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2012

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Infection Models Of Intracellular Staphylococcus Aureus And The Impact Of Interleukin 12 On Macrophage Killing Activity, Therwa Hamza Jan 2012

Infection Models Of Intracellular Staphylococcus Aureus And The Impact Of Interleukin 12 On Macrophage Killing Activity, Therwa Hamza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the predominant cause of bone and joint infections worldwide. These infections may lead to severe bone and joint destruction and high mortality. Treatment of bone infections frequently requires long-term hospitalization for repeated debridement and prolonged antibiotic treatment. Bacteria including S. aureus, however, are often surprisingly successful in overcoming both host defense mechanisms and antibiotic treatments resulting in chronic and recurrent bone infections. Indeed, a high rate of recurrence or relapse of bone infections has been reported where ∼17% of infections related to traumatic extremity injuries recur or relapse. One thought is that bacteria like S. …

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Guided Wave Resonant Optical Structures And Led Micro Resonators For Biosensing Applications, Rohit Goswami Jan 2012

Guided Wave Resonant Optical Structures And Led Micro Resonators For Biosensing Applications, Rohit Goswami

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Integrated opto-electronic and nanophotonic devices for sensing application in the fields of medicine, microbiology, environmental, safety and defense have attracted considerable attention due to their potential for achieving greater compactness, shorter response times and higher sensitivities as compared to non-optical sensing systems. Optical cavity resonant devices such as Fabry--Perot interferometers have been extensively used in lasing applications and optical sensing has been accomplished through many similar technologies.;Fiber optic and planar waveguide based resonant devices which use evanescent waves for detection of refractive index changes are one of the most widely used approaches for photonic sensors. In this work we investigate …

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An Empirical Analysis Of Health Implications And Costs Of Obesity In Appalachia, Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara Jan 2012

An Empirical Analysis Of Health Implications And Costs Of Obesity In Appalachia, Saman Janaranjana Herath Bandara

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Obesity is a major health problem in the United States (U.S.) and approximately 34 percent of the U.S. adult population is obese. Studies using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and many other research findings warn that if the current trend of obesity continues, 50 percent of the U.S. population will be obese in 2030. Unfortunately, several diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes (type II), hypertension, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and some psychological disorders are linked with obesity. Obesity increases the risk of premature mortality, and nearly 300,000 annual deaths are associated …

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The Effect Of Compost Amendment On Ammonia-Oxidizing Microbial Community Structure In An Agricultural Soil, Gregory S. Klinger Jan 2012

The Effect Of Compost Amendment On Ammonia-Oxidizing Microbial Community Structure In An Agricultural Soil, Gregory S. Klinger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effect of compost amendment on nitrification rates and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in an agricultural soil was examined. Four different rates from 11.2 to 89.6 Mg compost ha-1 of partially composted dairy manure was applied annually from 2000 to 2003 and again in 2005 to 32 plots on a Dormont silt loam that was shifted from long term pasture to crop cultivation. An additional 8 plots were not amended with compost and served as negative controls. Except for lime in the initial year of the experiment, no other fertilizer was used on these plots. Soil physical, chemical, and biochemical measurements were …

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Temporal Patterns Of Gene Expression In The Mntb During Calyx Of Held Development, Douglas Richard Kolson Jan 2012

Temporal Patterns Of Gene Expression In The Mntb During Calyx Of Held Development, Douglas Richard Kolson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Brain development is inextricably linked to changes in gene expression. Providing insight into the mechanisms controlling these complex events is a current challenge in neuroscience. Neurons in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) receive large specialized glutamatergic nerve terminals, the calyces of Held, which grow very quickly between postnatal day 2 (P2) and P4. Through both quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and microarray analysis, we examined the gene expression over time for a select group of voltage-gated potassium channels controlling ion channel function and composition to finely tune their biophysical properties. Low threshold activated potassium channels subunits Kv1.1 (Kcna1) …

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A Feasibility Assessment Of Water Quality Trading In The Greenbrier River Watershed, West Virginia, Arun Khatri-Chhetri Jan 2012

