Digital Commons Network^™

Fabrication And Study Of Zno Micro- And Nanostructures, Monica Morales-Masis

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

ZnO micro-structures and nano-structures have been grown on two types of substrate by reacting condensed Zn vapor with oxygen. The source material was either pure zinc powder or zinc acetate which was either evaporated or decomposed. This was done in the temperature range 500 C to 650 C, in a flowing Ar plus oxygen ambient at atmospheric pressure. Variations in the carrier gas composition, gas flow rate and the position of the substrate in the furnace were found to control the formation and the morphology of the nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy images of samples grown from a Zn powder source …

An Analysis Of Neutral Drift's Effect On The Evolution Of A Ctrnn Locomotion Controller With Noisy Fitness Evaluation, Gregory Robert Kramer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the evolution of Continuous Time Recurrent Neural Networks (CTRNNs) as controllers for control systems. Existing research suggests that the process of neutral drift can greatly benefit evolution for problems whose fitness landscapes contain large-scale neutral networks. CTRNNs are known to be highly degenerate, providing a possible source of large-scale landscape neutrality, and existing research suggests that neutral drift benefits the evolution of simple CTRNNs. However, there has been no in-depth examination of the effects of neutral drift on complex CTRNN controllers, especially in the presence of noisy fitness evaluation. To address this problem, this dissertation presents …

Synthetic Approach To Epibatidine From 1-(Phenylsulfonyl)Pyrrole, Brandon G. Vanness

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to synthesize the natural product epibatidine, a non-opiate analgesic and nicotinic acetylcholine agonist isolated from Epipedobates tricolor. A synthetic pathway utilizing a Diels-Alder cycloaddition of a 3-pyridyl substituted pyrrole and tosylacetylene was conceived based upon the original mass spectral fragmentation pathway of epibatidine determined by Daly. Although this pathway had been previously attempted using 1-(triisopropyl)-3-[5-(2-chloropyridyl)]pyrrole in the key Diels-Alder step, the lack of cycloadduct suggested that a pyrrole with a more electron withdrawing protecting group was required for this step. Therefore, synthesis of 1-(phenylsulfonyl)-3-[5-(2-chloropyridyl)]pyrrole via a palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 1-(phenylsulfonyl)-3-pyrroline and …

Tree Seedling Establishment Under The Native Shrub, Asimina Triloba, Marilyn Cabrini Baumer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Species that form forest understory layers affect canopy tree seedling establishment worldwide. In the Eastern United States, shrub understories like Rhododendrom maximum, a native evergreen species, and Lonicera maackii, an exotic, invasive species, diminish tree seedling survival. I compared the density and survival of canopy tree seedlings under and outside patches of the native shrub, Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal (Annonaceae) (pawpaw). I also conducted a manipulative experiment to determine whether above ground or below ground competition was more important in seedling growth and survival. Above ground competition was manipulated by tying back the leaves of the pawpaw and below ground …

Synthetic Routes To A Fused-Ring Sydnoquinazoline, Gregory Edmond Storer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In this research, 5-methylsydno-[3,4-a]quinazoline was synthesized via multiple methodologies, the best of which yielded the target compound in 50 % overall yield for the six steps. Synthesis of this compound in reasonable yields and exploration of its chemical behavior is of particular interest as a putative NO-prodrug. As an initial approach to the synthesis and accumulation of the compound of interest, attempts were made to optimize the existing synthetic pathway to its precursors. The starting material, 3-(2-acetylphenyl)sydnone, was prepared in 3 steps from commercially available starting material in good yields. This sydnone compound was then converted to the versatile intermediate, …

Acute Toxicity And Immunotoxicity Testing Of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons In Aquatic And Terrestrial Organisms, Andrea Renee Handy

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The acute toxicity and immunotoxicity of JP-8 jet fuel on Chironomus tentans, Hyallela azteca, Lactuca sativa, Eisenia foetida, and Lumbricus terrestris was assessed using standard USEPA acute toxicity and static renewal toxicity tests. Three methods of spiking test soil with jet fuel were evaluated. In one method acetone was utilized as a carrier and the soil was dried in the fume hood; in another the soil was spiked directly with jet fuel and also was dried; and in the last the soil was spiked directly without drying. There was low survival in C. tentans in all treatments, including controls. There …

