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Adhesion At Solid/Liquid Interfaces, Neda Ojaghlou

Theses and Dissertations

The adhesion at solid/liquid interface plays a fundamental role in diverse fields and helps explain the structure and physical properties of interfaces, at the atomic scale, for example in catalysis, crystal growth, lubrication, electrochemistry, colloidal system, and in many biological reactions. Unraveling the atomic structure at the solid/liquid interface is, therefore, one of the major challenges facing the surface science today to understand the physical processes in the phenomena such as surface coating, self-cleaning, and oil recovery applications. In this thesis, a variety of theory/computational methods in statistical physics and statistical mechanics are used to improve understanding of water adhesion …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Neighborhood Disorganization, Co-Parenting: The Impact On College Student Mental Health, Mona L. Quarless

Theses and Dissertations

Though mental health issues are prevalent amongst college students, pre-college environment and experiences are largely overlooked as potential factors in scientific literature. The current study examined the association of neighborhood disorganization, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and mental health outcomes in a sample of college students. Utilizing the ecological model of human development and risk-resilience framework, I examined co-parenting quality as a plausible protective factor against the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and neighborhood disorder. Self-report measures of ACEs, co-parenting quality, neighborhood disorder, anxiety, and depression were completed by a sample of college students (N = 259; mean age = …

Stat5b And Stat5 Tetramers Are Essential For Ige-Mediated Mast Cell Function, Kasalina N. Kiwanuka

Theses and Dissertations

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) are latent transcription factors that mediate several cellular responses. This protein family consists of seven members, STAT1 – 6 including two closely related molecules, STAT5a and STAT5b, that show 96% amino acid sequence homology and are critical for lymphoid, myeloid and erythroid cell development and function. Activated STAT proteins dimerize and translocate to the nucleus, where they bind to high-affinity DNA motifs to modulate gene expression. We recently identified STAT5b as the critical regulator of IgE-mediated cytokine production in mast cells. STAT5b knockout (KO) cells show decreased sensitivity to IgE-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis …

Phenotypic Characterization Of Pnpase Mutation And Overexpression In C. Elegans, Brian J. Hur

Theses and Dissertations

PNPase, polynucleotide phosphorylase, is a multifunctional exoribonuclease protein with 3` terminal oligonucleotide polymerase activity. Coded by the PNPT1 gene, the protein is associated with mitochondrial homeostasis and functions as a possible target for cancer therapy. In this study, C. elegans was used to investigate the effect of mutation and overexpression of pnpt-1, the gene that encodes PNPase. It was determined that two specific mutations in pnpt-1 did not affect PNPase expression nor did they produce deleterious phenotypes that affected polycistronic transcript accumulation or ROS production. Creation of a stable overexpression model was achieved through Fusion PCR. However, different transgenic …

Spectral Methods For The Detection And Characterization Of Topologically Associated Domains, Kellen Garrison Cresswell

Theses and Dissertations

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the genome plays a crucial role in gene expression regulation. Chromatin conformation capture technologies (Hi-C) have revealed that the genome is organized in a hierarchy of topologically associated domains (TADs), sub-TADs, and chromatin loops which is relatively stable across cell-lines and even across species. These TADs dynamically reorganize during development of disease, and exhibit cell- and conditionspecific differences. Identifying such hierarchical structures and how they change between conditions is a critical step in understanding genome regulation and disease development. Despite their importance, there are relatively few tools for identification of TADs and even fewer for …

Electrochemical Separation Of Multivalent Species On A Liquid Bismuth Cathode In Licl-Kcl Eutectic For Used Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing, Michael Woods

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of group I/II fission products (Cs-137, Sr-90, and Ba-137) within molten salt nuclear processes degrades operational efficiencies by contributing to increased radiation levels in the case of material handling processes or to loss of criticality in the case of a reactor. While methods such as zone freezing and ion exchange have been proven for the separation of these fission products in LiCl-KCl salts, they require extra equipment and processing steps. Addition of a liquid metal electrode to molten salt media, such as the electrorefiner of a pyroprocessing scheme or the salt cleaning stage of a molten salt fast …

