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The Effects Of Resistance Training On Strength And Body Composition In Postpartum Women, Katherine Bishop Pratt Aug 2010

The Effects Of Resistance Training On Strength And Body Composition In Postpartum Women, Katherine Bishop Pratt

Theses and Dissertations

The postpartum period represents a high-risk period for body weight retention and obesity. Several studies have investigated the role of aerobic exercise on postpartum weight retention and other body composition outcomes; however, there has been little attention given to resistance training in postpartum women. Thus, the purpose of this four-month randomized study was to determine the effectiveness of resistance training on strength, body composition, return to pre-pregnancy weight, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postpartum women. Sixty postpartum women were randomly assigned to either a resistance training group or a comparison group. The resistance training group participated in a progressive …


Variable Palatability Of Quaking Aspen For Large Ungulate Herbivores, Patrice Alexa Nielson Aug 2010

Variable Palatability Of Quaking Aspen For Large Ungulate Herbivores, Patrice Alexa Nielson

Theses and Dissertations

Aspen is a key resource in the Rocky Mountain Region for wildlife forage and habitat, lumber products, scenery, and plays important roles in fire ecology and hydrological processes. There is evidence of aspen decline over much of the Intermountain West for approximately 100 years. In Dixie and Fishlake National Forests, UT, aspen distribution has decreased by nearly half. Causes of this decline are not well understood, although wildlife browsing by ungulates has been implicated as playing a major role. The objective of this research was to examine what soil or plant factors might be involved in wildlife browse choice in …


Beta Galactosidose Activity Of Commercial Lactase Samples In Raw And Pasteurized Milk At Refrigerated Temperatures, Trenton W. Horner Aug 2010

Beta Galactosidose Activity Of Commercial Lactase Samples In Raw And Pasteurized Milk At Refrigerated Temperatures, Trenton W. Horner

Theses and Dissertations

Many consumers are unable to enjoy the benefits of milk, due to lactose-intolerance. Lactose-free milk is available, but at about 2 times the cost of regular milk or greater, it may be difficult for consumers to afford. The high cost of lactose-free milk is in part due to the added cost of the lactose hydrolysis process. Hydrolysis at refrigerated temperatures, possibly in the bulk tank or package, could increase the flexibility of the process, and potentially reduce the cost. A rapid β-galactosidase assay was used to determine the relative activity of commercially available lactase samples at different temperatures. Four enzymes …


An Analysis Of Homeless Veterans Participating In The Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, Katrina Lanelle Campbell Aug 2010

An Analysis Of Homeless Veterans Participating In The Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, Katrina Lanelle Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis on ex post facto data of the federal grant supported Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) administered at Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina. Pre-existing data on variables such as performance goals, training activities, support services, and demographics from program years 2006-2008 were used as data sources for the study. A descriptive statistics method of program analysis was employed and results were used to determine if performance outcomes met initial performance goals. The results from the study revealed that in order to successfully reintegrate into the workforce, HVRP participants required basic …


Accuracy Of Estimating Age And Antler Size Of Photographed Deer, Jeremy J. Flinn Aug 2010

Accuracy Of Estimating Age And Antler Size Of Photographed Deer, Jeremy J. Flinn

Theses and Dissertations

Objective and accurate techniques are needed to estimate age and antler size of live white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), because these parameters are essential to many white-tailed deer management strategies. I developed and evaluated accuracy of methods for estimating age and antler size from photographs of live, male white-tailed deer using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I estimated size of photographed, known-score mounted antlers accurately using a fixed-scale object and photographed, live deer using anatomical features. I determined if a series of morphometric ratios could be used to predict age of deer from photographs using a dichotomous key procedure. Mean percentage error …


Characterization Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Mutants Lacking A Jumonji Domain Containing Histone Demethylase And A Set Domain Containing Histone Methyl Transferase, Swetha Mamidi Reddy Aug 2010

Characterization Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Mutants Lacking A Jumonji Domain Containing Histone Demethylase And A Set Domain Containing Histone Methyl Transferase, Swetha Mamidi Reddy

Theses and Dissertations

Condensation of chromatin and alteration of chemical groups in the proteins around which the DNA is wrapped play major role in regulation of transcription. Histones are basic proteins rich in arginine and lysine residues which form the nucleosomal core. Histone modifications like acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, etc. have broadened the horizon for researchers to study epigenetics more in detail. Histone methyl transferases and histone demethyl transferases are enzymes which add or remove methyl groups on histone lysine and arginine residues respectively. In this study a jumonji domain containing putative histone demethyltransferase has been shown to be responsible in controlling flowering phenotype …


