Digital Commons Network^™

Immunomodulation As A Potential Therapeutic Approach For Alzheimer’S Disease, William Veljko Nikolic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of progressive dementia and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß) peptide in the brain and in the cerebral vessels forming cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). As previously reported, an active immunization strategy of mice with Aß_1-42 peptide results in decreased Th1 and increased Th2 cytokine responses as well as an effectively clearance of CNS Aß. This approach has also yielded favorable results for many patients, unfortunately, a small percentage of these study participants developed severe aseptic meningoencephalitis likely secondary to CNS invasion of activated T-cells. We have previously demonstrated …

Identifying Patients With Cancer At Risk Of Experiencing A Fall While Hospitalized, Joann M. Heaton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Inpatient falls are the most reported incidents in the acute care setting. Symptoms associated with a diagnosis of cancer and treatment may increase risk for falls. The objectives of this study were to identify the risk factors, and the most common risk factors, of adult patients with cancer who fell while hospitalized. A retrospective, matched, case-control audit of electronic medical records and occurrence reports was conducted for 30 patients who fell and 30 patients who did not fall while under the care of the inpatient oncology unit in a community hospital. Fall subjects and controls were matched by cancer diagnosis …

Agenda And Reports, Juvenile Welfare Board, May 8, 2008, Juvenile Welfare Board Of Pinellas County

Juvenile Welfare Board Agendas, Minutes, and Historical Audits

Agenda for the May 8, 2008, meeting of the Juvenile Welfare Board. Attached as supplemental files are previous meeting minutes and reports to review before the meeting.

Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, Graduate, May 3, 2008, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

President's Fellow Medallion - Antonia Novello

Alcohol Content In Fruit-Feeding Lepidoptera: Preferences And Effects On Flight Time, Pattern, And Speed, May 2008, Lena Gottesman

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Fruit-feeding Lepidoptera live and feed on rotting fruit and tree sap flows. Eating fermented food is expected to alter their flight behavior making them sluggish and thus more susceptible to predation (Young 1979). Rotting food sources have similar chemical compositions but in different proportions. Ethanol is present in rotting fruits and sap flows (Omura and Honda 2003) and is most likely the agent causing sluggish or groggy behavior (Young 1979). In this study, I examine preference of fruit feeding Caligo spp. (Nyphalidae: Brassolininae) on different baits of varying ethanol concentrations. Furthermore, I examine whether alcohol content and time spent feeding …

Food Restriction Compromises Immune Memory In Deer Mice (Peromyscus Maniculatus) By Reducing Spleen-Derived Antibody-Producing B Cell Numbers, Lynn B. Martin, Kristen J. Navara, Michael T. Bailey, Chelsea R. Hutch, Nicole D. Powell, John F. Sheridan, Randy J. Nelson

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

Immune activity is variable in many wild animals, despite presumed strong selection against immune incompetence. Much variation may be due to changes in prevalence and abundance of pathogens (and/or their vectors) in time and space, but the costs of immune defenses themselves may also be important. Induction of immune activity often increases energy and protein expenditure, sometimes to the point of compromising fitness. Whether immune defenses are expensive to maintain once they are generated, however, is less well appreciated. If so, organisms would face persistent challenges of allocating resources between immunity and other expensive physiological processes, which would mandate trade-offs. …

Effect Of Sunlight Intensity And Canopy Coverage On Herbivory In Gunnera Insignis (Gunneraceae), May 2008, Carolyn Rivers

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Studies on the influence of sunlight on herbivory have generally revealed that increased amounts of leaf damage occur in cool, shaded habitats. This study investigates the effects of both sunlight and canopy coverage on herbivore damage in Gunnera insignis by the undescribed beetle Macrohaltica sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This beetle is thought to feed on G. insignis because it can obtain secondary metabolites that make it undesirable to predators. In this investigation, all 90 plants studied revealed herbivore damage, with 71% of plants showing evidence of herbivory on the majority of leaves. The highest levels of leaf damage occurred on plants …

Preferential Oviposition By Heliconiinae (Nymphalidae) Butterflies On Passiflora Biflora (Passifloraceae) Leaves With Higher Cyanide Concentrations, May 2008, Phillip Burkholder

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Passiflora spp. produces cyanogenic glycosides to prevent herbivory. The butterfly subfamily Heliconiinae (Nymphalidae) has broken through this defense with the ability to ingest the cyanogenic compounds. A coevolutionary arms race of adaptations and counter-adaptations followed, in which it is believed that Passiflora spp. evolved a series of counter-adaptive defenses, like egg-mimics, leaf shape, and extrafloral nectarines, to specifically combat heliconiines. While sometimes overcoming these adaptations, heliconiines still consider them for oviposition. Additionally, the role of cyanide may also have an effect on oviposition. It has been suggested that while detrimental to larvae, cyanide provides protection that promotes oviposition. There are …

Emergence Patterns And Male Polymorphism In The Nonpollinating Fig Wasp Aepocerus Sp. (Torymidae), May 2008, Katelyn Burgess

