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2006

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How Kant Would Choose To Die: A Kantian Defense Of Euthanasia, Jennifer A. Bulcock Jan 2006

How Kant Would Choose To Die: A Kantian Defense Of Euthanasia, Jennifer A. Bulcock

Master's Theses and Capstones

Legalizing euthanasia could have a serious impact on society and therefore requires careful attention be paid to the ethical issues involved. The two arguments advanced in this essay are: (1) that a consensus needs to be reached as to how to define the concept of autonomy in the euthanasia debate and (2) the application of Kantian autonomy to the euthanasia debate is only appropriate in making an argument that advanced directives, made by a present rational self for a future arational self, can legitimately specify conditions under which euthanasia should occur. To effectively make these arguments, an examination of Immanuel …

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Groundwater Report 305b 2006, Tennessee. Department Of Environment And Conservation. Jan 2006

Groundwater Report 305b 2006, Tennessee. Department Of Environment And Conservation.

Groundwater Assessment

No abstract provided.

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No.35 An Order Establishing The Governor's Ehealth Advisory Council, Phil Bredesen Jan 2006

No.35 An Order Establishing The Governor's Ehealth Advisory Council, Phil Bredesen

Executive Orders

No abstract provided.

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No.38 An Executive Order Requiring State Agencies To Assess The Impact Of New Regulations On Small Businesses, Phil Bredesen Jan 2006

No.38 An Executive Order Requiring State Agencies To Assess The Impact Of New Regulations On Small Businesses, Phil Bredesen

Executive Orders

No abstract provided.

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Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In The Folypoly-Gamma-Glutamate Synthetase Gene, Nadine Thompson Jan 2006

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In The Folypoly-Gamma-Glutamate Synthetase Gene, Nadine Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Folic acid is an essential vitamin utilized in the one-carbon metabolism pathway for the synthesis of purine and thymidine nucleotides, which are necessary for cell growth and proliferation. As a result, the enzymes that participate in the metabolism of folic acid have been good targets for cancer chemotherapy. Folylpoly-γ-glutamate synthetase (FPGS) is an enzyme in the folate metabolism pathway that catalyzes the addition of glutamic acid to the naturally occurring folates, thereby allowing the retention of folate cofactors in cells. Similarly, in the case of cancer chemotherapy, antifolates, such as Lometrexol and Tomudex are retained in cells through the activity …

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Lack Of Knowledge Of Mother-To-Child Transmission In Kenya Among Women Ages 15-49, Nisha Warrier Jan 2006

Lack Of Knowledge Of Mother-To-Child Transmission In Kenya Among Women Ages 15-49, Nisha Warrier

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The epidemic of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries is dramatic; it is responsible for nearly 90% of childhood infections. The primary purpose of analysis was to understand the distribution of factors and their association with lack of knowledge of MTCT in Kenya. In parallel, another aim was to identify the relationship between media, particularly frequency of radio exposure, and lack of knowledge.Methods: This study used the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) collected for 8,195 women, ages 15-49. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and logistic regression were completed on SPSS 14 software.Results: In the sample, 1151 …

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Social Capital, Health And Mental Health In African American Women, Cheryl Lynn Bennett Jan 2006

Social Capital, Health And Mental Health In African American Women, Cheryl Lynn Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

Cultural and social influences on mental and physical health are increasingly recognized by social science researchers. Researchers have found that specific, Afrocultural factors are related to the functioning of African Americans. The current research considered whether interdependence is especially salient for African American women since women and African Americans tend to define themselves within the context of social relationships. The study outlines processes affecting the mental and physical health of African American women including communalism, collective efficacy, and social capital. The also study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and both mental and physical health among African American women in …

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Relationship Between Cb1 And S1p Receptors In The Central Nervous System, Lauren Michele Collier Jan 2006

Relationship Between Cb1 And S1p Receptors In The Central Nervous System, Lauren Michele Collier

Theses and Dissertations

There is significant sequence homology and anatomical co-distribution between cannabinoid (CB1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors in the CNS, but potential functional relationships between these lysolipid receptors have not been examined. Therefore, to investigate possible relationships between these two systems at the level of G-protein activation, agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding and autoradiography were conducted. Autoradiographic studies were first performed to localize receptor-mediated G-protein activation in mouse brain. Coronal brain slices were processed for stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding using the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) or SIP. High levels of WIN- and S1P-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding were observed in the caudate putamen, hippocampus, …

