Medicinal Properties Of Cyperus Species (Sedge Family, Cyperaceae), Lata Maishaya Udari

Masters Theses

The grasses that yield therapeutically important products are among the least studied in the Cyperaceae family. Herb-based medicine from ancient times have played a vital role in ailments of various disease and nowadays it has been a particular area of interest in medicine. Phytochemicals are inherent compounds derived from plants that are biologically active, non-nutritive chemicals that act as a defensive or prophylactic medicine in humans. Their extracts have proven to show inhibition properties against different microbes. Despite the prevalence of Cyperus species and their traditional use in medicine, the chemical components responsible for their attributes remain largely unknown. This …

A Review Of Expanding Literate Landscapes: Persons, Practices, And Sociohistoric Perspectives Of Disciplinary Development By Kevin Roozen And Joe Erickson, Brian Hendrickson

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing Teacher And Adminstrators' Knowledge And Attitudes About Adolescent Depression, Suicide, And Prevention, Kayla N. Quick

Masters Theses

To date, research has yet to be conducted that examines U.S. secondary school teachers' and administrators' attitudes toward intervening with potentially depressed and/or suicidal students. Additionally, research is needed to identify the demographic characteristics of educators that are associated with general knowledge of adolescent suicide and the risk factors and warning signs that often accompany it. The purpose of the present study was to examine the following hypotheses: 1) certain characteristics (e.g. gender, years of experience with educating children, the amount of training received on adolescent depression/suicide, and knowledge of adolescent suicide and depression) are better predictors of attitudes toward …

Predictors Of Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms, Paulina A. Zdanowicz

Masters Theses

Bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms involve binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and preoccupation with food and body image. A wealth of research has linked factors such as impulsivity and obsessive-compulsive behaviors to BN. In contrast, social appearance anxiety has not been frequently studied, as it is a new concept, especially as it relates to BN symptoms. This study will examine the links of BN symptoms to social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Specifically, it was predicted that social appearance anxiety, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors will positively predict symptoms of BN. The main model in this study found that social appearance anxiety …

Effects Of Main-Stem Impoundments On Hydrology And Larval Fish Communities In Major Tributaries Of Two Large Midwestern Rivers, Jordan Pesik

Masters Theses

Anthropogenic modifications, like impoundments, have altered natural environmental conditions in most lotic systems and impacted fish ecology in many ways. We examined the effect of large river impoundments on fish reproductive behavior by studying the larval fish communities in tributaries of the impounded Illinois and unimpounded Wabash Rivers. We hypothesized that larval fish communities would be similar between the geographically proximal systems, but temporal structuring would depend largely on flow regimes. Biweekly larval densities were greatest among all taxa in the Wabash system, though overall communities were similar between systems. Of the six tributaries, the four smallest rivers were most …

Co-Product Potential Of Algae Biocake, Elizabeth J. Nixon

Masters Theses

Society needs to find replacements for fossil fuels, which are finite resources that may be fully depleted within a few generations. While solar and wind have great potential as alternative energy sources, they are unlikely to completely replace all of the current fuel sources, particularly liquid fuels. Plant biomass has great potential for this market, and is already used in many forms for heat energy (e.g. direct combustion). However, the bulk density of important bioenergy crops, particularly grasses, is often low, which necessitates the use of binders in densification strategies. In the present study, waste algae biocake from a proprietary …

Reproductive Health And Morphometric Comparison Of Catostomid Species In Two Midwestern Rivers, Bethany Ellen Hoster

Masters Theses

Wastewater treatment effluent, agricultural runoff, and impoundments can alter the water quality and flow regime of rivers. Fishes around the world are increasingly exposed to estrogenic compounds due to the discharge of wastewater into rivers. Estrogenic compounds, such as those found in birth control pills and soybean byproducts, are endocrine disruptors in vertebrates. The Sanitary District of Decatur serves the municipal and industrial entities of Macon County, IL, and discharges its effluent into the Sangamon River, which includes byproducts of industrial soybean processing. I assessed impacts of treated wastewater on the health of fishes in the Sangamon River. Abnormal caudal …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Biomimetic Dinuclear And Tetranuclear Copper Complexes, Syed Rahmath Ullah Joy

