Digital Commons Network^™

Igniting A Global Change With The Innovated Eco-Behavioral Model, Colby B. Kuvara

Social Sciences

My senior project paper is an analysis of the impact of Global Climate Change on modern social behaviors of rural communities, society at large, and international aid relations between developed and underdeveloped countries. I propose that it is possible that the most effective solutions to the environmental crisis actually focus on social problems, and most importantly, should place special emphasis on women in rural communities. The three primary areas for solutions to address are the implementation of improved technology, investment of financial capital, and fostering an attitude of Global Solidarity/New Humanism. While the first two elements are not foreign concepts …

Consumer Effects Of Environmental Impact In Product Labeling, Norm Borin, Douglas C. Cerf, R. Krishnan

Marketing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different levels of environmental information on key consumer metrics. More specifically, it aims to evaluate environmentally benign products against those that have negative environmental impacts.

Design/methodology/approach – Multiple product categories and messages that varied from strongly negative to strongly positive were used to test whether the accuracy/completeness of the information changes consumers’ view of green products.

Findings – The results show that consumer perception of product quality, value, and purchase intentions does not differ significantly between products with positive environmental messages and those without any message. Products …

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Ocean Acidification On Larval Development, Juvenile Settlement And Mortality, Growth, Onset Of Egg Production, Shell Integrity And Feeding Activity In The Common Barnacle Amphibalanus Amphitrite, Michelle R. Mcdonald

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Ocean acidification is of great concern among the scientific community and is caused by the anthropogenic release of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels. Higher levels of atmospheric CO2 are anticipated to cause a decrease in oceanic pH. Recent studies have shown that this can have adverse effects on a variety of marine organisms; calcified organisms are predicted to be the most heavily affected and of these types of organisms, barnacles have received little attention. The barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite was utilized to examine the effects of Ocean acidification across various life history stages. No adverse effects of reduced …

Syntheses Of Marine Natural Products And Their Analogs As Potential Anticancer Agents, Dwayaja H. Nadkarni

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells and is one of the most common causes of millions of deaths worldwide. Currently used chemotherapeutic drugs have severe side effects. Hence, there is a need to develop new cancer therapeutic drugs that can offer higher survival rates and fewer limitations. About 60 % of the known anticancer drugs are either natural products or are derived from natural products. Development of marine natural products into drugs has received increasing attention as a part of humanity's quest for newer sources of cancer drugs. Marine natural products are isolated only in small quantities …

Role Of Nr4a3 Nuclear Receptor In Physiological Regulation Of Metabolism, Grace R. Walton

All ETDs from UAB

Nuclear receptor NR4A3 (NOR-1, MINOR) mediates transcriptional responses to ß-adrenergic signaling, is increased in insulin sensitive mice and humans, and enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transport in cultured adipocytes and myocytes. We therefore sought to determine the role of NR4A3 in in vivo adipose tissue and skeletal muscle physiology. Following adipose-specific NR4A3 over-expression in mice, we observed reduced circulating epinephrine due to enhanced catabolism of catecholamines in adipose tissue. Furthermore, this reduction in circulating epinephrine produced broad physiological consequences, including poor glucose tolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, poor cardiac function, and behavioral alterations. In skeletal muscle, we show that NR4A3 protein associates …

Sustainable Urban Design Practices That Mitigate Urban Heat Islands And Reduce Energy Consumption, Candace Joy Watson

All ETDs from UAB

Urban cities are the largest consumers of energy. As global populations continue to increase in these areas, energy consumption is a growing concern for global leaders. Cities in developed countries are expanding beyond their central city-centers, resulting in increased natural resource consumption. This method of population management is referred to as urban sprawl and is the reason for increased consumption from expanding transportation networks, building materials, and fuel resources. In addition to increases in energy consumption, in recent years, built-up areas have experienced higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these differences can be as …

Pick It Up, Put It Down: A Grounded Theory Study Of How Low Income African American Patients In The Deep South Start Smoking And Quit Smoking, Jessica Hillman Williams

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this qualitative was to use data extracted from the narrative stories of African American patients to generate a grounded theory to explain the process and act of initiating and of quitting smoking among low income African American patients in the Deep South. This is important since African Americans are more likely to suffer from smoking-related illnesses, which are the leading cause of death among African Americans. Data were analyzed from interviews conducted in 2005 as part of the Stories Project and supplementary interviews conducted in 2011. Convenience sampling strategies guided participant recruitment for primary interviews and theoretical …

