Digital Commons Network^™

Characterizing The Role Of Necroptosis Of Airway Epithelial Cells In The Immune Response To Respiratory Pathogens, Ashleigh Nichole Riegler

All ETDs from UAB

Necroptosis, a programmed form of lytic cell death, is initiated by various viral and bacterial pathogens through irreparable ion dysregulation and energy depletion. This cellular damage results in the activation of the cellular kinases RIPK1 and RIPK3, consecutively, and the activation and membrane targeting of MLKL, the latter responsible for lysis. Here we have demonstrated that necroptosis of airway epithelial cells is key in the development of the adaptive immune response to asymptomatic colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). Briefly, necroptotic deficient animals or wildtype animals colonized with Spn lacking the necroptosis-triggering pneumolysin toxin, failed to recruit CD11c+ leukocytes to the …

The Cellular Role Of Tyrosyl-Dna Phosphodiesterase 1 N-Terminal Domain In Topoisomerase 2-Dna Covalent Complex Repair In Yeast, Isaac Andres Segura

All ETDs from UAB

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1) removes adducts from DNA-ends, including damaged nucleotides and protein-DNA crosslinks such as DNA topoisomerases (Topo1 and Topo2) and Tdp1 itself. The N-terminal domain (NTD) of Tdp1 has been understudied, structurally unresolved, and seemingly dispensable for in vitro catalytic activity. However, our lab made the novel observation that the NTD is critical for Tdp1 cellular activity in removing Topo1-DNA covalent complexes (Topo1cc). Removal of the first 80 residues (yeast Tdp1 NTD) results in the loss of the toxic phenotype induced by full-length Tdp1 catalytic mutants. This suggests that in cells the NTD has a critical function in …

The Relationships Fathers Have With Their Co-Residential Adult Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Exploration Of Fatherhood And Masculinity, Kirsten Leigh Ostergren Clark

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation explored the relationships between fathers and their co-residential adult children who have been diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). This research addressed 1) the ways fathers understand their involvement in the lives of their adult child with developmental disabilities, especially as it relates to their masculinity; 2) how fathers perceive that their experiences fathering their child have impacted their health and health behaviors, including how masculinity plays a part; and 3) what supports fathers stated they have utilized and recommend, along with what challenges and constraints fathers feel they have faced. My analysis of in-depth interviews …

Disrupting The Perioperative Opioid Gateway: Identification Of Risk Factors For New Persistent Post-Surgical Opioid Use, Gia Marie Pittet

All ETDs from UAB

A large portion of the American Opioid Crisis is due to opioid naïve patients who become new persistent post-surgical opioid users, although the risk factors for the development of this addiction are not well studied. The objective of this study was to analyze multiple layers of pre-operative and procedural risk factors using an ecological perspective theoretical framework in adult patients undergoing invasive surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of 13,970 opioid naïve adults in a mixed surgical cohort with data available at the University of California Los Angeles that was merged with narcotics data for the State of California (IRB#19-000625). …

Beautiful Hunt, Dena Leonard Pruett

All ETDs from UAB

Beautiful Hunt explores the moment when you realize what is now never will be again no matter how hard you might try to go back. This work also explores developing selfhood – the tension between who we are, who we want to become, how we see ourselves, and how others see us. How is our story told, and who gets to tell it? In January 1998, Alice Landry arrives in the small town of Sans Souci, the boot of the boot of Louisiana. Her father, Sans Souci born and raised, moved away when he married Alice’s mom, a New York …

Inflammation, Executive Function, And Adiposity In Children With Or At Risk For Obesity, Kathryn L. Prendergast

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity is associated with executive function (EF) deficits across the lifespan. Higher body mass index (BMI), greater severity of obesity, and poorer adherence and weight outcomes in obesity treatment have all been associated with EF deficits. Adult literature has begun to emphasize neuroinflammation in obesity as a possible pathway to later cognitive impairment. However, the pediatric obesity literature has yet to even establish associations between peripheral inflammation and EF. Thus, the present study aimed to examine associations and variability in inflammatory biomarkers, EF, and adiposity in children with or at risk for obesity. Additionally, inflammation was examined as a mechanism …

Biomarker And Target Discovery In Cancer, Alyncia Dominique Robinson

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer is a complex disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of transformed cells that can arise in many tissue types throughout the body (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, lymph nodes) and is a major cause of death worldwide. Cancer progression resulting in aggressive or metastatic disease accounts for one of the leading causes of death worldwide, second only to heart disease in the US. Incidentally, cancer-related mortality has been on a steady decline, dropping 25% over the last 25 years [1]. This could be attributed to improved and earlier diagnoses and better treatment options being developed over the past few decades. …

