Digital Commons Network^™

The Relative Influence Of Demographic, Individual, Social, And Environmental Factors On Physical Activity Among Boys And Girls, Carrie D. Patnode, Leslie A. Lytle, Darin J. Erickson, John R. Sirard, Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, Mary Story

Faculty Publications

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the associations of selected demographic, individual, social, and environmental factors with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a sample of children and adolescents.

Methods: MVPA was assessed among youth (n = 294) 10-17-years-old using the ActiGraph accelerometer. Youth completed measures of demographic and individual variables related to physical activity (PA), perceived social support by parents and peers, and perceived neighborhood characteristics. Parents completed the long-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Physical Activity and Media Inventory was used to measure the home environment and Geographical Information Systems software was used to measure the physical …

Age-Related Changes In Types And Contexts Of Physical Activity In Middle School Girls, Russell R. Pate, James F. Sallis, Dianne S. Ward, June Stevens, Gregory J. Welk, Deborah Rohm Young, Jared B. Jobe, Patricia K. Strikmiller

Faculty Publications

Background - Because girls are less physically active than boys, it is important to understand the types of activities preferred by girls, and changes in those preferences over time, in order to design effective physical activity interventions.

Purpose - To describe developmental trends in participation in specific forms of physical activity in 6th- and 8th-grade girls.

Methods - Data for this study are from the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls. Self-reported physical activity, anthropometric, and demographic data were collected from random cross sections of 6th-grade girls in 36 middle schools in six U.S. communities. The same data were collected …

Lines And Sines Of Primate Evolution, Miriam K. Konkel, Jerilyn A. Walker, Mark A. Batzer

Faculty Publications

The primate order is a monophyletic group thought to have diverged from the Euarchonta more than 65 mya.1 Recent paleontological and molecular evolution studies place the last common ancestor of primates even earlier (≥ 85 mya).2 More than 300 extant primate species are recognized today,3, 4 clearly emphasizing their diversity and success. Our understanding of the evolution of primates and the composition of their genomes has been revolutionized within the last decade through the increasing availability and analyses of sequenced genomes. However, several aspects of primate evolution have yet to be resolved. DNA sequencing of a wider array of primate …

Development Of Microsatellites For Genetic Analyses And Population Assignment Of The Cat Flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), Claudia Husseneder, Susan P. Garner, Lane D. Foil, Kevin R. Macaluso

Faculty Publications

Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouch) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), are common ectoparasites of companion animals that negatively impact their hosts directly by causing dermatitis and blood loss during feeding and indirectly through the potential transmission of disease causing agents. We isolated and characterized seven novel microsatellite loci from a partial genomic library of the cat flea enriched for di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeats. We screened these loci in cat fleas from two laboratory colonies and one wild-caught population collected at a temporary animal shelter (Parker coliseum) in Baton Rouge, LA. Six loci were polymorphic, with two to 15 alleles per locus and …

Sex-Differences In Adiponectin Levels And Body Fat Distribution: Longitudinal Observations In Afro-Jamaicans, Michael S. Boyne, Nadia R. Bennett, Richard S. Cooper, Tamika Y. Royal-Thomas, Franklyn I. Bennett, Amy Luke, Rainford J. Wilks, Terrence E. Forrester

Faculty Publications

We longitudinally explored the relationship of body size and adiponectin levels in 393 community-dwelling Afro-Jamaicans. Adiponectin levels were greater in women, increased with age and declined with abdominal adiposity. Multivariate regression analyses suggest that subcutaneous fat in women may contribute significantly to the variance in their adiponectin levels. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Behavioral Flexibility And Species Invasions: The Adaptive Flexibility Hypothesis, T. F. Wright, J. R. Eberhard, E. A. Hobson, M. L. Avery, M. A. Russello

Faculty Publications

Behavioral flexibility is an important adaptive response to changing environments for many animal species. Such plasticity may also promote the invasion of novel habitats by introduced species by providing them with the ability to expand or change their ecological niche, a longstanding idea with recent empirical support. At the individual level, flexibility may arise through innovation, in which an individual invents a new behavior, or through social learning, in which an individual adopts a behavior used by others. There is increasing evidence that the adaptive value of these two modes of learning, and the overall expression of behavioral flexibility, may …

Effects Of Hurricane Katrina And Salvage Logging On Bachman's Sparrow, Matthew E. Brooks, Philip C. Stouffer

Faculty Publications

In the southeastern U. S., longleaf pine savannas, important habitat for grassland birds, are subject to hurricanes and subsequent management. The intensity of tropical storms is predicted to increase with climate change, heightening the importance of understanding the effects of storm disturbance and salvage logging on species of concern such as Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), a pine-savanna specialist. To determine how Bachman's Sparrow occupancy varies with the age and salvage history of pine stands, and to identify the vegetation and post-hurricane habitat features influencing stand occupancy, we surveyed Bachman's Sparrows in Mississippi savannas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Our point counts …

