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Articles 7261 - 7290 of 14290
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
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 …
“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 …
Renal Epithelial Sodium Channel (Enac) Regulation Of Pregnancy Mediated Hemodynamic Adaptations: Mechanistic Insights, Crystal West
Renal Epithelial Sodium Channel (Enac) Regulation Of Pregnancy Mediated Hemodynamic Adaptations: Mechanistic Insights, Crystal West
Theses and Dissertations
Pregnancy-mediated sodium (Na) retention is required to provide an increase in plasma volume for the growing fetus. The mechanisms responsible for this Na retention are not clear. In the first study, we generated a renal tubule protein profile indicating α ENaC as the only sodium transport protein upregulated in mid and late pregnancy. To determine the in vivo activity of ENaC we conducted in vivo studies in late pregnant rats (day 18-20) and virgin rats to measure the natriuretic response to ENaC blockade (with benzamil). The in vivo activity of ENaC (UNaV post benzamil - UNaV post vehicle) was markedly …
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, …
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. …
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 …
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 …
Development Of Novel Copolyoxetanes: Antimicrobial Agents, Allison King
Development Of Novel Copolyoxetanes: Antimicrobial Agents, Allison King
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis focuses on solution antimicrobial effectiveness for copolyoxetanes with quaternary ammonium and PEG-like side chains. Ring opening copolymerization of 3-((4-bromobutoxy)methyl)-3-methyloxetane (BBOx) and 3-((2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxy) methyl)-3-methyloxetane (ME2Ox) yielded random copolymers with 14-100 (m) mole% BBOx designated P[(BBOx-m)(ME2Ox)]. Reaction of P[(BBOx-m)(ME2Ox)] with dodecyl dimethylamine gave the corresponding quaternary P[(C12-m)(ME2Ox)] polycation salts, designated C12-m. Mole ratios and molecular weights were obtained from 1H-NMR and end group analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies showed Tg’s between 69 and -34 °C. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed MIC decreasing with increasing C12 mole% reaching a minimum between …
Faith Based Environmental Stewardship: Practices And Attitudes Of Christian Churches On Virginia’S Northern Neck And Eastern Shore, Paoula Sehannie
Faith Based Environmental Stewardship: Practices And Attitudes Of Christian Churches On Virginia’S Northern Neck And Eastern Shore, Paoula Sehannie
Theses and Dissertations
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the relationship between religion and the environment. The purpose of this project is to explore the environmental practices and attitudes of Christian churches in two Virginia Communities. The two communities; the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore are located on the Chesapeake Bay and have a shared history of dependence on the Bay. The results of the dissertation demonstrate the prevalence of environmental programs in the population, the nature of these programs and the respondents’ attitudes towards a host of environmental issues. These results can be used by environmental professionals and …
Systemic And Microcirculatory Effects Of Hboc-201: A Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier, Bjorn Song
Systemic And Microcirculatory Effects Of Hboc-201: A Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier, Bjorn Song
Theses and Dissertations
Top-loading This study compared the effects on oxygen (O2) transport of four fluids: 5.9% human serum albumin (HSA) a non-O2 carrying iso-oncotic solution (volume control);HBOC-201 (Hemopure, Biopure Corp., Cambridge, MA); MP50, HBOC-201 with a P50 of 18 mmHg; and lastly LP50, an HBOC-201 with P50 of 17 mmHg and higher viscosity (4 cP). It has been proposed that HBOC with a higher O2 affinity and a viscosity closer to that of whole blood will cause less vasoconstriction and thus a lower MAP than Hemopure (P50 = 40 mmHg and 2.2 cP). Intravital microscopic measurements were made on the spinotrapezius muscle …
African American Women's Health: An Examination Of Resource Needs, Context, And Public Policy Over The Life Course, Cynthia Newbille
African American Women's Health: An Examination Of Resource Needs, Context, And Public Policy Over The Life Course, Cynthia Newbille
Theses and Dissertations
African American Women's Health: An Examination of Resource Needs, Context, and Public Policy over the Life Course
Nurse Anesthetist's Perceptions Regarding Utilization Of Anesthesia Support Personnel, Mary Ford
Nurse Anesthetist's Perceptions Regarding Utilization Of Anesthesia Support Personnel, Mary Ford
Theses and Dissertations
