Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of The Ai-2-Dependent Quorum Sensing Pathway In Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans., Elizabeth A. Novak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quorum sensing in the oral pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is dependent upon the soluble signaling molecule AI-2, but it is not known how the initial detection of AI-2 is coupled to the downstream regulation of gene expression that confers complex phenotypes such as biofilm formation and iron acquisition. Here we show that expression of a two-component system encoded by qseBC is induced by AI-2 in A. actinomycetemcomitans and that induction of qseBC requires the AI-2 receptors, LsrB and/or RbsB. Inactivation of the sensor kinase gene qseC resulted in a significant reduction of in vitro biofilm growth and in vivo virulence using …

Towards An Improved Measure Of Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religious Motivation., Aaron W. Banister

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Religious motivation is a construct that has been the focus of decades of research. The "Religious Orientation Scale" (ROS) and variations of it, including the "Age Universal Intrinsic-Extrinsic Scale-12" (AUIES-12), are the most commonly used measures of religious motivation. But from the initial use of these measures there has been questions concerning their theoretical foundation and scale reliabilities. The purpose of this dissertation was to 1) test the factor structure of the AUIES-12 and investigate its scale reliabilities; 2) investigate, through CFA, the factor structure of a new measure of religious motivation, the "Measure of Religious Motivation" (MRM), which introduces …

Social-Emotional Behaviors In African-American Toddlers : The Role Of Risk And Protective Factors., Paulette Flores 1970-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The role of risk and protective factors in the family system on toddlers' social-emotional outcomes was examined by exploring the impact of depression and parenting strategies reported by female primary caregivers on toddlers' social-emotional competence and social-emotional problem behaviors. The goal of the research was to extend knowledge concerning how these risk and protective factors relate to social-emotional outcomes in an urban community sample of African-American families. Participants included 103 African-American women and toddlers. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined social-emotional problems and social-emotional competence. Results showed that female primary caregivers' depression and annual income were found to significantly predict ratings …

Root Coverage Comparing Acellular Dermal Matrix To Connective Tissue Graft Using The Coronally Positioned Tunnel Technique., Marie-Eve Girouard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aims. The primary aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial was to compare the percent root coverage obtained using acellular dermal matrix allograft and connective tissue graft using the coronally positioned tunnel technique 4 months postsurgically. Methods. Twenty-four patients with 1 site of 2: 3 mm Miller Class I or II recession were treated and followed for 4 months. Twelve patients received a coronally positioned tunnel plus ADM and were considered the test group. The positive control group consisted of 12 patients treated with a coronally positioned tunnel technique plus connective tissue graft and were considered the control group. …

Noir Ontology : Existing In The Fragmented Spaces Of Los Angeles., Jacob Andrew Goessling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Noir Ontology: Existing in the Fragmented Urban Spaces of Los Angeles explores the role of decentered urban geography within the body of noir texts set within Los Angeles. By focusing on the development of the idea of Los Angeles in early to mid-Twentieth century literature and film, this essay argues that Alain Badiou's system of ontology provides a critical apparatus for investigating the many ways in which the Los Angeles sunshine myth organizes the relations between individuals within particular urban spaces. Through an analysis of the city's early cultural history, Roman Polanski and Robert Towne's film Chinatown, and Chester Himes's …

Functionalized Nanoparticles For Amf-Induced Gene And Drug Delivery., Souvik Biswas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The properties and broad applications of nano-magnetic colloids have generated much interest in recent years. Specially, Fe304 nanoparticles have attracted a great deal of attention since their magnetic properties can be used for hyperthermia treatment or drug targeting. For example, enhanced levels of intracellular gene delivery can be achieved using Fe304 nano-vectors in the presence of an external magnetic field, a process known as 'magnetofection'. The low cytotoxicity, tunable particle size, ease of surface functionalization, and ability to generate thermal energy using an external alternating magnetic field (AMF) are properties have propelled Fe304 research to the forefront of nanoparticle research. …

Regulation Of Morphogenesis By Ammonium Transporters In Ustilgo Maydis., Jinny A. Paul

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many species of fungi undergo a dimorphic transition to switch from a unicellular yeast-like growth form to a filamentous growth form. Ustilago maydis undergoes such a transition, in response to successful mating events and subsequent host cues, to form a filamentous pathogenic form. U maydis also undergoes haploid filamentous growth in response to several environmental cues including, but not limited to nutrient limitation, pH, lipids, among others. Ammonium transporter proteins (Amts) play an essential role in controlling the dimorphic transition in response to nutrient limitation, specifically nitrogen in the form of ammonium. I demonstrate a role for the U maydis …

