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Reovirus As A Probe To Study Induction Of Anti-Viral Immunity And Modulation Of Peanut Allergy, Ronald J. Fecek Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Infectious diarrheal diseases are a major burden to human health worldwide. A proportion of those diarrheal diseases are caused by enteric viruses that gain access through the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, the human gastrointestinal mucosa represents an important route of entry for enteric viruses. Enteric viruses are taken up by gastrointestinal mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) that induce and shape adaptive immunity, however, activation of mucosal DCs by enteric viruses is poorly understood. The research presented in this dissertation is focused on deciphering the requirements for activation of murine DCs in response to an enteric virus as well as the subsequent generation …

Childhood Injuries In Pakistan: Results From Two Communities, Seema Zainulabdin Lasi, Ghazala Rafique, Habib Peermohammad

Human Development Programme

The study aimed at determining the incidence, nature, and extent of childhood injuries in two suburban and rural communities of Pakistan. The findings of the study are based on a cross-sectional survey of 2,292 children aged 1-8 years. Information was sought retrospectively from the primary caregiver on the occurrence of injury that required formal or informal medical consultation during the past three months. The incidence rate of non-fatal injuries that required care outside home for children aged 1-8 years was 19.7 injuries per 100 person (child)-years of exposure [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.41-23.51]: 26.5 injuries per 100 person (child)-years of …

Swosu Standing Committees 2010-2011, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

University Standing Committees

No abstract provided.

Interaction Between Roughages And Corn Milling Byproducts In Finishing Cattle Diets, Joshua R. Benton

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

During ethanol production, starch is the primary nutrient fermented and the remaining byproducts are excellent sources of fiber and protein. In addition, inclusion of byproducts in finishing diets may reduce the incidence of acidosis. As a result, roughage level and quality could potentially be reduced in finishing diets containing byproducts. Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of roughage and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in finishing cattle diets containing corn distillers grains plus solubles. Cattle fed finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) with no roughage had decreased DMI and ADG compared to cattle fed roughage. …

Landmarks In The Evolution Of Technologies For Identifying Trypanosomes In Tsetse Flies, John C. Enyaru, Johnson O. Ouma, Imna I. Malele, Enock Matovu, Daniel K. Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Understanding what the trypanosome pathogens are, their vectors and mode of transmission underpin efforts to control the disease they cause in both humans and livestock. The risk of transmission is estimated by determining what proportion of the vector population is carrying the infectious pathogens. This risk also depends on the infectivity of the trypanosomes to humans and livestock. Most livestock pathogens are not infective to humans, whereas the two sub-species that infect humans also infect livestock. As with other infectious diseases, we can therefore trace the foundation of many continuing disease control programs for trypanosomiasis to the discovery of the …

Csb Convocation 2010, Mary Jepperson

Administration Lectures and Events

No abstract provided.

Early 19th Century Marginalization Of David Walker And Nat Turner, Taiyo Davis

All Theses

Many authors have examined Nat Turner's Rebellion and David Walker's Appeal in the context of cause and effect. This thesis will demonstrate that similar methods of marginalization were used by the dominant white culture against David Walker and Nat Turner. Instead of accepting the stigma of religious fanaticism that both received for using religion to advocate violence, this thesis will make a defense of Turner's and Walker's use of religion to advocate violence. This thesis also asks unanswered questions and covers untouched aspects of both events which may be explored by future scholars. Moreover, this thesis asserts that more needs …

Willingness To Pay For Locally Grown And Organically Produced Fruits And Vegetables In Dominica, Seraphine George

All Theses

ABSTRACT
With the intent of improving agricultural revenues and solidifying her place as an eco-tourism destination, it has been proposed that the island nation of The Commonwealth of Dominica convert all agricultural activities to organic production. To meet this challenge from the supply perspective, training of farmers in organic production practices has already begun. It remains, however, to quantify the potential demand for organically produced products. With this information in hand, appropriate producer support and marketing programs could be developed that would help to promote the production and consumption of Dominica‟s organic outputs and would propel Dominica toward its desired …

