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Leaf Development In The Reproductive Phase Of Arabidopsis: Investigating The Mechanics Of Cauline Leaf Identity And Bract Suppression, Darren Paul Manuela

Theses and Dissertations

Leaves in the reproductive phase subtend inflorescences or flowers and exhibit diverse morphological modifications specialized for reproductive success, such as attracting pollinators, protecting flowers/fruit, and photosynthesis. Using the model organism Arabidopsis, we investigated the development of these specialized leaves. In Arabidopsis, uniquely shaped cauline leaves subtend inflorescences, protect young floral buds and exhibit increased photosynthetic activity crucial for seed production. As form affects function, we analyzed gene expression patterns by RT-qPCR and GUS reporter genes in cauline leaves and examined mutant phenotypes with defective cauline leaf morphology. Our results reveal that redundant miR156-targeted SPLs function to promote cauline leaf identity …

Exploring The Impact Of Neonatal Transport On The Health Of Black Preterm Infants And Psychosocial Challenges Faced By Parents In Relation To Social Determinants Of Socioeconomic And Racial Inequities, Karen Faye Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Neonatal transport is a unique aspect of preterm birth. This descriptive, exploratory dissertation study used a multiple-case study design, and mixed methods approach to describe the trajectory of Black preterm outborn infants and their mothers from birth, through transport to a referral center through NICU hospitalization until discharge, for a detailed analysis of each case. The specific aims were 1) Describe each infant's transport trajectory, including baseline characteristics of the community hospital of birth (size, level of care, birthing resources), transport characteristics (mode, distance, personnel), and infant health from birth to arrival of regional referral neonatal intensive care unit; 2) …

A Careful Examination Of The Parameters Impacting The Study Of Plant/Bacteria Interactions, Caroline Victoria Royals

Theses and Dissertations

Our laboratory has been studying how different Caulobacter strains impact Arabidopsis plant growth. While reading papers published by other laboratories, I noticed inconsistencies in the methods used by different plant/bacteria interaction studies. For example, a variety of different variables have been used for defining a bacterium as Plant Growth Promoting (PGP). To establish a baseline, I conducted longitudinal studies that examined the impact of bacteria on all phases of a plant’s life. I found that individual Caulobacter wild type strains impact different aspects of plant growth. In addition, I continuously encountered problems with within and between pot variation in plant …

Evaluation Of Mechanism Of Action And Toxicity Of Novel Psychoactive Substances (Nps) Identified As Cannabinomimetics, Robert Michael Sears

Theses and Dissertations

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA), also referred to as synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), pose a significant public health risk, create an undue burden on local emergency departments, and present significant challenges for law enforcement officers and forensic laboratories. SCs are a diverse group of compounds sold with the intent to illicit psychoactive responses like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in marijuana. Since their initial detection in 2004, illicit use of SCs has grown in popularity. Recognizing the dangers of SC use, the Drug Enforcement Agency has moved to schedule the analytes routinely identified in street drugs. Despite these efforts, the …

Patient-Specific Hemodynamic Modeling For Optimizing Left Ventricular Assist Device And Right Heart Health, Holly Felice Grant

Theses and Dissertations

LVAD speed optimization is essential for efficient LVAD therapy and to minimize complications. However, the ideal LVAD speed is unknown and must be tailored for each patient. The interplay between the LVAD, systemic, and pulmonary circulations is critical and should be considered during optimization. A computational hemodynamic model that can be tailored for each patient may provide clinicians with useful guidance and reduce the need for repeated invasive studies. This study sought to customize and evaluate a patient-specific LVAD hemodynamic optimization model.

