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“Powerful Tools For Caregivers”: Teaching Skills That Reduce Stress And Increase Self-Confidence, Ed Rosenberg, Natasha Gouge

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe caregiving stress and burnout symptoms and effects experienced by older caregivers.

2. Report implementation and evaluation of the “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” workshop, which is designed to increase knowledge and skills in caring for elders and reduce caregiver stress.

3. Suggest ways to alleviate caregiver burden at both micro and macro levels.

Teens Teaching Alzheimer’S Caregivers To Become Tech- Savvy: The Power Of Community And Intergenerational Partnerships, Ann Bruner Duesing, Marilyn Pace Maxwell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe a successful technology project for Alzheimer’s caregivers in rural, far southwest Virginia which recruited and trained teenagers to teach computer skills to Alzheimer’s caregivers and taught the teenagers about caregiving and the disease.

2. Identify barriers for Alzheimer’s caregivers to learning and using technology to assist and support them in their caregiving, and identify successful ways to address these barriers.

Pace: Program Of All-Inclusive Care For The Elderly, Laura R. Gadsby

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the Program of Allinclusive Care for the Elderly model of care for frail seniors with chronic health care needs.

2. Demonstrate how PACE benefits providers in the delivery of services.

3. Explain how the PACE concept complements Virginia’s Long Term Care Reform, as well as initiatives to develop further the PACE program in Virginia.

Possible Stimulation Of Anti-Tumor Immunity Using Repeated Cold Stress: A Hypothesis, Nikolai A. Shevchuk, Sasa Radoja

Radiation Oncology Publications

Background The phenomenon of hormesis, whereby small amounts of seemingly harmful or stressful agents can be beneficial for the health and lifespan of laboratory animals has been reported in literature. In particular, there is accumulating evidence that daily brief cold stress can increase both numbers and activity of peripheral cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, the major effectors of adaptive and innate tumor immunity, respectively. This type of regimen (for 8 days) has been shown to improve survival of mice infected with intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which would also be consistent with enhanced cell-mediated immunity.

Presentation of the hypothesis …

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate And Professional Programs Bulletin [2007], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate and professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2007-2008. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Enhanced Balance Associated With Coordination Training With Stochastic Resonance Stimulation In Subjects With Functional Ankle Instability: An Experimental Trial, Scott E. Ross, Brent L. Arnold, J. Troy Blackburn, Cathleen N. Brown, Kevin M. Guskiewicz

Kinesiology and Health Sciences Publications

Background

Ankle sprains are common injuries that often lead to functional ankle instability (FAI), which is a pathology defined by sensations of instability at the ankle and recurrent ankle sprain injury. Poor postural stability has been associated with FAI, and sports medicine clinicians rehabilitate balance deficits to prevent ankle sprains. Subsensory electrical noise known as stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation has been used in conjunction with coordination training to improve dynamic postural instabilities associated with FAI. However, unlike static postural deficits, dynamic impairments have not been indicative of ankle sprain injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the …

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin Courses [2007], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of undergraduate courses for 2007-2008.

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin [2007], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Undergraduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2007-2008. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for undergraduate programs.

The X-Ray (2007)

The X-Ray (MCV, 1913-2010)

The yearbook of the Medical College of Virginia.

Team Vision Focusing On The Future: Assessing Community Needs And Outreach, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute At Virginia Commonwealth University

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Faced with this challenge, Team Vision took a multi-pronged approach toward generating a solution. The first prong looked internally to delineate the scope of the problem, define community and community engagement, and understand VCU’s current commitment to community engagement. Next, looking external beyond the University, the team identified model institutions from which an approach for assessing community needs and determining appropriate projects could be garnered. Specifically, Team Vision, investigated Carnegie designated “Community Engaged Universities:” those institutions which have met stringent curricular and partnership criteria. The third step was to identify assessment tools and methods already in use at the University …

Expression Pattern Of Three-Finger Toxin And Phospholipase A2 Genes In The Venom Glands Of Two Sea Snakes, Lapemis Curtus And Acalyptophis Peronii: Comparison Of Evolution Of These Toxins In Land Snakes, Sea Kraits And Sea Snakes, Susanta Pahari, David Bickford, Bryan G. Fry, R. Manjunatha Kini

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

Background

Snake venom composition varies widely both among closely related species and within the same species, based on ecological variables. In terrestrial snakes, such variation has been proposed to be due to snakes' diet. Land snakes target various prey species including insects (arthropods), lizards (reptiles), frogs and toads (amphibians), birds (aves), and rodents (mammals), whereas sea snakes target a single vertebrate class (fishes) and often specialize on specific types of fish. It is therefore interesting to examine the evolution of toxins in sea snake venoms compared to that of land snakes.

