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Killing For Possession And Killing For Survival: Gender And The Criminal Law Of Provocation And Self-Defense, Danielle Rosiejka

Student Works

No abstract provided.

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Not The New Pornographers: Protecting Sexting Teens From Overzealous Prosecutors And Themselves, Jenna R. Minor

Student Works

No abstract provided.

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Localization Of Proteins Involved In Trafficking In Frog And Mouse Retina, Amie Marsh

All ETDs from UAB

The connecting cilium serves as the major route for protein transport from the inner to outer segment of photoreceptor cells. The hypothesis that all Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) rhodopsin mutants travel properly to the rod outer segment in Xenopus laevis will be tested by preparing transgenic X. laevis expressing a rhodopsin mutation found in human CSNB, A295V. In addition, probing for the existence of potential proteins involved in regulating rhodopsin trafficking and monitoring their localization will contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathway of intracellular photoreceptor trafficking.

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Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar

All ETDs from UAB

Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in United States. An ideal treatment for lipid-mediated inflammatory disorders would not only reduce plasma cholesterol dramatically but also improve high density lipoproteins (HDL) function. Apolipoprotein E (apo E), a protein component of HDL and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), is necessary for the receptor mediated hepatic uptake of apolipoprotein-B (apo B) containing remnant lipoproteins and also possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that a synthetic dual domain apo E mimetic peptide, Ac-hE18A-NH2 (a 28-residue peptide) containing receptor binding …

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Berry G. Jackson, Alias Berry Clyatt: Murder Witness And Murderer, Jessica Eileen Parker Newman

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the life of an escaped slave named Berry G. Jackson, alias Berry Clyatt. Jackson was born approximately 1851 in Levy County, Florida, on the Samuel Clyatt plantation. Jackson's is a success story of how a teenage slave escaped his young master, boarded a Union steamer, and served in the Civil War. After the war, Jackson claimed to have met General Ulysses S. Grant in Washington, D.C. and received encouragement to continue north where Grant hoped he would become a farmer. Jackson ended up owning several properties and ultimately possessed 21 acres with a farmhouse in Gates, New …

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The Role Of Primary Cilia In Articular Cartilage And Growth Plate, Ching-Fang Chang

All ETDs from UAB

Primary cilia are now considered an important organelle required for many key steps during developmental processes including skeletal development. Articular cartilage and growth plate are two cartilage compartments whose functions are important postnatally. Articular cartilage is a think cartilage layer which serves as a cushion to protect the joint space, whereas growth plate is important for postnatal long bone growth. Both articular cartilage and growth plate need to be developed properly to ensure the normal bone function. Here, we show an important role of primary cilia in development of both articular cartilage and growth plate using genetic modified mouse model …

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Neuropharmacology Of The Α2a Adrenergic Receptor In Disorders Of Mood And Cognition, Christopher Cottingham

All ETDs from UAB

Depressive disorders carry relatively high lifetime risks of greater than 10%, and the antidepressant drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of these mood/cognitive disorders are among the most-prescribed pharmacological agents. However, a detailed understanding of both depressive etiology and the pharmacological mechanisms of action for antidepressant drugs remain elusive. The overall goal of this dissertation research is to provide novel in-sights through a detailed study of the neuropharmacology of the α2A adrenergic receptor (AR). α2ARs, as key regulators of noradrenergic neurotransmission, have been broadly understood to have some ill-defined role in both the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of depressive disorders. The studies …

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The Conformational Analysis And Biophysical Studies Of Retinoic Acid Interactions With Nuclear Receptor Homodimers And Heterodimers, Bryan Dean Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Vitamin A metabolites are compounds that perform critical functions for mammalian life. The retinoic acid metabolites of vitamin A regulate genetic transcription. Retinoic acids function by binding to type II nuclear receptor proteins (NRs), which modulates interactions between nuclear receptors and transcription initiation machinery (such as coactivator proteins). It is the focus of this dissertation to expand our understanding of retinoic acids in their interactions with the nuclear receptor protein Retinoid X Receptor alpha (RXR&alpha). Retinoic acids are composed of a trimethylcyclohexenyl ring, polyene chain, and terminal carboxylic acid. The first chapter investigates the energetics of the ring-chain conformation using …

