Digital Commons Network^™

Multiscale Structure-Function Relations Of A Tendon, Lakiesha Nicole Williams

Theses and Dissertations

In 1998, the United States National Committee on Biomechanics (USNCB) established an evolving discipline called Functional Tissue Engineering (FTE). In establishing this discipline, the goals of the USNCB were to advance FTE by increasing awareness among tissue engineers about the importance of restoring function when engineering tissue constructs. Another goal was to encourage tissue engineers to incorporate these functional criteria in the design, manufacturing and optimization of tissue engineered constructs. Based on this motivation, an investigation of the structure and mechanical properties of the rabbit patellar tendon will be executed, with the ultimate goal of creating a multiscale soft tissue …

Single-Step Treatment Of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Via Zero-Valent Metal Reduction And Chemical Oxidation, J. Mathew Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Many nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are considered toxic and potential carcinogens. The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated reductive/oxidative process for treating NAC contaminated waters. The process consists of the combination of zero-valent manganese or iron and a hydroxyl radical based treatment technique. Corrosion promoters were added to the contaminated water to minimize passivation of the metallic species. Water contaminated with 2,4-dinitrotoluen (DNT) was treated with the integrated process using a recirculating batch reactor. It was demonstrated that addition of corrosion promoters to the contaminated water enhanced the rate of reaction of 2,4-DNT with zero-valent iron or manganese. …

Micro-Chp Modeling And Simulation Using Thermodynamic Cycles, Alan Mark Moran

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the thermoeconomic modeling and simulation of micro-CHP systems powered by various prime movers. Micro Cooling, Heating, and Power (micro-CHP) is becoming an increasingly important energy option as the demand for electrical power as well as heating and cooling for buildings increases worldwide. Micro-CHP has the potential to increase the total energy efficiency for cooling, heating, and powering residences, offices, and other relatively small buildings by using waste thermal energy from electricity production to deliver heating and cooling. Calculation methodologies are presented for the different components of micro CHP systems using thermodynamic cycles and mass and energy balances. …

Bacterial Source Tracking Of A Watershed Impacted By Cattle Pastures, Celina Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Pathogenic microorganisms introduced by cattle may be transported to distant locations via watershed runoff. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. are a few species present in runoff from land impacted by humans, cattle, and wildlife. Initial data reveals that E. coli concentrations in water are greater in areas impacted by cattle than by humans. And, wildlife contributes greater concentration fluctuations than either humans or cattle. When cattle are removed from a pasture, the bacterial concentrations rapidly decrease; however, slight variations in cattle herd size do not appear to significantly influence these counts. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and repeated-sequence …

Tao Residents' Perceptions Of Social And Cultrual Impacts Of Tourism In Lan-Yu, Taiwan, Cheng-Hsuan Hsu

All Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate residents' perceptions of the social and cultural impacts of tourism on Lan-Yu (Orchid Island). More specifically, this study examines Lan-Yu's aboriginal residents' (The Tao) perceptions of social and cultural impacts of tourism. Systematic sampling was the sampling procedure employed in this study. After the factor analysis, three underlying dimensions were found when examining Tao residents' perceptions of social and cultural impacts of tourism, and they were named: positive cultural effects, negative cultural effects, and negative social effects. The results from the multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the Tao's perceptions toward social …

Angiotensin Ii Mediated Regulation Of Signal Transduction In Metabolic Syndrome And Cancer, Ravindra Bharatrao Kolhe

Theses and Dissertations

Patients suffering from hypertension often develop non-Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), a condition caused by Insulin resistance. Though these patients have normal Insulin receptor (IR) and high levels of Insulin in blood, they fail to have IR-mediated signaling essential for glucose uptake and availability. NIDDM usually begins as insulin resistance, a condition in which Insulin Receptor (IR)-mediated signaling that leads to glucose uptake and glucose availability to cells is inhibited even in the presence of high levels of Insulin in blood. Mechanisms for the development of this Insulin resistance in patients suffering from hypertension are unclear. Angiotensin II (Ang II) …

Commencement Speech December 2006, Prairie View A&M University

President Emeritus George C. Wright Speeches

No abstract provided.

