Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Dorsal Quadrant Or Ventral Quadrant Spinal Cord Injury On Gait Features During Locomotion., Anya Nicole Trell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the Unites States, approximately 1.5 million people currently have a spinal cord injury and suffer permanent sensory and motor loss due to the disruption of the spinal cord. Due to the significant morbidity, it is vital to understand the functional impact of disrupting neural descending pathways that modulate spinal neurons involved in intermuscular coordination critical for gait behaviors. Tasks that are more difficult require additional input from these neural pathways; therefore, fourteen feline subjects were familiarized with level overground locomotion and stair descent gait tasks. After collection of baseline kinematic data, the subjects received either a dorsal or ventral …

Targeting Pathological Changes In The Gut Protects The Cns From Neuropathology., Benjamin Tyler Charpentier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is growing evidence that the health of the gut microbiome (GM) has an important role on multiple host organ systems. Ethanol-related neuropathologies and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently have no effective clinical treatment. Therefore, we developed a novel mouse model of fecal matter transplantation (FMT) utilizing the microbiome from alcoholic hepatitis (AH) patients, characterized by a loss of butyrogenic potential. Minimal neuroinflammation occurred in AH-FMT mice, but significant increases in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERSR) across the majority of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were observed. In the cerebellum, Purkinje cells were specifically affected. Targeting the loss …

Classifying The 2022 Status Of Tsuga Canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) Along The Kentucky Portion Of The Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor., Grace M. Embree

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The invasion of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae) has posed a continual threat in the United States to the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees since the 1950s. HWA feed on eastern hemlock needles, reducing the amount of healthy photosynthesizing vegetative area. The use of satellite imagery has been instrumental in identifying areas of eastern hemlock presence. Satellite platforms like Landsat and AVIRIS are commonly used for identification, classification, and mapping of eastern hemlock. Sentinel-2 imagery was released in 2015 for free access. It has a finer spatial grain of with the majority of the …

Defining The Importance Of The Hnrnp I Interaction To The Sindbis Virus Subgenomic Viral Rna Using An Innovative Tethering Approach., Claire Westcott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Old World alphaviruses cause significant outbreaks of illness and debilitating multi-joint arthritis for prolonged periods. Currently, there are no FDA approved vaccines or antiviral therapies; and thus, there is a critical need to identify and characterize the molecular biology of alphaviruses. Alphaviruses rely on the host cell machinery to complete the viral lifecycle and are dependent on interactions with host RNA binding proteins. Accordingly, several host heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein proteins (hnRNPs) have been found to bind to the Sindbis virus (SINV) RNAs. Disrupting the interaction sites in the viral RNAs of these RNA:Protein interactions results in decreased viral titers in …

The Combined Benefits Of Dispositional Mindfulness And Trait Self-Compassion As Potential Buffers Of The Effects Of Perceived Stress On Sleep Quality In College-Aged Young Adults., Jackie Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using a nonclinical sample of 108 undergraduates between the ages of 18 to 25 years old, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness (as measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire; Baer et al., 2006) and sleep quality (as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Buysse et al., 1989). Second, it evaluated the association between trait self-compassion (as measured by the Self-Compassion Scale; Neff, 2003b) and sleep quality. Third, it aimed to test for an interaction effect between dispositional mindfulness and trait self-compassion as buffers against the adverse effects of perceived stress on sleep quality. Results showed …

Role Of Deep Learning Techniques In Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Human Diseases., Hisham Abouelseoud Elsayem Abdeltawab

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning, a sub-discipline in the domain of artificial intelligence, concentrates on algorithms able to learn and/or adapt their structure (e.g., parameters) based on a set of observed data. The adaptation is performed by optimizing over a cost function. Machine learning obtained a great attention in the biomedical community because it offers a promise for improving sensitivity and/or specificity of detection and diagnosis of diseases. It also can increase objectivity of the decision making, decrease the time and effort on health care professionals during the process of disease detection and diagnosis. The potential impact of machine learning is greater than …

Alkylthiocarbamate Metal Complexes With Antiproliferation Activity., Kritika Bajaj

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bis(thiosemicarbazones) (BTSCs) and their metal complexes have been extensively studied for various applications including catalysis for hydrogen evolution reactions, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hypoxia imaging, and a wide range of pharmacological purposes including antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agents. The paramount property that makes BTSC metal complexes interesting for their use in these applications is the reduction potential of the coordinated metal, which can be selectively tuned by varying the substituents present on the ligand framework. Although the BTSCs have shown a great deal of success as potential cancer therapeutic agents, they lack selectivity towards cancer cells. For this matter, …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Centrosome Amplification., Jennifer Haruka Toyoda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer and resulted in 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2020. While cigarette smoking is the most familiar cause of lung cancer, up to 25% of cases occur in non-smokers, thus other environmental agents are also causative. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a known lung carcinogen and poses occupational and environmental exposure risks relevant to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. This dissertation considers the carcinogenic mechanisms of a highly potent, particulate, hexavalent chromium compound, zinc chromate. The molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by Cr(VI) is not fully understood, but it is known that chromosome instability is …

