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The Role Of P2x Receptors In Hiv And Opiate-Related Neurotoxicity, Mary Sorrell Apr 2014

The Role Of P2x Receptors In Hiv And Opiate-Related Neurotoxicity, Mary Sorrell

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging evidence suggests that opioid drugs can exacerbate neuroAIDS. Microglia are the principal neuroimmune effectors thought to be responsible for neuron damage in HIV-infected individuals, and evidence suggests that drugs acting via opioid receptors in microglia aggravate the neuropathophysiological effects of HIV. The P2X family of ATP activated ligand-gated ion channels regulates key aspects of microglial function. In addition, opioid-dependent microglial activation has been reported to be mediated through P2X4 signaling, prompting us to investigate P2X receptors contribution to the neurotoxic effects of HIV and morphine. In vitro experiments showed treatment with TNP-ATP prevented the neurotoxic effects of morphine and/or …


Understanding Collaboration Among Political Subdivisions Of State Government: Examining The Perceptions And Use Of Collaboration By Virginia's Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Kendall Tyree Apr 2014

Understanding Collaboration Among Political Subdivisions Of State Government: Examining The Perceptions And Use Of Collaboration By Virginia's Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Kendall Tyree

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the definitions, benefits, challenges, methods and perceived levels of current collaboration of Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, each a political subdivision of state government. The study was guided by the following questions (1) What is collaboration and how is it used by political subdivisions of state government? (2) What collaborative strategies are used specifically by soil and water conservation districts? (3) At what level are districts currently collaborating? (4) At what level do districts prefer to collaborate? A mixed methods research survey was used. The quantitative section measured current perceptions …


The Roles Of Phosducin-Like Protein 1 And Programmed Cell Death Protein 5 As Molecular Co-Chaperones Of The Cytosolic Chaperonin Complex, Christopher M. Tracy Apr 2014

The Roles Of Phosducin-Like Protein 1 And Programmed Cell Death Protein 5 As Molecular Co-Chaperones Of The Cytosolic Chaperonin Complex, Christopher M. Tracy

Theses and Dissertations

A fundamental question in biology is how proteins, which are synthesized by the ribosome as a linear sequence of amino acids, fold into their native functional state. Many proteins require the assistance of molecular chaperones to maneuver through the folding process to protect them from aggregation and to help them reach their native state in the very concentrated protein environment of the cell. This study focuses on the roles of Phosducin-like Protein 1 (PhLP1) and Programmed Cell Death Protein 5 (PDCD5) as molecular co-chaperones of the Cytosolic Chaperonin Complex (CCT).Signaling in retinal photoreceptors is mediated by canonical G protein pathways. …


Biomechanical Applications And Modeling Of Quantum Nano-Composite Strain Gauges, Taylor David Remington Apr 2014

Biomechanical Applications And Modeling Of Quantum Nano-Composite Strain Gauges, Taylor David Remington

Theses and Dissertations

Biological tissues routinely experience large strains and undergo large deformations during normal physiologic activity. Biological tissue deformation is well beyond the range of standard strain gauges, and hence must often be captured using expensive and non-portable options such as optical marker tracking methods that may rely upon significant post-processing. This study develops portable gauges that operate in real time and are compatible with the large strains seen by biological materials. The new gauges are based on a relatively new technique for quantifying large strain in real-time (up to 40 %) by use of a piezoresistive nano-composite strain gauge. The nano-composite …


Multi – Modality Molecular Imaging Of Adoptive Immune Cell Therapy In Breast Cancer, Fatma Youniss Mar 2014

Multi – Modality Molecular Imaging Of Adoptive Immune Cell Therapy In Breast Cancer, Fatma Youniss

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer treatment by adoptive immune cell therapy (AIT) is a form of immunotherapy that relies on the in vitro activation and/or expansion of immune cells. In this approach, immune cells, particularly CD8+ T lymphocytes, can potentially be harvested from a tumor-bearing patient, then activated and/or expanded in vitro in the presence of cytokines and other growth factors, and then transferred back into the same patient to induce tumor regression. AIT allows the in vitro generation and activation of T-lymphocytes away from the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thereby providing optimum conditions for potent anti-tumor activity. The overall objective of this study is …


