Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Cyp2d Protein From Human Brain Cerebellum, Deepak Bhatia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

To date, knowledge in characterization of CYP proteins has been limited to immunoblotting, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and so forth; therefore, it is the intention of this study to investigate: (1) What kind of CYP2D protein is present in brain with modern proteomic tools; (2) Whether, CYP2D6 in brain is same as the liver CYP2D6; and (3) If CYP2D7 is present, can CYP2D6 polymorphism be found in the brain?;To answer these questions, this study used a one-step method of isolation of protein by immunoprecipitation followed by its identification using 2D-blots, nanospray LCMS, immunoblots and immunohistochemistry. Probing of immunoprecipitated proteins with polyclonal CYP2D6 …

Potential Mechanisms Linking Nutrition And Neuroendocrine Control Of Reproduction In The Sheep, Adam Bradley Dobbins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nutrition and reproduction are linked in that the nutritional status of an individual influences its reproductive performance, i.e. an individual in negative energy balance will have decreased ability to reproduce. The mechanisms in which nutrition influences reproduction are not understood. My data suggest that reductions in lutenizing hormone secretion resulting from photoperiod-induced increases in sensitivity to testosterone negative feedback may be mediated, at least in part, by elevated neuropeptide Y (NPY), a hypothalamic neuropeptide shown to alter gonadotropin releasing hormone release and potently affect food intake. The results from my second study support our hypothesis that the growth hormone mediated …

Comparison Of Chestnut Canker Treatment Procedures For Hypovirus Introduction, Brian C. Bell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historically, hypovirulent strains of Cryphonectria parasitica have been introduced into cankers principally by inoculating wounds made to the margin of cankers. Twelve hypovirus introduction methods were tested. Seventy-two trees were inoculated in June 2002 with an orange-pigmented virulent strain of C. parasitica (two inoculations per tree). After 11 weeks, the resulting cankers were treated with a brown-pigmented hypovirulent C. parasitica isolate using one of the following methods: (1) a non-invasive treatment where the inoculum was painted onto the canker surface; (2) an invasive treatment where the canker face was wounded with a sharp blade prior to the painting application of …

Natural Gas Exploration Associated With Fracture Systems In Alleghenian Thrust Faults In The Greenbrier Formation, Southern West Virginia, Craig A. Edmonds

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A hydrocarbon play has been identified in southern West Virginia targeting the intersection of thrust faults with specific Mississippian reservoirs. Late Paleozoic sandstone and limestone reservoirs are traditional pays of the study area, often yielding economic natural gas production, with initial production rates ranging between 100 to 200 Mcf per day per well. In contrast, production rates from wells that encounter faults often exceed 500 Mcf per day. We believe this prolific production results from secondary fracture porosity and enhanced permeability from fracture zones associated with thrust faults, providing a conduit to the Union Oolite reservoir member of the Greenbrier …

Effectiveness Of Treatment And Diversity Of Microbial Populations Within A Constructed Wetland Treating Wastewater, Jolene M. Friedland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Constructed wetlands are used as alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems. Microbiological dynamics in constructed wetlands are essential to adequate functioning and efficiency of these systems. The efficacy of wastewater treatment by a large subsurface flow wetland receiving wastewater from a multi-user facility was examined. Real-time monitoring with telemetry was combined with measurement of standard wastewater parameters such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), and enumeration of fecal coliforms. Passage of wastewater through the wetland significantly reduced standard wastewater parameters in effluent samples. Heterotrophic bacterial diversity was examined using community level physiological profiling (CLPP) and molecular characterization of …

Starvation-Induced Alterations In Hepatic Lysine Metabolism In Different Families Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Angela Higgins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study focused on lysine catabolism by the lysine alpha-ketoglutarate reductase (LKR) pathway in rainbow trout (RBT). Selective breeding based on feed efficiency in 2 strains (A and B) of RBT generated 2 families within each strain. Eight fish from each of the four families were randomly allotted to individual tanks. Fish were fed until satiation for 3 wks at which time four fish within each family were randomly selected for 2 wks of starvation. After the 2 wk starvation, all fish were harvested. Hepatic in-vitro LKR activity and lysine oxidation (LOX) were measured as was LKR mRNA abundance. Strain …

Glaucomys Sabrinus Fuscus Habitat And Nest Box Use In West Virginia With Management Recommendations For Kumbrabow State Forest, Tamara M. Terry