Masters Theses

Seven new copper(II) complexes were prepared from the condensation reaction of 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol with two equivalents of bis(pyrazolyl)ethanamine or 3,5-dimethyl-bis(pyrazolyl)ethanamine moieties in the presence of two equivalents of various copper(II) starting materials having different counter ions (i.e. acetate - AcO^-, perchlorate - CIO₄^-, tetrafluoroborate - BF₄^-, nitrate - NO₃^-, and chloride - Cl^-). The resulting copper(II) complexes were characterized in solid state by single crystal X-ray crystallography, and in solution by UV-Vis and ESI/MS spectroscopies.

X-ray crystallographic studies showed that in solid state two types of …

Pd-Based Photocatalysts For Sonogashira C-C Cross-Coupling Reactions, Komadhie Charuka Dissanayake

Masters Theses

Sonogashira C-C cross-coupling reaction has been heavily used for its simplicity, flexibility and value. Although the original Sonogashira C-C cross coupling reaction conditions entail the use of 0.5 mol% of Pd catalyst, 2 mol% of Cul as co-catalyst at room temperature, the experimental conditions used in laboratories to prepare some compounds vary substantially, especially with respect to the reaction time, temperature and loading amount of the catalysts. The most significant drawback of the conventional Sonogashira reaction is the use of Cul as it leads to the formation of homocoupling product when the reaction is exposed to air or oxidizing agents. …

Distiphallus Morphology And Its Role In Copulation Dynamics In Anastrepha Suspensa (Loew), Taylor J. Inboden

Masters Theses

Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera; Tephritidae) is an agricultural pest species causing severe economic damage and is controlled, in part, by applying knowledge of this species' reproduction (e.g., disrupting fertile copulations by SIT). During copulation, males transfer sperm as well as protein rich fluids through an aedeagus and distiphallus, which females then store in three spermathecae and one ventral receptacle. Within the female reproductive tract, the ventral receptacle and the three spermathecae are strategically separated from each other. I hypothesized males' ability to direct sperm transfer within the female reproductive tract is through the structures found in the distiphallus. Utilizing scanning electron …

Range Expansion Of Sigmodon Hispidus (Hispid Cotton Rat) Into Reclaimed Coal Surface-Mines In Southeastern Kentucky, Brittany L. Slabach, James J. Krupa

Biology Faculty Publications

Sigmodon hispidus (Hispid Cotton Rat) is the most wide-spread species of Sigmodon in North America. In recent years, this species has expanded northward and westward in the western part of its range due to changes in habitat and climate. Evidence suggests northward expansion is also occurring in Kentucky. Since the 1980s, extensive coal mining via surface mining and mountain-top removal has transformed more than 2300 km² of hardwood forests on the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky. Mining has transformed the landscape, once characterized by forests with deep valleys, steep slopes, and narrow, winding ridgetops into reclaimed sites with a …

Dwine, Michael A. Lake

School of Art Graduate Exhibitions, Portfolios, and Theses

No abstract provided.

Structural Stress And Otherness: How Do They Influence Psychological Stress?, Christine Dewilde

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The Theory of Cultural Distress offers a framework for understanding the potential outcomes in patients who do not receive care that incorporates their cultural beliefs (DeWilde & Burton, 2017).This study represents initial steps in researching the theory byexploring the layering of stressors that place the patient at risk for Cultural Distress. Methods: Utilized aCross-sectional descriptive correlational analysis of intersecting identities (Structural Stressors), ethnicity-related stressors (Otherness) and ethnic-identity (Otherness) to develop understanding of the potential effects of these variables on psychological stress. Independent variables included intersecting identities, perceived ethnic discrimination, concern for stereotype confirmation, own group conformity pressure, and …

