Digital Commons Network^™

Mechanisms Of The Anti-Pneumococcal Function Of C-Reactive Protein, Toh B. Gang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) increases survival of and decreases bacteremia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Such protection of mice against pneumococcal infection is seen only when CRP is administered into mice 6 hours before to 2 hours after the injection of pneumococci, but not when CRP is given to mice at a later time. Our first aim was to define the mechanism of CRP-mediated initial protection of mice against infection. It was proposed that CRP binds to phosphocholine (PCh) moieties present in the cell wall and activates the complement system on the pneumococcal surface that kills the pathogen. …

Race, Social Disorganization And Delinquency, Alina Bazyler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in crime has been an issue of debate. Some evidence, however, has shown that racial differences in offending are largely accounted for by economic disadvantage. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 4,290), the relationship between race and delinquency was examined looking at social disorganization factors. It was hypothesized that there would be racial and ethnic differences in delinquency and that these differences would be accounted for by social disorganization factors, specifically collective efficacy and economic disadvantage. The results show that compared to White adolescents Hispanic adolescents …

Long-Term Recovery Of South Indian Creek Following Interstate Construction, Clara Mcclure

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of Interstate 26 from Erwin, TN to the North Carolina border was a project that potentially adversely impacted South Indian Creek because of the steep landscapes and potential for erosion. Several studies have shown the short-term, negative effects of road construction on the water quality of nearby water bodies. Non-point source pollution is the major source of water pollution in the United States. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the long-term effects of the construction of Interstate 26 on South Indian Creek to see if there has been any ecological recovery. The Environmental Health Sciences …

Multi-Physical Study Of Mems Resonators And Oscillators, Xiaobo Guo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First, this research presents experimental and theoretical investigation of the response of micro scale dual-plate thermal-piezoresistive resonators (TPR) and self-sustained oscillators (TPO) to different gases and pressures. It is demonstrated that the resonant frequency of such devices follows particular trends in response to the changes in the surrounding gas and its pressure. A mathematical model has been derived to explain the damping dependent frequency shift characteristic of TPO. The solution of the model indicates that the stiffness of the actuator beam decreases as the value of damping coefficient drops at lower gas density caused by the change in the gas …

With Green In Mind: Formative Influences On Ecological Mindedness, Shannon Burgert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the formative experiences that nurture ecological habits of mind in youth. The study builds on the ecological habits of mind defined by Moroye and Ingman: caring, a sense of interconnectedness, and ecological integrity. A combination of methods was used in this study: in-depth phenomenologically based interviewing, and educational criticism and connoisseurship. Data collection included two interviews each with five teenagers, one interview each with the teens' mothers, photographing of artifacts, and a focus group with six additional teenagers. Observations and interpretations were filtered through ecological and aesthetic lenses.

Several key findings emerged. First, it is proposed that …

Development Of A Biosensor For Investigating Membrane Curvature Sorting, Joshua C. Black

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The physical structure of cellular membranes plays a critical role in lipid and protein sorting. A novel biosensor was developed to probe the influence of curvature on sorting. This biosensor mimics large, two-dimensional membranes in dynamic equilibrium, achieves high spatial resolution between curvature and molecules of interest, and has high sensitivity, enough for single particle detection. The biosensor consists of continuous supported lipid bilayer formed over nanoparticles (40 to 200 nm diameter) deposited on a glass substrate. The nanoparticles determine the extent of curvature. This biosensor is the first to observe large-scale 2-dimensional diffusion of biomolecules on a supported lipid …

Bold Leader Or Bully? Interpreting Chinese Regional Maritime Behavior, Harrison I. Fried

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 2009, tensions have increased markedly between China and its maritime neighbors over disputed territories in the East and South China Seas. China’s neighbors accuse it of acting like a bully, alleging that China engages in behavior that is aggressive, inappropriate, and oppressive. But can such accusations be substantiated through objective analysis, or is bullying truly in the eye of the beholder? Further, is China simply acting boldly, albeit in a manner that is justifiable, as it emerges as a leader in the region? The purpose of this thesis was to determine whether labeling China’s behavior as “bullying” (as China’s …

