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Self-Assembling Biomimetic Hydrogels With Bioadhesive Properties For Tissue Engineering Applications, Craig Wiltsey Mar 2013

Self-Assembling Biomimetic Hydrogels With Bioadhesive Properties For Tissue Engineering Applications, Craig Wiltsey

Theses and Dissertations

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that aims to repair or regenerate lost or damaged tissues and organs in the body. For the repair of certain load-bearing parts of the body, success of a tissue regeneration strategy can be dependent on scaffold adhesion or integration with the surrounding host tissue to prevent dislocation. One such area is the regeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). The objective of this work is to generate a bioadhesive polymer that, in addition to bonding with tissue, can support encapsulated cell survival post-adhesion. Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was grafted with chondroitin sulfate (CS) (PNIPAAm-g-CS) and blended …


A Hierarchical Multi-Output Nearest Neighbor Model For Multi-Output Dependence Learning, Richard Glenn Morris Mar 2013

A Hierarchical Multi-Output Nearest Neighbor Model For Multi-Output Dependence Learning, Richard Glenn Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Multi-Output Dependence (MOD) learning is a generalization of standard classification problems that allows for multiple outputs that are dependent on each other. A primary issue that arises in the context of MOD learning is that for any given input pattern there can be multiple correct output patterns. This changes the learning task from function approximation to relation approximation. Previous algorithms do not consider this problem, and thus cannot be readily applied to MOD problems. To perform MOD learning, we introduce the Hierarchical Multi-Output Nearest Neighbor model (HMONN) that employs a basic learning model for each output and a modified nearest …


Toward Scalable Human Interaction With Bio-Inspired Robot Teams, Daniel Sundquist Brown Mar 2013

Toward Scalable Human Interaction With Bio-Inspired Robot Teams, Daniel Sundquist Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Bio-inspired swarming behaviors provide an effective decentralized way of coordinating robot teams. However, as robot swarms increase in size, bandwidth and time constraints limit the number of agents a human can communicate with and control. To facilitate scalable human interaction with large robot swarms it is desirable to monitor and influence the collective behavior of the entire swarm through limited interactions with a small subset of agents. However, it is also desirable to avoid situations where a small number of agent failures can adversely affect the collective behavior of the swarm. We present a bio-inspired model of swarming that exhibits …


Mtor Pathway Activation Following Resistance Exercise With Vibration In Human Subjects, Michael G. Leavitt Mar 2013

Mtor Pathway Activation Following Resistance Exercise With Vibration In Human Subjects, Michael G. Leavitt

Theses and Dissertations

Functional adaptations in human skeletal muscle following a period of resistance exercise are the result of regular activation of cellular signaling pathways that elevate muscle protein synthesis. It has been reported that the addition of whole body vibration (WBV) to a resistance exercise program enhances performance. Such improvements in muscle function may be the result of increased activation of cellular signaling pathways associated with muscle growth. Purpose: We have investigated whether an acute bout of resistance exercise in combination with WBV results in a greater activation of the mTOR signaling pathway compared to resistance exercise alone. Methods: Eight untrained college-age …


Mood And Memory: An Association Between Pattern Separation And Depression, Don J. Shelton Mar 2013

Mood And Memory: An Association Between Pattern Separation And Depression, Don J. Shelton

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is associated with reduced declarative memory performance and decreased hippocampal volume. Depression has also been associated with decreased levels of adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Computational models propose that neurogenesis is critical for the computational process of pattern separation, whereby distinct memory representations are created for very similar stimuli and events. It has been proposed that depression negatively impacts pattern separation abilities; however, a link between depression and performance in pattern separation memory tasks has yet to be investigated. Accordingly, we designed a study to investigate the relationship between pattern separation performance and the severity of depression symptoms. …


Development And Characterization Of A Chromotomosynthetic Hyperspectral Imaging System, Randall L. Bostick Mar 2013

Development And Characterization Of A Chromotomosynthetic Hyperspectral Imaging System, Randall L. Bostick

