Digital Commons Network^™

Spectroscopy And Structures Of Cu-Organonitrogen Complexes, Xu Wang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Copper-organonitrogen complexes are studied by threshold photoionization and zero electron kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy. These complexes are prepared in pulsed laser vaporization supersonic molecular beams. Adiabatic ionization energies of the neutral species and vibrational frequencies of the neutral and ionic complexes were measured. Metal-ligand bond dissociation energies were obtained from the theoretical calculations or the experiments. More importantly, by combining the spectroscopic measurements, quantum chemical calculations, and spectral simulations, metal-ligand bonding structures are determined for copper complexes of diamines, pyridine, diazines, aminopyridines, polypyridines, and imidazole. The Cu-ethylenediamine, -(1,3-propanediamine), and -(1,4-butenediamine) complexes have been determined to be in a hydrogen-bond stabilized …

Virtual' Brides In The Post-Soviet Context, Michael Paul Begin

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This project offers a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the contemporary post-Soviet Internet bride phenomenon and the rationales, motives, and aspirations of the industry's participants. As international marriage services have incorporated information and communications technologies (ICTs) to assist in the marketing of women of post-communist nations for correspondence courtship with Western men, the industry has furthered the globalization of marriage markets and the opportunities for communicative exchange among disparate nations and cultures. By way of case study, the project takes a special focus on the Belarusian/American segment of the industry, turning to personal interviews with participants and employing qualitative techniques …

The Effectiveness Of Using Communication-Centered Intervention To Facilitate Phonological Learning In Young Children, Sharon Blodgett Hart

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

A phonological disorder is a communication disorder of the speech sound system characterized by an impaired ability to use developmentally expected speech sounds and sound patterns to communicate with others (Bauman-Waengler, 2004). This impairment affects the clarity of a child's speech and how easily a child's speech can be understood. As stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), difficulties with speech sound production may interfere with academic achievement, social communication, or future occupational achievement. Children with phonological impairments are generally viewed as being at risk for reading difficulties (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2001).Clinicians …

The Design And Synthesis Of Novel Chelates For The Precipitation Of Mercury, Aaron Robert Hutchison

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Mercury has been an element of great industrial importance since early times.This wide utilization of the element has led to pervasive mercury contamination in theglobal environment. Due to mercury's high toxicity, this is a matter of great concern. Anumber of methods, includ ing phytoremediation, filtration, and precipitation/chelation,have been investigated to remove mercury from the environment. Unfortunately, thesemethods are not entirely satisfactory for the in-situ remediation of mercury from aqueousenvironments.The hypothesis of this dissertation is that this can best be accomplished by theaddition of a large and flexible sulfur-based chelate, that will bind mercury in atetracoordinate and presumably tetrahedral environment, to …

Applying Reaction Time (Rt) And Event-Related Potential (Erps) Measures To Detect Malingered Neurocognitive Deficit, Victoria Louise Vagnini

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the ability of reaction time (RT) and Event-Related Potentials (ERP) to detect malingered neurocognitive deficit (MNCD)in two new tasks compared to the TOMM (N = 47). Honest (HON), malingering (MAL), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) groups were compared on accuracy, RT and ERP measures. Overall, the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) accuracy was the most effective at classifying groups (hit rate = 100%). Several non-TOMM accuracy variables and RT variables reached hit rates in the range of 71%-88%. The TOMM RT variable had an unlimited time for participants to respond and was the most successful RT variable …

Two Essays On Borrowing From Banks And Lending Syndicates, Pankaj Kumar Maskara

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

A loan deal is often composed of several components (for example, a 3-year revolving loan, a 10-year secured senior term loan, and a 5-year subordinated term loan). The division of a deal into two or more components, each with different risk characteristics, is called tranching. This study recognizes the importance of tranching and establishes tranching as an integral component of a syndicated loan structure. In the first essay, we present a model to explain the economic value of tranching and show that riskier firms are more likely to take loans with multiple tranches. Therefore, the average credit spread on syndicated …

