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The Effect Of Experimentally-Provided Supportive Messages On Middle-Aged And Old Adults' Performance On Everyday Problems., Kristopher J. Kimbler Jan 2006

The Effect Of Experimentally-Provided Supportive Messages On Middle-Aged And Old Adults' Performance On Everyday Problems., Kristopher J. Kimbler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It has been suggested that instructional supportive messages consisting of positive emotional content or an offer of practical support have been linked to increased cognitive performance in a variety of domains (Denney, Tozier, & Schlotthauer, 1992; Isen, Daubman, & Nowicki, 1987; Kennedy, Mather, & Carstensen, 2004; Sarason, 1981; Sarason & Sarason, 1986; Tardy, 1992). The exposure to instructional supportive messages has also been linked to the amount of anxious and task-irrelevant thoughts (cognitive interference) that individuals report experiencing during a cognitive task (Sarason, 1981; Sarason & Sarason, 1986). Research assessing the effect of instructional input on performing everyday problems has …

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Perspectives Of Key Stakeholders With Regard To Extended School Year Programs, Billie E. Bonnett Jan 2006

Perspectives Of Key Stakeholders With Regard To Extended School Year Programs, Billie E. Bonnett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is growing concern about the impact of summer vacation on the academic achievement of our children, especially those with special needs. In recognition of the magnitude of this problem, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1999, described the need for extended school year services. Additionally, IDEA, 2004, sought to clarify and further define extended school year services. This addition to IDEA provides guidance, but it does not change the previous provisions. Research suggests that effective extended school year programs include essential components: child centeredness, family involvement, community involvement and school commitment. Despite these regulations, key stakeholders including teachers, …

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Hepatic Α-Aminoadipate Δ-Semialdehyde Synthase Appears To Be Post-Translationally Regulated In Mouse And Chicken., Aaron S. Kiess Jan 2006

Hepatic Α-Aminoadipate Δ-Semialdehyde Synthase Appears To Be Post-Translationally Regulated In Mouse And Chicken., Aaron S. Kiess

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

 Lysine is the limiting amino acid in many animal diets. Improving the efficiency of lysine use for protein synthesis can reduce feed cost and potentially the nitrogen and phosphorus output of agricultural production systems. Lysine not used for protein synthesis is oxidized, primarily by lysine α-ketoglutarate reductase (LKR). The mechanism(s) responsible for alterations in hepatic LKR activity in rodents and poultry are still unclear. For this reason, studies in both species were conducted to evaluate possible mechanisms responsible for alterations of LKR activity. Mice were fed either a high or adequate protein diet. Mice fed the high protein diet had …

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Organic Poultry Production And Forage Digestibility, Nancy P. Buchanan Dec 2005

Organic Poultry Production And Forage Digestibility, Nancy P. Buchanan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current experiments were conducted to evaluate organic poultry production and the digestibility of organic feeds and pasture forages. A performance study was conducted to determine the effect of exogenous non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzyme supplementation on the performance and carcass characteristics of organically-reared broiler chickens. The addition of an exogenous NSP enzyme cocktail improved the performance and carcass characteristics of organically-reared broilers given access to pasture only in spring months. Pasture forages may contribute digestible nutrients to poultry; however, this contribution has not been evaluated in past research. A digestibility study was conducted to determine the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy …

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Investigation Of Internal Fluid Pressure In Cells, Jayendran Srinivasan Dec 2005

Investigation Of Internal Fluid Pressure In Cells, Jayendran Srinivasan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, providing a nearly frictionless bearing surface for efficiently transmitting loads to the underlying joint. It is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes that are responsible for its growth and maintenance. Studies indicate that cells remodel the tissue in response to mechanical loading. However the mechanism by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals is poorly understood.;Studies also suggest the presence of internal fluid pressure in cells and change in this fluid pressure is believed to play a role in cellular mechanical signal transduction. This …

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Parents' Perceptions Of The Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet For Their Children With Autism, Annette Puglisi Dec 2005

Parents' Perceptions Of The Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet For Their Children With Autism, Annette Puglisi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the factors that affected parent's decision for putting their autistic children on a gluten free casein free diet (gfcf diet). Parents completed a fifteen question survey relating to multiple factors affecting their lives while having their children on a gfcf diet. In addition, parents were asked to fill out a three day diet history for their child for a nutrient analysis.;Fifty three surveys (21%) and ten diet histories were returned. The majority of parents first heard of the gfcf diet either on the Internet (28%) or from Parent Magazine (32%). Desperation (25%) was the main reason parents …

