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Tyrosine Phosphorylation Linked To Cardiac Arrhythmias Via Hcn Pacemaker Channel, Yen-Chang Lin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiac sudden death (CSD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Although the causes of CSD are not understood completely, cardiac arrhythmias have been indicated as the major contribution to CSD. The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias, therefore providing scientific basis for clinical applications in the future to lower the rate of CSD.;My thesis contains four chapters. Chapter 1 aims to examine a novel role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the arrhythmogenesis. To achieve this goal, a rat arrhythmia model was established without structural remodeling, and the Src tyrosine kinase …

An American "Duchess" In Disguise: John Singleton Copley's Turquerie Portrait Of Margaret Kemble Gage, Elizabeth Rininger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A number of portraits that John Singleton Copley painted in the years prior to the American Revolution show women clad in turquerie. Traditionally, art historians have explained the appearance of this fashion as provincial colonials copying fashions from their parent country. The appeal of the fashion was strong; however, the political, social, and sexual connotations complicate this explanation for the sitters' choice of dress. While the purpose here is not to disprove the explanation of fashion-consciousness, it is to read these portraits from the perspective of the colonized rather than the colonizer. It is an attempt to decode an appropriated …

Demographic Response Of American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius L.) To Climate Change, Sara Souther

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ecological response to recent climate change has been documented for a multitude of species worldwide. Climate models predict further increases in temperature, as much as 8 times the degree of warming that has already occurred. Given observations of species response to contemporary climate change and the unprecedented degree of warming expected over the next century, climate change will no doubt determine future ecosystem composition and affect global species diversity. In order to prevent loss of biodiversity, it is necessary to understand and accurately project species' response to climate, and to identify species that are vulnerable to climate change driven extinctions. …

Development Of Seminars To Improve Family Relationships And Spiritual Experience Among Ghanaian Emigrant Families In Adventist Immigrant Churches In New England, John K. Amoah

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Family relational problems are on the rise, while family spiritual development is waning in the majority of immigrant Ghanaian churches in the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It is apparent that the changing dynamics in migration and the acculturation process have a significant impact on family relationships and spiritual experience. While the observation may be anecdotal, it begs for systematic study and improvement. This dissertation project seeks to improve immigrant family relationships and family spiritual development through seminars.

Method

This dissertation involves the development of a six-session seminar based on the areas of reported concern: family relationships, …

Toward An Eco-Stewardship Ministry: Communicating Environmental Values In The Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In Korea, Young Seok Cha

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to develop a theoretical and practical framework for implementing a ministry of ecological stewardship for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Korea and ultimately to cultivate an environmental consciousness among Adventists. In order to identify the dynamic relationships of factors involved in eco-stewardship ministry, the study first examined the environmental consciousness and practice of the pastors and members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Korea. Then it focused on investigating the factors that would possibly affect one’s responsible environmental behavior and the implementation effectiveness of eco-stewardship ministry.

Method

This study used a survey design with …

A Strategy To Evangelize The Members Of Siu San Wan Social Center For The Elderly In Hong Kong, Linda Muoi Tsui

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of senior citizens in Hong Kong is increasing. By 2036, approximately one-fourth of the population of Hong Kong will fall into the elderly category, representing a challenge to the government as well as to the church. However, there is a scarcity of research done on elderly evangelism and an accompanying dearth of literature on the topic, therefore there is a need for a research study on how to evangelize the elderly, to make a significant contribution to an increasingly important ministry of the church.

Method

A “Four-stage Elderly Evangelism Model” was developed and implemented to reach the …

Canada Goose Crop Damage Abatement In South Dakota, Troy M. Radtke, Charles D. Dieter

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) can cause considerable damage to crops during summer when geese are flightless. We evaluated the effectiveness of a program designed to alleviate crop damage on soybeans by Canada geese in South Dakota, USA. The applications of electric fences, feeding stations, and propane cannons reduced the area of crop damage by 90% in 2006 and 80% in 2007, but the timing was important. Fields where abatement practices were applied early in the growing season had less damage than fields where they were applied later. Abatement practices that were properly applied as soon as damage started …

The Role Of The Horn In American Wind Ensemble Literature: An Annotated Guide To Horn Excerpts, Phil Meyer

Student Scholarship

The horn is an extremely versatile wind instrument that can be used in a variety of ensembles, including but not limited to wind ensembles, orchestras, as well as smaller chamber ensembles. The horn is unusual in that it is the only brass instrument where one hand is placed inside of the bell, a hand that can be used, moved, and shaped in many ways to create alternative timbres that other instruments cannot match. In addition, the horn has more notes of the overtone series in an accessible and playable range with smaller gaps between the pitches than most other brass …

Demystifying Schmitt, Eric A. Posner, Adrian Vermeule

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

No abstract provided.