Annonacin In Asimina Triloba Fruit : Implications For Neurotoxicity., Lisa Fryman Potts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The acetogenin annonacin, from the tropical annonaceous plant Annona muricata, is a lipophilic, mitochondrial complex I inhibitor reported to be more toxic than rotenone to mesencephalic neurons. The temperate annonaceous plant Asimina tri/oba (pawpaw) is native to the Eastern United States and its products are available online. This study determined whether annonacin is in the pawpaw fruit pulp and whether it or the crude ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract is toxic to cortical neurons and induces pathological changes in the microtubule associated protein tau. Pawpaw extract was prepared by pulp extraction with methanol and liquid-liquid partitioning with EtOAc. Annonacin was isolated …

The Cost-Effectiveness Of The Kentucky Pilot Project Of Allowing Primary Pci At Hospitals Without Onsite Cabg Capabilities., Pedro Ramos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A myocardial infarction (MI) occurs when blood supply to the heart is cut off by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries. Most hospitals treat a patient with thrombolysis or a percutaneous coronary intervention (PC I). The latter has been established as the preferred revascularization method. However, the American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association strongly recommend that a hospital performing PCI must also have coronary artery bypass graft capabilities (CABG). By following these recommendations, the state of Kentucky has limited the number of hospitals allowed to perform PCI and thereby limiting access to such a life-saving …

That Terrifying Center : Poetry, Language, And Embodied Subjectivities., Yalonda J. D. Green 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

That Terrifying Center is a creative and philosophical experiment in the transmission of corporeal experiences and socio-cultural knowledge through poetry. I am bringing together the seemingly disparate threads of my studies into one creative-theoretical project: a collection of original poems exploring the development of multiple subjectivities, the terror of self-examination, and the scrutiny of memory; it is also a collection of poems that bear witness, that simply tell stories. These are poems that talk about what it's like to live in a body; they ask questions and translate answers related to becoming woman, demystifying fear, investigating genealogies of pain, and …

Ridge Preservation Comparing The Clinical And Histologic Healing Of A Demineralized Particulate Bone Allograft Vs. Mineralized Particulate Cancellous Allograft Using Barrier Membrane., Veneta Kotevska

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aim. Differences in the healing of demineralized and mineralized allografts have been reported but their significance has not been evaluated in ridge preservation studies. The primary aims of this study were to compare ridge preservation using a mineralized cancellous allograft to a demineralized cortical allograft plus a PTFE barrier using clinical and histologic data to assess the outcomes. Methods. Twelve positive controls received an intrasocket mineralized cancellous particulate allograft (500-800 µm, Cancellous group) while twelve test patients received an intrasocket demineralized particulate allograft (250 to 710 µm, Demineralized group). All sites included in the study were covered with a PTFE …

Tumor-Targeting Aptamers For The Treatment Of Prostate Cancer., Enid W. Choi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most common type diagnosed among men in the United States. Random oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) libraries are used to generate DNA aptamers by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). We explored the utility of guanine-rich libraries, and found that some had cancer-selective antiproliferative activity that generally correlated with G-quadruplex formation, nuclease resistance, and enhanced cellular uptake. We identified several proteins by mass spectrometry that bind to GC and cytosine ODNs. We compared the GT library with the classic random library for SELEX of whole prostate cancer cells and identified a new aptamer from the GT library …

The Development Of Deviant Behavior In Adolescents : The Influence Of Student Characteristics And School Climate., Jessica Damron-Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an investigation of the influence of individual characteristics and school climate on the participation in deviant behaviors. The literature review provides a review of adolescent development and theories that guide the understanding of the different social and environmental factors that influence an adolescent's participation in deviant behavior. Additionally, the impact of adolescent participation in deviant behavior will be reviewed. Using data gathered from Middle and High School students who completed surveys administered by a large, Midwestern, urban school district, the influence of gender, ethnicity, age, school level free/reduced lunch status, school level performance on standardized testing, and …

Food Stamps And Dependency: Disentangling The Short-Term And Long-Term Economic Effects Of Food Stamp Receipt And Low Income For Young Mothers, Thomas P. Vartanian, Linda Houser, Joseph Harkness