Testing For Cryptic Diversity And Inference Of Population Structure In The Cosmopolitan Hoplonemertean Emplectonema Gracile (Nemertea), Paul L. Delaney Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Emplectonema gracile (Johnston 1837) is a hoplonemertean of marine intertidal hard-bottom communities and is distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Although possessing a planktonic larval stage in its life history, the range of such cosmopolitan marine invertebrate species is often explained by cryptic speciation and anthropogenic transport. The purpose of this study is to test for possible cryptic species using mtDNA markers (COI and 16S rDNA) and to investigate population structure in E. gracile over a portion of its geographic range using mtDNA markers and ddRADseq nuclear SNP data. The results of both phylogenetic- and tree-based species delimitation revealed that E. …

Pharmacological Assessment Of Adjuncts To Enhance Mu-Opioid Receptor Agonist Antinociception In Male Rhesus Monkeys: Does One + One = Three?, Jeremy Cornelissen

Theses and Dissertations

Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are effective agents for pain management, but are also limited by a number of undesirable effects. One approach to enhance the therapeutic effects and minimize the undesirable effects of MOR agonists may be to combine MOR agonists with an adjunct targeting a different receptor system. This targeted medical approach, known as “combination therapy”, aims to augment the desired effects of the MOR agonist (i.e. antinociception) and/or diminish the undesirable deleterious side effects of the MOR agonist. This dissertation investigated the utility of this approach in an assay of thermal nociception and schedule-controlled responding in male rhesus …

Examining Sleep And Family Functioning In Pediatric Craniopharyngioma Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, Nour Al Ghriwati

Theses and Dissertations

Craniopharyngiomas are among the most common brain tumors in children and are associated with greater rates of sleep problems compared to other pediatric cancers. However, research examining sleep among youth with craniopharyngioma has been limited by a reliance on retrospective reports or sleep studies. Families also play a crucial role in children’s adjustment following a pediatric cancer diagnosis, yet remarkably little is known about transactional associations between family functioning and sleep in pediatric cancer. This study examined cross-sectional and daily associations among family functioning, affect, and sleep difficulties for youth with pediatric craniopharyngioma using retrospective reports and ecological momentary assessment …

Molecular Pharmacology Of Non-Phyto-Cannabinoid Approaches For Treatment Of Neuropathic Pain, Nadejda A. Blajkevich

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately twenty million people in United States have some form of peripheral neuropathy. It has been shown that the CB₂ cannabinoid receptor is upregulated when there is peripheral nerve injury and activating the CB₂ receptor produces anti-inflammatory effects that translate to a reduction in signs of “neuropathic pain” in animal models. Elevating endogenous cannabinoids by inhibiting degradative enzymes has also been used to reduce neuropathic pain signs in laboratory animal models of pain. We hypothesize that the molecular pharmacology of these two approaches can be leveraged to optimize CB₁/CB₂ activation to improve non-phyto-cannabinoid treatments for …

The Effect Of Quercetin In Periodontal Inflammation, Sara Holden

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine the effect of Quercetin, a plant based over the counter flavonoid, on periodontal inflammation in a murine model of periodontitis.

Methods: Periodontitis was induced in age and gender matched mice (C57BL/6) using ligatures on the left side of the maxilla and right side was left un-ligated as baseline control. The animals received daily Quercetin gavage or Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) starting 5 days prior to ligation which continued throughout the experimental protocol. Micro-computed tomography (micro CT) imaging was used to determine alveolar bone loss. Real Time quantitative (qRT) PCR was used to determine level of gingival tissue …

Endolysosome Dysfunction And Inter-Organellar Signalling: An 'Iron-Ic' Story, Peter Halcrow

