Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Moringa Oleifera Lam As A Dietary Supplement To Promote Immune Health: A Mouse Model, Donja S. Smith

Theses

Moringa oleifera Lam (MOL) is a tree, native to the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia and Africa. All parts are edible and because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it has many nutritional benefits. For example, many of the vitamins and minerals are known to modulate immunity, suggesting that MOL could be a good dietary supplement to boost immunity. Our lab is interested in identifying natural products that can be used to enhance immunity and health among animals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate immune modulation by Moringa using a mouse model. Two trials were …

Systemic Optimization Of Microalgae Grown On Swine Wastewater As A Biofuel Feedstock, Rifat Hasan

Theses

This research broadens the scope of research on microalgae grown on swine wastewater as it offers a combination of wastewater treatment and biofuel production. Swine wastewater is an enriched source of phosphorus, nitrogen and other organic compounds that are necessary for the growth of microalgae. While growing in swine wastewater, algae consume the nutrients from the wastewater, so there is no need of arable land for their growth. Current biofuel production relies on limited arable lands to supply feedstock making it impossible to meet the global biofuel demands without disrupting food production. Algae can potentially produce 1,000-4,000 gallons of oil/acre/yr …

Prophage Proximities To Cell Boundary Genes And Other Functional Categories In Escherichia Coli Genomes, Corey D. Young

Theses

Changes in bacterial genomes due to the integration of prophages have been proposed to be part of a symbiotic relationship. Prophage activity is common for bacterial pathogens in the fluctuating environment of animal hosts. Pathogenic bacteria have been found to have extensive variation of their bacterial cell boundary zone of components, which is the inherent interface for virulence properties of antigenicity, toxicity, and resistance. Prophages are a source of this variation, both through insertion of cargo genes via prophages into bacterial strains, and additional effects due to prophage insertions affecting the overall genomic structure. The latter scenario of genomic reorganization …

Are We Sick Yet: Assessing Consumer Mortality From Food Contamination In Multiple Distribution Channels, Raquel T. Teasley

Theses

According to the Center for Disease Control approximately 48 million people get sick from food-borne illnesses per year. In 2011, about 80% of illnesses were triggered by unspecified agents transmitted through food. Food contaminations put customers at risk and can be detrimental to the economy since customers rely on the fact that the food system is reliable and resilient. This research aims to compare the vulnerabilities of three food supply chain distribution channels: food retail, food service and food manufacturing. Distribution channels are the last nodes in the supply chain and they dictate how many people interact with contaminated products. …

Hemocompatibility Of Magnesium Alloys, Nevija A. Watson

Theses

There are over 15 million people living in the United States with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard treatment for CVD is stent angioplasty, traditionally bare metal stents have been used for this procedure however they are permanent and can lead to in-stent restenosis. Biodegradable bare metal stents are a suggested solution to this problem because they will degrade over time. Magnesium alloys are the most clinically advanced materials for biodegradable bare metal stents. They have been tested in various clinical trials with promising biocompatibility results; however materials degrade before full healing has occurred. The alloying of magnesium with elements such …

Evaluation Of Fc Receptor Genes In Bovine Neutrophils, Jamie S. Williams

Theses

Receptors for the Fc portion of IgG, Fc receptors (FcR) are found on immune cells and contribute to protective functions of the immune system. The FcγRs (I, II and sub isoforms) bind specifically to IgG molecules and are important due to stimulating effector cells to destroy pathogens by phagocytosis and intracellular killing. The SYK kinase is critical for FcγR mediated phagocytosis and signal transduction in cells. Neutrophils contain a heterogeneous population of FcR. The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variation and the impact of IgG binding on transcription of FcγR and secreted levels of phosphorylated Syk between …

A Study Of Cytocompatibility And Biodegradability Of Az31 Magnesium Alloy In Simulated Airway Surface Lining Fluid, Daniel R. Owuor

Theses

The nature of magnesium alloys to degrade is attributed to the high oxidative corrosion rates which are attractive for a biodegradable medical implant since they will avoid a removal surgery by gradually degrading and being absorbed by the body. In this thesis project, the biocorrosion characteristics of AZ31 Mg alloy are investigated in a simulated physiological solution mimicking the airway surface lining fluid. Particular attention was focused on the effect of carbonate ions present in the solution and porcine stomach mucin added to the test solution to create an in vitro model of the epithelial mucus surfaces mimicking the epithelial …

Comparative Study Of Sheep And Goat Innate Immune Responses On Pasture, Randall Merriott

Theses

The objective of this study was to evaluate the innate immune response in goats co-grazed with St. Croix sheep. Boer goats (20) and St. Croix sheep (10) were co-grazed on the same pasture. A second group of Boer goats (10) were grazed on a separate pasture. On days 0 and 56 of the study body weights, FAMACHA© scores, blood (for packed cell volume and white blood cell differentials) and fecal samples (for fecal egg counts) were collected and the data analyzed using SAS PROC GLM. To evaluate the goat’s infection status blood from sheep and goats with low infection (7) …