Investigating The Role Of Subunit Iii In The Structure And Function Of Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Cytochrome C Oxidase, R. Ryan Geyer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The role of subunit III (SIII) in cytochrome c oxidase structure and function was investigated using enzyme isolated from the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Energy minimization calculations suggested that in the absence of SIII, subunit I (SI) adopted a more open conformation. This observation was tested through the use of limited proteolysis using, á-chymotrypsin. The results showed that in the absence of SIII the solution structures of wild-type and I/II oxidase were not significantly different, and that proteolysis occurred exclusively at the N and C-termini of SI. Upon inactivation of I/II oxidase by catalytic turnover, and subsequent digestion with the protease …

Seasonal Variation In The Redox Zones And Biogeochemical Processes Within The Constructed Wetland, Yussuf Mohamud

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This research investigation focuses on the vertical distribution of dissolved inorganic species in the pore-water affected by redox processes and seasonal changes within a small constructed wetland located at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This is a follow up study to an earlier investigation (Lach, 2004) at this site in 2003. Water samples were collected from influent, effluent and three layers of the constructed wetland through a network of nested piezometers in the vertical flow wetland from June 2005 to June 2006. Onsite analysis of temperature, pH and conductivity were carried out onsite. Major anions and cations were measured by …

Modifiable Poly(Arylene Ether)S And Hyperbranched Poly(Esters), Brian Scott Werry

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Two different polymer systems have been studied in regards to their potential for functionalization to introduce new characteristics to the polymer. The first polymer system is a poly(arylene ether) with a truly pendant sulfone group from the monomer 3,5-difluorodiphenylsulfone. The work entails incorporating a bromine moiety onto the monomer for the versatile ability to bring in functional groups prior to or post the polymerization. The introduction of bromine onto the pendant ring had the best results from electrophilic bromine addition using N-bromosuccinimide in a mixture of sulfuric acid and acetic acid (80:20) yielding 76% of the desired material. Incorporation of …

Distribution Of Ground-Layer Plant Species In A Fragmented Landscape In The Corozal District, Belize, Central America, Divan Catzim

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I specifically looked at three major issues regarding 36 target plant species in a fragmented landscape in the Corozal district, Belize: 1) Determine woodlot characteristics that tend to favor the target species. 2) Determine plant characteristics that tend to favor the target species. 3) Determine whether age and size of a woodlot favors the presence of the target species. The study area was divided into three areas and each area had woodlots varying in sizes and ages. 36 plant species were sampled in all woodlots upon which woodlot characteristics and species characteristics were associated with the number …

Comparative Investigation Of Dosimetric Tools In Imrt, Aaron Nicholas Garcia

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Verification of the isodose distribution delivered to the planned tumor volume is required for quality assurance in the clinic. Verification in this context means ensuring that the actual dose delivered to a volume matches the dose that a computerized planning system intended that volume to receive. The computerized planning is performed by a Computerized Medical Systems (CMS) Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) plan. Two methods of measuring the delivered dose are film dosimetry and diode dosimetry. This project will compare the relative isodose distribution profiles of film dosimetry and MapCheck (Sun Nuclear Corporation, a diode-based dosimetry system) to the relative …

Investigation Of Interactions Between Rev And Microtubules: Purification Of Wild-Type And Mutant Rev Protein And Optimization Of Microtubule Depolymerization Assays, Miller, Kelly Robbins

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

As a logical pharmaceutical target for antiviral drugs, HIV-1 Rev is a regulatory protein essential for viral infection (Hope, 1999). The development of antiviral drugs that target Rev has been hindered by the lack of high-resolution structural information due to the protein's tendency to aggregate in solution. While searching for solution conditions rendering Rev amenable to crystallographic analyses, Watts et al., (2000) discovered a novel in vitro interaction between Rev and microtubules (MTs) whereby addition of equimolar Rev and tubulin forms bilayered rings called Rev-tubulin toroidal complexes (RTTs). RTTs are similar to those seen when MTs are mixed with certain …