A Feasibility Assessment Of Water Quality Trading In The Greenbrier River Watershed, West Virginia, Arun Khatri-Chhetri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The main goal of this dissertation was to assess the physical and economic feasibility of a water quality trading (WQT) program in the Greenbrier River watershed in West Virginia which can reduce the nutrient related water pollution. The focus of this dissertation is the feasibility of nutrient trading between wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and farmers in the watershed. This dissertation compares 12 WQT scenarios that include different market design parameters of trading ratios (1:1 and 2:1), effluent limitations for point sources (WWTPs), and baseline requirements for agricultural non-point sources. The physical feasibility analysis includes the estimation of nutrient reduction requirements …

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The Role Of Narcissism On Concerns For Sns Privacy: Vulnerable Narcissism In Threatening Situations, Elizabeth A. Kwolek Jan 2012

The Role Of Narcissism On Concerns For Sns Privacy: Vulnerable Narcissism In Threatening Situations, Elizabeth A. Kwolek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study aims to identify psychological factors that predict one's likelihood to disengage with privacy-threatening activities on Social Networking Sites (SNS). Particularly, it pays special attention to the concept of narcissism and its impact on one's response to SNS privacy-threatening situations. By evaluating narcissism in two different ways --- grandiose and vulnerable --- the study attempts to provide a better understanding of the role of narcissism in SNS usage and concerns over privacy issues. Study I shows that vulnerable narcissism has a significant influence on consumers' likelihood of disengaging with privacy-threatening activities on SNS while grandiose narcissism has no influence. …

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Rescue Of Inherited Retinal Degeneration Associated With Aipl1 Defects, Cristy Ann Ku Jan 2012

Rescue Of Inherited Retinal Degeneration Associated With Aipl1 Defects, Cristy Ann Ku

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since groundbreaking clinical trials treating Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) patients with retinal pigmented epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein (Rpe65) defects, which were the most successful gene therapy studies to date, much effort has been put into finding other candidate genes associated with inherited retinal degeneration to treat. Animal models with Rpe65 defects demonstrate an unusual circumstance that greatly favors treatment, where dramatic vision loss is disproportionately greater than the ensuing slow photoreceptor degeneration. This pattern is also believed to occur in Rpe65-LCA patients, and stems from the primary defect in retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells that subsequently perturbs photoreceptors. However, a …

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Development Of A Near-Field Magnetic Projectile Location System, Andrew D. Lowery Jan 2012

Development Of A Near-Field Magnetic Projectile Location System, Andrew D. Lowery

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Near-field magnetic principles and properties have been well studied and are used in a plethora of modern applications, ranging from medical applications to audio and video processing, and magnetic tracking. Current tracking applications are based in either AC or Pulsed-DC systems. Generally, AC systems have high resolution and accuracy, but perform very poorly in the presence of conducting magnetic materials. Pulsed-DC tracking has the benefit of not inducing large eddy currents in proximity to magnetic materials, thus increasing its overall accuracy. It has been suggested that pure DC systems are not feasible because they are unable to account for the …

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Exploring The Effects Of Implementation Intentions And Goal Formation On Anxiety And Communication Effectiveness When Discussing Difficult Interpersonal Topics, Colleen C. Malachowski Jan 2012

Exploring The Effects Of Implementation Intentions And Goal Formation On Anxiety And Communication Effectiveness When Discussing Difficult Interpersonal Topics, Colleen C. Malachowski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study addressed the effects of two specific types of planning (i.e., goal intention and implementation intention formation) on interpersonal discussions of difficult topics (e.g., discussing the future of a relationship, discussing past romantic partners, discussing the current status of a relationship). Goal intentions specify a certain end point (e.g., "I intend to reach x"), and implementation intentions (Gollwitzer, 1999) specify when, where, and how a goal will be achieved (e.g., "If x, then y"). In addition, four personality traits (i.e., need for cognition, cognitive flexibility, self-efficacy, and trait dyadic communication apprehension) were examined in order to further understand the …

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Experimental Emissions And Fuel Economy Analysis Of A Diesel Engine Operating On Vegetable Oil, Robert F. Minehart Iii Jan 2012

