Digital Commons Network^™

Gabaergic Dysfunction In Huntington Disease, Sarah Elizabeth Dougherty

All ETDs from UAB

GABAergic neurons are responsible for regulation of neuronal signaling through inhibition. Alterations in the delicate balance of excitation and inhibition have been observed in many neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by motor, psychiatric, and cognitive disturbances. As the hallmark movement pathology of HD is hyperkinesis it is intriguing to postulate that alterations in inhibition, and by extension within GABAergic cell networks, could be part of the pathogenesis of this disorder. In order to elucidate the role of GABAergic cell populations in HD we have used behavioral paradigms, molecular …

Characterization Of The Interactions Of Calmodulin With Fas And Death Receptor-5, And Determine The Role Of Calmodulin - Death Receptor-5 Binding In Disc Formation In Breast Cancer., Romone Markel Fancy

All ETDs from UAB

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. Calmodulin (CaM) is involved in regulating breast cancer growth, proliferation, and transformation to malignancy. CaM has been shown to play a role in regulating Fas and DR-5 mediated apoptosis. The Fas receptor apoptotic pathway has been well characterized in cholangiocarcinoma; however, targeting Fas for anti-cancer therapy has shown hepatotoxicity in vivo. Thus, in vitro studies with breast cancer will focus on the DR-5 mediated apoptotic pathway. Targeting DR-5 to regulate breast cancer apoptosis is a promising strategy for breast cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanism of Fas and DR-5 interaction with …

Studies On Distracted Driving: Three Papers Examining The State Of The Literature And The Impact Of Texting Restrictions On Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Fatalities And Hospitalizations, Alva Oletia Ferdinand

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT This three-paper dissertation addresses gaps in the literature focused on distracted driving and the impact of regulations aimed at reducing its prevalence. With the widespread proliferation of mobile phone usage and more sophisticated in-vehicle entertainment and information systems, it is now commonplace for drivers to engage in non-driving activities (also referred to as "secondary tasks") while driving. It is widely believed that distracted driving is positively related to motor vehicle crashes and other undesirable driving outcomes. This dissertation specifically focuses on three topics: (1) the nature of the distracted driving literature given the numerous secondary tasks, driving performance outcomes, …

Oral Language Development In Title I Preschools In Central Alabama: A Multi-Case Study, Suzanne O'Rear Snow

All ETDs from UAB

Among risk factors associated with reading difficulties, underdeveloped oral language skills can be detrimental to students' reading success. Many educators are teaching early reading skills without prior knowledge of scaffolding methods and developmentally appropriate developmentally appropriate factors from research (Kirkland & Patterson, 2005). This multi-case study examined aspects of how five preschool personnel developed oral language development in two Titles I preschool by answering the following questions: How do preschool teachers and paraprofessionals describe the ways in which oral language development is developed in a preschool setting? The research sub-questions included were: Two Title I schools were purposefully chosen for …

The Role Of Gadd45b In Hippocampus-Dependent Cognition, Synaptic Plasticity And Activity-Associated Transcriptional Dynamics, Faraz Sultan

All ETDs from UAB

An expanding body of literature argues for a pivotal role of molecular epigenetic mechanisms in memory. Defined as mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the absence of DNA sequence modifications, these regulate various stages of memory-associated transcription. These phenomena are present at diverse anatomical subregions of the central nervous system (CNS) and regulate corresponding behaviors. Epigenetic mechanisms comprise a unique category of behavioral and physiological modulators because of their potential to modify the cellular phenotype in a stable manner. Hence, epigenetics offers a novel potential solution to a central paradox in memory retention: the finding that most putative molecular substrates …

