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2009

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The Effects Of Naturally-Occurring Fatigue And Task Difficulty On Effort Related Cardiovascular Response, Jason Lagory Jan 2009

The Effects Of Naturally-Occurring Fatigue And Task Difficulty On Effort Related Cardiovascular Response, Jason Lagory

All ETDs from UAB

Wright's integrative analysis suggests that effort can be measured via cardiovascular (CV) response. In addition, the analysis breaks with tradition in suggesting that effort varies not with benefit alone, but also with the difficulty of the behavioral challenge at hand. Recent research has focused upon the effects of fatigue on effort related CV response, assuming that fatigue negatively affects perceived ability. Results have supported interactional predictions. Specifically, they have indicated higher levels of CV response among high- as compared to low fatigue participants when tasks were possible and worthwhile and the reverse response pattern when tasks were excessively difficult (given …


Psychosocial And Affective Mediators Of Ethnic Group Differences In Stressor-Evoked Changes In Systolic Blood Pressure And Pain Perception, Renata Okonkwo Jan 2009

Psychosocial And Affective Mediators Of Ethnic Group Differences In Stressor-Evoked Changes In Systolic Blood Pressure And Pain Perception, Renata Okonkwo

All ETDs from UAB

African Americans, compared to non-Hispanic whites, report greater levels of clinical pain and experience more pain-related disability (AmericanHeartAssociation, 2005; C. L.Edwards, Fillingim, & Keefe, 2001; R. R. Edwards, Doleys, Fillingim, & Lowery, 2001; McCracken, Matthews, Tang, & Cuba, 2001; J. L. Riley et al., 2002). Furthermore, African Americans consistently differ from primarily non-Hispanic white samples on experimentally induced pain. We examined ethnic group differences in the effects of exposure to a brief stressor on individuals' pain responses and changes in SBP and heart rate (HR). In addition, we examined the mediational role of perceived racial discrimination, and differences in the …


The "Write" Tools: The Impact Of Teachers' Self-Efficacy On Classroom Writing Instruction, Judy Rapp Jan 2009

The "Write" Tools: The Impact Of Teachers' Self-Efficacy On Classroom Writing Instruction, Judy Rapp

All ETDs from UAB

THE "WRITE" TOOLS: THE IMPACT OF TEACHERS' SELF-EFFICACY ON CLASSROOM WRITING INSTRUCTION JUDY RAMONA RAPP EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT While teaching self-efficacy has been supported as an important construct related to teacher competence (Goddard, R. D., Hoy, W. K., & Hoy, A. W. American Education Research Journal, 37, 479-507), little is known about how teachers think of themselves as writers, particularly as it relates to their writing instruction. This study supports the developing notion that writing self-efficacy is an important element in understanding how it is that teachers think about their own writing. It also serves to operationalize the construct …


The Role Of Mitochondria And Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Transport Systems In Ca2+-Dependent Glutamate Release From Rat Cortical Astrocytes, Reno Cervo Reyes Jan 2009

The Role Of Mitochondria And Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Transport Systems In Ca2+-Dependent Glutamate Release From Rat Cortical Astrocytes, Reno Cervo Reyes

All ETDs from UAB

Astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the central nervous system, are recognized for their support roles to neurons. They supply neurons with metabolites, maintain ion homeostasis and clear the synaptic space of neurotransmitters. However, it has been found that some astrocytes have receptors for neurotransmitter and neuroligands, exhibit Ca2+ excitability when stimulated via these receptors, and secrete gliotransmitters as an output of this Ca2+ excitability. In the Ca2+-dependent release of glutamate, it has been shown that the endoplasmic reticulum is the predominant source and the extracellular space is the auxiliary source of free Ca2+ necessary for triggering exocytosis. Because …


Hmgb1 Mediates Endogenous Tlr2 Activation And Brain Tumor Regression, James Curtin, Naiyou Liu, Marianela Candolfi, Weidong Xiong, Hikmat Assi, Kader Yagiz, Matthew Edwards, Kathrin Michelsen, Kurt Kroeger, Chunyan Liu, Akm Ghulam Muhammad, Mary Clark, Moshe Arditi, Begonya Comin-Anduix, Antoni Ribas, Pedro Lowenstein, Maria Castro Jan 2009

