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Investigating The Role Of Α6 And Α4 Containing Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Nicotine And Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference Tests In Mice., Sarah Sanjakdar

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate both cholinergic and non-cholinergic synaptic transmission. Our research concerns α6 and α4 neuronal nicotinic subunits because they often co-assemble with the β2 subunit, which has abundant expression in the CNS and previous work has demonstrated that β2* nAChRs are involved in nicotine and cocaine reward. α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs are highly expressed in midbrain, which is known to be critical for the incentive salience associated with natural and artificial (drug) reward. Our goal was to assess the role of α6β2* and α4β2* nAChRs in nicotine and cocaine reward using an unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) …

Sale Price Relationships To Performance Characteristics And Genetic Merit In Beef Bulls Sold In Beef Cattle Improvement Sales And Tests In The Southeast Usa From 1974 To 2011, Marty Landon Marks

Theses and Dissertations

Herd sires are an important investment for beef cattle producers in the Southeast United States of America (USA). For producers, bull selection decisions are critical to introduce new and compatible genetics into their cow herd. The impact of bull selection affects the cow herd and many calf crops when heifers by these herd sires are retained for breeding replacements. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships over time between bull sale prices and individual performance and measures of genetic merit for bulls sold in the state of Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The study was conducted using …

Pilot-Scale Evaluation Of Advanced Solvents For Co2 Capture From Coal-Fired Utilities, Brandon Michael Pavlish

Theses and Dissertations

In 1992, international concern about climate change (a change to Earth's climate, especially those produced by global warming) led to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The ultimate objective of that convention was the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that mitigates anthropogenic interference with the climate system" (1). There has been a growing concern about global climate change which scientists believe is (arguably) caused mainly by anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The overall goal of this work was to evaluate next generation solvents at a pilot scale …

Differences In Romantic Relationship Satisfaction And Health As A Function Of Pet Preference, Jenna Rae Trisko

Theses and Dissertations

Despite some evidence of personality differences between self-identified "cat people" and "dog people," there is a lack of research on how these groups differ in terms of the quality of their human relationships or whether people who own dogs or cats (or both) differ in the health benefits associated with pet ownership. This study was used to examine the relationship between pet preferences, level of satisfaction and type of attachment participants had in their current romantic relationships. This study was also used to explore whether overall health, depression, perceived stress, and physical activity levels differed as a function of pet …

Effects Of A Large-Scale Wind Farm In The Prairie Pothole Region Of North And South Dakota On Survival And Habitat Use Of Breeding Female Mallards (Anas Platyrhynchos) And Blue-Winged Teal (A. Discors), Charles Tanner Gue

Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is the most important breeding habitat for North American ducks. However, much of the PPR is suitable for large-scale wind energy development and conflicts for waterfowl populations may occur if wind energy alters habitat in a way that reduces survival or productivity. Adult survival of breeding female ducks has a disproportionately large effect on population growth. Thus, populations might be particularly sensitive to increased mortality in this cohort because of direct collisions with wind turbines. Additionally, large home ranges are energetically taxing. If females avoid resources near wind turbines during breeding season activities, females may …

Phylogeography And Habitat Associations Of Franklin's Gulls In Their United States Breeding Range, Annmarie Krmpotich

Theses and Dissertations

The Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is a long distance migrant which is listed as a species of concern by U.S. state wildlife management agencies and in the Northern Prairie and Parkland Waterbird Plan for the U.S. and Canada. The designation of this status is due to few, isolated breeding colonies and unknown population dynamics. Few attempts have been made to address the unknown population dynamics or to quantify habitat use at breeding sites of this species. Recognizing there is a need for this information; this thesis uses deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence to show the relationships of Franklin's gull breeding colonies …

Genetic Relationships Of Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) In The United States: Geographic Origins And Genotypic Distribution Of The Species With Implications For Management, Blake Eugene Mccann

Theses and Dissertations

Wild pigs are a damaging invasive species with a long history in the United States. However, during the last 30 years wild pigs have drastically expanded their invasive range and are now present in 44 U.S. states. Though historic records provide insights regarding original introduction histories in areas where pigs are long-established, little is known regarding sources for new populations. To develop a better understanding of recent invasions, I utilized an array of molecular markers (mitochondrial DNA sequence, nuclear microsatellites, and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms) to evaluate both the evolutionary history of introduced pigs and gene flow between populations indicative …

Non-Canonical Roles For Stat1 And Stat2 In Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Fasting Homeostasis., Jennifer Sisler