Results

Here we describe the expression of toxin genes …

Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program [2007], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Virginia Commonwealth University Fall Commencement Program [2007], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Magnetic Endohedral Metallofullerenes With Floppy Interiors, Meichun Qian, Stephen V. Ong, Shiv N. Khanna, Mark B. Knickelbein

Physics Publications

It is shown that Gd3N@C80 is a highly magnetic and very stable motif that allows enhanced contrast magnetic resonance imaging and electric dipole moment with potential for cancer treatment. Using a synergistic approach combining Stern-Gerlach experiments in beams and first-principles electronic structure studies, it is demonstrated that an isolated Gd3N has a ground state spin moment of 23μBfollowed by a noncollinear state of 17.2μB only 88meV above the ground state. The large moment is largely due to localized f electrons. As a Gd3N is embedded inside a C80 cage, the localized felectrons maintain the magnetic character while the hybridization between …

An Ab Initio Investigation On The Endohedral Metallofullerene Gd 3 N – C 80, M. C. Qian, S. N. Khanna

Physics Publications

First-principles electronic structure studies on the ground state geometry and electronic and magnetic properties of bare and hydrogen coated metallofullerene Gd3N–C80 have been carried out within a density functional formalism. The correlation effects are incorporated either through a generalized gradient corrected functional or through an on-site Coulomb interaction (LDA+U). It is shown that the bare Gd3N–C80 possess a ferromagnetic ground state with a large spin moment of 21μB that is highly stable against spin fluctuations. The simulated Raman spectrum shows that the low-energy peaks are contributed by the floppy movement of N atom. As to the effect of addition of …

Linkage Analysis Of A Model Quantitative Trait In Humans: Finger Ridge Count Shows Significant Multivariate Linkage To 5q14.1, Sarah E. Medland, Danuta Z. Loesch, Bogdan Mdzewski, Gu Zhu, Grant W. Montgomery, Nicholas G. Martin

Psychiatry Publications

The finger ridge count (a measure of pattern size) is one of the most heritable complex traits studied in humans and has been considered a model human polygenic trait in quantitative genetic analysis. Here, we report the results of the first genome-wide linkage scan for finger ridge count in a sample of 2,114 offspring from 922 nuclear families. Both univariate linkage to the absolute ridge count (a sum of all the ridge counts on all ten fingers), and multivariate linkage analyses of the counts on individual fingers, were conducted. The multivariate analyses yielded significant linkage to 5q14.1 (Logarithm of odds …

Possible Use Of Repeated Cold Stress For Reducing Fatigue In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Hypothesis, Nikolai A. Shevchuk

Radiation Oncology Publications

Background Physiological fatigue can be defined as a reduction in the force output and/or energy-generating capacity of skeletal muscle after exertion, which may manifest itself as an inability to continue exercise or usual activities at the same intensity. A typical example of a fatigue-related disorder is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a disabling condition of unknown etiology and with uncertain therapeutic options. Recent advances in elucidating pathophysiology of this disorder revealed hypofunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and that fatigue in CFS patients appears to be associated with reduced motor neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS) and to a smaller extent …

Clomiphene, Metformin, Or Both For Infertility In The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Richard S. Legro, Huiman X. Barnhart, William D. Schlaff, Bruce R. Carr, Michael P. Diamond, Sandra A. Carson, Michael P. Steinkampf, Christos Coutifaris, Peter G. Mcgovern, Nicholas A. Cataldo, Gabriella G. Gosman, John E. Nestler, Linda C. Guidice, Phyllis C. Leppert, Evan R. Myers M.P.H.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Publications

Background

The polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of infertility. Clomiphene and insulin sensitizers are used alone and in combination to induce ovulation, but it is unknown whether one approach is superior. Methods We randomly assigned 626 infertile women with the polycystic ovary syndrome to receive clomiphene citrate plus placebo, extended-release metformin plus placebo, or a combination of metformin and clomiphene for up to 6 months. Medication was discontinued when pregnancy was confirmed, and subjects were followed until delivery.

Results

The live-birth rate was 22.5% (47 of 209 subjects) in the clomiphene group, 7.2% (15 of 208) in the …

An Electrospray-Based, Ozone-Free Air Purification Technology, Gary Tepper, Royal Kessick, Dmitry Pestov

Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

A zero-pressure-drop, ozone-free air purification technology is reported. Contaminated air was directed into a chamber containing an array of electrospray wick sources. The electrospray sources produce an aerosol of tiny, electrically charged aqueous droplets.Charge was transferred from the droplets onto polar and polarizable species in the contaminated air stream and the chargedcontaminants were extracted using an electric field and deposited onto a metal surface. Purified air emerged from the other end of the chamber. The very small aqueous electrospray droplets completely evaporate so that the process is essentially dry and no liquid solvent is collected or recirculated. The air purification …

Application Of A Correlation Correction Factor In A Microarray Cross-Platform Reproducibility Study, Kellie J. Archer, Catherine I. Dumur, G. Scott Taylor, Michael D. Chaplin, Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, Geraldine Grant, Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez, Carleton T. Garrett

Biostatistics Publications

Background Recent research examining cross-platform correlation of gene expression intensities has yielded mixed results. In this study, we demonstrate use of a correction factor for estimating cross-platform correlations.

Results In this paper, three technical replicate microarrays were hybridized to each of three platforms. The three platforms were then analyzed to assess both intra- and cross-platform reproducibility. We present various methods for examining intra-platform reproducibility. We also examine cross-platform reproducibility using Pearson's correlation. Additionally, we previously developed a correction factor for Pearson's correlation which is applicable when X and Y are measured with error. Herein we demonstrate that correcting for measurement …

Probing The Outer Mouth Structure Of The Herg Channel With Peptide Toxin Footprinting And Molecular Modeling, Gea-Ny Tseng, Kailas D. Sonawane, Yuliya V. Korolkova, Mei Zhang, Jie Liu, Eugene V. Grishin, H. Robert Guy

Physiology and Biophysics Publications and Presentations

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the unusually long S5-P linker lining human ether a-go-go related gene’s (hERG’s) outer vestibule is critical for its channel function: point mutations at high-impact positions here can interfere with the inactivation process and, in many cases, also reduce the pore’s K⁺ selectivity. Because no data are available on the equivalent region in the available K channel crystal structures to allow for homology modeling, we used alternative approaches to model its three-dimensional structure. The first part of this article describes mutant cycle analysis used to identify residues on hERG’s outer vestibule that interact …

Addressing Issues In The Detection Of Gene-Environment Interaction Through The Study Of Conduct Disorder, Elizabeth Prom-Wormley

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses issues in the study of gene-environment interaction (GxE) through research of conduct disorder (CD) among adolescents and extends the recent report of significant GxE and subsequent replication studies. A sub-sample of 1,299 individual participants/649 twin pairs and their parents from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent and Behavioral Development was used for whom Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) genotype, diagnosis of CD, maternal antisocial personality symptoms, and household neglect were obtained. This dissertation (1) tested for GxE by gender using MAOA and childhood adversity using multiple approaches to CD measurement and model assessment, (2) determined whether other mechanisms …

Gender Role Beliefs, Condom Attitudes And Negotiation Efficacy As Predictors Of Condom Use And Number Of Sexual Partners Among African American College Women, Angela Y. Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined gender role beliefs (i.e. assertiveness and compassion), condom attitudes and negotiation efficacy as predictors of condom use and number of sexual partners among African American college women. The participants were 190 African American women attending a college and universities in the southeast region of the United States. Significant regression analyses revealed that: 1) increased levels of assertiveness and relationship length contributed to decreased likelihood of condom use, 2) positive condom attitudes predicted increased likelihood of condom use, 3) increased condom negotiation efficacy contributed to increased likelihood of condom use, and 4) condom negotiation efficacy strengthened the effect …

Effects Of Ankle Support On Time To Stabilization Of Subjects With Stable Ankles, Raquel Elise Martin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if prophylactic ankle tape and/or ankle braces improve dynamic stability in TTS measure. All subjects were healthy and had no prior history of ankle injuries. Data collection consisted of each subject performing a single leg jump-landing with ankle tape, ankle brace, combination of the two, and control (no tape or brace) conditions. Dynamic stability was assessed with time to stabilization force plate measure. Significant plane by ankle tape interaction (p=0.045) was found. No significant plane by ankle tape by ankle brace interaction (p=0.637), no significant ankle tape by ankle brace interaction (p=0.483), …

Opening The Door To Possibilities: Research Journals In Pre-Service Art Education, Debrah Sickler-Voight

Journal of Social Theory in Art Education

Preparing to be an art educator is a time when future teachers anticipate the endless possibilities the profession has to offer. Unfortunately, many leave teaching within a few years of service because of lack of support and preparation. This qualitative study investigates how preservice art education students enrolled in their first university art education course used the Art for Life method to create research journals. The research question that guided this study is: What themes drive student research journals and how does the exploration of these themes espouse preservice art education? After coding student journals, I discovered three majors themes …

Plazabilities For Art Education: Community As Participant, Collaborator & Curator, Kathleen Keys

Journal of Social Theory in Art Education

In the following article, a plaza metaphor and theories of plazability are applied to the recent work of three "Other" art educators to acknowledge, examine and articulate a refreshed vision for an art education based in community pedagogy which expands possibilities, builds community, and uses art to work for social change. Examples suggesting such achievements in creating plazability include work from a community artist backed by a visionary community arts foundation, a progressive cultural museum director and staff, and a contemporary artist each actively engaging the community in diverse ways. The innovative and community grounded practice and philosophies of these …

The Lynks Reader, Anne Marie Reamey

Theses and Dissertations

Many adults and children have problems reading and comprehending books, signs, written directions, etc. These same individuals have difficulty processing written materials as a result of right hemisphere interference. The Lynks Reader (DLR Co., Richmond, VA) is a commercially developed device which has been used to help individuals move from their right to their left hemisphere and to increase reading fluency and comprehension. The objective of this project was to evaluate the best way to use the various forms of the Lynks Reader. Using the device demonstrated an increase in reading fluency and comprehension by increasing the left hemisphere dominance. …

A Comparison Of Flexural Fracture Of Three Different Nickel-Titanium Rotary File Systems, Matthew Warren Lloyd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the number of rotations to failure of three different rotary file systems. ProFile, Sequence, and Liberator files in sizes 25 and 40 with 0.04 taper were divided into groups of five and rotated against a grooved metal block mounted to a Universal testing machine at 31 and 34 degrees. Each file was rotated at 300 rpm until fracture occurred. The number of rotations to fracture were calculated. Use of a three-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD multiple comparison tests revealed significant differences for the angle of deflection, size, and type of file. An …

The Utility Of Depression Screening Measures After Traumatic Brain Injury, Amy H. Riddick

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Identifying reliable, practical and easy to use tools to assess depression in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a necessary first step to addressing a high incidence problem. The intention of this study is to validate depression screening measures with a criterion-based structured interview among people with TBI. The final outcome will identify which measure is the best indicator of depression diagnosis in this population. Methods: 112 participants with TBI were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI), The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV TR Axis I …

The Substituted Pyrrole Jb-03-14 Induces Autophagic Cell Death And Growth Arrest In Breast Tumor Cells, Christopher Ryan Arthur

Theses and Dissertations

The use of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer has stimulated the demand for better chemotherapeutic agents that are more potent at destroying tumor cell populations and more selective for the specific tumor versus normal host tissues. This project is directed at discovering new anti-tumor agents that are effective against breast cancer based on structures derived from marine organisms, specifically brominated pyrroles. We utilized an in vitro breast cancer model to study the effects of pyrroles on tumor proliferation and survival, as well as growth arrest and cell death. Our findings indicate that the substituted pyrrole JG-03-14 induces time dependent …