Effect Of Soil And Irrigation Water On Microbial Quality Of Fresh Produce Grown In North Carolina, Tracie Davis

Theses

Foodborne outbreaks involving Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, and E. coli O157:H7 from contaminated fresh produce have been increasingly recognized all over the world. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of irrigation water and soil on microbial quality of leafy greens and tomatoes grown in different parts of North Carolina (NC). Soil and water samples were collected from 4 small farms located in NC and inoculated onto selective media (TSA for total aerobic count, XLT4 for Salmonella spp. (SS), and MacConkey for total E. coli species, EC). All plates were incubated for 48 hours at 37°C. Following …

Investigation Of Drinking Water/Beverage Contaminants Within The Beverage Industry, Elizabeth Hobbs

Theses

The impact of water resource quality has influenced the community worldwide. It is an on-going target for water suppliers to produce suitable drinking water and the beverage industry to provide suitable water for the production of beverages. This diligence will ensure the consumer is provided with a product safe for consumption. The research and analytical techniques explored in this thesis may be of benefit to the beverage industry for the monitoring of inorganic contaminants present in water and carbonated soft drinks. The occurrence of certain contaminants in drinking water has become a major issue in the water industry in recent …

Response Of Clostridium Pasteurianum Atcc 6013 To The Presence Of Solvents For Extractive Butanol Fermentation, Mar Piernavieja Hermida

Theses

Butanol is of particular interest as a renewable biofuel. This research investigated the butanol extraction by converting purified glycerol into butanol using C. pasteurianum. The effects of three organic extractive reagents were studied to assess their use in extractive fermentation of butanol. High toxicity was shown by octanol, inhibiting cell growth. Oleyl alcohol not only appeared to be non-toxic but also yielded high butanol concentrations. Methyl oleate seemed to be corrosive to the flasks used in the fermentation process. The maximum butanol yield produced using oleyl alcohol as extractive solvent was 0.436 g/g; this value was higher than any other …

A Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectral Analysis Of Aromatic Medicinal Plants From Tajikistan, Hanjing Zhang

Theses

Tajikistan is a small country located in central Asia which is rich in Aromatic medicinal plants. A large number of locally available plants species are used in the preparation of traditional medicines. However, research on essential oils of medicinal and aromatic plants from Tajikistan is still limited, and only a small number of species have been investigated. In coordination with a chemist from Tajik Academy of Sciences in Dushanbe, six aromatic medicinal plants were collected and their essential oils were extracted for analysis. The targeted plants are Bunium persicum B. Fedtsch., Anethum graveolens L., Galagania frangrantissima Lipsky, Melissa officinalis L., …

Development Of An Enzymatic Assay For Nitrification Inhibitors, Christopher A. James

Theses

According to the United Nations, the world population reached the 7 billion mark in 2011 and is anticipated to climb to 8 billion by 2025. All of these people need food, but many do not get enough. To resolve this critical issue, there is a great need to increase food production. The use of fertilizers is one of the more feasible ways to achieve this; however, nitrogen efficiency is notoriously low, with nitrification--the conversion of ammonium to nitrate--being one reason. Nitrification occurs naturally in the soil; and, once nitrate is formed, the probability for losses increases greatly. Among these losses …

Hypersonic Missile Control In Terminal Mode Using Continuous Higher Order Sliding Mode Control Driven By Disturbance Observer, Polk Yu

Theses

The objective of this thesis investigate terminal phase optimal trajectory control of a hypersonic missile through the use of a higher order sliding mode control technique. The higher order sliding mode control algorithm considered utilizes a continuous finite time convergent controller that is driven by a higher order siding mode disturbance observer. The proposed higher order sliding mode control technique has been validated via simulations and demonstrated high robustness and accuracy of the output tracking in the presence of the matched and unmatched external disturbances and the missile model uncertainties.

The Synthesis And Characterization Of 3-Nitro-2-Styrenyl Benzoic Acid Amide Derivatives As Potential Cancer Chemopreventives, Brittany Lynn Nichols

Theses

Chemopreventives are natural or synthetic compounds that are used to stop or reverse the processes of carcinogenesis or tumorigenesis. Resveratrol (3, 5, 4’-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a stilbenoid and natural phenol that is found in fruits such as grapes. In addition to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol can inhibit D-type cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase CDK4 expression. This can also lead to inducing tumor suppressors p53 and Cdk inhibitor p21. The p53 protein is encoded by the TP53 gene and responds to cellular stresses by regulating target genes that induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA repair among other functions. 3-nitro-2-styryl amide derivatives …

