Digital Commons Network^™

Using Geospatial Technologies To Characterize Relationships Between Travel Behavior, Food Availability, And Health, Warren J. Christian

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

Epidemic obesity in the U.S. has prompted exploration of causal factors related to the built environment. Recent research has noted statistical associations between the spatial accessibility of retail food sources, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants, and individual characteristics such as weight, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. These studies typically use residential proximity or neighborhood density to food sources as the measure of accessibility. Assessing food environments in this manner, however, is very limiting. Since most people travel outside of their neighborhood on a daily basis, the retail food sources available to individuals residing in the same area could vary …

Data Mining And Pattern Discovery Using Exploratory And Visualization Methods For Large Multidimensional Datasets, Hsin-Fang Li

Theses and Dissertations--Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Oral health problems have been a major public health concern profoundly affecting people’s general health and quality of life. Given that oral health data is composed of several measurable dimensions including clinical measurements, socio-behavioral factors, genetic predispositions, self-reported assessments, and quality of life measures, strategies for analyzing multidimensional data are neither computationally straightforward nor efficient. Researchers face major challenges to identify tools that circumvent the processes of manually probing the data.

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide applications of the proposed methodology on oral health-related data that go beyond identifying risk factors from a single dimension, and to …

Unequal Burdens In Eitc Compliance, Karie Davis-Nozemack

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

Open Source Synthetic Biology: Problems And Solutions, Ethan R. Fitzpatrick

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Directory Of Open Access Journals: A Bibliometric Study Of Library And Information Science, Kotti Thavamani

Collaborative Librarianship

This paper presents a bibliometric study of library-focused journals represented in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). A total of 151 library and information science journals were examined related to a number of issues: subject-specific distribution of library journals, interdisciplinary aspects, country of origin, language-used and other language characteristics, numbers of titles first appearing in given years, publication fees, the existence of license agreements, and the types of organizations having journals in the Directory that focus on libraries or librarianship.

Booklet: Florida Blue Foundation: 2013 Statewide Nursing Summit – Nursing In Florida: Celebrating The Past And Advancing The Future; Schedule And Speakers, Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Florida, Inc.

Florida Blue Archives Printed Materials

A booklet from the Florida Blue Foundation about the 2013 Statewide Nursing Summit – Nursing in Florida: Celebrating the Past and Advancing the Future; schedule and speakers.

2013 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Florida Blue Foundation

Florida Blue Archives Printed Materials

No abstract provided.

Why I Am Optimistic About My Post Phd-Degree Life – A Commentary, Sophia L. Johnson

Florida Public Health Review

Public health is an area where we will always need professionally-prepared people. Whereas some soon-to-be graduates are concerned about their future job prospects, others express optimism, undeterred by the economic downturn of the past five years and the funding challenges that currently burden higher education. Staying focused and finding the right niche may be the key to a successful future.

The Multi-State Learning Collaborative Storyboards: Quality Improvement Lessons Learned From 162 Projects, Leslie M. Beitsch, Anooj Pattnaik, Kusuma Madamala

Florida Public Health Review

The Multi-state Learning Collaborative (MLC) brought health departments in 16 states together with public health system partners to prepare for national voluntary accreditation and to implement quality-improvement (QI) practices. Data from each of the MLC participating states were collected through a comprehensive process over three years. An Excel database of several hundred pages was derived, categorized by individual target area, and organized into thematic domains for further study. Available data were culled and compiled for each MLC project and synthesized across MLC target areas. Two-hundred thirty-four health departments participated in 162 mini-collaboratives in nine of ten target areas. Public health …

College Within The College: Population Health, James D. Plumb, Md, Mph, Rickie Brawer, Mph, Phd, Mches, Abbie Santana, Msph, Rob Simmons, Drph, Mph, Mches, Cph, Nancy L. Chernett, Ma, Mph

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

College within the College (CwiC) – Population Health Skills for Physicians

• Incorporate culturally relevant information into a treatment plan for a patient

• Counsel individuals about healthy lifestyles

• Identify community support and resources to serve patients

• Coordinate health care services as a member of multidisciplinary teams

• Promote primary and secondary prevention

• Advocate for the needs of patients and the community

• Conduct population health research/evaluation

• Promote healthy lifestyles in communities

• Work in partnership with community based agencies and organizations

Anthropometrics To Identify Overweight Children At Most Risk For The Development Of Cardiometabolic Disease, Corinne A. Labyak, David M. Janicke, Crystal S. Lim, James Colee, A.E. Mathews

Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty Research and Scholarship

Background. Sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is a novel anthropometric that correlates more strongly with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and cardiometabolic disease risk in adults compared with body mass index (BMI). However, little research has evaluated this measurement in children. Objective. To evaluate SAD as a measure of cardiometabolic risk compared with other anthropometrics in overweight/obese children. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional subset analysis of 8- to 12-year-old overweight/obese children. SAD was compared to BMI, waist circumference (WC), BMI z-score, and percent body fat to determine which measurement was most closely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. A …

