Digital Commons Network^™

Row Spacing And Population Density Effect On Seed Yield Of Okra And Seed Oil As A Source Of Biodiesel, Tyler Neal Sandlin

Theses and Dissertations

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentis) is a warm weather vegetable crop with seed characteristics similar to cotton. Putative similarities between these crops make okra a potential candidate as a biodiesel feedstock. The objectives of this research are to determine an optimal inter and intra-row spacing combination to maximize seed yield, and determine optimal plant characteristics for seed yield, oil production, and fatty acid profiles. Data indicated treatments of (22.86 x 7.62, 22.86 x 22.86, and 45.72 x 30.48 cm) were better than 91.44 x 15.24 cm with respect to seed yield, although, 45.72 x 30.48 and 91.44 x 15.24 cm are the …

Peripheral And Placental Immunology In The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat Model, Crystal Elizabeth Boudreaux

Theses and Dissertations

We are using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cat to model HIV mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). Vertical transmission of either virus may result not only in infected offspring, but also failed pregnancy.In HIV infections, maternal hematological and virological parameters predict MTCT.We hypothesized that such parameters would likewise be predictors of FIV vertical transfer. We inoculated ten cats with FIV-B-2542; 10 cats were uninoculated. Cats were allowed to breed naturally. Fetuses were delivered at approximately week 3 (early) gestation by cesarean section. Fetal and placental tissues were collected.Blood samples were collected from the day of inoculation through delivery. We quantified CD4:CD8 T cell …

Activated Sludge As Renewable Fuels And Oleochemicals Feedstock, Emmanuel Durante Revellame

Theses and Dissertations

The utilization of activated sludge as feedstock for biofuel and oleochemical production was investigated. Initial studies included optimization of biodiesel production from this feedstock through in situ transesterification. Results of these studies indicated that activated sludge biodiesel is not economically viable. This was primarily due to relatively low yields and the high economics of feedstock dewatering. Strategies to increase biofuel yield from activated sludge were then evaluated. Bacterial species present in activated sludge are known to produce a wide variety of lipidic compounds as carbon and energy storage material and as components of their cellular structures. In addition to lipidic …

The 3d Dynamics Of The Cosserat Rod As Applied To Continuum Robotics, Charles Rees Jones

Theses and Dissertations

In the effort to simulate the biologically inspired continuum robot’s dynamic capabilities, researchers have been faced with the daunting task of simulating—in real-time—the complete three dimensional dynamics of the the “beam-like” structure which includes the three “stiff” degrees-ofreedom transverse and dilational shear. Therefore, researchers have traditionally limited the difficulty of the problem with simplifying assumptions. This study, however, puts forward a solution which makes no simplifying assumptions and trades off only the real-time requirement of the desired solution. The solution is a Finite Difference Time Domain method employing an explicit single step method with cheap right hands sides. The cheap …

Thermoregulation, Risk, And Den Stability Influence Grizzly Bear Den-Site Selection, Nathan Steven Libal

Theses and Dissertations

Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) den-site selection may be influenced by multiple factors at varying spatial extents. To test for hierarchical selection, I compared grizzly bear den sites (n = 21) to random locations in the Southern Lakes, Yukon at two scales: mesoscale (within 1 km of dens) and microscale (within 100 m of dens). I observed selection for den opening slope, pixel slope, soil content, and horizontal cover at the mesoscale. At the microscale, I observed selection for opening slope and horizontal cover. To further test the role of security and the sex hypothesis of sexual segregation, I compared adult …

Using Green Roofs To Mitigate The Effects Of Solar Energy On An Unconditioned Building In The Southern United States, Jason Lee Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is a phenomenon that results in cities being warmer than the surrounding rural areas, due to a large amount of impervious surfaces. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of green roofs to mitigate the effects of solar energy on a building in the southern United States. In order to test the green roofs, temperatures were monitored inside and on top of unconditioned model buildings with green and with traditional roofs. Over the course of the study, the data collected showed that green roofs provided a significant benefit for the buildings …

Variability Of Sediment Nutrients And Benthic Macro-Invertebrates In Recreational Fishing Ponds, Tyler James Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

