Digital Commons Network^™

Discovery Of A Functional Ecdysone Response Element In Brugia Malayi, Tracy Enright

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to determine whether functional ecdysone response elements (EcREs) exist within the genome of Brugia malayi, a parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis. The hypothesis that EcREs exist in B. malayi stemmed from previous demonstration of a functional ecdysone response system in B. malayi (Tzertzinis et al., 2010). Real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments were conducted to measure gene expression levels for twelve genes proximal to five putative EcREs in 20-OH ecdysone treated and untreated B. malayi embryos. Seven genes showed consistent upregulation with 20-OH ecdysone treatment. Each of the five putative EcREs had at least one …

Biomechanical Analysis Of Asymmetric And Dynamic Lifting Task, Xiaopeng Jiang

Theses

Lifting tasks is one of the leading causes of occupational lower back disorders (LBD). Aimed at deriving internal forces of human musculoskeletal system during lifting, biomechanical models are utilized to address this problem. This thesis provides an indepth literature review of such modeling, and the results of experiments used to address LBD issues.

An isometric pulling experiment was conducted to study the correlation between electromyography (EMG) and predicted muscle forces by AnyBody Modeling System™ with increasing hand loads. An infinite order polynomial (min/max) optimization criterion predicted percentage of maximum muscle forces, which achieved 98% correlation with normalized EMG. In a …

Cardiometabolic Results From An Armband-Based Weight Loss Trial, John C. Sieverdes, Xuemei Sui, Gregory A. Hand, Vaughn W. Barry, Sarah Wilcox, Rebecca A. Meriwether, James W. Hardin, Amanda C. Mcclain, Steven N. Blair

Faculty Publications

Purpose: This report examines the blood chemistry and blood pressure (BP) results from the Lifestyle Education for Activity and Nutrition (LEAN) study, a randomized weight loss trial. A primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of real-time self-monitoring of energy balance (using the SenseWear^TM Armband, BodyMedia, Inc Pittsburgh, PA) on these health factors.

Methods: 164 sedentary overweight or obese adults (46.8 ± 10.8 years; BMI 33.3 ± 5.2 kg/m²; 80% women) took part in the 9-month study. Participants were randomized into 4 conditions: a standard care condition with an evidence-based weight loss manual (n …

Primary School Vision Screening Involving Teachers In Nampula, Mozambique, Aoife Phelan, Lisa O'Donoghue, Kathryn Saunders, Stephen Thompson, Vivien Ocampo, Kevin Naidoo, James Loughman

Conference Papers

Purpose: There is no plan for a national child eye care programme or existing human resource infrastructure to address the immediate challenge of child eye health in Mozambique.This study aims to design, implement and evaluate a school based pediatric vision screening service, to identify those in need of eye care services, among Mozambique’s 11,561,000 children.

Methods: Primary School Screening took place in three schools in Nampula, Mozambique in September 2010 and March 2011. The children’s vision was screened by an optometry student, optometrist or teacher with Log MAR ETDRS letters at 4 Meters. Ophthalmoscopy was performed on all children by …

Home, But Not Alone: Evidence-Based Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visitation, Eileen Salinsky

National Health Policy Forum

Home visitation services for young and expectant families have the potential to improve child and parent outcomes in a broad variety of ways, but the effectiveness of home visits may depend on the nature, frequency, and duration of these services. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) created a new federal funding stream to promote the development and implementation of evidence-based home visiting programs. This issue brief provides an overview of the newly established Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, describes existing approaches to home visitation, and discusses the implications of federal funding for state …

Oral Ingestion Of Hexavalent Chromium Through Drinking Water And Cancer Mortality In An Industrial Area Of Greece - An Ecological Study, Athena Linos, Athanassios Petralias, Costas A. Christophi, Eleni Christoforidou, Paraskevi Kouroutou, Melina Stoltidis, Afroditi Veloudaki, Evangelia Tzala, Konstantinos C. Makris, Margaret R. Karagas

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen when inhaled, but its carcinogenic potential when orally ingested remains controversial. Water contaminated with hexavalent chromium is a worldwide problem, making this a question of significant public health importance.

Methods: We conducted an ecological mortality study within the Oinofita region of Greece, where water has been contaminated with hexavalent chromium. We calculated gender, age, and period standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all deaths, cancer deaths, and specific cancer types of Oinofita residents over an 11-year period (1999 - 2009), using the greater prefecture of Voiotia as the standard population.