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Factors Affecting Reproductive Efficiency Of Cattle, Melanie J. Starbuck Dec 2005

Factors Affecting Reproductive Efficiency Of Cattle, Melanie J. Starbuck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate two measures of reproductive efficiency in cattle, conception rate and retention of pregnancy. In experiment I, the relationship between concentrations of progesterone and retention of pregnancy was examined. The corpus luteum (CL) was removed on day 29 of pregnancy in 40 suckled, beef cows, and pregnancy was supported with exogenous progesterone to day 53. Concentrations of progesterone (1.8 +/- 0.1 ng/mL between days 30 and 38), were below those normally recorded for pregnant cows. Retention of pregnancy (77%) was monitored frequently using ultrasonography until day 53 and was negatively associated with age of cow, …

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Adoption Of Resource -Conserving Agricultural Technologies: An Economic And *Policy Analysis For South Africa, Daniel Vusanani Dlamini Dec 2005

Adoption Of Resource -Conserving Agricultural Technologies: An Economic And *Policy Analysis For South Africa, Daniel Vusanani Dlamini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Land degradation continues to be a threat to the agricultural sector of South Africa. Land degradation induced by agricultural production activities is considered to be among the major factors responsible for a decline in land productivity. Conservation efforts through government intervention and voluntary efforts have produced minimal success compared to the desired targets. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that influence the adoption decisions of resource conserving technologies in the context of commercial farmers in South Africa.;Adoption of conservation-oriented agricultural technologies in South Africa is influenced by a wide range of economic and social factors, and …

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Economic Evaluation Of Prophylactic Antiemetic Regimens For Prevention Of Chemotherapy -Induced Nausea And Vomiting (Cinv), Reema R. Mody Dec 2005

Economic Evaluation Of Prophylactic Antiemetic Regimens For Prevention Of Chemotherapy -Induced Nausea And Vomiting (Cinv), Reema R. Mody

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

New antiemetic agents, aprepitant and palonosetron have been approved for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The objectives of the two phases of the study were: (1) to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis of antiemetic regimens for prevention of CINV in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) using decision models, and (2) to determine the monetary value of improved emesis control and conduct cost-benefit analysis of the new antiemetic regimens. Regimen A, one of the four antiemetic strategies included in the HEC decision model was a combination of aprepitant and the standard regimen …

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Effects Of Elevated Temperature On Panax Quinquefolius Ecophysiology And Pharmacological Activity On Human Breast Mcf-7 Carcinoma Cells, Gera M. Jochum Aug 2005

Effects Of Elevated Temperature On Panax Quinquefolius Ecophysiology And Pharmacological Activity On Human Breast Mcf-7 Carcinoma Cells, Gera M. Jochum

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of increased temperatures associated with climate change on an understory medicinal herb, Panax quinquefolius. Three-year old P. quinquefolius were grown in a greenhouse at low (25°C day/20°C night) or elevated (30°C/25°C) temperatures for one growing season. Elevated temperatures decreased photosynthesis and accelerated leaf senescence. At the end of the growing season, biomass was detrimentally affected by increased temperatures; yet the concentration of root ginsenosides, secondary metabolites thought to be the primary pharmacological components, was higher in plants grown in the elevated temperature treatment than in plants grown in the low …

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The Effect And Mechanism Of Action Of Volatile Fatty Acids On The Catabolism Of Progesterone, Darron Louis Smith Aug 2005