The overall objective of this study was to identify trends of sediment nutrients and benthic macro-invertebrates in recreational fishing ponds. The Ekman dredge and the Yabby pump, also were compared for benthic macro-invertebrate sampling effectiveness. Large ranges in the coefficient of variation for Pw (52 – 123.9), C:N (13.4 – 124), density (61.5 – 98.5), and diversity (67 – 142) indicated significant spatial variability within and among ponds. Invertebrate familial diversity was the only variable that did not show any significant temporal variation (H = 4.31, P = 0.230). Results from the gear comparison indicated no differences between the Ekman …

Measurement Of Trace Environmental Contaminants Using Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy, Susan Theresa Scherrer

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental contamination has become a significant threat to the health and well-being of mankind as well as to the environment, prompting the establishment and implementation of stringent environmental regulations. The ability to accurately detect and quantify contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), uranium (U), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in real-time, in situ is of significant importance to monitoring and remediation efforts. In an effort to develop a real-time, fast-response detector that is portable, highly sensitive, and cost efficient, this research explored the feasibility of utilizing cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) in conjunction with various plasma sources and vacuum cavities to accurately …

Chimes: December 9, 2011, Calvin College

Chimes

Campus Fair Trade sale promotes justice by Amanda Elliott

Acton translates Kuyper by Ryan Devries

Choirs worship with LaGrave by Grace Ruiter

Scientists fight bacterial resistance by Jon Hielkema

Paradise Fears impressive by Jess Koster

Soccer team finishes second in the nation by Mark Zylstra

Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement For Believers Today, Edward William Fudge

Leaven

No abstract provided.

This Is My Song, But Is It My Story? Philipans 2.5-11, Robert F. Hull

Leaven

No abstract provided.

Between Lament And Doxology: 1 Samuel 2.1-10, Mark Manassee, Angela Manassee

Leaven

No abstract provided.

Meeting Minutes, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Meeting minutes.

December Agenda, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Meeting agenda.

Reconciling Science And Religion: One Christian's Perspective, Rodney Honeycutt

Leaven

No abstract provided.

The Futility Of Ethics Apart From God, Corey Williams

Leaven

No abstract provided.

The Problem With Scientific Creationism, Jessica Piepgrass

Leaven

No abstract provided.

An Interview With Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Of Summer For The Gods: The Scopes Trial And America's Continuing Debate Over Science And Religion, D'Esta Love

Leaven

No abstract provided.

A Letter To Christian Ministers, Donna Nofziger Plank

Leaven

No abstract provided.

What Does The Lord Require? Micah 6.1-8, Jerry Taylor

Leaven

No abstract provided.

Affinity Chromatography In Environmental Analysis And Drug-Protein Interaction Studies, Efthimia Papastavros

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation will examine the use of novel affinity sorbents to extract emerging contaminants from water. These contaminants include carbamazepine, an anti-epileptic drug which is resistant to natural degradation in the environmental and to drinking water treatment procedures. This drug has been found in fish, drinking water, estuarine and coastal waters, and river sediment and has been used as a general marker of contaminants in wastewater. Carbamazepine was one of the most commonly detected compounds in surface-water and groundwater samples in a recent reconnaissance study of untreated drinking water sources in the U.S. Besides using this drug as a representative …

A Mesmerizing Book, Daniel A. Monti, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

HYPNOSIS IN THE RELIEF OF PAIN

Ernest R. Hilgard and Josephine R. Hilgard

Brunner/Maze!, Inc., New York 1994, paperback, $28 .95, 294 pgs.

Sexual Side Effects Of Psychiatric Medications In Women: A Clinical Review, Laura L. Post, Md, Faacs

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Sexual side effects of psychiatric medications have been estimated to occur in 60% of male clients (1) and 30% of female clients (2). Despite a body of literature relating individual medications to specific sexual side effects, few studies have satisfactorily addressed the psychotropic-induced sexual dysfunctions in women. The spectrum of known sexual sided effects resulting from psychopharmacologic interventionswill be reviewed. Guidelines for appropriately addressing the possibility of sexual side effects within a therapeutic relationship for maximizing reporting of sexual side effects, and for possible treatment approaches to sexual side effects will be described.

