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Articles 3331 - 3360 of 7368
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Binding Energies And Solvation Of Organic Molecular Ions, Reactions Of Transition Metal Ions With, And Plasma Discharge Ionization Of Molecular Clusters, Isaac Kwame Attah
Binding Energies And Solvation Of Organic Molecular Ions, Reactions Of Transition Metal Ions With, And Plasma Discharge Ionization Of Molecular Clusters, Isaac Kwame Attah
Theses and Dissertations
In this dissertation, different approaches have been employed to address the quest of understanding the formation and growth mechanisms of carbon-containing molecular ions with relevance to astrochemistry. Ion mobility mass spectrometry and DFT computations were used to investigate how a second nitrogen in the pyrimidine ring will affect the formation of a covalent bond between the benzene radical cation and the neutral pyrimidine molecule, after it was shown that a stable covalent adduct can be formed between benzene radical cation and the neutral pyridine. Evidence for the formation of a more stable covalent adduct between the benzene radical cation and …
Regularities In The Augmentation Of Fractional Factorial Designs, Lisa Kessel
Regularities In The Augmentation Of Fractional Factorial Designs, Lisa Kessel
Theses and Dissertations
Two-level factorial experiments are widely used in experimental design because they are simple to construct and interpret while also being efficient. However, full factorial designs for many factors can quickly become inefficient, time consuming, or expensive and therefore fractional factorial designs are sometimes preferable since they provide information on effects of interest and can be performed in fewer experimental runs. The disadvantage of using these designs is that when using fewer experimental runs, information about effects of interest is sometimes lost. Although there are methods for selecting fractional designs so that the number of runs is minimized while the amount …
Reverse-Phase Ion-Pairing Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry In Characterization And Fingerprinting Of Diverse Sulfated Glycosaminoglycan Mimetics, Pooja Ponnusamy
Theses and Dissertations
Heparin is a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan with potent anticoagulant, antimetastatic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Polymeric and polyanionic nature of heparin makes dosing and side effects a nightmare for healthcare professionals. Our laboratory has proposed appropriately designed, small, highly sulfated aromatic molecules as potential mimetics of heparin. These easier-to-synthesize small molecules have been shown to possess interesting pharmacological and improved toxicological profiles. However, the detection and characterization of these highly sulfated molecules is challenging. A robust RP-IP UPLC-MS method was developed to successfully retain, resolve and quantify sulfated non-saccharide GAG mimetics without the requirement of pre- or post- column derivatization. Comparative analysis …
Tissue Engineering Composite Biomimetic Gelatin Sponges For Bone Regeneration, Isaac Rodriguez
Tissue Engineering Composite Biomimetic Gelatin Sponges For Bone Regeneration, Isaac Rodriguez
Theses and Dissertations
The field of tissue engineering aims to develop viable substitutes with the ability to repair and regenerate the functions of damaged tissue. Common practices to supplement bone regeneration in larger defects include bone graft biomaterials such as autografts, allografts, xenografts, and synthetic biomaterials. Autologous bone grafting is the current gold-standard procedure used to replace missing or damaged bone. However, these grafts have disadvantages such as donor site morbidity, limited availability, and the need for a secondary surgery. The focus of this study is to tissue engineer a lyophilized gelatin composite sponge composed of hydroxyapatite (HA), chitin whiskers (CW), and preparations …
A Comparison Of Rectangular Vs. Circular Radiographic Collimation During Simulated Endodontic Therapy, Tareq Alali
A Comparison Of Rectangular Vs. Circular Radiographic Collimation During Simulated Endodontic Therapy, Tareq Alali
Theses and Dissertations
Rectangular collimation is used in dentistry to reduce radiation by restricting the x-ray beam to approximately the size of a number 2 intraoral film (3.2X4.1 cm). However, this restricted beam size can lead to exposure errors. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the number of radiographs exposed and the presence of technical errors by the use of traditional circular or rectangular collimators during endodontic therapy on simulated teeth in manikins. A total of 1475 digital radiographs of 84 teeth exposed by 60 dental students were evaluated. Evaluation was done by a board certified endodontist, an endodontic resident, …
Microbial Evaluation Of The Calamus Heated Gutta-Percha Delivery System, Christopher Smart Dds
