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The Adventures Of A Young Artist, And The Promise Of The Digital Culture In Art, Jonathan Marshall Jan 2010

The Adventures Of A Young Artist, And The Promise Of The Digital Culture In Art, Jonathan Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

An analysis and explanation of my reasons for working in video, painting and drawing, and sculpture, considering the technological developments of the past decade; the possibility to use the internet as a distribution tool for works of art, and to shift the decision-making balance of the art-world; the ways that this approach is a democratic format for output in the arts and within communities of artists; an explanation of my studio practice while a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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Oculomotor Control In Patients With Parkinson's Disease, George Gitchel Dec 2009

Oculomotor Control In Patients With Parkinson's Disease, George Gitchel

Theses and Dissertations

There have been few studies investigating the eye movement behavior of Parkinson’s disease patients during fixation. This study objectively measured the eye movements of 36 patients with Parkinson’s disease, and 20 age matched controls. Stimuli consisted of ten standardized text passages first organized by Miller and Coleman. In addition, subjects followed a randomly displaced step jump target motion. Pendular nystagmus was found in all Parkinson’s subjects, with an average frequency of 7.44 Hz. Saccadic peak velocity and duration along the main sequence were not statistically different from controls. A slower rate of reading was also noted in the Parkinson’s group …

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Vitamin B6 Metabolism And Regulation Of Pyridoxal Kinase, Amit Gandhi Dec 2009

Vitamin B6 Metabolism And Regulation Of Pyridoxal Kinase, Amit Gandhi

Theses and Dissertations

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) is the cofactor for over 140 vitamin B6 (PLP)-dependent enzymes that are involved in various metabolic and biosynthetic pathways. Pyridoxal kinase (PL kinase) and pyridoxine 5’-phosphate oxidase (PNP oxidase) are the two key enzymes that metabolize nutritional forms of vitamin B6, including pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN), and pyridoxamine (PM) to the active cofactor form, PLP. Disruption of the PLP metabolic pathway due to mutations in PNP oxidase or PL kinase result in PLP deficiency, which is implicated in several neurological pathologies. Several ingested compounds are also known to result in PLP deficiency with concomitant neurotoxic effects. How …

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The 2009 H1n1 Influenza A “Swine Flu” Virus Presentation In Virginia 2009, Tammie Smith Dec 2009

The 2009 H1n1 Influenza A “Swine Flu” Virus Presentation In Virginia 2009, Tammie Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: 2009 H1N1 influenza was first detected in the Northern Hemisphere in April 2009. National data have suggested that the novel influenza virus disproportionately causes severe illness in children and young adults, a somewhat different presentation from traditional seasonal flu which normally strikes hardest in the very young and older adults. This may or may not be the case in Virginia, which, if it is different, may suggest a need to alter flu prevention messages and vaccine policy as the outbreak continues through the fall 2009-10 influenza season. This report examined the early presentation of the new influenza virus in …

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Zooplankton Abundance, Community Composition And Grazing In The James River Estuary (Virginia, Usa), Laura E. Barry Dec 2009

Zooplankton Abundance, Community Composition And Grazing In The James River Estuary (Virginia, Usa), Laura E. Barry

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the extent to which zooplankton in the James River Estuary (Virginia, USA) exploit the available algal-food resources. Zooplankton abundance, community composition and grazing rates were assessed at three locations which included a site with high algal production (near the VCU Rice Center) and two sites where algal production was lower. Grazing rates were measured by determining the rate of phytoplankton decline (as chlorophyll a) during 48-hour incubation experiments in the presence and absence of zooplankton. Significant differences in zooplankton abundance were observed among the three sites, with the greatest average zooplankton density (434 ± 69 ind/L) occurring …

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Commonwealth Times 2009-12-03 [Front Page Has 2009-11-30] Dec 2009

Commonwealth Times 2009-12-03 [Front Page Has 2009-11-30]

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

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Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors And Innate Immunity In Septic Shock, Joseph Bertsche Dec 2009