Literature Review: Stress Reactance In Psoriatic Patients, W. Michael Hooten, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The association between stress and psoriasis is well documented. A subgroup of psoriatic patients appear to be high stress reactors who can identify specific psychosocial stresses which exacerbate their psoriasis. In contrast, low stress reactors report no association between stress and the exacerbation of psoriasis. In differentiating high versus low stress reactors, a review of the literature suggests: 1) a neurogenic mediated disease process; 2) high stress reactors' disease course is not confounded by underlying psychopathology and, 3) high stress psoriatics experience more disease related stress than low stress reactors.

The Serotonin Theory Of Depression, Christopher W. Kerr

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

In its simplest form, the serotonin deficiency theory of depression postulates that there is a net reduction in serotonin transmission in depressive illness. The pathophysiological change may result from two different mechanisms. The first involves a decrease in serotonin (5-HT) availability which has the consequential effect of compensatory receptor up-regulation or super sensitivity. The second mechanism implies a primary defect in receptor activity and/or signal transduction. The objective of this review is to analyze the serotonin system in depression as it relates to the above two postulates.

Extended Depth Optical Coherence Tomography For Anterior Segment And Accommodation Imaging In Real-Time, Marco Ruggeri

Open Access Dissertations

The changes in the human crystalline lens shape and its internal structure during accommodation and with aging are a fundamental component of the dynamic mechanism of accommodation and presbyopia, the loss of near vision with age. A better understanding of the crystalline lens changes during accommodation will help in developing new treatments to correct for presbyopia. The goal of this dissertation is to design and develop an imaging system to study the dynamic changes in lens shape during accommodative response. An imaging system based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was developed with long axial range, high axial and …

Functional Integrity Of Somatosensory Pathways In The Neuropathic Pain Conditions After Spinal Cord Injury, Yenisel Cruz-Almeida

Open Access Dissertations

Neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) can significantly and negatively affect a person’s quality of life and is often refractory to currently available treatments. In order to advance the field and find effective therapeutic avenues; signs, symptoms, and biomarkers in humans should be identified and related to specific pain-generating mechanisms. The present work utilizes quantitative sensory testing (QST) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate the relationship between the functional integrity of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway (DCML), the spinothalamic tract (STT), and metabolic markers of neuronal loss and glial activation in the thalamus of persons with/without NP …

Micrornas As Effectors For Acetyltransferase P300 In Cardiac Hypertrophy, Salil Sharma

Open Access Dissertations

Myocardial transcriptional response to stress is critically dependent on availability of the histone acetyltransferase p300. p300 is a transcription coactivator which is rapidly induced by hemodynamic stress in the myocardium. This induction is both necessary and sufficient to drive myocardial hypertrophy in vivo. Although short-term elevation of p300 may be adaptive, sustained elevation of p300 increases the risk of heart failure. The mechanism of p300 induction during stress is unknown. The downstream effectors of p300 have been only incompletely elucidated. In this context, the role of microRNAs in regulating p300-driven cardiac hypertrophy can be of potential interest. MicroRNAs are short …

A Kinetic Study Of Accumulation And Elimination Of Microcystin-Lr In Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens) Tissue And Implications For Human Fish Consumption, Julianne Dyble, Duane Gossiaux, Peter Landrum, Donna R. Kashian, Steven Pothoven

Environmental Science and Geology Faculty Research Publications

Fish consumption is a potential route of human exposure to the hepatotoxic microcystins, especially in lakes and reservoirs that routinely experience significant toxic Microcystis blooms. Understanding the rates of uptake and elimination for microcystins as well as the transfer efficiency into tissues of consumers are important for determining the potential for microcystins to be transferred up the food web and for predicting potential human health impacts. The main objective of this work was to conduct laboratory experiments to investigate the kinetics of toxin accumulation in fish tissue. An oral route of exposure was employed in this study, in which juvenile …

Acrl New England Scholarly Communication Special Interest Group Workshop: Open Access And Scholarly Societies: A Panel Discussion About The Opportunities And Challenges, Andrée J. Rathemacher

Technical Services Faculty Publications

This report covers a workshop held by the Scholarly Communications Interest Group of the Association of College and Research Libraries New England Chapter (ACRL/NEC), an independent chapter of ACRL. The workshop, titled "Open Access and Scholarly Societies: A Panel Discussion About the Opportunities and Challenges," took place on November 18, 2011, at the Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.