Digital Commons Network^™

Molecular And Biochemical Analysis Of Water Stress Induced Responses In Grape, Ramesh Katam

Theses and Dissertations

Water stress affects vine productivity, disease tolerance, and enological characteristics of grape. Florida Hybrid Bunch grape are developed through hybridization of local grape spp with Vitis vinifera. These cultivars are mostly grown in southeast region of United States. Water deficit conditions resulted due to failure of rains in the region has developed concern among Florida grape growers to increase water use efficiency of grape. The goal of this research is to identify genes and proteins differentially expressed in response to water stress and to correlate these changes with enological characteristics. Investigating transcripts and proteins will allow us to correlate them …

The Impact Of Catfish Imports On U.S. Wholesale And Farm Sectors, Sammy Jermaine Neal

Theses and Dissertations

The importing of tra, basa, and channel catfish at relatively lower prices has resulted in less catfish purchased from U.S. farmers and processors. Claims have been filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) accusing Vietnamese exporters of selling catfish to the U.S. at less than fair market value. Consequently, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled against Vietnam in 2003 and recommended tariffs from 37% to 64%. The primary objective of this research is to assess the impact of the tariffs on imported Vietnamese catfish on the U.S. catfish industry. In this study, we develop a supply and demand model …

Formulation Of A Fruit Slush Using Evaporated Sweet Whey, Reginald Carl Sean Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Wheyruit slush formulas were evaluated prior to consumer testing of pre-selected formulated beverages. Varying ingredients were prepared in accordance to a factorial design of maximum use of whey and minimum use of additional ingredients. Whey was obtained from the Mississippi State University Dairy Processing Plant and evaporated. The evaporated sweet whey was combined with blueberries, cherry concentrate, Splenda®, water and ice. Sensory tests were conducted to evaluate appearance, flavor and overall acceptability of formulations. Panelists were asked to participate in a survey to elaborate personal perceptions of the products. Formulation of 125mL whey and 30g blueberries had the higher acceptability …

Determination And Compatibility Of Putatively Hypovirulent And Virulent Isolates Of Cryphonectria Parasitica Collected From The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, David Franklin Mcneill

Theses and Dissertations

A two-year study was conducted to collect and identify hypovirulent isolates of the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) from American chestnut trees located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). During the survey, 339 isolates were obtained, 54 of which had abnormal morphological characteristics in culture and 3 of these contained dsRNA. Analysis of vegetative compatibility divided all 339 isolates into 34 distinct groups, 16 of which only contained a single isolate. A total of 19 isolates (compared to 3 controls) containing abnormal cultural morphologies or dsRNA were randomly selected for use in a field trial containing 44 natural …

Determination Of Ricin Content In Castor (Ricinus Communis L.) Tissues And Comparison Of Detoxification Methods, Daniel Joseph Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were conducted to test for ricin content in tissue samples from four castor cultivars, developing castor seed, germinating castor seedlings, and chemically and heat treated seed meal. Ricin content of each sample was examined via Western blotting with ricin A-chain specific antibodies. Results indicate that ricin is present solely within castor endosperm and is not present any other tissues. Samples from developing seed and germinating seedlings indicate ricin production begins around day 28 post pollination, and ricin is absent from the seedling 6 days after the onset of radicle emergence. This would seem to indicate that the purpose of …

Long-Term Trophic Shifts Among Fishes After Extensive Modification Of A Southeastern U.S. River System, Matthew E. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Regulation of the Upper Tombigbee River and its incorporation into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway has resulted in main-channel flows that differ from the pre-regulation condition. Flows differ in (1) magnitude: higher base flows, damped peak flows, and (2) variability: the river rises and falls faster and the number of reversals has increased. A shift in the trophic ecology of the resident fish assemblage corresponded with the altered hydrology. Assemblage-level trophic plasticity manifested through dietary shifts in species present during both time periods are coupled with changes to the taxonomic structure observed previously. Species representing the contemporary assemblage feed on fewer taxa …

Physiological Correlates Of Aggression In Adolescent Females, Ashley Dibble

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, with the development of new technology, researchers have focused on physiological predictors of aggressive behavior, specifically cortisol and alpha amylase. Gordis, Granger, Susman, and Trickett (2006) found the interaction between cortisol and alpha-amylase significantly predicted parent reports of aggression indicating that low levels of physiological reactivity was associated with higher levels of problem behavior. While this research has provided valuable information about aggressive behavior, a major limitation is the majority of research focuses on males, or has not examined gender differences explicitly. This study expanded on work by Gordis et al. (2006) and other researchers on the HPA axis …

Development Of An Inexpensive, Haptic Graphical Display Device, David Burch

Theses and Dissertations

A finger-worn haptic device capable of rendering 2-D graphics through vibrotactile feedback is presented. The device development is presented from its initial stages of being a stylus design using a photo-interrupter optical sensor and pager-motor actuator to a small case worn on the finger using a RGB color sensor and a piezoelectric actuator. Testing of the latest prototype design shows that it has a spatial sensitivity (<2mm) comparable to natural touch (~1mm) and can be used to output a variety of vibrotactile textures. The design can be expanded for a multiple finger, independent device, while remaining affordable (<$100) and highly portable (<500g).

