Digital Commons Network^™

Topology And Function Of Nyctalopin In Yeast And In-Vitro Translation Systems., Pasano Pasano Bojang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congenital stationary night blindness 1 (CSNBl) is a genetic disorder characterized in humans by night blindness, low visual acuity and myopia. CSNB 1 is caused by defects in genes that are involved in signaling between photoreceptors and depolarizing bipolar cells (DBCs). DBCs utilize a metabotropic glutamate receptor-6 (Grm6) cascade that modulates the activity of a non-specific cation channel. CSNBI is diagnosed by a reduced b-wave in the electroretinogram (ERG). A b-wave indicates that DBCs are depolarized in response to a flash of light. In the dark, there is a tonic release of glutamate from the photoreceptors into the synaptic cleft. …

Testing The Use Of Molluscs To Infer Climate With Special Reference To The Late Cenozoic Molluscs Of The Meade Basin, Southwest Kansas., Brian William Steffen 1975-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-six fossil assemblages of land and freshwater molluscs from the Pliocene to the present, were collected from locations near the town of Meade, Kansas, U.S.A. and were analyzed (along with the extant molluscan fauna of Meade County, Kansas) to look for changes in molluscan diversity through time. The fossil assemblages were analyzed for two reasons: I) to test the hypothesis that diversity (measured as taxonomic richness, dominance, turnover and habitat type) did not change through the five million years of this study (HOI); and 2) to test the hypothesis that there is no relationship between the taxonomic composition of a …

More Real Than Real : An Anthropological And Phenomenological Exploration Of Imagistic Sacred Space In The Contemporary Elegy And Fine Art Photograph., Amy Liann Tudor 1968-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The creation of liminal spaces has been used for centuries cross-culturally to create sacred or taboo meanings in rituals, people, places, or objects. Liminality is constructed by the overlapping of cultural categories and "ruptures" an object or event's connotations, imbuing it with new and often transcendent or spiritually charged meaning. The photograph is an example of liminal space, since it freezes even the living in a state of corpse-like stasis. With the invention of this new medium, as well as its application to memorializing the dead, previous forms of commemorating death such as the eulogy and the poetic elegy were …

Molecular Engineering Design Of The Sapo-34 And Zif-8 Membranes For Co2 Separation From Ch4 And N2., Surendar Reddy Venna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The separation of C02 from light gases is a very important environmental and energy issue. The state-of-the-art process for the purification of C02 uses amine adsorption, which is a complex, and costly. Membrane technology is far less expensive and requires less energy consumption. Although polymeric membranes can separate CO2, high pressures plasticize them and decrease their separation ability considerably. Zeolite membranes have significant advantages over traditional polymeric membranes, such as high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability. Furthermore, the development of superior performance membranes for gas mixture separations requires novel materials with fundamentally different structural, adsorption and transport properties than those …

Signal Processing In The Tectothalamic Pathway., Haiyang Wei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pulvinar is the largest nucleus of the human dorsal thalamus and is affected in a variety of brain disorders, such as schizophrenia. The experiments described in this dissertation elucidate key features of tecto-pulvino-cortical pathways as a first step toward understanding their role in coding visual stimuli and coordinating appropriate responsive actions. The tree shrew is used as the animal model because the visual structures of the tree shrew brain display many of the features of the primate brain, and the tectopulvinar pathways are particularly enhanced in this species. The connections formed between the tectorecipient pulvinar nucleus and cortex were …

Daily Emotional Experiences, Stress, And Ptsd Symptoms Among Midlife Women Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence : An Experience Sampling Study., Rebecca Ann Weigel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Described as important long-term consequences of trauma exposure, disruptions in emotional processes are regarded as central features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the nature of these posttraumatic emotional disruptions remains poorly understood. The present study attempted to further understanding of these emotional disruptions by using experience sampling methodologies and electronic diaries to assess experiences of emotion, stress, and PTSD symptoms as they occurred in the day-to-day lives of midlife women exposed to intimate partner violence. Three sets of hypotheses were advanced and were tested using multilevel modeling approaches, with results demonstrating partial support for hypotheses overall. First, although past-month …

