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Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Wisc-Iv With A Trinidad Referred Sample, Cherisse Rambarose

Open Access Dissertations

There has been an extensive amount of research in the intelligence-assessment literature on the structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fourth edition (WISC-IV; 2003a). Numerous studies show that the test’s general factor structure replicates across normative and referred groups, in the U.S. and globally. Thus far, few studies have been done examining the factor structure of this, and other intelligence tests with Caribbean samples. The current study adds to this body of literature by examining the factor structure of the WISC-IV with a referred sample from Trinidad. This study utilized archival data from a sample accessed through private …

Regulating Quiescence And Division In Escherichia Coli, Eric Charles Dibiasio

Open Access Dissertations

The decision for a bacterium to grow and divide may seem like a simple process, but in reality, there are many factors that influence and regulate this choice. Bacteria have been known to respond to many environmental signals or cues that represent either favorable or non-favorable growth conditions, as well as cues, secreted from other bacteria or, in the case of a pathogen, the host. It is not uncommon for bacteria that find their environment unfavorable, to alter their growth, and in some cases, even enter into a type of non-proliferative state, which we term, dormancy. Bacterial dormancy has many …

Lsvt®Big Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity In People With Parkinson’S Disease: An Assessment Of Physiological And Behavioral Outcomes, Christine Marie Clarkin

Open Access Dissertations

Background and Purpose

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of LSVT.BIG, an intensive, whole-body, amplitude-based exercise protocol for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD), on functional mobility, quality of life, and markers of neuroplasticity. A secondary aim was to evaluate correlations between neurobiological measures (serum brain derived neurotrophic factor - sBDNF) and functional changes associated with the intervention.

Methods

Nine people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD), age = 69.9 years Å} 4.9, were recruited from the local community and enrolled in LSVT BIG, which includes 16, one-hour individual treatment sessions delivered over one month (4 sessions per …

Nucleus Pulposus Of The Intervertebral Disc: The Effect Of Environmental Factors On Metabolic Activity, Lukas M. Jaworski

Open Access Dissertations

Lower back pain is a major socioeconomic concern in developed nations. Moreover, it is a condition which a majority of people will experience an episode within their lifetime, with a portion becoming chronically afflicted. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is believed to play a critical role in initiating lower back pain. Poor nutrient supplies are implicated as a one of the root causes of this degeneration and much effort has been spent to better elucidate the behavior of IVD cells. The IVD is the largest avascular structure within the body, relying on diffusion to migrate nutrients in and clear …

Functional Significance Of The Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway In Pancreatic Cancer, Nikita Satish Sharma

Open Access Dissertations

Pancreatic cancer is a notoriously lethal disease. Late detection, lack of effective biomarkers, presence of a treatment refractory population of cells, an impermeable stroma, metastasis and tumor recurrence are some of the factors contributing to the dismissal 5-year survival rate of 8% for this disease. Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway (HBP) is a unique node in cancer metabolism. Its end product, UDP-GlcNAc is used by both tumor cells and the extracellular matrix component Hyaluronan for signaling, proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. While there have been reports examining the significance of HBP in individual factors contributing to tumor aggressiveness, a comprehensive …

Food Insecurity: Deconstructing Its Predictors And Relationship To Hiv Medication Adherence, Lacey Critchley

Open Access Dissertations

In recent years, increasing attention and research has been placed on how to better engage people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in the HIV care continuum, as treatment for HIV/AIDS is now extremely effective. However, several marginalized populations continue to be disproportionately affected by the virus, hampering efforts to end the epidemic. Substance users remain one of the most difficult groups to engage and retain in HIV care and often have unsuppressed poorly controlled HIV infection as a result of inadequate antiretroviral (ART) adherence. Research shows substance users are also more likely to have multiple co-occurring social syndemics and engage in …

The Association Of Breastfeeding Practices And Postpartum Depression Risk, Christine Toledo