Lightweight Data Location Services For Exascale Storage Systems, Zhiwei Sun

All ETDs from UAB

In order to satisfy the storage demands of Exascale computing by 2018 (a stated goal of the US government and the HPC research community), a number of Exascale storage systems have begun to be designed and explored to facilitate application checkpointing and parallel file storage. Nondeterministic storage systems (which weaken the assumptions of Terascale and Petascale predecessors) can provide useful capabilities that are difficult to implement in today's parallel file systems, such as high-performance writes, dynamic load-balancing, enriched flexibility of moving data and creating replicas, and potentially other features. However, locating data and reading data back from nondeterministic storage systems …

Engaging The Homeless Through Technology And Information Literacy, Fannie Cox

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The University of Louisville (U of L) Libraries' outreach mission is to encourage the development of information literacy (IL) and critical thinking in individuals. In March 2010, a community engagement partnership began between Ekstrom Library and the Wayside Christian Mission for the libraries to provide a basic computer skills class to its clients (referred to as students), many of whom had never used a computer. Now in its fourth iteration, the class named Wayside 100 provides students an opportunity to develop skills that may assist them with increasing their educational level, succeeding in college, as well as overcoming homelessness.

Mid - Infrared Solid State Lasers For Spectroscopic Applications, Yuri Terekhov

All ETDs from UAB

This work is devoted to study of novel high power middle-infrared (Mid-IR) laser sources enabling development of portable platform for sensing of organic molecules with the use of recently discovered Quartz Enhanced Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS). The ability to detect small concentrations is beneficial to monitor atmosphere pollution as well for biomedical applications such as analysis of human breath to detect earlier stages of cancer or virus activities. A QEPAS technique using a quartz tuning fork (QTF) as a detector enables a strong enhancement of measured signal when pump laser is modulated with a frequency coinciding with a natural frequency …

Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery From The Citronelle Oil Field And Carbon Sequestration In The Donovan Sand, Southwest Alabama, Konstantinos A. Theodorou

All ETDs from UAB

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from stationary sources and injecting it into deep underground geologic formations has been identified as a viable method for reducing carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Sedimentary rocks, such as sandstones overlain by shales or evaporites, are the preferred formations because their morphology and structure provide pore space, and containment for the long term storage of CO2. Sandstone formations have also served as repositories to migrating hydrocarbons, and are the sites of many oil recovery operations. For many depleted oil reservoirs, secondary waterflooding recovery methods are no longer efficient or economically viable, hence the application of tertiary …

An Investigation Of Trem-Like Transcript 2 Expression, Kimberly Anne Thomas

All ETDs from UAB

Acute inflammation is a necessary component for the clearance of pathogens. Cells at the site of infection utilize highly conserved receptors to both recognize microbes and induce the production of pro-inflammatory stimuli. These stimuli set off a chain reaction that includes localized vasodilation, leukocyte infiltration, and tissue destruction, collectively known as inflammation. Tightly controlled, this process is protective, and can compartmentalize the damage to a defined area, but when dysregulated can be catastrophic, inducing chronic inflammation and even death. Families of innate receptors can modulate inflammatory processes, and in doing so, increase or decrease their severity, as well as tailor …

Role Of Kca3.1, A Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel, In Cell Migration In The Adult Brain, Kathryn L. Turner

All ETDs from UAB

A limited amount of migration occurs in the adult brain, including migration of neuroblasts during adult neurogenesis and pathological migration of primary brain tumors. Ion channels are commonly utilized during migration to allow shape and volume changes required for cell movement, and we specifically examine the role of KCa3.1 in the adult brain. These channels are well-suited to facilitate movement because they respond to common migration signals, i.e. intracellular Ca2+ changes, and efflux K+, allowing the outflow of water and cell volume regulation. Our findings suggest that KCa3.1 is highly expressed in migratory cells, adult neuroblasts and glioma cells, but …

Neutropenia And Progenitor Cell Mobilization In Ap3-B1 Mutant Pearl Mice, Matthew Vallejo

