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Mate Choice In A Sexually Dimorphic Marine Bird, The Great Frigatebird (Fregata Minor), Frans A. Juola

Open Access Dissertations

Darwin's theory of sexual selection explains the existence of sexual dimorphism, or within-species sex differences in shape, color, size, and behavior. In some cases, sexually dimorphic traits, especially extravagant male ornaments, seem maladaptive and thus in opposition to natural selection. The crux of Darwin's theory was that sexual selection arises from individual differences in reproductive success that result from competition for mates. In this dissertation, I investigated several aspects of sexual selection and the evolution of female mating preferences and male ornaments in the great frigatebird (Fregata minor). Frigatebirds as a group (family Fregatidae) are the most ornamented of any …

Risk Factors And Suspected Child Maltreatment, Lilia Diaz Pino

Open Access Dissertations

Maltreatment affected an estimated 794,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in 2007 (United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2009). The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors of young maternal age, parents' marital status, multiple birth, preterm birth, birth defects/disability, low economic status, and parental substance abuse related to suspected maltreatment of children 3 years of age or younger from the prospective of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs). A cross-sectional survey design, using the Tailored Design Method, was used in this study. A convenience sample consisting of the …

Applying Ecodevelopmental Theory And The Theory Of Reasoned Action To Understand Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Hispanic Adolescents, Johis Ortega

Open Access Dissertations

The number of adolescents in the U.S. who engage in risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use and unsafe sexual practices has reached alarming levels, with Hispanic adolescents in particular reporting high rates of substance use and sexual activity. This study explored risk and protective factors that influence high-risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. A theoretical model was developed based on an integration of Ecodevelopmental Theory and the Theory of Reasoned Action to investigate individual and social factors that affect the risk behaviors of Hispanic adolescents. This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive, secondary investigation of the baseline data of a …

Transport And Metabolism Of Glucose In Intervertebral Disc, Alicia R. Jackson

Open Access Dissertations

Low back pain is a major social and economic dilemma in the United States. Despite its high impact, the origins of low back remain unclear. Nonetheless, degenerative changes to the intervertebral discs (IVD) of the spine have been implicated as a possible source leading to pain. Poor nutritional supply to the IVD is believed to play a primary role in the pathophysiology of disc degeneration. Since the disc is avascular, vital nutrients, such as glucose, must be supplied by surrounding blood vessels. However, the transport and metabolic properties of glucose in the IVD have not been fully delineated. This knowledge …

Travel, Migration And Hiv:Comparing Risk Behaviors Betweennative And Migrant Jamaican Persons Infected With Hiv, Yoran T. Grant

Open Access Dissertations

Migration and travel have been significant factors in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic since its emergence in 1981. Understanding the current effects of migration and travel on HIV/AIDS transmission and survival is essential to intervention efforts, especially for immigrants. Previous research highlights differences between immigrants and native ethnic minorities, but few studies compare immigrant groups to their peers in the country of origin. The overall objective of this study was to explore the relationship between migration, travel and risk behavior among Jamaicans infected with HIV. This dissertation study analyzed HIV/AIDS registry data from the New York City Department of …

The Effects Of A Polynutrient Dietary Supplement On Physiological Measures And Mood State In Resistance Trained Men, Thomas Incledon

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to test the acute effects of a dietary supplement, having as its major ingredient an extract of ginseng, on grip strength, lower body power output, cardiovascular markers, metabolic markers, hormones, and mood state. Twelve experienced resistance-trained men (28.3 ± 5.7 yrs) were randomly administered placebo (P), single dose (SD) and double dose (DD) of the supplement on separate days. Diet and activity levels were kept constant across testing days. On each day, subjects began with the Profile of Mood States (POMSpre1), blood draws (BDpre1), blood pressure (BPpre1), and heart rate (HRpre1) assessments, then …

Substance-Related Health Disorders In Women: A Retrospective Study Of Women In A Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Elaine D. Kauschinger

