Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions And Expectations Of Residence Halls, Christopher M. Hardin

Masters Theses

The study examined perceptions of the residence halls, how those changed over the course of the first semester living in a residence hall, and how the residence halls were meeting the needs of the students. The experimenter utilized the past literature of Arthur Chickering and Linda Reisser (1993) regarding vectors of student development and the work on human needs written by Abraham Maslow (1943). Nine undergraduate students were randomly chosen during orientation days and interviewed about their perceptions of campus. Two follow-up interviews occurred to examine how perceptions changed over the course of a semester. Participants initially expressed concern with …

Parasites Of Invasive Carp And Native Fish In The Wabash River, Justin Wilcox

Masters Theses

Although the majority of introduced non-native species fail to establish, proliferate and spread to the point of causing observable damage, there are a significant minority that achieve biological successes far beyond what they do in their native ranges. Parasites and pathogens are theorized to play an important role in determining the outcome of invasions by non-native species, both as potential mediators of the population growth of invasive species and as invasive species themselves. This study examines and compares the abundance and species richness of digestive tract helminths in native and non-native fish of the lower Wabash River, a single waterpool …

Studies Of The Structural Boundaries Of Solid-State Photodimerization Reactions Via Isocoumarins And Heteromeric Assemblies, Mihiri S. Weerasinghe

Masters Theses

The study of molecules in crystals has gained considerable attention in the field of structural chemistry. Much interest has focused on the use of molecular crystals for the construction of materials with specific functional properties. Because the design of such materials requires a critical understanding of intermolecular interactions, use of the building-block approach continues to offer an important strategy to multimolecular frameworks. Though the use of template and metal-ligand interactions has provided successful opportunities to organize chemical reactions in solids, these methods require secondary molecules and are limited to achiral starting materials. As such, exploring chiral synthesis with simplified precursors …

Dietary Ecology Of An Actively-Foraging Snake Species: Coluber Constrictor Foxii, Corissa Pauline Lennon

Masters Theses

The trophic niche width of a species varies depending on the foraging strategy employed by the individuals within a population. Among reptiles, the niche breadth of many species of snakes is relatively understudied. Within this clade, the genus Coluber includes wide-ranging, actively foraging snakes that have been historically labeled as dietary generalists. The dietary information on Blue Racers (Coluber constrictor foxii) is limited, and little is known about ontogenetic or seasonal differences in the prey species consumed. Additionally, this information is available from gut and fecal content only. In addition to obtaining gut and fecal contents, I employed stable isotope …

Coordination And Symbolic Convergence At The Candles Holocaust Museum And Education Center, Jessica Mcdonald

Masters Theses

Using Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) and Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT), this study examines the ways in which meaning is managed between the messages of the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center and the visitors of the museum. The research shows that the museum and the museum visitors work together in order to create an overall rhetorical vision of the museum's main message, both within the museum space and beyond. Using the metaphor of conversation, this study demonstrates the three ways through which the museum and its visitors achieve the rhetorical vision: historical conversation, personal conversation, and residual conversation. In …

Perceptions Of International Orientation, Payge Schagemann-Jones

Masters Theses

Using qualitative methodology, the researcher analyzed the perspectives of students attending a mandatory Office of International Students and Scholars, sponsored orientation. One week after classes started, four international students and one observer were interviewed on their perceptions regarding the orientation. Themes such as cultural adjustment, understanding professors, prejudice and discrimination, academic advising, and structured entry were presented.

