Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparative Study Between The Standards Of Learning And In-Class Grades., Randetta Lynn Fuller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We examined the Standards of Learning mathematics scores and in-class grades for a rural Virginia county public school system. We looked at third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades as well as Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry classes. The purpose of this was to determine whether or not there is a strong correlation between the Standards of Learning and the students' in-class grades. Had a strong enough correlation between the Standards of Learning and in-class grades been found we would have used only the in-class grades to predict the Standard of Learning test scores. However, we found that the …

Spousal Concordance In Academic Achievements And Intelligence And Family-Based Association Studies Identified Novel Loci Associated With Intelligence., Yue Pan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Assortative Mating, the tendency for mate selection to occur on the basis of similar traits, plays an essential role in understanding the genetic variation on academic achievements and intelligence (IQ). It is an important mechanism explaining spousal concordance. We used principal component analysis (PCA) for spousal correlation. There is a significant positive correlation between spouses by the new variable PC1 (correlation coefficient=0.515, p<0.0001). We further research the genetic factor that affects IQ by using the same data. We performed a low density genome-wide association (GWA) analysis with a family-based association test to identify genetic variants that associated with intelligence as measured by WAIS full-score IQ (FSIQ). NTM at 11q25 (rs411280, p=0.000764) and NR3C2 at 4q31.23 (rs3846329, p=0.000675) were 2 novel genes that haven't been associated with IQ from other studies. This study may serve as a resource for replication in other populations and a foundation for future investigations.

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

Early Stopping Of A Neural Network Via The Receiver Operating Curve., Daoping Yu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the area under the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curve, or abbreviated AUC, as an alternate measure for evaluating the predictive performance of ANNs (Artificial Neural Networks) classifiers. Conventionally, neural networks are trained to have total error converge to zero which may give rise to over-fitting problems. To ensure that they do not over fit the training data and then fail to generalize well in new data, it appears effective to stop training as early as possible once getting AUC sufficiently large via integrating ROC/AUC analysis into the training process. In order to reduce learning costs involving the …

Narcissism And Binge Drinking: Exploring The Role Of Overconfidence And Confidence-Based Risk-Taking., Alicia M. Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Binge drinking (BD) entails excessive alcohol intake in a short time period. Despite numerous negative outcomes associated with BD and efforts to curtail it, rates remain steady. Thus, it is important to identify "who" binge drinks and "why" it occurs. Drawing from past research, I sought to replicate the link between trait narcissism and BD; moreover, I examined if overconfidence and confidence-based risk-taking assessed via the Georgia Gambling Task (GGT), explained why they did so. The results generally supported my hypotheses. As expected, narcissism related to poor GGT performance and high levels of BD; likewise, poor GGT performance related to …

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

Filmmaker, Lawyer, Indian Chief: The Negotiation Of Identity In An Indigenous Film Festival, William Lempert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since colonial contact, indigenous peoples have been predominantly represented by community outsiders. As a result, native peoples have rarely had a primary, or even collaborative role, in the production of these representations. However, in the last two decades, there has been an unprecedented proliferation of indigenous created films and the festivals that feature them. The Denver Indigenous Arts and Film Festival is an annual festival that exclusively showcases films made by and with indigenous peoples. The festival’s 2009 theme of “Telling Our Stories” emphasized cultural control of representation and the transmission of traditional knowledge.

In this thesis, I show that …

Composing Music In Constrained Search Environments, Jeffrey Keene

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Composing music with computers in constrained search environments adds complexities and problems not present in the traditional problem domain of generative music. The traditional and well researched mechanisms of Markov chains, genetic algorithms and data driven rule based systems do not directly map to a problem domain in which pitch choice and rhythm choice are likely to be highly limited.

We therefore explore several possible solutions to generating rhythms in extremely constrained environments with the goal of generating music that adheres to user specified constraints and is aesthetically pleasing.