We conducted a retrospective analysis on 25 patients implanted with HM3 and who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) …

Cultural Tightness-Looseness And Optimal Distinctiveness: Examining The Influence Of Culture On The Need To Belong And The Need To Be Different, Hairong Jiang

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the influence of cultural tightness-looseness on optimal distinctiveness motives and group identification, examining the moderating roles of self-construal, global orientation, and tightness/looseness match. Participants (N=465) from the United States and China were randomly assigned to tight or loose conditions and numerically majority or minority group conditions. Experimental manipulation of tightness-looseness did not significantly affect optimal distinctiveness needs. Cultural match, operationalized as alignment of tightness/looseness between participants' own culture and experimental condition, significantly moderated the relationship between culture conditions and need to belong. Individuals with high cultural match showed higher need to belong in tight conditions, while those …

The Role Of Nr4a Transcription Factors In The Body And Their Effects In The Pancreatic Beta Cell, Jacob A. Herring

Theses and Dissertations

A central aspect of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is decreased functional β-cell mass which leads to systemic glucose dysregulation. Functional β-cell mass takes into account β-cell insulin secretion, β-cell proliferation, and β-cell survival. Several treatments are currently used to help maintain glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. However, cures for these diseases are not available due to inability to expand functional β-cell mass. Transcription factors control expression of target genes critical for various functions, and transcription factors that control β-cell function, proliferation and survival play a significant role in β-cell development and function. A more thorough examination of …

Hierarchical Quantized Autoencoders: Using Hierarchical Models For Data Compression Across Multiple Domains, Armani Lorenzo Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

In the era of vast data processing and transmission, sending data over a channel for downstream operations is a very common occurrence. The bandwidth of this data channel acts as a limiting factor in this operation, capping the amount of data that can be sent over a time period. Therefore, in addition to pursuing advancements in networking technology, there exists a need for more efficient means of data compression. Learned compression is the application of machine learning models to the data compression problem, and in this study, we leverage the ability of neural networks to learn the underlying structure of …

Assessing The Effects Of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury On Risk/Reward Decision Making And Catecholamine Associated Proteins, Christopher Knapp

Theses and Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) disrupts cognitive processes that influence risk taking behavior; however, the effects of repetitive mild injury (rmTBI) or whether these outcomes are sex specific are unknown. Risk/reward decision making is mediated by the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is densely innervated by catecholaminergic fibers. Aberrant PFC catecholamine activity has been documented following TBI and may underlie TBI-induced risky behavior. Here, we exposed rats to sham (no injury), single, or three closed-head controlled cortical impact (CH-CCI) injuries to characterize the effects of rmTBI on 1) risk/reward decision making behavior using a probabilistic discounting task (PDT) and 2) levels …

Manufacturing Of Aligned Electrospun Nanofiber Yarns For Their Enhanced Mechanical And Piezoelectric Properties, Adaugo Mary-Frances Enuka

Theses and Dissertations

Electrospinning is a widely used technique for producing nanofibers with diverse applications. This method uses polymer solutions and strong electric fields to generate nano-sized fibers with unique properties. This study presents a novel manufacturing approach that enables the production of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber yarns using an automated parallel track system and an adjustable roll-to-roll collector. This research examines the impact of an automated post-drawing system on the polymer chain orientation, crystallinity, tensile strength, morphology, and piezoelectric properties of PVDF-HFP nanofiber yarn. The results reveal that the post-drawing process significantly improves molecular alignment, increases tensile strength, and enhances the …

Chemotherapy Drug Release From Hollow Core Polyethyleneimine Nanoparticles, Brian Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

Novel anticancer delivery vehicles are arising from engineered nanostructured materials. This work involved the synthesis, characterization, and release of novel hollow core polymeric nanoparticles (HCPNPs) for controlled drug delivery. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was bound to AuNPs, forming polymer-shell nanoparticles with dissolution of the gold core via iodine forming HCPNPs with drug intercalated DNA bound to the surface. A high density (85 molecules/particle) of DNA intercalated with daunorubicin was conjugated. Particles were spherical with an average diameter of 105.7 ± 17.3 nm and zeta potential of 20.4 ± 3.54 mV. We hypothesize the DNA backbone electrostatically condensed to the primary amines on …

Site-Specific Conjugation Of Antibodies With Peptides Mediated By Microbial Transglutaminase ( Mtg ) For Adsorption To Gold Nanoparticles, Kwame Osei

Theses and Dissertations

Developing innovative methods that leverage the distinct characteristics of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has the potential to significantly advance detection technologies for addressing biological threats and improving disease intervention. However, there are challenges associated with anchoring selective recognition elements, such as antibodies, onto the surface of AuNPs. Despite extensive research, current conjugation approaches for antibody-AuNPs are not universally applicable to all antibodies, are pH-sensitive, result in random orientations that reduce activity, and/or exhibit limited stability. Resolving these issues is crucial to realizing the full potential of AuNP-based assays and promoting their widespread adoption and implementation in the field of diagnostics. The …

