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L1 Adaptive Control Of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Dynamic Constraints: As Applied To Commercial Aircraft Engines, Jennifer Hacker

Master's Theses

L1 adaptive control for a turbofan commercial aircraft engine is developed and applied in the presences of constraint limits. Turbofan engines are a highly complex system, with a wide variety of dynamics, operating under constantly changing environmental conditions. In aircraft turbofan operation many constraint requirements must be met. When constraints, such as rotor speeds, pressures, and temperatures, exceed the prescribed limits it can decrease the life expectancy of the engine, cause component failure, or even total engine failure. Additionally stall, also known as compressor surge, which occurs when the compressor is unable to work against incoming air resulting in flow …

Compost Tea And Milk To Suppress Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera Xanthii) On Pumpkins And Evaluation Of Horticultural Pots Made From Recyclable Fibers Under Field Conditions, Matthew Debacco

Master's Theses

Powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera xanthii) a common problem for vegetable growers, and the cost of controlling the disease with fungicides to the growers and the environment is high. An alternative approach for control using methods approved for organic production are sprays based on teas made from compost, both actively aerated (ACT) and non-aerated (NCT) compost teas, and sprays made from diluted milk. We evaluated these sprays for control of powdery mildew on pumpkins in field trials in Connecticut in 2008 and 2009, and in greenhouse trials in 2009. We also evaluated the compost teas and milk in the greenhouse …

Optimization Of Culture Conditions For Equine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Their Differentiation Into Osteoblasts, Elizabeth R. Ackell

Master's Theses

The horse industry is a multibillion dollar industry where the health of the animals is of great focus for horse owners.  Bone fractures are an aspect of equine health failure that is continually catastrophic and often fatal.  In addition to discussing fracture, this review will outline the process by which bone tissue is regularly maintained and self-healed.  Also, traditional methods of healing fractures that have limited use and success will be discussed.  The lack of success that is common with the traditional methods has led to the need for additional research to identify more successful and economical ways of healing …

Team Physicians’ Practice Beliefs Regarding The Recognition And Treatment Of Exertional Heat Stroke, Lindsey Mcdowell

Master's Theses

Recognition and Treatment of Exertional Heat Stroke: A Perspective from the Team Physician

McDowell LH, Mazerolle SM, Casa DJ, Pagnotta KD, Armstrong LE: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Context: Rectal temperature assessment (T_re) and cold-water immersion (CWI) are the gold standards for the recognition and treatment of exertional heat stroke (EHS), but athletic trainers (ATs) are reluctant to implement them regularly into clinical practice. ATs work under the guidance of a physician, but little information is available regarding the perceptions of the aforementioned methods from the team physician’s perspective. Objective: To investigate team physicians’ practice beliefs regarding the …

Changes In Simulated 2,000 Meter Rowing Performance During 4 Years Of Intercollegiate Women’S Rowing, Katherine R. Les

Master's Theses

This study examined the performance gains in annual simulated 2,000 meter (2K) rowing tests of female collegiate rowers over their four years of collegiate-level training and competition.  Data compiled over 14 years on 47 well-trained, collegiate female rowers were used.  Subjects’ PR (personal record) 2K scores for each of their four years with the University team were analyzed.  Results showed significant differences between both Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 2 to Year 3 2K PR scores.  The greatest change in 2K scores occurred between Year 1 and Year 2.  No significant differences were seen between Year 3 and …

The Effect Of Total Work Performed During Acute Heavy Resistance Exercise On Circulating Lymphocytes In Untrained Men, Neil A. Kelly Jr

Master's Theses

Lymphocytes are one of many leukocytes which exert a biphasic response to acute intense resistance exercise. Exercise volume (i.e. total work) has been shown to have an immunomodulatory effect. This study evaluates the effect of total work performed during an intense resistance exercise protocol on lymphocyte concentrations in the circulation. Untrained, college-aged (18-35) males who performed high amounts of work (HW) were compared to those who performed low amounts of work (LW). Resistance exercise testing consisted of 6 sets of 10 repetitions of the squat exercise with 2 minutes rest between sets. Both HW and LW performed the same relative …

Validity And Reliability Of The Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire Among Healthy Adults, Kathleen Simpson

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive Analysis Of Effluent Organic Matter From Five Wastewater Treatment Plants In Connecticut And Comparison To Natural Organic Matter, Matthew L. Quaranta

Master's Theses

Natural organic matter is an important driver of biotic and abiotic processes in aquatic environments. Wastewater treatment plants discharge a substantial amount of organic matter into the environment; however effluent organic matter has not been well studied. In this study, traditional organic geochemical techniques were applied to characterize effluent organic matter. Effluent organic matter was isolated by DAX8 (hydrophobic fraction) and XAD4 (transphilic fraction) Amberlite resins. Extraction efficiencies of effluent organic matter by DAX8 resins ranged from 18 to 42 percent as a result of larger content of hydrophilic organic matter than natural organic matter. Average organic matter molecular weights …

