Digital Commons Network^™

Investigation Of The Role Of Dietary Flavonoids On Cell Death: Evidence To Support A Non-Classical Apoptotic Mechanism, Tetiana Lialiutska

Master's Theses

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in plants and have been shown to be cytotoxic to cancer cells. Our lab has previously shown that some flavonoids are able to induce cytotoxicity and inhibit caspase activity in human breast cancer cell lines. The goal of our study was to identify the specific molecular pathways required for flavonoid-induced cytotoxicity. MDA-MB-231 cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking caspase 3 and 7, and primary baby mouse kidney epithelial cells lacking Bax and Bak were cultured. Flavonoid-treated MDA-MB-231 cells showed cytochrome c release. We detected caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage in MDA-MB-231 cells after …

Resveratrol + Ethanol Preconditioning And Neuroprotection, Nastaran Khodaie

Master's Theses

Our lab established that moderate ethanol preconditioning (MEP) for 6 days blocked the Aâ25-35 toxicity in cerebellar mixed cell cultures and It has been shown that MEP cause the up regulation of the pre-survival enzymes such as proxiredoxin2 (PRX2), which suggests MEP can activate the cell survival pathways against upcoming toxins.

This study was performed to verify the possible combinatory effect of ethanol and resveratrol against Aâ25-35 toxicity. Both ethanol and resveratrol sub-protective concentrations were detected against Aâ25-35 in cerebellar mixed cell cultures. The combination of sub-protective levels of ethanol and resveratrol showed the significantly reduction in number of Aâ25-35 …

Understanding The Regulation Of Metabolic Enzyme Acetylation In E. Coli, Arti Walker-Peddakotla

Master's Theses

Global protein acetylation is a newly discovered phenomenon in bacteria. Of the more than 250 acetylations reported in E. coli, many are of metabolic enzymes. Thus, acetylation could represent a novel posttranslational mechanism of metabolic control. Yet, almost nothing is known about the regulation of these acetylations or of their metabolic outcomes. Here, we report that the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) regulates protein acetylation in E. coli and provide evidence that protein acetylation modulates the flux of carbon through central metabolism. When we grew cells in mixed amino acids supplemented with glucose and cAMP, global protein acetylation increased in a …

Correlation Of Cough Frequency With Treatment Efficacy In Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients In Lima, Peru, Jesus Gutierrez

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Timeline Followback For Exercise Among Young Adults, Gregory A. Panza

Master's Theses

Objectives: Two separate studies assessed psychometric properties of a retrospective behavioral measure adapted for exercise called the Timeline Followback for Exercise (TLFB-E). Study one examined criterion, convergent, and predictive validity. Study two examined test-retest reliability. Methods: Study one participants (N = 66) were college students 20.0 ± 1.4yr. Validity of frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise as assessed on the TLFB-E was examined using Pearson r correlations with accelerometers, weekly exercise contracts between participants and researchers, College Alumni Questionnaire, and a health-related physical fitness battery. Study two participants were a separate sample (N = 40) of college …

An Assessment Of Moose (Alces Alces Americana) And Moose Management In Connecticut, Andrew M. Labonte

Master's Theses

Eastern moose (Alces alces americana) populations have been increasing in New England over the past decade. Moose populations have the potential to generate human conflict due to their size, speed, nocturnal behavior, and seasonal mobility. As problems associated with increasing moose populations become more common, the need to develop management strategies that are both effective and acceptable to stakeholders becomes increasingly important. The potential for moose to continue to expand in southern New England and the long-term impacts they may have on Connecticut residents, is unclear. The overall purpose of this study was to assess how suitable Connecticut …

Barcelona's Public Market System: Bridging The Gap Between The Global And The Local, Larissa Hernandez

Master's Theses

The unique public markets of Barcelona are poised for a thriving future based on their theoretical and empirical grounding and commitment to both global influences as well as the local traditions of trade and consumption. This global/local balance keeps the markets relevant to contemporary consumers and allows them to have a well-rounded experience as they shop. In this paper, I trace the history and previous incarnations of public markets through the Greeks, Romans and Arabs, as well as consider the European situation and its fluctuations over the centuries. I then uncover the debate surrounding globalization, its influence on the food …

Divergent Discourses: Development Knowledge And Malian Family Planning, Savannah A. Thompson