Microbial Evaluation Of The Calamus Heated Gutta-Percha Delivery System, Christopher Smart Dds
Theses and Dissertations
If gutta-percha cartridges are contaminated with bacteria prior to obturation then contamination of the root canal system may result. Successful treatment not only depends on bacterial elimination but also depends on prevention of recontamination. This study was motivated by the observation that endodontists frequently use single use gutta-percha cartridges on multiple patients. The goal of this study was to determine if cross contamination occurred when a single gutta-percha cartridge in the Calamus™ Flow System was used on multiple patients. An effective recovery method was established during a pilot study using Enterococcus faecalis as a sample bacterium. Microbial recovery was obtained …
Reproduction And Functional Response Of Cornus Florida Across An Urban Landscape Gradient, Angela Redwine
Reproduction And Functional Response Of Cornus Florida Across An Urban Landscape Gradient, Angela Redwine
Theses and Dissertations
Urbanization greatly alters plant and pollinator communities and can affect pollinator movement and subsequent gene flow. Plants persisting in urban areas must adjust to local environmental conditions often different from those in which they naturally evolved, and cultivation techniques for landscaping species have developed traits suitable for existence in urban habitats. Cultivated varieties and native conspecifics often exist in geographic proximity, and if pollinator movement is not blocked by urban structural components, functional differences may negatively impact spatially proximate native populations. I used spatial analysis of successful pollination of Cornus florida to estimate how pollinator movement is affected by urban …
The Development And Applications Of The Hint Scoring Function: Exploring Colchicine-Site Anticancer Agents And Tautomerism, Chenxiao Da
Theses and Dissertations
The overall aim of this work was to apply HINT, an empirical scoring function based on the understanding of hydrophobicity, to analyze and predict the binding affinities and biological activities of colchicine-site anticancer agents. The second, concurrent aim was to improve the scoring function by incorporating tautomerism within the modeling process. Our belief is that proper evaluation of tautomeric forms for small molecules will improve performance of virtual screening. The novel pyrrole-based compounds targeting the colchicine site were docked into the receptor using HINT as a rescoring function. Two distinct binding modes dictated by the size and shape of a …
The Effects Of Sleep Problems And Depression On Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences Among College Students, Mcgann Amanda Wattenmaker
The Effects Of Sleep Problems And Depression On Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences Among College Students, Mcgann Amanda Wattenmaker
Theses and Dissertations
Previous literature provides an overview of the multiple relationships between alcohol use, protective behavioral strategies (PBS), alcohol-related negative consequences, depression, and sleep problems among college students, as well as differences by individual level characteristics, such as age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Several studies have found that specific demographic groups of students are more likely to reach a higher blood alcohol content (BAC) when “partying” or socializing (Turner, Bauerle, & Shu, 2004; Crotty, 2011). A variety of studies have also confirmed the positive relationship between high blood alcohol content and experiencing alcohol-related negative consequences (Turner, et al., 2004; Martens, Taylor, Damann, Page, …
Race, Power, And White Womanhood: The Obsessions Of Tom Watson And Thomas Dixon Jr., Tara Nicole Kowasic
Race, Power, And White Womanhood: The Obsessions Of Tom Watson And Thomas Dixon Jr., Tara Nicole Kowasic
Theses and Dissertations
Thomas Dixon Jr. (1864 -1946) and Thomas E. Watson (1856-1922), two controversial and radical figures, are often credited with the second coming of the Ku Klux Klan. Dixon, writer of novels and plays such as The Leopard’s Spots (1902) and The Clansman (1905), and Watson, politician, prolific writer, and publisher of Watson’s Magazine and The Jeffersonian, reached the masses and saturated popular culture with their racial agenda. As each of these men had especially long careers, this thesis focuses on particular times and specific issues. With Dixon, the writing of The Clansman (1905) and production of The Birth of a …
The Impact Of Medicaid Reform On Dental Practice Setting, Barrett W. R. Peters
The Impact Of Medicaid Reform On Dental Practice Setting, Barrett W. R. Peters
