2011 MU dissertations - Access restricted to UM
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Item Intrinsic, extrinsic and environmental regulation of muscle satellite cell motility(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Siegal, Ashley Lynn; Siegal, Ashley Lynn[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Skeletal muscle repair and regeneration requires the activity of satellite cells, a population of myogenic stem cells. Previously, little data existed on the motility of satellite cells a critical component to tissue repair. Using timelapse videomicroscopy to assess satellite cell motility on the surface of single living myofibers, we have identified a requirement for the laminin-binding integrin a7b1 in satellite cell motility, as well as a role for hepatocyte growth factor in promoting directional persistence. We also observed more persistent long-term contact, potential cell-cell attractive and repulsive interaction, and migration between host myofibers. We found that satellite cells express multiple members of each of the four major families of guidance molecules. Satellite cell migration in vivo may be more extensive than currently thought, and could be regulated by combinations of signals including adhesive haptotaxis, soluble factors, and guidance cues. CXCL12/SDF-1 and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) are included in these released factors satellite cell displacement and velocity and chemotaxis were quantified. Purified HGF and SDF-1a were injected into the Tibialis Anterior muscle (TA) to test the sufficiency of these factors for satellite cell movement in vivo. A better understanding of how satellite cells actually respond to an injury in a healthy muscle and if they are mobilized and motile from a distance will be critical to knowing if they can be induced to move through damaged or diseased muscle tissue.Item Modeling the impact of polystyrene microparticles on toxicity of phenol to Artemia(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Lizcano Gonzalez, Susana F.; Lizcano Gonzalez, Susana F.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The increasing use and availability of micro and nanoparticles for use in science, technology and daily consumer products has led to unique challenges related to understanding their toxicity and exposure pathways for proper ecological and human health risk assessments In marine environments for example, plastic pollution constitutes a threat to marine wildlife due to the potential impacts related to entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris. However, studies related to the fate and transport of plastic-based materials fragmented into micro-sizes and their interaction with other pollutants have been limited. The research purpose of this study involved an evaluation of the fate and impact of polystyrene microparticles and phenol (organic pollutant) to a marine invertebrate (Artemia, brine shrimp). The results were guided towards developing a mathematical model that could explain the toxicity of plastic microparticles and phenol to a marine organism. This model was supported by toxicology experiments of Artemia exposed to phenol and polystyrene beads. Results suggested that the presence of suspended plastic microparticles can potentially increase or decrease the apparent acute toxicity of an organic compound to a filter-feeding aquatic organism such as Artemia depending on the affinity of both particles and Artemia to phenol as well as the uptake and retention of microparticles by these organisms.Item Cocrystallization of pyrogallol[4]arenes with target molecules(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Fowler, Drew A.; Fowler, Drew A.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Supramolecular chemistry, in its simplest and broadest description, is the chemistry of intermolecular interactions or chemistry of the noncovalent bond. Supramolecular chemistry is rooted in discoveries, such as the chlorine clathrate found in 1810 by Sir Humphry Davy, and concepts, such as coordination chemistry (1893-Werner) and the lock-and-key concept (1894-Fischer). The broad definition of supramolecular chemistry can be applied to a vast subject range including naturally occurring assemblies, such as proteins and the double helix of DNA. Today, a key interest of supramolecular chemists is the design of functional multi-component systems constructed from smaller molecular building blocks. This research focuses specifically on the supramolecular chemistry of a family of macrocycles called calixarenes, specifically the pyrogallol derivatives pyrogallol[4]arenes. Due to the bowl-like shape of the macrocycles and the presence of 12 upper-rim hydroxyls, pyrogallol[4]arenes have been found to exhibit a number of interesting supramolecular properties. The following dissertation contains the description of advances that have been made using these macrocycles. This work illustrates the expansion of a project dealing with the cocrystallization, and encapsulation of fluorescent reporter molecules with a variety of pyrogallol[4]arenes in different solvent systems. The description of a number of crystal structures that is offered will illustrate how, through thoughtful experimentation, the successful design of a new host molecular capsule was carried out and broadened to include a number of guest molecules. The target molecules have also been expanded from the fluorescent reporters to a variety of possible targets molecules. The solid-state structures discussed include multiple cocrystals of gabapentin, an active pharmaceutical ingredient, and structures containing the organometallic sandwich complex ferrocene.Item Ambiguity, uncertainty, and othering : a queer phenomenology of the organizational socialization of sexuality(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Dixon, Jenny D.; Dixon, Jenny D.