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the health profiles of women seeking residential treatment for substance abuse with women in the community. These 2 data sets consisted of a total of 621 participants. An additional aim of the present study was to examine whether these health profiles differ between the monosubstance abusing and polysubstance abusing women within the treatment group. There were a total of 257 participants in this group. All analyses controlled for the effects of age, insurance, marital status, employment and race/ethnicity. Binary logistic regressions were used to compare between and within the specified groups on …

Measurement Of Disease Specific Social Support In Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis, David H. Barker

Open Access Dissertations

This study documented the creation and initial validation of the Perceived Adolescent Social Support: Cystic Fibrosis (PASS-CF) inventory. The inventory was developed from semi-structured interviews of adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and measured both supportive and non-supportive behaviors provided to adolescents by their family and friends. This study reports the findings from these interviews, results of the pilot testing of the measure, exploratory analyses of the utility of individual items, and the relationships between supportive and non-supportive behaviors and important clinical outcomes, such as treatment adherence, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and other health outcomes. In particular, the study compared …

Stat3 Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Wasting In Cancer Cachexia, Tufan Aydogdu

Open Access Dissertations

Cachexia is a highly complex syndrome identified by metabolic, hormonal and cytokine-related abnormalities, but can be shortly characterized as accelerated skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss in the context of a chronic inflammatory response. Cachexia is a debilitating complication of several diseases such as AIDS, sepsis, diabetes, renal failure, burn injury and cancer. Cachexia is responsible for 25-30% of cancer patient deaths. One of the most obvious outcomes of cancer cachexia is the redistribution of the total protein content, namely the depletion of skeletal muscle protein levels and increase in the acute phase response protein levels as a response to …

Whole Body Periodic Acceleration Reduces Levels Of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness After Eccentric Exercise, Daniel H. Serravite

Open Access Dissertations

Context: Several recovery strategies have been used, with limited effectiveness, to reduce the muscle discomfort or pain and the diminished muscle performance following a bout of unaccustomed physical activity, a condition known as delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). Muscle damage in this condition is associated with mechanical disruption of the muscle and connective tissue and inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Low frequency, low intensity, whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA) that increases nitric oxide (NO) release from vascular endothelium into the circulation through increased pulsatile shear stress offers a potential solution. This is because endothelial derived nitric oxide has anti-inflammatory, …

Identification And Impact Of Standard Treatment Protocols On The Impairments And Activity Limitations Related To Lower Extremity Lymphedema, Kevin Robert Kunkel

Open Access Dissertations

Lower Extremity Lymphedema is a chronic condition of characterized by swelling of body part. It is typically treated with Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) to reduce volume. While volume reduction is the primary goal of the treatment, third party payers often require the presence of activity limitations in order to qualify for coverage. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify the types of impairments and functional limitations that occur in this population. A second goal was to determine if volume reduction from CDT is sufficient to resolve the impairments and activity limitations associated with lymphedema, or if traditional physical therapy …

Characterizing The Advanced Glycation Endproducts Formation Of Proteins And Nucleotides By Methylglyoxal And Glyoxal, Praveen Kumar Pampati

Open Access Dissertations

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of molecules formed from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The initial product of this reaction is called a Schiff base, which rearranges itself into an Amadori or glycation product which can further rearrange to AGEs. The reaction is called Maillard reaction and is the basis for all protein glycation studies. AGEs accumulate in tissues and associate with the pathology of various diseases like Diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, renal failure, aging, etc. Methylglyoxal, 3-Deoxyglucosone and glyoxal (oxoaldehydes or α-dicarbonyls) have recently been proposed …

Physiological And Molecular Mechanisms Of Salt Stress Tolerance In Festuca Rubra And Lolium Perenne, Sanalkumar Krishnan

