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Srs2 Prevents Rad51 Filament Formation By Repetitive Motion On Dna, Yupeng Qiu, Edwin Antony, Sultan Doganay, Hye Ran Koh, Timothy M. Lohman, Sua Myong

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Srs2 dismantles presynaptic Rad51 filaments and prevents its re-formation as an anti-recombinase. However, the molecular mechanism by which Srs2 accomplishes these tasks remains unclear. Here we report a single-molecule fluorescence study of the dynamics of Rad51 filament formation and its disruption by Srs2. Rad51 forms filaments on single-stranded DNA by sequential binding of primarily monomers and dimers in a 5′–3′ direction. One Rad51 molecule binds to three nucleotides, and six monomers are required to achieve a stable nucleation cluster. Srs2 exhibits ATP-dependent repetitive motion on single-stranded DNA and this activity prevents re-formation of the Rad51 filament. The same activity of …

The Ambivalence Of Science Fiction: Science Fiction, Neo-Imperialism, And The Ideology Of Modernity As Progress, Graham Hall

HIM 1990-2015

This thesis sets out to examine the relationship between science fiction and its conditions of production, specifically interrogating the genre's articulations of the ideology of modernity as progress. Sf has been characterized variously as a characteristically useful critical engagement with the ideologies of its context and as wholly ideological at the level of form, relying on the authority of a scientific episteme in its "cognitive estrangements," while not obligated to operate within the boundaries of this episteme. As such, the genre is unparalleled in its capacity to articulate ideologies under the guise of a putatively neutral science and reason. However, …

Save Now, Pay Later: The Unfortunate Reality Of Pliva V. Mensing, Fabian Nehrbass

Louisiana Law Review

The article offers information related to the supreme courts decisions in PLIVA v. Mensing court case. It mentions that the court has ruled that generic drug companies cannot be sued under state law over allegations that they failed to provide adequate labeling about side effects. It mentions that the case come before the court as court found that the U.S. Food and Drug administration's regulations require that the labeling on a generic drug should be identical to its brand drug counterpart.

Critical Parameters Of The Delivery In Ten Pin Bowling / Rizal Mohd Razman, Mohd Razman Rizal

Student Works (2010-2019)

This exploratory study examined the possible important parameters for high level bowlers in three main areas - physical attribute, kinematics and movement variability. Consideration of the 'critical' parameters was made by looking at the variables that best distinguished the elite from the semi-elite bowlers using the discriminant function analysis. The study had an applied perspective in terms of the applications of the results and findings. Elite and semielite bowlers were grouped by their bowling score average (BSave), with participants scoring 200 pin falls and above assigned to the elite group. A total of 18 elite bowlers (M=10, F=8; BSave 213.2±6.80), …

Optimization Of Aqueous Remazol Brilliant Blue R (Rbbr) Decolorization By Trametes Sp. Pellets In Fluidized Bed Biological Reactor (Fbbr) / Liza Ferina, Ferina Liza

Student Works (2010-2019)

Decolorization of synthetic dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) by Trametes sp. pellets in fluidized bed biological reactor (FBBR) was studied. Initially, the decolorization process was performed using shaken flasks which contained 100 ml of RBBR aqueous solution and fungal pellets. The process was followed for 48 hours and the decolorization was analyzed at a visible spectrum of 590 nm. Response surface methodology (RSM) employing Box Behnken design at three factors i.e. initial concentration of RBBR, mass of pellet and pH was used to optimize decolorization process in shaken flasks. As the result, initial dye concentration was found to be …

Visual And Linguistic Influences On Public Perceptions Of Swine Confinement, Arthur Leal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to analyze the visual and linguistic characteristics of online (YouTube) videos and electronic newspapers, identifying relationships with positive, negative, and neutral attitudes toward swine confinement.

This study followed a content analysis design. Two coders, trained to an acceptable level of agreement (κ = .68), examined online videos and electronic newspapers, assessing linguistic and visual images used in relation to attitudes toward swine confinement. A series of search terms deemed suitable for this study's objectives were employed in multiple search engines, and 48 articles and 157 videos were coded for content.

