In 2008, a nearly 200 year U.S. historical precedent was overturned when Barack Obama was named the “first Black president.” Although Obama is of mixed heritage, he adopted an almost singularly Black identity and has long been characterized by the media as Black. This study is concerned with the role that society and Obama’s acceptance of the title play in identifying and portraying him as the “first Black president.” This study compares Barack Obama’s self-portrayal in his book, Dreams from my Father, to mainstream and Black media portrayals of his race. Results track Obama’s self portrayal as Black, mainstream media’s sensemaking of his classification as the “first Black president” and Black media’s unquestioned acceptance of the classification. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Elliott School of Communication.

This thesis delves into three different fields of study: religion, history, and art history. The purpose is to highlight the impact that religious pilgrimage had on Rome and on the city’s church dedicated to St. Paul. Pilgrimage, during the Middle Ages, played a crucial role in both the artistic and architectural developments at St. Paul’s basilica, San Paolo fuori le mura (St. Paul’s Outside the Walls). While the journey to Rome was the ultimate expression of piety for many pilgrims, not all the early church fathers viewed it as efficacious or necessary. By understanding the arguments raised for and against the pilgrimage to Rome, one is better equipped to assess the motivations for the pilgrims who made the oftentimes dangerous journey. During the Middle Ages, the papacy promoted various practices that created additional motivation for the pilgrims. For instance, the church leaders advocated the cult of the saints and martyrs, disbursed saints’ relics stressing their miracle working powers, and offered indulgences to those who made the journey. By far the most significant method used to encourage pilgrims to come to Rome was the creation the Jubilee Year in 1300 CE, during the pontificate of Boniface VIII. By integrating pilgrimage and indulgences, Boniface flooded Rome with pilgrims. From its original construction through the Medieval Period, St. Paul’s basilica underwent a series of renovations which were focused primarily on its artistic elements. Such projects were typically sanctioned by members of the church and were done in order to accentuate the pilgrim’s experience once they arrived. There is evidence to conclude that the methods employed by the papacy were used in order to highlight Rome’s importance, and, in turn, affected both the art and architecture of St. Paul’s basilica. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Program of Liberal Studies

This study addresses the overall question: what effect does being childfree have on married women‟s income? Using data from the ATUS 2005-2007, three sets of hypotheses were tested to assess different theoretical relationships between motherhood and income. Questions explored include: Do married women hit a “maternal wall”? Does educational attainment affect income for women differently based on parental status? And are mothers disproportionately “crowded” into inferior economic positions? Findings indicate that age and level of education significantly impact income, as does occupational sector. On average, women with children do earn less per week ($615) than women without children ($651). Interestingly, however, women with children occupy a higher percentage of the white-collar high skill job categories (50%) than women without children (44%). Multivariate analyses suggest that women with children earn slightly more than childfree women at the weekly earnings level. However, explanations for this finding vary. This research yields some surprising results and implications of this research are substantial. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Sociology

A combination of theoretical chemistry and “action” spectroscopy has become the most used tool for the exploration of gas-phase molecular ions. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to test the validity of conclusions drawn from the results of a matrix-isolation infrared (MI-IR) experiment and develop a modeling method that could be used for metal-coordinating chlorate ion pairs. That modeling method was then used in comparison with experimental infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy to determine the structures of metal-chlorate anions. In addition to structural information, the effect of the modeling method on spectral correlation was also investigated. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry

In this thesis I study alienation in Edward Hopper’s and Jackson Pollack’s paintings. Each of these American painters expressed alienation in his art in a distinctive way. The source of their alienation is different, too, yet they share some personality traits. While alienation in Pollock’s paintings is mainly derived from his psychological characteristics, the source of alienation in Hopper’s paintings is mostly sociological. The alienation in Hopper’s paintings is the manifestation of man’s new status in the world, which is defined by Modernity. He is warning about the situation, in which despite the superficial achievements, man is alone. And, I believe, Pollock is the offspring of that situation. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Program of Liberal Studies

