Digital Commons Network^™

Hybrid Stochastic Models For Remaining Lifetime Prognosis, Steven M. Cox

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force is developing its next generation aircraft and is seeking to reduce the risk of catastrophic failures, maintenance activities, and the logistics footprint while improving its sortie generation rate through a process called autonomic logistics. Vital to the successful implementation of this process is remaining lifetime prognosis of critical aircraft components. Complicating this problem is the absence of failure time information; however, sensors located on the aircraft are providing degradation measures. This research has provided a method to address at least a portion of this problem by uniting analytical lifetime distribution models with environment and/or degradation …

Crocodylia, Alligator Mississippiensis (American Alligator): Homing And Site Fidelity, John W. Woolard, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Mark Nelson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Crocodylia, Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator): Homing and Site Fidelity

Delta-S Entropy Variation System: A Novel Biophysical Approach To Treat Chronic-Degenerative Processes. The Challenge Of Liver Cirrhosis, Giuseppe Marineo, Francesco Marotta

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Pentasaccharides. The New Anticoagulants, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq

Saudi Medical Journal

Venous thromboembolism VTE remains a common but preventable disease. The last decade has witnessed major advances in VTE treatment and prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparins LMWH became the agents of choice in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis DVT and are increasingly used in the treatment of stable pulmonary embolism PE. Increasing focus on simplicity and efficacy has led to the discovery of the synthetic pentasaccharides, substances that specifically inhibit factor Xa activity, producing an antithrombotic effect without affecting other coagulation factors or platelets. Fondaparinux, the first pentasaccharide introduced into the market, was first tried as a prophylactic agent against …

Plasma Copper And Zinc Levels In Chronic Viral Hepatitis, Iclal Meram, Fatma Sirmatel, Sibel Ahi, Mehmet Tarakcioglu

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between chronic hepatitis and trace metals has not been understood clearly. Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements for several metabolic processes. Overload or deficiency of these elements can lead to metabolic disorders and some other diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between chronic hepatitis and plasma Cu and Zn levels. METHODS: Forty-three patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were consecutively admitted to the Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Turkey, between January 2000 …

Effect Of Preventive Applications On Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Virus And Hepatitis C Virus Infections In West Turkey, Serhan Sakarya, Serkan Oncu, Barcin Ozturk, Selcen Oncu

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are community health problems in developing countries and the most common causative agents of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigates the prevalence and the effect of preventive applications on prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in blood donors. METHODS: Blood donors enrolled to the University and State Hospital Blood Banks in Aydin region of Turkey through the years 1993 to 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Blood donors were investigated in 2 groups, Group I (1993-1997) and Group II (1998-2002) to compare the prevalence difference in 10-years period. …

Relationship Of Leptin Concentration To Gender, Body Mass Index And Age In Saudi Adults, Rowyda N. Al-Harithy

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: Leptin concentrations are highly correlated with body fat storage and exhibit sexual dimorphism, with women having higher concentrations at every level of relative or absolute adiposity. To test whether or not this relation is consistent across the Saudi population. This study aims to investigate the effect of gender, obesity related parameters, and age on leptin levels from representative samples of Saudi women and men. METHODS: This study was carried out at King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2003. Fasting leptin concentrations were determined after an overnight fast in 122 healthy subjects (57 women, 65 …

Changing Survival Statistics Among Extreme Premature Infants In Oman, Shabih Manzar, Arun K. Nair, Mangalore G. Pai, Saleh M. Al-Khusaiby

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Postoperative Wound Infection In Surgical Procedures, Ahmed M. Al-Hashemy, Mohamed I. Seleem, Zaka-Allah A. Khan, Seif M. Nowry

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Daily Iron Supplementation Versus Intermittent Dose, Anila Jaleel, Mohamad A. Urrahman

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Psychometric Testing Of The Self-Care Of Heart Failure Index, Barbara Riegel, Beverly Carlson, Debra K. Moser, Margaret Sebern, Frank D. Hicks, Virginia Roland

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Self-care is believed to improve outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. However, research testing this assumption is hampered by difficulties in measuring self-care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a revised instrument measuring self-care in persons with HF, the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI). The SCHFI is a self-report measure comprised of 15 items rated on a 4-point response scale and divided into 3 subscales.