Behavioral Assessment And Hplc/Ms/Ms Identification Of The Synthetic Cannabinoid, Cp47,497, In Mice, Kimberly L. Samano Mar 2014

Behavioral Assessment And Hplc/Ms/Ms Identification Of The Synthetic Cannabinoid, Cp47,497, In Mice, Kimberly L. Samano

Theses and Dissertations

CP47,497 and other synthetic cannabinoid compounds were incipiently synthesized as research tools to investigate the mechanisms by which marijuana affects the brain and to aid in the development of therapeutic agents. Recently, these cannabinoid compounds have resurfaced in the designer drug market, marketed as “herbal incense products” (HIPs). Their popular use has resulted in an alarming rate of reported adverse effects and toxicities. Current legislation classified CP47,497 and several other synthetic cannabinoids compounds as Schedule I agents, but abuse of these compounds persists with serious consequences to public health and safety. In vivo studies examining the behavioral consequences of abused …


Exploring The Retention Of Credit-Hour Value In Terms Of Workload For University Core Courses Taught In A Time-Compressed Format, Lyndell E. Lutes Mar 2014

Exploring The Retention Of Credit-Hour Value In Terms Of Workload For University Core Courses Taught In A Time-Compressed Format, Lyndell E. Lutes

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared the workload and value of work done outside of class reported by 3512 undergraduate students at Brigham Young University completing 16-week semester and 8-week term University Core (General Education and Religion) classes. Based on the results of this analysis, significant differences in workloads were found when comparing them by occasion (semester versus term). Significant differences were also found in workload and value of homework based on the autonomy of the instructors. On average, the workload difference by occasion equates to approximately 54 minutes more per week in a 3-credit semester course when compared to a term course. …


Multimodality Molecular Imaging Of [18f]-Fluorinated Carboplatin Derivative Encapsulated In [111in]-Labeled Liposome, Narottam Lamichhane Mar 2014

Multimodality Molecular Imaging Of [18f]-Fluorinated Carboplatin Derivative Encapsulated In [111in]-Labeled Liposome, Narottam Lamichhane

Theses and Dissertations

Platinum based chemotherapy is amongst the mainstream DNA-damaging agents used in clinical cancer therapy today. Agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin are clinically prescribed for the treatment of solid tumors either as single agents, in combination, or as part of multi-modality treatment strategy. Despite the potent anti-tumor activity of these drugs, overall effectiveness is still hampered by inadequate delivery and retention of drug in tumor and unwanted normal tissue toxicity, induced by non-selective accumulation of drug in normal cells and tissues. Utilizing molecular imaging and nanoparticle technologies, this thesis aims to contribute to better understanding of how to improve the profile …


Effects Of Graston Technique On Blood Flow In The Upper Extremity, Ashley Nicole Keck Mar 2014

Effects Of Graston Technique On Blood Flow In The Upper Extremity, Ashley Nicole Keck

Theses and Dissertations

Context: When musculature around the shoulder is tight, alterations in scapular positioning may result, thus compressing the blood vessels to the upper extremity and decreasing blood flow. Graston Technique (GT) mobilizes the soft tissues to break up adhesions in fascia and lengthens tight musculature. The effect of GT has on blood flow after treatment to the shoulder musculature is unknown. Objective: To determine if GT has an effect on blood flow and pectorals minor length after a single treatment session. Design: Controlled laboratory study with randomization. Setting: University athletic training laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Sixty healthy subjects (27 male, …


Nursery Pig Growth Response To Feed Ingredients And Feed Additives: I ). Spray-Dried Blood Plasma Vs. Spray-Dried Egg Effect On Nursery Pig Growth Performance Ii ). Effect Of Α-Galactosidase And Citric Acid On Nursery Pig Growth Performance When Added To A Corn-Soybean Meal Diet, Elizabeth Kaye Pegg Mar 2014