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors And Innate Immunity In Septic Shock, Joseph Bertsche

Theses and Dissertations

Innate immunity depends on pattern recognition receptors, which recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS), such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which detects the gram-negative bacterial toxin, lipopolysaccharide. Engagement of TLR4 by LPS sets off a cascade ending in the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon-β (IFN-β) which alerts the host to the infection. However, these responses can be mal-adaptive, especially in the context of bacterial sepsis, where a "cytokine storm" results in death of the host. Pharmacological modulation of these responses may therefore be a promising treatment modality. Inhibition of classic pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α has been …

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A Gaze Into The Personal Aesthetics Of Three Sons Of The Silver Age Of Russia, Karl Green Dec 2009

A Gaze Into The Personal Aesthetics Of Three Sons Of The Silver Age Of Russia, Karl Green

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract A Gaze into the Personal Aesthetics and Accomplishments of Three Sons of the Silver Age of Russia By Karl Green A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Director: Dr. Noreen C. Barnes Professor, Director of Graduate Studies School of the Arts For each of us, I wonder how much our geographic location and time of existence affects us as humans: the way we think, respond, grow, and live our daily lives. More importantly, I question how our environment dictates who we …

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Examining The Effects Of Penning On Juvenile Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), Nicolas Frederick Dec 2009

Examining The Effects Of Penning On Juvenile Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina), Nicolas Frederick

Theses and Dissertations

Box turtle (Terrapene carolina) populations have been declining over the last several decades, and one major cause is increasing urbanization. As a result of habitat fragmentation, wildlife managers are frequently turning to new and alternative management strategies. Traditional box turtle management has included relocation, which has been met with limited success. This study aims to combine these strategies with another less-studied one: forcing turtles to overwinter on site by penning them in an outdoor enclosure. Two sets of juvenile box turtles were released at the Virginia Commonwealth University Rice Center: one penned on site in a pen for one year, …

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A Study Of Land Use Planning Practices And The Relationship Between Population Distribution And Transportation Infrastructure In Kathmandu, Nepal., Walter Suwal Dec 2009

A Study Of Land Use Planning Practices And The Relationship Between Population Distribution And Transportation Infrastructure In Kathmandu, Nepal., Walter Suwal

Theses and Dissertations

This particular paper is meant to investigate planning in Kathmandu, Nepal specifically land use planning practices and the implications on the transportation network(s). Very early on in the research including existing land use (if any), and current transportation networks, it was clear that investigations must be made into the political and planning situation leading up to the modern era in Nepal. The overview of past political events is necessary to explain current planning trends and techniques, and also the mindset of the people of Kathmandu towards planning. Of course universal planning truths can be applied in various international contexts, but …

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Examining Job Satisfaction Online Adjunct Instructors': A Phenomenological Study, Shalyn Lapke Dec 2009

Examining Job Satisfaction Online Adjunct Instructors': A Phenomenological Study, Shalyn Lapke

Theses and Dissertations

The study of job satisfaction for professors in the work place has been prevalent in the research for decades (COACHE, 2007). As online education grows exponentially each year (Allen & Seaman, 2006), this aspect of professorial teaching is emerging as an increasingly critical factor. Many professors that teach in the online sector have taught or are currently teaching in a face-to-face setting as well (Preziosi & Gooden, 2003). Also, many of the professors teaching online courses in the higher education arena are being hired as adjunct instructors. There is a lack of literature dealing with the satisfaction of the educator …

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Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) Plumage As An Indicator For Infection: The Relationship Between Haemosporidia Infection And Breast Feather Reflectance In A Neotropical Migrant Passerine, Robert Fithian Nov 2009

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) Plumage As An Indicator For Infection: The Relationship Between Haemosporidia Infection And Breast Feather Reflectance In A Neotropical Migrant Passerine, Robert Fithian