The Impact Of Endopytic Algae On Growth And Survival Of Antarctic Macroalgae (Rhodophyta), Kathryn M. Schoenrock

All ETDs from UAB

Filamentous algal endophytes are common in many species of chemically defended macroalgae along the western Antarctic Peninsula. Effects of filamentous algal endophytes in macroalgal hosts are unknown, but may be detrimental to host due to competition for light and nutrients or pathogenic effects. Growth of three species of red Antarctic macroalgae were examined in situunder varying loads of endophyte infection. The experiment occurred at the end of the Austral summer and lasted approximately six to nine weeks until population senescence was imminent. Growth was measured through change in mass, change in surface area, growth rate, relative growth rate and surface …

Calciotropic Hormonal Influence On Energy Homeostasis, Lynae J. Hanks

All ETDs from UAB

Energy balance exists when intake is equivalent to expenditure. It has become evident that beyond quantitative aspects of intake, dietary components also have directive impact. On the expenditure side, an underappreciated yet key contributor is resting energy expenditure (REE). As the largest constituent of overall energy output, REE encompasses physiologic, dietary and genetic influence on body composition. While cellular and overall systemic contribution cannot be ignored, the relative proportion of adipose, bone and lean body tissue (i.e., body composition) represents the primary determinant underlying REE. It is possible that the mineral calcium is a common denominator encompassing energy balance influenced …

The Effects Of Supplemental Dietary Vitamins On Weight Gain And Organ Production In The Variegated Sea Urchin, Lytechinus Variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), Warren T. Jones

All ETDs from UAB

Due to the global decline in sea urchin fisheries, there has been an increased need to produce nutritionally-complete sea urchin diets for the emerging sea urchin aquaculture industry. Previous studies have established various macronutrient requirements; however, micronutrient requirements have not been well-researched in sea urchins. Vitamins are important micronutrients in both vertebrates and invertebrates, but their importance has not been established in any sea urchin species. To establish the essentiality and nutritional requirements of vitamins in sea urchins, a suite of important vitamins were tested in nutritional trials in the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. Sea urchins fed moderate levels of …

Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Caenorhabditis Elegans Sperm Migration, Johnathan Wesley Edmonds

All ETDs from UAB

Fertilization is the process by which male and female gametes join to give rise to a new organism. Union of sperm and ova requires that sperm be able to successfully locate and migrate towards oocytes in the female reproductive tract. By analyzing the in vitro migration of sperm from diverse species and mapping the complex architecture of their female reproductive tracts, we can infer that sperm must respond to directional cues to seek out the mature oocyte. However, the internal fertilization schemes of most complex animals complicate the analysis of in vivo sperm migration. The transparent epidermis of the nematode …

Health Literacy: A Community-Based Mixed Methods Study Of Prescription Medication Self-Management Among Community Dwelling Older Adults, Joy P. Deupree

All ETDs from UAB

During the next decade, it is estimated that 7,918 Americans will turn 60 years old every day. This increase is expected to impact future health care costs. The aging population must be knowledgeable about health care needs to self-manage chronic conditions requiring multiple medications. Nearly half of all American adults have limited literacy skills. Adults at the lowest literacy levels may misunderstand instructions from a health care professional. Confusion about health care instructions can put patients at risk for adverse drug events. The purpose of this two-phase, explanatory mixed methods study was to explore how community dwelling adults ages 60 …

A Cluster Analysis Based On The Health Belief Model Of Alacare Patients At High Risk For Osteoporosis, Elizabeth M. Kitchin

All ETDs from UAB

The prevalence of osteoporosis and subsequent fragility fractures will continue to rise as the American population ages. The high personal and medical costs of fragility fractures have been well documented. Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements are important strategies for lowering the risk of sustaining a fragility fracture and for improving the efficacy of prescription osteoporosis medications. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients in a home health setting in Alabama (Alacare) who are defined as high risk for a fragility fracture could be segmented via cluster analysis based on the constructs of the Osteoporosis Health Belief …

Altered Dna Methylation Of Repetitive Elements May Explain The Modified Risk Of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (Cin) Associated With Genetic Polymorphisms Of The Folate Metabolic Pathway In The Us Post Folic Acid Fortification Era, Suguna Badiga