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: To assess the impact of dental Medicaid reform in Virginia on dental practice settings (private practice, corporate practice and safety net clinics). Methods: This retrospective cohort study of 16.2 million dental claims is from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, which included claims for providers participating in Virginia’s Medicaid program during a 10-year period (2002-2012). The dividing date for the reform was July 1, 2005. The outcome measure was mean claims per participating provider. A Poisson regression model was used to predict the mean number of claims per provider with the following predictors: reform period, practice setting, provider …
Atomic And Electronic Structure Of A Ligand-Protected Bimetallic Nanocluster, Ag4ni2(Dmsa)4, Anthony F. Pedicini
Atomic And Electronic Structure Of A Ligand-Protected Bimetallic Nanocluster, Ag4ni2(Dmsa)4, Anthony F. Pedicini
Theses and Dissertations
An important direction in nanoscale science is to synthesize materials whereby atomic clusters serve as the building blocks. Properties of these clusters can be controlled through size and composition, and such an approach offers a pathway toward designing larger, customized materials. One way to stabilize such materials is through the use of ligated clusters. Ag4Ni2(DMSA)4 is one such cluster, the first with a bimetallic core, and has been stabilized by the experimental group of A. Sen at The Pennsylvania State University. The theoretical studies undertaken in this thesis were directed toward providing information on the atomic structure, nature of electronic …
Comparison Of Oral Ketamine-Midazolam And Chloral Hydrate-Meperidine-Hydroxyzine Sedation Regimens In Pediatric Dentistry, David Merrell
Comparison Of Oral Ketamine-Midazolam And Chloral Hydrate-Meperidine-Hydroxyzine Sedation Regimens In Pediatric Dentistry, David Merrell
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to create an experimental design to compare the regimen of ketamine-midazolam to chloral hydrate-meperidine-hydroxyzine for moderate oral conscious sedation. Methods: Patients between 36 and 83 months of age have been randomly assigned to receive 1 of the 2 regimens. Dosages, times, and vital signs will be recorded. Procedures will be recorded on video for assessment of sedation level and behavior. Patients will be contacted to evaluate postoperative sleeping, discomfort, and amnesia. Data will be analyzed using two-group t-tests (TOST) of equivalence in means to compare the two groups across the study period. Results: …
A Network View On Neurodegenerative Disorders, Sreedevi Chandrasekaran
A Network View On Neurodegenerative Disorders, Sreedevi Chandrasekaran
Theses and Dissertations
Neurodegeneration is a chronic, progressive and debilitating condition that affects majority of the World's elderly population who are at greater risk. Numerous scientific studies suggest that there could be a common underlying molecular mechanism that promotes the degeneration and the subsequent neuronal loss, however so far the progress in this direction is rather limited. Abnormal protein misfoldings, as well as protein plaque formations in the brain, are some of the hallmark characteristic features of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Genetic and environmental factors, oxidative stress, excessive reactive oxygen species formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, energy depletion and autophagy disruption etc. are some of the …
Myelin Is Not Required For Maintenance Of The Axon Initial Segment, Anna Josephson
Myelin Is Not Required For Maintenance Of The Axon Initial Segment, Anna Josephson
Theses and Dissertations
Axonal pathology is a major contributor to impaired motor, sensory and cognitive dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis particularly with the progressive forms of the disease. However, the early pathologic events responsible for axonal deterioration remain unclear. It is well recognized that maintaining proper axonal function is intimately related to proper establishment and maintenance of axonal domains such as the node of Ranvier and the axon initial segment (AIS). Numerous laboratories, including ours, have investigated the mechanisms that regulate node of Ranvier formation and maintenance. These studies have shown that node of Ranvier formation and maintenance require myelin contact. Interestingly, many …
Opportunities For The Sustainable Use Of The Camel In Qatar, Corby Jayne Elford
Opportunities For The Sustainable Use Of The Camel In Qatar, Corby Jayne Elford
Theses and Dissertations
In the course of the modernization of Qatar, the need for camels has greatly diminished; herds have reduced in numbers and are now confined to enclosures. Overall, neglect of this valuable resource means that the camel is threatened with extinction. Currently, there is a need to address problems about sustainable development in Qatar by taking actions such as investing in the existing natural heritage to develop the use of indigenous animals like the camel. Through a review of past and present use of the native dromedary, a new type of sustainable agritourism will be developed that will provide a type …
