Digital Commons Network^™

Putative Role Of Palmitate And Akt Signaling In Attenuating Skeletal Muscle Growth In The Obese Zucker Rat, Jonathan Michael Peterson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Obese zucker rat (OZR) is a model of obesity and metabolic syndrome, with a reduced skeletal muscle mass compared with the lean zucker rat (LZR). Growth and hypertrophy of muscle fibers critically depend on activation and differentiation of satellite cells into new myonuclei, as well as the prevention of myonuclear apoptosis. Akt is known to regulate satellite cell activation and differentiation and inhibit apoptotic signaling. Akt activity is also reduced in the OZR compared to the LZR. The present study had two primary purposes; first, to observe, in vitro, the effects of the saturated free fatty acid palmitate on …

Feeding Behaviors And Performance Measurements In Bucks, Rams, And Bulls, Stephen John Chavez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of the study was to determine if relationships exist with feeding behaviors of bucks, rams, and bulls and efficiency or residual feed intake (RFI). Animals utilized in this investigation were either producer consigned by species or West Virginia University animals. All animals were group-housed in pens (14.6 m x 51.2 m) with 156.2 m2 under roof at the Reymann Memorial Farm in Wardensville, WV over two years. Animals were fed complete nutritionally adequate rations ad libitum to meet daily growth requirements for each species. GrowSafe radio frequency technology (GrowSafe Systems Ltd.) was used to monitor animal identification, visit …

Postpartum Sleep Disturbance And Psychomotor Vigilance Performance, Salvatore Insana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Postpartum women have high rates of sleep disturbance and commonly suffer from many of the effects of disturbed sleep, though attentional state has not been studied extensively in this population. This study assessed sleep and attentional state psychomotor performance in postpartum women to develop a better understanding of how sleep disturbance --specifically sleep fragmentation and partial sleep deprivation-- is associated with attentional state psychomotor performance. Participants were a sample of 24 postpartum mothers from a larger study. Mothers were 29.96 (SD = 7.94) years old, had a mean income of {dollar}65,808 (SD = {dollar}41,398), and had 17.04 (SD = 2.53) …

Evaluation Of Information Transfer Between Extension Agents And Dairy Producers In Pennsylvania, Carrie B. Nelson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine how information from Extension Agents was being disseminated to dairy producers in Pennsylvania in areas of program advertisement and teaching methods. It also sought to determine if Extension Agents are reaching special populations of producers (e.g. Amish, Hispanic, disabled) in their areas. A descriptive research design was used to collect the data for this study. The target population was all dairy producers in Pennsylvania and the Extension Agents that serve these producers. The study found that Extension Agents and dairy producers agree on advertisement methods but disagree on teaching methods. Furthermore, the …

Have National Collegiate Athletic Association Institutions Increased The Number Of American Heart Association Recommendations For Cardiac Screening?, Jennifer R. Street

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context. Sudden cardiac death among young competitive collegiate athletes has heightened interest in cardiovascular pre-participation screening in colleges and universities. Objective. The purpose of the study was to identify the cardiovascular screening protocols among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, II, and III institutions in accordance with the recommended American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. Design. The design of this study was a prospective descriptive analysis, which identified the cardiovascular screening and use of the recommended American Heart Association guidelines by surveying Division I, II, and III National Collegiate Athletic Association institutions. Setting. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, …

Effects Of Atmospheric Acid Deposition And Single Versus Mixed Leaf Litters On Foliar Litter Decomposition, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus And Calcium Dynamics In A Regenerating Forest, Prinith Sumudu Munasinghe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Increases in atmospheric N deposition over the past decades have raised concerns over nitrogen (N) retention and carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. We conducted two litter decomposition studies at the Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) study at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) in West Virginia. In the LTSP study acid deposition is simulated by periodic ammonium sulfate additions (N+S). Other treatments include control (ref) (no additions or reference) and ammonium sulfate plus lime (lime). Fresh litter was collected from treatment plots in November. Air-dried litter was weighed, and placed in nylon litter bags. Litter bags were placed in …

Periconceptional Treatment With Growth Hormone Alters Fetal Growth And Development In Sheep, Jill Marie Koch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Altering the fetal environment can modify the composition or growth rate of the fetus, a concept known as fetal programming. A majority of the research in this area has focused on intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which has been linked to adult diseases. A few studies have attempted to ameliorate the negative effects of IUGR, by applying growth promoters late in gestation, and have only observed transient effects. Our laboratory has previously shown that growth hormone (GH) treatment around the time of breeding alters the uterine environment early in gestation and results in larger lambs at birth. Therefore there were three …

