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2013

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The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker Jan 2013

The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker

All ETDs from UAB

pcpA is under control of the Mn 2-dependent repressor PsaR. In the high manganese environment of mucosal sites pcpA gene expression is repressed and at the low manganese environment of the lung and blood derepression of pcpA gene expressionis observed. Previous data has shown that immunization of mice with rPcpA elicits protection against pneumonia and sepsis but had no effect on nasal colonization. We and others have shown that pcpA expression significantly enhances adherence of pneumococci to lung epithelial cell lines and although it is a virulence factor for pneumonia in mice there is no biologically relevant role for PcpA …

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Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton Jan 2013

Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton

All ETDs from UAB

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus which can potentially cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Although a serious threat, current treatments are largely ineffective at reducing morbidity and mortality. To this end, we have characterized a monoclonal antibody generated against Group B Streptococci, type Ib, which also recognizes Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and hyphae. We show that this antibody appears to bind a similar epitope on both pathogens and provides a significant degree of protection in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis via a mechanism that appears to be dependent on complement. The studies we performed using this antibody should …

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Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James Jan 2013

Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James

All ETDs from UAB

The principle objective of this dissertation is to develop a thorough understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of capsule synthesis. Specifically, it involves the identification and characterization of the capsular glycosyltransferases in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2, with investigations into their regulation. S. pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a significant human pathogen that has the ability to persist as a commensal and then transition to a virulent state, the latter of which is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. pneumoniae is a protective surface structure that plays an integral role in this disease process. …

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Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe Jan 2013

Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy necessitating improved understanding of GBM biology. In this study, we explore the role of Myristoylated Alanine Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) in the context of GBM. We have discovered that the MARCKS protein regulates GBM growth as well as response to radiation therapy through its effects on proliferation, senescence, and DNA repair based on our studies in cell culture and in patient-derived xenograft tumors implanted in mice. Importantly, our analysis of clinical patient data demonstrates that MARCKS is an independent predictor for outcome in GBM patients. Indeed, high MARCKS …

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The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur Jan 2013

The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Recent evidence suggests that systemic inflammation as host immune response to oral microbial challenge may well underlie the observed association between periodontal disease and preterm birth/low birth weight (PTB/LBW). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of vigorous oral hygiene regimen on gingival inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)/serum biomarkers (TNF-&alpha, IL-1&beta and IL-6) during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcome. Methods: 120 participants with pregnancy between 16-24 weeks gestation and with gingival index (GI) scores &ge 2 at &ge 50 % of tooth sites were recruited from the available pool of patients at …

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The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore Jan 2013

The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore

All ETDs from UAB

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with cognitive impairments that progress to dementia and eventually death. The development of drug treatments that rescue memory deficits could be a promising therapy given in the early stages of AD. In the following studies, we tested the potential for systemic treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to ameliorate cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD. Using the APPSwe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, we showed that giving HDAC inhibitors systemically for 3 weeks reversed contextual memory deficits, stably maintained memories over a 2-week …

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Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li Jan 2013

Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li

All ETDs from UAB

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display promising antineoplastic activity for colorectal and other cancers, but toxicity from cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition limits their long-term use for chemoprevention. However, many investigators have concluded that COX-independent mechanisms are responsible for their antineoplastic activity. We previously reported that cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) is a non-COX target of sulindac sulfide (SS). However, the specific isozyme families involved have not been well studied. Here we demonstrate that SS inhibits the growth of colon tumor cells through a novel mechanism involving inhibition of two cGMP degrading isozymes, PDE5 and PDE10, to activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). …

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Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig Jan 2013

Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig

All ETDs from UAB

SURVEYING THE SERUM PROTEOME FOR BIOMARKERS OF EARLY STAGE PANCREATIC CANCER MICHAEL ROBERT LUDWIG MICROBIOLOGY ABSTRACT Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a uniformly fatal disease due to its refractory nature to conventional therapies at the time of initial diagnosis. In order to in-crease the curative potential of surgical resection, early detection of organ-confined neoplasia is needed. Currently, no effective diagnostic tools are available to detect early-stage pancreatic ductal lesions termed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) or lo-cally invasive, organ-confined disease. One way to identify biomarkers that may be use-ful for the early detection of PDAC is through the study of the …

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Volumetric Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Of Vascular Perfusion In Renal Tissue, Marshall Joseph Mahoney Jan 2013

Volumetric Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Of Vascular Perfusion In Renal Tissue, Marshall Joseph Mahoney

All ETDs from UAB

This research examines the ability of volumetric contrast-enhanced ultrasound (VCEUS) imaging to quantify kidney blood flow, with the potential to monitor changes in renal perfusion following acute kidney injury (AKI). Ultrasound (US) imaging of microbubble contrast agents allows for increased imaging isolation of the vasculature, creating a non-toxic approach to visualizing blood flow. VCEUS utilizes a series of planar ultrasound acquisitions that can be collected in real time to survey the vascularity of a volumetric region-of-interest. Through post-processing methods it is possible to quantify perfusion parameters such as peak intensity (IPK), time-to-peak intensity (TPK), wash-in rate (WIR), and area-under-curve (AUC). …

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Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall Jan 2013

Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate whether there is a difference in perception of facial attractiveness when viewing two-dimensional (2D) versus three-dimensional images (3D) within each population studied (Caucasian, African American, and Chinese), (2) to evaluate whether panels of raters with different levels of orthodontic education would give similar facial attractiveness scores, and (3) to identify the soft tissue features that influence facial attractiveness when viewing 2D and 3D images. Materials and methods: A total of 60 3D images from three populations selected for this study were acquired using a 3dMDfaceTM system (Atlanta, GA) and were …

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Temp, Callie Gartrell Mauldin Jan 2013

Temp, Callie Gartrell Mauldin

All ETDs from UAB

Temp is a collection of short stories about four young women living in New York City. Each woman struggles with her own identity while tethered to a family past that informs her current situation. Through failures and flirtations with disaster, Hannah, Anna, Liz, and Rachel learn how to accept themselves and the lives they've been dealt. The stories, ultimately, explore loss and acceptance through connections and relationships with others.

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Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy Jan 2013

Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy

All ETDs from UAB

The molecular mechanisms regulating the preferential metastasis of breast cancer to bone have not been fully elucidated, but it is hypothesized that local conditions in the bone create an environment conducive to colonization by breast cancer cells and that the breast cancer cells interact directly with cells in the bone. In this dissertation, two goals were pursued: (1) to explore breast cancer secreted interleukin (IL)-11's role on osteoclast function and (2) investigate the expression and potential role of CD68 in breast cancer adhesion to bone. Higher rates of bone metastasis occur in human breast cancer tumors expressing IL-11, a cytokine …

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The Effects Of Extremes Of Ph On The Growth And Transcriptomic Profiles Of Three Haloarchaea, Aida Moran-Reyna Jan 2013

The Effects Of Extremes Of Ph On The Growth And Transcriptomic Profiles Of Three Haloarchaea, Aida Moran-Reyna

All ETDs from UAB

The Archaea represent a fascinating domain of life where each species comprises a hybrid of bacterial and eukaryal features. Unfortunately, there have been few investigations of the Archaea and many fundamental questions remain regarding their biochemistry, genetics, and genomics. One reason for this is that few archaea are amenable to detailed experimental analysis; however, a few halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) can be easily manipulated in the laboratory and contain a sequenced genome, allowing for bioinformatics studies, such as recording changes in the transcriptomes. Haloarchaea are found wherever seawater is concentrated above 2 M NaCl and contain a similarly high concentration of …

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Understanding The Relation Between Routines And Problem Behaviors In Children With Clinical Diagnoses, Mark Ryan Pennick Jan 2013