All ETDs from UAB

Mutations in the AP3-ß1 gene are known to cause Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 2 (HPS2) in humans and canine cyclic hematopoiesis (CH) in gray collie dogs. HPS2 patients have severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), and dogs have cyclic neutropenia (CN). The mechanism behind neutropenia is uncertain. Pearl mice have an AP3-ß1 mutation, but whether they actually have neutropenia has not yet been evaluated. This dissertation presents a discussion of the evaluation of neutropenia in pearl mice, hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization defect in pearl mice and finally an evaluation of methods of dog-to-mouse xenotransplantation to establish a xenotransplant model of the dog hematopoietic …

The Impact Of Fine Sensor Spacing On Complex Tissue Impedance Spectra Measurements In Rabbit Ventricular Epicardium, Charlotte Mae Kent Waits

All ETDs from UAB

Our research group recently developed an instrumentation and signal processing approach that overcomes many of the obstacles associated with using small sensors to complete complex composite impedance (uCI) measurements, whose amplitude and phase depend upon the tissue's resistive and capacitive properties. The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of using smaller electrodes with finer separations than sizes traditionally employed in cardiac electrophysiologic studies with whole hearts to resolve uCI spectra in terms of magnitude (|uCI|) and phase (

The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker

All ETDs from UAB

pcpA is under control of the Mn 2-dependent repressor PsaR. In the high manganese environment of mucosal sites pcpA gene expression is repressed and at the low manganese environment of the lung and blood derepression of pcpA gene expressionis observed. Previous data has shown that immunization of mice with rPcpA elicits protection against pneumonia and sepsis but had no effect on nasal colonization. We and others have shown that pcpA expression significantly enhances adherence of pneumococci to lung epithelial cell lines and although it is a virulence factor for pneumonia in mice there is no biologically relevant role for PcpA …

Synthesis Of Ph-Responsive Multilayer Hydrogels And Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, Yun Wang

All ETDs from UAB

The research presented in this thesis is focused at the design and fabrication of pH-responsive layer-by-layer (LbL) hydrogels and the synthesis of the ABA block copolymer poly(2-methyloxazoline)-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(2-methyl-oxazoline) (PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PMOXA). Ultrathin stimuli-responsive layer-by-layer hydrogels, as compared to bulk hydrogels, can respond to external stimuli in a short time range (usually within seconds) which renders them particularly useful in sensing. Moreover, layer-by-layer technique allows the hydrogel film to be deposited with controlled thickness growth. However, the fabrication of LbL hydrogels with controllable cross-linking density and swelling degree still remains challenging. In chapter two, novel pH-sensitive LbL hydrogels based on poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) were …

Age Cohorts And Emotional Attachment To Mobile Phones, Amanda Warr

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Mobile phones have become integral to the way people communicate. Although mobile phone ownership is nearing saturation in the United States, use patterns differ among age cohorts. Another difference is the degree to which members of different age cohorts depend on their mobile phones. I explore emotional attachment to mobile phones and how it differs by age cohorts. Using data from a national survey of U.S. adults, I examine whether cohorts differ in attachment to their mobile phones, even when controlling for diversity of technology use. The results illustrate that there are important differences in attachment to mobile phones …

Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton

All ETDs from UAB

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus which can potentially cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Although a serious threat, current treatments are largely ineffective at reducing morbidity and mortality. To this end, we have characterized a monoclonal antibody generated against Group B Streptococci, type Ib, which also recognizes Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and hyphae. We show that this antibody appears to bind a similar epitope on both pathogens and provides a significant degree of protection in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis via a mechanism that appears to be dependent on complement. The studies we performed using this antibody should …

Hur Regulation In Central Nervous System Disorders, Crystal G. Wheeler

All ETDs from UAB

In inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes play a major role in the systemic response to disease by either enhancing or limiting the inflammatory response through secretion of growth factors or cytokines. HuR RNA binding protein regulates many genes involved in inflammation. Inflammatory diseases such as brain tumors, Amylotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), have been linked to HuR, by our laboratory and others. To determine whether astrocytic overexpression of HuR would regulate inflammation in diseases of the CNS, we designed a transgenic mouse in which the HuR gene is overexpressed. In the first study, …