Making Sense: Rhetoric, Perception, And Materiality, Aaron P. Donaldson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation dwells on the intersections of language-use and perception. The premise is that language makes literal sense and this reality has profound implications for those Burke called "symbol-using/mis-using animals." Communication scholars have long accepted a model of communication that positions language as "constitutive articulate contact" as opposed to a discrete means of transmission (Stewart, 1994), but a great deal of work remains to be done in terms of developing the implications for individuals and their language-use.

Chapter One explores the stances embraced by rhetorical materialists struggling to describe how language matters. The first chapter fields a series of critiques …

Development Of A Computational Approach To Assess Hip Fracture And Repair: Considerations Of Intersubject And Surgical Alignment Variability, Azhar Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hip fracture remains a major public health concern due to the significant number of occurrences and mortality rates. Intertrochanteric fractures are the most common type of fracture and are typically caused by a fall. Intramedullary osteosynthesis is a common surgical practice to repair intertrochanteric fractures, but revisions are often required. The work presented in this thesis aims to improve the realism and fidelity of computational models of hip fracture, which can be an effective alternative to costly and labor-intensive clinical in-vivo and experimental in-vitro testing. Intersubject variability is inherently present in anatomy and material relations. Statistical shape and intensity models …

Geochemical Tracers Linking Submarine Groundwater Discharge To Hypoxia Formation In Long Bay, South Carolina, Usa, Sarah Lynn Chappell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Long Bay, South Carolina has experienced hypoxic conditions (<2mg/L dissolved oxygen) in the nearshore environment, not fully attributed to traditional formation mechanisms. Past research suggested physical, biological, and/or anthropogenic influences on low dissolved oxygen levels. This project aimed to determine the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to hypoxia formation. We measured activities of 222Rnxs, 224Raxs, 223Ra, 228Ra, and 226Ra (3.8d, 3.6d, 11.5d, 5.8yr, 1600yr half-lives, respectively) in nearshore bottom waters from April 2012 through April 2013. Radium activities observed during a hypoxic event on 16-Aug-2012 were up to an order of magnitude higher than those seen during oxic conditions and the highest ever observed in the open ocean, to our knowledge. We determined that a hypoxic water mass, comprised heavily of offshore anoxic SGD, migrated inshore due to physical conditions constraining mixing over a two week time period. High groundwater content suggests that observed hypoxic conditions in nearshore Long Bay may be independent of biological influence once offshore SGD occurs.

The Addition Of Melatonin To 17beta-Estradiol And Progesterone Modulated Markers Relevant To Mammary Tumor Development And Modulated Steroid Receptors Relevant To Uterine Protection In A Mouse Model Of Breast Cancer, Corry Dominic Bondi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is important to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, HRT use declined after an increased risk of breast cancer was reported by the Women's Health Initiative. With the ultimate goal of developing a novel replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer, we postulated that a novel replacement therapy containing 17β-estradiol (E2) and half the recommended dose of progesterone (P4) along with nocturnal melatonin supplementation (EPMRT) would be protective against mammary tumor development. Previously, in a mouse model of HER2+ breast cancer, our laboratory demonstrated that EPMRT was protective against …

Vegetation Response After Invasive Tamarix Spp. Removal In The Riparian Zone And Semi-Arid Rangeland Ecosystems, Hisham Nagi El Waer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Removal of Tamarix spp. (a.k.a. tamarisk, saltcedar, Athel) invasion is often involved in restoration of Western, riparian habitat; however monitoring of vegetation after removal is often neglected and thus opportunity for adaptive management lost. To address this need, I have conducted three and half years of monitoring vegetation response after invasive Tamarix removal in twenty-five sites on the East and Western Colorado, starting fall 2009. I am also comparing six different methodologies: Point intercept, line transect, nearest neighbor, meter-square quadrats, nested Whittaker plots, and densitometer with the objective of developing monitoring protocols that can be used by …

