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Siah-Mediated Ups Regulation Of The Development Of The Visual System In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Warlen Pereira Piedade

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The eye is a complex organ responsible for vision that which formation depends on several intricate developmental steps. Vision for humans is responsible for the majority of its sensory interactions with the environment. Eye development can be divided into two critical stages: morphogenesis, which establishes the eye structure culminating with the fusion of the optic fissure, a transient cleft important for eye vascularization, and subsequently specification and differentiation of the retina to form every type of retinal neuronal cell, including photoreceptors, rods and cones. Developmental failure in either of these critical stages can lead to inherited congenital or age-related blinding …

The Oncogenic Role Of The Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 4a3 (Ptp4a3 Or Prl-3) In T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Min Wei

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive blood cancer. There are no immunotherapies and few molecularly targeted therapeutics available for the treatment of this malignancy. The identification and characterization of genes and pathways that drive T-ALL progression is critical for the development of new therapies for T-ALL. The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP4A3, also known as PRL-3, has been extensively reported to play a causative role in numerous cancers, including several types of blood malignancies. However, its role in T-ALL is not well defined.

Here, we determined that the PRL-3 plays a critical role in T-ALL initiation and progression by …

Epigenetic Implications In Inorganic Arsenic-Mediated Carcinogenesis, Meredith Eckstein

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Chronic, low dose exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a public health concern throughout the world, contributing to the development of many diseases, including lung cancer. Several mechanisms for iAs-mediated carcinogenesis have been proposed, of which the production of reactive oxygen species and formation of chromosomal aberrations are the most studied. Another equally important, yet less studied mechanism is dysregulation of epigenetic marks. “Epigenetics” refers to changes that occur on the DNA and chromatin that do not alter base pair identity, but alter compaction, expression, and regulation of specific DNA sequences. There are several types of epigenetic marks including histone …

The Effect Of Ph On Synaptic Transmission At The Neuromuscular Junction In Drosophila Melanogaster, Catherine Elizabeth Stanley

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Synaptic transmission is the main avenue of neuronal communication and can be affected by a multitude of factors, both intracellularly and extracellularly. The effects of pH changes on synaptic transmission have been studied for many years across many different models. Intracellular acidification at the presynaptic terminal is known to occur with increased neuronal activity and can also occur in pathological conditions. The effects of these pH alterations are therefore an important area of study. Here, intracellular acidification using either propionic acid or the ammonium chloride pre-pulse technique was examined for the effects on both spontaneous and evoked synaptic transmission at …

From Organisms To Ecosystems: Impacts Of Limb Loss And Regeneration On Crayfish Behavior, Luc Arnaud Dunoyer

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The ability of some organisms to regenerate tissues and organs has fascinated naturalists since antiquity, dating back to the earliest accounts of scientific inquiry with Aristotle in Ancient Greece. Then, Darwin’s theory invigorated some scientists’ dream of stimulating (or reactivating) regenerative capacities in human beings by showing that we are related to highly regenerative organisms. More recently, a renewed interest in discovering the molecular and genetic basis for organ and tissue regeneration has led biologists to focus more specifically on a restrictive set of model organisms.

Although the process of limb regeneration is different between invertebrate and vertebrate organisms, it …

From Genes To Species: Ecological Speciation With Gene Flow In Neodiprion Pinetum And N. Lecontei, Emily E. Bendall

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

My dissertation focuses on how differences accumulate across the genome during ecological speciation with geneflow. To do this I used two species of Neodiprionpine sawflies, which are plant-feeding hymenopterans with high host specificity. I used experimental crosses to measure both intrinsic and extrinsic postzygotic isolation and to understand the contribution of specific traits to reproductive isolation. Despite substantial genetic divergence and haploid males in which all recessive incompatibilities should be expressed, I found surprisingly little evidence of intrinsic postzygotic isolation. Recombination in hybrid males may reconstitute viable genotypes and counteract the effects of haploidy in males. Nevertheless, hybrids have …

Elucidating The Role Of Light-Induced Circadian Disruption On Atherosclerosis In Apolipoproteine-Deficient Mice, Jeffrey Chalfant

