Digital Commons Network^™

Inflammation And Infection Do Not Promote Arterial Aging And Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Lean Horticulturalists, Michael Gurven, Hillard Kaplan, Jeffrey Winking, Daniel Eid Rodriguez, Sarinnapha Vasunilashorn, Jung Ki Kim, Caleb Finch, Eileen M. Crimmins

ESI Publications

Background: Arterial aging is well characterized in industrial populations, but scantly described in populations with little access to modern medicine. Here we characterize health and aging among the Tsimane, Amazonian forager-horticulturalists with short life expectancy, high infectious loads and inflammation, but low adiposity and robust physical fitness. Inflammation has been implicated in all stages of arterial aging, atherogenesis and hypertension, and so we test whether greater inflammation associates with atherosclerosis and CVD risk. In contrast, moderate to vigorous daily activity, minimal obesity, and low fat intake predict minimal CVD risk among older Tsimane.

Methods and Findings: Peripheral arterial …

2009 National Clean Energy Summit Event Transcript

National Clean Energy Summit

64 pages

Relationships Among Cynical Hostility, Metabolic Syndrome, And Cardiac Structure And Function In Multi-Ethnic Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Structural Modeling Approach, Paul Stephen Wachowiak

Open Access Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Risk factors associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) have been implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and outcomes. Few studies have investigated relationships between psychological variables, MetS factors, and indices of cardiac structure and function (CSF) among healthy individuals in a single conceptual model. No studies to date have analyzed such relationships in patients with CVD. METHODS: The present study examined associations between cynical hostility (CynHo), MetS factors, and CSF in 186 multi-ethnic post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theory driven model of MetS that had good statistical fit. Primary MetS variables included waist …

Current, August 10, 2009, University Of Missouri-St. Louis

Current (2000s)

Orientation Edition

Identification Of Clinical, Laboratory And Genetic Covariates For Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy And Toxicity Of Sorafenib In Patients With Solid Tumors, Lokesh Jain

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research work was to understand the clinical-pharmacology based treatment approaches for sorafenib. Treatment with sorafenib is associated with high inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetic exposures, efficacy and toxicity. We explored the demographic, laboratory, clinical and pharmacogenetic factors to elucidate the sources of variability. In addition, we examined the impact of pharmacogenetic variation in VEGFR2, an important mediator of the VEGF pathway, on risk of prostate cancer. To support these investigations, (mainly single-dose) pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenetic, efficacy and toxicity information were collected from patients with solid tumors, enrolled in five phase I / II clinical trials at National Cancer …

Non-Pinhole Imposters, Voicu Popescu, Kyle Hayward, Paul Rosen, Chris Wyman

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Design And Characterization Of A Human Exposure Chamber And Inversion Episodes In Salt Lake City, Utah In January/February Of 2009, Roman Yuri Kuprov

Theses and Dissertations

Research on health effects of particulate matter (PM) has been a very active area in the last two decades. One plausible mechanism by which exposure to PM affects human health includes modification of autonomic endothelium function. Decreased endothelium activity causes heightened risks of cardiovascular disease. A human exposure chamber designed to conduct experiments to quantify diminished function of endothelium from short term exposure to PM is described. The chamber consists of two stages for containment and pre-treatment of PM and exposure of human subjects. Concentrations of CO, CO2, NO, NO2, O3, and PM2.5, are monitored and controlled in the exposure …

Pilot Rainwater Harvesting Study Ireland, Liam Mccarton, Sean O'Hogain, Anna Reid, Niamh Mcintyre, Jenny Pender

Conference papers

There are no National Water Quality Standards for Rainwater Harvesting supply in Ireland. The Development Technology Centre (DTC) at the Technological University Dublin was commissioned by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee in 2005 to assess the feasibility of using rainwater harvesting to supplement treated mains water for non-potable uses. The project involved the design, installation, commissioning and monitoring of rainwater harvesting facilities for rural domestic and agricultural water supply. This paper will present the results from the domestic pilot rwh project. A dual water supply system was designed and installed to use rainwater collected from the roof surface to …

