Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Intracerebroventricular Leptin On Milk Availability In Lactating Rats, Brittany Lynita Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reports have linked energy balance along with adipocyte derived leptin action to improved fertility. Recent evidence indicates that leptin hormone is present in breast milk and leptin receptors are well expressed in mammary epithelial cells. The hypothesis that insufficiency of leptin restraint in the hypothalamus may underlie infertility in rodents and the failure of lactating breast to express adequate amount of milk was tested. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected leptin through intracerebroventricular cannulation (ICVC) of the third ventricle. Female rats were mated with stud males and observed throughout gestation. Compared to the control groups, leptin treatment increased prolactin levels in …

Iron Acquisition By The Dental Pathogen Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans., Porscha Larai Jefferson 1986-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dental pathogen A. actinomycetemcomitans, a Gram- negative organism, has been associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. A. actinomycetemcomitans requires iron to grow. In the host, iron-binding proteins such as transferrin, lactoferrin, hemoglobin, and ferritin, maintain a low free-iron concentration. Microorganisms, however, have evolved complex systems to efficiently harvest iron. The iron acquisition systems encoded in the genome of A. actinomycetemcomitans are likely tailored towards the specific survival strategies needed to survive in the oral biofilm. The objectives of this project were to determine the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans in different iron sources and to examine the expression of the …

Expectations And Experiences Of Fathers Who Have Parented Children With And Without Intellectual Disabilities, Jane Christina Kusmik Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The parenting experience is as diverse as the children parented. Each child has diverse personality traits requiring flexibility and specificity in parenting strategy. This need for flexibility and specificity is more complex when one or more children within a family has an intellectual disability. Although research in this area is abundant, investigators have historically focused on mothers' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to represent the entire family (Essex, Seltzer, & Krauss, 2001; Greenberg, 2002) rather than focusing on fathers and their caregiving relationships with their children in need of malleable but consistent parenting. Using a qualitative descriptive design, this qualitative study …

An Analysis Of Hindi Women-Centric Films In India., Srijita Sarkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My study examines women-centric cinema in India that are in Hindi. In these films women have revolted against the injustice. The content analysis of the movies (parallel and middle) focuses on representation of women-centered issues. The Parallel Cinema is serious and artistic in its representation, mainly attracting the elites, whereas, and the middle cinema is a cross between the commercial and parallel cinema, and is meant for the masses. This study compares and contrasts both types of cinema. The main implication of this thesis was that representation of women in such films encourages social change in the treatment of women …

Ready Child, Ready School : Educator Perceptions Of Child And School Success Indicators And Ready School Practices., Annette W. Bridges 1953-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the researcher considered educator perceptions of child readiness for school and school readiness for children conceptualized within the central constructs of the ready child and the ready school. The skills and abilities that children bring to the school are equally as important as the services and supports that the school brings to the child. The researcher’s intention in conducting this study was to investigate whether the differences existed in perceptions about ready child and ready school indicators and the implementation of ready school practices between educators working in successful schools and educators working in less successful schools. …

Racial Identity Attitudes, Perceived Barriers, Career Self-Efficacy, And Career Outcome Expectations Among African American Male Adolescents., Norman L. Townsel 1960-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) holds that self-efficacy and outcome expectations are primary predictors of career choice goals and actions, with contextual influences moderating those choices and actions. Racial identity research indicates that African American adolescents perceive more barriers than their White counterparts. The current study hypothesized that chronological age, racial identity attitudes, and the perception of barriers would be significant influences on self-efficacy and outcome expectations for African American adolescents. The study explored the research question using two separate stepwise regression analyses. The first analysis explored racial identity attitudes, age, and perceived barriers in relation to self efficacy. The …

Attending High School Algebra I: In Search Of Well-Managed, Engaging, Culturally Relevant, And Caring Classrooms, Cassandra Dunn Gannett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The inequities in learning between the rich and the poor have become pervasive in United States. This is evidenced by the high school graduation rates, college attendance percentages, and employment statistics. Upon another wave of reform, the Common Core State Standards in mathematics are currently being adopted in hopes of increasing learning for all students, with a focus on college and career readiness. This study is intent on finding ways to remedy the inequities in mathematics between the high income and low income schools by focusing on one of the great glass ceilings to high school graduation and beyond, high …

Rapid Detection Of Streptococcus Mutans In Saliva, Catherine E. Holtman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that …

As The Crow Flies: An Underrepresentation Of Food Deserts In The Rural Appalachian Mountains, Kasie Richards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diet and dietary related health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes are major public health concerns. While personal choice and dietary behaviors are major influences on how an individual eats, the environment influences these choices and behaviors. The nutrition environment is one key influence and its relationship with food choice, behaviors, and socioeconomic influences is complex. Within the structure of the nutrition environment, food access and socioeconomic status compound influencing nutrition behavior and food choice.