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

Circadian rhythms are approximately 24-hour oscillations of nearly every biological process in the body. The circadian system coordinates these rhythms of physiology and behavior with environmental cycles such as the light-dark cycle. Shift workers, who experience irregular exposure to the light-dark cycle, have chronically disrupted circadian rhythms and increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms are unknown. Our studies investigated the effects of light-induced circadian disruption on atherosclerosis in ApolipoproteinE-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. We found that male ApoE^-/- mice housed in constant light for 12 weeks, which results in severe disruption of circadian rhythms …

The Roles Of Polar Cell Extensions In Drosophila Micropyle Formation, Bradford Hull

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The Drosophila micropyle is a conserved formation utilized to allow sperm passage past the robust eggshell structure for fertilization. Micropyle formation follows a unique acellular tubulogenesis method where it is secreted and shaped by specialized follicle cells including the border cells and polar cells. In late oogenesis, the polar cells form extensions that are necessary to create the micropyle pore through which sperm enters. Previous work established that polar cell extension presence is required for micropyle pore formation. We investigated temporal requirements of extensions throughout chorion deposition and found extensions are required during the beginning and middle of choriogenesis, but …

Volume Xxviii (2020)

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Shane Hinton's "Pinkies" As An Allegory Of Climate Change And Ecological Paranoia, Christopher Nank

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Director's Note, Athena L. Edwards

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Dehumanization “Because Of Sex”: The Multiaxial Approach To The Title Vii Rights Of Sexual Minorities, Shirley Lin

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Decreasing Stress For Parents Of Special Needs Children Through A Web-Based Mindfulness Program: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth J. Shaffer, Jennifer E. Lape, Joyce Salls

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Parents often experience moderate to severe levels of stress due to the challenges of raising a child with special needs. Previous research has proven that excessive parental stress negatively impacts both the parent and child’s health. However, few organizations have been identified which offer intervention programs focusing directly on decreasing parental stress. This pilot study investigates the effectiveness of a 6-week online mindfulness-based course in reducing stress experienced by parents of children with special needs. Method: A pre-test, post-test pilot design, as well as a participatory action approach, were employed to determine the impact of the online mindfulness-based course …

Arthropod Resistant Tomatoes: Screening Tools, Yield And Nutritional Quality Of Interspecific Hybrids, Mohammad Hasan Salman Ali Dawood

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most economically important vegetable crops grown around globe but is a host for numerous pests and pathogens. In the future, tomato breeders will have to focus on increasing fruit quantity and on enhancing pest resistance. Many accessions of the wild relative of tomato, S. habrochaites display high levels of resistance towards arthropods such as spider mites. The presence of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon, 7-epi-zingiberene, found in S. habrochaites type IV trichomes has been associated with arthropod resistance. However, the presence of other compounds in its trichome secretions may also be related …

Evaluation Of The Influence Of Dicamba Exposure On Crop Injury And Canopy Closure Of Glufosinate Resistant Soybean, Zachary K. Perry

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Dicamba-resistant soybean along with lower volatility dicamba formulations have been introduced in an attempt to control herbicide resistant weeds such as Amaranthus palmeri. This introduction has increased the amount of dicamba being applied later in the growing season increasing the prevalence of dicamba off-target movement. Dicamba damage was simulated by applying low rates of dicamba directly on soybeans at rates (0.5 g ae ha^-1, 1 g ae ha^-1 and 5 g ae ha^-1 dicamba) and five-exposure timings from June 1 to July 10. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications at …

Soil Carbon Dynamics And Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Conservation Tillage Systems At Multiple Scales, Yawen Huang

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Conservation tillage practices like no-tillage and reduced tillage have been widely implemented worldwide, with expectations they would provide multiple benefits (e.g., yield enhancement and soil carbon sequestration) for food security and climate adaptation and mitigation. However, the adoption of conservation tillage faces both opportunities and challenges. A knowledge gap still exists regarding the effects of conservation tillage on the carbon cycle in agroecosystems. This dissertation reflects a comprehensive evaluation of conservation tillage at multiple scales using an integrated systems approach, a combination of data synthesis, the agriculture ecosystem model, and field observations and measurements. I first conducted a meta-analysis to …

Impact Of Lifestyle Factors On Group B Streptococcus Colonization During Pregnancy, Myra Joy Quilatan