Effectiveness Of Diversity Training: A Mixed Methods Approach To Evaluating A Residence Life Staff Training Program, Alex Dresen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Self-Compassion As A Mediator Between Coping Styles And Psychopathology, Yamini Bellare

Masters Theses

Self-compassion helps an individual to respond to suffering or pain with mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindness. It has been identified as a protective factor, which promotes physical and mental health. Self-compassion was examined as a potential mediator in the relationship between coping strategies and psychopathology. A literature review of the existing research on self-compassion and its links with specific coping strategies, depression and anxiety is presented. Findings indicate that self-compassion partially mediates the relationship between avoidance-oriented coping and social-anxiety. Self-compassion also was associated with lower levels of psychopathology and avoidance-oriented coping and higher use of adaptive problem-focused coping. The probable …

Influence Of Institution Type On Self-Regulated Learning Strategies In First Generation College Students, Alex Spalding

Masters Theses

Researchers have investigated the factors related to academic success among first-generation college students (FGS), students the U.S. Government's Educational Opportunities Program defines as those with neither parent having completed a 4-year college degree by the time the student has entered college (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2005). Recent explanations of FGS' academic performance point to the complex relationships among the unique attributes that FGS bring to college, the characteristics of the academic institutions in which they are enrolled, and the use of self-regulated learning (SRL) practices in college students.

The current study explored the relationship between the institution type and …

Montessori Principles: Do Montessori Parents Understand Their Significance And Apply Them To Their Family Lives?, Cody Davis Sanantonio

Masters Theses

This study was designed to offer insight to Montessori educators regarding the grasp that parents who choose Montessori for their children possess of the basic Montessori principles. These principles, which are applied in Montessori schools around the world each day, serve as the underpinning of Montessori philosophy, and since parents are the most significant teachers in their children's lives, it makes sense that parents are working in harmony with the guiding principles of their children's schools. Montessori schools have enjoyed a long history of serving children and families, and have often maintained waiting lists of prospective families who want the …

The Effects Of Chemical Treatment And Light Exposure On Pah Concentrations In Biochar, Fathima Nadheesha Muhammed Khalid

Masters Theses

A series of experiments quantifying extractable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in biochar before and after various treatments were conducted. The analytical approach included solvent extraction of PAHs with toluene, further isolation and column cleanup before gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The treatment methods include exposing biochar samples to sunlight and UV radiation with and without additives and reacting with hydrogen peroxide.

Two biochar samples from the Eastern Illinois University bench-type gasifier and commercial biochar were analyzed. Analyzing of three biochar types revealed that plant biochar has lower total PAH concentration than wood (W) biochar or wood and plant (giant …

Morphometric Study Of Variation In The Genus Galeopsis (Lamiaceae), Michael T. Hughes

Masters Theses

The genus Galeopsis L. of the family Lamiaceae, also known as hemp-nettle, grows naturally in Europe and Asia, with four species naturalized in North America. The number of real species is in doubt, because of conflict over whether certain taxa are species, subspecies, or synonyms. The genus consists of five to eight taxa. I studied flower and leaf size ratios to clarify the distinctions of taxa in Galeopsis. These data were analyzed statistically, using cluster analysis, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that although some measurements, such as leaf width in G. angustifolia, …

Effects Of Yoga On Caregiver Stress And Feelings Towards Caregiving, Laura M. Castelon

Masters Theses

This research addressed the issues of caregiver stress and feelings towards caregiving. The following research questions were addressed: 1) Do caregivers who participate in yoga exercises feel less stress about their caregiving duties? 2) Do caregivers who participate in yoga view their caregiving duties as a more positive experience than caregivers who do not participate in yoga? 3) Is the relationship between stress level and positive feelings different between the yoga and non- yoga participants? A total of 21 participants had an equal chance of being selected to participate in either a yoga group or a non-yoga group. The subjects …

Short-Term Responses Of Fish Assemblages To Habitat Restoration In A Small Midwestern Stream, John Leon West

Masters Theses

Recent efforts to restore stream habitat have become a common practice, yet evaluations of biotic responses to these practices are not as common. I evaluated fish assemblage response to restoration in a reach of Kickapoo Creek, a fourth order stream southwest of Charleston, Illinois. Restoration included 446 meters of bank stabilization, pool scouring keys, and the creation of two artificial riffles. To have a representation of pre-restoration fish assemblages, I sampled four stream reaches of Kickapoo Creek twice before construction of habitat restoration: two control reaches (upstream and downstream) and two restored reaches within a 0.5 km restoration stretch (upstream …

Membrane Surface Charges Attracted Protons Are Not Relevant To Proton Motive Force, James Weifu Lee

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

[First Paragraph] Only a half-century ago, British scientist Peter Mitchell proposed the conceptual scheme known as "chemiosmotic theory" that identified the role of proton coupling in the formation of ATP in cells [1,2]. Mitchell's delocalized proton-coupling chemiosmotic theory was initially quite controversial. But it would win for him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1978. However, questions about Mitchell's chemiosmotic hypothesis have never gone away and a number of credible studies indicated the full extent of Mitchell's idea didn't always hold up to experience.

