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Invasive Alien Species In An Era Of Globalization, Laura A. Meyerson, Harold A. Mooney

Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications

Globalization facilitates the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) as international commerce develops new trade routes, markets, and products. New technologies increase the pace at which humans and commodities can move around the world. Recent research on IAS at the global scale has examined commerce and travel in order to inform predictions, risk analyses, and policy. Due to limited data, regional-scale studies have primarily focused on invasion patterns rather than impacts. Local-scale experimental research can identify mechanisms and impacts of biological invasions, but the results may not be applicable at larger spatial scales. However, the number of information networks devoted …

Multinomial Logistic Regression Model For The Inferential Risk Age Groups For Infection Caused By Vibrio Cholerae In Kolkata, India, Krishnan Rajendran, Thandavarayan Ramamurthy, Dipika Sur

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) modeling is an effective approach for categorical outcomes, as compared with discriminant function analysis and log-linear models for profiling individual category of dependent variable. To explore the yearly change of inferential age groups of acute diarrhoeal patients infected with Vibrio cholerae during 1996-2000 by MLR, systematic sampling data were generated from an active surveillance study. Among 1330 V.cholerae infected cases, the predominant age category was up to 5 years accounting for 478 (30.5%) cases. The independent variables V.cholerae O1 (p<0.001) and non-O1 and non-O139 (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with children under 5 years age group. V.cholerae O139 inferential age group was > 40 years. The infection mediated by V.cholerae O1 had significantly decreasing trend Exp(B) year wise from …

Proteomic And Immunoblot Analyses Of Bartonella Quintana Total Membrane Proteins Identify Antigens Recognized By Sera From Infected Patients, Jenni K. Boonjakuakul, Helen L. Gerns, Yu-Ting Chen, Linda D. Hicks, Michael F. Minnick, Scott E. Dixon, Steven C. Hall, Jane E. Koehler

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Bartonella quintana is a fastidious, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that causes prolonged bacteremia in immunocompetent humans and severe infections in immunocompromised individuals. We sought to define the outer membrane subproteome of B. quintana in order to obtain insight into the biology and pathogenesis of this emerging pathogen and to identify the predominant B. quintana antigens targeted by the human immune system during infection. We isolated the total membrane proteins of B. quintana and identified 60 proteins by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting. Using the newly constructed proteome map, we then utilized two-dimensional immunoblotting with sera from …

International Development Education, Adam Crawley

Senior Honors Projects

Global warming, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation are perhaps three of the most daunting security challenges being faced by the United States today. How to meet these threats is the subject of endless political debate in our society, yet too often the root causes of these threats are overlooked. While the Western world is certainly responsible for the majority of emissions that contribute to global warming, it will not be long until developing nations, led by industrial powers such as China, begin to take on a more significant role in contributing to this problem. Similarly, it is these same developing nations …

General Index

Penn State International Law Review (1982 - 2011)

No abstract provided.

Hemoparasite Load In Bats With Varying Roost Size In San Luis, Costa Rica, May 2007, Robin Miller

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Bats, as well as most other mammals, are host to many endoparasites that can damage or even cause death in their host (Baron 1996). I surveyed blood parasites from 28 bats in San Luis, Costa Rica. This study focused on six different species of bats with varying roosting behaviors to determine the amount and type of blood parasites differs between bat species. I identified four different types of blood parasites as well as a gram-negative bacterium. Using a proportion between the total number of parasites and the number of individuals caught per species, I found Myotis keaysi, which roosts in …

Characterization Of Novel Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase (Rt) Inhibitor Resistance Mutations At Residues 132 And 135 In The 51 Kda Subunit Of Hiv-1 Rt, Dwight V. Nissley, Jessica Radzio, Zandrea Ambrose, Chih-Wei Sheen, Noureddine Hamamouch, Katie L. Moore, Gilda Tachedjian, Nicolas Sluis-Cremer

