Digital Commons Network^™

The Rights Of Children Affected By Aids: A Policy Paper Focusing On The Right To Education, Gita Jaffe

All Dissertations

HIV and AIDS have the potential to surpass every catastrophe in Africa's history, because they encompass all of the past vulnerabilities. Thirty years after the identification of HIV, a transition from medical disease to social epidemic has occurred. The impact on family and community is threatening current economic, medical and social systems. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the region most adversely affected, 14 million children have already been orphaned (UNAIDS, 2008). And at the core of the burgeoning orphan crisis, children affected by AIDS (CABA) are unable to exercise their rights, based on their position in society. This paper will concentrate …

Anticipating U.S. Population-Level Health And Economic Impacts Using Discrete-Event Simulation To Guide Health Policy Decisions, Odette Reifsnider

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents two applications of discrete-event simulation (DES) to represent clinical processes: (1) a model to quantify the risk of the maternal obese and diabetic intrauterine environment influence on progression to adult obesity and diabetes, and (2) a model to evaluate health and economic outcomes of different smoking cessation strategies. The first application considers the public health impact of the diabetic and obese intrauterine environment's effect on the prevalence of diabetes and obesity across subsequent generations. We first develop a preliminary DES model to investigate and characterize the epidemiology of diabetes during pregnancy and birth outcomes related to maternal …

Improved Keratinase Production For Feather Degradation By Bacillus Licheniformis Zjuel31410 In Submerged Cultivation, Hui Ni, Qi-He Chen, Feng Chen, Ming-Liang Fu, Ya-Chen Dong, Hui-Nong Cai

Publications

Optimal medium was used to improve the production of keratinase by Bacillus licheniformis ZJUEL31410, which has a promising application in the transformation of feather into soluble protein. The results of single factor design revealed that the concentration of feather at 20 g/l and the initial pH at value 8 was the best for the production of keratinase and the degradation of feather. Ammonia salt and nitrate salt strongly restricted the production of keratinase and the degradation of feather. Result of Box-Behnken design (BBD) experiment which was used to optimize concentrations of glucose, corn steep flour and K₂HPO_{4 …}

Parenting Practices That Can Prevent Or Reduce Childhood Obesity, Galen Eldridge, Wesley Lynch, Sandra Bailey, Carrie Benke

Journal of Youth Development

Overweight in children is more prevalent than ever before. What can parents do to try to promote health and prevent obesity in their own children? The present paper reviews research related to parenting and childhood obesity. The review describes what food-related parenting practices may be helpful: modeling healthy eating behaviors, making time for family meals, making sure healthy food is available and accessible, becoming aware of appropriate portion sizes, encouraging children to eat breakfast, and limiting soda and fast food intake. The paper also discusses food-related parenting practices that may not work to help prevent obesity: pressure to eat, food …

Local Governments And Home Rule In South Carolina: A Citizen's Guide, 2011 May, Holley Hewitt Ulbrich, Donna S. London, Melinda A. Lucka

Publications

No abstract provided.

Days With Dignity: A New Adult Day Services Typology To Support Wellness And Rehabilitation, Heather Bachman

All Theses

Adult Day Services (ADS) facilities have been shown to enable aging in place through the cost-efficient delivery of senior health-related services. However, the most common ADS typologies often work in opposition to the goals of care delivery. The primary intention of this proposal is to envision an Adult Day Services program that is holistically focused on senior wellness and rehabilitation, and which is articulated and reinforced through facility design. A new programmatic and facility typology is proposed and evaluated against a set of design guidelines based on research findings and best practices found in a literature review. In addition, this …

The Role Of Planning Tools As Strategies For Combating Childhood Obesity, Jacquelyn Coats

All Theses

The failure of traditional health models to successfully combat childhood obesity is apparent when considering its sustained prevalence in the United States. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past three decades and health officials recognize the need for integrative strategies in order to reverse the trend (CDC, 2010). The historical roots of planning and public health offer a potential venue for collaborative strategies to address the macro level factors that affect community health. This thesis examines how planning tools have been adapted to incorporate health strategies, whether or not such methods are sustainable, and what relationships are essential for …

Identification And Characterization Of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dechlorinating Microorganisms From Lake Hartwell, Sc, Tess Brothersen

All Dissertations

To date, all attempts to isolate PCB dechlorinators using traditional isolation techniques have failed. In addition, the study of PCB dechlorinating organisms has been hampered because researchers were unable to grow the organisms in sediment-free, defined media. Three microbial species capable of reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls have been identified. These three species are from two phylogenetically distinct branches, Dehalococcoides (Bedard et al., 2007) and the DF-1/o-17 group (Wu et al., 2002a; Cutter et al., 2001). The three cultures from which polychlorinated biphenyl dechlorinators have been identified used similar strategies to 'wean' the microbes from the sediments. In this research, …