Theses and Dissertations

A chromotomosynthetic imaging (CTI) methodology based upon mathematical reconstruction of a set of 2-D spectral projections to collect high-speed (100 Hz) 3-D hyperspectral data cube has been proposed. The CTI system can simultaneously provide usable 3-D spatial and spectral information, provide high-frame rate slitless 1-D spectra, and generate 2-D imagery equivalent to that collected with no prism in the optical system. The wavelength region where prism dispersion is highest (500 nm) is most sensitive to loss of spectral resolution in the presence of systematic error, while wavelengths 600 nm suffer mostly from a shift of the spectral peaks. The quality …


Quantifying The Nonlinear, Anisotropic Material Response Of Spinal Ligaments, Daniel J. Robertson Feb 2013

Quantifying The Nonlinear, Anisotropic Material Response Of Spinal Ligaments, Daniel J. Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

Spinal ligaments may be a significant source of chronic back pain, yet they are often disregarded by the clinical community due to a lack of information with regards to their material response, and innervation characteristics. The purpose of this dissertation was to characterize the material response of spinal ligaments and to review their innervation characteristics.


Review of relevant literature revealed that all of the major spinal ligaments are innervated. They cause painful sensations when irritated and provide reflexive control of the deep spinal musculature. As such, including the neurologic implications of iatrogenic ligament damage in the evaluation of surgical procedures …


The Impact Of Perpetrator Gender On Child Protective Services Sexual Abuse Cases: A National Picture, David Axlyn Mcleod Feb 2013

The Impact Of Perpetrator Gender On Child Protective Services Sexual Abuse Cases: A National Picture, David Axlyn Mcleod

Theses and Dissertations

Child sexual assault is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States with some research suggesting up to one fifth of our nations children being victimized before reaching adulthood. Research has suggested females could be responsible for up to 20% of child sexual abuse cases, and at the same time only represent only 1% of sexual offenders incarcerated the US. This creates a situation where a large group of relatively under-researched offenders are evading detection. Numerous calls for further research have been made, but relatively few studies have had the ability to shed significant light on this phenomenon on …


Vaccination Perceptions And Barriers Of School Employees: A Pilot Study, Kim Cranney Houle Feb 2013

Vaccination Perceptions And Barriers Of School Employees: A Pilot Study, Kim Cranney Houle

Theses and Dissertations

Schools are group settings where vaccine-preventable diseases can spread quickly, especially if vaccination rates are suboptimal. Vaccination of school children has been the subject of many studies; however, data are lacking regarding the vaccination status, vaccination perceptions, and potential barriers to vaccination for school employees. Method: A questionnaire was developed to measure school employees' perceptions,awareness of current vaccination status, and potential barriers to vaccinations. This study included a convenience sample of 277 employees from a small urban school district located in central Utah. Results: Adult vaccination knowledge is lacking in the school employee population, with over half believing they were …


Antisocial Behavior From Adolescence To Early Adulthood: Heritability, Stability, And Correlates Using A Longitudinal Twin Sample, Ashley Dibble Feb 2013

Antisocial Behavior From Adolescence To Early Adulthood: Heritability, Stability, And Correlates Using A Longitudinal Twin Sample, Ashley Dibble

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the heritability, stability, and outcomes of antisocial behavior from adolescence into adulthood in a longitudinal twin sample. Specifically, the genetic and environmental influences on conduct disorder, adult antisocial behavior, and alcohol dependence were examined. The influence of genes and environment on the relationship between these disorders was also examined. The study utilized a subset of FinnTwin12, a population-based twin study that consists of five consecutive birth cohorts. The subsample consisted of 1035 twin pairs (N = 2070) and of that 2070, 1854 completed the intensive interview at age 14. At age 22, …


"Sealing Their Two Fates With A Fracture": Ted Hughes's "Pyramus And Thisbe" As An Emblem Of The Paradox Of Translation, Carolyn Carter Feb 2013

"Sealing Their Two Fates With A Fracture": Ted Hughes's "Pyramus And Thisbe" As An Emblem Of The Paradox Of Translation, Carolyn Carter