Nursery Pig Growth Response To Feed Ingredients And Feed Additives: I ). Spray-Dried Blood Plasma Vs. Spray-Dried Egg Effect On Nursery Pig Growth Performance Ii ). Effect Of Α-Galactosidase And Citric Acid On Nursery Pig Growth Performance When Added To A Corn-Soybean Meal Diet, Elizabeth Kaye Pegg

Theses and Dissertations

Nursery pigs are defined as newly weaned pigs adjusting to a solid-plant based diet after being weaned from a milk-based diet. Weaning has nutritional, environmental, social, and physiological impacts on the nursery pig. Nutrition is modified to accommodate changing needs of the nursery pig. The nursery pig diet is developed by adding highly digestible animal proteins to the standard corn-soybean meal swine diet. Development of the nursery diet improves pig performance but animal-based proteins can be expensive and do not address undigestible components of the plant-based ingredients. Addition of lower-cost animal proteins, addition of enzymes, and addition of acidifiers have …


Nitrogen Use Efficiency Of Polymer-Coated Urea, Curtis J. Ransom Mar 2014

Nitrogen Use Efficiency Of Polymer-Coated Urea, Curtis J. Ransom

Theses and Dissertations

Plants require N to complete their life cycle. Without adequate concentration of N, crops will not produce their potential yields. For turfgrass systems, N fertilizer application allows for the maintenance of functional, aesthetic, and recreational properties. However, fertilizer mismanagement is common and leads to N pollution in the environment. Controlled-release and slow-release fertilizers can enhance nitrogen (N)-use efficiency, reduce N pollution, minimize the need for repeated fertilizer applications, and reduce turfgrass shoot growth and associated costs. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of these fertilizers in the Intermountain West, research is needed. The timing of N release was evaluated for …


Old World, New Media: Cross-Cultural Explorations With Camera And Analytic Text In Cusco, Peru, Scott Dupre Mills Mar 2014

Old World, New Media: Cross-Cultural Explorations With Camera And Analytic Text In Cusco, Peru, Scott Dupre Mills

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract OLD WORLD, NEW MEDIA: CROSS-CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS WITH CAMERA AND ANALYTIC TEXT IN CUSCO, PERU By Scott DuPre Mills, PhD. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Major Director: Dr. Nicholas A Sharp, Assistant Professor, Department of English This dissertation draws on my field research in Cusco, Peru, documenting Old World methods of making Andean musical instruments. The cross-cultural interactions I engaged in are concretized and documented in the ethnographic film I shot at the time and in my experimentation with original music …


Role Of Α6 Nachrs In Ethanol Modulation Of Vta Neurons, Samuel Injae Shin Mar 2014

Role Of Α6 Nachrs In Ethanol Modulation Of Vta Neurons, Samuel Injae Shin

Theses and Dissertations

The prevailing view is that enhancement of dopamine (DA) transmission in the mesolimbic system leads to the rewarding properties of alcohol and nicotine (NIC). The mesolimbic DA system consists of DA neurons in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) that innervate the nucleus accumbens (NAc). DA neurotransmission is regulated by inhibitory VTA GABA neurons, whose excitability is a net effect of glutamate (GLU) and GABA neurotransmission that are modulated by NIC cholinergic receptors (nAChRs) on afferent terminals. We have previously demonstrated that VTA GABA neurons are excited by low-dose ethanol but are inhibited by moderate to high-dose ethanol, and they …


An Analysis Of The Archaeological Work Of The Provo River Delta, Utah, Adrien Carole Mooney Mar 2014

An Analysis Of The Archaeological Work Of The Provo River Delta, Utah, Adrien Carole Mooney

