652 matches in the database.
These are records: 1 - 30.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] … [22]
2.
Eader, Natalie D.
Family Practices And Perceived Importance Of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors In Parents Of Adolescents.
Degree: MS, Allied Medicine, 2008, Ohio State University
► Creating effective wellness programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent obesity,…
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▼ Creating effective wellness programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent obesity, it is critical to understand the factors that drive adolescent dietary and physical activity behaviors. Thus, effective promotion of healthful eating requires a detailed understanding of all the factors that influence dietary behaviors. Data was obtained from 66 caregivers of 93 high school students enrolled in a pilot summer wellness course. The questionnaire was divided into sections regarding: personal health behaviors; family and child behaviors; and challenges and desires related to healthy lifestyle behaviors of the family and child. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the responses. Only 6 people (9%) consistently eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, consider themselves to be physically fit, and try to balance food intake with physical activity. One-third indicated that they strongly agree that physical activity is important for them, whereas 60% indicated that they strongly agree that it is important for their child and encourage it. Also, 42% and 53% strongly agreed that eating a healthy diet is important for them and is important for their child, respectively. Most parents indicated that busy schedules or a lack of time was the primary challenge that prevents eating a healthy diet or being physically active. Although parents value the importance of nutrition and physical activity many barriers exist, which preclude efforts of lifestyle modification interventions to prevent obesity and chronic disease. Future research should address these issues when developing programs that promote lifestyle changes.
Advisors/Committee Members: Taylor, Christopher.
Subjects: Health education
Keywords: Nutriton; wellness promotion; parental influence; adolescents
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5.
Eagle, Jean F.
Realizing Shared Potential Through School/University Partnerships: Enhanced Opportunities in the Learning Community.
Degree: EdD, Educational Leadership, 2005, Miami University
► This dissertation investigates and interprets the implications that PK-12/University partnerships have on…
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▼ This dissertation investigates and interprets the implications that PK-12/University partnerships have on various members of a learning community. The College View/Rolling Hills Partnership (a pseudonym) provides the backdrop for this story. Inclusive voice and increased democratic construct provide the lens through which this case is framed. Three research questions comprise the foci of this study: 1. What are the substantive connections and programs established through the partnership? 2. How do students from both the public schools and the university gain from these efforts/programs? 3. How do participants in the wider learning community benefit (or not) from a formalized partnership? This historical case study chronicles the work of the College View/Rolling Hills Partnership using observational data, archival collections of materials, and semi-structured interviews. These interviews reflect the work of the partnership through the eyes of ten key participants and comprise a thorough record of events resulting in a vicarious experience for the reader. The informants’ stories are presented in three broad categories: The Visionaries, those who conceptualized the partnership; The Politicians, those who contextualized the partnership; and The Technicians, those who persist through presentation of programming. Six major themes surfaced as common among these three groups of informants: 1. The need to move forward despite past history. 2. The importance of a partnership structure which encompasses interinsitutional work. 3. The critical nature of persistence and resiliency in partnership work. 4. Quality trumps quantity, meaning not all growth is inherently good. 5. Internal and external community building play an important role in partnership work. 6. Relationships are the key to constructing and maintaining quality partnerships.
Advisors/Committee Members: Poetter, Thomas S.
Subjects: Education, Teacher Training
Keywords: School/University Partnerships; School/University Collaboratives
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6.
Eaken, Bruce Howard.
Counselors' beyond-session cognitive processes and their impacts on ratings of session quality, working alliance, and overall therapeutic experience.
Degree: PhD, Psychology, 2002, Ohio State University
► This is a natural field study which explores and tracks processes between…
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▼ This is a natural field study which explores and tracks processes between counselors and clients over the course of therapy for five dyads. Quantitative and qualitative instruments were used in a cooperative, interpretive analysis to follow the cognitive mediations of counselors and clients beyond therapy sessions and into their life contexts. This was facilitated by administrating all instruments twice weekly so as to measure fluctuations in responses due to ongoing, intrapersonal processing, the impact of additional interpersonal encounters, and the occurrence of extrasession events. Measures used include the Session Evaluation Questionnaire, Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form, and a Guided Inquiry developed for this study to sample cognitive mediations.Findings emphasize the cognitive mediational processes of counselors in terms of their experience of dissonance within and beyond therapy, their subsequent adjustments of interventions for upcoming therapy sessions, and their alterations of their role functions in order to optimize therapeutic impacts for clients and reduce personal dissonance. Implications for future research include tracking the impacts of therapy across the ongoing interpersonal interactions occurring beyond sessions as found in couples counseling, family counseling, supervisory processes, organizational settings; and in researching transference processes and counselor burnout.
Advisors/Committee Members: Dell, Don M.
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7.
Eames, Kerri A.
A Case Study of Third-Age Adult Women and Education in Costa Rica: A Catalyst for Social Change.
Degree: MA, Latin American Studies (International Studies), 2009, Ohio University
► Education affects both the individual and the nation. Educational programs strengthen community…
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▼ Education affects both the individual and the nation. Educational programs strengthen community desires and outcomes, and promote the understanding of a community's culture and history. At the turn of the 21st century Costa Rica is forging new paths in adult education. Adult education programs sponsored by universities have a profound impact on the lives of the older adults, particularly women, who participate in them. This is due to the fact that the educational atmosphere provides a space in which each individual can discover, express and appreciate new ideas, values and beliefs. This is very important to ensure that development is effective at the national, personal and community levels. Women's participation in the adult education program at the University of Costa Rica entitled, Integral Education for Older Adults, demonstrates the actions women take to integrate education into their lives, and the societal implications of this phenomenon.
Advisors/Committee Members: Whitson, Risa C.
Subjects: Adult education; Gerontology
Keywords: women; adult education; costa rica; social change; development
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8.
Earick, Weston R.
DESIGN OF A HIGH-POWER, HIGH-EFFICIENCY, LOW-DISTORTION DIRECT FROM DIGITAL AMPLIFIER.