The Effect And Mechanism Of Action Of Volatile Fatty Acids On The Catabolism Of Progesterone, Darron Louis Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Factors that affect the clearance of progesterone by the hepatocyte were examined. In study one, the objective was to determine if increased hepatic portal acetate or propionate could alter hepatic metabolism of progesterone. Serum concentrations of progesterone after an oral gavage of either acetate or propionate began to diverge as early as 0.5 h and were different (P < 0.05) at 3-h and 4-h for ewe lambs gavaged with acetate or propionate, respectively. Increasing portal vein propionate reduced progesterone clearance. In study two, the objective was to determine the effect of a single oral gavage of either acetate or propionate on peripheral concentrations of insulin and glucagon in the ewe. Serum concentrations of insulin, after an oral gavage of either acetate or propionate, were different (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h and 1 h for ewe lambs orally-gavaged with acetate and propionate, respectively. Further, serum concentrations of glucagon, after an oral gavage of either acetate or propionate, were different (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h for ewe lambs orally-gavaged with acetate and propionate, respectively. The last study determined progesterone clearance in response to challenge with different concentrations of insulin, glucagon or a combination of insulin and glucagon in a hepatic cell line. In response to a challenge with insulin, there was a dose dependant decrease in the disappearance of progesterone. There was a reduction (P < 0.05) in the rate of decay with the addition of 0.1 nM insulin. Further, there was a greater reduction (P < 0.05) in the rate of decay in response to 1.0 and 10 nM insulin than control and 0.1 nM insulin. There was no observable change in the disappearance of progesterone with either physiological (0.01 nM) or pharmacological (0.1 and 1.0 nM) treatment with glucagon. Pharmocological concentrations of glucagon (1.0 nM) negated the effects of either 0.1 or 1.0 nM insulin on the clearance of progesterone. However, with physiological concentrations of glucagon (0.01 nM) and 1.0 nM insulin, glucagon was not able to negate the reduction in progesterone disappearance caused by insulin.

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Stationary Phase Induction Of Rpos In Enteric Bacteria, Matthew Louis Hirsch Aug 2005

Stationary Phase Induction Of Rpos In Enteric Bacteria, Matthew Louis Hirsch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In enteric bacteria, stress adaptation is mediated by the RpoS protein, one of several sigma-factors that, in association with RNA polymerase, collectively allow a tailored transcriptional response to environmental cues. Stress stimuli including low temperature, osmotic shock, and starvation all result in a substantial increase in RpoS abundance. Perhaps the most pronounced affect is observed during growth to stationary phase (SP) in rich medium. The mechanism of regulation depends on the specific signal, but may occur at the level of transcription, translation, protein activity or targeted proteolysis. In both Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica cultured in rich undefined medium, the …

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Does Peripheral Concentration Of Progesterone Affect Ovulation And Lambing Rates In Barbados Blackbelly Ewes?, Ezra Devonish Aug 2005

Does Peripheral Concentration Of Progesterone Affect Ovulation And Lambing Rates In Barbados Blackbelly Ewes?, Ezra Devonish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The hypothesis that concentration of progesterone influences number of follicles that mature during estrus, and thus ovulation rate, was tested in cycling ewes. Ewes were assigned at random to three treatments, and bred at estrus after treatment. Ewes in low (LP) and high (HP) groups received exogenous progesterone from day 4 to 14; control ewes (MP) were untreated. The LP ewes were given PGF2alpha on day 6 to regress corpora lutea (CL). Numbers of follicles and CL were observed by transrectal ultrasonography. Fewer follicles disappeared at estrus in ewes on HP than in MP or LP. Ewes on LP had …

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Prediction Of Forage Intake And Production Of Steers In A Winter Forage System, Taryn Romanczak Aug 2005

Prediction Of Forage Intake And Production Of Steers In A Winter Forage System, Taryn Romanczak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Currently there are no means to accurately predict intake in grazing animals. Two experiments were conducted to determine and validate the use of intake markers in grazing ruminants as well as to compare performance of steers in winter forage systems. Six Angus-Hereford steers were halter and fecal harness broke. Entities commonly found in forages and used as markers were evaluated. Experiment 1 was conducted during the summer 2004, at the West Virginia University Livestock Farm, using animals in a confined area. Steers were fed timothy or orchardgrass hay chopped to fine or coarse lengths. Experiment 2 was conducted at the …

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Water Quality Disturbances In An Aquaculture That Utilizes Treated Mine Water, Mark Wayne Smith Aug 2005

Water Quality Disturbances In An Aquaculture That Utilizes Treated Mine Water, Mark Wayne Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objectives of this study were to compare the performance of two feed treatments on a population of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, reared in a linear raceway system, which utilized mine water from a mine water treatment facility (MWTF); to measure and compare waste outputs; to monitor the water quality of the system; and to identify the impacts, if any, of the water quality on the fish population. Toward the end of the study, a spike in the turbidity of the water source led to additional objectives. First, the water quality was characterized during the events to determine the extent …

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The Effect Of Low And High Fertility Treatments On Soil Quality, Yields, Pest Incidence And Labor Requirements Of A Post-Transitional Organic Market Garden System, Todd Bradley Childers Aug 2005