Master's Theses

I propose that in order to approach corrective recommendations for family planning initiatives an examination of initiative fitness is necessary. Using a Foucauldian approach, this analysis identifies the discursive formations (ideologies) at work in centralized family planning in order to elucidate the female normative model for whom initiative programs are constructed. This norm is contrasted with the lived experiences of Malian women in order to determine if the ideology dictating family planning structures is suitable for the local population. When combined with existing analyses of family planning structures and outcomes, this research helps triangulate family planning in a three-dimensional space, …

Polymorphic Variation Of The Dgat1 Gene In Cal Poly Holstein And Jersey Breeds And The Correlation Of Milk Fat Content, And Genetic Values, Andrea M. Laubscher

Master's Theses

The selection of dairy cattle is dictated by improvement of yield and composition of milk. Genotyping tests give breeders the opportunity to use previously unavailable information to increase the frequency of beneficial alleles in their herds. A QTL influencing milk yield and composition is located in the centromeric end of chromosome 14. The polymorphism being analyzed is a K232A substitution (lysine to alanine amino acid change) in exon VII of the diacylglycerol acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1) gene. DGAT1 is a key acyltranferase in triglyceride biosynthesis. DGAT1 encodes an enzyme which catalyzes the final step of mammalian triglyceride synthesis from carbohydrates. …

Consequences Of Contact: An Evaluation Of Childhood Health Patterns Using Enamel Hypoplasias Among The Colonial Maya Of Tipu, Amanda R. Harvey

Master's Theses

Located in western Belize, Tipu was occupied from 1541-1704. This Colonial Maya population from a Spanish visita mission church was analyzed to investigate health disturbances associated with European contact. Dental defect called enamel hypoplasias were scored to assess childhood health. Standard methods of scoring (Buikstra and Ubelaker 1994) were employed to assess frequency, severity, and type of episode in the permanent anterior dentition. For analysis, 325 individuals were placed into age groups of subadults (6-17 years), younger adults (18-35 years), and older adults (36-50+ years). The population was also considered for differences by sex and tooth type.

Results showed a …

Influence Of Detritus Levels And Organic Pollution On Interspecific Resource Competition, Oviposition Behavior, And Larval Survival Of Two Tire-Inhabiting Mosquito Species (Diptera: Culicidae), David Wayne Allgood

Master's Theses

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are vectors of disease in the adult stage, but understanding the factors affecting distributions of the immature stages is important to the understanding and control of adult populations. Discarded automobile tires comprise important larval mosquito habitats. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) are two medically important species commonly found in tires, but factors affecting their larval distributions in tires have not been studied, nor have their interspecific interactions. I investigated the effects of chemicals associated with organic pollution on oviposition preferences and larval survival of both …

Tick Infestations And Their Consequences For Migratory Songbirds During Spring Stopover, Johnny Michael Sellers Jr.

Master's Theses

Migratory birds face a number of challenges during their seasonal movement from tropical/sub-tropical Central and South America to more temperate North America. Maintaining health during migration is of particular concern. This study seeks to understand how haematophageous ectoparasites, such as ticks (Ixodida), impact host body condition as they feed on passerines during migration. We hypothesized that foraging location would impact tick acquisition by migrants and that tick burdens during migration would negatively impact body condition. We surveyed 2,064 birds during spring 2009 and 2010 and found that 2.4% of the surveyed birds were infested with one or more …

Thermal Tolerance Of Age-0 Gulf Of Mexico Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis): Ontogenetic And Genetic Effects, Corey Robert Anderson

Master's Theses

Striped bass, Morone saxatilis, were historically abundant in the Gulf of Mexico region but were largely extirpated from most Gulf rivers by the early 1960s. Since 1967 hatchery stocking has supported populations in Mississippi rivers and to date there is no evidence of natural reproduction. Intolerance of striped bass to high water temperature is a potential factor negatively impacting Gulf striped bass survival and reproductive fitness, and may be a limiting factor to reintroduction of the species in Mississippi. This work contributed to restoration efforts by establishing molecular tools necessary for genetic monitoring of striped bass restoration, and evaluating …

Factors That Relate To Overweight And Obesity In Preschool Children: An Investigation Of Preschool Children In San Luis Obispo County, Kyla Tom

Master's Theses

In the United States the trend towards overweight and obesity has been a major health concern as it has been linked to a variety of health problems. A nation-wide initiative, “Let’s Move” created by Michelle Obama was launched in February 2010 with the goal that, in one generation; every child born will be at a healthy weight at the start of adulthood. Healthy People 2020 are national health objectives for the United States to obtain by 2020. In 2009, San Luis Obispo (SLO) County preschool children overweight and obesity rates mirrored national rates of 1 in 5 four-year-old children were …

Investigating The Roles Of Ndj1 And Tid1 In Crossover Assurance In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Rianna Knowles

Master's Theses

Meiosis is the specialized process of cell division utilized during gametogenesis in all sexually reproducing eukaryotes, which consists of one round of DNA replication followed by two rounds of chromosome segregation and results in four haploid cells. Crossovers between homologous chromosomes promote proper alignment and segregation of chromosomes during meiosis.

