Digital Commons Network^™

Regression Methods For Survival And Multistate Models., Farida Mostajabi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A common research interest in medical, biological, and engineering research is determining whether certain independent variables are correlated with the survival or failure times. Standard statistical techniques cannot usually be applied for failure-time data due to the lack of complete data or in other word, due to censoring. From a statistical perspective, the study of time to event data is even more challenging when further complexities such as high dimensionality or multivariablity is added to the model. In this dissertation, we consider the predicating patient survival from proteomic profile of patient serum using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) data of …

Roles Of 5ht1a Receptor In Cns Neurogenesis And Adam21 In Spinal Cord Injury., Sheila Ann Arnold 1981-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

These studies set out to identify strategies to rescue and repair the adult nervous system. First, we investigated the role of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in 5HT1A receptor-induced neurogenesis in the rodent brain. Systemic treatment with an agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, increased neurogenesis only in rats and not mice, and only in one of the two neurogenic regions. This increase was not mediated by CNTF. These data suggest that translation of 5HT1A-based studies to human cell replacement therapies should be reconsidered. Secondly, the role of the plasticity-associated metalloprotease ADAM21 after spinal cord injury was investigated by comparing ADAM21-deficient mice to their wildtype …

Development And Evaluation Of Polymeric Implants Of Curcumin For Enhanced Chemopreventive Activity., Shyam Sunder Bansal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Curcumin, a plant derived compound has shown significant potency against various chronic diseases like cancer in cell culture and animal studies. However, the introduction of this compound into clinical setting is limited by its poor oral bioavailability and thereby requires high doses for efficacy. We hypothesized that localized/systemic delivery of curcumin by polymeric implants can improve its efficacy by bypassing the oral route and by restricting majority of the drug at the tumor site. Therefore, we developed a polymeric implantable drug delivery system using poly (E-caprolactone) as the polymer and optimized it with respect to polymer molecular weight, drug load …

Analysis Of Trauma Symptomology, Trauma-Informed Care, And Student-Teacher Relationships In A Residential Treatment Center For Female Adolescents., Amy Backert Gonshak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although there is a vast body of literature to support multiple positive outcomes related to positive student-teacher relationships, no prior study has investigated student-teacher relationships within the context of a residential treatment center for abused and neglected adolescents, students who theoretically could benefit from this relationship the most. The first goal of this study was to investigate the effects of student trauma symptomology, teacher beliefs about trauma-informed care, and teachers' emotionally supportive behavior in the classroom on student-teacher relationship quality. Results revealed that teacher beliefs about trauma-informed care and student trauma symptomology, particularly as it is related to 'Other-Control,' are …

Profile Of Systemic Treatment With The Antiviral Lectin Griffithsin In Guinea Pigs., Christopher Lynn Barton 1976-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Griffithsin (GRFT) is a carbohydrate binding protein derived from the red alga Griffithisia sp. that has been shown to effectively interfere with the cellular attachment and infectivity of a number of viruses, including HIV-1. However, it is currently unknown what impact systemic GRFT administration may have upon a biological system. For initial in vivo testing, we introduced GRFT into guinea pigs (Cavia Parcel/us) via subcutaneous injection. Based on histological, serological, and biochemical data derived from these experiments, GRFT is well tolerated and maintained at physiologically relevant concentrations while retaining its potent antiviral activity. Follow up in vitro testing included a …

Mechanistic Insights Into Copper-Induced Regression Of Heart Hypertrophy., Katherine Bourcy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have shown that copper (Cu) supplementation at physiologically relevant levels reverses cardiac myocyte hypertrophy induced by phenylephrine (PE), and that this effect was VEGF-dependent. Yet, the amount of VEGF in the media was unchanged. However, we observed that Cu caused an increase in the ratio of VEGFR-1:VEGFR-2 as well as an increase in PKG-1 activity. PKG-1 activity is associated with the regression of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that VEGFR-1 is associated with PKG-1 and their association is involved in Cu induced regression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Human cardiac myocytes (HCM) in …