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Adhesion Molecule Interactions Influence The Implementation Of Immune Responses To Infection, Maureen Ann Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Interactions mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) enhance both the antigenic and cytokine signals that CD8 T cells perceive, and these interactions have been suggested to be required for the formation of memory CD8 T cells. Following acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of ICAM-1-/- mice, we observe elevated numbers of "effector-phenotype" (CD127lo KLRG-1hi IL-2-) virus-specific CD8 T cells well into the memory phase, while the development of memory-phenotype CD8 T cells (CD127hi KLRG-1lo IL-2 producing) is not impaired. The enhanced maintenance of effector-phenotype cells is due to ICAM-1 deficiency on non-T cell subsets, suggesting a role for ICAM-1 mediated …

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Modulation Of Alpha-Synuclein Metabolism And Toxicity By Cathepsin D, Donna Marlana Crabtree

All ETDs from UAB

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most commonly occurring neurodegenerative movement disorder, and aberrant accumulation of the protein α-synuclein is thought to be a major contributing factor in disease development. Dysfunction of the autophagy lysosome pathway (ALP) has been implicated in PD pathogenesis. Our lab and others have shown that the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D (CD) is an important regulator of α-synuclein degradation. The primary focus of this thesis is probing the structure/function dynamic that exists between α-synuclein and CD. We have found that lentiviral-mediated over expression of wild type CD (wtCD) leads to subtle alterations in the ALP in a …

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Regulation Of Clc-3 In Human Malignant Glioma, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah

All ETDs from UAB

Malignant gliomas are the most common and deadly form of primary brain cancer afflicting adults. Current treatment regimens, including surgical debulking, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have limited efficacy, and median patient survival remains only 14 months. Therefore, novel therapies must target different aspects of glioma biology. Two of the most striking features of this cancer are the unusual ability of glioma cells to robustly proliferate and migrate in the brain, and recent evidence suggests that ClC-3, a voltage-gated Cl- channel/transporter is implicated in both of these processes. We hypothesize that ClC-3 may facilitate proliferation and migration by promoting hydrodynamic shape and …

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Glutamate Release And Uptake At Cerebellar Synapses, Ming-Chi Tsai

All ETDs from UAB

Glutamate mediates excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Regulation of glutamate release and uptake shapes the spatiotemporal dynamics of glutamate at and around synapses to influence information transfer between neural cells. This dissertation focuses on the modulation of glutamate release and uptake at excitatory synapses of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC). In the first project we show that differential expression of PC glutamate transporters controls the amount of glutamate entering the extrasynaptic space, thereby influencing the excitatory responses in surrounding Bergmann glia. This work provides the first evidence that neuronal glutamate uptake affects glial glutamatergic signaling. In the …

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The Effect Of Environmental Ozone Exposure On The Postnatal Lung, Katherine Leah Tuggle Stringer

All ETDs from UAB

In the U.S., approximately 37 million children reside in geographic locales that experience unhealthy ozone levels. This population is of great concern as they are undergoing active lung growth and cellular differentiation which may alter their susceptibility to inhaled toxicants. Epidemiological and animal studies indicate that early life ozone exposure results in altered lung development, potentially facilitating predisposition to chronic pulmonary conditions in adulthood. The goal of this dissertation was to evaluate short and long-term effects of ozone exposure in the developing lung. The first study evaluated acute effects of ozone exposure in the postnatal and adult lung. The results …

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Three Dimensional Comparison Of Facial Morphology Of A Caucasian American Population And A Native Brazilian Population, William N. Turner

All ETDs from UAB

The aim of this study was to assess the use of 3-dimensional facial averages in determining facial morphologic differences in a Caucasian North American population and a native Brazilian population. Methods and Materials: Three-dimensional images were acquired through a commercially available stereo-photogrammetric camera system (The 3dMDfaceTM system). A total of 200 images from two population groups (Caucasian American and Native Brazilian) were taken. Each image was acquired as a facial mesh and orientated along a triangulated axis. All facial images were overlaid and superimposed, using Rapid Form 6 software to create a composite facial average of one man and one …

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Processing And Evaluation Of Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Plates For Internal Fixation, Paul Benjamin Warren

All ETDs from UAB

The metallic plates used in internal fracture fixation may have up to ten times the elastic modulus of normal bone tissue, causing stress shielding-induced osteopenia in healed bone that can lead to re-fracture after plate removal and prolonged and painful recovery. Thermoplastic polymer matrix composites reinforced with long carbon fiber are promising alternative materials for internal fixation plates because they may be produced with relative ease and be tailored to have specific mechanical properties, alleviating the stress shielding problem. Long carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (LCF PEEK) plates were produced using the extrusion / compression molding process. Static flexural testing determined that …