Degree: MS, Electrical Engineering, 2006, Wright State University
► For the process of converting low-power digital signals into their high-power analog…
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▼ For the process of converting low-power digital signals into their high-power analog counterparts, the functions of digital-to-analog conversion (at low power) and analog power amplification are separately implemented. This thesis proposes a new “STAC-DAC” circuit topology which directly realizes high-power analog output from low-power digital input signals. The ability to achieve a “direct from digital” high-power analog output in a single high-efficient, low-distortion design has significant potential in audio reproduction, and flexible signal generation applications. In this thesis, the “STAC-DAC” is described and its implementation via MATLAB and LTSpice is discussed. The results of simulations are used to prove the concept of the design. The 16-bit design features a high-power output of 100 watts or more at an efficiency of 93%. The design is optimized to feature low total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.055% for a 1 kHz signal at 100 watts into an 8 Ω load and low phase distortion of less than 10° for a 20 kHz signal and only 1° at 1 kHz. The “STAC-DAC” design is applicable to any design which requires a high-power analog output that is controlled by a logic level digital input. The results validated that the “STAC-DAC” can produce low-level THD figures over the audio frequency range. If very low THD figures are not necessary, high-power analog operation can be achieved into the hundreds of kilohertz while maintaining high efficiency. These results show that the power “STAC-DAC” is capable of simultaneously achieving the highly efficient circuitry associated with digital-to-analog converters with the low harmonic and phase distortion requirements associated with high fidelity analog audio amplifiers.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kazimierczuk, Marian.
Keywords: high-power; high-efficiency; low-distortion; direct from digital; digital amplifier; amplifier; digital-to-analog converter; DAC; audio; total harmonic distortion; THD; high-fidelity
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9.
Earla, Janaki Ram Prasad.
Assessment of the Effect of Cancer and its Treatment on PET Scan F-18 Tracer Distribution in Pre- and Post-treatment and its Relation to Myocardial Tissue Uptake.
Degree: MS, College of Graduate Studies, 2005, University of Toledo Health Science Campus
► The general objective was to study the effect of cancer and the…
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▼ The general objective was to study the effect of cancer and the its treatment on the Positron Emission Tomography scan F-18 FDG tracer distribution in pre-and post- treatment and its relation to myocardial tissue uptake. The 39 subjects studied were patients with cancer who had a PET imaging evaluation for the disease process and who had their treatment for cancer. They were followed up with regular PET scan imaging. Following treatment FDG was administered as per standard imaging protocol in the diagnosis of the cancer and the uptakes in the cancer tissue site and the cardiac site were measured and studied. The standard uptake values were used as a reference of tissue activity was a found that there was a trend of decrease tumor uptake as treatment progressed, and generally an increase in the cardiac uptake. This increased cardiac uptake is likely due to decreased FDG “steal” by the tumor.
Advisors/Committee Members: Dennis, Ph.D., Michael.
Subjects: Physics, Radiation
Keywords: Uptake; 18F-FDG; PET; tumor; FDG; SUV; Scan
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10.
Earl, Damien E.
Regulation of Neuronal L-type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by Flurazepam and Other Positive Allosteric GABAA Receptor Modulators.
Degree: PhD, College of Medicine, 2011, University of Toledo Health Science Campus
► Benzodiazpines (BZs) are clinically useful anxiolytics, sedatives, and anticonvulsants. Their mechanism of…
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▼ Benzodiazpines (BZs) are clinically useful anxiolytics, sedatives, and anticonvulsants. Their mechanism of action is positive allosteric modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian central nervous system. Long-term administration of BZs and other positive allosteric GABAA receptor modulators, neurosteroids, barbiturates, and ethanol can lead to physical dependence manifested by a characteristic withdrawal syndrome. A common mechanism proposed to contribute to this withdrawal syndrome is functional up-regulation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (L-VGCCs). Our lab models BZ dependence using a 1-week oral treatment of rats with flurazepam (FZP) followed by 1 or 2 days of withdrawal. This treatment paradigm resulted in a near doubling of voltage-gated Ca2+ currents in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Enhanced L-VGCC-mediated Ca2+ influx may activate Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), which potentiated excitatory synaptic function in CA1 neurons correlating with expression of FZP withdrawal anxiety. The current studies tested three hypotheses: 1) GABAA receptor modulators directly inhibit recombinantly expressed L-VGCCs containing neuronal α1 subunits, Cav1.2 or Cav1.3; 2) L-VGCC subunit expression is increased in the rat hippocampal CA1 region; and 3) CaMKII enhances CA1 excitatory synaptic function via activation and autophosphorylation at Thr286 and/or enhanced localization to the postsynaptic density (PSD). The findings suggested that while the barbiturate pentobarbital and ethanol directly inhibit L-VGCCs at clinically relevant concentrations, the concentrations of BZs and neurosteroids required to inhibit recombinant L-VGCCs were likely too high to be clinically relevant. Interestingly, Cav1.2 channels were more sensitive to inhibition by pentobarbital and FZP and were less sensitive to inhibition by the L-VGCC benzothiazepine (BTZ) antagonist, diltiazem, than Cav1.3 channels. Selective inhibition could independently block Ca2+ signaling cascades mediated by Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L-VGCCs. Mutation studies revealed that the pentobarbital L-VGCC binding site may overlap that of dihydropyridines, and despite structural similarities amongst BTZs and BZs, the BZ L-VGCC binding site is distinct from that of BTZs. No alteration in L-VGCC subunit expression was observed in PSD-enriched CA1 homogenates or immunostained hippocampal slices as a function of FZP withdrawal. Taken together, the data suggested that mechanisms other than direct inhibition of L-VGCCs and increased L-VGCC subunit expression mediate the enhanced Ca2+ influx observed following long-term FZP treatment. Post-translational modifications and/or enhanced trafficking of L-VGCCs to the membrane due to persistent BZ enhancement of GABAA receptors are alternate possibilities. Additionally, after 2 days of FZP withdrawal, total CaMKIIα expression was decreased in CA1 PSDs with no alteration in the absolute amount of the autonomously active Thr286 autophosphorylated form of CaMKII. Alternate mechanisms of CaMKII activation by L-VGCC-mediated Ca2+ influx and for the loss of CaMKII from PSDs during FZP withdrawal are proposed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Tietz, Elizabeth.
Subjects: Neurosciences
Keywords: CNS depressants; benzodiazepines; GABA receptor; recombinant; calcium channels; CaMKII; electrophysiology; electron microscopy; neuronal plasticity; Western blot; Cav1.2; Cav1.3; hippocampus
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11.
Earle, Lindsay C.
“myCCL Training Manual” Creative Project.
