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Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Oocyte-Specific Gene Fbos Encoding An F-Box Protein In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Lei Wang Dec 2009

Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Oocyte-Specific Gene Fbos Encoding An F-Box Protein In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Lei Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Oocyte-specific genes play critical roles in oogenesis, folliculogenesis and early embryonic development. Through analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a rainbow trout oocyte cDNA library, we identified a novel transcript which is represented by multiple ESTs derived only from the oocyte cDNA library. Analysis of tissue distribution of the novel Fbos gene by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the novel gene is only expressed in unfertilized oocytes but not in 10 somatic tissues examined. Northern blot analysis showed the transcript size is approximately 2.1 kb. The full-length cDNA sequence for the novel gene Fbos was obtained by …


Home Range Characteristics Of The Male Eastern Wild Turkey In West Virginia, Steven E. Rauch Dec 2009

Home Range Characteristics Of The Male Eastern Wild Turkey In West Virginia, Steven E. Rauch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Extensive research has been conducted on the eastern wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in West Virginia, but research on male wild turkey home range characteristics is lacking. To address this, I proposed to quantify home range shape by the use of eccentricity (E: circle is E = 1) and to estimate the least-squares cross validation fixed-kernel 95% and 50% utilization distribution (UD) annual and 95% UD seasonal home range as well as minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range estimate of male wild turkey on 2 study areas in West Virginia. I estimated the home range size of adult and …


The Role Of Urban Forests In Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study Of Savannah, Ga, Stacy L. Casinelli Dec 2009

The Role Of Urban Forests In Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study Of Savannah, Ga, Stacy L. Casinelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify a range of stakeholder (tourism providers, resource managers, elected officials, tour operators and tourists) perceptions, issues and concerns of Savannah, Georgia's, urban forests to help develop opportunities for the growing sustainable tourism industry. Stakeholder interviews were conducted using an open ended, semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the three dimensions and the scope of sustainable development, the themes, trends and patterns that emerged were utilized to assess the current issues facing Savannah's urban forest. Through content data analysis, four overarching themes surfaced: development, preservation, balance, and diversity. The results of this study indicate a …


Properties Of A Dehydroalanine Analog Of Glutathione: A Reactive Electrophilic Busulfan Metabolite, Cody J. Peer Dec 2009

Properties Of A Dehydroalanine Analog Of Glutathione: A Reactive Electrophilic Busulfan Metabolite, Cody J. Peer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gamma-Glutamyldehydroalanylglycine (EdAG) is a dethiolated, electrophilic metabolite of glutathione (GSH) derived from the Phase II conjugation of GSH with busulfan catalyzed by glutathione S-transferase (GST). It was demonstrated in this dissertation that EdAG could be successfully synthesized and shown to be a metabolite of busulfan from in vitro metabolism by enzymes in human liver cytosol. The electrophilic EdAG was reactive toward the cellular thiols cysteine and glutathione (GSH), and toward cysteine residues in reduced bovine insulin B-chain and bovine serum albumin in vitro , as well. EdAG was demonstrated to be a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor of GSTs, specifically GSTA1-1 at …


(Re)Construct: Exploring Objecthood In A Digital Age, Patrick L. Jones Dec 2009

(Re)Construct: Exploring Objecthood In A Digital Age, Patrick L. Jones

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The following paper describes the conceptual framework and several works in the exhibition: "(re)construct: exploring objecthood in a digital age," which was on view at the Laura Mesaros Gallery at the College of Creative Arts, West Virginia University. The exhibition ran from November 30th through December 11th, 2009. The exhibition consisted of both oil paintings on clear acrylic and ink jet photographs. The question which this paper and the exhibition attempts to address is: what are the ontology and the limits of hyperreality in contemporary society? The following paper and the exhibition is epistemologically based and asks the following questions: …


Population Ecology, Residents' Attitudes, Hunter Success, Economic Impact, Modeling Management Options And Retention Time Of Telazol Of West Virginia Black Bears, Christopher W. Ryan Dec 2009

