Digital Commons Network^™

User-Defined Patterning Of Neural Progenitor Cells On 3d Micropillar Arrays Using Round Cross-Sectional Geometry, Specific Dimen, Andrea Wesser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to control stem cell functions, particularly neuronal progenitors, has long since been believed to be the key to successful treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and accidents involving head trauma. The neurology field calls for many new solutions to address the controlled neural stem cell seeding and placement of cells for neural tissue regeneration. Self-assembled monolayers (SAM) from the alkanethiol group provide a straightforward applicable, reliable treatment for cell adhesion. An ODT/gold treatment was used to adhere the cells to patterned areas, due mainly to a high confluence of cells attracted to it, as well as …

Drive-Based Modeling And Visualization Of Crew Race Strategy And Performance, Jeffrey Cornett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crew race strategy is typically formulated by coaches based on rowing tradition and years of experience. However, coaching strategies are not generally supported by empirical evidence and decision-support models. Previous models of crew race strategy have been constrained by the sparse information published on crew race performance (quarterly 500-meter splits). Empirical research has merely summarized which quarterly splits averaged the fastest and slowest relative to the other splits and relative to the average speed of the other competitors. Video records of crew race world championships provide a rich source of data for those capable and patient enough to mine this …

Reliability Of Urinary Bladder Pressure Measurement In Critical Care, Melanie Horbal Shuster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background of the study: Intra abdominal pressure (IAP) theoretically may be a predictor of enteral nutrition tolerance (EN). Urinary bladder pressure (UBP) is the gold standard for estimating IAP. Current recommendations for UBP measurement (UBPM) calls for the instillation of normal sterile saline (NSS) into the bladder while the patient is supine with a zero degree (0°) head of bed elevation (HOBE). How different instill volumes (IVs) and body positions influence UBPM were unknown, and the intra- and inter-observer reliability had not been adequately investigated.

Specific aims: 1) Systematically evaluate the relative contribution of bladder IV and subject's position upon …

The Effects Of Cold Temperature On Gait Initiation And Dynamic Balance In Young And Older Females, Christi Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

How Stigma Affects Information Sharing By Gay Men And Glbt Communities, Kathryn Shephard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how stigma and dialectical tensions affect information sharing by gay men. One specific area that was investigated is the use of interpersonal boundary spanning techniques in managing information related to being gay. The research used a qualitative, interpretive method to gather and analyze data from eleven in-depth interviews. An interview schedule was developed based on the critical incident technique in order to focus the interviews on specific events and direct observation. The questions in the interview covered individuals experiences with sharing their sexual orientation with someone else for the first time, times when they have specifically chosen …

Reestablishing The Juneberry On The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation: Cultural, Horticultural, And Educational Connections, Kerry E. Hartman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tribal people of the Northern Great Plains have utilized plants for centuries. Amelanchier anifolia (Juneberries/Serviceberries) historically played an important part in the diet and culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Tribal Nations. Research conducted as part of this study into historical and contemporary uses of the Juneberry by MHA Tribal Members indicated extensive historical use and a high interest in Juneberry reestablishment for cultural, nutritional, and economic reasons. Previous research on Juneberries has investigated factors including state of dormancy, propagation method, transplant type, and mulch type. Another purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of presence …

Prevalence And Severity Of Fibropapillomatosis In Juvenile Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) In Three Habitats On Florida's Eas, Kelly Borrowman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor-forming disease mainly found in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting Florida's east coast. Despite increased research on the herpes virus that putatively causes it, long-term assessment is still needed of the distribution and severity of FP. Using the decades-long database compiled by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group, I determined FP severity and distribution at three different sites: Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Sabellariid Worm Reef (SWR) and Trident Submarine Basin (TSB). Fibropapillomatosis occurred in > 50% of IRL turtles, 18% of SWR turtles and <1% of TSB turtles. Regression of FP tumors was correlated with its prevalence, i.e. when and where FP was common, tumor regression was common. The probability of a turtle being non-afflicted or mildly afflicted increased with both increasing straight-line carapace length (SCL) and increasing relative body condition (residuals of log body mass versus log SCL). Mean annual growth rates of IRL and SWR turtles did not vary with FP severity; however, mean annual growth rates in IRL (1.10 cm/y) were significantly higher than in SWR (1.05 cm/y) and TSB (1.04 cm/y). Annual apparent survival estimates for IRL and TSB turtles were 0.72 and 0.73, respectively, and were constant over time. Even with increased prevalence of FP, annual apparent survival estimates were constant and similar to survival estimates of juvenile green turtles in areas without FP. In IRL, survival rates among FP Categories 0, 1 and 2 were similar (0.74, 0.74 and 0.81 respectively) and lower only for FP Category 3 (0.63). Thus, while FP occurred in > 50% of turtles in some Florida east coast populations, …

