Digital Commons Network^™

Dna Methylation And Its Association With Prenatal Exposures And Pregnancy Outcomes, Jennifer Straughen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Altered DNA methylation may lead to suboptimal fetal programming, increasing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as small for gestational age (SGA); however, few studies have examined the associations between DNA methylation, prenatal exposures, and fetal outcomes. Cross-sectional data from a larger, ongoing study were used to assess the impact of prenatal smoking on gene specific methylation of umbilical cord blood derived DNA and to investigate the association between gene-specific methylation and risk of SGA. The association between gene-specific DNA methylation and birthweight was also assessed. Maternal and infant covariates were abstracted from medical records, cigarette smoke exposure was …

Evaluation Of Common Inherited Variants In Mitochondrial-Related And Microrna-Related Genes As Novel Risk Factors For Ovarian Cancer, Jennifer Permuth Wey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in the United States, and the etiology is incompletely understood. Common, low penetrant genetic variants such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) likely contribute to a significant proportion of EOC. We examined whether SNPs in two understudied yet biologically important types of genes, mitochondrial-related and miRNA-related genes, may contribute to EOC susceptibility using data from a large, homogeneous study population of 1,815 EOC cases and 1,900 controls (frequency-matched on age-group and race/ethnicity) genotyped through stage 1 of an ongoing genome-wide association study. Inter-individual variation in genes involved …

Epidemiological Study Of Contributing Factors In The Development Of Peptic Ulcer And Gastric Cancer Initiated By Helicobacter Pylori Infection In India, Rahul Suresh Mhaskar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a significant risk factor for peptic ulcer (PU) and gastric cancer (GC). Apart from the virulent CagA genotype of H. pylori environmental and dietary factors influence disease outcomes. There have been no studies addressing these factors in Western India. Hence, we conducted a case control study enrolling PU, GC patients and controls at Pune, India.

Methods: Risk factors for PU and H. pylori infection were assessed in participant interview. H. pylori status was assessed from stool by monoclonal antigen detection. To understand treatment effect, we followed 100 H. pylori positive patients.

Results: We …

Aspects Of The Life History Of The Snowy Grouper, Epinephelus Niveatus, In The Gulf Of Mexico, Kelley Kowal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of many life history parameters are essential to properly assess and manage fish species. Although the snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus, is a commercially valuable fish, which is harvested throughout the Gulf of Mexico, little is known about its age, growth, and reproduction from this region. In this study, snowy grouper from the northern and eastern regions of the Gulf of Mexico were examined primarily using commercially-derived samples that were collected between 1984 and 2004. A total of 1,200 snowy grouper with fork lengths between 242 and 1,190 mm were collected. Sectioned saggital otoliths were used to determine the age …

Discovery Of Novel Viruses From Animals, Plants, And Insect Vectors Using Viral Metagenomics, Terry Fei Fan Ng

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding emerging viruses is critical for disease monitoring and prediction; however, surveys of novel viruses are hindered by the lack of a universal assay for viruses. Viral metagenomics, consisting of viral particle purification and shotgun sequencing, is a powerful technique for discovering viruses in a wide variety of sample types. However, current protocols are not effective on tissue samples (e.g., lungs, livers and tumors), where they are hindered by the high amount of host nucleic acids which limits the percentage of sequences that originate from viruses. In this dissertation, a modified viral metagenomics protocol was developed and utilized to effectively …

Antecedents And Consequences Of Channel Alienation: An Empirical Investigation Within Franchised Channels Of Distribution, Ivan Lapuka

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Investigating an important overlooked phase of interorganizational relationship evolution, which is currently hypothesized to progress through five stages of awareness, exploration, expansion, commitment, and dissolution, this dissertation proposes that in the long road between commitment and dissolution, the quintessential interfirm relationship is likely to be characterized by aprolonged period of relationship alienation, which then becomes the immediate precursor to the dissolution stage.

The dissertation utilizes social learning theory, behavior constraint theory, and alienation theory to explain apathetic behaviors of franchisees. The principal proposition is that certain characteristics of the franchise system’s operating environment inadvertently condition franchisee estrangement and failure, and …

Down, But Not Out: An Ethnographic Study Of Women Who Struggled With And Overcame Methamphetamine Addiction, Jodi Nettleton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Women suffer methamphetamine (meth) addiction at a rate much higher than rates for addiction to other drugs. Female meth users are susceptible and predisposed to gender-related risks: high rates of unprotected vaginal and anal sex, sex-work, and sexual coercion. Precursors for addiction (e.g., abuse, body dysphasia) put females in a difficult position for recovery and highlight the need for gender-specific research and treatment.