Anesthesia support personnel (ASP) provide direct support to health care providers administering anesthesia (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNAs] and anesthesiologists). Because these anesthesia providers are caring for a patient whom they cannot legally or ethically leave unattended, ASP are employed to bring them extra supplies or equipment, prepare equipment for the case, maintain and clean equipment, and generally function as directed by the anesthesia provider. Given the limited literature and importance of ASP in maintaining equipment essential to safe practice, it is necessary to describe the population to understand who is functioning in this role to insure that these individuals …
The Effects Of Age And Heterochromatin On Frequencies Of Acquired Chromosomal Aneuploidy In Uncultured Human Leukocytes, Noran Aboalela
The Effects Of Age And Heterochromatin On Frequencies Of Acquired Chromosomal Aneuploidy In Uncultured Human Leukocytes, Noran Aboalela
Theses and Dissertations
While age-related sex chromosomal aneuploidy is a well-characterized phenomenon, the relationship between autosomal loss and age remains unclear. The emergence of the specific and highly sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology has enabled investigators to study interphase cells, thereby overcoming problems inherent with the study of metaphase spreads for acquired aneuploidy assessment. Despite all the advantages of this technique, there are some limitations that could be misleading when scoring interphase autosomal aneuploidy. In this study we show that sex chromosomal hypoploidy is correlated with age. By using a twin study design, we evaluated Y chromosome hypoploidy frequencies and found …
Relations Of Depression, Social Support, And Socio-Demographic Factors On Health Behaviors Of Mothers With Premature Infants Hospitalized In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Surbhi Kanotra
Theses and Dissertations
The present study examined the relationships of depression, social support, and socio-demographic factors on health behaviors of mothers with preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In addition, the study also assessed the moderation effect of social support on the relationship between depression and health behaviors. Eighty-nine mothers with hospitalized infants in the central Richmond area participated in the study. Analyses found that mother’s education level and her marital status to be significantly associated with her health behaviors. Mothers with a higher level of education and those who were married, were less likely to smoke and more …
An Evaluation Of Cardiorespiratory Responses And Ventilatory Efficiency During Treadmill And Cycling Exercise In Overweight Adolescents, Amanda Scheps
An Evaluation Of Cardiorespiratory Responses And Ventilatory Efficiency During Treadmill And Cycling Exercise In Overweight Adolescents, Amanda Scheps
Theses and Dissertations
The assessment of ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) is increasingly being utilized to complement traditional cardiorespiratory fitness testing during graded exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory responses and ventilatory efficiency in obese children during a progressive exercise test to volitional fatigue performed on a treadmill and a cycle ergometer. Fifteen obese male (N=3) and female (N=12) adolescents aged 10 to 18 years were recruited in the study and completed both the treadmill and cycle ergometer trials. Mean age and BMI of the sample was 13.3 years and 38.0 kg/m2, respectively. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilatory efficiency …
4-D Modeling Of Displacement Vector Fields For Improved Radiation Therapy, Elizabeth Zachariah
4-D Modeling Of Displacement Vector Fields For Improved Radiation Therapy, Elizabeth Zachariah
Theses and Dissertations
In radiation therapy, it is imperative to deliver high doses of radiation to the tumor while reducing radiation to the healthy tissue. Respiratory motion is the most significant source of errors during treatment. Therefore, it is essential to accurately model respiratory motion for precise and effective radiation delivery. Many approaches exist to account for respiratory motion, such as controlled breath hold and respiratory gating, and they have been relatively successful. They still present many drawbacks. Thus, research has been expanded to tumor tracking. This paper presents a spatio-temporal model for four dimensional CT reconstruction. The method begins with a set …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Electrospun Gelatin/Dendrimer Scaffold Encapsulated With A Silver As A Potential Antimicrobial Wound Dressing, Alpana Dongargaonkar
Synthesis And Characterization Of Electrospun Gelatin/Dendrimer Scaffold Encapsulated With A Silver As A Potential Antimicrobial Wound Dressing, Alpana Dongargaonkar