Variation In Sperm Competition Risk Reveals Genotype And Genotype-By-Environment Effects On Gene Expression Of Nuptial Gift Proteins In Decorated Crickets, Laura Rengifo

Theses and Dissertations

Although mating in sexually reproducing species is a necessity, male and female interests during and after mating may diverge, leading to a sexual conflict. In polyandrous systems, males benefit by monopolizing female reproduction, and have evolved manipulative traits to this end. This includes plastically increasing sperm allocation under a high risk of sperm competition, when females are likely to mate with additional males. However, less is known about plasticity in non-sperm components of the ejaculate. Nuptial gifts provisioned to females by males are a widespread sexual tactic in insects used by males to maximize sperm transfer. In decorated crickets, the …

“So Much Happens Between Those Two Spaces ”: Focalization And Parent-Child Relationships In The Moth Keeper And The Magic Fish, Sarah Delmaramo

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis identifies and examines how parent-child relationships are established within contexts of power and visually depicted in graphic novels. Establishing parent-child relationships through mutually reciprocal care is significant as a phenomenon because of the difference between the way parent-child relationships operate between the beginnings and ends of texts. The relationship change implies a problem with the relationship in the beginning which is rectified through reciprocal care. Amy Mullin describes the change as an acknowledgment that the other person in the relationship is a whole and unique individual separate from an assumption of unconditional love. Rather than viewing parent-child relationships …

Burning Torches, Eyes, And Empires: A Visual Rhetorical Analysis Of The Modern American Fascist Aesthetic, Caleb Lawler

Theses and Dissertations

Allegiance to the ideology of fascism is growing in the United States. Racist, misogynist, and xenophobic sentiments are prevalent throughout far-right groups in America. Despite fighting fascism worldwide in World War I and World War II, powerful American figures have and still hold strong ties to fascism. To consolidate control, fascists construct an aesthetic of themselves and their ideological opponents. Using visual rhetorical theory and Marxist theory, I will conduct three visual rhetorical analyses on three images from modern American political events to examine how the fascist aesthetic expresses itself in different situations.

Evaluating The Effects Of Cheatgrass On Western Burrowing Owls, Kaylee R. Draughon

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a global decline of specialist species observed in recent decades due to the impacts of climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss. Habitat loss and degradation may lead to a mismatch between habitat attractiveness and actual quality, otherwise known as an ecological trap. Ecological traps occur when an organism is constrained by its evolutionary past to select for cues that no longer accurately predict habitat quality. Specialist species are more susceptible to ecological traps due to greater reliance on and fidelity to historic sites and resources. The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), a specialist bird species adapted to …

Synthesis Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotypes 6a And 6b Di- And Trisaccharides As Propargyl Glycosyl Antigens For Glycoconjugate Vaccines, Tianyao Meng

Theses and Dissertations

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a globally prevalent Gram-positive pathogen responsible for invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD). Among its over 90 serotypes, Spn serotypes 6A (Sp6A) and 6B (Sp6B) are two of the most common causes of IPD around the world and are more frequently isolated from infections than most of the other serotypes. Our group has previously developed a method for making immune responses to bacterial glycans T cell-dependent, involving attachment of short synthetic glycans to a virus-like nanoparticle (VLP), and in combination with a natural killer T cell (NKT cell) adjuvant. This strategy enhanced immune responses by facilitating T cell …

Women Gaze Back: Affect And Apparatic Disintegration In Funeral Parade Of Roses And Perfect Blue, Jessi Ivie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how films Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) by Toshio Matsumoto and Perfect Blue (1997) by Satoshi Kon subvert the male gaze of the camera by having the female main characters look back at the audience. The characters Mima (Perfect Blue) and Eddie (Funeral Parade) take control of the camera to subvert the hierarchical relationship between apparatus, audience, and characters. Through the lenses of apparatus and affect theory, these films show how the world of film includes the audience instead of precluding them. Experimental editing and heightened emotional situations unsettle the audience's voyeuristic position, bringing them closer to …