Theses

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in the genital tract of pregnant women is a known contributory factor for infection in the neonate, having an impact on morbidity and mortality especially if unrecognized and untreated prior to vaginal delivery. An understanding on how certain lifestyle factors contribute to the development of GBS colonization during pregnancy will assist in aiding a modification of behavior to promote prevention and improve general health.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various lifestyle factors in isolation or combination on GBS colonization during pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design …

Use Of Metaconceptual Scaffolding In The Science Classroom To Promote Conceptual Change, Erin Duez

Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of providing metaconceptual awareness questions on the conceptual change and metaconceptual awareness of students in the chemistry classroom. This quasi-experimental study with a repeated-measures design analyzed the effects of providing metaconceptual awareness questions on the conceptual change and metaconceptual awareness of high school chemistry students. The intervention consisted of providing metaconceptual awareness questions nine times to the experimental group over a three-week period. The chemistry conceptual knowledge of both groups was assessed three times: pretest, posttest, and a delayed retention test. The metaconceptual awareness of the students was assessed twice …

Managing Inventory: A Study Of Databases And Database Management Systems, Jemal M. Jemal

Senior Independent Study Theses

Databases play an important role in the storage and manipulation of data. Databases and database management systems allow for fast and efficient data querying that has recently become increasingly important in most companies and organizations. This paper introduces a few of the different types of database management systems that are in widespread use today. It introduces some important terminology related to databases and database management systems. This paper also briefly discusses web user interfaces, highlighting important user interface design principles. Finally, an inventory management system is implemented for a local stationery store and is integrated with a web application to …

To Edit Or Not To Edit?--Regulating Crispr Transnationally, Ann Potter

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

After Chinese scientist Dr. He Jiankui's announcement that he had successfully edited the human genome using a new technology called CRISPR/Cas-9, Dr. He forced the world to address the ethical dilemmas introduced by gene-editing technologies. Born out of a historical tradition of human "improvement," gene-editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas-9 modify human genes down to DNA molecules. CRISPR can prevent and cure genetic diseases that have previously had no cure, but problems arise when CRISPR's use expands to enhancements or to modifications that would change the human genome permanently. Given CRISPR's potential profound impact, this Note analyzes how international bodies like the …

End-To-End Prediction Of Weld Penetration In Real Time Based On Deep Learning, Wenhua Jiao

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Welding is an important joining technique that has been automated/robotized. In automated/robotic welding applications, however, the parameters are preset and are not adaptively adjusted to overcome unpredicted disturbances, which cause these applications to not be able to meet the standards from welding/manufacturing industry in terms of quality, efficiency, and individuality. Combining information sensing and processing with traditional welding techniques is a significant step toward revolutionizing the welding industry. In practical welding, the weld penetration as measured by the back-side bead width is a critical factor when determining the integrity of the weld produced. However, the back-side bead width is difficult …

Syncretic Narrative: Method For Navigation Of Power And Resistance In War And Conflict, Diane Derr

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This research is developed out of an observed phenomenon of narrative formation in the Arab Spring. Narrative, informed by and reliant upon communication models and technologies, enables us to navigate, negotiate, and elicit meaning both from and within complexity of information. As a primary model of communication during the Arab Spring, the networked model of communication facilitated a dynamic interface between the citizen witness and institutional journalism within the networked bounds of space and time. This research investigates the operation of the citizen witness in the networked bounds of space and time, grounded in a syncretically generated geopolitical place of …

H.K. V. Google, Northern District Of California

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

100 Books To Think About, Cynthia M. Kisby

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The news is full of stories about intelligent people, at the top of their game, who hurtle into public humiliation. I dubbed this fascinating phenomenon the theory of “smart and dumb.” Sometimes we’re thinking, and sometimes clearly, we are not. My quest to understand these quirks of human nature shaped a lifetime of research, and I am not alone in my curiosity. People seek answers to their own compelling life issues including health, financial, and interpersonal topics. Librarians research solutions. Self-care books, such as those summarized here, remain popular because people always appreciate advice on how to succeed, get rich, …

Secondhand Smoke Exposure And Other Signs Of Tobacco Consumption At Outdoor Entrances Of Primary Schools In Eleven European Countries, Elisabet Henderson, Xavier Continente, Esteve Fernandez, Olena Tigova, Nuria Cortes-Francisco, Silvano Gallus, Alessandra Lugo, Sean Semple, Rachel O'Donnell, Luke Clancy, Sheila Keogan, Ario Ruprecht, Alessandro Borgini, Anna Tzortzi, Vergina K. Vyzikidou, Giuseppe Gornini, Angel Lopez-Nicolas, Joan B. Soriano, Gergana Geshanova, Joseph Osman, Ute Mons, Krzysztof Przewozniak, Jose Precioso, Ramona Brad, Maria J. Lopez, Tackshs Project Investigators

Articles

Introduction: Although smoking restrictions at child-related settings are progressively being adopted, school out-door entrances are neglected in most smoke-free policies across Europe.