Open Access Dissertations

The present study was conducted to identify the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the salt tolerance of Festuca rubra ssp rubra and Lolium perenne. The salt tolerance levels of 36 Festuca accessions and 52 Lolium perenne accessions were evaluated in the greenhouse under 5000, 7500, 10000, 12500 and 15000 ppm NaCl concentrations. The study identified PI 595057 and PI 632525 as salt tolerant and sensitive Festuca rubra accessions. PI 632542, PI 636644 and PI 618999 were found to be the most salt tolerant L. perenne accessions while PI 610932, PI 619002, PI 610924 and PI 632474 were the most …

Drug Safety Issues Focusing On Liver And Pancreas Toxicity, Thamir M. Alshammari

Open Access Dissertations

Background: Medications benefit people with diseases and medical conditions, improving many patients' lives and in some cases significantly increasing their quality of life. Despite these great benefits, medications can lead to serious adverse effects. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the 4^th leading cause of death, greater than major killers including pulmonary diseases, diabetes and automobile death. Not all medication groups have the same incidence in inducing diseases. Anti-infective agents - including antibacterial agents- are the most likely to induce diseases followed by cardiovascular agents and antineoplastic agents.

Objectives: Drug safety is a very important issue in patient …

Lead Exposure, Aging And Biomarkers In Alzheimer's Disease, Aderemi Dosunmu

Open Access Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. To investigate AD risk factors, we reviewed epidemiologic case control studies and recent research for AD's connection to the environment. Next, we examined the number one risk factor in AD, aging. We compared and contrasted lifespan profiles of AD-associated mRNA and protein levels in monkeys and mice. The AD-related biomarkers were APP mRNA and protein; Aβ levels; specificity protein 1 (SP1); and the β-amyloid precursor cleaving enzyme (BACE1). In mice, APP and Sp1 mRNA and their protein products were elevated late in life; Aβ levels declined. In monkeys, APP, Sp1, and BACE1 …

The Effect Of Perinatal Morbidity, Child Health And Maternal Influences On Social Competence At Age 12 Years In Formerly Preterm Infants, Nicole C. Smith

Open Access Dissertations

Prematurity is a national problem with rates climbing to the highest levels in four decades. Social competence is a critically important skill for children to master in order to become socially competent adults. Social competence is not fully studied in children born prematurely. Yet they are at risk for poorer social competence due to their physical, cognitive, motor and developmental difficulties. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perinatal morbidity, child health, and maternal influences on social competence at age 12 in a sample of formerly preterm infants and a full term comparison group. Two hypotheses …

Comparison Of Targeted Lower Extremity Strengthening And Usual Care Progressive Ambulation In Subjects Post-Liver Transplant: A Randomized Controlled Trial, David Walter Mandel

Open Access Dissertations

Individuals with chronic liver disease experience progressive muscle wasting, weakness, fatigue, and decreased quality of life. Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease with cirrhosis; however, muscle wasting, strength impairments, activity limitations, and health related quality of life do not return to the level of healthy adults. Currently there is no plan of care for rehabilitation of individuals post-liver transplantation. These individuals are only instructed to gradually increase walking and activity. Walking may increase lower extremity muscle strength; however, walking at a self-selected pace is less effective than resistance exercise. The purpose of this dissertation was to …

Modeling Molecular Transport And Binding Interactions In Intervertebral Disc, Francesco Travascio

Open Access Dissertations

Low back pain represents a significant concern in the United States, with 70% of individuals experiencing symptoms at some point in their lifetime. Although the specific cause of low back pain remains unclear, symptoms have been strongly associated with degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Insufficient nutritional supply to the disc is believed to be a major mechanism for tissue degeneration. Understanding nutrients' transport in intervertebral disc is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms of disc degeneration, and to develop strategies for tissue repair (in vivo), and tissue engineering (in vitro). Transport in intervertebral disc is complex and involves a series of …

Bridging Digital Poverty: Adoption Of Information And Communication Technologies At Community Technology Centers In The Dominican Republic, Paola Prado