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The Effect And Chronic Acute Pre-Treatment With Methylphenidate On Recovery Of Cognitive Function Following Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury In Rats, Katharine Coryell Eakin Jan 2006

The Effect And Chronic Acute Pre-Treatment With Methylphenidate On Recovery Of Cognitive Function Following Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury In Rats, Katharine Coryell Eakin

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent and young adult males are at a higher risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to the general population. Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is also more prevalent for males in these age groups. The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate (MPH). Based on the increase in the number of new diagnoses of ADHD and the number of children who continue taking MPH into adulthood, it is important to evaluate how chronic or acute MPH administered prior to injury may influence recovery following TBI. In both studies, cognitive abilities of male Sprague-Dawley rats were assessed …

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Factors Associated With The Provision Of Coronary Heart Disease Preventive Careservices, Patricia Carcaise-Edinboro Jan 2006

Factors Associated With The Provision Of Coronary Heart Disease Preventive Careservices, Patricia Carcaise-Edinboro

Theses and Dissertations

The Anderson and Aday access framework (1974) is utilized to investigate the association of individual and community level, predisposing, socio-demographic, and enabling factors, on potential and realized access to coronary heart disease (CHD) preventive care. The cross-sectional study is based on a sample of adults age 18-85 from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) who were identified with CHD risk or who had a CHD diagnosis.Variables from the MEPS and the Area Resource File (ARF) are used to test logistic regression models for dependent variables measuring primary and secondary CHD preventive care services. The primary preventive care measures include blood …

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The Corbett Pain Scale: A Multidimensional Pain Scale For Adult Intensive Care Patients, Gina M. Corbett Jan 2006

The Corbett Pain Scale: A Multidimensional Pain Scale For Adult Intensive Care Patients, Gina M. Corbett

Theses and Dissertations

There are no reliable tools that evaluate pain in adult critical care patients who cannot communicate as a result of sedation or illness. This was an observational study in which postoperative cardiothoracic intensive care patients were assessed for pain using both the newly devised Corbett Pain Scale (CPS) and the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). The CPS was evaluated for content validity, criterion validity, construct validity, test re-test reliability and internal consistency. Thirteen male and seven female patients (n=20) were enrolled and underwent a maximum of five pain assessments each. The mean total scores of the CPS (.740, SD+1.03) and the …

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Factors Associated With Hospital Commitment To Provide Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Services, Lea Anne Gardner Jan 2006

Factors Associated With Hospital Commitment To Provide Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Services, Lea Anne Gardner

Theses and Dissertations

General acute care hospitals play a particularly important role in the delivery of children's mental health given the extant lack of alternatives to long term hospitals for patients requiring a restrictive treatment environment (Glied and Cuellar, 2003). This cross-sectional study identifies environmental and organizational factors associated with general acute care and children's hospitals in the United States that provide hospital-based child/adolescent psychiatric services and the number of services. Two macro-level theories, Resource Dependence Theory and Institutional Theory were used to identify environmental and organizational factors. A nationwide sample of hospitals was drawn from the 2003 AHA annual survey. Data from …

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Phospholipase A2 Induced Monocyte Chemotaxis To Apoptotic Cells, Kwasi Karikari Jan 2006

Phospholipase A2 Induced Monocyte Chemotaxis To Apoptotic Cells, Kwasi Karikari

Theses and Dissertations

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is essential in such processes as organ and tissue remodeling and maturation of hematopoietic cells. The clearance of apoptotic cells is essential to prevent autoimmune responses to sequestered antigens. This process is mediated by phagocytes of the monocyte lineage. Before phagocytosis can occur, macrophages must be recruited to the apoptotic cells through chemotaxis. Products of the reaction catalyzed by the phospholipases A2 (PLA2) have been shown to induce monocyte chemotaxis either directly or indirectly. Some investigators have implicated a cytosolic calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in the production of these products during apoptosis. …

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Stature And Criminal Behavior, Rebecca J. Fish Jan 2006

