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Articles 121 - 145 of 145
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
A Primary Care Workload Production Model For Estimating Relative Value Unit Output, Rachel G. Murphy
A Primary Care Workload Production Model For Estimating Relative Value Unit Output, Rachel G. Murphy
Theses and Dissertations
Health care costs have grown to unsustainable levels nationally and within the Department of Defense. Military health care costs have historically been difficult to isolate, causing budget cuts to be the vehicle for cost control. Maximum efficiency, therefore, is the goal in order to show improvement. With the Air Force’s new preventive health plan, they aim to drive a long-term posture for cost reduction through prevention. This research effort aimed to develop a tool to assist in future efforts to understand and improve efficiency in workload output, and whether a relationship exists between patient workload demand and the per-encounter variables …
Retrospective Geospatial Modeling Of Pm10 Exposures From Open Burning At Joint Base Balad, Iraq, John P. Rinker
Retrospective Geospatial Modeling Of Pm10 Exposures From Open Burning At Joint Base Balad, Iraq, John P. Rinker
Theses and Dissertations
Predicting, determining, and linking theater-related source-specific exposures to health effects has proven difficult. The purpose of this research is to delineate retrospective exposure zones using spatially interpolated particulate air sampling point data from Joint Base Balad, create burn pit exposure isopleths from dispersion model outputs, and merge into a combined exposure model in GIS. Interpolated monitoring results and dispersion modeled results were combined to compare modeled exposures across base. Burn pit contribution to total PM10 was also modeled. The combined dispersion and interpolation map showed elevated concentrations within a 1 kilometer buffer of the burn pit. Buildings within this area …
Characterization Of Graphite Composite Material Particulates From Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Operations, Richard E. Yon
Characterization Of Graphite Composite Material Particulates From Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Operations, Richard E. Yon
Theses and Dissertations
Due to the benefits of their material properties, advanced composite materials (ACM) are increasingly being used as structural components on aircraft, especially within the United States Air Force. As a result, the potential exists for occupational exposures to structural maintenance employees while repairing and fabricating aircraft components. Two field studies were conducted for this thesis in order to characterize ACM aerosol size distribution, determine the feasibility of utilizing direct reading instruments (DRIs) in the field, and ensure workers are protected with adequate controls. In order to characterize exposure, traditional integrated air sampling and DRIs were positioned together near an ACM …
Combating Biological Terrorism From Imported Food, Jeffrey S. Nelson
Combating Biological Terrorism From Imported Food, Jeffrey S. Nelson
Theses and Dissertations
There is a threat that a terrorist or terrorist organization will use access to the US food supply to kill or sicken Americans by contaminating imported food products from Mexico. The food that Americans eat is coming more and more often from foreign countries such as Mexico. Foodborne diseases infect nearly fifty million people in the US each year, resulting in over three thousand deaths. There are many terrorist organizations that would like to deliberately contaminate American food. Drug cartels and terrorist organizations currently operate in Mexico, one of the leading food importers into the US. The purpose of this …
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Social Skills Intervention In Improving The Use Of Validating Comments Used By Children With Specific Language Impairments In Peer Group Interactions, Chelsea Pulsipher Mccleve
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Social Skills Intervention In Improving The Use Of Validating Comments Used By Children With Specific Language Impairments In Peer Group Interactions, Chelsea Pulsipher Mccleve
Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the efficacy of a social skills training program on the use of validating comments and negative comments by children with specific language impairment. The present study is an extension of a previous research project. Four children (three female, one male) with specific language impairment, ages 6 to 11, participated in a ten week social skills training program which involved direct instruction of target concepts, peer interactions with classmates, and evaluation of the use of target skills by reviewing videotaped peer interactions. The individual performance of each subject was compared to the age- and gender-matched typical peers with …
The Effects Of The Use Of A Humanoid Robot On Social Engagement In Two Children With Autism, Aersta Kayleen Acerson
The Effects Of The Use Of A Humanoid Robot On Social Engagement In Two Children With Autism, Aersta Kayleen Acerson
Theses and Dissertations
This study examines the effects of intervention using a robot on the social interactions of two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Robots have been shown to facilitate human-robot interaction in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, yet research has not fully investigated the use of robots to enhance interactions between children with ASD and human conversational partners. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of a low-dose intervention procedure using a robot to increase social engagement between each child and his communication partner. Although variable, results were promising and suggested that additional investigation is warranted.