The Effects Of Dietary Amino Acid Density In Broiler Feed On Carcass Characteristics And Meat Quality, Reid Alexander Lilly Aug 2010

The Effects Of Dietary Amino Acid Density In Broiler Feed On Carcass Characteristics And Meat Quality, Reid Alexander Lilly

Theses and Dissertations

Research was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary amino acid (AA) density (Deficient (D), Low (L), High (H), and Excessive (E)) on broiler breast and thigh meat quality. As expected, the feed conversion improved (P<0.05) as AA density increased. No differences (P>0.05) existed among treatments with regard to final pH, cooking loss, shear force, brine absorption proximate analysis, and average consumer acceptability of breast meat. The D AA diet yielded meat with less (P<0.05) moisture, less protein (P<0.05) and more fat (P<0.05) than all other treatments. Increasing AA density in the diet led to increased (P<0.05) concentrations of linoleic and linolenic acid in the thigh meat from the H and E treatments, thus making it more susceptible to oxidation (P<0.05) in comparison to the D and L treatments. Overall, data revealed that all four AA diets yielded high-quality breast and thigh meat with minimal product differences.


Nutrient Utilization By And Diet Preference Of American White Pelicans When Offered Diets Of Channel Catfish And (Or) Grass Carp, Treena Lee Ferguson Aug 2010

Nutrient Utilization By And Diet Preference Of American White Pelicans When Offered Diets Of Channel Catfish And (Or) Grass Carp, Treena Lee Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

Twelve pelicans captured in northeast Mississippi were used for a 7 day metabolism trial followed by a 2 day preference trial and a trial to evaluate the effect of consuming plastic tags. In the metabolism trial, pelicans were allotted to one of three treatment diets (4 birds/diet): catfish only, carp only or both (50 % catfish and 50% carp). Pelicans consuming the catfish only diet metabolized less dry matter, organic matter and energy than those consuming only carp or both. Four pelicans were used to determine preference for carp or catfish. Pelicans ate more (P = 0.001) carp (89 % …


Depuration As A Method To Reduce Vibrio Vulnificus Populations In Live Crassostrea Virginica Oysters, Oleksandr S. Tokarskyy Aug 2010

Depuration As A Method To Reduce Vibrio Vulnificus Populations In Live Crassostrea Virginica Oysters, Oleksandr S. Tokarskyy

Theses and Dissertations

Vibrio vulnificus is a foodborne bacterial pathogen associated with raw oyster consumption. Shellfish depuration for 48 hours is a dynamic process where coliform bacteria are purged; however, this process is ineffective against V. vulnificus. The current study investigated the use of prolonged two-week depuration on V. vulnificus populations in Gulf Coast oysters. The study evaluated the impact of prolonged depuration on V. vulnificus fatty acid profile change and the ability to survive in simulated gastric fluid. Oyster depuration in seawater (10 or 22oC, 14 days) reduced V. vulnificus counts, but not to non-detectable level, indicating close ecological relationship between the …


Effects Of Trinexapac-Ethyl On Ornamental Grass Species, Alvin Scott May Aug 2010

Effects Of Trinexapac-Ethyl On Ornamental Grass Species, Alvin Scott May

Theses and Dissertations

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on height reduction, tillering, chlorophyll content, color, flowering, and root development of three ornamental grasses: Calamagrostis ×acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus', and Pennisetum ×advena 'Rubrum'. Two applications of TE reduced height in all grasses and improved chlorophyll content in C. 'Karl Foerster' while delaying flowering in M. 'Variegatus' and P. 'Rubrum'. Tillering was slightly increased in M. 'Variegatus' with two TE applications. Shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) were reduced in C. 'Karl Foerster', SDW was reduced in P. 'Rubrum' and SDW and RDW were unaffected …


In Vivo Comparison Of Edwardsiella Ictaluri Survival In Kidneys Of Vaccinated And Naïve Rag1-/- Zebrafish, Casey Janine Varner Aug 2010

In Vivo Comparison Of Edwardsiella Ictaluri Survival In Kidneys Of Vaccinated And Naïve Rag1-/- Zebrafish, Casey Janine Varner