The Chemical And Mechanical Effects Of Binding Chitosan To Implant Quality Titanium, Holly Joy Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Biomedical implants are commonly made from commercially pure titanium and other metal alloys, which are chosen for their strength and density. To improve the stability and promote bone cell growth into the implant, efforts to bond coatings to metal have been extensively studied. Many coatings used are considered bioactive, which promote the adhesion and growth of the bone cells surrounding the implant [A.1]. Of these, the most commonly investigated coating is a ceramic called hydroxyapatite, which is brittle, leading to flaking and inadequate bone cell growth [A.2]. Alternate bioactive coatings are being examined, including chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin. …

Effects Of Vasoactive Agents On The Mechanical Properties Of Aortic Heart Valve Leaflets, Rebecca Lynn Pounders Mathis

Theses and Dissertations

Heart valve disease is currently one of the leading forms of heart disease. Current literature has shown that endothelin I, angiotension II and 5-HT are vasoactive agents which cause concentration dependent contractions in aortic valve leaflet tissue. This study tested the mechanical properties of leaflets cut in the radial direction after they were exposed to the agents at varied concentrations or for 0.5, 6 or 24 hours. The elastic modulus, ultimate tensile strength and the yield strength were calculated. In the time trials the elastic modulus and the ultimate tensile strength both showed a significant increase at 24-hours. However, there …

Design Drawing In Instructional Design At Brigham Young University's Center For Instructional Design: A Case Study, S. Todd Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of design drawing in design fields such as architecture, engineering, and industrial design with its use in instructional design (ID). This study was conducted in three parts: first, a review of literature to understand the role and value design drawing plays in non-ID fields; second, a search for design drawing in the literature of ID; and third, observations of actual use of design drawing in ID in the field. For the first part, the literature of design studies was reviewed regarding design drawing. For the second part, the literature review …

Development Of A Health Management Information System For The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei), Richard Brian Minnis

Theses and Dissertations

The Mountain Gorillas of Central Africa are one of the most highly endangered species in the world, with only 740 individuals surviving. One of the greatest threats to this species is disease. Health of wildlife is continually garnering more attention in the public arena due to recent outbreaks of diseases such as West Nile and High Pathogenic Avian Influenza. However, no system currently exists to facilitate the management and analysis of wildlife health data. The research conducted herein was the development and testing of a health information monitoring system for the mountain gorillas entitled Internet-supported Management Program to Assist Conservation …

Establishment Of Blackberries And Detection And Management Of Raspberry Crown Borer, Edward Heard

Theses and Dissertations

Evaluations of tactics for detection and management of raspberry crown borer, RCB, Pennisettia marginata (Harris) on blackberries were performed in Mississippi from January 2005 - July 2006. Randomized split plots with infested blackberries and certified nursery stock of two recommended cultivars, thorny ?Chickasaw? and thornless ?Apache? were planted. Pest management tactics targeting RCB included drenches: chemical insecticide bifenthrin, recently registered for RCB management; experimental pesticide E2Y45; and entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae. Insect pheromones (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-ol and (E,Z)3-13-octadecadien-1-yl-acetate were evaluated as RCB lures. Effects of fungicides captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid, lime-sulfur and insecticide acetamiprid on viability and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematode species, …

Innovative Scintillating Optical Fibers For Detecting/Monitoring Gamma Radiation, Ashwini Jayaprakash

Theses and Dissertations

A scintillating optical fiber sensor of this work consists of a scintillating optical fiber, connected to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) via a conventional silica optical fiber. When a gamma ray impinges on the scintillating optical fiber, photons are generated inside the fiber. The photons are trapped inside the fiber and guided through the PMT. The PMT output signal is acquired by a computer. Two types of scintillating optical fibers sensors were developed for gamma ray detection. The first one is a silica optical fiber doped with an inorganic scintillating agent. The second one is a liquid core waveguide optical fiber …