Comparison Of A New "U" Shaped Plastic Fish Tank System To The Traditional Concrete Raceway System, Daniel J. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of this research was to compare the cost of purchasing, installing and operating a new plastic "U" shaped raceway (fish tank) to the traditional concrete flat-bottomed raceways used in many federal, state, and private fish hatcheries. Potential benefits of this new design include lower fixed (purchase and installation) costs, ease of mobility due to its light weight, reduced operational cost due to the rapid cleaning process that the "U" shape allows, and the simplicity with which modifications can be made to the tank to suit the operation. Limitations include width and depth restrictions and greater vulnerability to vandalism …

Cloning And Characterization Of Micrornas From Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss): Their Expression During Early Embryonic Development, Raghuveer K. Ramachandra, Mohamed Salem, Scott Gahr, Caird E. Rexroad Iii, Jianbo Yao

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Current literature and our previous results on expression patterns of oocyte-specific genes and transcription factors suggest a global but highly regulated maternal mRNA degradation at the time of embryonic genome activation (EGA). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding regulatory RNAs (19–23 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by guiding target mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. These regulatory RNAs are potentially involved in the degradation of maternally inherited mRNAs during early embryogenesis.

Results

To identify miRNAs that might be important for early embryogenesis in rainbow trout, we constructed a miRNA library from a pool of unfertilized eggs and early stage embryos. Sequence …

Impact Of A Physical Activity Intervention For Weight Loss: A Qualitative Analysis Of Participant Perceptions And Expectations, Jessica Anne Creasy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of self-esteem and body image and expectations for success among participants enrolled in a physical activity and nutritional intervention for weight loss. Qualitative research methods (individual interviews) were conducted to assess how participants felt about themselves, their bodies, and the intervention. In all, 10 participants were interviewed; five were in the initial week of the weight loss intervention (Phase I) and five had been enrolled in the intervention between 9--13 months (Phase II). Weight in pounds and body fat percentage were obtained for all participants at time of enrollment, and at …

Understanding The Motivations Of Ghanaian Bureaucrats, Christine Naa Norley Lokko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the factors that affect the work performance of Ghanaian bureaucrats. Three decades ago Robert Price (1975) examined the impact that kinship ties had on the motivation of Ghanaian bureaucrats. He found that Ghanaian bureaucrats behaved in particularistic fashions as opposed to acting in a universalistic manner, suggesting kinship was a major determinant of bureaucratic routine. This study followed the work of Price by replicating his mix of interviews and surveys, with the addition of questions that incorporate recent work on bureaucracy that suggest motivation involves a mix of solidary, functional, and pecuniary preferences (Brehm and Gates, 1997; …

Implications Of Motivational Interviewing And Oral Hygiene Instruction For The Reduction Of Oral Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women, Renata K. Martins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pregnancy is a "teachable moment" during which women may be particularly amenable to making health behavior changes that can have significant impact, not only on themselves, but also on their offspring. Dental complications during pregnancy, such as periodontal disease, have been linked to low birth weight and premature birth. Additionally, mothers' oral health status has been related to childhood caries, through the direct transmission of oral pathogens. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a promising intervention in the oral health care arena. MI has been empirically supported as a treatment for substance abuse, as well as other health issues including, diabetes, HIV, …

Diet Formulation And Manufacturing Technique Interactions Affect Pellet Quality And Broiler Growth., Nancy P. Buchanan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The majority of broilers are fed pelleted diets. Feeding pelleted diets results in an improvement in weight gain and feed conversion compared to feeding mash diets. However, improvements in performance are contingent upon pellet quality. Manipulation of diet formulation and manufacturing technique has been associated with pellet quality changes. However, the interaction between the two factors is rarely explored. The objectives of this series of research were (1) to explore the main effects and interactions that occur when small inclusions of fiber, protein, and moisture are added to a corn-soybean based diets; and (2) to explore the main effects and …

The Effect Of Follicular Aging On Gene Expression In Oocytes And Granulosal Cells., Brandon Michael Lingenfelter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mammalian oogenesis usually occurs concomitantly with folliculogenesis, coordinated through paracrine effects and physical contacts. During this time, the oocyte acquires the ability to resume meiosis, undergo fertilization and sustain embryonic development. Synthesis of RNA occurs during oogenesis and is largely responsible for early embryonic development. Any perturbations that delay either activation or ovulation can result in early embryonic loss. Therefore, the interacting effects at the genomic level were investigated using a persistent follicle model. Experiment 1. The present study was conducted to analyze global gene expression profiles in granulosal cells from ovarian follicles in cows. Analysis of the microarray data …