The Epidemiology Of Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis In Virginia, 2002 And 2003, Marilyn Goss Haskell
The Epidemiology Of Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis In Virginia, 2002 And 2003, Marilyn Goss Haskell
Theses and Dissertations
Objective: To describe a sample that received human rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Virginia as a result of animal exposures in 2002 and 2003 and to determine the extent to which PEP decisions were appropriate.Methods: PEP surveillance data were requested from 35 Virginia health districts within 5 regions. Retrospective chart review was used to gather demographic, exposure and source animal data from patient records and animal exposure reports. Descriptive statistics are presented. True exposures and appropriateness of PEP were defined using the 2004 Virginia Rabies Control Guidelines and the Recommendations of the 1999 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The 2003 …
Identification And Characterization Of Low Ph-Triggered Conformational Changes In The Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein B, Stephen Dollery
Identification And Characterization Of Low Ph-Triggered Conformational Changes In The Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein B, Stephen Dollery
Theses and Dissertations
Herpesviruses can enter host cells by pH-dependent endocytic pathways in a cell-specific manner. The role of pH in herpesvirus endocytosis is unclear. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a paradigm for virus membrane fusion via a complex of glycoproteins. HSV glycoproteins B, D and the heterodimer H-L are necessary and sufficient for membrane fusion. This work analyzes the structure and function of HSV glycoproteins B, D, and H-L at neutral pH, and at the physiological low-pH encountered during endocytic entry. It is demonstrated that mildly acidic low pH triggers specific conformational changes in HSV gB at a pH of 5.7 to …
Evaluation Of A Training Intervention For Personal Care Assistants And The Effect Of Age And Extrinsic Job Satisfaction: Changes In Career Commitment And Job Satisfaction, Jason Rachel
Theses and Dissertations
Home care is a vital component of the United States healthcare delivery system. The demand for home care has steadily increased over the past decade and it is projected that this increase will continue over the next several decades. Moreover, the utilization of Medicaid waiver home and community-based care services has expanded to provide an alternative to the more costly institutional placement. In order to meet this growing demand while maintaining the cost-savings, the system relies primarily on the minimally trained, healthcare paraprofessionals known as Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). The present study examined the career commitment and job satisfaction of …
Genetic Manipulation Of The Relapsing Fever Spirochete Borrelia Hermsii Permits Novel Investigation Into The Role Of Factor H Binding In Borrelial Virulence, Lindy Fine
Theses and Dissertations
Borrelia hermsii, an etiologic agent of tick-borne relapsing fever, binds negative complement regulator factor H (FH) via its FhbA protein. Direct demonstration of the role of FhbA in the disease process has been hindered by the lack of genetic manipulation systems for the relapsing fever Borrelia. Here, we demonstrate successful generation of a B. hermsii strain YOR fhbA deletion mutant (Bh YORΔfhbA) that constitutively produces green fluorescent protein (GFP). Genetic manipulation did not affect growth rate or plasmid composition. Bh YORΔfhbA lost factor H-binding and C3b-inactivation capabilities, but retained resistance to killing in human serum and infectivity in mice. Stable …
Biobehavioral Relationships And Health Related Quality Of Life In Persons With End Stage Renal Disease On Hemodialysis, Avis Allen
Theses and Dissertations
The study of immune status and biobehavioral measures is limited in professional nursing. The purpose of the pre-pilot study was to describe levels of cytokines prior to, during, and after dialysis, examine changes in cytokine levels from immediate pre-dialysis to immediate post-dialysis, and to compare cytokine patterns prior to and after dialysis. A within subject descriptive study was conducted as part of a larger pilot study to describe levels of cytokines prior to, during, and after dialysis, examine changes in cytokine levels from immediate pre-dialysis to immediate post-dialysis, and to compare cytokine patterns prior to and after dialysis. Serum cytokine …
Acquired Cytogenetic Changes In Adult Twins Discordant For A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Jenni Brumelle
Acquired Cytogenetic Changes In Adult Twins Discordant For A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Jenni Brumelle
Theses and Dissertations
The primary study aim was to evaluate the latent biological effect of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on adults by quantifying acquired cytogenetic changes and cortisol levels in identical twins who were discordant (N=22) or concordant (N=2) for a history of CSA. Although the difference scores for cortisol values between discordant identical co-twins were not significantly different from zero, a trend was observed for the twins exposed to intercourse, the most severe form of CSA, to have a blunted cortisol awakening response. Acquired cytogenetic changes were assessed by scoring telomere lengths and somatic cell abnormality frequencies via a cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) …
Pediatrician Perceptions Of The Patient-Centered Medical Home Model, Christopher Ray
Pediatrician Perceptions Of The Patient-Centered Medical Home Model, Christopher Ray
Theses and Dissertations
