Digital Commons Network^™

State V. Worthington Respondent's Brief Dckt. 38907

Not Reported

No abstract provided.

Wnt Signaling Exerts An Antiproliferative Effect On Adult Cardiac Progenitor Cells Through Igfbp3., Angelos Oikonomopoulos, Konstantina-Ioanna Sereti, Frank Conyers, Michael Bauer, Annette Liao, Jian Guan, Dylan Crapps, Jung-Kyu Han, Hanhua Dong, Ahmad F Bayomy, Gabriel C Fine, Karen Westerman, Travis L Biechele, Randall T Moon, Thomas Force, Ronglih Liao

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

RATIONALE: Recent work in animal models and humans has demonstrated the presence of organ-specific progenitor cells required for the regenerative capacity of the adult heart. In response to tissue injury, progenitor cells differentiate into specialized cells, while their numbers are maintained through mechanisms of self-renewal. The molecular cues that dictate the self-renewal of adult progenitor cells in the heart, however, remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE: We investigate the role of canonical Wnt signaling on adult cardiac side population (CSP) cells under physiological and disease conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS: CSP cells isolated from C57BL/6J mice were used to study the effects of canonical …

Biophotonic Imaging As A Novel Approach To Study Infectious Diseases In The Bovine, Jaime E. Curbelo Rodríguez

Theses and Dissertations

Conventional bacteriological methods to establish bacterial burden and distribution in infected tissues in vivo animal models typically require extensive bacteriological procedures and therefore are time consuming. An alternative approach has been suggested to use optical markers, such as luciferases, to labeled pathogens and monitor their progress and distribution in real time. The objective of the work presented in this document was to validate the use of Biophotonic Imaging (BI) through in vitro studies as a first step toward the development of in vivo models to study infectious disease in the bovine. For example, the feasibility of detecting bioluminescent Escherichia coli …

Stenting In The Treatment Of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Literature Review, E.A. Samaniego, Guilherme Dabus, Italo Linfante

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Research Universities As Engines Of Economic Growth: How Do Research Universities Impact Regional Economic Growth?, Stephanie Arnette Pink

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the 2008-2010 economic crisis as well as continuing efforts to redevelop and revitalize local economies, public administrators across America are challenged with the task of developing methods to sustain their economies. According to Florida (2002) economic growth today is contingent upon a locality’s ability to attract a certain group of people, particularly those of the “creative class”. Furthermore, Florida et al., (2006), assert that universities are key contributors to regional development in their ability to attract creative class individuals into a community. Contrary to the assertion that the creative class is a prerequisite for economic growth, …

An Investigation Of Students' Satisfaction With Academic Advising And Students' Impressions Of Academic Advisors At A Rural Community College, Vanessa Massalyn Johnson Dedeaux

Theses and Dissertations

This study was the first attempt to evaluate the college’s career/technical current advising practices. The purpose of this study was to investigate career/technical students’ satisfaction with academic advising at a rural community college and to investigate whether there were any relationships between students’ satisfaction and various demographic characteristics. The study also investigated students’ impressions of the academic advisors and whether there were any relationships between students’ impressions and various demographic characteristics. The researcher purchased the Survey of Academic Advising, Copyright 1997, from ACT, Inc. The Survey of Academic Advising was developed by the Evaluation Survey Service (ESS) and ACT and …

Studies On Hexahapto-Dibenzo[A,E]Cyclooctatetraene Complexes Of Chromiumtricarbonyl And Cationic Manganesetricarbonyl, Nilantha Bandara

Theses and Dissertations

Mono- and dinuclear chromiumtricarbonyl and manganesetricarbonyl complexes of dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (DBCOT) were synthesized and characterized. In the bis(chromiumtricarbonyl)DBCOT synthesis, the main product was the syn,anti isomer where the two Cr(CO)3 moieties coordinate to opposite faces of the DBCOT backbone. This complex exhibits three dynamic processes in solution. A ring inversion of the organic skeleton occurs while the two chromiumtricarbonyl moieties undergo tripod rotation. This is the first study where eight-membered ring inversion is studied for a pi-coordinated metallic system. The rate of inversion at various temperatures was determined by 1H NMR line shape analysis at two different field strengths (300 and …

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 …

Functional Characterization Of The Ocfc Gene And Optimization Of Medium Components And Culture Condition For Occidiofungin Production By Burkholderia Contaminans Strain Ms14, Kuan-Chih Chen

Theses and Dissertations

he 56-kb ocfC gene cluster is required for occidiofungin production by Burkholderia contaminans strain MS14. However, the function of the ocfC gene remains unknown. Sequence analysis showed the putative protein encoded by ocfC shares significant identities to glycosyltransferase. Plate bioassays showed that occidiofungin production by the ocfC mutant (ocfC::nptII) was significantly reduced as compared with strain MS14. The occidiofungin produced by the ocfC mutant is xyloseree, which suggests the ocfC gene encodes a xylosyltransferase to add a xylose to the peptide backbone. Single variant optimization of culture condition and medium compositions was also performed in this study. The results indicated …