A Study Of Digital Communication Tools Used In Online High School Courses, Nathan Putney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which selected communication tools used by teachers who teach online are positively perceived by their students in improving feelings of self-efficacy and motivation, and which tools may be perceived to be significantly more effective than the others. Students from the Florida Virtual School, a leader in online course delivery for grades 6-12, were surveyed to find their perceptions about how their teachers' use of email, Instant Messaging, chat, the telephone, discussion area, whiteboard, and assignment feedback affected their motivation and success in an online high school course. Correlations were …

The Effects Of The Attainment Of Functional Assessment Skills By Preschool Teachers And Their Assistants On Students' Classr, Karen Wagner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of teaching functional assessment skills to three Prekindergarten teachers and their teaching assistants. The effects were measured by examining the behavior of the teachers and assistants, as well as the behaviors of the students; before, during and after the delivery of three, two-hour functional assessment classes. The teaching staff videotaped themselves and their students during a regular class time, predetermined by the researcher and each teacher prior to the onset of baseline data collection, over an approximate nine-week period. The video was taken in twelve-minute segments every day. Later, the …

Haitian American Mothers' Health And Dietary Beliefs Concerning Their Infants, Daniel Schooler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies on the effects of immigration are becoming more important as the number of immigrants into the United States continues to grow. This study was implemented in order to discover the infant feeding practices and beliefs of Haitians living in Central Florida. A food frequency card sort and interview were conducted with thirty-four Haitian mothers. Mothers were asked to identify which foods they fed their children. Foods pictured on the cards included a majority of Haitian staple foods, some of which are primary to the American diet as well. Low food feeding frequencies were generally attributed to lack of access …

Identification Of Fhb Resistance Qtl In Tokai-66, Noah A. Wiedel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Japanese wheat cultivar "Tokai-66" was profiled for resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) pertaining to Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), a devastating disease of wheat and barley resulting in reduction of yield, and contamination of grain with mycotoxins. This was accomplished with a population (175 F2 7) of Recombinant Inbred Lines derived from a cross between Tokai-66 and a susceptible Tibetan land race known as Yl 193-6. The disease response was recorded over three greenhouse trials. FHB was initiated with single floret injections of IO μL of a I 00,000 conidia per milliliter of inoculum. After inoculation, heads were incubated in moist …

A Study Of Clinical Outcomes Using Serum Albumin And Percentage Of Weight Loss Following Nutritional Intervention In Post-Operative Bariatric Patients., Jennifer Michelle Angus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if post-operative serum albumin and percentage of weight loss improved in patients who received formalized pre-operative nutrition counseling. Nutrition intervention was measured quantitatively. A retrospective review of records was conducted on 77 RYGB patients (68 female subjects and 9 male subjects), ages 21-64, during January 2001 through January 2006.

The results indicated that patients who received pre-operative nutrition intervention had better clinical outcomes of serum albumin than those with no nutrition intervention from a registered dietitian. However, outcomes regarding percentage of weight loss varied. Both pre-operatively and at the 3 month post-operative …

Localization Of A Microsporidia Adam (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease Domain) Protein And Identification Of Potential Binding Partners., Carrie E. Jolly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microsporidia are spore-forming, obligate intracellular pathogens typically associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Treatment options for microsporidia infections in humans are limited and additional research is necessary to create better therapeutic agents. For many pathogenic organisms, adhesion to the host cell surface is a prerequisite for tissue colonization and invasion. Our previous research has demonstrated a direct relationship between adherence of microsporidia spores to the surface of host cells and infectivity in vitro. In an effort to better understand adherence, we have turned our attention to determining what proteins may be involved in this process. Examination of the …

The Virginia Sol Eighth Grade Writing Test In Relationship To The National Commission On Writing Recommendations, Grade Configuration, Region, And Socioeconomic Status., Jeffrey R. Comer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine Virginia Standards of Learning 8^th grade writing assessments to determine if there was any association between school passing rates and the recommendations suggested by the 2003 National Commission on Writing to improve writing proficiency. This study further examined the possible differences in school passing rates that may exist due to the grade configuration of a school, the location of a school, the availability of a comprehensive writing plan, and the student percentage on free and reduced-price lunch. Data collection consisted of a self-administered survey sent to all 364 schools in …

The Isolation And Characterization Of The Microbial Flora In The Alimentary Canal Of Gromphadorhina Portentosa Based On Rdna Sequences., Amy Renee Robertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multicellular organisms are not single individuals but carry a complex natural microflora with them. This complex's diversity and function can be considered a distinct ecosystem. Traditional methods of isolation and identification miss >90% of the actual diversity. This study uses the gut microflora of the Madagascar hissing roach, Gromphadorhina portentosa, as a model to examine this ecosystem. Isolated cultured bacteria were used to establish methods for identifying members of the microflora based on ribosomal RNA sequences. Universal primers for Eubacterial, Archaeal, and Eukaryotic 16s/18s rRNA were then used for PCR amplification of total DNA isolated from gut contents. Sequences …