Comparative Genomics Of Anax (Odonata: Aeshnidae), Ying Fei Lin

Theses and Dissertations

Insect migration is an important phenomenon characterized by the long-distance travel of various species in search of resources, safety, breeding, and/or suitable climates. However, relatively little is known about insect migration patterns and the genetic factors associated with them. Three closely related species of dragonflies (Odonata: Aeshnidae), Anax junius, A. strenuus, and A. walsinghami, form a clade of migratory and non-migratory species and present a natural laboratory to study the evolution of genes that may be related to muscle developments and insect migration. In this study, we sequence the whole genomes of these three Anax species to present a resource …

Jinetes De La Tormenta: The Invasive Influence Of Gender Constructs On The Journey Towards Selfhood And Societal Progress, Marissa Nicole Luquette

Theses and Dissertations

The novel Jinetes de la tormenta, written by Spanish author, Javier Castañeda de la Torre, presents gender as an obstacle to individuals in the ongoing process of self-discovery (as it relates to personal identity) and as the underlying source of human discontent in the technological age. Jinetes represents gender as a hindrance to the developing self through masculine and feminine binaries in European colonial languages and through the performative behavioral expectations tethered to the gendered body the theoretical works of Jacques Lacan and Hélène Cixous. The theoretical works of Jacques Lacan and Hélène Cixous establish the argument surrounding linguistic gender …

An Empirical Study On Detecting And Explaining Global Structural Change In Evolving Graph Using Martingale, Tarun Teja Kairamkonda

Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing interest in practical applications involving networks of interacting entities such as sensor networks, social networks, urban traffic networks, and power grids, all of which can be represented using evolving graphs. Changes in these evolving graphs can signify shifts in the behavior of interacting entities or alterations in the patterns of their interactions. Identifying and detecting these changes is crucial for addressing potential challenges or opportunities in various domains. In this study, we propose an approach for detecting structure change in evolving graphs based on the martingale change detection framework on multiple graph features extracted over time. …

Potent And Selective Small Molecule Mcl-1 Inhibitor Demonstrates Anti-Myeloma Activity And Overcomes Chemotherapy Resistance, Omar Sami Faleh Al-Odat

Theses and Dissertations

Despite a record number of clinical studies investigating various anti-myeloma treatments, the 5-year survival rate for multiple myeloma (MM) patients in the US is only 55%, and nearly all patients relapse. Poor patient outcomes demonstrate that myeloma cells are "born to survive” which means they can adapt and evolve following treatment. Thus, new therapeutic approaches to combat survival mechanisms and target treatment resistance are required. Importantly, Mcl-1, anti-apoptotic protein, is required for the development of MM and treatment resistance. This study looks at the possibility of KS18, a selective Mcl-1 inhibitor, to treat MM and overcome resistance. Our investigation demonstrates …

Continuum Mechanics Modeling Of High Strain Rate Impact Of Thermoplastic Polymer Particles, Jeeva Muthulingam

Theses and Dissertations

The study of particle impact at high strain rates is crucial in fields ranging from materials science and engineering to space exploration and environmental science. In the particular case of cold spray, a particle undergoes intense plastic deformation upon impact, causing it to adhere to the target substrate. While metallic particles impacting on metallic substrates have been extensively studied, understanding the mechanical characteristics of polymeric particles on polymer and metal substrates requires further research. This study focuses on single particle impact modeling, analyzing impact parameters such as particle size, velocity, and angle of incidence using continuum mechanics finite element modeling …

The Osteological Neutral Pose Of The Neck Of An Apatosaurine Sauropod Based On Virtual And Physical Models, Colin Don Boisvert

Theses and Dissertations

An array of sauropod taxa coexisted in Late Jurassic North America. How so many giant genera coexisted without competing for food is puzzling considering their potential metabolic requirements. One aspect of this question is neck posture, which has been much contested, both in terms of the intrinsic curvature of the neck and the resultant elevation of the head. Neck curvature is characterized by the Osteological Neutral Pose (ONP), wherein the intervertebral joints are in an undeflected state. This pose is crucial to understanding neck posture. The articulated series of presacral vertebrae 2-19 of an exceptionally well-preserved apatosaurine, BYU 18531, are …

