Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Probiotics On Bacterial Human Skin Pathogens, Jasim Hussein Al-Attwani

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Probiotic bacteria have been investigated in the prevention and treatment of various diseases and allergies. The current study was undertaken to determine the effect of eight probiotic Lactobacillus species against bacterial human skin pathogens using several techniques. Antimicrobial activity of lactobacilli against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Propionibacterium acnes was evaluated using lactobacilli broth cultures (BCB) and cell free supernatant (CFS). Antimicrobial activity was significantly greater with BCB compared with CFS especially for Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacilli and pathogen aggregation, biofilm formation and adhesion to keratin were assessed. L. casei and L. plantarum were selected for …

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Capacity And Preoperative Markers Of Inflammation, Pervez Sultan, Mark R. Edwards, Ana Gutierrez Del Arroyo, David Cain, J. Robert Sneyd, Richard Struthers, Gary Minto, Gareth L. Ackland

More Faculty of Health Research

Explanatory mechanisms for the association between poor exercise capacity and infections following surgery are underexplored. We hypothesized that aerobic fitness - assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - would be associated with circulating inflammatory markers, as quantified by the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte subsets. The association between cardiopulmonary reserve and inflammation was tested by multivariable regression analysis with covariates including anaerobic threshold (AT) and malignancy. In a first cohort of 240 colorectal patients, AT was identified as the sole factor associated with higher NLR (P = 0.03) and absolute and relative lymphopenia (P = 0.01). Preoperative leukocyte subsets and …

The Impact Of Implicit Motives On The Business To Business Decision Making Process, Christian Chlupsa

Plymouth Business School Theses

Abstract THE IMPACT OF IMPLICIT MOTIVES ON THE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS DECISION MAKING PROCESS Christian Chlupsa The purpose of this thesis is to understand how implicit processes determine individual and organisational behaviour in the context of business to business (B2B) decision making. A broad literature review suggests that implicit cognition has a significantly more powerful influence than therefore assumed. The author calls for further research into the motivations driving professional behaviour in B2B situations as new study challenges the classical economic theory of the homo economicus, and focuses on the role of implicit motives as a possible driver. As a …

The Antibacterial Properties And Biocompatibility Of Silver And Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Coating On Dental Implants, Sanna Dara Hadi

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Introduction: Infection associated with dental implants is the most common cause of their failure. The aim of this study was to discover a new coating for dental implants that has a good antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against an early colonizer on implant surfaces: Streptococcus sanguinis. Furthermore, the coating should have a good biocompatibility with bone. Methods: Different coatings were prepared on the surface of titanium alloy (Ti4Al6V) discs. Silver, titanium dioxide, and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, as well as hydroxyapatite microparticles were used to coat titanium discs. Three techniques were used to coat the titanium discs; (i) Solution deposition and heating for …

Somatic Embryogenesis And Cryopreservation Of Cauliflower (Brassica Oleracea Var. Botrytis), Magda Al Shamari

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Abstract Successful efficient whole cauliflower plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from root derived callus tissue was achieved. The research confirmed for the first time the capability of mass production of cauliflower somatic embryos through the indirect pathway. The best callus induction and proliferation was on semi solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2, 4-D at 0.15 mg L-1 and Kinetin at 0.1 mg L-1 and 3% sucrose. The response of different explant types (cotyledon, hypocotyls and root) through callus induction and subsequent culture was determined. The best period for subsequent callus culture was 21 days. Continuous immersion in …

Effect Of Dietary Β-Glucan Supplementation On Growth, Intestinal Functionality And Disease Progression In Selected Cyprinids (Cyprinus Carpio And Danio Rerio), Holger Kühlwein

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of a ß-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on growth performance parameters and intestinal functionality in mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and on progression of a chronic, pre-existing mycobacteriosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The 1st experiment revealed that mirror carp fed diets containing 1% and 2% ß-glucan showed significant improvements in growth performance compared to fish fed both the control and the 0.1% ß-glucan containing diet. Equally, fish fed diets supplemented with 1% and 2% ß-glucan displayed significantly higher infiltration of leukocytes into the epithelial layer of in …

Computational Study Of The Mechanisms Underlying Oscillation In Neuronal Locomotor Circuits, Robert Merrison-Hort

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

In this thesis we model two very different movement-related neuronal circuits, both of which produce oscillatory patterns of activity. In one case we study oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia under both normal and Parkinsonian conditions. First, we used a detailed Hodgkin-Huxley type spiking model to investigate the activity patterns that arise when oscillatory cortical input is transmitted to the globus pallidus via the subthalamic nucleus. Our model reproduced a result from rodent studies which shows that two anti-phase oscillatory groups of pallidal neurons appear under Parkinsonian conditions. Secondly, we used a population model of the basal ganglia to study …