Factors Influencing The Adsorption Of Synthetic Organic Compounds By Carbon Nanotubes In Aquatic Environments, Ting Shao

All Theses

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon consisting of sheets of carbon atoms covalently bonded in hexagonal arrays that are seamlessly rolled into a hollow, cy-lindrical shape with both ends rounded by fullerene-like caps. As large amounts of CNTs have been manufactured and significant growth is expected in commercial CNT produc-tion, there is a major concern over their health and environmental risks once they enter into the environment. In aquatic systems, CNTs are likely to adsorb organic chemicals and aggregate as bundles due to their extremely hydrophobic surfaces. The aggregation state of CNTs plays a significant role in their fate …

Community Ecology Approaches To Amphibian Conservation, Joanna Hawley

All Theses

Amphibian declines have been observed globally for several decades and populations continue to decline in many areas today. Through an extensive literature review of amphibian `impact studies,' I evaluated the use of multiple species, multiple spatial and temporal scales in an effort to ascertain a more complete, community-wide perspective on the causes of amphibian declines as well as management and conservation implications aimed at reversing these declines. Additionally, I performed multivariate analysis of an amphibian community dataset from southern Maine, USA using a multi-species and scalar approach to identify potentially important environmental variables associated with high levels of amphibian reproductive …

Fosinopril, A Potential Substrate For Mrp2, Competes With Several High Use Pharmaceuticals For Elimination, Benjamin Green

All Theses

The multidrug-resistance associated protein 2 (MRP2) is a membrane-bound transporter responsible for the efflux of a variety of drugs and endogenous compounds. MDCK cells transfected with the human MRP2 gene were used to assess whether several highly used pharmaceuticals were potential substrates by examining their differential toxicity, accumulation, and efflux. Fosinopril, an ACE inhibitor, was 2.4-fold less toxic to the MRP2 transfected cells compared to mock transfected cells, suggesting that fosinopril is a potential MRP2 substrate. In addition, fosinopril was effluxed more rapidly, as the MRP2 cells only retained 13 % of the dosed fosinopril after 20 minutes compared with …

Characterization Of Compression Molded Sodium Caseinate-Based Films, Kathryn Hartwig

All Theses

The objective of this research was to characterize compression molded sodium caseinate based films and investigate the effect of water and glycerol ratios on thermal transition and heal sealing properties. Studies were conducted on films from three variations of film-forming mixtures or 'resins', derived from US patent 4,076,846 containing sodium caseinate (NaCas), methylcellulose (MC), calcium chloride (CaCl2), glycerol (Gly), and distilled water. Moisture sorption isotherms were used to evaluate the water-protein and water-glycerol interactions in the resins. Sorption isotherms were characteristic of most biopolymer material and showed increasing moisture sorption with increasing amounts of glycerol. In compression molded films containing …

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis For The Selection Of A Land Use Impact Method For A Life Cycle Assessment Of Switchgrass As A Bioenergy Feedstock In The Pee Dee Region Of South Carolina, Joel Kohn

All Theses

The interactions of a growing human population and increasing demand for food and energy have led to governmental and social pressures encouraging the adoption of biofuels as a substitute for fossil energy sources; however, several potential biofuel feedstocks can compete directly with food products for valuable land area. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool that examines the environmental impacts of a product or process and can assist decision makers in the development of policy. The environmental impacts of land use are not well incorporated into LCA. As an emerging field, there is no consensus regarding the best methods by …

Contextualizing The Health Belief Model And The Social Epidemiology Theories In The Study Of Aids In Malawi, Kumbirai Madondo