Experimental Emissions And Fuel Economy Analysis Of A Diesel Engine Operating On Vegetable Oil, Robert F. Minehart Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Plant based oils or vegetable oils (VO) may be an alternate fuel to diesel for heavy duty diesel applications. The object of this study was to compare the emissions and fuel economy of a diesel engine operated on both diesel fuel and VO. This was achieved by experimentally comparing the soot and gaseous exhaust emissions from a diesel engine that was operated on both VO and diesel fuel. A 1.9L GM/Vauxhall diesel engine was mounted on an Eaton 225 HP AC Engine Dynamometer. The engine's soot production output was measured using an AVL 483 Micro Soot Sensor and the gaseous …

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Potential Inhibitors And Sources Of Error In The Measurement Of Travertine Precipitation Rates In A Karst Stream Influenced By Thermal Mineral Waters, Johnathan E. Moore Jan 2012

Potential Inhibitors And Sources Of Error In The Measurement Of Travertine Precipitation Rates In A Karst Stream Influenced By Thermal Mineral Waters, Johnathan E. Moore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Precipitation rates for travertine have been studied in many natural settings and compared to theoretical calcite (CaCO3) precipitation rates; in most studies, the emphasis is placed on the degassing of CO 2 as the primary controlling mechanism. Little research has been done in natural settings to evaluate precipitate composition, rates of precipitation, and the role of potential inhibitors of calcite growth. This study addresses these questions in a Sweet Springs Creek, West Virginia-Virginia: a karst stream fed partly by thermal mineral waters with high CO2. For this study, travertine plates were deployed to measure the accretion of precipitates in the …

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Chirality Sorted Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes For Random Network Thin Film Applications, Volkan Ozyar Jan 2012

Chirality Sorted Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes For Random Network Thin Film Applications, Volkan Ozyar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are comprised entirely of carbon atoms which lie in a graphitic plane rolled into a seamless cylinder. The direction in which the graphic plane is rolled affects the subsequent chiralities of the SWNTs. This direction is called the chiral vector. This chiral vector, Ch =na1+ma2, is described in terms of a pair of integers (n,m) and a pair of lattice vectors (a1,a2) associated with each carbon atom in the graphene sheet. The magnitude of the chiral vector determines the diameter of the nanotubes as d= Ch/pi. SWNTs with integers n-m =3i, where i = 0, 1, …

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Compositional And Functional Characteristics Of Materials Recovered From Headed Gutted Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) By Isoelectric Solubilization And Precipitation Using Organic Acids, Ilgin Paker Jan 2012

Compositional And Functional Characteristics Of Materials Recovered From Headed Gutted Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) By Isoelectric Solubilization And Precipitation Using Organic Acids, Ilgin Paker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is one of the main freshwater fish species with a high nutritional value; however, it is hard to process the fish due to its boney carcass. Therefore, isoelectric solubilization and precipitation (ISP) processing was applied to headed gutted silver carp to separate the protein from the bones, scales, skin, fins, etc. Different solubilization strategies (pH 2.5, 3.0. 11.5 and 12.0) using organic acids, either acetic acid (AA) or a 30% formic and lactic acid combination (F&L), were applied during ISP and the different effects of treatments on the materials recovered from the initial silver carp were …

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Evidence Of A Role For Three Neuropeptides That Mediate Steroid Negative Feedback On Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone/Luteinizing Hormone Secretion In The Ewe: Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B And Orphanin Fq, Casey C. Nestor Jan 2012

Evidence Of A Role For Three Neuropeptides That Mediate Steroid Negative Feedback On Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone/Luteinizing Hormone Secretion In The Ewe: Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B And Orphanin Fq, Casey C. Nestor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the final common output from the central nervous system for controlling luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from the anterior pituitary. GnRH, and subsequently LH, secretion for most of the menstrual/estrous cycle occurs in an episodic pattern that is controlled by the inhibitory actions of estradiol and progesterone. However, GnRH neurons are devoid of the appropriate steroid receptors, therefore, estradiol and progesterone must mediate their effects on GnRH/LH secretion through interneurons. Three likely candidates are neurons containing kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and orphanin FQ (OFQ).;Puberty in the ewe is marked by an increase in GnRH/LH secretion which in …