Stature And Criminal Behavior, Rebecca J. Fish

Theses and Dissertations

Minorities are significantly overrepresented in America's prison population, and many studies have been conducted to determine possible causes for such a disparity. Few of these studies, however, have examined small stature as a potential contributor to criminal behavior. This study examines the relationship between criminal behavior and stature among American males. The heights, weights, stature scores (a function of the product of height and weight) and the body mass indices of criminals are examined as a whole, as well as by subgroup based on race, locality, and nature of the crime committed. The average weight of the male criminal population …

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Assessing Epidermal Growth Factor Expression In The Rodent Hippocampus Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Janice Mabutas Daus Jan 2006

Assessing Epidermal Growth Factor Expression In The Rodent Hippocampus Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Janice Mabutas Daus

Theses and Dissertations

Hippocampal neurons are vulnerable to injury, as indicated by the prevalence of learning and memory deficits following traumatic brain injury. Research indicates that proliferation of neural precursor cells increases following brain injury, which implies that there is an endogenous response in the hippocampus to replenish neurons and restore cognitive function. Studies show that mitogenic growth factors may drive this proliferative response; one of which is epidermal growth factor. Because adults and the elderly manifest the most enduring deficits following TBI, it is critical to investigate how EGF expression following injury may relate to injury-induced cell proliferation and the degree of …

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Monocyte Modulation Of Disease Pathogenesis And Progression In Localized Aggressive Periodontitis, Chu Ri Shin Jan 2006

Monocyte Modulation Of Disease Pathogenesis And Progression In Localized Aggressive Periodontitis, Chu Ri Shin

Theses and Dissertations

Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAgP) is an aggressive, early onset form of periodontitis characterized by a unique myeloid cell phenotype. In addition to its bacterial origin, the unique phenotype of the myeloid cell contributes to disease pathogenesis and progression through mechanisms mediating host inflammatory and immune responses. LAgP monocytes synthesize increased levels of the potent proinflammatory lipid mediator, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), preferentially differentiate into dendritic cells, and lead to increased IgG2 production. In addition, levels of Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) have shown to be elevated in the gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid of subjects with periodontitis. The aim of this …

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The Effect Of Silencing The Wilms' Tumor 1 Gene On The Radiation Sensitivity Of Glioblastoma Cells, Dana C. Chan Jan 2006

The Effect Of Silencing The Wilms' Tumor 1 Gene On The Radiation Sensitivity Of Glioblastoma Cells, Dana C. Chan

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastomas are among the most devastating of human cancers with a median survival of only 9-12 months. This type of brain tumor is incurable, largely due its remarkable proliferative capacity and resistance to current treatments. High levels of the Wilms' Tumor 1 (WTI) gene have been identified in glioblastomas, suggesting an oncogenic function. Moreover, known WT1 target genes have been implicated in resistance to radiation. To determine the role of WT1 in radiation resistance, two glioblastoma cell lines expressing WT1 were treated with siRNAs to silence this gene. Confirmation of WT1 knockdown was achieved through real-time PCR and Western blot. …

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Serum Anti-Phosphorylcholine And Anti-Cardiolipin Concentrations Following Periodontal Scaling And Root Planing, Reve W. Chaston Jan 2006

Serum Anti-Phosphorylcholine And Anti-Cardiolipin Concentrations Following Periodontal Scaling And Root Planing, Reve W. Chaston

Theses and Dissertations

Atherosclerosis is an insidious disease with serious morbidity and mortality including ischemic heart disease, stroke, and myocardial infarction. This condition is progressive and can start early in life eventually leading to large plaques and arterial occlusion. Two key components of this process are the immune system and lipids; in particular, LDL which accumulates within the arterial walls and macrophages which recognize and engulf oxidized-LDL (oxLDL) to form foam cells. Knowing that certain antibodies directed against bacterial antigens such as phosphorylcholine (PC) and cardiolipin (CL) show opsonizing cross-reactivity with oxLDL it can be proposed that there is a link between immune …

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Health Promoting Lifestyle And Quality Of Life In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Saichol Janwijit Jan 2006

Health Promoting Lifestyle And Quality Of Life In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Saichol Janwijit