Weatherford: Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Cpla-2 On The Migration And Proliferation Of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells And The 2-D Migratory Patterns Of Tropomyosin In Femoral And Abdominal Aorta Tissue, Jaimeson Thomas Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract 1: Platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB) has an important influence on smooth muscle cell proliferation in restenosis and atherosclerosis. Our understanding of different signal transduction pathways involved in the response of smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB is potentially significant for understanding and manipulating these processes. Prior studies have demonstrated a crucial activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB with the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2. In these studies we investigated the role for another PLA2, calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in comparison to cPLA2 on smooth muscle cell migration and …

Phenotypes And Variants In Cases Submitted For X-Linked Intellectual Disability (Xlid) Gene Panel Testing, Michael J. Friez

Theses and Dissertations

Intellectual disability (ID) refers to reduced cognitive function, apparent before the age of 18, that negatively affects a person's learning and adaptive capacity. Approximately 1-3% of the population is affected with ID, males more than females, and most in the mild-to-moderate range. ID creates financial, logistical and psychosocial challenges for affected persons and their families and caregivers. It is estimated that up to 50% of ID has a genetic cause. Molecular genetic diagnosis may help in obtaining services and has important implications for family members, but can be elusive. Genes causing ID are known to be over-represented on the X …

The Effects Of Aeration On Phytoplankton Community Composition And Primary Production In Stormwater Detention Ponds Near Myrtle Beach, Sc, Lauren Hehman

Theses and Dissertations

Stormwater detention ponds are a common approach to managing stormwater runoff in coastal South Carolina. While effective at preventing flooding, they can be sites of intense phytoplankton blooms that result from excess nutrients inputs. This can lead to water quality degradation within ponds from oxygen depletion, fish kills, health concerns from harmful algal blooms (HABs), and water quality deterioration in adjacent coastal waters when pond discharges. The most common management practice to rid the ponds of excess phytoplankton biomass is the addition of copper-based algaecides. While temporarily effective, these algaecides require regular re-application and lead to artificial cycles of productivity …

Novel Conditioning Protocols Focusing On Oxygen Manipulation To Enhance Stem Cell Transplantation, Brandon William Hanna

Theses and Dissertations

Musculoskeletal tissue engineering involves the creation of multiple tissue types that interact together to form a particular function related to motion and maintaining the body's frame. In order to create a fully functional musculoskeletal system, a concrete method for the creation of the different tissue types must first be completed. Of the different tissue components related to the function of a musculoskeletal system, these studies deal with preconditioning circumstances of stem cells that will differentiate into cartilage and bone. These studies also deal with methods for the creation of functional bone and cartilage to be combined for the creation of …

Arts Entrepreneurship: An Essential Sub-System Of The Artist's Meta-Praxis, Jonathan Gangi

Theses and Dissertations

As the field of Arts Entrepreneurship education continues to grow, the barriers it confronts prevent maximum vitality. Leading scholars and administrators indicate that program development and formal accreditation standards are important components supporting the field's growth. As such, this document explores next steps and examines how to move the field towards academic maturity.

First, notable Arts Entrepreneurship academic programs are compared and contrasted as a representative sample of existing curricular approaches. Second, issues of accreditation are analyzed as barriers preventing growth, followed by recommendations for removing these obstacles. Third, the Artist's Meta-Praxis conceptual framework is presented as a way to …

Smokers, Ajit Dhillon

Theses and Dissertations

Smokers is a multi-perspective surveillance spy thriller that juxtaposes the days leading up to the financial collapse with the days leading to the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. The first three chapters of book set up the multiple narrative point of view construct that will drive the narrative. Opening in New York, March 2007, a year before the financial collapse or the knowledge of the collapse and its implications becomes available to the public. We follow James, an administrative assistant at a hedge fund in the financial district. As the chapter unfolds we learn more about his home life. His …

Bayesian Analysis Of Continuous Curve Functions, Wen Cheng

Theses and Dissertations

We consider Bayesian analysis of continuous curve functions in 1D, 2D and 3D spaces. A fundamental feature of the analysis is that it is invariant under a simultaneous warping/re-parameterization of all target curves, as well as translation, rotation and scale of each individual if necessary. We introduce Bayesian models based on a special curve representation named Square Root Velocity Function (SRVF) introduced by Srivastava et al. (2011, IEEE PAMI). A Gaussian process model for the SRVFs of curves is proposed, and suitable prior models such as the Dirichlet distribution are employed for modeling the warping function as a cumulative distribution …

A Quantitative Analysis Of White-Tailed Deer Harvest Across States And Counties, Rebecca Lynne Cain

Theses and Dissertations

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have gone from locally extirpated to overabundant in many areas in the United States since the early 1900s. Ecosystems with chronically overabundant populations experience many disastrous effects resulting from the selective browsing behavior of deer. White-tailed deer are managed at the state level resulting in different management strategies, harvest data collection, and deer management goals between states. However recreational hunting is the primary tool used by wildlife agencies to control population growth. As such, it is beneficial to understand the influence each regulatory variable has on white-tailed deer harvest.