Food deserts are defined as geographic region of low access to healthy affordable food in low income areas. The USDA developed a system for the …

"That's What Families Do": Rewards And Challenges Of Informal Kinship Care, Betsy Hay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Informal kinship caregivers take on the responsibility of raising a relative's children in situations where those children cannot remain with their parents and are not in the custody of child welfare. The phenomenon is increasing; however it is difficult to obtain information from these families because of the difficulty locating them. As a result, there is limited research on this specific group of kinship care families. The purpose of this study was exploratory, using qualitative methods to gather information from informal kinship caregivers about their experiences caring for a relative's children, with a focus on the rewards and challenges within …

The Influence Of Social Contextual Conditions And Basic Psychological Need Fulfillment On Self-Management And Emotional Distress Among Urban African American Adults With Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus : A Mixed Methods Study., Sula Marie Hood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: African Americans are disproportionally diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, and have been observed to have poor self-management, which increases risk of complications. Social influences are commonly associated with diabetes-related outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess whether and how socio-contextual factors influence self-management and emotional distress in urban African American adults living with type-2 diabetes, as well as to assess whether social support facilitate relatedness need fulfillment within this population. The study also sought to gain an understanding of the psychosocial support needs and preferences of urban African American adults living with type-2 diabetes. Methods: The descriptive …

Preparing Students For Post-Secondary Success : Exploring The Efficacy Of An Information Technology Certification Program., John Lawless Lanham 1967-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has a long and rich history of achievement among diverse populations. Two recent events have added to the complexity of CTE. First, the accountability movement forces traditional programs to show growth and achievement with students. Accountability trends affect the content and delivery of almost all programs. Perhaps more significantly, measureable performance is increasingly becoming tied into program funding with CTE programs. Second, while CTE in general has enjoyed a long history in secondary education, an emerging subcomponent is gaining attention. Information Technology (IT) classes have been present in secondary institutions for over 30 years. Business, …

Information, Organization, And Target Perceptions Of Student Services For Community College Students, Benjamin Andrew Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses several research questions. First, it explores methods for organizing information regarding health services so as to keep information accessibility at an optimal level. Second, this project identifies student perceptions concerning accessibility and organization of information about student services. This study also assesses students' awareness of the available services. The study combined qualitative and quantitative methodology, involving two distinct stages of data collection. Results suggest age is largely unrelated to a belief schools should provide student services but positively correlated with the knowledge of the location of student services. Nearly all student services were positively correlated with the …

End Use Packaging: A Survey Of Customer Perception Of Recycling And Environmental Impact Of Packaging Materials, Whitney Chelsea Lamb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that traditional food packaging for the fast food industry leach toxic chemicals into the food products. Some of these toxins are known endocrine disruptors, which results in reproductive issues as well as hormone imbalances. Alternatives to traditional food packaging have been addressed with special attention to bioactive, biopolymers, and biodegradable packaging in addition to active and intelligent packaging. The hypothesis states that customers will have high demand for more environmentally sustainable fast food packaging, while the alternative hypothesis states that demand will not be high enough to financially support the costly introduction of more environmental packaging products. …

Polychlorinated Biphenyl 153 Exacerbates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In C57bl/6 Mice., Banrida Wahlang 1986-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants which are detectable in the serum of all American adults. Amongst PCB congeners, PCB 153 has the highest serum level. PCBs have been dose-dependently associated with suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity and metabolic syndrome in epidemiological studies. The purpose of this study is to determine if PCB 153 induces NAFLD in mice fed a control diet (CD), and exacerbates NAFLD in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). C57BL6/J mice were fed either control or 42% milk fat diet for 12 weeks with or without PCB 153 coexposure (50 mg/kg i.p. …