Prevention And Treatment Of Lung Cancer By Green Tea Polyphenols., Pengxiao Cao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are gaining increasing attention because of their potential anti-tumor effects. However, poor oral bioavailability limits their efficacy in vivo. In this dissertation, two hypotheses were tested: 1) GTPs administered systemically by a sustained release system will circumvent the problem of limited bioavailability and lower the effective dose compared to the traditional oral route, and 2) adjuvant treatment of GTPs with a standard chemotherapeutic agent (e.g. cisplatin) will enhance efficacy of the therapeutic agent. In our lab, a polymeric implant delivery system was developed, in which GTPs were uniformly embedded within a polycaprolactone matrix to provide sustained …

Effect Of Complement C5a In Tumor Progression And The Local Tumor Microenvironment., Lacey Jo Gunn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monoclonal antibodies directed toward tumor associated antigens are FDA approved anticancer reagents used commonly in the clinic. Administered antibodies initiate tumor cell death through several mechanisms. Improving immune mediated mechanisms, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) may improve treatment success. However, in many tumors, complement activation and propagation is limited by tumor cell overexpression of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs). Thus, introduction of complement components into the tumor, specifically anaphylatoxin C5a, may provide a key strategy to improve existing, approved anti-tumor treatment. Currently the role of C5a in the tumor remains unclear. The receptor for C5a, C5aR, is expressed …

Application Of Microfabrication In Electrochemical Sensing., Susan Carroll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this work, micro fabrication techniques are explored not only to simplify the production of complex lab on-a-chip devices (LOC), but also micro fabrication will be utilized to create intelligent design features that will enhance an electrochemical sensor's capabilities. First, a low temperature adhesive bonding procedure for LOC glass devices was evaluated for capillary electrophoresis (CE) applications. This low temperature method utilizes UV adhesive to bond the glass microchips under the assistance of a mask aligner. The bonding process was carried out at room temperature in < 30 minutes, and provided a near 100% success rate. Microchips exhibited similar electroosmotic flow, separation characteristics, stable long-term performance, excellent chip-to-chip reproducibility, as their thermally bonded counter parts. This bonding approach required new but easily implemented structural features. In addition to cost effective and reliable fabrication techniques, microchips designed for long-term unattended electrochemical sensing have been evaluated. Specific advantages of the micro fabrication approach include the capability to create an intelligent design containing features such as redundant sensing electrodes, on-chip reference and auxiliary electrodes, and in situ electrode regeneration/calibration. One system targeted involves continuous pH monitoring in drinking water at solid-state iridium oxide electrodes. Microchips utilized consist of a flow-through silicon platform containing patterned gold electrodes onto which iridium oxide was deposited electrochemically. To simulate drinking water detection scenarios, sensors were integrated into a flow system. Elven equivalent pH electrodes where evaluated for electrode-to-electrode reproducibility, long-term drift, and response to expected interfering agents. With on-chip voltage treatment, absolute potentials measured for an electrode array are within ± 4 mY, with identical (±1 mY/pH unit) calibration slopes. This performance level is sustainable over weeks. Sensors for exhaustive coulometry were designed, fabricated and evaluated. Microchips contained thin-film gold working and Ag/AgCI pseudo-reference electrodes. A custom flow cell containing a counter electrode chamber was constructed to integrate the sensor and to create an electrolysis chamber with a fixed volume. Different chip designs were evaluated for reproducibility and longevity using Fe(CN)63-/4- as model analytes. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for a chip (over 42 days) was 5.5% whereas the sensor-to-sensor reproducibility was within 6.3%. A more practical application for utilizing exhaustive coulometry by the determination of free chlorine in drinking water is briefly evaluated. Initially studies will outline the challenges involved by analyzing hypochlorite.

Adenovirus-Induced Cyclin E Activates Cdk2 For Virus Replication., Pei-Hsin Cheng 1983-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human adenoviruses (Ads) can infect and replicate in cells at different cell-cycle stages. Ads with the E1 B55K deletion preferentially replicate in cancer cells and cause oncolysis. Our laboratory has previously shown that the Ad E1 b gene is involved in induction of several cell-cycle regulative genes (Rao, X. et al. Virol. 350:418-28, 2006) and that cyclin E expression is required for efficient viral replication (Zheng, X. et al. J Viral 82:3415-27, 2008). In this study, we sought to investigate the interaction of cyclin E with its partner CDK2 in Ad-infected cells. We show four lines of evidence indicating the …