Keller-Segel Type Chemotaxis Model: Asymptotic Behavior Of The Small Data Solution, Jean D. Rugamba

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation’s work is on asymptotic behavior of a Keller- Segel type chemotaxismodel with logarithmic sensitivity and logistic growth. The logarithmic singularity in the system is removed via the inverse Hopf-Cole transformation. Then, for the transformed system, we study the Green’s function of the corresponding linear system, linearized around a constant equilibrium solution, and the results give us a detailed point-wise description of the Greens function, which, itself, is significant in linear theory. Next, with the results on the Green’s function, we study small data solution to the nonlinear system by making use of Duhamel’s principle. This provides a descriptive …

Calliope, Georgia Southern University

Calliope Magazine

Volume 38

Assessing Habitat Suitability Of Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia Demissa) In Georgia Salt Marshes By Examining Predicted Mussel Densities And Mussel Population Parameters, William K. Annis Jr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Geukensia demissa (ribbed mussel) is an ecology important bivalve that has the potential to contribute to salt marsh restoration. Understanding the factors that contribute to the distribution of mussels can help inform managers on choosing locations to optimize the survivorship of mussels in restoration projects. This study sought to model mussel densities across the coast of Georgia and to compare predicted mussel densities with mussel population parameters as means to gauge habitat suitability. Mussel densities were collected through field surveys across a range of salt marshes along the coast of Georgia and were compared with spatial data such as distance …

The Role Of Symbiotic Algae In The Acclimatization Of Oculina Arbuscula To Ocean Acidification, Erin M. Arneson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Ocean acidification (OA) caused by CO₂ emissions is projected to decrease seawater pH to 7.6 by 2100. Scleractinian corals are at risk because excess H⁺ in seawater binds to carbonate (CO₃^2-), reducing its availability for CaCO₃ skeletons. The energy demand for skeletal growth increases as pH decreases because corals must actively purge excess H⁺ from their seawater sourced calcifying fluid to maintain high calcification rates. In scleractinian corals it is hypothesized that photosynthesis by symbiotic algae is critical to meet this increased energy demand. To test this hypothesis, I conducted laboratory and field …

Common Data Set, 2020-2021, Planning, Research, And Policy Analysis

Common Data Set (2001-present)

Common Data Set 2020-2021 for Illinois State University

Labilization And Diversification Of Pyrogenic Dissolved Organic Matter By Microbes, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Andrew S. Wozniak, Kyle W. Bostick, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Siddhartha Mitra, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

With the increased occurrence of forest fires around the world, interest in the chemistry of pyrogenic organic matter (pyOM) and its fate in the environment has increased. Upon leaching from soils by rain events, significant amounts of dissolved pyOM (pyDOM) enter the aquatic environment and interact with microbial communities that are essential for cycling organic matter within the different biogeochemical cycles. To evaluate the bio-reactivity of pyDOM, aqueous extracts of laboratory-produced chars were incubated with soil microbes and the molecular changes to the composition of pyDOM were probed using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (Fourier transform – ion cyclotron resonance – …

Exposure Assessment Of Emerging Contaminants: Rapid Screening And Modeling Of Plant Uptake, Majid Bagheri

Doctoral Dissertations

"With the advent of new chemicals and their increasing uses in every aspect of our life, considerable number of emerging contaminants are introduced to environment yearly. Emerging contaminants in forms of pharmaceuticals, detergents, biosolids, and reclaimed wastewater can cross plant roots and translocate to various parts of the plants. Long-term human exposure to emerging contaminants through food consumption is assumed to be a pathway of interest. Thus, uptake and translocation of emerging contaminants in plants are important for the assessment of health risks associated with human exposure to emerging contaminants. To have a better understanding over fate of emerging contaminants …

Neogene Dinoflagellate Cysts From The Tropical Americas, Damian Cardenas

Doctoral Dissertations

"Marine palynomorphs, mainly dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs, constitute excellent proxies for biostratigraphic and paleoceanographic studies in neritic sequences. Neogene marine palynological studies have mostly focused on the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the scarcity of dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs from tropical latitudes. Forty samples encompassing the late Chattian-late Burgidalian time interval (~24.1- 17.3 Ma) in the Southern Caribbean were analyzed for their marine palynological contents. A biostratigraphic scheme for the region is proposed and includes the upper Chattian-lower Aquitanian Minisphaeridium latirictum Interval Zone (~23.9-22.0 Ma), the upper Aquitanian Achomosphaera alcicornu Interval Zone (~22.0-20.3 Ma), and the Burdigalian Cribroperidinium tenuitabulatum Interval Zone …

Modeling Time Series With Conditional Heteroscedastic Structure, Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Isuru Panduka Ratnayake