Teachers' Perspectives About Implementing A Content-Specific Technology Innovation, Thomas Stovall Hibbs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research was designed to examine the implementation of a technology innovation in a content area from teachers’ point of view. Three classroom teachers who were involved in organized implementations of a technology innovation at the school level were asked to describe their implementations. They then were asked to review those implementations through four specific lenses that research indicates are important: school change, factors affecting implementation of technology innovations, technology in their content area, and examining their use of developers’ innovative improvements. Finally the classroom teachers were asked, as a summary technique, to talk about factors important to include in …

Walking On The Red Brick Path: A Portrait Of African-American Women's Experiences With The Built Environment Of A Predominantly White Institution, Stephanie L. Krusemark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

“Space, like language, is socially constructed; and like the syntax of language, the spatial arrangements of our buildings and communities reflect and reinforce the nature of gender, race, and class relations in society” (Weisman, 1992, p. 2). While institutions of higher education have granted physical access to African-American women over the last 150 years, their presence on American campuses has not been readily reflected in the physical design of the walls within which they learn. In examining the historical foundations of institutions of higher education, we cannot deny institutions consciously embed their values and basic assumptions within their physical manifestation …

Learning And Serving: An Exploratory Action Research Case Study Of A Middle School Service Learning Curriculum Project, Georgina Levey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Service learning, a natural link between community service and standards-based education, encourages students to learn about themselves in the context of the world in which they live. In other words, service learning is a method of teaching that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their schools and communities, and integrating that service with established curricula or learning objectives (NYLC Service-Learning Glossary, 2005). Educational service activities can be done directly or indirectly and they can have a varying degree of “involvement” ranging from community service, community exploration, community action or advocacy and research. In this study, a service …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Anthocyanins On Neuronal Death Induced By Inhibition Of Bcl-2 And Oxidative Stress, Natalie A. Kelsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have devastating consequences to the afflicted patients. A major cellular pathophysiology underlying these diseases is mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS) leading to neuronal death. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of a novel class of nutraceuticals, anthocyanins, against MOS-induced death in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants whose neuroprotective potential has yet to be examined in detail. Kuromanin and callistephin are anthocyanins derived from black rice and strawberries, respectively. Glutathione (GSH)-sensitive MOS and intrinsic apoptosis were induced in CGNs by the Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1. Callistephin and …

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Academic Achievement Among Ghanaian Youth, Ziblim Abukari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young people in Ghana who grow up in poverty and to families with little or no education endure limited early learning opportunities, underfunded educational systems, and more health and mental health problems compared to their peers from more privileged backgrounds. A significant body of literature addressing the relationship among risk, protection, resilience and academic achievement is based on youth populations in North America and Western Europe. Relatively little is known about the applicability of ecological and risk and resilience frameworks in non-Western countries. Consequently, educational outcomes of young people in Ghana are often characterized by similarities in low achievement, lack …

An Investigation Of Sliced Inverse Regression With Censored Data., Daniel W. Riggs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The complexity of high-dimensional data creates a number of concerns when trying to analyze it. This data often consists of a response or survival time and potentially thousands of predictors. These predictors can be highly correlated, and the sample size is often very small and right censored. Sliced inverse regression (SIR) is a method of reducing the dimension of the data, while preserving all the regression information. Sliced inverse regression with regularizations was developed to work when the number of predictors exceeds the sample size, and to deal with highly correlated predictors as well. In this study we investigated the …

Comparison Of Different Methods For Longitudinal Data With Missing Observations., Lin Sun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Longitudinal studies occupy an important role in scientific researches and clinical trials. When taking the analysis of longitudinal data, investigators are often confronted with missing data which will produce potential biases, even in well-controlled condition. In the literature, missing data could be classified as missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR) and missing not at random (MNAR). Generalized estimating equations (GEE), Linear mixed effects model (LME) and Pattern-mixture effect model (PME) are the commonly used analysis methods for longitudinal data. In the current work, we carried out simulations on evaluating the performances of the different methods on analyzing …

Carbon Nanotube Thin Film Transistors For Biomedical Applications., Vanessa Velasco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has captivated the curiosity of today's experts due to the escalating potential in the field of electronic detection of biomolecules. Their extreme environmental sensitivity and small size make them ideal candidates for future biosensing technologies. Recent studies have shown that the binding of receptor proteins (biomolecules located at the membrane of cells) with their corresponding antibodies immobilized on a carbon nanotube surface causes changes in the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes and have been measured with a carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET). This specific molecular interaction and sensitivity is promising for the direct …

