Digital Commons Network^™

Eco-Epidemiological Analysis For Screening-Level Ecological Risk Assessment: A Geographic Information Systems Approach, Katherine E. Kapo

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The identification and prioritization of multiple watershed stressors and the corresponding development of optimal management strategies remains a challenge in ecological risk assessment. Eco-epidemiological analysis of archival environmental spatial databases integrates available biological, physical and chemical information to generate hypotheses based on stressor-response data relationships. A geographic information systems-based technique incorporating Bayesian weights-of-evidence analysis and weighted logistic regression (WOE/WLR) developed for and currently utilized in minerals exploration was extrapolated to the eco-epidemiological analysis of aquatic ecosystem data. Case studies within state of Ohio (USA) and England and Wales were conducted to demonstrate a method proof-of-concept in the context of various …

Bench-Scale Conversion Of Carbon Dioxide To A Hydrocarbon Fuel, Melissa L. Kennedy

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing concern about the effects of global warming that many believe is anthropogenically caused. As such, scientists are trying to uncover a viable alternative fuel source and establish a way to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. A potential solution that addresses both of these aspects would be to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it into a natural gas, in particular methane, which could be used as an energy source. A laboratory-scale experiment using 6 160 mL microcosms (3 with anaerobic wetland soil and 3 relatively soil free) and 2 7.2 L bioreactors was conducted to learn …

Ion Transport Mechanisms During Hyposmotic Regulatory And Isosmotic Apoptotic Volume Decreases In A Human Lens Epithelial Cells Line, Ameet Ajit Chimote

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Living cells maintain constant volume in response to physiological stresses by altering trans-membrane ion, solute and water flow. In the present study, early and late membrane transport changes in human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cells under hyposmotic and apoptotic stress were compared. Cell potassium (Ki), rubidium (Rbi)-uptake and water content were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gravimetry, respectively. Intracellular chloride concentration [Cl]i was determined with the fluorescence dye N- (ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide (MQAE), during regulatory volume decrease (RVD) after hyposmotic stress and apoptotic volume decrease (AVD) induced by staurosporine (STP), a protein-kinase inhibitor. Cell water increased in hyposmotic balanced salt solution …

New Formic Acid Fuel Cell Orientations To Reduce The Cost Of Cell Components, John Calvin Holtkamp

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Formic acid fuel cells show the potential of outperforming or replacing direct methanol fuel cells. A number of issues need to be overcome in order for fuel cells, specifically formic acid fuel cells, to be seriously considered for use in small electronic devices. One of the largest issues inhibiting the commercial success of fuel cells is the cost of the components. The catalyst and ion-conducting membrane, key components in a fuel cell, are both expensive. With the current amount of costly materials needed to construct a fuel cell, fuel cells will have limited success in becoming mainstream power sources in …

Comparison Of The Electrochemical Properties Of Ethanol In Perchloric Acid And Ionic Liquids, Sandra Felix-Balderrama

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluroborate (EMImBF₄) and 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazlium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (EMImTFSI) ionic liquids were synthesized and characterized in order to study the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in these ionic liquids on a platinum surface electrode.

It was found that pure EMImBF₄ exhibits an electrochemical window of 4.4 V,while EMImTFSI exhibits an electrochemical window of 5.0 V.

Electrochemical study of ethanol in perchloric acid showed that the oxidation of ethanol strongly depends on the concentration of ethanol and on the temperature of the solution. The poisoning of the platinum electrode only depends on the concentration of ethanol. At a low concentration of …

Influence Of Diet On Population Growth And Allergen Production In Cultured House Dust Mites - Dermatophagoides Farinae And Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus, Swetha Avula Poola

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus culture extracts are used for skin testing, immunotherapy and research studies. There is a need to develop an effective culture method so that standardized extracts and allergens can be produced. The purpose of this study was to examine if different diets effect mite population growth and the amount of allergen produced in cultures. Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were cultured on diets A and B. The density of mites, life stage composition and allergen concentration was determined at two week intervals. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assays (ELISA) were used to assess group 1 and group 2 …