Theses and Dissertations

Yellow avian plumage is a direct result of carotenoid pigments obtained in a bird’s diet and may act as an indicator for individual health, parasite resistance, and status. This study describes breast feather reflectance of adult Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) (n=169), insectivorous Neotropical migrant passerines, throughout the Ultraviolet (UV) and human visible light spectra and examines the relationship between Haemosporidia (pathogen causing Avian Malaria) infection and feather reflectance (n=41). Reflectance was characterized using a Principle Component Analysis evaluating Intensity, Brightness, Hue, UV Intensity, UV Brightness, and UV Chroma. UV and visible light reflectance was higher in birds sampled earlier in …

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Lee Bontecou's Early Reliefs (1959-1965): A Critical And Contextual Analysis, Rachel Dalton Nov 2009

Lee Bontecou's Early Reliefs (1959-1965): A Critical And Contextual Analysis, Rachel Dalton

Theses and Dissertations

American artist Lee Bontecou’s oeuvre is often described as difficult to categorize or “mysterious.” Her early work—a series of metal and canvas reliefs made between 1959 and 1965—is linked to a range of stylistic associations including such radically divergent movements as assemblage, minimalism and abstract expressionism. Alternately, contemporary art historian Mona Hadler cites a series of iconographic connections between Bontecou’s reliefs and the popular culture and politics of the late 1950’s and early ‘60s. Using historian Reinhardt Koselleck’s theorization of historical time where history is constituted by an amalgamation of “temporal layers” based on particular historical perspectives, this thesis will …

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Synthesis And Evaluation Of Anibamine And Its Analogs As Novel Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents, Kendra Haney Nov 2009

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Anibamine And Its Analogs As Novel Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents, Kendra Haney

Theses and Dissertations

The chemokine receptor CCR5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. A novel natural product, anibamine, was isolated and found to be a micromolar inhibitor of the receptor. Anibamine was used as a new anti-prostate cancer lead compound. To discover the pharmacophore, analogs of anibamine were designed using the “deconstruction-reconstruction-elaboration” approach and synthesized. The establishment of a stereoselective route to only one isomer was explored, to increase yield and eliminate elaborate purification procedures. Analogs were found to have anti-prostate cancer activity at levels higher than the parent compound. The molecular modeling studies of the deconstructed analogs indicate that …

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Examination Of Platelet Adhesion By Streptococcus Sanguinis, Brian Mahoney Nov 2009

Examination Of Platelet Adhesion By Streptococcus Sanguinis, Brian Mahoney

Theses and Dissertations

Streptococcus sanguinis is a leading cause of infective endocarditis. Bacterial adhesion to platelets is likely important in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. Bacterial cell wall-anchored (Cwa) proteins may mediate this adhesion. To begin to test this hypothesis, S. sanguinis adhesion to platelets was examined in vitro. The requirement of 12 Cwa proteins for S. sanguinis-platelet adhesion was individually assessed, measuring adhesion of purified platelets to polystyrene wells coated with S. sanguinis strain SK36 or 12 isogenic Cwa protein mutants. Significantly fewer platelets adhered to wells coated with one mutant strain, VT1614. However, results of a whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) …

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The Role Of Cannabinoids And Cannabinoid Receptors In Enteric Neuronal Survival, Yan Li Nov 2009

The Role Of Cannabinoids And Cannabinoid Receptors In Enteric Neuronal Survival, Yan Li

Theses and Dissertations

The Endocannabinoid system has been found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it plays an important role in gut under both physiological and pathological conditions. Although the major effects of cannabinoids in the gut are mediated through effects on enteric neurons, the role of cannabinoids in the enteric nervous system is poorly understood. In the present study, we have used the primary cultures of myenteric ganglia and a newly developed fetal enteric neuronal cell line to identify whether the endocannabinoid, anandamide, affects ganglionic and neuronal survival and the pathways involved. Anandamide had a biphasic effect on ganglionic survival, increasing survival at …

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Optimization Of Functional Mri Methods For Olfactory Interventional Studies At 3t, Vishwadeep Ahluwalia Nov 2009