Hmgb1 Mediates Endogenous Tlr2 Activation And Brain Tumor Regression, James Curtin, Naiyou Liu, Marianela Candolfi, Weidong Xiong, Hikmat Assi, Kader Yagiz, Matthew Edwards, Kathrin Michelsen, Kurt Kroeger, Chunyan Liu, Akm Ghulam Muhammad, Mary Clark, Moshe Arditi, Begonya Comin-Anduix, Antoni Ribas, Pedro Lowenstein, Maria Castro

Articles

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor that carries a 5-y survival rate of 5%. Attempts at eliciting a clinically relevant anti-GBM immune response in brain tumor patients have met with limited success, which is due to brain immune privilege, tumor immune evasion, and a paucity of dendritic cells (DCs) within the central nervous system. Herein we uncovered a novel pathway for the activation of an effective anti-GBM immune response mediated by high-mobility-group box 1 (HMGB1), an alarmin protein released from dying tumor cells, which acts as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling …


The Influence Of Parent Attributional Style And Family Structure On Adolescent Adjustment To Chronic Illness, Kimberly Guion Jan 2009

The Influence Of Parent Attributional Style And Family Structure On Adolescent Adjustment To Chronic Illness, Kimberly Guion

All ETDs from UAB

Adolescents diagnosed with a variety of chronic diseases are at increased risk for developing internalizing and externalizing problems. Various family factors may play an important role in adolescent adjustment, particularly in the chronic illness population given the important role that family members play in medical care and coping. Previous literature has demonstrated the separate contributions of parental attributions and adolescent attributions to adolescent adjustment. However, it is unknown whether parental coping affects adolescent mental health outcomes directly or indirectly by influencing children’s attributional style. Further, there is a dearth of research examining the role of family structure in coping in …


Factors Associated With Sleep Disruption Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults In The Health And Retirement Study, Laura L. Williams Jan 2009

Factors Associated With Sleep Disruption Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults In The Health And Retirement Study, Laura L. Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine behavioral outcomes and sleep disruption in aging adults using data from the 2004 wave of the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS). It was hypothesized that sleep disruption is associated with behavioral outcomes and sociodemographic variables in a population-based sample. Methods: The 2004 HRS data (N=20,129) represents a cross-sectional analysis of community dwelling aging adults born in the US at or before 1923 through 1953. Data are stratified by date of birth to provide five cohorts of aging elderly. The HRS Psychosocial Leave-Behind Participant Lifestyle Questionnaire (PLBQ) was given to a …


Administrative Roles And Experiences Of School Principals In An Era Of High-Stakes Accountability: A Qualitative Study Of The Perspectives Of Alabama Principals, Charles L. Willis Jan 2009

Administrative Roles And Experiences Of School Principals In An Era Of High-Stakes Accountability: A Qualitative Study Of The Perspectives Of Alabama Principals, Charles L. Willis

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of the dissertation was to gain an in-depth understanding of what meaning principals in Alabama made of their administrative roles and experiences in an era of high-stakes accountability. With the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) signed into legislation in January of 2002, federal, state, and local accountability mandates have vastly increased. In an era of unprecedented educational reform and accountability, there arose an unrelenting expectation for effective school leaders. The principalship has morphed into one of the most demanding positions in the field of education. The researcher used a qualitative approach to explore and gather rich descriptions …


Effects Of Infant Massage On Hiv-Infected Mothers And Their Infants, Krista Lee Oswalt Jan 2009

Effects Of Infant Massage On Hiv-Infected Mothers And Their Infants, Krista Lee Oswalt

All ETDs from UAB

The current study aimed to determine whether HIV-infected mothers and their infants benefit from infant massage training. Because a number of risks, including maternal depression, high levels of maternal stress, decreased ability to perform parental tasks, involvement in risky behaviors such as drug use, inferior Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale performance, and externalizing behavior problems in the children, have been associated with HIV-infected mothers and their children, this population was a sensible choice for intervention. A great deal of information related to the benefits of infant massage for a variety of at risk infants is available in the literature, however, …


Predictors Of Self-Reported Health Status In Occupationally And Environmentally Exposed Individuals, Christie Shelton Jan 2009

