The dissertation presented details the search for isolated early-type galaxies (IEG). A strict set of isolation criteria were employed, requiring the candidate galaxy to be separated from nearest neighbors of M < 16.5 by a distance of 2.5 Mpc and a redshift-space separation of 350 km/s. Such extreme isolation produces galaxies well suited as laboratories for the study of galaxy evolution, absent from the continual galaxy harassment observed for galaxies in group and cluster environments. Global and surface photometry is used in verifi cation of early-type morphology of the candidate galaxies. Two-dimensional residual maps, produced by model galaxy subtractions, are used to search for fine structure as well as isophotal deviations from a perfectly elliptical shape in the candidates. Clues provided by these analysis techniques are used to derive estimates of the past interaction history of the galaxies. Also investigated was the viability of X-ray diagnostics to probe the evolutionary connection between compact groups, fossil groups (FG) and isolated ellipticals. Using the X-ray luminosity and gas temperatures, it was discovered that fossil groups are composed of two distinct populations. Population 1 FGs have X-ray characteristics similar to those of the compact groups and isolated ellipticals, while population 2 FGs are signi cantly hotter and more luminous. The results suggest that compact groups are the predecessors of isolated ellipticals and population 1 FGs. Population 2 FGs appear to be the remnants of a collapsed poor cluster. The highlights of the research are summarized as: 84% of the IEGs have blue colors and spectra indicative of young stellar populations and recent star formation. The conclusion is that the IEGs have continued to experience accretion of dwarf companions, which implies that even in extremely isolated galaxies, minor mergers strongly influence galaxy evolution. The faint nature of the IEGs, which are magnitudes fainter than previous isolated galaxy samples, imply that the IEGs are unlikely the remains of a collapsed group. Three sample galaxies are strong candidates for having a pristine nature and might serve as the near-zero interaction baseline necessary to separate the intrinsic galaxy properties and those properties induced by external interactions.

The formation of protein condensed phases (e.g., aggregates, gels and crystals) from aqueous solutions is important in materials science, biology, medicine and biotechnology. However this process is not well-understood and physicochemical studies on protein condensation are fundamental for all the above areas. Protein condensation induced in the presence macromolecular additives is known as macromolecular crowding. Although this process is not well-understood, it is believed that the main action of these additives is to enhance protein condensation by depletion interactions related to the size of macromolecules. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a hydrophilic nonionic polymer, is one of the most widely used macromolecular-crowding agents. Upon the addition of PEG with an average molecular weight of 1450 g/mol (PEG1450) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) aqueous solutions, protein condensation into oil-like spherical droplets is observed by lowering temperature. This phenomenon is related to liquid−liquid phase separation (LLPS). To investigate the crowding effect of PEG on protein condensation, two thermodynamically independent properties of the LLPS phase boundary were experimentally characterized: (1) the effect of PEG1450 concentration on the LLPS temperature, (2) BSA/PEG1450 partitioning in the two liquid coexisting phases. A thermodynamic perturbation theory, which includes one parameter describing depletion interactions, was used to examine our experimental results. It was found that both independent properties of the phase boundary could be quantitatively described by the same value of the depletion-interaction parameter. However, the depletion-interaction parameter determined from our LLPS experiments was found to be significantly different from that theoretically obtained from the molecular size of BSA and PEG1450 by treating PEG as an ideal chain. The non-ideal behavior of the PEG chain was hypothesized as the main reason for the observed discrepancy. Thus, a more realistic model for the PEG chain was introduced. Monte-Carlo simulations were then performed to calculate novel values of the depletion-interaction parameter from the size of BSA and PEG1450. It is then shown that our new model for PEG chains significantly improves the agreement between experimental results and theory. The role of protein oligomerization on protein condensation was also investigated. It is shown that LLPS of protein aqueous solutions can be isothermally induced by protein oligomerization. For BSA and lysozyme as protein models, protein oligomerization in the presence of glutaraldehyde as a chemical cross-linker can evolve either towards the formation of cross-linked protein condensed droplets or macroscopic amorphous aggregation, depending on the LLPS properties of the protein monomer. Finally, laccase condensation from aqueous solutions was investigated. Laccase is an enzyme used in the petroleum, paper and food industry. The thermodynamic behavior of laccase condensation and the morphology of laccase condensed phases was observed to strongly depend on the nature of the additive (PEG or (NH4)2SO4). Interestingly, laccase condensation could be also induced by using liquid-liquid interfaces. At low enzyme concentrations, it is shown that laccase condensation can be driven by BSA-laccase cross-linking and BSA condensation. This has produced catalytically-active aggregates. The reported preliminary results on laccase provide the basis for more systematic experimental and theoretical investigations on this system.

