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2013

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Role Of Kca3.1, A Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel, In Cell Migration In The Adult Brain, Kathryn L. Turner Jan 2013

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 …

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A Quantitative Study Of Mathematics Teaching Self- Efficacy And Principal Instructional Leadership In Alabama Elementary Schools, Dilhani Uswatte Jan 2013

A Quantitative Study Of Mathematics Teaching Self- Efficacy And Principal Instructional Leadership In Alabama Elementary Schools, Dilhani Uswatte

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Given the current pressure on educational leaders to successfully implement the Mathematics Common Core Standards, which is currently in its infancy stages in Alabama, the possible relationship between mathematics teaching self-efficacy of Alabama elementary teachers and principal instructional leadership was evaluated. The relationship between mathematics teaching self-efficacy and grade level taught, years of teaching experience, gender, and school location were also evaluated individually and as part of a multiple regression model. A representative sample of 144 Alabama elementary teachers completed an on-line survey which contained demographic questions, and questions from two previously validated instruments to measure mathematics teaching self-efficacy (the …

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The Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Adult Visual Pathway And Processing, Stefanie B. Varghese Jan 2013

The Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Adult Visual Pathway And Processing, Stefanie B. Varghese

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Nicotine, the primary addictive component found in tobacco/cigarettes, can bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), which are found throughout the central nervous system including the retina of the eye. Previous studies have shown nAChR expression in the retina of non-human and human (Hutchins & Hollyfield, 1985; Liu et al., 2009). By use of electrophysiologic measures, i.e. electroretinograms (ERGs), early reports indicated that nicotine and/or cigarette smoking affects vision and visual processing in different species (Jurklies, Kaelin-Lang, & Niemeyer, 1996; Jünemann & Damaske, 1968). Because previous human studies have used only cigarette smokers, there are questions about what role nicotine, itself, …

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Amatory Conventions, Luxury Trade, And The Culture Of Excess In The Rape Of The Lock, Roxana, And Gulliver's Travels, David Glennon Vinson Jan 2013

Amatory Conventions, Luxury Trade, And The Culture Of Excess In The Rape Of The Lock, Roxana, And Gulliver's Travels, David Glennon Vinson

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This thesis expands scholarship in the study of amatory fiction by introducing three male canonical authors--Pope, Defoe, and Swift--into a body of criticism typically focused on female non-canonical authors. The authors' awareness and engagement of the amatory template calls for a reconsideration of the profound role in which the amatory genre plays in the novel tradition. I examine how amatory tropes are used in The Rape of the Lock, Roxana, and Gulliver's Travels to satirize sexual politics in the domestic sphere, but I also extend amatory studies by positioning the authors' satire in the public setting of a changing Britain. …

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The Impact Of Fine Sensor Spacing On Complex Tissue Impedance Spectra Measurements In Rabbit Ventricular Epicardium, Charlotte Mae Kent Waits Jan 2013

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

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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 (

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Gender Norms, Sexual And Reproductive Behaviors And Acceptability Of Male Circumcision Among Men In Western Jamaica, Melonie Walcott Jan 2013

Gender Norms, Sexual And Reproductive Behaviors And Acceptability Of Male Circumcision Among Men In Western Jamaica, Melonie Walcott

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation consists of three papers designed to assess the association between gender norms and men's sexual behaviors, reproductive practices, and acceptability of male circumcision (MC). The data for this study were obtained from a cross-sectional, interviewer-administered questionnaire survey of 549 men aged 19-54 years, conducted in the western region of Jamaica between June to August 2011. In the first paper we found increased odds of reporting multiple sex partners among men with moderate (AOR =2.2; 95% CI=1.4 - 3.5) and high (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI =2.2 - 8.8) support for inequitable gender norms. Similarly, men with moderate (AOR= …

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The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker Jan 2013

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

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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 …

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Classroom Support Strategies For Students With Adhd: Frequency Of Use, Level Of Effectiveness And Roadblocks To Implementation, Angela Walker Jan 2013

Classroom Support Strategies For Students With Adhd: Frequency Of Use, Level Of Effectiveness And Roadblocks To Implementation, Angela Walker

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CLASSROOM SUPPORT STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD: FREQUENCY OF USE, LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS AND ROADBLOCKS TO IMPLEMENTATION ANGELA WALKER EARLY CHILHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how often specific instructional strategies that support students with ADHD are used in kindergarten through third grade classrooms, how effective these strategies are in improving student performance on formative assessments, and what interferes with their implementation. Such a study is important because there is limited information about specific strategies used and their effectiveness. Reasons why teachers do not use effective strategies provides important information for policy makers, teacher …