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The Food Stamp Program (FSP) remains one of the most widely used of all U.S. social "safety net" programs. While a substantial body of research has developed around the primary goals of the program- improving food access, nutrition, and health among lowincome families-less attention has been paid to the broader goals of hardship and poverty reduction. Using 38 years of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we examine several immediate and longer-term economic outcomes of early adult FSP participation for a sample of3,848 young mothers. While FSP participation is associated with some negative outcomes in the immediate future …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 38, No. 4 (December 2011)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• IMPACT OF SOCIAL CAPITAL ON EMPLOYMENT AND MARRIAGE AMONG LOW INCOME SINGLE MOTHERS - Jennifer A. Johnson, Julie A. Honnold, and Perry Threlfall
• EMERGENCY ROOM USE BY UNDOCUMENTED MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS – Ayse Akincigil, Raymond Sanchez Mayers, and Fontaine H. Fulghum
• IF NOT WELFARE, THEN WHAT? HOW SINGLE MOTHERS FINANCE COLLEGE POST WELFARE REFORM - Kristin Wilson
• HEALTH SERVICE ACCESS FOR RURAL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN CHINA: A CRITICAL EVALUATION - Xiying Wang, Xiulan Zhang, Yuebin Xu, and Yurong Zhang
• FOOD STAMPS AND DEPENDENCY: DISENTANGLING THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FOOD STAMP RECEIPT AND LOW …

Review Of Social Work & Restorative Justice: Skills For Dialogue, Peacemaking, And Reconciliation. Elizabeth Beck, Nancy P. Kropf & Pamela Blume Leonard (Eds.). Reviewed By Robert Mcandrews., Robert Mcandrews

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Elizabeth Beck, Nancy P. Kropf & Pamela Blume Leonard (Eds.) (2011). Social Work & Restorative Justice: Skills for Dialogue, Peacemaking, and Reconciliation. New York: Oxford University Press, $45.00 (hardcover).

Searching For Novel Ligands For The Cannabinoid And Related Receptors., Pritesh Prakash Kumar 1986-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A cell-based, Homogenous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) method was optimized and used to test a library of 60 putative endocannabinoids for activity towards CB1 or CB2, and to test cannabinoid ligands and fatty acid amides for GPRl19 by measuring cAMP levels in this study. The Z' factors for the assay were greater than 0.5 for all three receptors and the assay was able to can tolerate up to 1% DMSO demonstrating a robust and suitable technology for screening. The known cannabinoid and GPRl19 agonists exhibited the rank order of potency expected for CB1/CB2/GPRl19. Our data demonstrate that none of the …

Hazardous Risk Management Survey And Inland Water Survey., Ayodeji Abimbola Lasisi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The trucking industry is the largest freight sector, making up about 70 percent of all domestic shipment in the United States and contributes greatly the American economy. About 10 billion tons of goods are shipped annually and of that, about 800,000 shipments of hazardous materials are transported in the United States each day by trucks, resulting in 300 million annual shipments (Federal Motor Carrier Security Administration). These hazardous materials (HazMat) range from relatively harmless products, such as hair spray and perfumes, to bulk shipments of gasoline by highway cargo tanks, to transportation of poisonous, explosive, and radioactive materials. The complexity …

Microcontroller Based Inductance Meter, David Nguyen

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Randomized Trial To Evaluate The Course Of Effects Of A Program To Prevent Adolescent Depressive Symptoms Over 12 Months., Patrick Pössel, Jill L. Adelson, Martin Hautzinger

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Although few prevention studies have been designed to investigate the course of prevention effects over time, it seems that the effects on depressive symptoms increase from post-intervention to 6-month follow-up but then decrease with longer lags to follow-up. Furthermore, previous prevention studies have found differential intervention effects for boys and girls without testing possible explanations for this effect. The present randomized control group study with 301 8th-grade students examined the effects of a depression prevention program from baseline until 12-month follow-up. As expected, while positive intervention effects were found on girls’ depressive symptoms, no such effects were found on boys’ …

Wikipedia, Ipods, And Chickens : An Active Learning Exercise To Teach Evaluation Of Information., Latisha Reynolds, Anna Marie Johnson

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Librarians at the University of Louisville developed an evaluation of information exercise that is completely interactive. Students learn evaluation skills by participating in a small-group exercise, after which, the groups teach their classmates what they have learned.