Understanding The Relation Between Routines And Problem Behaviors In Children With Clinical Diagnoses, Mark Ryan Pennick

All ETDs from UAB

The current study investigated the impact of routines on problem behaviors in children with the clinical diagnoses of either PDD, ADHD, or depression/anxiety. Previous research has identified negative relations between externalizing behaviors and routines as well as a link between using routines and having positive parenting. The study extends these findings to children with these various diagnoses and also to internalizing symptoms. In our sample negative relations were found between routines, as measured by the Child Routines Inventory (CRI), and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms when all groups were examined together. Additionally routines were found to moderate the relation between …

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Msx1 Mutations And Their Binding Interactions, Divakar Prakash Jan 2013

Msx1 Mutations And Their Binding Interactions, Divakar Prakash

All ETDs from UAB

Orofacial clefting (OFC), also called cleft lip and/or palate, is the most common congenital birth anomaly that involve the craniofacial region in humans. The etiology of Non-Syndromic OFC (NS-OFC) is complex and multifactorial; a slew of genetic mutations, standing alone or in combinations, along with several environmental factors, play a major role in the disease process. Numerous linkage and association studies in humans, as well as expression studies and knockout mouse models, have implicated Muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1), which encodes a homeodomain/DNA binding domain (HD) containing transcription factor as a strong candidate contributing to NS-OFC and Tooth Agenesis …

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The Role Of Complement In Experimental Cerebral Malaria, Theresa N. Ramos Jan 2013

The Role Of Complement In Experimental Cerebral Malaria, Theresa N. Ramos

All ETDs from UAB

Cerebral malaria (CM) is one of the most severe clinical complications of P. falciparum malaria with a fatality rate of 15-30%, and 10% of CM survivors have permanent neurological sequelae. Since inflammation is a central pathophysiological tenet of CM, we began examining the role of the complement system in pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) using Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) model. Previous studies using this model indicated that mice naturally deficient in complement component C5 were protected from cerebral complications, and wild type mice treated with anti-C5aR antibody were also protected. To determine the protective mechanism of naturally-C5 deficient mice, …

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Mesocorticolimbic Abnormalities In Schizophrenia: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy And Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study, Meredith A. Reid Jan 2013

Mesocorticolimbic Abnormalities In Schizophrenia: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy And Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study, Meredith A. Reid

All ETDs from UAB

Schizophrenia is a complex, often debilitating chronic mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of people worldwide. Recently, there has been growing interest in identifying non-invasive biomarkers of schizophrenia. Understanding the molecular and structural mechanisms underlying clinical features of schizophrenia and patients' drug response is an important step in identifying biomarkers and potential targets for novel medications, treatment strategies, and interventions. The primary objective of this dissertation research was to use non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging techniques, specifically magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), to examine the neurochemical and structural correlates of symptoms, cognition, and treatment response to antipsychotic …

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Commensal Microbiota And Its Impact On Health And Autoimmune Diabetets, Kyle James Wolf Jan 2013

Commensal Microbiota And Its Impact On Health And Autoimmune Diabetets, Kyle James Wolf

All ETDs from UAB

Environmental exposures such as diet, use of antibiotics, and lifestyle have significant impact on the health of an individual. One mechanism that acts as a major pathway in these environmental exposures is the role intestinal commensal microbiota play in both metabolic and immunological responses. Metabolic pathways are altered through changes in metabolites provided by commensal microbiota; alterations in microbial make-up can have drastic impacts on metabolic function. Similarly, the development and maturation of the immune system is dependent on the intestinal microbes to induce tolerance and act as both an immune modulator as well as a barrier against pathogens. We …

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Characterization Of The Mumps Virus Replicase, Robert Marsden Cox Jan 2013