For this research, I compiled historical harvest …

Understanding Hydrothermal Carbonization Of Mixed Feedstocks For Waste Conversion, Xiaowei Lu

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an environmentally beneficial means to convert waste materials to value-added solid and liquid products with minimal greenhouse gas emission. Research is lacking on understanding the influence of critical process conditions on product formation and environmental implication associated with HTC of waste streams. This work was conducted to determine how reaction conditions and heterogeneous compound mixtures (representative of municipal wastes) influence hydrothermal carbonization processes. The specific experiments include: (1) determine how carbonization product properties are manipulated by controlling feedstock composition, process conditions, and catalyst addition; (2) determine if carbonization of heterogeneous mixtures follows similar pathways as that …

Genetic Stock Identification And Migration In Black Sea Bass (Centropristis Striata) Along The Western Atlantic Coast And Gulf Of Mexico, Justin Francis Lewandowski

Theses and Dissertations

The black sea bass, Centropristis striata, is a member of the family Serranidae that is commercially important throughout its range, which extends throughout the western Atlantic (from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Cape Canaveral, Florida) and Gulf of Mexico (from Mobile Bay, Alabama to Tampa Bay, Florida). There are two known subspecies, C. striata striata in the Atlantic and C. striata melana in the Gulf, and through behavioral and morphological evidence two separate stocks are managed in the Atlantic, north and south of Cape Hatteras, NC. Recent genetic studies on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have supported this. To further investigate the relationships …

A Community-Driven Approach To The Development Of A Digital Decision Aid To Facilitate Informed Decision Making For Prostate Cancer Screening Among African-American Men In Communities Of Faith, Otis Lashaun Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Background: African American (AA) men are significantly more likely to die of prostate cancer (PrCA) than other racial groups. Therefore, it is critical to identify effective strategies for providing information about the risks, benefits, and uncertainties of PrCA screening and the importance of informed decision making (IDM). To assess whether a computer-based IDM decision aid (DA) for PrCA screening would be appropriate for middle-age and older AA men, this formative evaluation study examined participants (1) PrCA risk and screening knowledge, 2) decision-making processes for PrCA screening, and 3) usage of, attitudes toward, and access to interactive communication technologies (ICTs). The …

The Composition And Downward Vertical Transport Of Particulate Phosphorus In The Cariaco Basin, Venezuela, Anne S. Opseth

Theses and Dissertations

In order to understand the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus (P) in a coastal marine ecosystem, the chemical composition and the sinking flux of particulate P was analyzed within sediment trap particles collected in the Cariaco Basin, Venezuela. Total, inorganic and organic P composition was examined across the time series (1995-2010) using a modified Aspila method and sequential extraction techniques. Particulate inorganic P (PIP) dominated the total particulate P (TPP) pool (~52%) when averaged over the entire water column. Relationships between particulate nitrogen (PN) and particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes versus TPP fluxes followed expected canonical Redfield ratios except for a …

Microfinance And Poverty Reduction: How Risks Associated With Government Policies Affect Whether Microfinance Alleviates Poverty In Latin-America, Brian Warby

Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of financial services to the poor, now widely referred to as microfinance, quickly saw tremendous success in Bangladesh beginning in the 1970's and was exported to a number of other countries. For a time microfinance was spoken of as a panacea, in part because it is more detached from governments than other forms of poverty alleviation. I develop a model based on expected utility theory that looks at how risks associated with government policies and characteristics affect whether this mechanism eases poverty. Using a large N analysis of Latin-American states from 1990-2010 and a case study analysis to …

2014 Sswc Program, Sswc Conference

Student Success in Writing Conference (1999-2021)

Program

Attractiveness Privilege : The Unearned Advantages Of Physical Attractivenesss, Kelsey P. Yonce

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this theoretical investigation, I explore level of physical attractiveness as a characteristic that privileges people who are more attractive and oppresses those who are less attractive. I discuss the concept of privilege, societal standards of physical attractiveness, and the ways in which people who are more physically attractive are treated and perceived more positively by others. To examine this phenomenon more deeply, I introduce the theoretical perspectives of intersectionality and conflict theory. Intersectionality refers to the idea that different areas of privilege and oppression interact with each other in ways that create unique experiences of privilege and oppression for …

