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Role Of Autophagy-Related Genes In Lipid Transport For Efficient Replication Of Tombusviruses, Yuanrong Kang

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Tombusviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses, which utilize numerous co-opted host factors and massive de-novo synthesized membrane resources to modify host membranes and form large viral replication organelles (VROs). Among plenty of host cellular processes, autophagy emerges as a potential membrane resource for VROs formation due to its ability to de-novo generate the double membrane structures, known as autophagosomes. Besides, as an important host defense pathway, autophagy is also a target for tombusviruses to prevent its antiviral activities. In this study, I identify the role of key autophagy related genes, Atg11, Atg8, and Atg2, which are involved in autophagosome formation, and …

Systemic Signaling In Plants: Role Of Cuticle, Salicylic Acid, Rna, And Vitamins, Huazhen Liu

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a form of broad-spectrum resistance induced in response to local infection that protects uninfected parts against subsequent secondary infections. Several diverse chemical signals contributing to SAR have been isolated and characterized, including glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and pipecolic acid (Pip), both of which play an important role in human and plant disease physiologies. In addition to these, salicylic acid (SA) also regulates SAR and normal transport of SA and G3P is required for de novo biosynthesis of Pip in the distal leaves. Pip is catabolized via multiple pathways, and this in turn regulates vitamin homeostasis. A normal …

Current And New Perspectives On Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis Therapeutics, Izabela De Assis Rocha

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is an important neurologic disease of horses in the Americas. It is caused by the apicomplexan parasite Sarcocystis neurona and less commonly by the related parasite Neospora hughesi. Current antiprotozoal treatment relies on the use of either folate inhibitors (sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine) or triazine drugs (diclazuril/ponazuril), with a success rate of 60-70% regardless of the drug of choice. Successful treatment is defined as the improvement of at least one ataxia grade following the modified Mayhew scale, which often is not enough for the horse to return to the previous level of performance. The goals of this dissertation …

Determining Population Structure In Kentucky Parascaris Univalens Specimens, Constance Finnerty

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Parascaris univalens is a highly pathogenic nematode that affects the gastrointestinal system of young horses. When unaddressed, this parasite causes severe intestinal impactions and even death. Parascaris univalens is also found to have an emergence of anthelmintic resistances, causing a concern for horse owners. Despite its clinical significance, very little work has been done on Parascaris univalens to identify its population structure. This study aimed to determine the population structure of Parascaris univalens through Illumina next generation sequencing (NGS) on three hierarchical categorizations: within a horse, within an isolated herd, and within horses in the state of Kentucky. A total …

Genomic Studies Of The Equine Bloodworm, Strongylus Vulgaris, Nichol Ripley

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Strongylus vulgaris is the most pathogenic nematode parasite of grazing horses worldwide. This gastrointestinal parasitic nematode is in the family Strongylidae under the subfamily Strongylinae, or Strongylins. While the epidemiology, complete life cycle, and high pathogenicity of the fourth and fifth larval stages of S. vulgaris are well established, we understand very little about its biology. This parasite is renowned for its unique life cycle and capacity to cause arterial damage, leading to significant health and economic impacts for the equine industry. It also is the most intensively documented Strongylin; however, S. vulgaris has yet to gain drug resistance as …

Temporal Changes In The Genome Of Apicomplexan Parasite Sarcocystis Neurona Sn3, Jamie Norris

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Sarcocystis neurona is an apicomplexan parasite and the main etiologic agent behind Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), the most diagnosed neurologic disease in horses living in the Americas. Technical advances that arose from the human genome project between 1990 and 2003 and the corresponding “omics” revolution in research have allowed scientists novel approaches to study organisms. Herein, we sought to leverage bioinformatic advances and new sequencing platforms to provide an improved understanding of the biology of S. neurona. At the outset of this project, reference genomes from two different S. neurona strains (SN3.e1 and So SN1) were available. A new and …

Dynamic Patterns Of Resource Selection In Northern Bobwhite Across The Annual Cycle In A Region With Poor Edaphic Conditions, Autumn S. Randall

