Digital Commons Network^™

Divergent Roles Of Pi3k And Akt In Rapamycin-Induced Cardioprotection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Shivani Kirit Desai

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death every year with nearly three-fourths of all deaths caused by the disease. The challenge scientists are facing today is discovering new drugs to protect the heart against cellular damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R injury). Rapamycin is one such drug that has been shown to protect the heart against ischemia-induced cellular injury. Rapamycin(sirolimus) inhibits protein synthesis through inhibition of the mammalian target ofrapamycin (mTOR). This property of rapamycin has led to its current clinical applications in drug-eluting stents and in immunosuppresive treatment to organ transplant patients. The mechanism …

Victims' Perspectives On The Process Of Seeking A Protective Order: Predictors Of Perceived Empowerment, Sara-Beth Plummer

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined victims' perceived sense of empowerment during the process of seeking a Preliminary Protective Order. A cross sectional survey design with stratified sampling was used to gather information from women seeking Preliminary Protective Orders in Richmond City, Virginia. During a six month period 89 women agreed to participate, for a response rate of 83 percent. In general, the sample consisted of women who identified themselves as African-American, single, with either a high school/GED degree, and/or some college education.Overall, the women found the steps during the process of seeking an Order, either easy or very easy. In general, the …

The Role Of Inhibitory Interneurons In A Model Od Developmental Epilepsy, Patrick James Wolfgang

Theses and Dissertations

Epilepsy, defined by recurrent seizures, is the one of the most prevalent neurological disorders worldwide (World Health Organization 2007). While many forms of epilepsy are well-controlled by anti-epileptogenic medications, a significant portion of patients have intractable, i.e. untreatable, seizures. The etiology of these seizures is varied, but a significant cause, particularly for patients with intractable epilepsy is developmental malformation. In these cases, an error or interruption during the development of the neocortex produces a structural alteration. Such patients may have other neurological problems, but seizures are the most common symptom. The neuronal mechanisms that link malformation and cortical hyperexcitability are …

A Comparision Of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Dependence In C57bl/6j Mice And Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Knock Out Mice, Brittany Leigh Alice Carlson

Theses and Dissertations

The idea that humans and laboratory animals can become physically dependent on marijuana or its primary psychoactive constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is gaining acceptance. However, there are no currently approved pharmacotherapies to treat cannabinoid withdrawal. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate whether elevating endogenous anandamide levels using mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme responsible for anandamide metabolism, would ameliorate THC dependence. Mice were treated subchronically with a low or high THC dosing regimen and challenged with the CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant, to precipitate withdrawal. Following subchronic THC treatment, rimonabant precipitated a significant increase in paw flutters …

Cognitive Mechanisms Of Memory Impairment Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Mark D. Whiting

Theses and Dissertations

Memory impairment is common following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In recent years, researchers have demonstrated that the processes underlying memory formation (working memory, encoding, consolidation, and retrieval) are interrelated but dissociable events.The following study was designed to determine how these processes contribute to memory impairment following experimental TBI in the rat. Experiment 1 indicated thatTBI induces severe working memory deficits in a delayed non-matching-to-place task.Although all animals displayed intact acquisition, only injured animals displayed poor performance as the delay between the sample and choice phases was increased.Experiment 2 was designed to determine if TBI produces a transient period of posttraumatic …

Beyond The Threshold: Allusions To The ÒrìsÀ In Ana Mendieta's Silueta Series, Latricia M. January

Theses and Dissertations

The Cuban-born artist Ana Mendieta (1948-1985) created the Silueta Series during the 1970s and ‘80s. It consists of earth-body works in situ featuring the silhouette of the artist's body fashioned from mud, plants, rocks, gunpowder and other materials. Underlying the creation of the Silueta Series is Mendieta's belief that the elements are sentient and powerful beings. This perception is particularly strong in the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria, a creolized form of the Òrìsà tradition of the Yoruba of West Africa introduced to the Americas during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. While scholars have noted Mendieta's incorporation of Santeria in her art, a …