Methamphetamine (a synthetically derived stimulant) creates psychological and physical dependency that affects every neuron of the brain and damages the body immediately. Women ingest meth for initial effects that allay social pressures: feeling euphoric, connecting with others …

African American Athletes And The Negotiation Of Public Spaces: An Examination Of Athletic Capital And African American Perceptions Of Success, Keona Lewis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the culture of sport among African American male football players as well as African American perspectives on sport and success. A case study of six African American, Division 1 FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) collegiate student athletes was conducted along with seventeen supplemental interviews with community members, parents, coaches and former athletes and fans. The participants answered questions that explored education, success, identity construction, ethnicity and sport. Archival data was also reviewed framing the discussion on football in Florida, links between education and sport participation and African American male academic achievement. While many perspectives varied, there were collective …

A Study On Prospects For The Evolution Of Maritime Traffic Management Systems Taking Into Account E-Navigation, Kwang An

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Heavy Metal Levels In Paddy Soils And Rice (Oryza Sativa (L)) From Wetlands Of Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania, J. F. Machiwa

Tanzania Journal of Science

A survey of paddy fields in Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) wetlands was conducted at a wider scale in different locations including closer to mining and within urbanized areas in Tanzania. The objective of the study was mainly to assess the present situation with regard to levels of heavy metals in O. sativa grains harvested locally as well as to set the baseline levels of some heavy metals in paddy fields. The results showed that the levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Zinc and total Mercury in brown rice are generally within the acceptable levels for human food. However, higher concentration …

ϒ(1s)→Γf'2(1525); F'2(1525)->K0sk0s Decays, Raymond Mountain, Marina Artuso, T. Skwarnicki, S. Stone

Physics - All Scholarship

We report on a study of exclusive radiative decays of the Upsilon(1S) resonance into a final state consisting of a photon and two K0s candidates. We find evidence for a signal for Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525); f_2'(1525)->K0sK0s, at a rate (4.0+/-1.3+/-0.6)x10^{-5}, consistent with previous observations of Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525); f_2'(1525)->K+K-, and isospin. Combining this branching fraction with existing branching fraction measurements of Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525) and J/psi->gamma f_2'(1525), we obtain the ratio of branching fractions: B(Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525))/B(J/psi->gamma f_2'(1525))=0.09+/-0.02, approximately consistent with expectations based on soft collinear effective theory.

A Tactical Information Management Middleware For Resource-Constrained Mobile P2p Networks, Bo Xu, Mark Linderman, Sanjay Madria, Ouri Wolfson

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper we provide an architecture for Tactical Information Middleware for bandwidth constrained information management. We propose the ideas of rank-Based data dissemination, and the use of a tactical information management query language. These ideas will deal with dynamic changes in bandwidth and explore opportunistic data dissemination. Thus, will lead to a cross-layer design of a system capable of handling the dynamic data management issues relevant in many missions' critical applications. © 2010 IEEE.

Ally Financial December 2010, Ally Financial Inc.

Documents

Contains:- Letter from Ally Financial (planning to exercise the Optional Conversion of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, Series F-2) - Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation - Letter to Timothy Massad

The Weekly Challenger, December 30, 2010, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The December 30, 2010, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Summary Of Personhood Nevada V. Bristol, 126 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 56, Ryan Henry

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court considered an appeal from a First Judicial District Court order that found a proposed initiative violated NRS 295.009’s single-subject rule and prohibited its placement on the 2010 general election ballot.

Upsilon(1s)->Gamma+F2'(1525); F2'(1525)->K0sk0s Decays, Raymond Mountain, Marina Artuso, S. Blusk, T. Skwarnicki

Physics - All Scholarship

We report on a study of exclusive radiative decays of the Upsilon(1S) resonance into a final state consisting of a photon and two K0s candidates. We find evidence for a signal for Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525); f_2'(1525)->K0sK0s, at a rate (4.0+/-1.3+/-0.6)x10^{-5}, consistent with previous observations of Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525); f_2'(1525)->K+K-, and isospin. Combining this branching fraction with existing branching fraction measurements of Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525) and J/psi->gamma f_2'(1525), we obtain the ratio of branching fractions: B(Upsilon(1S)->gamma f_2'(1525))/B(J/psi->gamma f_2'(1525))=0.09+/-0.02, approximately consistent with expectations based on soft collinear effective theory.

Commencement Of The Enhanced Deposit Protection Scheme, Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Documents

No abstract provided.

Expiry Of The Full Deposit Guarantee And The Contingent Bank Capital Facility, Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Documents

Press release announcing the expiration of the CBCF

The Norwegian Banking Crisis In The 1990s: Effects And Lessons, Erling Steigum

Documents

No abstract provided.

Treasury Converts Nearly Half Of Its Ally Preferred Shares To Common Stock, United States: Department Of The Treasury

Documents

U.S. Department of the Treasury today announces that it is converting $5.5 billion of preferred stock in Ally Financial into common stock – a move designed to accelerate Treasury's ability to exit its investment in the company.