Open Access Dissertations

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant maternal health problem afflicting nearly 800,000 new mothers in the United States every year. Mothers suffering from PPD endure feelings of sadness, anxiety, extreme fatigue that makes it difficult to care for one’s self or for others, feeling worthless, and even thoughts of harming oneself or child. Mothers who are not treated for PPD may have negative health outcomes, including difficulty bonding with and caring for their children, chronic anxiety, and are at an increased risk for substance abuse. PPD is considered the single greatest risk factor for maternal suicide and infanticide. The important …

Role Of The Conserved Ndr/Lats Kinase Orb6 In Controlling Cell Growth And Stress Adaptation, Chuan Chen

Open Access Dissertations

Adaptation to the nutritional environment is critical for all cells. RAS GTPase is a highly conserved GTP binding protein with crucial functions for cell growth and differentiation in response to environmental conditions. Inappropriate activation of human RAS GTPase has a causal role in cancer, congenital malformations, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Our lab previously found that the conserved NDR kinase Orb6 regulates the mRNA and protein levels of Ras1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Efc25, by controlling the coalescence of the mRNA-binding protein Sts5 into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. However, it is still unclear whether the Orb6-Sts5 axis regulates RAS GTPase activity in …

Social Determinants Of Hiv Treatment Engagement Among Postpartum Black Women Living With Hiv (Wlwh), Emmanuela Nneamaka Ojukwu

Open Access Dissertations

Engagement in postpartum Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment is critical to decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality, and poor infant health outcomes. HIV-related maternal morbidity is one of the leading causes of death among women of reproductive age, with as many as 8,500 HIV-infected women giving birth annually in the US. The risk of HIV-related maternal morbidity is greater for Black women who are disproportionately affected by the disease with an infection rate of 59% compared to 20% for Whites, and 21% for other minorities. Black women also have the highest rates of unintended pregnancies, HIV-related mortality, and being lost to …

African American Women's Experiences Of Race-Based Traumatic Stress, Amina Y. Simmons

Open Access Dissertations

Assessments of racism are linked to increased risk of anxiety (Soto, Dawson- Andoh, & BeLue, 2011), depression (Lee & Turney, 2012), and increased symptoms of PTSD (Polanco-Roman, Danies, & Anglin, 2016), leading scholars to infer racism may be a type of traumatic stress (Carter, 2007; Helms, Nicolas, & Green, 2010). African American men and women report similar frequency and levels of racism-related stress (Jackson, Shestov, & Saadatmand, 2017; Kwate & Goodman, 2015) however, the impacts appear significant for Black women (Chyu and Upchurch, 2011; Jackson, Shestov, & Saadatmand, 2017). This exploratory study sought greater understanding of Black women’s experiences with …

Chronic Condition Patterns In The Us Population And Their Associations With Health Outcomes, Dandan Diane Zheng

Open Access Dissertations

Advances in modern medicine have substantially increased life expectancy and improved the outcomes of previously fatal diseases. As a result, more and more people are living into old age and developing chronic conditions. Persons with multiple chronic conditions are more likely to be hospitalized, have poor daily functioning, and elevated risk of death. A disproportionate share of health expenditures is incurred by individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Visual impairment (VI) is among the most disabling conditions. VI and visual disorders often co-occur with other disabling chronic conditions. The health effects of living with multiple chronic conditions in the presence of …

Observing Self-Regulation In Context In Head Start Classrooms And Dual Language Learners’ School Readiness, Elizabeth M. Frechette

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between the self-regulation skills, classroom context, and academic achievement in a sample of Spanish-English speaking Dual Language Learners (DLLs) from low-income homes. Considering the national focus on improving early education for DLL children enrolled in early childhood programs, it is important to examine the measurement of developmental skills, like self-regulation, that contribute to later success. The current study (1) examined the association between a direct assessment and an ecobehavioral observation of self-regulation skills, (2) examined which contexts of the preschool classroom were associated with children's use of self-regulated behaviors, and …

Provider Autonomy Support Across Adolescence: Impacts On Health Outcomes Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Christina J. Nicolais