Distance Judgments For Joint Action: The Perceptual Consequences Of Anticipated Coordination, Benjamin R. Meagher

Master's Theses

Recent perception research has revealed that judgments of distance are influenced by the energetic cost required to perform particular actions, such as walking, across these distances (Proffitt, 2006b). However, this prior research has focused almost exclusively on the perceptual consequences of solo action, despite the fact that individuals regularly become embedded within social units for the purpose of joint action (Richardson, Marsh, & Schmidt, 2005). In two experiments, the current work sought to test the hypothesis that forming a social unit creates a new perception-action system with distinct perceptual attunement of the environment scaled to the unit’s action-potential. Participants, accompanied …

Prevalence Risk For Engaging In Unhealthy Behaviors In Connecticut Adolescents Experiencing Inadequate Sleep Or Low Parental Support, Celeste F. Jorge

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Implementation Of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound As A Tool To Apply Physical Load To Scaffolds And Bone Cells For Fracture Repair, Scott Frazee

Master's Theses

One current challenge in treating bone fractures is the effective treatment of non-unions and delayed unions. Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) has been approved by the FDA to treat fresh fractures since 1994 and non-unions since 2000 and is an attractive treatment option because it is non-invasive. The mechanism by which it works, however, is not well understood; what is known is largely confined to the resultant changes in chemical output of cells. In this thesis several concepts and techniques were brought together to investigate the following hypothesis: LIPUS produces a measurable physical load that results in measurable deformation and …

Examining Influences On Undergraduate Athletic Training Students Career Decisions Post Graduation, Kerri E. Gavin

Master's Theses

Context: Career opportunities for athletic training students (ATSs) have significantly increased over the past few years. However, it commonly appears that ATSs are opting for a more diversified professional experience after graduation. With the diversity in available options, an understanding of career decision is imperative. Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate, using the theoretical framework of socialization, the influential factors behind the post graduation decisions of the senior ATS. Design: Qualitative design using internet-based, structured interviews and follow-up semi-structured phone interviews. Setting: Web-based management system. Patients or Other Participants: 22 ATSs (16 females; 6 males), who graduated …

Comparison Of An Ultrasonic And A Non-Ultrasonic Endodontic Irrigation Protocol: A Clinical Study, Christopher M. Beus

Master's Theses

The use of irrigation as a method of rendering canals bacteria free continues to be a source of investigation. Recent data suggests that an activated irrigation protocol such as passive ultrasonic irrigation can result in decreased intracanal bacteria. In addition, studies have shown that the activation of various irrigants such as NaOCl and Chlorhexidine can increase the sum antimicrobial effect. The purpose of this randomized, double blinded, prospective in-vivo clinical study was to compare the results of a non-activated irrigation protocol (NAI) using only NaOCl 1.5% to a passive ultrasonic irrigation protocol (PUI) using NaOCl 1.5%, EDTA 17% and Chlorhexidine …

Individual & Combined Effects Of Hyperthermia, Dehydration & Fatigue Balance, Megan M. Vansumeren

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Individual and Combined Effects of Hyperthermia, Dehydration and Fatigue on Balance. Megan M. VanSumeren, University of Connecticut

Purpose: The purpose of this controlled, randomized laboratory study was to determine the effect of hyperthermia, dehydration and fatigue as both combined and individual factors on balance performance as tested with three separate balance assessment tools.

Methods: 12 healthy male subjects (20±2 yrs old, 181.83±7.53cm , 74.09±8.43kg) completed four trials in a randomized order. The four trials were Normothermic, Hydrated (HyN), Normothermic Dehydrated (DehyN), Hyperthermic, Hydrated (HyHot), and Hyperthermic, Dehydrated (DehyHot). Balance was assessed using three tests; static stance, clinical tool Balance …

The Effect Of Betaine Supplementation On Performance And Muscle Mechanisms, Jenna M. Apicella

Master's Theses

Background: Recent research has shown that betaine supplementation can increase strength and power performance. To further investigate the ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation a balanced, randomized, double-blind, repeated measures crossover study was designed to examine select hormonal and muscle signaling responses during supplementation.