Interproximal Reducation In Conjunction With Plastic Aligner Therapy : A Retrospective Pilot Study., Adam Chorak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: For more than 10 years, Invisalign has been a treatment alternative to traditional bands and brackets for the treatment of malocclusion. In order to relieve crowding in the dentition, interproximal reduction (IPR) or stripping is often required. Invisalign dictates how much IPR should be done per case. Hypothesis: The hypothesis is that less tooth structure is removed by IPR during treatment than is advocated by Invisalign. Methods: Subjects will be patients from the University of Louisville who were treated with Invisalign. The mesial-distal width of the teeth on pre and post treatment models will be measured and compared against …

Expression Pattern Of Cd2ap In The Intact And Collaterally Sprouting Nervous System., Sarah Elizabeth Claypool Couch 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collateral sprouting (CS) occurs when uninjured axons respond to denervated tissue surrounding the axon by growing branches of the axon to reinnervate the denervated zone. This process is signaled by factors released by the denervated tissue. Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to be required and sufficient for the initiation and maintenance of CS. Previous work showed CD2 associated protein (CD2AP) mRNA increased following a spared dermatome procedure to model collateral sprouting. CD2AP links the cytoskeleton to tyrosine kinase receptors such as TrkA (the NGF receptor), where it is involved in the cellular response to growth factor signaling. Here …

Patient Perspective Post-Orthognathic Surgery., Jessica Tunstill Crews

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the study is to determine factors contributing to satisfaction with orthognathic surgery. It was hypothesized that specific factors contribute to the patient's perception of success. 37 patients who had orthodontic/orthognathic surgery treatment at U of L participated in a survey study. 91 different analyses were tabulated. The analyses were divided into three categories. Analyses with: two categorical, two numerical, and one numerical and one categorical variable. None of the analyses with two categorical variables had significance. For the analyses with one categorical and one numerical variable, one had statistical significance. For the two numerical variables, eleven factors …

Comparison Of Two Orthodontic Indirect Bonding Methods., Gary D. Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The initial and long term bond failure rates of two orthodontic indirect bonding methods were compared. Materials and Methods: A review of 191 bondings provided a data base of bond failures for two indirect bonding methods. One method used a light cured adhesive system and clear vacuum formed transfer trays. A second method used a chemical cure adhesive system and putty transfer trays. The initial bond failure rates were compared using Fisher's Exact Test. The long term bond failure rates were compared using actuarial life tables and a Mantel-Haenzel comparison. Results: In initial bond failure the light cured method …

In The Words Of Another : On The Promises And Paradoxes Of Rhetorics Of Empathy., Eric Wallace Leake 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Empathy has been commonly evoked within rhetoric and composition as a way to understand audiences and as a classroom ethic. This dissertation goes further in defining rhetorics of empathy, analyzing the uses of rhetorics of empathy in political and social discourse, and proposing how rhetorics of empathy might inform the ways we teach reading and writing. The first chapter defines rhetorics of empathy through a survey of empathy's place in the rhetorical tradition, including Aristotle's theories of emotion, ideas of compassion in the Scottish Enlightenment, and Kenneth Burke's concept of identification. This rhetorical history is combined with contemporary understandings of …

Image Registration And Visualization Of In Situ Gene Expression Images., Ernur Saka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the age of high-throughput molecular biology techniques, scientists have incorporated the methodology of in-situ hybridization to map spatial patterns of gene expression. In order to compare expression patterns within a common tissue structure, these images need to be "registered" or organized into a common coordinate system for alignment to a reference or atlas images. We use three different image registration methodologies (manual; correlation based; mutual information based) to determine the common coordinate system for the reference and in-situ hybridization images. All three methodologies are incorporated into a Matlab tool to visualize the results in a user friendly way and …

An Adaptive Ensemble Learner Function Via Bagging And Rank Aggregation With Applications To High Dimensional Data., Jasmit Sureshkumar Shah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An ensemble consists of a set of individual predictors whose predictions are combined. Generally, different classification and regression models tend to work well for different types of data and also, it is usually not know which algorithm will be optimal in any given application. In this thesis an ensemble regression function is presented which is adapted from Datta et al. 2010. The ensemble function is constructed by combining bagging and rank aggregation that is capable of changing its performance depending on the type of data that is being used. In the classification approach, the results can be optimized with respect …