Results from this study showed that …

Exploring The Potential Relationship Between Mindfulness And Ratings Of Perceived Exertion., Scott Michael Hanneman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on an evolving, interdisciplinary area of research involving Exercise Science and Clinical Psychology. It investigated the relationship between the perception of present-moment exertion or effort during exercise and a concept called mindfulness. Exertion is commonly measured more objectively using physiological measures (e.g., heart rate) or more subjectively using self-rated Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Mindfulness is characterized as “present-moment, non-judgmental awareness,” or “living in the present.” Despite the acknowledged benefits of physical activity, many people find it burdensome, stressful, and emotionally taxing, especially when first starting an exercise program. Based upon previous research, it was hypothesized that …

Modeling Risk For The Development Of Child Anxiety : The Role Of Parent Emotion Socialization Practices, Children's Emotional Competence, And Physiological Responsiveness., Sarah Ramsey Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of child anxiety is high and anxiety disorders are often left untreated throughout childhood and adolescence. Many studies have focused on the role of parenting in understanding the development of anxiety during childhood. Given the importance of the parent-child relationship in a child's development of emotional competence, the role of the parent in facilitating their child's emotional development was proposed here to provide a more specific method of assessing the impact of parenting on risk for developing anxiety. Specifically, the current study hypothesized that parent emotion socialization would predict child emotional development. Further, the study sought to build …

Influence Of Lonicera Maackii On Leaf Litter Decomposition And Macroinvertebrate Communities In An Urban Stream., Catherine A. Fargen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lonicera maackii (amur honeysuckle) is an aggressive alien shrub that invades many habitats in the Eastern United States, including along streambanks. This study investigated the direct and indirect effects of L. maackii invasion on leaf litter decomposition in an urban stream by placing leaf litter packs of L. maackii and the native Acer saccharum (sugar maple) in stream segments invaded by or managed for L. maackii. We found L. maackii litter decomposed two times faster than native A. saccharum, and A. saccharum leaf litter supported a higher abundance of macroinvertebrates than L. maackii. Functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates were also …

Characterization Of Promoter Regions Of Parotid Gland Genes., Sara M. Perez 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Salivary secretion aids in digestion, host defense, and lubrication. Parotid salivary gland defects from Sjogren’s Syndrome affect more than one million Americans and cause dry mouth leading to oral disease. The Amylase 1 gene and the PSP gene are markers of parotid gland differentiation and indicate normal parotid gland function. Transcriptional activators of genes involved in parotid differentiation have not been characterized. HYPOTHESIS: Characterizing transcriptional activating sites in gene promoter regions will confirm upstream activating factors in bioinformatic network pathways. METHODS: Two promoter regions of mouse amylase 1 were identified using the ECR Browser, PCR amplified and ligated into …

Successful Aging And Creativity : An Investigation On Functional Status And Psychological Wellbeing In Older Adults, Mirie E. Levy

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objectives: While the literature supports the maintenance of functional status as integral to successful aging, the relationship of creativity on functional status has received little attention. Creativity has been associated with health and aging in the research but only a small number of studies have examined creativity interventions to enhance functional status and boost psychological wellbeing.

Methods: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used to investigate an 8-week creativity intervention on functional status and psychological wellbeing in older adults. Sample subjects were 92 men and women all over age 60. A series of two-way mixed ANOVAs measured differences between treatment and …

Fetal Programming And Later Obesity In A Predominantly Latino Wic Population, Eric George Walsh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: In utero stressors may work to program the metabolism of the developing fetus in such a way that predisposes him/her to obesity later on. Studies have shown that breastfeeding is protective against childhood obesity and suggest that after six months the weight gain in breastfed babies slows opposed to formula fed babies who continue with rapid weight gain. This slowing of weight gain has been shown to be protective against adiposity and later life weight gain.