3d Head Motion, Point-Of-Regard And Encoded Gaze Fixations In Real Scenes: Next-Generation Portable Video-Based Monocular Eye Tracking, Susan M. Munn

Theses

Portable eye trackers allow us to see where a subject is looking when performing a natural task with free head and body movements. These eye trackers include headgear containing a camera directed at one of the subject's eyes (the eye camera) and another camera (the scene camera) positioned above the same eye directed along the subject's line-of-sight. The output video includes the scene video with a crosshair depicting where the subject is looking -- the point-of-regard (POR) -- that is updated for each frame. This video may be the desired final result or it may be further analyzed to obtain …

Uncoupling Scavenger Receptor A-Mediated Phagocytosis Of Bacteria From Endotoxic Shock Resistance, Eyal Amiel, Julie L. Acker, Ryan M. Collins, Brent Berwin

Dartmouth Scholarship

Unresolved infection by gram-negative bacteria can result in the potentially lethal condition known as endotoxic shock, whereby uncontrolled inflammation can lead to multiple organ failure and death of the infected host. Previous results have demonstrated that animals deficient in class A scavenger receptor (SRA), a trafficking receptor for bacteria and bacterium-derived molecules, are more susceptible to endotoxic shock. This has been proposed to be a result of impaired SRA-dependent phagocytic clearance of bacteria resulting in stronger proinflammatory stimuli. In this report, we test the hypothesis that there is an obligate reciprocal relationship between SRA-mediated phagocytosis of bacteria and susceptibility to …

2009 - 2010 Season Brochure, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

Theatre and Dance Annual Brochures

Annual promotional piece of the upcoming season's shows.

08/09/2009 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 08/09/2009. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Ua1c3 Portraits Photos, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Portraits of people not otherwise categorized. This section includes unidentified images.

Improved Algorithms For Discovery Of New Genes In Bacterial Genomes, Nan Wang

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we describe a new approach for gene finding that can utilize proteomics information in addition to DNA and RNA to identify new genes in prokaryote genomes. Proteomics processing pipelines require identification of small pieces of proteins called peptides. Peptide identification is a very error-prone process and we have developed a new algorithm for validating peptide identifications using a distance-based outlier detection method. We demonstrate that our method identifies more peptides than other popular methods using standard mixtures of known proteins. In addition, our algorithm provides a much more accurate estimate of the false discovery rate than other …

Structure-Property Relations In Porcine Brain Tissue: Strain Rate And Stress-State Dependence, Mark Gregory Tejada Begonia

Theses and Dissertations

Due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), numerous studies have focused on comprehensively determining the mechanical properties of the brain. This study examined the strain rate dependence of porcine brain under compression, and the microstructural damage was quantified using a confocal microscope and graphical user interface (GUI). The selected strain rates were 0.10 s-1, 0.025 s-1, and 0.00625 s-1 while the strain levels targeted for confocal imaging were 15%, 30%, and 40%. This study also characterized the stress-state dependence at a strain rate and strain level of 0.10 s-1 and 40%, respectively, under compression, tension, and shear. Strain rate dependency data …

Clemson Commencement Program, August 2009, Clemson University

Clemson Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

A Repeat Photographic Study Of The Natchez Trace Parkway: Has The Design Intent Of The Trace Changed, Elizabeth Towers Ogletree

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the Natchez Trace Parkway using the method of repeat photography to determine whether or not the design intent of the Trace has changed since its beginning. Based upon fifteen matched pairs of photographs, which are evaluated based on a content analysis matrix, the original design intent, recent design guidelines, and planned land use maps, the degree of change that has occurred along the Trace is measured. Time has wrought inevitable change along the Trace. The changes that have occurred indicate a further effort to preserve the original design intent of the Trace rather than a shifting of …

The Virgin Of Guadalupe Comes To Mississippi: Social Stressors And Ways Of Coping Among Hispanic Im/Migrants, Mary Rebecca Read