Individual And Family Factors Related To The Reduction Of Risk Behavior In Asian Youth, Jennifer Ann Boeckel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study examined the risk and promotive factors that can hinder or help adolescents as they transition into adulthood. Chinese, Japanese and Korean adolescents were surveyed in order to examine the individual and family factors influencing risk behavior in adolescents. Correlation and regression were used to examine the relationship among variables. Findings from the analysis revealed that promotive factors including: autonomy, easy temperament, emotional intelligence, humor, moral development, optimism and physical beauty, and risk factors including: history of physical abuse, history of sexual abuse, domestic violence, favoritism of siblings, parental depression and parent not aware, were found to be …

Sound Reason: Radiolab And The Micropolitics Of Podcasting, Justin M. Eckstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past 10 years, the practice of podcasting has migrated from the margins of technological conferences to a central role in popular culture. Podcasting is an Internet-based broadcast medium that relies on Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds--a peer subscription service--to automatically retrieve and upload content to a portable MP3 player. In light of its growth and popularity, I ask, "what is the podcast's political potential?" In this project, I argue that the podcast has the potential to serve as an instrument of liberal and neurological reasoning. My project will pursue this line of inquiry by asking three research questions: …

Evolution Of Xenopus Tropicalis Mc2r: Expression And Activation, Perry Victoria Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The structure and functional relationship between the melanocortin-2 receptor (MC2R) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the most complex of the melanocortin gene family. Prior studies had been done on amniote tetrapod MC2Rs (e.g., mammals); this study analyzed the expression and activation of MC2R by an anamniote tetrapod, Xenopus tropicalis (xtMC2R). An immunofluorescence approach, done on the expression of xtMC2R in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO cells), indicated that the trafficking of xtMC2R to the plasma membrane required co-expression with a tetrapod MRAP1(melanocortin-1 receptor accessory protein). A cAMP-reporter assay was used to show that xtMC2R can activated by human ACTH(1-24, but …

Role Of Camkii In Pancreatic Alpha Cells, Brooke A. Buckland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been identified as an important modulator in controlling electrical activity in neurons and the heart; however, a role for CaMKII in pancreatic alpha cell signaling has not been previously reported. Upon activation by calcium/calmodulin, CaMKII phosphorylates proteins involved in intracellular calcium homeostasis by inducing downstream effects such as an increase in AMPA-receptor single channel conductance, potentiation of L-type voltage dependent calcium channels, and enhanced surface expression of inhibitory GABA_A-receptors. In the pancreas, an increase in intracellular calcium drives secretion of glucagon from alpha cells within the Islets of Langerhans. α-cells contain many …

The Nazi "Church": Nazism As Ersatzreligion, Carol Mckinley Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

"German Christianity is a distortion. You are either a German or you are Christian."

~ Adolph Hitler

In the last decade, scores of religious scholars have dissected the concept of the Third Reich as a religion. Their theories depict a vast range of extremes from National Socialism portrayed as a secular or political religion to painting the Nazis as anti-Christian pagans. The "Nazi Church" was neither a political religion nor was it simply paganism; instead, National Socialism became its own religion which replaced traditional German Christianity at a time when a nation, ripe for questioning God, was suffering from the …

Clinicians' Perceptions Of The Mental Health Of Gay Clients And The Effects Of Diversity Competency And Modern Homophobia, Joseph M. Longo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Attitudes within the psychological community regarding sexual minorities have evolved over time with a significant history of assigning pathology to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. Though attitudes have shifted, prejudice has not disappeared. Modern forms of homophobia are less overt and subtler expressions of contempt, disapproval, or discrimination and are rooted in internal conflict. In mental health training programs, LGB clients have historically received little attention, failing to prepare professionals to competently work with this population; encouragingly, this trend is changing. The present study investigated how mental health clinicians assess the level of mental health of gay male clients …