Germ Cell Nuclear Factor (GCNF) is the only existing member of nuclear receptor (NR) super family NR6A1, and an orphan receptor because of an unidentified ligand. Members of NR superfamily act as ligand activated transcription factors which regulate the target gene expression either by activating or repressing transcriptional activity. GCNF is expressed in both embryonic and adult stages in the human. In adults, expression of GCNF is restricted to testis and ovaries. GCNF is also found in other species such as Xenopus leavis, Zebrafish, rats, mice and hamsters. GCNF mRNA and protein were recently found in our lab to be expressed in various human ovarian cancer cell lines; i) ES2 – a clear cell carcinoma, ii) PA1- teratocarcinoma, iii) TOV 112D –an adenocarcinoma and iv) OVCAR–3 another adenocarcinoma. Differences in morphologies and growth rates were observed in the above cell lines. According to the growth rate curve, ES2 cells have faster growth rate than other cancer cells. According to previous studies in our lab, GCNF was also found to be expressed in a nontransformed cell line, MLEC (Mink Lung Epithelial Cells). When MLEC cells were cultured with varying amounts of TGF-β1, a decrease in amount of GCNF mRNA expression was observed. A proportionate decrease in rate of cell proliferation was also observed. Based on these two findings, a direct relationship between growth and GCNF expression was postulated. Based on this proposed relationship experiments were undertaken to establish the potential correlation between cell growth and levels of GCNF mRNA expression. Analysis of GCNF expressed in various cancer cells using Quantitative Real time-PCR proved that PA1 had the highest amount of mRNA expression and ES2 had the least. When growth rates were compared, ES2 had the fastest doubling time when compared to PA1, vii TOV112D and OVCAR cells. This contradicts the hypothesis, in spite of having fastest growth rate, ES2 contained the least amount of GCNF mRNA. The results suggest that there is no direct, linear correlation between cell growth rate and the level GCNF mRNA expression. Expression of GCNF protein in the cancer cell lines was demonstrated via western blot analysis. Newer more efficient polyclonal antibodies have been produced by Santa Cruz Biotechnology. When nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions from cancer cells were subjected to western blotting using the new antibodies, specific bands were exhibited in the range of 50 -75 KD. PA1 cells exhibited the bands with high intensity when compared with other cancer cell lines. To study the GCNF DNA binding properties quantitative analysis of GCNF protein was performed. It is mainly via electrophoretic mobility shift assay, but we could not attain consistency in results. Preliminary studies had demonstrated the homology of the DNA binding domain in TOV112D (epithelial cancer cell) when compared with published human GCNF sequence. The main focus of this objective was to determine if there was any homology in the coding sequence (CDS) of GCNF in other ovarian cancer cells. Cancer cells selected to prove this objective were PA1 (germ cell tumor) and ES2 (epithelial cell tumor). Three different pairs of primers providing overlapping cDNA sequences to amplify the entire GCNF mRNA sequences following reverse transcription were used to illustrate homology. A standard PCR was performed using the different primers followed by gel electrophoresis. DNA was extracted and sent for sequencing. The results indicated that the PA1 cell GCNF RNA was amplified by all 3 primer pairs, whereas ES2 cells did not amplify one of the three overlapping primers (GCNF NH and GCNF DW). These results gave a new dimension to the objective. PA1 cells are of germ cell in origin whereas ES2 is epithelial in origin. When the PA1 sequence was compared to the published human GCNF sequence it showed 98 % homology in the CDS (Coding sequence). The impact of GCNF siRNA on PA1 cells was examined. siRNA was utilized to achieve gene silencing or gene knock down. Previous studies indicated an effect of GCNF siRNA on cancer cells of epithelial origin (TOV 112D and ES2). In terms of growth inhibition, the results showed a proportional decrease in the cell proliferation and GCNF mRNA expression. When cells of (epithelial and germ cell cancers) were compared, similarity of effect was demonstrated. This result demonstrates that GCNF is required for growth. When growth was suppressed sufficiently by siRNA it appeared to directly affect GCNF mRNA expression. Results of the experimentation manifest discrepancies in the expression of GCNF in human ovarian cancer cell lines. Nuclear receptors bind to ligands which can be altered serve as potential pharmacological targets. As GCNF still exists as an orphan nuclear receptor, discovery of the ligand will pave the way for creating new drugs which will be helpful in the future to cure some of the life threatening diseases like Alhzeimers, Diabetes and Cancer etc. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences

Computer simulations are becoming a crash analysis method that will enable more effective, efficient and verifiable crashworthy aircraft design. Greater use of computer simulation is being employed to understand wide range of crashworthiness related areas. Efforts are also being made to reduce the certification testing cost of aircraft seats and improve the occupant safety through computer simulation techniques. The objective of this thesis were to generate a finite element model of a typical passenger aircraft seat with the explicit FE code LS-DYNA to validate the simulation model against test data, then to use it for parametric case studies. Additional emphasis was put on following the rules and regulations described in AC 20-146 for computer modeling techniques. Thesis report includes validation of finite element of a typical aircraft seat generated using the FE explicit code LS-DYNA. Full scale dynamic tests were conducted as per 14 CFR PART 25-562. Kinematic frames comparison and profile matching using Sprague and Geers method was used as a validation tools. The model was then used for a parametric study to investigate the response of the seat with different seat belt and cushion. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

