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The Inkwell, Armstrong Atlantic State University

The Inkwell

No abstract provided.

Land Use Is The Issue, But Is Land Grant The Answer?, Chester L. Arnold Jr

Journal of Extension

Local land use decisions are increasingly important to the health of our resources and communities. The Land Grant University/Extension network is the only national system with the structure, mission, and track record to deal with local land use issues, but, as a system, we're not doing it. There are a number of reasons why we're not doing it and even more reasons for why we must begin.

Coalition Formation: Governmental Practices To Resolve Social Issues, Delshanna Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Small groups have formed to resolve social issues since the beginning of time. It is the village concept where activists meet in the center of town to discuss a concern and together work toward a solution to a problem. This is represented in the town of Plato’s Republic and how they handled its dilemma with Socrates disrespect and disruptions to their way of ruling/ their culture. People met at a central location, discussed the issue, agreed on a solution and, together, enforced the resolution. Thus, first governments used groups to find solutions to community problems (Bell and Smith, p.1). Citizens …

Health Care Utilization During Terminal Child Illness In Squatter Settlements Of Karachi, I J. Hasan, A Khanum

Community Health Sciences

Objective: Information on health seeking behavior and health care utilization has important policy implications in health systems development. The paper presents some of the issues related to health care utilization and health seeking behavior in case of terminal child illness in seven squatter settlements of Karachi.Methods: From seven squatter settlements of Karachi, with a population of 100,000 approximately, we collected information, using pretested structured questionnaire, from the mothers on health care utilization during the final illness of under five children dying during 1995-1996. These deaths were identified from an earlier baseline health and demographic survey in these areas.Results: Interviews were …

Prevalence Of Plasmodium Slide Positivity Among The Children Treated For Malaria, Jhangara, Sindh, S Hozhabri, S Akhtar, M H. Rahbar, S P. Luby

Community Health Sciences

Objective: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of malaria amongst the children with fever or history of fever.SETTING: Rural Health Centre (RHC), Jhangara, a town near the Manchhar Lake in Taluka Sehwan, District Dadu, Sindh.SUBJECTS: Four hundred and thirty eight children of 6 months to 10 years of age, who attended above described RHC during August through October 1997.Methods: A Sindhi-translated standard questionnaire was used to record symptoms and duration of child's illness. Each child was physically examined, had their axillary temperature measured; and blood samples were collected from which Giemsa stained thick and thin blood …

December 1, 2000, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Improving Commercial Vehicle Crash Data Quality In West Virginia, Kris Sean Gillespie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify methods to improve commercial carrier crash data in West Virginia including coal trucks. All organizations and agencies involved with commercial carrier safety need ready access to basic data describing the crash-involved operator, vehicle, and environment. Such data are necessary to any programmatic or engineering countermeasures. The basic approach used to accomplish the research objectives involved a series of regional meetings where law enforcement personnel expressed their opinions about ways to improve commercial vehicle crash data quality. These results were then weighted and prioritized. The top five solutions generated at these meetings were: …

Evaluation Of Opacity, Particulate Matter, And Carbon Monoxide From Heavy-Duty Diesel Transient Chassis Tests, Ronald Page Jarrett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Opacity and emission data were collected from heavy-duty diesel engines exercised through snap-acceleration tests and transient chassis dynamometer tests. Emission data were gathered using the West Virginia University (WVU) Transportable Heavy Duty Vehicle Emission Testing Laboratories (THDVETL) and opacity data were collected from two opacity meters; the Wager 650CP full flow opacity meter and the Bosch RT 100 partial flow opacimeter. Results showed that the Bosch peak opacity readings were consistently higher than the Wager peak opacity readings, and both meters showed little correlation with filter-captured particulate matter (PM). It was also observed that the snap-acceleration test did not identify …

Optimization Of A Roll Over Protective Structure (Rops) Using Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis, Adam Michael Gillispie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of a conventional Roll Over Protective Structure CROPS) on farm tractors over the years has saved numerous lives and prevented countless injuries. By removing the ROPS, the tractor operators place themselves in unwarranted danger.;This led the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and West Virginia University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering to the development of a deployable ROPS, which could remain down to aid in required housing space for the tractor and prevent debris from striking the tractor operator while being driven.;This research effort focuses on the application of computer-aided design and analysis to structurally optimize the …