Pastors And Life In The Public Square, Skip Bell

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

More Collaboration - More Power In Combating Ill Health, Ilkka Vuori, Steven N. Blair, Fiona C. Bull, Peter T. Katzmarzyk

Faculty Publications

This symposium highlighted the position of physical activity as one of the most important factors causally related to common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and discussed the need for including physical activity in comprehensive prevention strategies and policies to combat the major NCDs. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity are all major risk factors for ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and several cancers, and physical inactivity globally ranks as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality. Despite the solid evidence that physical activity is related to several NCDs, stronger advocacy actions are required because physical activity is not viewed …

The Route Less Travelled: Assessment Of Procedural Memory In Dementia. Poster, Nidhi Mahendra, Amanda Scullion, Cassandra Hamerschlag

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Cognitive Impact Of Genetic Variation Of The Serotonin Transporter In Primates Is Associated With Differences In Brain Morphology Rather Than Serotonin Neurotransmission, Hank P. Jedema, Peter J. Gianaros, Phillip J. Greer, Dustin D. Kerr, Shijing Liu, James Dee Higley, Stephen J. Suomi, Adam S. Olsen, Jessica N. Porter, Brian J. Lopresti, Ahmad R. Hariri, Charles W. Bradberry

Faculty Publications

A powerful convergence of genetics, neuroimaging and epidemiological research has identified biological pathways mediating individual differences in complex behavioral processes and related risk for disease. Orthologous genetic variation in non-human primates represents a unique opportunity to characterize the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms which bias behaviorally- and clinically-relevant brain function. We report that a rhesus macaque orthologue of a common polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (rh5-HTTLPR) has strikingly similar effects on behavior and brain morphology to those in humans. Specifically, the rh5- HTTLPR Short allele broadly impacts cognitive choice behavior and brain morphology without observably affecting 5-HT transporter or …

A Map Of Human Genome Variation From Population-Scale Sequencing, David L. Altshuler, Richard M. Durbin, Gonçalo R. Abecasis, David R. Bentley, Aravinda Chakravarti, Andrew G. Clark, Francis S. Collins, Francisco M. De La Vega, Peter Donnelly, Michael Egholm, Paul Flicek, Stacey B. Gabriel, Richard A. Gibbs, Bartha M. Knoppers, Eric S. Lander, Hans Lehrach, Elaine R. Mardis, Gil A. Mcvean, Debbie A. Nickerson, Leena Peltonen, Alan J. Schafer, Stephen T. Sherry, Jun Wang, Richard K. Wilson, David Deiros, Mike Metzker, Donna Muzny, Jeff Reid, David Wheeler, Shenzhen Jun Wang, Jingxiang Li, Min Jian, Guoqing Li, Ruiqiang Li

Faculty Publications

The 1000 Genomes Project aims to provide a deep characterization of human genome sequence variation as a foundation for investigating the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Here we present results of the pilot phase of the project, designed to develop and compare different strategies for genome-wide sequencing with high-throughput platforms. We undertook three projects: low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of 179 individuals from four populations; high-coverage sequencing of two mother-father-child trios; and exon-targeted sequencing of 697 individuals from seven populations. We describe the location, allele frequency and local haplotype structure of approximately 15 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, 1 million short insertions and …

No Fear, Hyveth Williams

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive Structural And Functional Characterization Of The Human Kinome By Protein Structure Modeling And Ligand Virtual Screening, Michal Brylinski, Jeffrey Skolnick

Faculty Publications

The growing interest in the identification of kinase inhibitors, promising therapeutics in the treatment of many diseases, has created a demand for the structural characterization of the entire human kinome. At the outset of the drug development process, the lead-finding stage, approaches that enrich the screening library with bioactive compounds are needed. Here, protein structure based methods can play an important role, but despite structural genomics efforts, it is unlikely that the three-dimensional structures of the entire kinome will be available soon. Therefore, at the proteome level, structure-based approaches must rely on predicted models, with a key issue being their …

Immunomodulation With Il-4rα Antisense Oligonucleotide Prevents Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Mediated Pulmonary Disease, Michael J. Ripple, Dahui You, Srinivasa Honnegowda, Joseph D. Giaimo, Andrew B. Sewell, David M. Becnel, Stephania A. Cormier