The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is an emerging model of health care designed to provide a simpler, more effective health care experience. The model places heavy emphasis on the concept of every patient having a "personal physician" who is the point of access for all health care needs and concerns. The personal physician integrates all relevant health care information to provide the patient with a holistic picture of his health. The supposed benefits of the PCMH model include an improved patient experience, increased effectiveness of care, increased efficiency of care, greater access to care, among others. Only now is evidence …
The Cultural Context Of Alzheimer’S Disease: The Impact Of Perception And Knowledge On Willingness To Seek Medcial [I.E., Medical] Help Among Ghanaian Immigrants In The United States., Olivia Owusu-Boakyewaah
The Cultural Context Of Alzheimer’S Disease: The Impact Of Perception And Knowledge On Willingness To Seek Medcial [I.E., Medical] Help Among Ghanaian Immigrants In The United States., Olivia Owusu-Boakyewaah
Theses and Dissertations
This correlational study explored the knowledge, perceived seriousness, and willingness to seek medical help for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) among Ghanaian Immigrants currently residing in the Unites States. Study participants were 163 Ghanaian Immigrants between the ages of 45 and 90, attending Ghanaian community churches in Virginia and Maryland. Significant results include a positive correlation between knowledge and perceived seriousness of the disease, perceived seriousness of the disease was negatively correlated with caregiving experience. These results as well as several seemingly counterintuitive findings are discussed in terms of the Health Disparities and Psychometric challenges. Specifically, these results points to the necessity …
Systematic Study Of Gene Functions For Morphological Chain Formation In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Karra Evans
Systematic Study Of Gene Functions For Morphological Chain Formation In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Karra Evans
Theses and Dissertations
Streptococcus sanguinis is a gram-positive facultative anaerobe that is indigenous to the oral cavity and a primary colonizer of the oral cavity. It serves as a tether for the attachment of several oral bacteria that colonize the tooth surface, form dental plaque, and cause periodontal disease. Previous experiments with streptococcal strains have suggested that cellular chain morphology of streptococci may influence the competitiveness, susceptibility to phagocytosis, acidurance, and aggregation of the bacterium. The purpose of this study was to systematically determine gene functions that contribute to cellular chain length morphology in the SK36 strain of S. sanguinis. Gene functions for …
A Study On The Effects Of Therapeutic Listening On The Social And Functional Behavior Of Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Robin Abbott
Theses and Dissertations
Auditory sensory differences and sensitivities are often mentioned by parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and in research involving children with ASD. Addressing these auditory processing differences is the goal of various auditory treatment techniques, but current research does not yield a body of evidence in support of auditory therapy as a treatment for children with ASD. This study is a single-subject study, repeated across two subjects, to investigate the effect of the Therapeutic Listening program on the social engagement and self-care skills of preschool-aged children with ASD. Both social engagement and self-care skills increased with for both …
Cyclic-Di-Gmp Signaling In The Borrelia Spirochetes, John Freedman
Cyclic-Di-Gmp Signaling In The Borrelia Spirochetes, John Freedman
Theses and Dissertations
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in North America, with approximately 35,000 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control in 2008. The genome of its causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, encodes for a set of genes involved in the metabolism and regulatory activities of the second messenger nucleotide, cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Rrp1 is a response regulatory-diguanylate cyclase, and its regulatory capability is likely mediated via production of c-di-GMP, as it lacks a DNA-binding domain. One known class of c-di-GMP effector/binding proteins are those that harbor a PIlZ domain. The genome of B. burgdorferi strain 5A4 encodes for one chromosomally-carried …
Approaches For Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy Of A Novel Il-10 Gene Family Member: Mda-7/Il-24, Belal Azab
Approaches For Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy Of A Novel Il-10 Gene Family Member: Mda-7/Il-24, Belal Azab
Theses and Dissertations
Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7) was discovered in the Fisher laboratory by subtraction hybridization of temporally spaced subtracted cDNA libraries prepared from terminally differentiated human melanoma cells treated with human fibroblast interferon (IFN-β) and the protein kinase C activator mezerein (MEZ), an approach called ‘differentiation induction subtraction hybridization’ (DISH). mda-7 is located in human chromosome 1q32–33 and based on sequence homology, chromosomal localization, and its functional properties, the mda-7 gene is now classified as a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines and named IL-24. The mda-7/IL-24 cDNA encodes a protein of 206-amino acids with a predicted size of ~24-kDa, …
Hiv Protease Inhibitors Trigger Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Autophagy, Beth Shoshana Zha
Hiv Protease Inhibitors Trigger Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Autophagy, Beth Shoshana Zha
Theses and Dissertations
HIV protease inhibitors (PI) are core components of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). HIV PIs are extremely effective at suppressing viral load, but have been linked to lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies indicate that activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an important cellular mechanism underlying HIV PI-induced dysregulation of lipid metabolism. However, the exact role of ER stress in HIV PI-associated lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia remains to be identified. Hepatocytes and adipocytes are important players in regulating lipid metabolism and the inflammatory state. Dysfunction of these two cell types is closely linked …