An Intervention Study On Mindfulness Meditation And Mindfulness, Stress, Flourishing, And Academic Achievement In A First-Year Experience Seminar, Elizabeth S. Bambacus

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the two research questions, 1) what are the relationships among the pretest latent variables mindfulness, stress, and flourishing and the manifest variables GPA and retention in first-year college students in a first-year experience seminar and 2) will there be differences in mindfulness, stress, flourishing, GPA, and retention between groups of students in a first-year experience seminar who received a brief mindfulness intervention and those who did not? To answer these questions, the author analyzed secondary data collected from 373 first-year college students at a large public research university who took Introduction to the University (UNIV 101).

The …

Language, Literacy, And Conscientização In American Public Schools, Julie Ward

Theses and Dissertations

Language, Literacy, and Conscientização in American Public Schools synthesizes poststructural language theory to critique literacy teaching and assessment norms in American public schools in order to theorize a pedagogy of racial and economic justice that embraces globalization and immigration. Chapter I creates a theoretical framework for language that rests firmly on both Lev Vygotsky’s and Jacques Lacan’s sociohistorical approach to language acquisition and language use. Mikhail Bakhtin’s work demonstrates the heteroglossic nature of discourse, while Antonio Gramsci politicizes this framework through an understanding of hegemony. Chapter II sketches ethnographic research on teaching practices of various American communities, focusing on ideology …

Regulation Of Hcn Channel Function By Direct Camp Binding And Singlet Oxygen, Vinaykumar Idikuda

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic-nucleotide gated ion channels (HCN channels) are activated by membrane hyperpolarization and modulated by cyclic nucleotides. HCN channels are important to maintain the resting membrane potential and input resistance in neurons and have important physiological functions in the brain and heart. Four mammalian HCN isoforms, HCN1-4, and the isoform cloned from sea urchin, spHCN, have been extensively studied. Among these, only spHCN channel shows a voltage dependent inactivation. Previous studies have shown that the ligand binding in mHCN2 channel is activity dependent: cAMP binding increases along with channel opening or channels in the open state have higher binding affinity …

Galantamine's Deconstruction In The Quest Of A Pam Pharmacophore, Malaika Argade

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder generally affecting people above the age of 65 years. Even though the pathophysiological hallmarks of AD were established more than a hundred years ago, there is yet to be a drug that can stop its characteristic neuronal damage. Of the five currently FDA-approved drugs, galantamine has a unique mechanism of action. Apart from being an AChE inhibitor, galantamine can effectively potentiate (positive allosteric modulator) the effect of agonists at nAChRs at concentrations lower than those required for its action as an AChE inhibitor. Perhaps the clinical benefits observed with galantamine are associated mainly …

The Role Of Ceramide In Neutrophil Elastase Induced Inflammation In The Lungs, Sophia Karandashova

Theses and Dissertations

Alterations to sphingolipid metabolism are associated with increased pulmonary inflammation, but the impact of inflammatory mediators, such as neutrophil elastase (NE), on airway sphingolipid homeostasis remains unknown. NE is a protease associated CF lung disease progression, and can be found in up to micromolar concentrations in patient airways. While sphingolipids have been investigated in the context of CF, the focus has been on loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function. Here, we present a novel observation: oropharyngeal aspiration of NE increases airway ceramides in mice. Using a previously characterized mouse model of NE-induced inflammation, we demonstrate that NE …

Biosensing And Catalysis Applications Of Nanoporous Gold (Npg) And Platinum-Speckled Nanoporous Gold (Npg-Pt) Electrodes, Christopher J. Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of porous materials has risen substantially in the last few decades due to their ability to reduce the size and cost of bioanalytical devices and fuel cells. First, this work aims to describe the fabrication of nanoporous gold (NPG) electrodes that are resistant to electrode passivation due to fibrinogen biofouling in redox solutions. The effect on potentiometric and voltammetric experiments was seen as a deviation from ideal behavior on planar gold electrodes, whereas NPG electrodes were consistently behaving in a Nernstian fashion at low concentrations of ferri-ferrocyanide (£100 mM). An improvement in electrode behavior on NPG electrodes versus …