Adriamycin Nephrotoxicity Is Reduced By Metallothionein Over-Expression And Kidney Gene Expression Is Modified By Diabetes In The Ove26 Diabetic Model., Lu Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is divided into two parts below. Part I Adriamycin (ADR) can produce nephrotoxicity in rodents. The underlying mechanism may relate to ADR induced oxidative stress. In this study, we used transgenic mice (NMT3), which over-expressed the antioxidant protein metallothionein (MT) in podocytes, to study MT's protective potential on ADR nephrotoxicity. Urine and kidney samples were collected from control and transgenic mice at multiple time points after ADR injection, whose results showed that MT transgene alleviated ADR damage by reducing albuminuria, decreasing podocyte loss and protecting podocyte ultra-structure. Part II OVE26 mice are a good model of severe diabetic …

Inflammatory Cell Tumor Necrosis Factor Signaling Modulates Post-Infarction Left Ventricular Remodeling., Robert K. Lewis 1977-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The fundamental question of the exact nature of the role played by TNF in the failing myocardium remains one of contention. Many preclinical studies have demonstrated beneficial effects with TNF antagonism and recently the dichotomous role played by the two TNF receptors in chronic ischemic injury has come to light. The failing heart has also been determined to have low levels of inflammatory cell infiltration. As these cells are known to be potent producers of inflammatory cytokines, we hypothesized that inflammatory cell localized TNF receptors play an important role in the progression of LV remodeling following ischemic injury. To isolate …

Tobacco-Induced Changes To Porphyromonas Gingivalis Gene Expression, Phenotype And Host-Pathogen Interactions., Juhi Bagaitkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco smoke is a strong and independent risk factor for several chronic systemic diseases and also increases susceptibility to a multitude of bacterial infections, including periodontal infections. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the periodontium caused by its chief etiological agent, Porphyromonas gingivalis . Smokers are more prone to persistent infections by P. gingivalis , and harbor higher numbers of P. gingivalis than non-smokers. However, smokers show reduced clinical signs of inflammation compared to non-smokers, making diagnosis of periodontal disease in smokers problematic. While several studies delineate the different mechanisms of how tobacco smoke alters …

Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Modulates Evoked-Gamma Power, Event-Related Potentials, And Behavior In Autism Spectrum Disorders., Joshua Matthias Baruth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evidence suggests that cortical minicolumns are reduced in size and increased in number in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). More specifically minicolumns in individuals with ASD are narrower and contain less peripheral, neuropil space; this may cause an increase in the ratio of cortical excitation to inhibition and adversely affect the functional distinctiveness of minicolumnar activation. A lack of cortical inhibition may cause signal/sensory amplification which can impair functioning, raise physiological stress, and adversely affect social interaction in patients with ASD. Additionally, the DLPFC forms a circuit interconnected with many areas of …

The Trickster, The Griot, And The Goddess : Optimal Consciousness In The Works Of Ntozake Shange, Kara Walker And India. Arie., Tiffany D. Caesar 1985-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The creative expressions of three black women artists--Ntozake Shange, Kara Walker, and India. Arie--are explored using optimal consciousness-an Afrocentric framework by Linda James Myers. This concept advocates that the role of the artist is to provide art that raises the consciousness of the people. An illustration of optimal consciousness will be demonstrated in their works by using the following criteria presented in the theory: authenticity, the fusion of sacred and secular, and positive interpersonal relationships. The creative works utilized for this analysis are Shange's choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf, Walker's silhouette narrative …