Methods: Twelve recreationally active men (age, 19.7 ± 1.23 years; height, 172.6 ± 5.61 cm; weight, 84.27 ± 15.3 kg; body fat, 18.7 ± 7.0%; BMI, 28.2 ± 4.0) with a minimum of 3 months of resistance training including back squat and bench press participated in the study. A within crossover design was utilized and subjects were …

Mechanistic Study Of The Small Molecule Inhibitor Dx-52-1, Junru Cui

Master's Theses

Cell migration is a basic biological process that is fundamental to several normal and disease processes such as embryonic development, tissue repair, immune function, angiogenesis and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Small organic molecules inhibiting cell migration can be used as both research probes and therapeutic agents. DX-52-1, a semisynthetic derivative of the natural product quinocarmycin (also known as quinocarcin), inhibits the migration of Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells with nanomolar concentration. We have identified galectin-3, a multifunctional protein whose best-known function is its sugar binding ability, as a secondary target of DX-52-1 with functions in cell motility. In addition, …

Modulation Of Hypoglossal Motoneurons By Nitric Oxide, Justin Philip Benoit

Master's Theses

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)- the occurrence of repetitive episodes of airway obstruction during sleep- is considered a major health problem affecting up to 9% of adults in the United States (Parish & Somers, 2004). The hypoglossal motor nucleus (HMN) controls genioglossus muscle tone and is critically important for maintaining airway patency; loss of excitatory input to the HMN during sleep results in disfacilitation of hypoglossal motoneurons, increased airway resistance and contributes to the development of OSA (Horner R. L., 2007). However, a fundamental question of sleep medicine that remains unresolved is what mechanisms help maintain airway patency during sleep? A …

Towards The Synthesis Of Alpha-Aminogalactosylceramides, Shaun C. Christian

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Discovery And Molecular Characterization Of Selenoprotein M In The Salivary Glands Of Amblyomma Maculatum, The Gulf Coast Tick, Parul Singh

Master's Theses

The Gulfcoast ticks transmit disease-causing pathogens to humans and animals. Rickettsia parkeri is notable among the pathogens transmitted by A. maculatum to humans. Heavy infestations of A. maculatum on animal ears cause them to become thickened and curled, a condition commonly called "gotch ear." The tick's multifunctional salivary glands are vital to their biological success and likely also play a critical role in transmission of disease; tick saliva contains a broad array of secretory products that facilitate prolonged tick attachment and feeding; disrupting tick blood feeding or inactivating key tick salivary proteins presents a novel strategy for tick-borne disease prevention. …

Sponges Of The Caribbean: Linking Sponge Morphology And Associated Bacterial Communities, Ericka Ann Poppell

Master's Theses

The ecological and evolutionary relationship between sponges and their symbiotic microflora remains poorly understood, which limits our ability to understand broad scale patterns in benthic-pelagic coupling on coral reefs. Previous research classified sponges into two different categories of sponge microbial associations: High Microbial Abundance (HMA) and Low Microbial Abundance (LMA) sponges. Choanocyte chamber morphology and density was characterized in representatives of HMA and LMA sponges using scanning electron microscopy from freeze-fractured tissue. Denaturing Gradient Gel Elextrophoresis was used to examine taxonomic differences among the bacterial communities present in a variety of tropical sponges. The results supported the hypothesis that choanocyte …

Blueberry Fruit Development And Splitting, Carrie Lee Witcher

Master's Theses

Rain-related splitting of blueberry fruit is a problem facing growers in the southeastern United States and causes an estimated profit loss of up to 20% ($300- $500 per acre). Studies of this phenomenon in other thin-skinned, soft, fleshy fruit showed that no single or set of related physiological or anatomical property explained splitting. Similar research on blueberry fruit was inconclusive, thus a different approach was suggested. l sampled five cultivars at various stages of development distributed across acknowledged split-resistant (SR) and split-susceptible (SS) categories including both rabbiteye and southern highbush types. Several developmental studies were completed at the light microscope …

Investigating Mechanisms Of Co-Occurrence Between Two Similar Specis Of Predaceous Diving Beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) In Temporary Aquatic Habitats, Kristopher Alexander Pitcher

Master's Theses

Predaceous diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) are a model group of organisms for testing coexistence and exclusion mechanisms because numerous species of the family interact in isolated, aquatic habitats, and are ubiquitous throughout landscapes. Two morphologically similar species, laccophilus fasciatus rufus and Laccophilus proximus, co-occur in numerous habitats in South Mississippi, but are hypothesized to have strong interspecific interactions. I investigated several possible mechanisms that may promote such coexistence, including segregation in habitat domain, differences in behavior, and differences in dispersal that may allow co-occurrence between these two species of beetle. Habitat domain and behaviors such as activity and prey consumption …

Evaluating Parenting Practices As A Mediating Factor Between Marital Conflict And Children's Adjustment, Kristin Lee Tyson

Master's Theses

A wealth of research has illustrated that negative parenting practices mediate the relation between destructive marital conflict and externalizing problems in children; however, the study of constructive marital conflict and adjustment problems in children is less developed. Research has also suggested that psychological control is related to children's behavior; however, previous research is unclear as to the specific relationship between marital conflict and children's internalizing and externalizing behavior. To address this gap, the present study examined positive and negative parenting practices and psychological control as mediators of constructive and destructive marital conflict and children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Married mothers …

