Duane Schilitter field not book: SP4068-SP7676_assorted_Schlitter.pdf

Each page/AP number corresponds to a karyotype slide data and/or unique specimen.Data pages for SP4068-SP7676_assorted_Schlitter corresponding to unique identifiers of specimens/samples examined for biological research. Specimens are primarily housed at Texas A&M University; Biodiverstiy Research and Teaching Collections; Carnegi

Unveiling the Myth Within: The Role of Narrative Perspective in C.S. Lewis' "Till We Have Faces"

This thesis explores the embodiment and performance of myth through the first-person viewpoint in C.S. Lewis��� Till We Have Faces (Faces). In this novel, Lewis moves away from his previous rationalist approach and uses myth and a first-person narrator to write an intimate story unlike what he had accomplished before. It is a shift in narrative methodology that signifies a corresponding evolution in Lewis��� theology. I study the potential cause of this shift through a study of Lewis��� Christian conversion and an impactful philosophical debate. The result is a particular and unique utilization of myth as a vehicle of conflict, as the protagonist, Orual, is shrouded from reality and must reckon with her own mythology to gain an accurate interpretation of herself and of the divine. I compare the original myth of Cupid and Psyche in The Golden Asse with Faces in order to understand Lewis��� purposes in changing the original story and glimpse the result. Ultimately, he seeks to reveal the importance of coming ���face to face��� with one���s self and holding on to one���s identity. I investigate the theme of identity, as highlighted by the first-person perspective, through the embodiment and performance of myth to argue how Faces is unique among Lewis��� literature

Evidence for Metabolism of Creatine by the Conceptus, Placenta, and Uterus for Production of ATP During Conceptus Development in Pigs

During gestation in pigs, most embryonic mortality occurs during two gestational time points with high energy demands due to extensive cell proliferation and migration. Between Days 14 and 25, free-floating conceptuses (embryo/fetus and associated placental membranes) elongate and attach to the uterus. Between Days 50 and 70, the uterine-placental interface undergoes extensive folding and develops mature areolae to maximize support for development of the fetuses. We hypothesize that insufficient energy in the form of ATP in conceptuses and uterine tissue may contribute to conceptus loss in pigs. Creatine, an organic compound commonly stored in the muscle as phosphocreatine, can regenerate ATP through the creatine (Cr)-creatine kinase (CK)- phosphocreatine (PCr) pathway. However, the expression of factors involved in creatine metabolism has not been examined in conceptus and uterine tissues throughout gestation in pigs. In the present study, we performed real-time qPCR to quantify expression of mRNAs for enzymes and the creatine transporter involved in the creatine metabolic pathway in conceptus and uterine tissues from Days 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 40, 60, and 90 of gestation. Results of qPCR analyses revealed increases in expression of AGAT, GAMT, CKM, CKB, and SLC6A8 mRNAs in conceptuses on Day 15, and a further increase in AGAT mRNA in the chorioallantois on Day 90 of gestation. Immunofluorescence staining of the uterine-placental interface from Days 15, 16, 20, and 25 corroborated qPCR results, with the expression of GAMT, CKM, and CKB proteins appearing to increase in conceptus Tr cells on Day 15. The presence of GAMT, CKB, and CKM proteins were confirmed with Western blot analyses. Levels of endometrial AGAT and CKM mRNAs increased on Day 15, CKB mRNA increased again on Day 30, and AGAT, GAMT, and SLC6A8 mRNAs increased significantly on Days 40, 60, and 90. Furthermore, HPLC analyses confirmed the presence of Cr and PCr metabolites in uterine luminal fluid, allantoic fluid, and amniotic fluid with significant increases in the uterine fluid and allantoic fluid on Days 11 and 40, respectively. Collectively, results of this study indicate that the Cr-CK-PCr pathway could establish sufficient energy stores to support cell proliferation and migration required for conceptus elongation, implantation, and remodeling of the uterine-placental interface during gestation in pigs

Quantitative Analysis of Strain Response Measured by Low-Frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing During Hydraulic Fracturing

This master's thesis investigates the pivotal role of strain measurements in hydraulic fracturing operations, employing Low-Frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing (LF-DAS) technology to monitor strain changes during treatments. A significant gap in the existing research is addressed by systematically analyzing strain decay beyond the fracture domain corridor. The thesis investigates the impact of parent-well depletion and completion design on hydraulic fracture geometry, employing a decline factor of the strain decay curve as a key analytical tool. This analysis is supported by a geomechanics model, providing a comprehensive understanding of the dataset. Furthermore, the study conducts a comprehensive analysis of Hydraulic Fracture Test Site-2 (HFTS-2), considering the maximum cumulative strain change and decline factor of the strain decay curves. The thesis outlines a well-structured workflow for processing and analyzing LF-DAS cross-well strain data