Purpose: This study looks to further explore these findings in a low income Latino population adding mother’s feelings about the pregnancy and the …

Bayesian Statistical Methods In Gene-Environment And Gene-Gene Interaction Studies, Changlu Liu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Complex diseases such as cancer result from multiple genetic changes and environmental exposures. Due to the rapid development of genotyping and sequencing technologies, we are now able to more accurately assess causal effects of many genetic and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies have been able to localize many causal genetic variants predisposing to certain diseases. However, these studies only explain a small portion of variations in the heritability of diseases. More advanced statistical models are urgently needed to identify and characterize some additional genetic and environmental factors and their interactions, which will enable us to better understand the causes of …

Development Of Hif-1Α/Hif-1Β Heterodimerization Inhibitors Using A Novel Bioluminescence Reporter Assay System For In Vitro High Throughput Screening And In Vivo Imaging, Yun-Chen Chiang

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Tumor growth often outpaces its vascularization, leading to development of a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In response, an intracellular hypoxia survival pathway is initiated by heterodimerization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-1β, which subsequently upregulates the expression of several hypoxia-inducible genes, promotes cell survival and stimulates angiogenesis in the oxygen-deprived environment. Hypoxic tumor regions are often associated with resistance to various classes of radio- or chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, development of HIF-1α/β heterodimerization inhibitors may provide a novel approach to anti-cancer therapy. To this end, a novel approach for imaging HIF-1α/β heterodimerization in vitro and in vivo was developed in this study …

Targeted Deletion Of Functionally Validated Enhancers Defines Their Role In Mouse Limb Development, Mark J. Nolte

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Transcriptional enhancers are genomic DNA sequences that contain clustered transcription factor (TF) binding sites. When combinations of TFs bind to enhancer sequences they act together with basal transcriptional machinery to regulate the timing, location and quantity of gene transcription. Elucidating the genetic mechanisms responsible for differential gene expression, including the role of enhancers, during embryological and postnatal development is essential to an understanding of evolutionary processes and disease etiology. Numerous methods are in use to identify and characterize enhancers. Several high-throughput methods generate large datasets of enhancer sequences with putative roles in embryonic development. However, few enhancers have been deleted …

Unpacking The Temperament Weight Relationship: The Mediating Role Of Food Preferences, Sarah A. Berry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the mediating role of possible food preferences on the temperamentweight relationship among 18-month-old toddlers. Parents of 37 typically developing toddlers completed the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ). During a lab visit toddlers’ weight and recumbent length were measured and recorded. Toddlers also completed a sequential touching task to examine their ability to categorize a healthy group of foods and an unhealthy group of foods. The only temperament measure found to associate with both child weight status and food categorization was inhibitory control. Toddlers’ food categorization was not found to mediate the relationship between inhibitory control and …

The Relationship Of Stress Levels To Wellness Practices Among U.S. Radiologic Technology Program Directors, Jesse D. Pennington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this modified replication study is to examine the relationship between the stress levels and the wellness practices of U.S. radiologic technology program directors and to determine if correlations exist between wellness practices and stress levels of the group. Additionally, relaxation activities and the feelings, characteristics, and symptoms associated with stress were considered. The design of the study was ex post facto correlational. The population of the study was U.S. radiologic technology program directors working in JRCERT accredited programs. The electronic instrument was distributed to 635 program directors through e-mail, with 424 (66.7%) usable returns. Significant associations were …

Formulation And Evaluation Of A Novel Irrigant For The Disinfection Of Root Canals Using A Candida Albicans Biofilm Model, Dustin S. Reynolds

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An important goal of root canal therapy is elimination of microorganisms which are usually organized into a biofilm phenotype. Irrigants play an indispensable role in areas inaccessible to mechanical instrumentation. In this study, a novel endodontic irrigant was formulated composed of a penetrating solvent, 70% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), with a 1:1 molar ratio of an antibiotic (Clindamycin HCl) and antifungal agent (Nystatin). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) stability tests were conducted to prove the mixture was chemically stable. This study compared different concentrations of the novel irrigant to 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) using a C. albicans biofilm model. Furthermore, it …