Results: A total of …

Cardiovascular Disease And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In Adults Exposed To The Terrorist Attacks On The World Trade Center, Katie C. Imhof

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Following events of terrorism communities and individuals are subject to the cumbersome responsibilities associated with rescue and recovery efforts. In addition to the loss of life and direct injuries sustained during the incident, long term health outcomes among the exposed population are often seen. Both physical and mental health can be affected as a result of the exposure, and some outcomes do not immediately present themselves. The population exposed to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City is no different, and the World Trade Center Health Registries database has been established by …

Electronic Feedback In A Diet- And Physical Activity-Based Intervention For Weight Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Sara L. Shuger, Vaughn W. Barry, Xuemei Sui, Amanda C. Mcclain, Gregory A. Hand, Sarah Wilcox, Rebecca A. Meriwether, James W. Hardin, Steven N. Blair

Faculty Publications

Background: The SenseWear^TM Armband (SWA) (BodyMedia, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA) is a physical activity and lifestyle monitor that objectively and accurately measures free-living energy balance and sleep and includes software for self-monitoring of daily energy expenditure and energy intake. The real-time feedback of the SWA can improve individual self-monitoring and, therefore, enhance weight loss outcomes.

Methods: We recruited 197 sedentary overweight or obese adults (age, 46.8 ± 10.8 y; body mass index (BMI), 33.3 ± 5.2 kg/m²; 81% women, 32% African-American) from the greater Columbia, South Carolina area. Participants were randomized into 1 of 4 groups, a self-directed …

Baseline Data For Maine Pediatric And Family Practices From Arra-Funded Hit Ambulatory Practice Survey Data, Kimberley S. Fox Mpa

Population Health & Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Statistical Image Reconstruction For Quantitative Computed Tomography, Joshua Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Statistical iterative reconstruction (SIR) algorithms for x-ray computed tomography (CT) have the potential to reconstruct images with less noise and systematic error than the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm. More accurate reconstruction algorithms are important for reducing imaging dose and for a wide range of quantitative CT applications. The work presented herein investigates some potential advantages of one such statistically motivated algorithm called Alternating Minimization (AM). A simulation study is used to compare the tradeoff between noise and resolution in images reconstructed with the AM and FBP algorithms. The AM algorithm is employed with an edge-preserving penalty function, which is …

The Effects Of Computer-Based Education On Children's Knowledge About Asthma, Matyt L. Adler

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Asthma is a global health problem affecting people of all ages that can cause severe limitations when uncontrolled. In the United States, asthma was the most prevalent chronic disease among children and youth in 2008 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009). Because day-to-day management of asthma is the responsibility of the child or the parent, education of patients is one of four crucial components to effectively provide quality asthma care. Changes in workload complexities with primary care visits has increased and visit duration decreased, resulting in less available time to address individual patient needs including the education aspect …

Analysis Of The Water Fluoridation Controversy, Megan Presutti

Honors Theses

Analysis of the water fluoridation controversy.

Cultural Definitions Of Health Care: A Case Study Of Burmese Refugees, Marielena Rose White

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

As a result of ongoing civil war and civil unrest in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar, every year the United States accepts increasing numbers of refugees from Burma of which there is a population of significance within the greater Indianapolis area. When considering options for health care, Burmese refugees may opt for self care as opposed to care from a health care professional as a result of clashing cultural factors or fears of the unknown.

This study aims to uncover how members of the Chin ethnic group have been challenged or confronted by the social, cultural, and political institutions …

Interventions For Trichomoniasis In Pregnancy, A. Metin Guelmezoglu, Maimoona Azhar

Woman and Child Health

Background: Vaginitis due to Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common of sexually transmitted diseases. Trichomoniasis affects women during pregnancy as well but it is not clearly established whether it causes preterm birth and other pregnancy complications.
Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of various treatments for trichomoniasis during pregnancy.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register ( 14 January 2011).
Selection criteria: Randomized trials comparing anti-trichomonas agents during pregnancy. Trials including symptomatic or asymptomatic women with trichomoniasis were eligible.
Data collection and analysis: Two review authors assessed …

Influenza And Bacterial Coinfections In The 20th Century, Xuan-Yi Wang, Paul E. Kilgore, Kyung Ah Lim, Song-Mei Wang, Jeongseok Lee, Wei Deng, Mei-Qi Mo, Batmunkh Nyambat, Jing-Chen Ma, Michael O. Favorov, John D. Clemens