The Ishraq Program For Out-Of-School Girls: From Pilot To Scale-Up [Arabic], Mona Selim, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Khaled El Sayed, Asmaa Elbadawy, Heba El Kalaawy

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

In response to the needs of adolescent girls in Egypt for improved schooling, health, and livelihood prospects, Ishraq (sunrise)—a multidimensional program for 12–15-year-old out-of-school girls—was launched in 2001 by the Population Council in collaboration with CEDPA, Save the Children, Caritas, and local nongovernmental organizations. The program combined traditional tested program elements (literacy, life skills, nutrition) with more innovative ones (sports, financial education). It focused on building a multilayered platform to support and institutionalize the program by educating and mobilizing communities around issues of importance to adolescent girls; forging partnerships between international NGOs, government institutions, and local NGOs; and building capacities …

Financial Education Curriculum For The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (Agep), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP) in rural and urban Zambia aims to build social, health, and economic assets of adolescent girls. A safe spaces component is at the core of AGEP. Girls groups, under the guidance of a female mentor from the same community, provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The meetings are critical in building social assets for vulnerable girls—including friendships, self-esteem, trusting relationships with adults, and social support. The training content over the course of the year varies from sexual and reproductive health and life skills to financial education and nutrition training. This collection of learning …

Health And Life Skills Curriculum For The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (Agep), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP) in rural and urban Zambia aims to build social, health, and economic assets of adolescent girls. A safe spaces component is at the core of AGEP. Girls groups, under the guidance of a female mentor from the same community, provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The meetings are critical in building social assets for vulnerable girls—including friendships, self-esteem, trusting relationships with adults, and social support. The training content over the course of the year varies from sexual and reproductive health and life skills to financial education and nutrition training. This curriculum aimed to …

Policy Brief: Adolescent Girls And Migration In The Developing World, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

When a migrant girl is successful, she creates a ripple effect through generations: families and future children will be better off because of her ability to finish school, get a job, and stay healthy. Despite the positive potential of migration for adolescent girls, migrant girls are largely ignored in policy and programs designed to reach migrants and adolescents. Because of their age and gender, migrant girls are especially vulnerable to risks such as exploitative employment. If these girls arrive at their destination and settle in safely, their diligence can enable them to capitalize on new opportunities and become productive, contributing …

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program: Lessons Learned From The Pilot Test Program, Karen Austrian, Natalie Jackson Hachonda, Paul C. Hewett

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Adolescent girls in Zambia face a range of risks and vulnerabilities that compromise their healthy development into young women, and lack the social, health, and economic assets to mitigate these risks. The issues that girls are confronted with include high rates of gender-based violence, unsafe sex that puts them at risk for unwanted pregnancy and HIV infection, school dropout, lack of economic resources and income-generating options, and lack of agency and participation. The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program (AGEP) has three major components: safe spaces groups in which girls meet once a week over the course of two years for training …

Cafeteria, Commissary And Cooking: Foodways And Negotiations Of Power And Identity In A Women’S Prison, Amy Brooks Smoyer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This study uses foodways theory to build knowledge about the lived experience of incarceration by analyzing women’s narratives about prison food and eating. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 formerly incarcerated women in New Haven, CT. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Findings explain the different ways that inmates collect, prepare, distribute and consume food, and the centrality of these activities to incarcerated life. By shedding light on these daily routines, the world of prison life comes into greater focus.

Thematic analysis of the data further illuminates the prison experience by suggesting the positive and negative ways that food …

The Graying Of People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: Organizational Efforts Of Community Service Providers In Adapting Facilities And Programming To Meet The Needs Of Older Adults, Donna M. Corrado

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are living longer, thereby creating unique challenges for the aging and disabilities networks. This qualitative multicase study explored the ways in which six community service organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have adapted their facilities and programming in response to the growing cohort of older persons in their care. The study focused on the following adaptations: physical plant, financial models, workforce, medical care and programming. Twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted with executive-level staff of the six participating organizations. Data was triangulated through examination of archival data, organizational documents, agency web sites, and …

Salicylic Acid Delays Leaf Rolling By Inducing Antioxidant Enzymes And Modulating Osmoprotectant Content In Ctenanthe Setosa Under Osmotic Stress, Mehmet Demi̇ralay, Aykut Sağlam, Asi̇m Kadioğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) on leaf rolling under osmotic stress in Ctenanthe setosa (Roscoe) Eichler were evaluated. The leaves were pretreated with SA, paclobutrazol (PAC), and antioxidant enzyme inhibitors for 15 h and then kept in polyethylene glycol (PEG) for 4 h to promote osmotic stress. The degree of leaf rolling was measured every hour during the 4-h PEG treatment. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activities, endogenous SA contents, hydrogen peroxide, proline, and soluble sugar were determined immediately after PEG treatment. SA treatment retarded leaf rolling and induced antioxidant …

