Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Considering Impacts Of Active Membership In The Young Professionals Networking Group On Sense Of Community And Social Capital, Casey Albert Fodness

Master's Theses

Sense of community, social capital, and emerging adulthood are all topics of increasing interest in multiple fields over the past three decades. Both sense of community and social capital are predictors of overall well-being for individuals and communities. As emerging adults begin to establish a sense of person and place, many have begun to look to young professionals groups as an outlet for networking and identity exploration. There is limited research on the impact of these organizations related to sense of community and social capital. This case study is meant to be a starting point to expand the research on …

Analysis Of Microsatellites From Sclerocactus Glaucus And Sclerocactus Parviflorus To Assess Hybridization Levels And Genetic Diversity, Anna Louise Schwabe

Master's Theses

Sclerocactus glaucus is an endemic Colorado species that is federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Sclerocactus glaucus is losing habitat due to disturbance by oil and gas exploration, urbanization, open range cattle grazing and recreational land use. Due to the low number of wild populations, conservationists question the genetic integrity of the species. Field biologists have observed S. glaucus populations with individuals possessing morphological characteristics of the closely related and widely distributed Sclerocactus parviflorus. Individuals from 28 populations of S. glaucus, 9 populations of S. parviflorus, and 1 population of S. cloveriae were sampled. Microsatellite analysis using 13 variable …

The Ugliness Of Gorgeousness: An Exploration Of The Obsession Of Beauty In Neil Labute's "Reasons To Be Pretty", Asedo Wilson

Master's Theses

This thesis is the culmination of the two-year process of researching, conceptualizing, organizing, rehearsing, directing and producing Neil LaBute’s reasons to be pretty with theatre students from the University of Northern Colorado. The show was performed in March of 2012. The guiding questions for this project included: Why is it important to analyze a character’s internal and external qualities? How can one develop a strong ensemble? What is the role of the media in society’s perception of beauty? How can a successful production with rehearsal limitations be produced? What is it about this material that will keep the actors and …

Radio Direction Finding Network Receiver Design For Low-Cost Public Service Applications, Marcel Colman Eric Stieber

Master's Theses

A low-cost radio direction finding (RDF) VHF receiver has been investigated for development into a radio direction finding network (RDFN) with a particular focus towards public service and commercial asset tracking applications. The primary design criteria were reproducibility, low-cost, and simplicity such that public service and volunteer organizations can benefit from the technology. Two receiver designs were built and tested to allow for comparison of practicality, cost, and accuracy. A pseudo-Doppler RDF and a time difference of arrival (TDOA) receiver were built as proof-of-concept for a system design based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The pseudo-Doppler system is a less …

Controlling Nanoparticle Dispersion For Nanoscopic Self-Assembly, Nathan S. Starkweather

Master's Theses

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter and devices on the nanometer scale. Below the critical dimension length of 100nm, materials begin to display vastly different properties than their macro- or micro- scale counterparts. The exotic properties of nanomaterials may trigger the start of a new technological revolution, similar to the electronics revolution of the late 20^th century. Current applications of nanotechnology primarily make use of nanoparticles in bulk, often being made into composites or mixtures. While these materials have fantastic properties, organization of nano and microstructures of nanoparticles may allow the development of novel devices with many unique properties. …

Vertical Distributions Of Carbonite Lithologies, Bedding Features, And Macrofossils In The Broken Rib Member Of The Upper Devonian Dyer Formation Near Monument Lake, Garfield County, Colorado, Sharon Sadle

Master's Theses

The Broken Rib Member of the Upper Devonian Dyer Formation is a series of fossiliferous limestone beds deposited during the Famennian stage of the Late Devonian. The limestone units are well-exposed near Monument Lake in the White River National Forest of west-central Colorado, where they weather into a series of step-like, laterally continuous surfaces. A graphic log, recorded in the field, reveals that lithologies vary from carbonate mudstones to wackestones and reflect the fluctuating water depth associated with a transgressing and regressing sea. The fossil assemblages consist of well-preserved, identifiable brachiopods, bryozoans, pelmatozoans, and other minor taxa that occur in …

Identifying And Characterizing Non-Coding Rnas In The Dinoflagellate Karenia Brevis, Helen Namataka

Master's Theses

When algal cells proliferate and accumulate in marine and fresh water systems, they form algal blo'oms. The majority of these blooms are beneficial, but a significant number are detrimental and are known as harmful algal blooms (HABs). A number of negative effects, including closing of recreational beaches and economic loss, are observed during HABs. Predictably, the longer a bloom persists, the greater its effects on human, environmental and economic health. Karenia brevis, a mixotrophic dinoflagellate, forms HABs, and blooms caused by this organism have been known to remain several months after formation. For these reasons, research has been conducted to …

