bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Technetium-99m/Rhenium(V)-Cyclized Octreotide analogues using experimental and computational methods
Authors:   , Li Yawen
Published: April 2021

Radiolabeled peptides have been of long-standing interest as cancer imaging and radiotherapy agents. Two radioactive isotopes of rhenium are potentially useful for peptide-targeted radiotherapy. Re-186 has a half-life of 90 h and emits particles similar to high energy electrons (beta particles) with a maximum energy of 1.07 MeV, along with a 137 keV gamma ray (9%); Re-188 has a half-life of 17 h and emits beta particles of 2.1 MeV maximum energy, along with a 155 keV gamma ray (15%). The beta particles can be used for killing tumor cells and the gamma rays are useful for cancer imaging. We have developed a Re-labeled peptide (an octreotide analogue) that targets the somatostatin receptor, for potential use as a biological vehicle to carry the radioactive metal to the tumor. In this peptide, Re is directly incorporated into the peptide sequence. The somatostatin receptor binding affinity in cancer cells was evaluated. In addition, computer calculations were performed for various model molecules of octreotide and the Re-labeled peptide. The radioactive Tc-99m-labeled peptide was used as a surrogate for radiolabeling studies and chemical stability studies as it is in the same group of the periodic table as Re. Investigating the peptide using both experimental methods and computational modeling advanced the understanding of the structureactivity relationship and the chemical stability of Re-labeled octreotide analogues and underlined the application of Re-186- and 188-based radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment.
Development of preservice elementary teachers science self-efficacy beliefs and its relation to science conceptual understanding
Authors:   , Menon Deepika
Published: April 2021

Teacher beliefs that relate to teachers' motivation and performance have been an important area of concern for science education at all levels. This study focused on investigating science self-efficacy beliefs and the factors associated, and the relationship between the changes science self-efficacy beliefs and changes in physical science conceptual understanding in a specialized elementary physics content course for elementary education majors (N=51). The data were collected using science self-efficacy beliefs surveys, physical science concept instrument, class observations, interviews and artifacts. The data analysis procedures included a pre-post, repeated meaures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) design, and grounded theory approach. Results indicated statistically significant gains in participants' science self-efficacy beliefs. Additionally, a positive moderate relationship between science conceptual understanding and personal science teaching efficacy beliefs was found. Participants' responses indicated positive shifts in their science teacher self-image and confidence to teach science in future. Findings suggest that despite of the nature of prior science experiences preservice elementary teachers previously had, an exposure to a course that integrates relevant science content along with modeled insturctional strategies can positively impact science self-efficacy beliefs. These finding have important implications for preservice science teacher preparation programs.
Age-dependent branching processes and applications to the Luria-Delbrck experiment
Authors:   , Oveys Hesam
Published: April 2021

Microbial populations adapt to their environment by acquiring advantageous mutations, but in the early twentieth century, questions about how these organisms acquire mutations arose. The experiment of Salvador Luria and Max Delbruck that won them a Nobel Prize in 1969 confirmed that mutations don't occur out of necessity, but instead can occur many generations before there is a selective advantage, and thus organisms follow Darwinian evolution instead of Lamarckian. Since then, new areas of research involving microbial evolution has spawned as a result of their experiment. Determining the mutation rate of a cell is one such area. Probability distributions that determine the number of mutants in a large population have been derived by D. E. Lea, C. A. Coulson, and J. B. S. Haldane. However, not much work has been done when time of cell division is dependent on the cell age, and even less so when cell division is asymmetric, which is the case in most microbial populations. Using probability generating function methods, we rigorously construct a probability distribution for the cell population size given a life-span distribution for both mother and daughter cells, and then determine its asymptotic growth rate. We use this to construct a probability distribution for the number of mutants in a large cell population, which can be used with likelihood methods to estimate the cell mutation rate.
Values, situational need construals, and well-being : relative intrinsic to extrinsic values predict perceiving more opportunities for satisfaction
Authors:   , Prentice Mike
Published: April 2021

The link between relative intrinsic to extrinsic value orientations and psychological well-being is now wellestablished, and it is understood that need psychological satisfaction plays a key role in this outcome. It is an open question whether values generate personality-construal or -contact effects for situational need satisfaction (or both). Studies 1-3 (N = 408) employed both cross-sectional and prospective designs to examine whether situation experience does indeed intervene in the process by which values predict need satisfaction and well-being. Studies 4-6 (N = 353) engaged the question of whether the experience of daily situations are primarily informed by contact with situations that are objectively need rich/deficient, or subjectively construed as such. Results of Studies 1-3 provide evidence that situation experience explains relative intrinsic to extrinsic value orientations prospective effect on well-being. Results of Studies 4-6 suggest that values may do so via personality-construal processes such that high levels of intrinsic (relative to extrinsic) valuing leads to an optimistic construal, whereas high levels of extrinsic (relative to intrinsic) valuing may lead to missing situational need opportunities that are objectively present. Implications for research on values, well-being, and personality development are discussed.