Each small-group is assigned a different publication to evaluate such as a book, a website, a scholarly article, magazine or newspaper. They also have questions to answer in order to evaluate each source. After they evaluate the sources, each group chooses a student to present the information in front of the class.

The librarian acts as a facilitator to guide the students and …

The Evolution Of Cauterization: From The Hot Iron To The Bovie., Michelle F. Deleon, Ms, Charles J. Yeo, Md, Pinckney Maxwell, Iv, Md

Department of Surgery Gibbon Society Historical Profiles

The Bovie electrocautery has become a fundamental tool of modern-day surgery, particularly for its integral role in hemostasis, yet despite this landmark invention and its widespread use, there is very little said about the man behind the machine: William T. Bovie. It would be thousands of years from the inception of cautery in medicine until the birth of Dr. Bovie and his device. However, his work in biophysics and collaboration with Dr. Harvey Cushing would revolutionize surgical practice in the early 20th century and forever ingrain his name into the field of surgery.

Science Today In Verse, Hope Leman

Sci-Tech News

No abstract provided.

Full Issue: Vol. 65, No. 4

Sci-Tech News

No abstract provided.

Variations In Practice Patterns Among Neurosurgeons And Orthopaedic Surgeons In The Management Of Spinal Disorders, Manzar Hussain, Sadaf Nasir, Amber Moed, Ghulam Murtaza

Section of Neurosurgery

Study design: This is a case series.
Purpose: We wanted to identify variations in the practice patterns among neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons for the management of spinal disorders.
Overview of literature: Spinal disorders are common in the clinical practice of both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. It has been observed that despite the availability of various guidelines, there is lack of consensus among surgeons about the management of various disorders.
Methods: A questionnaire was distributed, either directly or via e-mail, to the both the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who worked at 5 tertiary care centers within a single region of Korea. …

Role Of Pre-Hospital Care And Ambulance Services In Karachi, Syed Muhammad Baqir, Kiran Ejaz

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ And Parents’ Perspective As How The Social Environment Of Immediate Vicinity Can Affect The Academic Learning Of A Child 4-6 Years Age Group, Salma Amin Rattani, Deedar Shah

School of Nursing & Midwifery

In the process of human development environment plays a pivotal role. At the age of 4 -6 years, children's immediate vicinity expands from home to school and in his social environment parents and teachers play a vital role. Therefore, in this study which was conducted in Phander district Ghizer, Northern areas; of Pakistan, employing descriptive research design five parents and five school teachers were enrolled. Participants shared their definition and understanding about social environment and immediate vicinity and its effects on academic learning. This research is part of Advanced Diploma in Human Development: Early Child Development Programme, Aga Khan University. …

Relating Land Cover And Channel Morphology To Stream Flow Function In The Lower Pee Dee Watershed, South Carolina, Zachary Smoot

All Theses

The South Carolina Pee Dee Project (SCPDP) aims to develop a method for the determination of Minimum Allowable Flows (MAFs) in streams in the Pee Dee region. This study is a portion of the larger SCPDP, focusing primarily upon analyses of geomorphic and hydrologic processes, as well as landscape and habitat analyses. Specific objectives include: 1) To distinguish the effect of various land cover classes and scales of analyses on components of stream flow function; 2) To determine trends in hydraulic geometry (regional curves) for the SCPDP region; and 3) To determine what measures of stream flow function, stream geomorphology, …

Evaluation Of Bioaugmentation Strategies To Treat High Concentrations Of Chloroform And Carbon Tetrachloride, Han Wang

All Theses

Halogenated methanes, including carbon tetrachloride (CT) and chloroform (CF), are significant groundwater contaminants. Options for bioremediation of high concentrations are limited. Previous studies have shown that an enrichment culture (designated DHM-1) that grows on corn syrup has the potential for use in bioaugmentation. DHM-1 cometabolically biotransforms high concentrations of CT and CF to nontoxic end products (mainly CO, CO2, and organic acids) in the presence of vitamin B12 (approximately 3% of chlorinated methanes on a molar basis). Sulfide is also required by this culture to function properly. However, insufficient data are available on its performance under field conditions. Also, it …

Advance - December 2011, Arthur A. Dugoni School Of Dentistry

Advance

No abstract provided.