Suppression Of Chemically Induced And Spontaneous Mouse Oocyte Activation By Amp-Activated Protein Kinase, Ru Ya, Stephen M. Downs

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Oocyte activation is an important process triggered by fertilization that initiates embryonic development. However, parthenogenetic activation can occur either spontaneously or with chemical treatments. The LT/Sv mouse strain is genetically predisposed to spontaneous activation. LT oocytes have a cell cycle defect and are ovulated at the metaphase I stage instead of metaphase II. A thorough understanding of the female meiosis defects in this strain remains elusive. We have reported that AMP-activated protein kinase (PRKA) has an important role in stimulating meiotic resumption and promoting completion of meiosis I while suppressing premature parthenogenetic activation. Here we show that early activation of …

Characterization Of The Stability And Reactivity Of Mitoneet: A Novel Diabetes Drug Target, Morgan E. Roberts

Masters Theses

MitoNl:ET is a mitochondrial membrane protein discovered in 2004 as a binding partner of the antidiabetic drng pioglitazone. It is sold under the trade name Actos® and used to treat type-2 diabetes. The cellular function(s) of mitoNEET are unknown. Interestingly, the non-covalent homodimer contains two [2Fe-2SJ clusters that support possible functions as an electron-transport protein, an iron-sulfur transfer protein, a mediator in cellular respiration, and a redox-sensor. MitoNEl:T uniquely ligates the [2Fc- 2SJ cluster through a 3Cys-l His ligation. In this thesis, the optimization of the expression and purification of human mitoNEET is described. Possible binding partners were identified using …

Comparative Study Of Environmental Factors Influencing Motor Task Learning And Memory Retention In Sighted And Blind Crayfish, Sonya M. Bierbower, Zhanna P. Shuranova, Kert Viele, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

In classical conditioning, an alteration in response occurs when two stimuli are regularly paired in close succession. An area of particular research interest is classical conditioning with a chemical signal and visual and/or tactile stimuli as the unconditional stimuli, to test manipulative and motor behaviors in a learning paradigm. A classical learning task chamber was developed to examine learning trends in a sighted surface-dwelling crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, and in a blind cave-dwelling crayfish, Orconectes australis packardi. We examined whether learning is influenced by environmental factors and/or reliance on different primary sensory modalities. Crayfish were trained to manipulate a large, cumbersome …

Generalized Additive Models Used To Predict Species Abundance In The Gulf Of Mexico: An Ecosystem Modeling Tool, Michael Drexler, Cameron H. Ainsworth

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Spatially explicit ecosystem models of all types require an initial allocation of biomass, often in areas where fisheries independent abundance estimates do not exist. A generalized additive modelling (GAM) approach is used to describe the abundance of 40 species groups (i.e. functional groups) across the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) using a large fisheries independent data set (SEAMAP) and climate scale oceanographic conditions. Predictor variables included in the model are chlorophyll a, sediment type, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and depth. Despite the presence of a large number of zeros in the data, a single GAM using a negative binomial distribution was suitable …

Removal Of Cr(Iii) And Cu(Ii) Using Oly(2-Chloroaniline)/Polyvinylidenefluoride Composite Cation-Exchange Membranes By Donnan Dialysis, Esengül Kir, Sabri̇ye Perçi̇n Özkorucuklu, Tuğba Sardohan Köseoğlu, Esi̇n Karamizrak

