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The Use Of Spectroscopic Techniques In The Characterization Of Mycobacterial Metabolites, Engy Abdelhameed Mahrous

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The mycobacterial cell wall metabolites have always imposed great challenges to researchers due to their unusual complexity and structural diversity. A lot of research efforts have been directed towards the evaluation of these metabolites and the role they play in the pathogenesis and virulence of different serious human pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). In the genomic era, it is crucial to develop new methodologies to analyze these components from a global perspective in a comprehensive and well-validated manner.

Towards this end, we developed a rapid NMR-based approach to produce metabolic profiles in the form of …

Symbiotic Caregivers: A Qualitative Case Study Of African American Custodial Grandparents And Their Grandchildren, Stella Enyichi Nwokeji

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005-2007 American Community Survey show that there are 11,436 grandparents in Shelby County, Tennessee, who are responsible for grandchildren. In Memphis only, there are 9,213 grandparents who are responsible for their grandchildren (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) 2003 report (2003) showed that 42% of Tennessee grandparents who were responsible for grandchildren who are living with them live in households where the children’s parents are not present. Casper and Bryson (1998) noted that grandparent-headed households are more prevalent in African American communities and are at high risk for poverty. …

The Combined Effect Of In-Situ Tumor And Irradiation On Peritumoral Brain Vasculature, Janice Ann Zawaski

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

In the USA, 200,000 brain tumors are diagnosed each year with glioma representing 8.4% of the 200,000. The standard treatment for glioma consists of surgical resection, when possible, followed by radiation therapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is one of the most effective treatments of brain tumors; however, the therapeutic ratio of RT is limited by damage to the normal tissue. We hypothesize that tumor growth has an adverse effect on the peritumoral tissue through the angiogenic/inflammatory environment it creates rendering it susceptible to further damage by RT which may be prevented by using anti-angiogenic/anti-inflammatory agents. We have developed a …

Cultural Dimensions Of Strategy And Policy, Jiyul Kim Colonel

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

There has been a growing recognition in the post-Cold War era that culture has increasingly become a factor in determining the course of today’s complex and interconnected world. The U.S. experience in Afghanistan and Iraq extended this trend to national security and military operations. There is also a growing recognition by the national security community that culture is an important factor at the policy and strategy levels. Cultural proficiency at the policy and strategic levels means the ability to consider history, values, ideology, politics, religion, and other cultural dimensions and assess their potential effect on policy and strategy. The Analytical …

Humboldt Bay Initiative: Adaptive Management In A Changing World, Susan Schlosser, Becky Price-Hall, Annie Eicher, Aaron Hohl, Darren Mierau, Greg Crawford

Local Reports & Presentations

The Humboldt Bay Initiative seeks to bring people together to help envision the desired future state of the Humboldt Bay ecosystems, to help understand past, current and future conditions, and to move forward in the spirit of collaboration towards a sustainable and dynamic future. In order to address priority stresses to the ecosystems due to human activities, climate change, excessive sediment, and invasive species, the Humboldt Bay Initiative proposes a set of strategies that help create the conditions necessary for a shared vision of the future. Through an ecosystem-based management approach, the Humboldt Bay Initiative enhances integrated management to address …

Morph-Associated Jh Titer Diel Rhythm In Gryllus Firmus: Experimental Verification Of Its Circadian Basis And Cycle Characterization In Artificially Selected Lines Raised In The Field, Anthony J. Zera, Zhangwu Zhao

Anthony Zera Publications

Previous studies demonstrated a high-amplitude, diel cycle for the hemolymph JH titer in the wing-polymorphic cricket, Gryllus firmus. The JH titer rose and fell in the flight-capable morph (long-winged, LW(f)) above and below the relatively temporally invariant JH titer in the flightless (short-winged, SW) morph. The morph-specific JH titer cycle appeared to be primarily driven by a morph-specific diel cycle in the rate of JH biosynthesis. In the present study, cycles of the JH titer and rate of JH biosynthesis in the LW(f) morph persisted in the laboratory under constant darkness with an approximate 24 h periodicity. The JH …

Molecular Characterization Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Recovered From Outpatient Clinics In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ihab Moussa, Atef M. Shibl

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To examine the recovered strains phenotypically, by conventional methods and genotypically by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for direct detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) 16S ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA) gene (which serves as an internal control) and mecA gene. Secondly, introduce multiplex PCR targeting at the same time S. aureus 16S rRNA, Panton-Valentine Leucocidin (PVL), and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV. METHODS: Thirty-seven strains of S. aureus collected in 2007 from outpatient clinics in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were tested in the College of Pharmacy phenotypically by conventional methods and genotypically by …

Determination Of Serum Fibrosis Index In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis And Its Relationship To Histological Activity Index, Ibrahim M. Elmetwally, Abeer M. Elmahalaway, Sami H. Abuhashem, Adel M. Ahmed

