Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Life Sciences (3819)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (2485)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (2265)
- Engineering (1956)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (1950)
-
- Education (1405)
- Psychology (1175)
- Arts and Humanities (995)
- Biology (869)
- Chemistry (831)
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology (665)
- Computer Sciences (428)
- Sociology (405)
- Biochemistry (383)
- Animal Sciences (368)
- Public Health (358)
- Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering (355)
- Environmental Sciences (315)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (304)
- Medical Sciences (300)
- Mechanical Engineering (273)
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (273)
- Plant Sciences (264)
- Clinical Psychology (260)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (255)
- Earth Sciences (248)
- Physiology (247)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (236)
- Microbiology (234)
- Cell and Developmental Biology (224)
- Institution
-
- Virginia Commonwealth University (3245)
- University of North Dakota (3008)
- Brigham Young University (2820)
- Mississippi State University (2632)
- University of South Carolina (1840)
-
- Air Force Institute of Technology (922)
- Rowan University (757)
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (703)
- American University in Cairo (607)
- Illinois State University (590)
- Florida Institute of Technology (469)
- University of Arkansas Little Rock (449)
- Pepperdine University (402)
- City University of New York (CUNY) (378)
- St. John's University (327)
- Columbus State University (185)
- Nova Southeastern University (143)
- SASTRA Deemed to be University (103)
- Texas A&M International University (79)
- University for Business and Technology in Kosovo (54)
- UAlaska System (2)
- CentraCare Health (1)
- Louisiana Tech University (1)
- Southern Methodist University (1)
- Keyword
-
- Education (153)
- Cancer (150)
- Gender (134)
- Depression (119)
- Dissertations (PsyD) -- Psychology (109)
-
- Machine learning (109)
- North Dakota (104)
- Inflammation (85)
- Autism (82)
- Mental health (80)
- Biological sciences (79)
- Dissertations (EdD) -- Organizational leadership (77)
- Stress (77)
- Utah (74)
- Women (74)
- United States (71)
- Obesity (67)
- Nanoparticles (65)
- Ecology (63)
- Trauma (63)
- Anxiety (61)
- Leadership (61)
- Adolescents (60)
- Apoptosis (60)
- Mitochondria (57)
- Proteomics (56)
- Development (55)
- Behavior (54)
- Breast cancer (54)
- Machine Learning (54)
- Publication Year
- File Type
Articles 7921 - 7950 of 19718
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Species Delimitation Among Southeastern Us Oxyloma (Gastropoda: Succineidae), Marco A. Martinez Cruz
Species Delimitation Among Southeastern Us Oxyloma (Gastropoda: Succineidae), Marco A. Martinez Cruz
Theses and Dissertations
The Succineid genus Oxyloma found throughout Canada and United States contains approximately 15 described species whose criterion for differentiation is considered unreliable. As a first step towards understanding the evolutionary history and revising the taxonomy of North American Oxyloma, we have sampled four species found in eastern North America (O. salleana, O. subeffusa, O. effusa, and O. retusa) from their type localities. We used mitochondrial COI, and nuclear LSU sequences with samples found across their range and members of the family to produce a phylogenetic hypothesis of evolutionary relationships and test species boundaries. Molecular phylogeny and species …
Progress And Potential Of Two Biological Control Agents Of The Invasive Giant Reed (Arundo Donax L.), Madeline Marshall
Progress And Potential Of Two Biological Control Agents Of The Invasive Giant Reed (Arundo Donax L.), Madeline Marshall
Theses and Dissertations
Biological control, or the use of natural enemies for pest management, may the best long-term option for managing the invasive Arundo donax , a noxious weed dominating riparian habitats globally and along the Rio Grande River. This work reports on the progress and potential of two arundo biological control agents permitted for release in Texas and Mexico. The arundo wasp, Tetramesa romana, released in 2009, is having significant impacts as reported from various field locations around the world, described here using standard exit hole counts. The highest density levels were found in Texas (introduced range) compared to relatively low …
Predicting Academic Success Among Mexican American Learners, Kattie A. Guerrero
Predicting Academic Success Among Mexican American Learners, Kattie A. Guerrero
Theses and Dissertations
The number of Hispanic students being enrolled in schools have doubled throughout the years. Especially in the Rio Grande Valley where the majority of the population are Mexican American. Previous studies have looked into the risk factors associated with academic failure, but they hardly look into factors that lead to a child’s school success. This study will investigate what contributes to a child’s academic success. The sample of the study was 115 students, grades 5th to 7th grade, all classified as Hispanic. The findings will state a) what variables were significantly correlated to each other b) what variables differed by …
Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Empathy Skills Training In Reducing Schadenfreude Of Students With Bullying Tendencies: A Single Case Research Design, Maria Cecilia Montenegro
Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Empathy Skills Training In Reducing Schadenfreude Of Students With Bullying Tendencies: A Single Case Research Design, Maria Cecilia Montenegro
Theses and Dissertations
Main researcher implemented a small series (N=3) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of a five-session empathy skills training for elementary-aged children. An analysis of participants’ scores on schadenfreude and empathy levels using the percentage of data points exceeding the median (PEM) yielded non-conclusive results concerning the training’s effectiveness. The present study makes the argument that these results might be a consequence of self-reporting errors concerning social desirability and limited training sessions, and then it presents other possible forms of measurement for schadenfreude and empathy.
Poison And Monsters, Jiovanna L. Perez
Poison And Monsters, Jiovanna L. Perez
Theses and Dissertations
Poison and Monsters is a collection of stories that follow the same protagonist, Jiovanna, as she navigates friendships, love, loss, and hallucinations. It is a commentary on mental health and the impact that pain medication, lack of sleep, and loneliness can have on a person. Jiovanna draws on the support and understanding of her best friends, Juan and Danielle, and in one instance a rowdy raccoon to help her find her way through the Darkness that surrounds her. Insomnia, migraines, and heartache tie these four stories together, but they can also be read as standalone pieces that give a small …
Magnetic Polymer Composite As A Thermosensitive Agent For Induced Hyperthermia, Nareg Ohannesian
Magnetic Polymer Composite As A Thermosensitive Agent For Induced Hyperthermia, Nareg Ohannesian
Theses and Dissertations
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) - magnetite (Fe3O4) blended compounds were produced by high speed vibration milling of PEEK-Fe 3O4 powders exposed to hexane and heated to the melting point (~350 °C) to form the homogeneous magnetic polymer composite, which provided a uniform dispersion of magnetite with low agglomerations in the polymer matrix. Polymer composite with 10 wt.% of magnetite displayed a magnetic saturation of 8 emu/g, tensile strength of 60 MPa and Young’s modulus of 4.4 GPa. Biotoxicity assessment was conducted via in vitro assay. The composite did not induce any adverse reactions, permitting use in medical applications. This study develops analytical …
Multicultural Counselor Supervision And Perceived Differences On Client Outcome, Andrew Perez
Multicultural Counselor Supervision And Perceived Differences On Client Outcome, Andrew Perez
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to examine the differences between counselor supervisors’ and supervisees’ perceptions of the impact of multicultural supervision on client outcome. Counselor supervisors and supervisees may have differences in how much they believe multicultural factors affect client outcome and this study aims to determine what differences exist. These differences are important in understanding how supervisors might better serve supervisees and in turn clients. There were 61 participants in the study that consisted of faculty, counselor supervisors, counselors, and graduate students in counseling-related fields. The current study found that multicultural supervision/competence alone predicted supervisor client outcome. The …
Please Be A Gatsby, Gabriel Jorge Torres
Please Be A Gatsby, Gabriel Jorge Torres
Theses and Dissertations
I use my position as a high school English teacher to teach the following books: The Metamorphosis, The Stranger, Fahrenheit 451, The Great Gatsby, selected poetry by Housman and Hardy, Lysistrata , short stories by Ernest Hemingway, and the Catcher in the Rye. These literary classics have accompanied me in my growth as a scholar and individual and comprise the major works I teach as a high school teacher. I have blended sketches of my life with these works of literature to create small narratives about the way I inspire my students to be like the characters they …
Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Persons With Schizophrenia Among Hispanic University Students Enrolled In Mental Health And Non-Mental Health Disciplines, Manisha Sharma
Theses and Dissertations
The present study was designed to examine university students’ knowledge regarding schizophrenia and factors that can influence university students’ attitudes toward persons with schizophrenia. An attribution questionnaire ([AQ-27], Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, & Kubiak, 2003), the Error Choice Test ([ECT], Michaels & Corrigan, 2013), and the Social Desirability Scale ([SDS-13], Reynolds, 1982) were utilized to collect data from undergraduate students attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), the largest U.S. Hispanic serving university located on the Texas-Mexico border. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the survey data. Results indicated a non-significant relationship between students’ knowledge regarding …