Improving Realtime 3-D Tracking Of High Dose Rate Radiation Source Using A Flat Panel Detector, Leo Uchechukwu Udeji

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research ¹ on this subject tracked the presumed exact path the HDR source would follow in real-time, during breast brachytherapy treatments in other to ensure accurate dose delivery and effectively confirm actual source position. As a continuation, this research has three objectives. Firstly, we will extract information from patient DICOM file which will be used to perform evaluations, then we will establish communication between our C program and the new Varex Paxscan flat panel detector (FPD). Finally, we will try to embed our C codes into a MATLAB graphical user interface (GUI) This research will attempt to improve the …

Exogenous Fniii 12-14 Regulates Tgf-Β1-Induced Markers, Hilmi M. Humeid

Theses and Dissertations

The extracellular matrix protein Fibronectin (FN) plays an important role in cell contractility, differentiation, growth, adhesion, and migration. The 12th -14th Type III repeats of FN (FNIII 12-14), also referred to as the Heparin-II domain, comprise a highly promiscuous growth factor (GF) binding region. This binding domain aids in cellular signaling initiated from the ECM. Additionally, FN has the ability to assemble into fibrils under certain conditions, mostly observed during cell contractile processes such as those that initiate due to upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) [1], [2]. Previous work from our lab has shown that self-assembly of …

Molecular Brain Adaptations To Ethanol: Role Of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Beta In The Transition To Excessive Consumption, Andrew D. Van Der Vaart

Theses and Dissertations

Alcoholism is a complex neuropsychiatric disease that is characterized by compulsive alcohol use and intensifying cravings and withdrawals, often culminating in physiologic dependency. Fundamental alterations in brain chemistry underlie the transition from initial ethanol exposure to repetitive excessive use. Key mediators of this adaptation include changes in gene expression and signal transduction. Here we investigated gene expression pathways in prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens following acute or chronic ethanol treatment, to identify genes with potentially conserved involvement in the long-term response of the corticolimbic system to repeated ethanol exposure. We investigated Gsk3b, which encodes glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta, as a …

The Role Of Learning Experiences, Supports And Barriers In Career Development For The Doctoral Student, Madeline B. Goldman

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

THE ROLE OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES, SUPPORTS AND BARRIERS FOR THE DOCTORAL STUDENT

By Madeline B. Goldman, DDS, MEd

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018

Major Director: Robin Hurst, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning

This study seeks to understand the role of career development classes offered by the graduate school at a large public research university as part of its Leadership and Entrepreneurs for Professional Development (LEAPD) program and the LEAPD program effects on doctoral students’ career development and …

Resolution Of Proximal Oxidative Base Damage And 3′-Phosphate Termini For Nonhomologous End Joining Of Free Radical-Mediated Dna Double-Strand Breaks, Sri Lakshmi Chalasani

Theses and Dissertations

Clustered damage to DNA is a signature mark of radiation-induced damage, which involves damage to the nucleobases and/or DNA backbone. Double-strand breaks created by damaging agents are detrimental to cell survival leading to chromosomal translocations. Normal cells employ Non-homologous end-joining because of its faster kinetics, to suppress chromosomal translocations. However, the presence of complex DNA ends constitutes a significant challenge to NHEJ. Location of Thymine glycol (Tg) at DSB ends was a potential hindrance to end joining. The substrate with Tg at the third position (Tg3) from the DSB joined better than when present at the fifth position (Tg5). However, …

Forest Structural Complexity And Net Primary Production Resilience Across A Gradient Of Disturbance In A Great Lakes Ecosystem, Lisa T. Haber