Theses and Dissertations

This work explores how the 20th century English poet Ted Hughes translates one episode from Ovid's Metamorphoses (the "Pyramus and Thisbe" myth included in Hughes's Tales from Ovid) to make it an emblem for his notions about translation. In translating "Pyramus and Thisbe," Hughes removed many of the formal Ovidian elements and amplified the themes of violence and mingling latent in the myth. In doing so, he highlights the concept that communication sometimes necessitates breaking, symbolized primarily by the chink in the wall through which Pyramus and Thisbe whisper to one another. This metaphor for translation corroborates Hughes's discursive …


Positive Allosteric Modulators Of Alpha4beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Synthesis And In Vitro Studies, Atul Jain Feb 2013

Positive Allosteric Modulators Of Alpha4beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Synthesis And In Vitro Studies, Atul Jain

Theses and Dissertations

des-Formylflustrabromine (dFBr), isolated from the marine organism Flustra foliacea, is the first selective, positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that potentiates the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Most agonists for this receptor population are not selective and can activate other nACh receptors. A selective PAM, which activates α4β2 nACh receptors only in the presence of ACh, might find application in the treatment of of various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or autism. dFBr was examined and found to produce a biphasic dose-response curve over a wide concentration range (i.e., potentiation at low concentration, but inhibition …


Characterization Of Potential Interactions Between Transferrin Binding Proteins In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Shreni Mistry Feb 2013

Characterization Of Potential Interactions Between Transferrin Binding Proteins In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Shreni Mistry

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires iron for survival and establishment of infection in the human host. Pathogenic Neisseriae have evolved a repertoire of high-affinity iron acquisition systems to facilitate iron uptake in the human host. This requires specific outer membrane receptors and energy-harnessing cytoplasmic membrane proteins. The transferrin receptor proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae are necessary for iron uptake from transferrin in the host. The iron uptake system consists of two transferrin binding proteins, (Tbp) A and B. TbpA is an integral outer membrane, TonB-dependent transporter that forms the pore for iron internalization. TbpB is a surface exposed lipoprotein that makes the iron …


Impacts Of Black Box Warning, National Coverage Determination, And Risk Evaluation And Mitigation Strategies On The Inpatient On-Label And Off-Label Use Of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Arpamas Seetasith Feb 2013

Impacts Of Black Box Warning, National Coverage Determination, And Risk Evaluation And Mitigation Strategies On The Inpatient On-Label And Off-Label Use Of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Arpamas Seetasith

Theses and Dissertations

Background: FDA black box warning, Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), and CMS national coverage determination (NCD) aim to reduce inappropriate use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) that are widely used in anemic patients. Previous studies have not linked specific safety interventions to changes in ESA utilization patterns in the inpatient settings nor assessed such interventions on off-label use of the drugs. Ineffectiveness of the intervention and lag time between such interventions and the observed change in clinical practice could lead to serious clinical outcomes. In addition, such interventions may unintentionally reduce on-label and some off-label use of ESAs considered “appropriate” …


The Potential Rise Of An Islamist Youth Within 25 January Revolts: A Case Study Of The Muslim Brotherhood Youth, Dina Hosni Feb 2013

The Potential Rise Of An Islamist Youth Within 25 January Revolts: A Case Study Of The Muslim Brotherhood Youth, Dina Hosni

Theses and Dissertations

The thesis endeavors to offer a fresh perspective on the potential rise of Islamist youth, focusing on the pro-change ex-current MB youth as a potential subculture within 25 January and the assumption of the Egyptian MB to power. To validate this hypothesis, Gramsci's theory on hegemony and counter-hegemony has been deployed to study the rise of pro-change MB youth against Mubarak's authoritarian regime on the state level in tandem with counter-hegemony against the strict al-samc w-al-ṭāca principle (i.e. blind obedience) on the organizational level. Elements of social movement theory have been used to substantiate the relevance of counter-hegemony, namely, Gamson's …