Thrombospondin: An Emerging Keystone In Skeletal Muscle Structure And Function, Gerald Nelson Audet

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Our objective was to elucidate the effects of TSP-1 on skeletal muscle structure and function, and its potential role in the progression of skeletal muscle dysfunction. The central hypothesis was that TSP-1 is a critical negative regulator of skeletal muscle angiogenesis. In chapter 3, we used a TSP-1 mimetic delivered by mini osmotic pumps to show that TSP-1 can reduce capillarity across three distinct muscle types. We found that those given the mimetic had a 35% decrease in soleus capillarity, a 20% decrease in the gastrocnemius, and an 11% decrease in the plantaris. This confirmed the critical role that TSP-1 …

Examining Ohv User Displacement At The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: A Ten Year Trend Study, Candice J. Riley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use has become an increasingly popular form of recreation among users in national forest land in recent years. This increased use of OHVs on National Forest land has led to numerous environmental and social impacts, leading land managers to resort to restrictive management policies to contend with the impacts. The purpose of this research is to combine data from three cross-sectional surveys (2002, 2006, and 2011) to examine OHV user displacement and other trends at ODNRA/Sand Lake. This paper uses Descriptive statistics, Chi Square, Analysis of Variance, and Structural Equation Modeling to determine relationships between the following …

Development Of An Integrated Intelligent Multi -Objective Framework For Uav Trajectory Generation, Jennifer Nicole Wilburn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores a variety of path planning and trajectory generation schemes intended for small, fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Throughout this analysis, discrete and pose-based methods are investigated. Pose-based methods are the focus of this research due to their increased flexibility and typically lower computational overhead.;Path planning in 3 dimensions is also performed. The 3D Dubins methodology presented is an extension of a previously suggested approach and addresses both the mathematical formulation of the methodology, as well as an assessment of numerical issues encountered and the solutions implemented for these.;The main contribution of this thesis is a 3-dimensional clothoid trajectory …

Evaluation Of Cast Creep Occurring During Simulated Clubfoot Correction, Tamara L. Cohen, Haluk Altiok, Mei Wang, Linda M. Mcgrady, Joseph Krzak, Adam Graf, Sergey Tarima, Peter A. Smith, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The Ponseti method is a widely accepted and highly successful conservative treatment of pediatric clubfoot involving weekly manipulations and cast applications. Qualitative assessments have indicated the potential success of the technique with cast materials other than standard plaster of Paris. However, guidelines for clubfoot correction based on the mechanical response of these materials have yet to be investigated. The current study sought to characterize and compare the ability of three standard cast materials to maintain the Ponseti-corrected foot position by evaluating cast creep response. A dynamic cast testing device, built to model clubfoot correction, was wrapped in plaster of Paris, …

Exercise During Pregnancy: The Role Of Obstetric Providers, Linda E. May, Richard Suminski, Emily R. Linklater, Sara Jahnke, Alan Glaros

Faculty and Staff Publications

Context: Obstetric providers are logical choices for conveying information about physical activity to their pregnant patients. However, research regarding obstetric providers counseling pregnant patients about physical activity is sparse.

Objectives: To investigate the association between obstetric providers discussing exercise with their pregnant patients and patients' exercise behaviors and to explore factors related to obstetric providers discussing exercise and other health behaviors (tobacco use, alcohol use, and nutrition) with their patients.

Methods: We received completed surveys from 238 pregnant women and 31 obstetric providers at 12 obstetrician offices. The offices were located throughout the United States and were heterogeneous in regards …

Effects Of A Corn Root Defense Substance On Western Corn Rootworm Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte Larvae, Zixiao Zhao

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of hydroxamic acids, a group of corn root defense substances on western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larvae and identify putative molecular mechanisms for hydroxamic acid detoxification. Corn line 428G carries a homozygous mutant bx1 gene, which makes it unable to synthesis hydroxamic acids. In contrast, H88 is the wild type parental line of 428G and is able to synthesize hydroxamic acids. Larvae were fed on 428G and H88 roots for 7 days for comparison. No significant difference was observed in growth, development, or survival rate. A RNA-Sequencing …