Theses and Dissertations
A novel nanofiber scaffold was fabricated and characterized as a potential antimicrobial wound dressing. Half generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer G3.5 was covalently conjugated to gelatin. Gelatin alone or with gelatin-dendrimer conjugates was electrospun into nanofiber scaffolds. Gelatin is a derivative of natural collagen, and it is biocompatible, non-toxic and inexpensive, making it a desirable component in a wound dressing. Dendrimers are synthetic polymers comprising of a central core, internal branches and reactive surface groups. They provide a structurally controlled architecture for drug release. Silver was incorporated into the scaffold in situ due to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. The …
Faculty Attitudes Towards College Athletics And The Academic Competency Of Student-Athletes At A Ncaa Division-I Institution, Christopher Atwater
Faculty Attitudes Towards College Athletics And The Academic Competency Of Student-Athletes At A Ncaa Division-I Institution, Christopher Atwater
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this investigation was to examine faculty attitudes towards the role of college athletics and the academic competency of student-athletes at a NCAA Division-I Institution. By analyzing faculty attitudes, this study contributes to a better understanding of factors associated with how educators view athletics in higher education and how they develop their attitudes towards student-athletes from an academic perspective. Though prior research indicates quantitatively that faculty possess distinct views of these concepts, there was a gap between measured attitudes and known factors that contribute to these attitudes. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative results, this investigation advanced the …
Distribution And Molecular Analysis Of Avian Malaria Vectors On Four Central Virginia Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) Breeding Sites, Catherine Wallace
Distribution And Molecular Analysis Of Avian Malaria Vectors On Four Central Virginia Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria Citrea) Breeding Sites, Catherine Wallace
Theses and Dissertations
Avian malaria is a devastating disease that has decimated numerous bird species. This study sought to identify the vectors of avian malaria at four central Virginia Prothonotary warbler breeding sites. Twenty one thousand mosquitoes were collected and Culex salinarius, Cx. erraticus, and Cx. pipiens/restuans were found to be the dominant species at these sites. Geographic factors, such as crop land and forest type, were determined to be potential indicators for species abundance variation between sites. Of the mosquitoes collected, ninety one (0.4%) were identified as blood fed. The blood fed mosquitoes were found to have fed on avian, mammalian, amphibian, …
Family, Farming, And Military Service At Darvills, Viginia, 1965-1967: An Application Of Methodology In Community Studies, Lisa Jordan
Theses and Dissertations
ABSTRACT AN EXAMINATION OF METHODOLOGY IN COMMUNITY STUDIES By Lisa Vaughan Jordan, M.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Dr. John Kneebone, Associate Professor – Department of History This thesis examines correspondence between a mother, Alma Irene Vaughan and her son, Ammon Cliborne Vaughan from Darvills, Virginia, in the rural Southside area of the state, written during 1965-1967 when the son was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in the Army. In addition to presenting a background of …
Coordinating Code In Virginia’S Historic Districts, Drew Gruber
Coordinating Code In Virginia’S Historic Districts, Drew Gruber
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the evolution and limitations of regulatory and historic district overlay zones and the inherent conflicts between the two as applied in Virginia. Historic district overlay zoning and the establishment of local historic districts and design review boards has developed in response to the failures of traditional zoning techniques to adequately protect the architectural character of Virginia’s historic urban landscapes. After almost fifty years of practice and improvement in the fields of urban planning and historic preservation, synchronizing regulatory and historic district overlay zones still presents difficulties for municipal administrators. Several Virginia jurisdictions are highlighted in the thesis …
Development Of Electroencephalography Based Brain Controlled Switch And Nerve Conduction Study Simulator Software, Kai Qian
