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Using A Novel Partitivirus In Pseudogymnoascus Destructans To Understand The Epidemiology Of White-Nose Syndrome, Vaskar Thapa, Gregory G. Turner, Susan Hafenstein

KIP Articles

White-nose syndrome is one of the most lethal wildlife diseases, killing over 5 million North American bats since it was first reported in 2006. The causal agent of the disease is a psychrophilic filamentous fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus is widely distributed in North America and Europe and has recently been found in some parts of Asia, but interestingly, no mass mortality is observed in European or Asian bats. Here we report a novel double-stranded RNA virus found in North American isolates of the fungus and show that the virus can be used as a tool to study the epidemiology …

Tuberculosis First (Field Investigator Response And Surveillance Training), Center For Leadership In Public Health Practice

Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center

• Develop interviewing and communication skills needed to assist in eliciting health information to assist in a tuberculosis disease outbreak investigation.
  • Course skills are adaptable to other health settings.
• Review fundamentals of nonverbal and verbal communication.
• Understand fundamentals of Interviewing Techniques:
  • Concepts of Bias.
  • Importance of Identifying Unusual Occurrences.
  • Importance of Maintaining Cultural Sensitivity, Confidentiality and Ethics during interviewing.

A Comparison Of Rule-Based Analysis With Regression Methods In Understanding The Risk Factors For Study Withdrawal In A Pediatric Study, Mona Haghighi, Suzanne B. Johnson, Xiaoning Qian, Kristian F. Lynch, Kendra Vehik, Shuai Huang, The Teddy Study Group

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Regression models are extensively used in many epidemiological studies to understand the linkage between specific outcomes of interest and their risk factors. However, regression models in general examine the average effects of the risk factors and ignore subgroups with different risk profiles. As a result, interventions are often geared towards the average member of the population, without consideration of the special health needs of different subgroups within the population. This paper demonstrates the value of using rule-based analysis methods that can identify subgroups with heterogeneous risk profiles in a population without imposing assumptions on the subgroups or method. The rules …

Annual Security And Fire Safety Report, 2016-2017, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg. University Police Services.

Crime Reports, Alerts, and Information

The annual security and fire safety report for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's campus for 2016-2017. This report satisfied requirements under the Clery Act.

Modified Modis Fluorescence Line Height Data Product To Improve Image Interpretation For Red Tide Monitoring In The Eastern Gulf Of Mexico, Chuanmin Hu, Lian Feng

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Several satellite-based methods have been used to detect and trace Karenia brevis red tide blooms in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Some require data statistics and multiple data products while others use a single data product. Of these, the MODIS normalized fluorescence line height (nFLH) has shown its advantage of detecting blooms in waters rich in colored dissolved organic matter, thus having been used routinely to assess bloom conditions by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the official state agency of Florida responsible for red tide monitoring and mitigation. However, elevated sediment concentrations in the water column due …

The Weekly Challenger, December 24, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The December 24, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Fungi On White-Nose Infected Bats (Myotis Spp.) In Eastern Canada Show No Decline In Diversity Associated With Pseudogymnoascus Destructans (Ascomycota: Pseudeurotiaceae), Karen J. Vanderwolf, David Malloch, Donald F. Mcalpine

International Journal of Speleology

The introduction of the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) to North America has stimulated research on the poorly known mycology of caves. It is possible that the introduction of Pd reduces the diversity of fungi associated with bats hibernating in caves. To test this hypothesis we examined the fungal assemblages associated with hibernating bats (Myotis spp.) pre- and post- white-nose syndrome (WNS) infection in eastern Canada using culture-dependent methods. We found the mean number of fungal taxa isolated from bats/hibernaculum was not significantly different between pre-infection (29.6 ± 6.1SD) and post-infection with WNS (32.4 ± 4.3). Although …

Resource Recovery Through Halophyte Production In Marine Aquaponics: An Evaluation Of The Nutrient Cycling And The Environmental Sustainability Of Aquaponics, Suzanne Boxman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals and plants, is an important component of global food production, which supplies a nutritious protein source for millions of people. Interest in improving the sustainability of aquaculture has led to the development of aquaponics in which fish production is combined with plant production to create zero-discharge systems. A need for more fundamental science and engineering research on marine aquaculture and growing interest in production of halophytes motivated this novel research on marine aquaponics. One objective was to evaluate the growth and nutrient removal capacity of halophytes in marine aquaponics. Bench-scale studies were conducted to …

The Relationship Between Social Networks, Exchange And Kids’ Food In Children’S Peer Culture, Stephanie Tillman Melton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates children’s peer culture, social networks and the role that kids’ food plays in peer exchanges during middle childhood. During this stage children develop social competencies as they join peer groups with other children and become socialized into children’s peer culture. In order to immerse myself within children’s culture, I conducted ethnographic fieldwork at two afterschool programs providing care for elementary school children. I investigated friendships, social networks and exchanges among third through fifth grade children at the programs. The study included participant observation and participatory group interviews with a sample of the children at both sites. The …