The Effect Of Low And High Fertility Treatments On Soil Quality, Yields, Pest Incidence And Labor Requirements Of A Post-Transitional Organic Market Garden System, Todd Bradley Childers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In a two-year study, eight vegetable crops were grown as part of a certified organic four-year crop rotation. High input plots received off-farm composted cow manure and cover crops, and low input plots were managed with the use of cover crops only. High input plots produced higher yields than low input plots in all crops, except peas, which yielded higher in low input plots. Soil organic matter levels were significantly higher in the high input than the low input plots and increased from 2003 to 2004 in both treatments. Available soil phosphorus levels in the high input plots were excessive, …

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Risk And Resilience In Youth: An Examination Of Moderating Factors, Beverly L. Fortson Aug 2005

Risk And Resilience In Youth: An Examination Of Moderating Factors, Beverly L. Fortson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Child maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect) poses a significant risk for psychological difficulties to millions of children annually. Some children develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder), depressive disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder), and substance abuse/dependence as a result of maltreatment. Fortunately, many other children, who have been termed "resilient," escape such incidents relatively unscathed. This study explored the unique associations between child maltreatment and several outcome variables (e.g., substance use, sexualized behavior, depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety) as well as …

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Approaches To Improve The Ovulatory Response And Reproductive Performance Of Ewes Introduced To Rams During Seasonal Anestrus, Katherine Mead Jordan Aug 2005

Approaches To Improve The Ovulatory Response And Reproductive Performance Of Ewes Introduced To Rams During Seasonal Anestrus, Katherine Mead Jordan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three experiments were conducted to test hypotheses relative to the ability of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and melatonin to improve responses of anestrous ewes to rams. Treatment with GnRH two days after treatment with progesterone at introduction of rams did not increase ovulation, pregnancy or lambing rates. Treatment with GnRH on days two, seven, or both after introduction of rams, resulted in ovulation, pregnancy, and lambing rates that did not differ. In another trial, GnRH four days before, or four days before and one day after introduction of rams did not improve a consistently high ovulatory response to introduction of …

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Melengestrol Acetate (Mga) As An Effective Alternative To Induce Molting In Laying Hens, Jill Marie Koch May 2005

Melengestrol Acetate (Mga) As An Effective Alternative To Induce Molting In Laying Hens, Jill Marie Koch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current experiments were conducted to determine if an orally active progestin, melengestrol acetate (MGA), would be an effective method to induce molting that addresses hen well-being during and after molt. MGA can easily be administered to a large population because it is orally active and can be included in a balanced layer diet. Hens could be fed throughout the molting process, which would address the concerns brought about by other methods in that there is a nutrient deficiency that results in hen weight loss. If feeding MGA can effectively lead to a reversible regression of the oviduct then it …

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Functional Mri Of Rat Kidney Using Bold & Asl Techniques, Rajesh K. Garugu May 2005

Functional Mri Of Rat Kidney Using Bold & Asl Techniques, Rajesh K. Garugu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods may provide new ways to detect and track renal hemodynamic changes in-vivo. In this thesis, two fMRI methods were correlated with simultaneous invasive hemodynamic measurements. A particular goal of this thesis was to measure the relative contributions of oxygenation and perfusion changes to changes in the relaxation rate, T2*. Also, an MRI compatible motion detector was built and along with the invasive probes was interfaced to a data acquisition system for use during scanning. Drug-induced changes in renal oxygenation and blood flow were measured by BOLD- & ASL-MRI noninvasively, while a dual oxygenation/perfusion …

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Characteristics Of Farmers' Market Vendors In West Virginia, Stacy M. Miller May 2005

Characteristics Of Farmers' Market Vendors In West Virginia, Stacy M. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of farmers' market vendors in West Virginia, including products, season extension methods, promotional strategies, and sales levels, as well as to identify the obstacles and educational needs relevant to farmers' market vendors. While the majority of products produced by vendors were vegetables, it was found that products such as processed products and live plants were used to extend marketing seasons. Meat and dairy were the least represented categories. Fewer than half of the vendors reported use of any season extension techniques.;While a slight majority of vendors appeared satisfied with current length …

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Lamb And Wool Production In An Organic Farming System, Christopher Kiptanui Ruto May 2005