Predictors Of Self-Reported Health Status In Occupationally And Environmentally Exposed Individuals, Christie Shelton

All ETDs from UAB

Every year, over 3.5 billion pounds of industrial toxins and one to two billions pounds of environmental toxins are deliberately released into the environment. Although exposures have been shown to have an adverse effect on the health of the individuals, the effect of these exposures on the self-reported health status of individuals who have been environmentally and occupationally exposed to these toxins is still unclear. The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify the best subset of predictors of self-reported health status in current/former farmers and manufacturing workers from the set of age, sex, race, blood pressure, cholesterol measures, …


The Relationship Of Sexual Empowerment And Sexual Pressure To Condom Use Of Young Adult African American And Caucasian Women, Carrie Ann Long Jan 2009

The Relationship Of Sexual Empowerment And Sexual Pressure To Condom Use Of Young Adult African American And Caucasian Women, Carrie Ann Long

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: HIV knowledge, high self-esteem, condom self-efficacy, positive attitudes toward condom use, and condom negotiation skills have been associated with decreased HIV risk behavior among women, but have not been examined within a framework of empowerment for sexual risk. Sexual pressure, inclusive of both coercive and noncoercive pressures to engage in unwanted or unprotected sex, has also not been studied in association with sexual empowerment as a framework or as a potential moderator between sexual empowerment and condom use among women of different racial groups. Study Purpose: 1) To explore the relationship between sexual empowerment and condom use; 2) to …


A Qualitative Case Study On The Perception Of Middle School Stakeholders On The Effectiveness And Importance Of Character Education In Three Middle Schools In An Inner City School District In Alabama, Emeka Nzeocha Jan 2009

A Qualitative Case Study On The Perception Of Middle School Stakeholders On The Effectiveness And Importance Of Character Education In Three Middle Schools In An Inner City School District In Alabama, Emeka Nzeocha

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how middle school stakeholders viewed character education. Character education has been used to combat student disruptions. Young adolescents in the middle school setting present various challenges to school leaders, and this study sought to understand how the stakeholders in this setting viewed character education. A qualitative design with a case study methodology was used to conduct this study. An Institutional Review Board approval was secured prior to commencing the research. Purposeful sampling was used to select the 46 participants in this study, which included students, parents, a school janitor, teachers, a school …


Living With Stress: Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Capital, And Depression, John Porter Lillis Jan 2009

Living With Stress: Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Capital, And Depression, John Porter Lillis

All ETDs from UAB

This study's objective was to determine the effects of personal and neighborhood stressors on depressive symptomology for community dwelling adults aged 65 and over. The psychosocial resource model was employed as social capital is hypothesized to be a resource and play a mediating role in the effect of both types of stressors on depressive symptomology. Individual level data utilized came from the UAB Study of Aging (N = 919) and the neighborhood level data came from the 2000 Decennial Census. Logistic regression analysis determined that neighborhood stressors had no direct or indirect effect on depressive symptomology. This analysis did show …


The Cultural Worldview Of Allopthic And Naturopathic Physicians, Cullen Clark Jan 2009

The Cultural Worldview Of Allopthic And Naturopathic Physicians, Cullen Clark

All ETDs from UAB

Worldview is the socio-cultural compass with which we navigate the existential mysteries of life. It is our way of seeing – and being in – the world. As such it influences every aspect of culture from art to medicine. This exploratory study uses a sequential design combining quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore the worldview of allopathic and naturopathic physicians. Using survey research, the study identifies five basic components of competing worldviews among allopathic (n = 550) and naturopathic physicians (n = 399). It measures agreement among the two groups with these components and explores their influence upon support for …


Impact Of Health Care Coverage And Other Socio-Demographic Variables On The Follow-Up Of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Colombian Women, Isabel Cristina Garces-Palacio Jan 2009

Impact Of Health Care Coverage And Other Socio-Demographic Variables On The Follow-Up Of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Colombian Women, Isabel Cristina Garces-Palacio

All ETDs from UAB

In Colombia, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women with incidence (36.4/100,000) and mortality rates (18/100,000) much higher than those of the U.S. (7.7 and 2.3 respectively). About 70% of the Colombian population has health care coverage (HCC) through the subsidized regime (SR) which serves the poorest persons and the contributory regime (CR) which serves the working population. Our goal was to determine the role that HCC plays in cervical cancer screening follow-up among Colombian women. A population-based cross-sectional study of 24,717 women between the ages of 18 and 49, using the 2005 Demographic and Health Survey was …