Systemic And Strength Effects : Experimental Concentrations Of Topical Menthol., Lee Jordan Winchester 1984-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Menthol has been regularly utilized as a treatment in sports related injuries for many years, yet little is known about its physiological interactions or its effect on performance. Our previous study indicates that topically applied menthol may cause an acute decrease in blood flow and may improve strength capabilities. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of two different concentrations of menthol (3.5% and 10%) on systemic blood flow and strength. 16 subjects participated in this 4 week study examining blood flow and strength effects after menthol or control treatment. Results indicate that the 3.5% menthol causes …

The Role Of Hsl7 In Morphology And Pathogenicity And Its Interaction With Other Signaling Components In The Plant Pathogen Ustilago Maydis., Charles Ben Lovely 1977-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dimorphism is a highly conserved process in fungi in which a transition between a unicellular, yeast-like growth form and either a unicellular or multicellular, filamentous growth form occurs in response to several different environmental cues. The phytopathogenic fungus Usti/ago maydis undergoes the dimorphic transition from a yeast-like saprobic growth form to a unicellular, hyphal growth form in response to successful mating and subsequent host cues. In addition, U maydis can also undergo haploid filament formation in response to several environmental cues including low ammonium conditions and growth in lipids or acid pH. On solid media deficient in ammonium (SLAD), U …

Curcumin Reactivates Epigenetically Silenced Tumor Suppressor Gene Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells., Akshata Moghe 1983-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most fatal, with a rising incidence in the US as a result of the increase in alcoholic liver disease and obesity. Current therapeutic strategies are unsatisfactory with poor treatment outcomes and efficacious therapies are acutely needed for better management of this deadly disease. Curcumin, a phenolic compound from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa has been shown to inhibit growth and induce cell death in various types of cancer cells including HCC. However, the anti-HCC mode of action of curcumin has not yet been elucidated. In …

Inference For Time To Event And Sojourn Time Data Under Right Censoring Using Reweighting Approaches., Jie Fan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation research, we aim to solve problems of two types of survival data, clustered survival data with potentially informative cluster size and sojourn time data. The methods for these two types of data are different. However, both data have right censored observations, and we use reweighting approaches to deal with the censoring issue. In the first part of the dissertation research, we consider marginal AFT models for correlated survival data with potentially informative cluster size. Informative cluster size means that the size of the correlated groups may be predictive of their survival characteristics. Two competing proposals, cluster-weighted AFT …

Determination Of In Silico Rules For Predicting Small Molecule Binding Behavior To Nucleic Acids In Vitro., Patrick Andrew Holt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vast knowledge of nucleic acids is evolving and it is now known that DNA can adopt highly complex, heterogeneous structures. Among the most intriguing are the G-quadruplex structures, which are thought to play a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis. Efforts to find new small molecules for these and other physiologically relevant nucleic acid structures have generally been limited to isolation from natural sources or rationale synthesis of promising lead compounds. However, with the rapid growth in computational power that is increasingly becoming available, virtual screening and computational approaches are quickly becoming a reality in academia and industry as an …

Nyctalopin Is Required For Localization Of The Trpm1 Channel To The Retinal Depolarizing Bipolar Cell Dendrites., Jillian Nydam Pearring

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mutations in the NYX gene, encoding the novel protein nyctalopin, cause human congenital stationary night blindness type 1 (CSNB1). CSNB1 is an X-linked recessive condition and is identified by a loss of the electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave while the a-wave remains intact (Miyake et al., 1986). The b-wave in normal patients is generated by the depolarization of one class of bipolar cells, which receive signals from the photoreceptors. This indicates that CSNB1 is a loss of signaling from the photo receptors to the depolarizing bipolar cells. Normal stimulation of photoreceptors by light causes the photoreceptors to hyperpolarize and reduce the amount …

The Effects Of Estrogen And Phytoestrogens On Focal Infarct, Pten, And P-Akt Expression In Aged Rats., Karen Powell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Premenopausal women have fewer and less severe strokes when compared to postmenopausal females and aged matched males. The most obvious factor that could account for the observed difference is the physiological activity of Estrogen. Numerous studies over the past two decades have investigated estrogen's role as a neuroprotective agent against stroke damage. Many physiological mechanisms have been identified supporting neuroprotection; however, data also exist to suggest that estrogen may be harmful in certain situations such as those that produce high blood levels of estrogen or use estrogen in older models. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a large epidemiological study, found …