The Relationship Of Childhood Stress To Adult Health And Mortality Among Individuals From Two U.S. Documented Skeletal Collections, Late 19Th To Early 20Th Centuries, Rhonda Coolidge

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although the association between social inequality and poor adult health is well established, the mechanisms by which inequality is translated into poor adult health are less clear. Increasingly, evidence suggests that many adult health problems and health disparities have their origins in early life; the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis provides an explanatory mechanism linking adverse early life conditions with permanent structural or functional changes that increase the risk for disease. This hypothesis is consistent with bioarchaeological research noting reduced lifespan among individuals exhibiting signs of childhood stress.

The principal aim of this dissertation is to contribute …

Lipoproteins And Health Outcomes: Cognitive And Physical Function In Older Adults, Marianne Chanti-Ketterl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular health is a major determinant of quality of life and mortality, especially in older adulthood. With the world’s oldest population increasing at expedited rates, challenges from cardiovascular conditions and its implications are spawning. Although it is well known that dyslipidemia may lead to cardiac events, less is known about the effects on cognitive and physical function in older adults. Epidemiological studies show that optimizing current preventive strategies even at older ages may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular comorbidity (e.g. hypertension, stroke) and increase quality of life. Determining the association between lipoproteins and cognitive and functional performance in older adults …

A Comparative Analysis Of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry And Stable Isotopes In Assessing Ancient Coastal Peruvian Diets, Theresa Jane Gilbertson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores a cross-cultural analysis of the dietary signatures of four coastal cultures of prehistoric Peru. A combination of elemental analysis based on portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF), testing trace elements presented in 209 individuals’ skulls representing the Nazca (38), Cañete (33), Lima (40), and Moche (98) valleys and/or cultures of the first millennium AD, is weighed in conjunction with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to analyze human bone collagen and bone apatite derived from a portion of the individuals represented in the Nazca, Cañete, and Lima cranial samples.

Evidence from the results of both tests are weighed using …

Molecular And Phenotypic Studies Validating The Role Of The Ecdysone Receptor In The Human Parasite Brugia Malayi, Amruta Mhashilkar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Filariasis and onchocerciasis are debilitating diseases affecting 120 million people globally. The massive socio-economic impact of these diseases energized the international community to declare a goal of eliminating filariasis 2020. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the efforts to eliminate filariasis and onchocerciasis, employing a strategy of mass drug administration (MDA). However, these programs rely upon the small arsenal of drugs. This leaves these programs vulnerable to failure in the face of developing resistance and local intolerance to the current drug regimens. Thus, new drugs against these infections are critically needed. A homologue of the ecdysone receptor (EcR), a …

Pathogen Removal In Natural Wastewater Treatment And Resource Recovery Systems: Solutions For Small Cities In An Urbanizing World, Matthew Eric Verbyla

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sanitation, renewable energy, and food security are among the most pressing global development needs of the century, especially for small cities with rapid population growth. Currently, 53% of the world’s population either lacks access to improved sanitation or discharges fecal waste to the environment without treatment. Furthermore, 80% of food consumed in developing regions is produced by 500 million small farms, and while many of them are still rain-fed, irrigated agriculture is increasing. The post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, recently adopted by the United Nations, include targets to address the water-energy-food nexus. Wastewater reuse in agriculture can be an important solution …

Use Of Spirometry For Medical Clearance And Surveillance In Occupations Requiring Respirator Use, Ushang Prakshbhai Desai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Medical certification of workers for respirator use is an important activity of occupational medicine health professionals. Spirometry is a diagnostic tool to evaluate respiratory distress/insufficiency that may affect respirator use. In this study, we analyzed the pulmonary function data of 337 workers from different occupations which required medical evaluation to wear a respirator. The American Thoracic Society and National Fire Protection Association criteria were used to evaluate employees. Of 337 workers who were cleared for respiratory use on the basis of medical questionnaires for respirator compliance, 14 (4.15%) failed to pass respirator compliance on the basis of NFPA criteria and …

The Weekly Challenger, November 12, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The November 12, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Weekly Challenger, November 5, 2015, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The November 5, 2015, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Basal Salivary Oxytocin And Skin To Skin Contact Among Lactating Mothers Of Premature Infants, Jessica Marie Gordon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation research explored mechanisms of human milk (HM) expulsion by describing the effects of skin to skin contact (SSC) on maternal basal oxytocin (OT) secretion among 20 premature mothers with hospitalized premature infants. This one-group, repeated measures design consisted of: 1) daily SSC with covariant data via self-report diary and 2) maternal salivary OT with and without SSC at 4 time points were collected over a 7 day time frame. Results indicate that mean levels of basal OT increase over time (M 234 pg/ml, SD 108 pg/ml time point 1; M 257 pg/ml, SD 125 pg/ml time point 3). …