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nest site selection and habitat use of the endangered West Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) is poorly understood. Because access to suitable nesting sites and habitats could be limiting factors, it is important to investigate these ecological requirements to further conservation efforts of the species. My study was conducted on the Kumbrabow State Forest and the MeadWestvaco Wildlife and Ecological Research Forest in Randolph County, West Virginia. I examined characteristics of 31 nest sites (22 cavity; 8 leaf; 1 undetermined) from 4 radio-collared West Virginia northern flying squirrels during the summers of 2002--2003. The nest trees used were …

Needed Communication Skills During Initial Employment As Perceived By Graduates Of The West Virginia University Davis College Of Agriculture, Forestry And Consumer Sciences, Jessica R. Rollins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the study was to determine communication skills used during initial employment by graduates of the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences who were enrolled in the agricultural and natural resources communications (AgEE 421) course. The population consisted of 70 2001--2002 graduates of West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences who were enrolled in agricultural and natural resources communications (AgEE 421) during their collegiate careers. A descriptive research design was used for the study. A major finding of the study was the beneficial effects of educational training in communications skills prior to …

Biometric Analysis And Aversive Conditioning Of Black Bears In Southern West Virginia, Harley Wayne Weaver

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During 2003, 11 male and 1 female black bear (Ursus americanus) were captured and fitted with radio collars. Individuals were randomly assigned to receive either treatment (n = 6) or control (n = 6). Upon release, treatment individuals received a conditional regimen comprised of rubber buckshot to the flank and a succession of shell crackers. Physical and auditory conditioning techniques we used did not appear to be an effective means of reducing repeat nuisance behavior.;West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) captured 179 (151 males, 28 females) nuisance and 156 (77 males, 79 females) non-nuisance individuals from 1996 to 2003.;We …

Hematotoxicity Of Heptachlor, Sarah Vanessa Meads Dodson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Hematotoxicity has been documented in adults exposed to high levels of organochlorine pesticides. Our studies revealed that prenatal exposure to the organochlorine pesticide heptachlor resulted in alteration of lymphocyte development, while myeloid cell development was spared. To further investigate effects of heptachlor on lymphoid cells, we evaluated direct exposure of this compound on pro-B and pre-B cells. In these studies, the pro-B cell line C1.92 and the pre-B cell line 70Z/3 demonstrated concentration-dependent decreases in proliferation following heptachlor exposure. Pro-B cell viability decreased significantly; however, pre-B cell viability was not altered. Further investigation into mechanisms of diminished cell proliferation revealed …

Interactions Of Allelopathy And Competition Affecting Ziziphus Spina-Christi And Prosopis Juliflora Seedlings, Thobayet S. Alshahrani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study consists of two parts, provides data on the interference between Ziziphus spina-christi, native to Saudi Arabia, and Prosopis juliflora, an introduced species. Dry leaves from both species were milled and used to prepare extracts using 0g/l, 5g/l, 20g/l, 40g/l, 60g/l, and 100 g/l of dried leaves. Leaf extract of P. juliflora was used to irrigate Z. spina-christi with 120 ml weekly over a 7-month growth period, and vice versa. Plant height, plant diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content, total root length, number of root tips, root diameter, root surface area, root volume, shoot dry weight, root …

Augmentation Of The Differentiation Response To Antitumor Quinolines, Rayhana Rahim-Bata

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An impeding challenge to breast cancer drug therapies is the availability of more effective and less toxic chemotherapeutic agents that do not relay harm to neighboring normal breast cells and tissues. Preliminary studies showed that the quinoline antimalarials, chloroquine (CQ and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation in breast cancer cell lines without toxicity to normal MCF-10A breast cells. Hence, the goal of these studies was to explore: (1) whether a drug combination modulating epigenetic events would sensitize breast cancer cells to the antitumor activity of CQ or HCQ, (2) and if so, which would be the most promising …

Constraint-Based Facilities Planning, Tafazzul Ahmed Khan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years a large variation of production volume for the mass-production products happens frequently due to the changes in technology and market. Those changes cause introduction of new products having shorter life cycles, thus enforcing modification and renewal of production facilities much earlier than their lifetime. A model was built to assess the impact of manufacturing parameters on the effectiveness of the layout and the material handling system. A relationship was developed between variations in production oriented parameters and its impact on the facility size and final cost of the product being manufactured exclusively in terms of machine time, …

The Practice Of The Commons, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

This paper

This paper lays out some of the basics of a language-based, person-centered, or agentic model of practice for nonprofit organizations, voluntary action and philanthropy within the emerging domain of commons theory. Six principles are identified for the practice of commons. Two threats to the production of common goods - bureaucratization and colonization of the life world - are discussed and evaluated as limitations of the practice of commons.