Molecular Interactions Between The Wilms' Tumor Transcription Factor And The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor During Nephrogenesis And Its Impact On Fetal Programming Of Renal Disease., Adrian Nanez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Embryonic development requires the orchestration of temporally precise genetic events that culminate in the formation of a complete organism. The molecular mechanisms responsible for ontogenesis are regulated by environmental and somatic factors in utero that activate or repress the expression of numerous genetic elements resulting in fetal programming of adult diseases. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an important nuclear transcription factor both during embryogenesis and throughout maturity in multiple organisms. Building upon interesting studies establishing a direct, novel link between AHR and post-transcriptional regulation of the Wilms' tumor suppressor ( WT1 ) gene, the overall goal of the project …

The Learner In The Learning Environment : A Multiple-Case Study Of Nursing Students In The Hospital Clinical Setting., Rhonda Stuart Helm 1951-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The clinical experience represents a critical component in nursing education. During the clinical, students apply classroom theory to nursing practice and become socialized into the nursing profession. Because of the current nursing shortage, understanding clinical education is vital and may help in retaining and graduating increased numbers from nursing programs (Vollman, 1989). This multiple-case study is grounded in the literature on the history of clinical education and the perspectives of students, faculty teachers, and clinical staff nurses of nursing clinical education. Narratives of the three students clinical experiences were constructed from data from interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data from …

Circadian Disruption In Women With Breast Cancer., Eric Dedert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cancer patients show circadian disruption that increases as disease progresses. Disrupted endocrine and activity rhythms predict early metastatic cancer mortality. Effects of psychological versus biological factors on rhythms are unknown, as are potential links between endocrine and sleep disruption, and relevance of disruption in early stage cancer. This study sought to examine the associations of cancer-related intrusions and avoidant coping with circadian cortisol rhythms, assessed with saliva samples, and rest/activity rhythms, assessed with actigraphy. Participants were women who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, meaning participants provided data at similar points in the course of diagnosis and treatment of …

Vitamin E (Tocotrienols) And Prostate Cancer: A Proteomics Approach., Christian Mbangha Muenyi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proteomics is the large scale study of proteins in cells or organisms. The purpose of this study was to characterize the proteomic alterations occurring in a prostate cancer (LNCaP) cell line after treatment with delta-tocotrienol (a form of vitamin E not very prevalent from most dietary sources). We found that both gamma- and delta-tocotrienols induced time and concentration dependent growth inhibition and programmed cell dead (apoptosis) in LNCaP cells. Secondly, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to characterize changes in protein expression levels associated with this treatment. Our results show that a specific set of proteins are regulated at both …

The Effect Of Caffeine And Ethanol On Flatworm Regeneration., Erica Leighanne Collins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Flatworms, or planarian, have a high potential for regeneration and have been used as a model to investigate regeneration and stem cell biology for over a century. Chemicals, temperature, and seasonal factors can influence planarian regeneration. Caffeine and ethanol are two widely used drugs and their effect on flatworm regeneration was evaluated in this experiment. Non-toxic levels of caffeine, a stimulant, and ethanol, a depressant, were determined. The tails of the flatworms were removed and the regeneration stage was analyzed every 3 days for 15 days to see the effect of these drugs alone and in combination on regeneration. For …

Impact Of Standardized Testing Emphasis On Teaching And Learning In Kindergarten Through 12th Grade In United States Schools: East Tennessee Principals' Perspectives., Terri Dodge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pressure to perform on standardized tests in the United States has become intense. Increased accountability has caused principals to think about their perceptions of standardized testing with regard to accountability measures, test validity, use of test data, impact of testing on the curriculum, and stress related to testing. The purpose of this study was to investigate kindergarten- through 12th-grade principals' perceptions of standardized testing. The study included 91 principals of Title I and nonTitle I schools located in 8 rural East Tennessee school districts. Data were gathered using a survey instrument to determine principals' opinions of standardized testing.

There …

The Effects Of Movement On Literacy., Kathy S. Luppe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to extend the knowledge of the relationship between movement and cognition by examining the impact of a sensory-motor program on the literacy skills of first grade learners from one elementary school in East Tennessee.

Literacy skills were evaluated using five subtests of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment.