Presence/Absence Of An Endodontic Specialty Program During Dental Education Compared To General Dentist Attitudes Toward Treating Or Referring Patients Requiring Endodontic Therapy., Gregory A. Carman 1967-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The decision by a general dentist to treat or refer a patient needing endodontic therapy may be based on multiple variables. Students attending dental schools with endodontic specialty programs could be exposed to a referral system with endodontic residents managing difficult cases and they could have patients transferred to residents for completion of treatment if complications occur. Whereas, students at schools without endodontic programs may have to treat more difficult cases due to a more limited ability to refer cases. The primary aim of this study was to compare the opinion of general dentist graduates trained with and without endodontic …

De-Differentiation Of Parotid Acinar Cells In Vitro., Andrew Scott Currie 1983-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: When rat salivary gland cells are cultured in vitro, they dedifferentiate within 24 h. Hypothesis: Growth factors will prevent de-differentiation of primary cultures of parotid gland cells, and they will induce differentiation of ParC5 cells. DNA methylation drives de-differentiation and the loss of expression in cultured parotid cells. Methods: Rat parotid glands were collected and cultured in media using different combinations of growth factors. DNA was evaluated for methylation at various time points. Results: No media tested prevented the de-differentiation of parotid cells, and none induced differentiation of ParC5 cells. Limited variation in methylation of CpG sites was seen. …

A Gis-Based Analysis Of Chickasaw Settlement In Northeast Mississippi: 1650-1840, Wendy Cegiellski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the early colonial period in the Southeast, the Chickasaw were remarkably successful in their negotiations with Europeans. By the mid-eighteenth-century, their position had been weakened. These changes are reflected in the expansion and contraction of Chickasaw settlement. This analysis uses new temporal and locational data from a large collection of Chickasaw artifacts to create a more precise model of Chickasaw settlement changes over time employing Geographic Information Systems software (ArcGIS 9.3). This analysis also elucidates the complex links between Chickasaw movements and historical factors including warfare and economic change. Both archaeological and historical documentation are used to gain a …

Ridge Preservation Comparing The Clinical And Histologic Healing Of A Mineralized Cortical Vs. Mineralized Cancellous Allograft With An Acellular Dermal Matrix Barrier Membrane., Marquez J. Sams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aim. To compare two techniques of ridge preservation using a mineralized cancellous particulate allograft to a mineralized cortical particulate allograft plus an acelluar dermal matrix barrier membrane using clinical and histologic data to assess the outcome. Methods. Twelve positive controls received a intrasocket mineralized cortical particulate allograft (500-800 µm) while twelve test patients received an intrasocket mineralized cancellous particulate allograft (500 to 800 µm). All sites were covered with acellular dermal matrix barrier. Following tooth extraction, horizontal ridge dimensions were measured with a digital caliper and vertical ridge dimensions were measured from a stent. Each site was re-entered for implant …

The Effect Of The Blue Light Diode Laser On Shear-Peel Bond Strength Of Orthodontic Brackets With Varying Curing Time And Distance., Kamran Shaikh 1978-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Light cured composite resin can be time consuming for bonding orthodontic brackets. A new Blue light diode laser may reduce curing times for composite resins. Hypothesis: The laser will achieve similar bond strengths in half the time and at greater distances as the LED. Methods: 90 extracted premolars will be bonded and cured using Laser and LED curing units at varying times, another 120 extracted premolars will be bonded and cured at varying distances. An Instron machine will be used to test shear bond strength. Results: The laser was not able to achieve similar bond strengths as the LED …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Two Suturing Techniques For The Coronally Positioned Tunnel Procedure With An Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft., Courtney Tyler Shearer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aims. The primary aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial was to compare the percent root coverage obtained using a coronally positioned tunnel surgery plus an acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADM) with single tooth sling versus continuous sling sutures 6 months post-surgically. Methods. Twenty-four patients with 1 site of ~3 mm Miller Class I or II recession were treated and followed for 6 months. Twelve patients received a coronally positioned tunnel plus ADM and single tooth sling sutures (Single) and were considered the test group. The positive control group consisted of 12 patients treated with a coronally positioned tunnel …