Theses and Dissertations

Forests are an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle and contribute to climate change mitigation through atmospheric C uptake and storage in biomass and soils. However, the forest C sink is susceptible to disturbance, which modifies physical and biological structure and limits spatial extent of forests. Unlike severe, stand-replacing disturbances that reset forest successional trajectories and may simplify ecosystem structure, moderate severity disturbances may instead introduce complexity in ways that sustain net primary production (NPP), leading to the phenomenon of “NPP resilience.” In this study, we examined the linkage between disturbance severity and ecosystem biological and physical structural …

Ageism Among Healthcare Professionals: The Influence Of Personal Aging Anxiety, Job Role, And Work Setting On Attitudes Toward Older Patients, Jennifer L. K. Inker

Theses and Dissertations

Older adults make up a significant and increasing proportion of the U.S. population and are frequent users of healthcare services. Ageism in healthcare, driven by an incomplete and narrowly biomedical perspective on aging, has been linked to various problematic outcomes for older patients, including under- and over-treatment. The purpose of this study was to use the theory of relational ageism to explore the relationship between personal aging anxiety among healthcare professionals and their attitudes to older patients, considering the potentially moderating factors of job role and work setting. Using convenience sampling, clinical healthcare professionals working for a mid-sized, regional healthcare …

A Survey Of Cannabis Consumption And Implications Of An Experimental Policy Manipulation Among Young Adults, Alyssa K. Rudy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this online cross-sectional study was to identify cannabis user profiles by administration method and examine how differential cannabis policies influence intentions among young adults. Participants were assigned randomly to one of three hypothetical cannabis policy conditions (recreationally legal; medically legal; illegal). Within conditions, participants completed measures regarding cannabis use, including administration methods, cannabis attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, and intentions. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine sub-groups of past 30-day cannabis users by administration method followed by sub-group comparisons. Condition effects on intentions and associated variables were examined using ANCOVA. Four classes (Low-Blunt, Low-Bong, …

Directing Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Periodontal Regeneration, Charles Stoianovici

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Directing autogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) to defect sites has a great promise in bone regeneration. We designed a MSC specific, bone affinity peptide (E7HA7) by conjugating E7 with a polyglutamate hydroxyapatite (HA) binding motif. We sought to characterize the in-vivo releasing pattern and bioactivity of E7HA7. Methods: HA discs were coated with fluorescent labeled peptides E7HA7, E7HA2 or E7 were subcutaneously implanted in Sprague Dawley rats. In an ectopic bone formation model was used to test the in-vivo bioactivity of E7HA7 conjugated to DBM. Results: E7HA7 showed slower peptide release from scaffolds in comparison to other groups, being …

Usefulness Of The Captia Syphilis Igg Eia Test Method And Reverse Algorithm For Detection Of Syphilis Infection In A Public Health Setting, Patricia Armour

Theses and Dissertations

Syphilis, a systemic sexually transmitted disease, is on the rise in the US, with infection rates the highest recorded since 1994 according to the CDC. Useful laboratory testing is an important diagnostic tool for determining individual syphilis infection and preventing community-wide disease spread.

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of a specific automated treponemal test method, the Captia^TM Syphilis IgG EIA, and the syphilis reverse algorithm interpretation for detecting syphilis infection among patients seeking care in a public health clinic. The study employed a retrospective, nonexperimental descriptive correlational design with data collected between 2012-2013 from …

The Cognitive And Functional Impact Of Open Heart Surgery: A Pilot Study Including Three Common Procedures (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Heart Valve Replacement, And Left Ventricular Assist Device), Robert Fix

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of open heart surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Heart Valve Replacement, or Left Ventricular Assist Device placement) on cognition, functional performance, and mood in the three months following surgery. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Kettle Test (KT), Physical Self Maintenance Scale (PSMS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HD) measured global cognition, functional cognition, functional performance, and mood states, respectively.

Thirteen male participants (ages 38 – 75) completed assessments at four time points -- when they were scheduled for surgery, within one week prior to surgery, before hospital discharge after surgery, and three months after …