Fungal Biofilm Colonization And Succession On Artificial Reefs In The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Amy Leigh Salamone

Master's Theses

This study represents the first characterization of natural mixed-species fungal biofilm communities on artificial reefs in the marine environment. Previous fungal biofilm studies have failed to observe the naturally-occurring biodiversity in coastal areas, which comprise the most utilized zone of the marine environment. Artificial reefs can increase fishing yields, amplify oyster habitats, contribute to shoreline stabilization, promote good water quality, and deter pollution. Proper management practices of artificial reefs require knowledge of the colonization of these new habitats by marine organisms and their subsequent succession. Fungi, along with bacteria, archaea, protists, algae, and diatoms, quickly form a complex biofilm on …

"We Need The Storm, The Whirlwind, The Earthquake": The Intersection Of Language And Violence In Nat Turner's "Confessions" And Frederick Douglass's My Bondage And My Freedom, Allison L. Tharp

Master's Theses

Resistance literature is an established genre, dating back to the late eighteenth century, but it underwent a rhetorical revision as slavery increased within the United States in the years leading up to the Civil War. As slaves and free blacks began to rebel against their oppressed condition, they "stole" two prominent tools whites used_ to - oppress slaves: language and violence. Frederick Douglass's My Bondage and My Freedom is a self-conscious revision within resistance literature that argues for national change by advocating physical violence with written language. Reading this text as an intertext with Nat Turner's "Confessions" reveals the ways …

The Effects Of Growth Hormone On Primary Bovine Mammary Cell Models, Lisa Mcdonnell

Master's Theses

The ability of exogenous growth hormone (GH) to increase milk yield through insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) in dairy cows is well characterized. However, recent studies utilizing mammary epithelial cell lines indicate a direct effect of GH on mammary epithelial cells (MEC). To test if these observations are relevant in vivo and if this response differs between dairy breeds, three mammary models were utilized. Mammary explants from a lactating Jersey cow were cultured in classical lactogenic media (dexamethasone, insulin, and prolactin) with 0 or 10 ng/mL of recombinant bovine GH for 12h. Primary MEC from lactating Holstein and Jersey cows were …

Effect Of Short-Term Estrogen Depletion On Compact Bone Microdensitometry In The Ewe, Cailyn Bugbee

Master's Theses

Osteoporosis affects the human skeleton through the direct effects of the disease on the function and structure of bone. Individuals who are affected by osteoporosis may be subject to serious fractures and it is estimated that annually approximately 1.5 million fractures can be attributed to this disease [1]. The disease is categorized as the direct side effect of increased bone porosity and bone loss and is directly linked to estrogen deprivation [2]. Animal models are often used to make initial conclusions about the effects of the disease or pharmacological treatments. In this study, sheep were chosen as a representative animal …

Bioflocculation Of Wastewater Treatment Pond Suspended Solids, Louis Lefebvre

Master's Theses

Bioflocculation of Wastewater Treatment Pond Suspended Solids

Louis Lefebvre

Wastewater treatment lagoons and high rate algae ponds (HRAPs) can provide cost effective wastewater treatment, but they commonly have high effluent concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS). In this thesis algae pond effluent was treated in a beaker testing apparatus (mixed and aerated) with various mixtures of activated sludge and primary effluent simulating differing activated sludge aeration basin compositions then was allowed to settle to assess settleability. Conventionally, microalgal suspended solids are removed by chemical coagulation followed by separation methods that often have a high cost relative to the low cost …

House Finches, Carpodacus Mexicanus: Hormones, Stress, And Song Control Regions, Katherine Olivia Ganster

Master's Theses

Song production in songbirds is controlled by parts of the brain known as the song control regions (SCRs). During spring, gonads increase in size, males sing to attract mates, and SCRs become larger. This neuroplasticity is controlled by the change in day length and increased plasma testosterone (T) levels. Plasma T can be reduced by stress through the production of corticosterone (CORT), through the production of beta-endorphin, or through direct effects on the testes via the nervous system. We determined the T, estradiol, and CORT hormonal profiles of wild House Finches by capturing and sampling blood from the finches every …

The Impact Of Outward Remodeling On Vasodilation In Skeletal Muscle Resistance Arteries, Ryan Robert Gallagher

Master's Theses

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is an ischemic disease characterized by narrowing of the peripheral arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the inner lining of the vessels, which disrupts blood flow to downstream tissues. Blood can be redirected into collateral vessels, natural bypasses around arterial occlusions, causing shear-induced outward remodeling of the vessels. The enlarged vessels facilitate transfer of increased blood flow to downstream tissues. The remodeling process, however, may impair vasodilation, which in turn may cause or contribute to intermittent claudication- transient pain brought on by locomotion. To stimulate the growth of collateral arteries, the femoral …