Population Ecology, Residents' Attitudes, Hunter Success, Economic Impact, Modeling Management Options And Retention Time Of Telazol Of West Virginia Black Bears, Christopher W. Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The West Virginia Black Bear Research Project (WVBBRP) was initiated in 1972 to investigate population parameters, growth rates, home ranges, and habitat uses of a declining American black bear (Ursus americanus ) population. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) continued to monitor the black bear population and increased monitoring efforts and sample sizes in the 1990's as the black bear population increased in size and expanded its range. As part of the WVBBRP, we investigated black bear population ecology. Our objectives were to estimate reproductive rates, estimate survival and cause-specific mortality rates, examine effects of special hunting seasons …


Historical Response Rates, Reinforcement Context, And Behavioral Persistence, Chata A. Dickson Dec 2009

Historical Response Rates, Reinforcement Context, And Behavioral Persistence, Chata A. Dickson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In several studies, historically lower-rate responding has been found to be more persistent than historically higher-rate responding (e.g., Lattal, 1989; Nevin, 1974). In these studies, historical response-rate differences were generated by reinforcement schedules (e.g., fixed-ratio [FR] and differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates-of-responding [DRL]) that directly affect response rate. The current study was conducted with pigeons pecking keys to determine whether this finding would hold when response-rate differences were generated by the context of reinforcement, such as a concurrently available source of reinforcement or schedule of response-independent food. In each of 3 experiments, a history-building condition was followed by a history-testing condition. In Experiment 1, …


Post-Transcriptional Regulation Of Rpos And Hema In Salmonella, Amy Madeline Jones Dec 2009

Post-Transcriptional Regulation Of Rpos And Hema In Salmonella, Amy Madeline Jones

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first part of this thesis is dedicated to translational regulation of rpoS mRNA by the small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), DsrA and RprA, in two closely related enteric bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The rpoS gene encodes a second vegetative sigma factor for RNA polymerase, which directs the cell's transcriptional response to general stress and entry into stationary phase. The rpoS gene is highly conserved among the gamma-branch of proteobacteria, and sRNAs are highly conserved in related species. In fact, sequence conservation is thought to have predictive value in sRNA discovery and functional conservation is largely assumed. …


Mechanism By Which Dietary Polyunsaturated Fat Regulates Lipogenic Gene Expression, Alison Bloom Kohan Dec 2009

Mechanism By Which Dietary Polyunsaturated Fat Regulates Lipogenic Gene Expression, Alison Bloom Kohan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Primary hepatocytes treated with non-esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids have been used as a model for describing the inhibitory effects of dietary polyunsaturated fats on lipogenic gene expression. This model resembles starvation or uncontrolled diabetes but not dietary fat ingestion, which is delivered to liver via chylomicron remnants. Chylomicron remnants enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate a unique pattern of intracellular signaling. These remnants enhance p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity but do not inhibit insulin signaling or induce extracellular-signal related kinase (ERK) or AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation as do non-esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids-enriched remnants and …


Optimization Of A Retrofit Urea-Scr System, Clinton R. Bedick Dec 2009

Optimization Of A Retrofit Urea-Scr System, Clinton R. Bedick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from legacy diesel engines are often many times over currently mandated standards, contributing significantly to degradation of air quality and negative environmental impact. A retrofit urea-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) aftertreatment system offers a viable solution for reducing NOx emissions from older diesel engines. A stand-alone retrofit urea-SCR aftertreatment system was previously developed by West Virignia University (WVU) engineers, implementing a pre-SCR NOx sensor, open-loop feed-forward control, and stoichiometric NOx reduction logic. During experimental testing at WVU, the urea-SCR system demonstrated NOx reductions of 2% to 53%, depending on the test cycle. In order to optimize …


The Fearful Face And Beyond: Fmri Studies Of The Human Amygdala, Jillian E. Hardee Dec 2009

The Fearful Face And Beyond: Fmri Studies Of The Human Amygdala, Jillian E. Hardee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The amygdala has been labeled as a "detector of threat", evidenced by its heightened response to fearful faces in human neuroimaging studies. A critical element of the fearful face is an increase in eye white area, hypothesized to be crucial for the rapid detection of fear in another's face. Yet other facial expressions can also increase eye white area in a manner that is similar (a lateral shift in gaze) or identical (surprise) to fear. It is unknown if the amygdala can differentiate between these types of increases in eye white area and those that are specifically associated with fear …