Theses and Dissertations

This study used rag1-/- mutant zebrafish, which lack functional T and B lymphocytes, to investigate whether innate immune cells from vaccinated mutant zebrafish demonstrate enhanced survival compared to phagocytes from naïve mutant fish. Edwardsiella ictaluri, an economically significant aquatic pathogen and the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), was used for the trials. Quantification of live bacteria from sampled kidneys was accomplished via colony counts, luminescence readings, and differential DNA extractions using Ethidium Monoazide (EMA) and Propidium Monoazide (PMA) followed by qPCR. There was a general trend of less bacteria in vaccinated mutant fish. Additionally, the mortality in …


Mode Of Action And Characterization Of A Novel Biological Response Modifier Isolated From Fractionated Caprine Serum, Charles Joseph Matyi Aug 2010

Mode Of Action And Characterization Of A Novel Biological Response Modifier Isolated From Fractionated Caprine Serum, Charles Joseph Matyi

Theses and Dissertations

Immune Cell Potentiating Factor (ICPF) represents a class of biological response modifiers initially only found within active caprine serum fractions. Controlled studies have since demonstrated active ICPF derived from several non-caprine mammalian sources; including equine and human. ICPF is able to increase survivability in murine gram negative induced sepsis (60%) as well as secondary infection and subsequent sepsis in canines infected within canine parvo virus 2 (36%) despite showing no innate antiviral properties. ICPF is able to initiate systemic proteomic changes within several organ systems; including serum, liver, brain, lung, and spleen. ICPF initiated an early acute phase response, specifically …


Fire Ant Response To Management Of Native Grass Field Buffers, Sarah Lucinda Hale Aug 2010

Fire Ant Response To Management Of Native Grass Field Buffers, Sarah Lucinda Hale

Theses and Dissertations

Imported fire ants are invasive and cause injury to people, crops, livestock and wildlife. Disturbance may increase abundance and activity of fire ants. However, native grass field buffers established for grassland birds require periodic disturbance. I experimentally tested if fire ant mound density and foraging activity changed after burning and disking in native grass buffers and examined relationships among fire ants, vegetation, and grassland bird and butterfly metrics in undisturbed buffers. In 2008, disking increased mound density and foraging activity, but burning did not. In 2009, disking had no effect, but effects of disking the previous season persisted. Fire ant …


Factors Affecting Ammonia Volatilization From Broiler Litter, Dana Mcgee Miles Aug 2010

Factors Affecting Ammonia Volatilization From Broiler Litter, Dana Mcgee Miles

Theses and Dissertations

Loss of ammonia from broiler litter degrades air quality, decreases litter fertilizer value, and can have negative health consequences for birds and their caretakers. Rates of NH3 emission from broiler houses are complicated by interrelated management and environmental factors such as air temperature, humidity, house style, ventilation rate,bird age, litter conditions, litter characteristics, and cleanout schedule. Wide variations inemission rates necessitate further investigation of litter characteristics and abatement techniques. The research was designed to clarify the impact of moisture effects that are critical to emissions for poultry litter, in conjunction with bedding type and temperature. Experiments were conducted on litter …


Factors Affecting Morphometrics And Epiphyseal Closure Of White-Tailed Deer, Emily Brooke Flinn Aug 2010

Factors Affecting Morphometrics And Epiphyseal Closure Of White-Tailed Deer, Emily Brooke Flinn

Theses and Dissertations

Factors affecting morphometrics and epiphyseal closure are important in understanding regional variation and growth of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). I compared body and antler growth from birth to 3 years of age in captive, first-generation, male white-tailed deer from three regions with varying soil quality and deer morphometrics. I also determined gender and age effects on epiphyseal closure timing in captive white-tailed deer. I found regional morphological variation present in first-generation male deer, which may be caused by regional genetic variation or lingering maternal effects. Determining cause of regional morphological variation will require data collection through a second-generation of males …


Sleep, Bmi, And Work-Family Conflict: A Gender Comparison Of U.S. Workers, Blake Lee Jones Aug 2010

Sleep, Bmi, And Work-Family Conflict: A Gender Comparison Of U.S. Workers, Blake Lee Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine how sleep problems, Body Mass Index (BMI), and poverty were related to several work, personal, and family variables in a sample of married male and female workers in the United States. The data for this study came from the National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) 2008. This large, nationally representative dataset provided a resource for examining potential gender differences in variables that have been linked to sleep problems and increases in BMI, as well as how each of these variables relate to several work, personal, and family life outcomes, including …