Marine otters (Lontra felina) are very difficult to observe and census. Currently, there is no reliable information on the population size of marine otters. Between June and August 2012 we collected 258 samples of marine otter feces from 7 localities in Peru. All locations were visited four times. 141 samples (55%) were successfully amplified at five to seven loci. We identified a minimum of 79 individuals across all locations from the genetic data for a density estimate of 4.4 otters per km. CAPWIRE estimates of N were greater than the minimum estimated from the genetic data (11 otters/km) and were almost 2-6X higher than previous estimates based on sightings. There was a strong relationship between the number of fresh scat and the number of detected otters, suggesting scat counts might be used to estimate the number of otters at a site.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neurodegeneration in regions of the adult brain, due to formation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Inflammation has been implicated in the onset and progression of these pathologies. Our previous studies resulted in an animal model of peripheral inflammation-induced AD-like pathology using the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following 7 consecutive once-daily injections of LPS, C57BL/6J mice displayed significantly higher levels of amyloid-beta as well as cognitive deficits in hippocampus-dependent tasks. Here we explored multiple ways to alleviate the inflammation-induced central accumulation of amyloid-beta. Numerous studies have focused on reducing central amyloid-beta with pharmaceuticals designed to interfere with the mechanisms that lead to production of amyloid-beta, or by interfering with inflammation using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as exercise, have also been studied and were found to be beneficial. The experiments described in this dissertation focused on three treatments that previously demonstrated possible therapeutic value for reducing central amyloid-beta accumulation. Treatment with Imatinib, an FDA approved drug for chronic myelogenous leukemia, resulted in decreased amyloid-beta accumulation and rescued cognitive deficits when the animals were first pre-treated for a week prior to LPS administration. In addition, our data suggests that the amyloid-beta production occurs in the periphery. Next, animals treated with Ibuprofen, a popular NSAID, did not appear to have altered amyloid-beta or reduced cognitive deficits. However, further testing is needed, as ibuprofen has proven more effective when given for extended periods of time. Finally, and most interestingly, two weeks of voluntary wheel running resulted in almost a complete elimination of central amyloid-beta, following LPS administration, while sedentary animals still showed significant elevation of central amyloid-beta. It is reasonable to assume that if the production of amyloid-beta could be reduced or eliminated from the brain there may be a potential for less susceptibility to the onset and detrimental effects of AD. Two of the three studies described above showed potential to be effective at reducing AD pathology. However, further studies need to be conducted in order to further understand the mechanism behind amyloid-beta removal and reduction.

Astronomers, experimentalists and theorists have produced a great deal of research on \nSi_<i>n</i>C_<i>m</i> species, because of their potential \napplications to astrophysics and the study of Group IV molecules. The present work is \npart of this on-going research and we report here, the synthesis and observation of \nvibrational fundamentals of silicon-carbon species, SiC₅ and \nSiC₅Si.\nThe infrared spectrum of SiC₅ was observed by trapping the vapor from the \nNd:YAG laser ablation of sintered Si/C rods in solid Ar at ~20 K. Measurements of \n¹³C and ^29,30Si isotopic shifts have enabled the identification \nof the <i>ν</i>₄(<i>σ</i>) vibrational fundamental of the linear \nisomer of SiC₅Si at 936.9 ± 0.2 cm⁻¹. The observed \nisotopic shifts are in excellent agreement with the predictions of DFT (density \nfunctional theory) calculations at the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level.\nSiC₅Si was produced using argon matrix trapping and Nd:YAG laser ablation \nof a sintered 30% Si/ 70% ¹²C rod in solid Ar at ~20 K. The ¹³C \nand ^29,30Si isotopic shifts were observed, and upon comparison with the \ncalculations of DFT-B3LYP/cc-pVDZ, are in excellent agreement. This leads to a \nconfident identification of the ν₅(<i>σ_u</i>) \nfundamental of linear SiC₅Si at 1590.8 ± 0.2 cm^-1. A second \nfundamental, ν₄(<i>σ_u</i>), can only be tentatively \nidentified at 2021.0 cm^-1 because near-lying absorptions belonging to other \nspecies overlap its isotopic shift pattern.