Regulating Patents, Jonathan Masur

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

No abstract provided.

The Relationships Among Rapid Automatized Naming (Ran), Processing Speed And Reading Fluency In Clinic Referred Children, John Demann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Converging evidence suggests that phonological awareness is at the core of reading ability. Rapid automatized naming (RAN), defined as how quickly individuals can name continuously presented familiar visual stimuli, is also known to be a strong predictor of reading performance, and reading fluency in particular. The double deficit hypothesis suggests RAN deficits represent an additional core deficit associated with the reading process. Although there are many ways to measure RAN (e.g., using letters, numbers, pictures, objects), not well established is which RAN task is most predictive of the reading fluency skills of clinic referred children. Further research is also needed …

Direct Incremental Costs In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd) And Asthma In United States - An Analysis Of 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Data, Bhavini Srivastava

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To estimate national prevalence and direct incremental expenditures in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma using 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.

Methods: COPD and asthma were identified using ICD-9 codes and were the main independent variables. Covariates included age, gender, race, income, region, insurance and marital status. Dependent variables were total health care, office-based, outpatient, inpatient, emergency room and prescription expenditures. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to fulfill the study objectives.

Results: Prevalence of COPD and asthma was 1.3 million and 28.3 million, respectively. Total direct incremental health care expenditures per person for COPD …

Neurosis Or Perversion? A Lacanian Psychoanalytic Diagnostic And Clinical Approach To The Treatment Of Paraphilia At A Forensic Outpatient Setting: A Case Study And Exegetical Method, Stephanie Swales

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The work of Jacques Lacan (1901-1981) provided clinicians with three main diagnostic ontological structures: neurosis, psychosis, and perversion. All three diagnostic structures indicate fundamentally different ways of solving the problems of alienation, separation from the primary caregiver, and of castration, or having limits set by the law on one's jouissance. Of the three, perversion remains by far the least understood and least discussed. To date, Lacan's diagnostic system--not to mention his corpus in general--has been largely ignored by psychotherapists in the United States. Where Lacan has been taken up within psychotherapeutic discourse, discussions are often restricted to the field of …

Theological And Ecological Foundations For Youth Ministry In Relation To The Archdiocese Of Mbarara, Uganda - East Africa, Leo Tinkatumire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is titled: Theological and Ecological Foundations for Youth Ministry in Relation to the Archdiocese of Mbarara, Uganda - East Africa. The Archdiocese of Mbarara, located in the traditional kingdom of Nkore in southwestern Uganda, is undergoing societal shift. Due to the pervading influences of Western civilization and technology, the conservative and often static culture of native tribal communities with their adherence to informal education, traditional customs and worship and a predominantly agrarian economy, is undergoing steady but dramatic transformation. Amidst this process of transition, the Church is struggling with the immediate need to adjust the message and methods …

Rhodococcus Equi Venous Catheter Infection: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Rosalinda Guerrero, Ashish Bhargava, Zeina Nahleh

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Introduction

Rhodococcus equi is an animal pathogen that was initially isolated from horses and is being increasingly reported as a cause of infection in humans with impaired cellular immunity. However, this pathogen is underestimated as a challenging antagonist and is frequently considered to be a mere contaminant despite the potential for life-threatening infections. Most case reports have occurred in immunocompromised patients who have received organ transplants (for example kidney, heart, bone marrow) or those with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Infections often manifest as pulmonary involvement or soft tissue abscesses. Bacteremia related to R. equi infections of tunneled central venous …

Rad6b Acts Downstream Of Wnt Signaling To Stabilize Β-Catenin: Implications For A Novel Wnt/Β-Catenin Target, Brigitte Gerard, Larry Tait, Pratima Nangia-Makker, Malathy Pv Shekhar

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with breast cancer even though genetic mutations in Wnt signaling components are rare. We have previously demonstrated that Rad6B, an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, stabilizes β-catenin via polyubiqutin modifications that render β-catenin insensitive to proteasomal degradation. Rad6B is a transcriptional target of β-catenin, creating a positive feedback loop between Rad6B expression and β-catenin activation.