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"The Soul To Feel The Flesh, And The Flesh To Feel The Chain": The Anticipation Of Nietzsche's Apollonian And Dionysian Duality In The Works Of The Brontës, Holly Watson

All ETDs from UAB

From their earliest reception, the works of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily Brontë have been met with hostility and confusion as a result of their deviation from the standards adopted by a majority of their contemporaries. While the works of the three sisters are anomalous within the context of their peers, both reader and critic alike have observed the similarities that exist among the family of works. As a result of their departure from societal norms, the Brontës have been recognized for their harshness and apparent rebellion; however, they were neither concerned with complete social upheaval, nor were they opposed to …

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Biochemical And Cellular Mechanisms For The Antineoplastic Properties Of Sulindac, Jason Derek Whitt

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac has displayed the ability to inhibit the proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and to increase the sensitivity of multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cells to a wide variety of chemotherapeutic agents. The antineoplastic activity of sulindac has been attributed to inhibition of the prostaglandin producing enzyme COX-2, but the exact mechanism remains elusive and the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis can result in gastrointestinal, hepatic, and cardiovascular toxicities. Enzymatic, cellular, and imaging assays were used to identify mechanisms that could contribute to the antiproliferative and apoptotic activity of sulindac. Screening of more than 500 …

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Evaluating The Efficacy Of Computer Social Skills Game In Improving The Social-Emotional Development Of Head Start Children, Trista Perez

All ETDs from UAB

The preschool years are an important time for cognitive and social development. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are often subject to difficulties in social-emotional competence. Head Start programs have a goal of improving social-emotional development of children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Social skills interventions teach fundamental social skills. FaceSayTM, a computer-based intervention teaches skills such as eye gaze and face processing with a goal of improving face and emotion recognition. FaceSayTM performance was not predictive of post intervention face and emotion recognition. Based on the results, cognitive scores predicted increased face recognition scores post intervention; however, the assignment to FaceSayTM …

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Objects Of Worship Based On The Lotus Sutra: The Gohonzon By Nichiren, Linda S. Wallinder-Pierini

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OBJECTS OF WORSHIP BASED ON THE LOTUS SUTRA: THE GOHONZON BY NICHIREN LINDA WALLINDER-PIERINI DEPARTMENT OF ART AND ART HISTORY ABSTRACT This thesis follows the emergence and transformation of the moji-mandala (written with characters), the Gohonzon created by the Japanese monk Nichiren (1222-1282) and considered sacred to followers of the Japanese Buddhist Nichiren sect. In the context of Nichiren Buddhism, the Gohonzon refers specifically to a hanging paper scroll inscribed in Chinese characters with the words Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, a mantra that derives from the Hokke-kyo, or Lotus Sutra. In Japanese usage, Nichiren's Gohonzon is an object of devotion …

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Development Of Electrospun Bone-Mimetic Matrices For Bone Regenerative Applications, Matthew Christopher Phipps

All ETDs from UAB

Although bone has a dramatic capacity for regeneration, certain injuries and procedures present defects that are unable to heal properly, requiring surgical intervention to induce and support osteoregeneration. Our research group has hypothesized that the development of a biodegradable material that mimics the natural composition and architecture of bone extracellular matrix has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit to these patients. Utilizing a process known as electrospinning, our lab has developed a bone-mimetic matrix (BMM) consisting of composite nanofibers of the mechanically sta-ble polymer polycaprolactone (PCL), and the natural bone matrix molecules type-I colla-gen and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (HA). We herein …

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Regulation Of Paps Synthetase 2 By Tranforming Growth Factor-Beta And Its Role In The Maintenance Of Mouse Articular Cartilage, Girish Ramaswamy

All ETDs from UAB

Articular cartilage is a special type of hyaline cartilage present at the end of long bones and facilitates smooth functioning of joints and transfer of load. While most cartilage elements in the body are transient, articular cartilage is permanent and functions throughout life. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint degenerative disease and the leading cause of disability in the industrialized world. A multitude of factors including aging, orthopedic trauma, genetics etc. have been associated with OA. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a multifunctional polypeptide which plays an important role in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Previously, mice with …

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Evaluating The Reproductive Ecology Of The Diamondback Terrapin In Alabama Salt Marshes: Implications For The Recovery Of A Depleted Species, Taylor Matthew Roberge

