Digital Commons Network^™

Quantifying Value In Public Health: Using Economic Methods To Analyze System Change, Theresa M. Green

Dissertations

In this time of economic downturn, it is becoming increasingly important for organizations, including those in public health, to “prove their worth,” to show the value in improvement strategies. Health agencies have learned to discuss impact in terms of health outcome and mortality/morbidity measures. However, it is critical that these impacts are also expressed in a way that shows cost-efficiency and economic benefit especially for promising, evidence-based public health interventions. Although several methods of economic evaluation including cost-effective analysis, cost-utility analysis, or cost-benefit analysis and return on investment (ROI) have been used in social sciences and health research, fewer examples …

Grip Strength, Multimorbidity, And Disability, Amy M. Yorke

Dissertations

The presence of two or more chronic health conditions, also known as multimorbidity, is one of the most prevalent health disorders experienced by adults. Adults with multimorbidity and functional limitations represent clinical and financial challenges to the current health care system. The purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to examine the relationship between grip strength, multimorbidity, and the prediction of disability in adults. Data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative, longitudinal study completed on Americans age 50 years and over, are used for the dissertation.

The objective of the first paper is to investigate the …

Creativity For Sale, Nicole E. Marshall

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project focuses on a business plan and template for developing proposals for potential clients. This covers the history of Creative Problem Solving (CPS); the effectiveness of CPS training; an example design of a workshop; business plan; memorandum of understanding; contract; and a template for fees. This project will add to the richness of the department, and create opportunities for our faculty, alumni, and current students to consult while spreading the CPS process and creativity around the world.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Yea Or Neigh? The Economics, Ethics, And Utility Of The Horsemeat Filet, L. Leon Geyer, Dan Lawler

Journal of Food Law & Policy

While staying surprisingly low profile amongst the general populace, the issue of horse slaughter has become hotly contested in the last decade, evolving into a multifaceted controversy that intertwines questions regarding ethics, international commerce, and contemporary law and politics. Horses were slaughtered in the U.S. in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulated plants until 2007, when an appropriations bill suspended funding for federal inspections of horsemeat. The U.S. was home to three domestic slaughterhouses - two in Texas and one in Illinois - that slaughtered an average of about 115,003 horses per year from 1990 to 2007. Currently, American …

Treatment Goals For Patients Who Elect Surgical Vs. Pessary Treatment For Symptomatic Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Mamta Muralidhar Mamik

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess differences in self-described goals for treating symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse for women that choose surgery compared to women who choose pessary. Methods: Women who had symptomatic stage 2 prolapse or greater presenting for care of pelvic organ prolapse to the Urogynecology Clinic at the University of New Mexico were recruited. These patients listed up to three goals they had of their treatment and rated the goals from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most important. In addition, patients completed the short forms of the established Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), …

Delivering Access: Home Birth For Women Of Families Of Color In New Mexico, Micaela Lara Cadena

Architecture and Planning ETDs

This thesis examines the access that low-income women of color have to home birth in New Mexico through qualitative research with home birth providers, New Mexico Licensed Midwives. New Mexican women and families have been birthing their children in homes and community settings for generations. In contemporary New Mexico, pregnant women can birth at home, in a free-standing birth center, or in a hospital setting. This thesis seeks to explore: 1) The central tenets of home birth, as explained by Licensed Midwives; 2) The factors that impact access to home birth in New Mexico as perceived by Licensed Midwives; 3) …

Neanderthal Hand And Foot Remains From Moula-Guercy, Ardèche, France, Ben Mersey, Rebecca S. Jabbour, Kyle Brudvik, Alban Defleur

School of Science Faculty Works

The hand and foot remains from Moula-Guercy cave (Ardèche, France) comprise 24 specimens of Eemian age (ca. 120 ka). The specimens include primarily complete elements, which are rare among the Moula-Guercy postcrania. The hand remains have several characteristic Neanderthal traits including a laterally facing (parasagittally oriented) second metacarpal-capitate articulation, a short styloid process, a wide proximal articular surface on the third metacarpal, and absolutely expanded apical tuberosities on the distal hand phalanges relative to modern humans. The foot remains include several incomplete elements along with an antimeric pair of naviculars, a medial cuneiform and cuboid, and a single complete element …