The Acquisition Of Morphosyntactic Agreement In The Interlanguage System Of Afl Learners In Ghana, Alhassan Abdur-Rahim Husein Feb 2013

The Acquisition Of Morphosyntactic Agreement In The Interlanguage System Of Afl Learners In Ghana, Alhassan Abdur-Rahim Husein

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the relevance of agreement structures in constructing the interlanguage (IL) system of the L2 learner, not much research has been conducted in this area on Arabic language learners. This study investigated the acquisition of morphosyntactic agreement structures by Arabic as Foreign Language (AFL) learners in Ghana, using the Processability Theory (PT) formulated in Pienemann (1998, 2005). The theory predicts cross-linguistic developmental routes for the acquisition of grammatical structures. A cross-sectional study was performed in order to test the theory. Data were elicited from 15 participants from the University of Ghana, Legon using Grammaticality Judgment Task and Elicited Production Task. …


De Novo Metagenomic Assembly Of Microbial Communities From The Lower Convective Layer Of The Red Sea Atlantis Ii Brine Environment., Osama Said Ali Feb 2013

De Novo Metagenomic Assembly Of Microbial Communities From The Lower Convective Layer Of The Red Sea Atlantis Ii Brine Environment., Osama Said Ali

Theses and Dissertations

The lower convective layer of the Red Sea Atlantis II brine pool (ATII-LCL) is an unexplored environment that is characterized by harsh conditions of high temperature (68ºC), high salinity (26%), high concentration of heavy metals and very low oxygen content. Microbial communities inhabiting this extreme environment are expected to have unique structural and functional adaptations to survive such harsh conditions. These adaptations can be expressed by novel genes or new metabolic pathways. The recent advances in the next generation sequencing technologies have increased the size of the generated reads (500 bps in 454 pyrosequencing) and lowered the sequencing cost per …


Molecular Dynamics Simulation And Phase Transitions Of Tetrafluoromethane, Rasha Ibrahim Abdulshahid Feb 2013

Molecular Dynamics Simulation And Phase Transitions Of Tetrafluoromethane, Rasha Ibrahim Abdulshahid

Theses and Dissertations

Properties of material under extreme conditions, whether high pressures, high temperatures or low temperatures, are rather interesting. Understanding the properties of any given material at such extreme conditions provides a much clearer conception of the properties of this material in general. Although until recently studying the nature of matter under such extreme conditions was not possible via the traditional experimental or traditional methods, it was made possible by the utilization of computer simulation methods. Carbon tetrafluoride has been gaining wide interest in recent years due to its important role in the semiconductor processing industries. It is one of the most …


Increasing Blood Donation In Egypt, Azza Akram Shafei Feb 2013

Increasing Blood Donation In Egypt, Azza Akram Shafei

Theses and Dissertations

Blood donation is becoming a critical national demand of emergency especially after Egypt’s revolution on the 25th of January 2011, and should be a high priority for the Ministry of Health (MOH) officials in order to save patients in need. This thesis investigated current barriers and possible incentives that would motivate more citizens to donate their blood. It explored factors that influence educated Egyptians’ decisions to donate blood, such as guidelines set before donating, efficiency of donation centers’ personnel, awareness regarding health gains, and the opportunity to rescue others. As a result of a qualitative and quantitative research, recommendations were …


Categorizing Women: Gender And Social Media During The 2011 Egyptian Revolution, Sydney Winston Barnes Feb 2013

Categorizing Women: Gender And Social Media During The 2011 Egyptian Revolution, Sydney Winston Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

From February 2011 to July 2012, formerly suppressed political parties struggled to fill the political void post-Hosni Mubarak. While debates about Egypt's political future circulated, individuals as well as dissident factions employed various interpretations of women and their roles to symbolically represent their varying ideologies. Despite the significance and economic value women produce as citizens, many political actors regularly bracket their concerns as irrelevant to the affairs of the state. As a result, political actors have engaged with new strategic techniques to access the various politicized publics that marginalized subaltern groups. The most publicized approach during this time, involved individual's …