Objectives:To describe secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and tobacco-related signs in outdoor entrances of primary schools in Europe according to area-level socioeconomic status (SES), smoke-free policy, national smoking prevalence, and geographical region.

Methods:In this cross-sectional study we monitored vapor-phase nicotine concentrations at 220 school outdoor entrances in 11 European countries (March 2017–October 2018). To account for nicotine presence, we used the laboratory's limit of quantification of 0.06μg/m3as point threshold. We also recorded the presence of smell of smoke, people …

High Gravity Fermentation Of Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate By Saccharomyces Pastorianus To Produce Economically Distillable Ethanol Concentrations: Necessity Of Medium Components Examined, Sarah W. Harcum, Thomas P. Caldwell

Open Access Publishing Fund

A major economic obstacle in lignocellulosic ethanol production is the low sugar concentrations in the hydrolysate and subsequent fermentation to economically distillable ethanol concentrations. We have previously demonstrated a two-stage fermentation process that recycles xylose with xylose isomerase to increase ethanol productivity, where the low sugar concentrations in the hydrolysate limit the final ethanol concentrations. In this study, three approaches are combined to increase ethanol concentrations. First, the medium-additive requirements were investigated to reduce ethanol dilution. Second, methods to increase the sugar concentrations in the sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate were undertaken. Third, the two-stage fermentation process was recharacterized with high gravity …

Increasing Doctoral Student Completion Rates Within The College Of Humanities And Sciences At Virginia Commonwealth University, Victoria A. Keel, Michaela R. Bearden

Doctor of Education Capstones

Research on doctoral education primarily focuses on broad fields of study and general attrition. Often overlooked, is an examination of the student at each stage of their program and the challenges they face that can potentially lead to stopping out. This capstone project explored the doctoral student experience within the Department of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. A mixed method study via an online survey was utilized to gather data about the student experience on their path towards candidacy. Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed through Chi-square tests and thematic coding to identify answers to each research question. …

Work Hope And Work Volition: Exploring The Influence Of Community College Students’ Rurality And Socioeconomic Status, Jesse A. Wingate

Theses and Dissertations

Data from a sample of community college students (N = 478) in Virginia were used to examine relations among rurality, socioeconomic status, work hope, and work volition. Socioeconomic status, work hope, and work volition were positively associated. However, rurality, measured both as a continuous and categorical variable, was not correlated with work hope or work volition. Additional analyses showed convergence between measures of work hope and work volition confirming construct similarity. Results, limitations, implications, and recommendations for future study are included.

Preventative And Therapeutic Effects Of Bmsc Exosome On Periodontal Disease, Jin Ha Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by the imbalance between host immune response and bacterial infection. Strategies to manage the uncontrolled, excessive immune response and to promote tissue healing are in great demand. Therapies based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising and the clinical effects of MSCs are largely mediated by their secretome, especially exosomes. Previously, we isolated and purified exosomes secreted by human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC). These exosomes have proliferative, chemotactic, anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastic function in vitro. In this study, we had two hypotheses: 1) hBMSC exosomes would prevent periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss …

Centering Social Equity In The Climate Action Planning Process: Lessons For Richmond, Virginia, Melissa M. Marquette

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The client of this plan is the City of Richmond's Office of Sustainability. The purpose is to assist RVAgreen 2050's in its equity-centered climate action planning and to reach the City of Richmond's frontline communities (those impacted first and worst to climate impacts of intense heat, low-lying flooding, and severe storm events). The method and approach include the content analysis of ten cities' climate action, sustainability, or resiliency plans. It makes suggestions of best practices and recommendations for the City of Richmond to reach those historically left out of the planning process and to shift power from the local government …