Digital Commons Network^™

Psychosocial And Environmental Determinants Of Physical Activity In Elementary School Children : Implications For Interventions To Reduce Childhood Obesity., Jiying Ling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Childhood obesity has become a national public health crisis in America. Physical activity has been shown to be one key for controlling childhood obesity, but little is known about the mediators and moderators in physical activity promotion models. In particular, the immediate time afterschool provides an important opportunity for children to be active, only 20% of their afterschool time is used for physical activity. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explore the psychosocial and environmental determinants of physical activity, and to examine the influence of wearing pedometers on the hypothesized determinants (physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity enjoyment, …

The Role Of Youth Program Leaders In The Use Of Technology: Challenges And Opportunities For Youth-Serving Organizations, Mimi Nichter, Lynne Borden, Veronica Przybyl

Journal of Youth Development

Youth-serving organizations offer young people an opportunity to gain skills and advance their knowledge of current and evolving technology through experiential learning. The key to ensuring that young people have meaningful learning experiences is directly related to the youth program leader who is responsible for designing and implementing these programs. Programs conducted by well-trained and well-prepared adults are an essential component of community-based interventions. To date, there is relatively limited research on how technology such as smart phones can be used in community-based programs and the success or failure of this as a strategy for delivering information and engaging young …

Mitigating Barriers To Civic Engagement For Low-Income, Minority Youth Ages 13-18: Best Practices From Environmental Youth Conferences, Haco Hoang

Journal of Youth Development

Several studies indicate that there is a civic engagement gap for low-income, minority youth even though they reside in communities grappling with deteriorating social, environmental and economic conditions. Using the annual Environmental Youth Conference (EYC) in Los Angeles as a case study, this article offers best practices for identifying: 1) factors that foster civic engagement among low-income, minority youth ages 13-18, and 2) strategies to mobilize the targeted youth populations on environmental issues. Los Angeles is a useful case study because it is a large and demographically diverse city facing extreme environmental challenges due to its significant agricultural and industrial …

Challenges Posed By Mental Disorders, Substance Abuse And Neurological Disorders: Need For A Joint Action By Psychiatrists And Neurologists, Mowadat H Rana, Haider A Naqvi

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Chronic Relapsing Inflammatory Optic Neuropathy (Crion), Muhammad Athar Athar Javed, Adnan Hameed Gill Dr, Ahmad Furqan Dr

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Frequency Of Dementia In Parkinson’S Disease, Noor Ahmed Khosa, Ammanullah Kakar, Wazir Akbar

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Mission To Paradise, Ashleigh Jardine

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

2013 December Newsletter, Nancy Rockey

Life Renewal Archive

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide And Differential Proteomic Analysis Of Hepatitis B Virus And Aflatoxin B1 Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Guangxi, China, Lu-Nan Qi, Le-Qun Qi, Yuan-Yuan Chen, Zhao-Hong Chen, Tao Bai, Bang-De Xiang, Xiao Qin, Kai-Yin Xiao, Min-Hao Peng, Zhi-Ming Liu, Tang-Wei Liu, Xue Qin, Shan Li, Ze-Guang Han, Zeng-Nan Mo, Regina M. Santella, Cheryl Winkler, Stephen J. O'Brien, Tao Peng

Biology Faculty Articles

Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure can cause liver damage as well as increase the probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate the underlying genetic changes that may influence development of HCC associated with HBV infection and AFB1 exposure, HCC patients were subdivided into 4 groups depending upon HBV and AFB1 exposure status: (HBV(+)/AFB1(+), HBV(+)/AFB1(-), HBV(-)/AFB1(+), HBV(-)/AFB1(-)). Genetic abnormalities and protein expression profiles were analyzed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization and isobaric tagging for quantitation. A total of 573 chromosomal aberrations (CNAs) including 184 increased and 389 decreased were detected in our study population. Twenty-five recurrently …