All ETDs from UAB

Despite the controversy regarding the adverse effects of exposure to higher folate concentrations on health outcomes particularly cancer, there has been paucity of research to understand the biological mechanisms affected by such exposures in relation to the risk of developing pre-cancer or cancer. We have recently addressed this concern by demonstrating that higher plasma folate concentrations were not associated with greater risk of being diagnosed with higher grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+) especially in women with sufficient plasma vitamin B12 concentrations. Higher plasma folate was also associated with a pre-cancer protective level of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) …

Fenofibrate And Insulin Resistance, Corrie E. Paeglow

All ETDs from UAB

Both animal and human models suggest that fenofibrate, a medication widely prescribed to decrease triglycerides, also decreases insulin resistance. In the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) cohort, which included 780 individual who took 160 mg of micronized fenofibrate daily for three weeks, fenofibrate was found to decrease HOMA-IR by -0.24 units, (95% CI: -0.32, -0.14), insulin by -0.65 uU/mL (95% CI: -0.97, -0.34) and glucose by 2.46 mg/dL (95% CI: -2.51, -2.42). In a meta-analysis of 19 studies that included 1,297 individuals without diabetes and 196 individuals with diabetes treated with fenofibrate for three weeks or …

Impact Of Site Development Techniques In The Soft Tissue Height On Single Implant Supported Prosthesis In The Anterior Maxilla, Juan Francisco Pardo

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Implant placement should be based on a restoration-oriented treatment plan with correct three-dimensional positioning to allow optimal support and stability of surrounding hard and soft tissues. After tooth extraction the alveolus remodels producing changes in the soft tissues contours. This may translate into the inability to place the implant or in a non-esthetic restoration. In contemporary esthetic implant dentistry, the main objective is to maintain the socket dimensions and soft tissue contours to allow ideal implant placement and to provide a harmonious restoration. Objective: To evaluate if socket grafting with FDBA with or without PRP or rhPDGF in site …

Associations Among Measures Of Engagement With Kp.Org And Clinical Outcomes, Heather J. Sobko

All ETDs from UAB

USING MEASURES OF ENGAGEMENT WITH KP.ORG TO DETERMINE ASSOCIATIONS WITH SELECTED CLINICAL OUTCOMES HEATHER J. SOBKO SCHOOL OF NURSING ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to examine patterns of use of an electronic personal health record among adults diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidemia. Intermediate behavioral measures (medication possession ratios) and physiological measures of metabolic control for diabetes (hemoglobinA1c), hypertension (blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (low density lipoprotein) were examined. Methods Administrative data from Kaiser Permanente Georgia were analyzed. Adult members of with selected chronic diseases of diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidemia who used the Kaiser Permanente electronic …

"The Role Of Health Promotion In Physical Therapy Survey" Reliability And Validity Testing", Jaca Stephens

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Purpose: Physical therapists (PTs) have a unique opportunity to play a meaningful role in educating patients on health and wellness to prevent chronic conditions, such as cardiac disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. No instrument has been validated to measure physical therapists' views on health promotion and their practices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a health promotion survey designed for physical therapists. Method: An expert panel of 9 physical therapists assessed the content validity of "The Role of Health Promotion in Physical Therapy Survey." as developed by Rea …

Role Of Vdr In Host Immune Response To Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection, Gulam Yezdani

All ETDs from UAB

Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the etiologic factors of periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the destruction of periodontal connective tissue and the subsequent loss of alveolar bone. Epidemiological and genetic studies have indicated an association between periodontal disease and the vitamin D system. However, little is known regarding how vitamin D signaling regulates the inflammatory immune process of this disease. The purpose of the study was to understand the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in regulating the host response to P. gingivalis infection by using a dual chamber mouse model. These chambers served both as …

Parallel Confocal Recording Of Localized Retinal Photoreceptor Responses, Qiuxiang Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

The primary purpose of my thesis research is to validate parallel confocal recording of intrinsic optical signals (IOSs) correlated with localized retinal photoreceptor responses. IOS imaging promises a noninvasive method for retinal disease detection and treatment evaluation. However, IOS identification of localized retinal dysfunction is still challenging due to the complexity of retinal structure. Stimulus-evoked IOSs have been observed in both photoreceptors and inner retinal neurons. IOS pattern of retinal photoreceptor layer may contain cross-talk noise from inner retinal layers. In order to detect localized retinal photoreceptors response without significant contamination from other retinal volumes, we designed a rapid functional …

Teaching Breast Health To Adolescent Females In High School: Comparing Interactive Teaching With Traditional Didactic Methods, Jacqueline Anita Horton

All ETDs from UAB

Breast Health Knowledge Breat Health Beliefs

Effects Of Growth Factor Induced Pathways On Differentiation Of The Human Neuronal Cell Line Sh-Sy-5y., Ashish D. Dwary