Open Access Dissertations

More than 200,000 youth in the United States have type 1 diabetes (T1D; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017), with approximately 17,900 newly diagnosed cases between 2011 and 2012. Treatments are complex, including multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pump use, monitoring of blood glucose levels and carbohydrate intake, and exercise (Wysocki, Buckloh, & Pierce, 2017). Only 21% of adolescents in the United States meet American Diabetes Association recommended goals for glycemic control (Wood et al., 2013). Multiple factors influence adherence in adolescence and subsequent health outcomes, including normative developmental tasks, parental involvement, and transition readiness. Research suggests that …

Expand, Connect, Thrive: Increasing Positive Health Behaviors In At-Risk Adolescents, Ruth M. Bernstein

Open Access Dissertations

Purpose/Objective: Behaviors shaped and defined in childhood and adolescence can have long-term implications for morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Effective interventions to increase positive health behaviors (e.g., healthy eating habits, physical activity, stress management), in adolescence are vital. Per the American Dietetic Association (ADA), effective interventions to promote positive health behaviors in adolescents should include nutrition education, regular physical activity, and behavioral counseling (ADA, 2006). Yet, interventions to promote positive health behaviors have been less effective in minority populations. Motivational interviewing (MI) has demonstrated effectiveness at promoting change behaviors in a variety of contexts (e.g., substance abuse, health behaviors, treatment …

A Daily Diary Study Of Lifestyle Behaviors, Psychological Distress, And Well-Being, Austen Rex Anderson

Open Access Dissertations

Many lifestyle behaviors such as diet, exercise, and sleep are related to physical and mental health. However, very little research has been done on the day-to-day influence of these activities on both psychological distress (PD) and more holistic conceptions of overall well-being. This study seeks to investigate the patterns of common lifestyle behaviors and their relationships with daily PD and well-being. The central research questions are 1) what lifestyle behaviors are associated with PD and well-being, and 2) do the seven lifestyle behaviors predict the three outcome variables at different degrees of strength? Seventy-six adult participants were recruited online and …

Abiotic Controls On Endosymbiotic Algal Communities And Their Implications For Coral Bleaching Susceptibility And Recovery, Ana Maria Palacio-Castro

Open Access Dissertations

Ocean warming, acidification, and nutrient pollution are threatening the persistence of coral reef ecosystems worldwide. This dissertation assessed the effects of these stressors on the disruption of the coral-algal symbiosis (bleaching) and aimed to identify factors that promote more resistant holobiont partnerships. I used highly sensitive qPCR assays to monitor dynamic changes in Symbiodiniaceae algal communities during heat stress and recovery, and during the exposure to elevated nutrients and CO2. During natural bleaching events in Florida and Panama, I evaluated the potential for multiple coral species to increase their temperature tolerance through the acquisition of thermotolerant symbionts (Chapters 2 and …

Unpacking The Meaning And Impact Of The Components Of End-Of-Life Preparation Among Cancer Patients, Kristin Levoy

Open Access Dissertations

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for nearly a quarter of all deaths annually. Cancer patients and their caregivers do not adequately prepare for the end-of-life, creating the conditions for poorer quality deaths. To address this lack of preparation, this dissertation aimed to unpack the meaning and impact of the components of preparation for the end-of-life among cancer patients. Three independent studies were conducted to achieve this aim: 1) a concept analysis to clarify the meaning of end-of-life decision making in the context of chronic life-limiting disease, distinguishing it from preparation for the …

Refugee Women And Employment: A Grounded Theory Study, Miryam Haarlammert

Open Access Dissertations

This grounded theory project focused on developing an initial understanding about the experiences of refugee women who are currently or who have in the past received employment services when making employment decisions once resettled in the United States. Interviews with 11 refugee women from Latin American countries living in Miami, Florida and one refugee resettlement service provider revealed that before women engaged in formal job-seeking activities that they were already “doing the work” of learning how to live life in a new country while taking care of themselves and of their families. The women focused on finding housing, dealing with …