Functional Role Of Recombinant Cysteine Protease On Spodoptera Frugiperda Peritrophic Matrix, Srinidi Mohan

Theses and Dissertations

Fall armyworm larvae (FAW), which are serious pests in the southern United States, show retarded growth when they feed on insect-resistant maize inbreds Mp704 and Mp708. These maize genotypes are not only resistant to FAW, but to a number of other lepidopteran pests. In these genotypes, a unique, extracellular, 33-KDa cysteine protease (Mir1-CP) rapidly accumulates in the whorl in response to insect feeding. Initial morphological studies on larvae feeding on resistant maize plants over-expressing the cysteine protease showed severe damage in insect?s first line of defense, the peritrophic matrix (PM). But it is not known whether the cysteine protease has …

Sds-Page And Western Blotting Analyses Of Internalin A In Listeria Monocytogenes And Listeria Spp, Bang-Yuan Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Attachment strength of Listeria spp. and their InlA expression was assessed. Listeria monocytogenes 19111 exhibited the strongest attachment strength with L. monocytogenes 19115, L. grayi, L. innocua, and L. monocytogenes 7644 being the weakest. InlA expression was not detected in silver stained SDS gels but was detected in Western blotting images. Internalin A was only detected in protein extracts of L. monocytogenes 19111 and 7644 with band intensities of 50.1 and 2.5 pixels, respectively. Greater InlA expression was correlated with higher attachment strength in L. monocytogenes 19111. Listeria monocytogenes 19115 did not express InlA but it had a stronger attachment …

Influence Of Food-Grade Ingredients On Offlavor Compounds In Catfish Fillets, Sovann Kin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to screen the effect of some food-grade ingredients on the off-odors caused by geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) compounds in catfish fillets by sensory evaluation. The study revealed that geosmin and MIB odor intensity were reduced to different degrees when fillets were dipped in lime flavor (94% and 67%, respectively), 0.5% acetic acid (AA) (70% and 16%, respectively), hardwood liquid smoke (98% and 86%, respectively), or hickory liquid smoke (98% and 100% respectively) in cooked products. A 0.5% AA proved to be effective in decreasing odor intensity of geosmin (70%) in cooked products, whereas lime …

Molecular-Genetic And Structural Analyses Of The Nifhdkx Proteins Of The Nitrogenase System, Surobhi Lahiri

Theses and Dissertations

The nitrogenase enzyme is the biochemical machiner responsible for the conversion of the largely unavailable nitrogen to the easily assimilable ammonia for living organisms by the process termed as biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). This study was focused on understanding the various structural and functional aspects of the nitrogenase enzyme related to maturation and assembly of the FeMo-cofactor (FeMoco) metallocluster of the MoFe protein (the site for final substrate reduction), development of a dimeric MoFe protein and the structural homology of nitrogenase with other metalloenzymes. This research was specifically directed towards the NifHDKX proteins in which the nifHDK genes are the …

The Osmotic Second Virial Coefficient As A Predictor Of Protein Stability, Kusum S. Verma

Theses and Dissertations

The number of protein containing therapeutic drugs is growing day by day. Lack of proper storage conditions can cause protein degradation or aggregation. The osmotic second virial coefficient, B22, is a thermodynamic parameter, which can predict protein interaction with other proteins and solvent molecules. B22 has been successfully used as predictor of crystallization conditions for a protein in the solution, and in this study an attempt has been made to relate B22 as a predictor of stability of the protein. Static light scattering was used to measure B22 in our studies. B22 and the solubility of three proteins were measured …

The Use Of Dietary Fat Supplementation On Growth, Reproduction And Performance Characteristics Of Replacement Beef Heifers, Alecsandro Rufino Dos Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of a dietary fat supplementation on growth, reproduction and performance characteristics of replacement beef heifers reared in different management systems (pasture and dry lot conditions). The objectives were (1) to quantify changes in body composition traits and growth performance of replacement beef heifers fed different levels of fat in the supplemented diet,(2) to determine the reproductive performance of heifers supplemented with dietary fat in either a ryegrass pasture system or a dry lot system, and (3) to determine the value of real-time ultrasound technology (RTU) as an alternative technology to …

