Digital Commons Network^™

Guarantee Of Children's Well-Being Through Development Of An Effective Family Strengthening System In The Republic Of Kazakhstan, Gulnaz Batyrbaevna Kelekeyeva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2012, 10,887 children resided in state-run residential care institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Out of them, more than 80 percent were children whose parents were alive and known to the authorities, but who have been deprived of parental rights. Institutionalization negatively impacts children's health and development. These children are often subjected to violence, child trafficking, and most of them leave formal care without the skills needed to begin an independent life. The current report provides evidence and proof of the necessity for reforming the national child protection and family strengthening system so as it would be capable to …

Optimal Control Applied To A Mathematical Model For Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci, Jonathan Lowden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enterococci bacteria that cannot be treated effectively with the antibiotic vancomycin are termed Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE). In this thesis, we develop a mathematical framework for determining optimal strategies for prevention and treatment of VRE in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A system of ve ordinary differential equations describes the movement of ICU patients in and out of different states related to VRE infection. Two control variables representing the prevention and treatment of VRE are incorporated into the system. An optimal control problem is formulated to minimize the VRE-related deaths and costs associated with controls over a nite time period. Pontryagin's …

Age-Related Effects On The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase And Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathways In Breast Cancer And The Characterization Of Novel Mek5 Inhibitors, Darlene A. Monlish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Age remains the most common demographic risk factor in breast cancer. The underlying cellular signaling mechanisms responsible for the age-associated rise in disease incidence have not yet been determined. Studies presented herein aim to elucidate age-related changes in the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, ERK1/2 and ERK5, of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Further, the role of the MEK5-ERK5 cascade in breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was analyzed. In addition, several series of novel MEK5 inhibitors were characterized with regard to both efficacy and selectivity. In vitro assessment revealed distinct patterns of …

Metalated Nitriles: Ligand Exchange And Copper-Catalyzed Reactions, Dinesh Nath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes new methods of carbon-carbon bond formation using metalated nitriles generated via metal exchange reactions. Sulfinylnitriles undergo a sulfinyl-metal exchange to yield lithiated, magnesiated and zincated nitriles, which can trap a range of electrophiles. The sulfinyl-metal exchange is effective with vinylic, quaternary and tertiary substitution patterns and addresses the long-standing problem of alkylating secondary nitriles. This method was then further extended to other oxidation states of sulfur, namely sulfonyl-metal exchange and relatively unknown sulfide-metal exchange. The sulfide metal exchange overcomes the problem related to the propensity of highly substituted sulfinylnitriles to eliminate. Sulfide-metal exchange is synthetically attractive because …

Structural Driving Factors For The Coupled Electron And Proton Transfer Reactions In Mitochondrial Cytochrome Bc1 Complex: Binding Geometries Of Substrates And Protonation States Of Ionizable Amino Acid Side Chains Near Qi And Qo Sites, Bao Linh Tran Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coupled electron and proton transfer (CEPT) events are fundamental for many bioenergetic conversions that involve redox reactions. Understanding the details underlying CEPT processes will advance our knowledge of (1) how nature regulates energy conversion; (2) our strategies for achieving renewable energy sources; (3) how to cope with CEPT dysfunction diseases. Studies of the detailed mechanism(s) of CEPT in biological systems is challenging due to their complex nature. Consequently, controversies between the concerted and sequential mechanism of CEPT for many systems remain. This dissertation focuses on the bovine mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex. CEPT in the bc1 complex operates by a modified …

Teachers' Ability To Identify Anxiety In The Classroom And Generate Related Interventions, Susan Jane Oliverio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The negative impact of test anxiety has been well documented in the literature with empirical studies demonstrating the existence of a negative relationship between test anxiety and academic performance (Schwarzer, 1990; Seipp, 1991). In 1967, test anxiety was determined to be a problem for 10% of school aged children (Klondas). A decade later, studies suggested this rate was closer to 25 or 30% (Nottelmann & Hill, 1977). In a study of a Pittsburgh area school district, Beidel (1991) found clinically significant Test Anxiety Scale for Children (TASC) scores in 34% of students in a suburban school district that is predominantly …

Little Sewickley Creek: The Redesignation Process Of A High Quality Stream To An Exceptional Value Stream, Nathan Todd Reinhart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has set designated uses for all of the 83,000 miles of waterways based on their quality. Only the highest quality streams are afforded the highest protection with a High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV). Little Sewickley Creek is designated as a High Quality-Trout Stocking Fishery and may warrant redesignation as an Exceptional Value waterway. The aim of the study was to provide technical data on the stream to support an EV reclassification. The report has compiled previous data and collected new data in order to file a formal petition to the PA DEP. …