Department of Pharmacy Practice

To help understand the potential impact of bacterial coinfection during pandemic influenza periods, we undertook a far-reaching review of the existing literature to gain insights into the interaction of influenza and bacterial pathogens. Reports published between 1950 and 2006 were identified from scientific citation databases using standardized search terms. Study outcomes related to coinfection were subjected to a pooled analysis. Coinfection with influenza and bacterial pathogens occurred more frequently in pandemic compared with seasonal influenza periods. The most common bacterial coinfections with influenza virus were due to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. …

Health Conditions And Health-Policy Innovations In Brazil: The Way Forward, Cesar G. Victoria, Mauricio L. Barreto, Maria Do Carmo, Carlos A. Monteiro, Maria Ines Schmidt, Jairnilson Paim, Francisco I. Bastos, Celia Almeida, Ligia Bahia, Claudia Travassos, Michael Reichenheim, Fernando C. Barros

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Individualized Healthcare And Health Disparities: An Examination Of Health Disparities Related To Short-Term Response To Food Insecurity In Low-Income, Urban Communities, Valen R. Diaz

Honors Scholar Theses

The U.S. has seen a spike in chronic diseases along with worsening health outcomes. There are many factors at play to create these circumstances, especially regarding the social determinants of health, like socioeconomic status, access to food, and geographic location. Another concern is health disparities, particularly regarding obesity, and the fact that food access and neighborhood food environments contribute to these disparities. This paper gives a broad overview of American food culture and then focuses on the local food environment in urban, low-income communities, regarding both food deserts and food swamps. There is also a discussion about the response of …

Moving United States Health Care Forward, Thomas R. O'Neill

Honors Scholar Theses

Substantive Health Care reform poses one of the greatest current challenges to the American political system. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 marks the most recent attempt at approaching this daunting task. Charged with expanding coverage while controlling costs, it pursues a sundry number of legislative solutions to achieve these seemingly incompatible goals. Despite the strides the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has made, lingering educational, pharmaceutical, and legal concerns stand to derail progress made on fixing the health care system. If these goals are to be successful, a number of additional measures are needed to …

Residents' Perceptions Of Social Interaction And Social Activity In An Affordable Assisted Living Facility, Elena Garcia

Honors Scholar Theses

This study is a qualitative study looking at the social interactions and social activities in an assisted living facility, based on the residents’ perceptions. In this study I interviewed 20 residents of an affordable assisted living facility. The participants were male and female, 65 or older, and any ethnicity. Inclusion criteria include: (1) Residing in the assisted living facility at least 6 months and no more than 2 years; and (2) being mentally competent to give informed consent. I recruited the participants based on a list of who was eligible from the facilities administration and then asked the eligible participants …

Individual And Combined Effects Of Dehydration, Hyperthermia, And Fatigue On Movement Patterns And Cognition, Rachel M. Karslo

Master's Theses

Individual and Combined Effects of Dehydration, Hyperthermia, and Fatigue on Movement Patterns and Cognition

Rachel M. Karslo, University of Connecticut

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the individual and combined of effects of dehydration, hyperthermia, and fatigue on movement patterns and cognition.  Secondly, we wanted to see if the effects of dehydration, hyperthermia, and fatigue lead to a combined increase in injury risk.

Methods: 12 males completed a within-subject repeated measures design to study the effects of hyperthermia, dehydration and fatigue on movement and cognition.  Subjects completed 4 randomized test sessions in different conditions: hydrated normothermic, dehydrated …

Validity And Reliability Of The Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire Among Healthy Adults, Kathleen Simpson

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Bitewing Radiographic Evaluation Of Interproximal Carious Lesions On Permanent First Molars In 6 And 12 Year-Olds In The Public Health System Of Chile, Rodrigo Alejandro Haristoy Dr.