Innovative Uses Of Recycled And Waste Materials In Construction Application, Iv Johnny Bolden

Theses

More production equals more waste, more waste creates environmental concerns of toxic threat. An economical viable solution to this problem should include utilization of waste materials for new products and one that minimizes the heavy burden on the nation's landfills. The importance of recycling is huge because it saves natural resources, saves energy, reduces solid waste, reduces air and water pollutants, and reduces greenhouse gases. The construction industry can start being aware of and take advantage of the benefits of using waste and recycled materials. Studies have investigated the use of acceptable waste, recycled, and reusable materials and methods. The …

Effects Of Phase Feeding Different Levels Of Fungus Myceliated Grain On Broiler Performance And Health, Joi N. Jackson

Theses

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phase feeding a combination of 3 different medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus) via Fungus Myceliated Grain (FMG) on broiler performance and health after natural and experimental exposure to field strains of Eimeria. A total of 300, day-of-hatch, female broiler chickens were weighed and randomly assigned into the following dietary treatment conditions: 1) 1 % starter, 2) 1 % grower, 3) 1 % starter-grower-finisher, 4) 5% starter, 5) 5% grower, 6) 5% starter grower-finisher, 7) 10% starter, 8) 10% grower and 9) 10% starter-grower-finisher. Each treatment was replicated 3 …

Utilisation Of Spent Dairy Yeast Kluyveromyces Marxianus For The Production Of Flavoured Yeast Extracts., Brendan Mccarra

Theses

Spent dairy yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus (SDYK), a by-product of whey to ethanol fermentations, was investigated as a natural biomass source for the production of alternative flavoured yeast extracts. SDYK which was characterised by a high protein content (55.3% (w/w) ± 0.8) and comparable levels of flavor enhancing amino acids to that of S. cerevisiae was prepared for induced autolysis at different pH values in the presence of inductors sodium chloride and the proteolytic enzyme papain. An induced autolysis process was developed for the production of flavoured yeast extracts in which pH and autolytic treatment applied were found to have a …

Improving Usability: Evaluating The Effect Of Changing Environmental Factors On Cognitive Load, Robin J. Deegan

Theses

Mobile devices are now truly ubiquitous. Their pervasiveness in all facets of our lives brings many advantages. Principle to these advantages is the notion that mobile devices can be used “Anytime, Anywhere”. The size, portability, battery life and computational power of mobile devices mean that they can be used for a diverse range of uses in an equally diverse range of environments.

Usability is primarily concerned with “ease of use” and “learnability”. Mobile devices are challenging this notion of Usability as they are used in new ways. Firstly mobile devices arc used in complex distracting environments and these distractions interfere …

Connecting Inwardly To Beethoven: Ted Hughes And The Role Of The Artist As Quest Hero, David Charles Heldsinger

Theses

Ted Hughes served as English Poet Laureate from 1984 until his death in 1998. In an insightful interview in 1970, Hughes said he connected ‘inwardly’¹ to William Blake and Ludwig van Beethoven and that if he ‘could dig to the bottom’ of his ‘strata, maybe their names and works would be the deepest traces’.² Blake and Beethoven lived and worked at a pivotal moment in history as the Romantic Movement emerged in the late 18th century. This Movement has had a significant and long lasting effect on art, culture, philosophy and politics. Shortly before his death, Hughes reiterated …

Contemplative Reflections, Amy Vena

Theses

The collection of artworks encapsulated in the series of paintings, Contemplative Reflections, was completed for the M.F.A. thesis in the Fine Arts Studio program at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The artworks were influenced by similar concerns voiced by many of the romantic thinkers. Two essential components of this document are an investigation of theoretical consciousness, and the application of contemporary visual expression. Derived from romantic ideologies, the Hudson River school and the tonalist movement are often referred to in this document. Artists like Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole and Ralph Albert Blakelock are acknowledged for their representation and admiration …

How The Use Of Social Media As A Public Relations Tactic Has Aided Animal Rescue Organisations In Raising Awareness Of Their Cause, Carole Hennessy

Theses

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the non-profit sector, in particular animal welfare organisations and how social media can be used as a Public Relations tactic which in turn enables them to raise awareness of their cause.

A qualitative research design was deemed the most suitable by the researcher. Semi-structured interviews and a content analysis in the form of a netnographic analysis of the chosen non-profit organisations Facebook pages were used to collect the primary data. Interviewees were chosen on the basis they had knowledge, experience and exposure in their area.

Research findings indicate that social media …

Identification And Characterisation Of Campylobacter Ureolyticus: A New And Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen, Susan Bullman

Theses

Campylobacter jejuni is universally recognized as the leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis. However, within recent years a growing number of non- jejuni/coli Campylobacter species have been acknowledged as emerging human and animal pathogens. Advances in molecular diagnostics and development of pioneering culture methodologies have led to the detection of a range of under-appreciated and nutritionally fastidious Campylobacter species, including C. ureolyticus. Herein, we provide the first report of C ureolyticus in the faeces of patients presenting with gastroenteritis and suggest a role for this organism as an emerging enteric pathogen.