Methods and Results: Psychometric testing was done using data from 760 HF patients (age 70.36 ± 12.3 years, 51% male) from 7 sites in the United States. …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive References And Indexes, Volume 25 (2003-2004)

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

It's A Small World After All: Making The Case For The Extraterritorial Application Of The National Environmental Policy Act, Browne C. Lewis

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Characterization Of The Expression Of Bog25 And 7a5 In Normal And Cancerous Bladder, Prostate And Breast Cell Lines, Katerine Vanasek

Theses and Dissertations

The BOG25 family proteins, BOG25 and 7a5, contain domains of the EH- Network family of endocytosis, intracellular sorting and cell fate determination proteins as well as a C-terminal death domain that may play an important role in apoptosis. No other known proteins contain the same domain combinations which makes this family unique. The normal physiological roles of the BOG25 family of proteins are currently unknown, and this is the first study of the possible role of BOG25 and 7a5 in cancer. Additionally, this study is the first to confirm the transcription of mRNA for 7a5, the putative protein identified as …

Intercultural Knowledge And Skills In Social Service Work With Refugees: Perspectives From Providers And Recipients Of Service, Katherine Amy Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study examined how social service providers and refugee recipients of public social services in a small city in an upper mid-western state described the intercultural knowledge and skills they felt were necessary for effective provision of services to refugees. The study sought to add to a body of knowledge related to the concept of “cultural competence,” a concept that has received increasing attention in human service fields over the past twenty years. Lum (1999) describes cultural competence as an outcome goal “related to the master of cultural awareness, knowledge acquisition, skill development, and inductive learning” (p. 12). …

The Relationships Among Childhood Psychological Treatment, Adult Psychological Functioning, Dating Abuse, And Schema, Tonia L. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine childhood psychological maltreatment’s unique associations with adult psychological functioning, being the recipient of dating abuse, and maladaptive schemas. The present study controlled for witnessing parental physical and psychological maltreatment in order to examine these associations. It was hypothesized that childhood psychological maltreatment would be related to symptoms of adult depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and obsessive-compulsive problems. In addition, it was hypothesized that childhood psychological maltreatment would be related to being a recipient of psychological and physical abuse in dating relationships. There is an underlying assumption in Young and Gluhoski's (1997) schema- focused …

Perceptions Of Domestic Violence In Lesbian Relationships: Stereotypes And Gender Role Expectations, Betsi M. Little

Theses and Dissertations

In light of evidence suggesting that violence between lesbian couples is often times dismissed as “mutually combative,” expectations that support this perception were examined in the present study. T"> this end, undergraduate participants (N = 287) read a newspaper brief describing an incident of domestic violence taking place within the context of a lesbian partnership. As gender-based stereotypes guide not only expectations for the behavior of lesbians, but their appearance as well, participants were shown pictures of both the alleged victim and accused that varied in terms of how feminine or masculine they appeared.

Participants were randomly assigned to one …

The Impact Of Tourette's Syndrome On Families: Perceptions Of Fathers, Mothers, And Children With Tourette's Syndrome, Judith L. Olson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover the impact Tourette's syndrome has on families; specifically, fathers, mothers, and children diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. More specifically, what is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on fathers who have a child with Tourette's syndrome7 What is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on mothers who have a child with Tourette's syndrome7 What is the impact of Tourette's syndrome on a child with Tourette's syndrome?

Three families were selected as participants. All families had at least one child, ages 10-21 medically diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome.

Qualitative research methods included initial visits and interviews, followup …

With A Map And A Compass: Planning For The Online Journey, Sherry L. Lindquist

Theses and Dissertations

With rising enrollments in online courses, institutions must decide how they will respond. Institutions offering online courses through distance programs are moving those courses into the mainstream, increasing the demand for courses and instructors. Faculty must choose how they will be involved. Institutions will be challenged to find ways to encourage faculty to be involved.

This qualitative study examined perceptions of faculty and administrators to discover how well those perceptions matched. Participants were interviewed at two institutions, using a grounded theory approach.

Faculty and administrators’ perceptions differed about their institution’s initial motive for offering online courses. Administrators claimed online courses …

Effect Of Caloric Restriction On Bone Mineral Density And Bone Turnover In Over Weight And Obese Individuals With Differing Calcium Intake Levels, Timothy L. Radak

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this multi-center controlled study was to determine the effects of supplemental calcium, dairy products, and dietary calcium on bone metabolism during energy restriction. A total of 107 overweight or mildly obese males and premenopausal females between ages 18-35 years were recruited from the faculty, staff and student populations of each of the four participating institutions (University of Tennessee, Purdue University, Ohio State University and the University of California-Davis). Subjects were randomized to the following outpatient dietary regimens for 12 weeks: Low Calcium (LC) a control diet providing a 500 kcal/day deficit, 0-1 servings of dairy products/day, _ …

Experiential Career Exploration: Qualitative Examination Of A Group-Based Intervention, Rhanda B. Clow

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the self-reported experience of vocationally stalled adults transitioning from welfare to work as reported on the Session Impact Scale and uses Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) to analyze their observed in-the-moment interactions in an experiential career preparation intervention. The analysis resulted in five domains, Affiliation, Barriers, New Knowledge, Isolated Noteworthy Events, and Negative Impacts, and 20 categories. Implications for the practice of career counseling as well as the training of those who work with transitioning assistance recipients and vocationally stalled adults are discussed. Suggestions for further research with this population in the context of career preparation are also …

The Section 504 Process In Middle Schools: Perspectives Of Parents, Teachers, And Section 504 Coordinators, Kari S. Chiasson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions, experiences, and actions/interactions of teachers, parents, and Section 504 coordinators regarding the development and implementation of the Section 504 process for children in middle schools who have attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), or central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). This study provided an opportunity to explain or predict specific aspects of the Section 504 process, offer insight, enhance understanding, and provide a meaning for those involved in the Section 504 process.