Characterization Of The Mumps Virus Replicase, Robert Marsden Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Negative strand RNA viruses (NSV) are unique because their nucleocapsids are used directly as the template for both transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is coated by the nucleoprotein (N) for the entirety of the NSV replication cycle. The viral polymerase, which is composed of the L and P proteins, can only recognize encapsidated RNA as the template for RNA synthesis. Our previous studies have solved the EM structure of the MuV N-RNA complex at 25Ņ. This structure revealed how the nucleocapsid is assembled and provides an initial model for examining how the viral polymerase may recognize the …

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Sulindac Sulfide Amide As A Novel Agent For The Prevention And Treatment Of Lung Cancer, Evrim Gurpinar Jan 2013

Sulindac Sulfide Amide As A Novel Agent For The Prevention And Treatment Of Lung Cancer, Evrim Gurpinar

All ETDs from UAB

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sulindac sulfide (SS) have shown promising antineoplastic activity in multiple tumor types, but toxicities resulting from cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition limit their use in cancer prevention. We recently described a N,N-dimethylethyl amine derivative of SS, sulindac sulfide amide (SSA), that does not inhibit COX-1 or -2, yet displays potent tumor cell growth inhibitory activity. Here, we studied the basis for the growth inhibitory effects of SSA on human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and evaluated its preclinical pharmacology. SSA potently inhibited the growth of lung tumor cells with IC50 values of 2-5 μ compared with 44-52 …

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Clinical Consequences Of Micrornas In Colorectal Cancer, Liselle C. Bovell Jan 2013

Clinical Consequences Of Micrornas In Colorectal Cancer, Liselle C. Bovell

All ETDs from UAB

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease, and factors such as tumor location, the environment, genetics, and ethnic differences, can influence its development and progression. Over the last few decades, overall CRC mortality rates have declined; however, racial disparities in mortality rates have increased. The discovery of biomarkers that focus on identifying individual differences based on confounders such as tumor stage and patient race/ethnicity is needed, for such biomarkers can lead to development of personalized therapeutic approaches to target these molecules. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small molecules that regulate genes at the post-transcriptional level. Altered miRNA expression levels …

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Therapeutic Potential Of Genetically-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Multiple Myeloma, Jerome T. Higgs Jan 2013

Therapeutic Potential Of Genetically-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Multiple Myeloma, Jerome T. Higgs

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains the second most common hematologic malig-nancy occurring in adults, which primarily affects the skeletal system causing severe bone destruction, spinal cord compression and hypercalcemia. Current therapies, which include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, autologouos stem cell transplantation and in some cases surgery, have extended the median survival between 3 and 10 years. However, MM is still incurable and therefore improving current therapies or developing newer ones to reduce the burden of osteolytic damage and extend survival rate will be highly beneficial for patient management. The long-term goal of this study is to develop a novel therapeutic approach to …

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Exploring Rti Reading Intervention For Hispanic English Learning Kindergarten Students In Central Alabama:, Kelly Leah Hill Jan 2013

Exploring Rti Reading Intervention For Hispanic English Learning Kindergarten Students In Central Alabama:, Kelly Leah Hill

All ETDs from UAB

This study addressed issues in implementing RTI Tier II reading intervention in kindergarten classrooms which contained Hispanic students learning English. In addition, the scope of reading progress of Hispanic students learning English was explored. The purpose of this research was to examine the frequency in providing RTI reading interventions and how they were implemented in kindergarten with Hispanic children who are learning English. This study employed an explanatory sequential (Quan QUAL) mixed methods design (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011). To address the purpose of the study, the overarching mixed methods question was: What is the frequency of RTI Tier II …

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Determinant Of G-Chain Mediated Fc Receptor Signaling, Spandan Shah Jan 2013