Specific B Alleles Matter In Phytopathogenic Ustilago Maydis., Kavita Burman Aulakh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The smut fungus, Usti/ago maydis is an obligate parasite on maize plants in order to complete its sexual life cycle. The haploid form is self-sterile but compatible mated cells undergo a dimorphic switch from yeast like to infectious dikaryotic filaments. Mating types are determined by two unlinked loci, the a locus and the b locus. The a locus is involved in self and non-self cell recognition through production and sensing of pheromone. The b locus of compatible mating types encodes a functional transcription factor that is involved in regulation of expression of genes responsible for filamentation, virulence and pathogenicity. Both …

"The Best Interest Of The Child" : An Exploration Of The Sociocultural Agendas Associated With The Care Of Orphaned And Vulnerable Children In China., Dennis W. Feaster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the set of sociocultural agendas that emerge around the care of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in China. While there is general agreement among stakeholders about the need to work for "the best interests" of OVC, there is significant variance in how these best interests are constructed and defined. An ethnographic scan of attitudes and awareness of OVC and OVC care in Henan Province, China, provide the initial context for exploration. This context is the basis for the subsequent nested case study of a multi-party, intergovernmental cooperative project designed to develop and …

Building Bonds & Promoting Healthy Choices : Farmers' & Vendors' Relationships With African American Consumers., Natasacha Ryan Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the interactions and the social environment of the local farmers' markets, Fresh Stops, and Healthy in a Hurry Corner Stores in West Louisville and East Downtown. This study will review some of the current literature on the local farmers' markets and Fresh Stops of Louisville while focusing on the perspectives of farmers and vendors who transport the fresh and fruits and vegetables into the communities. The experiences and perspectives of local farmers and vendors will provide insight on consumer trends and characteristics. Most important, this study will examine …

Depression In Reproductive-Age Women : Assessment Of Infectious, Endocrinological, And Immunological Correlates From An Evolutionary Perspective., Amber N. Carrier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression is one of the most frequent causes of disability worldwide. It can affect the psychological, social, and physical wellbeing of those that suffer from it, the majority of which are women. Depression has been linked to immune activation as well as serotonin depletion through a reduction in its precursor, tryptophan. Chlamydia trachomatis infection and estrogen can influence both the immune system and tryptophan levels, thereby biochemically inducing a depressive state. If this is the case, the use of exogenous estrogen through oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) could increase depressive symptoms, while the use of antibiotics to treat C. trachomatis infection …

Building A Dynamic Model Linking Potential Mercury Regulations To Risk To Susceptible Populations., Caroline Biagi Chan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human exposure to mercury has been shown to cause a number of adverse health outcomes, predominantly neurological effects. The developing fetus is most susceptible, and even low levels of exposure have been shown to produce nervous system deficits. A systems approach was used to address the problem of human exposure to mercury from the consumption of contaminated fish from local waterways. Two models were developed in order to link environmental levels of mercury with human exposure. The human exposure model characterizes the disposition of mercury in the human body and fetus. The bioaccumulation model tracks the movement of mercury from …

Genetic Polymorphisms In The Folate Metabolizing Pathway And Breast Cancer Survival., Nandita Das

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Genes in folate metabolizing pathway are responsible for modulating key enzymes in folate metabolisms necessary for DNA synthesis and repair and influence DNA methylation. Irregularity in DNA methylation may modify tumor phenotype response to chemotherapy and abnormal DNA synthesis, and repair may lead to carcinogenesis. This dissertation project tested the hypothesis that the key genes in the folate metabolizing pathway, namely Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) , betaine-homocysteinemethyltransferase (BHMT) , 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine (MTR), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR) , and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1) and folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) influences all- cause and breast cancer-specific mortality and the association between the genes in the folate …

Parasitic Nematodes In Humans : Exploring The Host-Parasite Dynamic Through Historical, Biological, And Public Health Evaluations Of Infection., Erin Christine Welsh 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated infection dynamics of parasitic nematodes at both the population and individual levels by exploring evolutionary and historical aspects of infection as well as how host-parasite interactions influence virulence. In particular, this thesis sought to answer questions of how host populations have influenced the spread of infection and how transmission determines infection virulence, with a final goal of understanding how eradication programs for parasites can be developed or improved with this knowledge. The host-parasite dynamic was explored throughout history, with particular focus on the ways host populations have shaped infection distribution in present, historic, and prehistoric times. Then, …