Mathematical Modelling Of Blood Flow Through Catheterized Artery Under The Influence Of Body Acceleration With Slip Velocity, S. U. Siddiqui, Sapna Geeta

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The flow of blood through stenosed catheterized artery with the effect of external body acceleration has been considered. The pulsatile flow behaviour of blood in an artery subjected to the pulsatile pressure gradient and slip velocity has been studied considering blood as a Newtonian fluid. The non-linear differential equations governing the fluid flow are solved using the perturbation method. The analytic expressions are derived for the velocity profile, flow rate, wall shear stress and effective viscosity. The computer codes are developed for the analysis of physiological parameters. The effects of various parameters on blood flow are discussed through graphs. It …

The Two-Phase Arterial Blood Flow With Or Without A Catheter And In The Presence Of A Single Or Multi Stenosis, Ani E. Garcia, Daniel N. Riahi

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

We consider the problem of blood flow in an artery with or without a catheter and in the presence of single or multi stenosis whose shape is based on the available experimental data for the stenosis in a human’s artery. The presence of stenosis in the artery, which locally narrows portion of the artery, can be a result of fatty materials such as cholesterol in the blood. The use of catheter is important as a standard tool for diagnosis and treatment in patience whose blood flow passage in the artery is affected adversely by the presence of the stenosis within …

Inter-Rater Reliability Of Lumbar Segmental Instability Tests And The Subclassification, Faisal Mohammad Alyazedi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objectives: This study investigated the inter-rater reliability of three structural end-range lumbar segmental instability tests with the highest positive Likelihood Ratio against flexion-extension radiographs, and three functional mid-range clinical tests that predict the success of lumbar stabilization exercises in patients with recurrent or chronic low back pain (R/CLBP). It also investigated the reliability of lumbar segmental instability subclassification as: Functional, Structural and Combined Instability. Method: 40 adult with R/CLBP patients (30 men and 10 women), 18 to 80 years of age, underwent repeated measurements of specific clinical tests for structural or functional lumbar segmental instability. Results: Other than the Lack …

Interaction Of Parent Pain And Child Empathy On Child Depression: A Pilot Study, Ketlyne Sol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Children aged 11-17, in their relationships with their parents, are capable of experiencing a negative mood if their parent is in pain. According to the empathy-altruism hypothesis, people that are high on empathy will want to help someone in distress with the ultimate goal of benefitting the other person. Because of this, the empathy-altruism hypothesis proposes that if an attempt to help is not resolved, the person will report more negative mood. Because children are capable of experiencing empathy for their parents in distress and feel a negative mood as a result, it was hypothesized that an interaction between empathy …

Sympathetic Nerve Modulation Of Joint Pathology In Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis, Carlo Anthony Wood

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: There is increasing data suggesting a net increase in sympathetic tone plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have reported altered distribution and density of autonomic nerves in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and animal models for the disease. This provides anatomical evidence that supports a neurally-mediated drive in inflammation and joint destruction. Methods: Adult rats were injected with complete Freund’s adjuvant. At 12 days post immunization, animals were randomly placed into a drug treatment group (SH1293, which interacts with - and ß2-ARs), an adjuvant arthritic group, or a control group. These animals were sacrificed at 14, 21, …

Predictors Of Addiction Treatment Attrition, Suranee Abeyesinhe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 23.5 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009 (9.3 percent of persons aged 12 or older). Unfortunately, addiction treatment completion rates remain relatively low, looming around 50%. In order for treatment programs to be more effective, it is imperative that risk factors for attrition are identified, and that programs strive to combat these risks through personalized engagement and individually tailored treatment programs. This study aims to identify specific risk factors for …

Preparing Mental Health Professionals For Work In Collaborative Care Settings, Angela G. Hester