Antioxidant Activity Of In Vitro Propagated Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni Plants Of Different Origins, Ely Zayova, Ira Stancheva, Maria Geneva, Maria Petrova, Lyudmila Dimitrova

Turkish Journal of Biology

An efficient in vitro protocol for propagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is described. Multiple shoots were induced in vitro from shoot tip and nodal segments on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine, zeatin, or thidiazuron alone and in combination with naphthalene acetic acid or indole-3-acetic acid. A high frequency of shoot induction as well as maximum number of shoots per shoot tip explant was observed on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg L^{-1}) alone and combined with indole-3-acetic acid (0.1 mg L^{-1}). For root induction, in vitro shoots were transferred to rooting media containing naphthalene acetic acid, …

Fatty Acid Composition Of Root And Shoot Samples Of Some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) Taxa Growing In The East And Southeast Of Turkey, Cumali̇ Keski̇n, Semra Kaçar

Turkish Journal of Biology

The fatty acid compositions of root and shoot samples of some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) taxa [A. gossypinus Fisch., A. amblolepis Fisch., A. edmondi (Kuntze) Sheld., A. tigridis Boiss., A. aleppicus Boiss., A. suberosus Banks & Sol. subsp. suberosus Banks & Sol., A. gummifer Labill., A. diphtherites Fenzl var. diphtherites Fenzl, and A. gymnalopecias Rech.f.] growing in the east and southeast of Turkey were determined by gas chromatography. Astragalus species contained palmitic (C 16:0) (20.13%-53.8%), linoleic (C 18:2\omega-6) (13.25%-41.06%), oleic (C 18:1\omega-9) (5.78%-25.7%), linolenic (C 18:3\omega-3) (6.1%-22.89%), and stearic acid (C 18:0) (5.16%-13.1%) in the roots and linolenic (8.9%-51.42%), palmitic (20.16%-44.88%), …

Investigation Of The Genotoxic And Antigenotoxic Properties Of Essential Oils Obtained From Two Origanum Species By Drosophila Wing Smart Assay, Eşref Demi̇r, Bülent Kaya, Ricard Marcos, Serap Kocaoğlu Cenkci̇, Hüseyi̇n Çeti̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

In this study, essential oils extracted from 2 species of oregano, Origanum onites L. and Origanum minutiflorum O.Schwarz & P.H.Davis, were assayed for genotoxicity using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. Results indicated that there is no significant genotoxic effect of the 2 oils tested. In addition, the antigenotoxic activities of these oils against potassium dichromate (K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}) and cobalt chloride (CoCl_{2}) were tested. Results indicated that essential oil cotreatments were able to abolish the genotoxic effects induced by the 2 metal compounds. It is suggested that the observed effects can be linked to the antioxidant properties …

The Effects Of Zinc Chloride During Early Embryonic Development In Zebrafish (Brachydanio Rerio), Melek Küçükoğlu, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study investigated the developmental toxicity of zinc chloride (ZnCl_{2}) in zebrafish embryos (Brachydanio rerio, Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 5 different concentrations of ZnCl_{2}, from the blastula stage, for 15 days under static renewal test conditions. As a result, the corresponding median lethal concentration (LC_{50}) value determined for ZnCl_2 exposure was 1.36 mg/L (0.65 mg/L as a lone Zn^{2+} ion). At 1.0 mg/L ZnCl_{2}, the exposed group's hatching began at 7 days instead of at 4 days, and most of the embryos died in the chorion without hatching at 11 and 12 days. Developmental deformities such as …

Effect Of Nitrogen Supply On The C/N Balance In The Lichen Evernia Prunastri (L.) Ach., Silvana Munzi, Tommaso Pisani, Luca Paoli, Monia Renzi, Stefano Loppi

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study investigated the relationship between nitrogen and carbon in the thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri, with an emphasis on the role of the C/N balance in the response of this species to N excess. For this purpose, thalli collected at a remote site were sprayed for 5 weeks with NH_{4}NO_{3} (0.05 and 1 M) and (NH_{4})_{2}SO_4 (0.025 and 0.5 M) solutions, and later analyzed for their C and N content. The results showed that the total N content of thalli increased and the total C content decreased along with increasing N concentration in the treatment solutions. Consequently, the …

Histology And Scanning Electron Microscopy Observations Of Cryopreserved Protocorm-Like Bodies Of Dendrobium Sonia-28, Ranjetta Poobathy, Uma Rani Sinniah, Xavier Rathinam, Sreeramanan Subramaniam