Role of Steroid Hormones and Their Neuroactive Metabolites in Pavlovian Fear Conditioning

In the United States, one in every three individuals will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Importantly, there are significant sex differences in the incidence of these disorders. Anxiety disorders are almost twice as prevalent in females than in males, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This significant sex difference indicates a possible role for gonadal hormones in the development of these disorders. Indeed, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone have been found to modulate fear and anxiety in clinical populations and in rodent research models. A better understanding of how hormones contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders is vital to the development of targeted, effective treatments. Here, we use a Pavlovian fear conditioning model in which rats are trained to associate a context and cue with an aversive footshock, which leads to conditioned responding in the absence of the footshock. Using this model, we explore the role of progesterone (PROG), its metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO), and the testosterone metabolite 3a-androstanediol (3a-diol) on the acquisition, expression, and extinction of conditioned fear. Ovariectomized females were treated systemically with PROG whereas intact males received either ALLO or 3a-diol infusions into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a sexually dimorphic brain structure shown to modulate anxiety and context-dependent fear. Our laboratory has previously shown that intra-BNST ALLO in male rats and estrous cycle phase in cycling female rats can confer state dependence to contextual fear such that retrieval of the fear memory is optimal when animals are tested in the same hormonal state experienced during conditioning. The results here demonstrate that although acute changes in systemic PROG of ovariectomized females can causes changes in conditioned fear expression, they do not mirror the state-dependent regulation observed in cycling females. In male rats, intra-BNST 3a-diol confers state dependence to contextual, but not cued, fear such that animals trained and tested in different hormonal states exhibit a state-dependent generalization decrement. Finally, we show that in male rats, intra-BNST ALLO can modulate extinction learning but not in a state-dependent manner. The work presented here further demonstrates that hormones and their neuroactive metabolites can influence different aspects of acquisition, expression, and extinction of conditioned fear and supports the consideration of interoceptive cues associated with hormonal state when developing treatments and interventions for anxiety- and trauma-related disorders

Assessing Orthodontic Compliance with Tailored vs Generic Reminders

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of daily automated tailored reminders compared to generic ones on the improvement of oral hygiene compliance. A blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of the content of reminders. Subjects were recruited from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and were treated with fixed full appliances in both arches. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a tailored text message group or a generic text message group. There were 68 subjects recruited who were 12 to 17 years of age. Oral hygiene was measured at the beginning of the study and again 8 weeks later. The generic reminder group had significant improvements in oral hygiene compliance from timepoint 1 to timepoint 2. Decreases from T1 to T2 were 1.20 to 0.59, 1.88 to 1.10, and 3.56 to 2.90 for bleeding index (BI), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI), respectively (p<0.001). The tailored reminder group had significant improvements in oral hygiene compliance from timepoint 1 to timepoint 2 as well. Decreases from T1 to T2 were 1.33 to 0.58, 2.02 to 1.12, and 3.75 to 2.81 for bleeding index (BI), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI), respectively (p<0.001). All initial values in the tailored group and total decreases for all three periodontal tests were higher than in the generic group but were not statistically significant. Tailored daily reminders are not more effective at improving oral hygiene compliance than generic daily reminders

Art (Spaces) Imitates Life? An Exploration of Arts-Centered Spaces and Their Degree of Accessibility to Immigrant Communities

This literature review is designed to answer two questions. First, whether art spaces are welcoming spaces for immigrants? Second, what conditions may prompt immigrants to interact or disengage with art spaces? Literature from cultural geography, sociology of culture, urban studies, race, ethnicity, and migration have demonstrated that institutions such as the art museum have historically been sites of domination (Anderson 2006; Cooks 2011; Lonetree 2012). Despite this, museums have displayed an effort to change, while marginalized communities embody the capacity to partake in placemaking endeavors regardless of these constraints (Hooper-Greenhill 2000; Roberts 2018, 2020; Lipsitz 2011; Cook 2011; Lonetree 2012; Jenkins 2010; Jamal 2010, Espiritu 2010, Maira 2010, Stern et. al. 2010). Moreover, art-spaces have been shown to benefit people in both an individual and communal sense (Grodach 2010, 2011; Eaves 2014; Eisner 2012). At the same time, the literature shows that immigrants tend to prefer more informal or private venues to partake in the consumption or creation of art. Although this is the case, we cannot discern exactly why this dynamic is occurring (Stern et. al 2010). Literature regarding cultural capital and strategic assimilation point to possible theoretical explanations of this dynamic, but further research must be conducted to fully address this discrepancy (Bourdieu 1977; Lamont and Lareau 1988; Lacy 2007). In the completion of this literature review, I also offer suggestions to improve existing art spaces based upon the concepts of the Black Spatial Imaginary and Community Asset Mapping (Lipsitz 2011; Villanueva 2020, 2021)

mRNA-Encoded Anti-VapA Monoclonal IgG1 for Passive Immunization of Foals Against Rhodococcus equi

Pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi is an important cause of disease and death in newborn foals. Neonatal foals are most susceptible to infection because their na��ve, immature immune responses fail to protect against inhaled R. equi, which is ubiquitous in their environment. Virulent R. equi strains express the virulence-associated protein A (VapA) that is necessary to cause disease in foals. Passive immunization with transfusion of hyperimmune plasma (REHIP) protects foals against R. equi pneumonia; potency is assessed by anti-VapA titers. REHIP transfusion, however, is expensive and risky for foals; REHIP products also vary markedly in anti-VapA activity. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) provide superior specificity and consistency, but costs and complexity limit feasibility. In vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA encoding mAbs (mRNA-mAbs) enables safe, ondemand mAb production within the patient, including in the lungs following nebulized delivery of mRNA-mAbs. Thus, our objective was to generate IVT mRNA encoding an equine mAb of the IgG1 sub-isotype against VapA for intrapulmonary passive immunization of neonatal foals. The first chapter provides a literature review summarizing current knowledge of mRNA-mAb for passive immunization and its promise against rhodococcal pneumonia. The following chapters describe studies conducted to demonstrate proof-of-principle for aerosolized IVT mRNA expression in foals. First, we conducted a pilot study demonstrating safe expression of aerosolized IVT mRNA encoding a reporter protein in the guttural pouches and lungs of foals. Next, we investigated intrapulmonary expression of a functional mRNA-mAb. VapA-specific memory Bcells were isolated from a hyperimmunized adult horse and single-cell sequenced to identify an IgG1 mAb sequence. Expression of IVT mRNA encoding the mAb in equine lung cultures produced a mAb specific for virulent R. equi. A mRNA-mAb was then formulated in a polymer-based carrier and nebulized to 12 neonatal foals, resulting in safe, consistent mAb expression for up to 12 days. Expressed mAb within the lungs specifically recognized both VapA and virulent R. equi. This project represents the first mRNA-mAb developed for equine passive immunization and the first mRNA-mAb delivered to neonatal lungs in any species. This platform holds great translational potential for veterinary and human medical applications, especially for delivering near-immediate protection to neonatal airways via neutralizing antibodies

The Reconstruction of Riesman's Social Character Social Types: Loss of Indigenous Cultural Identity

The Navajo tribe is one of the largest Indigenous tribes in the United States. With the continuous issues that the Navajo population faces, the loss of cultural identity is a primary concern. Applying David Riesman's theory of social characters, the three recontextualizations: tradition-directed, inner-directed, and other-directed, have yet to be done. Applying and recontextualizing David Riesman's theory will continue to identify and explore Indigenous cultural identity. David Riesman writes mainly about white American suburban society (other-directed) and applies his neglected concepts on traditional directedness. Applying ancestral traditions through the recontextualization of tradition-directed and inner-directed can cause the loss of connection between the Navajo tribe, cultural roots, and cultural identity. Applying Riesman theory to Indigenous tribes will reflect that the difference between the white population (other-directedness) and the Indigenous tribes (traditional-directedness) continues to fit even today. It will return to full circle and follow Riesman's concepts to a certain extent. The other recontextualization is the struggle between each type of social character's three social traits and the direction of modernization

From Remote Work to Virtual Collaboration: Toward the Design of Collaborative Virtual Reality Environments

Recently the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, during this time mandatory social distancing went into effect to stop the spread of the virus. Due to the social distancing mandates many schools and businesses were forced to close their doors for an undisclosed amount of time, opening the door for online and remote work. Individuals who worked on collaborative teams during this time were forced to adopt new methods of collaboration. Although teleconferencing applications such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams provided online support for collaboration the human-human social interaction was lacking. Like these teleconferencing applications Virtual Reality (VR) has taken off during these unprecedented times. Recent developments into VR have created immersive applications that allow users to meet socially and professionally in virtual environments, bringing back the human-human social interaction. This research seeks to understand how and to what extent collaborative VR environments can support interdisciplinary team collaboration. A series of five studies was conducted to first explore how collaborative teams work with each other in different environments (face-to-face vs virtual). The following studies will investigate user preferences of Virtual Characters (VCs) in immersive VR environments. A final study will observe an interdisciplinary team to compare team collaboration face-to-face, virtually and in a commercially available collaborative VR application. From these five studies this body of work will contribute a set of design guidelines to be used in the development of collaborative VR environments