Locomotion Grows Up: The Neuromechanical Control Of Interlimb Coordinating Mechanisms In Crayfish, Marc D. Rinehart Dec 2009

Locomotion Grows Up: The Neuromechanical Control Of Interlimb Coordinating Mechanisms In Crayfish, Marc D. Rinehart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Locomotion requires many dynamic interactions between organism and environment at several levels. It is not known how the nervous system controls all of these relationships to ultimately produce and guide locomotor behavior. Furthermore, it is not known whether the nervous system needs to recognize and control all of the possible body-environment interactions. In this study the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is used as a model system to test how size influences locomotor behavior and how a single, simplified neuromechanical system can accommodate these changes.;A set of behavioral experiments was conducted to characterize kinematics of freely walking juvenile crayfish to compare with …


An Experimental Analysis Of Jackpotting, Toshikazu Kuroda Aug 2009

An Experimental Analysis Of Jackpotting, Toshikazu Kuroda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This experiment assessed effects of jackpotting, defined as the delivery of a larger than usual reinforcer, on responding of pigeons maintained by fixed-interval (FI) schedules. In baseline conditions, reinforcer duration was 1-s and all such reinforcers were delivered from the hopper located on the main work panel. During jackpot conditions, a 1-s reinforcer occasionally was replaced by a 7-s reinforcer (jackpot) delivered from a second hopper located at the rear of the chamber. Sham jackpot conditions also were studied. These sham conditions were identical to the jackpot conditions with one exception: A 1-s, instead of 7-s, reinforcer was delivered from …


Rapid Characterization Of Biomass: The Use Of Near Infrared And Fluorescence Spectroscopy As Process Analytical Technology (Pat) Method, Kofi Nkansah Aug 2009

Rapid Characterization Of Biomass: The Use Of Near Infrared And Fluorescence Spectroscopy As Process Analytical Technology (Pat) Method, Kofi Nkansah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The heterogeneous property of biomass (wood) affects its potential of being converted into any form of fuel in different ways (both positive and negative effects). Therefore in other to efficiently utilized biomass as a raw material for conversion into any form of clean alternative fuel to displace some of the fossil fuel we consume in the United State on a commercial scale basis, a quick, robust, non destructive on/in/at-line method of characterizing the physical and chemical properties of biomass that are relevant to the bio-refinery industry is imperative.;This study discusses the potential of using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and fluorescence …


Perceptions Of Ethical Practices In Youth Livestock Shows, Sharon J. Ankrom Aug 2009

Perceptions Of Ethical Practices In Youth Livestock Shows, Sharon J. Ankrom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed to evaluate the perceptions of 4-H and FFA youth and their parents of the ethical nature of practices used in livestock shows. A questionnaire was designed to determine the ethical perceptions of 23 commonly used livestock practices. A purposeful population consisted of 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A total of 109 youth and 67 adults were included in the survey. Overall the population perceived the 23 practices unethical. This study found significant differences existed between whether or not participants attended an ethics training course, gender and age. Participants that attended and …


Habitat Selection And Predation Risk In Larval Lampreys, Dustin M. Smith Aug 2009