This qualitative study utilized methodologies associated with a grounded theory approach through in-depth interviews. The first …

The Effects Of A Multimodality Approach On Sentence Production Using Response Elaboration Training With A Reading Component On Aphasic Patients., Sara E. Mccarthy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effects of a multimodality treatment were investigated using a single subject experimental design across behaviors in two patients with different severity levels of Broca's aphasia. We hypothesized that Response Elaboration Training and an oral reading task would improve accuracy of sentence production, information content, and mean length of utterance. Results indicated that this treatment approach elicited significant improvement in the accuracy of sentence production and information content in the participant with very mild Broca's aphasia. Furthermore, the participant with severe Broca's aphasia demonstrated a very significant improvement in information content and mean length of utterance. The improvements support the …

Creating Inclusive 4-H Environments For People With Disabilities, Mitzi Stumpf-Downing, Karla Henderson, Karen Luken, Deb Bialeschki

Journal of Extension

The purpose of a 4-year 4-H Inclusion Project conducted in North Carolina was to create intentionally inclusive 4-H environments and engage communities to address the needs of people with disabilities. In year one an experiential curriculum, "Shine Up and Step Out," was developed for youth ages 9 to 12 years. In the next 3 years, selected counties used the curriculum and developed training and resource opportunities. A summative evaluation showed how the county projects were successful and offered recommendations about the curriculum, statewide inclusion opportunities, program and policy, community involvement, and ongoing implementation and evaluation.

Profiling Economic Capacity, David J. Connell, Ellen Wall

Journal of Extension

This article presents a method for creating economic capacity profiles based on assessing the resources available to support local economic development. Each profile incorporates four features of the local economy: entrepreneurship, infrastructure, human resources, and business environment. These four variables are evaluated through 20 indicators related to location. Both qualitative and quantitative scoring methods are used for representing the indicators, which become the basis for creating the profile. The outcome is a "snapshot" of the economic capacity of the area under investigation. These profiles are highly useful to Extension professionals wanting to improve economic development in local areas.

Cooperative Extension Responding To Family Needs In Time Of Drought And Water Shortage, Kathy R. Bosch

Journal of Extension

This article examines the impact of drought on family relationships and how Extension has responded to the needs of farm, ranch, and rural families. Information was based on a literature review and interviews with farmers, ranchers, and professionals working with rural issues. Rural families who experience economic hardships have been found to suffer stress and relationship tensions. However, more research is needed to understand how families cope in drought conditions. Extension has responded to the drought issue using various delivery methods to gather and disseminate information to provide support to farmers, ranchers, and professionals working with rural families.

Enhancing Public Understanding Of Water Resources Issues: A Community-Based Short-Course For The Pacific Northwest, Kevin Laughlin, Ariel Szogi, Frank Burris, Robert L. Mahler

Journal of Extension

A "hands on" 15-hour "community based" water quality and monitoring short-course was delivered to citizen groups at six locations in the Pacific Northwest in 2000. The University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Oregon State University Cooperative Extension Systems, USDA-CSREES, and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) partnered in design, development, and delivery. This short-course increased participant understanding, awareness of water issues, and improved water-monitoring skills. A 17-module guide and an evaluation model were developed. This learning experience dramatically improved learners' understanding of complex water resource issues and prepared them to plan, monitor, and assess local water issues.

Looking Beyond The Empirical Data: A Discussion About Out-Of-School Youth-Centered Tobacco Prevention Programs, Cynthia Gibbons, Cynthia Mark

Journal of Extension

4-H Extension launched an out-of-school smoking cessation initiative aimed at high-risk youth in Michigan. Adults and youth were given educational tools and resources to help prevent smoking in their communities, and youth were offered "hands on" programs to make better decisions about their use of tobacco products. While there were no significant differences in youth knowledge from start to end of select pilot programs, programs reached a large number of people at a relatively low cost and were well received within communities. Of particular importance were the "lessons learned" and subsequent discussions about best practices for future programming.

Measuring Impacts With Young Audiences: Adapting A Life-Skills Instrument For Use With Third- To Fifth-Grade Youth, Doris M. Loeser, Sandra J. Bailey, Rae Lynn Benson, Mary Y. Deen

Journal of Extension

Capturing the impacts Extension programming has on younger school-age audiences is often difficult, yet staff are increasingly asked to document program effectiveness. The limited literacy skills and concrete reasoning of young school age children make the use of written evaluations challenging, yet observations and interviews are time consuming and costly for programs. This article discusses how an evaluation instrument was adapted for use with third to fifth grade 4-H youth. The system was piloted with 65 youth who attended a 4-H camp. Implications and suggestions for others adapting written evaluation instruments are offered.