The Impact Of Total Caloric And Macronutrient Consumption On Strength And Power During An Off-Season Training Program In Collegiate Volleyball Players., Yvette Figueroa

Open Access Dissertations

Adequate caloric and carbohydrate intakes are necessary for positive adaptations to exercise training, yet there is limited research examining dietary intake in relation to strength and power in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine 1) whether there were significant changes in weekly total caloric and macronutrient consumption, strength, and power, and 2) whether total caloric and macronutrient consumption significantly and positively contributed to changes in strength and power across a controlled eight-week, off-season resistance training program. Eleven collegiate-level female volleyball players were examined on macronutrient consumption, strength, and power at two-week intervals using three-day food logs, …

Optimal Approach To Load Progressions During Strength Training In Older Adults: An Intent-To Treat Study, Andrew Buskard

Open Access Dissertations

Progressive resistance training (RT) is one of the most effective interventions for reducing age-related deficits in muscle mass and functional capacity. Researchers agree on the need for older adults' RT to progress at an appropriate speed, however, no consensus currently exists as to the best way to achieve this. PURPOSE To compare three common (and one novel-but-promising) progression models under an intent-to treat approach to determine if an optimal progression method exists for use in RT for older adults. METHODS: 82 healthy community-dwelling older adults (71.8 + 6.2 y) performed 11 weeks of structured RT (2.5 days/week) including a common …

Effect Of Exercise On Cognitive Function In Persons With Dementia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Southey F. Saul

Open Access Dissertations

As the population ages, the number of people suffering from dementia will rise significantly. Current estimates of total societal cost of dementia exceed $8 billion dollars (US). Epidemiological studies have shown that increased lifetime engagement in exercise reduces cognitive decline and the incidence of dementia in normal older adults. While existing research suggests that lifelong exercise may be preferable, the adoption of exercise at any age and stage of dementia-onset to delay or reverse cognitive decline is worthwhile given the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, and the increasing proportion of older adults and dementia incidence. Recently, trials have started to explore …

An Exploratory Investigation Into The Structure Of Eating Disorder Diagnosis, Juliana Steffes

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation first provides the current conceptualization of the most common Eating Disorders (EDs) as well as other disordered eating conditions currently recognized within the research community. The current literature regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, existing evidence of indicators of overlap, and commonalities in treatment and prevention efforts among these disorders is identified. Researchers have mentioned the concept of a continuum of eating disordered behaviors or a spectrum of eating pathology, either using it in a paper title or within a research paper, yet few have conducted statistical analyses to illustrate that these concepts have more than face validity. This …

How Birds Respond To Antioxidant Capacity, Oxidative Damage, And Fuel Stores During Migration, Clara Cooper-Mullin

Open Access Dissertations

During migration, birds have an elevated metabolic rate and rely heavily on fat for fuel, creating a state where oxidative stress may be high if not counterbalanced by antioxidants. However, no previous studies have examined how birds utilize different aspects of the antioxidant system to combat oxidative damage during flight training, whether dietary antioxidants are absorbed and transported to the site of reactive species generation, the mitochondria, or how oxidative status interacts with fuel stores to shape decisions birds make during migratory stopovers. In this dissertation, I first introduce the physiological challenges of increased production of reactive species confronted by …

An ‘Omics Approach To Diet & Structure Impact On Perfluoroalkyl Substance Induced Liver Disease, Marisa Pfohl

Open Access Dissertations

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of environmental toxicants, are ubiquitous in the environment and the human population. PFAS are manmade chemicals that have been widely used in manufacturing since the 1940s. PFAS are extremely resistant to degradation leading to their accumulation within the environment and the general population. The most concentrated PFAS member present in the general population, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), has been linked to suppressed vaccine response, high serum cholesterol, low fetal birth weight, thyroid disease, increased markers of liver injury, and even certain types of cancers. PFOS was voluntarily phased out of manufacturing due to its bioaccumulutive and …