Theses and Dissertations

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and 2 (STAT2) are primarily activated by interferons and play a central role in orchestrating responses to a variety of pathogens by activating the transcription of nuclear encoded genes that mediate antiviral, antigrowth and immune surveillance responses. In addition to their nuclear effects, we report that STAT1 and STAT2 inhibit the expression of mitochondrial encoded mRNAs by activating type I interferons (IFNβ) under basal conditions. STAT1-/- livers also exhibit elevated levels of nuclear encoded components of the electron transport chain (ETC). Treatment of wild-type mice with IFNβ inhibits both mitochondrial and …

Transient Camk-Ii Activation Is Necessary For Left-Right Asymmetry In The Zebrafish Embryo, Ludmila Francescatto

Theses and Dissertations

Despite external bilateral symmetry, the internal organs of vertebrates are asymmetrically arranged. The development of Left-Right (LR) asymmetry is dependent on the activity of a ciliated organ known as the Kupffer’s vesicle (KV) or the embryonic node, in zebrafish and mouse, respectively. Cilia beating within the KV are essential to generate a counterclockwise flow of fluid, which leads to left-sided Ca2+ elevation. Ca2+ is a crucial morphogenic second messenger during vertebrate development. Ca2+ elevation activates targets, such as CaMK-II, which is also known as the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Studies have linked CaMK-II to secretion (mediated through synapsin I) and …

The Role Of High Affinity Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors On Anxiety-Like Behavior: A Study In Female Mice, Jessicka Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence is high in women who suffer from anxiety disorders yet little is known about the contributions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on anxiety-like behavior. β2*nAChRs (*denotes assembly with other subunits) are the most abundantly expressed nAChRs in the brain yet little is known about the contributions of β2*nAChRs on anxiety-like behavior in female mice. In this study, antagonism and nicotine effects on anxiety-like behavior was investigated across the life span in 6, 12 and 24-month-old drug-naïve knockout (KO), heterozygous (HET) and a gain of function α6L9S mice and wild type (WT). HET mice showed increased sensitivity to di-hydrobeta-erythroidine …

Theoretical Studies Of The Ground And Low-Lying Excited States Of [3,3']Bidiazirinylidene(C2n4), Tetramethyleneethane Diradical, And Arsenic And Selenium Oxides, Rashel Makane Mokambe Sumpter

Theses and Dissertations

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Non-Traditional Distance Learners: Student Persistence In A Rural Remote Community, Paula Ann Sundet Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

Cook County Higher Education (CCHE), a non-profit distance education resource center located in rural northeastern Minnesota, has student completion rates of 90% and higher. CCHE has attributed the student persistence to its external support services, such as mentoring, technology support, study skills, attitude, and financial resources. With the national call for increased degrees per capita, there is also increased incentive for higher education institutions to become more creative in offering external support services to their non-traditional distance learning students. This grounded theory method research project explored rural students' perceptions of what motivates them to persist in distance learning programs. Thick, …

Selective Mutism And Art Therapies, Dalene Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

Selective Mutism (SM) is a social anxiety disorder characterized by a child's inability to speak in selected social situations, usually school. The causes of SM are multi-factorial. Affected children often have a history of anxiety, linguistic and motor disorders. Current therapies include a mix of anti-anxiety medication, behavioral modification therapy and anxiety reduction techniques.

Art therapy, (dance, drama and theater), has been shown to be beneficial in reducing anxiety and encouraging communication through forms other than speaking. Art therapy could be a valuable modality, benefitting children with SM.

I surveyed parents, teachers, former teachers of children with SM, and adults …

Auditory Recall In Normal Children And Children With A Diagnosis Of Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Kara J. Nunziato

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in level of performance on auditory memory tasks between individuals with and without a diagnosis of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). The study was also designed to examine the differences in performance among different auditory memory tasks. A total of ten participants were recruited for the study. Five typically developing individuals served in the control group and five individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CAPD served in the experimental group. Results from the study indicated that individuals with a diagnosis of CAPD performed significantly lower than the control group on …

'Reel' Gangs Or 'Real' Gangs: A Qualitative Media Analysis Of Street Gangs Portrayed In Hollywood Films, 1960-2009, Christopher J. Przemieniecki

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the portrayals of street gangs as presented by a select sample of Hollywood films from 1960 to 2009. Using the theoretical framework of social constructionism and cinematic realism, a content analysis of 25 `street gang' films was conducted to (a) determine the comparability of depictions of street gangs in Hollywood films with those characteristics of defining a street gang in the law enforcement and academic literature, (b) identify emergent themes and patterns, including changes over time, and (c) address the representations of realism in the portrayal of street gangs as depicted …

The Five-Factor Model As Predictor Of Performance On Decision-Making Tasks, Darci Van Dyke