Evaluating The Potential For Establishment Of Two Aquatic Invasive Plants In New Mexico, Constance Jones

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

The spread of invasive aquatic plants is an issue of growing concern due to their ability to cause significant negative impacts to the water resources and aquatic environment where they proliferate. The New Mexico Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, developed in response to this concern, identified Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (hydrilla), and Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. (water hyacinth) as potential invasive weeds in the state and called for identification of the waterbodies at risk of invasion in New Mexico. To accomplish this, the suitable habitats of hydrilla and water hyacinth in New Mexico were predicted using an ecological niche model, …

Identification Of A New Class Of Lipid Droplet-Associated Proteins In Plants, Patrick J. Horn, Christopher N. James, Satinder K. Gidda, Aruna Kilaru, John M. Dyer, Robert T. Mullen, John B. Ohlrogge, Kent D. Chapman

ETSU Faculty Works

Lipid droplets in plants (also known as oil bodies, lipid bodies, or oleosomes) are well characterized in seeds, and oleosins, the major proteins associated with their surface, were shown to be important for stabilizing lipid droplets during seed desiccation and rehydration. However, lipid droplets occur in essentially all plant cell types, many of which may not require oleosin-mediated stabilization. The proteins associated with the surface of nonseed lipid droplets, which are likely to influence the formation, stability, and turnover of this compartment, remain to be elucidated. Here, we have combined lipidomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic studies of avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp …

Frequency And Distribution Of Extended Diapause In Nebraska Populations Of Diabrotica Barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Ryan W. Geisert, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The frequency of extended diapause in populations of the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was measured in eastern Nebraska. Adult collections were made during late summer in 2008 and 2009 from eight sites each year (seven sites were consistent over years). Eggs were obtained from 12 to 20 females per site and were held on moist soil under appropriate temperature profiles to facilitate egg survival, diapause development, and diapause termination. Percentage egg hatch was recorded after the first and second year for the 2008 and 2009 collections. Additional extended diapause expression was estimated for the …

Science Fair: Is It Worth The Work? A Qualitative Study On Deaf Students' Perceptions And Experiences Regarding Science Fair In Primary And Secondary School, Vivian Lee Smith

Dissertations

Science fairs have a long history in American education. They play an important role for establishing inquiry-based experiences in a science classroom. Students may be more motivated to learn science content when they are allowed to choose their own science fair topics. The purpose of this study was to examine Deaf college students’ perceptions and experiences regarding science fair participation during primary and/or secondary school and determine the influence of science fair involvement on the development of language skills, writing skills, and higher order thinking skills as well as its impact on choice of a STEM major.

This study examined …

Role Of Msa In Immune Evasion, Persistence, And Protease Regulation In The Human Pathogenic Strains Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Maria Deepa Basco

Dissertations

Opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus on entering the host can stay colonized at the foci of infection or evade the immune system to disseminate to other sites. In this study we investigated the regulatory influence of the modulator of sarA (msa) on immune evasion and host persistence, employing the hospital-acquired strain S. aureus UAMS-1 and community-acquired strain S. aureus USA300 LAC. In the murine sepsis model, mutation of the msa gene in LAC showed no change in dissemination of infection; however, in UAMS-1 a decrease in microbial load was observed in the lungs. Differential regulation by the msa gene was …

Biophysical Understanding Of Novel Synthetic Amyloid-Β (Aβ) Prions In Alzheimer's Disease, Amit Kumar

Dissertations

Oligomers of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide are the primary toxic agents that play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Oligomers are the intermediates formed during the Aβ aggregation process leading up to insoluble fibrils. It is important to know that oligomers can also be formed via pathways that do not lead to fibril formation. Such ‘off-pathway’ oligomers would have significantly longer half-lives than the ‘on-pathway’ ones, which may result in prolonged toxicity to neuronal cells. Furthermore, neither the mechanism of neurotoxicity nor the potential mechanisms of propagation and proliferation to neighboring cells are well understood. Moreover, recent …