A Study Of The Ionic Diffusion Under The Effect Of Electric Field (Computer Simulation With Reference To Biological Membrane), Hagar Mohamed Fawzy Feb 2013

A Study Of The Ionic Diffusion Under The Effect Of Electric Field (Computer Simulation With Reference To Biological Membrane), Hagar Mohamed Fawzy

Theses and Dissertations

The biophysical studies of the biological system are far from being conclusive. Not only because this science is relatively recent, but also because of the lack of physical data. Also there are a lot of contradicting views among researchers as well as the poor theoretical interpretation of the reported experimental data. However, the advent of computer science with the considerable storage capability and highly vast calculations gives modeling techniques a great advantage and opens a real door to better understanding of the complicated biological phenomena. The present thesis addressed the problem of ionic penetration through biological tissue under the effect …


Design Flow Factors Using Socioeconomic Based Synthetic Wastewater Hydrographs For Small Communities, Haitham Yousri Elnakar Feb 2013

Design Flow Factors Using Socioeconomic Based Synthetic Wastewater Hydrographs For Small Communities, Haitham Yousri Elnakar

Theses and Dissertations

Reliable estimation of sewage flow rates is essential for the proper design of sewers, pumping stations, and treatment plants. The widely used design peaking factors for sewerage systems are usually related to the population served or the average sewage flow rate ignoring the difference between communities having same population but different socio-economic conditions and water use practice. In this study, a simulation model is developed to generate synthetic wastewater flow hydrographs resulting from a community with specific socio-economic conditions. The synthetic hydrographs are developed while retaining their commonly observed random behavior. The socioeconomic characteristics of a community are accounted for …


Anti-Schistosoma Single-Domain Antibody-Nanoparticles Conjugate: A Novel Tool For Diagnostic And Therapeutic Applications, Mohamed Abdelazim Sallam Feb 2013

Anti-Schistosoma Single-Domain Antibody-Nanoparticles Conjugate: A Novel Tool For Diagnostic And Therapeutic Applications, Mohamed Abdelazim Sallam

Theses and Dissertations

Nanotechnology has enthused excessive expectations in recent years, particularly in the biology and biomedical fields. Carbon-coated metallic nanomagnets reveal significant physicochemical properties, which are referred to as superparamagnetism, that when designed appropriately can be utilized to generate novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications for a wide range of biologically hazardous species. Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease that can infect both humans and animals, particularly cattle. It is caused by a trematode blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma which belong to the schistosomatidae family. At least 200 million individuals are infected in 75 countries while 600 million people are exposed to …


Mems Based Heavy Metal Detector, Inas Ramsis Feb 2013

Mems Based Heavy Metal Detector, Inas Ramsis

Theses and Dissertations

Water pollution by toxic heavy metals is one of the most serious environmental hazards to humans’ health. As they are emitted into the water resources and adsorbed by soil, plants, fish and animals and eventually accumulate in human bodies causing a variety of serious diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a continuous, rapid, automatic, and on-site heavy metals environmental monitoring system for the online detection of heavy metals pollution at various water resources and industrial waste networks. In this thesis the main objective is to develop a microfluidic platform for heavy metal analyte sensing in which a …


An Investigation Of The Potential For And Application Of Life Cycle Analysis In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Michael Raymond Jan 2013

An Investigation Of The Potential For And Application Of Life Cycle Analysis In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Michael Raymond

Theses and Dissertations

Life cycle assessment offers a unique opportunity to analyze emission reductions across all manufacturing sectors. However, few efforts have been made to apply this method to the pharmaceutical industry. The Toxic Release Inventory is a powerful tool to determine areas of high potential for emissions reductions in industry. When applied to the pharmaceutical industry and coupled with a life cycle assessment, areas for significant environmental improvement become apparent. By examining these trends and exploring a variety of emissions reductions techniques, life cycle emissions in these problem areas may be significantly reduced. These trends demonstrate that manufacture of virgin solvent and …