Theses and Dissertations

Endosomes and lysosomes (endolysosomes) are acidic organelles that are important both physiologically and pathologically. Implicated in the physiological and pathophysiological processes regulated by endolysosomes are readily releasable stores of cations including ferrous iron (Fe2+); an essential cofactor for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In determining the extent to which and mechanisms by which Fe2+ released from endolysosomes affects cellular functions it was important to determine levels of Fe2+ in endolysosomes. In some cells and by other researchers, FeRhoNox-1 was found to detect Fe2+ in acidic organelles known as Golgi. Here, using U87MG astrocytoma cells and primary cultures of …

The Relationship Of Physical Activity And Perceived Fatigue In Men Receiving External Beam Radiation Therapy For Non-Metastatic Prostate Cancer, Timothy Charles Flory Fuss

Theses and Dissertations

Nature of the Problem/Study

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States, with 2.9 million men diagnosed with prostate cancer alive today (American Cancer Society, 2017). Given the rate of survival and substantial number of men living with prostate cancer, addressing symptoms and quality of life in these men is increasingly important.

Fatigue is reported to be the most distressing side effect of radiation therapy (RT), negatively effecting physical function and quality of life (Minton et al., 2013). Finding measures to predict, treat and help prevent fatigue can improve long term outcomes in cancer …

Relationships Between Sibling Physical Abuse And Lifetime Aggression Using Statistical Controls For Poly-Victimization, Ani Celine Mangold

Theses and Dissertations

Sibling abuse, as a potential contributor to lifetime aggression, is under-represented in the childhood maltreatment literature and minimized in American society. A contemporary survey study conducted using a large college sample (King et al., 2017) established significant relationships between sibling abuse (i.e., acts of physical abuse, threats of violence, and heated verbal conflict) and a range of lifetime aggression indicators after controlling for variance attributable to physical, sexual, intimate partner, and peer abuse. The present study examined sibling physical abuse and established these same relationships using a national sample after controlling for variance due to childhood physical abuse, observed violence …

Innovation Of Petrophysical And Geomechanical Experiment Methodologies: The Application Of 3d Printing Technology, Lingyun Kong

Theses and Dissertations

The petrophysical and geomechanical properties of rocks link the geology origin with engineering practice, which serves as the fundamental of various disciplinaries associated with subsurface porous media, including civil engineering, underground water, geological exploration, and petroleum engineering. The research methodologies can be mainly divided into three aspects: theoretical modelling, numerical simulation, and experiments, in which the last approach plays a critical role that can support, validate, calibrate, or even refute a hypothesis. Only replying on repeatable trials and consolidate analysis of precise results can the experiments be successful and convincing, though uncertainties, due to multiple factors, need to be scrutinized …

Enhancing Liquid And Gas Separation With Activated Carbon Mixed-Matrix Membranes, Jeremy Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Mixed matrix membranes are one class of membrane material that are an especially promising separation media. By adding a particle phase to a matrix phase, multiple mechanistic pathways become available that are not present in pristine organic or inorganic membranes. These pathways can be exploited to better enhance separation performance for a variety of applications.

This research has focused on a specific mixed matrix membrane, which contains bio-derived activated carbon particles in a polysulfone matrix. In proper selection of activating agent, this research has shown that the surface functional groups of the activated carbon are highly influenced. This can lead …

Reproductive Strategies Of Common Eiders (Somateria Mollissima), Samuel Donald Hervey

Theses and Dissertations

Many reproductive strategies exist all with the same goal to maximize fitness. Because reproductive strategies affect fitness directly, there is interest to understand how they are utilized within a population. The two main strategies we focus on for this work related to Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) are the utilization of conspecific brood parasitism as an alternative tactic beyond simply nesting and their ability to shift timing of breeding to align young with the best opportunity for survival. To accomplish studying our two reproductive strategies we monitored the Mast and WaWao Common Eider colonies located within Wapusk National Park, Manitoba. Our …

Inflammation Is A Common Factor Between Central And Peripheral Neurodegeneration, Brett Anthony Mcgregor