Seeing It Straight, Heather Harvey

Theses and Dissertations

This Master of Fine Arts thesis is divided into four main sections:FAITH and DISBELIEF: In which I reckon with the implications of faith versus rationality as a secular nontheistic artist. IDEAS: The central locus of my work is a place of indeterminacy between what is known/familiar and what is just one step outside of that. This has nothing to do with mysticism, science fiction, or anything else unmoored from established fact. Section also touches on the particular vantage of a female artist with working class roots.THE WORK: Selection of work made during graduate school, and the the guiding thoughts behind …

Screencrayons: Using Screen Captures For Annotation And Research, Trent Alan Taufer

Theses and Dissertations

In a world full of digital information we should be able to easily collect, organize, annotate, and leverage information from many different sources. This should be easy to do and not interrupt our normal workflow. A system to support information collection and organization should be user-friendly and as unobtrusive as possible, while still allowing for flexible and intelligent annotation. It should also be able to leverage the inherent information content of a collection of annotated information. We present a system that will demonstrate how these ideas can come together to make information collection easier and more productive. The system facilitates …

Multiscale Structure-Function Relations Of A Tendon, Lakiesha Nicole Williams

Theses and Dissertations

In 1998, the United States National Committee on Biomechanics (USNCB) established an evolving discipline called Functional Tissue Engineering (FTE). In establishing this discipline, the goals of the USNCB were to advance FTE by increasing awareness among tissue engineers about the importance of restoring function when engineering tissue constructs. Another goal was to encourage tissue engineers to incorporate these functional criteria in the design, manufacturing and optimization of tissue engineered constructs. Based on this motivation, an investigation of the structure and mechanical properties of the rabbit patellar tendon will be executed, with the ultimate goal of creating a multiscale soft tissue …

Single-Step Treatment Of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Via Zero-Valent Metal Reduction And Chemical Oxidation, J. Mathew Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Many nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are considered toxic and potential carcinogens. The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated reductive/oxidative process for treating NAC contaminated waters. The process consists of the combination of zero-valent manganese or iron and a hydroxyl radical based treatment technique. Corrosion promoters were added to the contaminated water to minimize passivation of the metallic species. Water contaminated with 2,4-dinitrotoluen (DNT) was treated with the integrated process using a recirculating batch reactor. It was demonstrated that addition of corrosion promoters to the contaminated water enhanced the rate of reaction of 2,4-DNT with zero-valent iron or manganese. …

Micro-Chp Modeling And Simulation Using Thermodynamic Cycles, Alan Mark Moran

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the thermoeconomic modeling and simulation of micro-CHP systems powered by various prime movers. Micro Cooling, Heating, and Power (micro-CHP) is becoming an increasingly important energy option as the demand for electrical power as well as heating and cooling for buildings increases worldwide. Micro-CHP has the potential to increase the total energy efficiency for cooling, heating, and powering residences, offices, and other relatively small buildings by using waste thermal energy from electricity production to deliver heating and cooling. Calculation methodologies are presented for the different components of micro CHP systems using thermodynamic cycles and mass and energy balances. …

Bacterial Source Tracking Of A Watershed Impacted By Cattle Pastures, Celina Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Pathogenic microorganisms introduced by cattle may be transported to distant locations via watershed runoff. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. are a few species present in runoff from land impacted by humans, cattle, and wildlife. Initial data reveals that E. coli concentrations in water are greater in areas impacted by cattle than by humans. And, wildlife contributes greater concentration fluctuations than either humans or cattle. When cattle are removed from a pasture, the bacterial concentrations rapidly decrease; however, slight variations in cattle herd size do not appear to significantly influence these counts. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and repeated-sequence …

Angiotensin Ii Mediated Regulation Of Signal Transduction In Metabolic Syndrome And Cancer, Ravindra Bharatrao Kolhe