The Role Of Nucleotide Signaling In The Regulation Of Icl,Swell In Human 1321n1 Astrocytoma Cells, Ian C. Wenker

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Swollen cells expel osmolytes to decrease volume in a process referred to as Regulatory Volume Decrease, or RVD. The plasma membrane current ICl,swell is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and contributes significantly to RVD. In a variety of cell types, activation of ICl,swell is enhanced by nucleotide signaling. In this study, we used human astrocytoma cells to examine whether nucleotide signaling is necessary or sufficient for ICl,swell activation. Three clones of the 1321N1 human astrocytoma cell line were used for voltage clamp recordings. One clone was transfected with P2Y1 receptors, another with P2Y2 receptors and a third was devoid of …

Characterization Of Infectivity And Pathogenesis Of Partially Reconstructed 1918 And Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses In The Balb/C Mouse Model, John Allen Pyles

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Influenza viruses are consistently responsible for an average of 20,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations per year. To a great extent, these viruses always stay one step ahead of the available vaccines and people's immunity year after year because they have the ability to either mutate part of their genetic material, or to be transmitted from one species to another. That same genetic variability explains why highly pathogenic influenza viruses emerge that cause great mortality over several countries resulting in pandemics. Highly pathogenic strains of influenza A virus have emerged occasionally in recent history, producing pandemics such as the one in …

Inflammatory Cytokines In Jet Propulsion Fuel-8 Induced Irritant Contact Dermatitis In Male Fischer Rats, Thomas Joseph Kannanayakal

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Contact dermatitis is one of the most common occupational diseases. Absenteeism of the affected workers and associated health care costs makes this disease an economically important issue. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a common contact dermatitis observed among workers. As each category of irritants triggers the inflammatory process by different method, studying the mechanism of ICD is difficult. Information on the mechanism of action of an irritant is indispensable for the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures. In this study, we have investigated the early changes in rat skin induced by jet fuel-8 (JP-8). Although previous studies have described …

The Origins Of Ethno/National Separatist Terrorism: A Cross-National Analysis Of The Background Conditions Of Terrorist Campaigns, Brandon Charles Snell

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This study measures the influence that multiple social, political, and economic conditions have on the development of ethno/national separatist terrorist organizations. It begins by analyzing the nationalist theories of primordialism, modernism, and ethnosymbolism, and the terrorist theories of strategic logic and psychology. The nationalist theories consider cultural symbols a powerful component behind nationalist movements and populations with significant symbolic attachments especially prone to react aggressively against perceived threats to those symbols. Proponents of strategic logic and psychological theory also view terrorism as reactive but deviate on whether this response is conceived rationally. Examining the origins of Basque and Catalan terrorism …

Reorganization Of Ia Afferent Synapses On Motoneurons After Peripheral Nerve Injuries, Haley E. Titus

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

After peripheral nerve injuries patients lose and do not recover the stretch reflex which leads to altered locomotor function. The focus of this thesis is to investigate the structural integrity of the central connection between Ia afferents and alpha motoneurons that mediate the stretch reflex. The overall hypothesis is that the density and distribution of Ia synapses on motoneurons is altered after peripheral nerve injuries. Analysis of Ia afferent-motoneuron contacts, revealed by vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) immunoreactivity, on the soma and dendritic arbor of motoneurons after peripheral nerve injuries revealed major reorganizations in the distribution and density of Ia …

Gender Politics: A Case Study Of Feminism In Iran, Sara A. Hoff

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The literature on feminism and Islam shows that there is a distinct relationship and conflict between identity groups in Iran. An alliance between Muslim and secular feminists has been observed in the past in Iran; however, a breakdown of the alliance has occurred in recent years. It is my assumption that in order for feminists in Iran to unite, several principles of Iris Young's communicative democracy and coalition building practices have to be applied. Communicative democracy stresses that individuals' ideas often change when interaction with other people and their experiences occurs. Further, communicative democracy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the …

Tcdd-Induced Modulation Of The Hs1,2 Enhancer Within The 3'Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Regulatory Region, Tharu M. Fernando