All ETDs from UAB

The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) was once an abundant and economically important species in the salt marshes of Alabama. A variety of threats have impacted this species over the past century, resulting in a drastic decline in the population. Diamondback terrapins are currently considered a "priority one species (highest conservation concern)" in Alabama. The largest nesting aggregation documented to date in Alabama is on the 1.8 km long shell-hash nesting beach bordering the western edge of Cedar Point Marsh (CPM). The current studies address several aspects of the reproductive ecology of the diamondback terrapin in Alabama. Nesting beach surveys were …

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Taboo: A Novel, George Sawaya

All ETDs from UAB

TABOO is a novel aimed at capturing the hardships of contemporary American society, especially its youth. The ongoing financial crisis of the early 2000s takes its toll on nearly every American. Budding, college educated youths find themselves somewhat disenfranchised in modern America. TABOO, through its hard-luck protagonist Conrad Kemp and his struggle to make a living as a freelance journalist in New York City, considers aspects of freedom in an ailing America. So too, the novel focuses on ephemeral freedoms, or temporary escapes, most of which are not always publicly palatable. Our taboo activities, sexual or innocent, provide a sense …

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Antiphagocytic Factors Of Mycoplasma Pulmonis, Brandon Michael Shaw

All ETDs from UAB

Mycoplasma pulmonis is a murine respiratory pathogen and is used as a model for studying chronic mycoplasmal respiratory disease. This organism has been used by many in vivo and in vitro studies to gain a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions in chronic respiratory infection. Studies have shown that alveolar macrophages play an important role in the removal of this pathogen from the host. Given that M. pulmonis is able to produce a chronic disease state, this organism should produce antiphagocytic factors that aid in avoidance of killing by alveolar macrophages. The Vsa proteins are involved in the avoidance of killing …

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Interdisciplinary Doctoral Student Socialization, Susan K. Gardner, Jessica S. Jansujwicz, Karen Hutchins, Brittany Cline, Vanessa R. Levesque

Faculty Publications

Interdisciplinary research and education are a growing emphasis in United States institutions of higher education but relatively little is known about the doctoral students engaged in these atypical programs. The purpose of this study was to understand the socialization process of 18 students involved in a large-scale, federally funded, interdisciplinary research project focused on sustainability at one university. Using Weidman, Twale, and Stein’s framework of graduate student socialization, themes emerged related to (a) their distinctive characteristics and cultures, (b) the learning process, (c) balance, (d) uncertainty, and (d) support. Recommendations for policy and practice are included.

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Evaluating The Efficacy Of Radiofrequency Amplitude-Modulated Electromagnetic Fields As A Novel Treatment For Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Jacquelyn Winifred Zimmerman

All ETDs from UAB

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in the US is dramatically increasing. Five-year survival has remained 3-5% for the past several decades, demonstrating urgent need for additional therapies. Intrabuccal administration of amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment modality. Clinical evidence demonstrates this treatment approach elicits therapeutic responses in cancer patients. In vitro we have described a phenotype in HCC cells following RF EMF exposure that included proliferative inhibition, modulation of gene expression, and disruption of the mitotic spindle. This phenotype was specific for HCC cells exposed to HCC-specific RF EMF. We have demonstrated similar efficacy in …

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Grace Like Snow, Jessica Lowe

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

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Efficacy Of A Novel Molecular Tool In Silencing Arabidopsis Genes, Chase Purnell, Vibha Srivastava, M. Aydin Akbudak, Scott J. Nicholson

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

RNA interference (RNAi), a pathway capable of silencing genes, has until recently only been achievable in the laboratory by the use of one method, expression of inverted repeat sequences of DNA. These constructs generate a double-stranded RNA, which in turn induce post-transcriptional silencing of other genes that bear sequence homology with the transgene. This approach of targeted gene silencing is extremely useful for studying the function of genes and engineering new traits in both plants and animals. It has recently been discovered that a transgene lacking the polyadenylation signal, called a truncated transgene, is also capable of inducing RNAi in …

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International Pen Pals Engaging In A Transformational Early Childhood Project, Marcie Hill

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to utilize an international pen pal project to enact transformation education by enabling students to gain a stronger respect for cultural diversity and changing students' perceptions of a diverse culture. A total of 39 sixth grade students, 16 second grade students, and two teachers participated in this study. One sixth grade teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia and one second grade teacher in north Alabama were participants and served as collaborative member checkers. Limited literature exists on the topic of pen pal writing between children who live in different nations with the goal …

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Structural And Molecular Studies Of Nucleic Acid Chaperones, Lei Ding