Biology & Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Several rare and novel NNRTI [non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor] resistance mutations were recently detected at codons 132 and 135 in RTs from clinical isolates using the yeast-based chimaeric TyHRT (Ty1/HIV-1 RT) phenotypic assay. Ile¹³² and Ile¹³⁵ form part of the b7–b8 loop of HIV-1 RT (residues 132–140). To elucidate the contribution of these residues in RT structure–function and drug resistance, we constructed twelve recombinant enzymes harbouring mutations at codons 132 and 135–140. Several of the mutant enzymes exhibited reduced DNA polymerase activities. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay for HIV-1 RT dimerization we show that in some instances …

Checkup, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Checkup

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Intrauterine Device And Oral Contraceptive On Vaginal Flora And Epithelium, Sabahattin Ocak, Meryem Cetin, Sibel Hakverdi, Kenan Dolapcioglu, Arif Gungoren, Ali U. Hakverdi

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbial and cytopathological changes and genital symptoms in oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) users. METHODS: Included in the study were 34 women using OCP and 34 women using IUCD for 24 to 36 months period and 34 women as control group. We conducted the study between March to September 2005 in Antakya Maternity Hospital, Turkey. Vaginal discharge was subjected to wet mount examination, gram staining, and culture. Cervical smears were examined and reported using the Bethesda system as reference. RESULTS: In the IUCD group, women with intermediate score was 20.6%, while those …

Five-Year Surveillance Of Chickenpox In Qassim, Central Saudi Arabia, Saulat Jahan, Abdullah M. Al-Saigul, Shamandy A. Hamed

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Incarceration : A Rising Population Dilemma, Lessie Smith Jr.

Master's Theses

The nation's incarceration growth continues to soar, having negative economic and societal effects. This research explores continued growth causes and possible answers to prevent, intervene, and slow down incarceration. Hampton Roads institutions' offenders and professional staff were surveyed. The survey focuses on preventive and intervention programs and their effectiveness, sociological and economical factors leading to imprisonment, and statistics supporting incarceration growth. The research goal is to validate program contents and components factoring into imprisonment. The study of others and information generated through this study are used to determine program needs and current effectiveness. This study explores reasons offenders frequent the …

Changes In Student Wellness Behaviors After Enrollment In Health Advocacy Courses At Und, Shelby J. Kary

Theses and Dissertations

Peer/health advocacy programs are used in the college and university setting to promote health education for students. Carns, Carns, and Wright (1993) found 83% of colleges and universities used undergraduate students in peer education programs. According to Mellanby, Rees, and Tripp (2000), "Peer-led education may be more effective, resulting in greater positive changes in health behaviour, than adult-led interventions" (p. 543). In the spring of 2005, Dr. Alan Allery, Director of Student Health Services at the University of North Dakota (UND), envisioned implementing a peer advocacy program at UND. A review of peer/health advocacy programs at other universities revealed that …

Rescue The Americans With Disabilities Act From Restrictive Interpretations: Alcoholism As An Illustration, Judith J. Johnson

Northern Illinois University Law Review

The article posits that judicial interpretations have virtually eliminated many impairments, such as alcoholism, from protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, contrary to obvious Congressional intent. While this phenomenon is not limited to alcoholism, it is a useful illustration of the damage judicial activism has caused in this area. In enacting the ADA, Congress was particularly concerned about "stereotypic assumptions" that created myths and fears about disabled people. Alcoholics are often subjected to discrimination because of such assumptions and because they are not perceived as having a "real" illness. Moreover, Congress referred to alcoholism many times in the legislative …

Thirty Years Of Alma Ata Pledges: Is Devolution In Pakistan An Opportunity For Rekindling Primary Health Care?, Babar T. Shaikh, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Gregory Pappas

