Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Molecular Medicine

Cholesterol equilibrium is meticulously orchestrated, and its proper regulation is pivotal in mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disorders. To preserve this delicate balance, cholesterol must activate sensing mechanisms at organelle membranes within the cell's interior. The recently discovered Aster protein family (Aster-A, -B, and -C) partakes in nonvesicular cholesterol import to organelles from the plasma membrane (PM). Despite their high coding sequence homology, each Aster protein exhibits distinct tissue expression patterns, conferring unique functions. This work elucidates their nuanced roles in regulating whole-body cholesterol flux. It scrutinizes how existing therapeutics modulate cholesterol flux, emphasizing their effects on key proteins that are known regulators of cholesterol homeostasis. The introductory chapter reviews the intended and off-target effects of these existing therapeutics. Aster proteins are then introduced as novel modulatory nodes in cholesterol regulation. Aster-C, prominently expressed in sterol- regulatory tissues like the liver and testis, presents an intriguing target, especially in potential therapeutic applications for dyslipidemia-associated disease pathology. The body chapter delves into Aster-C's role in whole-body homeostasis, unveiling its contribution to cholesterol balance and revealing modest effects on bile acid metabolism under low- cholesterol dietary conditions. Aster-C knockout prompts upregulation in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of paralogs Aster-A and -B in murine liver tissue, suggesting nuanced roles and potential redundancy with other Aster proteins. Comparative nalysis with existing literature indicates that Aster-C's hepatic transcription is inducible by FXR stimulation. These findings, intersected with our own research on the Aster-C knockout-induced disruption of bile acid homeostasis, suggest an integral role for Aster-C in mediating the rate of reverse cholesterol t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jonathan Mark Brown (Advisor); Christopher Hine (Committee Chair); Scott Cameron (Committee Member); Phillip Ahern (Committee Member); Jonathan Smith (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Medicine; Molecular Biology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2010, Plant Pathology

Aster yellows is a disease that sporadically damages leafy green vegetables, especially lettuce. The disease is caused by a phytoplasma and vectored by phloem-feeding leafhoppers. Aster yellows induces various symptoms in lettuce including yellowing and witches'-broom of the leaves, and phyllody and virescence of the flowers, which can lead to severe economic losses. Previously, four aster yellows phytoplasma strains were identified and characterized based on their symptoms in lettuce fields in Ohio. In our study, a thorough assessment of the role that these different strains play in aster yellows epidemics in Ohio was made over time during two growing seasons (2008 and 2009). In addition, new aster yellows isolates that may contribute to the aster yellows phytoplasma strain complex were identified based on their 16SrRNA sequences. The role of herbaceous plants such as cilantro and parsley, which are commonly produced in lettuce production areas, was studied as well. Surveys of aster leafhoppers and host plants (lettuce, cilantro and parsley) were conducted to assess the distribution of these known strains (AY-WB, AY-S, AY-DB2 and AY-BW) of aster yellows phytoplasma in two major vegetable production areas (Celeryville and Hartville) in northern Ohio. Strains in two 16SrRNA group I subgroups (16SrI-A and 16SrI-B) were detected in both locations and years. Strain AY-WB belonged to subgroup 16SrI-A while strains AY-S, AY-BD2 and AY-BW belonged to 16SrI-B. Multiplex PCR assays for aster yellows phytoplasma were developed and used to screen leafhopper and plant samples to detect known phytoplasma strains. In both locations during both years, populations of leafhoppers collected were higher in romaine lettuce during August. There was a noticeable increase in the proportion of inoculative leafhoppers collected early in the season compared to that observed 3-8 years previously. Aster yellows infection of surveyed leafhoppers and plants was the highest early in the growing s (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sally Miller PhD (Advisor); Margaret Redinbaugh PhD (Committee Member); Anne Dorrance PhD (Committee Member); Pierce Paul PhD (Committee Member); Andrew Michel PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Plant Pathology

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Geology

This study evaluates the potential for mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM) within the Kerkesha area, southwestern Eritrea using remote sensing and geochemical data analysis. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing data was used for mapping zones of hydrothermal alteration, while assessment of geologic structures is based on automated extraction of lineaments from a digital elevation model. Integration of these alteration and structural dataset with surface geochemical data were used in identifying pathfinder elements associated with Au-Cu-Zn mineralization as well as evaluating and delineating anomalous mineralization regions in this relatively underexplored region of Arabia Nubia Shield (ANS). Specifically, the modeling approach for the extraction and the interpretation of mineralization-related spectral footprints uses selective principal component analysis (SPCA), while the lineament features, which were extracted from different digital terrain models, were integrated with the soil geochemical data and modeled by principal component analysis (PCA). The results reveal a northeast-southwest trend of lineaments, delineate zones of hydrothermal alteration which indicate presence of multi-deposit type mineralization, and identify pathfinder elements. In addition, Au-Cu-Zn anomalous zones are extracted by one class support vector machine (OCSVM) and performances of such classification is validated by Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's Chi-square tests. The results show significance in differences between the anomalous and non-anomalous zones and existence of a relationship between known mineral deposits and predicted anomalies. The proposed MPM shows promising results for robust automated delineation and understanding of mineralization processes.