Fibers For Skin Regeneration, Astrid Michelle Rodriguez Negron
Fibers For Skin Regeneration, Astrid Michelle Rodriguez Negron
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the successful development of biocompatible Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB), PVB/Polylysine and PVB/Tannic Acid (TA)/Polylysine fibers from an ethanol solution, Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), PHB/Polylysine, PHB/TA/Polylysine fibers from a chloroform solution and Chitosan (CH)/Pullulan (PL)/TA and CH/PL/TA/Polylysine fibers from an aqueous solution. The fibers were mass produced utilizing the Forcespinning® (FS) technology. The morphology of the fibers was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the fibers average diameter was calculated. The thermal properties of the fibers were characterized using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The antibacterial activity of the fibers was assessed using against …
The Use Of Mixed Organic/Ionic Liquid Electrolytes With Forcespun Metal Oxides/Carbon Microfiber Electrodes In Lithium Ion Batteries, Jahaziel Villarreal
The Use Of Mixed Organic/Ionic Liquid Electrolytes With Forcespun Metal Oxides/Carbon Microfiber Electrodes In Lithium Ion Batteries, Jahaziel Villarreal
Theses and Dissertations
Conventional Lithium-Ion Battery (LIB) electrolytes have serious safety concerns because of highly flammability. In order to mitigate this drawback, alternative electrolytes with low volatility and non-flammable need to be synthesis. Ionic liquids (ILs) and mixed organic ionic liquid electrolytes (MOILEs) are the most suitable replacement for the highly flammable commercial organic electrolytes. In this academic investigation, a new perspective on the electrochemical performance of the ionic liquid EMI-TFSI as an alternate non-flammable electrolyte. In parallel, the use of Forcespun nanofibers as binder-free anodes will be analyzed to further improve overall electrochemical performance.
Simplification Of Eeg Signal Extraction, Processing, And Classification Using A Consumer-Grade Headset To Facilitate Student Engagement In Bci Research, Jesus D. Rodriguez
Simplification Of Eeg Signal Extraction, Processing, And Classification Using A Consumer-Grade Headset To Facilitate Student Engagement In Bci Research, Jesus D. Rodriguez
Theses and Dissertations
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are an emerging technology that leverage neurophysiological signals as input to computing systems. By circumventing the reliance on traditional input methods (e.g., mouse and keyboard), BCIs show a promising alternative interaction modality for people with disabilities. Advances in BCI research have further inspired a range of novel applications, such as the use of neurophysiological signals as passive input (e.g., to detect and reduce operator workload when managing multiple machines). BCIs have also emerged as a tool for student engagement due to the intrinsic interdisciplinarity of the technology, which spans the fields of computer science, electrical engineering, neuroscience, …
Family Influences And Its Effects On Completion Of Postsecondary Education Among Hispanics, Marlee Olivarez
Family Influences And Its Effects On Completion Of Postsecondary Education Among Hispanics, Marlee Olivarez
Theses and Dissertations
In this study, I will examine the relationship between family influences and college graduation among Hispanics. Compared to students in other race/ethnic groups, Latino students are underrepresented in college enrollment and completion of a bachelor’s degree. Prior research generally finds that higher parental educational attainment is positively associated with educational attainment for children. Highly educated parents may expect their children to attain a similar level of education, have the resources to support higher education and provide encouragement and assistance necessary for children to successfully pursue post-secondary education. Yet, at the lower end of the educational distribution, the relationship between parental …
Impacts Of Sieving And Cultivation On Martian Regolith Simulant, Abdulgadir Ahmad Elnajdi
Impacts Of Sieving And Cultivation On Martian Regolith Simulant, Abdulgadir Ahmad Elnajdi
Theses and Dissertations
The effect of different size particle fractions of JSC-MARS1A on chemical and mineralogical data was examined in this study. The Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results showed no difference in the presence of elements or minerals of the different grain sizes of (<5mm, <1mm, <125μm, and <63μm), however, differences in abundance were noted. In addition, changes in chemical composition and mineralogy were not detected after the addition of Hoagland’s nutrient solution which had been applied prior to plant growth experiments nor after plant growth.