Analysis Of Sex Reversal And Tra-2 Nucleotide Variation In Tropical And Temperate Clades Of Caenorhabditis Briggsae, Irene Zelepuhin

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Reproductive isolation results when members of the same species cannot reproduce due to either prezygotic or postzygotic mechanisms, therefore restricting gene flow between populations. A leading model describing reproductive isolation developed by J.B. Haldane (1922) states, "When offspring from two different animal species have one sex that is rare, absent, or sterile, that sex is the heterozygous (XO) or heterogametic (XY) sex". Haldane's rule is illustrated among various animal taxa regardless of which sex is heterogametic. To date, Caenorhabditis mating tests are the only example of Haldane's rule that is caused by sexual transformation and not gender specific lethality or …

The Demise Of Industrial Education For African Americans: | |Revisiting The Industrial Curriculum In Higher Education, William L. Allen

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the causes that led African Americans to resist industrial education higher education, which ended industrial training programs in predominantly Black colleges and universities during the 1920s.

Three key factors helped create this reform movement: 1) the death of Booker T. Washington; 2) the improved educational levels of African Americans; and 3) the rise in aspirations of African Americans to expand the benefits of higher education. The loss of the Civil War caused a reorientation of southern and economic conditions.

Newly freed slaves had to be granted citizenship. Southern Whites were more concerned …

Fabrication Of Silver Nanoparticles By Solution Phase Method And Physical Characterization Of Their Arrays, Jaesung Oh

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Synthesis of silver nanostructures has been an active research area for many decades because of their importance in biological sensing, imaging, electronics, optoelectronics and catalysis. In particular, much effort has been devoted to the controlled synthesis of silver nanowires because of their potential use as interconnects or active components in fabricating nanoscale devices. The solution phase method is used here to form Ag nanoparticles by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol heated to 160°C. The additional presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone plays a role of stabilizer to prevent an agglomeration and/or a capping agent to produce highly anisotropic nanowires. Silver nanoparticles …

Impact Of Land Use On Water Quality In The Indian Lake Watershed: An Integrated Geographic Information Systems Approach, Michael Belke

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Geology and land use and land cover are the most important factors that influence water quality. The purpose of this study is to investigate how these factors operate in a rural watershed. Specifically, this thesis tests the feasibility of a proposed formula to relate how land use affects surface water quality and to infer hydrogeochemical reactions that control water chemistry through hydrogeochemical speciation and mineral stability relationships. Samples were collected from Indian Lake and its watershed in West-Central Ohio. BASINS, produced by the USEPA, was then used to delineate sub-watersheds and find the land use areas of these watersheds. The …

Characteristics Of A Foamy Virus-Derived Vector That Allow For Safe Autologous Gene Therapy To Correct Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type 1, Ryan Matthew Mcnichol

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The hematopoeitic stem cell is a prime target for gene therapy in the attempt to correct a number of single gene inherited genetic defects that affect the immune system. In persons affected by leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-1) the gene for the Beta-2 subunit of the integrin molecule is mutated. This autosomal recessive gene defect yields a phenotype with little or no beta-2 integrin expression on leukocytes. Beta-2 integrin expression is essential for leukocytes to travel from the blood to the tissues to fight infection. Persons with this disease have lowered leukocyte counts in the tissues and as a …

Analysis Of Very Large Scale Image Data Using Out-Of-Core Technique And Automated 3d Reconstruction Using Calibrated Images, Chandrashekara Hassan Raju

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of large scale volumetric data sets is very important from the researcher's and technological point of view as it helps in understanding and analyzing the original data. For example, when analyzing volumetric images from cast arteries of pigs, it is essential to apply a suitable segmentation in order to retrieve morphometric data from the scanned image. Due to improved scanning technology, such as MicroCT, these scanned images can get as large as several gigabytes in size. In order to analyze such large scale data sets on common desktop computers is a challenge due to limited main memory. By using …