Phylometagenomics: A New Framework For Uncovering Microbial Community Diversity, Christopher J. Friedline
Phylometagenomics: A New Framework For Uncovering Microbial Community Diversity, Christopher J. Friedline
Theses and Dissertations
Microbial communities are recognized as major drivers of global biogeochemical processes. However, the genetic diversity and composition, as well as processes leading to the origin and diversification of these communities in space and time, are poorly understood. Character- ization of microbial communities using high-throughput sequencing of 16S tags shows that Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) abundances can be approximated by a gamma distribu- tion, which suggests structuring around small numbers of highly abundant OTUs and a large proportion of rare OTUs. The current methods used to characterize how communities are structured rely on multivariate statistics, which operate on pair-wise distance matrices. …
Differential Effects Of Growth Factors On Glycolysis In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Fang Yuan
Differential Effects Of Growth Factors On Glycolysis In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Fang Yuan
Theses and Dissertations
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a naturally-occurring, simple phospholipid, is present at elevated levels in the blood and ascites of ovarian cancer patients. LPA is a ligand of seven cell surface G protein-coupled receptors. It has been known as an oncogenic growth factor in ovarian cancer and other types of human malignancies. However, the precise biological functions of LPA in ovarian oncogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. Our laboratory is interested in studying the potential role of LPA, as a tumor microenvironment factor, in regulation of cancer cell metabolism. A fundamental change associated with most cancer is the switch of glucose metabolism …
Comparison Of Injection Discomfort And Anesthetic Duration Of Plain Polocaine Versus Epinephrine Containing Articaine And Lidocaine, Dana Doan
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: To determine possible differences in the pain level and soft tissue anesthesia duration of plain polocaine versus epinephrine-containing articaine and lidocaine during intraoral injections. Methods: Forty-eight subjects received plain polocaine and one epinephrine-containing anesthetic. Injections were randomized according to the first injection a)left or right buccal sulcus and b)epinephrine or not. The second injections were the opposite conditions. Subjects then recorded discomfort on a VAS and the time anesthesia wore off. Result: The second injection’s pain rating was influenced by the first. This carry-over effect makes it impossible to analyze all of the data. An analysis of the first …
Investigating The Potential Applications Of A Raman Tweezer System, John Wray
Investigating The Potential Applications Of A Raman Tweezer System, John Wray
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis describes the construction of an Optical Tweezer apparatus to be used in conjunction with a confocal Raman spectrometer. The tweezer utilizes an infrared (λ=1064 nm) laser directed into an inverted microscope with NA=1.4 oil immersion 100x objective lens that strongly focuses the laser light into a sample to function as a single-beam gradient force trap. The long term goal of this research program is to develop a single molecule Raman tweezers apparatus that allows one to control the position of a Raman nanoplasmonic amplifier. This thesis describes the construction of the Raman tweezer apparatus along with several Raman …
Microbial Dna Receptor Expression In Chronic Periodontitis, Stephanie Voth
Microbial Dna Receptor Expression In Chronic Periodontitis, Stephanie Voth
Theses and Dissertations
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the expression of microbial nucleic acid receptors including Toll like receptor 9 “TLR-9”, DNA-dependent activator of interferon-regulatory factors “DAI” and absent in melanoma “AIM-2” in chronic periodontitis (P) versus healthy (H) tissues. METHODS: 33 chronic periodontitis (P) and 27 periodontally-healthy (H) gingival biopsies were included. The gene and protein expression for each receptor was determined using real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Our results revealed statistically significant up-regulation of TLR-9 (p<0.006) and DAI (p<0.001) gene expression in P tissues compared to H sites. We were also able to demonstrate significant correlation among three DNA receptors (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry further confirmed the expression of DNA sensors in gingival tissues. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a possible role for nucleic acid sensing in periodontal inflammation. Further investigations will determine whether cytoplasmic receptors and their ligands can be targeted to improve clinical outcomes in periodontitis.