Degree: BA, School of Business Administration - Organizational Leadership, 2007, Miami University Honors Theses
► “myCCL TRAINING MANUAL” CREATIVE PROJECT by: Lindsay C. Earle For my thesis,…
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▼ “myCCL TRAINING MANUAL” CREATIVE PROJECT by: Lindsay C. Earle For my thesis, I wrote and compiled a training manual on myCCL for the Center for Creative Leadership, reflected on the process and challenges that I went through while creating the manual, and connected the project to my education and future. This project blended and further developed my skills and knowledge from my English major and Business Management minor. I was assigned the project of creating the “myCCL Training Manual” during my internship as a temporary contractor at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). The project for CCL has expanded my learning styles from mainly conceptual to also include inductive learning by implementing my skills and applying my knowledge. In addition, the training manual project helped me to accomplish one of my main goals when working at CCL, to further my practical business knowledge and experience. This thesis includes a brief background of the Center for Creative Leadership, the process and tools I used to complete the training manual, challenges I overcame and lessons I learned, a personal reflection on the results of the project, how the project will be useful in my future, and the final copy of the “myCCL Training Manual” that I created and that was distributed internally at CCL.
Advisors/Committee Members: Snavely, Bretta Kay.
Keywords: Center for Creative Leadership; myCCL; Training Manual; Business management
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12.
Earl, Polly Jeannette.
Communication Behaviors of a Young Child with Auditory Dys-Synchrony: Seeing Cued Dutch and Cued Spanish.
Degree: EdD, Education : Special Education, 2006, University of Cincinnati
► A ten month old girl with auditory dys-synchrony was studied for eight…
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▼ A ten month old girl with auditory dys-synchrony was studied for eight months to observe the development of her communication behaviors. The spoken languages of the home were cued to the subject in Dutch by her mother and Spanish by her father. Exposure to language also included Cued English by one speech/language pathologist and spoken and signed English in an early intervention program. Parents were the primary communicators in natural interactions, play, and reading situations with their daughter. This is the first known study to examine a child this young being cued to simultaneously in two languages. Findings of this qualitative study revealed age appropriate receptive language in both languages of the home with and without the auditory signal. Expressive language and vocabulary was approximately 6 months delayed in Spanish and Dutch; no cues or approximations of cueing were observed being used by the subject. There was no evidence that any English words were assimilated by the subject and only two spontaneous sign approximations were observed for MORE and FINISH. At 18 months, speech production included approximately ten words in Spanish and two in Dutch. Additional studies are encouraged using similar qualitative techniques to observe communication behaviors, especially to establish the developmental stages of cued language reception and expression of children younger than two years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kretschmer Jr., Dr. Richard R.
Keywords: Cued Speech; Auditory Dys-synchrony; Cued Dutch; Cued Spanish; early intervention; bilingualism; language and literacy; qualitative research; Deaf education
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13.
Earnhardt, Eric D.
Toward an Equitable Agrarian Commonwealth: Race and the Agrarian Tradition in the Works of Wendell Berry, Allen Tate, and Jean Toomer.
Degree: MA, English (Arts and Sciences), 2011, Ohio University
► The concept of commonweal broadly refers both to the welfare of the…
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▼ The concept of commonweal broadly refers both to the welfare of the public and to the equitable distribution of power and wealth. Thus, the formation of a commonwealth has been a significant part of the American dream, especially in its formulation by Thomas Jefferson and his agrarian vision of a landed, independent, educated citizenry. The inherent contradiction with this model in the United States, however, has always been the exploitation of certain members of the public. The welfare of African slaves was not taken into account and their freedom and humanity were consistently undermined. This essay explores three literary figures of the twentieth century in order to trace how an agrarian vision of democracy manifests itself today. The representations of agrarianism by Jean Toomer in Cane (1923) and by the Southern Agrarian Allen Tate in his essays, “Religion and the Old South” (1930) and “The Profession of Letters in the South” (1935), can be viewed as parallel streams running in similar directions and with contiguous goals, though never meeting or allowing mutual influence. Today, The Hidden Wound (1970) by neo-agrarian writer Wendell Berry may be viewed as a flood bringing the two streams, two conversations, together through an honest exploration of the culture of racism that kept them so utterly separate. Issuing from this confluence of parallel perspectives is a new course: an agrarianism that proceeds from a stance of racial equality, of cooperation grounded in ecological and economic limits, and of pursuit of the realization of commonwealth.
Advisors/Committee Members: Singh, Amritjit.
Subjects: Aesthetics; African Americans; African American Studies; African History; African Literature; African Studies; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Education; Agriculture; Agronomy; American History; American Literature; American Studies; Black History; Black Studies; C
Keywords: Wendell Berry; Allen Tate; Jean Toomer; Agrarianism; Race; Commonwealth; Equitable; Economy
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14.
Earnhart, Geoffrey L.
Winning the First Battle: The Foundation of the U.S. Army’s Training Revolution, 1973-1979.
Degree: MA, History, 2011, Ohio State University
► Immediately following the Vietnam War, the United States Army began a two-decade…
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▼ Immediately following the Vietnam War, the United States Army began a two-decade period of revitalization and renewal including developments in equipment, doctrine, personnel policies and training. Based on oral histories, official studies, documents, manuals, and papers, this study examines the developments in Army training during the 1970s. These developments began with a new performance-oriented philosophy toward training that drove the production of training literature and new technologies. Together, these developments constituted a revolutionary new approach to preparing the Army for war. U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), established in 1973, stood at the center of the training revolution and key individuals within the command significantly influenced the training revolution’s direction. TRADOC, which had no command authority over operational Army units, became the Army’s intellectual source for changes to doctrine and training. The division of command responsibility and training developments led to conflicts between Army institutions. Developments in training reflected a tension between attempts to develop uniformed standards of training across the Army while allowing unit commanders the latitude to develop their units. Finally, the training reforms took place within a milieu of social changes that affected the Army’s ability to focus on preparing for war. The 1970s constituted a decade of recovery, change, and foundation building that set the Army on a course to future combat excellence.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mansoor, Peter.
Subjects: History
Keywords: U.S. Army; Training; MILES; Training Simulations
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15.
Earnheardt, Adam.
Exploring Possible Predictors of Television Viewer Judgments of Athlete Behaviors.