Employing a two-tiered molecular study, we report C. ureolyticus …

Development Of A Recombinant Lactobacillus Salivarius For Prophylactic Applications Against Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis And Johne’S Disease, Christopher Johnston

Theses

Current whole-cell vaccines against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the etiological agent of Johne’s disease, are unable to provide complete protection against infection. Moreover, such whole-cell formulations interfere with diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis). The development of subunit vaccines, those which are preferentially based on one, or a select few, immunodominant protective antigens is considered as the realistic next step in overcoming these issues. The (MAP) K-10 genome is a single circular chromosome of 4,829,781 base pairs and encodes 4,350 predicted ORFs. In order to identify MAP specific proteins for subsequent incorporation within a mucosal based vaccine development, a …

Evaluation, Adaptation And Validation Of A Model To Predict Grass Growth In Ireland, Christina Hurtado Uria

Theses

Budgeting grass supply allows producers to minimise the quantity of purchased feed required in the diet of grazing livestock. One tool for managing grass supply could be a mathematical model that can simulate grass growth. The development of such a model would allow better management around the variability of feed supply and help identify feed surpluses and deficits, and therefore increase the accuracy of management decisions. This would be a key feature of profitable milk and meat production systems in the future which will be hugely important as global food demand increases due to population growth. It is forecasted that …

Exploitation Of The Bacteriophage-Derived Peptidase Chapk, Pierre-Mehdi Hadbi

Theses

This project investigated an anti-staphylococcal bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolase enzyme, namely a cysteine-histidine amydohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP_k). The study focused firstly on optimizing the production of recombinant CHAP_k, which was previously cloned in an E. coli expression system, and sets out the resulting optimal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for production, purification and determination of concentration and activity of the resulting protein stock. A typical yield resulting from the investigation was 300pg of CHAP_k from one litre of E.coli culture. The activity of the purified enzyme was typically in the region of 190U nmol ’. Secondly, the project investigated …

Historical Remedies Versus Current Pathogens : Laboratory Investigation Of The Efficacy Of Traditional Herbal Remedies Against Present-Day Common Causes Of Bacterial Pneumonia, Eibhlin Mccarthy

Theses

Despite the medical advances of recent years, pneumonia is still a common disease in Ireland, accounting for approximately 7% of deaths in this country'. While national databases such as those run by CIDR and SARI ensure that incidences of systemic and notifiable infections such as tuberculosis are recorded, there are currently no available statistics on commonplace respiratory isolates within Ireland. This study analysed the available data on bacterial pathogens isolated from respiratory samples at a 355 bed Irish hospital over a one year period. Seasonal variations and resistance patterns were noted. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (27%), …

Studies Toward The Total Synthesis Of Eletefine, Kyle Rugg

Theses

Eletefine is a natural product of the stephaoxocane family of alkaloids. It possesses an isoquinoline moiety functionalized with three methoxy groups forming an electron rich aromatic system. Eletefine also possesses a ten-membered ring with a novel bridged vinyl ether functionality, and a remote chiral alcohol, making it a conspicuous and desirable target for the synthetic organic chemist. The plant from which eletefine was first isolated (Cissampelos glaberrima) has been used in traditional medicine for the relief of symptoms from urinary tract infections and asthma. The proposed synthesis of eletefine is a convergent route which features a Sonogashira coupling and a …

Under A Pale Grey Sky: An Interactive Timeline Of Iroquoian Warfare And Its Impact On The Acceleration Of American Colonization, Thomas Weaver

Theses

Early American settlers thought the Iroquois to be a violent, forceful and barbaric amalgamation of Native American Nations. Their organization of warfare, community, and politics allowed them to remain one of the most powerful nations for many years. Conflict with other tribes was a normal part of life for the Iroquois and the surrounding nations. However, as the American settlers began moving towards the frontier, Iroquois conflicts with the Algonquian begin to rise in frequency. This led to weakening of the Iroquois population and allowed the American settlers to usurp land from the Six Nations without considerable opposition.

Cuddlefish, Rebekah Gamin

Theses

"Cuddlefish" is an animated graduate thesis film about a young girl who befriends a giant squid. The story contains themes of rejection, hopefulness, and forgiveness. The film's protagonist, a young girl, ambles alone down a busy boardwalk at dusk. She meets a giant squid who is also in need of companionship, and they become friends. However, it's difficult to be friends with a squid. The film was produced primarily in Autodesk Maya with post-production done in Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere. The film has a runtime of three and a half minutes. The protagonist and antagonist of the film, …