Turkish Journal of Biology

The genus Dendrobium possesses horticultural importance. Dendrobium sonia-28 is an important ornamental orchid in the flower industry. Cryopreservation is a favoured long-term storage method for orchids with propagation problems. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of Dendrobium sonia-28 were cryopreserved using the vitrification technique. Histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations were conducted on stock, non-cryopreserved (control), and cryopreserved PLBs of Dendrobium sonia-28 to detect cryoinjuries resulting from the vitrification protocol. Histological observations of control PLBs indicated that the preculture, osmoprotection, and dehydration steps were not physically damaging to the PLBs. Histological and SEM analyses of cryopreserved PLBs indicated that the freezing and …

An Ethnobotanical Survey In Selected Towns Of The Mediterranean Subregion (Turkey), Gali̇p Akaydin, Işil Şi̇mşek, Zeki̇ye Ceren Arituluk, Erdem Yeşi̇lada

Turkish Journal of Biology

This survey was carried out by face-to-face oral interviews with 379 inhabitants who agreed to be interviewed in selected localities of the Mediterranean region: Hatay (İskenderun and Narlıca), İçel (Erdemli, Tarsus, and Silifke), and Isparta (Sav). The current study was conducted to document the ethnobotanical uses of plants. In the first step of the study, demographic profiles of the informants were evaluated. Subsequently, they were asked to state whether the plants were used for therapeutic or other purposes; then detailed information, i.e. local names, parts used, methods of preparation (decoction, infusion, poultice, ointment, etc.) was recorded; and finally the plant …

Biopolymer Generation From Sweet Sorghum Juice: Screening, Isolation, Identification, And Fermentative Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production By Bacillus Aryabhattai, Varavut Tanamool, Tsuyoshi Imai, Paiboon Danvirutai, Pakawadee Kaewkannetra

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study aims to use sweet sorghum juice (SSJ) to produce an environmentally friendly biopolymer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by bacteria isolated from soil. Among 18 isolates, only 3 isolates, coded as S4, S6, and S11, were chosen to produce PHA via batch fermentation compared to 3 strains of Alcaligenes eutrophus, A. latus, and Hydrogenophaga sp., respectively, under controlled conditions at pH 7, 35 °C, and 20 g/L of initial total sugar in the SSJ. The results clearly showed that the isolate S4 can produce maximum PHAs of 1.74 g/L with 57.62% dry cell weight and yield maximum hourly productivity at …

Evaluation Of E330-Induced Developmental Toxicity Using Fetax, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Kübra Akillioğlu, Yaşar Sertdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study evaluates the teratogenic and toxicological effects of citric acid (E330), a food additive, on Xenopus laevis embryos. The embryos were exposed to a range of E330 concentrations, from stage 8 to 11 of development, for 96 h under static renewal test conditions. The median lethal concentrations, no-observed adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), lowest observed adverse effect concentration (LOAEC), and minimum concentration to inhibit growth (MCIG) values were calculated. The lethal concentration (LC) values LC_{10}, LC_{20}, LC_{30}, LC_{40}, and LC_{50} determined for E330 exposure were 0.0113, 0.0117, 0.0119, 0.0122, and 0.0124 g/L, respectively. NOAEC and LOAEC values were calculated …

Bioaccumulation Of Tributyltin And Its Impact On Spermatogenesis In Mud Crab Scylla Serrata (Forskal), Revathi Peranandam, Iyapparaj Palanisamy, Munuswamy Natesan, Arockia Vasanthi Lourduraj, Krishnan Muthukalingan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of tributyltin (TBT) on the spermatogenesis of mud crab Scylla serrata were studied. TBT-exposed crabs exhibited a decrease in the gonadosomatic Index and the hepatosomatic Index compared to the crabs in the control group. Bioaccumulation of the TBT levels also varied in different tissues. The treated crabs showed variation in the weight of the testes with respect to TBT concentrations. Histological results clearly indicated that the control crabs showed spermatophores and granular substances were seen filling up the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. The testes of the experimental crabs illustrated that disruption in the seminiferous tubule membrane architecture, …

A Cellulase-Free, Thermoactive, And Alkali Xylanase Production By Terrestrial Streptomyces Sp. Ca24, İlknur Porsuk, Süleyman Özakin, Bülent Bali̇, Ebru İnce Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Biology

Microbial xylanases have attracted much attention because of their applications in industrial processes during the past few decades. Sixty-five terrestrial actinomycetes previously isolated from rhizospheric soils of endemic plants were tested for their ability in production of xylanase. The results revealed that 33 isolates could degrade xylan on both solid and liquid media. Extracellular xylanase production by these isolates was characterized during their growth in liquid medium. Streptomyces sp. CA24, one of the most active strains, was selected for optimization of xylanase production. The enzyme secretion was enhanced when the medium was supplemented with oat spelt xylan (0.5%) and yeast …