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Developing successful management strategies requires an understanding of how an organism's resource needs change over the course of its life cycle. For almost a century, northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have been declining range-wide, mostly as a result of habitat loss and degradation. Resource selection studies conducted at coarse-temporal resolutions and in areas with fertile soils form the majority of current management recommendations for bobwhites. In this thesis, we quantified resource selection patterns for 1,302 bobwhites in a region with poor soil conditions with respect to several common management practices (fire, fallow fields, supplemental feeding, and brush management …

Implications Of Nanopesticides On Downstream Wetland Ecosystems, Kiley Power

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Nanopesticides are thought to be a promising course of action for reducing agricultural impacts on the environment, however, little is known regarding the fate and transport of nanopesticides, specifically their influence on downstream wetland ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess the implications of a nano-Cu fungicide (Kocide 3000) and a neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid) on downstream wetland habitats, particularly their effects on wetland nutrient cycling, using fifteen mesocosm wetlands. The complex interactions between nitrogen, Kocide 3000, and imidacloprid were found to increase nitrate removal rates, decrease phosphate removal rates, and inhibit nitrogen uptake in below-ground biomass. Each treatment, …

The Characterization, Assessment, And Shear Strength Of Turfgrass Soil In North American Thoroughbred Racing, Peter Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Minimizing catastrophic injuries to racehorses, which also protects the riders, is critical for the future of the Thoroughbred racing industry. While the causes of catastrophic injuries are multifactorial, the condition of the racing surface is one of only a few factors that affects all horses in competition. Horse racing surfaces must retain enough shear strength to support the hoof of a Thoroughbred at a gallop. Turfgrass racing surfaces also require healthy turf to reinforce the footing while also achieving a high infiltration rate to allow races to run on the turf soon after or even during rain. This research is …

Wetland Treatment Systems For Municipal Wastewater At A Bourbon Distillery And Potential Value Of Incorporating Stillage For Water Treatment Enhancement, Katherine J. Ristola

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The use of constructed treatment wetlands, as a secondary treatment method for wastewater effluent from package treatment plants and distillery stillage has potential to be an innovative, sustainable method for improving water quality in the Central Kentucky region. However, the use of constructed wetlands to treat stillage and wastewater treatment plant effluent has been limited. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) quantify constructed wetland removal as a secondary treatment method for distillery’s wastewater; 2) explore the potential to utilize constructed treatment wetlands to remove nutrients from bourbon stillage; and 3) optimize treatment design to meet wastewater effluent …

The Efficacy Of Wetland Treatment Systems Used To Treat Runoff Mixtures From Different Landscapes Across Kentucky, Emily Nottingham

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The overarching goal was to improve our understanding of the cumulative effect of increased use and occurrence of commonly detected contaminants of potential concern (CPCs) on nitrogen (N) transformation processes in wetlands. The central hypothesis was that those various mixtures of nutrients and CPCs entering treatment wetlands impact N removal pathways. The first study assessed the current state of the literature on the implications to N removal in wetlands in the presence of pesticides and antibiotics. 181 primary studies were identified. Removal efficiencies for nitrate varied widely across the studies, with CPCs impacting microbial communities. A knowledge gap remains in …

Valorization Of Bourbon Distilling Waste Using Thermal Conversion Processes For Nutrient-Rich Food Products, Tosin Olayemi Olanrewaju

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The Commonwealth of Kentucky accounts for over 95% of global bourbon production. A primary byproduct of bourbon production is stillage, which has a very high moisture content (91–94%) and high biochemical oxygen demand, making it challenging to manage. The recent expansion of the bourbon industry has heightened environmental concerns regarding the best methods to handle this byproduct. Dewatering and drying of stillage produce distillers' spent grains (DSG-B), which are rich in dietary fiber and protein and could serve as an excellent source of functional fiber in human nutrition.