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 …

Creating Resilient, Sustainable Local Governments: Merging Human Resource Management And Emergency Management, Stacey Cole Mann

Theses and Dissertations

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Goodman and Mann (2008) found that many locales along the Mississippi Gulf Coast did not have plans that addressed human resources (HR) issues in the aftermath of a disaster, and many vital employees were not included in the emergency planning process. The authors concluded that if involved in planning, HR managers could address typical HR issues such as compensation, retention, recruitment, and task re-orientation that become more difficult following a disaster. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of involvement of HR departments in the emergency planning process as well as …

Cross-Entropy Approaches To Software Forensics: Source Code Authorship Identification, James Thomas Stinson

Theses and Dissertations

Identification of source code authorship can be a useful tool in the areas of security and forensic investigation by helping to create corroborating evidence that may send a suspected cyber terrorist, hacker, or malicious code writer to jail. When applied to academia, it can also prove a useful tool for professors who suspect students of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, or modification of source code related to programming assignments. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine whether or not cross-entropy approaches to source code authorship analysis will succeed in predicting the correct author of a given piece of source code. If …

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 …

The Legacy Of Cotton: A Geographical Perspective On The Influence Of Traditionalist Politics In Mississippi, William Edward Stephen Cottrell

Theses and Dissertations

It was hypothesized that the socialspatial dialectic (location, education, politics and race) contributes to Mississippi’s low livability ranking. Regression models were employed using race, student funding rates, high school graduation rates, property tax, and voter turnout in the 82 counties as variables. The research found evidence that Blacks have lower graduation rates than Whites and property tax has a significant effect on voter participation at the gamma = .001 level. Social capital disadvantage seems to reside within both races with voter participation, property tax rates, and school funding being more pronounced with Whites. Results suggest that political capital should not …

A Case Study Of The State Takeover Of The Sunflower County School District, Paula Allen Vanderford

Theses and Dissertations

The performance of the nation‟s public schools continues to be a concern of policymakers, educators, and parents. Stakeholders cite the lack of academic achievement, disruptive student behavior, and failure to provide students with a safe and orderly school environment as evidence of being unsuccessful. To ensure school districts, schools, administrators, teachers, and students meet acceptable performance standards, states are implementing a variety of accountability policies. Two of the more controversial accountability approaches are state takeovers of local school districts and the reconstitution of schools. At least 29 states have enacted policies that allow the takeover of a school district. Changes …

Assessing The Effects Of Toxic Synthetic Organic Compounds On Activated Sludge Communities, Kristopher Michael Lightsey

Theses and Dissertations

The recent technological advances in environmental monitoring coupled with the increasingly stringent effluent requirements being placed on waste treatment systems makes it vital to have a more complete understanding of how specific compounds in waste streams can impact wastewater treatment processes. Since activated sludge processes are recognized as one of the most often applied technologies in wastewater treatment, this study assesses the impacts of select toxic synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) on the activated sludge communities in two types of wastewater treatment reactors: a completely-mixed activated sludge reactor (CMAS) and a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Commonly applied activated sludge monitoring parameters, …

Assessing The Impact Of Reading First Programs On Student Achievement In K-3 Classrooms In Selected Mississippi Schools, Angel Lakease Day-Meeks

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the implementation and impact of Reading First programs in 8 elementary schools across the state of Mississippi. The study assessed how principals, literacy coaches, and kindergarten through third grade teachers perceived the implementation of the Reading First program at their respective schools. Data from these three groups of research participants were analyzed to determine if there were differences in perceptions regarding program implementation. This study also examined if there was a relationship between participants’ judgment about implementation and second and third grade students reading scores on the Mississippi Curriculum Test (MCT). This study employed descriptive, survey, causal-comparative, …

Characterization Of Two Genes For Resistance To Aflatoxin Accumulation In Maize (Zea Mays L.), John Erik Mylroie

Theses and Dissertations

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world’s largest food crops and thus any pathogens of maize are of great importance. Aspergillus flavus is one of these pathogens and it produces a carcinogenic metabolite called aflatoxin. Efforts to reduce infection by A. flavus and subsequent aflatoxin accumulation include the development of maize lines resistant to aflatoxin accumulation. However, resistant lines that have been developed contain agronomically unfavorable traits. Gene-based markers would allow for easier transfer of resistance from resistant inbred lines into maize lines with good agronomic traits. The focus of this research was the development of gene-based markers …

Development And Loss Of Porosity In The Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) Sligo Formation Shelf Edge Reef, South Texas, Eyitayo David Aina

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 37 m (120 ft) of core was studied with the objective of evaluating and documenting the development and loss of porosity in the dry Mobil McElroy-1 well (Lower Cretaceous Aptian – Albian Sligo Formation). Core slabs were described and thin section samples, taken every 1.5 m (5 ft), were stained and analyzed under standard petrographic, cathode luminescence, confocal and scanning electron microscopes. The main conclusion is that average porosity significantly reduced with depth. Carbon and oxygen isotope values obtained for 20 samples show that the main pore-occluding diagenetic environment was meteoric with most samples having relatively low delta18O (-3.1%o …