Optimization Of Functional Mri Methods For Olfactory Interventional Studies At 3t, Vishwadeep Ahluwalia

Theses and Dissertations

Functional MRI technique is vital in investigating the effect of an intervention on cortical activation in normal and patient population. In many such investigations, block stimulation paradigms are still the preferred method of inducing brain activation during functional imaging sessions because of the high BOLD response, ease in implementation and subject compliance especially in patient population. However, effect of an intervention can be validly interpreted only after reproducibility of a detectable BOLD response evoked by the stimulation paradigm is first verified in the absence of the intervention. Detecting a large BOLD response that is also reproducible is a difficult task …

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Quantitative Analysis Of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamine In Human Urine Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers As A Potential Tool For Cancer Risk Assessment, Kumar Shah Nov 2009

Quantitative Analysis Of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamine In Human Urine Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers As A Potential Tool For Cancer Risk Assessment, Kumar Shah

Theses and Dissertations

Measuring urinary tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronide conjugate may provide the best biomarker of tobacco smoke lung carcinogen metabolism. Existence of differences in the extent of NNAL metabolism rates may be potentially related to an individuals’ lung cancer susceptibility. Low concentrations of NNAL in smokers urine (<1 ng/mL) require sensitive and selective methods for analysis. Traditionally, this involves extensive, time-consuming sample preparation that limits throughput and adds to measurement variability. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been developed for the analysis of urinary NNAL by offline cartridge extraction combined with LC-MS/MS. This method when reproduced demonstrated problems with matrix effects. In the first part of this work, investigation of matrix effects and related problems with sensitivity for the published offline extraction method has been conducted. In order to address the need to improve throughput and other analytical figures of merit for the original method, the second part of this work deals with development of a high-throughput online microfluidic method using capillary-columns packed with MIP beads for the analysis of urinary NNAL. The method was validated as per the FDA guidance, and enabled low volume, rapid analysis of urinary NNAL by direct injection on a microfluidic column packed with NNAL specific MIP beads. The method was used for analysis of urinary NNAL and NNAL-Gluc in smokers. Chemometric methods were used with this data to develop a potential cancer-risk-assessment tool based on pattern recognition in the concentrations of these compounds in urine. In the last part, method comparison approaches for the online and the offline sample extraction techniques were investigated. A ‘fixed’ range acceptance criterion based on combined considerations of method precision and accuracy, and the FDA bioanalytical guidance limits on precision and accuracy was proposed. Data simulations studies to evaluate the probabilities of successful transfers using the proposed criteria were performed. Various experimental designs were evaluated and a design comprised of 3 runs with 3 replicates each with an acceptance range of ±20% was found appropriate. The off-line and the on-line sample extraction methods for NNAL analysis were found comparable using the proposed fixed range acceptance criteria.

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Commonwealth Times 2009-11-16 Nov 2009

Commonwealth Times 2009-11-16

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

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The Genetic Epidemiology Of Purging Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, And Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Sara Trace Nov 2009

The Genetic Epidemiology Of Purging Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, And Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Sara Trace

Theses and Dissertations

Although a variety of factors influence the development of eating disorders, genetic factors contribute notably to their etiology. Understanding genetic factors associated with eating disorders is important, as they can influence how these disorders are recognized, researched, and treated. This dissertation included two studies addressing important questions within the fields of eating disorders and genetics; specifically, Study 1 addressed the prevalence and heritability of purging and purging disorder in a population-based sample of female twins from the United States; and Study 2 investigated the nature of the co-morbidity between anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive personality disorder in a population-based sample …

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Dilute Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment Of Switchgrass In Microwave Reactor For Biofuel Conversion: An Investigation Of Yields, Kinetics,, Oscar Martin Nov 2009

