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Fuel Dynamics In Southern Pine Beetle-Killed Stands And Their Implication To Fire Behavior, Jennifer Evans

All Theses

The increase in both southern pine beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm) outbreak and wildfire occurrence in recent decades has resulted in a growing concern regarding possible interactions. Few studies have quantified fuel characteristics of SPB-killed stands, and none has studied the dynamics of this fuel complex over time. Moreover, how changes in these fuels affect fire behavior remains unknown. To address this lack of empirical data, field measurements and modeling were combined to study fuel dynamics and potential fire behavior within control and post-outbreak loblolly pine-dominated forest stands across a chronosequence ranging from 0 to 8 years since outbreak. Fuels …

Considerations For Creating A Believable Creature For The Short Film Li Fe, Matthew Prestridge

All Theses

This thesis illuminates the specific methods undertaken to achieve of a realistic computer-animated creature that consumes light and dwells in a cave. The animation short, Li Fe, contains seven such creatures whose anatomy required various production techniques to achieve a believable appearance appealing to viewers in a strong way. In most animations all areas of production need to be optimized for fast rendering as well as easily adaptable to change. The modeling, texturing, shading and lighting methods for Li Fe underwent such optimization to achieve a truly believable creature. The look of the creatures was made possible by relying on …

Assessing Maasai Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Vultures: A Case Study Of Resident Maasai Around Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya., Eric Reson

All Theses

The vulture population is declining globally, a situation that is more acute in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya where studies report over 60% decline in the last few years, resulting primarily from loss of habitat and poisoning by the Maasai pastoralist. This rate of decline is devastating and will result in the extinction of vultures in the region. Given that the causes of the decline are as a result of detrimental human activities, it is important to understand the Maasai attitude and perception toward vultures, particularly factors that determine their behavior to favor or oppose vulture conservation. In this …

Novel Data As A Source For Assessing Breeding Phenology Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) In South Carolina, David Stone

All Theses

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) breeding phenology varies temporally throughout the species' range and is critical to population management and hunter enjoyment. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) demographic and reproductive data, collected primarily from 1970-1992, suggest that 81.86% of conceptions in the Coastal Plain occur between 6 October and 16 November. However, current data regarding conception dates are lacking for a variety of reasons including the current absence of check stations and the use of hunter surveys as the primary means of data collection. To more closely examine recent characteristics of the white-tailed deer breeding season phenology, we …

Lead And Cadmium In Seabirds Of South Africa, Carly Summers

All Theses

Levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were investigated as potential stressors in adult African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in the Western Cape Province, South Africa and in nine species of breeding seabirds on Marion Island, South Africa. Seabirds are sentinels of environmental pollution and allow researchers to study contaminant dynamics in marine ecosystems. Many seabirds occupy high trophic positions, which gives them the potential to highlight threats to other apex predators from environmental pollutants. They also accumulate contaminants in higher concentrations because of their greater size and lifespan than may be detectable in lower trophic organisms. Blood samples were collected …

The Role Of Early Head Start In School Readiness, Meron Habtu

All Theses

This thesis considers the relationship between participation in Early Head Start programs and school readiness for children from low-income families. The work uses longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Research and Evaluation (EHSRE) project that followed 3001 families in 17 Early Head Start Centers from 1996-2010. In the project, data was collected about children's school readiness in three phases: 0-3 years, Pre-K and fifth grade.
In the sample data set, families were randomly assigned to either a treatment group of Early Head Start participants or a control group. Empirical analysis was conducted that compares the test scores of the treatment …

Selenium Removal In Nutrient-Amended Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetland Treatment Systems, Peter Van Heest

All Theses

ABSTRACT
In a year-long study, pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment systems (CWTSs) targeted removal of selenium (Se) from a simulated impaired water through dissimilatory Se reduction. Effects of temperature and precipitation on the treatment of Se in the CWTSs were investigated. The experimental design consisted of CWTSs amended with a fermented yeast product (AquaSmartTM, Diamond V¨, Cedar Rapids, IA), which served as a nutrient source for Se-reducing bacteria, at mass loadings of 1.75, 3.5, 5.25, 7, and 8.75 mg/min. The 5 µg/L treatment goal for CWTS outflow concentration was measured in 69 of 378 samples taken from all CWTSs. Of the …