Doctoral Dissertations

"Models with a conditional heteroscedastic variance structure play a vital role in many applications, including modeling financial volatility. In this dissertation several existing formulations, motivated by the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic model, are further generalized to provide more effective modeling of price range data well as count data. First, the Conditional Autoregressive Range (CARR) model is generalized by introducing a composite range-based multiplicative component formulation named the Composite CARR model. This formulation enables a more effective modeling of the long and short-term volatility components present in price range data. It treats the long-term volatility as a stochastic component that in …

Development Of Tripodal And Bipodal Ligand Frameworks And First-Row Transition Metal Reagents For Selective C-N Bond Construction Methodologies, Anshika Kalra

Doctoral Dissertations

"We present a family of anionic Mn(II) reagents supported by trisphenylamido- amlne frameworks that offer guidance with regards to ligand selection for developing C—N bond construction methodologies (extensively used in the synthesis of petrochemicals, household chemicals) through nitrene- transfer chemistry. We subsequently extend the study to include the corresponding Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) reagents, to gain insights in their comparative reactivity/selectivity patterns. Attenuated levels of electrophilicity of anionic complexes proved to be more suitable for discriminating aromatic from aliphatic olefins for aziridination purposes, especially for Mn(II) complexes. However, in the case of Co(II) reagents, we observe that additional stereoelectronic parameters …

Studies On Protein Solubility, Ke Li

Doctoral Dissertations

"Solubility is a critical factor of protein-based drugs during processing and patient administration. This study focused on two aspects of solubility: one was the poly (ethylene) glycol (PEG) precipitation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and another was crystallins aggregation that is associated with cataracts. Protein precipitation by PEG is a common technique for downstream processing. The effects of pH, ionic strength and the exclude volume effect on the protein precipitation by PEG were extensively studied, but the effects of glycosylation on protein precipitation by PEG has not been examined. Protein aggregation is not only a problem in downstream processing, but it …

Multimodal Neuroscience Data Modeling And Inference, Sima Azizi

Doctoral Dissertations

“Mathematical models can be combined with deep learning and machine learning methods to provide new insights in neuroscience. The field of neuroscience is characterized by rich datasets that include fluid biomarkers, EEG signals, and advanced neuroimages. Recent advances in natural language processing have led to the opportunity to gain additional insights from rapidly growing text databases as well as electronic health records. In this research, we focus on applying computational intelligence methods to the analysis of three different complex data sources: blood levels of disease biomarkers, EEG signals from schizophrenic patients, and disease phenotypes encoded in electronic health records. First, …

Semi-Empirical Modeling Of Liquid Carbon's Containerless Solidification, Philip C. Chrostoski

Doctoral Dissertations

“Elemental carbon has important structural diversity, ranging from nanotubes through graphite to diamond. Previous studies of micron-size core/rim carbon spheres extracted from primitive meteorites suggest they formed around such stars via the solidification of condensed carbon-vapor droplets, followed by gas-to-solid carbon coating to form the graphite rims. Similar core/rim particles result from the slow cooling of carbon vapor in the lab. The long-range carbon bond-order potential was used to computationally study liquid-like carbon in (1.8 g/cm³) periodic boundary (tiled-cube supercell) and containerless (isolated cluster) settings. Relaxations via conjugate-gradient and simulated-annealing nucleation and growth simulations using molecular dynamics were …

Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation To Methanol/Dimethyl Ether Over Copper-Based Catalysts, Xiao Fan

Doctoral Dissertations

Direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) via CO₂ hydrogenation has received great attention, owing to the global warming caused by CO₂ emission and increasing energy demand worldwide. In this works, three major aspects of bifunctional catalysts development were studied: (1) investigation of the roles of interaction in the CuO-ZnO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃/HZSM-5 bifunctional catalysts, (2) deactivation and regeneration of CuO-ZnO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ with different zeolitic catalysts for one-step CO₂ hydrogenation to dimethyl ether, and (3) study on the enhancement of activity and stability of CZZA/HZSM-5 bifunctional catalysts via the introduction of …

Critical Behavior In Evolutionary And Population Dynamics, Stephen Walter Ordway

Doctoral Dissertations

“This study is an exploration of phase transition behavior in evolutionary and population dynamics, and techniques for predicting population changes, across the disciplines of physics, biology, and computer science. Under the looming threat of climate change, it is imperative to understand the dynamics of populations under environmental stress and to identify early warning signals of population decline. These issues are explored here in (1) a computational model of evolutionary dynamics, (2) an experimental system of decaying populations under environmental stress, and (3) a machine learning approach to predict population changes based on environmental factors. Through the lens of critical phase …

Development Of High-Performance Hydrogels, Buddhabhushan Salunkhe

Doctoral Dissertations

Here, we present a systematic approach to design robust hydrogel compositions. The goal was to achieve excellent properties to open up new opportunities in especially two challenging applications not previously well-served by hydrogels.