Effects Of Metal Protoporphyrins On Burn Wound Conversion, Katie Braun

Theses and Dissertations

A murine model was utilized to test the influence of heavy metal protoporphyrins on burn conversion, heme oxygenase – 1 (HO-1) expression, and inflammation. Heavy metal protoporphyrins, such as cobalt protoporphyrin (Co PP) and tin protoporphyrin (Sn PP), were used to influence the heme oxygenase activity. The effects of these heavy metal protoporphyrins on burn wound conversion were examined using a burn comb model in rats. In addition to assessing the extent of conversion, HO-1 expression and parameters of inflammation were also examined in the area of injury (interspace region) subject to conversion. These studies demonstrate proof in principal that …

Does Shape Predict Performance? An Analysis Of Morphology And Swimming Performance In Great Basin Fishes, John R. Aedo

Theses and Dissertations

Swimming performance strongly influences fitness in aquatic organisms and is closely tied to external body morphology. Although this connection has been closely examined at the individual and species level, few studies have focused on this relationship as it pertains to functional group assemblages. Using functional groups based on similarities in habitat use and morphology, I tested the hypothesis that swimming performance can be reliably predicted by functional group composition. I measured swimming performance as burst speed using a simulated predator attack and as prolonged speed using a step-endurance test in a laboratory flume. I measured morphology using geometric morphometric techniques. …

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Aircraft Composites Using Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy, Christopher D. Stoik

Theses and Dissertations

Terahertz (THz) time domain spectroscopy (TDS) was assessed as a nondestructive evaluation technique for aircraft composites. Material properties of glass fiber composite were measured using both transmission and reflection configuration. The interaction of THz with a glass fiber composite was then analyzed, including the effects of scattering, absorption, and the index of refraction, as well as effective medium approximations. THz TDS, in both transmission and reflection configuration, was used to study composite damage, including voids, delaminations, mechanical damage, and heat damage. Measurement of the material properties on samples with localized heat damage showed that burning did not change the refractive …

A Population Genetic Study Of Middle Eastern Populations Using Dys 458 Microvariants And Cohen Modal Haplotypes, Enass Nabeel Tinah

Theses and Dissertations

A comprehensive population study in the Middle East was conducted using different genetic markers in order to establish a wider genetic profile of the Middle Eastern populations. The main goal of this study was to analyze DNA from samples collected from different locations, and produce genetic motifs and patterns that could be used to identify and distinguish the target populations. This information will allow us to analyze the ancestry of these populations, their interactions through time and space, and the effects these interactions have on the populations' structure. We have collected around 1300 individual samples from different populations in the …

Season Of Birth And Risk For Schizophrenia, Seth Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating mental disorder characterized by positive (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) and negative (e.g., catatonia, flat affect) signs and symptoms. Many studies suggest that individuals born in winter or spring months are at increased risk for schizophrenia. Study Objectives: 1) To determine whether season of birth affects risk for schizophrenia in the Irish Study of High Density Schizophrenia Families (ISHDSF). 2) To examine, by computer simulation, power to detect genetic associations with schizophrenia under a variety of conditions and using different analytic strategies. 3) To test whether specific genes are associated with schizophrenia in the Irish Case …

Asian American Social Workers: Exploring Relationships Among Factors Influencing Career Choices, Soon Min Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. One of the stereotypes associated with Asians is that they are more likely to choose careers in science, medicine, and engineering rather than social science, inclusive of social work, mass communication, or humanities (Leong & Serafica, 1995; Tang et al., 1999). This occupational stereotyping of Asians is not just a myth in that descriptive studies have shown that only a few Asians choose social work as a career (Lennon, 2005; NASW, 2006). Few studies exist on Asian Americans who do not choose Asian stereotypical career choices, …

Molecular Mechanisms Involved In Oligodendrocyte Development, Rochelle Coelho

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination and loss of oligodendrocytes (OLGs), the CNS myelin-producing cells. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that control OLG development can provide valuable knowledge regarding remyelination therapies for MS. This disease is thought to result from an autoimmune attack towards myelin. FTY720, an immunomodulator under evaluation for MS treatment is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) analog. We found before that S1P plays a crucial role in the NT-3-mediated survival of OLGs, an observation that led us to investigate whether FTY720 could have any effect on these cells. Our studies …