Habitat Selection And Predation Risk In Larval Lampreys, Dustin M. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis examines habitat preference and the influence of habitat on predation of larvae (ammocoetes) of the least brook lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera). The thesis comprises three chapters: (1) an introduction and literature review on the general life history of lampreys and on studies related to ammocoetes and their habitat, (2) an experimental study of habitat preference in ammocoetes of the least brook lamprey, and (3) an experimental study of the relationship between habitat availability and predation risk in ammocoetes. For the first study, we quantified substrate selection in small (< 50 mm) and large (100-150 mm) ammocoetes of the least brook lamprey. In aquaria, ammocoetes were given a choice to burrow into six equally-available substrate types: small gravel (2.36-4.75 mm), coarse sand (0.5-1.4 mm), fine sand (0.125-0.5 mm), organic debris (approximately 70% decomposing leaves and stems, 15% silt, and 15% sand), an even mixture of silt, clay, and fine sand, and silt/clay (< 0.063 mm). Fine sand was selected with a significantly higher probability than any other substrate. In the second study, we experimentally examined the influence of habitat availability on predation risk of ammocoetes. Ammocoetes were placed in aquaria containing a predator species (yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis) and one of 3 substrates: fine sand (0.125-0.5 mm), coarse sand (0.5-1.4 mm), or silt/clay (<0.063 mm). Use of the three substrate types was based on a previous experiment where fine sand was determined to be the preferred benthic habitat of least brook lamprey. Based on 10 trials with each habitat type, survival of ammocoetes was highest in aquaria with fine sand (mean = 80%), and lower in those with coarse sand (mean = 58%) and silt/clay (mean = 4%). The results of both studies conducted indicate that populations of least brook lamprey ammocoetes may be limited by the availability of fine sand habitat. The first study indicated that least brook lamprey ammocoetes are habitat specialists, preferring substrates composed primarily of fine sand. The second study showed that the availability of fine sand habitat may influence the predation risk of ammocoetes, as ammocoete survival from predation was highest in fine sand, and lower in other substrates.


Mechanisms Of Iron Reduction And Phosphorus Solubilization In An Intermittently Wet Pasture Soil, Jared L. Wilmoth Aug 2009

Mechanisms Of Iron Reduction And Phosphorus Solubilization In An Intermittently Wet Pasture Soil, Jared L. Wilmoth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Microbial Fe-reduction in pasture soils may be of agronomic importance, because it has been shown to influence P cycling. The present study investigated the behavior of Fe and P in an intermittently wet, Appalachian pasture soil during a 42 day anaerobic incubation. Native humic acid (HA) extracted from the sampling location and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid (AQDS) were used in the experiment to determine their electron-mediating effects on Fe(III) reduction and P solubilization over time. Extracted HA and the International Humic Substance Society (IHSS) Elliott Soil HA standard were compared using 13C-NMR, FT-IR, SEM, and CHNS analysis. Soil samples treated with 1.24 …


Acoustic Plethysmograph For Measuring Pulmonary Function In Mice, Jeffrey S. Reynolds Aug 2009

Acoustic Plethysmograph For Measuring Pulmonary Function In Mice, Jeffrey S. Reynolds

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The traditional whole body plethysmograph (WBP) relies on pressure changes induced by a freely respiring animal inside a chamber. This pressure is a combination of a thermo-hygrometric effect (proportional to tidal volume) and a gas compression effect (related to lung mechanics). In order to measure either tidal volume or lung mechanics, it must be assumed that the other component is negligible. In this research, an acoustic WBP was developed that is capable of measuring the thoracic volume change of a mouse independent of the thermohygrometric effect. This allows independent measurement of tidal volume and specific airway resistance.;In the first phase …


The Development And Nutritional Characteristics Of An Omega-3-Enhanced Egg Product, Nissan Michelle Kassis Aug 2009

The Development And Nutritional Characteristics Of An Omega-3-Enhanced Egg Product, Nissan Michelle Kassis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Novel, nutritionally-enhanced egg product was developed by substituting saturated fat and cholesterol-containing yolk with omega-3 fatty acids-rich (o-3 FA) flaxseed, menhaden, algae, and krill oils. The o-3 FA-fortified eggs are typically developed through alteration of hen feed. However, the present study aimed at creating such a product via processing. Experimental batters were developed to match composition, color, and texture of hen eggs (whole egg). The batters, whole egg, and liquid egg product (egg beaters) were cooked, analyzed, and compared. Moisture, protein, and fat content of experimental eggs matched (P>0.05) whole egg. Nutritionally, amino acid profile (AAP) analysis showed no …


Improvement Of The Physical And Nutritional Quality Of Pelleted Feed, Curran Kenji Gehring Aug 2009

Improvement Of The Physical And Nutritional Quality Of Pelleted Feed, Curran Kenji Gehring