Open Access Dissertations

Globalization and the rise of the Information Society pose many challenges to developing nations. In adherence to the Millennium Development Goal of digital inclusion, the government of the Dominican Republic established a national program of community technology centers, or telecenters, that aim to promote digital literacy among the poor. This study examined how these telecenters promote the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and tested whether perceived structural factors, individual motivation or demographics predict adoption. Results from a survey conducted in the rural villages of El Seybo, Navarrete, and Oviedo confirm that telecenter users learn how to use information …

Acculturation, Enculturation, And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia In Ethnic Minority Patients: An Examination Of Sociocultural Mediators Underlying These Relationships, Vamsi K. Koneru

Open Access Dissertations

The preponderance of evidence from large-scale studies shows a detrimental association between greater acculturation (to mainstream U.S. values and beliefs) and mental health. Prior research also suggests that greater acculturation may be associated with a breakdown of adaptive behaviors and values (e.g., religiosity/spirituality) thereby negatively impacting mental health. In addition, literature generally suggests that enculturation (retention of culture of origin customs and values) is associated with better mental health. However, few studies have examined potential mediators between acculturation/enculturation and mental health; and research on this topic with patients with schizophrenia is particularly scarce. Using a sample of 44 Hispanic and …

Feeding Behavior Of Wild And Captive Oxpeckers (Buphagus Spp.): A Case Of Conditional Mutualism, Tiffany B. Plantan

Open Access Dissertations

Mutualisms are delicately balanced partnerships and are increasingly recognized as being fundamental to patterns and processes within ecological systems. Changes to the ecological setting in which such interactions operate can disrupt this balance. By understanding the context-dependent nature of such associations, researchers can begin to understand how changes in the environment can have cascading effects on the entire community within which they occur. Oxpeckers (Buphagus spp.) feed on the ectoparasites of ungulates in sub-Saharan Africa and from the blood of ungulate wounds. Because of this dichotomy in feeding behavior, the role of oxpeckers as consistently beneficial partners of their hosts …

Identification And Characterization Of Replication Initiation Defective (Rid) Mutants In Schizosaccharomyces Pombe, Alexandra Monica Locovei

Open Access Dissertations

Two checkpoint pathways have been described in fission yeast: the intra-S phase checkpoint that is triggered by stalled replication forks and requires the Cds1 protein as the main effector kinase, and the G2/M checkpoint that is activated by DNA damage and requires the Chk1 kinase. Both pathways prevent untimely entry into mitosis, delaying cell cycle progression until DNA damage is repaired. Previously, our laboratory showed that a mutant defective in polymerase ε (Cdc20) requires Chk1, but not Cds1, to maintain cell viability. I set out to test whether other replication mutants are sensitive to the loss of Chk1 or Cds1, …

A Human Security Population-Based Approach To Achieve Equity, Solidarity And Gender Sensitivity For The Population Living In Southwestern Bateyes Of The Dominican Republic, Eddy Nelson Perez

Open Access Dissertations

The present study was designed to contribute to the application of human security principles in vulnerable populations, using the Bateyes (sugar mill camps) from the Dominican Republic (DR) as a case study. Following the Robin Hood principle of using resources allocated for the identification and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a base from which to build infrastructure for other health and human security needs, this project sought to reduce inequalities and promote equal rights in a vulnerable population living in isolated rural areas of the DR. The impact of a human security model versus non-intervention (standard of care) …

Cancer In The Florida Hispanic Diverse Populations, Paulo S. Pinheiro

Open Access Dissertations

Cancer afflicts 1.4 million people in the United States annually. In 2007, 45.5 million Hispanics were the largest and fastest growing minority in the US. Although treated as a homogeneous group, Hispanics are different from cultural, socioeconomic and genetic perspectives. The cancer experience of Hispanic subpopulations has, thus far, been poorly described. The present dissertation focused on the descriptive epidemiology of Cancer in Hispanics in the US. We created and validated an algorithm, the Hispanic Origin Identification Algorithm (HOIA), to improve the assignment of ethnicity and Hispanic subpopulation. We applied the HOIA to the Florida incident cancer data of the …