Energy Efficient Embedded System Design For Medical Care System Using Wireless Sensor Network, Qi Li

Theses and Dissertations

Recent surveys on medical service systems show that the cost of patient monitoring has grown significantly. The widespread use of portable digital medical device makes it possible to provide a more comprehensive tracking of patient conditions. However, the development of a full scale, distributed health monitoring system is much delayed due to the lack of efficient wireless communication in a large distributed network. This becomes a challenging research topic which is to find a way to provide accurate and real time patient information to medical experts in a fast, efficient and cost effective fashion. This paper proposes a novel solution …

Regulation Of Mdm2 Mediated Nfκb2 Pathway In Human Lung Cancer, Lathika Mohanraj

Theses and Dissertations

Overexpression of oncoprotein MDM2 and mutations of tumor suppressor p53 are frequently observed in human cancers. The NFκB pathway is one of the deregulated pathways in oncogenesis. The overall goal of the project was to study the regulation of NFκB pathway by MDM2 in lung cancer. Our first effort was to determine the frequency of MDM2 overexpression in human lung tumor samples and to identify co-occurring abnormal gene expression by studying the levels of MDM2 and members of NFκB pathway with respect to p53 status. Higher than normal levels of MDM2 were found in approximately 30% of the cancer samples …

The Effects Of Excess Corticosterone On Lkb1 And Ampk Signaling In Skeletal Muscle Of Rats, Gary N. Nakken

Theses and Dissertations

Cushing's syndrome and glucocorticoid therapy lead to central obesity, insulin resistance, and symptoms of altered energy regulation similar to those observed in the metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that excess glucocorticoids alter energy sensing/signaling in skeletal muscle through mediation of the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. To test this hypothesis, three 100 mg pellets of corticosterone were implanted subcutaneously in each of nine rats for two weeks. Responses were compared with sham operated controls fed ad libitum or food restricted to produce the body weights similar to the treatment group rats. After the treatment period, animals were anesthetized and the right gastrocnemius-plantaris and …

Assessing Water Quality Modeling In Subtropical Regions Based On A Case Study Of The Aguamilpa Reservoir, Oliver Obregon

Theses and Dissertations

The shortage of water in Mexico has made public and private institutions look at reservoirs as an alternative solution for present and future water supply. However, eighty percent of the existing reservoirs in Mexico are contaminated at some level, many severely. Water quality models are water-management tools used to diagnose water quality problems and the impact of various environmental conditions. They can be effective in assessing various measures of remediation leading to improved water quality. In most of the cases such water quality models have been successfully applied in reservoirs located in temperate climates. However, the use of water quality …

Pathways To Drug Use Among Rural And Urban African American Adolescents: The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Parent And Peer Influences, Trenette Clark

Theses and Dissertations

African American adolescents have traditionally engaged in drug use at disproportionately lower rates than youth of other ethnic groups. Nonetheless, African American youth and adults suffer disproportionately higher rates of drug-related consequences. This paradox is a health and social disparity that has been given fair attention but needs additional culturally intelligent theoretical and empirical explanations. Research that targets African American adolescent drug use has emerged but has failed to fully or moderately explain this paradox. The purpose of this study was to fill a gap in the literature by helping to explain the first part of the paradox, African American …

Crosstalk Between Mdm2 And Akt Signaling Pathway In Oncogenesis., Mahesh Ramamoorthy

Theses and Dissertations

MDM2, the human homologue of the Mouse Double Minute 2 gene product, has been shown to be over-expressed in many cancers and to induce tumorigenesis. The role of MDM2 in oncogenesis was thought to be p53 dependent. However recent years have shown MDM2 to be a key player in a complex network of interactions that affect cell cycle, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis in a p53 independent manner. Here we report a novel p53 independent role for the multidimensional protein MDM2; its ability to induce phosphorylation of Akt at serine 473 residue. Transient and stable over-expression of MDM2 in cultured cell lines …

Does Light Control Algal Abundance In Large River Systems?, Amy Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

A limited amount of research has been done to investigate the factors influencing algal abundance in large river systems. This study examines light as the primary factor that controls algal abundance in the Upper Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio Rivers. Data were collected for 2004 in conjunction with the Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program- Great River Ecosystems EMAP-GRE project using EPA approved methods. Chlorophyll a concentrations were 34.6 µg•L-1 in the Upper Mississippi, 19.8 µg•L-1 in Missouri River and 9 µg•L-1 in the Ohio River for 2004. Chlorophyll a concentrations were significantly different among the three rivers (p<0.0001) but not between years. Inter-river variation could be loosely correlated with light availability: mean Average Irradiance Dosages, which consider factors that affect light climate (depth, transparency, velocity, surface irradiance), by river corresponded with mean chlorophyll a levels by river. Intra-river variation seemed to be due to both the influence of light and nutrients.