All Theses

The association between HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk perception and risky sexual behavior remains a valuable area of study among scholars seeking to understand the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Past research has focused only on either the Health Belief Model or social epidemiology ideas to understand AIDS but never combined the two. The current study is unique and adds to the body of knowledge by making use of both the Health Belief Model and social epidemiology ideas to understand these relationships more clearly and, more importantly, to explore the role that keeping AIDS a secret has in the contexts of risk perception, …

Simulation Of The Mixing Of Ink And Water In Houdini, Chen Sun

All Theses

Have you observed the process of one ink drop falls into water? When the ink drop spreads out in the water, it looks like the ink molecules are having a beautiful dance show. The texture is smooth and delicate as a piece of silk. This thesis uses computer graphic tools to simulate the mixing of ink and water. Anyone interested in recreating ink mixing with water effect or using this as an art form can reference this thesis paper in their own production.

Developing A Management Tool To Estimate Unmarked Puma (Puma Concolor) Populations With A Remote Camera Array, Megan Pitman

All Theses

Puma (Puma concolor) ecological research, puma management, and puma conservation require a technique to efficiently estimate puma populations. Adequate population estimates for pumas are difficult to produce due to natural history characteristics of the species. Remote camera arrays present a promising new tool for surveying cryptic mammals, but techniques for estimating population levels of unmarked animals or species that are difficult to individually identify in photographs are needed. Our goal was to develop techniques to (1) determine the camera effort needed to detect resident pumas with 95% certainty and (2) estimate puma population density for unmarked pumas with a remote …

Sustainable Urban Transport: The Issue Of Equity In The Emerging Bric Countries, Tamara Tavares

All Theses

Although sustainable frameworks for transportation have been widely discussed in the transportation planning field in recent decades, the issue of equity in transportation systems is still relatively unexplored in comparison to the other pillars of sustainability. Globally, the concept of equity gains different nuances in developed and developing countries, and have yet new implications when considering fast emerging nations. The objective of this paper is to investigate how transit policies in fast emerging economies are used to distribute equitable access to benefits and opportunities; and to derive lessons that can orient future cohorts of emerging cities and countries to use …

Behavioral Animation For Maya Particles Using Steering Forces, Edgar Rodriguez

All Theses

Maya has various built-in solutions for modeling effects. Maya does not, however, offer a built-in solution for modeling so called 'steering behaviors.' While users may rely on particle expressions or scene rigs, these solutions are generally time consuming and ultimately limiting in their cross application. Accordingly, Maya's particle system was extended, by implementing a new force, which can be used to model a set of steering behaviors. The new force was coded in Python and was implemented using Maya's Python Application Programming Interface ('API'). The new force can be used in conjunction with the particle system's existing forces and Maya's …

Parallel √3-Subdivision With Animation In Consideration Of Geometric Complexity, Stephen Cooney

All Theses

We look at the broader field of geometric subdivision and the emerging field of parallel computing for the purpose of creating higher visual fidelity at an efficient pace. Primarily, we present a parallel algorithm for √3-Subdivision. When considering animation, we find that it is possible to do subdivision by providing only one variable input, with the rest being considered static. This reduces the amount of data transfer required to continually update a subdividing mesh. We can support recursive subdivision by applying the technique in passes. As a basis for analysis, we look at performance in an OpenCL implementation that utilizes …

Insect Diversity And Pest Status On Switchgrass Grown For Biofuel In South Carolina, Claudia Holguin

All Theses

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has tremendous potential as a biomass and stock crop for cellulosic ethanol production or combustion as a solid fuel. The first goal of this study was to assess diversity of insects in a perennial switchgrass crop in South Carolina. A three-year study was conducted to sample insects using pitfall traps and sweep nets at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, from 2007-2009. Collected specimens were identified to family and classified by trophic groups, and predominant species were identified. The diversity and density of weeds in the field during the establishment year (2007) …

Small-Group Workshops Develop Participant Commitment For Nutrient Management Planning, Leslie A. Everett, Kevin Blanchet, Jodi Dejong-Hughes

Journal of Extension

Eighty small-group workshops were organized over 3 years to lead crop and livestock producers through preparation of two-field nutrient management plans using their own farm data. Follow-up surveys quantified the adoption of recommended manure management practices and completion of nutrient management plans resulting from the workshops. The small-group format combined the effectiveness of one-on-one contact and coaching with the staff-time efficiency of group presentations of background information.