The Effect Of Anthropogenic Activity On Sea Turtle Nesting And Habitat Usage In Florida, Usa, Raschelli Anna-Elizabeth Linz
The Effect Of Anthropogenic Activity On Sea Turtle Nesting And Habitat Usage In Florida, Usa, Raschelli Anna-Elizabeth Linz
Theses and Dissertations
Sea turtles have complex life histories that make them difficult to study. Using easily-accessible data, such as nesting and stranding occurrences, can help to efficiently elucidate driving factors in the population dynamics of these imperiled species. The overall goal of the present study was to assess the efficacy of sea turtle protective measures in Florida. To accomplish this goal, two analyses were conducted. The first analysis sought to describe the relationship between nesting numbers of three species of marine turtles, the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), common in Florida and various anthropogenic and environmental variables. …
Signal Structure For A Class Of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems, Meilan Jin
Signal Structure For A Class Of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems, Meilan Jin
Theses and Dissertations
The signal structure is a partial structure representation for dynamic systems. It characterizes the causal relationship between manifest variables and is depicted in a weighted graph, where the weights are dynamic operators. Earlier work has defined signal structure for linear time-invariant systems through dynamical structure function. This thesis focuses on the search for the signal structure of nonlinear systems and proves that the signal structure reduces to the linear definition when the systems are linear. Specifically, this work: (1) Defines the complete computational structure for nonlinear systems. (2) Provides a process to find the complete computational structure given a state …
Pauline Oliveros And The Quest For Musical Utopia, Hannah Christina Mclaughlin
Pauline Oliveros And The Quest For Musical Utopia, Hannah Christina Mclaughlin
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis discusses music's role in utopian community-building by using a case study of a specific composer, Pauline Oliveros, who believed her work could provide a positive "pathway to the future" resembling other utopian visions. The questions of utopian intent, potential, and method are explored through an analysis of Oliveros's untraditional scores, as well as an exploration of Oliveros's writings and secondary accounts from members of the Deep Listening community. This document explores Oliveros's utopian beliefs and practices and outlines important aspects of her utopian vision as they relate to three major utopian models: the traditional "end-state" model, the anarchical …
Monitoring Wildlife Guards And Crossing Structures On A Divided Highway In South Texas, Tiffany C. Cogan
Monitoring Wildlife Guards And Crossing Structures On A Divided Highway In South Texas, Tiffany C. Cogan
Theses and Dissertations
To mitigate ocelot (Leopardus pardalis albescens ) road mortality, Texas Department of Transportation installed fencing, wildlife road crossing structures (WRCS, n = 5), and wildlife guards (WG, n = 18) on divided State Highway 100 in Cameron County, Texas. During construction, active infrared (AIR, n = 24) and passive infrared (PIR, n = 24) cameras were side-by-side at WRCS (n = 6) and WG (n = 6). Community composition was significantly different (p = 0.0001) between camera types with AIR cameras detecting a more diverse and abundant community. Wildlife community was significantly different (p = 0.0002) between three WRCS …
Removal Of Chromium(Vi) And Chromium(Iii) Ions From Aqueous Solution Using Bio-Char Generated From Agricultural Waste Products, Diego Fernando Gonzalez
Removal Of Chromium(Vi) And Chromium(Iii) Ions From Aqueous Solution Using Bio-Char Generated From Agricultural Waste Products, Diego Fernando Gonzalez
Theses and Dissertations
Heavy metals are one of the most persistent and prevalent contaminants in the aquatic environment. The removal of chromium from aqueous solution, especially in the hexavalent form is difficult. New technologies, techniques and/or new materials have been designed in order to effectively and efficiently remove chromium from the aqueous environment. The project focuses on the comparison of the effects of pH, time, temperature, binding capacity on bio-char’ generated from agricultural waste produces vs an amino modified derivative of the bio-char. Pineapple skins were dried, ground, sieved, and pyrolyzed to produce a bio-char material. The bio-char was analyzed using FTIR to …