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability of serum hyaluronic acid (HA) as a non-invasive method for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and its relationship to liver biopsy findings. METHODS: In a prospective controlled clinical trial, 48 patients with chronic liver disease were selected from Pediatric Departments, Al-Jedaany and Al-Hayat Hospitals, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from November 2005 to March 2008. Twenty-one with chronic hepatitis B infection, 17 with chronic hepatitis C infection, and 10 with autoimmune hepatitis in addition to 25 healthy controls. Serum HA and liver function tests were carried out for the studied cases. The value of HA …

The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Therapies In Western Saudi Arabia, Mohammed M. Jan, Mohammed S. Basamh, Omar M. Bahassan, Ali A. Jamal-Allail

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) in our region, particularly for children with chronic conditions, and explore contributing factors to their use. METHODS: A prospective random sample of mothers visiting the out patient department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were identified from the 1st of June, 2006 to the 31st of May, 2008. A survey using a structured 50-item questionnaire was used to examine their demographics, child9s medical problem, and the use of CAT. RESULTS: Seventy-nine mothers were interviewed, and their child9s condition was acute in 47%, chronic, or recurrent in …

Spatial Ecology Of Raccoons Related To Cattle And Bovine Tuberculosis In Northeastern Michigan, Todd C. Atwood, Thomas J. Deliberto, Holly J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In 1995, Mycobacterium bovis, the causative bacterium of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), was detected in 5 beef cattle operations in Alcona County, Michigan, USA. In accordance with Federal law, the operations were depopulated to prevent the spread of bTB. Subsequent wildlife surveillance programs identified high prevalence of M. bovis in mesocarnivores, including raccoons (Procyon lotor), which suggested that raccoons may be complicit in vectoring the pathogen among livestock operations. Our goal was to develop an empirical basis for generating hypotheses about the likelihood for raccoons to mediate the transmission of bTB to livestock. We found intersexual differences in scale-dependent …

A European “Equivalent” To United States Export Controls: European Law On The Control Of International Trade In Dual-Use Space Technologies, Frans Von Der Dunk

Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program: Faculty Publications

Abstract This article analyzes the system developed within Europe, more precisely within the European Union through European Community law, to address the security-sensitive issues involved in the export of hardware, software, and knowledge for the purpose of space activities and major space applications. The subject is introduced with reference to the far better known export control developments within the United States, such as those concerning International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and the international understandings under the Missile Technology Control Regime and Wassenaar Arrangement. European Community Regulations for export controls provide for a complex system of balances between national sovereignty and …

The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine For Menopausal Symptoms Among Chinese-American Women, Rebecca Kwai-Ying Chung

Master's Projects

The objectives of this research were to study the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for menopausal symptoms among Chinese-American women, and to examine the correlation between CAM use, acculturation, and CAM insurance coverage. The study revealed that Chinese-American women experience menopausal symptoms even when they still have regular menstrual cycles. Early education on women's health, especially about menopause, is recommended. A significant correlation was found between the women being asked by their health care providers regarding CAM use, and open discussion regarding the women's CAM use with their health care providers (p<0.05). The researchers suggest that health care providers ask their patients about their CAM use in order to encourage open discussion of CAM use with their patients.

Genome Based Cell Population Heterogeneity Promotes Tumorigenicity: The Evolutionary Mechanism Of Cancer., Christine J. Ye, Joshua B. Stevens, Guo Liu, Steven W. Bremer, Aruna S. Jaiswal, Karen J. Ye, Ming-Fong Lin, Lesley Lawrenson, Wayne D. Lancaster, Markku Kurkinen, Joshua D. Liao, C. Gary Gairola, Malathy P. V. Shekhar, Satya Narayan, Fred R. Miller, Henry H. Q. Heng

Journal Articles: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Cancer progression represents an evolutionary process where overall genome level changes reflect system instability and serve as a driving force for evolving new systems. To illustrate this principle it must be demonstrated that karyotypic heterogeneity (population diversity) directly contributes to tumorigenicity. Five well characterized in vitro tumor progression models representing various types of cancers were selected for such an analysis. The tumorigenicity of each model has been linked to different molecular pathways, and there is no common molecular mechanism shared among them. According to our hypothesis that genome level heterogeneity is a key to cancer evolution, we expect to reveal …

Vertical Boil Propagation From A Submerged Estuarine Sill, C. Chris Chickadel, Alexander R. Horner-Devine, Stefan A. Talke, Andrew T. Jessup

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Surface disruptions by boils during strong tidal flows over a rocky sill were observed in thermal infrared imagery collected at the Snohomish River estuary in Washington State. Locations of boil disruptions and boil diameters at the surface were quantified and are used to test an idealized model of vertical boil propagation. The model is developed as a two-dimensional approximation of a three-dimensional vortex loop, and boil vorticity is derived from the flow shear over the sill. Predictions of boil disruption locations were determined from the modeled vertical velocity, the sill depth, and the over-sill velocity. Predictions by the vertical velocity …