Mechanisms Of Non-Enzymatic Peptide Bond Formation: Thioester And Transamidation Routes, Danielle Amie Landry

Master's Theses

The reaction mechanisms employed during non-ribosomal peptide (amide) synthesis in the non-ribosomal modular enzyme complex and in the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase were also used for spontaneous peptide (amide) synthesis in a buffered, abiotic solution. Analytical analyses revealed that spontaneous peptide (amide) bond formation occurred under mild prebiotic conditions during both the thioester-based production of phenylalanine peptides and peptidyl thioesters, and the spontaneous cyclization of glutamine t-butyl ester (Gln-tbe) into pyroglutamic acid t-butyl ester. Internal standard-based quantitative MS determined that 4.9 x 10-5 sec-1 was the rate constant for spontaneous Gln-tbe cyclization in imidazole buffer, pH 7, at 50°C, and that …

Parental Struggles With Obtaining Services For Children With Special Needs, Regina Lynn Carr

Master's Theses

This thesis is an in-depth review of the literature addressing parental struggles, attitudes, and perceptions of barriers in obtaining services for young children with special needs. Researchers, policy makers, and educators need to be aware of how families identify and report their experiences with obtaining services for their young children. Service providers for young children and families with special needs must understand the perspective of the family in order to better serve the children and families. Implementations for future research, practice, and policy changes are discussed.

The Effect Of The Chemical Composition Of Low Salinity Water On The Growth, Development, And Survival Of Cultured Juvenile Blue Crabs, Dyan Patricia Gibson

Master's Theses

Cultured juvenile blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) were held for up to 77 days and monitored for survival, growth and development in low salinity water containing various compositions of ions. ~rabs were isolated in separate containers and placed in thirty gallon aquaria containing 2ppt of ion solution. Temperature, ambient, humidity, and nitrite levels were monitored daily. Molts were measured to determine growth, and molt increments were recorded to determine rate of development. The first part of the study compared ratios of sodium chloride (NaCl) to commercial sea salt (SS) in five treatments: 100% NaCl, 100% SS, 25:75 NaCl/SS, 50:50 …

Sustainability And The Future: A Case Study On Environmental Perspectives Of The Future Generation Of Scientists, Abby Jane Davidson

Master's Theses

In the natural sciences, countless studies have sought to quantify the environmental impacts of varying anthropogenic activities and have predicted and modeled future scenarios for the natural world under the siege of human forces. Faith for the study of and action to ameliorate environmental impacts is often put in the hands of scientists. However, little research has been conducted to look at the attitudes and perceptions future scientists have towards the environment with regard to anthropogenic environmental impacts, sustainability, and the future. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to take an intensive look at one such group …

Modeling Saltmarsh Sparrow Distribution In Connecticut, Susan T. Meiman

Master's Theses

To develop a map that would predict where saltmarsh sparrows live and reproduce in Connecticut, I compared models to test a) whether field data or remote-sensing data most effectively characterized within-marsh conditions that relate to sparrow occurrence, and b) whether including landscape-level variables improved model fit.  The best sparrow presence model used a variable derived from raw spectral reflectance values associated with plots where sparrows did not occur, while the best nest presence model used a combination of vegetation structure descriptions.   A second nest model, built using high resolution remote sensing data that organized marsh characteristics into high and low …

Nitric Oxide Synthesis By Chicken Macrophages Results In Coordinated Changes Of Multiple Arginine Transporters, Michael Moulds

Master's Theses

Arginine transport is primarily mediated by the cationic amino acid transporters (CATs) in mammalian cells, but in aves the y⁺, b^0,+ and B^0,+ transport systems have also been observed. Arginine is the limiting catabolic substrate required for the production of nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive compound that acts as a signaling molecule or killing compound. NO is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by macrophages for pathogen clearance. In mammals, CAT-2B is responsible for ARG import in the macrophage for NO synthesis, but the chicken CAT-2B isoform does not transport ARG. Therefore the objective …

Angiostatin Like Peptides In Milk: Potential Development For Dairy Products Capable Of Cancer Prevention, Erin Stefanutti

Master's Theses

For the past 40 years, antiangiogenic approaches have been of major interest in the development of methods to cure and prevent cancer. Angiogenesis, the development of blood vessels from pre-existing vascularization, is essential for cancer growth and spread of metastasis through the delivery of nutrients and oxygen essential to sustain the metabolic activity of these malignant cells. Blocking access to blood will cause cancerous cells to assume a dormant state creating inactive micro-tumors innocuous to the host. Angiostatin, the internal fragment of the fibrinolytic zymogen plasminogen, has shown great potential in reducing cancer size and number of metastatic colonies in …