Crossover interference is a genetic phenomenon in which crossovers are non-randomly placed along chromosomes. Crossover assurance ensures that every homologous chromosome pair obtains at least one crossover during Prophase I. Crossovers physically connect homologous pairs, allowing spindle fibers to attach and separate homologs properly. However, some organisms have shown an …

Decontamination Of Endodontic Gutta-Percha: An In-Vitro Study, Mariya Shnaydman

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy Of Antibiotic Residue Screening Tests For The Detection Of Natural Antimicrobials In Milk, Stacey L. O'Donnell

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Worksite Weight Loss Intervention Utilizing Monetary Incentives And Contingency Management For Overweight And Obese Employees At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes, Santina A. Galbo

Master's Theses

Abstract:

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a financial incentive on weight loss and diabetes risk score (DRS) following a tailored National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) weight loss intervention among adults who are overweight/obese and who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. An additional aim to evaluate changes in weight loss self-efficacy (WLSE), exercise self-efficacy (ESE), healthy eating score (HES) and movement through the stages of change (SOC) from pre to post intervention.

Design: Four long-term care facilities, from one corporation, were randomly assigned to either an Incentivized Program (IP) or a Non-Incentivized Program (NIP). …

Effects Of Disinfectants And Anti-Browning Agents On The Shelf-Life Of Cauliflower Florets, Joel David Harris

Master's Theses

Currently, when cauliflower florets are packed in a MA package, they can last 8 to 10 days at 7.2ºC. The goal of this research was to develop a prepackaging methodology that could extend shelf-life of cauliflower florets to at least 14 days at 7.2ºC. Various methodologies were used to treat the cauliflower florets, utilizing six GRAS (generally recognized as safe) chemicals and included various combinations, concentrations, and contact times. Chemicals included gaseous ozone, calcium chloride, citric acid, ascorbic acid, chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite. The combination of 250 ppm ascorbic acid and 500 ppm citric acid pre-wash (30 seconds) and …

Supporting School Wellness Policices Through Game On! Implementation In 13 High-Need Connecticut Schools, Sarah M. Bourque

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Overweight And Obesity In Health Care Workers In Relation To Musculoskeletal Conditions And Weight Loss, Jessica Lynn Ehrentraut

Master's Theses

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most prevalent occupational injuries in nursing home employees. Most of the research and interventions in the past 30 years have focused on teaching and training nursing home staff proper lifting and body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury. The weight of the nursing home staff and patients have increased dramatically in recent years parallel to the significant growth of adiposity in the general population with two out of three adults overweight, and one of four obese (Body mass index (BMI) > 30). This puts the staff at even higher risk for MSD injuries due to …

Aronia Mitschurinii: Solving A Horticultural Enigma, Peter J. Leonard

Master's Theses

Aronia (Medik.), commonly known as chokeberry, is a taxonomically misunderstood genus currently experiencing a renaissance in North America as both an ornamental and fruit crop. Three species of chokeberry are commonly accepted as native in North America: A. arbutifolia (L.) Pers. red chokeberry; A. melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot, black chokeberry; and A. prunifolia (Marshall) Rehder, or purple chokeberry. In Europe a fourth species of human origin is recognized as Aronia mitschurinii (A.K.Skvortsov & Maitul.), or cultivated, black-fruited Aronia. It is widely speculated that this genotype originated in the early 20^th century with Russian pomologist Ivan Michurin, as the product …

The Influence Of Resistance Training On Primary Hemostatic Responses, Brent C. Creighton

Master's Theses

Objective: The rise in casualties of acute cardio vascular disease has increased the investigation of potential ways to combat these problems. Long term resistance training has been viewed as one possible approach in helping to reduce the hyperaggragability of platelets following acute strenuous exercise. The present investigation was designed to explore the effects of an acute resistance exercise test (AERET) and recovery on the primary hemostatic system in both resistance trained and untrained individuals.Methods: Ten resistance trained (RT) (Age, 26.0 ± 1.42 yr; Height, 175.12 ± 2.7 cm; Weight, 79.56 ± 4.29 kg) and ten untrained individuals UT (Age, …

