Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Unused Pharmaceuticals In The Environment, Ilene Sue Ruhoy

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Unused pharmaceuticals take an unhealthy toll on both the environment and human health. In the US alone, an estimated {dollar}1 billion of prescription drugs are thrown away each year. Increasing availability, marketing, and purchasing of both prescription and over-the-counter medications, coupled with the tendency of patients to discontinue use of and to stockpile drugs at home, is a unique problem that has garnered increasing attention among scientists, policymakers, and the media in the last ten years; These accumulated household drugs become unused pharmaceutical waste. This waste must be discarded and disposed of by the consumer. Historically, consumers have been instructed …

Overlapping Layers For Prolonging Network Life Time In Multi-Hop Wireless Sensor Networks, Hongyan Wang

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Wireless sensor networks have been proposed as a practical solution for a wide range of applications due to their benefits of low cost, rapid deployment, self-organization capability, and cooperative data-processing. Many applications, such as military surveillance and habitat monitoring, require the deployment of large-scale sensor networks. A highly scalable and fault-tolerant network architecture, the Progressive Multi-hop Rotational Clustered (PMRC) structure has been proposed, which is suitable for constructing large-scale wireless sensor networks. However, similar to other multi-hop structures, the PMRC structure also suffers from the bottleneck problem; This thesis is focused on solving the bottleneck problem existing in the PMRC …

Analytical Modeling With Decoupled Optimal Control Of Biomechanical Sit -To -Stand Movement, Asif Mahmood Mughal

Theses and Dissertations

Biomechanical movements with multiple degrees of freedom exhibit complex coordination and control mechanisms in the presence of physiological constraints. A human body biomechanical model which can mimic diverse 3D physiological movements is a challenging task. In this study, we develop a mathematical framework to study human sit-to-stand (STS) movement using 2D biomechanical models. This analytical framework models the physiological system for feedback controller design. A 2D 4-segment biomechanical model with optimal feedback controller design provides a motivation to extend this scheme for analytical 3D bipedal modeling. We used a newly developed mathematical modeling toolbox (Maple’s DynaFlexPro) to generate 3D 8-segment …

Environmental Justice In The Tribal Context: A Madness To Epa's Method, Catherine O’Neill

Faculty Articles

Many American Indian tribes and their members are among those most burdened by mercury contamination. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set out to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired utilities, it was aware that mercury contamination and regulation affects tribal rights and resources. EPA's inquiry, therefore ought to have been differently framed, given tribes' unique legal and political status. Specifically, EPA ought to have confronted squarely the impact of its decision on tribes' fishing rights, rather than consider these rights as a mere afterthought. EPA 's process, too, should have been differently conducted EPA should have consulted with tribes from …

Antinociceptive Action Of Mitragynine And Its Synthetic Analogs In Mice, La Donna Evette Franklin

Honors Theses

Mitragynine is a major alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the Thai traditional herb, Mitrcigymi speciosa Korth (Rubiaceae). The extracts of this plant have been used as substitutes for opium and recent studies have reported that mitragynine possesses antinociceptive actions mediated via the mu opioid receptors. Nonetheless, structural features of mitragynine do not fit the classical opiate ligands. Thus the primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of mitragynine and its synthetic analogs to determine the molecular basis of mitragynine binding to opioid receptors in order to provide better understanding of the potential therapeutic roles of …

The Expression And Characterization Of Full-Length Prcp In Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Mubina Aziz Isani

Honors Theses

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) is involved in the conversion of angiotensin II (Ang II, a potent vasoconstrictor) to angiotensin 1-7 and conversion of bradykinin (BK, a vasodilator) to form des Arg9 bradykinin. PRCP converts plasma prekallikrein (PK) to plasma kallikrein when the high molecular weight kininogen (HK) combines with PK, forming the HK-PK complex that binds to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) membranes. Formed kallikrein then liberates BK jfrom HK, which leads to vasodilation. This physiological function is mediated by the BK type 2 receptor in the G protein-coupled receptor family. The balance between BK production and Ang II inactivation is …