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

This study was designed to investigate a perceived male dimorphism in the nonpollinating fig wasp Aepocerus sp. (Torymidae), as well as to examine emergence schedules of males and females as well as of different male morphs. I collected 100 Ficus pertusa figs and preserved the wasps that emerged from each fig every day for five days. I counted the number of male and female Aepocerus sp. that emerged from each fig each day, and I measured body size and degree of wing patchiness in males to assess whether the species exhibits male dimorphism. I found that males tend to emerge …

Anti-Herbivore Defense Trade-Offs: A Comparison Of Passiflora Capsularis, Passiflora Helleri, And Passiflora Sexflora (Passifloraceae), May 2008, Sara M.L. Sirivanchai

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Plants in the Tropics must evolve strategies for combating high levels of herbivory with few available nutrients. This results in possible tradeoffs between chemical and structural defenses. Three species of tropical passion vines, Passiflora capsularis, Passiflora helleri, and Passiflora sexflora (Passifloraceae) were examined for possible tradeoffs in cyanide, leaf toughness, glands and pubescence as anti-herbivore defenses. One young and one old leaf were collected from ten individuals of each species and analyzed for cyanide concentration and leaf toughness. In addition, observations were made regarding habitat, pubescence and presence or absence of blade glands. From the results it is clear that …

Qualitative Analysis Of Teacher Perceptions And Use Of The Dynamic Indicators Of Basic Early Literacy Skills (Dibels) Within A District-Wide Reading First Program, Brian T. Gaunt

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the Reading First grant program was to (a) increase quality and consistency of instruction in K-3 classrooms; (b) conduct timely and valid assessments of student reading growth in order to identify students experiencing reading difficulties; and (c) provide high quality, intensive interventions to help struggling readers catch up with their peers (Torgesen, 2002). In the State of Florida, school districts must incorporate the use of an assessment tool called the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) to qualify for Reading First grant funding. Though DIBELS has been found to be a valid and reliable assessment …

The Weekly Challenger, April 24, 2008, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The April 24, 2008, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Crystal Engineering Of Flavonoids, Padmini Kavuru

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Crystal engineering is attracting attention in the pharmaceutical industry because the design of new crystal form of drugs can improve their stability, bioavailability and other relevant physical characteristic properties. Therefore, crystal engineering of nutraceuticals such as flavonoids by exploring their hydrogen bonding interactions can generate novel compounds such as pharmaceutical cocrystals. Flavonoids are polyphenolic secondary plant metabolites that are present in varying levels in fruits, vegetables and beverages. The "French paradox", low cardiovascular mortality rate in spite of high intake of saturated fat among the Mediterranean populations made flavonoids an appropriate target for therapeutic researchers.

The work herein deals with …

An Experimental Analysis Of The Influence Of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives On Beliefs, Attitudes And Behavioral Intentions Within The Context Of Corporate, Ashlea Hudak

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recently, the use of corporate social responsibility initiatives has grown in popularity and prominence among organizations as research increasingly suggests that these initiatives positively impact the corporation's bottom line. This study contributes to theory driven research in strategic communications by using an experimental design to test the influence of six distinct corporate social responsibility initiatives, as identified by Kotler and Lee (2005), on the beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intention of message receivers, using Fishbein and Ajzen's (1975, 2005) theory of reasoned action as a theoretical framework. According to Fishbein and Ajzen (1975), attitudes about an object are the result of …

The Effects Of Non-Surgical Interventions On Osteoarthritis-Like Changes In The Mouse Knee, Wendy K. Anemaet

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition affecting over 21 million persons in the United States. This number is expected to rise in the coming decades. Treatment approaches for OA focus on symptom modifying measures (i.e., pain relief) as disease modifying interventions do not currently exist. However, some of the interventions used to alleviate the symptoms of OA are also thought to have disease-modifying benefits. Two such non-surgical interventions for OA are intra-articular hyaluronan (HA) injections and physical exercise. In order to effectively study their effects in human OA, animal models that are amenable for studying intervention outcomes are needed.

The …

A Historical Perspective Of The Development Of Prekindergarten And The Evolution Of Quality Elements, Catherine C. Cross

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This is a historical study of preschool nationally and partly internationally with a focus on elucidating the development of quality elements. The study will trace the beginnings of perkindergaten and how the programs have evolved to their current state.

The study contains a look at the current state of prekindergarten programs within the United States and how the differing states are measuring their programs. The use of the word quality is examined as it relates to how programs are designed and implemented. The study will also examine several different states that have been acknowledged as the front runners in prekindergarten …

Dental Hygienists' Beliefs, Norms, Attitudes, And Intentions Toward Treating Hiv/Aids Patients, Barbara Clark-Alexander

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is a great demand and need for oral health care during the course of HIV disease (HIV Costs and Services Utilization Study; Marcus et. al., 2005). HIV+ patients identified three key barriers to obtaining oral health treatment: 1) beliefs and attitudes of dental health care providers (DHCPs) may have lead to their unwillingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients; 2) the existence of racial and ethnic disparities in health care in the United States, and 3) how DHCPs perceive their risk of contracting HIV. The fear and stigma associated with treating patients with HIV further compromises their access to care and …

Development Of An Ecological Model To Predict Risk For Acquisition Of Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea During Acute Care Hospitalization, Susan Elaine Steele

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The traditional model of infection control has failed to stop the spread of emerging infectious diseases such as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in the acute care environment. Ecological models, which rely upon identification of susceptible hosts, offer an alternative to the prevention of deadly outbreaks. Previous epidemiological research has identified a number of risk factors associated with CDAD. Utilization of this body of research by nurses is limited due to methodological issues that introduce bias and confounding, and use of variables that have limited meaning to the practicing clinical nurse.