Three-Dimensional Image Reconstruction Of Skeletal Tissue From Computed Tomography, Sundareswar Bangalore Jayashekar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edge Detection Techniques play a very important role in medical imaging. Pre-operative diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, tumors, bone fractures etc. depend on edge detection techniques to identify the malignant growths. In orthopedics, edge detection techniques are used in the reconstruction of the skeletal system from modalities such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography).;In this thesis, we develop a simple process for the three dimensional image reconstruction of the human knee, starting from computed tomography scans. Designing a digital image processing technique which successfully separates the bone from the surrounding flesh and muscle tissue is the …

Representative Ways To Analyze And Survey Changes In Long-Term Electrocardiographic Recordings, Simona Gabriela Crihalmeanu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of this research is to explore techniques with which long-term physiologic time-series data can be analyzed, so that relevant changes in physiological signals, particularly the electrocardiogram signal, can be captured, processed, quantified and stored. A new experimental model was developed such that the electrocardiogram can be monitored continuously over thirteen weeks. Cardiotoxicity was progressively induced with doxorubicin in a rabbit model, and electrocardiographic progressions from normal state to diseased state were continuously tracked. Automated methods for analyzing the data were developed to manage and control the extensive electrocardiogram dataset. A significant challenge to this work is the sheer …

Approaches To Creating Anonymous Patient Database, Shijun Shen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Health care providers, health plans and health care clearinghouses collect patient medical data derived from their normal operations every day. These patient data can greatly benefit the health care organization if data mining techniques are applied upon these data sets. However, individual identifiable patient information needs to be protected in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the quality of patient data also needs to be ensured in order for data mining tasks achieve accurate results. This thesis describes a patient data transformation system which transforms patient data into high quality and anonymous patient records that is …

Persistence Of Response Variation And Repetition, Adam Howard Doughty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A multiple chained schedule was used to assess the persistence of fixed and variable response sequences. In one terminal link, a single 4-peck response sequence produced food (Repeat) and in the other terminal link a 4-peck response sequence produced food only if it had been occurring infrequently relative to the other 15 possible responses (Vary). Similar response and reinforcement rates occurred in each terminal link. Identical variable-interval 20-s schedules operated in the initial links preceding each terminal link and lower response rates reliably occurred in the initial link preceding the Vary terminal link. After responding stabilized under the multiple chained …

Effects Of Gender And Gender Role On Cardiovascular Reactivity And Anger Experience During An Interpersonal Interaction, Andria Leigh Black

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined gender and gender role differences in cardiovascular reactivity and anger experience during an interpersonal interaction. Ninety-six participants interacted in dyads (traditional masculine men with traditional feminine women, and androgynous men with androgynous women). Agency (degree of challenge; High versus Low) and Communion (degree of agreement; Agree versus Disagree) were manipulated. Heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were assessed. Participants completed questionnaires assessing state and trait anger, and angry thoughts. Traditional women exhibited higher HR during speaking and listening intervals than other groups. Higher levels of state anger were reported for individuals …

Histological Pattern Of Ovarian Neoplasma., Zubair Ahmad, Naila Kayani, Sheema H. Hasan, Suhail Muzaffar, Muhammad Shafiq Gill

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Abstract

Objective: To see the morphological pattern of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. Method: Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of ovarian neoplasms diagnosed at Aga Khan University Hospital between 1st January 1993 and 30th September 1998. Setting: The Section of Histopathology, AKUH, Karachi. Observation: Of 855 ovarian tumours 506 (59.18%) were benign and 349(40.81%) malignant. Surface epithelial - stromal tumours comprised 63.50% of all tumours. Benign cystic teratoma was the commonest benign tumour (35.17% of all benign tumours) and serous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant tumour (33.33% of all malignant tumours). Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas are more common in our population …

Granular Cell Tumor Of The Breast: An Uncommon Lesion That Mimics Carcinoma, S Muzafar, M S. Siddiqui, Naila Kayani, I K. Lodhi, Sheema H. Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Diversity Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi On Two Reclaimed Surface Mines Differing In Soil Properties, Betsy S. Kurnik

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

I analyzed community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi on white pine (Pinus strobus) on two reclaimed surface mines in eastern Ohio. One site was acidic and metal-stressed, the other was alkaline. Completely different community composition was found on the two sites by PCR/ITS/RFLP analyses of field collected mycorrhizae. However, Shannon-Wiener index values indicated that the two communities were equally diverse. A population of isolates of one species common to both sites was obtained from trap cultures planted with white pine. The identity of this species as Wilcoxina mikolae was established through DNA sequencing of the ITS region. The W. mikolae populations …