What's In A Name? Keeping The Va In Arnova, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

As the name suggests, Voluntary Action (VA) was one of the constituent interests in the formation of ARNOVA. The popularity of nonprofit organizations (NO) among researchers, scholars and students threatens to overwhelm the scholarly interest in voluntary action. Yet, this latter topic is both more interesting theoretically and more important to larger questions of democracy and local and national community and therefore needs to be preserved and protected.

This Land Is Your Land (Our Right To The Environment), Victor B. Flatt

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Generality Of Law, Frederick Schauer

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Local And Regional Impairment Of Fish Assemblages In A Mined Appalachian Watershed, Jason Gregory Freund

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

I used the Cheat River watershed, West Virginia, as a model system to examine the regional impacts of extensive localized stream impairment. Acid mine drainage (AMD) in the Cheat River watershed provided a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis that regional biological condition can be impacted through multiple local sources of degradation. Acid mine drainage is the result of the interaction among pyrite-rich coal, oxygen, and water. This interaction produces a solution that is generally low in pH and buffering capacity and high in heavy metals and sulfate and is toxic to aquatic life. Acid mine drainage also has the …

Pentosidine As A Biomarker For Age In Birds And Museum-Prepared Study Skins, Jesse A. Fallon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The phenomenon of aging is progressive, irreversible and universal to all living things. One unavoidable outcome of aging is the modification of proteins by sugars, which, through a non-enzymatic process, can lead to the formation of crosslinked compounds termed advanced glycation endproducts. One such endproduct, pentosidine (Ps), is an indicator, or biomarker, of biological age. Because most birds have no reliable markers of age beyond adulthood, this investigation examines the accumulation of Ps as an estimator of chronological age in birds. The first study herein examines interspecies comparison of Ps accumulation in Ruffed grouse and Double-crested cormorants. The second investigates …

Acoustical And Flow Characteristics Of A Cough As An Index Of Pulmonary Function In The Guinea Pig, Joshua W. Day

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Human studies indicate that cough sound and flow analysis may be useful for diagnosing pulmonary abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an animal model for cough sound and flow analysis. A system was designed to expose guinea pigs to aerosols of citric acid (0.39M) and record resulting coughs at different stages of chemically induced specific airway resistance (sRAW). Coughs were divided into three categories (low sRAW, n = 113; moderate sRAW, n = 143; high sR AW, n = 93). 124 cough sound parameters were derived from the analysis of the sound pressure waves recorded during the …

Effect Of Watering Regime And Media Components On The Production Of Organic Tomato Transplants, Melissa C. Vantine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In order to find appropriate methods to produce quality organic tomato transplants, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. WV '63) seedlings were grown in four growing media containing various ratios of composted animal manure and were compared to transplants grown in a conventional peat-lite mix receiving synthetic fertilizers. These five media were watered according to eight watering regimes, including five watering levels and three watering regimes containing compost tea. Composted horse and cow manure can be used in part or instead of peat in organic potting mixes. The ratio of compost used will depend on characteristics of the compost and will also …

Ctp Synthase And Transporter Function In Coxiella Burnetii, Jeffrey D. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coxiella burnetii is a gram negative, obligate intracellular parasite that can only replicate in the acidified environment of a phagosome. Like other intracellular parasites, C. burnetii depends on the host cell for many of the substrates required for growth, such as amino acids. It had been observed that avirulent C. burnetii Nine Mile strain (Phase II) organisms in BHK-21 fibroblasts displayed improved growth when extracellular cytidine was introduced to infected cultures. This improved growth was not observed in wild type organisms in the same cell system. This observation, coupled with early enzyme activity studies, suggested that Phase II organisms had …

Numerical Simulation Of Fine Particle Separation In Hindered -Settling Bed Separators By Computational Fluid Dynamics, Yunkai Xia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of the present study was to improve the understanding of multiple phase flows in hindered-settling bed separators (HSBS). A better understanding of mineral separation in HSBS and the role of structured plates was gained through studies conducted with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis tools. An Euler-Lagrange model from CFD technique is used for this purpose.;In an Euler-Lagrange model, two dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved with the implementation of a finite volume approach over staggered grids with application of Baldwin-Lomax turbulent model. The overall accuracy of the method is second-order in both space and time. The calculation of …

Effects Of Various Phytase Concentrations In Diets With Low-Phytate Corn On Broiler Chick Performance And Metabolism, Nicole J. Baker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research indicates a reduction of phosphorus content in fecal excreta with the supplementation of phytase to corn-soybean meal based diets or with the use of low phytate corn (LPC) in broilers. This study examined how 0--3 wk broiler chicks are impacted by concomitant phytase supplementation with LPC (0.136% phytate phosphorus (PP) by analysis) in the diet. Various levels of phytase from either 2500 or 5000 FYT/g of Peniophora lycii phytase product were used as experimental treatments. Efficacy of treatments was determined using a response curve created with increasing levels of monocalcium phosphate. Following a 6-day pretest, 576 broiler chicks were …