Youth Health Promotion In West Virginia: The Helping H.A.N.D. (Health Awareness & Nutritious Decisions) Program., Megan Christine Govindan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

West Virginia is the second most rural state in the nation, with 24% of its families having incomes of less than 100% of the federal poverty level. Children of low income families are a vulnerable population at high risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular complications. The Helping H.A.N.D. (Health Awareness & Nutritious Decisions) program is a socioeconomic focused health initiative designed by Megan Govindan B.S. and Cindy Fitch Ph.D., RD to improve the diet and activity of West Virginian children from low-income families. Funded by the 2007 General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids grant, this 23-week nutrition & wellness initiative …

Mitigating The Effect Of Covariates In Face Recognition, Richa Singh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Current face recognition systems capture faces of cooperative individuals in controlled environment as part of the face recognition process. It is therefore possible to control lighting, pose, background, and quality of images. However, in a real world application, we have to deal with both ideal and imperfect data. Performance of current face recognition systems is affected for such non-ideal and challenging cases. This research focuses on designing algorithms to mitigate the effect of covariates in face recognition.;To address the challenge of facial aging, an age transformation algorithm is proposed that registers two face images and minimizes the aging variations. Unlike …

Lime Induced Changes In The Surface And Soil Solution Chemistry Of Variable Charge Soils, Rajesh Chintala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study was conducted to improve lime recommendations as well as to design better management practices for acidic grasslands of Appalachian region. These goals were achieved by two experiments. In the first experiment, the accuracy of lime predictions by quick tests were improved by accounting soil order and develop equation based lime correlations for acidic pasture soils of West Virginia. In order to achieve this objective, 26 surface soil samples (0--7.5 cm) from three most important soil orders for the state (Alfisols, Inceptisols, Ultisols) from each of the Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs) in West Virginia with large proportions of …

Effects Of Induced Acute Phase Response In Ewes On Early Embryo Survival, Tina Lynn Dow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Early pregnant ewes, 5/6 day post coitus (dpc) were used as a model to study early embryonic loss via gram-positive bacterial infections, such as mastitis. Ewes 5/6 dpc were injected with a gram-positive bacteria cell wall component, peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS), to induce an innate immune system acute phase response (APR). The induction of the APR and its reactant molecules, such as cytokines and acute phase proteins (APP), were initiated to study their effects on embryonic loss. Twenty Suffolk ewes were synchronized for estrus and bred by fertile rams. At 4 dpc ewes were anesthetized and catheters were surgically placed in the …

Analysis Of Timekeeper Implicates Antagonism Between Ck2 And Pp2a During Drosophila Neurogenesis, Ezgi Kunttas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is increasingly becoming apparent that dynamic control of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation underlies the proper spatial and temporal activities of many signaling circuits including Notch (N). Emerging evidence suggests that protein kinase CK2 mediates the effects of N during Drosophila eye and bristle development via phosphorylation of E(spl) repressors. Previous studies in our laboratory shown that reducing levels/activity of CK2 elicits rough eyes due to excess R8 founders and ectopic and split bristles due to excess SOP's, both indicative of impaired lateral inhibition and N signaling. While these studies implicate a role for CK2 in the regulation of E(spl), the …

Nraes-171 Animal Production Systems For Pasture-Based Livestock Production.Pdf, Edward Barrow Rayburn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Dr. Edward B. Rayburn was the originator of this book series at the request of the director of NRAES. As a collaborator in the Northeast Pasture Consortium he recruited authors for the chapters in the books and served as the technical editor of the books.