Gfsa Encodes A Novel Galactofuranosyltransferase Involved In Biosynthesis Of Galactofuranose Antigen Of O-Glycan In Aspergillus Nidulans And Aspergillus Fumigatus, Yuji Komachi, Shintaro Hatakeyama, Haruka Motomatsu, Taiki Futagami, Karina Kizjakina, Pablo Sobrado, Keisuke Ekino, Kaoru Takegawa, Masatoshi Goto, Yoshiyuki Nomura, Takuji Oka

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Summary: The cells wall of filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus has galactofuranose (Galf)-containing polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, including O-glycans, N-glycans, fungal-type galactomannan and glycosylinositolphosphoceramide, which are important for cell wall integrity. Here, we attempted to identify galactofuranosyltransferases that couple Galf monomers onto other wall components in Aspergillus nidulans. Using reverse-genetic and biochemical approaches, we identified that the AN8677 gene encoded a galactofuranosyltransferase, which we called GfsA, involved in Galf antigen biosynthesis. Disruption of gfsA reduced binding of β-Galf-specific antibody EB-A2 to O-glycosylated WscA protein and galactomannoproteins. The results of an in-vitroGalf antigen synthase assay revealed that GfsA has β1,5- or …

Standardisation Of Ficus Carica L.: In Homoeopathic Perspective, P Subramanian, P Rao, T Reddy, P Sudhakar, P Reddy, Santhosh Sharma, D Baburaj

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Ficus carica L. known as ′Common Fig′ in English and ′Anjir′ in Hindi, is a well known tree belonging to the family Moraceae. The unripe fruits are used as medicine in Homoeopathy. Objective: The pharmacognostic and physico-chemical studies are carried out to facilitate use of correct species and standard raw materials. Material and Methods: Pharmacognostic studies on unripe fruits of authentic samples of Ficus carica L. have been carried out; Physico-chemical parameters of raw drug viz., extractive value, ash values, formulation, besides weight per mL, total solids, alcohol content along with High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Ultra …

Biz Of Acq--Pda, Ebooks, Print Books Usage And Expenditures: Knowledge Ecosystem Remix, Antje Mays, Michelle Flinchbaugh

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Distribution And Abundance Of Anopheles Spp. In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, Norma Hermelinda Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated the relationship between Anopheles abundance, collection sites and environmental variables in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas. In addition, species composition in the Lower Rio Grande Valley was determined in 2011. A total of 6772 female mosquitoes were identified to six genera and 27 species. The most prevalent genera collected were Culex (53.9%), Ochlerotatus (25.6%) and Aedes (13.6%). Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using resting boxes during summer 2012 at multiple locations along the Lower Rio Grande Valley. ArcGIS was used to identify land cover characteristics and nearest water sources at mosquito collection sites. Estero Llano Grande …

What Factors Structure Anthozoan Microbial Communities?, Joanna Warwick-Dugdale

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The coral holobiont is a complex and diverse composition of organisms including algae, bacteria and viruses. A number of factors suggested as vital in shaping these communities are considered here. The anthozoan host generates great diversity within its microbiota via spatial and metabolic structuring at both macro- and micro-scales; coral communities appear to be somewhat species-specific, yet spatial and temporal variation in coral microbiota suggests the significance of environmental agents. Increasing sea temperatures may cause fatal dissolution of the coral-algal partnership (coral bleaching), and although some adaptation to elevated temperature appears possible, anthropogenic stressors such as reduced pH and sedimentation …

The Medicinal And Pharmacological Screening Of Wheatgrass Juice (Triticum Aestivum L.): An Investigation Into Chlorophyll Content And Antimicrobial Activity, Patrick Wakeham

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Plant products are of increasing interest in the search for new drugs and medicines in the treatment of disease; and the discovery of new alternatives to existing antibiotics is an important area of this research due to pathogen resistance. One example of a plant product currently under pharmacological investigation is wheatgrass juice; a dietary supplement derived from Triticum aestivum L. There is both anecdotal and scientific evidence to suggest that the medicinal efficacy of this plant may be due to its high chlorophyll concentrations. In this study chlorophyll fresh weight was determined in mg/100g for organic field grown wheatgrass juice …

The Effect Of Copper-Induced Oxidative Stress On Regeneration In Anemonia Viridis (Forskäl, 1775), Katharine Childs

