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Effects Of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Mrs6an On Intestinal Gpat3 Pathway Involved In The Lipid Transport In Enterocytes, Ayodeji Oludare Ipinmoroti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accumulation of triglyceride (TG) in enterocytes of the small intestine follows two specific absorption pathways: the monoacylglycerol acyltransferase pathway (MGAT) and glycerol acyltransferase pathway (GPAT), the latter (GPAT) is usually found in the small intestine. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MRS6AN, an isolate from “amabere amaruranu” a Kenyan traditional cultured milk, on triglyceride accumulation and expression of GPAT3, I-FABP, MTP and NPC1L1 in Caco-2 cell enterocyte model. Intracellular triglyceride level (TG) of Caco2 cells was significantly reduced by live L. rhamnosus (LB) compared with other bacterial products. MTP expression in Caco2 cells was minimally reduced …

A Study Of Salmonid Growth In Two Southern Appalachian Headwater Streams, Joshua Argo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sampled salmonid populations in two headwater streams in East Tennessee, Briar Creek and Left Prong Hampton Creek. Length and weight data were used to calculate the growth of these populations to determine if significant variation exists between isolated brook trout populations. Slope comparisons concluded that there was a difference in growth between brook trout populations of these streams (p

Outcomes Of An Integrated Approach To Speed And Strength Training With An Elite-Level Sprinter, Eric D. Magrum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe changes in sprint velocity, ground contact time, and peak force demonstrated by a competitive sprinter following an integrated approach to speed development and strength training. As part of an ongoing monitoring procedure the participant completed 20m sprint testing through an optical measurement system and isometric-strength testing before and after each phase of training. Sprint velocity, ground contact time and peak force were analysed using Tau-U, smallest worthwhile and percent change statistics. Results indicate sprinting velocity statistically improved while changes in peak force were practically significant and ground contact time remained trivial throughout …

The Perceptions Of Father Involvement In Elementary Schools, Myles J. Hebrard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of father involvement in elementary schools. The focus of the study was to allow the researcher to develop a greater understanding of perceptions of father involvement, from both a father and teacher perspective. Data was collected from teachers and fathers through surveys and interviews. Specific content areas of the father survey included communication, activities fathers engaged in, training opportunities provided at the school, parent conferences, when events were offered, availability, and suggestions for school staff. Specific content areas of the teacher survey included communication, activities fathers engaged in, training …

Aging-In-Place Home Modification: Led Lamp Color Temperature Preference Among Adults, Laura J. Maher Mrs.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated LED color temperature preference and effectiveness in a task light setting for older adults with a comparison to younger adults. Test subjects included visually active adults, male and female, from 19 years to 96 years of age. The researcher tested one hundred participants from several test sites. The researcher ascertained conclusions based on the correlations of age, gender, visual acuity, time of day, and visual medical conditions to LED preference. A tunable lamp with four correlated color temperatures (CCT/K), 2700K, 3500K, 4100K, and 5000K was analyzed using timed and graded, reading and number comparison tasks. Lumen output …

Narrative Non-Fiction Stories Of Mexican American Female Principals Of Predominately Hispanic Elementary Public Campuses In Texas, Betsy J. Mijares Dr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In Texas, there is an increase of the Hispanic population and not a significant increase in Hispanic administrators. Women remain underrepresented in the principalship with even less representation of Hispanics. With an increasing number of Hispanic students, it is vital to ensure there is a representation to be an advocate for these children. Hopefully, this information will provide connection, relativity, and give a sense of hope to aspiring female minority principals and the Hispanic community. The purpose of this narrative non-fiction study was to enable four Mexican-American female principals in predominantly Hispanic elementary campuses to reveal their stories of their …

Cloning, Purification, And Biochemical Characterization Of Human Prolyl Endopeptidase, Travis K. Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Eurygaster integriceps Puton, common name sunn Pest, is one of the primary sources of wheat crop wastes in North Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. It feeds by injecting the wheat grain with an enzyme characterized as prolyl endoprotease (spPEP) that breaks down Gluten, the wheat’s main constitutive protein necessary for bread production (Darkoh et al., 2010). Previously, it has been shown that peptides isolated from Lactobacillus hydrolysates of caseins in bovine milk are able to inhibit mammalian PEP in colon cells, as well as bacterial PEP (Juillerat-Jeanneret et al., 2010). While recombinant versions of these peptides are also potential …

Effects Of Ponderosa Pine Ecological Restoration On Forest Soils And Understory Vegetation In Northern Arizona, Elena M. Thomas, Kenneth W. Farrish, Brian P. Oswald, Melinda G. Shaw-Faulkner, Scott R. Abella