Application Of Cannabidol To Ocular Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics., Alyssa Laun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant non-psychotropic cannabinoid constituent of Cannabis sativa. CBD is potentially therapeutic for the eye through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, the effect of CBD on intraocular pressure (IOP)- the major risk factor for glaucoma- is controversial and large variability exists in the literature. IOP is regulated through aqueous humor (AH) dynamics in trabecular meshwork (TM) tissues. Measurement of CBD in AH and correlation with effects on IOP would clarify what concentrations mediate changes to IOP. Therefore, the overall goal of this dissertation is to measure CBD in ocular tissues and correlate concentrations with …

Characterization Of Microbotryum Lychnidis-Dioicae Secreted Effector Proteins That Manipulate Its Host Plant, Silene Latifolia., Ming-Chang Tsai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The smut fungal species Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae is an obligate phytopathogen colonizing the plant host, Silene latifolia. A significant feature of M. lychnidis-dioicae infection is that the fungus can replace pollen on the anthers of susceptible host plants with fungal teliospores, thus earning the fungus the name: anther smut disease of flowers. The fungus synthesizes and secretes effector proteins into the cells of the plant host during infection, and the protein-protein interactions may interfere with and modify metabolism, plant development, and gene expression of the host to allow fungal colonization. Two potential fungal effector proteins, MVLG_06175 and MVLG_05122, were identified …

Cultivating The Human Narrative: On Nietzsche, Science Fiction, And The Aesthetics Of Life., Derek Carpenter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I will argue that there is a specific model of morality which can account for the intuition about moral features that we take to be intrinsic to the human type. This model of morality is that of Virtue Ethics, but not a conventional kind of Virtue Ethics. Instead, I will argue that the moral philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche presents a model of cultivating narrative types that we take to be grounded in the kinds of beings we are, without resorting to any problematic metaphysical systems. This will require that I defend a novel interpretation of Nietzsche’s ethics …

Ecological Differences In The Associations Between Air Pollution, Greenness, And Risk Of Stroke: The Regards Study., Daniel W. Riggs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The adverse health effects of air pollution have long been recognized, with the majority of morbidity and mortality due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. Alternatively, living in areas with higher greenness has been found to be beneficial to a wide range of health outcomes. However, few studies have considered that these relationships may vary depending on the surrounding ecosystem. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution and greenness on incidence of stroke, and how these relationships vary with the major ecological regions of the United States. We utilized the …

Growing Concerned: How Societal Stress Relates To Plants In The Home, Trenton W. Birdwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Design trends are constantly in flux, but the reasons why people prefer new trends are not readily apparent. This thesis brought together multiple aspects of interior design to investigate how design has changed. After a review of available studies, the researcher decided to focus on natural design in homes because this area has previous research upon which to build. This study compared data to examine how stress in America relates to plant imagery. The research questions asked what, if any, relationship exists between societal stress and the use of plants, plant-like objects, and window views.

Measures of stress included hospitalization, …

Impact Of Institutional Support For Research And Development At An R1 University, Joy Tatum Shideler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilizes a correlational research design to identify the relationship, if any, between institutional and external support of research and development (R&D) at an R1 University Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education R1: Very High Research Activity Doctoral University in the southeastern United States of America. Initial analyses of institutional and external R&D expenditures as reported in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey from 2015 through 2020 did not identify any relationships between institutionally and externally funded R&D expenditures. Additionally, initial regressions were directionally split with positive correlations in 14 fields and …

Perceptions Of Sexual Refusals: Not So Black And White, Lavina Ying Ho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault is an issue affecting approximately 1 in 5 women. Compared to White women, Black women report higher rates of lifetime rape, are at risk of developing physical/mental health issues post-assault (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse), and are less likely to engage in help-seeking after sexual victimization. Research reveals the manner in which a woman refuses a sexual advance can influence a man’s perceptions of the genuineness of her refusal. Sexual refusals that are explicit (e.g., not wanting to have sex due to religious beliefs) are identified more quickly as violating a woman’s boundaries than sexual …