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The release of pollutants such as metals into the aquatic environment has raised concerns over the health of coral reefs, as elevated concentrations of metals are known to cause oxidative stress and bleaching. This is an important issue to address as metals are continuously released into the environment and there is evidence that metals such as copper can still be prevalent after historical mining activities, particularly in estuaries around the Plymouth Sound, UK. Anemonia viridis is commonly found around this area and is used in the literature as a model organism for coral species. A.viridis harbours symbiotic zooxanthellae and is …

Heat Stress In Captive Endothermic Animals, Samantha Ward

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Approximately 26 billion captive animals, spanning over 10, 000 species (Mason 2010) are housed in artificial habitats and face a wide range of potential environmental challenges. These include abiotic sources of stress, for instance, artificial lighting, exposure to loud or aversive sound, arousing odours and uncomfortable temperatures or substrates. In addition, confinement-specific stressors such as restricted movement, forced proximity to humans or conspecifics, reduced feeding opportunities and other behavioural restrictions (Morgan & Tromborg 2007). There is enormous variation between species in how they react to captivity, even among close taxonomic relatives (Mason 2010). Captive wild animals are often healthier, live …

Feeding Strategies In Sympatric Red Howler Monkeys (Alouatta Seniculus), Saddleback Tamarins (Saguinus Fuscicollis) And Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri Boliviensis), In The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru, Aimee May

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigated the feeding strategies of sympatric red howlers (Alouatta seniculus), saddleback tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru. The habitat types occupied during all behaviours and purely when feeding differed significantly between the three species (p<0.005). The overall diet consumption was also shown to be significantly different between the three species (p<0.005). These results demonstrated that niche separation between these sympatric primates may be achieved through differences in habitat types used for foraging and food types consumed. Data from this study was compared with data collected at the same site using the same methods in 2011. The diet composition differed significantly within each of the species between 2011 and 2012 (p<0.005). It could be proposed that factors such as changes in climate may have an impact on the rainforest ecosystem, and consequently affect the feeding strategies of primates, however further research is required to determine if this is the case and the exact impacts this would have on the primates.

Seasonal Correlations Between Pueraria Montana Var. Lobata And Avian Species Diversity And Relative Abundance In Hamilton County, Tennessee, Amelia Hudson

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Invasive species exist outside of their native ranges and can cause environmental harm where they have been introduced. One such species is kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), an invasive vine in the southeastern U.S. Although kudzu is one of the most common invasive species management concerns in the Southeast, there is little quantitative data documenting its effects on native species. This study examines the seasonal correlations between kudzu and avian species diversity and relative abundance in Hamilton County, Tennessee. By measuring the characteristics of the overstory, midstory, and understory vegetation at sites with differing levels of kudzu coverage, I examined …

The Wutc Threshold Test: A New Perspective In Olfactory Assessment, William A. Tewalt

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The WUTC Threshold Test is a new test of olfactory ability that focuses on the idea that deficits in olfactory ability are not necessarily generalizable to all odors. Though numerous diseases and disorders have been shown to lead to a loss of olfaction, tests of olfactory sensitivity have been limited to performance detecting a single odor. The WUTC is comprised of five odors that were selected based on differences in how they interact with the olfactory system and the chemical properties they possess. By utilizing a diverse odor profile, relationships between olfactory deficits to certain odors and specific diseases can …

The Effects Of 8 Weeks Of Low Dose Supplementation Of Creatine And Sodium Bicarbonate On Exercise Performance, Amanda Jessica Morris

Master's Theses

Short-term (3-7 days), high doses of creatine (20g/d) and/or sodium bicarbonate (0.5g/kg body weight) supplementation increase exercise performance during short term high intensity activities; however, it remains unclear whether long-term, low doses of these supplements have a positive impact on exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long-term (8 weeks), low dose creatine supplementation on exercise performance, and whether combining creatine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation has an additive effect. Sixty-three healthy, habitually active, adults (28 M, 35 W; 22+2 years; 23+ 3 BMI) were randomly assigned by sex to one of three supplement groups: …

Seasonal Changes In Body Composition, Block Jump, Attack Jump And Lower Body Power Index In Male Collegiate Volleyball Players, Geoffrey W. Loomis

Theses and Dissertations

Jumping ability in volleyball players is crucial to a team's success. There are both muscular and neural components in jumping. Coaches often test jumping ability and body composition prior to the start of the competitive season, but many fail to monitor these important variables during the course of the season. Jumping ability can decrease over the course of the season as the focus moves from strength training in the weight room to skill development on the court. It is imperative that players maintain their jumping ability and body composition over the course of the season. Seasonal changes in elite-male volleyball …