Faculty Publications

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in infants worldwide. Severe RSV infections in infants cause bronchiolitis, wheeze, and/or cough and significantly increase the risk for developing asthma. RSV pathogenesis is thought to be due to a Th2-type immune response initiated in response to RSV infection, specifically in the infant. Using a neonatal mouse system as an appropriate model for human infants, we sought to determine whether local inhibition of IL-4Rα expression during primary RSV infection in the neonate would prevent Th2-skewed responses to secondary RSV infection and improve longterm pulmonary function. To reduce IL-4Rα expression, antisense oligonucleotides …

After Hurricanes Katrina And Rita: Gender Differences In Health And Religiosity In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Jennifer Silva Brown, Katie E. Cherry, Loren D. Marks, Erin M. Jackson, Julia Volaufova, Christina Lefante, S. Michal Jazwinski

Faculty Publications

We examined health-related quality of life in adults in the Louisiana Health Aging Study (LHAS) after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (HK/R) that made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast region in 2005. Analyses of pre- and post-disaster SF-36 scores yielded changes in physical function and bodily pain. Mental health scores were lower for women than men. Gender differences were observed in religious beliefs and religious coping, favoring women. Religious beliefs and religious coping were negatively correlated with physical function, implying that stronger reliance on religiosity as a coping mechanism may be more likely among those who are less physically capable. …

Evaluation Of The Late Life Disability Instrument In The Lifestyle Interventions And Independence For Elders Pilot (Life-P) Study, Fang-Chi Hsu, W. Jack Rejeski, Edward H. Ip, Jeff A. Katula, Roger A. Fielding, Alan M. Jette, Stephanie A. Studenski, Steven N. Blair, Michael E. Miller

Faculty Publications

Background: The late life disability instrument (LLDI) was developed to assess limitations in instrumental and management roles using a small and restricted sample. In this paper we examine the measurement properties of the LLDI using data from the Lifestyle Intervention and Independence for Elders Pilot (Life-P) study.

Methods: LIFE-P participants, aged 70-89 years, were at elevated risk of disability. The 424 participants were enrolled at the Cooper Institute, Stanford University, University of Pittsburgh, and Wake Forest University. Physical activity and successful aging health education interventions were compared after 12-months of follow-up. Using factor analysis, we determined whether the LLDI's factor …

Public Administration: Local Government And Decentralization In Ghana, Kwame B. Antwi-Boasiako

Faculty Publications

Public administration as an art is defined in the Ghanaian context regarding decentralization and public officials’ accountability. It examines decentralization, local elections and empowerment. While the paper advocates for regional and district level elections, it uses the literature to argue that local representatives are more accessible to their locals. It questions the current appointment practices by the central government, which has become more partisan than originally intended in the Local Government Act. To affirm the democratic environment of politics in Ghana, it calls for constitutional amendment regarding decentralization and local government elections.

The Rise And Fall Of Glass-Steagall, Jeffrey Rogers Hummel, Warren C. Gibson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Empowerment, Innovation, And Service: Law School Programs Provide Access To Justice And Instill A Commitment To Serve, Lisa V. Martin, Dale Margolin, Steve Berenson, Karen Pearlman, Maryann Zavez

Faculty Publications

Law schools around the country seek to fill the legal needs of their communities in ways that are both innovative and mutually beneficial to clients and students. This article describes five pro bono and clinical programs, at the University of Richmond School of Law, The Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University, Catholic University Columbus School of Law, the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and Vermont Law School, where law students, under the supervision of law professors or community professionals, provide assistance or legal representation to underserved and often marginalized populations needing help with family law problems, including parents …

Hras1 And Lass1 With Apoe Are Associated With Human Longevity And Healthy Aging, S. Michal Jazwinski, Sangkyu Kim, Jianliang Dai, Li Li, Xiuhua Bi, James C. Jiang, Jonathan Arnold, Mark A. Batzer, Jerilyn A. Walker, David A. Welsh, Christina M. Lefante, Julia Volaufova, Leann Myers, L. Joseph Su, Dorothy B. Hausman, Michael V. Miceli, Eric Ravussin, Leonard W. Poon, Katie E. Cherry, Michael A. Welsch

Faculty Publications

The search for longevity-determining genes in human has largely neglected the operation of genetic interactions. We have identified a novel combination of common variants of three genes that has a marked association with human lifespan and healthy aging. Subjects were recruited and stratified according to their genetically inferred ethnic affiliation to account for population structure. Haplotype analysis was performed in three candidate genes, and the haplotype combinations were tested for association with exceptional longevity. An HRAS1 haplotype enhanced the effect of an APOE haplotype on exceptional survival, and a LASS1 haplotype further augmented its magnitude. These results were replicated in …

Distribution Of Isoflavones And Antioxidant Activities Of Soybean Cotyledon, Coat And Germ, Xiaohua Yue, Ahmed Moursy Abdallah, Zhimin Xu