Forage Pasture Production Risk Analysis And The Buffering Capacity Of Triticale, William M. Clapham, Jim M. Fedders, A Ozzie Abaye, Edward Barrow Rayburn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Initial Nutritive Value And Utilization Affect Apparent Diet Quality Of Grazed Forage, Edward Barrow Rayburn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Extending Grazing And Reducting Stored Feed Needs - Don Ball Etal, Don Ball

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Production Of Docosahexaenoic Acid By Crypthecodinium Cohnii Using Continuous-Mode Process, Deniz Inan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water fish, has positive health benefits. While the suggested amount of 220 mg/day for adults may be attained by consuming fish, this may increase exposure to environmental pollutants. The heterotrophic marine alga Crypthecodinium cohnii is an important source of DHA because C. cohnii can accumulate lipid greater than 20% of their biomass with a large fraction of DHA (30-50%). Commercially, DHA production by C. cohnii is conducted in large bioreactors (∼100 m3 capacity) using a batch-mode process. The purpose of this study was to investigate lipid and DHA production by C. …

Development And Validation Of A Diabetes-Specific Health State Classification System And Valuation Function Based On The Multi-Attribute Theory, Murali Sundaram

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Preference-Based Measures of Health (PBMH) provide 'preference' or 'utility' weights that enable the calculation of quality-adjusted life years for the economic evaluations of interventions. The Diabetes Utility Index (DUI) was developed as a two-page, self-administered diabetes-specific PBMH that can replace expensive time-consuming interviews with patients to estimate their health state utilities. Inputs from theory, an existing diabetes-specific measure of quality of life, and statistical analyses were submitted to a clinical expert panel. After three rounds of pilot surveys (n1=52, n2=65, n3=111) at primary care clinics in Morgantown, WV, five attributes and severity categories for each attribute were finalized on the …

Rates Of Swim Bladder Parasite Infection And Pit Tag Retention In Upstream Migrant American Eels Of The Upper Potomac River Drainage, Jennifer L. Zimmerman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis involved two components: identification of the parasite Anguillicola crassus in American eels, Anguilla rostrata and PIT tag retention in eels in a laboratory setting. The recent spread of the swim bladder nematode parasite, Anguillicola crassus, in American eels has caused concern among biologists and fishery managers. A total of 244 yellow-phase American eels were collected at the Millville Dam eel ladder on the Shenandoah River, WV. Swim bladders were removed and examined for the presence of the nematode parasite. The number of parasites in each eel was recorded, and prevalence, intensity, and mean intensity were calculated. A swim …

Lead-Based Residential Paint In Soils: A Dissolution And A Spatial Analysis Prevention Approach., Sofia Campos Gonzalez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For many years, lead was used to make the white pigment used in residential paints. Although lead paint was finally banned for residential use in 1978, the environmental legacy of contaminated residences and adjacent soils remains. Lead poisoning continues to be a major public health issue. Those at most risk for lead poisoning are children, especially those who 1) live in low quality housing, or those undergoing unsafe restoration or repainting jobs, that were built before 1978, 2) have parents with lead-based hobbies or occupations, and 3) live near lead mining or processing facilities. Other sources of exposure include inner-city …

Motivation To Change Parenting In Mothers Of Children With And Without Adhd: Associations With Demographic And Psychological Characteristics., Stephanie M. Wagner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Motivation to change is considered an important factor in treatment adherence and outcome, yet there is a lack of research on parental motivation to change in the child psychotherapy literature. The current study examined the internal consistency of a measure of parental motivation, the Parent Motivation Inventory (PMI) and investigated associated demographic and psychological characteristics in 61 mothers of children who exhibited varying degrees of inattentive and/or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Results demonstrated that the PMI has high internal consistency, can distinguish between mothers of children with and without ADHD, and that an additional 7% of variance in the PMI can be …

Insights From The Field: Perceptions Of In-Home Interventionists Working In Appalachian Maryland., Benjamin T. Brauer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As No Child Left Behind continues to impact public K-12 education, educators continue to seek new ways in which to reach out to at-risk students. Many school administrators and school interventionists are using in-home interventions to assist families in facilitating their child’s success. These interventions range from simply bringing instructional materials to the home of a frequently absent student, to facilitating the delivery of mental health services in the home. While school officials are taking on additional roles and responsibilities to try and meet the growing expectations placed on the public K-12 educational system, many feel that they are doing …

The Effects Of Residual Baylage Leachate On The Germination And Growth Of Orchardgrass (Dactylis Glomerata L.) And Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense L.)., Sheena R. Moore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In early spring, areas of soil directly under baylage, spread for winter consumption by steers, is void of vegetation even after reseeding. This study was conducted to determine if: 1) residual baylage leachate is allelopathic to orchardgrass and red clover, 2) soil microorganisms have an effect on the toxicity of the leachate, and 3) toxicity decreases over time. Petri dishes, as well as potted soil/sand mixtures, were used to test for allelopathy. Leachate reduced seed germination and seedling length as compared to distilled water. There is evidence that soil microorganisms did not affect leachate toxicity. Toxicity of leachate to both …