Radiochemical and analytical methods of analysis of radiological dispersal devices
Authors:   , Simmonds Isaac D.
Published: April 2021

The events on September 11th 2001 and subsequent attacks in America and around the world have brought a renewed interest in the nation's security including the concern over the use of a nuclear or a radiological dispersal device (RDD). Research has been done in two separate projects in order to help address some of these concerns. A research assistantship from Savannah River National Laboratory was granted in order to identify the unique characteristics of radioactive 192Ir materials (chapters 2-4). A method for the dissolving of the iridium with electrochemistry was developed and used for sample preparation for analysis. Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was then used to identify and quantify impurities and isotope ratios in iridium from various locations across the country. The second research project has developed a series of nanoparticles for use as tagging and tracking explosives (chapters 5-7). The composition of the nanoparticles were created with lanthanides with varying composition to provide a unique signature that can be rapidly and precisely measured in the field via neutron activation analysis. The nanoparticles could be used as a real-time in the field method for tracking and identifying materials such as explosives in a post detonation scenario.
Becoming subjectivities : academic women in art education
Authors:   , Ward Amber
Published: April 2021

This article-style dissertation disrupts the status quo of academic research by exploring the subjectivity of women art educators across time. The researcher investigates subjectivity, as an evolution of tensions, without being beholden to tradition by using thinking with theory as a methodology for data and visual analysis. By working within and against the established structures of academe, art educators engage in a process of becoming. The dissertation illuminates processes of becoming while (a) disrupting labels placed upon women postsecondary art educators, (b) discovering the emergence of discourse when revisiting an exhibition, and (c) deconstructing the truths regarding two matriarchs of art education. These studies address equity in pK-20 curricula and programs with implications for producing justice in classrooms, artmaking, and among disciplines. The researcher organizes the dissertation into five chapters. The purpose of the first chapter is to introduce three related research studies, or manuscripts, by contextualizing them in the field of art education. Specifically, she states the problems under investigation, describes relevant scholarship, and presents the research theories and strategies. Each manuscript contains a unique study with complementary figures and/or tables, imbedded within the written text. Chapter Five includes a discussion where she outlines the manuscripts' major discoveries, summarizes the linkages among the three manuscripts, and addresses the ways in which the research has the potential to contribute to the field.
Essays on inflation dynamics, economic fluctuations and fiscal policy
Authors:   , Chin Kuo-Hsuan
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Understand the short-run inflation dynamics is essential for conducting the fiscal or monetary policies, and the New Keynesian Phillips Curve (hereafter, NKPC) has been widely used for charactering it in the past two decades. The mixed results arise from estimating NKPC with constant parameters. I argue that the timevarying features of parameters in NKPC help reconcile the conflicting conclusions in the empirical NKPC studies. Moreover, it is useful for policymakers to estimate the effect of government spending on private spending and aggregate output. However, the precise estimate of such effects is hard to pin down since the researchers use very different theoretical models, ranging from a frictionless Real Business Cycle model to a medium-scale New Keynesian model with many nominal and real frictions. I take a top-down approach by generalizing the Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model of Smets and Wouters (2007), in which many DSGE models can be viewed as simpler versions of it after removing certain nominal or real frictions. I take a Bayesian approach to estimate the fiscal stimulus in different models, which are obtained by imposing a tight prior on a single parameter or a combination of tight priors on multiple parameters. I pick up an appropriate model via Bayes factor and then use it to forecast the effect of government spending. I find a positive short-run effect but a negative long-run consequence of fiscal stimulus.
An ecological model of health information acquisition on the Internet
Authors:   , Basic Josipa
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The present study aims 1) to determine online information acquisition practices in which college students acquire health-related information, health topics they are interested in and online tools they use to acquire health information, 2) to propose a theoretical framework based upon Williamson's ecological model (1998), Longo's health information model (2009; 2010), and previous empirical studies, 3) to examine contextual variables associated with college students' health information acquisition, and 4) to encourage discussion about improvements in communication of health information, health promotion and e-health literacy education of college population. The data collected through an online questionnaire was analyzed using various statistical analyses. The study found that found that students acquire health information in both intentional and opportunistic manner, with intentional being more common. There is a difference in topics they obtain in each of these two information manners. Students use search engines when intentionally searching for health information and opportunistically discover information while using social media. Both intentional and unintentional acquisition of health information was found to be significantly associated with gender, enrollment in healthrelated class, level of physical exercise, and the frequency of overall ODI. Health status was also significant in combination with satisfaction with social life, enrollment in health class and gender for intentional searching for health information. The theoretical framework proposed in the study is the first one so far to take a holistic approach to empirical investigation of undergraduate college students' health information acquisition behavior, by exploring both intentional and opportunistic acquisition practices and well as acquiring information for self and other people.