The Effect Of Resistance Training On Strength And Total Physical Activity In Postpartum Females, Tiffany Kaye Hinman Aug 2010

The Effect Of Resistance Training On Strength And Total Physical Activity In Postpartum Females, Tiffany Kaye Hinman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare strength and physical activity (PA) changes in postpartum women randomly assigned to either a four-month progressive resistance training (RT) program or a four month flexibility program. Sixty healthy women between six weeks and eight months postpartum initiated the study and 43 completed the entire study. The women tended to be overweight, were all non-smokers, and most were breastfeeding (97%) at the beginning of the study. Both groups (RT and flexibility) completed training exercises twice weekly. Both groups improved in all measures of strength (RT group: leg press, P < 0.001; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P < 0.001. Flexibility group: leg press, P = 0.009; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P = 0.005); however, the RT group had higher strength gains compared to the flexibility group over time (leg press, P < 0.005; bench press, P < 0.001; curl-ups, P < 0.007). In addition, both groups increased in low back flexibility but the group*period interaction did not reach significance (P = 0.096). Light-intensity PA increased in the RT group but not the flexibility group (P < 0.05). A group*period interaction was significant for light-intensity PA time (P = 0.031) and borderline significant for sedentary time (P = 0.054). However, controlling for the number of months postpartum and weight gain during the previous pregnancy resulted in a significant interaction for sedentary time (P < 0.05). No changes were found in moderate, vigorous, or moderate to vigorous PA within or between groups over time. In conclusion, twice-weekly RT increases strength and is associated with improvements in several PA outcomes in postpartum women; however, the mechanisms for this are unclear. The training sessions and/or increased spontaneous activity may have contributed.


Effects Of Duration Of Proton Pump Inhibitor (Ppi) Therapy On Markers Of Bone Health In Men And Postmenopausal Women, Zarina Maria Pabin Aug 2010

Effects Of Duration Of Proton Pump Inhibitor (Ppi) Therapy On Markers Of Bone Health In Men And Postmenopausal Women, Zarina Maria Pabin

Theses and Dissertations

This observational study compared bone health biomarkers, bone mineral density (BMD),dietary habits, and physical activity levels of men (n=31) and non-estrogen supplementing postmenopausal women (n=23) divided according to duration of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy; more than 5 years (n=16), less than 5 years (n=15), and no PPI therapy (n=23). The shortest duration of PPI therapy was 2 months and the longest duration of PPI therapy was 25 years with a mean duration of 7.5 years. No significant differences were found between measures of spine BMD, urinary deoxypyridinoline (bone resorption), urinary calcium and magnesium, serum osteocalcin (bone formation), serum parathyroid …


Education Of Obstetrical Nursing Staff Regarding Regional Anesthesia And Possible Complications, Megan M. Dallman Aug 2010

Education Of Obstetrical Nursing Staff Regarding Regional Anesthesia And Possible Complications, Megan M. Dallman

Theses and Dissertations

Spinal and epidural anesthesia have long been a popular choice for anesthesia in the obstetrical population, whether for a laboring patient or a patient undergoing a cesarean delivery. Anesthesia providers caITy out the placement and delivery of these blocks. After the block is deemed successful and the patient is considered medically stable, the anesthesia provider may then leave the side of their patient, trusting that the care given by the labor and delivery nurse will be the best possible care available. However, it is a well know fact that risks are present anytime an invasive procedure takes place. Complications can …


Function And Regulation Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 In Glioblastoma Multiforme, Monika Anand Jul 2010

Function And Regulation Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 In Glioblastoma Multiforme, Monika Anand

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and fatal cancer of the brain. It is characterized with augmented morbidity and elusion to therapies due in part to the incessant infiltration and spread of tumor cells in normal brain. We investigated the function of Matrix metalloproteinase-1, an important enzyme noted to be responsible for invasion in other cancers, in GBM and its regulation by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated elevated levels of MMP-1 in GBM. Further studies indicated the involvement of MMP-1 in GBM invasion. The GBM cell lines T98G, U251MG and U87MG were used …


Evaluation Of Psychological Recovery In Patients With Major Medical Illnesses, Kelly Marie James Jul 2010