A Phylogeographic Analysis Of Black Coral (Antipatharia) On Artificial And Natural Reefs In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Heather Otte
A Phylogeographic Analysis Of Black Coral (Antipatharia) On Artificial And Natural Reefs In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Heather Otte
Theses and Dissertations
NOAA's Islands in the Stream concept (IitS) of designating networks of marine protected areas as refugia in the Gulf of Mexico depends on genetic connectivity. Isolated habitats like those proposed by the IitS occur naturally off the Texas coast where hard-bottom structures protrude from mudflats, offering a small-scale study of the IitS feasibility. Two sequences, mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA and nuclear internal transcribed spacer, were used to build haplotype networks of Antipatharians (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia), corals with planktonic larvae that can act as a proxy for connectivity of other organisms. Two species showed no significant genetic differentiation or pattern of genetic …
Representations Of Mental Health In Young Adult Literature: A Cultural Analysis Of The Three Ps Of Patient, Practitioner And Population, Christine Gonzales Severn
Representations Of Mental Health In Young Adult Literature: A Cultural Analysis Of The Three Ps Of Patient, Practitioner And Population, Christine Gonzales Severn
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis examines the representations of mental health in young adult literature by categorizing texts into a new framework established by this thesis as the Three Ps of patient, practitioner and population. Looking at the Three Ps from an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural view recognizes ways in which literature with themes of mental health is progressively changing with the times. In analyzing John Neufeld’s Lisa, Bright and Dark (1969), Emily Danforth’s The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2012), and Ned Vizzini’s It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2006), this thesis identifies the changes in mental health visibility and awareness, Sexual Orientation Change Efforts’ …
Infrared Resonant-Coupled Metamaterial Sensing And Phonon-Polariton-Enhanced Infrared Interconnects, Michael Francis Finch
Infrared Resonant-Coupled Metamaterial Sensing And Phonon-Polariton-Enhanced Infrared Interconnects, Michael Francis Finch
Theses and Dissertations
Coupled-mode theory has been applied to various fields of endeavor from waveguide splitters/combiners and molecular sensing to light-matter interactions. Metamaterials, engineered periodic or aperiodic structures, are employed to sense molecular vibrational fingerprints in the mid to long infrared wavelengths. A metasurface, a 2D metamaterial, can be designed such that it has a resonance at a molecular vibrational frequency. Mode splitting results from the coupling of two electromagnetic field distributions, or modes, spatially and/or temporally. Metamaterial and molecular resonance coupling is a result of near field interaction. Fano resonances have an asymmetric line-shape that results from the coupling of a continuum …
On The Qualitative Theory Of The Nonlinear Degenerate Second Order Parabolic Equations Modeling Reaction-Diffusion-Convection Processes, Habeeb Abed Kadhim Aal-Rkhais
On The Qualitative Theory Of The Nonlinear Degenerate Second Order Parabolic Equations Modeling Reaction-Diffusion-Convection Processes, Habeeb Abed Kadhim Aal-Rkhais
Theses and Dissertations
We consider nonlinear second order degenerate or singular parabolic equation ut − a(um)xx + buβ + c(up)x = 0, a, m, β, p > 0, b, c ∈ R describing reaction-diffusion-convection processes arising in many areas of science and engineering, such as filtration of oil or gas in porous media, transport of thermal energy in plasma physics, flow of chemically reacting fluid, evolution of populations in mathematical biology etc. We apply the methods developed in U.G. Abdulla, Journal of Differential Equations, 164, 2(2000), 321-354 for the reaction-diffusion equation (c = 0) and prove the existence, uniqueness, boundary regularity and comparison theorems …