Implementing The 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines, Including Use Of The Impedance Threshold Device, Improves Hospital Discharge Rate After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, K Thigpen, Scott Davis, Roberta Basol, Peggy Lange, Sandeep Jain, John Olsen, Bernard Erickson, Timothy Schuchard

Articles

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the impact of the 2005 American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines, including use of an impedance threshold device (ITD), on survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

METHODS:

Two community hospitals that tracked outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest pooled and compared their hospital discharge rate before and after implementing the 2005 American Heart Association CPR guidelines (including ITD) in standardized protocols. In CPR we used the proper ventilation rate, allowed full chest-wall recoil, conducted continuous CPR following intubation, and used an ITD. We compared historical control data from a 12-month period at St Cloud Hospital, St Cloud, Minnesota, …

Protecting Privacy And Ensuring Security Of Rfid Systems Using Private Authentication Protocols, Md. Endadul Hoque

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) systems have been studied as an emerging technology for automatic identification of objects and assets in various applications ranging from inventory tracking to point of sale applications and from healthcare applications to e-passport. The expansion of RFID technology, however, gives rise to severe security and privacy concerns. To ensure the widespread deployment of this technology, the security and privacy threats must be addressed. However, providing solutions to the security and privacy threats has been a challenge due to extremely inadequate resources of typical RFID tags. Authentication protocols can be a possible solution to secure RFID communications. …

Ridge Preservation Comparing The Clinical And Histologic Healing Of A Mineralized Cortical Vs. Mineralized Cancellous Allograft With An Acellular Dermal Matrix Barrier Membrane., Marquez J. Sams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aim. To compare two techniques of ridge preservation using a mineralized cancellous particulate allograft to a mineralized cortical particulate allograft plus an acelluar dermal matrix barrier membrane using clinical and histologic data to assess the outcome. Methods. Twelve positive controls received a intrasocket mineralized cortical particulate allograft (500-800 µm) while twelve test patients received an intrasocket mineralized cancellous particulate allograft (500 to 800 µm). All sites were covered with acellular dermal matrix barrier. Following tooth extraction, horizontal ridge dimensions were measured with a digital caliper and vertical ridge dimensions were measured from a stent. Each site was re-entered for implant …

Temporal And Spatial Variations Of Ions, Isotopes And Agricultural Contaminants In Surface Waters And Groundwater Of Nebraska's Rainwater Basin Wetland Region, Sarah E. Foster

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The wetlands of south-central Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin region are considered of international importance as a habitat for millions of migratory birds, but are being endangered by agricultural practices. The Rainwater Basin extends across 17 counties and covers 4,000 square miles. The purpose of this study was to assemble baseline chemical data for several representative wetlands across the Rainwater Basin region, and determine the use of these chemical data for investigating groundwater recharge.

Eight representative wetlands were chosen across the Rainwater Basin to monitor surface and groundwater chemistry. At each site, a shallow well and deep well were installed and sampled …

Evaluating Measurement Invariance With Censored Ordinal Data: A Monte Carlo Comparison Of Alternative Model Estimators And Scales Of Measurement, Natalie A. Koziol

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Evaluations of measurement invariance provide essential construct validity evidence. However, the quality of such evidence is partly dependent upon the validity of the resulting statistical conclusions. The presence of Type I or Type II errors can render measurement invariance conclusions meaningless.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of categorization and censoring on the behavior of the chi-square/likelihood ratio test statistic and two alternative fit indices (CFI and RMSEA) under the context of evaluating measurement invariance. Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine Type I error and power rates for the (a) overall test statistic/fit indices, and …