Drug Milk To Serum Ratio Prediction And Ontogeny Of Cyp3a Clearance Pathway As A Model Of Drug Exposure In The Developing Rat, Maggie Magdi Abbassi

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Transfer of drugs into milk and the clearance of drugs in neonates are critical determinants of the exposure of infants to drugs in breast milk. Models predicting both parameters have been proposed. The objective of this dissertation is to test two models predicting milk to serum ratio and an ontogeny clearance model predicting clearance in the neonate. Predicted milk to serum ratio (M/S) values were generated according to the Atkinson and Begg model. The model did not adequately predict M/S when comparing the predicted values to observed values in the literature. The Fleishaker model was also tested. The model was …

The Development And Test Of An Exchange-Based Model Of Interpersonal Workplace Exclusion, Kristin Damato Scott

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The vast majority of social exclusion research has taken place outside of the workplace (i.e., in social settings). In addition, researchers often use a myriad of terms (i.e., ostracism, exclusion, rejection) when describing and investigating exclusion-related phenomena thus contributing to widespread conceptual confusion with respect to this construct. Moreover, past studies have failed to consider the role of social exchange in determining how individuals may react to being excluded by others particularly in a work setting. I sought to address these issues by conducting three multi-wave studies which develop and test a social-exchange based model of interpersonal workplace exclusion (IWE). …

Validity Of The Pendulum Test To Measure Quadriceps Spasticity In Children Diagnosed With Cerebral Palsy, Henry Dulin White Ii

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The stiff-knee gait pattern of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) is assumed to be caused by spasticity of the quadriceps which interferes with knee flexion normally occurring during the swing phase of walking. In current clinical practice, the ability to assess quadriceps spasticity is limited by the lack of an objective and reliable test that discriminates the role spasticity plays in functional limitations. The primary purpose of this series of studies was to assess the pendulum test as an objective measure of quadriceps spasticity. The first study assessed the reliability of the pendulum test. Moderate to very high between …

Cyclooxygenase-2-Dependent Remodeling Of The Ductus Arteriosus, Darshini Trivedi

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Transition of the cardiopulmonary circulation at birth requires functional closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA). The DA is an arterial shunt that is vital in the fetus for diverting the pulmonary circulation away from the uninflated lungs. Failure of the vessel to functionally close after birth is known as patent DA, which is the second most common congenital heart disease. Patent DA may seriously compromise neonatal health and current pharmacological treatments are often limited by serious complications or a significant failure rate, thereby increasing the necessity for surgical intervention. Recently, we were the first to show that genetic or pharmacological …

Functionalization Of Fluorinated Surfactant Templated Silica, Gifty Osei-Prempeh

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Surfactant templating provides for the synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica and the opportunity to tailor the pore size, pore structure, particle morphology and surface functionality of the silica through the selection of synthesis conditions and surfactant template. This work extends the synthesis of nanostructured silica using fluorinated surfactant templates to the synthesis of organic/inorganic composites. The effect of fluorinated surfactant templates (C6F13C2H4NC5H5Cl, C8F17C2H4NC5H5Cl and C10F21C2H4NC5H5Cl), which have highly hydrophobic fluorocarbon tails, on functional group incorporation, accessibility, and silica textural properties is examined and compared to properties of hydrocarbon surfactant (C16H33N(CH3)3Br, CTAB) templated silica. Hydrocarbon (vinyl, n-decyl and 3-aminopropyl) and fluorocarbon …

Characterization And Flow Physics Of Plasma Synthetic Jet Actuators, Arvind Santhanakrishnan

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Plasma synthetic jet actuators are investigated experimentally, in which the geometrical design of single dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators is modified to produce zero-mass flux jets similar to those created by mechanical devices. The SDBD plasma actuator consists of two rectangular electrodes oriented asymmetrically and separated by a layer of dielectric material. Under an input of high voltage, high frequency AC or pulsed DC, a region of plasma is created in the interfacial air gap on account of electrical breakdown of the ambient air. A coupling between the electric field in the plasma and the neutral air near the …