The Role Of Muc1 Splice Variants In Dry Eye And Inflammation., Yoannis Imbert-Fernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a plasma membrane-bound glycoprotein that plays a protective role in corneal epithelial cells. Two full-length splice variants of MUCl: MUCl/B and MUCl/A, that differ by the inclusion of 27 bp from intron 1 and a SNP in MUCl/A, but have identical C-terminal cytoplasmic domain (CD) sequences, were identified in human conjunctival tissue. I tested the hypothesis that MUC1 splice variants are key immunoregulators that act on the ocular surface to protect the ocular surface from inflammation and that their expression correlates with dry eye status. The expression of MUC1/A and MUCl/B splice variant was examined in …

A Manifestation Of All Life : Intersections Of Virtue Ethics, Philosophy Of Emotion, And Philosophy Of Literature., Derek Lee Penwell 1965-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation offers a brief survey of the rise of reason and the tum to the self at the expense of emotion in Western thought. This marginalization of emotion has had deleterious effects on two areas: the cultivation of virtue and the intersubjectivity necessary to sustain human flourishing. Using current research in neuropsychology the dissertation argues that reason and emotion form a dynamic partnership in the process of attaining reliable knowledge. Moreover, the dissertation argues that the emotional experience necessary for the cultivation of virtue, as well as the ability to attend to the emotional lives of others in the …

Life History And Convervation Of Elliptio Crassidens From The Blue River, Indiana., Cassandra L. Hauswald 1975-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed life history components for the elephantear freshwater mussel, Elliptio crassidens (Lamarck, 1819). The main focus of this study was to determine the suitability of various fish species as a host for E. crassidens and to determine the population status in terms of age structure, recruitment and reproduction of E. crassidens from the Blue River drainage of south-central Indiana. General observations on the life history of E. crassidens were made: brooding conditions for release of larvae, larval behavior, and larval shell dimensions. Ages of E. crassidens shells from the Blue River were also determined. A Geographic Information System …

The Content And Critical Metaphor Analysis Of Illustrated Print Advertisements In China., Chun Jiang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation takes Chinese advertisements as the research subjects to see in what way a quantifiable large number of advertisements with its metaphorical nature and instrumental mission can reflect social cultural change, in specifics, ideology and identity change of China in the last thirty years by combining four methods of research: content analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, Conceptual Metaphor Analysis and Pictorial Metaphor Analysis. The dissertation goes through the sign or ad interpretation process of linguistic, semiotic and critical analysis of 300 sample illustrated print advertisements collected from popular and award-winning illustrated print advertisements in Chinese media in the three periods …

The Gorilla And The Cuttlefish., Nick Karl 1982-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The new work I have developed while pursuing my Masters in Art at the University of Louisville is strongly based on the narrative. I have always used the imagery in my work as social commentary. The stories and images I develop are to be viewed as a window on the world through my eyes, but for the first time I have focused on one clear concept. In this case, questioning how we developed from a group of hunter-gatherers scouring the land for survival, to modern consumers, destroying the world around us. In order to facilitate this narrative, I wrote a …

'Complementary' Immune Evasion By Oral Pathogen Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Jennifer Lynn Krauss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Complement, an early recognition system of innate immunity that senses local tissue damage and infection, cross-talks with and regulates other signaling systems, including Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. In the context of periodontitis, destructive inflammation and disease promotion are associated with extensive and synergistic activation of TLRs and complement within the chronically inflamed periodontium. The virulence of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is dependent, at least in part, upon its ability to use sophisticated stealth and sabotage tactics to undermine innate immunity. Intriguingly, although this pathogen can modulate TLR2 signaling and suppress specific aspects of complement activation (126), it proactively generates …

Treatment Of Severe Aortic Stenosis : Experimental Design, Testing, And Analysis Of An Aortic Valve Bypass Apical Cannula., Joel Douglas Graham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aortic Valve Bypass surgery has found renewed interest to researchers due to its application in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. This therapy consists of construction of a conduit containing a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve from the apex of the left ventricle to the descending thoracic aorta. Blood is ejected from the left ventricle via both the native stenotic aortic valve and the conduit. This thesis proposes a design for one of the least developed components of this system, the cannula component that sits inside the left ventricle and allows for flow of blood from the left ventricle and into …

A Study Of The Perceived Effects Of School Culture On Student Behaviors., Linda Cox Story

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has confirmed that the behaviors of human beings are influenced by their social environments. The school is the principal social environment of adolescents; thus, the school environment necessarily influences the behaviors of students to some degree.

This research project used the interview method to focus on perceptions of school personnel with regard to the elements of school culture that may negatively influence students' behaviors both inside and outside the school environment. The primary influences of school culture on students' behaviors were found to be peers, teachers, administrators, and parent involvlement. Governmental regulations, including those resulting from the Individuals with …

Effect Of Stress On Mucin Expression In The Gastrointestinal Tract Of Mice., Bupe Martha Habiyambere

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of chronic stress on mucin expression in the GIT of mice. Sixteen ICR male mice were randomly divided into treated and control animals. Restraint stress was applied to the treated group for 21 days. Body weight (BW) changes and feed consumed (FC) were regularly recorded. After 21 days mice were euthanized and blood, GIT mucosa, and GIT sections were collected. Serum corticosterone levels were determined. The GIT sections were fixed, paraffin embedded, sectioned, and stained with AB-PAS to visualize goblet cells. Mucin expression was determined using qPCR. As expected stressed mice showed higher corticosterone than …

From The Sacred Canopy To The Civic Canopy: Social Transformation Through Dialogue, Collaboration, And Civil Society, William K. Fulton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American creed of e pluribus unum--out of many, one--has proven to be an elusive aspiration for societies throughout history. Research suggests that as the diversity of a community increases, its stores of social capital decline. Yet, there exists a growing body of evidence that suggests under certain conditions, patterns of inclusion and collaboration are not only possible but predictable. This project explores theory on effective communication practices, grounded in Habermas's Theory of Communicative Action, as well as research on effective group interaction to suggest that certain communicative capacities and collaborative processes that successfully face the challenge of e …

Navigating The Paradox Of Fear: Collaborative Research Exploring Resettlement And Vulnerability With Displaced Women In Colombia, Emily E. R. Braucher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In April of 2008, the Colombian Constitutional Court issued a report based on women's testimonials that identified gender-specific risks associated with forced displacement as result of armed conflict. This study explores the coping strategies employed by Colombian women to address socio-economic vulnerability and improve living conditions during resettlement in Bogotá. Specifically, the research tracks the process of adaptation during the struggle to achieve economic stability. The findings suggest that a prevailing culture of fear influences multiple aspects of adjusting to the city and constricts the participants' access to new social networks. Lessons gathered from the participants using collaborative anthropological methods …

Role Of Sabp2 In Systemic Acquired Resistance Induced By Acibenzolar-S-Methyl In Plants., Diwaker Tripathi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plants have evolved an efficient mechanism to defend themselves against pathogens. Many biotic and abiotic agents have been shown to induce defense mechanism in plants. Acibenzolar-S-Methyl (ASM) is a commercially available chemical inducer of local and systemic resistance (SAR) response in plants. ASM functioning at molecular level is mostly unclear. This research was designed to investigate the mechanism of ASM action in plants. It was hypothesized that SABP2, a plant protein, plays an important role in ASM-mediated defense signaling. Biochemical studies were performed to test the interaction between SABP2 and ASM. Transgenic SABP2-silenced tobacco plants were used to determine the …

Non-Classical Symmetry Solutions To The Fitzhugh Nagumo Equation., Arash Mehraban