A 2 x 2 x 2 mixed factorial MANOVA was used to analyze group, gender, and test time effects on multiple dependent variables. The analysis yielded a statistically significant result (p < .05) in gains for the movement group and a …

A Comparison Of The Academic Achievements Of Intermediate Students Based On Socioeconomic Status And Participation In An After-School Program., Anthony Fayne Maxwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what, if any, associations exist between students' academic success on achievement tests and the predictor variables of students' socioeconomic status, participation in an after-school program, and gender. Middlesboro Intermediate School contains a high number of students who participate in the federal free- or reduced-price school meals program, as well as attend the after-school program. This study factored in the student's academic success on the Kentucky Core Content Test and the socioeconomic status of students based on their qualification for the federal free- or reduced-cost school meals program, their participation in the after-school …

The Impact And Efficacy Of Diabetes Education Programs Among Adults., Mireille Hamdan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of diabetes education classes in increasing knowledge and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Thirty-three subjects participated in the classes between October 2004 and October 2005. Only six subjects agreed to participate in this study. Changes in knowledge after the classes were measured by a survey test one year following the completion of classes. Survey responses were analyzed using percentages. Subject's Hgb A1C and weights were also collected to measure the direct impact of education on participants' blood glucose management. Overall, participants were very knowledgeable of diabetes symptoms, complications, carbohydrate counting, and …

Evaluation Of An Elementary School Wellness Concept In Rural East Tennessee., Audrey Lynn Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parents of elementary school children in the small, rural area of Unicoi County, TN were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward health, nutrition, and Unicoi County Schools' Wellness Policy. Elementary school classrooms were randomly chosen to receive surveys for the children's parents to return by mail. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS software. Over 99% of parents stated that nutrition education in schools was important, and 96% stated schools played an important role in their child's health. The assessment provided meaningful data and laid groundwork for future nutrition education programs. The research showed rural, lower-income parents are supportive of …

Beverage Consumption And Hypertension: Findings From The Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey., Vishal Arunbhai Mandge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study sample was comprised of 18,953 subjects aged 18 years and older who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Preference for diet soda over regular soda was higher in females as compared to males and in Caucasians as compared to other races. Mean alcohol consumption was almost three times higher in males than in females. Undiagnosed hypertension was more common in males than in females, in 65-90 than in 50-64 year olds, and in people with less than high school education compared to those with higher education. Diastolic pressure was correlated with the level of …

A Theory-Based Intervention To Increase Dental Utilization By Disadvantaged Children., Catherine J. Binkley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oral disease is the greatest unmet healthcare need of disadvantaged children in the United States, with only 20% of disadvantaged Medicaid-eligible children receiving routine dental care. Peter Margolis proposed a theoretical model of access to healthcare services and reported the effectiveness of a case manager intervention in increasing medical care utilization by disadvantaged mothers and infants. This study was based on Margolis's theory and used a case manager to assist parents in obtaining dental care. Methods. The study was based on secondary analyses of data from the "Parental Help Seeking for Dental Care" project. The randomized, controlled intervention study was …

Wellness And Nutrition Education Program To Promote Improve Nutritional Practices And Decreased Body Mass In Individuals Working In A Health Care Setting., Jessica Brown Bandy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a wellness and nutrition education program directed at employees of a health care facility would result in changes in weight, waist and hip circumference, BMI, and nutritional practices. Nine participants completed the five week program including final weight, measurements and post-program survey to determine nutritional practices. All participants attended weekly group classes with topics related to nutrition, physical activity, and behavior changes. Changes in weight, anthropometric measurements, and BMI were calculated. Changes in nutritional practices were analyzed using Minitab statistical software. There were improvements made in weight, anthropometric measurements, and BMI …

T-Cell Dysfunction By Hcv Core Protein Involves Pd-1/Pd-L1 Signaling., Billy Ellis King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 1989 the hepatitis C virus was identified as a significant cause of post-transfusion hepatitis. Nearly two decades later there is still no vaccine, inadequate treatment options, and limited understanding of how the virus establishes chronicity in the majority of the people it infects. Recent reports suggest that the interaction of a negative co-stimulatory pathway mediated by PD-1 and PDL-1 is associated with persistent viral infection. The role, if any, that PD-1/PDL-1 has in HCV infection is unknown. In this study we report that PD-1 is upregulated in T-cells from persons with chronic HCV infection when compared to healthy donors. …

Prenatal And Postnatal Nutrition And Lactation Consulting: A Feasibility Study., Marissa Blake Beale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a prenatal and postnatal nutrition and lactation consulting facility in either of two locations in the Tidewater region of Virginia, Virginia Beach or Williamsburg. Experts in nutrition and lactation, a registered dietitian and licensed lactation consultant, would be the ideal means of providing adequate nutritional and lactation advice for the mother and infant to foster healthy, optimal pregnancy outcomes and lactation success. A web-based search for adequate data on the demographic sketches of the two cities was done to develop an understanding of meeting the needs of the target …