Life History Observations And Determination Of Potential Host Fish Species For Chipola Slabshell, Elliptio Chipolaensis, Lisa Preister

Theses and Dissertations

North America is home to nearly 300 species of freshwater mussels with approximately 80% being found in the southeastern United States. The Federally threatened species, Elliptio chipolaensis (Chipola slabshell), is considered an endemic species to the Chipola River Basin in the Florida panhandle. E. chipolaensis glochidia are released from the female in conglutinates The potential fish host species for Elliptio chipolaensis are the bluegill and redbreast sunfish. Sixty percent of the bluegill successfully transformed E. chipolaensis glochidia into juvenile mussels while 80% of the redbreast sunfish were successful.

Quadrupedal Walking Algorithm For The 12-Tet Walker, Kirk A. Ogaard

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Cortisol Response Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurers Versus Non-Self-Injurers Exposed To A Social Rejection Laboratory Stressor, Patrick L. Kerr

Theses and Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSI) represents a growing area of concern in a variety of clinical settings, yet remains a poorly understood phenomenon. An influx of research on the functions of NSI over the past decade has suggested a biopsychosocial emotional regulation model of this behavior. This model proposes that self-injurers engage in NSI to reduce negative emotions, and presupposes that self-injurers are characterized by emotional dysregulation. The present study evaluated the biological component of this model by assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPAA) functioning in a group of self-injurers(n=26) and non-injuring healthy controls (n=28). HPAA functioning was assessed via measuring salivary cortisol levels …

Know Your Audience: An Assessment Of Preferred Learning Styles Of Freshman Students At Red River High School In Grand Forks, North Dakota, Kelly D. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to identify theories and describe characteristics of learning styles, assess characteristics of freshman students at Red River High School using data from the CAPSOL (Computerized Assessment and Prescription Styles of Learning) Style of Learning Assessment, MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Scores, GPA (Grade Point Average), and North Dakota STARS (State Automated Reporting System), and justify a pedagogical and philosophical change in instruction to adapt instructional strategies to match and strengthen students' learning styles.

The research investigated the relationships between learning style scale scores, GPA, gender, RIT (Rasch Unit) Scores, and socioeconomic factors. This study …

Movements, Resource Selection, And Risk Analyses For Parasitic Disease In An Expanding Moose Population In The Northern Great Plains, James J. Maskey Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known regarding moose ecology in North Dakota, and a decline in moose in northeastern North Dakota may be linked to parasites of white-tailed deer (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and Fascioloides magna). I investigated the ecology of moose, including the potential effects of parasitic disease. I used global positioning system collars to estimate home ranges and habitat selection and collected fecal samples for diet estimates. I reviewed historical data and examined livers moose for evidence of F. magna infection. I examined 3730 white-tailed deer for P. tenuis and investigated whether prevalence had increased since 1991. I modeled the relationship …

Teacher And Technology: How Faculty Resource Centers Can Enhance Higher Education Teaching And Learning, John T. Freden

Theses and Dissertations

As many classrooms around the world utilize instructional technology to attempt to enhance student learning, the faculty resource centers that support this instructional technology are sometimes left out of the equation. This study asks the question "What can faculty resource centers do to help teachers integrate instructional technology to improve student learning?" To help answer this question surveys were sent out to educators at two different higher education institutions. Questions were asked in a survey about the educators' background information, instructional technology, and faculty resource centers. The , information gathered from this survey is useful to faculty resource centers as …

Organizational Change In A Higher Education Institution: The Impact Of Increasing International Student Enrollment On University Of Services, Glenda Kim Cousins

Theses and Dissertations

Using a grounded theory approach, this study explored organizational change in higher education, the research examined how direct service staff, directors, and administrators perceived and responded to changes created by increasing international student numbers, and how the organization of Academic and Student Affairs adapted to these changes. The data supported that every person perceived having a certain level of power to influence change but the amount of power depended on an individual's understanding of a situation, persuasiveness in motivating people, relational dynamics with others, and participation within the flow of communication. The study found two processes operating simultaneously as individuals …

Film Families: The Portrayal Of The Family In Teen Films From 1980 To 2007, Caroline Clayton Clark

Theses and Dissertations

American adolescents watch an average of 3.5 hours of television and movies everyday; many attend more than one movie a month. Adolescents as a group watch more movies than any other group of the population, yet little research has been done on what is shown in teen movies. Adolescence is a time when values, beliefs, and opinions are formed and the media has been found to be a place that adolescents find information that can influence the construction of these identities. While there has been a vast amount of research looking at the family as portrayed on television shows, there …