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Diverse mobile genetic elements shape bacterial genome evolution and provide countless genomics tools. Tn7-like transposons are notable for their tight control of targeted transposition. In addition, the modular features of Tn7-like transposons allowed them to coopt and evolve diverse targeting pathways. CRISPR-associated transposons (CAST) are prime examples of the cooption process. In this thesis, I briefly introduce Tn7-like transposons, transposition mechanisms, pathway diversity, examples of gene cooption, and evolutionary convergence in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 presents my discovery and characterization of a novel cooption of type I-D CRISPR system by a Tn7-like transposon. Chapter 3 presents how type I-F3 CAST convergently evolved dual pathway lifestyles using categorized spacers and the genetic cooption of XRE-family regulators. Chapter 4 presents my bioinformatic work on type V-K CAST and the convergently evolved dual pathway lifestyles using categorized spacers facsimile to the type I-F3 CAST.

Introduction: NASA has expressed a need for a new method of treating upper extremity fractures on long range exploration missions. Currently, fiberglass casts are the gold standard for fracture treatment on Earth, but there is little to no research into alternative methods to treat/secure more serious fractures on long range. For this study vacuum sealed particulate was considered as a possible casting material. The aim of this study was to identify candidate particulates and quantify their stabilization effectiveness, create designs that incorporated the vacuum sealed particulate, and test therapeutic ultrasound's ability to penetrate the material. Materials and Methods: Samples were made that contained four different potential cast materials: ground coffee, sawdust, green clay powder and bentonite clay powder. Three point bending was conducted on the sample groups using an Instron to gather load/displacement. Control samples made of standard fiberglass were also tested. The design chosen to house the particulate was a wrap. The wrap was sectioned off into a four and eight well design and tested in three point bending. Piezo-electric transducers were used to output an ultrasound pulse through samples of varying thicknesses. The transducers were connected to an oscilloscope to show the amount to signal able to pass through the samples. Amplitude of each signal was measured and compared to a control (piezo-electric discs touching in water). Results: Elastic moduli of the four materials were compared and we saw that the coffee consistently showed a higher elastic modulus throughout testing. For this reason, along with other material properties found in literature, we concluded that coffee was the most fitting cast particulate out of the four materials. The load/displacement data for the wrap design was represented graphically and correlations were found between the stiffness of the layered wrap designs and the stiffness of thicker samples. For the ultrasound testing it was found that the ultrasound waves were not able to effectively penetrate the particulate layers. Discussion and Conclusion: Development of a new and effective casting technique will increase the safety of astronauts as NASA expands their program to include long range space missions. This study shows the material properties of the particulates as well as the potential effectiveness of a vacuum sealed cast.

Orthopedic casts are the typical procedure for treatment of bone fractures because they stabilize the broken bone and allow proper healing to occur. Such a device is put on when tissue inflammation due to injury is very high. However, as the healing process begins and swelling subsides, the cast is no longer a sturdy fit and hence the bone might heal improperly. Putting the bone back in position, which in some cases may necessitate re-fracturing and re-aligning the bone is a very painful and expensive procedure.The SmartCast system was developed to address this problem and create a solution to detect inflammation reduction beyond a certain threshold. At this stage, the cast requires physician's attention. The system consists of a network of pressure sensitive sensors that are sewn on a sleeve worn under the cast. The sensors are connected to a case for information extraction and processing using 8 conductive threads. The case includes a printed circuit board, power supply, and an SD memory card. The current system output is the resistance characteristic of the sensors as a function of pressure, giving an indication of the swelling level in the tissue. Experiments with several sensor types were conducted to determine state of contact between skin and inside of the cast. This thesis focuses on several aspects of the design and development of SmartCast, namely (1) design of cast's embedded platform, (2) development of the electronic circuit to interact with the sensors, (3) consideration of proper size and fit, and (4) design for manufacturability and ease of use.

An orthopedic plaster or fiberglass cast is often applied after a bone fracture to hold the broken bone in place and allow the fracture to heal and the bone to set. If this cast becomes loose, due to a reduction in swelling for example, the bone may not heal properly and a misalignment of the bone may occur. If this problem goes unnoticed, surgery may need to be performed to re-break and reset the bone. This is particularly a problem with patients who are unable to accurately express what they are feeling, e.g. children, and who may not be able to identify that their cast is loose. The SmartCast system has been designed to avoid this complication and to identify early if a cast is not fitting well. SmartCast consists of a sleeve with novel textile sensors capable of measuring the pressure the cast is applying to an appendage as well as electronics to sample and log the sensor data. Several types of textile piezoresistive sensor sleeves have been designed and tested to determine which type would best be able to measure the cast pressure. A full prototype system, including firmware, sensor sleeve, and printed circuit board, has been designed, implemented and tested. The SmartCast system will allow doctors and orthopedic professionals to obtain a better understanding of how well a cast fits over time and to avoid the painful procedure of resetting a bone.