Design, Syntheses, And Biological Evaluation Of 14-N-Substituted Naltrexone Derivatives As Opioid Receptor Ligands, Orgil Elbegdorj Jan 2013

Design, Syntheses, And Biological Evaluation Of 14-N-Substituted Naltrexone Derivatives As Opioid Receptor Ligands, Orgil Elbegdorj

Theses and Dissertations

Opium, the dried resin obtained from the unripe seedpods of the poppy flower, has been used for medicinal and euphoric purposes since ancient times. Morphine, the main active ingredient of opium, and other clinically useful opioid analgesics all mediate their effects through activating the mu opioid receptor. Studies involving the mu opioid receptor knockout mice showed that the interaction with the mu opioid receptor is also responsible for many notorious side effects associated with these drugs including dependence and addiction. Therefore, selective antagonists for the mu opioid receptor are needed to study its function in drug abuse and addiction. Previously, …


The Role Of The Middle East In Foreign Textbooks: An Examination Of The Egyptian Market, Amira Awaad Jan 2013

The Role Of The Middle East In Foreign Textbooks: An Examination Of The Egyptian Market, Amira Awaad

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the educational textbook market in Egypt as well as analyze the potential impact of newer textbooks published by major textbook publishers that include elements of Egyptian/Arab heritage; history, art and literature. A market analysis was conducted by examining the responses of stakeholders from an American private school in Cairo, Egypt. The educational construct, here, is a formal American, private K-12 school in Egypt.The feasibility study will be conducted to assist the publishers in making the decision that will be in the best interest of the textbook selection procedure. From this school the …


Klf2 Is Required For Normal Mouse Cardiovascular Development, Aditi Raghunath Chiplunkar Jan 2013

Klf2 Is Required For Normal Mouse Cardiovascular Development, Aditi Raghunath Chiplunkar

Theses and Dissertations

Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is expressed in endothelial cells in the developing heart, particularly in areas of high shear stress, such as the atrioventricular (AV) canal. KLF2 ablation leads to myocardial thinning, high output cardiac failure and death by mouse embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) in a mixed genetic background. This work identifies an earlier and more fundamental role for KLF2 in mouse cardiac development in FVB/N mice. FVB/N KLF2-/- embryos die earlier, by E11.5. E9.5 FVB/N KLF2-/- hearts have multiple, disorganized cell layers lining the AV cushions, the primordia of the AV valves, rather than the normal single layer. By …


Metallization Of Dna And Dna Origami Using A Pd Seeding Method, Yanli Geng Jan 2013

Metallization Of Dna And Dna Origami Using A Pd Seeding Method, Yanli Geng

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I developed a Pd seeding method in association with electroless plating, to successfully metallize both lambda DNA and DNA origami templates on different surfaces. On mica surfaces, this method offered a fast, simple process, and the ability to obtain a relatively high yield of metallized DNA nanostructures. When using lambda DNA as the templates, I studied the effect of Pd(II) activation time on the seed height and density, and an optimal activation time between 10 and 30 min was obtained. Based on the Pd seeds formed on DNA, as well as a Pd electroless plating solution, continuous …


Defining A Simplified Pharmacophore For Simocyclinone D8 Inhibition Of Dna Gyrase, Lauren Gaskell Jan 2013

Defining A Simplified Pharmacophore For Simocyclinone D8 Inhibition Of Dna Gyrase, Lauren Gaskell

Theses and Dissertations

The type II topoisomerase subfamily of enzymes has been clinically targeted by the widely used, broad-spectrum quinolone class of antibacterials. Due to emerging drug-resistant strains of bacteria, the quinolones’ effectiveness is threatened. The natural product simocyclinone D8 (SD8) has shown the ability to inhibit the type II topoisomerase, DNA gyrase, even when mutated to be resistant to the quinolones. In order to determine the pharmacophore required for SD8 binding to DNA gyrase, 16 compounds were synthesized. These compounds were then tested by surface plasmon resonance for their ability to inhibit the DNA – DNA gyrase binding interaction. It was found …