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Comprehensive Model Of Lung Cancer Prediction And Prognosis, Joseph J. Putila Jan 2012

Comprehensive Model Of Lung Cancer Prediction And Prognosis, Joseph J. Putila

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two unresolved issues in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer are the assessment of risk of recurrence beyond the use of tumor stage alone, and the selection of an effective chemotherapeutic agent for patients with similar tumor morphology. A prognostic model able to identify high or low-risk patients with a high degree of accuracy can be used to inform clinicians on potential improvements to the current clinical practice. Clinical presentation, pathology, demographics, and genomics have been independently verified as influencing survival. A comprehensive model capable of incorporating multiple predictors into a unified measure has the potential to simplify risk …

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Sensory Characteristics And Storage Quality Indicators Of Surimi Franks Nutritionally Enhanced With Omega-3 Rich Flaxseed Oil And Salmon Oil, Christin Rose Sell Jan 2012

Sensory Characteristics And Storage Quality Indicators Of Surimi Franks Nutritionally Enhanced With Omega-3 Rich Flaxseed Oil And Salmon Oil, Christin Rose Sell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Surimi, a lean source of fish protein, is consumed worldwide in various forms. Considerable increase in U.S. consumption of surimi products was observed in the 1980s but tapered off in recent decades. Consumer demand for foods enriched with o-3 fatty acids including DHA and EPA has increased due to potential health benefits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) create a surimi frank enhanced with o-3 PUFA rich salmon oil or flaxseed oil, (2) evaluate product composition and quality indicators (pH, color {lcub}L*, a*, b*{rcub}, syneresis, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances test, and texture) over 21d, and (3) establish …

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A Comparison Of Airway Dimensions Among Different Skeletal Craniofacial Patterns, Ronnie J. Sparks Jan 2012

A Comparison Of Airway Dimensions Among Different Skeletal Craniofacial Patterns, Ronnie J. Sparks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: Much attention has been given to the association of craniofacial skeletal morphology, upper airway dimension, and respiratory function with patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. However, much of the information gathered on the aforementioned has been established with the use of 2-Dimensional lateral cephalometry. The objective of this study was to investigate upper airway dimensions among different skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A sample of 279 patients who seught orthodontic treatment at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics was included in this study. Pre-treatment multi-slice CBCT scans of …

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Development Of A New Human Identity Testing Kit For The Simultaneous Amplification Of The 13 Codis Str Loci Plus Amelogenin Using Locus Specific Brackets (Lsbs), Lizmery Suarez Ferguson Jan 2012

Development Of A New Human Identity Testing Kit For The Simultaneous Amplification Of The 13 Codis Str Loci Plus Amelogenin Using Locus Specific Brackets (Lsbs), Lizmery Suarez Ferguson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

STR loci consist of short, repetitive sequence elements 2--7 base pairs in length. An STR genotype is typically determined by PCR amplification followed by fragment size estimation with electrophoresis. Commercial multiplex STR amplification kits are available for the 13 CORE loci used in the USA for human identity testing. The genotyping rationale with these multiplex STR amplification kits involves a two-fold calibration analysis: 1) An internal size standard (ISS) labeled with a separate dye establishes the size of the unknown DNA fragment and 2) an allelic ladder which contains most of the common alleles for each locus is also sized …

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Adherence To Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines In American College And University Physical Activity Programs, Drue T. Stapleton Jan 2012

Adherence To Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines In American College And University Physical Activity Programs, Drue T. Stapleton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background/Purpose: Higher education physical activity programs (HEPAP) in physical education have existed in American college and universities for over 100 years. Initially used to teach physical education and promote physical activity to prepare students for potential wartime conflicts, they have evolved in response to changes in societal and educational purposes and needs. In 2008, NASPE published its updated Guidelines for Appropriate Instructional Practice in Higher Education Physical Activity Programs. The guidelines educate professionals about effective physical education for post-secondary students, but knowledge of their use is limited. The purpose of the study was to examine familiarity and adherence to these …