Community Health Sciences

The 1978 Alma Ata Conference presented the manifesto to attain global health for the next century by providing basic health care aimed at the urban and rural poor of the developing world. While the goals of Alma Ata were noble, they were untenable. Today, developing countries face serious issues of equity in health care delivery and fairness in health care management with even a greater need to transform the management systems and practice. Primary health care remains a cornerstone of building the capacity of health systems. Devolution in health sector in Pakistan seems like a chance to re-exert Alma Ata …

Joining The Asia-Pacific Partnership: The Environmentally Sound Decision?, Sarah A. Peay

Colorado Environmental Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Cost Of New Therapies In Cardiovascular Care. Time For Hope Or Despair For Developing Countries, Abdallah F. Omeish

Saudi Medical Journal

In recent years, remarkable therapeutic advances have been made in the field of interventional cardiology with the introduction of statins, thienopyridines, such as clopidogrel and drug-eluting stents. Only a small minority in developing countries can afford these new treatment modalities, while the public health system would be rapidly bankrupted if it were to provide these modalities for all patients who might benefit from it. The purpose of this review article is to provide insight regarding the cost-effectiveness of these new treatment strategies and to address the added costs resulting upon their adoption and their appropriateness in developing countries.

Screening For Hogg1 S326c Variant In Normal Saudi Population, Mohammed S. Alanazi, Abdullah M. Alamri, Nada A. Al-Tassan, Mohammed S. Alanazi, Mohammed S. Alanazi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Is Saudi Arabia A Fertile Land For Exchanging Infectious Diseases?, Sahal A. Al-Hajoj, Fahad Al-Rabiah

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Recovery Of Propylthiouracil-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure In An 8-Year Old Child, Bassam S. Bin-Abbas, Souheil M. Shabib, Wajeeh M. Al-Dekhail, Saud N. Al-Shanafey, Ali I. Al-Mehaideb, Abdullah A. Al-Ashwal

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Anti-Insect Defensive Behaviors Of Equines After West Nile Virus Infection, Linsey Renee Cozzie

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

West Nile Virus is an important arbovirus (virus transmitted by arthropods) that has recently affected the health of both humans and animals in the United States. West Nile fever was first identified in the US in 1999. West Nile virus (WNV), vectored by mosquitoes, has had a detrimental impact on domestic horse health with over 23,000 equine cases in the United States since 1999. Previous research has focused on how this disease progresses and affects equids days to weeks post infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate permanent equine behavioral changes. Specifically, I examined if surviving this disease …

Use Of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy For The Classification And Identification Of Bacteria Of Importance To The Food Industry, Sarah Pegram

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The aim of this work was to use Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to characterize and identify bacteria of particular significance to the food industry. FT-IR spectroscopy is a rapid technique that can be applied to all groups of bacteria. The two objectives were to determine a suitable sampling procedure to record a spectrum and to determine a suitable statistical technique to identify characteristic regions of the spectrum associated with the genus and, potentially, the species. Pure cultures of bacteria were grown in broth, suspended in saline and dried to produce a film on a halide salt crystal. These films were …

Breeding Behavior And Space Use Of Male And Female Mule Deer: An Examination Of Potential Risk Differences For Chronic Wasting Disease Infection, Leslie R. Mcfarlane

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The dynamics of pathogen and host relationships relative to disease transmission in wildlife populations are important ecological processes to understand, particularly since spatial dynamics of disease can be driven by movement, behavior, and dispersal of animals. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an example of this important interface, where little is known regarding origin of the disease or routes of transmission. Surveillance data for CWD in free-ranging mule deer indicates that breeding-age male deer have 2-4 times higher prevalence rates than females or younger age males. In an effort to understand differences that might increase risk for exposure to CWD infective …

Psychosocial Variables And Their Relationship To Diabetic Outcome Among The Strong Heart Study Cohort, Brian D. O'Leary

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United Sates. Certain Native American groups have been harder hit than the mainstream population, both in prevalence of the disease and in rates of related complications. The highest known prevalence in the world is found among a Southwestern U.S. Tribe, and other Native American Tribes have demonstrated similar prevalence rates. It has been shown that certain psychological factors such as depression and hostility impact both the occurrence and outcome of certain diseases, including diabetes.