Aim: The aim of this study was to …

A Modified Obesity Proneness Model In The Prediction Of Weight Status Among High School Students, Joyce E. Nickelson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The health and well-being of U.S. children is challenged by the immense crisis of obesity. The obesity proneness model, first described by Costanzo and Woody (1985), describes one mechanism by which parents influence obesity development. This model suggests that parents become concerned about their children's weight if their children show signs of becoming overweight and parents value weight highly. Parents communicate their concerns to their children and restrict their children's eating. Children internalize parents' concerns and become unable to regulate their eating. Hence, parents socialize children to be concerned about their weight but do not equip them to regulate eating, …

The Weekly Challenger, March 6, 2008, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The March 6, 2008, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Inflammatory Consequences Of Stress And Adiposity, Cathy A. Bykowski

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The inflammatory process is important in protecting the body against the invasion of pathogens, but recent research has suggested that a long-term inflammatory response may lead to chronic diseases (e.g., Black, 2003; Wu, Dorn, Donahue, Sempos, & Trevisan, 2002). Two factors that have been implicated in the inflammatory and disease processes are stress and obesity (Black, 2003). While their individual lines of research continue to grow, few researchers have attempted to integrate these factors into one model to explain their effects on inflammation. This study aimed to replicate previous findings suggesting relationships between stress, obesity and inflammation and test an …

Materials And Methods For Regulating Process Formation In Cell Culture, Pablo Caviedes, Raul Caviedes, Thomas B. Freeman, Juan A. Asenjo, Barbara A. Andrews, Dario Sepúlveda, Christian Arriagada, Julio Salazar Rivera

USF Patents

The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for inhibiting process formation and extension by cells in culture. The subject invention further includes cultures of process-forming cells wherein formation and extension of processes have been inhibited. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns methods of transplantation using process-forming cells that have been cultured by the process-inhibiting methods of the invention.

The Weekly Challenger, January 24, 2008, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The January 24, 2008, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

The Weekly Challenger, January 3, 2008, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The January 3, 2008, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Testing Classification Systems For Reference Questions, Deborah Boran Henry, Tina M. Neville

USF St. Petersburg Campus Faculty Publications

Two reference question classification systems were tested using data from a small academic library. Results indicate that a skill/strategy based approach, rather than a system based on resources used or time allocated per question, leads to more consistent classification and provides a more accurate reflection of today's reference desk activity.

Literature Cited, Studies In Avian Biology

Studies in Avian Biology

No abstract provided.

Reproduction And Immune Homeostasis In A Long-Lived Seabird, The Nazca Booby (Sula Granti), Victor Apanius, Mark A. Westbrock, David J. Anderson

Ornithological Monographs

The evolution of longevity requires that the marginal investment in selfmaintenance at the expense of reproductive effort is favored by realizing a longer reproductive lifespan. This can occur when extrinsic mortality factors (weather, predators, etc.) are less important than intrinsic mortality factors, such as the physiological cost of reproduction. Long-lived pelagic seabirds have low annual reproductive output and prolonged offspring growth periods that are thought to have evolved to accommodate marine resource variability. The life-history theory of senescence predicts that these same taxa should minimize per diem reproductive costs and shift effects of resource variability to the offspring. To address …

Ultra Wideband Radio: A Novel Method For Measuring Wandering In Persons With Dementia, William D. Kearns, Donna Algase, D. Helen Moore, Sadia Ahmed

Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Faculty Publications

Wandering by persons with dementia is a complex syndrome of locomotive behaviors shaped by environmental, wanderer-specific and caregiver characteristics that vary the risk level for exiting, elopement, getting lost and accidental death. While valid and reliable methods to measure wandering exist, few have been evaluated for measurement of specific geographical patterns of wandering behavior as they occur in space and over time. In this paper we demonstrate how UWB-RFID can be used to unobtrusively and continuously measure two particularly high-risk wandering behaviors over intervals from weeks to months that occur in proximity to care setting exit points: lingering near exit …

Communication Technology Changes How We Age, J. L. Fozard, William D. Kearns

Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Implementing Gerontechnology, J. E.M.H. Bronswijk, James L. Fozard, William D. Kearns, Gerald C. Davison, Pan-Chio Tuan

Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Faculty Publications

Master classes for PhD students in gerontechnology showed the need for a short guideline to help young researchers. To enable the gerontechnology enterprise to be implemented in design, engineering and research, some of the teachers in the master classes in Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and Nantou (Taiwan) developed together a step-by-step framework for gerontechnology projects to assist young researchers.