Theses and Dissertations

The studies in this dissertation investigate neurodegenerative conditions of the central and peripheral nervous system utilizing bioinformatics and systems biology approaches. Various neurodegenerative conditions are associated with neuroinflammation or the inflammation of nervous tissue. We utilized Parkinson’s disease as our system for neuroinflammation in the central nervous system and diabetic peripheral neuropathy for the peripheral nervous system. Parkinson’s disease is associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and consequent loss of dopamine signaling in the striatum of the central nervous system. Characteristics of Parkinson’s Disease include symptoms such as shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, difficulty walking, dementia, …

Synthesis Of Biodegradable Star-Shaped Polymers Using Bio-Based Polyols Via Ring-Opening Polymerization Of Β-Butyrolactone With Amido-Oxazolinate Zinc Catalysts, Rawan Omar

Theses and Dissertations

A new series of star-shaped and highly branched poly(β-hydroxybutyrates) (PHBs) with a distinct structure was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of β-butyrolactone (BBL) with amido-oxazolinate zinc catalysts. The ROP of BBL using multifunctional hydroxyl-terminated initiators is an efficient methodology that allowed the preparation of PHBs with not only well-controlled molecular weights (Mn) and narrow dispersity (Đ), but also well-defined end-functional groups. Furthermore, the modifications of star-shaped and highly branched PHBs resulted in various architectures with tailored properties for many applications particularly for the biomedical field. Star-shaped structure is constructed via a core-first approach, in which the multi-functional alcohols will serve …

Effects Of A Sensory Diet On Attention And Participation In Children With Autism, Leighanne Smith-Mrkaja

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide initial knowledge regarding sensory diets and sensory-based interventions. The need for classroom-based sensory interventions are not always considered, especially with the high number of students diagnosed with ASD at the researcher’s school. Often sensory intervention may not be considered educationally relevant, especially in the prekindergarten level. With the proper training and materials, as well as the guidance of the school-based occupational therapist, teachers, other therapists, classroom assistants, parents, and school-based staff might be able to utilize sensory-based activities like sensory diets to increase participation, positive behaviors, and attention. The following applied research study …

Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Using Conscious Discipline To Promote Executive Function Development In Preschool Students: A Case Study, Annette C. Oswald-Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to explore teacher perceptions of the use of Conscious Discipline in the classroom to promote desirable behaviors and influence the development of EF skills in children. Using self-assessment surveys, qualitative interviews, and direct observations, the researcher explored teacher perceptions of the use of Conscious Discipline as a behavioral management system to develop EF in preschool children.

Conscious Discipline is an emotional intelligence behavior-management system that promotes desirable behaviors in children, embracing those skills found in the prefrontal lobes of the brain, which control the mechanism for self-regulation and problem-solving skills. Conscious Discipline promotes the development …

The Prism Model: Increasing Graduate Teaching Assistants’ Self-Perceptions Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Catharine Mattox

Theses and Dissertations

While graduate teaching assistants teach the majority of introductory lab and discussion sections at colleges and universities across the United States, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how to adequately prepare graduate teaching assistants for faculty roles and responsibilities outside of research. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to address a gap in the literature by examining a professional development activity that encouraged pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) development in conjunction with experiential learning for biology graduate teaching assistants. Specifically, this study sought to understand how: (a) the Teaching Triangles professional development activity supported biology graduate teaching …

Examining Stigma Associated With Firefighters Seeking Social Support After Experiencing A Traumatic Event, John Richard Tormos

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine stigma associated with firefighters seeking social support after experiencing a traumatic event. This quantitative study employed a survey approach with a cross-sectional design. The researcher self-selected 26 active career firefighters from a medium-sized fire department located in the southeastern United States to participate in the study. Firefighters responded to an array of emergency incidents and were repeatedly exposed to traumatic events. The Secondary Trauma Exposure Scale was employed to answer the first research question: What are the most frequent types of traumatic events that firefighters have experienced? The findings revealed that all of …

Older Adult Caregivers’ Lived Experiences With Debilitated Chronically Ill Relatives In A Rural Southern County, Nancy J. Dameron

Theses and Dissertations

By 2030, the last of the baby boomer generation will reach the age of 65, which will expand the older adult population to more than 70 million in the United States. Based on the inflated numbers of the older adult population and the noted decreased birth rate in the younger population, fewer health-care providers will be available to teach, prepare, train, and assist caregivers in the ongoing care of their ill relatives.