Culturally speaking : media, intimacy, and the vocal dimension of race and gender
Authors:   , Edgar Amanda Nell
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This project examines the racial and gendered meanings of vocal sound, focusing specifically on the ways voices and their cultural associations are circulated through media. I employ methods and theoretical assumptions drawn from cultural studies, rhetoric, and feminist and critical race theory to examine mediated voices. The traditional textual analysis methods and more innovative approaches specific to vocal communication studies I outline here are designed to map the relationship between two tenets of vocal ideology: vocal identity and vocal intimacy. Through this project, then, I extend previous literature on vocal sound's ability to construct and communicate aspects of racial and gendered identities. Additionally, this study theorizes the way these identities work with media's structures and the broader cultural context to encourage a sense of intimacy for consumers. The theoretical tenets of what I call "critical cultural vocalics" are concretized through analyses of Morgan Freeman's acting career, political impersonations on Saturday Night Live, and Whitevoice impressions by stand-up comedians of color. By examining these two intersecting and co-constitutive processes in the context of three case studies, I propose and demonstrate a critical cultural vocalics designed to foreground the ways vocal identity and vocal intimacy work together to idealize particular performances of race and gender through media's voices.
And the wood doll arose and told, I'm a real
Authors:   , Gutierrez Lianuska
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] "Sphinx Eyes Antiphon," one of the poems in my collection, And the Wood Doll Arose and Told, I'm a Real, refers to a blank or unreciprocal social gaze. Humans need some level of affirmation from the surrounding community. The eyes of ancient statues, due to weathering over time, appear as solid, blank convexitieswith no pupils or irises. The speaker of my poems understands that this is the "gaze" (in fact unseeing) that often meets her back. The poems deal with subjects who have a harder time rebuffing this blankness, due to their marginalized status and an unwillingness to conform. Many of my poems treat gendered experience as well as yoke personal history and subjectivity to political, or ethical, exhortation. My work is largely about the 'victim'; it's an effort at a vertical descent into the radically alienated experience of one caught to violence, from verbal violence or indifference to extreme physical cruelty. Animals figure into my poems often because of this focus. I attend to invisibility, to a subject overwritten. One of my strategies is physicalizing the psychic. This has to do with how the body's senses register social impingement or dominance (i.e. through the gaze or in language). The poems carry a 'feminine' sensibility (but they are for anyone), and they also attend to and dignify the body and the immanent, the inner life.
Synthesis of exo-affinity labeling agents of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 1
Authors:   , Hillebrand Roman
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a negative regulator in the insulin signaling cascade. A lot of research has focused on inhibiting PTP1B but with no success. Only one drug is currently in phase II clinical trials. We have developed a synthetic protocol to create a library of molecules that target residues outside the active site and covalently bind to the enzyme via close proximity alkylation. These molecules will be analyzed towards inactivation/inhibition capabilities. Tirapazamine is a hypoxia selective anti-cancer drug. New derivatives of Tirapazamine are sought after. We have analyzed and optimized Suzuki-Miyaura and Buchwald-Hartwig couplings reactions towards new derivatives of Tirapazamine. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a phytochemical that can be found in cruciferous vegetables and has received interest due to beneficial health effects. During our analyses of AITC towards inactivation of PTP1B we noticed the surprising absence of the isothiocyanate carbon in 13C NMR spectra. Calculations show that the absence is due to the facile change of the N-hybridization in the wide range of 120 less than 180 bond angles in AITC.