Logic Systems And Cross-Cultural Mission, Cheryl Doss

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Nested Patch Pcr Enables Highly Multiplexed Mutation Discovery In Candidate Genes, Katherine Elena Varley, Robi David Mitra

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

New Challenges In Studying Nutrition-Disease Interactions In The Developing World, Andrew M. Prentice, M. Eric Gershwin, Ulrich E. Schaible, Gerald T. Keusch, Cesar G. Victora, Jeffrey I. Gordon

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Structural And Functional Studies Of Human Bile Acid Coa:Amino Acid N-Acyltransferase (Hbat), Erin Mary Shonsey

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Metabolism Of Neutrophil-Deprived Chlorinated Isoflavones, Tracy Lyn D'Alessandro

All ETDs from UAB

Despite medical advances in both drug therapy and surgical techniques, Americans mostly die from heart disease. Many belong to the low- and middle-class families who do not have sufficient access to medical care due to its high costs. An alternative is the development of healthier lifestyles such as diet which may play a positive role in chronic disease management. Epidemiological and migratory studies suggest that soy plays a pivotal role in the decreased incidence of heart disease in East Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and Korea. The role of soy in cardiovascular disease progression has been the subject of …

Adenovirus As A Platform For Assembly And Targeted Delivery Of Gold Nanoparticles To Tumor Cells, Vaibhav Saini

All ETDs from UAB

Novel combinatorial strategies need to be explored to achieve tumor eradication. In this regard, viral vector based gene therapy and nanotechnology offer unique possibilities for cancer therapy. As an example, multifunctional adenoviral (Ad) vectors capable of targeting, imaging, and successful cancer gene therapy have been advanced into multiple clinical trials. Similarly, novel multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been utilized for drug delivery, targeting, imaging, and hyperthermia tumor therapy. Therefore, to accrue the benefits of both gene therapy and nanotechnology for cancer therapy, we proposed to combine Ad vectors and AuNPs in a single multifunctional nanodevice. Towards this goal, herein, we …

Energy-Flow – A New Perspective On James Macgregor Burns’ Transforming Leadership: A New Pursuit Of Happiness, Pi-Jern Caroline Fu

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This theoretical dissertation documents a personal transforming leadership experience; during which, I explored my Leadership as Energy-Flow model by having a virtual dialogue with the polymathic works of theorists and thinkers to corroborate and refine it. The model consists of a theory and a conceptual scheme. The energy-flow theory, based on the laws of physics and Chinese philosophy and cosmological science, fashions the energy-flow conceptual scheme. Using the conceptual scheme, I delve into the Premise of the Dialogue, “In what ways and to what extent would using the energy-flow frame of reference describe and stimulate new meanings in Transforming Leadership: …

Removal Of Selected Heavy Metals From Wash Water Generated From Ready-Mix Concrete Trucks, Dubai, Uae., Imad Juma Mohammed Abunqira

Theses

Dubai is one of seven Emirates that form the United Arab Emirates. The Emirate of Dubai is currently undergoing a fast-paced construction boom that involves huge amounts of concrete mixes. Such mixes are usually delivered to the site in ready form. The major environmental issue with ready-mix concrete production around the world is water pollution. The wash water generated from ready-mix concrete trucks is extremely alkaline and contains significant levels of heavy metals. Removal of heavy metals from the wash water is an environmental problem and economic concern. This demonstrates the urgent need for safe, feasible and economical methods for …

Role Of Vegf-C In Proliferation And Migration In A Cancer Model, Emily Marie Benke

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck cancer ranks high among the most common cancers world wide. In addition, there is a high recurrence rate, as well as a high prevalence of loco-regional tumor spread. Among many factors contributing to metastasis is vascular endothelial cell growth factor C. VEGF-C is primarily an inducer of new lymph vessel formation, typically during embryogenesis; however, some advanced cancers show a significant increase in VEGF-C expression, suggesting a role in metastasis. In the current study, the effects of VEGF-C expression were tested in HN12 cells, which are highly metastatic and known to express high levels of the chemokine …

