Incremental improvements are continuously being made to P300-Speller BCI paradigms. Accurate classification depends on a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between the target and nontarget items. Fixed presentation rates produce a large flash-evoked response that persists throughout the recording epoch, which can potentially undermine the classification of P300-responses. By introducing a random interstimulus interval (ISI) to a previously improved P300-Speller paradigm (i.e., Checkerboard Paradigm; CBP) we expect to reduce the deleterious flash-evoked responses and increase the P300 classification SNR. Data were recorded from 32 EEG locations (right mastoid referenced) from 13 subjects using the CBP with two conditions. In the Random ISI (RI) condition, ISI varied between 0 ms and 187.5 ms and averaged 93.75 ms. In the Fixed ISI (SI) condition, ISI remained static at 93.75 ms. In both conditions, participants were instructed to spell out 72 characters using an 8x9 matrix of alphanumeric characters by silently counting each target flash. The first 36 characters served as ‘calibration’ data for a stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SWLDA; 0 - 800 ms poststimulus epochs). This SWLDA classifier was then used to provide online feedback for an additional 36 character selections. Absolute amplitude of target and nontarget responses were summed across the recording epoch for each subject and averaged between Pz and Cz (maximum). Target averages were then divided by nontarget averages to create a SNR measure and compared between RI and FI conditions. The RI manipulation produced a significantly (p = .04) larger SNR (M = 5.85) than the FI condition (M =4.07).Further analysis of the averaged waveforms revealed a significantly (p = .05) greater positive peak at Cz (253 ms peak latency) for the RI condition. Classification performance measures for RI and FI conditions were high for accuracy (84 and 85%, respectively; NS) and bitrate (21 and 23 bits/min, respectively; NS). Together these results suggest that while randomizing ISI can yield higher SNR, response classification is not affected. It is possible that SWLDA is a useful classification method, in general; however, these data suggest that it does not capitalize on the additional information gained from the increase in SNR. Alternative classification techniques that can take advantage of specific subcomponents of the response may be able to utilize this additional information to improve BCI speed and accuracy.

No abstract.

The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation in eight superficial lower limb muscles during execution of barbell back squats while in barefoot and athletic shoe conditions. It was hypothesized that greater muscle activity would be seen when squats were performed in barefoot conditions. Six participants were included in the study (means: 21.33±1.53 years, 170.45±11.33cm height, 69.85±12.46kg mass, 3.4±1.40 years training). Each met specific inclusion criteria. Participants came in three separate days for data collection (Day 1 – 1 repetition maximum [1RM] was determined, Day 2 – maximum voluntary contraction tests were held, Day 3 – squat tests performed with two footwear conditions). Squat tests were performed at 60, 70, and 80% of participants’ 1RM for each footwear condition and EMG data was recorded for these tests. Paired-sample T-tests were used to see if any differences were present between footwear conditions during eccentric and concentric phases of the squat, regardless of intensity. To test for differences between eccentric and concentric phases of the squat by intensity, 2x3 repeated measure ANOVAs were performed. Results showed some statistical difference between footwear conditions for two muscles in eccentric phase and no statistical significance for difference in concentric phase when compared without regard to intensity. When comparing footwear conditions at each intensity, main effects, as well as statistical significance, were found between footwear conditions in the eccentric phase. Main effects, but no statistical significance, were found in the concentric phase. The results indicate that EMG activity is greater for certain lower extremity muscles during the eccentric portion of a squat when under barefoot conditions.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the mechanisms of Methylphenidate (MPH) on Conditioned Place Preference (CPP), a behavioral test of reward. The psychostimulant MPH is therapeutically used in the treatment of ADHD, but has been implicated in many pharmacological actions related to drug addiction and is considered to have abuse potential. Past work in our lab and others have shown substantial sex-differences in the neuropharmacological profile of MPH. Here a discussion of the relevant mechanisms of action of MPH and its relationship to neurotrophins and CPP are reviewed. Furthermore, previous work is reviewed and a rationale for two experiments are presented. The study resulted in two experiments conducted earlier this year. Each experiment is presented, examining sex differences in CPP in two different methodological paradigms as well as the effects of MPH on levels of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in striatal and accumbal neurons.

This study examined nutritional status and fecundity of women and was approved for patient enrollment by the ETSU Institutional Review Board (IRB). Once enrolled, participants filled out two food frequency questionnaires (FFQ, fruit/vegetable intake, fat intake), self-reported anthropometric data, and had one 5 mL vacutainer of whole blood (EDTA) collected for measures of oxidative stress (OS), coenzyme Q10 level, and fatty acid profile of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. Participants were either designated to the case group (13 women experiencing fertility problems and an anti-mullerian hormone level of 1 ng/ml or less (AMH, <1 ng/mL)) or the control group (13 women experiencing normal ovulation cycles and no evidence of polycystic disease). This study hypothesized that the case group would have poorer plasma antioxidant status, consume more dietary saturated fat and have lower levels of omega-3 and higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the RBC membrane. Results showed that case participants had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) when graduating from high school, BMI upon enrollment in the study, and trended to gain more weight since high school. Antioxidant status of the plasma tended to be higher for the case group. This result was surprising as case participants consumed significantly fewer servings of fruits and vegetables (sources of antioxidants) than control subjects. FFQ results indicated that case participants consumed significantly higher amounts of total fat (g), saturated fat (g), unsaturated fat (g), and their diets had a higher dietary fat percent. No significant differences were noted in the individual fatty acids isolated from the RBC membrane or in calculated ratios of fatty acid between case and control groups. The fatty acid profile from RBC membranes are in agreement with self-reported fat intake from FFQ data and may provide a rationale for no differences observed between the two groups.