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The human exclusion of wildfire and overgrazing by livestock since settlement have caused dramatic changes in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl ex Laws) forest ecosystems. These changes include increased numbers of tree stems, reduced understory cover and diversity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native understory species. This study evaluated the coverage and species composition of understory vegetation present in the “cool-season” (late spring and early summer) in a ponderosa pine forest on grazed and ungrazed plots that had undergone restoration treatments on three different soil/geologic parent material types near Flagstaff, Arizona, twelve years after tree thinning and grazing exclosure …

The Regulation Of Rotavirus–Infected Ht29.F8 And Ma104 Cells Treated With Arachidin 1 Or Arachidin 3, Caleb M. Witcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rotavirus (RV) infections cause severe life threatening diarrhea in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Several effective vaccines have been developed for young children but are not protective against all strains of RV, and there are no anti-RV therapeutics. Our laboratory has discovered a decrease in the number of infectious simian RV particles (SA114f) in human intestinal cell line, HT29.f8 cells with the addition of either of two stilbenoids, arachidin-1 (A1) or arachidin-3 (A3). This suggests effects on the host cell and RV replication. We examined the cellular effects of human RV strain (Wa) on a human intestinal cell line (HT29.f8) …

Perceptions Of Effective Pedagogical Practices And Classroom Management Strategies: A Cross-Case Analysis Of Four Middle School Teachers, Igor Gusyakov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to identify and describe the pedagogical practices and classroom management strategies of consistently effective and successful teachers as evidenced by teacher perceptions and observations.

Four middle school teachers from two middle schools within the same school district were selected to participate in the study. The teachers were selected based on their effectiveness identified by their supervisor. The teachers were interviewed about their own perceptions as to what effective pedagogical practices are, based on their teaching experience. The teachers were also observed in their classrooms.

The key findings of the study indicated the importance of stablishing classroom procedures, …

The Relationship Of Locus Of Control And Social Learning On Academic Achievement In A Supplemental Instruction Program, Tina Fleet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

A large number of high school students entering college are arriving academically unprepared. Abilene Christian University’s newly founded Bridge Scholars Program seeks to help and support academically at-risk students based upon low ACT/SAT scores and low high school GPA averages. This research utilizes the Supplemental Instruction program, (based upon Bandura’s social learning theory), as its academic intervention. The research questions are 1) How does Supplemental Instruction contribute to an at-risk student’s college readiness (knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and strategies)? And, 2) Does a student’s internal or external locus of control predict academic performance? A pretest and posttest using Rotter’s …

The Relationship Between Hospitalizations And Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Ronni T. Barker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2015, the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation collaborated with the European CF Society to develop new guidelines to screen for depression and anxiety in people with CF. The guidelines were based on a study that assessed over 6,000 patients and 4,000 caregivers among 45 centers in the United States and eight European countries. Research has proven that depression and anxiety have a negative impact on CF and overall health. 186 adolescents within the CF clinic at Children’s Health Center voluntarily completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). These screenings were completed between February 2016-March 2017 and …

Challenges To Establishing Oaks And Pecan In Bottomland Forests In The Post Oak Savannah And Blackland Prairie, Luke B. Oliver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Removal and degradation of bottomland hardwood forests (BLHW) in the southern United States has been extensive over the past 200 years. Large mast-production is crucial to the survival of some high-priority wildlife. A two-year study monitored survival and growth of planted seedlings receiving different levels of overhead density reduction and competition control. Competition control did not increase survival of the oak species. Pecan seedlings receiving the weed barrier mat treatment had greater survival than pecan seedlings receiving the herbicide treatment, or those receiving no competition control. A greenhouse experiment examined hardwood seedlings’ response to two-phase flooding/drought treatments to measure the …

Self-Efficacy In Offspring Of Mentally Ill Parents, Craig M. Motsenbocker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The subjective experiences of offspring of mentally ill parents have resulted in the development and absence of various components of well-being. However, there are very few studies examining levels of self-efficacy as a component of well-being within offspring of mentally ill parents. Given the evidence of lower levels of resiliency among offspring of mentally ill parents, this study proposed to evaluate the relationship between self-efficacy and offspring of mentally ill parents. Two-hundred and fifty-seven students in an introductory psychology course completed two measures assessing self-efficacy and resiliency. Among the 257 students, 27 identified with a mentally ill parent. It was …

Style Semiotics: The Influence Of Levels Of Professional Style Of Dress On Perceived Competency, Brianna Esparza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Professional styles of dress in relation to perceptions of the public, have been assessed when comparing men and women, though little research exists to examine the spectrum of professional styles offered to women. This study involves the analysis of two different styles of dress, both on a spectrum of professional styles that are offered to women. A photo of a model in a sheath dress and a photo of a model in a pantsuit were used in separate experimental conditions, accompanied by the same job description for Senior Strategy Consultant, as well as the same resume. Participants were then asked …