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent environmental toxin that inhibits immunoglobulin (Ig) gene expression in mice. Transcriptional regulation of the Ig heavy chain (IgH) involves the 3'IgH regulatory region (3'IgH RR). The murine 3'IgH RR consists of four enhancers (hs3A, hs1,2, hs3B, and hs4), which are homologous to the human 3'IgH RR enhancers (hs3, hs1,2, and hs4). In humans, a polymorphism of the hs1,2 enhancer, resulting in a varying number of tandem repeats of a 53 bp sequence, has been correlated with autoimmune diseases like IgA nephropathy and Celiac disease. The repeated sequence contains a kB and DRE binding site. Previous …

Identification Of Potential Protein Biomarkers Of Low Level Kidney Degradation, Christopher Lee Woolard

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was the identification of potential dose-dependent and time-dependent serum protein biomarkers of low level kidney degradation in a rat model. Potential biomarkers were evaluated based on differential protein expression between control and dosed samples in rat serum. Proteins of interest demonstrated upregulation at a minimum 1.5 fold increase in protein concentration control versus dosed sample. In order to identify common biomarkers of kidney decrement, three nephrotoxins were chosen to target specific locations of the kidney: 1) D-Serine, which causes necrosis of the proximal straight tubules, 2) Puromycin, an antibiotic that degrades the Glomerular Basement Membrane …

Hif-1 Alpha: A Master Regulator Of Trophoblast Differentiation And Placental Development, Kashmira Kulkarni

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Early embryonic development occurs under low oxygen levels. The placenta is an organ transiently formed during pregnancy and plays a crucial role during development of the embryo. Alterations in the placental structure or function have been associated with the pathologies such as preeclampsia in humans. In mammals, the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors have been identified as the major regulators of cellular responses in low oxygen. In the current study, we investigated the effects of low oxygen on the differentiation of trophoblast stem cells, lineage committed trophoblast giant cells and labyrinthine lineage-committed cells. We examined the effects of an …

Integrated Faceted Browser And Direct Search To Enhance Information Retrieval In Text-Based Digital Libraries, Shea-Tinn Yeh

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Browsing and searching are two prominent paradigms in information retrieval. In current digital library implementations, exploratory browsing is sometimes not available as an option. When offered, it is commonly presented as an alphabetical listing of chosen categories depending on the scope of the digital collections. In addition, users have to switch between different information spaces for browsing and searching. This research proposes an information retrieval paradigm of integrated faceted browser and direct search interfaces for text-based digital libraries. Experimental results show that compared to a conventional alphabetical browser, the faceted browser can significantly improve the effectiveness (by 30.8%, p = …

Sub-Mm Wave Imaging And Waveguiding Techniques For Non-Destructive Materials Evaluation, Izaak Vincent Kemp

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Sub-mm wave technology (also known as Terahertz/THz) is a rapidly developing field of electro-optics which has great potential in a variety of applications. Generally defined as the band of the electro-magnetic spectrum with frequencies spanning from 300 GHz to 30 THz, sub-mm waves are non-ionizing and are capable of passing through a wide range of dielectric substances making them well suited for imaging purposes such as non-destructive materials evaluation (NDE). Because of their high sensitivity to metals and ability to penetrate surface obscurants such as paint, oil, and epoxy sub-mm waves are capable of imaging corrosion damage on metallic surfaces …

How Does A Democratic Brazil Constrast With Authoritarian Brazil In Terms Of Promoting Human Security?, Pablo Albuquerque Banhos

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This study compares and contrasts two distinct regimes, the Brazilian military regime (1964-1985) and Brazil's current democratic regime (1985-2007). The focus of this thesis is to determine why, compared to the authoritarian regime, human security has improved measurably under democracy in some areas but not in others. To assess this paradox, one variable has been chosen: the rule of law, specifically conceptualized as violations of physical integrity. This research centers on the metropolitan areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and is based on a qualitative examination supplemented by quantitative evidence. The study finds that violations of physical integrity …