Adaptive Routing Scheme For Emerging Wireless Ad Hoc Networks, Behdis Eslamnour, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Node mobility causes fading wireless channels, which in turn renders topology changes in emerging wireless ad hoc networks. in this paper, on-line estimators and Markov models are utilized to estimate fading channel conditions. using the estimated channel conditions as well as queue occupancy, available energy and link delay, approximate dynamic programming (ADP) techniques are utilized to find dynamic routes, while solving discrete-time Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation forward-in-time for route cost in multichannel multi-interface networks. the performance of the proposed load balancing method in the presence of fading channels and the performance of the optimal route selection approach for multichannel multi-interface wireless …

A Resource-Efficient Adaptive Caching Scheme For Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks, Dan Hirsch, Sanjay Madria

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

In a Mobile Ad-Hoc Network environment, wireless devices have finite resources such as memory, energy and they work within the wireless constraints such as limited bandwidth and unreliable communication. Therefore, storage space, bandwidth, and battery life must be managed effectively in order to extend the usefulness and lifespan of wireless devices and the network. Caching is one of those techniques which reduce the latency and tuning time for mobile devices in the wireless network. We propose a novel scheme that seeks to distribute the storage, bandwidth and energy burden through a resource-efficient adaptive caching scheme for mobile ad-hoc networks. Our …

Preservd - Privacy Ensured Service Discovery In Mobile Peer-To-Peer Networks, Santhosh Muthyapu, Sanjay Kumar Madria, Mark Linderman

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

In mobile peer-to-peer networks, proposed service discovery protocols disregard the exposure of the participating peers' privacy details (privileged information). in these methods, the participating peers must provide their identities during the service discovery process to be authorized to utilize services. However, a peer may not be willing to reveal its privileged information until it identifies the service providing peer. So, these peers face a problem; should the service requesting or the service providing peer reveal the identity first. the protocol presented in [12] solves this problem to some extent and discover the services available in the service requester's vicinity in …

Alla Barenboy V. Secretary Of Department Homela

2010 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Lessons From The Nordic Financial Crisis, Lars Jonung

Documents

No abstract provided.

Dmitri Shalin Interview With Sherri Cavan About Erving Goffman Entitled "Remembering Goffman", Dmitri N. Shalin, Sherri Cavan

Bios Sociologicus: The Erving Goffman Archives

Letter from Dmitri Shalin

Referrals To A Regional Allergy Clinic - An Eleven Year Audit., Ray B. Jones, Paul Hewson, Edward R. Kaminski

School of Nursing and Midwifery

BACKGROUND: Allergy is a serious and apparently increasing public health problem yet relatively little is known about the types of allergy seen in routine tertiary practice, including their spatial distribution, co-occurrence or referral patterns. This study reviewed referrals over an eleven year period to a regional allergy clinic that had a well defined geographical boundary. For those patients confirmed as having an allergy we explored: (i) differences over time and by demographics, (ii) types of allergy, (iii) co-occurrence, and (iv) spatial distributions. METHODS: Data were extracted from consultant letters to GPs, from September 1998 to September 2009, for patients confirmed …

Stewardship In Distance Education: A Comparative Analysis Of Technologies That Support Student Learning, Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw

Christian Perspectives in Education

Effectively facilitating the growth of learners demonstrates prudent stewardship (Galatians 6:10; Genesis 2:15). As wise stewards of what God has entrusted to them, Christian educators are challenged to identify factors critical for supporting students’ learning in whatever environment they are teaching. When teaching in the online environment, this includes adopting technological applications to support learning. This study compared the use of two technological applications and their affect on student learning. Findings provided evidence that online graduate learners who used the combination of a content management system and e-conferencing system reported significantly higher perceptions of learning than learners who used only …

Coherent Heteroepitaxy Of Bi2se3 On Gaas (111)B, Anthony Richardella, Duming M. Zhang, Joon S. Lee, Alison E. Patteson (Koser), David W. Rench, Andrew L. Yeats, Bob B. Buckley, David D. Awschalom, Nitin Samarth

Physics - All Scholarship

We report the heteroepitaxy of single crystal thin films of Bi2Se3 on the (111)B surface of GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy. We find that Bi2Se3 grows highly c-axis oriented, with an atomically sharp interface with the GaAs substrate. By optimizing the growth of a very thin GaAs buffer layer before growing the ⁠Bi2Se3, we demonstrate the growth of thin films with atomically flat terraces over hundreds of nanometers. Initial time-resolved Kerr rotation measurements herald opportunities for probing coherent spin dynamics at the interface between a candidate topological insulator and a large class of GaAs-based heterostructures.

Rationale And Methods Of The Cardiometabolic Valencian Study (Escarval-Risk) For Validation Of Risk Scales In Mediterranean Patients With Hypertension, Diabetes Or Dyslipidemia, Vicente Gil-Guillen, Domingo Orozco-Beltran, Josep Redon, Salvador Pita-Fernandez, Jorge Navarro-Pérez, Vicente Pallares, Francisco Valls, Carlos Fluixa, Antonio Fernandez, Jose M. Martin-Moreno, Manuel Pascual-De-La-Torre, Jose L. Trillo, Ramon Durazo-Arvizu, Richard Cooper, Marta Hermenegildo, Luis Rosado

Faculty Publications

Background: The Escarval-Risk study aims to validate cardiovascular risk scales in patients with hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia living in the Valencia Community, a European Mediterranean region, based on data from an electronic health recording system comparing predicted events with observed during 5 years follow-up study. Methods/Design. A cohort prospective 5 years follow-up study has been designed including 25000 patients with hypertension, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia attended in usual clinical practice. All information is registered in a unique electronic health recording system (ABUCASIS) that is the usual way to register clinical practice in the Valencian Health System (primary and secondary care). The …