Lamb And Wool Production In An Organic Farming System, Christopher Kiptanui Ruto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A study to evaluate lamb production under organic management was carried out in 2003 and 2004 at the West Virginia University Organic Research Farm. About 0.93 ha of tall fescue-orchard grass-red clover grassland was assigned to three blocks based on soil type, slope and previous treatment. Each block was divided into two main plots and assigned the following treatments: One was fertilized with compost while the other received no fertilizer. Two groups of sheep under organic management were rotationally grazed on the plots; one group on the plots with compost (high input) and the other on the plots with no …

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Survey Of Athletic Training Clinical Education: Perceptions From The Field, Alan Nasypany Jr. Jan 2005

Survey Of Athletic Training Clinical Education: Perceptions From The Field, Alan Nasypany Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify: (1) Who are ACIs; (2) What are the perceptions of the clinical education process since the implementation of the 2001 Proficiencies, Standards, and Guidelines; (3) What factors are most and least facilitating to the clinical education process; and (4) What factors should be first addressed to improve the clinical education process. Online surveys were sent to 298 Program Directors and they were asked to distribute them to ACIs in their programs. Two weeks later, the survey was posted on the Athletic Training Education Listserve. Two hundred and twelve surveys were returned. The …

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Pharmaceutical Performance Testing Of Commercially Available Calcium Supplements, Jianqing Liu Jan 2005

Pharmaceutical Performance Testing Of Commercially Available Calcium Supplements, Jianqing Liu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In our research, the quality of a number of calcium supplements was evaluated by their physical properties, disintegration and dissolution profiles. Physical tests and disintegration did show a pH sensitivity. Disintegration confirmed the good uniformity of the products. In the USP required dissolution test, most of the products did not achieve acceptable drug release in the specified time period. While formulation factors and the salt form of calcium supplements can to some extent affect their dissolution pattern, it was ultimately considered that the failure may be related to the poor solubility of the calcium salts.;Based on the results and the …

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Manure From Grazing Cattle: Effects On Soil Microbial Communities And Soil Quality In Northern West Virginia Pastures., Yovita Sutanto Jan 2005

Manure From Grazing Cattle: Effects On Soil Microbial Communities And Soil Quality In Northern West Virginia Pastures., Yovita Sutanto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Upland pastures in West Virginia receive low-input management. The effect of manure addition to upland pasture soils was measured with a variety of biological indicators such as soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), hot water extractable carbon (HWC), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) and soil CO2 efflux. The effect of manure was found to be short-lived and most profound in soil surface Microbial diversity of pasture soil was examined using community level physiological profiles (CLPP) and molecular characterization of 16S ribosomal RNA genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Culture-independent and culture-dependent methods for molecular characterization of …

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A Comparison Of Forest Soils Exhibiting Various Degrees Of Nitrogen Availability: Do Tree Species Matter And Which Nutrients Are Limiting In Nitrogen Rich Environments?, Stephen E. Gress Jan 2005

A Comparison Of Forest Soils Exhibiting Various Degrees Of Nitrogen Availability: Do Tree Species Matter And Which Nutrients Are Limiting In Nitrogen Rich Environments?, Stephen E. Gress

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Regions downwind of industrial and agricultural pollution receive high amounts of nitrogen (N) deposition. Some forested regions now exhibit symptoms on N saturation, which is N availability in excess of biotic demand. This phenomena and the evidence that trees alter soil in ways that may influence N saturation is the basis of my research. My thesis consists of three parts: (1) Testing the association between tree species and soil properties: Can larger-scale patterns be found under individual trees?; (2) Phosphomonesterase activity in violets (Viola rotundifolia) found in watersheds exhibiting varying levels of nitrogen availability: What lies beyond nitrogen saturation?; and …

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Management Of The Suckled Post-Partum Beef Cows: Pasture-Based Weaning System., John F. Odhiambo Jan 2005

Management Of The Suckled Post-Partum Beef Cows: Pasture-Based Weaning System., John F. Odhiambo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Low grain prices and recurrent periods of drought have elicited interest in early weaning. Calves can efficiently utilize feed for weight gain when it is fed directly, rather than through their dams. This study evaluated calf response in three weaning systems (experiment 1) and profiles of body energy reserves in early-weaned beef cows (experiment 2). Treatment x year, and calf sex x year interaction (P < 0.05) were observed for calf weight gain. These interactions underscored the need for constant readjustments in management systems that incorporate early weaning in their programs. In experiment 2, body weight and condition score of cows were affected marginally (P = 0.06) by early weaning, whereas ribfat and rumpfat differed (P < 0.05) between earlyweaned and control cows. These findings indicated that subjective methods (body weight and condition score) should be used in combination with more objective measurements (ribfat and/or rumpfat) for accurate evaluation of energy status of beef cows. Cows of various ages responded differently to early weaning. Three to five-year-old cows exhibited greater response to early weaning as opposed to 2-year-olds and cows > 5 years of age, indicating that profit potential of the cow-calf operation can be improved by altered management of middle-aged cows.

