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Investigation on the Initial Response of Beams to Blast and Fluid Impact

Enjoy a wide range of dissertations and theses published from graduate schools and universities from around the world. Covering a wide range of academic topics, we are happy to increase overall global access to these works and make them available outside of traditional academic databases. These works are packaged and produced by BiblioLabs under license by ProQuest UMI. The description for these dissertations was produced by BiblioLabs and is in no way affiliated with, in connection with, or representative of the abstract meta-data associated with the dissertations published by ProQuest UMI. If you have any questions relating to this particular dissertation, you may contact BiblioLabs directly.

These works are packaged and produced by BiblioLabs under license by ProQuest UMI.

Protein Targets of Oxidative Stress in the Heart

In summary, these studies show preventing oxidative stress or inhibiting the activation of MMPs in the heart holds promise in the treatment of cardiac diseases.

In summary, these studies show preventing oxidative stress or inhibiting the activation of MMPs in the heart holds promise in the treatment of cardiac diseases.

Genome Size Evolution in the Insect Orders Odonata and Hymenoptera

This thesis provides genome size estimates for 187 species from two largely overlooked insect orders: Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, and ants). Odonate and hymenopteran genome sizes ranged between 0.41--2.34 pg and 0.10--1.14 pg, respectively. In odonates, genome size did not correlate with body size, voltinism, or nymphal habitat. Interestingly, there was some evidence that genome size correlates with flight ability; specifically, small genomes were associated with perchers and large genomes with fliers. In hymenopterans, parasitoid wasps contained some of the smallest genomes reported to date, but their genome size ranges were similar to that of non-parasitoid species. Surprisingly, there was evidence that genome size did not correlate with social complexity. Genomes sizes in eusocial species were usually below 0.55 pg while solitary species displayed the entire range for the order.

This thesis provides genome size estimates for 187 species from two largely overlooked insect orders: Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, and ants).

Evolutionary Ecology of Microbial Communities

Microbial communities are ubiquitous in nature; however, little research has focused on their ecological interactions. Using bacterial and virus communities alike, our studies focused in questions concerning population dynamics, ecological history and interspecific competition.

Microbial communities are ubiquitous in nature; however, little research has focused on their ecological interactions.

The Modern Conduit: Montaigne as a Skeptical Linkage from the Modern Political Philosophy of Machiavelli to the Modern Philosophy of Descartes

There is a historical gap between the origins of modern political philosophy and the origins of modern philosophy. While Machiavelli is thought of as the first modern political philosopher, Descartes is thought of as the first modern philosopher. Machiavelli is modern in re-introducing the autonomy principle into philosophy. This in turn allows him to take a new causal analysis of history and derive from it historical induction. Descartes' modernity is based on the connection between his epistemological turn and modern scientific practice. The thought of Montaigne forms a bridge across this historical gap. Montaigne develops a new form of skepticism in response to Machiavelli's thought. In turn this new form of skepticism becomes the basis of Montaigne's own political theory and Descartes project of pure epistemology. Thus, Montaigne is a conduit of modernity.

Moreover, there is reason not to try a program of civic republicanism like
Machiavelli 's because trying to inculcate virtue does harm to those upon whom
the attempt is made. Montaigne insists on the harm principle as a basic tenet of
political ...

Creation of a Framework Genetic Linkage Map of Colonial Bentgrass and the Identification of Genomic Regions Associated with Dollar Spot Resistance

By comparing phenotypic data obtained from field trails we identified regions potentially associated with dollar spot resistance in colonial bentgrass. The segregation of resistance in the backcross population suggests a three gene recessive epistasis model for dollar spot resistance in colonial bentgrass. By comparing genotypes we identified colonial bentgrass loci on groups 2A1 and 3A1 that are common in all resistant individuals. We hypothesize that genes related to dollar spot resistance may lie on these groups. Other resistant backcross individuals not included in the mapping population also shared these loci proportions significantly higher then expected by random chance (p

Methods Selection of initial amplification primers Unigenes contained within the
creeping and colonial bentgrass libraries were determined using the CAP3
program as described in Chapter 2 (Huang & Madan, 1999). Unigenes which ...

Using Probabilistic Linkage and Geographic Information Systems to Describe Burn Injury Risk in Utah

This dissertation project described burns occurring in Utah, identified populations at increased risk for injury, and elucidated population characteristics associated with risk. The results can be used as a foundation for further studies of burn risk in Utah and can also be used to develop burn prevention programs targeted toward populations at increased risk.