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the 20th century, a significant amount of work was conducted at archaeological sites in Utah Valley dating to the Archaic, Fremont, and Late Prehistoric periods. Despite the amount of work conducted, very little has actually been reported in the past. As a result, very little has previously been known about either the prehistoric archaeology of the Provo River Delta area or the historic archaeological work that has taken place. This thesis presents a synthesis of historical work, a reanalysis of artifacts from previous excavations, and a review of extant documentation (including field notes, maps, and student reports) of several …


Estimating The Acoustic Power Of Sources In Nonideal Enclosures Using Generalized Acoustic Energy Density, Daniel Ryan Marquez Mar 2014

Estimating The Acoustic Power Of Sources In Nonideal Enclosures Using Generalized Acoustic Energy Density, Daniel Ryan Marquez

Theses and Dissertations

Sound power measurements of acoustic sources are generally made in reverberation or anechoic chambers using acoustic pressure measurements as outlined in specific ISO or other standards. A reverberation chamber produces an approximate diffuse-field condition, wherein the sound power is determined from the spatially averaged squared pressure. An anechoic chamber produces an approximate free-field condition, wherein the sound power is estimated from squared pressure over an enveloping measurement surface. However, in many cases it is desirable to estimate sound power within nonideal semi-reverberant spaces. In these environments, both direct and reverberant energies may contribute significantly to the total acoustic field. This …


I Get A Thrill From Punishment: Lou Reed's Adaptations And The Pain They Cause, Jonathan B. Smith Mar 2014

I Get A Thrill From Punishment: Lou Reed's Adaptations And The Pain They Cause, Jonathan B. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores two adaptations by rock musician Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground and Metal Machine Music fame. Reed has always been a complicated and controversial figure, but two of his albums—The Raven (2003), a collaborative theater piece; and Lulu (2011), a collaboration with heavy metal band Metallica—have inspired confusion and vitriol among both fans and critics. However, both adaptations, rich in intertextual references, at once show Reed to be what music historian Simon Reynolds calls a portal figure—offering a map of references to other texts for fans, indicating his own indebtedness to prior art—and to also be an …


Comparison Of Image Processing Techniques Using Random Noise Radar, Jesse B. Cruz Mar 2014

Comparison Of Image Processing Techniques Using Random Noise Radar, Jesse B. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Radar imaging is a tool used by our military to provide information to enhance situational awareness for both war fighters on the front lines and military leaders planning and forming strategies from afar. Noise radar technology is especially exciting as it has properties of covertness as well as the ability to see through walls, foliage, and other types of cover. In this thesis, AFIT's NoNet was used to generate images utilizing a random noise radar waveform as the transmission signal. The NoNet was arranged in four configurations: arc, line, cluster, and surround. Images were formed using three algorithms: multilateration and …


Network Monitoring Traffic Compression Using Singular Value Decomposition, Steven N. Feigh Mar 2014

Network Monitoring Traffic Compression Using Singular Value Decomposition, Steven N. Feigh

Theses and Dissertations

With increasing magnitude of computer network activity, the ability to monitor all network traffic is becoming strained. The need to represent large amounts of data in smaller forms is essential to continued growth of network monitoring tools and network administrators' capabilities. Network monitoring captures many different measurements of the data flowing through the network. This thesis introduces a new method of sending network traffic monitoring data that reduces the overall volume of data from the traditional method of packet capture. By populating a matrix with specific data values in a sparse format, this experiment reduces the data using singular value …


Outperforming Game Theoretic Play With Opponent Modeling In Two Player Dominoes, Michael M. Myers Mar 2014

Outperforming Game Theoretic Play With Opponent Modeling In Two Player Dominoes, Michael M. Myers

Theses and Dissertations

Dominoes is a partially observable extensive form game with probability. The rules are simple; however, complexity and uncertainty of this game make it difficult to apply standard game theoretic methods to solve. This thesis applies strategy prediction opponent modeling to work with game theoretic search algorithms in the game of two player dominoes. This research also applies methods to compute the upper bound potential that predicting a strategy can provide towards specific strategy types. Furthermore, the actual values are computed according to the accuracy of a trained classifier. Empirical results show that there is a potential value gain over a …