Degree: PhD, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies, 2007, Kent State University
► In this study, I examined whether the extent to which television viewers…
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▼ In this study, I examined whether the extent to which television viewers are fans of sports and their motivation for viewing sports affected judgments of anti-social behaviors demonstrated by athletes. The uses and gratifications theoretical framework guided exploration of possible predictors. The sample (n = 347) consisted of undergraduate students from two midwestern universities. Several instruments were used in this study. The questionnaire included measures of fandom, motives for watching televised sports (i.e., entertaining relaxation, etc.), affinity for watching televised sports, intention to watch televised sports, activities during exposure to televised sports, involvement with televised sports, exposure to televised sports, parasocial interaction with athletes, identification with athletes, and judgments of athlete behaviors (i.e., violent crime, drug use, forging checks/failing to keep promises, and uncharitable/dishonest behaviors). Results showed that fandom correlated significantly with affinity, motives, intention, involvement, exposure, parasocial interaction, and identification. Fandom was negatively related to judgments of violent crime behaviors and uncharitable/dishonest behaviors. Fandom was not related to judgments of drug use or forging checks. Results suggested that people who reported greater fandom were less likely than their counterparts to judge violent crime and uncharitable/dishonest behaviors negatively. Separate multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the contribution of the antecedent variables to predicting each behavioral judgment factor. Results of the regression analyses suggested that women who were engaged in other activities while viewing televised sports content were more likely to judge violent crime behaviors as most wrong, or negatively. Additionally, women were more likely to judge drug use and uncharitable/dishonest behaviors as most wrong, or negatively. Path analyses provided further evidence for links between antecedents. Canonical correlation analyses suggested women who reported lower degrees of fandom, weaker affinity for televised sports, weaker intention to watch sports, weaker self-esteem/achievement and entertaining relaxation motives, and paying less attention to televised sports were the viewers who tended to judge athlete violent crime behaviors, uncharitable/dishonest behaviors, and drug and steroid use behaviors as most wrong. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Haridakis, Paul.
Subjects: Mass Communications
Keywords: television viewing motives; fandom; parasocial interaction; identification; sports; anti-social behaviors; media exposure; uses and gratifications; affinity for television; involvement with television; athlete interaction
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16.
Eastbourn, Scott Michael.
Modeling and Simulation of a Dynamic Turbofan Engine Using MATLAB/Simulink.
Degree: MS, Mechanical Engineering, 2012, Wright State University
► A dynamic, high-bypass turbofan engine has been developed in the modeling and…
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▼ A dynamic, high-bypass turbofan engine has been developed in the modeling and simulation environment of MATLAB/Simulink. Individual elements, including the fan, high pressure compressor, combustor, high pressure turbine, low pressure turbine, plenum volumes, and exit nozzle, have been combined to investigate the behavior of a typical turbofan engine throughout an aircraft mission. Special attention has been paid to the development of transient capabilities throughout the model, increasing model fidelity, eliminating algebraic constraints, and reducing simulation time through the use of advanced numerical solvers. This lessening of computation times is paramount for conducting future aircraft system-level design trade studies efficiently, as demonstrated in previous thermal “Tip-to-Tail” modeling of a long range strike platform. The new engine model is run for a specified mission while tracking critical parameters. These results, as well as the simulation times for both engine models, are compared to the previous “Tip-to-Tail” engine to verify accuracy and quantify computational time improvements. The new engine model is then integrated with the full “Tip-to-Tail” aircraft model. This new model is compared to the previous “Tip-to-Tail” aircraft model to confirm accuracy and quantify computational time improvements. The new “Tip-to-Tail” aircraft model is then used for a simple design trade study of a critical component of the cooling system.
Advisors/Committee Members: Roberts, Rory.
Subjects: Aerospace Engineering; Mechanical Engineering
Keywords: turbofan engine; dynamic modeling; Simulink turbofan engine model
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17.
Easterday, Cary Ray.
Stratigraphy and paleontology of Cemetery Hill (Desmoinesian-Missourian: Upper Carboniferous), Columbiana County, eastern Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geological Sciences, 2004, Ohio State University
► Cemetery Hill is a remarkable Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian fossil locality yielding two terrestrial…
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▼ Cemetery Hill is a remarkable Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian fossil locality yielding two terrestrial Konservat-Lagerstätten and one cephalopod-rich Konzentrat-Lagerstätte. Two non-marine intervals yield abundant and diverse biotas dominated by non-mineralized taxa including macroflora, insects, arachnids, and myriapods. Two marine intervals are dominated by mineralized taxa including cephalopods, corals, trilobites, gastropods, holothurians, and chondrichthyians. Fifty-six macrofaunal taxa and 7 ichnotaxa are reported, including 1 new family, 4 new genera, 6 new species, 2 new ichnogenera, and 2 new ichnospecies. The stratigraphic interval of Cemetery Hill ranges from the Upper Freeport coal bed to the Brush Creek marine zone. The Mahoning coal bed is missing at Cemetery Hill, apparently due to a regional disconforrnity. Cemetery Hill ranges from the Upper Desmoinesian to Lower Missourian, as originally proposed by McComas (1988, 1989). The interpretation of Cemetery Hill strata as Stephanian C or younger based on macroflora assemblages (proposed by Wagner and Lyons. 1997) is rejected. Cemetery Hill biostratigraphic data supports critical re-examination of Late Pennsylvanian macrofloral and blattoid zonations in close association with conodont, palynomorph, and ammonoid zonations. Marine faunas of Cemetery Hill are most similar to post-Desmoinesian faunas. Terrestrial faunas of Cemetery Hill are transitional between Desmoinesian and post-Desmoinesian faunas.
Advisors/Committee Members: Elliot, David H.
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18.
EASTERDAY, KATHRYN E.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE LINK BETWEEN JANUARY RETURNS AND CONTEMPORANEOUS EARNINGS: IS THE SMALL FIRM/JANUARY EFFECT ON ECONOMICALLY RELEVANT PHENOMENON?.
Degree: PhD, Business Administration : Accounting, 2007, University of Cincinnati
► This paper explores the economic relevance of the small firm/January effect by…
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▼ This paper explores the economic relevance of the small firm/January effect by examining whether small-firm January returns are positively correlated with contemporaneous accounting earnings. Employing an empirical specification derived from the returns-earnings model set forth by Ohlson (1995) and Feltham and Ohlson (1995), this paper provides evidence that for the second, third and fourth quarters associations between the quarter’s first-month returns and the corresponding quarterly earnings are significantly positive. In contrast, the relationship between January returns and first quarter earnings is significantly negative. A novel sample partition which separates small firms that do not experience a January effect from those that do shows that only “January effect” firms exhibit this curious negative relationship between returns and earnings. Results are robust to alternative model specifications. Evidence that January returns are not positively related to contemporaneous accounting earnings calls into question the economic relevance of this market anomaly.