This research was conducted to examine the different factors that attribute to the wage gap between men and women in the information and technology sector. Three type of factors were included in the analysis: individual level (e.g. age, education etc.), structural level (e.g. the size of business, job title, etc), and gender level (e.g. sex, occupational sex segregation). The Current Population Survey (CPS) data from years 2007 to 2009 was used for the analysis. Two sample t-tests and OLS (Ordinary Least Square) regression were used to analyze the CPS data. The findings from the analysis indicate that the wage gap out of the full sample of I.T. workers is 85.4%, meaning that women are making about 85 cents to a man’s dollar. Net of other factors, being female will decrease potential earnings by $8066 per year. Women are sorted into inferior, lower paid positions than men in the information and technology sector. The variables that had the largest impact on annual earnings for the entire sample were the individual level factors, followed by structural level factors. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Sociology.

The use of nanotechnology is growing rapidly, with potential applications ranging from production to electronics to medicine. Nanotechnology has been proven to have a great impact on biomedicine through its applications in tissue engineering, cancer therapy, hyperthermia, and other drug delivery purposes. Nanomaterials can be fabricated and manipulated to suit the requirements for a particular function. Drug delivery through magnetic nanoparticles is being used for site-specific and controlled drug-release purposes. Magnetic drug transport involves encapsulating a drug in a magnetic nanosphere and administering it intravenously to deliver it to a particular organ or a receptor for therapeutic purposes. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery maximizes patient compliance and targeting efficiency, and thus reduces the toxicity of the drug to normal cells. Nanotechnologies that are being used in medical applications for diagnostics, as drug carriers, and for prosthesis and implants have raised interest and concern about their biocompatibility and toxicity. It has been shown that nanomaterials that come in contact with the human body can affect the central nervous system and cause inflammatory responses in the lungs, liver, spleen, etc. In this research, emphasis was placed on determining the toxicity of nanocomposite spheres made from two magnetic nanoparticles—nickel ferrite and cobalt ferrite. These magnetic nanoparticles were fabricated using a sol-gel process and then used to fabricate nanocomposite spheres using PLGA as a polymer and an oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. Different samples were made with different nanoparticle compositions, and these samples were tested for cytotoxicity using a standard colorimetric test using MTT assay. Viability tests were conducted on these cells to determine the toxicity by varying the composition and concentration of the nanoparticle, and then comparing the two different nanomaterials. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Potting compounds are composite materials made up of a mixture of a polymer matrix and hollow particles called microballoons. They are used for reinforcing the core section of honeycomb laminates around fastener locations in aerospace applications. Commercially, different compounds of various densities as well as compressive and shear strengths are available; nevertheless, their selection as reinforcement material depends on the type of load to be supported. Normally, the higher the strength, the heavier the compound used in the reinforcement of the core. Another important characteristic to take into account is moisture absorption. Potting compounds are known for absorbing moisture, which represents a disadvantage in sandwich laminates since the integrity of the structure could be compromised due to decrease in mechanical properties of the potting compound. In this research, a potting compound was developed in such a way that high strength could be obtained under dry and hygrothermal conditions without having a substantial increase in density. The compound was made by incorporating different types of microballoons and either single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes as reinforcing particles. In order to obtain high strength and low density compounds, two studies were conducted to understand the effect of glass microballoons and carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of the potting compound. In the first study, four different types of glass microballoons were used to manufacture one-part compounds with physical and mechanical properties similar to those of a two-part compound (EC-3500). Results suggested that several compounds could be attained with properties similar to those of EC-3500 with minimum increase in density. In the second study, carbon nanotubes were incorporated into both a low and a high density potting compound with the purpose of studying the effect of the nanotubes on their mechanical properties. Three vi different mixing methods (ultrasound, calendering, and centrifugal) were employed to disperse the functionalized single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the resin of the potting compound. Through various processing parameters, several nano-enhanced potting compound samples were made and tested for mechanical properties under dry and hot/wet conditions. Results showed a significant increase in compressive and lap shear strength with a minimum increase in density for the nano-enhanced specimens prepared with vacuum compared to the properties of EC-3500. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.