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Seawater Proteomics: The Recovery, Separation, And Characterization Of Dissolved Proteins In Seawater., Matthew Jacob Powell Jan 2005

Seawater Proteomics: The Recovery, Separation, And Characterization Of Dissolved Proteins In Seawater., Matthew Jacob Powell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dissolved proteins are important components of high molecular weight marine dissolved organic matter (DOM). Little is known about the sources, transformations, and pathways of marine DOM, and <30% has been characterized at the molecular-level. Advances in proteomics technology have improved our ability to sequence proteins, making dissolved proteins a suitable target for molecular-level characterization. Dissolved proteins are important biomarkers in the oceans, and molecular-level analysis can provide valuable insight into their chemical characteristics, structural modifications, and potential sources. Molecular-level characterization of dissolved proteins in seawater requires a reproducible recovery method with efficient recovery yields and minimal sample losses. The use of surface blocking agents (SBA) to saturate sites of non-specific interactions reduced adsorptive sample losses during recovery of dissolved proteins from artificial seawater by tangential flow ultrafiltration. The SBA pre-treatment resulted in more reproducible recovery yields (∼55–60%) and enhanced initial recovery by 46%. Dissolved proteins recovered from deep and surface seawater samples were separated by gel electrophoresis, revealing the presence of a small number of discrete bands and significant amounts of unresolved background. A proteinase K assay determined that the bands and unresolved background were proteinaceous in nature. Enzymatic digests of the dissolved proteins were analyzed by reversed phase chromatography coupled on-line to a linear trapping quadrupole Fourier transform mass spectrometer (LTQ-FTMS). The peptide MS/MS spectra were searched against non-redundant databases by correlation algorithms, but no positive identifications were made. The peptide tandem mass spectra were directly interpreted by de novo sequencing to generate peptide tags that were used in database searches to develop protein homologue information. The similarity search results revealed two trends for specific classes of proteins observed (membrane/envelope proteins and enzymes) and identified conserved sequences for several multi-species protein homologues. These results demonstrate that there are several different classes of refractory proteins represented in the DOM pool and provide evidence for the presence of dissolved proteins other than bacterial outer membrane proteins. Additionally, an intact protein was extracted from a gel band and analyzed by direct infusion ESI FTMS. The resultant high resolution protein spectrum was deconvoluted to determine the accurate molecular weight of the protein.

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A Study Of Assessment Policies And Practices Of Directors In Pre-Kindergarten Programs In West Virginia., Janet Dozier Jan 2005

A Study Of Assessment Policies And Practices Of Directors In Pre-Kindergarten Programs In West Virginia., Janet Dozier

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As education for young children becomes more standards-based there has been a cry for more assessments. Developmentally appropriate assessment for young children has been defined by the twelve guidelines developed by the National Association for Young Children. The purpose of this study was done by surveying the 440 pre-kindergarten program directors in West Virginia regarding his/her perception of importance and implementation of those national assessment guidelines and followed by ten structured interviews of directors across the program descriptions. The study found the implementations of guidelines to be positively correlated to the director's perception of importance. Further it found that all …

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Modified Delphi Investigation Of Exercise Science In Physical Education Teacher Education, Sean M. Bulger Dec 2004

Modified Delphi Investigation Of Exercise Science In Physical Education Teacher Education, Sean M. Bulger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As physical education teacher educators experiment with alternative pedagogical approaches to bridge the gap between subdisciplinary theory and professional practice, the need for enhanced multi-disciplinary research and communication continues. The purpose of this study was to determine the critical exercise science competencies, and associated instructional methods, that are recommended for inclusion in the physical education teacher education undergraduate curriculum. An initial list of theoretical and applied exercise science competencies was constructed using the knowledge, skills, and abilities recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine for individuals working in the field of exercise science. The two-round, modified Delphi procedure involved …

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