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a severe impact on quality of life (QOL). Using the Health Promotion Model as a guide, a cross-sectional, correlational design was used to describe relationships among individual characteristics and experiences (age, gender, race, severity of illness, resilience), behavior-specific cognitions and affect (self-efficacy, barriers, social support), behavioral outcomes (health promoting lifestyle), and QOL in this patient population. One hundred and twenty participants were recruited from three clinics at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. In addition to a demographic survey, participants completed a 151-item questionnaire incorporating measures resilience, severity of illness, self-efficacy, and barriers to a …

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Factors Influencing Health Status In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Janet Jestina Byam-Williams Jan 2006

Factors Influencing Health Status In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Janet Jestina Byam-Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive, correlational study was based on Pender's Health Promotion Model (Pender, Murdaugh, & Parsons, 2002). The purpose was to examine factors influencing health status in community-dwelling, older white and black adults. The following research question was addressed by the study: What are the relationships among the individual characteristics (age, gender, race, education, and income); the behavior-specific cognitions and affect (perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and interpersonal influences); and the behavioral outcomes (health-promoting behaviors), and health status in community-dwelling whites and blacks 65 years of age and older? The convenience sample of 113 participants from four congregate meal sites in Central …

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Factors Associated With High Sexual Risk Behavior In Single Women, Thomas B. M. Leecost Jan 2006

Factors Associated With High Sexual Risk Behavior In Single Women, Thomas B. M. Leecost

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This study was to identify factors associated with High Sexual Risk Behavior (HSRB) in single Afro American women seen in an Epidemiology/Sexual transmitted disease (EPID/STD) Clinic in Richmond, Virginia from January 2006 through April 2006.Method: Participants were 154 single women (no history of marriage) between the ages of 18-30 visiting the EPID/STD clinic for the first time.Demographic information was obtained from their records. A volunteer interview was given that contained 101 variables to evaluate for High Sexual Risk Behavior (HSRB). HSRB was defined to response 'yes' to the question, "During the past 3 months did you have sex with …

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Functional Redistribution Of Hippocampal Cannabinoid Cb1 Receptors In The Rat Pilocarpine Model Of Acquired Epilepsy, Katherine Winslow Falenski Jan 2006

Functional Redistribution Of Hippocampal Cannabinoid Cb1 Receptors In The Rat Pilocarpine Model Of Acquired Epilepsy, Katherine Winslow Falenski

Theses and Dissertations

Cannabinoids, such as the marijuana derivative Δ9-THC, are known to have CBl receptor-mediated anticonvulsant effects in several animal models of seizures and epilepsy, including the rat pilocarpine model of acquired epilepsy. However, the distribution of CBl receptor expression and function in brains of epileptic rats has not been characterized. Therefore, this dissertation was initiated to evaluate the effect of epileptogenesis on the distribution and function of the endogenous CBI receptor system in the rat pilocarpine model, a well-established model of acquired temporal lobe epilepsy. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that chronically epileptic rats exhibit a unique, long-term, and specific redistribution of …

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The Life Pattern Of People With Spinal Cord Injury, Ronald R. Alligood Ii Jan 2006

The Life Pattern Of People With Spinal Cord Injury, Ronald R. Alligood Ii

Theses and Dissertations

This aim of this study was to answer the research question: "What is the Life Pattern of the Person with Spinal Cord Injury?" The unitary appreciative inquiry design, which has conceptualized through Rogers' (1986) science of unitary human beings, provided an approach for understanding the phenomenon in the context of human wholeness. The data, obtained through the methodology of unitary appreciative inquiry, led to the development of individual synopses for each of the participants. Once the synopses were completed, a composite pattern profile was constructed by the researcher that was indicative of the life pattern of people with spinal cord …

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Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres Jan 2006

Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres

Theses and Dissertations

Acquisition and retention of spores of an anthrax surrogate, Bacillus atrophaeus Nakamura ("BG") were evaluated in eight insect species. Species included: house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.), German cockroach (Blatella germanica L.), common house fly (Musca domestics L.), blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria L.), hairy rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus L.), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), common paper wasps (Polistes exclamans exclamans Viereck), red paper wasps (Polistes Carolina L.), red harvester ant (Pogonymyrmex barbatus Smith). Individual insects were offered BG-treated food and sacrificed at specified time intervals following one, two or three meals. Resulting samples were surface-washed five consecutive times then homogenized …

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The Anti-Plaque Efficacy Of Listerine® Used In Combination With Toothbrushing In Orthodontic Patients, Zachary A. Casagrande Jan 2006