Advisors/Committee Members: Stephan, Dr. Jens A.
Subjects: Business Administration, Accounting
Keywords: January effect; return seasonality; earnings
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19.
Easterling, Joshua S.
Singulare Propositum: Hermits, Anchorites and Regulatory Writing in Late-Medieval England.
Degree: PhD, English, 2011, Ohio State University
► My study explores the monastic and ecclesiastical traditions informing late-medieval writings for…
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▼ My study explores the monastic and ecclesiastical traditions informing late-medieval writings for or about ascetic solitude. In assessing the lives of hermits and anchorites, these traditions tended towards misrepresentation, construing asceticism in terms that were alien to solitaries. For example, the Church- and monastery-focused analyses of asceticism promoted strict rivalries: the behavior of solitaries is represented as necessarily either traditional or aberrant, and their theological notions are either “orthodox” or “heretical.” My study argues that this reductive opposition—a tendency seen on several levels, not simply on a theological one—is highly misleading and misrepresents the solitaries themselves. I therefore suggest a theoretical model, one that had already been developed by the late-antique author John Cassian, as a way of dismantling medieval misreadings of ascetic solitude. This model is replete with a lexicon centered on the term “singularity,” by which medieval texts could acknowledg hermits’ and anchorites’ estrangement from Church and monastic traditions. I also highlight, in a way not yet attempted, the tensions and intersections between Anglo-Latin texts and clerical authority, on the one hand, and the lay asceticism of hermits and anchorites, on the other. I focus chiefly on the categories of correction, control and reform as they were applied, and especially misapplied, to solitaries’ lives. While late-medieval solitaries were highly visible and well known participants within England’s religious and social landscape, their “singular” lives also remained irreconcilable with orthodox and traditionally monastic notions of moral and theological reform, much to the frustration of hagiographers and the authors of ascetic “rules.” Beyond the habits of regulated and unregulated solitaries, this study examines how the very category of regulation should be understood if the texts that describe, praise or condemn solitaries are to be adequately appreciated and discussed. Local movements and personalities repeatedly assumed the priority of individual ascetic desires that were even then impossible to articulate in what we think of as traditionally monastic, “lay” or ecclesiastical terms. Despite their indeterminate nature within the theological, ascetic and social order, hermits and anchorites were no less interested in asserting what they considered their own intellectual authority. Neither heretical nor orthodox, the lives of solitary ascetics asked contemporaries to revise their notions of ascetic and theological traditions. As I argue, for solitaries even the category of authority, to say nothing of orthodoxy, was temporary and replaceable.
Advisors/Committee Members: Knapp, Ethan.
Subjects: History; Medieval Literature; Middle Ages; Religion
Keywords: hermits; anchorites; monasticism
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20.
Easter, Renee N.
The application of elemental tags for biological analyte identification.
Degree: PhD, Arts and Sciences: Chemistry, 2011, University of Cincinnati
► Metallomics is the study of the metallome, interactions, and the functional connections…
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▼ Metallomics is the study of the metallome, interactions, and the functional connections of metal ions and other metal species with genes, proteins, metabolites, and other biomolecules in biological systems. It has been applied to a variety of samples from biological to environmental. Elemental analysis along with elemental and molecular speciation is a major component of metallomics experiments. Molecular speciation analysis is performed best with high performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) in conjunction with molecular mass spectrometric techniques. A wide range of liquid chromatography techniques including capillary and conventional to hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography to strong cation exchange chromatography can be applied for the separation of biological samples. ICPMS is the gold standard for elemental analysis at trace levels (ppt for most elements) and it is known for its sensitivity and selectivity. Liquid chromatography can also be combined with molecular mass spectrometry as well to offer excellent molecular identification of biomolecules. In this work, LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF and LC-ESI-LTQ-MS where both used for protein identification. The first part of this dissertation focuses on novel ways to separate and identify phosphorothioated oligonucleotides. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography was applied for a novel separation technique and coupled to both ICPMS and ESI-LTQ-MS for their identification and quantification. Both methods offer low detection limits and a fast and easy way for identification. The second part of this dissertation focuses on metallomics and proteomics techniques for the analysis of a more complex matrix of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and its sequela cerebral vasospasm (CV), kill or seriously debilitate an estimated 1.2 million people of all ages, ethnic groups and gender annually. The ability of these techniques to help identify biomarkers has the potential to save lives but no biomarkers for CV have been identified yet. The focus of the first project was to explore CSF for selenoproteins that could play a role in the etiology of CV. Both elemental and molecular along with multidimensional separation techniques were applied for this exploration. The focus of the second project was to identify proteins that had significant differences between three samples types with common proteomics techniques that include multidimensional separation techniques and two different molecular mass spectrometric techniques.
Advisors/Committee Members: Caruso, Joseph.
Subjects: Chemistry
Keywords: Metallomics; Elemental Analysis; HILIC; CSF
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21.
Easter, Terri Lynn.
Halite (Nacl)-Sylvite (KCl) A Study of Solid Solutions Devised from First Principles.