The problem investigated in the study involved the present upsurge of the older adult population living longer and contributing to a shortage of health-care providers for older adults. …

African-American Male Teachers: Examining The Insight, Encounters, And Best Teaching Practices, Brandon Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

The experiences students have in schools has a large effect not only on their career choices but also on the way they interact with other members of society in the future. Specifically, the K-12 education system has an objective of ensuring that all students are adequately prepared to become responsible and productive members of society. Unfortunately, research shows that African-American male students and teachers face comparatively high levels of societal challenges compared to their Caucasian counterparts. General demographic trends reveal a serious concern.

While the number of black students entering the education system is increasing, there is a reduction in …

Exploring The Impact Of Disaster Response Preparedness By The New York State Military Forces To The World Trade Center September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks, Robert L. Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

The problem identified in this study concerned the impact of disaster response preparedness (DRP) from the past, present, and future perspectives. The study explored the experiences of four survivors from the 1993 WTC bombing, the effectiveness of seven New York State Military Forces (NYSMF) deployed to Ground Zero (GZ), and perspectives of five Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals on DRP operations going forward from 9/11.

Following an explorative heuristic research approach, the study utilized a qualitative and content analysis methodology (both qualitative and quantitative aspects) to investigate the problem using published archival interviews from the informants. Minimally, hypothesis testing, and …

Teacher Perspectives On Performance Pay In One Southeastern State, Wendy B. Firtell

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of a teacher performance-pay initiative. Despite implementing a performance pay initiative at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, the target school district had not investigated teachers’ perceptions of the initiative. The researcher included a convenience sample of 54 teachers who worked at a Title 1 elementary school located in the southeastern United States.

This applied dissertation used a descriptive survey research design. The researcher found Pre-K, kindergarten, and Grade 1 teachers were slightly more supportive of performance pay initiatives than Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5 teachers (TPPP difference of 0.17 …

Improving Student Achievement Through The Implementation Of A Classroom Performance System, Stacy Maria Artis

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to implement and examine the impact of a classroom performance system (CPS) on student achievement for Grade 9 mathematics students. Seventy-five students in 4 Coordinate Algebra classes were observed during the regular school day for 9 weeks. The treatment group received CPS-based instruction, and the control group received traditional mathematics instruction without the use of a CPS. The teacher was the same for all classes.

Data from benchmark assessments as well as quarterly grade reports were compared for both groups. The findings of this study showed mixed results in relation to the impact of CPS-based …

Respect And The Role It Plays In Explaining The Disproportionate Number Of African-Americans Incarcerated, Tina B. Craddock

Theses and Dissertations

This was a quantitative research study that examined the roles respect and self-esteem play within the African American population. There is no disagreement among social scientists that there is a disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated. This study attempts to offer one possible explanation. This was a quasi-replication of a study conducted nearly two decades ago using African American adolescent males between the ages of 14 to 18. This research study identified a sample population consisting of African American males and females between the ages of 18 and 50. A cross-sectional analysis was utilized using convenience sampling. The research instruments …

Implementing Edward De Bono’S Six Thinking Hats Intervention For Improving Reading Comprehension Skills For Students With Learning Disabilities (Sld), Annaliese Rosalie Hightower (Rollins)

Theses and Dissertations

This study proposed Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats as an intervention to enhance SLD students’ reading comprehension skills. The study described the Six Thinking Hats intervention as a method that used six diverse thought processes. A narrative review further discussed how the compilation of strategies is needed to help improve reading development skills for SLD students. Additionally, the study described several theoretical frameworks for the study: construction-integration model, event index model, and the metacognitive theory.

The study used a quantitative approach to answer the research questions that focused on comparing statistical differences between an experimental group and a control …