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Synthesis Of Ph-Responsive Multilayer Hydrogels And Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, Yun Wang Jan 2013

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

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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 …

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Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward Jan 2013

Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward

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Despite a 20-year low, the United States continues to have the highest teen pregnancy and birth rates among all industrialized countries. As teen childbearing is associated with adverse consequences for teen mothers, fathers, and their children; it remains a priority of public health professionals, policymakers, and practitioners. Although empirical data reporting sexual determinants of teen pregnancy (such as frequency of intercourse, number of sexual partners, condom or contraceptive use, and early sexual debut) commonly tie males into conversations surrounding teen pregnancy; studies that explore the complexities of pathways to adolescent paternity are limited. Using adolescent data from the Mobile Youth …

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The Relationship Of Religiosity, Spirituality And High-Risk, Tommie Lee Watkins Jan 2013

The Relationship Of Religiosity, Spirituality And High-Risk, Tommie Lee Watkins

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Religion and spirituality are important concepts for many Black MSM. While many social factors may be associated with the increasing disparity of HIV infection among Black MSM, high levels of religiosity and spirituality prevalent in Black culture may be correlated with high risk behavior among Black MSM and may help explain this population's increasing incidence of HIV infection. Research supports a relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and high risk behavior among populations. Some research has suggested that religiosity and spirituality among Black MSM may be correlated but are multifaceted constructs. Conclusions suggest that among Black MSM these constructs account for certain …

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Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton Jan 2013

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

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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 …

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Application Of Next-Generation Sequencing And Bioinformatics Approaches For Elucidating Microbial Diversity And For Bioprospecting In Antarctic Freshwater Lake Ecosystems, Jonathan Huang Jan 2013

Application Of Next-Generation Sequencing And Bioinformatics Approaches For Elucidating Microbial Diversity And For Bioprospecting In Antarctic Freshwater Lake Ecosystems, Jonathan Huang

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Antarctic freshwater ecosystems offer a unique opportunity to study the microbial biodiversity, adaptation, function, and interaction in extreme environments. In general, there is a dearth of higher trophic organisms in Antarctic freshwater lakes thus microbes are essential for the sustainability of biological life. This study describes the similarities and differences in microbial diversity among seasonal and perennially ice-covered lacustrine ecosystems from East and West Antarctica. In particular, we investigated the microbial diversity in three different freshwater lakes, (1) seasonal lakes of the Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica, (2) perennially ice-covered Lake Untersee, East Antarctica, and (3) perennially ice-covered Lake Joyce, West …

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Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James Jan 2013

Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James

All ETDs from UAB

The principle objective of this dissertation is to develop a thorough understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of capsule synthesis. Specifically, it involves the identification and characterization of the capsular glycosyltransferases in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2, with investigations into their regulation. S. pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a significant human pathogen that has the ability to persist as a commensal and then transition to a virulent state, the latter of which is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. pneumoniae is a protective surface structure that plays an integral role in this disease process. …

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Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe Jan 2013

Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy necessitating improved understanding of GBM biology. In this study, we explore the role of Myristoylated Alanine Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) in the context of GBM. We have discovered that the MARCKS protein regulates GBM growth as well as response to radiation therapy through its effects on proliferation, senescence, and DNA repair based on our studies in cell culture and in patient-derived xenograft tumors implanted in mice. Importantly, our analysis of clinical patient data demonstrates that MARCKS is an independent predictor for outcome in GBM patients. Indeed, high MARCKS …

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The Link Between Pharmaceutical Spam And Illicit Online Pharmacies, Brandi L. Jefferson Jan 2013

The Link Between Pharmaceutical Spam And Illicit Online Pharmacies, Brandi L. Jefferson

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Spam, or its more formal name, unsolicited commercial e-mail, is a problem for every person in the world that uses the internet. Spam is mostly illegal but there are legal types of spam. The spam found in emails that are not requested, or that are on social net-works and search engines can be illegal spam. Illegal spam masks the original destination and normally leads a consumer to a harmful site. Pharmaceutical spam leads to an affili-ate site selling prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, along with other ques-tionable products. These drugs range from erectile dysfunction drugs to pain medications. All …

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Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones Jan 2013

Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones

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Histones are globular proteins which help package and organize DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus. The four core histones, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, combine with approximately 146 base pairs of DNA to form a nucleosome, the fundamental unit of chromatin. Post-translational modifications to the C-terminal and N-terminal histone tails regulate chromatin structure and function, and play important roles in transcriptional regulation, replication, DNA damage response, and mRNA processing. Histone H2B ubiquitination is an evolutionarily conserved modification with roles in gene expression and DNA damage repair. In addition, H2B ubiquitination may also regulate mRNA splicing. Here, we identify USP49, a cysteine …