Degree: MS, Geological Sciences, 2011, Ohio State University
► This first principles study investigates the results of the mixing of solid…
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▼ This first principles study investigates the results of the mixing of solid solutions common on terrestrial systems. In particular, the investigation of the binary NaCl-KCl system will be based on the thermodynamic state variables of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy using ab-initio calculated data and computer algorithms used to calculate solubility and solvus characteristics. A theoretical data set was calculated using VASP (Vienna Ab-initio Package Simulation) to determine total energy and cell volume of NaCl-KCl and intermediate compositions at pressures of 0-30 GPa. Calculated data relationships for P(V/Vo)T, Vo(x)T, the bulk modulus K0, the bulk modulus pressure derivative K0’, and a V(P)T fit to the 3rd order Birch-Murnaghan EOS (equation of state) compared with experimental data of the pure substances in the B1 and B2 structures to within 11%. The enthalpy of the solid solution was calculated and used to infer the Gibbs free energy G(x)P,T with an assumed form of configurational entropy. All data were used to calculate the NaCl-KCl binary diagram P(x), pressure as a function of mol fraction composition, T(x) temperature also as a function of mol fraction composition, and G(T) Gibbs free energy as a function of temperature. The effect of Schottky defects (NaCl-KCl pairs), on the bulk modulus was also examined over the compositional series with the inclusion of calculated data of one vacancy in the B1 supercell lattice. As a result of the vacancy studies at several compositions over the series, it was found that an intentionally inserted vacancy increases the excess volume in a supercell contributing to a decrease of the bulk modulus an average of 12% over all cases studied. At 0GPa, 773K with a maximum vacancy population of 0.07 mol fraction in the region xK = 0.25-0.38 mol fraction, calculated data shows a minimum K0 = 12.68 ± 0.33 GPa at xc=0.35. This decreases the ability of the system to resist uniform compression thus also increasing the compressibility. The results support the experimental hypothesis that maximum defect population forming within the NaCl-KCl system to relieve lattice strain due to cation substitution mismatch, cause a minimum K0 near the consolute composition xc = 0.348 [Walker et al., 2004].
Advisors/Committee Members: Panero, Wendy R.
Subjects: Geological
Keywords: halite; sylvite; solvus
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22.
Easthon, Lindsey.
Conformational analysis of E. coli DnaT and the complex with PriA N-terminal domain.
Degree: MS, Chemistry, 2010, University of Toledo
► The fidelity of DNA replication is essential to maintaining genomic integrity. Therfore,…
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▼ The fidelity of DNA replication is essential to maintaining genomic integrity. Therfore, pathways to restart DNA replication upon fork arrest are essential to an organism’s survival. In E. coli there are seven protein involved in the formation of the replication restart primosome, PriA, PriB, PriC, DnaT, DnaB, DnaC and SSB. To date, with the exception of PriB, there is very little structural information available for these proteins or the complexes formed during primosome assembly. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) can provide a great amount of structural information, beyond a simple mass measurement. Since ESI-MS is a soft ionization technique it allows for investigation of proteins under native folding conditions as well as non-covalent complexes. Combination of ESI-MS with ion mobility spectroscopy and collision induced dissociation experiments provide information about the shape and size of the protein and stability of non-covalent complexes. This work focused on conformational analysis of E. coli DnaT and the N-terminal domain of PriA using ESI-MS. The oligomerization states of the proteins were determined under native conditions. For DnaT, metal binding studies, CID, IMS, and limited proteolysis studies were used to analyze the conformation of the proteins in solution. An attempt was made to investigate the complex formed between the N-terminal domain of PriA and DnaT but no complex was observed. Finally, a buffer screen was developed to determine volatile buffers and salts for metal binding studies suitable for use in ESI-MS experiments.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mueser, Timothy.
Subjects: Biochemistry
Keywords: DNA replication Restart; DnaT
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23.
EASTMAN, CHRISTOPHER EDWARD.
JAPAN CULTURAL FORUM ARCHITECTURAL SYNTHESIS THROUGH TRANS-CULTURAL STRATEGIES.
Degree: M. Arch., Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Architecture, 2003, University of Cincinnati
► Japan has been influenced by a multitude of sources for the formation…
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▼ Japan has been influenced by a multitude of sources for the formation of its culture and architecture. Through this process of cultural synthesis there has been contradiction, both in Japanese culture, and in the perpetual gap between Japan and the outside world. Based in Manhattan and designed by a non-Japanese architect, the Japan Cultural Forum is symbolic of the contradictions inherent to Japanese culture. Despite this, the JCF may be designed in the diverse urban context of Manhattan using strategies found in great architecture of both East and West - realized with materials and methods sympathetic to Japanese aesthetics. Not intended to mimic the traditional forms of Japanese architecture, it is intended to display the strategies employed in Japanese and Western architecture of all epochs, such as the use of a module, a clear relationship between structure and enclosure, integration with nature, and a sense of sequence, ceremony, and procession.
Advisors/Committee Members: Niland, David L.
Subjects: Architecture
Keywords: Japanese culture; Japanese architecture; cultural center
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24.
Eastman, Christopher Mark.
Soil Physical Characteristics of an Aeric Ochraqualf amended with Biochar.
Degree: MS, Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, Ohio State University
► Incorporation of biochar into agricultural soils has been proposed as a potential…
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▼ Incorporation of biochar into agricultural soils has been proposed as a potential best management practice (BMP) to increase crop yield and sequester atmospheric carbon (C). Furthermore, the production of biochar, referred to as pyrolysis, yields biofuel that can offset fossil fuels. Current research involving biochar and soil is mainly limited to greenhouse experiments and a few short-term field scale experiments. Here, biochar was incorporated into a field-scale corn (Zea mays)/soybean (Glycine max) system for analysis of soil mechanical and hydrological properties correlated with crop yield. A randomized complete block design was implemented with three biochar application rates: 0 Mg ha-1 (TC), 5 Mg ha-1 (TB5), and 25 Mg ha-1 (TB25). All plots were tilled using a tractor and rotovator in order to attain uniform incorporation of biochar. A small adjacent field was managed with no-till practices (NTC) to quantify the effects of tillage. Biochar is an effective soil conditioner, evident by TB25 soil bulk density 9% and 18.5% less than that of TC and NTC, respectively. Analysis of soil pore size distribution resulted in TB25 with significantly increased macro-pores (1500 µm) related to water transmission and micro-pores (0.5 µm) related to water retention. Furthermore, plant available water capacity (AWC) of TB25 significantly increased by 9.6% and 29% over TC and NTC, respectively. Biochar amendment (TB25) increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) by 33% and 78% over TC and NTC, respectively. Soybean above-ground biomass and grain yield of TB25 resulted in respective 12.3% and 12.5% increases over TC. Correlation and linear regression analysis revealed significant positive trends with AWC, soil bulk density, total porosity, among other properties. Results suggest biochar is an effective soil amendment for temperate agricultural soils, yet long-term research will provide additional insight into the potential for biochar to improve soil quality, sequester atmospheric carbon, and enhance crop yield.
Advisors/Committee Members: Lal, Rattan.
Subjects: Agricultural Chemicals; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture; Agronomy; Alternative Energy; Physics; Plant Sciences; Soil Sciences; Water Resource Management
Keywords: biochar; soil bulk density; total porosity; soil pore size distribution; soil moisture retention; saturated hydraulic conductivity; soybean yield
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25.