Textile Fingerprinting For Dismount Analysis In The Visible, Near, And Shortwave Infrared Domain, Jennifer S. Yeom Mar 2014

Textile Fingerprinting For Dismount Analysis In The Visible, Near, And Shortwave Infrared Domain, Jennifer S. Yeom

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to accurately and quickly locate an individual, or a dismount, is useful in a variety of situations and environments. A dismount's characteristics such as their gender, height, weight, build, and ethnicity could be used as discriminating factors. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is widely used in efforts to identify materials based on their spectral signatures. More specifically, HSI has been used for skin and clothing classification and detection. The ability to detect textiles (clothing) provides a discriminating factor that can aid in a more comprehensive detection of dismounts. This thesis demonstrates the application of several feature selection methods (i.e., support …


Automated Driftmeter Fused With Inertial Navigation, Allan D. Tuma Mar 2014

Automated Driftmeter Fused With Inertial Navigation, Allan D. Tuma

Theses and Dissertations

The motivation of this research is to address the use of bearing-only measurements taken by an optical sensor to aid an Inertial Navigation System (INS) whose accelerometers and gyroscopes are subject to drift and bias errors. The concept of Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) is employed in a bootstrapping manner: the bearing measurements are used to geolocate ground features, following which the bearings taken over time of the said ground features are used to improve the navigation state provided by the INS. In this research the INS aiding action of tracking stationary, but unknown, ground features over time is evaluated. …


Simulation Modeling Of Advanced Pilot Training: The Effects Of A New Aircraft Family Of Systems, Bryngel J. Erickson Mar 2014

Simulation Modeling Of Advanced Pilot Training: The Effects Of A New Aircraft Family Of Systems, Bryngel J. Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a tool to aid Air Force decision makers in the acquisition of a new trainer aircraft family of systems. The study utilizes discrete event simulation to model the effects a prospective aircraft family of systems has on the flow of student pilots through training processes. Previous research has produced models for student throughput or aircraft availability, this research focuses on the intersection of both. Analysis of results provides insights into the quantity of resources required at the differing levels of performance to sustain a desired throughput of pilot graduates.


Analysis Of Biological Weapon Spread Through A Transportation Network, Michael V. Macandrew Mar 2014

Analysis Of Biological Weapon Spread Through A Transportation Network, Michael V. Macandrew

Theses and Dissertations

Biological weapons are one of the top five threats identified by the Department of Defense in the United States. While most people commonly associate weapons of mass destruction only with atomic bombs, biological agents still have the ability to inflict mass casualties and panic. By strategically placing bioweapon detection units, known as BioWatch, in various airports, a disease spread could be detected and mitigated before country wide dispersal of the disease occurs. Key cities to invest this program are investigated through network analysis of flight itineraries with large volumes of traffic. In addition to analyzing an airport network, there is …


The Military Inventory Routing Problem With Direct Delivery, Ian M. Mccormack Mar 2014

The Military Inventory Routing Problem With Direct Delivery, Ian M. Mccormack

Theses and Dissertations

The inventory routing problem coordinates inventory management and transportation policies when implementing vendor managed inventory replenishment, the business practice were a vendor monitors the inventory of its customers and determines a strategy to replenish each customer. The United States Army uses vendor managed inventory replenishment during combat situations to manage resupply. The military variant of the stochastic inventory routing problem considers delivery failure due to hostile actions. We formulate a Markov decision process model for the military inventory routing problem, with the objective to determine an optimal unmanned tactical airlift policy for resupplying brigade combat team elements in a combat …


Simulating F-22 Heavy Maintenance And Modifications Workforce Multi-Skilling, Wesley A. Sheppard Jr. Mar 2014