Morphologic Evolution Of A Nearshore Berm: One Year Monitoring At Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, Kristopher Jason Enfinger
Morphologic Evolution Of A Nearshore Berm: One Year Monitoring At Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, Kristopher Jason Enfinger
Theses and Dissertations
Nourishment in the form of a nearhsore berm has become an important alternative method to protecting shorelines and introducing sediment back into the littoral system. In 2009, a nearshore berm was constructed at Ft. Myers Beach, Florida by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through maintenance dredging of a nearby navigational channel at Matanzas Pass. Constructed in the form of a nearshore bar, the berm was one of the shallowest placements in a low-wave energy setting. The Coastal Research Lab at the University of South Florida (USF-CRL) conducted field monitoring for the first four years after the construction. This project …
Spectral Sensitivity Of The Invasive Lionfish (Pterois Species) Retina And Its Capacity For Change In Response To Lighting Condition, Miranda Roseland Carroll
Spectral Sensitivity Of The Invasive Lionfish (Pterois Species) Retina And Its Capacity For Change In Response To Lighting Condition, Miranda Roseland Carroll
Theses and Dissertations
Since their first confirmed sighting in 1985 in the tropical western Atlantic, invasive lionfish of the genus Pterois have had a detrimental impact on marine systems in this region, including significant declines in native reef-fish populations. The environmental tolerances of these predators are very broad, allowing them to inhabit a variety of environments: they can withstand large ranges of depths, salinities, and temperatures. Understanding their physiological and behavioral characteristics can provide insight for the success of these invaders. Adaptable visual capabilities is one biological characteristic that may assist their invasive success. I hypothesized that lionfish possess retinal plasticity and can …
Identification Of Elements Essential For Replication Origin Activity In Escherichia Coli, Prassanna Rao
Identification Of Elements Essential For Replication Origin Activity In Escherichia Coli, Prassanna Rao
Theses and Dissertations
The increasing number of drug resistant pathogenic bacteria has created a growing health care crisis. Solving the crisis will require a number of solutions, among them being development of new antibiotics that target novel cell processes. Initiation of chromosomal DNA replication is one such unexploited process. Bacterial cells begin chromosome replication by building a nucleoprotein complex called the orisome which, unwinds replication origin DNA, and loads the replicative helicase. A greater understanding of how orisomes assemble, and how the assembly is regulated, should provide a source of druggable targets to be used in future antibiotic discovery efforts. However, although all …
Using Dispersive Raman Spectroscopy To Assess Remodeling In Vascular Constructs Used In Tissue Engineering, Andrea S. Theus
Using Dispersive Raman Spectroscopy To Assess Remodeling In Vascular Constructs Used In Tissue Engineering, Andrea S. Theus
Theses and Dissertations
Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are a promising alternative to surgery for the treatment of thrombotic occlusion of small diameter (< 6 mm) arteries. It is important that TEVG composition prevent compliance mismatch. Both initial protein incorporation and cellular remodeling are important for blended TEVG compliance. Understanding the distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) components is also important and may dictate the remodeling response. Raman spectroscopy has been used to assess components of engineered scaffolds non-destructively. However, Raman has not been applied to semi-quantitatively assess 3D engineered-tissues and cellular remodeling of blended materials with low-scattering natural and high-scattering synthetic components. This is important due to the increased use of synthetic biomaterials for TEVG applications. The overall goal of this study was to develop a technique to assess the cellular and matrix remodeling response. Electrospun meshes were prepared with 100% poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), 