Eastman, Christopher Michael Jr.
Phase Equilibria and Interdiffusion in Ni-Cr-Al-Pt Alloy Systems.
Degree: MS, Materials Science and Engineering, 2011, Ohio State University
► Pt-containing NiAl (more simply referred as Pt aluminide) coatings have been widely…
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▼ Pt-containing NiAl (more simply referred as Pt aluminide) coatings have been widely used in jet engines either as stand-alone oxidation and hot-corrosion resistant coatings or as bond coats in thermal barrier coating systems for life extension and for increased temperature capabilities of the airfoils. To enable computational design and life prediction of these coatings (especially for simulating coating – substrate interactions), phase diagram and diffusivity information of the Ni-Al-Cr-Pt system (including Ni-Al-Cr, Ni-Al-Pt, Ni-Cr-Pt, and Al-Cr-Pt) are essential. Among these ternaries, only Ni-Al-Cr has been well assessed. The remaining three ternaries were studied in the present research using a Ni-Cr-Pt diffusion multiple together with a series of aluminization treatments and electron probe microanalysis to extract phase equilibria and interdiffusion coefficients. Ternary isotherms have been established for Ni-Cr-Pt at 1200 °C, Ni-Pt-Al at 1150 °C, and Cr-Pt-Al at 1010 °C, which either improve upon and expand on existing isotherms or introduce an entirely new phase diagram (Ni-Cr-Pt). Interdiffusion coefficients were extracted using the Hall, Wagner, and Sauer-Freise methods for Ni-Cr, Ni-Pt, Cr-Pt, Ni-Al, Pt-Al, and Ni-Pt-Al systems. The data presented in this thesis will be used to develop both thermodynamic and mobility databases to be applied to the design, processing development, and life prediction of Pt-containing airfoil coatings.
Advisors/Committee Members: Zhao, Ji-Cheng.
Subjects: Engineering; Materials Science; Metallurgy
Keywords: Ni; Cr; Pt; Al; Interdiffusion; Phase Equilibria; Aluminizing
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26.
Eastman, Jason David.
DEMONEX: The DEdicated Monitor of EXotransits.
Degree: PhD, Astronomy, 2011, Ohio State University
► Transiting planets are extraordinarily useful laboratories to study the formation and evolution…
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▼ Transiting planets are extraordinarily useful laboratories to study the formation and evolution of planets as a whole. In order to capitalize on this potential, we built DEMONEX, the DEdicated MONitor of EXotransits, a low-cost, 0.5 meter, robotic telescope, mostly from commercially-available parts. The primary goal of DEMONEX is to monitor bright stars hosting transiting planets in order to provide a homogeneous data set for all known transiting systems visible from its location at Winer Observatory in Sonoita, Arizona. The main advantage of DEMONEX is that it can be used every night for transit follow-up. With over 60 known transiting planets visible from Winer Observatory, more than 90% of its time can be spent observing transits. In chapter 1, we describe the hardware, scheduling, observing, data reduction software, and we present some results from the first three years of operation. One of the most powerful tools that observing multiple transits gives us is the ability to observe Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) – slight variations in the otherwise perfectly periodic times of transits due to, among other things, other planets in the system. However, the times that many people report are ambigious at a level than threatens the utility of the technique. In chapter 2, we detail the steps necessary to accurately convert the time as measured on Earth, the JD_UTC, to an astrophysically-meaningful time, the BJD_TDB, with a precision that far surpasses the practical limit for TTVs. In order to analyze the vast amounts of data that DEMONEX has collected, in chapter 3 we discuss our analysis software, EXOFAST. It is a fast, robust suite of routines written in IDL designed to fit exoplanetary transits and radial velocity simultaneously and characterize the parameter uncertainties of and covariances of exoplanetary systems with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. We take particular care to make it robust, fast, and self-consistent. We outline ways in which the code can easily be extended to include additional effects or generalized for the characterization of any data set – including non-planetary data sets. Of particular interest, we discuss the effects of eccentricity bias and demonstrate the effectiveness of our new strategy to mitigate it, derive a method to analtyically fit the linear and quadratic limb darkening coefficients of a planetary transit, and explain how we achieved improved robustness and over a factor of 100 improvement in the run time of the transit model calculation. Our source code, along with easy-to-use online tools for both the timing code and EXOFAST can be found online.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gaudi, B. Scott.
Subjects: Astronomy
Keywords: exoplanets; transits; timing; instrumentation; robotic telescope; markov chain monte carlo; bayesian
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27.
Easton, James Allen.
Identification and Characterization of Zn(II)-responsive Genes and Proteins in E. coli.
Degree: PhD, Chemistry, 2007, Miami University
► Transition metal ion homeostasis is absolutely crucial for the survival of all…
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▼ Transition metal ion homeostasis is absolutely crucial for the survival of all organisms. Zinc (Zn(II)) is perhaps one of the most important, yet least studied transition metals. Previous studies indicate that intracellular Zn(II) levels in E. coli are in the low millimolar range, yet there is less than one “free” Zn(II) ion per cell. All of the intracellular Zn(II) must then be bound and Zn(II) must be delivered from transporters and inserted into Zn(II)-metalloproteins. The cytoplasmic transport of transition metals, such as copper, iron, nickel, manganese, and arsenic, is accomplished by a group of proteins called metallochaperones. No such metallochaperone has been identified for Zn(II). In an effort to identify the Zn(II) metallochaperones in E. coli, proteomic and genomic studies were conducted. Proteomic studies were used to probe for the time-dependent response of E. coli to stress by Zn(II) excess. Genomic studies were used to probe for the transcriptional response of E. coli to stress by Zn(II) excess and deficiency. Several Zn(II)-metallochaperone candidates were identified, and these proteins were cloned, over-expressed, purified, and characterized. Trigger factor was found to be down-regulated at the proteomic level in response to excess Zn(II). Over-expression and characterization of trigger factor show that it tightly binds 0.5 Zn(II)/monomer; however, spectroscopic studies showed that Zn(II) binding is most likely adventitious. GatY/GatZ Zn(II)-responsive proteins that are part of the galactitol catabolic pathway. GatY was over-expressed and shown to bind 2 Zn(II) equivalents per enzyme. GatZ, reported to be necessary for GatY function, was tested for Zn(II)-binding and shown to not bind Zn(II). A transcript found to be highly up-regulated was ykgM. We cloned and over-expressed YkgM to elucidate why it is highly responsive to Zn(II). We determined that YkgM does not bind Zn(II), and may substitute for Zn(II)-containing ribosomal protein L31 in Zn(II)-limiting conditions. ZnuA was cloned, over-expressed, purified, and characterized. We found that ZnuA tightly binds 2 equivalents of Zn(II) per monomer. Our proteomic and genomic data suggest that there are no soluble, cytoplasmic Zn(II) metallochaperones in E. coli. Based on this conclusion, a novel model is hypothesized that explains Zn(II) transport in E. coli cytoplasm.