The current study used a mixed-method design to examine the influence of client- and counselor-level factors on treatment adherence and progress for offenders referred to community-based drug addiction treatment. The sample included 90 client participants and 7 counselor participants from community-based treatment in a Midwest metropolitan area. A multilevel modeling technique was conducted to examine the influence of victimization and violence history, psychiatric disorders (i.e., psychiatric symptoms, anxiety, depression), social functioning (i.e., social support, self-esteem), drug use severity, and treatment motivation on treatment adherence, satisfaction, and progress after controlling for counselor-level variances. Multilevel modeling also was employed to test the mediation and moderation of treatment satisfaction on the relationship between client-level factors and treatment progress. The results revealed that treatment satisfaction moderated the relationship between victimization and treatment progress, whereby a lower level of victimization was associated with more treatment progress among clients with high treatment satisfaction; there was no significant relationship between victimization and treatment progress among clients with low treatment satisfaction. Moreover, psychiatric symptoms predicted treatment adherence. Social support was correlated with treatment satisfaction which in turn was associated with treatment progress; social support also directly predicted treatment progress. A lower level of depression and a higher level of treatment motivation predicted greater treatment progress. Despite the nonsignificant findings, the association of client drug use severity and treatment motivation with treatment progress differed between counselors. Qualitative analyses that were derived from counselors' perception of factors that influence successful recovery yielded five prominent themes comprised of reducing resistance and enhancing treatment motivation, building strong therapeutic alliance, encouraging empowerment, reducing relapse and recidivating risks, and recognizing practical considerations (e.g., transportation assistance). The findings collectively underscore the importance of integrated interventions, social support, treatment motivation, satisfaction, and therapeutic alliance on treatment outcome. Also, the current findings highlight the importance of relatively small counseling groups, collaborating with community corrections, and teaching clients strategies for dealing with deviant peers in facilitating client recovery.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neurodegeneration associated with the formation of amyloid-beta (A-beta) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Our lab has previously shown that inflammation can lead to an increase in central A-beta;, following 7 consecutive injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using this LPS-induced inflammation model, we demonstrated an increase in Tau expression and a decrease in the phosphorylated Tau (pTau)/Tau ratio at Ser235 and Thr205. Furthermore, we demonstrated that older mice have higher basal levels of A-beta and LPS does not induce a further increase of A-beta in this population. Interestingly, in this population, we found that increases in A-beta correspond to a higher proportion of pTau and a decrease in total Tau. Together these data demonstrate that inflammation is capable of altering Tau phosphorylation and expression, and the detrimental effects of aging exacerbate pathological markers of AD.

Mucus secretion is the first-line of defence against the barrage of irritants inhaled into human lungs, but abnormally thick and viscous mucus results in many respiratory diseases. Investigation of processes underlying mucus pathology is hampered, in part, by lack of appropriate experimental tools for labeling and studying mucin granule secretion from live cells with high sensitivity and temporal resolution. Fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of AO measurements reveal significant changes due to aggregation, and this properties can be useful for determination of mucus expansion.\nIn particular report I introduce an original technique that enchances quality of the exocytotic process study in Calu 3 cells. Multi - pulse excitation significantly increases number of excited aggregates at low concentration of Acridine Orange that reveals possibility to monitor lower concentration than with classic single\npulse excitation. Increase of the signal strength increases sensitivity of measurements that is very important for the detection of small concentrations (up to nanomolars).

We examined the influence of surface area and water permanence on plant species richness of ponds at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland in north central Texas. Forty ponds were randomly selected and surveyed during a spring and fall field season. Ponds varied in size from <100 m2 to >4000 m2; species richness ranged from 20 to 78 species. A total of 228 taxa from 51 families were found. A cluster analysis showed all ponds to be at least 50% dissimilar in floristic composition. There was a significant, positive relationship between surface area and richness, number of wetland species, and number of perennial species. Permanent ponds displayed significantly higher richness, composition of perennial species, and numbers of wetland species than temporary ponds. While surface area and permanence helped in part to explain the variation in richness between ponds, stochastic events and other factors also influence the composition of pond vegetation.

Mercury (Hg) is a global atmospheric pollutant that can be harmful to wildlife. Because methylmercury (MeHg) is only produced in aquatic ecosystems, it is assumed that Hg contamination poses a risk to aquatic but not terrestrial wildlife. Tetragnathid spiders transfer aquatic MeHg to terrestrial consumers and may contain high concentrations of MeHg that pose a threat to the health of songbirds that consume them. I collected tetragnathid spiders from 26 sites along three East Texas rivers, Black Cypress, Big Cypress, and Little Cypress Bayou, and determined their Hg concentrations. I then calculated potential Hg risk to four species of songbirds (American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Wren, and Chickadee). Average site-specific MeHg concentrations in spiders ranged from 34.5 to 174 ng/g wet weight and were high enough to pose a risk to some songbirds. Mercury concentrations in spiders were significantly different between the rivers and lowest in Big Cypress Bayou.