This investigation tested empirically whether college student participants (N = 176) would perceive a counselor during an intake interview as more credible when she asked questions of a religious and spiritual nature versus when she did not. Additionally, because research has suggested clients prefer to discuss religion and spirituality in counseling (Rose, Westefeld, & Ansley, 2001), and that level of religiosity influences perceptions of the counselor in this situation (Guinee & Tracey, 1997), the current study investigated whether preference for discussion of religious and spiritual issues and level of participant religiosity would influence counselor ratings. Results of the current study indicated students did not find the intake counselor who included religious and spiritual items in the intake session more credible than the intake counselor who did not include religious and spiritual items in the intake. Results also demonstrated preferences for discussing religious and spiritual issues in counseling and participant level of religiosity did not moderate the relationship between group assignment (religious and spiritual experimental condition versus non-religious and spiritual experimental condition) and counselor ratings on the CRF-S (Corrigan & Schmidt, 1983). Analyses comparing participants who had never received counseling before (n = 115) and participants who had previous counseling experience (n = 61), suggested the participants who had no previous counseling experience rated the counselor in both role plays significantly higher overall. Exploratory analyses with a short-answer open-ended opinion question suggested some students (31%) want to discuss religious and spiritual issues in counseling; some students (23%) stated their preference to discuss religious and spiritual issues in counseling depended on other factors; and some students (41%) did not want to discuss religious or spiritual issues in counseling. The fact that student participants rated the counselor who introduced religious and spiritual issues in this brief section of an intake interview similar to when she did not is noteworthy and is discussed in terms of implications for research, training, supervision, and clinical work.

Abstract: Aim: To investigate the differences, if any, between tooth-anchored maxillary expansion (TME) and bone-anchored maxillary expansion (BME) in terms of the produced longitudinal dentoskeletal changes -and the stability of these changes- in adolescents with maxillary constriction. Methods: Sixty two suitable subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) TME group; (2) BME group; (3) Control group. Lateral cephalograms, posteroanterior cephalograms, and dental casts were obtained at baseline and at three post-expansion time points. Records from all time points were analyzed. Results: There were no clinically significant differences between the TME and BME groups at any data collection time point. Both showed initial increases in dentoskeletal widths and dental tipping which were subsequently largely lost to relapse in the absence of retention. Conclusion: There are no clinically significant differences in the dentoskeletal changes -or the stability of these changes- produced by TME and BME in adolescents with maxillary constriction.

College baseball is a highly competitive sport. Schools have to win in order to gain the attention of the top prospects. For a team to be successful, players have to excel in every part of the game. The pitchers must not allow runs to score, and hitters must score runs. However, hitting is one of the hardest skills in all of sports. Nomar Garciapara says a batter is trying to hit a round ball with a round bat, square (ESPN broadcast). The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the mechanics and performances of college baseball players before the use of video analysis and after video analysis. Through this comparison, the data collected was used to judge if the mechanics and performances of these eleven players improved.

Using statistical design of experiments, a variety of industrially relevant Mg-Al microstructures were developed and characterized by investigating casting variables such as; Al content, solidification rate, grain refinement, gas content, HIPing, and post-casting thermal treatment. The microstructures were microscopically characterized and the statistical results not only exemplified the power of experimental design but also generated a wealth of knowledge concerning individual factors and their interactions. A significant contribution towards this goal was the measurement of cast Mg-Al solidification parameters via thermal analysis which were then related to the resultant microstructure. A statistical model was developed for the liquidus and solidus temperatures as a function of the solidification rate and Al content. The thermal analysis data was used in an existing solidification modeling code. Statistical analysis of the experiments led to the determination of the variables that are significant with respect to tensile and impact testing. These included Al content, HIPing, solidification rate, grain refinement and hydrogen gas level in descending significance. Furthermore, differences in the test response as a result of testing conditions such as strain rate were highlighted. Additional experimentation was used to construct an outline for the development of strength and ductility in Mg-Al alloys. The single most significant factor contributing to the variability in the tensile and impact data was the Al content. Increasing the Al content increased the strength while reducing the total amount of deformation possible, and reduced the amount of planar cleavage fracture. HIPing and solid solution heat treatment were shown to reduce the strength although a significant increase of elongation to failure is achievable after only 2.2 hours whereas further heat treatment failed to produce any significant additional increase. This exhibits a window of opportunity to reduce solution heat treat times while maintaining optimal properties. The effect of strain rate appears to be secondary compared to the effect of porosity level on the die cast mechanical properties. This fact indicates that development of a reduced-porosity high volume die casting process would greatly expand the envelope within which to design Mg-Al components.