Advisors/Committee Members: Crowder, Michael W.
Keywords: metallochaperone; Escherichia coli; zinc homeostasis
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28.
Easwaran, Hiranmoy.
Multidimensional Khintchine-Marstrand-type Problems.
Degree: PhD, Mathematics, 2012, Ohio State University
► This dissertation deals with multidimensional versions of the classical Khintchine conjecture on…
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▼ This dissertation deals with multidimensional versions of the classical Khintchine conjecture on almost-everywhere convergence of certain averages originating in the theory of uniform distribution. We study analogous actions of multiplicative semigroups of rings and investigate both negative results extending Marstrand's answer to Khintchine's conjecture, and positive results answering related questions. We first show that Lp-convergence holds very broadly for almost any sequence of averages for these actions. Next, we show that almost-everywhere convergence of averages taken over additive Følner sequences fails. Finally, we investigate what kinds of averages for these actions give pointwise convergence almost everywhere.
Advisors/Committee Members: Bergelson, Vitaly.
Subjects: Mathematics
Keywords: Khintchine; Khinchin; Marstrand; Gaussian integers; uniform distribution; pointwise ergodic theorem; mean ergodic theorem; semigroup
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29.
Eati, Kameswara R.
Web-Enabled Hierarchical Teleconferencing.
Degree: MS, Computer Science (Engineering), 2003, Ohio University
► With the advent of the Internet and high-performance computing technologies, real-time distributed…
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▼ With the advent of the Internet and high-performance computing technologies, real-time distributed collaboration systems such as teleconferencing applications that enable the participants to communicate with each other over the Web are becoming popular. In this thesis, we develop a Web-Enabled Hierarchical Teleconference System (WHTS) that is built using open standards with the intent to meet different scalability and security needs for conducting text-based conferencing among geographically dispersed participants over the web. WHTS provides various teleconferencing features that include support for hosting open and closed-type multiple conferences simultaneously as well as supporting various administrative features such as creation/deletion of conference rooms, creation/deletion of users, and moderation of users. The underlying platform of WHTS is J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) and it adopts a four-tier architecture comprising of client-tier, presentation-tier, business-tier, and data-tier. The middle-layer (presentation-tier and business-tier) of WHTS is either hosted on a single web-server when serving small number of users or hosted on a multitude of web-servers and fan-out servers structured in a hierarchical manner when serving large number of users. WHTS uses web-browser for the client-tier, IBM’s Websphere and RMI objects for the middle-layer, and IBM’s DB2 database for the data-tier. We employ MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework for WHTS to structure the problem-domain classes into model, view and controller components, and decouple their respective responsibilities. The MVC framework is implemented using J2EE APIs – Servlets for Controller, JavaServer Pages (JSP) and Servlets for View, and JavaBeans for Model. The adoption of an open platform like J2EE coupled with the incorporation of MVC framework for WHTS provides a very flexible mechanism for extending the functionality of WHTS (e.g., adding support for graphics and other media types such as audio and video) in the future.
Advisors/Committee Members: Celenk, Mehmet.
Subjects: Computer Science
Keywords: WHTS; username; out.println; TD; servers; JSP; conference rooms
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30.
Eaton, Jennifer Lynn.
The Molecular Control of Zebrafish Isotocin Cell Development: A Potential Model for the Neurodevelopmental Causes of Autism and Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Degree: PhD, School of Biomedical Sciences, 2006, Kent State University
► Altered oxytocin cell development and function are associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders,…
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▼ Altered oxytocin cell development and function are associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and Prader-Willi Syndrome. However, the molecular control of oxytocin cell development is poorly understood. Zebrafish have been shown to be a powerful model for identifying and analyzing regulatory genes that control brain development. The objective of this dissertation was to establish the zebrafish as a model system to study the molecular genetic control of development of isotocin, homolog of oxytocin, producing cells. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that an evolutionarily conserved regulatory gene network consisting of Sim1, Otp, Arnt2 and Pou3f2, control the development of isotocin cells in the developing zebrafish hypothalamus. The following four specific aims were accomplished: Aim 1 characterized the zebrafish hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) during development. This aim identified and characterized isotocin and vasotocin cells in the zebrafish hypothalamus. Aim 2 identified and characterized transcriptional regulatory genes controlling zebrafish isotocin cell development. Potential zebrafish orthologs of the mammalian oxytocin cell regulatory genes Sim1, Otp, Arnt2 and Pou3f2 were identified and screened for influencing isotocin cell development. Aim 3 confirmed the requirement of sim1 and otp in isotocin cell development and evaluated the genetic interactions between these genes. This study demonstrated sim1 and otp act in parallel pathways to control differentiation of isotocin cells. Aim 4 evaluated the role of two potential, equally related, homologs of mammalian Pou3f2 in zebrafish isotocin cell development, pou47 and brn1.2. Pou47 and brn1.2 were both found to be required for isotocin cell development and do not genetically interact to specify isotocin cellular identity. Aim 5 evaluated the genetic interaction of these Pou3f2 homologs with sim1 and otp in their control of zebrafish isotocin cell development. The data in this aim, along with a re-evaluation of the mouse literature, suggests these genes act combinatorially to specify isotocin cell development. Therefore, a new genetic model of this regulation is proposed. The rational for this proposal is that an elucidation of the molecular control of oxytocin (isotocin) cell development will contribute to an understanding of the neurodevelopmental causes of several neuropsychiatric diseases, such as autism and Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Advisors/Committee Members: Glasgow, Eric.
Keywords: oxytocin; isotocin; vasopressin; vasotocin; Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial System; hypothalamus; development; autism; Prader-Willi Syndrome; Single-minded; Orthopedia; Arylhydrocarbon Nuclear Translocator; Brn2; POU; zebrafish; behavior
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