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Bonds And Contact Angles Produced With Surface Alterations To Lithium Disilicate, Vamsi Krishna Kalavacharla Jan 2013

Bonds And Contact Angles Produced With Surface Alterations To Lithium Disilicate, Vamsi Krishna Kalavacharla

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The success of ceramic restorations depends upon factors like the composite resin cement, the adhesive, cementation procedure and the substrate. With the introduction of newer ceramic and adhesive systems the factors that contribute to the most durable bond strength remains unclear. The objective of the study was to measure 24 hour and thermocycled shear bond strength of a composite to lithium disilicate glass ceramic with a universal single bottle adhesive. A combination of surface treatments of hydrofluoric acid, silane, salivary contamination and subsequent cleaning were also evaluated. Blocks of lithium disilicate (e.max CAD) were sectioned, polished with a rotational polishing …

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The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur Jan 2013

The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur

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Background: Recent evidence suggests that systemic inflammation as host immune response to oral microbial challenge may well underlie the observed association between periodontal disease and preterm birth/low birth weight (PTB/LBW). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of vigorous oral hygiene regimen on gingival inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)/serum biomarkers (TNF-&alpha, IL-1&beta and IL-6) during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcome. Methods: 120 participants with pregnancy between 16-24 weeks gestation and with gingival index (GI) scores &ge 2 at &ge 50 % of tooth sites were recruited from the available pool of patients at …

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Use Of Social Ecology And Mixed Methods Research To Develop An Instrument To Assess Determinants Of Hiv/Sti Risk Among A Young Adult Population, Lasonja Bonita Kennedy Jan 2013

Use Of Social Ecology And Mixed Methods Research To Develop An Instrument To Assess Determinants Of Hiv/Sti Risk Among A Young Adult Population, Lasonja Bonita Kennedy

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Globally, 340 million people are affected by HIV/AIDS. Approximately 50,000 are newly infected within the United States each year with HIV. One in five of those infected is unaware of his/her status. Young adults are particularly impacted by the disease; 39% of new HIV infections are diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 13 and 29. To comprehensively examine the independent and interrelated determinants of HIV/STI risks among young adults, the researcher developed, validated, and psychometrically examined a self-report instrument guided by constructs from the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Development and validation of the content within the survey was conducted …

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The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore Jan 2013

The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with cognitive impairments that progress to dementia and eventually death. The development of drug treatments that rescue memory deficits could be a promising therapy given in the early stages of AD. In the following studies, we tested the potential for systemic treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to ameliorate cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD. Using the APPSwe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, we showed that giving HDAC inhibitors systemically for 3 weeks reversed contextual memory deficits, stably maintained memories over a 2-week …

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Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King Jan 2013

Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King

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Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be prevented and controlled through vaccination. However, only 24%-50% of high-risk adults in the United States (U.S.) have been vaccinated against HBV infection. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for two time periods, 2003-2006 (n=6459 adults) and 2007-2010 (n=6652 adults) to (1) assess the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake and the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational level factors that may be associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among U.S. adults and (2) assess whether any changes occurred in the prevalence of and factors associated with hepatitis …

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Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight Jan 2013

Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight

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Introduction: Pregnancy during adolescence is potentially stressful due to the concurrent tasks of navigating the typically tumultuous adolescent stage of development and the life altering experience of pregnancy (Kaye, 2008). There is a growing body of research linking prenatal stress to poor birth and developmental outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight infants (K. Keenan, Sheffield, & Boeldt, 2007; Mulder et al., 2002), which makes describing the relatively unexplored perceptions and experience of stress during adolescent pregnancy important. The life course framework, with its emphasis on social, environmental, and family risk factors, has implications for reducing disparities among …

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Optical And Electrical Characterization Of Transition Metal Doped Ii-Vi Mid-Ir Laser Materials, Tetyana Konak Jan 2013

Optical And Electrical Characterization Of Transition Metal Doped Ii-Vi Mid-Ir Laser Materials, Tetyana Konak

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Transition metal doped II-VI mid-IR lasers feature a broad (50% of the central wavelength) tuning range, high (tens of Watts) output power, close to theoretical limit quantum efficiency of lasing, and are capable to operate at room temperature over 1.8-6.1µm spectral range. However, these lasers work only under optical excitation. The goal of the research is to study physical processes and elements of technology essential for TM:II-VI lasing under direct electrical excitation. Gamma-irradiation of II-VI crystals was studied as a possible way to produce electrical conductivity in these media. It was found that color centers can be formed in gamma-irradiated …