Evaluation Of Psychological Recovery In Patients With Major Medical Illnesses, Kelly Marie James

Theses and Dissertations

The OQ-45.2 (Outcome Questionnaire-45.2) is a measure of psychological distress that examines patients' emotional states and level of functioning in society. This measure was administered at admission and discharge to inpatients at a level II trauma center with in- and outpatient populations in addition to the BBHI-2 (Brief Battery for Health Improvement-2) and FIM (Functional Independence Measure). Results suggested that patients demonstrated psychological improvements from admission to discharge. In addition, the OQ-45.2 was found to correlate with nearly all subtests of the BBHI-2. Finally, diagnosis, length of stay, and number of psychotherapy sessions were not predictive of improvements on the …


Effect Of Mechanical Stimulation On Mesenchymal Stem Cell Seeded Cartilage Constructs, Karin Wartella Jul 2010

Effect Of Mechanical Stimulation On Mesenchymal Stem Cell Seeded Cartilage Constructs, Karin Wartella

Theses and Dissertations

Cartilage tissue engineered constructs using mesenchymal stem cells were stimulated with 3 different stimulation algorithms to achieve characteristics mimicking the superficial tangential zone of articular cartilage. The stimulation algorithm of both compression and tension without an offset had the best properties out of all the evaluated groups.


Membrane-Bound Matrix Metalloproteinases Influence Reactive Synaptogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Kelly Warren Jul 2010

Membrane-Bound Matrix Metalloproteinases Influence Reactive Synaptogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Kelly Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) produces axonal damage and deafferentation, triggering injury-induced synaptogenesis, a process influenced by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their substrates. Here we report results of studies examining the expression and potential role of two membrane-bound MMPs, membrane-type 5-MMP (MT5-MMP) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-10 (ADAM-10), along with their common synaptic substrate N-cadherin, during the period of reactive synaptogenesis. Protein and mRNA expression of MT5-MMP, ADAM-10 and N-cadherin were compared in two TBI models, one exhibiting adaptive plasticity (unilateral entorhinal cortex lesion; UEC) and the other maladaptive plasticity (fluid percussion injury + bilateral EC lesions; TBI+BEC), targeting 2, 7, …


The Relationship Among Maternal Infant Bonding, Spirituality, And Maternal Perception Of Childbirth Experience, Linda Bennington Jul 2010

The Relationship Among Maternal Infant Bonding, Spirituality, And Maternal Perception Of Childbirth Experience, Linda Bennington

Theses and Dissertations

The beginning of life is an intense experience for both mother and baby and sets the foundation for future interactions. Researchers have theorized that maternal infant bonding begins prenatally and continues on through the postnatal period. Mṻller (1996) examined that process to determine if prenatal bonding was related to postnatal bonding and discovered that there was only a modest correlation between the two. This led to speculation as to what variables, besides prenatal bonding, could influence postnatal bonding. Klaus & Kennell (1976) noted the detrimental effects of a lack of bonding in terms of abuse and attachment disorders and emphasized …


The Development And Use Of A Geographic Information System For Evaluating The Association Between Pesticide Exposure And Prostate Cancer, Kristen Wells Jul 2010

The Development And Use Of A Geographic Information System For Evaluating The Association Between Pesticide Exposure And Prostate Cancer, Kristen Wells

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract 1 – A Geographic Information System for Evaluating Residential Pesticide Exposure and Prostate Cancer Incidence Agricultural pesticide exposure is hypothesized to be a risk factor for prostate cancer, and such exposures are of particular concern for men living in farming communities where large-scale pesticide applications occur. Prostate cancer incidence data were obtained from the State Health Registry of Iowa for the years 1996 through 2006, and county and census tract level age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Historical crop-specific land use records and pesticide sales data for the state of Iowa during 1990 were integrated into a geographic information system …


The Mechanism Of Obesity In Rai1+/- Mice, Kristie Schmidt Jul 2010

The Mechanism Of Obesity In Rai1+/- Mice, Kristie Schmidt

Theses and Dissertations

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a genetic disorder caused by a deletion or mutation of the retinoic acid induced 1 (RAI1) gene on chromosome 17p11.2 that results in haploinsufficiency. SMS patients with a deletion account for 90% of the cases, while the other 10% have a mutation in RAI1. The syndrome is characterized by cognitive impairment, craniofacial abnormalities, sleep disturbances, developmental delay, obesity, and behavioral phenotypes. SMS is thought to affect 1:25,000 live births, although due to similar infantile phenotypes with Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome, SMS may be mis- or under-diagnosed. In a study of 54 children, it was shown …