Implementation Of Novel Group Delay Decomposition Method And Surgical Protocol For Assessing Peripheral Neuropathy, Sammy Paul Nicolas

Master's Theses

This paper outlines a surgical procedure for exposing and stimulating the sciatic nerve of an anesthetized rodent for purposes of obtaining conduction velocity readings. The ability to accurately quantify nerve conduction velocity has potential for use in the field of diagnostic medicine and disease characterization. An accurate reading depends on both the surgical method used to expose the desired nerve without imposing onto it any physical trauma as well as the stimulation protocol used to initiate action potentials. This paper contains the specific steps required to set up the necessary hardware and software for electrical stimulation as well as a …

Determination Of Human Powered Helicopter Stability Characteristics Using Multi-Body System Simulation Techniques, Sean M. Brown

Master's Theses

Multi-Body System Simulation combined with System Identification was developed as a method for determining the stability characteristics of a human powered helicopter(HPH) configurations. HPH stability remains a key component for meeting competition requirements, but has not been properly treated. Traditional helicopter dynamic analysis is not suited to the HPH due to its low rotation speeds and light weight. Multi-Body System Simulation is able to generate dynamic response data for any HPH configuration. System identification and linear stability theory are used to determine the stability characteristics from the dynamic response. This thesis focuses on the method development and doesn't present any …

Optimizing The Mechanical Characteristics Of Bamboo To Improve The Flexural Behavior For Biocomposite Structural Application, Jay Lopez

Master's Theses

Global awareness and preservation have spurred increasing interest in utilizing environmentally friendly materials for high-performance structural applications. Biocomposites pose an appealing solution to this issue and are characterized by their sustainable lifecycles, biodegradable qualities, light weight, remarkable strength, and exceptional stiffness. Many of these structural qualities are found in applications that exhibit flexural loading conditions, and this study focuses on improving the bending performance of engineered biocomposite structures. The current application of biocomposites is increasing rapidly, so this expanding research explores other natural constituent materials for biocomposite structures under flexural loading.

The renewable material investigated in this study was experimentally …

Mechanical Optimization And Buckling Analysis Of Bio-Composites, Cameron D. Chan

Master's Theses

Today’s environmental concerns have led a renewed search in industry to find new sustainable materials to replace non-renewable resources. President Barack Obama also quoted in the recent 2012 Presidential Debate “that there is a need to build the energy sources of the future and invest in solar, wind, and bio-fuels.” Bio-composites are believed to be the future and the new substitute for non-renewable resources. Bio-composites are similar to composites in that they are made up of two constituent materials; however the main difference is that bio-composites are made from natural fibers and a biopolymer matrix. This research investigates the buckling …

Development And Implementation Of A Calibration Procedure For Complex Impedance Spectrum Measurements With Applications To Embedded Battery Health Monitoring And Management Systems, William H. Morrison

Master's Theses

Energy storage devices such as rechargeable Lithium ion batteries are assuming an increasingly prominent role in society, covering applications from electric / hybrid electric vehicles to personal portable electronics. In response to this increasing demand, technologies that monitor battery health and remaining useful life have developed. One such system is the Smart Battery Status Monitor (SBSM), developed by the Idaho National Laboratory, Montana Tech and Qualtech Systems, Inc. The SBSM utilizes impedance spectrum measurements using a subsystem called the Impedance Measurement Box (IMB). The impedance measurements are complex quantities (having both a resistive and a reactive component) and are made …

Effects Of Experimentally Increased Testosterone On Movement And The Effects Of Sex And Age On Relative Cortical Volumes In The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus O. Oreganus), Julius A. Frazier

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Effects of Experimentally Increased Testosterone on Movement and the

Effects of Sex and Age on Relative Cortical Volumes in the Northern Pacific

Rattlesnake (Crotalus o. oreganus)

Julius A. Frazier

Hormones have been shown to play a crucial role in vertebrate reproductive behaviors. Androgens such as testosterone (T) stimulate male sexual behaviors such as mate-searching. Increases in movement and sex differences in navigational demands associated with increased movement are positively related to the volumes of cortical brain regions associated with navigational ability. In mammals and birds, the development and morphology of the hippocampal region, a structure within the …

Finite Element Model Updating For Rotary Machinery, Nathalie Gotin

Master's Theses

The main approach of this thesis was to develop a mathematical model that represents a rotary machine. Experimental data was used to define a finite element model (FEM). In order to obtain the experimental data, the rotary machine had to be balanced. An impact hammer test made it possible to obtain frequency response functions (FRF). The frequency response functions were curvefitted in order to obtain the mode shapes and natural frequencies.