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Microbial Responses To Mc252 In Gulf Of Mexico Sediments Using Btefap And Bioinformatics Tools, Hyunmin Koo Jan 2013

Microbial Responses To Mc252 In Gulf Of Mexico Sediments Using Btefap And Bioinformatics Tools, Hyunmin Koo

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We investigated the changes of the bacterial community to treatment of Mississippi Canyon Macondo oil (MC252) in Gulf of Mexico (GoM) coastal sediment microcosms collected from Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Petit Bois Island, and Perdido Pass. We utilized molecular methods by targeting the V3-V5 region of the16S rRNA gene from metacommunity DNA through culture-dependent and culture-independent (Bacterial Tag-encoded FLX Amplified Pyrosequencing; bTEFAP) methodologies and downstream bioinformatics tools. Through bTEFAP, we generated a total of 11,338 (Bayou La Batre) and 38,104 (Dauphin Island, Petit Bois Island, and Perdido Pass) reads. After quality-based trimming, a total of 8,430 (Bayou La Batre) …

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Regional In Vitro Retention Of Fiber Posts, Shayma Kyson Jan 2013

Regional In Vitro Retention Of Fiber Posts, Shayma Kyson

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The overall objective of this in vitro study was to determine the biomechanical retention along fiber post interfaces to root canal dentin of four different fiber posts systems combined with five different resin cements (total-etch, self-etch and self adhesive systems) tested within different regions of dentin (cervical, middle and apical levels) and the core material alone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEMs) was used to evaluate the failure characteristics of the systems for root canal dentin and core material interfaces. Roots of freshly extracted first mandibular premolars, without caries, cracks or defects were selected. Radiographs made from mesiodistal and buccolingual directions were …

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In Vitro Wear Of Nine Cements Against Enamel, Mohamad Kyson Jan 2013

In Vitro Wear Of Nine Cements Against Enamel, Mohamad Kyson

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The objective of this study was to measure and compare in vitro wear resistance of nine cements against human enamel cusps in glycerol media using UAB second generation wear machine (hit and slide). Six cements were dual cured polymer-based cements; total-etch: Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent), self-etch: Multilink Automix (Ivoclar Vivadent) and self-adhesives: Maxcem Elite (Kerr), RelyX Unicem 2 (3m ESPE), PANAVIA SA (Kuraray) and G-CEM LinkAce (GC America). Three cements were water-based chemical cured cements; Zinc-phosphate: Harvard Cement (Harvard) and resin modified glass ionomers cements: RelyX Luting Plus (3M ESPE) and GC FujiCEM 2 (GC America). Samples were scanned after …

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Parenting And Parole: The Effects Of Incarceration On Motherhood, Latoya Ledyard Jan 2013

Parenting And Parole: The Effects Of Incarceration On Motherhood, Latoya Ledyard

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The female prison population is the fastest growing prison population in the United States. The rise in female incarceration over the past several years has become a growing concern partly due to the damaging effects on the family; a phenomenon largely attributed to mandatory sentencing guidelines and gender-neutral policies. Research literature on the unique challenges faced by parenting women and the development of reentry programs that foster family reunification has emerged in recent years, but there is still much work to be done. Using in-depth interviews with 14 residents of a transitional center for women in Alabama, I seek to …

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Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li Jan 2013

Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display promising antineoplastic activity for colorectal and other cancers, but toxicity from cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition limits their long-term use for chemoprevention. However, many investigators have concluded that COX-independent mechanisms are responsible for their antineoplastic activity. We previously reported that cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) is a non-COX target of sulindac sulfide (SS). However, the specific isozyme families involved have not been well studied. Here we demonstrate that SS inhibits the growth of colon tumor cells through a novel mechanism involving inhibition of two cGMP degrading isozymes, PDE5 and PDE10, to activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). …

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Biomimetic Self-Assembled Nanomatrix For Pancreatic Islet Transplantation, Dong-Jin Lim Jan 2013

Biomimetic Self-Assembled Nanomatrix For Pancreatic Islet Transplantation, Dong-Jin Lim

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In an attempt to treat type 1 diabetes, pancreatic islet transplantation (PIT) had been studied, but only 10% of recipients showed maintained insulin independence after 5-year post-islet transplantation, indicating that there remains a constant demand for improving the efficacy of PIT. For a successful PIT, critical factors should be addressed: immune protection, revascularization, and ECM-microenvironment reconstitution. Among them, this study was aimed to develop an ECM mimetic scaffold that reconstitutes the ECM derived microenvironment for an isolated beta cell and islet. A growing body of studies also indicates that the pancreatic ECM is of importance in islet survival and function. …

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