Theses and Dissertations

Patients suffering from hypertension often develop non-Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), a condition caused by Insulin resistance. Though these patients have normal Insulin receptor (IR) and high levels of Insulin in blood, they fail to have IR-mediated signaling essential for glucose uptake and availability. NIDDM usually begins as insulin resistance, a condition in which Insulin Receptor (IR)-mediated signaling that leads to glucose uptake and glucose availability to cells is inhibited even in the presence of high levels of Insulin in blood. Mechanisms for the development of this Insulin resistance in patients suffering from hypertension are unclear. Angiotensin II (Ang II) …

The Chemical And Mechanical Effects Of Binding Chitosan To Implant Quality Titanium, Holly Joy Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Biomedical implants are commonly made from commercially pure titanium and other metal alloys, which are chosen for their strength and density. To improve the stability and promote bone cell growth into the implant, efforts to bond coatings to metal have been extensively studied. Many coatings used are considered bioactive, which promote the adhesion and growth of the bone cells surrounding the implant [A.1]. Of these, the most commonly investigated coating is a ceramic called hydroxyapatite, which is brittle, leading to flaking and inadequate bone cell growth [A.2]. Alternate bioactive coatings are being examined, including chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin. …

Effects Of Vasoactive Agents On The Mechanical Properties Of Aortic Heart Valve Leaflets, Rebecca Lynn Pounders Mathis

Theses and Dissertations

Heart valve disease is currently one of the leading forms of heart disease. Current literature has shown that endothelin I, angiotension II and 5-HT are vasoactive agents which cause concentration dependent contractions in aortic valve leaflet tissue. This study tested the mechanical properties of leaflets cut in the radial direction after they were exposed to the agents at varied concentrations or for 0.5, 6 or 24 hours. The elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength and the yield strength were calculated. In the time trials the elastic modulus and the ultimate tensile strength both showed a significant increase at 24-hours. However, there …

Design Drawing In Instructional Design At Brigham Young University's Center For Instructional Design: A Case Study, S. Todd Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of design drawing in design fields such as architecture, engineering, and industrial design with its use in instructional design (ID). This study was conducted in three parts: first, a review of literature to understand the role and value design drawing plays in non-ID fields; second, a search for design drawing in the literature of ID; and third, observations of actual use of design drawing in ID in the field. For the first part, the literature of design studies was reviewed regarding design drawing. For the second part, the literature review …

The Osmotic Second Virial Coefficient As A Predictor Of Protein Stability, Kusum S. Verma

Theses and Dissertations

The number of protein containing therapeutic drugs is growing day by day. Lack of proper storage conditions can cause protein degradation or aggregation. The osmotic second virial coefficient, B22, is a thermodynamic parameter, which can predict protein interaction with other proteins and solvent molecules. B22 has been successfully used as predictor of crystallization conditions for a protein in the solution, and in this study an attempt has been made to relate B22 as a predictor of stability of the protein. Static light scattering was used to measure B22 in our studies. B22 and the solubility of three proteins were measured …

The Use Of Dietary Fat Supplementation On Growth, Reproduction And Performance Characteristics Of Replacement Beef Heifers, Alecsandro Rufino Dos Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of a dietary fat supplementation on growth, reproduction and performance characteristics of replacement beef heifers reared in different management systems (pasture and dry lot conditions). The objectives were (1) to quantify changes in body composition traits and growth performance of replacement beef heifers fed different levels of fat in the supplemented diet,(2) to determine the reproductive performance of heifers supplemented with dietary fat in either a ryegrass pasture system or a dry lot system, and (3) to determine the value of real-time ultrasound technology (RTU) as an alternative technology to …