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study uses ritual analysis, key informant interviews, and a semi-structured questionnaire to explore stressors and coping among Hispanic im/migrants to rural Mississippi. The study applies Turner’s model of ritual analysis to the procession of la Virgen de Guadalupe for insight into the values, concerns, actions, and motivations of the community. Results from ritual analysis suggest the precession of la Virgen de Guadalupe unites the multi-national community and empowers the participants through their faith in God and la Virgen de Guadalupe. Results from the semi-structured questionnaire identify stressors among the Hispanic community relating to separation from family and friends, …

The Effects Of Ethanol Production On The U.S. Catfish Sector, Hualu Zheng

Theses and Dissertations

The overall purpose of this study is to estimate how the rise in grain prices (especially corn prices) induced by ethanol production impacts U.S. catfish industry. Using monthly data from January 1996 to December 2007, an ARDL model and bounds testing procedure were used. The existence of cointegration between the feed price and its regressors and between the farm price and its regressors was found. Results show that the short- and long-run feed price elasticity with respect to corn prices were 0.224 and 0.075, respectively. It was found that energy is more important to catfish feed production than to farm …

Of All That Is Seen And Unseen, Jordan Adelle Doherty

Theses and Dissertations

Of All That Is Seen and Unseen explores the concept the Southern literary identity and how that tradition is fading from modern literature while engaging in a dialogue with Flannery O’Connor, William Faulkner, and Eudora Welty. However, it proposes that contemporary writers can recover Southern literary identity through three identifying elements of southern literature: family, land, and religion. The chapters focus on the tragic death of a beautiful, young girl and are told from different narrative perspectives. The genre is Southern Gothic and follows the Faulknerian model of creating a fictional place in Mississippi. The chapters are interrelated and feature …

Population Genetics Study Of The Imported Fire Ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis Spp.), Rajesh Babu Garlapati

Theses and Dissertations

The study was divided into three main sections. In the first section, temporal stability of genetic structure of red imported fire ant populations and effective population sizes were assessed with the help of microsatellites. The second part of the study was focused on the development of new microsatellite markers for the population genetics study of fire ants. The third part of the study was aimed at describing the association of phenotypic and genotypic characters of polygyne hybrid (Solenopsis invicta x richteri) fire ant in a colony and identifying the origin of polygyny in hybrid imported fire ant colony. Meridian, Yazoo …

Laboratory Study On Lightning Performance Of Dissipation Devices, Shreeharsh Mallick

Theses and Dissertations

The proponents of non-conventional lightning protection devices claim that these devices are superior to the conventional Franklin Rod. Lack of systematic study and insufficient field data make it difficult to compare the non-conventional lightning protection devices with the conventional ones. Previously, the performance of various air terminals was studied by comparing the emission current through various dissipation devices in the MSU High Voltage Laboratory. The study of emission current from the air terminals gives an idea about the space charge developing over them. However, it does not show the behavior of air terminals to attract or repel lightning strikes. The …

Leaching Potential Of Metals And Brominated Flame Retardants In Obsolete Notebook Computers, Otho Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the increasing use of electronic components and the accelerated rate in which these components become obsolete, there has been a dramatic increase of discarded electronic waste (E-waste). E-waste includes obsolete electronic products such as computers, scanners, cellular phones, etc. These electronic components are manufactured using a variety of hazardous materials. As these components are discarded, the toxic and hazardous substances may become mobile and could impact human health and the environment. The toxic substances of concern contained in E-waste include heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This study attempts to identify the leaching potential of BFRs and …

Changing Currents: Interpreting The Promise Of The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Nathan Horn

Theses and Dissertations

At the time of its construction (1971-1985), the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway was a highly scrutinized public works project, but the years after its construction have remained largely unexplored. Research in the John C. Stennis Collection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority archives, and local newspapers, revealed that despite developers’ promise the waterway’s economic impact failed to live up to expectations, while its environmental influence more than exceeded them. Though rural southerners failed to benefit economically from the waterway, they embraced the environmental changes forced upon the project by the National Environmental Policy Act. Built as a promise …

Characterization Of Tissue Mimicking Materials For Testing Of Implantable And On Body Antennas, Tuba Yilmaz