An Evaluation Of Clinical Interventions And Client Satisfaction In A Mandated Massachusetts Driver Alcohol Education Program : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Spectrum Health Systems, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Adesholla L. Gionet

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of psycho-education as a clinical intervention with court-mandated, drunk, and under-the-influence (DUI) clients, as well as, those who operated a motor vehicle under-the-influence (OUI). Additionally, the study was designed to determine the extent of client-perceived satisfaction in a Massachusetts Alcohol Education program. Furthermore, the study intended to give clients a voice in expressing themselves about what elements of the program could benefit from improvement in order to assist in motivating court-mandated clients to make positive behavioral changes that will result in lower alcohol and substance-use related recidivism rates. A questionnaire was …

A Quiet War : Revising Heroism In Tamora Pierce's Tortall, Tess Hailey Grogan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.

Harnessing Microbiome And Probiotic Research In Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations From An African Workshop, Gregor Reid, Nicholas Nduti, Wilbert Sybesma, Remco Kort, Tobias R. Kollmann, Rodney Adam, Hamadi Boga, Eric M. Brown, Alexandra Einerhand, Hani El-Nezami, Gregory B. Gloor, Irene I. Kavere, Johanna Lindahl, Amee Manges, Wondu Mamo, Rocio Martin, Amy Mcmillan, Jael Obiero, Pamela A. Ochieng’, Arnold Onyango, Stephen Rulisa, Eeva Salminen, Seppo Salminen, Antony Sije, Jonathan R. Swann, William Van Treuren, Daniel Waweru, Steve J. Kemp

Pathology, East Africa

To augment capacity-building for microbiome and probiotic research in Africa, a workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, at which researchers discussed human, animal, insect, and agricultural microbiome and probiotics/prebiotics topics. Five recommendations were made to promote future basic and translational research that benefits Africans.

Functional Characterization Of A Novel Thioredoxin Domain-Containing Protein Of The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium, Rachel Kooistra

Master's Theses

A novel thioredoxin domain-containing protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium was identified and found to be conserved among eukaryotes. This protein belongs to the phosducin-like family of proteins (PhLPs), and was therefore assigned the name PhLP1, since it is the first phosducin-like protein to be identified in Plasmodium. PhLPs have been found to have various roles in G-protein signaling, cell cycle progression, and protein folding. However, the biochemical mechanism by which PhLPs perform their function is unknown. Here is described the cloning and biochemical characterization of both PhLP1 and its human homolog TXNDC9. Both purified PhLP1 and TXNDC9 showed enzymatic …

Elucidating The Transcriptional Regulation Of Col2a1a In Zebrafish, Sonja Dabizljevic

Master's Theses

Cartilage is an important tissue in vertebrates beginning in the early embryo where it lays down the scaffolding for the skeleton, and continuing through adulthood where it makes up joints and intervertebral disks. The major component of cartilage is a filamentous protein known as Collagen type II, alpha 1 (Col2a1). Mutations in col2a1 in humans can lead to multiple congenital disorders and the early onset of joint and retinal deterioration. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the conserved transcriptional regulation of this critical structural gene utilizing the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Previously, we identified a 310 bp regulatory region (R2) 1.7 …

Environmental Drivers Of Leaf Breakdown Rate In An Urban Watershed, Ashley Rachelle Cook

Master's Theses

Leaf litter breakdown is a critical ecosystem process in urban streams, but environmental conditions in urban streams may generate confounding effects on breakdown rates. Reduced abundance of macroinvertebrate shredders may slow breakdown, but rates may increase if high nutrient concentrations stimulate microbial decomposers and if flooding enhances leaf fragmentation. We used the litter bag technique to measure the relative importance of multiple environmental drivers on breakdown of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves at 5 sites throughout the North Branch of the Chicago River watershed. Sites spanned a gradient of urbanization, but no specialized macroinvertebrate shredders were present at any sites. …

Role Of The Intestinal Microbiota In Gut Barrier Dysfunction Following Burn Injury, Zachary Earley

Master's Theses

Burn injury represents a major medical problem with half a million cases requiring medical attention and 4,000 deaths reported annually. Sepsis and multiple organ failure remain the leading causes of death following injury, and may be brought on by bacterial infections or toxins. The gastrointestinal tract contains approx. 100 trillion microbes; therefore, the indigenous commensal microbiota may play a role in leading to these complications or infections in burn patients. The overall objective of this project is to identify a potential mechanism whereby changes in gut bacteria may lead to intestinal inflammation or bacterial translocation--key factors which may lead to …