A Survey Of Heterologous Expression Systems For The Production Of Bovine Follicle Stimulating Hormone And Luteinizing Hormone, Marcia Hesser

All Dissertations

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are glycoprotein gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary gland that are involved in reproductive functions. They are heterodimeric proteins that share a common α-subunit that is highly conserved amongst mammalian species, and is also conserved across this family of proteins. The β-subunit confers receptor specificity and is distinct. Recombinant gonadotropin expression would be an important advance for the bovine superovulation industry, as there are a number of disadvantages associated with the currently used pituitary-derived gonadotropins. For example, these pituitary products are contaminated with other proteins including hormones, exhibit batch-to-batch inconsistencies, and harbor the …

Fine Root Responses To Soil Decompaction And Amendment In Red Maple (Acer Rubrum), John Mcintyre

All Theses

A combination treatment (AFM), designed to decompact and amend urban soils, and its individual components (air tillage, fertilizer, and mulch) were tested to determine their effects on fine root morphology. The site was an urban area located in Anderson, SC and included 50 red maples (Acer rubrum) growing in compacted, nutrient poor soils. Treatments were installed in November 2005, and data was collected through summer 2008. Data collection included minirhizotron images, soil moisture readings, soil temperature readings, and pre-dawn leaf water potentials. The AFM treatment had the lowest root production, root standing crop, and median root lifespan. The AFM treatment …

Simultaneous Optimization Of Macronutrient Factors In Plant Tissue Culture Using Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) As A Model, Sean Halloran

All Theses

Murashige and Skoog 1962 performed one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experimentation in order to regenerate tobacco callus on semi-solid agar medium. This work became an established medium for tissue culture micropropagation and experimentation. Micropropagation is done in niche markets with herbaceous perennials, among other crops, and the optimization of various inputs to produce maximal responses is a necessary step towards process development. This current study of macronutrient factors simultaneously altered media volume, amount of tissue (plants per vessel), sucrose, nitrogen (as NO3- and NH4+ ions), and K+ in a d-optimal design space with only 55 experimental units (including 5 true replicates). The first …

Activities Of Muscadine Grape Skin And Polyphenolic Constituents Against Helicobacter Pylori, Joseph Brown

All Dissertations

Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic, gram-negative bacterium and among the most persistent of all human pathogens. Its presence in the gastric environment is corre-lated with diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric carcinoma. Multiple factors are believed responsible for disease progression and outcome including infecting strain(s) genetic composition, age of acqui-sition, host immune response, environment, and diet. Due to the complexity of H. pylori infection, all possible host-pathogen interactions should be considered. One important factor frequently underplayed is host dietary habits which may serve a more important role during and immediately following infection with H. …

The Tiger Vol. 105 Issue 12 2011-04-22, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers

No abstract provided.

6th Annual Focus On Creative Inquiry Poster Forum Program, Clemson University

Focus on Creative Inquiry

The poster forum today displays a few of the more than 400 projects initiated by Clemson University Creative Inquiry teams.

What is Creative Inquiry? It is small-group learning for all students. It is the imaginative combination of engaged learning and undergraduate research. Ultimately, it is the creation of an Ah-ha! Moment - and it is unique to Clemson University.

Creative Inquiry establishes small teams of undergraduate students that work with faculty mentors to take on problems that spring from their own curiosity, from a professor's challenge, or from the pressing needs of the world around them. Students take ownership of …

The Tiger Vol. 105 Issue 6 2011-02-25, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Food Science & Human Nutrition, Clemson University

Billing Rates

No abstract provided.

Food, Science, And Human Nutrition, Clemson University

Billing Rates

No abstract provided.

Supplemental Schedules For The Year Ended June 30, 2011, Clemson University Controller's Office

Supplemental Schedules

No abstract provided.

Biodiesel Production From Crude Cottonseed Oil: An Optimization Process Using Response Surface Methodology, Xiaohu Fan, Xi Wang, Feng Chen

Publications

Biodiesel, known as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), was produced from crude cottonseed oil (triglycerides) by transesterification with methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. This process was optimized by applying factorial design and response surface methodology (RSM) with SAS and PSIPLOT programs. A second-order mathematical model was obtained to predict the yield as a function of methanol/oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and rate of mixing. Based on ridge max analysis and RSM, as well as economic cost consideration, the practical optimal condition for the production of biodiesel was found to be: methanol/oil molar ratio, 7.9; temperature, 53 …

Home Range, Habitat Selection, And Migratory Pathways Of Canada Geese Wintering At The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Molly Giles