Molecular Insights Into The Distinct Mechanisms Regulating The Tlr4 Mediated Activation, Shut Down, And Endotoxin Tolerance Of The Il1b And Tnf Genes, Juraj Adamik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The first wave of the inducible gene network up-regulated by pathogen-stimulated mononuclear cells encodes a variety of effector proteins with pleitropic biological activities. This class of primary immediate early (IE) genes codes for potent pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that play a prominent role during the manifestation of inflammatory response. In an attempt to better understand induction mechanisms for such genes, I have focused on those coding for human interleukin-1? (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF), which exhibit both transient IE induction as well as cell-type restriction. Employing a combined approach using cell lines and primary cells, reporter transient transfection, …

A Room Of One's Own, Revisited: An Existential-Hermeneutic Study Of Female Solitude, Karin Arndt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study presents an existential-hermeneutic analysis of nine women's first-person accounts of extended periods of solitude. The accounts were analyzed along the five existential dimensions of spatiality, temporality, embodiment, language, and co-existentiality, producing a rich portrait of the women's lived experience of solitude. One of the first-person accounts was provided by the author of the study, who underwent three solitary retreats in the interest of this project, adding an autoethnographic component to the work. Theory from the existential-phenomenological, monastic, ecopsychological, and feminist literatures was applied to the data, enabling us to interpret the significance of the shifts the women experienced …

Relational Aggression, Social Aggression, And Antisocial Personality Features: An Investigation Of Bullying Behavior In A Sample Of Juvenile Offenders, George Ronald Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bullying is a destructive subtype of aggression that can take direct and indirect forms. This study investigated relationships between two indirect forms of bullying (relational aggression and social aggression), the aggressor's level of interpersonal maturity, and antisocial personality features (narcissism and callous-unemotional traits). Participants included 58 male and 21 female offenders between the ages of 13 and 18 from an urban school serving youth who were adjudicated through the juvenile justice system. Data were obtained from a de-identified data set that contained responses to questions from three self-report rating scales: the Young Adult Social Behavior Scale (YASB), the Antisocial Process …

Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein: Self-Regulation And Mirna Pathway Involvement, Anna Blice-Baum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental impairment in humans, affects 1 of 4000 males and 1 of 8000 females. It is caused by the absence of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), resulting from a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the fragile x mental retardation-1 (FMR1) gene, and subsequent translational silencing of FMRP. FMRP, a proposed translational regulator of neuronal messenger RNA (mRNA) targets, has three RNA binding domains: two K-homology domains (KH1 and KH2) and one arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) box domain. FMRP RGG box has been shown to bind with …

Classical Antifolates: Synthesis Of 5-Substituted, 6-Substituted And 7-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3-D]Pyrimidines As Targeted Anticancer Therapies, Yiqiang Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises an introduction, background and current research progress in the area of classical antifolates as the targeted anticancer therapies.

In this study, twelve series of classical 5-, 6- and 7-substituted pyrrolo[2, 3-d]pyrimidines were designed and synthesized. Extensive structure modifications of the pyrrolo[2, 3-d] pyrimidine scaffold were investigated to determine selective transport via FR or/and PCFT and tumor targeted antifolates with GARFTase or multiple folate metabolizing enzyme inhibition.

The design strategies employed include: variation of the side chain substitution position (5-, 6- and 7-substituted); variation of the side chain length (n=1-6); isosteric replacement of the 1, 4-disubstituted phenyl ring …

Somali Immigrant Perceptions Of Mental Health And Illness: An Ethnonursing Study, Kimberly Michelle Wolf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative ethnonursing research study was to explore, discover, and understand the mental health meanings, beliefs, and practices from the perspective of immigrant Somalis living in the United States. Leininger's Culture Care Diversity and Universality Theory, ethnonursing method, and ethnonursing enablers were utilized as organizing frameworks for studying the domain of inquiry. Interviews were conducted with 21 general informants and 9 key informants, all of whom were Somali immigrants living in Minnesota. Utilizing the ethnonursing data analysis enabler, analysis of the interviews revealed 21 categories and 9 patterns from which two main themes emerged. The themes were …

Development, Evaluation And Application Of Cyclofructans As Separation Agents, Nilusha L.T Padivitage

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) is now considered as a viable and established analytical tool for the separation of very polar and hydrophilic compounds, which are not sufficiently retained under Reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). HILIC is becoming a routine technique in the areas of proteomic and metabolomic research and it is steadily increasing in importance in the fields of pharmaceutical, biolological, environmental and food chemistry. HILIC shows a complementary selectivity to RPLC. The use of water-miscible organic rich mobile phases (generally a mixture of acetonitrile and water (1-40 % of water in the mobile phase) is compatible with atmospheric pressure …

Anion Detection In The Positive Ion Mode Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry By Use Of Cationic Ion Pairing Agents: Behavior And Applications, Edra Dodbiba

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Anion detection and quantitation has long been of great interest to many scientific areas of research in academic and industrial settings. Their importance extends to areas such as water and environmental analysis, biological system analysis, and also the pharmaceutical and food industries. A variety of sensitive detection methods have been developed for anions. Many of these methods have significant advantages, but also drawbacks. In my dissertation I have described a new method for the detection of anions using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) positive ion mode, and cationic ion pairing reagents. Using this method, anions are paired with a plethora …