Occupational Stress, Dietary Self-Efficacy, Eating Habits And Body Composition In Police Officers, Rebecca Witten Grizzle Jan 2009

Occupational Stress, Dietary Self-Efficacy, Eating Habits And Body Composition In Police Officers, Rebecca Witten Grizzle

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity is a paramount public health threat in the U.S. as approximately twothirds of the adult population is overweight. Police officers have an even higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Police officers often attribute their above average cardiovascular disease risk to shift work, jobrelated stress, and poor dietary habits while working. Occupational stress is a major concern among police officers. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationships among occupational stress, obesity, and diet habits. However, few research studies have characterized these relationships in police officers. The specific aims of this study were to determine …


The Distinction Between First And Higher-Order Pregnancies Among Low-Income Adolescents, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery Jan 2009

The Distinction Between First And Higher-Order Pregnancies Among Low-Income Adolescents, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery

All ETDs from UAB

Rapid repeat pregnancy is defined as having a subsequent pregnancy within 2 years of the first. In the United States, approximately 30-50% of adolescent mothers will experience a repeat pregnancy within 12 to 24 months of the first birth (Sangalang, Barth, & Painter, 2006; Coard, Nitz, & Felice, 2000). The negative implications of adolescents having a first birth--most notably in the areas of "health, career, and economic conditions" (Khalili, 2005, p. 19)--are compounded when a second pregnancy occurs (Key, Barbosa, & Owens, 2001). This exploratory study addressed one of the primary gaps in the literature related to rapid repeat adolescent …


Non-Shared Familial Environment As A Determinant Of Discordant Patterns Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Sibling Pairs In A Family, Suparna Bagchi Jan 2009

Non-Shared Familial Environment As A Determinant Of Discordant Patterns Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Sibling Pairs In A Family, Suparna Bagchi

All ETDs from UAB

Worldwide 15-40% of adolescents practice Disordered Eating Behavior (DEB). This study examined DEB development and the role of 1) shared familial factors among sibling pairs; and 2) non-shared familial experiences among discordant sibling pairs adjusted for individual and shared familial factors. The "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health" data on 3274 adolescents were analyzed. The sample contained: twins (n=952), full siblings (n=1434), half siblings (n=418), and biologically not-related siblings (n=470). Multivariable regression analysis examined familial factors associated with DEB in the overall sample and sibling pair types. Adolescents engaging in DEB (~16%) were more likely to be white females with …


Parenting Second First Children: What Early Childhood Professionals Need To Know About Mothers Who Have Relinquished A Child For Adoption, Laura A. Bloom Jan 2009

Parenting Second First Children: What Early Childhood Professionals Need To Know About Mothers Who Have Relinquished A Child For Adoption, Laura A. Bloom

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to examine the experiences of birthmothers who relinquished a child for adoption and determine if this affected their subsequent parenting. The questions that guided the study were: (1.) How do birthmothers describe their experience of relinquishing a child for adoption?; (2.) How do birthmothers describe their experience of parenting subsequent children?; (3.) How do mothers who have relinquished a child for adoption perceive their parenting skills?; and (4.) What do mothers who have relinquished a child for adoption want early childhood professionals to know about their subsequent parenting experience? Three birthmothers who put …


The Effect That Intercollegiate Athletic Participation Has On The Grade Point Averages Of African American Male Student Athletes At A Four Year Public Institution In The Black Belt Region Of Alabama, William Earl Brophy Jan 2009

The Effect That Intercollegiate Athletic Participation Has On The Grade Point Averages Of African American Male Student Athletes At A Four Year Public Institution In The Black Belt Region Of Alabama, William Earl Brophy

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT There are many important factors that impact the grade point averages of African-American males at 4-year public institutions. Factors such as race, gender, SES, and ath-letic participation are potential influences that may have an effect on academic achieve-ment in a college setting in Alabama's Black Belt region as well. This study sought to de-termine if such factors coupled with other demands placed on African American male student athletes effected their respective academic achievement. Important questions an-swered in this study included how the variables above impacted the academic plights of the sample group that was examined. Research hypotheses examined the …