Developing Value-Added Peptide Antioxidants From Rendering Products, Xiaoting Xing

All Theses

Synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Vitamin E and ethoxyquin, have been commonly added to formulated animal feeds in order to delay discoloration and deterioration due to oxidation. However, these synthetic antioxidants have been limited in their applications as food additives because of potential health hazards. Specifically, synthetic antioxidants have been considered to be linked to various forms of cancer, most commonly kidney, liver and bladder cancer. In this work, value-added peptide antioxidants from rendering products were developed for use in potential aquaculture and pet food markets as natural antioxidant substitutes for synthetic antioxidants. The antioxidant …

The Influence Of Dissolved Organic Carbon And Surface Chemistry On The Toxicity Of Silver Nanoparticles In Daphnia Magna, Kim Newton

All Theses

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are by far the most extensively used nanomaterial in general consumer products. Concurrent with this use is the major concern regarding the toxicity of AgNPs to aquatic organisms. The most persistent question regarding the toxicity of AgNPs is whether this toxicity is due to the nanoparticles (NPs) themselves or the ions they release. Two primary factors influencing the aquatic toxicity of AgNPs are the surface coating, which presumably controls the release of Ag+, and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of the media, which serves as a source for ligands to bind the Ag+ and reduce bioavailability to …

Functionalized Nanoparticles As Removable Coatings For Reverse Osmosis Membranes, Megan Smith

All Theses

Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination is increasingly used to produce potable water throughout the world. Despite their promising abilities, membrane filtration processes are limited by fouling. Fouling is a broad term for organics, inorganics, colloids and organisms that interact physically, chemically, or biologically with the membrane surface, resulting in reduced flux and shortened membrane lifespan. There is potential to create a snakeskin-like barrier between the membrane and foulants by electrostatically binding a coating material to the membrane that can be released by pH manipulation, removing foulants in the process. The feasibility of using functionalized nanoparticles as removable adsorptive coatings on RO …

Oral Delivery Of Peptide Drugs For Mitigation Of Crohn's Disease, Paul Blichmann

All Theses

Protein drugs are typically administered intravenously, but this practice has clear disadvantages such as widespread circulation and swift clearance from the body. Orally delivered protein drugs are not yet available but potentially offer improved distribution, retention, and activity by use of protective matrices and cell-specific targeting. Much work has been done on delayed release formulations for the upper intestine, but there has not been overwhelming evidence of protection of peptides from gastric conditions. In many instances the large intestine may be a better release target due to lower proteolytic activity. Afflictions of the colon such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and …

Fantasies And Illusions: On Liberty, Order, And Free Markets, Bernard E. Harcourt

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Points Of Stasis And Exchange: A Return To The Economic Model Of The Mind, Jamieson Webster

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Money As Measure, David Gray Carlson

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Ectopic Assembly Of Heterochromatin In Drosophila Melanogaster Triggered By Transposable Elements, Monica Sentmanat, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Biology Faculty Research

A persistent question in biology is how cis-acting sequence elements influence trans-acting factors and the local chromatin environment to modulate gene expression. We reported previously that the DNA transposon 1360 can enhance silencing of a reporter in a heterochromatic domain of Drosophila melanogaster. We have now generated a collection of variegating phiC31 landing-pad insertion lines containing 1360 and a heat-shock protein 70 (hsp70)-driven white reporter to explore the mechanism of 1360-sensitive silencing. Many 1360-sensitive sites were identified, some in apparently euchromatic domains, although all are close to heterochromatic masses. One such site (line 1198; insertion near the base of chromosome …

Risk Perception Among Sexually Abused Female Adolescents, Andrea M. Jones

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous research investigating risk recognition in female victims of child sexual abuse has focused on college-aged women and young adults to the exclusion of adolescent females, who are just entering the stage where dating and sexual relationships are becoming important. Research with college-aged women and young adults has demonstrated that women with a history of child sexual abuse are less likely to detect risk cues in social environments. Understanding how adolescents perceive risky situations is important in preventing the trajectory from child sexual abuse to later adult victimization. It also is important to understand deficits in risk perception across a …