All Theses

Information on local and flyway-scale space use is lacking for the cohort of migrant geese (Branta canadensis interior) that winter in and adjacent to the Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Summerton, South Carolina. I examined home range and habitat selection of Canada geese in this region. I deployed transmitters on 17 geese (9 VHF and 8 PTT) on wintering grounds at Santee NWR during the winter of 2009-2010. Estimates of fixed kernel home range size ranged from 214.2 to 263.6 ha for VHF-marked geese and 1190.2 to 1915.6 ha for PTT-marked geese. Home ranges of all birds were compact and …

Biofuel Ethanol Production By Saccharomyces Bayanus, The Champagne Yeast, Kristen Miller

All Theses

The importance of biofuel ethanol is growing as the demand for clean, renewable fuels produced from non-food sources increases. The United States relies mainly on corn and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of ethanol. A shift to cellulosic feedstocks, as the main source of biomass for ethanol production, would alleviate the pressure on farmers to produce corn for both the food industry and the ethanol industry. Example cellulosic feedstocks include switchgrass, sorghum, and canary grass. The cellulosic feedstocks are typically grown on land that cannot support economic food production, and thus lay unused.
For cellulosic feedstocks to be …

Shelf Life Studies On Processed Peaches, Divija Unhale

All Theses

A series of experiments were conducted on the preservation of fresh peaches using freezing and heat (hot-filled packaging). In the first experiment, the effects of four calcium salts (calcium chloride, calcium lactate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate) on the texture of processed peach slices were determined. Peach slices were immersed in solutions containing dissolved calcium salts at levels of 0.5, 1 and 2 % for 1 minute then stored at 4 ¡C for 3 days. Treatments with calcium salts were firmer than non calcium treated peach slices at all levels. Calcium lactate at 2 % level was best in terms of …

Socioeconomic Determinants Of Infant Mortality Rate Disparities, Alex Krasikov

All Theses

This study examines variation in infant mortality rate (IMR) between black and white populations. Data were drawn from CDC Birth Cohort Linked Birth Infant Data for 2004. Author examined numerous socioeconomic factors that could explain the gap in IMR between two races. Each potential factor was examined separately before introducing into a complete model. The proposed model explains about 11 percentage points in difference between groups, and showed factors that can be affected by change in public policy, play statistically significant role in IMR disparity. We can look at the IMR as a socioeconomic indicator that highlights both negative and …

Centering The Voices Of South Carolina's Early Care And Education Teachers: A Multi-Case Study Examining How They Select And Are Informed By Professional Development, Lenna Young

All Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the existing literature focused on quality early care and education (ECE). Specifically, this study examines two main research questions: (1) How do teachers in South Carolina licensed, privately-funded ECE programs select professional development opportunities and (2) How does participating in professional development inform their practices? These questions are particularly significant in light of the minimal requirements for teachers to enter the ECE field in South Carolina. Due to the low entry requirements for ECE teachers, professional development can play a key role in transforming minimally qualified individuals into teachers who care …

Bovine Colostrum, Mary Hayes

All Theses

Colostrum is the first milk produced by mammals within a 24 to 72 hour period after parturition. Bovine colostrum is sold commercially as a nutraceutical product and its manufacturers purport numerous health benefits of the product for treating gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract disorders, viral and bacterial infections, and promoting tissue repair.
Four commercially available colostrum products, two whey, and one non-fat dry milk were obtained on separate days. These products were analyzed for fat, protein, ash, moisture and dry matter content. One colostrum product did not adhere to label claims in that it contained a mean of 19.1% fat whereas …

Measuring Menu Performance By Plate Waste Analysis: An Evaluation Of An Acute Care Facility's Spoken Word Liberalized Menu, Megan Sargeant

All Theses

The Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown Hospital has recently changed their menus to offer meals in which the entrŽes are liberalized when possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a newly introduced menu cycle in an acute-care facility foodservice system featuring a spoken word liberalized menu. Plate waste analysis was done by weighed measurements, using visual measurements when absolutes were observed (all or none). Performance of the menu was assessed with weighed plate waste analysis to determine weight of food consumed, energy consumed, and cost of food wasted. Meal consumption averaged 56% of the meal …

Neomycin-Enhanced Carbodiimide Cross-Linking For Glycosaminoglycan Stability In Bioprosthetic Heart Valves, Joshua Leong

All Theses

Valvular heart diseases lead to over 290,000 heart valve replacements worldwide each year, and approximately half of these involve replacement with a bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) [1]. BHVs exhibit excellent hemocompatibility, but suffer from inadequate long-term durability with most adult implanted valves failing within 12 to 15 years after implantation [2]. Although this may be adequate for some individuals, BHV implantation may be contraindicated in younger individuals to avoid reoperation. Even in elder recipients, valve dysfunction can still cause death or reoperation that could be avoided with increased BHV durability. Therefore, investigation into methods of increasing BHV durability can not …