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There has been a significant shift regarding how health and illness are conceptualized. In decades past, the biomedical model predominated. Factors other than biological were not seen as important with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of illness; mind and body were viewed as separate. Engel’s 1977 article challenged the biomedical perspective with the biopsychosocial model, suggesting the reciprocal nature of biological, psychological and social factors on patients’ experience of health and illness, and responsiveness to treatment interventions. While viewing individuals holistically was not a new concept at that time, several factors led the biopsychosocial model to gain wide acceptance …

Family Support: A Buffer For Parenting Stress Among Ethnic Minority Parents Of Children With Dd, Susanna Luu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Adapting to a new culture is a stressful experience for some ethnic minorities. Lower acculturation in ethnic minorities is related to high levels of stress. Parents of children with developmental delays (DD) typically experience high levels of stress, particularly parenting stress. Therefore, ethnic minority families of children with development delays may be at risk for especially high levels of parenting stress due to the additive stress of adapting to a new culture. Currently, there is uncertainty within the field about the relationship between acculturation and parenting stress given that studies have found both low and high levels of acculturation to …

Expression And Function Of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels In Uterine Arteries, Ronghui Zhu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Chronic hypoxia during pregnancy is one of the most common insults to the maternal cardiovascular system and fetal development, and is associated with increased uterine vascular tone and heightened risk of preeclampsia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The present study tested the hypothesis that calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels play an essential role in uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy, which is inhibited by chronic hypoxia during gestation. Uterine arteries (UAs) were isolated from nonpregnant ewes (NPUAs) and near-term pregnant ewes (PUAs) that had been maintained at sea level (~300 m) or exposed to high altitude (3,801 m) for 110 days. …

Student Healthcare Providers' Illness Narratives: Impact On Family-Focused Care, Lindsey Ann Lawson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In this study, we interviewed 30 students training for three areas of healthcare: medicine, nursing, and medical family therapy (MedFT). Through grounded theory analysis of these interviews, we looked to understand how these providers connected their own experiences with illness to their clinical work, particularly in including patients’ family members in care. The majority of participants, and especially those in medicine and nursing disciplines, described a tension between their desire to connect with patients and families and their developing definition of professionalism. For others, the impact of students’ personal experiences with illness seemed to provide a different definition of professionalism, …

Radiosensitization Of Head & Neck Carcinoma Cells By Linifanib, A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Heng-Wei Hsu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tumor angiogenesis is a hallmark of advanced cancers and promotes invasion and metastasis. Over 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) express angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Since radiotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for HNSCC, it is imperative to identify the interactions between antiangiogenic therapy and radiotherapy, and to develop combination therapy to improve clinical outcome. The mechanisms between antiangiogenic agents and ionizing radiation are complicated and involve many interactions between the vasculature, tumor stroma and tumor cells. The proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells rely on angiogenesis/blood vessel formation. …

Consequences Of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure And Maternal Stress On Offspring, Miranda C. Staples

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Extensive evidence in humans suggests that exposure to insults during gestation, such as ethanol or maternal stress, can negatively impact the developing fetus in manners which can last into adulthood. These deleterious effects can include various behavioral challenges including cognitive impairments and increases in anxiety. These findings have been replicated in animal models of prenatal ethanol exposure and prenatal stress exposure, but little work has been conducted on measuring the interactive effects of the two prenatal insults in combination. Currently, there is no animal model of combined prenatal ethanol and prenatal stress exposures which has been utilized to systematically evaluate …

The Voice Of Latino Adolescent Parents: A Focus Group Approach, Brenda Pereda

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Background Adolescent Latina mothers are at high risk of rapid repeat pregnancy with poor economic, educational and health outcomes. Identifying barriers to use of the most effective contraception—long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC)—in adolescent Latino parents may help in the development of strategies to reduce unintended pregnancy in this high risk group. Objectives Primary Aim: • To identify the barriers to use of LARC by Latina adolescent mothers. Secondary Aims • Understand the context of contraceptive conversations and decision making. • Explain factors that influence contraceptive adoption and adherence. • Explore the Latino adolescent males perspective on contraception. Methods A sequential, …