Increasing Nutrition Knowledge And Food-Related Behavior Practices Among Participants In The "Dining With Diabetes" Program In West Virginia, Amy B. O'Dell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diabetes is a serious disease that effects a large number of West Virginia's population. A study was conducted using 591 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects who attended the "Dining with Diabetes" program. Subjects completed a demographic form, pretest, and posttest. Pearson's correlation and ANOVA were used to determine the effect of a diabetes intervention program on nutrition knowledge, diabetes behaviors, and practices. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in nutrition knowledge between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Interaction was noted when subjects were placed into groups based on their pretest score (p < 0.07). The change in score (posttest score-pretest score) was negatively correlated with pretest score (r = -0.75, p < 0.00). Significant association was also noted between nutrition knowledge score and several behavior and diabetic practices. The results conclude that diabetes education programs may significantly affect some behaviors and diabetic practices.

Exploring Visitor Meanings Of Place In The National Capital Parks - Central, Wei-Li Jasmine Chen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study uses a new approach to interpretative research based on (1) understanding the meanings visitors attach to park resources, and (2) examining the connections that visitors made after attending an on-site interpretive program. The study was conducted at the National Capital Parks in Washington, DC. This study revealed that many visitors to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial (i.e. the Triangle) seek something of value for themselves, including everything from connecting with the past and rededicating themselves to the ideals of the nation. The study incorporated mixed method design, including purposeful sampling …

Evaluation Of Survival And Recovery Characteristics Of Bifidobacteria As Indicators Of Fecal Pollution Of Water, John Elmer Ravenscroft Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The examination of aquatic environments for bacterial indicator organisms has proven to be a useful and well-established practice for the purpose of monitoring microbiological water quality. An ideal indicator of fecal pollution should be present in sufficient density to allow detection, present simultaneous with pathogen(s), incapable of aftergrowth in external aquatic environments, easy to enumerate, and exclusively of fecal origin. Unfortunately, none of the indicator organisms presently in use today meet all of these requirements. Bifidobacteria show promise as indicators of fecal pollution in water with the additional ability of potentially distinguishing between fecal pollution of human and animal origin. …

Burnout, Stress And Social Support Among Doctoral Students In Psychology, Kelli Lee Weaver

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The relationships between burnout, stress, and social support have been evaluated across a number of populations within the helping professions. However, no published studies have addressed the relationships between the aforementioned variables among doctoral students in psychology. As a result, the current study attempted to expand knowledge of the relationships between burnout, stress, and social support specifically among Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology doctoral students. Results suggested that Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology doctoral students are generally similar in their reports of burnout, stress, and social support. However, several differences were observed between the groups, and these differences are reported. …

Characterization Of The Airway Epithelial Bioelectric Mechanisms Associated With The Effects Of Epithelium-Derived Relaxing Factor In Guinea Pig-Isolated Trachea, Richard Alan Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In response to elevated serosal or mucosal tonicity, guinea-pig tracheal epithelium releases the non-nitric oxide, non-prostanoid, epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDRF), which subsequently diffuses to the underlying airway smooth muscle to initiate relaxation. Hypertonicity-induced smooth muscle relaxation via EpDRF involves epithelial Na+ and Cl- channels and is preceded by a depolarization of the transepithelial potential difference (Vms). By utilizing two different experimental systems, this study sought to characterize further the airway epithelial bioelectric mechanisms associated with the effects of EpDRF in guinea-pig isolated trachea.;First, this study attempted to elucidate which epithelial ion channels and/or transporters are involved in the depolarization of …

Breastfeeding Personal Efficacy Beliefs Of Women University Students, Ann Pollard Cleveland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many women do not initiate breastfeeding although breastfeeding promotes their baby's health. Three reasons why women do not breastfeed are women's mental organization, cultural beliefs about breastfeeding, and women's breastfeeding personal efficacy beliefs. The conceptual framework for personal efficacy beliefs is Bandura's social-cognitive theory (1992, 1995, 1997). This dissertation used a new research instrument to examine women university students' breastfeeding personal efficacy beliefs. The instrument was tested by mail survey techniques that resulted in a 70.6% respondent rate. University women's personal efficacy beliefs about breastfeeding factored into five factor subscales. In order of magnitude, the personal efficacy belief factors were …

The Role Of Audiology Technicians In The Va System, John Terry Berardino

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eligibility reform in the VA and the resulting increased caseloads have brought about unacceptable wait times for new audiology appointments. Mandates to decrease wait times without increased resources have brought new demands on audiology clinics. One proposed solution is the addition of audiology technicians to VA audiology clinic practice.