Mathematical models have been created with ABAQUS and Matlab. For the Matlab Model the assumption has been made that the rotor machine consists of a specific number of beam …

Efficient Algorithms For Improving The Accuracy In Motifs Prediction, Jerlin C. Merlin

Master's Theses

Analysis of sequence homology has always played a major role in the understanding of biological factors such as protein domain identification, gene product relationships, and gene function determination. Short contiguous protein sequences that are conserved across proteins provide important information about such factors, and are of at most 15 residues in length. These segments of proteins are known as minimotifs. Identifying minimotifs has been of much use in the formulation of the hypothesis about the biological functions that otherwise might be uncharacterized. Mechanisms of motif predictions such as Minimotif Miner are widely used for predicting minimotifs. However, due to the …

An Economic Analysis Of Wine Grape Production In The State Of Connecticut, Jeremy L. Jelliffe

Master's Theses

The Connecticut Wine and Vineyard industry has grown at a steady 3.9% per year over the past decade (ATTTB, 2009). Economic models estimate that the wineries sub-sector contributes $38 million dollars to the state economy and direct employment of 106 residents (Lopez et al., 2010). Programs to support and foster further growth of the industry and CT farm vineyard culture include the Department of Agriculture’s CT Wine Trail and the annual CT Wine festival (DOAG, 2010). Farmland preservation groups also support vineyard development since grape growing tends to secure tracts of farmland for long periods of time.

Investment analysis for …

Development Of Repressible Systems To Control Gene Expression In Vaccinia Virus, Allison Titong

Master's Theses

Two vaccinia virus (VACV) expression systems that contain elements from the lactose (lac) and the tetracycline (tet) operons of E. coli were developed to repress the expression of a reporter gene, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), in the presence of tet operon inducers. In the first system, lac and tet operon elements were arranged in a gene circuit, and in the presence of increasing concentrations of a lac operon inducer (isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside, IPTG), EGFP expression increased in a dose dependent manner and at high IPTG concentrations, expression reached the same levels as a positive control virus. Importantly, in the …

Raf-1 Kinase Inhibitor Protein Regulates Cell Migration And Proliferation Of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts, Donghui Song

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Movement, Habitat Use And Detection Probability Of Bridle Shiner Estimated By Patch Occupancy Modeling In A Connecticut Watershed, Timothy Jensen

Master's Theses

The bridle shiner (Notropis bifrenatus) is believed to have once been an important prey item throughout its native range; however, recent reports suggest populations have declined significantly and the species is now widely considered as imperiled. Habitats that are associated with this species are typically difficult to sample using traditional methods, making it unclear how much of the observed range reduction could be actual or perceived. My objectives were to estimate detection probability of bridle shiner, evaluate the importance of habitat on their distribution, and determine patterns of movement among habitat patches. I employed a repeated surveys design …

The Relationship Between Liv-1 And E-Cadherin (Cdh1) In Prostate Cancer Cells, Lei Cao

Master's Theses

BACKGROUND

The zinc importer LIV-1 is widely distributed, mainly in hormonally controlled tissues. Attention has focused on its role in breast cancer, especially its regulation by estrogen and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its link to the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) marker, E-cadherin (CDH1). EMT is important for tumor progression and metastasis. CDH1 expression is under complex control, including by two transcriptional repressors, Snail and Slug. Contrast to CDH1, elevated MMP-9 expression has been linked to increased metastasis and tumor stage.

METHODS

The role of LIV-1 in prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and DU145 was investigated. Cells were treated with or …

Green Tea Extract Protects Against Fibrogenesis Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Diet-Induced Obese Rats, Allyson M. Bower

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Salt On Denitrification Potential In Roadside Environments, Nakita A. Lancaster

Master's Theses

Urban systems are impacted by changes in hydrology and water chemistry, altering their ability to mitigate detrimental impacts to coastal water bodies, particularly those that result from high volumes of stormwater runoff. The elevated level of impervious cover increases not only runoff but also contaminant loading of nutrients, metals, and road salt used for deicing in cold weather climates. Current stormwater management strategies, while focused on managing the changes in hydrology associated with urbanization, also are designed to mitigate the pollutant loading. Here we investigate the impact that road salt will have on nitrogen removal in roadside environments. Sediments were …

An Analysis Of Productivity Gaps Among Smallholder Groundnut Farmers In Uganda And Kenya, Cresensia Asekenye

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.