Hsv-1 Infection Of C3h Central Nervous System Cell Lines, Lauren Kay Van Buren

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) can infect the nervous system, resulting in a disease known as herpes encephalitis (HSE). Herpes encephalitis affects thousands of people each year; many cases are fatal or permanently debilitating. Approximately two thousand known cases occur in the United States each year alone (Neuroland online source). Acyclovir has been the drug of choice used to treat herpes encephalitis. Even after the administration of acyclovir, permanent neurological damage and/or death often results. Thousands of individuals would benefit by the discovery of drugs that are more effective at preventing lasting HSE damage and death. Knowledge concerning HSE …

Immunological And Developmental Effects Of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (Pbdes) And 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-P-Dioxin (Tcdd) In Birds, Randy T. Stetzer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains two separate and distinct research projects with a common overall theme - the study of immunotoxicity associated with the developmental exposure of young birds to halogenated chemicals posing environmental concern. These chemicals share many chemical characteristics, including environmental ubiquity and longevity, one has been studied extensively since the 1970s, and one is a relatively new environmental contaminant with few studies pertaining to toxicological affects on humans or wildlife. Specific summaries of each study begin each project chapter. The first study was entitled Developmental and Immunological Effects of a Commercial Mixture of PBDE Flame Retardants in Chicken Embryos. …

Detection And Destruction Of Escherichia Coli Bacteria And Bacteriophage Using Biofunctionalized Nanoshells, Joseph E. Van Buren

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The ability to detect chemical and biological agents is arguably one of the highest priority technical challenges today. The capability to obtain specific information at and near single-molecule resolution is the ultimate goal in chemical and biological agent detection. Metallic nanostructures, nanoshells and nanorods in particular, are attractive substrates because of their plasmonic properties. Combining the specificity of biomolecular recognition with these nanostructures might lead to increased sensitivity and selectivity. Localization of biological recognition motifs to the surface of these nanostructures could provide a mechanism for highly specific and directed energy transfer when bound to its target. This study utilizes …

Simple Descriptors For Modeling The Solubility Of Gases, Alcohols, And Halogenated Hydrocarbons In Water, Sule Sidigu

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The Statmost, QSARIS, Excel, and SAS programs were used to model the solubility of gases, alcohols, and halogenated hydrocarbons in water using simple physical and topological descriptors. The alcohols were well-modeled using measures of the number of carbons, terminal methyls, and steric hindrance about the hydroxyl group. Molecular mass, boiling point, and critical volume or critical pressure were the best descriptors for the halogenated hydrocarbons. Critical pressure was the most applicable single descriptor for the gases. Molecular mass and boiling point also yielded good results for the gases and halogenated hydrocarbons when regressed together.

Role Of Angiotensin Converting Enzymes Ace And Ace2 In Diabetes Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction, Keerthy Kanakamedala

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is a long term complication of diabetes, which remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. There is recent evidence for activation of the Renin angiotensin system (RAS) in diabetic animals and humans. Emerging evidence shows that the vasoconstrictor actions of Ang II may be opposed by formation of the vasodilator, Ang (1-7). There is limited data on blood pressure in murine models of type 2 diabetes. The aim is to study the role of angiotensin converting enzymes ACE and ACE2 in diabetes induced cardiovascular dysfunction using type 2 diabetic murine mouse models (db/db mice). Both db/db mice …

Modulation Of The 3'Igh Regulatory Region (3'Igh Rr), A Prospective In Vitro Screening Tool For Identifying Potential Immunotoxicants, Rebecca Anne Henseler

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The immune system is critical to human survival. However, assessing alterations of immune function by potential immunotoxicants is complicated by the diffuse nature of the immune system, which is composed of various effector cells each with differing effector functions. Current immunotoxicity testing is limited to animal studies. We have developed a model, which may provide an in vitro alternative to animal studies in identifying immunotoxicants that specifically target B cell function (i.e., alteration of immunoglobulin (Ig) or expression and antibody secretion). This model consists of a well-characterized B cell line, CH12.LX, which appears to appropriately model primary B cell function. …