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis investigated the development of an EEG-based brain controlled switch and the design of a software for nerve conduction study. For EEG-based brain controlled switch, we proposed a novel paradigm for an online brain-controlled switch based on Event-Related Synchronizations (ERDs) following external sync signals. Furthermore, the ERD feature was enhanced by 3 event-related moving averages and the performance was tested online. Subjects were instructed to perform an intended motor task following an external sync signal in order to turn on a virtual switch. Meanwhile, the beta-band (16-20Hz) relative ERD power (ERD in reverse value order) of a single EEG …
Mother-Infant Synchrony During Infant Feeding, Barbara Reyna
Mother-Infant Synchrony During Infant Feeding, Barbara Reyna
Theses and Dissertations
MOTHER-INFANT SYNCHRONY DURING INFANT FEEDING By Barbara A. Reyna, PhD A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Rita H. Pickler, PhD Endowed Nursing Alumni Professor Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing Synchrony between a mother and her infant is fundamental to their developing relationship. Feeding is an essential activity that provides an opportunity for interaction between a mother and her infant and may lead to synchronous interaction. The purpose this study was to develop and test a …
Maternal Depressive Symptoms And Health Outcomes In Youths With Type 1 Diabetes: A Mediational Model, Struemph Kari Morgan
Maternal Depressive Symptoms And Health Outcomes In Youths With Type 1 Diabetes: A Mediational Model, Struemph Kari Morgan
Theses and Dissertations
Objectives: The rate and impact of depressive symptoms were examined with two models based on known effects of depression on variables related to diabetes management, parental involvement and diabetes conflict. The proposed models will measure potential effects high maternal depressive symptoms may have on parental monitoring and involvement and diabetes specific conflict and how these variables may in turn relate to poor regimen adherence. Methods: Participants included 225 mothers and young adolescents (aged 11-14) with T1D. Diabetes self-care behaviors were measured with the 24 Hour Recall Interview, parental involvement and monitoring were measured with the Parent Management of Diabetes Scale, …
Haploinsufficiency Of Rai1 And Its Effect On Bdnf Expression, Sun Kim
Haploinsufficiency Of Rai1 And Its Effect On Bdnf Expression, Sun Kim
Theses and Dissertations
Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) [OMIM, #182290] is a congenital anomaly and mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome associated with deletion of chromosome17p11.2 [1]. The clinical phenotype has been well described and includes minor craniofacial anomalies, self-injurious behaviors as well as sleep disturbances, speech delays, and obesity [1,2,3]. The incidence of SMS is estimated to be ~ 1:15,000 - 25,000 births [2,6]. Among SMS patients, ~90% are comprised of 17p11.2 deletions, while ~10% have RAI1 mutations [8]. All 17p11.2 deletions associated with SMS include RAI1 deletion [10]. RAI1 is thought to function as a transcriptional factor although its cellular role is still unclear. First, …
A Rhetoric Of Change: Church Growth And Social Change At The Richmond Outreach Center, Rebekah Holbrook
A Rhetoric Of Change: Church Growth And Social Change At The Richmond Outreach Center, Rebekah Holbrook
Theses and Dissertations
The Richmond Outreach Center “The ROC” is an independent soulwinning megachurch in Richmond, Virginia. This thesis explores how rhetoric plays a role in the rapid growth of this urban church and considers the church’s response—rhetorically and politically—to the city’s social issues. Through a rhetorical analysis of sermons and written texts by Geronimo Aguilar, the ROC’s founder and pastor, it is concluded that Aguilar has generated a rhetoric of change that says social change must come to Richmond and that everyone, both rich and poor, are responsible for change. Aguilar galvanizes an audience to seek social change because he articulates roles …
Facial Expression Discriminates Between Pain And Absence Of Pain In The Non-Communicative, Critically Ill Adult Patient, Mamoona Arif-Rahu
Facial Expression Discriminates Between Pain And Absence Of Pain In The Non-Communicative, Critically Ill Adult Patient, Mamoona Arif-Rahu
Theses and Dissertations
BACKGROUND: Pain assessment is a significant challenge in critically ill adults, especially those unable to communicate their pain level. At present there is no universally accepted pain scale for use in the non-communicative (cognitively impaired, sedated, paralyzed or mechanically ventilated) patient. Facial expressions are considered among the most reflexive and automatic nonverbal indices of pain. The facial expression component of pain assessment tools include a variety of facial descriptors (wincing, frowning, grimacing, smile/relaxed) with inconsistent pain intensity ratings or checklists of behaviors. The lack of consistent facial expression description and quantification of pain intensity makes standardization of pain evaluation difficult. …