Synthesis, Screening And Cocrystallization Of Adenosine Based Inhibitors With Methyltransferases, Ermc' And Ksga, Matthew Baker
Synthesis, Screening And Cocrystallization Of Adenosine Based Inhibitors With Methyltransferases, Ermc' And Ksga, Matthew Baker
Theses and Dissertations
Antibiotic resistance threatens to throw mankind back into an era when infectious disease was the predominant cause of death. In an effort to mitigate this danger, we targeted ErmC’ and KsgA. Both methylate N6-adenosine of ribosomal RNA, though each serve different roles in their bacterial host. ErmC’ dimethylates A2058 on 23S rRNA, conferring resistance to MLSB antibiotics (macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramin B). KsgA aids in ribosome assembly, binding inactive 30S until dimethylating A1518/A1519 of 16S rRNA. Like most methyltransferases, ErmC’ and KsgA use cofactor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as their methyl source, which binds adjacent to their specific adenosine substrate. ErmC’ inhibitors could …
Functional Consequences Of Cytosine Methylation In Mitochondrial Dna Catalyzed By Dna Methyltransferase 1, Lisa Shock
Functional Consequences Of Cytosine Methylation In Mitochondrial Dna Catalyzed By Dna Methyltransferase 1, Lisa Shock
Theses and Dissertations
Cytosine methylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was first described several decades ago, but neither the mechanism generating this modification nor its functional significance was known. Because mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark characteristic of numerous human diseases, including neurological and cardiovascular disease, aging and cancer, this dissertation addressed whether epigenetic modification of mtDNA regulates mitochondrial function. We show that mtDNA contains not only 5-methylcytosine (5mC), but also 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), suggesting that previous reports likely underestimated the degree of epigenetic modification within the mitochondrial genome. We questioned how these modifications were generated by looking for mitochondrial isoforms of the nuclear-encoded DNA methyltransferases. …
African American Males Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Phenomenological Study, Lorraine Anderson
African American Males Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Phenomenological Study, Lorraine Anderson
Theses and Dissertations
Abstract Little is known about how African American men with schizophrenia experience their every day existence. Through applying interpretive phenomenology and using a methodological structure designed by van Manen (1990, 1997), this research aimed to enrich the understanding of living with schizophrenia for these African American males. In this study, five men ranging in age from 21 to 57 described their lives within the context of existing with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The lived experiences across the interviews revealed four overarching themes: They know that they are mentally ill; they make a special effort to test reality; they assert their …
Hindfoot And Forefoot Kinematic Differences Among Individuals With And Without Functional Ankle Instability, Cynthia Wright
Hindfoot And Forefoot Kinematic Differences Among Individuals With And Without Functional Ankle Instability, Cynthia Wright
Theses and Dissertations
Introduction: Following lateral ankle sprain, many individuals experience recurrent injury and symptoms of giving-way, known as Functional Ankle Instability (FAI). It has been proposed that altered joint kinematics during activity may contribute to instability in these individuals, however research findings have been inconsistent. Objective: To capture foot and ankle kinematic data during two common tasks (walking gait and jump landing) among three groups: individuals with FAI, healthy controls and copers. Design: 3-group observational cross-sectional study. Participants: Participants included 23 individuals with a history of ≥ 1 ankle sprain and at least 2 episodes of giving-way in the past year (FAI: …
Biochemical Evaluation Of Lignin-Like Molecules, Jay Thakkar
Biochemical Evaluation Of Lignin-Like Molecules, Jay Thakkar
Theses and Dissertations
Current anticoagulants carry a serious risk of bleeding complications. In addition, narrow therapeutic index, drug interactions, immunological reactions, toxicity and high cost to benefit ratio limits the effective use of these drugs in patients with thrombotic conditions.Heparin is the most widely used anticoagulant. We hypothesized that one of the major drawback of heparins, its non-specific interaction with the plasma proteins arises as a result of negative charges. To reduce these non-specific interactions, our laboratory designed sulfated low molecular weight lignin (LMWL) like biomacromolecules, which were found to be direct inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa, acting through a unique exosite-2 …
“Clicked” Bivalent Multifunctional Ligands In Alzheimer’S Disease., Ronak Gandhi
“Clicked” Bivalent Multifunctional Ligands In Alzheimer’S Disease., Ronak Gandhi
Theses and Dissertations
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation/oligomerization, biometal dyshomeostasis, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The multifactorial nature of AD may indicate the therapeutic potential of multifunctional ligands that tackle various risk factors simultaneously as effective AD-modifying agents. This notion is further supported by the fact that while numerous AD-modifying agents targeting one single risk factor have been developed and a number of them entered clinical trials, none of them has been successfully approved by the FDA. Furthermore, neuronal cell membrane/lipid rafts (CM/LR) have been demonstrated to associate with all the indicated risk factors, indicating that this …