GIS overlays can be created to show different datasets. In this hypothetical map,
the following overlays have been generated to show where injuries occur in the
state of Utah (A) in relation to major highways (B) and hospitals (C). Table 1.

HIV Testing and Linkage to Care in North Carolina: Early Diagnosis, Late Diagnosis, and Delayed Presentation to Care

Persons with unrecognized HIV infection forgo timely clinical intervention and may unknowingly transmit HIV to partners. In North Carolina (NC), unrecognized infection and late diagnosis are common. To understand more about the individual and structural factors associated with HIV diagnosis and presentation to care, this dissertation examined three sources of data from HIV-positive patients in NC. We analyzed data from 75 patients with acute HIV infection identified through the Screening and Tracing Active Transmission (STAT) program to understand more about motivations for testing during early infection. We found that nearly one-third of patients had a sexually transmitted co-infection at the time of HIV diagnosis. The prevalence of co-infection was highest in women compared to heterosexual men (PR=0.67, 95% CI 0.31, 1.45) and men who have sex with men (PR=0.34, 95% CI 0.15, 0.76). To understand the effect of perceived social support on late presentation to medical care, we examined data from the University of North Carolina Infectious Disease Clinic Clinical and Socio-Demographic Survey. We analyzed data from 216 HIV positive patients and quantified the four functional domains of social support with a modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. We found the median delay between diagnosis and entry to primary care was 5.9 months. Only positive social interaction support was associated with delayed presentation in adjusted models. The effect of low perceived positive social interaction on delayed presentation differed by history of a drinking problem (history of alcoholism HR=0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40, 1.28; no alcoholism HR=1.43, 95% CI: 0.88, 2.34). Finally, we conducted a qualitative interview study of 24 HIV positive patients entering care at the UNC ID clinic with moderate to advanced immunosuppression to describe attitudes and beliefs about HIV testing and care. The primary barrier to HIV testing prior to diagnosis was perception of risk; consequently, most participants were diagnosed after the onset of clinical symptoms. While patients were anxious to initiate care rapidly after diagnosis, some felt frustrated by the passive process of connecting to specialty care. The first visit with an HIV care provider was identified as critical in the coping process.

CHAPTER THREE: DESCRIPTION OF DATA SOURCES The Screening and
Tracing Active Transmission Program Since the advent of the Screening and
Tracing Active Transmission (STAT) program in North Carolina in November of
2002, ...

The Clarks' Program: A Potential Retention Linkage for the Native American Student in the University Setting

Low retention rates in the Native American college student population led to the idea of The Clarks' Program, which would connect the student with support families in the community and potentially raise the rates. This research paper identifies eight consistently shared problems found in eleven empirical studies that contribute to the Native American student is having a difficult time while at college and subsequently dropping out. Although, there are currently other educational solutions offered to the Native American student, a program focusing on a family support unit has not been established. Currently this program is not facilitated at any educational institution, but a proposal is being prepared for submission at the university that I will attend for my doctoral studies to implement a pilot program.

Due to the problems that exist and the solutions currently in place, The Clarks'
Program will be an advantageous option that both, the university and students
will greatly benefit. The Foundation of The Clarks' Program The Clarks' Program
is ...

Data-adaptive Prediction with the Deletion/substitution/addition Algorithm

This doctoral dissertation concentrates on data-adaptive prediction of univariate outcomes. It is divided into six chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to loss-based estimation which serves as the foundation for the subsequent chapters. The second chapter introduces the Deletion/Substitution/Addition (D/S/A) algorithm for the prediction of an uncensored outcome with polynomial basis functions. The third chapter explains how the D/S/A algorithm can be used for the prediction of survival times, and it proposes an aggregation scheme for bagging the D/S/A algorithm. The fourth chapter introduces a Super Learner which selects an optimal learning method from various candidate learning methods where the D/S/A algorithm is just one example. The Super Learner is applied to an HIV-1 genotype-phenotype data set which tries to relate mutations in HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase to changes in in vitro susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs. The fifth chapter illustrates how to use the D/S/A algorithm for estimation of direct effects which was developed while working with an HIV-1 genotype-clinical outcome data set. Finally, the last chapter is a conclusion and offers suggestions for future work.

This doctoral dissertation concentrates on data-adaptive prediction of univariate outcomes.