Methods

To isolate subpopulations expressing high or low Rad6B levels, we transfected MDA-MB-231 or WS-15 human breast cancer cells with ZsGreen fluorescent reporter vector in which the expression of ZsGreen was placed under the control of Rad6B promoter. ZsGreen^{high …}

Histone Deacetylases (Hdacs) In Xpc Gene Silencing And Bladder Cancer, Xiaoxin S. Xu, Le Wang, Judith Abrams, Gan Wang

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies and causes hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Bladder cancer is strongly associated with exposure to environmental carcinogens. It is believed that DNA damage generated by environmental carcinogens and their metabolites causes development of bladder cancer. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the major DNA repair pathway for repairing bulk DNA damage generated by most environmental carcinogens, and XPC is a DNA damage recognition protein required for initiation of the NER process. Recent studies demonstrate reduced levels of XPC protein in tumors for a majority of bladder cancer patients. …

Phylogeny And Adaptive Evolution Of The Brain-Development Gene Microcephalin (Mcph1) In Cetaceans, Michael R. Mcgowen, Stephen H. Montgomery, Clay Clark, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Representatives of Cetacea have the greatest absolute brain size among animals, and the largest relative brain size aside from humans. Despite this, genes implicated in the evolution of large brain size in primates have yet to be surveyed in cetaceans.

Results

We sequenced ~1240 basepairs of the brain development gene microcephalin (MCPH1) in 38 cetacean species. Alignments of these data and a published complete sequence from Tursiops truncatus with primate MCPH1 were utilized in phylogenetic analyses and to estimate ω (rate of nonsynonymous substitution/rate of synonymous substitution) using site and branch models of molecular evolution. We also tested …

Unfolded Protein Response In Cancer: The Physician's Perspective, Xuemei Li, Kezhong Zhang, Zihai Li

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cascade of intracellular stress signaling events in response to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Cancer cells are often exposed to hypoxia, nutrient starvation, oxidative stress and other metabolic dysregulation that cause ER stress and activation of the UPR. Depending on the duration and degree of ER stress, the UPR can provide either survival signals by activating adaptive and antiapoptotic pathways, or death signals by inducing cell death programs. Sustained induction or repression of UPR pharmacologically may thus have beneficial and therapeutic …

A Supermatrix Analysis Of Genomic, Morphological, And Paleontological Data From Crown Cetacea, Jonathan H. Geisler, Michael R. Mcgowen, Guang Yang, John Gatesy

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Cetacea (dolphins, porpoises, and whales) is a clade of aquatic species that includes the most massive, deepest diving, and largest brained mammals. Understanding the temporal pattern of diversification in the group as well as the evolution of cetacean anatomy and behavior requires a robust and well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis. Although a large body of molecular data has accumulated over the past 20 years, DNA sequences of cetaceans have not been directly integrated with the rich, cetacean fossil record to reconcile discrepancies among molecular and morphological characters.

Results

We combined new nuclear DNA sequences, including segments of six genes (~2800 …

Bio::Phylo-Phyloinformatic Analysis Using Perl, Rutger A. Vos, Jason Caravas, Klaas Hartmann, Mark A. Jensen, Chase Miller

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Phyloinformatic analyses involve large amounts of data and metadata of complex structure. Collecting, processing, analyzing, visualizing and summarizing these data and metadata should be done in steps that can be automated and reproduced. This requires flexible, modular toolkits that can represent, manipulate and persist phylogenetic data and metadata as objects with programmable interfaces.

Results

This paper presents Bio::Phylo, a Perl5 toolkit for phyloinformatic analysis. It implements classes and methods that are compatible with the well-known BioPerl toolkit, but is independent from it (making it easy to install) and features a richer API and a data model that is …

Factors Affecting Susceptibility Of Goats To Coccidia, Yaser Ahmed

Theses

Natural Resistance Associate Macrophages Protein one (NRAMP1) gene encodes a transmembrane protein that regulates divalent cation transport that hinders intracellular pathogen proliferation. The objective of this study was to determine how NRAMP1 expression and other factors may be associated with coccidia infections in goats. Clinically healthy Boer, Spanish, and Spanish-Boer cross goats (N=140) from the NCA&T Small ruminant unit were used. The FAMACHA© score, body condition score, body weight, and age were recorded. Fecal samples were evaluated for the levels of haemonchus eggs and coccidia oocytes using McMaster slides. Blood samples were evaluated for packed cell volume and …

The Effects Of Polyphenol Rich Peanut Skin Diets On Weight Gain, Lipid Profile, And Blood Chemistry In Rats, Erika Robinson Hayes

Theses

Peanut skin is a by-product of the peanut processing industry that is typically disposed. However, peanut skin contains significant amounts of protein, lipids, dietary fiber and is rich in antioxidants such as phenolics. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the overall impact of peanut skin consumption on the growth of young lab rats; (2) investigate the effects of peanut skin consumption on blood plasma cholesterol profile in laboratory rats; and (3) evaluate the effect of peanut skin consumption on the functions of major animal organs by measuring the changes of related biomarkers and gross pathology. Twenty five …