Social Presence And Therapeutic Demands: The Role Of Technology In The Therapeutic Alliance, Amy Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explores whether access to technology mediated resources that expand social presence opportunities during mental health treatment play a role in what therapists report as difficult therapeutic alliance demands. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health problem, characterized by unstable relationships, anger outbursts and impulsive behaviors. People with BPD tend to be high service users and have difficulty remaining in the treatment setting long enough to benefit from treatment services. Treatment studies have found that the therapeutic alliance is a significant contributing factor to successful outcomes; however, the relational and behavioral difficulties inherent among those diagnosed with …

A Stage-Structured Delayed Reaction-Diffusion Model For Competition Between Two Species., Chunwei Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We formulate a delayed reaction-diffusion model that describes competition between two species in a stream. We divide each species into two compartments, individuals inhabiting on the benthos and individuals drifting in the stream. Time delays are incorporated to measure the time lengths from birth to maturity of the benthic populations. We assume that the growth of population takes place on the benthos and that dispersal occurs in the stream. Our system consists of two linear reaction-diffusion equations and two delayed ordinary differential equations. We study the dynamics of the non-spatial model, determine the existence and global stability of the equilibria, …

Patient Preference And Compliance Between Hawley Retainers And Vacuum-Formed Retainers Following Orthodontic Treatment., Justin Wild

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The traditional Hawley retainer has been replaced in many orthodontic offices by vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs). There has yet to be a study that investigates preferences and reasons for noncompliance between Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers by allowing each to be worn within the same patient. Specific Aim: To determine differences in compliance and reasons for noncompliance between Hawley and VFRs. Hypothesis: There will be increased compliance with VFRs due to better esthetics, speech, and comfort. Methods: In consecutive months but in a different order, two treatment groups received a set of Hawleys and VFRs following comprehensive treatment. All patients were …

The Rhetoric Of Africa : Historical Turns In Constructing A Continent, 1780-1890., Dexter Peck Mahaffey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines historical rhetoric about Africa in British and American writings between the beginnings of the Abolition period and the 1884 Berlin Conference at which the continent was divided by colonial powers. Tracing rhetorical trends of travel writers and their constituents through the explorations of the continent, it demarcates two turns in the way Africans and Africa were constructed rhetorically. In the process it reveals a 19th-century evolution from depicting Africa largely in terms of its viability for commerce and reception of European culture, to an Africa fallen into darkness, to Africa as the Dark Continent, permanently fixed in …

Plant And Arthropod Diversity In Prairie Restorations Around Louisville, Ky., Sarah Elizabeth Atherton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prairies are important ecological biomes that contain high biodiversity of economic and ecologically important flora and fauna. Unfortunately, despite the vast historic distribution over most of mid-America, remnant prairies are critically threatened due to urbanization and other anthropogenic activities. Therefore, measurements of richness are utilized to assess the stability and condition of remnant and restored prairies-higher richness indicating greater ecosystem stability. Arthropod abundance comprises a significant portion of the species richness found in prairies. Because of this, arthropods are an ideal group of organisms to study due to their relatively limited dispersal range and utilization of microhabitats. In this study, …

Enhanced Penetration Of Lipid Functionalized Nanoparticles In 3d Cell Cultures., Christopher Gene England 1988-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanoparticle-based systems can alleviate systemic toxicity via surface functionalization to promote tissue-specific targeting as well as passive targeting abilities [1], such as the enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR) [2]. The transport of nanoparticles is limited in hypoxic tumor regions due to the typically impaired tumor vasculature. To enhance diffusion of nanotherapeutics within tumor tissue; functionalized citrate gold nanoparticles and silica gold nanoshells with surface modifications of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were synthesized. 3D cell cultures were used as a representative model of portions of hypoxic tissue in liver, lung, and pancreatic solid tumors. Our results indicate …