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

P2ClAn/PVDF composite membranes were prepared utilizing cation-exchange groups in the PVDF (polyvinylidenefluoride) membrane matrix by casting method. The poly(2-chloroaniline) (P2ClAn) was chemically synthesized with different dopant anions such as o-aminobenzene sulfonic acid (ABS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). P2ClAn/PVDF membranes were extensively characterized for their surface morphology, thickness, ion-exchange capacity, SEM, AFM, and FTIR-ATR measurements. The SEM, AFM and FTIR-ATR pictures, comparing the original PVDF membrane support sheet to P2ClAn/PVDF composite membranes, indicate that the morphologies of the membranes are different. The membrane potential measurements were performed in various electrolyte solutions in order to observe the selectivity and stability of …

New Synthetic Methodology For Construction Of The 3,4-Dihydroquinolin-2-One Skeleton, Çağatay Dengi̇z, Meti̇n Balci

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

We hereby report a new method for preparation of 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(2H)-one starting from the methyl 2-(2-carboxyethyl)benzoic acid. The acid functionality, adjacent to the methylene, was regiospecifically converted to the desired methyl ester and the remaining acid functionality was transferred into acyl azide. Curtius rearrangement of acyl azide followed by trapping with aniline and alcohols provided the corresponding urea and urethane derivatives. Hydrolysis of methyl ester groups gave the acids. Ring closure in the presence of thionyl chloride resulted in the formation of the 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(2H)-one skeleton.

A One-Pot Strategy For Regioselective Synthesis Of 6-Aryl-3-Oxo-2,3-Dihydropyridazine-4-Carbohydrazides, Mehdi Rimaz, Hossein Mousavi

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 6-aryl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carbohydrazide derivatives was developed. The synthesis was achieved via one-pot multicomponent reaction of arylglyoxals, dialkylmalonates, and hydrazine hydrate in pyridine at room temperature. This procedure features high regioselectivity, generally good to excellent yields, the use of easily available starting materials, and operational simplicity. This chemistry provides an efficient and promising synthetic strategy for diversity-oriented construction of the 6-arylpyridazinone skeleton.

Exploring Distinct Binding Site Regions Of \Beta_2-Adrenergic Receptor Via Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Si̇bel Çakan, Ebru Demet Akdoğan

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

\beta_2-Adrenergic receptor (\beta_2AR) is a G protein- coupled receptor that is highly flexible and able to recognize a wide range of ligands through its conformational variations. Active and inactive conformations revealed by recent crystallographic experiments do not provide a complete dynamic picture of the receptor, especially in the binding site. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation through a residue-based coarse-grained model is used as an alternative and efficient method to explore a wider conformational search space. The system was composed of \beta_2AR embedded into a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine membrane bilayer with surrounding water. A total of 6 \mu s of simulation …

Asymmetric Synthesis Of \Alpha-(Heteroaryl)Alkylamines And \Alpha -Amino Acids Via Nucleophilic 1,2-Addition Of Lithiated Heterocycles To Aldehyde Samp-Hydrazones, Dieter Enders, Giuseppe Del Signore, Gerhard Raabe

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The asymmetric synthesis of \alpha-(heteroaryl)alkylamines was accomplished by employing a diastereoselective nucleophilic 1,2-addition of lithiated aromatic heterocycles to aldehyde SAMP-hydrazones, followed by BH_3 . THF or SmI_2 promoted removal of the chiral auxiliary. The CBz or benzoyl-protected amines were obtained in good yields (40\%--78\%) and excellent enantiomeric excesses (ee = 88\%--99\%). The methodology can be applied to the synthesis of highly enantioenriched \alpha-amino acids (ee = 90\%--99\%).