Identifying Predictors Of Social Functioning In College Students : A Meta-Analysis., Jennifer Blair Beard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This meta-analysis draws studies from the literature on college student persistence, need theories, and positive psychology in investigating the strongest predictors of social functioning in college students in the United States and Canada. The predictor categories included background characteristics, measures of personality, mental health symptomology, coping style, and academic predictors. The results indicated that an individual's level of extraversion (a personality predictor), level of institutional commitment (an academic predictor), and levels of anxiety and depression (mental health predictors) are the strongest predictors of social functioning in college. The moderator analyses revealed that these effects are even stronger in public institutions …

Generational Differences In Perceived Lip Protrusion Esthetics., David Butler 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Facial esthetics plays a major part in diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics. One aspect of facial esthetics that orthodontist can drastically change, for better or worse, is that of lip position. What is considered esthetic, however, may vary from person to person based on a multitude of variables. Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that the esthetics of lip protrusion differs with age, with a younger layperson preferring a more protrusive lip position than an older person's ideal lip protrusion. Methods: 208 lay people, ages 12+, with no background in the dental field, were surveyed and asked to rank from …

Dna Polymerase Iota Promotes G2/M Checkpoint Activation And Genetic Stability After Uv-Induced Dna Damage., Lindsey Jay Stallons 1983-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Unrepaired DNA damage poses a serious threat to the genetic stability of a replicating cell. One mechanism of tolerating this damage is translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), in which an accessory polymerase synthesizes DNA directly across from a damaged template. TLS is carried out by polymerase ? (Pol ?), 1, K, and REV1 in the Y-family and Pol ? in the B-family. Pol ? has the well-characterized ability to perform accurate bypass of the most common UV-induced DNA lesion; loss of Pol ? results in hypermutability and severely increased risk of skin cancer. The high mutation frequency in Pol ?-deficient cells …

The Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphisms And Risk Of Breast Cancer Among Hispanic And Non-Hispanic White Women From The 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study : A Population-Based Case-Control Examination., Avonne Elish Connor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polymorphisms in the adrenergic receptor beta-2 (ADRB2) gene have been studied in relation to risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, but few studies have investigated associations with breast cancer. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the primary hypothesis that ADRB2 variants (rs1042713-Arg16Gly and rs1042714-Gln27Glu) are associated with breast cancer risk in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and Hispanic (H) women using data from a population-based case-control study conducted in the southwestern United States: 'The 4-Corners Breast Cancer Study'. A total of 1,244 NHW and 606 H cases with incident primary breast cancer were ascertained and 1,330 NHW and 728 …

Contribution Of The Rv1985c Transcriptional Regulator To Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Intracellular Adaptation., Nicholas B. Wantland 1984-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the often-fatal infectious disease Tuberculosis, and infects approximately one third of the world's population. Gaining a better understanding of how these bacteria regulate gene expression for intracellular survival will likely aid in developing ways to reduce disease. Studies of bacterial RNA expression in experimentally infected primary human macrophages indicated open reading frame Rv1985c, encoding a putative transcriptional regulator, may contribute to intracellular survival. Comparison of a strain constitutively expressing Rv1985c and the isogenic wildtype parent by array hybridization identified genes potentially regulated by Rv1985c. These included a group encoding factors likely relevant to cell wall remodeling, particularly …

The Colorado Community Organizing Collaborative: A Critical Realist Case Study, Shawna M. Margesson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized the ontological and epistemological foundations of critical realism posed by Margaret Archer (2000) to deepen social work's understanding of collaboration. Through the use of Danermark et al.'s (2002) stages of explanatory research based on critical realism, the author found that agential and structural interactions of the Colorado Community Organizing Collaborative emerged. These findings illustrate that critical realism can be used in social work research to broaden the discipline's perception of human and environment. Archer's (2000) grounding of agency in three orders of reality, that practice is pivotal and morphogenesis is transformative aids in rediscovering how structure constrains …