The first purpose of this study was to survey the attitudes of VA audiologists and service chiefs regarding the use of technicians. The second purpose was to ask the survey respondents to assign as generally appropriate or inappropriate, job duties which might be accomplished by an audiology technician. Following a pre-survey …

Eating Disorders: Prevention, Identification And Treatment In Elementary And Secondary Schools, Marcella I. Stickney

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the responses of elementary and secondary school counselors to students with symptoms of eating disorders. A survey was sent to 1000 school counselors in the upper Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin) during the spring of 2000. The survey contained 1 of 4 vignettes which describe either a male or female student presenting with/without symptoms suggestive of disordered eating patterns. The gender of the student in the vignette was randomly assigned. School counselors were asked to report the classification they would designate, assessment procedures they would utilize, and interventions that they …

Vaccinia Virus-Mediated Glioma Gene Therapy Using P53, Il-2 And Il-12, Bing Chen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Malignant brain tumors are generally lethal soon after their diagnosis, and the five-year survival rate for the patient is low in spite of neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Gene therapy has the potential to improve patient survival and quality of life by delivering specific combinations of therapeutic genes directly to the tumor for localized treatment.

We have based our cancer gene therapy for glioma on a highly attenuated variant of the Lister strain of vaccinia virus (VV) which has been proven to be a safe and effective vaccine vector. Other advantages include a wide host range, a strong promoter system, …

Chronic Hypoxia, Exercise Training, And Skeletal Muscle Capillarity: Angiogenic Regulation And Morphological Consequences, Ivan Mark Olfert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Angiogenesis is important in health and disease. In particular, exercise training is known to increase skeletal muscle capillarity, providing there is sufficient training intensity. The stimulus for this may be intracellular hypoxia activating angiogenic growth factor gene expression. Acute hypoxia alone has been shown to increase the gene expression of several key angiogenic regulators, e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and to a lesser degree transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an endogenous negative angiogenic regulator. Paradoxically, however, chronic hypoxia is generally not found to increase mammalian skeletal muscle capillarity. Accordingly, we hypothesized that …

Studies On The Purification And Role Of Igfbp-5 Protease In Bone, H. Garrett Rush Thompson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone density and deterioration of mineralized bone leading to enhanced susceptibility to fracture. Several growth factors have been implicated in the coupling of formation to resorption during the bone remodeling process. The net bone forming activity of many growth factors has prompted numerous studies focused on the regulation of osteoblast cell proliferation, differentiation and activity. The current study focuses on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, an important growth factor system involved in the regulation of bone formation and bone resorption.

IGF binding protein -5 (IGFBP-5), the most abundant IGF binding protein in …

Employment-Based Health Insurance In New Mexico: An Analysis Of The 2000 Health Policy Commission Statewide Employer Survey Of Health Insurance, Lee A. Reynis, Dolores Busch-Demarcus, Tony Sylvester

BBER Publications

This report presents and analyzes the results of the 2000 Health Policy Commission Statewide Employer Survey. A statewide telephone survey of New Mexico businesses was conducted by the Gilmore Research Group, and a mail-out survey of New Mexico public sector employers was conducted by BBER. The surveys were designed to collect information on employer characteristics, employee benefits, health insurance plans with the largest enrollment, and recent changes in employee health insurance plans and programs. In addition, the private sector survey gathered employers opinions, including policy preferences and factors for employee insurance availability. Illustrated with tables. Appendices include the survey methodology, …

Key Challenges Facing President-Elect Bush, Murray L. Weidenbaum

Murray Weidenbaum Publications

This paper focuses on the serious issues facing our nation during a difficult and perhaps dangerous period. Politically, Bush must work to restore the public's confidence in the presidency and develop a good working relationship with Congress. Bush will also have to deal with a slowing economy in which inflation is still rising. Domestically, fiscal policy and regulation will prove difficult issues to resolve. Finally, president-elect Bush must set a strong foreign policy agenda, as there are problem areas almost everywhere one looks around the globe.