The Facebook Frontier: Responding To The Changing Face Of Privacy On The Internet, Samantha L. Millier Jan 2009

The Facebook Frontier: Responding To The Changing Face Of Privacy On The Internet, Samantha L. Millier

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Rewinding Time: Advances In Mitigating Hindsight Bias In Patent Obviousness Analysis, Jun Wu Jan 2009

Rewinding Time: Advances In Mitigating Hindsight Bias In Patent Obviousness Analysis, Jun Wu

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


The Constitutional Status Of Morals Legislation, John Lawrence Hill Jan 2009

The Constitutional Status Of Morals Legislation, John Lawrence Hill

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Widespread Panic: Why The Mortgage Lending Industry Can Calm Down About Amending Cramdown, David T. Newton Jan 2009

Widespread Panic: Why The Mortgage Lending Industry Can Calm Down About Amending Cramdown, David T. Newton

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


Cell Phones Pose A Distraction To Drivers But Legislative Ban Is Not The Answer, Annie Barret Wallin Jan 2009

Cell Phones Pose A Distraction To Drivers But Legislative Ban Is Not The Answer, Annie Barret Wallin

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


The Undiscovered Country: Execution Competency & Comprehending Death, Jeffrey L. Kirchmeier Jan 2009

The Undiscovered Country: Execution Competency & Comprehending Death, Jeffrey L. Kirchmeier

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.


The Corporate Lawyer's Role In A Contemporary Democracy, Colin P. Marks, Nancy B. Rapoport Jan 2009

The Corporate Lawyer's Role In A Contemporary Democracy, Colin P. Marks, Nancy B. Rapoport

Faculty Articles

In this paper, we review the traditional arguments for corporate social responsibility and ask the question of what corporate lawyers should do to help their clients do the right thing ethically. We also set out a test - the technically test -- that highlights when something is usually on the wrong side of the ethical line. (If you have to give legal advice starting with Well, technically..., you're on the wrong side of the line.)


Maintaining Healthy Eating Behaviors With Women After A Weight Management Program: A Grounded Theory Approach, Christie Zunker Jan 2009

Maintaining Healthy Eating Behaviors With Women After A Weight Management Program: A Grounded Theory Approach, Christie Zunker

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the process of how women maintain their weight and continue healthy eating behaviors after completing a weight management program, which emphasized low-energy density foods. This is important since many women regain weight after participating in weight management programs. Theoretical sampling strategies guided participant recruitment. Inclusion criteria were: self-reported African American or Caucasian women aged 30 and older who lost > 5% of their body weight during their participation in the EatRight weight management program at least one year ago or longer. Height and weight was measured. Participants that remained > 5% below their …


We Don't Talk Like Dat! Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach Language Diverse Students, Aubretta P. Curry Jan 2009

We Don't Talk Like Dat! Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach Language Diverse Students, Aubretta P. Curry

All ETDs from UAB

A language barrier exists in schools across the United States, and it's not just with students from other countries. It is estimated that over 8 million African American students speak a language which is foreign to many classroom teachers. The dissonance between home and school language has had devastating effects of African American achievement, with regard to literacy and language arts instruction. With a focus on how teacher education programs in post secondary institutions in Alabama are preparing teachers to teach students with diverse dialects, this qualitative research inquiry provides a critical case study of the perceptions of eight early …


Parenting Practices And Desire For A Child Among Mothers Living With Hiv, Natalie De La Cruz Jan 2009

Parenting Practices And Desire For A Child Among Mothers Living With Hiv, Natalie De La Cruz

All ETDs from UAB

One-quarter of adults living with HIV/AIDS in the US are women, most of whom are facing decisions regarding their reproductive future. Despite clear challenges and complexities facing HIV-positive women, most research suggests that they maintain strong desires and intentions for motherhood. This research explores the correlates of desire for another child, with a specific emphasis on examining the relationship between current parenting experiences and future childbearing desires, among a predominantly black sample of HIV-positive women (n=96) participating in the Making Our Mothers Stronger (MOMS) Project. Predictors of contraceptive use and consistency between contraceptive practices and fertility desires are also explored …