Color-Blind: The Effects Of A Reporter's Race On Framing, Gregory A. Cranmer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous literature has established the widespread use of frames that contrast athletes' physical (i.e., the "brawn" frame) and mental abilities (i.e., the "brain" frame) in mediated sports content, especially in verbal commentary. An athlete's race has been extensively studied as a key variable that determines which frames are implemented by media institutions, as Black athletes are framed in the brawn frame and White athletes are framed in the brain frame. The current study analyzed the presence, salience, and valence of brawn and brain frames of Heisman finalists in newspaper articles. This study extended previous research by examining (a) written content, …

Physicochemical Properties Of Alaska Pollock (Theragra Chalcogramma) Surimi Seafood Nutrified With Powdered Cellulose Fiber And Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Alicia Debusca

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Surimi is minced deboned fish meat that has been washed of lipids, sarcoplasmic proteins, and other impurities. Surimi seafood, also known as "imitation crabmeat", is widely enjoyed in the United States; however, it is not currently nutrified with fiber, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and salt substitute. In the present study, preliminary experimentation was done to determine the optimal level of fiber addition. Powdered cellulose was added to Alaska Pollock surimi gels at levels of 0% (control), 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% fiber. The objectives of this initial study were to determine effect of dietary fiber on 1) color and textural …

C-Peptide Improves Hyperglycemia-Induced Endothelial Redox Balance By Preventing Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress And Enhancing Nadph Synthesis, Himani Vejandla

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

C-peptide, a by-product of insulin biosynthesis, has been shown to ameliorate diabetes-induced renal impairment. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this protective benefit remain unclear. Our studies have shown that C-peptide improved renal peritubular capillary blood flow and reduced vascular oxidants. NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), appears to be critical to this effect via the actions of numerous vasoprotective systems. Further, our experiments in type I diabetic mice resulted in a significant reduction in renal endothelial NADPH that is subsequently restored with C-peptide. We hypothesized that C-peptide provides protection to renal cortical endothelial cells during type I diabetes by restoring the …

Estimation Of Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Diets Using Fatty Acid Signature Analysis, Edward J. Mcginley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Accurate estimates of diets are essential for the management of fisheries, especially when this information is used to construct food webs for a system. Traditionally, these studies have relied on examining the stomachs contents through direct observation of sacrificed fish, or using instruments to "flush" the items from the stomach. These methods only provide information on the recent feeding history. Fatty acid analysis is a biochemical technique that offers promise for examining diets in fish over a longer time scale than just the last few prey species consumed. The goal of this dissertation was to examine the feasibility and efficacy …

A Survey Of Effects Of International Trade On Growth, Maria H. Ramjerdi

Department of Economics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

For many centuries economist simply upgrades Riccardian models and argued that free trade based on comparative advantage and according to geographical distribution of factors of production and specialization leads to efficient use of resources and increases world production frontier a “win-win” situation.While according to liberal economist trade liberalization creates faster growth there are economists who proclaimed that countries become more dependent on foreign resources which control process domestic growth and development.Recent models incorporate economies of scale, imperfect competition, R&D and assume that trade liberalization determine the geographical location of industries therefore gain from trade (Helpman and Krugman, 1985). …

Institutional Data Book 2011-2012, University Of Minnesota, Morris Office Of Institutional Research

Campus Documents and Reports

No abstract provided.

Diversity, Networks And Performance: An Empirical Analysis Of Metropolitan Planning Organizations In The United States, Yujin Choi

Public Administration - Dissertations

Achieving network performance is a vital goal in response to the increase of inter-organizational networks public organizations involve. The primary aim of this research is to examine the factors that predict performance in public management networks by disentangling the idea that collaboration requires both diversity and unity. Drawing upon diversity theories, social capital theory and management literature as theoretical lenses, this dissertation serves to investigate the following questions:

1. What is the collaborative decision-making process in inter-organizational networks?

2. How does social capital mediate the relationship between network member diversity and performance?

3. How does network management strategy moderate the …

Utilization Of Corn Condensed Distillers’ Solubles And Forages In Management Systems For The Cow-Calf Enterprise, Jason M. Warner