Pedagogical Re-Mediation In Hybrid Courses: A Case Study Of Five First-Year Composition Instructors, Rebecca Middlebrook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the move to increase availability of composition courses in the online environment continues, it is important to understand the ways in which composition instructors have taken on the challenges associated with moving their teaching online and how they modify, or re-mediate, their pedagogy for the this new teaching and learning environment. This study takes on the task of examining re-mediation as it occurs in the pedagogical practices used by instructors to facilitate peer review activities in hybrid, first-year composition courses. At the same time, it is important to understand the varying factors that may influence the degree to which …

Auditing Revenue In Certain Industries, With Conforming Changes As Of April 1, 2009; Audit And Accounting Guide, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants. Auditing Revenue Steering Task Force

Industry Guides (AAGs), Risk Alerts, and Checklists

No abstract provided.

Obstacles On The Road To Gender Justice: The International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda As Object Lesson , Beth Van Schaak

American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law

No abstract provided.

Revisiting Hateful Science: The Nazi “Contribution” To The Journey Of Antisemitism, Steven Leonard Jacobs

Journal of Hate Studies

While this volume of the Journal of Hate Studies is devoted to “The Science of Hate”—research and knowledge about hate’s origins and manifestations seen through the lens of the empirical sciences—this contribution is a cautionary reminder that, like all human projects, intellectual and other, the sciences, too, can be perverted by its practitioners in the service of hate itself.1 The case study is that of the Nazi Otmar Freiherr von Verschuer, MD, (1896-1969), eugenicist and geneticist, and, specifically, his (1938) text “Racial Biology of the Jews.” Of particular note is the American “connection,” in supplying both supporting legitimation for the …

Social Justice Leadership In Action: The Case Of Tony Stewart, Kathy Canfield-Davis, Mary E. Gardiner, Russell A. Joki

Journal of Hate Studies

Reflecting on the 140th anniversary of the Fourteenth Amendment (ratified July, 1868), this qualitative case study described a response by educator-activist Tony Stewart to the Aryan Nations, a neo-Nazi hate group that attempted to intimidate Stewart’s community, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, between 1972-2000. Stewart galvanized community response using a social justice agenda. We interviewed Stewart and essential community members, and examined legal documents, articles, and documentaries. Findings indicated Stewart’s leadership of public education and response via an anti-racism task force reduced and then defeated the group’s viability. Educational practices included strategic planning and community outreach. The study revealed a social …

2009-01-10 H. Thomas Wells, Jr. Aba Presidential Speech, H. Thomas Wells Jr., University Of Alabama School Of Law

H. Thomas Wells, Jr. ABA President (2008-2009) Collection Speeches

No abstract provided.

Negotiating Multiple Identities:The Experiences Of African-Ancestral Lesbians, Damaliah D. Gibson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Migration Patterns Of College Students In New Jersey: A Synthesis Of The Data And Literature, Alyssa R. Mccloud

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Professors On Film: Is Perception Reality? Study Of American Comedic Film Treatment Of University Faculty From 1925 To 1951, Brian A. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Sustaining Faith- Informed Mission At Religiously-Affiliated Colleges And Universities: A Qualitative Case Study Of Three Institutions, Paul J. Witek

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

The Effect Of Adsorbent Geometry And Surface Chemistry On Hplc Retention, Zhaoxia Liu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.

Young Love Can Be Torture: An Autoethnography Exploring The Making Of High School Sweethearts, William Stanley Gartside

Master's Theses (2009 -)

We experience and comprehend life as a series of ongoing narratives, and these narratives are heavily reliant upon the frames we consciously and unconsciously use to define ourselves within them. Though previous research indicates that the consumption of violent media either increase aggressive constructs in viewers (Bushman, 1998), desensitize viewers to domestic and sexual violence (e. g., Donnerstein & Penrod, 1988; Mullin & Linz, 1995) or prime individuals to make hostile attributions about the behavior of others (e.g., Thomas & Drabman, 1978; Bargh and Pietromonaco, 1982; Wann and Branscombe, 1990; Zelli, Huesmann, & Cervone, 1995), my own experiences as a …