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Evaluation Of A Community-Based Osteoporosis Educational Program, Cynthia A. Smith Jan 2012

Evaluation Of A Community-Based Osteoporosis Educational Program, Cynthia A. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Research has shown low levels of osteoporosis knowledge and utilization of bone healthy behaviors among community members. Osteoporosis educational programs have been shown to improve osteoporosis knowledge and bone healthy behaviors. A review of the literature on community-based osteoporosis education is suggestive a onetime program led by nurse would be of benefit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an osteoporosis workshop led by a nurse practitioner that was held in a fitness center.;Objectives: Objectives of this evaluation include enhancing subjects' knowledge about osteoporosis and bone healthy behaviors, improving participants' perception of meeting personal bone …

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Evaluation Of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy And A Standard Parenting Program Within A Women's State Prison Facility, Ashley B. Tempel Jan 2012

Evaluation Of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy And A Standard Parenting Program Within A Women's State Prison Facility, Ashley B. Tempel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A majority of inmates in state and federal prisons across the U.S. have been reported to be parents of minors (Glaze & Maruschak, 2008). It is estimated that twice as many American children (i.e., 2% or over 1.7 million) compared to children of other industrialized countries have incarcerated parents (Murray, 2007). Approximately 336, 000 households with minor children are believed to be directly affected by parental imprisonment (Mumola, 2000). Parent training provided through correctional programming has potential to impact a large number of American families that are affected by parental incarceration. However, correctional parenting programs often vary across facilities and …

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Glycan Characterization And Manipulation Using Phospholipid Additives For Capillary Electrophoresis, Stephanie A. Archer-Hartmann Jan 2012

Glycan Characterization And Manipulation Using Phospholipid Additives For Capillary Electrophoresis, Stephanie A. Archer-Hartmann

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Protein glycosylation is of interest in a number of emerging fields, and plays important functional roles in cellular biology. The analysis of these molecules is nontrivial because they exhibit great complexity in both monomer makeup and linkages of these monomers. As a result, a common challenge that analytical techniques face is the separation of linkage glycan isomers. This dissertation is based on the research leading to the development of a phospholipid-capillary electrophoresis method that allows for highly efficient separations and the non-covalent incorporation of enzymes and lectins for in-capillary interactions. Glycans were removed from glycoproteins through enzymatic means, then labeled …

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Examination Of Novel Cardiac Mechanisms Influencing Mitochondrial Proteomes During Diabetes Mellitus, Walter Baseler Jan 2012

Examination Of Novel Cardiac Mechanisms Influencing Mitochondrial Proteomes During Diabetes Mellitus, Walter Baseler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiac complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality within diabetes mellitus. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested as an underlying factor in the initiation and progression of the pathology. Cardiac mitochondria are characterized as two spatially distinct subpopulations within the myocyte including mitochondria located beneath the sarcolemma, termed subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM), and those located between myofibrils, termed interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM). Mitochondrial subpopulations have been shown to respond differently to physiological and pathological stimuli with the IFM being the most impacted in a type 1 diabetic setting. Proteomic evaluations within various models of diabetes have highlighted dynamic …

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Child Temperament As An Influence On Maternal Emotion Socialization In Preschool-Aged Children, Stephanie L. Clarke Jan 2012

Child Temperament As An Influence On Maternal Emotion Socialization In Preschool-Aged Children, Stephanie L. Clarke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relation between child temperament and maternal emotion socialization practices (e.g., supportive/non-supportive). Data were gathered from mothers of 3- and 4-year-olds; 51 mothers participated anonymously via Facebook, and 33 were drawn from a larger study on emotion socialization. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires, including a demographics questionnaire; the Child Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; Putnam & Rothbart, 2000) to assess maternal perception of child temperament, and the Coping with Children's Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES; Fabes, Poulin, Eisenberg, & Madden-Derdich, 2002) to examine maternal responsiveness to children's emotions. Pearson r correlation tests were …

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Early Postpartum Awakenings, Neurocognitive Performance, And Feeding Methods, Michael A. Winser Jan 2012