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Experiments were conducted to improve the physical and nutritional quality of pelleted feed. One experiment focused specifically on improvement of pellet quality using functional muscle proteins. A second experiment examined the effects of increasing mixer-added fat (MAF) on feed manufacture variables, broiler performance variables and carcass composition. In experiment 1, muscle proteins (myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic) were recovered using isoelectric/solubilization precipitation, and a functional paste (TPP) was formed by mixing recovered proteins with typical surimi additives. Trout protein paste was included in broiler diets at 0, 2.5 or 5%. A tap water treatment (3.9%) was included to match the moisture added …


Adoption Levels Of Integrated Pest Management Among Corn Producers In West Virginia, Hari K. Vommi Aug 2009

Adoption Levels Of Integrated Pest Management Among Corn Producers In West Virginia, Hari K. Vommi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Modernization of agriculture has exponentially increased the use of pesticides in the last six decades. Pesticides were considered to be the only solution to control weeds, insect pests and diseases to enhance and sustain productivity in agriculture. This led to indiscriminate use of pesticides causing severe pollution to air, water, food and fiber. Integrated pest management (IPM) is the use of combinations of several alternative pest control measures to keep the pests under the economic threshold level. The United States Department of Agriculture has promoted the use of integrated pest management for the past three decades with a goal to …


The Effects Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Ampk Activation And Lipid Metabolism In Skeletal Muscle, Myra Ellen Woodworth-Hobbs Aug 2009

The Effects Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Ampk Activation And Lipid Metabolism In Skeletal Muscle, Myra Ellen Woodworth-Hobbs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intramyocellular lipid accumulation and low lipid oxidative capacity contribute to the formation of insulin resistance, but omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are shown to attenuate insulin resistance caused by high levels of saturated fats. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) promotes lipid oxidation and oxidative gene expression, highlighting its possible role in promoting insulin sensitivity by reducing lipid content and improving oxidative capacity. This study evaluated the effects of n-3 PUFA on the AMPK pathway and alterations to lipid content, oxidative markers, and insulin signaling proteins in a muscle cell culture model, with the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA would attenuate …


Paradoxical Effects Of Shock: The Role Of Shock Intensity And Interresponse Times Followed By Shock, Jessica B. Long Aug 2009

Paradoxical Effects Of Shock: The Role Of Shock Intensity And Interresponse Times Followed By Shock, Jessica B. Long

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In operant conditioning experiments concerned with punishment, when electric shock is contingent on an animal's response, response rates typically decrease. In some cases, however, response rates increase. Four experiments investigated these paradoxical effects of shock by manipulating shock intensity and the time between two consecutive responses (interresponse time) that produces shock. Lever pressing by rats was maintained by a variable-interval 40-s schedule of food reinforcement. Shock followed either relatively long (Experiments 1 and 2) or relatively short (Experiments 3 and 4) interresponse times. The range of interresponse times eligible for shock was raised by lowering or raising the interresponse times …


Role Of Endothelin 1 In Follicular And Luteal Function In The Sheep, Fernando P. Perea-Ganchou Aug 2009

Role Of Endothelin 1 In Follicular And Luteal Function In The Sheep, Fernando P. Perea-Ganchou

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three experiments were carried out in order to examine the role of endothelin in follicular steroid secretion in vitro and in spontaneous and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis in sheep.;In experiment 1, it was hypothesized that endothelin 1 (END1) acting through its receptors ENDRA and/or ENDRB, on granulosal cells of ovine preovulatory follicles would inhibit steroid production, and therefore, prevent the premature luteinization of granulosal cells of those follicles. Data from estrogen-inactive 20 follicles collected from 13 ewes were analyzed. Accumulation of E 2 and P4 by cultured granulosal cells was not affected by either LH or END1 or the END receptor blockers. …


The Influence Of Forgiveness And Apology On Cardiovascular Reactivity To Mental Stress, Matthew C. Whited Aug 2009

The Influence Of Forgiveness And Apology On Cardiovascular Reactivity To Mental Stress, Matthew C. Whited