3d Reinforced Composite Face Sheets And Functionally Graded Polymeric Foam Cores For Blast And Impact Hazard Mitigation, Suman Babu Ukyam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight sandwich structures are being used in aeronautics, marine, automotive, and offshore structural applications considering their high specific strength and stiffness along with energy absorption features. Sandwich structures comprise of face sheets typically made of aluminum or fiber-reinforced composites bonded to core materials like metallic foams, honeycomb, polymeric foams or balsa wood having a cellular structure. One main limitation of composite material face sheet is the absence of fibers in thickness direction, which greatly reduces damage tolerance and impact resistance. Current research is focused on investigating the dynamic behavior of sandwich structures having composite laminates with 3D reinforcement as face …

Transformation From Orality To Literacy: Studying The Effect Of Orality In Al-Jahiz’S Al-Bayan Wa Al-Tabyeen., Faiz Alasmari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The transition from orality to literacy is the focus of this dissertation. Studying orality and literacy in Western Academic scholarship focuses on the transitional phase (transition from orality to literacy) of the Western transitional. This project widens the focus of the transitional phase and analyzes the transitional phase of the old traditional Arabic culture. The dissertation analyzes both oral and transitional phases of the old Arabic culture. It studies the unique characteristics of these two phases (oral and transitional). Isnad was the main feature of the Arabic transitional phase. Isnad is a chain of narrators who convey sayings. Every narrator …

Evaluating The Effects Of Thermal Cycling On Bone (Cold-Blooded Vs Warm-Blooded), Parker Reed Brewster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thermal cycling, a global threat that is increasingly becoming more real, is a stressing event that can drastically change material properties. Thermal cycling can be used for material strengthening and optimization, but more often than that, thermal cycling is a nuisance that weakens the integrity of structures and coatings. To understand and build better designs that resist the effects of thermal cycling, we look to nature. Though warm-blooded animals regulate their body temperatures within an exceptionally tight range, cold-blooded animals experience relatively extreme temperature fluctuations, and oftentimes, in less than a 5-hour time period. In other words, cold-blooded animals experience …

Emotion Regulation In Migraine, Tracy Protti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Migraine is the third most common medical condition across the globe and a leading cause of years lived with disability due to its considerable burden. The burden is further compounded by the high prevalence of psychological comorbidities and the influence of other psychological factors on functioning. Examinations of migraine within the fear-avoidance model suggest that fear of pain (FOP) promotes maladaptive avoidance and escape behaviors, which contribute to headache-related disability. Limited research demonstrates that those with migraine engage in avoidant emotion-regulation (ER) strategies but has overlooked ER abilities beyond acceptance. The current study aimed to investigate ER in individuals with …

Community Structure Analysis Of Turtles With Application To The Early Pliocene Gray Fossil Site, Julian Conley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Turtles are important components of ecosystems around the world, with diverse ecological niches and adaptations. However, there are few detailed studies of how turtle community structure reflects local environments. This project applied techniques of community structure analysis to sites across the United States to infer past ecosystem and environmental conditions of the early Pliocene Gray Fossil Site (GFS) in northeastern Tennessee based on the ancient turtle community. Results indicate extant turtle community structure closely reflects environmental conditions, and that ancient turtle communities can be used to infer climate and habitat conditions of past ecosystems. Application to the GFS turtle community …

Tobacco-Derived Aldehydes, Platelets, And Thrombogenicity: Role Of Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin-1., Andre D. Richardson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Conventional smoking of tobacco cigarettes is the number one risk factor for onset of CVD. Active cigarette users as well as those individuals who are exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke are at increased risk of CVD. Studies have shown that conventional smoking significantly increases a user’s risk of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease. Any of these diseases may trigger myocardial infarctions, stroke, or hypertension that may lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. New and emerging electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as electronic cigarettes …

Stromal Vascular Fraction Restores Vasodilatory Function By Reversing Mitochondrial Dysfunction And Oxidative Stress In Aging-Induced Coronary Microvascular Disease., Evan Paul Tracy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD) presents in aging post-menopausal women with chronic angina due to microvascular hyperconstriction. The objective was to identify mechanisms of adipose stromal vascular fraction’s (SVF) restorative effects on vasodilation. We hypothesize aging-induced CMD is caused by a) abrogated flow-mediated dilation (FMD) due to loss of nitric oxide signaling and b) ROS-dependent βADR desensitization & internalization, reversible by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress with SVF. Methods: Coronary microvessels were isolated from female rats either young, old, or old with SVF tail-vein injection (OSVF). Pressure myography, RNA-sequencing, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and morphological analysis were performed to …

Barriers And Opportunities To Sustainable Urban Agriculture: The Case Of Louisville, Kentucky., Sait Sarr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the urban populations continue to increase, food insecurity will continue to affect urban residents as well, depriving them of access to abundant and nutritious food. This has captured the attention of many policymakers, urban planners, nonprofits, grassroots movements, and other stakeholders. As a result, there is growing interest in developing new sustainable strategies and policy measures that improve food security through the promotion of sustainable urban agriculture. More than 100,000 Louisville residents, of which 20% are from West Louisville, do not have access to adequate and nutritious foods, and are at a higher risk of developing health issues. West …