Product Evaluations As A Factor Of Unknown Attribute Positioning, Brand Trust, Need For Cognition And Message Diagnosticity, Ahmet Hattat

Open Access Dissertations

This research investigates how consumer evaluations are shaped towards products that highlight either presence or absence of attributes that are unknown to consumers. Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk online panel and randomly assigned to a variety of experimental conditions in four studies. Results of Study 1 show that, under the low brand trust condition, consumers have more positive evaluations of products with absence positioning than presence positioning. Study 1 results also show that under the high brand trust condition, the disjunctive gap between the absence versus presence positioning closes. In Study 2, these results are extended by utilizing …

The Home And Child-Care: Are Preschoolaged Children Getting Mixed Food-Related Messages?, Noereem Zenaida Mena

Open Access Dissertations

Statement of the Problem: In the United States, nearly 14% of preschool-aged children (ages 2 to 5) are obese. Additionally, disparities persist, with the highest prevalence of obesity among Hispanic preschool-aged children (17% vs. 11% non-Hispanic Black and 3.5% non- Hispanic White preschool-aged children). Establishing healthy eating habits in early childhood is critical and providing children with similar opportunities to practice healthy eating habits independently at home and in child care is thought to reinforce the development of healthy eating habits early in life. However, there is limited information regarding how parents and childcare providers communicate about child-nutrition, including …

What To Eat And When: The Consequences Of Polyunsaturated Fat Consumption And Pace Of Changes To Body Lipid Composition In Songbirds, Wales Aran Carter

Open Access Dissertations

Diet mediates environmental influence on organismal performance, but diets must be broken down into their constituent compounds and integrated into organismal tissues before they can exert such influence. Thus, a full account of the relationship between diet and organismal performance requires descriptions of intermediate effects on body composition and tissue function, as well as the dynamics of composition and function over time. The work described in this dissertation investigates a case study of diet and organismal performance in songbirds: dietary polyunsaturated fats have been demonstrated to influence the metabolic performance of songbirds, but the influence of individual fatty acid compounds, …

Nutritional Beliefs And Practices Of Arabic Speaking Middle Eastern Mothers, Maissa Al-Bkerat

Open Access Dissertations

Childhood obesity is recognized as an important health problem in the United States. Researchers have identified culture and acculturation as major factors influencing obesity across several ethnic groups, although little is known about the historically invisible and vulnerable population of those identifying as Arabic speaking individuals from Middle Eastern countries. In Arabic culture, mothers are responsible for creating and maintaining a home environment that fosters healthy eating behaviors among family members including the children. It is assumed, therefore, that mothers in Arabic culture play an essential role in preventing childhood obesity.

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions …

An Omics Based Approach For The Identification Of Biomarkers In Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using In Vitro Models Of Hepatic Steatosis, Anitha Saravanakumar

Open Access Dissertations

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an “umbrella” term for the broad spectrum of the disease that begins from the simple steatosis to more progressive stages of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), that includes hepatocellular ballooning, inflammation, and fibrosis. NAFLD is a growing epidemic globally, with 25% of the population predicted to be diagnosed with this disease. Liver biopsy is the only definitive method of diagnosis, despite the widespread use of sonography and elastography to predict the disease state. There is no current FDA approved medication for NAFLD/NASH. This is partly due to the lack of translatable disease model to predict the …

Salt Detection And The Influence Of Anorectic Drugs Of Abuse In The Taste System, Jennifer Katherine Roebber

Open Access Dissertations

Taste cells detect five different gustatory modalities: sweet, sour, bitter, umami, and salty. The mechanisms, cells and transductional events that underlie sweet, sour, bitter and umami taste are well characterized. However, salt taste is poorly understood. The ability to detect NaCl is partially, but not fully, blocked by the diuretic amiloride. In both taste buds and in kidneys, a primary target of amiloride is the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). As such, the field has interpreted amiloride sensitive salt taste to rely on Na+ influx through ENaCs while another unknown receptor detects amiloride-insensitive salt taste. The cell type(s), mechanisms and cell-signaling …