Women in high school United States history textbooks
Authors:   , Williams Frances Janeene
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Under representation of women in high school United States history textbooks is a recurring issue. Although this problem has been challenged in the past, the current study finds that, after an early effort to include more women, the momentum faltered. Quantitative methods compared the inclusion of women in early editions to their contemporary counterparts. A second analysis compared inclusion of women to men and whether ratios of inclusion had changed over time. Qualitative methods determined the phase level of inclusion to describe particular ways women were conceptualized in history and underlying messages communicated about women. By using these two methods of analysis it was found that women are still under represented when compared to men and generally represented with a patriarchal view. Two key issues, self-esteem and civic equity, indicate the importance of more inclusion of women. First, research indicates self-esteem and positive female role models are related and that textbooks negatively affect self-esteem when those role models are lacking (Clark, 1994; Trecker, 1971). Secondly, civic equity involves power (Apple, 2000). Apple explains that the continued restraints of inequity in the curriculum facilitates the lack of civic equity and allows the dominant power to remain in place. Because curriculum in high school relies heavily on textbooks, they should be regularly analyzed for content and progress made toward a more inclusive role of women in United States history. Little recent research has focused on whether the inclusion of women or the way women are represented in high school history textbooks has changed over time. This study contributes new research in the area of inclusion of women in visuals and indexes by comparing early edition to contemporary high school United States history textbooks. It also gives a new perspective to the reality of the inclusion of women as it seeks to find if women are portrayed more realistically and equitably in contemporary U.S. history textbooks than in earlier editions.
Between cultural diversity and fantasy : hybridity, pop cosmopolitanism and transnational media fandom
Authors:   , Lee Hyun Ji
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study examines the complex, multidirectional process of media transnationalization and online media fandom within the new media environment, focusing on the transnational media flows from the East to the West. To explore the growing phenomenon of Korean popular culture in the West through case studies of online fandom surrounding two genres--Korean pop music (K-pop) and Korean television drama (K-drama), I conducted a seven-month online ethnography, from July 2014 to January 2015, that focused on participant observation, one-on-one interviews with self-identified Western K-pop/K-drama fans, and analysis of fans' online posts and comments. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the appeal of Korean popular culture to Western fans, fans' embrace of pop cosmopolitanism and creation of hybrid identities, fans' creation of collective intelligence and affect, the role of fans in the spread of Korean popular culture in the West, and fans' construction of a transnational fan community using a network of sites and resources. The findings from this study suggest that Western fans were drawn to K-pop for its complex mixture of familiarity and difference, or hybridity; yet, K-drama fandom was primarily driven by the romantic fantasy the genre creates and its structural uniqueness and difference. Embracing pop cosmopolitanism and actively seeking out and consuming Korean popular culture, Western fans changed and strengthened their cultural views and created hybrid identities that embrace cultural diversity and a global perspective. Fans were also an active part of creating a hybrid online fan culture that focuses on collective creation of meanings and affective experiences. Fans' voluntary work in promoting and spreading Korean popular culture has significantly contributed to its growing popularity in the West, heightening their engagement and affective pleasure. Western fans who feel stigmatized for their investment in Korean popular culture created an affirming community online that accepts them and their interests through a network of sites in the new media environment. As a result of my ethnographic analysis, I argue that scholars should take a closer look at transnational media fandom as a key site for identity negotiation and construction, embrace of pop cosmopolitanism, and creation of supportive online networks. In total, this examination of the transnational fandom of Korean popular culture offers a rich account of how Western fans' investment in Korean popular culture and participation in online fandom influenced their worldviews and identities, and how the new technologies and fans' voluntary work have increasingly influenced transnational media flows, making them more complex, accelerated, and multi-directional.
Utilizing the size dependent crystallinity, catalytic activity and charge retention characteristics of ultrafine sub-2 nm Pt nanoparticles in electrochemical/electrical systems
Authors:   , Mukherjee Somik
Published: April 2021

Use of nanoparticles (NPs) instead of the bulk material in catalytic/electrical systems is a growing trend, which has resulted in more efficient catalytic systems and low-power operational electrical transduction systems. This dissertation aims to explore and discuss the size dependent application of tilted target sputtered sub-2 nm sized Pt nanoparticles in certain electrochemical/electrical systems. The stability of these Pt NPs, with narrow size distributions and large areal densities, on different supporting surfaces was studied to better understand the role of NP size and surface adhesive forces governing the issue of active surface area loss, a notable concern in systems utilizing Pt NPs as catalysts. From an applications standpoint, with the purpose of analysing the effect of charge transfer characteristics and crystallinity of sub- 2 nm Pt NPs in driving reaction kinetics, these Pt NPs were utilized at DSSC counter electrodes order to efficiently realize the triiodide reduction reaction at the counter electrode of DSSCs. While exploring the stability of these sub-2 nm Pt NPs in acidic environments, evidence of size-dependent hydrogen spillover was also observed for these NPs and a correlation between NP size, crystallinity, support characteristics, and hydrogen spillover was explored. While uncapped Pt NPs are utilized for catalytic applications, to take advantage of their size dependent charge trapping characteristics, capped Pt NPs are typically utilized within electronic devices. To study the electronic properties of these Pt NPs for device applications, these Pt NPs were electrically probed while embedded within a dielectric film. These Pt NP embedded dielectrics (Al2O3 in this study) were studied with intended application in non-volatile memory devices and the role of defects at the Pt NP/dielectric interface in determining the resultant device characteristics was also explored."