All ETDs from UAB

Nucleic acids are the storage of genetic information that needs to be expressed and inherited. As abundant cellular macromolecules they are also major players of a wide variety of biological processes. They usually undergo post-transcriptional modifications and/or fold into higher order structures in order to accomplish their distinct functions. Most biological events involving nucleic acids are achieved by proteins that interact with them. The functionality requires specific recognition of nucleic acids by proteins at molecular level. Nucleic acid chaperones are a group of nucleic acids binding proteins that associate with structured RNAs or DNAs and assist correct folding of their …

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Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Killing For Possession And Killing For Survival: Gender And The Criminal Law Of Provocation And Self-Defense, Danielle Rosiejka

Student Works

Not The New Pornographers: Protecting Sexting Teens From Overzealous Prosecutors And Themselves, Jenna R. Minor

Student Works

Localization Of Proteins Involved In Trafficking In Frog And Mouse Retina, Amie Marsh

All ETDs from UAB

Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar

All ETDs from UAB

Berry G. Jackson, Alias Berry Clyatt: Murder Witness And Murderer, Jessica Eileen Parker Newman

All ETDs from UAB

The Role Of Primary Cilia In Articular Cartilage And Growth Plate, Ching-Fang Chang

All ETDs from UAB

Neuropharmacology Of The Α2a Adrenergic Receptor In Disorders Of Mood And Cognition, Christopher Cottingham

All ETDs from UAB

The Conformational Analysis And Biophysical Studies Of Retinoic Acid Interactions With Nuclear Receptor Homodimers And Heterodimers, Bryan Dean Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Adhesion Molecule Interactions Influence The Implementation Of Immune Responses To Infection, Maureen Ann Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Modulation Of Alpha-Synuclein Metabolism And Toxicity By Cathepsin D, Donna Marlana Crabtree

All ETDs from UAB

Regulation Of Clc-3 In Human Malignant Glioma, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah

All ETDs from UAB

Glutamate Release And Uptake At Cerebellar Synapses, Ming-Chi Tsai

All ETDs from UAB

The Effect Of Environmental Ozone Exposure On The Postnatal Lung, Katherine Leah Tuggle Stringer

All ETDs from UAB

Three Dimensional Comparison Of Facial Morphology Of A Caucasian American Population And A Native Brazilian Population, William N. Turner

All ETDs from UAB

Processing And Evaluation Of Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Plates For Internal Fixation, Paul Benjamin Warren

All ETDs from UAB

"The Soul To Feel The Flesh, And The Flesh To Feel The Chain": The Anticipation Of Nietzsche's Apollonian And Dionysian Duality In The Works Of The Brontës, Holly Watson

All ETDs from UAB

Biochemical And Cellular Mechanisms For The Antineoplastic Properties Of Sulindac, Jason Derek Whitt

All ETDs from UAB

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Computer Social Skills Game In Improving The Social-Emotional Development Of Head Start Children, Trista Perez

All ETDs from UAB

Objects Of Worship Based On The Lotus Sutra: The Gohonzon By Nichiren, Linda S. Wallinder-Pierini

All ETDs from UAB

Development Of Electrospun Bone-Mimetic Matrices For Bone Regenerative Applications, Matthew Christopher Phipps

All ETDs from UAB

Regulation Of Paps Synthetase 2 By Tranforming Growth Factor-Beta And Its Role In The Maintenance Of Mouse Articular Cartilage, Girish Ramaswamy

All ETDs from UAB

Evaluating The Reproductive Ecology Of The Diamondback Terrapin In Alabama Salt Marshes: Implications For The Recovery Of A Depleted Species, Taylor Matthew Roberge

All ETDs from UAB

Taboo: A Novel, George Sawaya

All ETDs from UAB

Antiphagocytic Factors Of Mycoplasma Pulmonis, Brandon Michael Shaw

All ETDs from UAB

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Student Socialization, Susan K. Gardner, Jessica S. Jansujwicz, Karen Hutchins, Brittany Cline, Vanessa R. Levesque

Faculty Publications

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Radiofrequency Amplitude-Modulated Electromagnetic Fields As A Novel Treatment For Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Jacquelyn Winifred Zimmerman

All ETDs from UAB

Grace Like Snow, Jessica Lowe

Honors Capstones

Efficacy Of A Novel Molecular Tool In Silencing Arabidopsis Genes, Chase Purnell, Vibha Srivastava, M. Aydin Akbudak, Scott J. Nicholson

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

International Pen Pals Engaging In A Transformational Early Childhood Project, Marcie Hill

All ETDs from UAB

Structural And Molecular Studies Of Nucleic Acid Chaperones, Lei Ding

All ETDs from UAB