individuals were weighed in the field. Macroinvertebrates were collected with a Hess sampler and returned to the …

Urban Stressors And Child Asthma: An Examination Of Child And Caregiver Models, Gillian G. Leibach

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine how low-income, racial and ethnic minority, urban families experience and manage their child’s asthma. The rationale for this study stems from existing literature on asthma disparities and documented predictors of increased asthma morbidity and mortality. In particular, this study considered how specific types of stress may disproportionately impact low-income, racial and ethnic minority, urban families that have a child with asthma. This study aimed to determine associations between urban stressors (stressful life events, perceived discrimination, subjective socioeconomic status) and child asthma outcomes (emergency department visits, school days missed, asthma control), and …

Emanata Presents: Kin (2016)

Emanata, 2014-

Started by illustrator and comics artist Chris Kindred in 2014 with Weird, Vol. 1, Emanata is VCU’s first-ever comics anthology.

System Genetic Analysis Of Mechanisms Underlying Excessive Alcohol Consumption, Maren L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Increased alcohol consumption over time is one of the characteristic symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The molecular mechanisms underlying this escalation in intake is still the subject of study. However, the mesocortical and mesolimbic dopamine pathways, and the extended amygdala, because of their involvement in reward and reinforcement are believed to play key roles in these behavioral changes. Multiple gene expression studies have shown that alcohol affects the expression of thousands of genes in the brain. The studies discussed in this document use the systems biology technique of co-expression network analysis to attempt to find

patterns within genome-wide expression …

Emerging Pathogens In Cystic Fibrosis Patients At Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (Vcumc), Emily M. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting 70,000 individuals worldwide. This disease is characterized by the buildup of mucus in the airways leading to chronic lung infections resulting in pulmonary failure and death in 95% of CF patients. Routine surveillance of CF pathogens using traditional microbiology culture guides management and treatment of CF patients. Molecular profiling studies have revealed emerging pathogens that may play a role in CF lung disease by either directly causing infection or upregulating the virulence factors of classic CF pathogens, such as P. aeruginosa; however, routine CF culture protocols have not been modified …

Differential Response Of Barrier Island Dune Grasses To Species Interactions And Burial, April Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Dune grasses are integral to biogeomorphic feedbacks that create and alter foredunes and barrier island stability. In a glasshouse study, Ammophila breviligulata Fern. and Uniola paniculata L. were planted together and subjected to sand burial to quantify morphological and physiological response. Ammophila breviligulata physiological and morphological performance declined when planted with U. paniculata but U. paniculata was not affected when planted with A. breviligulata. Burial had a positive effect on A. breviligulata and U. paniculata as indicated by electron transport rate and total biomass at the end of the experiment. Due to their different growth strategies, A. breviligulata and …

Autotaxin In Central Nervous System Development And Disease, Natalie A. Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations

During development, oligodendrocytes (OLGs), the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), undergo a stepwise progression during which OLG progenitors, specified from neural stem/progenitor cells, differentiate into fully mature myelinating OLGs. This progression along the OLG lineage is characterized by well-synchronized changes in morphology and gene expression patterns. The studies presented in this dissertation identified the extracellular factor Autotaxin (ATX) as a novel upstream signal modulating HDAC1/2 activity and gene expression in cells of the OLG lineage. Using the zebrafish as an in vivo model system, as well as rodent primary OLG cultures, this functional property of ATX was …

Investigating The Effects Of Nucleosome Remodeling Factor Knockdown On Anti-Tumor Immunity, Mark G. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

The nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) is a chromatin remodeling complex involved in early animal development and is implicated in a number of cancers. In previous work, knockdown of NURF’s largest subunit, BPTF, resulted in diminished tumor growth in mouse cancer cell lines. Other studies in our lab demonstrated increased activation of T-lymphocytes into BPTF KD tumors. In order to examine if this approach has any therapeutic potential, this work investigates the effects of BPTF knockdown in established tumors by using recombinant adenoviruses (rAd), as well as observe the way the immune system interacts with BPTF knockdown cells, both in vivo …

Crystallographic Study Of Mutant Influenza Matrix (M1) Protein And Affinity Study Of Small Molecule Inhibitors Toward M1 And Growth Factors, Bashayer Althufairi

Theses and Dissertations

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a seasonal infectious agent that could cause a major worldwide catastrophe. Due to its genetic properties, IAV generates new viral particles that resist the body’s immune defense and antiviral drug therapy. This occurs when a host cell has been co-infected by different IAV strains leading to the generation of hybrid viruses. This process is called reassortment. The majority of these new IAVs contain genetically altered hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Unfortunately, all current IAV drug therapies target the highly mutated proteins, HA and NA, which is not very useful. Influenza matrix protein 1 (M1) is …

Magic At The Crossroads: The Rise Of The Video Essay, Morganne Tinsley August

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the birth, rise in popularity, and evolution of the video essay, a subgenre of the essay found recently in online literary journals. Chapter one provides a brief history of the alphabetic essay as it expands to include photo essays, audio essays, and essay-films. The second chapter outlines the history of the online literary journal and John Bresland’s role in the introduction of the video essay as it appears in online journals. Chapter three contains an examination of the way image, text, and sound function in video essays and the tools and strategies essayists are using to create …

God As Cult Initiate: Dionysos And The Eleusinian Mysteries In Greek Vase-Painting, Anthony F. Mangieri

Art Inquiries

No abstract provided.

From Audubon To Warhol: The Art Of American Still Life, Stephanie Huber

Art Inquiries

No abstract provided.

The Last Laugh: Selections From Michael Aurbach’S Secrecy Series, Dorothy Joiner

Art Inquiries

No abstract provided.