Simulating F-22 Heavy Maintenance And Modifications Workforce Multi-Skilling, Wesley A. Sheppard Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force faces significant fiscal challenges in the coming years. The aircraft maintenance depot activities at Ogden ALC, Oklahoma City ALC and Warner-Robins ALC face complex operating environments due to the diversity of aircraft or mission design series (MDS) maintained by each depot and the variability of maintenance requirements for each MDS. Further complicating their operations is the variability of maintenance actions required from one aircraft to another within each MDS and a highly specialized workforce that has inherent inflexibility to compensate for the workload variability. Air Force Materiel Command is reviewing maintenance personnel multi-skilling as a method to …


Detecting Industrial Chemicals In Water With Microbial Fuel Cells And Artificial Neural Networks, Scott T. King Mar 2014

Detecting Industrial Chemicals In Water With Microbial Fuel Cells And Artificial Neural Networks, Scott T. King

Theses and Dissertations

Water quality monitoring is critically important in efforts to both limit human exposure to toxic chemicals and to protect ecosystems. This study integrates artificial neural network (ANN) processing with MFC-based biosensing in the detection of three organic pollutants that have relevance to DoD operations: aldicarb, dimethyl-methylphosphonate (DMMP), and bisphenol-A (BPA). Overall, the use of the ANN proved to be more reliable than direct correlations with raw data in the prediction of both chemical concentration and type. The ANN made no errors in the identification and quantification of all chemicals in three concentration ranges. Additionally, chemical mixtures and chemicals dissolved in …


Integrating Uas Flocking Operations With Formation Drag Reduction, Jacob L. Lambach Mar 2014

Integrating Uas Flocking Operations With Formation Drag Reduction, Jacob L. Lambach

Theses and Dissertations

Craig Reynolds, in the seminal research into simulated flocking, developed a methodology to guide a flock of birds using three rules: collision avoidance, flock centering, and velocity matching. By modifying these rules, a methodology was created so that each aircraft in a flock maintains a precise position relative to the preceding aircraft. By doing so, each aircraft experiences a decrease in induced aerodynamic drag and increase in fuel efficiency. Flocks of semi-autonomous aircraft present the warfighter with a wide array of capabilities for accomplishing missions more effectively. By introducing formation drag reduction, overall fuel consumption is reduced while range and …


Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin Mar 2014

Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin

Theses and Dissertations

Shrinking budgets and dynamic military conflicts have driven Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to reform how the military acquires weapon systems with the goal of decreasing program schedules and costs, while maximizing performance. With fifty years of reform, the DoD has been unable to adequately control program schedule objectives. Previous research attempted to support acquisition reforms through modeling and simulation. The Enterprise Requirements and Acquisition Model (ERAM) captures a program's progression through the Defense Acquisition Management System to gain insight into significant delays that impact program schedule and probability of completion. A past unexpected result included the insignificant impact that …


Continuous Control Artificial Potential Function Methods And Optimal Control, Andrew R. Fields Mar 2014

Continuous Control Artificial Potential Function Methods And Optimal Control, Andrew R. Fields

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial potential function methods (APFMs) are a class of computationally inexpensive control methods for driving a system to a desired goal while avoiding obstacles. Although APFMs have been applied successfully to a wide range systems since the late 1980s, these control methods do have notable drawbacks. The general suboptimality of APFM results is one of these drawbacks, which is due to the fact that APFMs contain no cost function in their formulation. This thesis first develops a new continuous control APFM for fully actuated systems called the Velocity Artificial Potential Function (VAPF) Method, which causes the system velocity to converge …


Experimental Characterization Of Wings For A Hawkmoth-Sized Micro Air Vehicle, Zachary R. Brown Mar 2014

Experimental Characterization Of Wings For A Hawkmoth-Sized Micro Air Vehicle, Zachary R. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Considerable prior research has been conducted on many aspects of Hawkmoth-sized, piezo-driven FWMAVs, but the majority utilized a common structural wing to conform with a biomimetic design. In this research, six alternate wing designs with the same planform and size, but different structures were built and explored. FEA code was used to determine the location of maximum stress, and then mass was removed from minimally stressed areas, under the premise that equal force production with a lighter wing would improve the MAV design. The main metric for this research was vertical force generation per mass; high speed video provided complementary …