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study sought to investigate the relation between forgiveness and cardiovascular reactivity and recovery in the laboratory as influenced by apology. Men (n = 29) and women (n = 50) were chosen for participation based on scoring in the top or bottom third of the Forgiving Personality Inventory. Participants were exposed to an interpersonal transgression (i.e., harassment by the experimenter) while performing a serial subtraction task. Cardiovascular activity was measured before, during, and following the task. Also following the task, approximately half of the participants received an apology from the experimenter for his/her scripted rude behavior. No reactivity differences during …


Assessing The Variation Of Driver Distraction With Experience, Nagaanupama Akuraju Aug 2009

Assessing The Variation Of Driver Distraction With Experience, Nagaanupama Akuraju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Driver distraction has been a major concern in highway safety. Driver distraction is related to crashes and crash rate varies with age. Driving experience obviously increases with age. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between driver experience and distraction. The study measures the distraction levels of various drivers and assesses the variation in distraction based on experience and also gender.;Distraction was defined as looking away from the center of the roadway for more than 2 seconds. Factors like distraction duration, percent time spent looking at the center of roadway and number of glances away from the …


Kinetic Analysis Of Coal And Biomass Co-Gasification With Carbon Dioxide, Jiachuan Bu Aug 2009

Kinetic Analysis Of Coal And Biomass Co-Gasification With Carbon Dioxide, Jiachuan Bu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Based on Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) experimental data, a kinetic analysis of the Boudouard reaction was studied for three different coal chars, three different biomass chars, and their mixtures. The coal chars included: North Dakota Lignite, Illinois No.6, and Powder River Basin char; the biomass chars included: Hardwood, Switchgrass, and Corn Stove char. The reaction temperature ranged from 900°C to 1100°C. Different kinetic models were used for modeling the reaction rate. For the simplified Dutta and Wen model, it was found that the reaction rate was first order with respect to both CO2 and carbon. For the modified shrinking sphere model, …


Investigation Into Pedestrian Exposure To Near-Tailpipe Exhaust Emissions, Neil A. Buzzard Aug 2009

Investigation Into Pedestrian Exposure To Near-Tailpipe Exhaust Emissions, Neil A. Buzzard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Inhalation of particulate matter is known to cause negative human health effects. Consequently, regulatory agencies have set regulations and standards that limit the maximum concentrations to which persons may be exposed and the maximum concentrations allowed in the ambient air. However, these standards consider steady exposure over large spatial and time scales. Because many vehicles' exhaust systems direct exhaust towards sidewalks, pedestrians in close proximity to a roadway may experience events where for brief periods of time particulate matter concentrations are high enough to cause acute health effects. In order to quantify these exposure events, instruments which measure specific exhaust …


Coconut Oil Enhancement Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Induced Body Fat Loss And Lipolysis In Mice, Siri Manasa Ippagunta Aug 2009

Coconut Oil Enhancement Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Induced Body Fat Loss And Lipolysis In Mice, Siri Manasa Ippagunta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes a body fat loss that is enhanced when mice are fed coconut oil (CO) compared to soy oil (SO). The objectives were to determine if CLA feeding altered proteins involved in lipolysis. Male mice (n = 80; 3 wk old) were fed 7% SO or CO diets for 6 wk then 0 or 0.5% CLA for 12d. A body fat index was calculated: (retroperitoneal (RP) + epididymal (EPI) fat pads)*100/body weight. Lipolysis was determined by non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glycerol release from EPI & RP explants. The relative expression of perilipin, phosphorylated perilipin …


Variation In, And Contributing Factors Of Placental Efficiency In Swine, Tiffany Ann Wilmoth Aug 2009

Variation In, And Contributing Factors Of Placental Efficiency In Swine, Tiffany Ann Wilmoth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Placental efficiency, defined as fetal weight divided by placental weight, has been shown to be involved in litter size. Breeds that are more prolific (12-13 pigs per litter) have feto-placental units with higher placental efficiencies. However, domestic commercial breeds have much smaller litters of about 9.5 pigs per litter. Placental size is vastly different, such that high placental efficiency pigs have smaller, more vascularized placentae. Even within an individual litter two piglets with similar body weights may be grown on placentae that are different in size. The placenta of the least efficient feto-placental unit may be up to 50% bigger …