Gene-Environment Interactions Affect Long-Term Depression (Ltd) Through Changes In Dopamine D2 Receptor Affinity In Snap25 Haplodeficient Mice, Michael J. Baca

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Genes and environmental conditions interact in the development of cognitive capacities and each plays an important role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. Multiple studies have indicated that the gene for the SNARE protein, SNAP-25 is a candidate susceptibility gene for ADHD, as well as schizophrenia, while maternal smoking is a candidate environmental risk factor for ADHD. In this study, mice heterozygous for a Snap25 allele and deficient in SNAP-25 expression were utilized to model genetic effects in combination with prenatal exposure to nicotine to explore genetic and environmental (G x E) factors and interactions. …

Procedural Design And Terror Victim Compensation, Janet Cooper Alexander

DePaul Law Review

No abstract provided.

C-Rel Is A Transcriptional Target Of Mesoderm Inducer In Xenopus Like 1 (Mixl1), Aaron C. Raymond

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

MIXL1, an evolutionarily conserved, paired-type homeobox transcription factor induced by BMP4/TGFb signaling, is a critical regulator of embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. Several lines of evidence implicate MIXL1 in hematopoietic transformation: (i) Aberrant MIXL1 expression is seen in human CML ( Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia) in blast crisis, AML (Acute myelogenous leukemia), B cell lymphomas and pediatric ALL (Acute lymphocytic leukemia). (ii) Retroviral transduction of Mixl1 induces AML in murine models. Nonetheless, mechanisms underlying MIXL1 mediated proliferative, survival advantages are unknown.

The goal of my studies is to understand if and how aberrant MIXL1 expression contributes to leukemogenesis. As a first step, …

Introducing A Novel Method For Genetic Analysis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sepideh Nouri

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Autism is a spectrum of neurological disorders that is characterized by repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, lack of social skills in verbal and non-verbal communications, and intellectual disability. Recent statistics shows that 1 out of every 88 children in the US is affected by autism.

In this thesis, I first review previous studies on genetic association analyses of autism spectrum disorder. A large number of these studies fall into two categories: Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and sequencing studies. Although GWAS are able to identify multiple common risk variants associated with different diseases, these common variants explain only a small portion …

The Efficacy Of Partial Squats On Measures Of Strength And Explosiveness: An Exploratory Study, Caleb D. Bazyler, Kimitake Sato, Craig A. Wassinger, Hugh S. Lamont, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

Abstract available in the 8th Annual Coaches and Sport Science College.

Measuring Performance Excellence: Key Performance Indicators For Institutions Accepted Into The Academic Quality Improvement Program (Aqip), Paul J. Ballard

Dissertations

Given growing interest in accountability and outcomes, the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission developed a new path for accreditation, the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). The goal is to infuse continuous improvement and quality in the culture of higher education, and to blend traditional accreditation with the philosophy and techniques of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. Yet, little is known about the key performance indicators (KPI) that colleges and universities are using to improve their quality and continuous improvement processes.

To this end, my research involved a content analysis of the Systems Portfolios submitted for accreditation by 34 purposefully …

Managing The Veterinary Clinic Enterprise, Shelby N. Smyly

Animal Science

This document serves as a guideline for the student management of the Veterinary Clinic Enterprise.

Solomon Islands Standardised Tests Of Achievement (Sista). English And Mathematics. Year 4 And Year 6. Report 1 Main Study 2013, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Assessment and Reporting

The SISTA program is a key monitoring tool of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and has the capacity to serve multiple functions to a wide range of educational stakeholders. This report provides analysis of year 4 and year 6 Literacy and Numeracy of SISTA 2013. The SISTA results contain a wealth of data about how well students have responded to items that are indicators of curriculum attainment. The observed improvements in overall performances may be attributed to: a. Better tests and improved alignment of the tests with the target population; and b. In the case …