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Despite the many frames, metaphors, and lenses in the organizational communication discipline, we have yet to examine the lived experience of sexuality in the workplace. The experience of socializing to the sexual norms of professional workspaces has yet to be considered within the Communication Discipline. Through queer hermeneutic phenomenology, the present study explores the socialization of sexuality in the workplace across an array of sexual orientations and gender identities. How we are introduced to and make sense of sexuality at work was the primary thrust of this project. Interactive interviews resulted in a co-authoring of knowledge regarding discursive constructions of sexuality and sexual identity in the workplace. Results are reported in three parts: First, age, gender and location emerged as ironic and ambiguous stereotypes used to describe sexuality at work. These stereotypes function as discursive dividing lines among social groups within the workplace. Then, nondiscrimination policy surfaced as a tool for reducing and managing uncertainty about sexuality. Sexual and gender minorities were far more aware of the nature and parameters of workplace policies, compared to their hetertypical counterparts. Finally, discourses of family served as a point of meaning divergence resulting in an othering of LGBT, single, and otherwise queer organization members. Specifically, despite calls for diversity, discursive constructions of "family" remain largely heteronormative. Implications including the need to further interrogate nondiscrimination policy and develop more inclusive family discourses are provided.Item Experience by design : a post occupancy evaluation of the Tarrant County College fire service training center, Fort Worth, Texas(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2011) Abercrombie, Tommy L.; Phillips, Ronald G.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Firefighting is an extremely hazardous, potentially life-threatening occupation where failures in training quite often lead to injury or death. A well-trained fire fighting force can reduce the potential for the loss of life and/or property, and help minimize the impact of potential community-wide disasters. The following research yields empirically relevant data that will improve the understanding of adult education as it relates to fire fighter training and improve understanding of the potential effects of the learning environment on that education. The Tarrant County College Fire Service Training Center, (FSTC), a state-of-the-art fire training facility located on the Tarrant County College Northwest Campus in Fort Worth, Texas. The approximately 26-acre facility serves as a primary training and education facility for firefighters and emergency response personnel from a 16-county region surrounding Fort Worth. The FSTC is a multipurpose emergency training campus and includes a 48,000 square foot classroom and administration building, a mock fire station and a 23-acre live fire training field designed to replicate environments and hazards typically encountered in the local region. The FSTC is unique in that it was designed to create realistic training environments that focus on teaching applied skills in the contexts in which they would be encountered by the responder in the field. The facility was also designed to create experiential learning opportunities that serve as real time simulations of emergency scenarios requiring students to respond to both a changing environment as well as to other students who are participating in the training event. The post occupancy evaluation described here was designed to assess a selection of key facilities and their operational success measured against the original design program and design intent employing a goal-achievement postoccupancy evaluation perspective. The findings of the conducted research were established by comparing the building performance in use with the programmatic and design goals identified during the planning and design of the facility. The goal of this effort was to evaluate the facility in use by determining the level of congruency between programmatic and design goals, and those of instructors and students utilizing the facility. To determine the level of congruency a Multi-attribute Utility Technology analysis was conducted and included a survey of students and instructors from two basic academy classes. The survey was administered upon conclusion of each class after students participated in State mandated live fire training days held on the last four days of their course. Information collected from the two classes was then compared to the programming values established during the development of the facility. Findings from this research indicate strong levels of congruence between the programmatic goals for the experiential learning environment with those of the environment in use. The findings also provide insight into the relationship between curriculum, instruction, and the physical environment, which not only impacts the usefulness of the physical environment, but also impacts the overall experience of the student. The findings also point to the need to develop strong systems that integrates all three elements closely in order to create experiential learning environments that provide the best learning outcomes.