Sds-Page And Western Blotting Analyses Of Internalin A In Listeria Monocytogenes And Listeria Spp, Bang-Yuan Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Attachment strength of Listeria spp. and their InlA expression was assessed. Listeria monocytogenes 19111 exhibited the strongest attachment strength with L. monocytogenes 19115, L. grayi, L. innocua, and L. monocytogenes 7644 being the weakest. InlA expression was not detected in silver stained SDS gels but was detected in Western blotting images. Internalin A was only detected in protein extracts of L. monocytogenes 19111 and 7644 with band intensities of 50.1 and 2.5 pixels, respectively. Greater InlA expression was correlated with higher attachment strength in L. monocytogenes 19111. Listeria monocytogenes 19115 did not express InlA but it had a stronger attachment …

Development Of A Health Management Information System For The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei), Richard Brian Minnis

Theses and Dissertations

The Mountain Gorillas of Central Africa are one of the most highly endangered species in the world, with only 740 individuals surviving. One of the greatest threats to this species is disease. Health of wildlife is continually garnering more attention in the public arena due to recent outbreaks of diseases such as West Nile and High Pathogenic Avian Influenza. However, no system currently exists to facilitate the management and analysis of wildlife health data. The research conducted herein was the development and testing of a health information monitoring system for the mountain gorillas entitled Internet-supported Management Program to Assist Conservation …

Establishment Of Blackberries And Detection And Management Of Raspberry Crown Borer, Edward Heard

Theses and Dissertations

Evaluations of tactics for detection and management of raspberry crown borer, RCB, Pennisettia marginata (Harris) on blackberries were performed in Mississippi from January 2005 - July 2006. Randomized split plots with infested blackberries and certified nursery stock of two recommended cultivars, thorny ?Chickasaw? and thornless ?Apache? were planted. Pest management tactics targeting RCB included drenches: chemical insecticide bifenthrin, recently registered for RCB management; experimental pesticide E2Y45; and entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae. Insect pheromones (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-ol and (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-yl-acetate were evaluated as RCB lures. Effects of fungicides captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid, lime-sulfur and insecticide acetamiprid on viability and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematode species, …

Influence Of Food-Grade Ingredients On Offlavor Compounds In Catfish Fillets, Sovann Kin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to screen the effect of some food-grade ingredients on the off-odors caused by geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) compounds in catfish fillets by sensory evaluation. The study revealed that geosmin and MIB odor intensity were reduced to different degrees when fillets were dipped in lime flavor (94% and 67%, respectively), 0.5% acetic acid (AA) (70% and 16%, respectively), hardwood liquid smoke (98% and 86%, respectively), or hickory liquid smoke (98% and 100% respectively) in cooked products. A 0.5% AA proved to be effective in decreasing odor intensity of geosmin (70%) in cooked products, whereas lime …

Innovative Scintillating Optical Fibers For Detecting/Monitoring Gamma Radiation, Ashwini Jayaprakash

Theses and Dissertations

A scintillating optical fiber sensor of this work consists of a scintillating optical fiber, connected to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) via a conventional silica optical fiber. When a gamma ray impinges on the scintillating optical fiber, photons are generated inside the fiber. The photons are trapped inside the fiber and guided through the PMT. The PMT output signal is acquired by a computer. Two types of scintillating optical fibers sensors were developed for gamma ray detection. The first one is a silica optical fiber doped with an inorganic scintillating agent. The second one is a liquid core waveguide optical fiber …

Measures Of Oxidation Of Soybean And Catfish Oils, John Michael Mcgillivray

Theses and Dissertations

Oils from soybeans and catfish by-products were extracted using hexane, propane, and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). Free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide values (PV), anisidine values (AnV), total oxidation (TOTOX), induction point (IP), iodine values (IV), and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were all measured to analyze oxidation of these oils. The extraction yield of propane, hexane, and SCCO2 oils was 80.4, 94.5, and 90%, in respect to total lipid content. Oils extracted with SCCO2 were more oxidized than those extracted with propane and hexane; probably due to the higher temperature and longer extraction time. The IP correlated with AnV, IV, …

Molecular-Genetic And Structural Analyses Of The Nifhdkx Proteins Of The Nitrogenase System, Surobhi Lahiri