Bioinformatics Approach To Probe Protein-Protein Interactions: Understanding The Role Of Interfacial Solvent In The Binding Sites Of Protein-Protein Complexes;Network Based Predictions And Analysis Of Human Proteins That Play Critical Roles In Hiv Pathogenesis., Mesay Habtemariam
Theses and Dissertations
The thesis work contains two projects under the same umbrella. The first project is to provide a detailed analysis on the behavior of interfacial water molecules at protein-protein complexes, in this case focusing on homodimeric complexes, and to investigate their effect with respect to different residue types. For that reason the homodimeric data-set, which includes high-resolution (≤ 2.30 Å) X-ray crystal structures of 252 (140 Biological & 112 Non-biological) protein complexes was chosen to explore fundamental differences between interfaces that Nature has “engineered” vs. compared to interfaces found under man-made conditions. The data set was comprised of 5391 water molecules …
Influence Of Facial Profile On Social Perceptions: A 3d Video Imaging Study., Lisa Babb
Influence Of Facial Profile On Social Perceptions: A 3d Video Imaging Study., Lisa Babb
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of facial convexity on the perception of social attributes in a young adult population. Nine models were asked to pose for a 3 dimensional photograph that was then modified to represent ideal, retrognathic, and prognathic facial convexity angles. Survey evaluators were shown digital videos of models with ideal and non-ideal profiles and asked to rate their perception of the following 4 social attributes: intelligence, athleticism, popularity, and leadership ability using a visual analog scale. Results gathered from 271 evaluators showed that the model images with ideal facial convexity angles were …
Chemoelectromechanical Actuation In Conducting Polymer Hybrid With Bilayer Lipid Membrane, Hao Zhang
Chemoelectromechanical Actuation In Conducting Polymer Hybrid With Bilayer Lipid Membrane, Hao Zhang
Theses and Dissertations
Biological and bio-inspired systems using ion transport across a membrane for energy conversion has inspired recent developments in smart materials. The active mechanism in bioderived materials is ion transport across an impermeable membrane that converts electrochemical gradients into electrical and mechanical work. In addition to bioderived materials, ion transport phenomenon in electroactive polymers such as ionomeric and conducting polymers produces electromechanical coupling in these materials. Inspired by the similarity in transduction mechanism, this thesis focuses on integrating the ion transport processes in a bioderived material and a conducting polymer for developing novel actuation systems. The integrated membrane has a bilayer …
Reforestation Of Red Spruce (Picea Rubens) On The Cheat Mountain Range, West Virginia, Justin Madron
Reforestation Of Red Spruce (Picea Rubens) On The Cheat Mountain Range, West Virginia, Justin Madron
Theses and Dissertations
The (Plethodon nettingi) Cheat Mountain Salamander is a rare and endangered species that relies heavily on (Picea rubens) Red Spruce for habitat. P. rubens communities on the Cheat Mountain range in West Virginia have been disturbed by fires and logging, and regeneration of P. rubens stands are central to the survival of the P. netting. A supervised and unsupervised landscape classification of three Landsat images over the past 26 years was conducted to analyze change in P. rubens communities on Cheat Mountain Range. Change detection results revealed that from 1986-2012 a 52% growth increase of P. rubens stands, 18% loss, …
The Economy Of Indifference, Nicholas Irzyk
The Economy Of Indifference, Nicholas Irzyk
Theses and Dissertations
The following monologue examines the personal, cultural and ethical viability of abstraction in a contemporary painting practice, conducted on the eve of my thesis exhibition.
