Digital Commons Network^™

Balance Right In Multiple Sclerosis (Brims): A Guided Self-Management Programme To Reduce Falls And Improve Quality Of Life, Balance And Mobility In People With Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Protocol For A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial, H. Gunn, J. Andrade, L. Paul, L. Miller, S. Creanor, C. Green, J. Marsden, P. Ewings, M. Berrow, J. Vickery, A. Barton, B. Marshall, J Zajieck, J. A. Freeman

School of Health Professions

No abstract provided.

Microwave-Promoted Iminyl Radical Cyclizations For The Synthesis Of Azaheterocycles And The Total Synthesis Of Yaku'amide A, Yu Cai

Theses and Dissertations

Two different research projects are described in this dissertation. The first one focuses on microwave-promoted iminyl radical cyclization for the formation of azaheterocycles which are embedded within numerous pharmaceuticals and biologically active natural products (such as clindamycin, eletriptan, moxiflaxin, etc.). We are quite interested in this project because of the significance of nitrogen-containing heterocycles as pharmaceuticals and organocatalysts combined with the need for safe, simple, and economical means of constructing them. We have successfully developed an efficient one-step synthesis of 2-acylpyrroles and diastereoselective dihydropyrroles from readily available oxime ether substrates. This remarkably efficient and environmentally friendly methodology should be useful …

Post-Translational Regulation Of Superoxide Dismutase 1 (Sod1): The Effect Of K122 Acylation On Sod1'S Metabolic Activity, Courtney Jean Banks

Theses and Dissertations

Many mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause destabilization and misfolding of the protein and are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Likewise, a few post-translational modifications (PTMs) on SOD1 have been shown to cause the same phenotype. However, relatively few PTMs on SOD1 have been studied in depth and, in particular, very few studies have demonstrated how these PTMs affect SOD1's various biological roles. SOD1 is traditionally known for its role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging but has also been found to have a few other biological roles, including transcription factor activity to promote genomic stability, preservation of cytoskeletal activity, …

Mirna Expression Changes In Arsenic-Induced Skin Cancer In Vitro And In Vivo., Laila Al-Eryani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arsenic is a naturally prevalent metalloid. Chronic arsenic ingestion through drinking water causes skin cancer. Arsenic-induced cancer mechanisms are not well defined. Epigenetic changes, including microRNA expression changes, might be playing a role. This dissertation investigates the impact of miRNA expression changes in arsenic-induced skin cancer. MiRNA expression was measure and compared using 3 different techniques, RTq-PCR, hybridization arrays and RNA-sequencing. MiRNAs differential expression in skin lesions was phenotype- and stage-related. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were transformed by chronic low arsenite exposure serving as a model for arsenic-induced skin carcinogenesis. Early changes in miRNAs and target mRNAs contribute to arsenic-induced …

“Talk Less”: Eloquent Silence In The Rhetoric Of Lawyering, Bret Rappaport

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Discovery Of Novel Tubulin Inhibitors And Selective Survivin Inhibitors For Advanced Melanoma And Total Synthesis Of Bioactive 20s-Hydroxyvitamin D3, Qinghui Wang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

According to the statistics from American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is as low as 5%. Treatment of advanced melanoma, therefore, represents an unmet medical need. In this dissertation, I will show the effort to develop new generations of bioavailable tubulin inhibitors targeting the colchicine binding site and selective small-molecule survivin inhibitors for treating advanced melanoma. Extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of lead molecules ABI-231 and UC-112 have been performed.

Chapter 1 will introduce the current situation of advanced or metastatic melanoma, its clinical drug treatments, as well as problems in current drug treatments. …

Trigger Warnings: From Panic To Data, Francesca Laguardia, Venezia Michalsen, Holly Rider-Milkovich

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Clemson Commencement Program, August 2017, Clemson University

Clemson Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

A Novel Method For Synthesis Of Hydroxytyrosol, Emmanuel Onobun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hydroxytyrosol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenolethanol, a naturally occurring polyphenol most common in olive tree (Olea europaea), is one of the most effective member of the polyphenols family, because of its remarkable antioxidant activity, its ability to inhibit oxidation of low density lipids (LDL), and its protection against DNA oxidative damage. Hydroxytyrosol, which is widely used in cosmetics and food supplements industries, can be purchased as an olive oil extract that contains low concentration of hydroxytyrosol besides other polyphenols. The price and low natural abundance of hydroxytyrosol make alternative synthetic sources very attractive. In this research, a novel method for the synthesis of pure …

Evaluating A Stepped Care Protocol For Postpartum Depression In A Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, Sarah C. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent, complex illness impacting 10% to 20% of mothers and their families. Treatments for PPD, such as medication and psychotherapy, are effective at reducing the severity of symptoms and generally improving quality of life for new mothers and their families. Unfortunately, many mothers with PPD go unrecognized due to a lack of standardized screening methods. Further, mothers regularly encounter barriers to accessible, evidence-based follow-up care to treatment even when symptoms of PPD are detected. The use of a stepped care protocol, set in a pediatric primary care clinic, is one proposed strategy to address the …

The Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model And The Teacher Instructional Growth For Effectiveness And Results Model On Measures Of Teacher Effectiveness: A Comparative Study, Nichole R. Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare measures of teacher effectiveness between two different Tennessee teacher evaluation models. The two teacher evaluation models compared were the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) and the Teacher Instructional Growth for Effectiveness and Results Model (TIGER). The measures of teacher effectiveness used were final observation scores and individual value-added growth (TVAAS) scores. The relationship between observation scores and growth scores were also compared for the two different evaluation models. There were four guiding research questions and corresponding null hypotheses. Data were provided from participating school systems. The sample for this study included …

Homework Practices: Teacher And Parent Perceptions Of Efficacy And Purpose, Christy E. Hoeke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore teacher and parent perceptions of homework effectiveness and homework purpose. Specifically, the researcher examined teacher and parent perceptions, perceptions of teachers in different grade level bands, and perceptions of teachers with different levels of experience. In this nonexperimental quantitative study, the researcher examined and analyzed the answers provided on an anonymous survey (Appendix A) provided electronically to educators and parents of students in five school systems in northeast Tennessee.

Parents had a higher perception of both homework effectiveness and homework purpose. Homework effectiveness was perceived as higher by the “other” group (not …

Opal Clark On Directing Stop Kiss An Exploration Of The Directorial Process, Opal Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this thesis and thesis project was to execute a successful run of the play, Stop Kiss by Diana Son while achieving the playwright’s intended message. Opal Clark directed this production of Stop Kiss at East Tennessee State University under special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. It was performed to sold out audiences in ETSU Theatre and Dance Studio 205 October 2-7, 2017. The play explores experiences and hostility toward same sex couples, their relationships with one another and how one individual discovers sexuality. The discovery and actualization of the characters’ struggles were communicated in the play …

Role Of Tlrs, Hippo-Yap1 Signaling, And Micrornas In Cardiac Repair And Regeneration Of Damaged Myocardium During Ischemic Injury, Xiaohui Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated pathways have been demonstrated to play a role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We and others have shown that PI3K/Akt signaling is involved in regulating cellular survival and protecting the myocardium from I/R induced injury. In this dissertation, we provide compelling evidence that miR-125b serves to “fine tune” TLR mediated NF-kB responses by repressing TNF-a and TRAF6 expression. We constructed lentiviral expressing miR-125b, delivered it into the myocardium. The data showed that delivery of lentivirus expressing miR-125b significantly reduces myocardial infarct size and improves cardiac …

Enemy Exacerbation: Effects Of Predator Stress On Sulfate Lethality In Freshwater Amphipods (Gammarus Minus), Trevor Chapman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Predator cues can influence how aquatic organisms respond to anthropogenic contaminants. This study examined the effects of predator cues on behavior, metabolic rate, and sulfate (as Na₂SO₄) toxicity in amphipods (Gammarus minus). Predator cues included alarm cue (macerated conspecifics) and kairomone from mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Amphipods decreased activity and increased time in refuge when exposed to alarm cue, and increased time in refuge when exposed to kairomone. While median lethal concentrations (96-h LC₅₀) were not influenced by predator cues, analysis of dose response curves indicated that kairomone exposure increased amphipod …

Groundwater Flow Tracing In Carter Saltpeter Cave And Toll Branch, Carter County, Tn, Aaron G. Doyka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Groundwater tracing studies have shown a well-developed conduit system in the karst aquifer beneath the Buffalo Creek Watershed of Carter County, TN. Groundwater can quickly travel beneath topographic divides, transporting contaminants. Using GIS and field reconnaissance, two sites were selected for a two phase dye trace study. In May-June 2016 groundwater resurgences were located using activated carbon samplers, and in October-December 2016 flow velocities were measured using ISCO automatic water samplers. In study 1, a stream sinking in the back of Carter Saltpeter Cave was traced to its resurgence at Cave Springs Cave. In study 2, the dye mass centroid …

Abundance Modeling And Movement Of Smallmouth Bass In A Regulated Section Of The Broad River, Sc, Seth Mycko

All Theses

Dams and altered flow regimes impact riverine fish. In addition to ecological impacts, unpredictable changes in flow influence the ability to access rivers and effectively sample fish populations. Fisheries management practices are often influenced by water regulation and hydropower generation, thus designing distinct methods of monitoring populations in regulated rivers is critical for effective management. Recurrent changes in river flow also influence behavior of fish inhabiting the flow-regulated portions of rivers, and such individual behavior may ultimately have population-level effects (e.g. fish abundance). I investigated population abundance and movement of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) within a regulated portion of the …