The First Grade Private School Sector: Taxonomy, Choice, And Achievement, Christine Berry Lloyd

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Studies focusing on Catholic schools as a proxy for all private education or all private religious education miss important variances within the private school sector, especially at the first grade level. The implication of this is that the vast majority of secondary school choice studies are incomplete; the elementary schooling decision of the parents should be included for all secondary school choice analyses. I augment the scope of a households first grade schooling choice by offering a rich model that includes the public schooling option and the most detailed typology of private schools to date: Catholic, Evangelical or Fundamental Protestant, …

Helium (E, 2e) Coplanar And Out-Of-Plane Experiments, Bruno A. Deharak

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The detection of sound sources with microphone arrays can be enhanced through processing individual microphone signals prior to the delay and sum operation. One method in particular, the Phase Transform (PHAT) has demonstrated improvement in sound source location images, especially in reverberant and noisy environments. Recent work proposed a modification to the PHAT transform that allows varying degrees of spectral whitening through a single parameter, andamp;acirc;, which has shown positive improvement in target detection in simulation results. This work focuses on experimental evaluation of the modified SRP-PHAT algorithm. Performance results are computed from actual experimental setup of an 8-element perimeter …

Identification And Characterization Of Proteins That Interact With Agamous-Like 15 (Agl15), A Mads-Domain Transcription Factor That Preferentially Accumulates In The Plant Embryo, Kristine Hill

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

AGAMOUS-Like 15 (AGL15) encodes a MADS-domain transcription factor that is preferentially expressed in the plant embryo, and may function as a regulator in embryonic developmental programs. A number of direct downstream targets of AGL15 have been identified, and while some of these target genes are induced in response to AGL15, others are repressed. Additionally, direct target genes have been analyzed that exhibit strong association with AGL15 in vivo, yet in vitro, AGL15 binds only weakly. Taken together these data suggest that AGL15 may form heterodimers, or ternary complexes with other proteins, thus modulating the specificity and function of AGL15 in …

Use Of In-Situ Fish Populations For Biomonitoring Polychlorinated Biphenyl And Metal Pollution In Moderately Impacted Freshwater Streams, David John Price

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Water, sediments, floodplain soils, and fish from Big and Little Bayou creeks were assessed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals in 1987-2005. The streams were impacted by effluents from the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP). PCBs were rarely detected in water samples. Aroclor 1248 detections in sediments and floodplains were sporadic, but 1254 and 1260 were consistent. Seasonal variations were only observed for Aroclor 1248. Detection of PCBs in floodplains indicated recent influx of contaminated sediments. Species-specific PCB residues patterns were studied for Lepomis cyanellus, L. megalotis, L. macrochirus, and Campostoma anomalum. Highest PCB concentrations were found in stoneroller minnows. …

Interactions Between Structures In The Appalachian And Ouachita Foreland Beneath The Gulf Coastal Plain, Donald Matthew Surles

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

In Alabama, the Paleozoic Appalachian thrust belt plunges southwest beneath the Mesozoic-Cenozoic Gulf Coastal Plain. In Arkansas, the Paleozoic Ouachita thrust belt plunges southeast beneath the Coastal Plain. The strikes of the exposed thrust belts suggest an intersection beneath the Coastal Plain. Well data and seismic reflection profiles confirm the strike and intersection of the thrust belts, and provide information to determine the structure and general stratigraphy of each thrust belt. In east-central Mississippi, the Appalachian thrust belt curves from the regional northeast trace to westward at the intersection with the southeastern terminus of the Ouachita thrust belt, to northwest …

Molecular Transport Properties Through Carbon Nanotube Membranes, Mainak Majumder