This study examined whether those individuals who have not met the criteria …

Debra L. Delaet On Health And Human Rights: Basic International Documents, 2d Edition, Edited By Stephen P. Marks. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Published By Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center For Health And Human Rights; Distributed By Harvard University Press, 2006. 392pp., Debra L. Delaet

Human Rights & Human Welfare

A review of:

Health and Human Rights: Basic International Documents, 2d Edition, edited by Stephen P. Marks. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Published by Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights; Distributed by Harvard University Press, 2006. 392pp.

Extraction Method Development And In Vivo And In Vitro Toxicity Studies Of The Etiologic Agent Of Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy, Faith Wiley

All Dissertations

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a neurological disease affecting birds in the southeastern United States. The cause of the disease has not yet been determined but is believed to be a naturally produced toxin and is associated with aquatic vegetation. Current research on AVM is limited to in vivo studies utilizing whole tissue or vegetative samples. The objectives of this research were to develop extraction methods for isolating the putative AVM toxin from vegetative samples and to develop an in vitro bioassay for detection and study of the toxin. Samples of vegetation were collected from reservoirs known to be affected …

Roles Of Luteal And Allantoic Function In Late Embryonic/Early Fetal Pregnancy Failures In Cattle, Justin D. Rhinehart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pregnancy failures during placentation in lactating dairy cows have been associated with low concentrations of peripheral serum progesterone (P 4) and poor development of the chorioallantoic membranes. Experiment I was done to determine if pregnant cows with high or low concentrations of serum P4 differed in luteal production of P4 and/or clearance of injected P4. Luteal tissue was removed from pregnant cows with ≥ 4.0 ng/mL (High) or ≤ 2.5 ng/mL (Low) serum P4 during d 28 to 34 post-insemination. Luteal tissue was assayed for P4 by radioimmunoassay and for expression of mRNA for preproendothelins 1 and 3, endothelin converting …

Aku Newsletter : May 2007, Volume 8, Issue 1, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Aerosol Generation And Entrainment Model For Cough Simulations, Cem Ersahin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The airborne transmission of diseases is of great concern to the public health community. The possible spread of infectious disease by aerosols is of particular concern among health-care workers and emergency responders, who face a much greater risk of exposure to these hazards than does the general public. Some diseases, such as influenza, spread by dissemination and inhalation of aerosols of small droplet nuclei that are generated by coughing and remain airborne for an extended time. For that reason a better understanding of the generation of aerosols is important. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the …

Factors Affecting The Spread Of A Bioterrorist Agent Through A Building, William Cantrell

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bioterrorism has become a concern for Americans since the 2001 anthrax letters. Many studies have been done regarding the possibilities of biological attacks since, and most deal with possibilities of large scale attacks. However, there is reason to believe that small scale attacks are more likely. Even though studies have been done revolving around the postal system and the spread of bioagents through mail, few if any studies have looked at an attack on a single building. One particular method of attacking a building would be simply releasing an aerosoled contaminant in the building. This purpose of this project is …

Immunoadjuvanticity Of Chlorophyll, Jocelyn Helen Parks Ramos

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Vaccines are formulations containing antigenic determinants (from non-self organic matters) and immuno-enhancers called adjuvants. Together, they evoke protective immune responses in hosts. Adjuvants are substances that further vaccines' capability to induce a robust immune response. Common side effects with conventional adjuvants used in most vaccines are toxicity, inflammation and granulomas. In this study we investigated the pigment chlorophyll (Chl) for immunoadjuvanticity. The selection of chlorophyll is based on the fact that it is a component in foods such as spinach, and that it contains an isoprenoid structure that is a feature of many conventional adjuvants, Pristane and Squalene. Chl …