Development of cancer targeted Nampt inhibitors
Authors:   , Sadrerafi Keivan
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this research is the discovery of a highly potent pharmaceutical that can selectively cause apoptosis in various cancer cells. To utilize hydrophobic properties of carboranes, 1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (m-CB) has been selected as a template to synthesize new targeted antitumor agent. These drugs selectively bind to nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), preventing cancer cells from replenishing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) through their recycle pathway, leading to apoptosis. Previously, our group reported a family of potent small molecule inhibitors of Nampt. Herein an improved, gram-scale synthesis of our most potent agent: 1-(4'-(trans-3''-(3'''-pyridyl) acrylamide)butyl)-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (MC4-PPEA), as well as several other derivatives is reported. Additionally, the carborane moiety of the molecule has been modified with a hydroxymethyl functional group to allow for its covalent attachment to targeted prodrugs. This new molecule exhibits nanomolar potencies against human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. In this dissertation, several linker models capable of reacting with drug molecules containing primary alcohols are also proposed. These molecules are covalently linked through different hydrolytically or enzymatically cleavable moieties, each bearing an azide at its distal end. Using click chemistry, these prodrugs can be readily attached to protein or peptide targeting vectors, imaging agents, or other therapeutic delivery vehicles in high yield. The association constants (Ka') of unsubstituted o-, m-, and p-carborane,, adamantane, and their derivatives with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) are reported for the first time using displacement binding in an aqueous solution. The limitations of this technique are also explored. Although hydrophobicity plays a major role in the association with beta-CD, unsubstituted o-carborane which is the least hydrophobic carborane derivative, exhibits the highest Ka' of 2690 M-1. The Ka' values for the m-, and p-carborane isomers decrease with decreasing dipole moment (1830 M-1 and 1560 M-1 respectively). Adamantane exhibits a Ka' value lower than each of the three carborane isomers at 1410 M-1. Our carborane containing drug MC4-PPEA exhibited Ka' of 2606 M-1 which could lead to the possible use of beta-CDs as delivery vehicles for our CB containing drugs.
Countering the detrimental influence of negative electronic word of mouth on brands : effects of brand feedback, stability and controllability of the cause of the problem on brand attitudes and purchase intentions
Authors:   , Bhandari Manu
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] We know that online word of mouth, also called electronic word of mouth (eWOM), such as online product reviews or discussion board posts, about various products and services has a strong influence consumers' buying behavior online. For instance, one may have gone to Amazon.com or ebay.com to buy a product and decided against buying the product because of many negative reviews about that product. Research has already found that such negative product reviews or eWOM negatively influence consumers' summary judgment about brands and buying behavior (i.e., makes consumers not buy a product). However, research has not adequately studied what happens when brands or advertisers also provide a response to the reviewer writing the negative product review. This study therefore examines what happens to people's summary judgement about a brand (i.e., brand attitudes) and intentions to purchase a particular product (i.e., purchase intentions) if brands also provide a response or a \"brand feedback\" to a negative review or eWOM in an online retail context. The study also looks at whether brand feedback's effect is differently for different types of reviews, such as when the reviews talk about a problem that is under the brand's control (e.g., brand negligence) versus when it's under the reviewer's own control (e.g., reviewer dropped the purchased device). Also, when the problem described in the review is of a long-lasting nature (stable) versus short-term nature (unstable). This study is important because so far we do not have a good understanding about whether a brand's participation in the online product reviews or eWOM context can influence potential consumers' thought patterns about the brands and purchase behavior. The study's findings show that brand feedback is most effective in increasing summary judgment about a brand and purchase intentions when such brands provide a feedback to a negative review describing a problem controlled by the brand and of a short-term nature.