Diversity And Ecology Of Bean Pod Mottle Virus In Mississippi, Ronald Christian Stephenson

Theses and Dissertations

Sequences of 33 Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) isolates collected from Mississippi were obtained from four regions of the viral genome. Sequences were compared mutually and to subgroups I and II type isolates. Mississippi isolates collected have greater similarity to subgroup II. Helicase sequences obtained from Mississippi isolates showed characteristics of isolates producing mild or moderate symptoms. Biological comparison of isolates from Mississippi confirmed predictions from molecular data. Plant species were tested for susceptibility to BPMV. Seven of 52 species tested positive. Desmodium perplexum was infected by beetle feeding and served as an inoculum source for transmission of BPMV to …

In-Situ Catalytic Upgrading Of Pyrolysis Vapor, Vamshi Krishna Guda

Theses and Dissertations

The rising fuel prices, environmental concerns over the emission of greenhouse gases, and the limited availability of fossil fuels led to the current focus on developing alternative fuel sources that are sustainable and environmentally benign. Lignocellulosic biomass, due to its high carbon value, abundance and for being greenhouse gas neutral, is a promising alternative energy resource. Fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass produces high energy density liquid fuel, called bio-oil, which has the potential as transportation fuel. But, crude bio-oils are chemically complex liquids with high oxygen contents (40 % oxygen content), high viscosity, low pH, low thermal stability, and poor …

Industrial Timberland Transactions In The United States: Firm Financial Performance, Timber Supply, And Welfare Implications, Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

In the last two decades, many firms in the U.S. forest products industry have either divested their timberlands or converted their corporate structures from C corporations to real estate investment trusts (REITs). This study hypothesizes that this large-scale timberland ownership change affects the financial performance of firms involved in divestitures and on timber supply and, as a result, the economic surplus of producers and consumers in the U.S. timber markets. These issues have not been adequately addressed in existing literature. Event analysis and equilibrium displacement models were employed to address firm financial performance in the capital markets and welfare implications …

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 …

Examining The Praxis Ii For Initial Licensure In French, German, And Spanish: Perspectives Of Foreign Language Faculty Members And Teacher Candidates, Kelly Marie Moser

Theses and Dissertations

In compliance with NCLB, states receiving Title I funding were to ensure that all teachers of core subject areas, including foreign languages, were highly qualified by the end of the 2005-2006 academic year. Given that 44 states assess teacher quality through The Praxis Series tests, and 32 of these rely on one of the Praxis II subject-matter tests to gauge foreign language competency (ETS, 2010a), research examining the perspectives of teacher candidates and faculty members regarding these licensure tests is needed. The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the perspectives of teacher candidates and faculty members regarding the …

Hydrolysis Of Organophosphate And Model Substrates In African American And Caucasian Southerners By Serum Paraoxonase-1 (Pon1) And Its Relationship To Atherosclerosis, Ryan Hunter Coombes

Theses and Dissertations

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a high density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme displaying esterase and lactonase activity. PON1 hydrolyzes the oxons of several organophosphorous insecticides (e.g. paraoxon, diazoxon and chlorpyrifos-oxon) and metabolizes lipid peroxides of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and HDL. As such, PON1 plays a relevant role in determining susceptibility of organophosphate toxicity and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine associations of PON1 status (i.e. genotype and activity levels) with atherosclerosis (ATH) in individuals from the Southeastern United States. An additional objective was to determine whether PON1 genotype and/or PON1 activity levels influence the capacity of PON1 to …

Christine De Pizan's Metaphoric Womb, Tina-Marie Ranalli

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

As a medieval woman writer, Christine de Pizan (ca. 1364-1430) was in an unusual position which necessitated not only that she establish her authority as a vernacular writer, like her male counterparts, but also that she find a way to reconcile her scholarly activity with her sex. In the Livre de la cité des dames, Christine finds a unique solution to her problem of authority and identity. It is my contention that in this work Christine presents an ingeniously crafted and multifaceted metaphor of the development of human life in the womb, what I term her “womb metaphor.” The Cité …

“The Reputation Of The Queen And Public Opinion: The Case Of Isabeau Of Bavaria”, Tracy Adams, Glenn Rechtschaffen

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

This essay takes issue with a still common tendency to read contemporary criticisms of powerful women as straightforward evidence of their “unpopularity,” using as a cast study Isabeau of Bavaria (1371-1435), who was generally imagined to have suffered the scorn of her contemporaries. In part one of the essay we argue that the two sources that scholars have relied upon prove not that public opinion turned against Isabeau in 1405-1406, but only that her political enemy Jean of Burgundy was planting negative propaganda about her in hopes of damaging her reputation during those years. In part two we consider whether …

When Did We Become Post/Human? Postmedieval: A Journal Of Medieval Cultural Studies., Angela Jane Weisl

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Renaissance Earwitnesses: Rumor And Early Modern Masculinity By Keith M. Botelho., Celia M. Lewis

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Pastoral Counseling And Missional Formation: Recovering The Healing Ministry Of The Church, David Pillar

Leaven

No abstract provided.