Measures Of Oxidation Of Soybean And Catfish Oils, John Michael Mcgillivray

Theses and Dissertations

Oils from soybeans and catfish by-products were extracted using hexane, propane, and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). Free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide values (PV), anisidine values (AnV), total oxidation (TOTOX), induction point (IP), iodine values (IV), and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were all measured to analyze oxidation of these oils. The extraction yield of propane, hexane, and SCCO2 oils was 80.4, 94.5, and 90%, in respect to total lipid content. Oils extracted with SCCO2 were more oxidized than those extracted with propane and hexane; probably due to the higher temperature and longer extraction time. The IP correlated with AnV, IV, …

Patent Political Economy - Indian Lessons On Pharmaceutical Patent, Julien L. Chaisse, Samira Guennif

ExpressO

The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime adopted by any country is essentially a tool that strives to ensure both the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and people’s access to medicines. But, contrary to the very easily advanced theory, there is no paradox between the two. From this perspective, the Indian experience has shown that it is precisely the relaxation of its national IPR regime that promoted the growth of its domestic industry, thereby ensuring a better patient access to medicines. However, the globalisation process does not overlook any sector, which means that medicines too are submitted to the new …

Volume 42 - Issue 11 - Friday, December 8, 2006, Rose Thorn Staff

The Rose Thorn Archive

The Rose Thorn, Rose-Hulman's independent student newspaper.

Quaker Run Watershed Analysis

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Students from Mashpee High School have been studying water quality of local rivers for a number of years. In the past, the primary focus was on two rivers that flow through the town: the Quashnet River, and Quaker Run. This school year (2006-07) the Mashpee River was added as the third watershed of interest. Each of three Earth Science classes adopted and studied one of the rivers. Students sampled each stream at headwaters and lower reaches for: macroinvertebrates, water chemistry (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and turbidity) and stream flow (velocity and volume). Data were analyzed, and PowerPoint presentations were …

Reporter - December 8th 2006, Rit Reporter Staff

University Publications

Letters to the Editor; RIT Forecast; New Orleans Revisited; Saosin Music Review; Phillips Eastern Restaurant; At Your Leisure; Victor Wooten; Adjunct Professors; The RIT Faculty; Winter Sports Preview; RIT Rings; Drafting

V. 74, Issue 10, December 8, 2006

Archway (1946-2020)

No abstract provided.

The Courier, Volume 40, Issue 13, December 8, 2006, The Courier, College Of Dupage

The Courier

Stories:

How Decisions Are Made

Campus Closes During Holiday

MyCOD Doubles Mailbox Size

Enrollment Down

Goodbye Gary–Vice President Of IT Retires After Two Decades Of Dedicated Service To The College

Kurds: Stabilizers In Iraq, American Allies, Seek Autonomy

Bridging Cultural Boundaries Through Art

Walking For Julie

People:

Gary Wenger

Joe Charmelo

Jennifer Hereth

Kathleen Kamal

Terry Vitacco

Julie Svec

The Bison, December 8, 2006

The Bison Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The New Hampshire, Vol. 96 [97], No. 24 (Dec. 8, 2006), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 96, but it is the 97th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

From The Illuminating Moon To The Radiating Sun: The Philosophical Writings Of Emerson And Nichiren, Sharon Mitsue Blythe

Theses & Honors Papers

Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophical writings possess deep correlations to the writings of Nichiren, a 13th century Japanese Buddhist philosopher. Both Emerson and Nichiren conceive the inherent and unlimited potential of human beings, and stress the inseparability of life from its psychological, spiritual, and physical environment. Both Emerson and Nichiren address the cyclical and universal nature of all phenomena, an understanding that derives from the oneness of all facets of existence. The greatest variation between these two writers occurs in the implementation and practice of their philosophies.

The Preface provides a synopsis of Buddhism and introduces Nichiren. It also discusses the …

College Voice Vol. 31 No. 11, Connecticut College

2006-2007

No abstract provided.