Morphological Characterization And Molecular Mediated Genetic Variation Of Thief Ant (Solenopsis Molesta Say, Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ralph B. Narain

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The thief ant, Solenopsis molesta (Say), a common nuisance ant species found throughout the United States is genetically related to other stinging ants. This research was undertaken to estimate genetic variation utilizing mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I in thief ant populations from various geographic locations. Thief ants were collected from nine states, identified to species using morphologic characteristics from available keys. DNA extractions were completed with Qiagen’s Gentra PUREGENE® DNA Isolation Kit using their solid tissue protocol. PCR reactions were run on the extracted DNA using primers Lep-F1 (forward) and Lep-R1 (reverse). The resulting DNA products were concentrated …

An Investigation Of Wild Bee Diversity And Abundance In Plots Managed By The Nature Conservancy In South-Central Nebraska And Of Beneficial Arthropods Associated With Native Nebraska Flora, Dori Ann Porter

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Insect pollination is an essential ecosystem service, and bees are the principal pollinators of wild and cultivated plants. Habitat management and enhancement are a proven way to encourage wild bee populations, providing them with food and nesting resources. I examined bee diversity and abundance in plots managed by The Nature Conservancy near Wood River, NE. The plots were seeded with 2 seed mixes at 2 seeding rates: high diversity mix at the recommended rate, high diversity mix double the recommended rate, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation planting (CP) 25 mix at one-half the recommended rate, and NRCS CP25 mix …

Scraping Behavior In Male White-Tailed Deer As A Potential Means Of Transmitting Chronic Wasting Disease, Travis C. Kinsell

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has become a concern for wildlife managers and hunters across the United States. High prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in older male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) suggests that sex-specific social behavior may contribute to the spread of the disease among males. Scraping is a marking behavior performed by male white-tailed deer during the rut in which a pawed depression and associated over-hanging branch are marked with saliva, glandular secretions, urine, and feces. We placed 71 and 35 motion-activated cameras on scrapes in DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in western Nebraska and eastern Iowa from …

Genetic Mapping Of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated With Bioenergy Traits, And The Assessment Of Genetic Variability In Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.). Moench), Aatshwaelwe Lekgari Lekgari

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sweet sorghum, a botanical variety of sorghum is a potential source of bioenergy because high sugar levels accumulate in its stalks. The objectives of this study were to explore the global diversity of sweet sorghum germplasm, and map the genomic regions that are associated with bioenergy traits. In assessing diversity, 142 sweet sorghum accessions were evaluated with three marker types (SSR, SRAP, and morphological markers) to determine the degree of relatedness among the accessions. The traits measured (anthesis date [AD], plant height [PH], biomass yield [BY], and moisture content [MC]) were all significantly different (P< 0.05) among accessions. Morphological marker clustered the accessions into five groups based on PH, MC and AD. The three traits accounted for 92.5% of the variation. There were four and five groups based on SRAP and SSR data respectively classifying accessions mainly on their origin or breeding history. The observed difference between SSR and SRAP based clusters could be attributed to the difference in marker type. SSRs amplify any region of the genome whereas SRAP amplify the open reading frames and promoter regions. Comparing the three marker-type clusters, the markers complimented each other in grouping accessions and would be valuable in assisting breeders to select appropriate lines for crossing. In evaluating QTLs that are associated with bioenergy traits, 165 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were planted at four environments in Nebraska. A genetic linkage map constructed spanned a length of 1541.3 cM, and generated 18 linkage groups that aligned to the 10 sorghum chromosomes. Fourteen QTLs (6 for brix, 3 for BY, 2 each for AD and MC, and 1 for PH) were mapped. QTLs for the traits that were significantly correlated, colocalized in two clusters on linkage group Sbi01b. Both parents contributed beneficial alleles for most of traits measured, supporting the transgressive segregation in this population. Additional work is needed on exploiting the usefulness of chromosome 1 in breeding sorghum for bioenergy.