Early Postpartum Awakenings, Neurocognitive Performance, And Feeding Methods, Michael A. Winser

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study investigated memory for brief nocturnal awakenings, characteristics of those awakenings in women during the early and late postpartum period, and how these awakenings were related to neurocognitive performance in exclusively breastfeeding and exclusively formula-feeding mothers.;The median duration of a nocturnal awakening necessary for morning recall was four minutes and 30 seconds, which closely resembles the current five-minute rule of thumb. There was normal variability in thresholds, indicating that other factors may influence memory for awakenings. During the postpartum period, women generally under-reported the number of awakenings experienced each night, but did increase in accuracy by week 12. Average …

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The Role Of Primary Cilia In Articular Cartilage And Growth Plate, Ching-Fang Chang Jan 2012

The Role Of Primary Cilia In Articular Cartilage And Growth Plate, Ching-Fang Chang

All ETDs from UAB

Primary cilia are now considered an important organelle required for many key steps during developmental processes including skeletal development. Articular cartilage and growth plate are two cartilage compartments whose functions are important postnatally. Articular cartilage is a think cartilage layer which serves as a cushion to protect the joint space, whereas growth plate is important for postnatal long bone growth. Both articular cartilage and growth plate need to be developed properly to ensure the normal bone function. Here, we show an important role of primary cilia in development of both articular cartilage and growth plate using genetic modified mouse model …

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Centering Pregnancy And Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: An Evaluation Of Group Prenatal Care In A Rural Western Kentucky Clinic, Lorie Wayne Chesnut Jan 2012

Centering Pregnancy And Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: An Evaluation Of Group Prenatal Care In A Rural Western Kentucky Clinic, Lorie Wayne Chesnut

All ETDs from UAB

CenteringPregnancySmiles [TM] (CPS), a group prenatal care program with an oral health component, has demonstrated promising results in urban communities with primarily low-income minority women. This study examined three questions: 1) Do women who participate in CPS have better birth outcomes than those who participate in traditional prenatal care, even after adjusting for maternal characteristics and risk factors? 2) Is level of exposure to the intervention associated with improved birth outcomes? 3) Do women with dental infection have an increased risk of poor birth outcomes? Data were abstracted from medical records and birth certificates. Birth outcomes for women enrolled in …

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Neuropharmacology Of The Α2a Adrenergic Receptor In Disorders Of Mood And Cognition, Christopher Cottingham Jan 2012

Neuropharmacology Of The Α2a Adrenergic Receptor In Disorders Of Mood And Cognition, Christopher Cottingham

All ETDs from UAB

Depressive disorders carry relatively high lifetime risks of greater than 10%, and the antidepressant drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of these mood/cognitive disorders are among the most-prescribed pharmacological agents. However, a detailed understanding of both depressive etiology and the pharmacological mechanisms of action for antidepressant drugs remain elusive. The overall goal of this dissertation research is to provide novel in-sights through a detailed study of the neuropharmacology of the α2A adrenergic receptor (AR). α2ARs, as key regulators of noradrenergic neurotransmission, have been broadly understood to have some ill-defined role in both the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of depressive disorders. The studies …

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The Conformational Analysis And Biophysical Studies Of Retinoic Acid Interactions With Nuclear Receptor Homodimers And Heterodimers, Bryan Dean Cox Jan 2012

The Conformational Analysis And Biophysical Studies Of Retinoic Acid Interactions With Nuclear Receptor Homodimers And Heterodimers, Bryan Dean Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Vitamin A metabolites are compounds that perform critical functions for mammalian life. The retinoic acid metabolites of vitamin A regulate genetic transcription. Retinoic acids function by binding to type II nuclear receptor proteins (NRs), which modulates interactions between nuclear receptors and transcription initiation machinery (such as coactivator proteins). It is the focus of this dissertation to expand our understanding of retinoic acids in their interactions with the nuclear receptor protein Retinoid X Receptor alpha (RXR&alpha). Retinoic acids are composed of a trimethylcyclohexenyl ring, polyene chain, and terminal carboxylic acid. The first chapter investigates the energetics of the ring-chain conformation using …

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