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Pre-Service Teacher Workforce: Environmental Health Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior, Dhitinut Ratnapradipa, Darson Rhodes, Stephen Brown

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Abstract

Research has shown that personal health behaviors and actions established early in life are often carried through adulthood.  Thus, working with children to increase environmental health literacy may improve the environmental health literacy of future adults, potentially improving the health of the Nation.  Given the amount of time children spend in school, this setting could be an ideal place to address environmental health with children.  According to social cognitive theory, observation is one way in which learning takes place.  Consequently, the environmental behaviors and attitudes modeled by teachers would likely impact the environmental behaviors and attitudes learned by …

Chhs May 2011 E-Newsletter, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, Wku College Of Health & Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Challenges And Opportunities For Developing Countries From Medical Tourism, Avinash M. Waikar, Samuel D. Cappel, Uday S. Tate

Management Faculty Research

Wikipedia defines “Medical Tourism” as the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental and surgical care. Rapid expansion of facilities for patients abroad has helped to spur this industry’s growth. Regardless of the destination, U.S. citizens are increasingly embracing the benefits of medical tourism due to dramatically rising U.S. healthcare costs. Medical care in countries such as India, Mexico, Thailand and Singapore can cost as little as ten percent of the cost of comparable care in the U.S. for some procedures. Statistical analysis revealed the costs to be significantly lower for many of these countries. Currently, patients …

Health Status Of Children Entering Kindergarten: Results Of The 2010-2011 (Year Three) Nevada Kindergarten Health Survey, Nevada Institute For Children’S Research And Policy, Amanda Haboush, Tara Phebus, Denise Tanata Ashby, Taylor Oliver, Spencer Hensley, Enrique Lopez

Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy Reports

Academic achievement for children is vital to their success in life. Those that do well in school have greater opportunities for post-secondary education, and later have better prospects for employment. One of the major factors that can affect a child’s academic achievement is his or her health status. Academic outcomes and health conditions are consistently linked in the literature (Taras & Potts-Datema, 2005). Children with poor health status, and especially those with common chronic health conditions, have increased numbers of school absences and more academic deficiencies (Taras & Potts-Datema, 2005). In a study concerning excused versus unexcused absences, children with …

The Joint Action And Learning Initiative: Towards A Global Agreement On National And Global Responsibilities For Health, Lawrence O. Gostin, Eric A. Friedman, Gorik Ooms, Thomas Gebauer, Narendra Gupta, Devi Sridhar, Wang Chenguang, John-Arne Røttingen, David Sanders

O'Neill Institute Papers

A coalition of civil society organizations and academics is initiating a Joint Action and Learning Initiative on National and Global Responsibilities for Health (JALI) to research key conceptual questions involving health rights and responsibilities, with the goal of securing a global health agreement andsupporting civil society and community mobilization around the human right to health. The social mobilization is critical to creating the political space that would make such an agreement possible and to ensuring its implementation.

This agreement, such as a Framework Convention on Global Health, would inform post-Millennium Development Goal global health commitments, be grounded in the right …

Opening The Industry Playbook: Myths And Truths In The Debate Over Bpa Regulation, Thomas Mcgarity, Rena I. Steinzor, Matthew Shudtz, Lena Pons

Faculty Scholarship

For the last two decades, scientists have amassed evidence that bisphenol A (BPA) poses a threat to human health.  Although scientists have targeted BPA as a public health concern, plastics industry lobbyists have attempted to thwart the efforts of federal, state, and local authorities to reduce exposure to BPA.  This paper reviews the major arguments advanced by the plastics industry and debunks them as “myths” that public health officials must reject.  The five topics covered include:  the myth of scientific consensus on safety; the myth that only studies complying with “Good Laboratory Practices” guidelines are adequate for making regulatory decisions; …

Workers Killed During Tree Trimming/Removal, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent tree trimming and removal fatalities, workers should:

• Perform a hazard assessment of the work area before starting work
• Appropriate personal equipment should be worn at all times while trimming or removing trees
• Determine the tree’s felling direction. Address forward lean, back lean, and/or side lean issues
• All trees and limbs should be inspected for structural weakness before work commences
• Have an escape route planned

Bmi Trajectories During The Transition To Older Adulthood: Persistent, Widening, Or Diminishing Disparities By Ethnicity And Education?, Katrina M. Walsemann, Jennifer A. Ailshire

Faculty Publications

Previous research has produced inconsistent results on whether education and ethnic disparities in BMI persist, widen, or diminish over time. We investigate how education and ethnicity, independently and conditionally, influence BMI trajectories during the transition to older adulthood. Employing random coefficient modeling, we analyzed 8 biennial waves of data (1992-2006) from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of individuals born between 1931 and 1941. After adjusting for health behaviors and health status, education and ethnic disparities in BMI persisted for most groups, but narrowed between high-educated white men and both low-educated Hispanic men and high-educated black …