Computational Modeling Of Low Velocity Impact Loading Of Composite With And Without Electrospun Nanofiber, Abu Hasnath Rasel

Theses

The objective of this work is the computational study of composite laminates under high velocity impact loadings. Even with the blessings of modern technology, manufacturing and testing of composites do not always seem to be cost effective. To keep pace with the fast moving global market, a new tool is absolutely necessary that can give reliable results quickly. Over the last decades computational study became a strong and effective tool for the researchers for testing composite materials in a virtual world. The virtual model and the material system of the test specimen can be built in a computer using different …

Exchange Rate Volatility And U.S. Pork Exports To China, Daniel J. Boisson

Theses

The share of U.S. pork exports in the world market has grown considerably in recent years. China has become a major importer of U.S. pork products as its per capita income growth has led to a population demanding higher quality meats. One major barrier U.S. producers/exporters face is a yuan that is subject to significant intervention. At present, the yuan is officially under a managed floating exchange rate based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of foreign currencies, the main one being the U.S. Dollar. It is currently allowed to float in a narrow range of …

Sweet Sorghum Production Based On Fertilizer Rates, Varieties And Use Of Grain Sorghum Model, Ashwin Kumar Devudigari

Theses

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenich) is a promising alternative energy crop. Biophysical crop models are advanced agronomic tools designed to predict crop growth for given conditions and to supplement field experiments. No crop model has been developed for sweet sorghum. Adapting the existing grain sorghum model is a good approach to develop a dedicated sweet sorghum model. Our experiment was conducted at the NC A&T research farm in 2010 and 2011, designed with a split plot and strip plot method, respectively. These experiments included two varieties (Dale and M81-E) and four fertilizer rates (0,168-56-168, 84- 28-84-soysoap, 168-56-168-soysoap of N-P2O5-K2O …

Double-Layer Mesh Hernioplasty For Repairing Umbilical Hernias In 10 Goats*, Jose M. Vilar, Juan A. Corbera, Giuseppe Spinella

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Umbilical hernias in goats are uncommon and can vary in their etiology and management. Hernioplasty can be done by closing the abdominal wall with a horizontal mattress pattern using absorbable sutures. However, larger defects (hernial ring size >3 cm) generally require the use of prosthetic materials that allow for a tension-free repair. In this study, 10 young female goats with umbilical hernias and hernial ring sizes ranging from 7-10 cm in width were treated using a double-layer polypropylene mesh. An ultrasonographic examination was performed to assess healing and connective tissue production.

The Role Of Zip Superfamily Of Metal Transporters In Chronic Diseases, Purification & Characterization Of A Bacterial Zip Transporter: Zupt., Iryna King

Wayne State University Theses

In mammals zinc is the second most abundant essential trace metal. Since Zn² is a small, hydrophilic, and a highly charged ion, it cannot be transported across the plasma or intracellular organelle membrane by passive diffusion. Different types of cells require a different constant concentration of zinc at all times. Presence of excess free Zn ions can be toxic to the cell. All cells must have tightly regulated homeostatic mechanisms in order to preserve healthy levels and proper compartmentalization of zinc. This is accomplished through the actions of specialized proteins that facilitate zinc uptake, efflux and compartmentalization. If the …

Temperament And Sex As Moderators Of The Relationship Between Maternal Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy And Child Externalizing Behaviors, Amy Beth Kohl

Wayne State University Theses

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been associated with negative child behavioral outcomes. Though many studies have found links between maternal smoking during pregnancy and behavior problems in children, few if any have looked into potential moderating factors of that relationship and few have examined the effects of second-hand smoking. This study examined child temperament at 6 months and sex as potential moderators of the relationship between maternal smoke exposure and both internalizing and externalizing behaviors at 24 month, 36 months and first grade. Both maternal smoking and maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were examined. Data for this study …

Redesigned With Them In Mind: Evaluating An Online Library Information Literacy Tutorial, Rebeca Befus, Katrina Byrne

Library Scholarly Publications

This study investigates Wayne State University Library System’s redesigned information literacy tutorial: re:Seach. Seventy-two students participating in the 2010 Wayne State Federal TRIO Student Support Service Summer Residential Program participated in the questionnaire. The questionnaire measured student learning via a multiple choice knowledge based test. Confidence and satisfaction were also measured using a five point Likert scale. Students received an overall average score of 71% on the knowledge portion and student responses varied on the confidence and satisfaction portions of the questionnaire. Results clearly indicated the necessity for future revisions. The discussion will address the specific revisions being undertaken and …