Visible Learning In A Reggio Emilia Inspired Kindergarten: Parents' Descriptions Of Documentation, Melissa Gibbons Whetstone

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative study was to reveal multiple perspectives and thoughts of seven parents and a family member in a Reggio Emilia inspired kindergarten classroom in a southeastern state of the United States regarding pedagogical documentation, an essential tool for teaching practice and reflection. It served to make knowledge construction visible through children's interpretive concrete work. Throughout the study, pedagogical documentation was defined as both a learning process as well as the products of early childhood content. The content were concrete materials in the form of notes, photographs, audio and video recordings, computer graphics, and examples of children's …

Powering The Tap Dry: Regulatory Alternatives For The Energy-Water Nexus, Amy Hardberger

Faculty Articles

Water and energy are indivisibly linked and interwoven into every aspect of our culture and lifestyle. Large quantities of water are required to generate energy, and energy is required at all stages of the water supply process. Population growth and corresponding demand create significant community consequences including energy blackouts and water shortages. In order to help avoid these unintended consequences, appropriate planning must be done on the local, state, and federal level.

A critical first step in achieving better sustainability is understanding the quantifying relationship between energy and water. This relationship needs to be recognized by both the power and …

Line Up, Line Up: Using Technology To Align And Enhance Peer Learning And Assessment In A Student Centred Foundation Organic Chemistry Module., Barry Ryan

Articles

This paper describes how three technologies were utilised in combination to align student learning and assessment as part of a case study. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) were central to all these 10 technologies. The peer learning technologies; Personal Response Devices (a.k.a. Clickers) and PeerWise (http://peerwise.cs.auckland.ac.nz), were implemented to achieve scaffolded, self-directed independent learning by the students which aligned to the assessment methodology through creating, analysing, answering and discussing multiple choice questions. Personal response devices enhanced in-class activity involvement, whilst PeerWise provided structure and support for independent student learning through 15 defined outside class activities. An associated technology, online MCQs hosted …

A Walk Down The Red Carpet: Students As Producers Of Digital Video-Based Knowledge., Barry Ryan

Articles

Disengaged and apathetic students are common in many undergraduate classrooms. Learning to these students is a passive process, typified by a consumer-like attitude. One approach to engage students, and enhance the learning experience, is to integrate active learning into the curriculum. The purpose of the pedagogical evaluative study described here was to investigate if student researched, designed and created digital video could act as a viable reusable peer learning resource. Although the use and integration of technology was central to the scope of this project, other ideas such as threshold concepts, the requirement for both active and authentic social constructivist …

Raman Spectroscopy In Nanomedicine: Current Status And Future Perspectives, Hugh Byrne, Mark Keating

Articles

Raman spectroscopy is a branch of vibration spectroscopy which is capable of probing the chemical composition of materials. Recent advances in Raman microscopy have added significantly to the range of applications which now extend from medical diagnostics to exploring interfaces between biological organisms and nanomaterials. In this review, Raman is introduced in a general context, highlighting some of the areas in which the technique has found success in the past, as well as some of the potential benefits it offers over other analytical modalities. The subset of Raman techniques which specifically probe the nanoscale, namely Surface Enhanced and Tip Enhanced …

The Bio-Nano-Interface In Predicting Nanoparticle Fate And Behaviour In Living Organisms: Towards Grouping And Categorising Nanomaterials And Ensuring Nanosafety By Design, Hugh Byrne, Arti Ahluwalia, Diana Boraschi,, Bengt Fadeel, Peter Gehr, Arno C. Gutleb, Michaela Kendall, Manthos Papadopoulos, Iseult Lynch