Influence Of A Three-Week Wildlife Education Curriculum On Knowledge And Attitudes Of South Carolina's Marlboro County High School Ninth And Tenth-Grade Biology Students, Diane M. Krishon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a three-week wildlife education curriculum on knowledge and attitudes of ninth and tenth-grade biology students in South Carolina. A three-week wildlife curriculum was incorporated into three high school biology classes in the same semester. The students were pre-tested and post-tested for knowledge and attitudes. The results indicate that the three-week curriculum had a positive influence on knowledge but did not influence wildlife attitudes. However, a substantial correlation occurred between the post-test attitude and knowledge scores, indicating that as students' knowledge increased, their attitudes towards wildlife and environmental education became …

Psychophysical Studies Of Binocular And Spatial Vision In Humans With Anisometropic And Strabismic Amblyopia, Ritwick Agrawal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Amblyopia is a common developmental visual disorder. Previous studies of amblyopia have delineated spatial and binocular deficits. However debate exists about how the strabismic and anisometropic subtypes may differ. The central hypothesis is that the two subtypes differ with regard to binocular integration functions. Strabismic subjects may show severe impairments of binocular integration due to a history inter-ocular suppression, which predicts the pattern of monocular deficits. Seven anisometropic, six strabismic and seven control subjects were tested psychophysically with four monocular tests and three binocular tests. Results indicated that the degree of loss of Vernier acuity was larger than that predicted …

Demography And Genetic Structure Of An Allegheny Woodrat Population In Northcentral West Virginia, Mary Elizabeth Manjerovic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) occurs throughout the Appalachian Mountains forming isolated colonies in rock outcrops, cliffs, and caves. In the past 20--30 years, populations along the northern and western peripheries of the range have experienced drastic declines. There have been suggested reasons for this decline but a lack of long-term data has prevented application of specific management actions. In recent years, there has been more insight into population structure, gene flow, and relatedness among colonies. The objectives of my study were to examine these factors at a localized level to further assist with future management decisions.;Using data collected over …

Nutrient Remobilization During Development And Senescence Of Petunia X Hybrida Floral Organs, Karyn L. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fresh weight, dry weight, and macronutrient content of corollas, ovaries, and styles were measured during the development and senescence of several wild-type and transgenic Petunia x hybrida plants. Flowers of age-related senescence exhibited growth, maintenance, and senescence phases during development. Flowers terminated by pollination-induced senescence exhibited only growth and senescence phases. Fresh and dry weight of Mitchell, V26, and SAG12-IPT corollas followed patterns previously observed in climacteric flowers. SAG12-IPT, a cytokinin overproducing plant, exhibited a prolonged maintenance phase compared to V26. A temporary increase in fresh weight, dry weight, and macronutrients of Mitchell corollas occurred at the expected onset of …

Recruitment Strategies Used By High School Agriculture Education Teachers In West Virginia, Danny R. Dewhurst

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recruitment is the act of enrolling new members as well as keeping current levels of members or students. Questionnaires were sent to all agricultural education teachers in West Virginia to determine what strategies were being used to maintain and increase enrollment in agriculture education programs throughout West Virginia. The first questionnaire was sent to 97 agricultural education teachers asking them to list recruiting activities that they used to promote their programs. A second questionnaire was sent asking them to rate the effectiveness of recruitment activities they have participated in over the past four (4) years. Forty-six secondary agricultural education teachers …

Effect Of Grain Particle Size, Feed Form And Pellet Texture On Broiler Performance, Carcass Quality, True Metabolizable Energy, Feed Passage Time And Preference, Amy S. Parsons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Treatments consisted of five mash diets (781 microns, 950 microns, 1,042 microns, 1,109 microns, 2,242 microns) and two pelleted diets (water (soft) and binder (hard) inclusion). Water and binder addition produced similar pellet durability (90.4% and 86.2% respectively) and fines (44.5% and 40.3% respectively).;Broilers fed mash diets exhibited decreased live weight gain and breast yield with increased gizzard, compared to broilers fed pelleted diets. As diet particle size increased, feed intake and gizzard yield increased and feed efficiency decreased. Broiler true metabolizable energy increased then decreased when diet particle size increased. Hard pellets increased live weight gain. Fines of the …