Cancer In The Florida Hispanic Diverse Populations, Paulo S. Pinheiro

Open Access Dissertations

Cancer afflicts 1.4 million people in the United States annually. In 2007, 45.5 million Hispanics were the largest and fastest growing minority in the US. Although treated as a homogeneous group, Hispanics are different from cultural, socioeconomic and genetic perspectives. The cancer experience of Hispanic subpopulations has, thus far, been poorly described. The present dissertation focused on the descriptive epidemiology of Cancer in Hispanics in the US. We created and validated an algorithm, the Hispanic Origin Identification Algorithm (HOIA), to improve the assignment of ethnicity and Hispanic subpopulation. We applied the HOIA to the Florida incident cancer data of the …

From The Barcelona Process To The Union For The Mediterranean: Sectors And Levels Of Integration And Trust In The Mediterranean Region, Astrid B. Boening

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation is a case study of the EuroMed Partnership (EMP). It aims to examine the complex political, economic and social interrelationships in the EMP, and their impact on regional security in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The main thesis proposed here is that regional integration is taking place to the point of a regional security complex being established among EMP-member countries. This would contrast with the Middle East Regional Security Complex suggested by Buzan and Waever (2003). The dynamics observed reflect realist concerns with security among members. They also display neo-liberal integration approaches as well as the regional reciprocal (re-)constructions of …

Health Promotion Behaviors Among African American Women, Sandra E. Douchand Brown

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine and describe the relationships among health status, marital status, income level, education level, age, and body mass index (BMI) with the added influence of spirituality on the health promotion behaviors of African American women, living in South Florida. The sample consisted of 137 women, 18 to 64 years of age, who were born in the United States and whose parents were born in the United States. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), the Short Form-36 Health survey (SF-36), and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Descriptive …

Spatial And Feeding Ecology Of The Fer-De-Lance (Bothrops Asper) In Costa Rica, Dennis K. Wasko

Open Access Dissertations

Understanding the ways in which animals utilize space and obtain food are central themes in modern ecology. Formulating broad principles and elucidating the factors explaining such patterns are limited, however, by the availability of data from a broad range of species and systems. This problem especially true of snakes, a predator group about which even the most basic natural history data are often entirely lacking, even among abundant, widespread, and ecologically-important species. I studied the natural history and ecosystem role of one such species, the fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) in lowland rainforest in Costa Rica. B. asper is a large, cryptic …

Activation Of Nr2b And Autophagy Signaling Pathways Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Gregory E. Bigford

Open Access Dissertations

Hyper-activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NRs) is associated with excitotoxic cell death during secondary injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The efficiency of the NR is dependent on the location of receptors in membrane raft microdomains that provide a platform for coupling of NRs and effector proteins. In many neurodegenerative diseases, activation of the autophagy pathway has been suggested to contribute to glutamate excitotoxicity, but whether increased autophagy signaling contributes to pathology after TBI has not been defined. In these studies, I investigate whether membrane rafts mediate NR signaling and autophagy in cortices of adult male rats subjected to moderate TBI …

Development And Validation Of A Weight-Related Behaviors Questionnaire, Susan M. Schembre

Open Access Dissertations

Research shows the prevalence of obesity is increasing. The greatest increase occurs between 20 and 29 years of age. Obesity results from a long-term positive energy balance attributable to eating and exercise behaviors. Research shows effective behavior change interventions impact cognitive constructs which explain specific behaviors. Objectives were to develop and validate a weight-related behaviors questionnaire (WRBQ) for young adults with individual eating and exercise behavior scales and explore the impact of the scales to explain patterns of energy intake and exercise participation. The sample (N-721) consisted of 18 to 24 year old females (69.5%) and males (30.5%) with a …