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research on personality and decision-making has failed to use adequate measurement of both constructs. The current research extended the previous literature by incorporating multiple measures of decision-making as well as the NEO-PI-3, a psychometrically sound measure of the five-factor model of personality. Five measures of decision-making were used which addressed various aspects of adequate decision-making. The current research also included a measure of cognitive ability (WAIS-IV Vocabulary) as previous research has noted a strong correlation between cognitive ability and decision-making. Results indicated that cognitive ability significantly predicted performance on three decision-making tasks. In regard to personality, Agreeableness was the …

Identifying Locations Of Highly Eroded Agricultural Land In The Devils Lake Basin, Nd Using Gis Terrain Analysis Modeling, Matthew J. Dinger

Theses and Dissertations

Soil erosion modeling using terrain analysis holds great potential due to the simplicity of the models, and the ease in running the analysis in a GIS. Terrain analysis of the upper Devils Lake basin was conducted using a 3-meter Light Detection and Ranging-derived digital elevation model. Portions of the Mauvais Coulee and Calio Coulee watersheds in the basin were analyzed to evaluate soil erosion potential and determine if terrain analysis was an accurate tool for modeling erosion in this fairly flat landscape. The analysis used slope, flow accumulation, and stream power index (SPI) within a GIS to identify highly eroded …

Analysis Of The Role Of Amphetamine In The Induction Of Changes In Histone Modifications Of Dopaminergic Pathway Genes, Amritendu Chakraborty

Theses and Dissertations

Amphetamine and cocaine has long been known as drug of abuse. These drugs impart their physiological manifestations by regulating the reward circuitry of the brain which is controlled primarily by the dopaminergic pathway where they control the release of dopamine. It has been found that repeated cocaine administration changes histone acetylation patterns at the promoter sequences of several important genes. Sirtuin proteins are histone deactylases that regulate important biological functions have also been found to be elevated in the nucleus accumbens after cocaine administration. Although there have been several studies that have tried to elucidate the mode of action of …

Separation And Use Of Oxygenated Byproducts From Non-Catalytically Cracked Triglycerides And Their Methyl Esters, Benjamin Travis Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The world is dependent on petroleum as its main source of fuels and chemicals. Supply limitations and global warming have generated a great deal of interest in research to reduce this dependence through renewal fuels and chemicals.

Non-catalytic cracking and subsequent distillation of triacylglyceride (TAG) oils and methyl esters derived from these oils (TMEs) produces an organic liquid product (OLP) that is rich in potential fuels and chemicals. A major fraction of the OLP is made up of oxygenated compounds, either short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) if TAG oil is cracked, or short chain methyl esters (SCMEs) if TMEs are …

Modal Testing And Analysis Techniques And Their Application On A Small Uas, Kaci Jo Lemler

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on experimental structural analysis using contemporary testing techniques. This includes modal testing topics such as data acquisition, data processing, sensor placement, and multiple excitation methods. It also presents a novel sensor placing procedure that uses a laser vibrometer to identify key sensor locations. These techniques are applied in a case study on a small unmanned aerial system, (UAS). The airframe, the BTE Super Hauler, is a small UAS used by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Engineering (UASE) Laboratory at the University of North Dakota as a test platform for flight testing multiple payloads. An antenna system, designed for …

Evaluation Of A Low Corrosion Method To Increase Mercury Oxidation And Scrubber Capture, Shuchita Sanjay Patwardhan

Theses and Dissertations

The taconite industry located in the Mesabi iron range has been identified as one of the major contributors of the atmospheric mercury in the Lake Superior basin by the Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP). Mercury is a leading concern among air toxic metals due to its volatility, persistence and bioaccumulation as methylmercury in the environment, and its neurological health impacts.

Previous research work performed at taconite processing plants by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified the taconite ore as the main source of mercury during the taconite processing. Magentite iron ore pellets are produced by balling moist concentrates …

Introducing Astronomy Into High School Physics Curriculum Through The Use Of The University Of North Dakota Observatory, Caitlin Marie Nolby

Theses and Dissertations

Astronomy education is currently lacking in the secondary level classroom. Many programs have been created to remedy this, including research opportunities for students and training workshops for educators. These reach only a small fraction of the population however, while remaining students still lack the opportunity to learn astronomy at the secondary level. This research addresses the creation of a program that will make astronomy education a recurring option for students across North Dakota through implementation of a two-week astronomy course at Grand Forks Central High School (GFCHS) in a class of 19 physics students. During ten class periods from April …

Neuroglial Mechanisms Involved In The Anti-Inflammatory Effect Of Acetate Supplementation, Mahmoud Lotfy Soliman

Theses and Dissertations

Acetate supplementation increases brain acetyl-CoA and attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in vivo. To explain the anti-inflammatory effect of acetate treatment, we proposed that acetate treatment disrupts inflammatory signaling in microglia and astrocytes, and induces histone hyperacetylation known to be correlated with anti-inflammatory properties. To test this hypothesis, we measured the effects that LPS and acetate treatment had on histone acetylation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and eicosanoid signaling. A single oral dose of acetate treatment (6 g/kg) in normal animals induced a time- and site-specific pattern of histone hyperacetylation, associated with reduction of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity …

The Study Of Vinyl Ester Copolymers Derived From Bio-Sourced Fatty Acids, Hai Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Biobased polymers have attracted significant attention since the 1990s. Research has focused on the conversion of biomass, such as crop oils, into useful polymeric materials. The Departments of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the University of North Dakota have developed a process to convert crop oils into jetfuel and a suite of other chemicals including fatty acids with a variety of molecular weights. This dissertation focuses on the preparation and property measurements of thermoplastics using monomers, especially linear vinyl esters (LVEs), which originate from cracked oil-based fatty acids. Commercial LVEs were used in this dissertation study in order to explore …

Roles Of Ccaat/Enhancer-Binding Protein [Beta] And [-Delta] In Immunoglobulin G Immune Complex-Induced Inflammation, Chunguang Yan

Theses and Dissertations

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) &beta and C/EBP&delta are known to participate in the regulation of many genes associated with inflammation. However, little is known about the activation and function of C/EBP&beta and -&delta in inflammatory responses elicited by Fc&gamma receptor (Fc&gammaR) activation. Here I showed that C/EBP&beta and -&delta activation were induced in immunoglobulin G immune complex (IgG IC)-treated macrophages by using gel shift assays. The increased expression of C/EBP&beta and -&delta occurred at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, induction of C/EBP&beta and -&delta was mediated, to a large extent, by activating Fc&gammaRs. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown as …

Hyperbranched And Polydimethylsiloxane Based Membranes For Co2 Capture, Willie Wesley Wells

Theses and Dissertations

As we continue to come to terms with a warming planet created, in part, by our dependence on fossil fueled power plants, there is a great and urgent need for cost effective methods of isolating and capturing greenhouse gasses. Among the many methods currently being explored for CO2 separation, membranes have proven to be a promising solution. This thesis examines three types of possible membranes: composite layer membranes, hyperbranched membranes and dense film membranes. In addition to examining the permeance of each type, the study explored various membrane formation techniques and how that affects the permeability of specific membrane types. …

Cholesterol Dyshomeostasis And Age Related Macular Degeneration, Bhanu Chandar Dasari

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation work focused on retinal modifications that are relevant to Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in cholesterol-fed rabbit model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as AD and AMD share common features. It is unknown whether cholesterol-fed rabbit model of AD displays any AMD features in retina. Previous research showed 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) involvement in AD like pathology in organotypic hippocampal slices of rabbit brain and human SHSY-5Y neuroblastoma cells. The extent to which and the mechanisms by which 27-OHC may also cause pathological hallmarks related to AMD are not known. Various studies suggested estrogen's (E2) role in AMD development. 27-OHC is a …

Rhetorical Agency And Survivance: American Indians In College Composition, Rebecca Lynn Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

American Indian writers in college have a distinct cultural background related to rhetorical agency and language. Particularly for Indian students who grew up on reservations, the effects of official federal policies regarding the use of English for assimilation remain significant. However, in writing classes, we have an opportunity to reverse course and to specifically teach toward what Scott Lyons calls rhetorical sovereignty.

In this project, four American Indian college students demonstrate agency with writing. All four students grew up on federal Indian reservations (Standing Rock and White Earth), and at the time of this study, were enrolled in their first …

Development Of An Accurate Benchmarking System For Microwave Breast Imaging, Camerin C. Hahn

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a discussion of the design and implementation of benchmarking system for microwave imaging systems. The current benchmarking tools for microwave imaging setups are not adaptable. A novel method for of the development of a dielectric phantom using regression analysis is presented. This is followed by a discussion of the design of a novel sensor for the purpose of in vivo dielectric properties measurements. The goal is to provide information for microwave tomography algorithms and phantom development based on in vivo dielectric properties of breast tissues

Through the progress of this research two major novel advances have been …

The Role Of Endolysosomes In Models Of Neurodegenerative Disorders And In Regulating Levels Of Intracellular Calcium, Liang Hui

Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative disorders are affecting increasingly numbers of humans, especially in our ever increasingly aged population. Here, I attempt to better understand how endolysosomes contribute to pathological features in two neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and to the regulation of intracellular calcium levels in cultured neurons.

According to our previous in vivo studies that elevated circulating ApoB cholesterol per se contributed to the pathogenesis of sporadic AD by affecting endolysosomes, we tested the hypothesis that; ApoB containing cholesterol altered endolysosome structure & function and contributed to AD-like pathological development in primary cultured neurons. Besides, …