Dilute Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment Of Switchgrass In Microwave Reactor For Biofuel Conversion: An Investigation Of Yields, Kinetics,, Oscar Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Lignocellulosic materials provide a raw material source for biofuel conversion and offer several advantages over fossil fuels- usage of a renewable resource, reduced greenhouse emissions, a decreased dependence on foreign oil, and stimulation of the agricultural sector. However, a primary technological challenge in converting lignocellulosic biomass into fuel is overcoming the recalcitrance of its matrix to enzymatic hydrolysis. To overcome these problems for chemical processing, naturally occurring cellulose biomass must be pretreated before it can be further processed using enzymatic hydrolysis or bioconversion. The goal of this work was to develop a model that predicts the glucose yield (pretreatment and …

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Nonhomologous End-Joining: Tdp1-Mediated Processing, Atm-Mediated Signaling, Amy Hawkins Nov 2009

Nonhomologous End-Joining: Tdp1-Mediated Processing, Atm-Mediated Signaling, Amy Hawkins

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates two separate features of nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair: end processing, and DNA repair kinase signaling. DNA end processing was investigated in a mouse model of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy (SCAN1), a congenital neurodegenerative disease. SCAN1 is caused by a homozygous H493R mutation in the active site of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP1). To address how the H493R mutation elicits the specific pathologies of SCAN1 and to further elucidate the role of TDP1 in processing DNA end modifications, we generated a Tdp1 knockout mouse and characterized their behavior and specific repair deficiencies in extracts of embryonic fibroblasts …

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[2009-11-12] November 12, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors Nov 2009

[2009-11-12] November 12, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.

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Commonwealth Times 2009-11-12 Nov 2009

Commonwealth Times 2009-11-12

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

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[2009-11-11] Meeting Of The Finance, Investment And Property Committee, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors Nov 2009

[2009-11-11] Meeting Of The Finance, Investment And Property Committee, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.

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[2009-11-11] Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors Nov 2009

[2009-11-11] Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.

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Denitration In Colonic Smooth Muscle, Seemab Malick Nov 2009

Denitration In Colonic Smooth Muscle, Seemab Malick

Theses and Dissertations

Tyrosine nitration results in altered function of smooth muscle voltage-gated L-type calcium channel. We explored the possibility that smooth muscle contains denitrase activity to allow functional recovery of the calcium channel without requiring synthesis of new channel proteins. Following peroxynitrite treatment of mouse colonic smooth muscle strips, CaCl2 (1 mM)-induced smooth muscle contraction was significantly reduced by 67% (P ≤ 0.05), which reversed by approximately 86% upon periodic washing within 2 hr period (P ≤ 0.001). The effect of the c-Src kinase inhibitor, PP2, on muscle contraction was also restored after 2 hr post-peroxynitrite treatment consistent with the thesis that …

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Facing Faces, John Luck Nov 2009

Facing Faces, John Luck

Theses and Dissertations

I am a surrealist at heart. I enjoy the creative process of making a visual story that uses unusual imagery. Every work is a reflection of some part of my aesthetic belief: an outgrowth of my individuality. The art I produce is a direct reflection of my personality, beliefs, values, and experiences. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I have a strong sense of identity. My work exhibits intense colors and strong contrasts. Each has its own underlying subtleties that express the inner depth of the concept. A little attention-deficient and a little bipolar, I am an erratic …

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Design And Development Of A Pvdf Sensor To Monitor Intracranial Pressure (Icp), Vivek Vijaywargi Nov 2009

Design And Development Of A Pvdf Sensor To Monitor Intracranial Pressure (Icp), Vivek Vijaywargi

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring ICP non-invasively is a challenge. A novel method to measure ICP using actuators and sensors has been proposed where the skull is vibrated at high frequencies and the receiving signal is measured at the surface eyelid. A design of experiments approach is used to develop the sensor part of the ICP monitoring device so that gain can be maximized using factors such as area, thickness, electrode, and applied pressure. Statistical analysis showed that thickness has the biggest effect on overall gain. Numerical analysis confirmed these results. In addition, sensor packaging is optimized to minimize dampening of the signal and …

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Commonwealth Times 2009-10-29 Oct 2009

Commonwealth Times 2009-10-29

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

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