The first part of this research will discuss the systematic screening of polymers for their hydrothermal stability under brine, acidic, neutral, and basic pH conditions followed by novel designs of hydrogel compositions. Certain hydrogel compositions withstand temperatures of up to 150 °C for more than 24 months in high salinity brines. This novel hydrogel composition fills a technology gap between the existing polyacrylamide-based preformed particle gels (PPGs) …

Fiber-Optic And Coaxial-Cable Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometers For Sensing Applications, Chen Zhu

Doctoral Dissertations

”The fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) is one of the simplest sensing configurations and is widely used in various applications due to its prominent features, such as high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and remote operation capability. In this research, a novel one-dimensional wide-range displacement sensor and a three-dimensional displacement sensor based on fiber-optic EFPIs are demonstrated. These two robust and easy-to-manufacture sensors expand the application scope of the fiber-optic EFPI sensor devices, and have great potential in structural health monitoring, the construction industry, oil well monitoring, and geo-technology.

Furthermore, inspired by the fiber-optic EFPI, a novel and universal ultra-sensitive …

Development Of Intelligent Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials And Nanodevices, Shuo Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Structural DNA nanotechnology utilizes DNA molecules as building blocks to fabricate ordered artificial nanostructures at the molecular level. Among all DNA-based techniques, DNA origami has been considered as one of the most powerful tools for constructing artificial nanostructures with excellent programmability and addressability. Currently, most DNA origami nanostructures are static and do not have the ability to response to environmental stimulation. The development of environmental-responsive DNA origami nanostructures is a critical step towards the realization of intelligent dynamic DNA origami-based nanodevices. This research focuses on the design and fabrication process of both static and dynamic DNA origami nanostructures and their …

Putting Policy In Its Place: Policy Enactment And Engagement Through A Multiscalar Policy-Shed Framework, Barbara L. Maclennan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research is to examine the spatial components integral to policy formation, implementation, and evaluation. The research uses solid waste as a case study to explore a multiscalar GIS policy-shed framework. To this end, the goal of this dissertation is to examine the spatial nature of public policy. The research applies spatial concepts and multiscalar methodological applications embedded within GIS and geovisualization to explore the complex spaces surrounding public policy implementation and evaluation.

Therapists' Perspectives On Aiding Individuals To Maintain Social Connection While Struggling With Health Concerns, Shari Howington-Carlin

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to explore therapists’ perspectives on aiding individuals to maintain social connection while struggling with health concerns. Social relationships support physical and psychological well-being, yet individuals struggling with physical or mental health issues often have difficulty maintaining their relationships. Therapists, as health professionals, often discuss physical as well as emotional health concerns with their patients, including components of physiological and psychological heath care. Emerging neuroscience is aiding in understanding how research in this field supports early intervention for health outcomes around healthy social and family relationships during chronic disease or illness onset.The researcher conducted a phenomenological …

Weeds As Hosts Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes In Subtropical Agriculture Systems, Habraham F. Lopez, Pushpa Soti, Ganpati B. Jagdale, Parwinder Grewal, Alexis Racelis

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

With a nearly year-round growing season, tropical and subtropical regions are plagued with a myriad of agro-nomic challenges, including near-continuous weeds and invertebrate pests including plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). A poor understanding of the presence and geographical distributions of these pests complicate their man-agement, especially in organic farming systems. This work attempts to document the interaction of PPNs with the major weeds in the semi-arid region of south Texas. Five organically managed farms were surveyed for four weeds of regional agronomic importance including silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), false ragweed (Parthenium hysterophorus), and London rocket (Sisymbrium irio). Soil …

Improving Care For Individuals In Pain Through A Biopsychosocial View, John Kiesel

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of (2-Hydroxyl-3-Butoxyl) Propyl-Succinyl-Chitosan – An Amino Sugar Anionic Surfactant Under Microwave Irradiation And Its Application, P. S. Singh, Suraj N. Mali, N. R. Sangale, Amit P. Pratap

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction: Chitosan, a biopolymer with 97% degree of deacetylation, was used herein, to synthesize an amino sugar anionic surfactant of varied alkyl chain length, using a microwave-assisted synthesis. We were also examined their properties in aqueous form. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to increase the surface activity and water solubility of chitosan derivatives. Materials and Methods: Structural features and crystallinity were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction. The chitosan by itself was found to have weak surface-active properties since it has no hydrophobic segment. Results: The microwave-assisted synthesized sugar amino-based anionic surfactant, synthesis …