Chromosome-Scale Assemblies And A Pangenome Reveal Ltr Repeat Dynamics As A Major Driver Of Genome Evolution In Chenopodium, Kate E. Jaggi

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Chenopodium, which comprises around 150 species globally, is characterized by its wide geographic distribution and ecological adaptability, particularly in temperate regions. Some species, such as Chenopodium quinoa and Chenopodium pallidicaule, have served as domesticated staple crops in the Andean region of South America for centuries, valued for their robust nutritional profile and adaptability to adverse environmental conditions. In contrast, wild Chenopodium species exhibit broad geographic distributions and diverse niche adaptations, functioning as reservoirs for beneficial traits, including disease resistance and climate hardiness, essential for enhancing domesticated crops through introgression and breeding efforts. However, taxonomic classification within the genus …

A Grounded Theory Analysis Of Honesty And Deception In Intimate Relationships, Lyndsey Kunzler Gerring

Theses and Dissertations

Although honesty is valued in intimate relationships, there has not been significant research on the range and different types of honesty and deception and their impacts on couples. The purpose of this study was to explore and define the role honesty plays in intimate relationships by examining the spectrum of honest and deceptive behaviors as described by participants. The study utilized qualitative methods to examine how romantic partners describe various types of honesty and deception in their relationships and the influence these have. The data was taken from part of a larger project on healthy and unhealthy relationships where semi-structured …

Ocean Rain Detection And Wind Retrieval Through Deep Learning Architectures On Advanced Scatterometer Data, Matthew Yoshinori Otani Mckinney

Theses and Dissertations

The Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) is a satellite-based remote sensing instrument designed for measuring wind speed and direction over the Earth's oceans. This thesis aims to expand and improve the capabilities of ASCAT by adding rain detection and advancing wind retrieval. Additionally, this expansion to ASCAT serves as evidence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques learning both novel and traditional methods in remote sensing. I apply semantic segmentation to ASCAT measurements to detect rain over the oceans, enhancing capabilities to monitor global precipitation. I use two common neural network architectures and train them on measurements from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) …

Hardware Acceleration Of Numerical Methods For Solving Ordinary Differential Equations, Soham Bhattacharya

Theses and Dissertations

Along with the advancement in technology, the role of hardware accelerators is increasing consistently, delivering advancements in scientific simulations and data analysis in scientific computing, signal processing tasks in communication systems, matrix operations, and neural network computations in artificial intelligence and machine learning models. On the other hand, several high-speed computer applications in this era of high-performance computing often depend on ordinary differential equations (ODEs); however, their nonlinear nature can present a challenge to obtaining analytic solutions. Consequently, numerical approaches prove effective in delivering only approximate solutions to these equations. This research discusses the implementation of a customized hardware accelerator …

Cytotoxicity, Antibacterial And Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of A Synthesized Curcumin Analog And One Of Its Novel Derivatives, Marian Amir

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to describe the synthesis, characterization, and the biological response via investigating the cytotoxic activity, hypoxic microenvironment response, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of the novel curcumin analog H-4073 and its succinate derivative (H-4073 SuD) in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study also aimed to compare the effects of H-4073 and H-4073 SuD to assess their relative efficacy and potential as therapeutic agents. First, the cytotoxic effects of H-4073 and H-4073 SuD were evaluated on HEPG2 cell lines under normal conditions. Results revealed that H-4073 exhibited a significantly better cytotoxic effect than H-4073 SuD in normoxia. However, …

Shape Memory Alloy Capsule Micropump For Drug Delivery Applications, Youssef Mohamed Kotb

Theses and Dissertations

Implantable drug delivery devices have many benefits over traditional drug administration techniques and have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. By delivering the medication directly to the tissue, they enable the use of larger localized concentrations, enhancing the efficacy of the treatment. Passive-release drug delivery systems, one of the various ways to provide medication, are great inventions. However, they cannot dispense the medication on demand since they are nonprogrammable. Therefore, active actuators are more advantageous in delivery applications. Smart material actuators, however, have greatly increased in popularity for manufacturing wearable and implantable micropumps due to their high energy …