Optimization Of Strongly Nonlinear Dynamical Systems Using A Modified Genetic Algorithm With Micro-Movement (Mgam), Xing Wei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a popular random search and optimization method inspired by the concepts of crossover, random mutation, and natural selection from evolutionary biology. The real-valued genetic algorithm (RGA) is an improved version of the genetic algorithm designed for direct operation on real-valued variables. In this work, a modified version of a genetic algorithm is introduced, which is called a modified genetic algorithm with micro-movement (MGAM). It implements a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-inspired micro-movement phase that helps to improve the convergence rate, while employing the efficient GA mechanism for maintaining population diversity. In order to test the capability …

Sustaining The Allideghi Grassland Of Ethiopia: Influences Of Pastoralism And Vegetation Change, Almaz Tadesse Kebede

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Allideghi Wildlife Reserve in the Amibara District of Afar Regional State, Ethiopia, has international significance for harboring endangered Grevy's Zebra and other wildlife dependent on grasslands. The reserve is increasingly used by pastoral people and their herds. Impacts of livestock on native vegetation include direct effects of grazing and indirect effects from livestock-facilitated dispersal of an invasive plant, Prosopis juliflora. The main research objective was to determine effects of pastoralism and vegetation change on prospects for sustaining the Allideghi Wildlife Reserve as grassland habitat for Grevy's Zebra. Methods included use of driving surveys to quantify resource use by …

A Concise Chronology Of The Rio Grande Delta From The Paleo-Indian Period To Early Spanish Exploration And Colonization, Kristina Solis

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Rio Grande Delta's archaeological record is mostly unknown. This paper attempts to assemble scattered resources into a concise and understandable chronology of the Delta’s prehistoric cultures. The prehistoric environment is discussed to clear up the misconception that modern day and prehistoric environments were identical. Archaeological contributions are covered to illustrate the difficulties and successes that 20th century archaeologists experienced. Chapter III discusses a few major sites from the region to give an example of what archaeologists have discovered, and what kinds of cultural remnants have been found. A concise chronology covering the Paleo-Indian period through the Late Prehistoric follows. …

Provider Perception Of The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Lana J. Meyer

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Spell: Developing A New Generation Of Porphyrins For Treating Cerebral Tumors, Ryan Harrison Gray

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Eastern Mediterranean Pore Waters: Clues Into The Geochemical Pathways From Evaporated Seawater To Basinal Brines, Jessica A. Mumphrey

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Hydration Changes Of Dna Binding By Klentaq And Klenow Measured By Osmotic Stress, John Tod Baker

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Oxidative Stress Induced Hu Protein Expression In Deinococcus Radiodurans, Cara Bevinetto

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Site-Specific Deoxyribonucleic Acid Modifications For Use With Chemical Cages, John P. Casey Jr

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of The Catalytic Mechanism Of The Carboxyltransferase Component Of Escherichia Coli Acetyl-Coa Carboxylase Leading To Rational Inhibitor Identification And The Development Of Enzymatic Mimics, Nabil K. Thalji

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Rescuing Minute-Like Phenotypes Due To Rnai-Mediated Knockdown Of Nopp140 By Deletion Of P53 In Drosophila Melanogaster, Renford Cindass Jr

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Cytokine Production During Microsporidia Infection Of Macrophages, Anne Louise Hotard

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Cytokine Production During Microsporidia Infection Of Macrophages, Anne Hotard

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Conservation Genetics Of Boelen‟S Python (Morelia Boeleni) From New Guinea: Reduced Genetic Diversity And Divergence Of Captive And Wild Animals, Joshua Lee Jordan

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Overseeded Bermudagrass Spring Trasition Response To Mowing Height, Nitrogen Rate, Sulfonylurea Herbicide, And Allelopathy, Raymond Mccauley

All Theses

Hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davey x C. dactylon (L.)
Pers.] is the preferred turf for golf courses and athletic fields across the southern United
States because of its dark green color, fine texture, good wear and drought tolerance, and
excellent recuperative rate. Despite its many attributes, bermudagrass goes dormant and
turns an unsightly brown color when soil temperatures fall below 10-13oC (50-55super>oF).
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is often overseeded into bermudagrass in the fall
to sustain acceptable turf quality through the spring months. However, perennial ryegrass
aggressively competes with the bermudagrass for resources in the spring and potentially …

Root-Zone Characteristics And Bermudagrass Response To Saline Water Delivered By Subsurface Drip Irrigation, Kelsey Gorman

All Theses

Population growth and recurring drought conditions have placed high demands on freshwater resources in South Carolina. Thus, turfgrass irrigation management practices that reduce freshwater use while maintaining quality turfgrass need to be identified.
Previous research in the arid Southwest USA documents water conservation on bermudagrass by using saline water sources and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems. A field-scale facility was constructed in Florence, SC, to evaluate `Tifway' bermudagrass
(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy) quality, growth, and rootzone characteristics when subjected to saline (3.15 dS m-1) or freshwater (0.07 dS m-1) irrigation, SDI lines spaced 41 or …