Articles

In biological media, nanoparticles acquire a coating of biomolecules (proteins, lipids, polysaccharides) from their surroundings, which reduces their surface energy and confers a biological identity to the particles. This adsorbed layer is the interface between the nanomaterial and living systems and therefore plays a significant role in determining the fate and behaviour of the nanoparticles. This review summarises the state of the art in terms of understanding the bio-nano interface and provides direction for potential future research directions and some recommendations for future priorities and strategies to support the safe implementation of nanotechnologies. The central premise is that nanomaterials must …

Electric Field Standing Wave Effects In Ft-Ir Transflection Spectra Of Biological Tissue Sections: Simulated Models Of Experimental Variability, Tomasz P. Wrobel, Barbara Wajnchold, Hugh Byrne, Malgorzata Baranska

Articles

The so-called electric field standing wave effect (EFSW) has recently been demonstrated to significantly distort FT-IR spectra acquired in a transflection mode, both experimentally and in simulated models, bringing into question the appropriateness of the technique for sample characterization, particularly in the field of spectroscopy of biological materials. The predicted effects are most notable in the regime where the sample thickness is comparable to the source wavelength. In this work, the model is extended to sample thicknesses more representative of biological tissue sections and to include typical experimental factors which are demonstrated to reduce the predicted effects. These include integration …

Occupational Noise Exposure In Amplified Music Venues In Leinster; An Exploratory Risk Analysis., Aoife Kelly

Doctoral

Due to transposition of the EU Directive 2003/10/EC into Irish Law, the entertainment sector was obligated to comply with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Chapter 1 Part 5: Control of Noise at Work since February 2008. Despite this, there is a lack of baseline data on the adoption and appreciation of these regulations within the sector. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory risk analysis of occupational noise exposure in nightclubs and examine the application of occupational noise legislation in this industry.

Noise risk assessments were conducted in …

She's A Brick House: August Wilson And The Stereotypes Of Black Womanhood, Amelia Tatum Grabowski

Student Publications

In his Century Cycle of plays, August Wilson tells ten distinct stories of families in or linked to the Hill District, an African American community in Pittsburgh; one play taking place in each decade of the twentieth century. Through these plays, Wilson's audience sees the Hill District and America evolve, while prejudice, oppression, and poverty remain constant. Many scholars argue that sexism provides a fourth common factor, asserting that Wilson portrays the female characters in the male-fantasized, stereotypical roles of the Mammy or the Jezebel figure, rather as realistic, empowered, and complex women. However, close examination of the women with …

The Future Of Gene Patents And The Implications For Medicine, Jacob S. Sherkow, Henry Greely

Other Publications

The Supreme Court decision in Myriad Genetics struck down the patenting of human genomic DNA. What will this mean for genetic testing and medicine, more broadly?

Towards A New Democratic Africa: The African Charter On Democracy, Elections And Governance, Stacy-Ann Elvy

Other Publications

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (“ADC”) recently entered into force on February 15, 2012. The main goal of the ADC is the encouragement and promotion of democracy and human rights on the African continent. The ADC is the first binding regional instrument adopted by member states of the African Union (“AU”) that attempts to comprehensively address all of the elements necessary for the establishment of liberal democracies. The ADC also contains a number of expansive provisions regarding unconstitutional changes of government. For instance, the ADC is the first legal instrument adopted by member states of the AU …

Understanding Presence, Affordance And The Time/Space Dimensions For Language Learning In Virtual Worlds, Susanna Nocchi, Françoise Blin

Articles

Notwithstanding their potential for novel approaches to language teaching and learning, Virtual Worlds (VWs) present numerous technological and pedagogical challenges that require new paradigms if the language learning experience and outcomes are to be successful. In this presentation, we argue that the notions of presence and affordance, together with the time/space dimensions of interactions in virtual worlds (e.g. Bakhtin’s (1981) chronotope, Foucault’s (1984) heteropia, and Lemke’s (2000) heterochrony), provide new insights into language learners’ trajectories as they attempt to carry out tasks that are designed to make use of virtual worlds’ characteristics and potentialities. We explore and analyse a critical …