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Of the annual expenses necessary to maintain a beef cow, feed and forage are the greatest and most variable. Thus, nutrition programs for cow-calf operations must be developed using economical feedstuffs that optimize cowherd performance. The corn dry-milling industry provides several feedstuffs that are often the most economical sources of energy and protein, but considerations for storage and handling are necessary. Two experiments evaluated an alternative form of storing corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS) by applying to grass hay windrows before baling. Round bales were treated with either 0 or 20% (Exp. 1); or 0, 16, and 32% (Exp. 2) …

Find The Cost Of Freedom: The State Of Wrongful Conviction Compensation Statutes Across The Country And The Strange Legal Odyssey Of Timothy Atkins, Justice Brooks, Alexander Simpson

San Diego Law Review

Although compensation statutes like California’s have admirable goals, Tim Atkins’s case fell through some substantial cracks that prompted the Authors to write this Article. As two of the many lawyers who have worked on Tim’s case over the years, it has been an incredibly frustrating journey to see him denied compensation after all that has been done to prove his innocence. California’s statute is flawed and is being misinterpreted, just as other compensation statutes are flawed and misinterpreted around the country. This Article looks at those statutes and contextualizes the problems using Tim’s legal odyssey as a framework. Specifically, this …

Shape Memory Assisted Self Healing (Smash) Polymeric And Composite Systems, Erika D. Rodriguez

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Dissertations

My research aims to develop a novel approach that uses the shape memory (SM) effect to aid self healing (SH) polymeric systems that are able to simultaneously close and re-bond cracks with a single thermal stimulus. This new concept is termed shape memory assisted self healing (SMASH). Additionally, a new type of shape memory termed reversible plasticity shape memory (RPSM) was also developed where both the elastic and plastic deformation found after deformation completely recover upon a thermal stimulation. I aim to utilize a broad range of polymeric and composite systems that include a single phase semi-crystalline system, a single …

Business Exits And Reentry: Demand And Supply Explanations Of Entrepreneur Career Choices, Sharon Alicia Simmons

Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises - Dissertations

This dissertation is a compilation thesis consisting of three research studies on the normative and personal expectations that influence entrepreneurial engagement subsequent to business exits. Collectively, the three studies provide insights into how and when variances between performance expectations and actual business outcomes shift the demand and supply of different groups of experienced entrepreneurs. On the demand side, I theorize and empirically examine variances in acts and modes of entrepreneurial engagement that correlate to informal (stigma of business failure, masculine norms) and formal (regulatory environment) institutional contexts. On the supply side, I develop propositions about cognitive aspects of business exits …

Impact Of Macular Pigment On Visual Performance, James Loughman, Peter Davison, John Nolan, Stephen Beatty

Articles

PURPOSE. To investigate changes in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual performance following supplementation with different macular carotenoid formulations. METHODS. Thirty-six subjects (19 male, 17 female; mean 6 SD, age 51 6 13 years) were recruited into this single-masked placebo-controlled study, and were randomly assigned to one of the following three intervention (supplementation) groups: (1) group 1 (20 mg lutein [L] and 2 mg zeaxanthin [Z]); (2) group 2 (10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]); and group 3 (placebo). Outcomes measures included visual performance and MPOD response. Data were collected at baseline, at 3 …

Clinical Applicability Of The Macular Degeneration Detection Device (Mdd-2): A Novel Photostress Recovery Measurement Device, James Loughman, Ciara Hewitt, Claire Judge, Louise Martin, Claire Moulds, Peter Davison

Articles

Background: Diseases affecting the macula, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and central serous retinopathy can result in impaired photostress recovery time (PSRT) despite normal visual acuity and fundoscopic appearance. The MDD-2 Macular Degeneration Detection Device is a novel flash photostress recovery device. In this study, we examine the repeatability of the MDD-2 in a normal population and its suitability for incorporation into routine clinical practice. Methods: One hundred (60 female) subjects (mean age 35+-8 years; range 18 to 66 years) were recruited to partake in this study. The photostress recovery time was measured using the MDD-2 on …

Distorting The Process Of Scientific Inquiry, Richard L. Hutto

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.