Hedonic Price Analysis Of Cool Climate Wines In Selected Regions, Jennifer Leigh Ritchie

Master's Theses

Many economists have estimated hedonic price models for wine. The price of wine is thought to represent the various characteristics that differentiate each bottle, assuming that the majority of consumers use price as a signal of quality. The objective of this paper is to identify and examine what factors impact cool climate wine varietals by region based on various attributes. It uses two datasets, one from the Wine Spectator and the other from Beverages and More, an outlet of a liquor store chain in San Luis Obispo, California. The analysis aims to determine which variables impact the price of …

A Formative Evaluation For A Food Choices Intervention In A Mississippi Delta Community: A Focus Group Of Rural African American Adolescents, Jovan Chantrell Eugene Williams

Master's Theses

A needs assessment should be conducted to plan effective interventions. This study used a qualitative research approach to examine the eating patterns, food purchasing and preparation skills and practices, barriers and facilitators of dietary change, social and contextual influences on food choices, and preferences for communication and presentation channels and styles of low-income rural African American adolescents. Seven focus groups were conducted with a total of 33 participants, 21 girls and 12 boys, aged 13-18. Adolescents were grouped by age and gender. A moderator, who was trained in focus group methodology, conducted the session using a focus group discussion guide …

Influence Of Vineyard Floor Management Practices On Soil Aggregate Stability, Total Soil Carbon And Grapevine Yield, Kimberly Ellen Adams

Master's Theses

Soil aggregates provide pore spaces of various sizes supplying water, gases and nutrients to plant roots and microorganisms, and facilitate moisture retention and availability. Soil aggregate stability is indicative of soil biological and structural health, and is increased by soil carbon derived from plant roots and the soil microbial biomass. Aggregate stability and soil carbon can be enhanced by increasing organic matter through compost additions or by planting cover crops. Additionally, aggregate stability is enhanced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that form a symbiotic association with plant roots, and consolidate soil particles into aggregates through hyphal networks and through the …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Effects Of Dragon Boating On The Psychosocial Well-Being Of Female Cancer Survivors, Clara Therese Louise Vanherweg

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the effects of dragon boat participation on the psychosocial well-being of female cancer survivors over time and compared with the population-based norms. Nine female cancer survivors belonging to the dragon boat team, SurvivOars, participated in the initial measurement process. The measurement packet was 21 page compilation of psychosocial questionnaires capturing demographics, quality of life, moods, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, self-esteem, self-efficacy, social support, physical activity levels, body image, and sedentary behaviors. After 8 weeks, 8 subjects completed the same follow-up questionnaire to assess changes in psychosocial variables over time. Scores were …

Antecedents And Continuity Of Compliance In Preschoolers, Lauren Gindin

Master's Theses

Self-regulation, and compliance behavior specifically, has been implicated in the development of successful socialization. Difficulty self-regulating has led to negative outcomes in areas such as academic success and mental health, and a number of possible contributors, such as temperament, maternal sensitivity and attachment, have been identified. In this study, we examined these possible predictors of preschool compliance behavior through causal modeling utilizing a large and diverse longitudinal dataset from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. We aimed to predict compliance and delay of gratification performance in children across 2, 3 and 4.5 years of age by …

Effects Of Milk Processing On The Milk Fat Globule Membrane Constituents, Xiomara E. Elías-Argote

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Effects of Milk Processing on the Milk Fat Globule Membrane Constituents

Xiomara E. Elías-Argote

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is avidly studied by many groups of scientists around the world due to its unprecedented nutritional and functional properties; however, limited research has been performed on the effects of milk processing on the chemical changes of the MFGM. Thus, this study highlights the changes that lipids and proteins undergo from the time milk leaves cow’s udders. Cooling (4 °C) was included along with subsequent pasteurization by different traditional thermal processes and cold pasteurization by pulse light ultra violet treatment. …

Evaluation Of Vacuum Packaging On The Physical Properties, Solubility, And Storage Space Of Dairy Powders, Hadi Eshpari

Master's Theses

As many of the dairy powders manufactured have to travel long distances to reach their customers, both domestically and internationally, there is considerable interest among dairy powder manufacturers to maintain the quality of their products for relatively long storage periods. Dairy powders can have a long shelf life if packaged and stored properly. Vacuum packaging can be an attractive packaging strategy to maintain the quality of dairy powders and provide added value by improving the efficiency of using the storage space; because of the inherent compactness of these products. Vacuum packaged dry dairy ingredients may also have added ease of …