Processing And Cooking On Lentil Prebiotics To Reduce Obesity, Niroshan Siva

All Theses

Lentil is a rich source of proteins, range of prebiotic carbohydrates including sugar alcohols (SA), raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and resistant starch (RS), minerals, and vitamins. Research indicated that foods rich in prebiotics reduce obesity via modulating gut microbiota. The objectives of this thesis were 1) to determine the effects of lentil processing (dehulling, splitting, and cooking) on SA, RFO, FOS, and RS in three lentil market classes (red, green, and pardina), and 2) to determine the effects of lentil diet on rat body weight, percent body fat, plasma triglycerides (TGs) concentration, and change of fecal bacteria. Lentil …

Detection And Classification Of Epileptiform Transients In Eeg Signals Using Convolution Neural Network, Ashish Ganta

All Theses

EEG is the most common test done by neurologists to study a patient’s brainwaves for pre-epileptic conditions. This thesis explains an end-to-end deep learning approach for detect-ing segments of EEG which display abnormal brain activity (Yellow-Boxes) and further classifying them to AEP (Abnormal Epileptiform Paroxysmals) and Non-AEP. It is treated as a binary and a multi-class problem. 1-D Convolution Neural Networks are used to carry out the identification and classification. Detection of Yellow-Boxes and subsequent analysis is a tedious process which can be fre-quently misinterpreted by neurologists without neurophysiology fellowship training. Hence, an au-tomated machine learning system to detect and …

The Effect Of Surface Roughness Modifications And Chitosan Surface Coatings On Biofilm Formation For Prevention Of Orthopaedic Infections, Nathan Dewayne Smith

All Theses

Infections have been reported to occur in up to 91% of patients after orthopaedic procedures. Many of these infections are caused by bacterial biofilm growth on the surface of the implanted device. Surface modifications of fracture fixation implants have been taken into consideration in order to reduce infection rates and improve clinical results in orthopaedic procedures. Effective surface treatments will also reduce the need for antibiotics and prevent formation of drug-resistant bacteria. Titanium alloy sample discs (N=144) were prepared with six surface roughness treatments through polishing as well as with four different concentrations of chitosan through spin coating. In vitro …

A Parapoxviral Virion Protein Inhibits Nf-Κb Signaling Early In Infection, Sushil Khatiwada, Gustavo A. Delhon, Ponnuraj Nagendraprabhu, Sabal Chaulagain, Shuhong Luo, Diego G. Diel, Eduardo F. Flores, D. L. Rock

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Poxviruses have evolved unique proteins and mechanisms to counteract the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which is an essential regulatory pathway of host innate immune responses. Here, we describe a NF-κB inhibitory virion protein of orf virus (ORFV), ORFV073, which functions very early in infected cells. Infection with ORFV073 gene deletion virus (OV-IA82Δ073) led to increased accumulation of NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), marked phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) subunits IKKα and IKKβ, IκBα and NF-κB subunit p65 (NF-κB-p65), and to early nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 in virusinfected cells (30 min post infection). Expression of ORFV073 alone was sufficient to …

Identification And Metabolite Profiling Of Chemical Activators Of Lipid Accumulation In Green Algae, Nishikant Wase, Boqiang Tu, James Allen, Paul N. Black, Concetta Dirusso

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Microalgae are proposed as feedstock organisms useful for producing biofuels and coproducts. However, several limitations must be overcome before algae-based production is economically feasible. Among these is the ability to induce lipid accumulation and storage without affecting biomass yield. To overcome this barrier, a chemical genetics approach was employed in which 43,783 compounds were screened against Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and 243 compounds were identified that increase triacylglyceride (TAG) accumulation without terminating growth. Identified compounds were classified by structural similarity, and 15 were selected for secondary analyses addressing impacts on growth fitness, photosynthetic pigments, and total cellular protein and starch concentrations. TAG …

Geographical Variation In Community Divergence: Insights From Tropical Forest Monodominance By Ectomycorrhizal Trees*, Tadashi Fukami, Mifuyu Nakajima, Claire Fortunel, Paul V. Fine, Christopher Baraloto, Sabrina E. Russo, Kabir G. Peay

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Convergence occurs in both species traits and community structure, but how convergence at the two scales influences each other remains unclear. To address this question, we focus on tropical forest monodominance, in which a single, often ectomycorrhizal (EM) tree species occasionally dominates forest stands within a landscape otherwise characterized by diverse communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees. Such monodominance is a striking potential example of community divergence resulting in alternative stable states. However, it is observed only in some tropical regions. A diverse suite of AM and EM trees locally codominate forest stands elsewhere. We develop a hypothesis to explain …