Laws Of Nature And The Business Of Biotechnology, Phillip Mcgarrigle, Vern Norviel

Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Molecular Characterization Of Dopamine Transporter Phosphorylation And Regulation, Balachandra Kumar Gorentla

Theses and Dissertations

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a presynaptic membrane phosphoprotein that terminates dopaminergic synaptic transmission by clearing dopamine (DA) back into presynaptic neuron by a reuptake process. DAT is also a molecular target for psychostimulants such as cocaine, amphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine (METH) that increase DA synaptic levels either by blocking reuptake or by inducing DA efflux. DAT phosphorylation and transport down regulation are best demonstrated with the treatment of Protein kinase C (PKC) activators such as (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) PMA. Serine(s) and threonine(s) are known to be involved in DAT phosphorylation.

Pretreatment with psychostimulant substrates such as AMPH and METH …

Study On The Nonenzymatic Glycation Of Nucleosides/Nucleotides And Proteins With Sugars: An In Vitro Investigation Of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (Ages) Formation, Yuyuan Li

Open Access Dissertations

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are a complex and heterogeneous group 1 of compounds formed by the nonenzymatic reactions of the carbonyl groups of reducing sugars with the free amino groups of biomolecules. Nonenzymatic reactions can occur in vitro and in vivo and affect the structure, function and conformation of many biomolecules, and AGEs has been suggested to associate with the pathogenesis of various disease such as diabetes and Alzheimer disease. The increased number of reports on the nonenzymatic glycation of proteins and nucleic acids has generated great interest in the methods for characterization of AGEs. The lack of universally applicable …

Caffeine Consumption Patterns And Beliefs Of College Freshmen, Gary Eugene Mcilvain

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Recently, energy drinks that contain high caffeine content without any age restrictions for purchase, have been introduced into the U.S. market. Caffeine consumption in the U.S. has increased dramatically, resulting in an increase in emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers. This increase in energy drink consumption, along with the traditional coffees, teas, and soft drinks that people consume regularly, have pushed caffeine consumption to new highs in a multi-billion dollar market.

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the amount of caffeine consumed by a sample of freshmen students at Marshall University, (2) their beliefs …

Effects Of Cold Weather On Mortality: Results From 15 European Cities Within The Phewe Project, Antonis Analitis, Klea Katsouyanni, Annibale Biggeri, Michela Baccini, Bertil Forsberg Bertil Forsberg, Luigi Bisanti, Ursula Kirchmayer, Ferran Ballester, Ennio Cadum, Patrick J. Goodman, Ana Hojs, J. Sunyer, Pekka Tiittanen, Paola Michelozzi

Articles

Weather-related health effects have attracted renewed interest because of the observed and predicted climate change. The authors studied the short-term effects of cold weather on mortality in 15 European cities. The effects of minimum apparent temperature on cause- and age-specific daily mortality were assessed for the cold season (October-March) by using data from 1990-2000. For city-specific analysis, the authors used Poisson regression and distributed lag models, controlling for potential confounders. Meta-regression models summarized the results and explored heterogeneity. A 1 degrees C decrease in temperature was associated with a 1.35% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 1.53) increase in the daily …

Numerical Simulations Of Flow And Mass Transport In Micro-Fluidic Components For Modular Bio-Analytic Chip Applications, Sudheer D. Rani

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Microfluidics has received a great deal of attention in the past decade. The ability of modular microfluidic chips to miniaturize integrate chemical and biological systems (µTAS) can be greatly productive in terms of cost and efficiency. During the design of these modular devices, misalignment of materials, geometrical or both is one of the most common problems. These misalignments can have adverse effect in both pressure driven and electrokinetically driven flows. In the present work, Numerical Simulations have been performed to study the effect of material and geometrical mismatch on the flow behavior and species progression in microfluidic interconnects. In the …