Local Food Actions And Motivations In The Highlands Neighborhood Of Denver, Co, Samantha R. Lester

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the local food movement within the Highlands neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. There are several potential outlets for local food within the Highlands and it is a diverse demographic community, which creates an interesting and relevant research area. This study evaluates the reasons behind the local food movement through qualitative research of community members, local restaurant owners, community garden members and community organizers as well as through participant observation. The goal of this research is to narrate what one neighborhood within a progressive city is experiencing within the local food movement. The local food movement was found to …

Community Participation And Travel Choice: An Analysis Of Central Florida New Urban And Conventional Suburban Residents, Laura P. Mikovsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between the built environment and social and transportation outcomes when comparing traditional and conventional suburban neighborhoods, but much remains to be learned about whether New Urbanism can produce similar results. Among studies where new urban neighborhoods have been assessed, most have centered on regions with highly-utilized public transit systems and with climates that are amenable to utilitarian physical activity. This research sought to build on the existing research base through direct comparison of new urban and conventional suburban neighborhoods in central Florida, a region with an under-developed transit system and a climate that renders …

The Relationship Between Middle School Students' Perceptions Of Physical Activity, Student Engagement, And Academic Achievement, Jeremy D. Moretti

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity is important, and many adolescents are not meeting the recommendation that youth participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week (CDC, 2011). Physical inactivity among middle school students is on the rise and may be a contributing factor to a decline in academic performance. Prior research has focused primarily on bodily health; however, growing evidence supports the benefits of physical activity for academic achievement (Chomitz et al., 2009). This study examined the relationship between middle school students' perceptions of physical activity and student engagement they relate to academic achievement among 179 middle …

Cultural Diabetes, Keri E. Noll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes has become a cultural problem across America, but particularly in the Midwest and Southern regions. For my film, I explored these two areas and compared the food and exercise culture to one of the healthier regions, the West. Having moved from Indiana to Colorado, I used my own personal experiences to analyze why people in the Midwest struggle with diabetes and obesity at such a higher rate than those nearer to the Pacific Ocean. Through a series of interviews with close friends and observational analysis of each state, I came to learn something very important about health: our food …

Quality Of Life Of Parental Caregivers Of Children (1-36 Months) With A Tracheostomy, Rachel A Joseph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children's health and well-being are invariably related to the health and well-being of their parents or caregivers. Many parents undertake home care of children with a tracheostomy who require highly complex and technology driven care that would have been formerly assumed by health care providers. Parents accept multiple responsibilities- that of an advocate, case manager, parent, nurse, and much more. A cross sectional descriptive study using survey method was conducted to gather data on stress, coping and quality of life in parents of children with a tracheostomy aged one month to 36 months. The survey was administered via a secure …

Flourishing Selfhood In Aristotle And Authentic Selfhood In Heidegger, Jacob Graham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores Aristotle's concept of human flourishing, or eudaimonia, through the lens of the flourishing self. Connections will be made with Heidegger's concept of authenticity, as seen through the lens of authentic selfhood. It is argued that there is some type of authenticity or self-appropriation already present in Aristotle's ethical thought. For both thinkers, however, the particularized self is subsumed into a type of universality--the universality of excellence or care.

Nutraceutical Antioxidants And Their Therapeutic Potential In Neurodegeneration, Erika Kristine Ross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Many studies indicate that mitochondrial oxidative stress (MOS) is a principal mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of this and other devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated a unique whey protein supplement (Immunocal®) to determine its neuroprotective efficacy in several in vitro models of MOS and in an in vivo mouse model of ALS. This non-denatured whey supplement contains cystine which is an oxidized form of cysteine, an essential precursor for synthesis of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). In primary cultured rat cerebellar …

Influence Of Soil Microorganisms On Plant Growth And Fitness, Benjamin Jayne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most terrestrial plants benefit from symbiosis with soil microorganisms. Symbiotic bacteria and fungi have wide-ranging effects on host plants, including improved nutrition, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Association with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) can enhance growth and protect plants from environmental stressors while they share products of photosynthesis with the resident fungi. Scores of studies indicate that mycorrhizal plants are more resistant to drought stress than their non-mycorrhizal counterparts. Use of microbes as a plant and soil supplement in home gardens represents a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive inputs and may allow for reduced water use. I investigated the effects of …