Integration Of Mirna And Mrna Expression Profles Reveals Microrna-Regulated Networks During Muscle Wasting In Cardiac Cachexia, Leonardo N. Moraes, Geysson J. Fernandez, Ivan Jose Vechetti Jr, Paula P. Freire, Rodrigo W. A. Souza, Rolando A.R. Villacis, Silvia R. Rogatto, Patricia P. Reis, Maeli Dal-Pai-Silvia, Robson F. Carvalho

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Cardiac cachexia (CC) is a common complication of heart failure (HF) associated with muscle wasting and poor patient prognosis. Although different mechanisms have been proposed to explain muscle wasting during CC, its pathogenesis is still not understood. Here, we described an integrative analysis between miRNA and mRNA expression profiles of muscle wasting during CC. Global gene expression profiling identified 1,281 genes and 19 miRNAs differentially expressed in muscle wasting during CC. Several of these deregulated genes are known or putative targets of the altered miRNAs, including miR-29a-3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-210-5p, miR-214, and miR-489. Gene ontology analysis on integrative mRNA/miRNA expression profiling …

Employee Guidebook, 2017-2018, Lindenwood University

Employee Handbooks

Information and guidelines for Lindenwood University faculty and staff.

"When Do We Play?": Administrator, Teacher, And Parent Perceptions Of Play In A Catholic Kindergarten Classroom, Aimée Eva Ramirez

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Educational reforms have created a climate of accountability and high academic pressure that has resulted in a pushing down of the curriculum into early childhood education. Once a prominent pedagogical feature, play is disappearing from kindergarten. The following is a doctoral dissertation that studied administrator, teacher, and parent perceptions of play and its role within the kindergarten curriculum at a Catholic elementary school in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Using a qualitative case study method, the study noted how play was utilized in transitional kindergarten and traditional kindergarten classrooms at the school site. Interviews, classroom observations, and document review of school …

Psychological Determinants Of Physical Activity Across The Life Course: A "Determinants Of Diet And Physical Activity" (Dedipac) Umbrella Systematic Literature Review, Cristina Cortis, Anna Puggina, Caterina Pesce, Katina Aleksovska, Christoph Buck, Con Burns, Greet Cardon, Angela Carlin, Chantal Simon, Donatella Ciarapica, Giancarlo Condello, Tara Coppinger, Sara D’Haese, Marieke De Craemer, Andrea Di Blasio, Sylvia Hansen, Licia Iacoviello, Johann Issartel, Pascal Izzicupo, Lina Jaeschke, Martina Kanning, Aileen Kennedy, Fiona Chun Man Ling, Agnes Luzak, Giorgio Napolitano, Julie Anne Nazare, Grainne O’Donoghue, Camille Perchoux, Tobias Pischon, Angela Polito, Alessandra Sannella, Holger Schulz

Publications

Low levels of physical activity (PA) are reported to contribute to the occurrence of non-communicable diseases over the life course. Although psychological factors have been identified as an important category concerning PA behavior, knowledge on psychological determinants of PA is still inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this umbrella systematic literature review (SLR) was to summarize and synthesize the scientific evidence on psychological determinants of PA behavior across the life course. A systematic online search was conducted on MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases. The search was limited to studies published in English from January 2004 to April …

Defining The Immune Response And Cellular Pathologies In Multiple System Atrophy, Annamarie Valenti

Masters Theses

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) in oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system (CNS). A previous study in our lab used Affymetrix DNA microarray analysis to show the downregulation of various mitochondrial related genes, as well as the upregulation of genes involved in inflammatory/immune responses in MSA brain tissue. Therefore, it is hypothesized that an increased presence of immune proteins exists in the MSA brain accompanied by glial cell pathology including decreases in cell metabolism and cell viability. This study uses immunohistochemistry (IHC) to show the increased presence of CD68 …

The Role Of Calcium In Regulation Of Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor By Skeletal Muscle Cells, Alicia M. Boynton

Masters Theses

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an important signaling molecule for the somatic motor nervous system. GDNF protein is produced and secreted by skeletal muscle cells and helps maintain motor neuron innervation at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment with exogenous GDNF prevents denervation which is characteristic of aging and neurodegenerative disease. The therapeutic potential of GDNF cannot be fully explored without understanding the mechanisms by which GDNF protein production is regulated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the role of calcium in regulating GDNF protein expression by skeletal muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) were grown in …

Voltage Controller For Simulating Transition Between Boost –Buck -Boost Converter, Aula Jameel Al-Kamil

Masters Theses

In the present work, a voltage tracking controller is developed for DC-DC Buck-Boost converter using software model. The software developed can track the voltage and the mode of operation (Buck or Boost), which depends on the value of the duty cycle ratio (D). The error between ��_{��������}(reference voltage) and output voltage is minimized by using step input as reference. The simulation results show that the designed software controller can successfully track the voltage with low error and with short settling time. The values for the Buck-Boost circuit components, the capacitor and the inductor, are tuned and selected so …