All ETDs from UAB

Background: The VSNL1 gene product, Visinin-like-protein-1 (VILIP-1), is a member of the neuronal EF-hand Ca2+-sensor protein family. Previously, VILIP-1 mRNA and protein expression were shown to be altered in animal models and in schizophrenia patients. VILIP-1 influences cytosolic cAMP levels, cell migration, exocytotic processes and differentiation in the periphery. This raises the question, whether similar to other potential schizophrenia susceptibility genes, such as Disc1, PDE4B and Akt, VILIP-1 may be associated with schizophrenia-related measures, and if it could mechanistically affect cAMP signaling and neurite outgrowth in neurons. Methods: 627 people with schizophrenia and 541 control subjects were ascertained and the …

Constitutionality Of The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act Under The Commerce Clause And The Necessary And Proper Clause, Wilson Huhn

Akron Law Faculty Publications

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a comprehensive federal statute that attempts to extend health insurance coverage to tens of millions of Americans and to expand health insurance coverage by eliminating exclusions for preexisting conditions, increase medical loss ratios, abolish annual and lifetime limits, and other reforms. A necessary provision of this law (the individual mandate) requires most individuals to maintain health insurance coverage. The individual mandate has been challenged in a number of lawsuits on the ground that Congress lacks the power under the Constitution to require individuals to purchase health insurance. The power of Congress to …

A Standardized Terminology For Describing Reproductive Development In Fishes, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson

Faculty Publications

As the number of fish reproduction studies has proliferated, so has the number of gonadal classification schemes and terms. This hasmade it difficult for both scientists and resourcemanagers to communicate and for comparisons to be made among studies. We propose the adoption of a simple, universal terminology for the phases in the reproductive cycle, which can be applied to all male and female elasmobranch and teleost fishes. These phases were chosen because they define key milestones in the reproductive cycle; the phases include immature, developing, spawning capable, regressing, and regenerating. Although the temporal sequence of events during gamete development in …

Faculty Publications 2010, Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Historical Faculty Publications

This Faculty bibliography contains 844 publications.

John Savage, John Klyczek

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Nutritive Value, Cost, Viscosity, And Acceptability Among Three Developed Oral Nutritional Supplements And A Standard Commercially-Prepared Supplement, Christa R. Huxel

Masters Theses

The consumption of oral nutritional supplements may help prevent, or delay, malnutrition in the older adult population. Developing acceptable supplements, and discovering alternative methods to providing nutrition to older adults, is vital. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate three oral nutritional supplements in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors that were similarly priced and contained similar nutritive value as compared to the standard commercially-prepared supplement Ensure®. The study also focused on the comparison of appearance, smell, flavor, aftertaste, viscosity, and overall acceptability and preference between the researcher-developed and standard supplements. The researcher-developed supplements were less expensive per …

An Examination Of Implicit And Explicit Attitudes Toward Steroids/Hgh In A Sample Of College Athletes And Nonathletes, Dominic Gray Morais

Masters Theses

Recently, media has placed more attention on the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and human growth hormone (HGH) due to confessions and positive drug tests by professional athletes concerning their use. The idolization of these athletes by younger individuals, especially athletes, incites concern about their attitudes toward such substances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes toward AAS and HGH in athletes and nonathletes. One hundred forty three male and female intercollegiate athletes (N = 83) and undergraduate and graduate Kinesiology and Sports Studies majors (N=60) at a Division I Midwestern University volunteered for the study. …

An Analysis Of Selected Band Works With Composer Perspective, Christopher Lawrence Mroczek

Masters Theses

Concentration in Conducting

This project contains the detailed study of three works for wind band. Each study includes direct input by the composers whose pieces are represented. The author interviewed all the composers by e-mail.

The pieces analyzed are:

• At Morning's First Light by David Gillingham
• Hebrides Suite by Clare Grundman
• Undertow by John Mackey

Questions asked in the interviews were unique to the particular musical elements present in the works. Each piece was analyzed with the same criteria using the following elements:

1. Composer Information
2. Composition Background Information
3. Score Description / Instrumentation
4. Form Analysis
5. Melodic Analysis
6. Harmonic Analysis
7. Meter/Tempo/Rhythm
8. Texture/Dynamics …

Human Rights And Remedial Equilibration: Equilibrating Socio-Economic Rights, Margaux J. Hall, David C. Weiss

Brooklyn Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.