Determinant Of G-Chain Mediated Fc Receptor Signaling, Spandan Shah

All ETDs from UAB

Fc receptors provide an interface between humoral immunity and cellular immunity by binding to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin and mediating effector functions. Cells expressing Fc receptors play a major role in immune complex clearance via phagocytosis, leading to a context dependent pro- or anti-inflammatory environment. Signaling by multi-chain Fc receptor complexes, including FcgRI, FcgRIII, FceRI and FcaRI is mediated by the ITAM-containing common FceRIg (g-chain) subunit. However, despite the use of a common g-chain, different Fc receptor complexes elicit specific cellular programs, suggesting additional layers of regulation of tyrosine based signaling by g-chain. We hypothesized that the unique g-chain …

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Neuropathological Alterations In Alzheimer's Disease: An Up Close Look At Sympathetic Sprouting, Amy Renee Nelson Jan 2013

Neuropathological Alterations In Alzheimer's Disease: An Up Close Look At Sympathetic Sprouting, Amy Renee Nelson

All ETDs from UAB

Pathological hallmarks of AD include neurofibrillary tau tangles, amyloid beta (Abeta) accumulation and cholinergic degeneration. Cholinergic degeneration can be mimicked in rats by lesioning cholinergic neurons in medial septum. Hippocampal cholinergic denervation disrupts retrograde transport of nerve growth factor (NGF), leading to its accumulation, which subsequently triggers sprouting of noradrenergic sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglia into hippocampus. Dr. McMahon's lab previously reported that coincident with this sprouting, there is an increase in cholinergic innervation that correlates with a recovery of M1 muscarinic receptor dependent plasticity at CA3-CA1 synapses and visual cortex. These findings suggest that noradrenergic sympathetic sprouting …

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Repellency Efficacy Of Essential Oils Of Selected Plants Growing In Western Kenya And Their Eag-Active Constituent Blends Against Anopheles Gambiae, David Otieno Ywaya Jan 2013

Repellency Efficacy Of Essential Oils Of Selected Plants Growing In Western Kenya And Their Eag-Active Constituent Blends Against Anopheles Gambiae, David Otieno Ywaya

All Master’s Theses

Control of disease vectors by use of synthetic chemical pesticides has been associated with a series of problems, including resistance development, environmental pollution, and safety risks for humans and domestic animals. Plant-based products have been used for generations in traditional practices to control different arthropods. These have been used in space or personal protection either to repel the arthropods from distance or to deter them from blood-feeding on contact. In the present study, the repellence of essential oils of three plants (Ocimum gratissimum L., Vitex keniensis Turill and Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit used in Siaya County in western Kenya were …

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Work And Life Harmony: An Exploratory Case Study Of Entrepinays, Divina M. Edralin Jan 2013

Work And Life Harmony: An Exploratory Case Study Of Entrepinays, Divina M. Edralin

DLSU Business & Economics Review

This study aims to explore how Filipina entrepreneurs (EntrePinays) harmonize their work demands with their family responsibilities and personal needs in order to sustain their business and at the same time live a meaningful and happy life. As an exploratory study utilizing nine participants, the case study approach based on the multiple case dimensions was used. Findings revealed that there are positive and negative spillover effects of work-life relationships. The negative spillover induces stress among the EntrePinays and the positive spillover can lead to their high levels of life satisfaction. Results also showed that EntrePinays are able to harmonize their …

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Better Ways To Study Regulatory Elephants, Jonathan B. Wiener, Brendon Swedlow, James K. Hammitt, Michael D. Rogers, Peter H. Sand Jan 2013

Better Ways To Study Regulatory Elephants, Jonathan B. Wiener, Brendon Swedlow, James K. Hammitt, Michael D. Rogers, Peter H. Sand

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

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Annual Report Of The Risd Fleet Library 2012-2013, Fleet Library, Carol Terry Jan 2013

Annual Report Of The Risd Fleet Library 2012-2013, Fleet Library, Carol Terry

Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

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Animal Science E-Newsletter, January 2013, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Department Of Animal Sciences Jan 2013

Animal Science E-Newsletter, January 2013, University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Department Of Animal Sciences

Animal Science e-Newsletter

No abstract provided.

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