In Situ Studies Of Limestone Dissolution In A Coastal Submarine Spring, Rachel Marie Schweers

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Limestone dissolution in karst environments is likely due to geochemistry of the water, the actions of microbial communities, and the effect of water flow. We explored the rate of limestone dissolution and will examine here the microbial communities associated with the limestone. A conduit within the brackish cave, Double Keyhole Spring, on the coast of central west Florida was the site of the experiment. PVC pipes (5cm x 16cm) were filled with crushed limestone that was screened to a 1.9cm – 2.54cm size range. There were three treatments (5 replicates each): Control - sealed autoclaved controls with limestone and conduit …

National Transit Demand Response Level Of Service, Cutr

Research Reports

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Relationship Status On Hpv Vaccine Decision-Making Among Young Adult Women, Erika L. Thompson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The HPV vaccine is a primary prevention method available to reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is currently approved for catch-up vaccination among women 18 to 26 years of age. Despite this recommendation, the rate of vaccine uptake among this group is considerably low (~34% uptake). One demographic characteristic that is consistently reported as a risk factor for non-vaccination is relationship status, specifically married or monogamous relationships. While the epidemiological data confirm this association, there is a lack of understanding how this risk factor operates. By elucidating the mechanism for this risk factor, …

Program, The Studio Honors: Community, 2015, Studio At 620

Program Collection

No abstract provided.

Developing A Method For Assessing National Demand-Response Transit Level Of Service, Cutr

Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Global Climate Change As A Threat To U.S. National Security, Emilio Morales Jr.

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Annual Security And Fire Safety Report, 2015, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg. University Police Services.

Crime Reports, Alerts, and Information

The annual security and fire safety report for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's campus for 2015. This report satisfied requirements under the Clery Act.

The Effects Of Parent-Adolescent Communication And Parenting Style On The Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors Of Latino Adolescents, Dianna Mary Boone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The obesity epidemic among children and adolescents has been growing rapidly over the past 10 years, particularly in Latino children. Multiple researchers have found support for positive associations between parent-child communication and healthy nutrition and exercise behaviors. The present study examined the relations between parent-adolescent communication and parenting style and the dietary and exercise behaviors of Latino adolescents. The study included 79 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years and their parents (100% are Latino). Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine which parenting style and communication variables are significantly associated with adolescents’ dietary and physical …

Compositions And Methods For Producing Elevated And Sustained Ketosis, Dominic Paul D'Agostino, Patrick Arnold, Shannon Kesl

USF Patents

Beta-hydroxybutyrate mineral salts in combination with medium chain fatty acids or an ester thereof such as medium chain triglycerides were used to induce ketosis, achieving blood ketone levels of (2-7 mmol/L), with or without dietary restriction. The combination results in substantial improvements in metabolic biomarkers related to insulin resistance, diabetes, weight loss, and physical performance in a short period of time. Further, use of these supplements to achieve ketosis yields a significant elevation of blood ketones and reduction of blood glucose levels. Use of these substances does not adversely affect lipid profiles. By initiating rapid ketosis and accelerating the rate …

A Forward Genetic Screen Identifies Factors Associated With Fever Pathogenesis In Plasmodium Falciparum, Phaedra J. Thomas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Infectious diseases that spread from person-to-person and continent-to-continent are a cause for concern for any health entity. One such disease is malaria, a mosquito-borne infection instigated by the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Hundreds of millions of people are affected annually and it is responsible for nearly 1 million deaths. It is the most fatal species causing malaria and proliferates in human red blood cells with a life cycle occurring every 48 hours. At this time, the parasite’s late stage form or schizont bursts from the erythrocyte releasing immune-inducing particles and infective forms (merozoites) into the bloodstream. The merozoites go …

A Community Of Isolation: An Ethnographic Examination Of Mothering In Poverty And Its Impact On Food Security In Pinellas County, Florida, Amanda M. Terry

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation is to document the lived experience of mothering in poverty and the unique challenges the role of mother presents to maintaining food security. Millions of households in the United States are struggling to put food on the table, a problem made worse by the current economic recession and high food prices. Among them, households with children and specifically, single mothers, report the highest prevalence of food insecurity. While Federal food assistance programs are available to help alleviate this issue, the continued problem of hunger is a very real and pervasive concern for millions of American …

The Impact Of Lingual Resistance Training In Two Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Series, Raele Donetha Robison

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and progressive disease characterized by the deterioration of motor neurons within the body. This degeneration leads to bulbar dysfunction in the form of an impaired ability to communicate and swallow. Currently, bulbar dysfunction is treated via compensatory methods aimed at maximizing comfort and safety that include environmental adaptations, augmentative and assistive communication and gastrostomy tube placement to replace speech and oral feeding. The role of active intervention is controversial in this patient population and no investigations have examined the potential role lingual exercise might play in ALS bulbar management. The purpose of …