The “Middle Place”: The Npr-A Impact Mitigation Program And Alaska’S North Slope, Shauna Woods

Alaska Law Review

The communities of Alaska's North Slope increasingly find themselves in a "middle place," stuck between a past to which they cannot return and a future that is fraught with uncertainty. Oil and gas development on Alaska's North Slope has resulted in environmental, cultural, and social changes that have adversely affected the communities in the area. At the same time, oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, located on the North Slope, has created an important revenue source for helping those communities mitigate the impacts of development and augment their capacities for addressing future changes. In particular, …

Synthesis Of Resveratrol Ester Derivatives, Daniel Ressler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research project was to synthesize derivatives of transresveratrol. In order for resveratrol to be activated and used by the body it needs to bind to Human Serum Albumin (HSA), a protein in blood plasma. The derivatives were synthesized to improve the ability of resveratrol to enter cells as well as improve their ability to bind to HSA. The three derivatives that were synthesized have converted one of the hydroxyl groups on resveratrol to an ether with a methylene chain terminated by a carboxylic acid. By varying the lengths of the methylene chain we varied the water …

Natural Resource Management Newsletter, Dave Willis

NRM Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Identification And Characterization Of Genetic Factors Involved In Candida-Bacterial Interactions, Sean J. Fox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout existence, fungi and bacteria have long shared ecological niches and thus engage in numerous interactions to mutually enhance survival or antagonistically gain competitive advantages. Of importance to human health are those interactions that involve bacteria with the opportunistic fungi, Candida albicans. An important virulence factor of C. albicans is the ability to control morphology, which allows the transition between yeast, pseudohyphal, and hyphal phenotypes. Morphological control in C. albicans is governed by quorum sensing and the secreted autoregulatory molecule farnesol. Quorum sensing allows individual cells to sense the environment and respond as a group. Bacteria also use quorum …

Plasma Antibodies To Oral Bacteria And Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer In A Large European Prospective Cohort Study, Dominique S. Michaud, Jacques Izard, Charlotte S. Wilhelm-Benartzi, Doo-Ho You, Verena A. Grote, Anne Tjønneland, Christina C. Dahm, Kim Overvad, Mazda Jenab, Veronika Fedirko, Marie Christine Boutron-Ruault, Françoise Clavel- Chapelon, Antoine Racine, Rudolf Kaaks, Heiner Boeing, Jana Foerster, Antonia Trichopoulou, Pagona Lagiou, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Carlotta Sacerdote, Sabina Sieri, Domenico Palli, Rosario Tumino, Salvatore Panico, Peter Siersema, Petra Hm Peeters, Eiliv Lund, Aurelio Barricarte, José-María Huerta, Esther Molina-Montes, Miren Dorronsoro, J. Ramón Quirós, Eric J. Duell, Weimin Ye, Malin Sund, Björn Lindkvist, Dorthe Johansen, Kay-Tee Khaw, Nick Wareham, Ruth C. Travis, Paolo Vineis, H. Bas Bueno-De-Mesquita, Elio Riboli

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Objective: Examine the relationship between antibodies to 25 oral bacteria and pancreatic cancer risk in a prospective cohort study.

Design: We measured antibodies to oral bacteria in prediagnosis blood samples from 405 pancreatic cancer cases and 416 matched controls, nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study (EPIC). Analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression and additionally adjusted for smoking status and body mass index.

Results: Individuals with high levels of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis ATTC 53978, a pathogenic periodontal bacteria, had a 2-fold higher risk of pancreatic cancer than individuals lower levels of …

Remote Estimation Of Nitrogen And Chlorophyll Contents In Maize At Leaf And Canopy Levels, Michael Schlemmer, Anatoly A. Gitelson, James S. Schepers, Richard B. Ferguson, Y. Peng, J. Shanahan, Donald Rundquist

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Leaf and canopy nitrogen (N) status relates strongly to leaf and canopy chlorophyll (Chl) content. Remote sensing is a tool that has the potential to assess N content at leaf, plant, field, regional and global scales. In this study, remote sensing techniques were applied to estimate N and Chl contents of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) fertilized at five N rates. Leaf N and Chl contents were determined using the red-edge chlorophyll index with R2 of 0.74 and 0.94, respectively. Results showed that at the canopy level, Chl and N contents can be accurately retrieved using green and red-edge Chl …