Behavioral problems exhibited in early childhood can predict continued behavioral difficulties into adolescence and adulthood and can result in poor social functioning and health outcomes. Early identification of these concerns is necessary in order to connect families with appropriate interventions that thwart a negative trajectory. In pediatric offices, developmental screeners and pediatric surveillance are efficient and reliable methods of assessing behavioral concerns, which can help to quickly connect families with services. This study examines two methods of screening for behavioral concerns and the impact on on-site behavioral health referrals for children 4 and 5 years of age at a local pediatric clinic. In 2014, children were screened using the PEDS Developmental Questionnaire (PEDS) and referred to the on-site Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC). In 2015, children were screened using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17) and referred to either the BHC or another new, on-site evidenced-based intervention called the Family Check Up (FCU). This study evaluates and compares the reach, effectiveness, and adoption of the two methods across both years. The results suggest that both screeners had the same rate of identification of behavioral concerns; however, the PSC-17 appears to improve rates of referrals to the BHC and the FCU.

No description available.

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) has long been recognized as adapted to wetlands and those subject to periodic flooding. In Utah, Wilson (1955) estimate that 40 percent of the valley bottom land is flooded at least part of the year. Much of this land is very dry late in the summer. Forages such as Alsike clover tolerate flooding and some salt but do not perform well under drouth. Work by Bolton (1946) indicated that flooding for 49 day did not cause serious permanent damage to Reed canarygrass. The author baa observed Reed canarygrass growing in a shallow reservoir which is flooded 90 days or more. Reed canarygrass is also one of the most drouth tolerant of the cool season grasses when grown on upland soils.

The Kirby-Bauer test for determining antibiotic effectiveness is widely used in laboratories. The 10 to 20 hour incubation time needed to obtain useful results is a disadvantage of that test. This experimental research was developed to test a modification which could provide useful results in 5 hours. The modification employed in this experimental technique used an increased inoculum at a 1.0 McFarland standard instead of the customary 0.5 standard. The 2 to 5 hour incubation period in the trypticase soy broth was deleted. The Mueller Hinton plates were incubated for 5 hours and then observed for resistant and/or sensitive patterns. Controls for this experimental study were the results of the standard Kirby-Bauer test as recorded by the day and night shift personnel of the Medical Center at Bowling Green. Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tested were 33 cultures of Escherichia coil, 33 cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 33 cultures of Staphylococcus aureus. The same cultures of each organism were tested using the 5 hour experimental procedure. A pure culture was inoculated in a tube of trypticase soy broth to a final turbidity equal to a 1.0 McFarland standard. A portion of this inoculum was swabbed onto the entire surface of a Mueller Hinton plate. Antibiotic discs were placed on the agar surface and tapped gently to insure contact. The plates were put into a 37°C incubator for 5 hours then removed to observe zones of no growth. Results were classified as either "resistant" or "sensitive"; "intermediate" was deleted. If a zone of no growth was closer to the sensitive reading than the resistant reading for an antibiotic, the bacterium was considered sensitive to that antibiotic. The same was true for resistant readings. Measurements were taken with a caliper dial. For the two procedures, identical results occurred 99.7% of the time for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For Escherichia coli 96.8% of the tests were identical, and with Staphylococcus aureus 93.2% of the tests were identical. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus that were sensitive to penicillin G and ampicillin with the standard Kirby-Bauer test were resistant with the 5 hour test. It occurred 10 times with a quality control stock culture and 1 time with a clinical isolate for ampicillin. It occurred 9 times with a quality control stock culture and 1 time with a clinical isolate for penicillin G. It is likely that the differences with Staphylococcus aureus for ampicillin and penicillin G are due to the interaction between the organism and the two antibiotics. Further studies are needed to determine whether or not a 1 to 2 hour extension of the incubation time could alleviate this problem.

BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PUTATIVE RNA-BINDING PROTEINS IN PORPHYROMONAS GINGIVALIS By Jacob Mirpanah Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of Virginia, 2015 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018 Major Director: Janina P. Lewis, Ph.D., Philips Institute for Oral Health Research RNA-Binding Proteins (RBPs) play important regulatory roles in countless cellular processes. Often via the induction of a structural change in RNA’s secondary structure, RBPs are known to modulate protein expression through post-transcriptional regulation. In Escherichia coli, such RBPs have been thoroughly studied and shown to display differential expression throughout the bacterial life cycle; suggesting their importance in prompting different events in the bacterial cell. Further, RNA- and DNA-recognition domains have been characterized in proteins Hub as well as RBP in E.coli and their nucleic acid ligands sequenced. It was our aim to extend this level of information to Hub and RBP as they exist in a main etiological agent in periodontal disease; Porphyromonas gingivalis. Using quantitative PCR expression analysis, we saw a general upregulation of both proteins in the logarithmic phase as compared to the stationary phase. This upregulation was most pronounced in PG0627, the putative analog of E. coli RBP in P. gingivalis. Further, Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays suggest sequence specific interaction of PG0627 to RNA. Uninhibited and Inhibited mobility assays seem to confirm that PG0627 binds with great specificity to a conserved RNA sequence. Quantitative measure of interaction came in the form of fluorescence anisotropy, which produced a Dissociation Constant (Kd) of approximately 53 nM; suggesting a high degree of affinity. Lastly, a mutant was generated in order to produce high quality RNA libraries to be sequenced through the Illumina MiSeq system. Sequencing data is still incoming.