The metaphysics of content : towards a minimalist account of propositions
Authors:   , Frank Devin
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Propositions appear to be needed as the objects of belief and other propositional attitudes, the primary bearers of truth and falsity, and the semantic contents of sentences, but there remains significant debate over their existence and their nature. It is argued that we have good reason to believe in propositions and recent arguments to the contrary are responded to. Recent attempts by Jeffrey C. King, Scott Soames, and Peter Hanks to account for the nature of propositions are then considered. These accounts are claimed to be attractive in making propositions naturalistically acceptable. For King, propositions are facts whose existence depends on language and mind. For Soames and Hanks, propositions are types of predicative acts. Each account is put forth to explain how propositions represent things as being a certain way, and so possess truth-conditions. It is argued, however, that while propositions are the contents of representations, they are not themselves representational. Furthermore, the accounts of King and Soames are rejected on the grounds that they involve notions such as ascription and predication to explain features of propositions, whereas it is argued that these notions are best understood as relations to propositions, and so cannot be used in an account of propositions. A minimalist account of propositions is then argued for. Rather than seeking to explain how propositions perform their roles in terms of their underlying nature, it is argued that we should take their roles as explanatorily fundamental and explain features of propositions in terms of these roles.
Preschool effectiveness : the impact of attending a school district affiliated prekindergarten program on student success
Authors:   , Isaacson Joshua J.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This research project was conducted to serve several purposes. The first was to evaluate the longitudinal academic achievement effects of student's participation in a local district-affiliated pre-k program compared to students who did not participate in the district-affiliated pre-k program. The second purpose was to evaluate the effects of gender for participants in the district-affiliated pre-k program and non-participants on later student academic achievement. Lastly, the project's purpose was to evaluate if there was any significant difference in academic achievement, at the end of third grade, based on a student's participation in the district-affiliated pre-k program and the student's age in months at the time of the assessment used to measure academic achievement.
Structural and kinetic studies of bifunctional and monofunctional proline catabolic enzymes
Authors:   , Srivastava Dhiraj
Published: April 2021

PutAs, Proline dehydrogenase and P5C dehydrogenase are involved in the oxidation of proline to glutamate. Mutations in proline dehydrogenase and P5C dehydrogenase cause a disease condition known as hyperprolinemia. In this work I have solved the crystal structure of bifunctional PutA and P5C dehydrogenase. The structure of P5C dehydrogenase sheds light on the structural basis of hyperprolinemia. I have also used kinetic and thermodynamic methods to understand the molecular mechanism of hyperprolinemia.
Effects of a self-care deficit nursing theory-designed nursing system on sympton control in children with asthma
Authors:   , Cox Karen R.
Published: April 2021

Asthma is the most frequent reason for preventable hospital admissions among children regardless of race or socio-economic status. Since asthma hospitalizations are preventable, an implicit assumption is that parents are not optimally managing the illness condition. Using Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, 14 antecedent conditions necessary for competent action by dependent-care agents (usually parents) were uncovered in the pediatric asthma literature. All but two of the 14 antecedent conditions are influenced by factors partly or completely controlled by the health care system. Given this new understanding, a unique partnership between a health care system and a Medicaid managed care health plan was forged to remove health care system barriers that interfere with dependent-care agent competency for the management of asthma. A nursing system was designed and implemented to improve health care system factors associated with optimal symptom control: accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, continuity, access, and parent/child teaching. The multi-faceted nursing system was implemented across three professional groups (physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists) within one ER, three hospital units, and six outpatient clinic sites. One component of the nursing system involved formal annual training of participants on appropriate diagnosis and optimal treatment. Other nursing system components focused attention on children who had failed outpatient management. Specifically, between October l, 1998, and March 31, 2001, 753 children were brought to one emergency room or three hospital units for treatment of an asthma exacerbation. The nursing system was successfully implemented on behalf of 75% of these children. Using Medicaid managed care enrollment files and claims data for asthma care, the effects of the nursing system on symptom control were compared before: and after the nursing system intervention, and between two groups of health care providers who had either been maximally or minimally impacted by the nursing system. Rates for asthma claims used to proxy symptom control included ER, hospital, and clinic visits for asthma. Children who had providers in the maximally involved group were one-half as likely to be hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation as children with providers in the minimally involved group. The results of this study confirm that when nursing theory guides practice, patient outcomes improve.
Efficient protein tertiary structure retrievals and classifications using content based comparison algorithms
Authors:   , Chi Pin-Hao
Published: April 2021

Functionally important sites of proteins are potentially conserved to specific three-dimensional structural folds. To understand the structure-to-function relationship, life sciences researchers and biologists have a great need to retrieve similar structures from protein databases and classify these structures into the same protein fold. Traditional protein structure retrieval and classification methods are known to be either computationally expensive or labor intensive. In the past decade, more than 35000 protein structures have been identified. To meet the needs of fast retrieval and classifying high-throughput protein data, our research covers three main subjects: (1) Real-time global protein structure retrieval: We introduce an image-based approach that extracts signatures of three-dimensional protein structures. Our high-level protein signatures are then indexed by multi-dimensional indexing trees for fast retrieval. (2) Real-time global protein structure classification: An advanced knowledge discovery and data mining (KDD) model is proposed to convert high-level protein signature into itemsets for mining association rules. The advantage of this KDD approach is to effectively reveal the hidden knowledge from similar protein tertiary structures and quickly suggest possible SCOP domains for a newly-discovered protein. In addition, we develop a non-parametric classifier, E-Predict, that can rapidly assign known SCOP folds and recognize novel folds for newly-discovered proteins. (3) Efficient local protein structure retrieval and classification: We propose a novel algorithm, namely, the Index-based Protein Substructure Alignment (IPSA), that constructs a two-layer indexing tree to capture the obscured similarity of protein substructures in a timely fashion. Our research works exhibit significantly high efficiency with reasonably high accuracy and will benefit the study of high-throughput protein structure-function evolutionary relationships.
Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase proteolytic activity in initial adhesive and invasive events of ovarian cancer metastasis
Authors:   , Bruney Lana
Published: April 2021

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies, generally developing in women over the age of forty. When EOC are diagnosed prior to metastatic dissemination, the overall 5-year survival rate is 92%; however, nearly 85% of women with EOC are diagnosed with metastasis already present, dropping the survival rate to less than 30%. EOC, arises, arguably, from the single layer of cells that cover the ovary or fallopian tube. Metastatic ovarian tumors develop once an epithelial cell transforms, inducing detachment from the primary tumor site. These shed cells travel throughout the peritoneal cavity, escaping anoikis to survive as single cells and multicellular aggregates (MCA), and metastasize intraperitoneally through adhesion to and invasion of the mesothelial cell layer covering the peritoneum, the primary microenvironment for ovarian cancer metastasis. These mesothelial cells lie atop a collagen type I-rich extracellular matrix; subsequent to the initial attachment of ovarian cancer cells, proteolytic activity catalyzes migration through the mesothelial monolayer and promotes invasion of the sub-mesothelial matrix. Elucidating the early molecular mechanisms involved in this metastatic process, specifically the adhesion of EOC cells to mesothelial cells and penetration of the associated sub-mesothelial extracellular matrix, is essential to the development of future therapeutic agents. Enzymatic activity of matrix type 1 metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a transmembrane proteinase that degrades interstitial collagen, has been shown to be critical to this process. MT1-MMP activity has been directly implicated in both the invasion of the sub-mesothelial collagen I matrix, and in the shedding of metastatic MCA, but the molecular mechanisms behind these events are not completely understood. Considering the well-established role of MT1-MMP in the EOC metastatic process, identification of the molecules contributing to these pro-metastatic phenotypes is critical to future understanding of EOC metastatic spread. This research investigated the initial adhesive and invasive events of ovarian cancer metastasis, as associated with MT1-MMP proteolytic activity. Specifically, the effect of MT1-MMP activity on ovarian tumor cell ectodomain shedding and the in vitro, relationship between MT1-MMP and a potential phosphorylator, integrin linked kinase (ILK), on adhesion and invasion was assessed. Investigations utilized in vitro models of homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion, meso-mimetic invasion assays, and ex vivo tissue explants. Results suggest that ILK activity may catalyze phosphorylation of MT1-MMP to promote pro-metastatic events, including strengthening of adhesive contacts, invasion of the collagen-rich sub-mesothelial matrix, and MCA formation. Additionally, MT1-MMP expression may induce MUC16/CA-125 ectodomain shedding, which may then expose integrins at the ovarian tumor cell surface for high affinity cell-cell and cell-ECM binding.
[2,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of propargylic sulfinates ; Regiodivergent synthesis of 1- and 2 arylsulfonyl 1,3-dienes, and III. Synthesis of Troger's base-derived ligands
Authors:   , Hampton Carissa Sue
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of propargylic sulfinates to allenic sulfones was studied under both silver and copper catalysis. Metal salts having non-coordinating anions were effective at promoting the rearrangement. In addition, recoverable and reusable metal-doped ultrastable Y (USY) zeolites are able to catalyze the rearrangement, making the process more environmentally "green". In the course of studying some organometallic chemistry of allenic sulfones, we discovered a facile palladium-catalyzed isomerization of these species to 1-arylsulfonyl 1,3-dienes. In the absence of palladium, but in the presence of a nucleophile and proton shuttle, such allenes can be converted to 2-arylsulfonyl 1,3-dienes. The mechanisms of both processes are examined. Troger?s base is a non-natural chiral amine whose analogues have applications in many areas. The sterics of Troger?s base prevent it from functioning as a bidentate ligand. We have designed a ligand derived from the Troger?s base structural framework that is dianionic and contains multiple coordination sites for transition metal and actinide complexation.