Committee: Peter Gorsevski Ph. D. (Committee Chair); Kurt Panter Ph. D. (Committee Member); John Farver Ph. D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geochemistry; Geographic Information Science; Geology

Master of Arts in English, Youngstown State University, 2020, Department of Languages

In 1966, French philosopher Michel Foucault outlined the notions of “heterotopias” in a talk given to a group of architects, titled “Of Other Spaces: Of Utopias and Heterotopias,” exploring the principles that constitute these very “other” places and their relationship to the spaces that define them. Foucault's theory was largely abandoned and left unfinished, though completed enough to puzzle scholars with its contradictions and incompatibilities. This project explores practical applications of Foucault's theory on heterotopias, allowing for a flexible interpretation with the deployment of queer theory. Though Foucault's theory on heterotopias largely explores space, this project attempts a new interpretation of the theory that examines queered identities and their relationship to space, arguing that it is queered identities that queer a space and characterize it as heterotopic. Exploring Ari Aster's 2019 film Midsommar and Margaret Atwood's The Heart Goes Last, the project uses the two texts as case studies for the application and expansion of Foucault's theory on heterotopias.

Committee: Laura Beadling PhD (Advisor); Linda Strom PhD (Committee Member); Lucas Hardy PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Film Studies; Literature

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2020, Geology

The purpose of this study is determining a potential correlation between soil moisture and burn severity as well as examining potential correlations between slope, elevation, wind speed, wind direction and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value and burn severity within the Mendocino Complex Fire, California, which occurred in 2018. A time-series of the difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), the difference between pre- and intra-fire NBR values, was calculated via Sentinel-2, soil moisture was mapped using SMAP, and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from ASTER was used to derive elevation and slope values. The imagery was obtained from USGS and USDA websites. Images were processed and reprojected to the same spatial resolution (60 m) and projection (UTM Zone 10N, WGS-87). dNBR imagery was subdivided in newly burned areas for each consecutive day for ten days from 29 July 2018 to 31 August 2018. The findings suggested that there was no strong correlation trend consistently found over the proposed period of time between dNBR values and soil moisture content (R ≈ -0.20 to 0.39), slope (R ≈ -0.35 to 0.46), elevation (R ≈ -0.24 to 0.56), wind speed (R ≈ -0.15 to 0.36), and wind direction (R ≈ -0.42 to 0.24). However, a positive correlation between NDVI values and dNBR values was found to be strong and consistent (R ≈ -0.48 to 0.57). This implies that burn severity increased more significantly and frequently with NDVI, a surrogate for vegetation biomass and leaf area index. It can be surmised that soil moisture must reach some higher values before having a possible impact upon burn severity. Considering that the summer of 2018 was one of the warmest and driest summers in the study area's recent history, soil moisture content was relatively low while, simultaneously, vegetation was dry and more prone to burning.

Committee: Anita Simic Milas Ph.D. (Advisor); Yuning Fu Ph.D. (Committee Member); Ganming Liu Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Geology; Geography; Geology; Remote Sensing; Statistics

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2008, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Within the thick TSS, south of the Indus-Tsangpo Suture, a series of granitic intrusions and gneissic domes crop out along the NHA. These culminations are common features that are seen in orogenic belts; therefore, understanding the nature and development of these features is an integral part of this study and other collisional orogenic studies. Changgo Dome is a granitic dominated feature that is characterized by the presence of two spectrally similar Tertiary granites. This zone is nearly inaccessible for ground mapping, thus it is an ideal setting for the use of satellite imagery as a cartographic medium. In a previous study of this area, the EOS satellite used ASTER sensor's SWIR bands to map the aforementioned granite and gneiss metamorphic core complexes. Working with a regional ASTER image and spectral data from ten samples collected across the northern boundary of the complex, a series of six lithologies return examinable spectra. Band ratios and the RBD method are used in tandem with the ASTER imagery to constrain the locations the two differing Tertiary granites (defined by their concentrations of muscovite), a metamorphic carapace, and surrounding calcite rich sandstones and shales. The resulting map shows that a carapace of marble overlies the two granites and that two calcitic sedimentary units surround the dome. These results constrain interpretations of the origin of Changgo Dome and are viewed from a top-down perspective and three-dimensionally.