The Effects Of Interactive Object Provisioning On Corticosterone, Stress-Related Behaviors, And Cognition In Juvenile And Adult Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia Guttata), Lucas West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identification and reduction of unnecessary stress in lab animals is important for welfare, and for scientific validity. Providing animals with infrastructure and objects that encourage exercise and species-typical manipulative behaviors can help reduce stress by meeting physical and psychological needs. The effects of such "environmental enrichment" (EE) have been heavily studied in both zoo animals "where it has been shown to reduce maladaptive behaviors" and in lab animals such as rodents, where it clearly reduces stress and anxiety, dampens reactions to stressful events, and increases cognition and the volume of related brain regions. While there is some evidence that EE …

Prevalence And Predictors Of Polypharmacy In Adolescents Who Have Engaged In Sexually Abusive Behaviors, Rebecca Gilley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polypharmacy, or the concurrent use of multiple medications, is associated with detrimental outcomes for patients and has gathered increasing attention within the scientific clinical literature. Pediatric populations warrant special consideration for the practice of polypharmacy, as medication effects are more pronounced in youth and adverse effects may have a lasting impact on development. This dissertation study examined psychotropic prescribing practices in a sample of adolescents who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors, a subset of justice-involved youth who are at risk for polypharmacy. General prescribing trends were examined, and a principle components analysis involving variables associated with risk of polypharmacy …

Organizational Green Claims And Consumer Green Perceptions In The Foodservice Industry, Jangwoo Jo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to the ever-growing consumer demands and global pressures for more sustainable business operations, corporations disclose their sustainable practices, products, and services to enhance their environmental image. Consumer green perceptions resulting from those organizational green claims have not been the focus of foodservice research. The application of green performance dimensionality of the foodservice domain identified that organizational green claims regarding food, environment and administration increase consumer green confusion and green trust at the same time. Based on the results of CFA, SEM, and multigroup analyses, this study suggests implications both theoretical and practical.

Investigating Sound And Gear Modification As A Means Of Reducing Shark Bycatch, Eduardo Josue Rangel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sharks are unintentionally captured during commercial fishing operations and discarded, known as bycatch. Sharks captured in this manner have high mortality rates resulting in hundreds of millions of sharks killed annually. Longline operations have the highest instances of bycatch. In this study, two methods for reducing shark bycatch were investigated. A simple gear modification on longline leaders was tested by substituting monofilament (mono) leaders with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (spectra) leaders. A recording of thunder was tested during longline fishing for a deterrent effect. The experiments were conducted simultaneously on a 915 m longline with 50 leaders with each leader alternating between …

Repetitively Counting Sheep: Sleep As A Moderator Of Executive Function Performance On Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, Brittany S. Sapp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As a leading cause of disability worldwide, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is associated with considerable costs on individual and economic levels. According to a U.S. national comorbidity survey, approximately 28% of individuals experience obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in their lifetime. As with most psychiatric disorders, sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in individuals with OCD and have been linked to greater severity of OC symptoms and poorer treatment response. Similarly, deficient executive functioning (EF) has been demonstrated in OCD, with research evidencing a connection between EF impairment and OCD course, symptom severity, and treatment response. Sleep difficulties are also implicated in impaired EF, …

Preparation And Characterization Of 3d Printed Bioadhesive Delivery Systems, Mohammed Yahya Alyahya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drug delivery systems are evolving as pharmaceutical excipients and the manufacturing technologies evolve. Recently, 3D printing was introduced as a promising and versatile manufacturing technology of solid dosage forms from liquid, semi-solid, and solid intermediates. This work presents two examples of employing hot melt extrusion and fused deposition 3D printing technology to fabricate bioadhesive delivery systems loaded with miconazole. The first project shows a successful fabrication of four intraoral mucoadhesive film formulations, the formulations consist of different ratios of Eudragit RS, Hydroxypropyl cellulose EF (HPC EF), and Hypromellose HME 15LV. After the HME and 3DP fabrication of the films, the …

Excavating Ethnohistory: Archaeological Signatures Of Ceremony In The Southeast, Riley Alice Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates ethnohistoric accounts written about Southeastern Native Americans and their practice of a renewal ceremony known as the Green Corn Ceremony or Busk. It then presents a model of the material consequences and potential archaeological signatures of this ceremony. This model is applied by analyzing four large refuse basins at the Stark Farm (22OK778) site located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Situated in the Black Prairie physiographic region of the Southeastern United States, this site was occupied between the Late Mississippian through Contact era (A.D. 1400 - 1700) and is thought to be part of the larger Starkville Archaeological …