Faculty Publications

Soy isoflavones in the cotyledon, coat and germ of four soybean varieties from the southern U.S.A. were determined and compared. Isoflavones with aglycone, daidzein, genistein, glycitein and aglycone, withβ-glucoside, genistin, daidzin and glycitin, were found in the four varieties. The range of total soy isoflavones in cotyledon, coat and germ extracts from the varieties was 2.73-9.71, 5.56-16.94 and 27.76-81.43 mg/g, respectively. Soy germ was the richest source of isoflavones among the three soybean parts. Distribution of the isoflavones in soy cotyledon was different from that in soy coat or germ. Daidzin and glycitin were the major isoflavones in the germ …

Brave New Eugenics: Regulating Assisted Reproductive Technologies In The Name Of Better Babies, Kerry L. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Infertile men and women have been using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to conceive children since the first "test-tube baby" was born in 1978. During the past decade, however, the federal government has begun to clamp down on ART, asserting safety concerns as grounds forbanning novel technologies such as cloning, nuclear transfer, and ooplasm transfer.

Some scholars and policymakers now want to extend governmental regulation to include conventional ART such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). They claim children conceived through ART face an increased risk of birth defects and other health problems.

This Article examines the …

In Memoriam: Gil Friedman, Harvey Starr

Faculty Publications

Gil Friedman, lecturer in political science at Tel Aviv University, passed away on July 16, 2009, at the age of 42 after a short bout with cancer. Much too young, and with so much promise, Gil's death was an unexpected shock to his relatives, friends, and colleagues. His loss is all the more tragic because those who knew Gil were struck by his seemingly boundless energy, his enormous intellectual curiosity, his constant stream of ideas, and his incredible work ethic—all fed by a seemingly insatiable desire to read everything (ever) written in the areas of his current interest.

Effects Of Alcohol On Tests Of Executive Functioning In Men And Women: A Dose Response Examination, Casey R. Guillot, Jennifer Renee Fanning, Joshua S. Bullock, Michael S. Mccloskey, Mitchell Eric Berman

Faculty Publications

Alcohol has been shown to affect performance on tasks associated with executive functioning. However, studies in this area have generally been limited to a single dose or gender or have used small sample sizes. The purpose of this study was to provide a more nuanced and systematic examination of alcohol's effects on commonly used tests of executive functioning at multiple dosages in both men and women. Research volunteers (91 women and 94 men) were randomly assigned to one of four drink conditions (alcohol doses associated with target blood alcohol concentrations of .000%, .050%, .075%, and .100%). Participants then completed three …

Biocompatibility Of Synthetic Poly(Ester Urethane)/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Matrices With Embryonic Stem Cell Proliferation And Differentiation, Yan-Lin Guo, Wenshou Wang, Joshua U. Otaigbe

Faculty Publications

Incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) into poly(ester urethanes) (PEU) as a building block results in a PEU/POSS hybrid polymer with increased mechanical strength and thermostability. An attractive feature of the new polymer is that it forms a porous matrix when cast in the form of a thin film, making it potentially useful in tissue engineering. In this study, we present detailed microscopic analysis of the PEU/POSS matrix and demonstrate its biocompatibility with cell culture. The PEU/POSS polymer forms a continuous porous matrix with open pores and interconnected grooves. From SEM image analysis, it is calculated that there are about …

African American Ethnic And Class-Based Identities On The World Wide Web: Moderating The Effects Of Self-Perceived Information Seeking/Finding And Web Self-Efficacy, Jennifer R. Warren, Michael L. Hecht, Eura Jung, Lynette Kvasny, Mark G. Henderson

Faculty Publications

The web is a potentially powerful tool for communicating information to diverse audiences. Unfortunately, all groups are not equally represented on the web, and this may have implications for online information seeking. This study investigated the role of class- and ethnic-based identity in self-perceived web-based information seeking/finding and self-efficacy. A questionnaire is administered, asking African Americans about their class and ethnic identities and web use to test a conceptual model predicting that these identities are positively related to web-based information seeking and web self-efficacy, which are then positively related to web-based information finding. Gender and previous web experience are expected …

What Is Civil Justice, Jason M. Solomon

Faculty Publications

This Article first explores the meaning of the term “civil justice” as it is used in both academic and popular discourse. It then examines the idea of civil justice by looking at three key examples: (1) the U.S. tort system (specifically governing auto accidents); (2) the no-fault regimes of New Zealand, U.S. workers’ compensation, and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund; and (3) the phenomenon of apologies, instead of compensation, as remedies in medical malpractice cases. The Article concludes that an important component of civil justice is the ability of a person to hold accountable one who has wronged her.

Perfecting Space: J. Horace Mcfarland And The American Civic Association, Julian Chambliss

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

China And Disability Rights, Michael Ashley Stein

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.