Does Sabp2 Exist As A Dimer?, Mir Ashad Hossain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Salicylic acid binding protein 2 (SABP2) is one of the key enzymes in salicylic acid-dependent plant defense pathway. SABP2 is a 29 kDa protein present in extremely low abundance in plants and it catalyzes the conversion of signaling molecule methyl salicylate into salicylic acid. Although it has been shown that 6x His-tagged SABP2 over expressed in E. coli is a homodimer, its exact conformation in planta is still unknown. Therefore, we proposed to determine if SABP2 exist as a dimer and/or monomer under natural condition. To verify the exact conformation of native SABP2 protein in plant, SABP2 was purified from …

Novel Catalyst For The Removal Of Aromatic Sulfur Species From Refinery Streams., Franz Georg Petzold 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A novel catalyst with hydro-desulfurization and hydrogenation capabilities was tested with the aim of producing ultra-low sulfur and aromatics diesel oil. The catalytically active phase is nickel in a reduced valence state on a carrier made of zinc oxide nanowires and alumina. Based on the reactive adsorption principle, it was speculated that enhanced metal-support interactions and short diffusion paths between nickel and zinc oxide could lead to improved activity and sulfur uptake capacity. Zinc oxide nanowires, proposed here as a novel catalyst support, were produced in appreciable quantities in a microwave-induced plasma jet reactor. After purification and decoration with an …

A Country Of Immigration? Situating German Multiculturalism In The New Europe, Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses a complex cultural and social phenomenon: German multiculturalism in the framework of the European Union in the century of globalization and global migration. I use selected cinematographic works by Fatih Akin, currently the most celebrated German and European filmmaker, as cultural texts. This project illuminates cultural controversies, political complexities, and the discriminatory nature of German multiculturalism. Specifically, I show how and why the German society eagerly accepts and successfully integrates Italian immigrants, yet, culturally marginalizes and socially excludes the Turks. My work illuminates how complex historical and political processes of the past, guided by the principle of …

Executive Function Development And Early Mathematics: Examination Of Dual Language Learners, Hattie A. Harvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the convergent validity between a third-party rating scale of executive function (EF) and a task-performance measurement of EF; examined the effects of age, gender, and dual language experience on preschool children‘s EF skills (inhibition, working memory (WM), and shifting) and on early mathematical skills; and investigated the contributions of inhibition, WM, and shifting to early mathematical skills. Ninety-two children attending Head Start were assessed. Correlation analyses revealed a number of relationships between the EF rating scale and the EF taskperformance measure. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed a main effect of age on all EF measures and …

Camp And Calcium Interactions In Endocrine Cells, Colette Crane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiestereses (PDEs) promoted an increase in intracellular [cAMP]_c and an influx of Ca²⁺, in both MMQ pituitary cells and α-Pancreatic cells. The specific targets for PDEs and the domains of PDEs are still unknown. Pituitary MMQ cells were used as a model to test modulation of calcium influx through the L-type calcium channel with PDE inhibitors. cAMP analogs were used to determine cAMP molecular targets. 8-cpt-cAMP initiated an Epac mediated pathway and had strong effects on calcium influx in the cell; suggesting, a relatively strong cAMP target. Experiments of α-Pancreatic cells were done in …

Man, The State, And Revolution, Nicholas Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the progress that has been made in revolutionary theorising over the past few years, most theorists of social change continue to neglect the influence of opposition leaders upon the revolutionary process. One of the few exceptions in this regard is Max Weber. In his analysis of legitimate authority, Weber asserts that the charismatic form of authority rests on popular devotion to the normative order ordained by a specific person at a time of crisis.

Though his work offers some important insights into the revolutionary process, Weber fails to take into account the conditions that give rise to such forms …

Poetry And The Multiple Drafts Model: The Functional Similarity Of Cole Swensen's Verse And Human Consciousness, Connor Ryan Kreimeyer Fisher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project compares the operational methods of three of Cole Swensen's books of poetry (Such Rich Hour, Try, and Goest) with ways in which the human mind and consciousness function. I use Daniel Dennett's Multiple Drafts Model of consciousness, as described in Consciousness Explained, alongside concepts presented in several other philosophical works (from both analytic and continental traditions), to demonstrate that significant similarities exist between the operations of poetry and consciousness in general, and that these operational similarities are especially noticeable in Swensen's work. This thesis examines several operational modes that are present within the …