From Blonde To Brutal: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis Of Legally Blonde And How To Get Away With Murder, Jazmine M. Moreno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Feminism is a work that strikes up many connotations, but has no set definition. Though it might take on different definitions, its overall goal is equality. Feminism has appeared throughout history in various waves, the third-wave is currently in progress. Two artifacts from this wave of feminism include Legally Blonde and How to Get Away With Murder. This thesis utilizes feminist rhetorical criticism to analyze how third-wave feminism appears in each artifact, and what implications that has for the progression of feminism. The research identified two types of feminism, girlie feminism in Legally Blonde and intersectional in How to Get …

Religious Problem Solving And Methods Of Control, Richard Michael Eason

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the connections between religious problem-solving strategies and experiences of control, specifically an internal and external locus of control, God locus of control, and the illusion of control. In addition, it explored how these connections relate to psychological well-being. Undergraduates enrolled in psychology courses were recruited to participate in this study. They completed five scales and a computerized task. These scales consist of the Religious Problem-Solving Scale, the Locus of Control Scale, the Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale-God Control Revision (God control subscale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depressed Mood Scale, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. The computerized task …

Social Dynamics, Network Structure, And Information Diffusion In Fish Shoals., Matthew Jerome Hasenjager

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Animal populations are often highly structured, with individuals differing in terms of whom they interact with and how frequently they do so. The resulting pattern of relationships constitutes a population’s social network. In this dissertation, I examine how environmental variation can shape social networks and influence information flow within them. In Chapter I, I review the history of social network analysis in animal behavior research, and discuss recent insights generated by network approaches in behavioral ecology. I focus on the fields of: social learning, collective behavior, animal personalities, and cooperation. Animal network studies are often criticized for a lack of …

Improving Cardiac Cell Therapy: Role Of Hdac1 In Directing Cmc Cell Fate Decisions And Therapeutic Efficacy., John Zhao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiac mesenchymal stromal cell (CMC) administration has improved cardiac function in pre-clinical animal models of heart failure. Specifically, both transdifferentiation and secretion of paracrine signaling molecules are potential mechanisms by which transplanted cells exert their cardiac reparative effects. The inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been shown to enhance the cardiogenic differentiation capacity of various progenitor cell types. In the current study the consequences of HDAC1 inhibition on CMC in vitro differentiation, in vivo cardiac reparative capabilities, and in vitro cytokine secretion were investigated using either genetic depletion of HDAC1 or pharmacological inhibition with entinostat. CMCs depleted of HDAC1 exhibit …

Mercury Concentrations In Snowy Plovers And Sediments Of Their Breeding Environments In The Southern Great Plains, Laura Duffie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Western snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus) are philopatric shorebirds sporadically distributed during the breeding season at saline lake and alkali flat breeding environments of the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The major conservation threat to interior snowy plovers breeding on the SGP derives from anthropogenic modification of breeding environments. The SGP is one of the most intensively cultivated regions in the world, and excessive groundwater mining and resulting deterioration of artesian spring flows reduces site quantity and quality critical for regional successful nesting. Most saline lakes now primarily receive freshwater inputs via irregular precipitation …

Evaluation Of Absorbezz On Swine Reproductive Health And A Comparative Study Of Two Commercially Available Swine Show Feeds, Scott G. Sutton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The efficacy of a feed supplement fed to gilts and sows was tested in study I. The supplement was stated to improve reproductive soundness, conception rates, immune health, and overall well-being of livestock. Thirty gilts were split into a control group (Base diet) and a treatment group (Absorbezz® 0.32 mL on base diet). Upon completion of the trial results indicate the treatment group significantly underperformed (

Two commercially available show pig growing rations were tested in study II to find a high quality, cost efficient product. A total of 10 pigs (5 barrows, 5 gilts), at an average weight of …

An Examination Of Texas Agricultural Education Regarding Absence Of Diverse Students, John D. Denson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate reasons for, and issues regarding, the lack of diversity in the department of agriculture and the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Data for this research were collected, studied, and analyzed. Data were examined to identify explanations for the lack of interest in agriculture among diverse students, and the lack of interest among school administrators and teachers to encourage studies in agriculture among the diverse. The analysis of data verified the existence of a real need for more disquiet in the differences of attitudes among diverse students regarding agriculture and agriculture programs, such as FFA. …

Assessment And Characterization Of Microbial Communities In Salt Affected Soils On Galveston Island, Elaine Fowler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

After Hurricane Ike in 2008, Galveston Island was flooded with sea water that left the soil and groundwater of the island with elevated sodium concentrations. As part of a long-term study that aims to restore plant life to the island, various soil amelioration techniques are being evaluated. Samples from bedded and non- bedded plots treated with gypsum, mulch, or both were assessed for microbial populations. Samples collected in July and October 2016 were cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar (bacteria enumeration), Pseudomonas Agar, Actinomycete Agar, and Rose Bengal Agar (fungi enumeration). Bacteria populations ranged from 4.07 to 5.12 log CFU/gram and …