Committee: Doyle Watts PhD (Committee Chair); Abinash Agrawal PhD (Committee Member); David Dominic PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geophysics

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2008, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Multi-spectral satellite data from the Advanced Spaceborn Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) were used to make interpretations regarding the surface lithology and structure of the Tariat, Egiin Dawaa, and Orhon regions in Central Mongolia. These areas experienced widespread Cenozoic volcanism. This study mapped the locations and extents of the volcanic flows, located cinder cones and faults evident in the areas, and identified a possible exposure of the Mongolian granitic batholith in the Orhon area. ER Mapper, a geospatial imaging software, was used to generate and run algorithms. Image transforms and supervised classifications were used to identify the features of interest in this study. Samples from the area were examined spectrally and petrologically to assist in developing effective image transforms. Band ratios were the predominant image transform used. A greater than/less than algorithm was developed to allow a more precise identification of those pixels in a satellite image that correspond to the laboratory spectrum of a sample.

Committee: Doyle Watts PhD (Committee Chair); David Dominic PhD (Committee Member); Abinash Agrawal PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2004, Plant Pathology

Seven aster yellows phytoplasma (AYP) strains were isolated from lettuce in Ohio and characterized based on host symptoms and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR products (PCR-RFLP). AY-WB is the only strain that belongs to the 16SrI-A subgroup whereas the others belong to the 16SrI-B subgroup. AY-WB can be distinguished by PCR with strain specific primers BF/BR. AY-WB, AY-S, AY-BW and AY-SS can be distinguished from one another either by PCR-RFLP of primers AY19p/AY19m-amplified products or by multiplex PCR. Primer typing can be used to differentiate most strains except AY-BW and AY-SG. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S spacer regions showed that all the strains were in the same cluster with most AYPs from the Genbank database. AYP was detected by PCR at the growing points of lettuce plants seven days before symptom appearance, indicating that aster yellows symptoms are closely related to the presence of phytoplasmas. AY-S spread faster and more widely than AY-BD2 within lettuce plants. A shotgun library was constructed by Integrated Genomics Inc. with AY-WB genomic DNA isolated using pulse field gel electrophoresis. The 800 kb genome was sequenced with 8.6-fold coverage at sequence saturation. Sixteen contigs have been constructed that cover 87.5% of the genome with 26.9% GC. Sixty-seven percent of the genome consists of coding sequences. Eleven transposase-coding regions were identified in length of 237—963 bp with GC content 23.4–27.4%. Seven of the transposase-coding regions contain two-linked ORFs, AYP167-166, AYP349-348, AYP503-504, AYP266-265, AYP706-705, AYP207-206 and AYP316-315, most overhung by 11-27 bp imperfect inverted repeats (IR). Most of the two-linked ORFs are out-of-phase coding regions, suggesting a frameshifting mechanism involved in translation process and four of them generated direct repeats (DR). AYP763, AYP199 and AYP015 are single ORF coding (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sally Miller (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2011, Geology

The advent of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) has enormously advanced the use of remote sensing in mineralogical and lithological studies, making possible the identification of specific alteration mineral assemblages. Movement of various fluids (gases, brine, water and ore metals in solution) may change rock compositions by adding or removing chemical components to or from them. Alteration zones, indicating pathways of hydrothermal fluids through the crust, may represent useful guides for the exploration of many types of ore deposits. Altered minerals and rock units in Zara gold prospect in Eritria, which is part of the Neoproterozoic Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS), were mapped by employing dark-object-corrected (haze-corrected) ASTER spectral band ratios, ratio codes, and spectradiometric analysis. Bands 5 and 6 detected the 2.17μm absorption feature of alunite and the 2.20μm absorption feature of Al-OH in muscovite and clay minerals respectively. Epidote, chlorite and calcite were spectrally identified by band 8, centered at 2.32μm. Band 14 was also a characterstic spectral signiture for calcite, in addition to band 8. Band 7 and band 3 were also significant for identification of jarosite, a ferric sulfate, but band 3 absorption might be more sensitive to hematite, a ferric oxide that is widespread in the study area and may indirectly indicate the presence of pyrite, which is usually oxidized to jarosite and ferric oxides. Sepiolite, magnetite, illite, buddingtonite and montmorillonite were also mapped using ASTER spectral ratios. Moreover, the TIR ratio of Bands 13/12 identified quartz (silica). The spectra of the collected rock samples also showed results similar to the above ratios results. The localization of these hydrothermal alteration minerals into zones, plus the presence of the mapped intrusions and tectonic structures, may indicate the likely presence of disseminated epithermal gold deposits, which may possibly be the first to (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Robert Vincent PhD (Advisor); John Farver PhD (Committee Member); Peter Gorsevski PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology