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Living With Stress: Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Capital, And Depression, John Porter Lillis Jan 2009

Living With Stress: Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Capital, And Depression, John Porter Lillis

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This study's objective was to determine the effects of personal and neighborhood stressors on depressive symptomology for community dwelling adults aged 65 and over. The psychosocial resource model was employed as social capital is hypothesized to be a resource and play a mediating role in the effect of both types of stressors on depressive symptomology. Individual level data utilized came from the UAB Study of Aging (N = 919) and the neighborhood level data came from the 2000 Decennial Census. Logistic regression analysis determined that neighborhood stressors had no direct or indirect effect on depressive symptomology. This analysis did show …

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Protective Mechanisms Of Apoa-I Mimetic Peptide Action In Sepsis-Induced Tissue Injury, Zhenghao Zhang Jan 2009

Protective Mechanisms Of Apoa-I Mimetic Peptide Action In Sepsis-Induced Tissue Injury, Zhenghao Zhang

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Sepsis is among the top ten causes of death in the US, and it is associated with severe inflammatory tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Reduced plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) is associated with increased mortality in septic patients. Since raising plasma apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and HDL may reduce sepsis complications, we tested the hypothesis that the apoA-I mimetic peptide 4F confers similar protective effects in two animal models of sepsis, and explored the possible mechanisms. In endotoxemic rats, inflammatory mediators were significantly induced while blood pressure was significantly reduced by 6hr. The impaired arterial response to vasoconstrictors was related to …

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Genetic Complexity And Population Diversity Of Plasmodium Falciparum In The Peruvian Amazon, Patrick Lee Sutton Jan 2009

Genetic Complexity And Population Diversity Of Plasmodium Falciparum In The Peruvian Amazon, Patrick Lee Sutton

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GENETIC COMPLEXITY AND POPULATION DIVERSITY OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON PATRICK LEE SUTTON MICROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM ABSTRACT Characterizing the genetic complexity of immunologically relevant proteins, expressed during the life cycle of P. falciparum, is essential for identifying and advancing potential vaccine candidates. The current malaria immunity paradigm is rooted in high transmission studies which have investigated the impact of high genetic diversity on the development of humoral responses. Given the dynamic nature of malaria parasites, especially their ability to acclimate to change, it is likely that regions of low transmission do not share the same malaria immunity paradigm …

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Gender Difference In Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: Survival, Functional Independence, And Employment Status, Andrea T. Underhill Jan 2008

Gender Difference In Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: Survival, Functional Independence, And Employment Status, Andrea T. Underhill

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Medical and rehabilitative care of women living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is based on information drawn from research conducted primarily on men. Care for men may be adequate for women, but all of the body’s organs have the capability to respond differently based on gender, and research should examine the genders separately. This dissertation examines the survival to 24 months post-TBI and the functional independence and employment status at 12 and 24 months post-TBI of men and women. Participants were drawn from a longitudinal study of injured persons and include those diagnosed only with a TBI. Variables used in …

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Diagnosing Antiretroviral Treatment Failure In Resource-Limited Settings, Ronald Alexander Cantrell Jan 2008

Diagnosing Antiretroviral Treatment Failure In Resource-Limited Settings, Ronald Alexander Cantrell

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This dissertation had three central goals. The first was to review the existing literature for reports of virologic failure among adults initiating non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings. The second was to describe the epidemiology of virologic failure over the first 6 months of therapy in Lusaka, Zambia. The third was to examine the performance of different approaches for diagnosing virologic failure. We performed a meta-analysis using data from previously published reports to create summary estimates for the prevalence of virologic failure and found that the lowest estimate of the 95% confidence interval was 10% or higher …

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Geographic Differences In Accessibility To Renal Treatment Among Black And White Populations Within Network 6 Of The End Stage Renal Disease Networks, Shenee J. Reid Jan 2008

Geographic Differences In Accessibility To Renal Treatment Among Black And White Populations Within Network 6 Of The End Stage Renal Disease Networks, Shenee J. Reid

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Objective: This study examined relationships between racial composition of zip codes and the geographic accessibility to dialysis centers of Network 6 of the End Stage Renal Disease Networks. Study Design: Geographic accessibility to renal care (hemodialysis) was defined as the average distance between the centers of zip codes where dialysis patients reside and the dialysis centers that fall within a 30 mile buffer radius. Data Sources: This research studies the distribution of 33,536 patients, 1,798 zip codes, and 546 dialysis centers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina as of December 31, 2007. Information and data concerning the dialysis centers …

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Investigation Of Thermal Performance, Indoor Air Quality And Energy Consumption Within The Tuskegee Healthy House Demonstrative Model, Rasha M. Selim Jan 2008

Investigation Of Thermal Performance, Indoor Air Quality And Energy Consumption Within The Tuskegee Healthy House Demonstrative Model, Rasha M. Selim

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No abstract provided.

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Rapid Prediction Of Tropical Soil Degradation Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectros Copy: Method Verification In The Saiwa River Basin, Western Kenya, Jeffries Blunt Degraffenried Jan 2008

Rapid Prediction Of Tropical Soil Degradation Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectros Copy: Method Verification In The Saiwa River Basin, Western Kenya, Jeffries Blunt Degraffenried

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No abstract provided.

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Variability Of Two Sampling Methods In Plaque Samples, Kuei C. Hsu Jan 2008

Variability Of Two Sampling Methods In Plaque Samples, Kuei C. Hsu

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Introduction: Dental caries remain the most common infectious disease in children, and is in fact, on the rise in the U.S. among 2 to 5 year olds. Among hundreds of oral bacteria, mutans streptococci (MS) are considered the major species associated with dental caries. Studies have shown that increased MS in saliva or plaque is an important indicator for caries. The use of standard plate count (SPC) from plaque samples particularly yield variable quantitative results because of complexities of sample collection and processing. Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine collection reproducibility in plaque samples from permanent first molars using …

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Analysis Of The Role Of Fcrl5 And Figlers In B Cell Development, Signaling, And Malignancy, Christopher L. Haga Jan 2008

Analysis Of The Role Of Fcrl5 And Figlers In B Cell Development, Signaling, And Malignancy, Christopher L. Haga

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The regulation of signaling and migration is critical to B lymphocyte development, activation, and proliferation. This dissertation reports a functional role for Fc receptor-like molecule 5 (FCRL5), a B cell specific member of the Fc receptor-like family of molecules, and the discovery of a novel family of conserved transmembrane proteins with fibronectin, immunoglobulin, and leucine-rich repeat domains (FIGLER) expressed in bone marrow and B lineage cells. Until now, the signaling potential of FCRL5 was unknown. A panel of FcRIIB/FCRL5 chimeric receptors were created and expressed in a B cell line lacking endogenous FcRIIB. Coligation of the chimeric receptor with the …

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Randomized Controlled Trial Of Low Cost Interventions To Reduce Childhood Immunization Dropouts In Pakistan, Hussain Raza Usman Jan 2008

Randomized Controlled Trial Of Low Cost Interventions To Reduce Childhood Immunization Dropouts In Pakistan, Hussain Raza Usman

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Childhood immunization coverage in Pakistan remains sub-optimal despite universal and free of cost availability of vaccines. Structural impediments to progress may include the immunization card that is hard to read and interpret. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of redesigned immunization card and center-based education to mothers on immunization completion at rural immunization centers in Karachi, Pakistan. Other objectives were to identify the predictors of immunization completion and to identify factors associated with delay at first dose of diphtheria-tetanuspertussis (DTP1). Mother-child units were enrolled from six immunization centers at DTP1 and randomized to four study groups: …

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The Effect Of Malaria And Intestinal Helminth Coinfection On Birth Outcomes In Ghana, Nelly J. Yatich Jan 2008

The Effect Of Malaria And Intestinal Helminth Coinfection On Birth Outcomes In Ghana, Nelly J. Yatich

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Several studies have reported the relationship between malaria during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes including maternal anemia, low birthweight, as well as preterm delivery and small for gestational age infants. Some studies have also demonstrated the linkage between helminth infection and maternal anemia. Few studies have assessed the occurrence of coinfection of these infections in pregnancy and its effects on maternal anemia and birth outcomes. The objective of this dissertation was to assess the effect of malaria and intestinal helminth coinfection on birth outcomes in Ghana. A cross-sectional study of 785 women presenting for delivery in two hospitals in Kumasi, …

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Enhancement Of Bonding To Enamel And Dentin Prepared By Er,Cr:Ysgg Laser, Ali Obeidi Jan 2008

Enhancement Of Bonding To Enamel And Dentin Prepared By Er,Cr:Ysgg Laser, Ali Obeidi

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No abstract provided.

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Human Leukocyte Antigen Supertypes In Relation To Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Populations Of African Ancestry, Aleksandr Lazaryan Jan 2008

Human Leukocyte Antigen Supertypes In Relation To Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Populations Of African Ancestry, Aleksandr Lazaryan

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No abstract provided.

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An Examination Of African American College Students' Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Sickle Cell Disease And Sickle Cell Disease Carrier Testing: A Mixed Methods Study, Kai Anika Stewart Jan 2007

An Examination Of African American College Students' Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Sickle Cell Disease And Sickle Cell Disease Carrier Testing: A Mixed Methods Study, Kai Anika Stewart

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Approximately, 80,000 Americans are affected by sickle cell disease (SCD) and it is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. SCD is most prevalent among individuals of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian Indian ancestry; however, statistics suggest that in the United States, African Americans are disproportionately affected by SCD (Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), 2007). Nearly, 1 in 400 African Americans is born with SCD; in addition, 1 in 12 African Americans is born with sickle cell trait (SCT) (National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), 2007). Two carriers of the trait have a 25% …

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Monitoring The Status Of Hiv/Aids In China, Yujiang Jia Jan 2007

Monitoring The Status Of Hiv/Aids In China, Yujiang Jia

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No abstract provided.

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Novel Immunomodulatory Oligonucleotides For Cancer Therapy, Elizabeth R. Rayburn Jan 2007

Novel Immunomodulatory Oligonucleotides For Cancer Therapy, Elizabeth R. Rayburn

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No abstract provided.

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The Design And Synthesis Of Anti Bacterial Inhibitors Of Nad Synthetase, Whitney Beysselance Moro Jan 2007

The Design And Synthesis Of Anti Bacterial Inhibitors Of Nad Synthetase, Whitney Beysselance Moro

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No abstract provided.

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Parallels In Trna Primer Acquisiton By Lentiviruses, Maureen C. Kelly Jan 2007

Parallels In Trna Primer Acquisiton By Lentiviruses, Maureen C. Kelly

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No abstract provided.

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A Case Series Study Of Vitapex Pulpectomy Treatment In Primary Teeth Ii, Hsin-Ju Hsieh Jan 2007

A Case Series Study Of Vitapex Pulpectomy Treatment In Primary Teeth Ii, Hsin-Ju Hsieh

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Purpose. The aim of this case series study was to conduct a long-term follow-up and review of subjects with previous Vitapex® pulpectomies, to evaluate outcomes clinically and radiographically, and to ascertain whether there was any interference with exfoliation of deciduous teeth or abnormal development of succedaneous teeth. Methods. This case series study was conducted by following target groups of pediatric patients who had received Vitapex® pulpectomies in their primary teeth. Data were collected by reviewing charts, identifying patients who met our criteria, and recalling them for follow-up appointments. After sufficient data were accumulated, survival analysis was applied and presented by …

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Quantitation Of Antiretrovirals In Alternative Matrices, Chantelle Bennetto Hood Jan 2007

Quantitation Of Antiretrovirals In Alternative Matrices, Chantelle Bennetto Hood

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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is a growing concern, affecting almost 40 million people worldwide. Treatment for HIV infection consists of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to block different steps in the viral lifecycle, ultimately reducing HIV RNA to undetectable levels in the plasma. However, HIV RNA can be detected in numerous reservoirs outside of the blood despite the use of HAART. Therefore, measurement of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in other biological matrices is important to broaden our understanding of HIV transmission, the development of viral resistance with sub-optimal ARV exposure, and fetal and neonatal drug exposure. This work describes …

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The Educational And Psychological Experiences Of Children Orphaned By Aids In Western Kenya, Grace Jepkemboi Jan 2007

The Educational And Psychological Experiences Of Children Orphaned By Aids In Western Kenya, Grace Jepkemboi

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The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of teachers and caregivers concerning the psychological and educational experiences of children orphaned by AIDS in Western Kenya. On the basis of qualitative inquiry, the design of the study focused on phenomenology inquiry. Audio-taped interviews were used as the primary source to gather data for this study. The questions that guided the study were "What are the psychological characteristics of children orphaned by AIDS in Kenya?" "What are the educational experiences of children orphaned by AIDS?" and "What strategies do the teachers and caregivers at the orphanages use to help …

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Stability Of Clones Over Two Decades And The Role Of Murm In Penicillin Resistance And Evolution Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Dorothy Broughton Payne Jan 2007

Stability Of Clones Over Two Decades And The Role Of Murm In Penicillin Resistance And Evolution Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Dorothy Broughton Payne

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No abstract provided.

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Fuzzy Systems Simulation: Models, Foundations, And Systems Development, Leonard J. Jowers Jan 2007

Fuzzy Systems Simulation: Models, Foundations, And Systems Development, Leonard J. Jowers

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Simulations of modeled systems are e®ective tools for evaluating system attributes; fuzzy logic provides for simulation of systems with inherent uncertainties. This re- search to advance simulation of fuzzy systems involves several studies in a planned sequence. Continuous fuzzy system modeling activities constitute a ¯rst stage of re- search action, a natural °ow from earlier work on modeling discrete fuzzy systems; the notion of using crisp simulation to carry out fuzzy computations is at the heart of the work. This activity requires choosing tools and problems with which to demon- strate feasibility and broad applicability of the approach. Some fundamental …

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Bacillus Anthracis Spore-Host Interactions, Melissa K. Swiecki Jan 2007

Bacillus Anthracis Spore-Host Interactions, Melissa K. Swiecki

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The use of Bacillus anthracis as a bioweapon depends on the dispersal of its spores into the environment, entrance into the body, spore uptake by human host cells, germination of the spores in the host and the pathological consequences of the virulence factors produced by the vegetative cells. Prior to 2001, very little was known about the mechanisms of spore entry into the host, including targeting cell types at airway, digestive and skin surfaces, potential spore receptors on these cells and spore encounters with cellular and humoral elements of the innate and adaptive immune systems. To this end, we have …

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An Evaluation Of Neighborhood Context And Health Lifestyles: Implications For Obesity Outcomes Among Children, Akilah Dulin Jan 2007

An Evaluation Of Neighborhood Context And Health Lifestyles: Implications For Obesity Outcomes Among Children, Akilah Dulin

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No abstract provided.

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Acute Effects Of Ambient Ozone On Daily Hospital Admissions And Daily Mortality For Respiratory And Cardiovascular Diseases Among Residents Of Bangkok, Thailand, Kannika Ruangdej Jan 2007

Acute Effects Of Ambient Ozone On Daily Hospital Admissions And Daily Mortality For Respiratory And Cardiovascular Diseases Among Residents Of Bangkok, Thailand, Kannika Ruangdej

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No abstract provided.

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The Specter Of Post-Communism : Competing Explanations For Health Crisis In The Post-Soviet States, Brian Philip Hinote Jan 2007

The Specter Of Post-Communism : Competing Explanations For Health Crisis In The Post-Soviet States, Brian Philip Hinote

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No abstract provided.

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Barrier Membranes For Ridge Augmentation - Is There An Optimal Pore Size?, Rajesh Gutta Jan 2007

Barrier Membranes For Ridge Augmentation - Is There An Optimal Pore Size?, Rajesh Gutta

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Background: - Alveolar bone loss is often a sequelae of edentulism. However, several reconstruction procedures with bone grafts and barrier membranes are used to restore the lost bony architecture. The value of titanium mesh barriers has been shown to be reliable both in vertical and horizontal ridge augmentation procedures. However, there is a paucity of literature supporting the role of pore size of barrier membranes in preventing soft tissue ingrowth during ridge augmentation procedures. There are multiple reports describing a layer of soft tissue with varying thickness beneath the mesh and adhering to the newly regenerated bone. The objective of …

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The Influence Of Sleep Deprivation On Performance And The Occurrence Of Error In Staff Nurses Who Work The Night Shift., Arlene L. Johnson Jan 2006

The Influence Of Sleep Deprivation On Performance And The Occurrence Of Error In Staff Nurses Who Work The Night Shift., Arlene L. Johnson

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No abstract provided.

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