Theses and Dissertations

The nitrogenase enzyme is the biochemical machiner responsible for the conversion of the largely unavailable nitrogen to the easily assimilable ammonia for living organisms by the process termed as biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). This study was focused on understanding the various structural and functional aspects of the nitrogenase enzyme related to maturation and assembly of the FeMo-cofactor (FeMoco) metallocluster of the MoFe protein (the site for final substrate reduction), development of a dimeric MoFe protein and the structural homology of nitrogenase with other metalloenzymes. This research was specifically directed towards the NifHDKX proteins in which the nifHDK genes are the …

Functional Role Of Recombinant Cysteine Protease On Spodoptera Frugiperda Peritrophic Matrix, Srinidi Mohan

Theses and Dissertations

Fall armyworm larvae (FAW), which are serious pests in the southern United States, show retarded growth when they feed on insect-resistant maize inbreds Mp704 and Mp708. These maize genotypes are not only resistant to FAW, but to a number of other lepidopteran pests. In these genotypes, a unique, extracellular, 33-KDa cysteine protease (Mir1-CP) rapidly accumulates in the whorl in response to insect feeding. Initial morphological studies on larvae feeding on resistant maize plants over-expressing the cysteine protease showed severe damage in insect?s first line of defense, the peritrophic matrix (PM). But it is not known whether the cysteine protease has …

Banking Transactions And Controls Training For Deutsche Bank Operations Employees, Jodi Young

Theses and Dissertations

This report describes the development process of the Deutsche Bank Intro to Controls instructional training tool. This course utilizes a multi-faceted, blended approach, including web-based training, simulation, and instructor-led training components to teach complex banking operations. The report includes a literature review describing instructional theories, and strategies concerning the use of a blended approach in the training of complex systems and operations. The report also includes a description of the formative evaluation process and results. These results demonstrated a positive response to the content and instructional strategies employed in the training, as well as the need for future research to …

Expression And Function Of Alpha3 And Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunits In Hek-293 Cells, Nathan W. Steinhafel

Theses and Dissertations

Single-cell real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the mRNA expression of rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits α3 and β2 in CA1 hippocampus stratum radiatum and stratum oriens interneurons. α3β2 co-expression was detected in 43% of interneurons analyzed. The nAChR subtype α3β2 was transiently expressed in cells derived from the human embryonic kidney cell line 293 at mRNA levels found in the CA1. The functional properties of α3β2 in HEK-293 cells were characterized by whole-cell patch clamping using acetylcholine (ACh) as an agonist. The kinetics of α3β2 channels were further analyzed by altering the level of α3 DNA …

Brain Stimulation Reward Is Integrated By A Network Of Electrically-Coupled Gaba Neurons, Matthew Brian Lassen

Theses and Dissertations

Although it is well-established that animals will self-stimulate electric current to various diverse brain structures, the neural substrate of brain stimulation reward (BSR) has eluded identification since its discovery more than a half-century ago. We show that GABA neurons in the midbrain, hypothalamus and thalamus express connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions and couple electrically with dopamine application or by stimulation of the internal capsule (IC), which also supports self-stimulation. The threshold for responding for self-stimulation of the IC is the threshold for coupling between these GABA neurons, the degree of responding for IC ICSS is proportional to the magnitude of electrical …

Impact Of Wastewater Reuse In Burlington County On Surface Water Quality And Adjacent Wetlands, Crystal L. Mattson

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to assess potential ecological impacts from application of treated wastewater effluent. Indian Springs Golf Course is currently irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Grab water samples were collected from three (3) ponds located on the golf course over the course of a year and were analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, organics, and bacteria. A second golf course, Medford Lakes Country Club is currently irrigated with groundwater. Grab water samples were collected from both locations and analyzed for nutrients and bacteria for comparison purposes.

Results of sample analyses indicate that detriment to the quality of surface water at the …