The Role Of Camk-Ii In Skeletal Muscle Function And Swimming Behavior In Zebrafish, Minh Nguyen
The Role Of Camk-Ii In Skeletal Muscle Function And Swimming Behavior In Zebrafish, Minh Nguyen
Theses and Dissertations
Previous research showed mutations in muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum-bound calcium handler proteins cause swimming defects in embryonic zebrafish. CaMK-II is a highly conserved Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase expressed in all vertebrates has been defined to activate and inactivate multiple Ca2+ handler proteins involved in excitation- contraction coupling and relaxation of cardiac and skeletal muscle. In this study, evidence is provided through pharmacological and genetic intervention that CaMK-II inhibition and overexpression causes swimming defects, particularly response to stimuli and swimming ability, reinforced by immunolocalization of skeletal muscle. Transient CaMK-II inactivation does not have any long-term defects to swimming behavior. Overexpression of wild-type, constitutively …
Chromosome-Specific Telomere Length In Women With Breast Cancer: Their Relationship To Chemotherapy And Acquired Psychoneurological Symptoms, Areej Alhareeri
Chromosome-Specific Telomere Length In Women With Breast Cancer: Their Relationship To Chemotherapy And Acquired Psychoneurological Symptoms, Areej Alhareeri
Theses and Dissertations
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common diagnosed malignancies in females. Although 90% of early diagnosed women are expected to survive for at least 5 years, their quality of life is adversely affected by a cluster of symptoms which we collectively named “psychoneurological symptoms’’ (PN). Given that acquired telomere attrition has been speculated to be a causal factor in chronic diseases and the lack in the literature of mechanisms giving rise to PN symptoms, this study was performed to assess telomere length using a chromosome-specific telomere assay before receiving chemotherapy and at the first chemotherapy. We showed significant …
A Positive Dimension: Exploring Factors That Enhance Utilization Of And Adherence To Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission (Pmtct) Of Hiv Services In An Urban Setting In Kenya, Lydia Murithi
Theses and Dissertations
Despite expansive scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services in Kenya over the last decade, Kenya remains one of the countries contributing high numbers of children living with HIV globally and among the 22 PMTCT global plan priority countries. Using a mixed methods approach this study examined enabling factors –individual, social and structural – that enhance utilization of and adherence to PMTCT services in a plural urban setting in Kenya. The study was conducted from October-December of 2012 at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital, Lang’ata. HIV-positive birthmothers whose infants were HIV-negative at the time of the study were …
Modification Of Nanostructures Via Laser Processing, Louis Franzel
Modification Of Nanostructures Via Laser Processing, Louis Franzel
Theses and Dissertations
Modification of nanostructures via laser processing is of great interest for a wide range of applications such as aerospace and the storage of nuclear waste. The primary goal of this dissertation is to improve the understanding of nanostructures through two primary routes: the modification of aerogels and pulsed laser ablation in ethanol. A new class of materials, patterned aerogels, was fabricated by photopolymerizing selected regions of homogeneous aerogel monoliths using visible light. The characterization and fabrication of functionally graded, cellular and compositionally anisotropic aerogels and ceramics is discussed. Visible light was utilized due to it’s minimal absorption and scattering by …