Vegetation Community Changes In Two National Forests In The Pineywoods, East Texas, Trisha L. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite extensive research into forest succession, little research has been directed to long-term studies. The fundamental properties of succession remain unclear and further research into terrestrial vegetation and an accounting of drivers in specific ecosystem types is required. This study addresses change in plant communities from five ecosystem types in two east Texas National Forests over a 20-year period. An analysis of 30 sample stands yields results due to various ecosystem drivers of vegetation change and uncovers plant community responses in multiple ecosystem types over this period. This research provided three key results: 1) that vegetation composition change occurs more …

Evaluation Of Different Probiotic Strains Supplemented In Commercial Broiler Rations And Their Influences On Performance, Yield, And Intestinal Microbiota., Justin M. Glasscock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus subtilis, as probiotic strains compared to Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD) 50 as the antibiotic growth promotor, supplemented in commercial broiler rations and their influences on performance, yield, and intestinal microbiota. This trial was completed as a randomized-block design with 4,800 birds split into 96, 5’x10’ pens, and randomly assigned to one of eight treatment groups. The birds were placed at a stocking density of 1.00 ft²/bird, (50 birds/pen), and reared on used pine shaving for 55 days. Throughout the study, bird …

Herbivory Impacts On Growth And Survival Of Seedlings In Bottomland Hardwood Forest Restoration Sites In The Post Oak Savannah And Blackland Prairie Ecoregions Of Texas, Usa, Ryan J. Jacques

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Interest in bottomland hardwood forests (BLHW) ecology and restoration has increased over the past 40 years. These communities aid in water quality improvement, streambank stabilization, and urban expansion mitigation. They also provide important habitat for many species of wildlife. Since the majority of remaining BLHW are degraded due to land fragmentation, restoration attempts are becoming commonplace within the Western Gulf Coastal Plain. However, restoration success has been mixed, with managers observing survival rates of <15% for desirable species due to various factors. Over two growing seasons, I investigated multiple factors that have potential to limit BLHW restoration success in East Texas. Specifically, I tested the impacts of herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and feral swine (Sus scrofa) on Nuttall oak (Quercus texana Buckley), Shumard oak (Q. shumardii Buckley), bur oak ( …

A Meta-Analysis Of The Longitudinal Relationship Between Adolescent Depression And Academic Achievement., Rachel E. Buehner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers in the fields of both education and mental health endeavor to develop and implement interventions which will bring children and adolescents greater academic success and optimally address mental health issues. Educators seek to target risk factors which might impede a student’s success in the classroom, while mental health providers seek to reduce issues within a child’s environment which might be risk factors for depression. Evidence for a cross-sectional relationship between adolescent depression and academic achievement is well-supported, with depression and achievement being negatively correlated in adolescents. The longitudinal relationship between these two variables is not fully understood, however. While …

Expression Of Zeb Factors In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma., Saira Ahmed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: The ZEB family of transcription factors (ZEB1 and ZEB2) have been demonstrated to play a role in metastatic progression of several cancers, and may also influence the initial transformation and generation of cancer stem cells. However, the expression pattern of ZEB proteins in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to define changes in expression and subcellular localization of the ZEB family in both precancerous lesions and different grades of OSCC. Materials and Methods: Seventy-nine tongue biopsies were subjected to immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to determine the expression and subcellular …

Characterization Of A Mutant Oncolytic Adenovirus And The Role Of Jnk In Enhancing Virotherapy., Stephen L. Wechman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) have great therapeutic potential for lung cancer treatment. Cancer selective E1b-deleted Ads are safe; however, their clinical cancer therapeutic efficacy remains limited. The limited efficacy of Ad virotherapy is due to many factors including inefficient cancer cell lysis, Ad release and spread. Progress in overcoming these barriers to Ad virotherapy are hampered by limited knowledge of the genes associated with enhanced Ad release and spread and the dearth of understanding of the mechanisms by which E1b-deleted Ads cause cancer cell lysis. The role of c-JNK n- terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in this process remains unknown. …

The Interaction Of Homoserine Lactones And Paraoxonase 2 Modulates Cell Death Signaling And Cell Proliferation., Aaron Mackallan Neely

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (C12) as a quorum-sensing molecule that functions to facilitate bacteria-bacteria communication. C12 has also been reported to affect many aspects of human host cell physiology, including evoking cell death in various types of cells. However, the signaling pathway(s) leading to C12-triggerred cell death remains unclear. To clarify cell death signaling induced by C12, we examined mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in one or more caspases. Our data indicate that, unlike most apoptotic inducers, C12 evokes a novel form of apoptosis in cells, probably through the direct induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Importantly, C12 induces apoptosis …