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In Reaction-Diffusion systems, some parameters can influence the behavior of other parameters in that system. Thus reaction diffusion equations are often used to model the behavior of biological phenomena. The Fitzhugh Nagumo partial differential equation is a reaction diffusion equation that arises both in population genetics and in modeling the transmission of action potentials in the nervous system. In this paper we are interested in finding solutions to this equation. Using Lie groups in particular, we would like to find symmetries of the Fitzhugh Nagumo equation that reduce this non-linear PDE to an Ordinary Differential Equation. In order to accomplish …

The Analysis Of Palaeobotanical Remains From Native American Sites In The Tennessee Region Of The Upper Cumberland Plateau., Chase W. Beck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sediment samples were collected from 3 rock shelter sites and one natural pond on the Upper Cumberland Plateau. Samples were processed to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate pollen and charcoal abundance as well as other palaeobotanicals. The analysis was to determine when prehistoric Native Americans began controlled burns to enhance resources acquisition. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of pollen to determine vegetation changes that may accompany the use of controlled burns and to determine the onset of horticulture. The Upper Cumberland Plateau is often considered a marginal area used only seasonally by Native Americans; however, management practices may have …

Isolation Of A Siderophore Produced By Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strain H372., Rachel Elizabeth Presswood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Iron is necessary for many cellular processes such as the electron transport chain and gene regulation. However, most iron on earth is found in insoluble iron-hydroxide complexes. In addition, iron is tightly sequestered in the human body by proteins such as transferrin, making it unavailable for pathogens. In order to overcome these limitations bacteria have evolved siderophores. Siderophores are low molecular weight compounds that bind ferric iron with a high affinity. Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that is known to produce at least four siderophores, and these siderophores contribute to its virulence. S. aureus strain H372 was found …

The Mcfarlands: "One Season"., John Edwin May

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is in support of the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled The McFarlands at East Tennessee State University, Slocumb Galleries, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 5^th - 9^th, 2007. This artist's photographic survey, which lasted approximately two years, investigated the lifeworld of a family in a rural Appalachian town. His photographic work depicts the subjects working on their farm growing tobacco and their relationships within the family unit.

The artist discusses his work in terms of historical and contemporary influences with an emphasis on the relationship to the work of Lewis W. Hine, Wright Morris, …

Unfiltered?: A Content Analysis Of Pro Athletes' "Twitter" Use., Justin A. Shockley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As new media grow, so do the users who navigate the virtual world. People and organizations are forced to adapt in order to stay relevant in a technologically driven marketplace. The sports world has been changed drastically because of new media. Athletes no longer communicate with the general public solely through traditional media outlets such as newspapers. Social networking sites such as Twitterallow athletes to directly communicate with mass audiences. This direct communication raises several questions with regard to dynamics of communication and uses of Internet portals. A content analysis examined professional athletes' "Twitter" posts to help …

Synthesis Of A Water Soluble Resveratrol Derivative As A Potential Anti-Cancer Drug., Augustine Essel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research on development of water soluble anti-cancer drugs is one of the great challenges of modern medicinal chemistry. Resveratrol (Res) is one of the many phytoalexins producing stilbenoids present in several medicinal plants, grape skin, peanuts, and red wine. It has been found to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Water solubility and bioavailability are some of the setbacks of this interesting compound. In view of this, effort has been made to synthesize amino acid derivative of resveratrol to improve its bioavailability and solubility in water. Methyl 4-{-[(1E)-2-(3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethenyl] - phenoxy} butyrate (7), a novel ester intermediate, has been synthesized …

Overexpression Of Amyloid Precursor Protein Induces Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress And Activates The Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway, Matthew G. Bartley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic form of cognitive disability and is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. Within chromosome 21 is the gene, amyloid precursor protein (APP). Proteolysis of APP into toxic and aggregate-prone, beta-amyloid fragments underlies the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individuals with DS develop the neuropathology that can be diagnosed as AD; however, the role of APP overexpression in this comorbidity is presently unclear. Here, we elucidated the mechanism of cell death induced by overexpression of wild type APP. Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with a DsRed-APP fusion construct displayed caspase-3 activation and nuclear …