Theses and Dissertations

Characterization and applications of soft tissue mimicking materials are presented. A skin mimicking material and a skin mimicking gel is characterized for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band (2.40 GHz-2.48 GHz). Also a wide band (0.3 GHz – 2.5 GHz) muscle mimicking material is developed. A dual band implantable antenna operating at medical implant communication service (MICS) band (402 MHz – 405 MHz) and ISM band is tested in vitro with skin mimicking material for ISM band. MICS band measurements of the implantable antenna tested in vitro by placing the antenna on the interface of muscle and skin mimicking gel. …

Effects Of Climate And Density On The Survival Of Whiteooted Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus), Eric Richard Wengert

Theses and Dissertations

Short-lived rodents are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and exhibit annual fluctuations under seasonal environments in northern temperate regions. I analyzed 34 years of monthly live-trapping data on whiteooted mice (Peromyscus leucopus) collected in Carter Woods, Ohio. I used a theoretic-information approach to select the best approximating models and analysis of deviance to infer effects of climate and density on survival of mice. I tested for a cost of reproduction to females and found no difference in survival between reproductive states. Directions and magnitudes of effects of climate and density varied over time. Increased variability in temperature reduced effects …

Assay Of The Efficacy Of Novel Pyridinium Oximes For Potential Activity In The Central Nervous System For Reactivating Phosphorylated Acetylcholinesterase, Ashley Renee Harmon

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to determine whether a series of novel pyridinium oximes that were synthesized to incorporate phenoxyalkyl moieties to increase lipophilicity, and thereby increase their likelihood of crossing the blood-brain barrier, could effectively reactivate phosphorylated AChE in vitro. An experimental OP was synthesized as a surrogate for sarin to test the reactivation potential of the oximes, phthalimidyl isopropyl methylphosphonate (PIMP). The reactivation activities of the novel pyridinium oximes on PIMP exposed AChE and structure activity relationships were examined. Differences in reactivation potential in comparison to the widely used 2-PAM were also examined. All the novel oximes …

Spatial Dispersion Of The Fungus Aspergillus Flavus In Corn Ears: A Spatial Analysis Of Ubiquitin Mrna, Leif Saxon Mylroie

Theses and Dissertations

Aflatoxin is a carcinogen produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus that causes millions of dollars in agriculture losses in the southeastern US. This thesis examines the dispersal of A. flavus on two corn inbred lines, resistant (Mp313E) and susceptible (B73), which differ in total aflatoxin accumulation after infection with A. flavus. After inoculating corn kernels with the fungus an RNA analysis was used to determine the location (number of kernels away from inoculation site) and abundance of A. flavus at weekly intervals. A. flavus started its spread at 7 days after inoculation (DAI) on both corn lines. The B73 corn …

Stable Carbon Isotope And Niche Breadth Analysis Of Animal Bone From Pocahontas Mounds (22hi500) And Lyon's Bluff, Robert Linder Mccain

Theses and Dissertations

Maize uses a photosynthetic pathway called C4 which produces a carbon signature in animal tissue that is different from most of the plants available to the inhabitants of the Southeastern United States. Faunal remains (deer, rodent, and turtle) from Pocahontas Mounds (22HI500) and Lyon’s Bluff (22OK520) were tested to determine whether the samples possessed a C4 signature. Maize has been found at both sites, but the extent of maize agriculture was not known. Rodent and turtle from both sites indicate partial to heavy consumption of C4 plants, while one deer sample from Pocahontas indicates moderate consumption of C4 plants. The …

The Ecology Of Cactoblastis Cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) In Florida, Kristen Erica Sauby

Theses and Dissertations

I used a theoretical model to determine the conditions under which Cactoblastis cactorum populations would be expected to experience positive population growth. Results from simulations suggest that host species richness, host quality, and the C. cactorum death rate interact to determine the probability of C. cactorum positive population growth. I also studied the influence of host diversity empirically. Cactoblastis cactorum prevalence was significantly higher when O. stricta was present in the community. Also, higher species richness within host assemblages led to a higher prevalence of infestation than in single-species host assemblages. Finally, I explored cooccurrence patterns of native cactuseeding insects …