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Molecular transport through hollow cores of crystalline carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of considerable interest from the fundamental and application point of view. This dissertation focuses on understanding molecular transport through a membrane platform consisting of open ended CNTs with ~ 7 nm core diameter and ~ 1010 CNTs/cm2 encapsulated in an inert polymer matrix. While ionic diffusion through the membrane is close to bulk diffusion expectations, gases and liquids were respectively observed to be transported ~ 10 times faster than Knudsen diffusion and ~ 10000-100000 times faster than hydrodynamic flow predictions. This phenomenon has been attributed to the non-interactive and …

Pore Engineering Of Surfactant Templated Nanoporous Silica Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Kaustav Ghosh

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The use of compressed CO2 processing to alter the pore size, structure and timescale of silica condensation in surfactant templated silica thin films and powders is investigated by systematically varying the template structure and CO2 processing conditions. Tailoring the mesoporous materials increases its potential applications, as demonstrated in catalysis, drug delivery, chromatographic and electrode applications. This work demonstrates for the first time the applicability of fluorinated surfactants as templates for the synthesis of mesoporous silica thin films by dip coating. Well-ordered films with 2D hexagonal close-packed pore structure are synthesized in an acid-catalyzed medium using three cationic fluorinated templates of …

Cuba Como Geografia Literaria En La Narrativa Catalana Contemporanea, Nuria Sabate-Llobera

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Since the 1940s, many works of Catalan literature have taken place in Cuba. While anthologies mention the genre, there has been as of yet no thorough examination of the importance of this trend. Starting with the long history of the relationship between Catalonia and Cuba, this dissertation employs a transatlantic approach to understanding the significance of the island to Catalan literature and identity. The Catalan protagonists, through their contact with Cuba, undergo change that is accompanied by a redefinition of both personal and national identity. The thesis is structured by various journeys from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. In Por …

Polymorphism Of Four Enantiotropic Crystalline Systems Containing Ni(Ii), H2O, 15-Crown-5 And No3-, Maxime Andre Siegler

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The series of compounds [M(H₂O)₂(15-crown-5)](NO₃)₂, M = Mg, Mn, Co, Cu and Zn, has been extended to include two new phases for M = Fe and two new phases for M = Ni. The system [M(H₂O)₂(15-crown-5)](NO₃)₂ is remarkable for having many high-Z’ phases (Z’ > 1) with similar packing and for having solid-solid phase transitions through which there is no significant loss of crystallinity. The synthesis of the analogous Ni complex was carried out. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed …

Characterization Of Colloidal Nanoparticle Aggregates Using Light Scattering Techniques, Mehmet Kozan

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Light scattering is a powerful characterization tool for determining shape, size, and size distribution of fine particles, as well as complex, irregular structures of their aggregates. Small angle static light scattering and elliptically polarized light scattering techniques produce accurate results and provide real time, non-intrusive, and in-situ observations on prevailing process conditions in three-dimensional systems. As such, they complement conventional characterization tools such as SEM and TEM which have their known disadvantages and limitations. In this study, we provide a thorough light scattering analysis of colloidal tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles in the shape of irregular nanospheres and cylindrical nanowires, and …

Modulation Of Endothelial Cell Activation By Omega-6 And Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lei Wang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Endothelial activation is considered to be an early and critical event in the pathology of atherogenesis which can be modified by environmental factors such as diet, pollutants, and lifestyle habits. Dietary andamp;ugrave;-6 and andamp;ugrave;-3 fatty acids have been reported to either amplify or diminish inflammatory responses related to atherosclerosis development. However, the interactions of andamp;ugrave;-6 and andamp;ugrave;-3 fatty acids with inflammatory cytokines or organic pollutants on endothelial cell activation are not well understood. The studies presented in this dissertation tested the hypothesis that andamp;ugrave;-6 and andamp;ugrave;-3 fatty acids alone, or in varying ratios can differently modulate pro-atherogenic mediators and inflammatory …

Dividend Taxation In Europe: When The Ecj Makes Tax Policy, Alvin C. Warren, Michael J. Graetz

Faculty Scholarship

This article analyzes a complex line of recent decisions in which the European Court of Justice has set forth its vision of a nondiscriminatory system for taxing corporate income distributed as dividends within the European Union. We begin by identifying the principal tax policy issues that arise in constructing a system for taxing cross-border dividends and then review the standard solutions found in national legislation and international tax treaties. Against that background, we examine in detail a dozen of the Court's decisions, half of which have been handed down since 2006. Our conclusion is that the ECJ is applying a …

Reefer Madness: Broken Windows Policing And Misdemeanor Marijuana Arrests In New York City, 1989-2000, Bernard E. Harcourt, Jens Ludwig

Faculty Scholarship

The pattern of misdemeanor marijuana arrests in New York City since the introduction of broken windows policing in 1994 – nicely documented in this issue in Andrew Golub, Bruce Johnson, and Eloise Dunlap's article (2007) – is almost enough to make an outside observer ask: Who thought of this idea in the first place? And what were they smoking?

By the year 2000, arrests on misdemeanor charges of smoking marijuana in public view (MPV) had reached a peak of 51,267 for the city, up 2,670% from 1,851 arrests in 1994. In 1993, the year before broken windows policing was implemented, …

When Did Lawyers For Children Stop Reading Goldstein, Freud And Solnit? Lessons From The Twentieth Century On Best Interests And The Role Of The Child Advocate, Jane M. Spinak

Faculty Scholarship

Between 1973 and 1986, Joseph Goldstein, Anna Freud, and Albert Solnit published three influential but controversial books on the best interests of the child that had an enormous impact on state decisions to intervene in family life and direct the placement of children. During the same period, children in child welfare proceedings were increasingly represented by lawyers or guardians ad litem whose advocacy included understanding and interpreting the meaning of best interests. This article begins by tracing a conversation of sorts that occurs between the authors and other scholars and practitioners as their ideas begin to influence decision-making in child …

Exploring The Ligand Binding Site On The Dopamine Transporter By Photoaffinity Labeling And Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Maria Laura Parnas

Theses and Dissertations

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a neuronal presynaptic transmembrane protein that clears released dopamine (DA) from the synaptic space, regulating the neurotransmitter concentration and availability, DAT and the related serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters belong to the SLC6 family of Na+ and CI- dependent symporters, and are major targets for the action of several drugs, including the psychostimulant cocaine. DAT is predicted to possess 12 transmembrane spanning domains (TMs), with both N- and C-termini located intracellularly. Extensive research efforts to gain insight on the molecular aspects of DAT have been attempted, but the three-dimensional arrangement of the protein as …

Methane Potential Of Upper Fort Union Formation Sandstones, Campbell County, Wyoming, Michael J. Blackstone

Theses and Dissertations

Coalbed methane has been produced from the coalbeds of the Upper Fort Union Formation in the Powder River Basin for many years. The sandstones associated with these coals have also proven to be gas-charged, but industry has done little with the sandstones thus far. The purpose of this study is to determine the paleoenvironrnent responsible for the deposition of the coal and sandstone bodies in an attempt to locate gas-charged sandstone bodies in the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation.

The 30-mile by 90-mile study area was chosen because of the presence of a decrease in thick coalbed …

Developing A Rapid Method For Assessing The Physical Stability Of Streams In Minnesota's Agassiz Beach Ridges, Abigail V. Franklund

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis assessed the physical characteristics and stability of selected western Minnesota streams that cross the eastern beach ridges of glacial Lake Agassiz. Stream and river channels in this area host unusually diverse aquatic habitat and biodiversity, but incompatible land use along channels and in watersheds impair their quality and function. Previous rapid assessment protocols have been developed for stream attributes and stability, but these methods have been developed elsewhere in the United States and are not necessarily appropriate for western Minnesota’s unique geology and landscape.

A rapid reconnaissance method was developed to assess stream conditions using an integrated numerical …

Kelo V. City Of New London: New Jersey's Take On Takings, Hon. Peter G. Sheridan

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.