Enhancing microbiological safety of water and food
Authors:   , Shen Zhenyu
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Human and animal feces are the main sources of pathogens associated with foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks. The studies in Volume I proposed ribosomal intervening sequences (IVSs) can be used as host-specific genetic markers for tracking fecal sources in polluted food and water. In Chapter 3, using bioinformatics tools, one IVS in Faecalibacterium 16S rDNA specific to poultry (chicken and turkey) was identified in silico. A PCR assay was then developed to confirm the IVS was only present in fecal or wastewater samples from poultry. The study in Chapter 4 comprehensively examined host specificities of IVSs in 16S rDNA of 73 genera of fecal bacteria. A total of 13 IVSs were identified to be associated particular host sources in silico and the host-specificities of eight of them were confirmed by PCR reactions. Furthermore, a novel beef cattle-specific IVS was identified with next generation sequencing (NGS). Internalization of human pathogens in produce poses high risks to human health because the surface-sanitization method fail to inactivate the pathogens. The study in Volume II proposed to control the pathogen internalization with endophytic Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from vegetables. Twelve endophytic B. subtilis strains isolated from inner tissue of lettuce stems and mung bean seeds displayed inhibitory activity against a Salmonella enterica indicator in vitro and two of them (LCA1 and M24) showed broad inhibitory spectrums. LCA1, M24, and a laboratory strain B. subtilis 168 could internalize in mung bean sprouts and significantly reduced the internalization of S. enterica and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC).
Toward a virtue account of science
Authors:   , Wright Jacob Warren
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This dissertation argues for a virtue account of science in which foundational scientific goals are achieved by scientists' employment of virtuous tools and practices. Chapter 1 discusses contemporary literature on the nature and success of biology, especially the realism/antirealism debate within biology. This chapter also provides background into the debate surrounding explanation and understanding. Chapter 2 challenges the idea that successful biology requires appeals to laws of nature by arguing that some foundational scientific goals best realized by unlawful tools and practices. This result provides a criterion for determining whether a discipline is more scientific than another another; disciplines are more or less scientific to the extent that they are able to achieve foundational scientific goals. Chapter 3 examines a test case for the result in Chapter 2 by analyzing McShea and Brandon's [2010] Zero Force Evolutionary Law (ZFEL). I show that the ZFEL's failure as a law does not impact its usefulness to scientists, who are able to use the ZFEL to achieve a number of important, foundational goals. Chapter 4 provides a strategy for determining foundational scientific goals by examining the debate surrounding the relationship between understanding and explanation. By analyzing Khalifa's [2013a] Explanatory Knowledge Model of Understanding, I demonstrate that understanding is not a species of explanation and is thus a foundational scientific goal. It is a goal that scientists aim at, has intrinsic benefit, and is not reducible to other scientific goals. Finally, Chapter 5 presents an outline of the virtue account. On this account, science is successful to the extent it regularly achieves foundational scientific goals. Science does so by employing virtuous tools and practices--those tools and practices that regularly allow for the achievement of foundational goals. The chapter concludes by examining several benefits of this view and considering future avenues for research.
Examine the role of minor splicing pathway in spinal muscular atrophy
Authors:   , Yen Pei-Fen
Published: April 2021

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder mainly caused by deletions or mutations of one gene, Survival Motor Neuron (SMN). SMN is crucial in splicing processes for proper gene expression. Previous studies showed a significant decrease in the levels of minor splicing (U12 intron) snRNPs in SMA mice and a restoration of a U12 intron-containing gene partially rescued disease phenotypes in SMA animal models. Here we utilized viral delivery system to investigate the potential effect of increasing minor splicing snRNAs on SMN deficiency. We introduced minor splicing snRNAs, human U11 and U12, or human U11, U12 with U4atac to the well-characterized SMA mice. Our treatment prolonged survival and increased percent peak weight gain. The motor function was improved however NMJ pathology was largely uncorrected. Nonetheless, the increment of minor splicing snRNAs maintained the number of central synapses on motor neurons. Furthermore, no changes in SMN expression after the treatment indicated that increasing minor splicing snRNAs partially benefits disease phenotypes independent to SMN expression in SMA mice. Furthermore, defects in U12-intron splicing events were partially corrected for U12 intron-containing SMN target gene, Stasimon, reiterating the improvement of minor splicing in SMA mice. Taken together, our results showed the restoration of minor splicing snRNAs partially ameliorates SMN deficiency caused phenotypes, indicating that U12-dependent minor splicing event is responsible for the disease progress of SMA.