Oral Ld50 Of Botulinum Toxin Serotype A In Guinea Pigs, Christina Marie Wilhelm

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

As a disease, botulism is a neuroparalytic illness resulting from the action of a potent neurotoxin produced by C. Botulinum. Of the seven distinct C. Botulinum neurotoxin serotypes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, only serotypes A, B, E and F cause human disease. The duration of action of the seven toxin serotypes varies with serotype A having the most sustained action (i.e. months vs. days in serotype E). This study was performed due to recently identified critical gaps in our food safety procedures. The goal of this study was to assess whether fresh 2% milk provided protective …

Discovery Of New Antimicrobial Agents Using Combinatorial Chemistry, William I. Northern

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Combinatorial chemistry has become an important aspect of medicinal research due to its flexibility and the ability to produce large numbers of potential therapeutic agents. Once compounds are made, they must be screened to determine if there is any biological activity. This research project focused on developing a screening method for chemical agents produced by a graduate student in the chemistry department at Wright State University. After an acceptable screening method was found, the goal of the project was to determine if compounds produced had either antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, or both. Seven compounds exhibited biological activity. Two of these …

The Processing Of Β-Endorphin In Morphine Treated Rats Using Seldi-Tof Mass Spectrometry, Jennifer Y. Edwards

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Endocrine glands secrete peptide hormones that bind to specific receptors, and elicit a response. In the pituitary, prohormone convertases (PC) PC1/3 and PC2 convert inactive prohormones into biologically active peptide hormones. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a precursor molecule that proteolytically cleaves at paired basic residue sites, and produces smaller biologically active peptides, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and β-endorphin. β-endorphin is an endogenous opioid peptide hormone that plays a vital role in the body's physiological response to stress, fear, and anxiety. Morphine is an exogenous opioid, used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain and competes …

Differential Effects Of Mutant Tap63Γ On Transactivation Of P53 And/Or P63 Responsive Genes And Their Effects On Global Gene Expression, Shama Khan Khokhar

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

p63, a member of the p53 gene family, known to play a role in development, has more recently also been implicated in cancer progression. Mice lacking p63 exhibit severe developmental defects such as limb truncations, abnormal skin, and absence of hair follicles, teeth, and mammary glands. Germline missense mutations of p63 have been shown to be responsible for several human developmental syndromes including SHFM, EEC and ADULT syndromes and are associated with anomalies in the development of organs of epithelial origin. The contrasting phenotypes associated with the different classes of p63 mutations might be in part due to the differential …

Functional Interplay Between Subthreshold Ion Channels In Preautonomic Neurons Of The Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus In Health And Disease Conditions, Patrick M. Sonner

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Under normal conditions, blood pressure is tightly regulated through autonomic tonic and reflex mechanisms. However, when the set-point for blood pressure is chronically elevated, hypertension occurs. Hypertension if untreated can lead to further complications including heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. Elevated sympathetic outflow is known to contribute to the development and/or maintenance of hypertension, and while the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a preautonomic center, has been implicated in the elevation of sympathetic activity during hypertension, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms underlying sympathoexcitation remain unclear. Subthreshold ion channels, including the A-type K ⁺(I _A) and the T-type Ca ^{2+ …}

Formation Of A Sydno[3,4- A]Indolone And Reactions Thereof, Ryan Christopher Vikan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In the present work, a synthetic route to the formation of a sydno[3,4- a]indolone was explored in the hope of attaining the first example of a fused-ring sydnone with an sp2-hybridized bridge. Formation of this product and exploration of its chemical behavior was anticipated to be of particular interest to the formation of NO-releasing prodrugs. A direct synthetic pathway to yield the target sydnoindolone starting from 3-(2-methoxycarbonylphenyl)sydnone and reaction with a base was proposed and explored. Attempted formation and isolation of the target sydnoindolone proved impossible under a variety of different conditions, undoubtedly due to the instability of this …