Cell Death And Sustained Senescence Arrest In Colon Carcinoma And Melanoma Tumor Cells In Response To The Novel Microtubule Poison, Jg-03-14, Jonathan Biggers Jul 2010

Cell Death And Sustained Senescence Arrest In Colon Carcinoma And Melanoma Tumor Cells In Response To The Novel Microtubule Poison, Jg-03-14, Jonathan Biggers

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies from this and other laboratories have shown that the novel microtubule poison, JG-03-14, which binds to the colchicine binding site of tubulin, has the capacity to promote both autophagy and apoptosis in breast tumor cells, as well as interfering with endothelial cell function and potentially disrupting tumor vasculature. The current work was designed to investigate the interaction between JG-03-14 and cell culture models of colon carcinoma and melanoma, specifically HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells and B16F10 murine melanoma cells. In both cases, JG-03-14 promoted death in the bulk of the treated population. FACS analysis, DAPI and TUNEL staining …


Selenium Determinations, Nanoparticle Sorbent Analysis And Nanoparticle Catalysts For Chemiluminescence, Sandra Grace Hazelton Jul 2010

Selenium Determinations, Nanoparticle Sorbent Analysis And Nanoparticle Catalysts For Chemiluminescence, Sandra Grace Hazelton

Theses and Dissertations

Three projects in chemical analysis are presented. In the first, calibration-free Se(IV) determinations were accomplished using an electrochemical flow cell and stripping potentiometry at an unmodified gold electrode. The method was optimized prior to analysis of water and wheat samples. A detection limit of approximately 0.5 ppb Se(IV) was observed. Method accuracy was good and precision was acceptable (%RSD < 10). In the second project, stripping analysis was also employed, this time to analyze metal ion adsorption on carboxylic acid-modified silica nanoparticles. The metals analyzed were Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II). By using anodic stripping voltammetry, adsorbed metal ions could not be detected, thus the need to separate the sorbent from the free metal ions was eliminated. All three metal ions in this study adsorbed in a nearly one-to-one ratio with the carboxylic acid groups at high pH (∼1000 μmol g-1). The effect of pH on adsorption behavior was also investigated. The third project also employed silica nanoparticles and a flow-through detection system. Co(III)-triethanolamine-doped silica nanoparticles were synthesized and used as catalysts for the luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence reaction. It was found that the chemiluminescent signal increased linearly with the concentration of nanoparticles in bulk solution. The detection limit for the nanoparticles was 1.5 × 10-12 mol L-1 . Luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence had superior precision when catalyzed by nanoparticles as compared with the free cobalt(III) complex. It was demonstrated that the nanoparticles met the criteria required for a biosensor label.


Crucial Conversations: Perceptions Of Staff And Patients' Families Of Communication In An Intensive Care Unit, Elizabeth A. Hughes Jul 2010

Crucial Conversations: Perceptions Of Staff And Patients' Families Of Communication In An Intensive Care Unit, Elizabeth A. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to answer the question What are the challenges to communication in an intensive care unit (ICU) between staff members (including physicians) and ICU patient family members? My goal was to understand the aids and barriers to communication in this difficult setting. This qualitative study sought to increase understanding of the factors that contribute or detract from effective communication between ICU staff members, and between ICU staff members and families. This study applied grounded theory methodology through the use of observations and in-depth interviews to learn what difficulties ICU staff encounter when they communicate with …


Genomic Analysis Of Nematode-Environment Interaction, Bishwo Adhikari Jul 2010

Genomic Analysis Of Nematode-Environment Interaction, Bishwo Adhikari

Theses and Dissertations

The natural environments of organisms present a multitude of biotic and abiotic challenges that require both short-term ecological and long-term evolutionary responses. Though most environmental response studies have focused on effects at the ecosystem, community and organismal levels, the ultimate controls of these responses are located in the genome of the organism. Soil nematodes are highly responsive to, and display a wide variety of responses to changing environmental conditions, making them ideal models for the study of organismal interactions with their environment. In an attempt to examine responses to environmental stress (desiccation and freezing), genomic level analyses of gene expression …