This study examined the approach for dewatering, drying, inclusion of DSG-B as …

Loneliness Is The Nucleus For Psychopathology: Relationships With Cognitive, Social, And Personality Disorders, Natalie S. Byrd

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

Loneliness is not just a phenomenon observed in clinical practice but is a core issue in the study of mental disorders more broadly – psychopathology. Loneliness is the key to the study of all mental disorders as many have shown significant relation to loneliness either as a risk factor for developing or maintaining the disorder, or as a co-occurring condition of the disorder. In other words, loneliness is both a cause and a consequence of mental illness. Specifically, this review explores the relationships of loneliness in cognitive disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder), social disorders (social anxiety disorder, …

Transitioning From The Juvenile Justice System For Students With Disabilities, Michelle Cain

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Youth with disabilities are disproportionately involved in the juvenile justice system. However, there is limited research on how individuals with disabilities interact with support services or how their experiences may differ from youth without disabilities. The present study examined transition supports for youth exiting juvenile justice placements. The study utilized a semi-structured appreciative interview process. The purpose of utilizing an appreciative inquiry lens was to push past problem-focused ideas and highlight transition supports that have been successful. The primary research questions addressed the supports and services that have allowed youth with disabilities to successfully return to the comprehensive educational setting, …

An Examination Of An Online Program For Parents With Anxious Adolescents, Tracy Sciulli

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The researcher conducted a mixed-methods study to investigate the effectiveness of an online parent coaching program in influencing parental beliefs about anxiety and enhancing parenting self-efficacy for managing adolescent anxiety. The researchers developed the piloted parenting program to determine whether a brief online intervention for parents could alter parental self-efficacy and beliefs about adolescent anxiety to bring about positive outcomes for adolescents undergoing treatment for anxiety. The team recruited parents of adolescents diagnosed with or receiving treatment for anxiety symptoms from Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry for a pre-intervention and post-intervention study. The proposed parenting program aims to address the shortcomings in …

Impacts Of Open-Source Hardware Movements On Electronics Engineering Educational Outcomes, Angelica Tolentino Masa, Ralph Anthony Ramos Rafael, King Harold A. Recto

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

The integration of the Open-source Hardware (OSHW) movement into electronics engineering education has not only democratized access to intricate designs but has also transformed the pedagogical landscape. OSHW's principles, inspired by the open-source software paradigm, have given rise to a collaborative learning environment where students bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This research, conducted through a rigorous methodology encompassing literature review, thematic analysis, and purposive sampling from reputable academic sources like IEEE Xplore, highlights the significant potential of OSHW. It not only enhances curriculum development and practical skill acquisition but also fosters a sense of global community …

The Kids Are All Right: Why States Should Stop Violating The Rights Of Transgender Kids, Christopher Vanderwolk

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Opened Door To Religious Charter Schools & How To Close It, Carla Williams-Pauley

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Schools Vs. Social Media: Can Mass Litigation Reign In Big Tech And Save The Kids?, Sameer Ahmad

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Why Equal Protection? The Threat The Equal Protection Clause Poses To Icwa And The Need For A Broader Constitutional Law Canon, Patricia E. Calderone

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Prosecuting Gender Persecution: An Analysis Into The 2022 Policy On The Crime Of Gender Persecution Through Inherited Cases, Katherine Strych

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Ecocide: Does The Quest For Environmental Justice End At The International Criminal Court?, Allison King

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Organs For Sale: Does Autonomy Necessitate The Right To Commodify?, Reghan Pattwell

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Drug Testing And Cannabis Impairment In The Workplace: Exploring Employment Protections For Recreational Cannabis Users In The United States, Dana Lechleiter

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Wearable Technology In Sports And The Need For Greater Protection, Gianna D’Onofrio

Student Works

No abstract provided.

New Jersey’S Bear Hunting Policy Is Too Hunter-Friendly And Should Be Reformed, Tianyi Zhu

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Babies Behind Bars, Elissa Johnson

Student Works

No abstract provided.

A Framework For Dignity And Health: Why Transgender Prisoners Are Entitled To Gender Affirming Care And How Their Rights Should Be Protected, Rishi Sane

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Housing Transgender Inmates: A Review Of Prea Compliance And Related Legislation & Litigation, Carla Williams-Pauley

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Stop Winging It! Time For The Courts To Fly In Formation And Provide Greater Protections To Migratory Birds., Ryan Dana

Student Works

No abstract provided.