90% PCL/collagen, and 90% PCL/fibrinogen. XPS and Raman results showed differences of protein distribution when incorporated into a PCL scaffold and differences in the resulting effects with cell culturing and incubation. Raman spectra was acquired for all pure materials individually (e.g. PCL, collagen, and fibrinogen) to determine the unique spectral fingerprint of each material. Protein peaks of interest were identified (e.g. 740 and 1040 cm-¹ ) and were analyzed when protein was incorporated into the electrospun meshes. Raman spectra was acquired for the pure PCL control and blended scaffold conditions. The protein peaks remained relevant for proteins even when incorporated into the high scattering PCL polymer and showed remodeling due to incubation and cell culturing over 21 days. Spectra were also analyzed with multi-factor processing techniques (e.g. MFA) and showed that separation between appropriate sample groups can be achieved even with large amounts of spectral data sets. Biochemical analysis (e.g. Hyp, µ-BCA assay) was done to determine if specific remodeling responses, degradation and/or release occur with incubation and culturing of smooth muscle cells. These results showed a negligible loss of protein within electrospun meshes with incubation and culture. Overall, we have shown that Raman spectroscopy can be used to semi-quantitatively detect the incorporation of low levels of specific proteins (e.g. collagen and fibrinogen) within electrospun meshes as well as changes that occur with mesh remodeling.
Positive Experiences As Countermeasures To Stress In Spaceflight: An Investigation Of The Experiences Of Astronauts, Morgan M. Eudy
Positive Experiences As Countermeasures To Stress In Spaceflight: An Investigation Of The Experiences Of Astronauts, Morgan M. Eudy
Theses and Dissertations
Long-duration space mission targets such as asteroids, the Moon and Mars in coming years will increase the need to stress management techniques to support crews on increasingly risky, autonomous missions. New stress management approaches may be found by better understanding the reported positive effects resulting from factors in these environments. This study utilized an exploratory case study approach to leverage quantitative and qualitative data to yield research questions for future correlational analysis. This study found that positive experiences and changes in environmental perspectives occurred from viewing Earth from orbit. Furthermore, this study found that personality factors such as extraversion may …
A Study Of Albendazole And Artemisinin Drugs Under Electrochemical Oxidation, Zahilis A. Mazzochette
A Study Of Albendazole And Artemisinin Drugs Under Electrochemical Oxidation, Zahilis A. Mazzochette
Theses and Dissertations
This work is aimed to investigate the metabolic behavior of albendazole and artemisinin. The electrochemical oxidation and reduction of these drugs were performed on electrode materials to mimic their metabolism in vivo using cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis analysis. The oxidation of albendazole on gold electrode surface yielded albendazole sulfoxide and albendazole sulfone which are the main metabolites of this drug in vivo. Reduction of artemisinin on glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface yielded dihydroartemisinin and deoxy artemisinin. The formation of these products was monitored using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. The redox processes for both drugs were shown to …
Synthesis And Cytotoxicity Evaluation Of Functionalized Betulin Derivatives, Amardeep Patel
Synthesis And Cytotoxicity Evaluation Of Functionalized Betulin Derivatives, Amardeep Patel
Theses and Dissertations
Betulin and betulinic acid are complex natural compounds that can be readily extracted in high quantities from external bark of yellow and white birch trees. Birch tree is native to northern New Jersey and is also commonly available for purchase as firewood. Betulinic acid is found to exhibit very good activity against few cancer cell lines, and is relatively non-toxic to normal cells. The ready availability and selective cytotoxicity coupled with the favorable therapeutic index have made betulinic acid an attractive and promising anticancer agent. However, this molecule is almost insoluble in water and shows anti-cancer activity only on very …