Mast Cell-T Cell Interactions In Inflammatory Chemokine Mediated Immune Surveillance Of Intestinal Cancer., Sobha R. Bodduluri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic inflammation promotes a variety of cancers but inflammation also plays an important role in immune surveillance of cancer. Chemokine decoy receptor, D6 scavenges large number of inflammatory chemokines without transducing any signals and thus presumably dampens inflammation. Consistent with this notion, the D6 deficient mice displayed enhanced inflammation in variety of disease models. However, our laboratory observed that absence of D6 caused an unexpected decrease in inflammation and reduced tumor burden in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer. Intestinal tumors in D6-/-ApcMin/+ mice showed increased mast cell infiltration but their contribution to tumor progression is unknown. Therefore, unravelling …

An Historical Perspective On Labor Productivity In The Modern Era., Peter Brem 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Changing framework conditions and constantly changing influences complicate the existence of the companies that are in competition with one another. To be able to guarantee the sustainable success of a company, it is decisive for the market participant to react to the prevailing challenges in a productive and efficient way. Despite various individual approaches currently there is no uniform master plan that represents the topic of the labor productivity in the context of modern requirements. It is the aim of this dissertation to analyze the approaches on labor productivity on the most important protagonists which in the history. The historic …

The Characterization Of Wing-Wing Vortex Interactions Of A Tandem Flapping Wing Configuration And Its Relationship To The Phase Angle And Wing Spacing., Timothy Michael Broering 1985-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A number of flying insects make use of tandem wing configurations, suggesting that such a setup may have potential advantages over a single wing at low Reynolds numbers. Dragonflies, which are fast and highly maneuverable, demonstrate well, the potential performance of such a configuration. In a tandem wing configuration, the hindwing often operates in the wake of the forewing and, hence, its performance is affected by the vortices shed by the forewing. Changes in the phase angle between the flapping motions of the fore and hind wings, as well as the spacing between them, can affect the resulting vortex/wing and …

The Evolution Of Healthcare For Louisville's African American Community, 1865-1990., Angela Calloway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is well documented that inequality in the delivery of health care exists within the U.S. (Smedley, Stith & Nelson, 2003; Trivedi, Zaslavsky, Schneider, & Ayanian, 2006). Historically, our health care system was a segregated one in which white Americans enjoyed one system of health care—a more privileged one-- while black Americans experienced another, supported by law and custom. Laws changed after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but disparate practices lingered. Although there have been studies about the historical picture of segregated health care available to black Americans (Byrd & Clayton, 2000; Savitt, 2007), there is a lack of …

The Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness And Eating : An Analysis Of Self-Reported And In Vivo Eating Behaviors In Undergraduate Females., Megan E. Jablonski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation theorized that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness (DM), the innate tendency to be aware and accepting of the present moment, is associated with fewer maladaptive eating behaviors, particularly in response to stress and negative emotions. Previous research has established that DM is predictive of decreased stress perception and more skillful emotion regulation. However, few studies have explored how this quality might relate to eating behaviors, which can be influenced by psychological stress and negative affect. A sample of non-clinical female undergraduates (N = 158) completed self-report questionnaires assessing DM, perceived stress, emotional regulation skills, and problematic eating patterns. …

Strengthening Stem Performance And Persistence : Influence Of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants On Entry-Level Stem Students., Stephanie B. Philipp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing retention of students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs of study is a priority for many colleges and universities. This study examines an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) program implemented in a general chemistry course for STEM majors to provide peer learning assistance to entry-level students. This study measured the content knowledge growth of UTAs compared to traditional graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) over the semester, and described the development of peer learning assistance skills of the UTAs as an outcome of semester-long training and support from both science education and STEM faculty. Impact of the UTA program on …