Dft Study Of Tautomerism In Aklavinone, Burhan Lemi̇ Türker

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Aklavinone has an anthraquinone-based chromophore and its backbone highly resembles the kernel of some anthracycline antibiotics that possess anticancer activity, e.g., daunomycin. Since aklavinone's structure possesses many --OH groups and 2 keto groups, it is quite probable that certain tautomeric equilibria may occur. Presently, aklavinone prototropic tautomers possessing embedded anthraquinone moiety have been investigated quantum chemically by using density functional theory at the levels of RB3LYP/6-31G(d) and RB3LYP/6-31G(d,p). Additionally, IR spectra of the tautomers were calculated. Moreover, the phenolate ions obtained from the most stable tautomer in water were considered, and the protonation of this tautomer at various possible sites …

Calixarene-Based Receptors For Molecular Recognition, Mustafa Yilmaz, Serkan Erdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Calixarene-based molecular receptors have been a widely developing area in material science and technology for the last few decades. Due to their bowl-shaped geometry, calixarene macrocycles are used as hosts allowing organic and inorganic guests to coordinate/sorb onto their cavity. This work briefly reviews the recent development of calixarenes.

Terpenoids, Essential Oil Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, And Biological Activities Of Anatolian Salvia Fruticosa Mill., Gülaçti Topçu, Mehmet Öztürk, Tuba Kuşman, Ayşe Asli Barla Demi̇rkoz, Ufuk Kolak, Ayhan Ulubelen

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The hexane and dichloromethane extracts, obtained by re-extraction of the methanol extract of Salvia fruticosa Mill., afforded 7 diterpenoids (carnosol, carnosic acid, carnosic acid 12-methyl ether, rosmadial, isorosmanol, ferruginol, and manool), 4 triterpenoids (\alpha -amyryltetracosanoate, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and erythrodiol), a steroid (3-acetylsitosterol), and a flavone (salvigenin). The galls (apples) of the collected plant were separately extracted with hexane to afford fatty acids composed mainly of oleic acid (29\%), palmitoleic acid (29\%), and stearic acid (23.20\%), which exhibited high anticholinesterase activity, particularly against BChE. The essential oil, obtained from the aerial parts of the plant, exhibited high AChE inhibitory …

Optimization Of A Gas Chromatography--Mass Spectrometry Method Using Chemometric Techniques For The Determination Of Ezetimibe In Human Plasma, Ebru Uçaktürk, Nuran Özaltin

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A new, rapid, and sensitive gas chromatography--mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed for the determination of ezetimibe (EZE) in human plasma. EZE was derivatized prior to GC-MS analysis. Various derivatization techniques such as acetylation, methylation, and silylation were tried. EZE was extracted from plasma with high recovery (94.39%--97.57%) using methyl tertbutyl ether and carbonate buffer (pH 9). Chromatographic conditions were optimized using chemometric methods. In the first step, optimization with factorial design, chromatographic variables (initial and final column temperature, oven ramp rate, and flow rate of gas) were screened to select important variables for the retention of EZE. In the …

Poly(4-Vinylpyridine)-Supported Dual Acidic Ionic Liquid: An Environmentally Friendly Heterogeneous Catalyst For The One-Pot Synthesis Of 4,4'-(Arylmethylene)Bis(3-Methyl-1-Phenyl-1h-Pyrazol-5-Ols), Kaveh Parvanak Boroujeni, Pegah Shojaei

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A poly(4-vinylpyridine)-supported Brønsted ionic liquid was easily prepared from its starting materials and used as a novel, highly efficient, and reusable heterogeneous catalytic system for the synthesis of 4,4'-(arylmethylene)bis(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ols) from the condensation reaction between aromatic aldehydes and 2 equivalents of 3-methyl-l-phenyl-5-pyrazolone.

Synthesis Of 3,4-Diaryl-1-Phenyl-4,5-Dihydro-1h-Pyrazole-5-Carbonitriles Via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions, Jayaroopa Prabhashankar, Vasanth Kumar Govindappa, Ajay Kumar Kariyappa

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Nitrile imines generated by the oxidative dehydrogenation of aromatic aldehyde phenylhydrazones with chloramine-T as a catalytic dehydrogenating agent were trapped in situ by 4-methoxy cinnamonitrile to afford 3,4-diaryl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-5-carbonitrile in moderate to good yields. The structures of the cycloadducts were confirmed by spectral studies and elemental analysis.