The Anti-Plaque Efficacy Of Listerine® Used In Combination With Toothbrushing In Orthodontic Patients, Zachary A. Casagrande

Theses and Dissertations

The bactericidal efficacy of Listerine®, the essential oil-containing mouthrinse, has long been recognized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Listerine® mouthrinse, when added to the standard oral hygiene regimen, had an added benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis development in orthodontic patients over a six-month period. 50 orthodontic patients from the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Orthodontics were assigned either to the brushing + flossing (N= 25) or brushing + flossing + Listerine® (N = 25) group. At baseline (TI), measurements for the Ramfjord teeth were recorded for the gingival index, plaque index and bleeding index. Subsequent …

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Is Safe Haven Legislation An Efficacious Policy Response To Infant Abandonment: A Biopsychosocial Profile Of The Target Population, Stephanie Mayes Gruss Jan 2006

Is Safe Haven Legislation An Efficacious Policy Response To Infant Abandonment: A Biopsychosocial Profile Of The Target Population, Stephanie Mayes Gruss

Theses and Dissertations

This study represents an attempt to describe the extent and features of safe haven legislation in the United States, discuss implementation issues, and to examine if the legislation is reaching its intended target audience in order to answer the question, "Is safe haven legislation an efficacious response to infant abandonment?" Safe havens are designated locations where infants can be anonymously abandoned without fear of prosecution or incarceration. As of May of 2006, forty-seven states have passed such legislation, citing the need for an alternative to unsafe infant abandonment leading to an infant's death, and an alternative to infanticide (the killing …

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The Post-9/11 Federal Homeland Security Paradigm And The Adoptive Capacity Of Public Administration Theory And Practice, Chaya Rani Jain Jan 2006

The Post-9/11 Federal Homeland Security Paradigm And The Adoptive Capacity Of Public Administration Theory And Practice, Chaya Rani Jain

Theses and Dissertations

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks redefined the federal approach to disaster planning. Prior to 9/11, disaster and emergency management meant preparedness for and response to natural and man-made emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and civil discord. The post-9/11 paradigm shift, a multi-pronged approach called "homeland security" strategy, now incorporates a multitude of man- and nature-made disasters to include border and transportation security; emergency preparedness, response and recovery against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats; as well as information analysis and infrastructure protection. These new priorities were communicated to the state and local governments. The purpose of this descriptive, …

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Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah Jan 2006

Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah

Theses and Dissertations

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), an age-old clinical problem facing the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of all health systems, is a common debilitating lung condition consequent upon severe systemic inflammation. Although several studies have gone into understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease thus making way for new advances in treatment strategies, there seems to be no known study tailored to its prevention. Neutrophil extravasation within the tissues during inflammation is the hallmark of this syndrome. Our study sought to block excessive neutrophil infiltration by inhibiting the biosynthesis of some essential proteins necessary for the process. In …

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Southeast Asian Immigrant Women's Perspectives On Domestic Violence, Pataporn Saengkhiew Jan 2006

Southeast Asian Immigrant Women's Perspectives On Domestic Violence, Pataporn Saengkhiew

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the question, "What is the lived experience of Southeast Asian immigrant women who live in the United States related to domestic violence, including the relationships with their partners, their knowledge of domestic violence, and the existence of domestic violence in the Asian community?" Fourteen Thai women engaged in semistructured interviews during which they were asked to describe their experience. This study chose the phenomenological approach, using content analysis that identified six major themes representing essential aspects of the experience, as described by the participants: (a) Knowledge about Domestic Violence and Sources of Information, (b) The experience of …

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Use Of A Synthetic Substrate For Orthodontic Bond Strength Testing, Elijah B. Saikaly Jan 2006

Use Of A Synthetic Substrate For Orthodontic Bond Strength Testing, Elijah B. Saikaly

Theses and Dissertations

In vitro bond strength studies are of great importance and interest since they allow the prediction of clinical success of orthodontic adhesives. There are many studies that have investigated bond strength values of bonding systems. However, due to the variation in the materials and methods employed, it is very difficult and often impossible to make comparisons among data. The use of a substrate as an alternate to enamel for mechanical tests would minimize these variables and reduce the challenges faced with in vitro bond strength tests. The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of Macor as a …

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