Massacre And Memory, History And Humanity: A Discussion On Iris Chang’S The Rape Of Nanking, Michael Carr, Elyse Schreier, Matias Andres, N. Miller Wolz, Latoya Timmons, Ryan Payne, Shaofeng Yang, Timothy Brannen, William Worrell, Raven Giles, Tranh Tran, Leticia Nascimento

Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History

While World War II seemed inevitable in Europe, Japanese aggression was well underway in Asia. Japan assaulted the capital of China, Nanking, in December 1937 and perpetrated a six-week-long massacre, killing thousands of unarmed Chinese military troops and civilians, including women and children. Iris Chang's Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II exposes this horrific event that showcases humanity at its worst. After reading Chang’s book, it is clear why “rape” was deemed necessary for the title; her gripping account will make one’s stomach turn. War brings up questions of the human condition, responsibility, and justice. In …

Frequency, Patterns, And Preferences Of Lubricant Use During Anal Intercourse Within Male Sexual Partnerships In Lima, Peru: Implications For A Rectal Microbicide Hiv Prevention Intervention, Jesse L. Clark, Hector Salvatierra, Eddy R. Segura, Ximena Salazar, Kelika Konda, Jerome T. Galea, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Thomas J. Coates, Carlos F. Caceres

Social Work Faculty Publications

Understanding current practices of lubricant use during anal intercourse can help to assess the contexts for the introduction of topical rectal microbicides as an HIV prevention tool for men who have sex with men (MSM). We used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess: current patterns of lubricant use; preferred characteristics of commercial lubricant formulations; and social and behavioral contexts of lubricant use within male sexual partnerships in Lima, Peru. Between 2007 and 2008, we conducted a quantitative behavioral survey with 547 MSM followed by qualitative individual and group interviews with 36 MSM from Lima, Peru. Approximately half of all participants …

Gene Network Analysis In Amygdala Following Taste Aversion Learning In Rats, Siva K. Panguluri, Nobuyuki Kuwabara, Nigel Cooper, Srinicas M. Tipparaju, Kevin B. Sneed, Robert F. Lundy

Pharmacy Faculty Publications

Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is an adaptive behavior that benefits survival of animals including humans and also serves as a powerful model to study the neural mechanisms of learning. Memory formation is a necessary component of CTA learning and involves neural processing and regulation of gene expression in the amygdala. Many studies have been focused on the identification of intracellular signaling cascades involved in CTA, but not late responsive genes underlying the long-lasting behavioral plasticity. In this study, we explored in silico experiments to identify persistent changes in gene expression associated with CTA in rats. We used oligonucleotide microarrays to …

New Perspectives On How To Discover Drugs From Herbal Medicines: Cam's Outstanding Contribution To Modern Therapeutics, Si-Yuan Pan, Shu-Feng Zhou, Si-Hua Gao, Zhi-Ling Yu, Shuo-Feng Zhang, Min-Ke Tang, Jian-Ning Sun, Dik-Lung Ma, Yi-Fan Han, Wang-Fun Fong, Kam-Ming Ko

Pharmacy Faculty Publications

With tens of thousands of plant species on earth, we are endowed with an enormous wealth of medicinal remedies from Mother Nature. Natural products and their derivatives represent more than 50% of all the drugs in modern therapeutics. Because of the low success rate and huge capital investment need, the research and development of conventional drugs are very costly and difficult. Over the past few decades, researchers have focused on drug discovery from herbal medicines or botanical sources, an important group of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. With a long history of herbal usage for the clinical management of …

Do Mechanical Pressure-Equalizing Devices Such As Otovent® And Prep Relieve Or Reduce Ear Pain And Pressure In Aircraft Passengers During Flight?, Michael Ferentino

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not mechanical pressure-equalizing devices relieve or reduce ear pain and pressure in aircraft passengers during flight.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two double-blind control trials and one case control study published between 1988 and 2010 in the English language.

DATA RESOURCES: Double-blind control trials focused on the use of pressure-equalizing ear plugs (PREP) and a case control study on the Otovent® auto-inflation device for the prevention of barotrauma in aircraft passengers were found using Cochraine Library, Medline, and PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured …

Peripheral Nerve Injury Is Associated With Chronic, Reversible Changes In Global Dna Methylation In The Mouse Prefrontal Cortex, Maral Tajerian, Sebastian Alvarado, Magali Millecamps, Pascal Vachon, Cecilia Crosby, M. Catherine Bushnell, Moshe Szyf, Laura S. Stone

Publications and Research

Changes in brain structure and cortical function are associated with many chronic pain conditions including low back pain and fibromyalgia. The magnitude of these changes correlates with the duration and/or the intensity of chronic pain. Most studies report changes in common areas involved in pain modulation, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and pain-related pathological changes in the PFC can be reversed with effective treatment. While the mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown, they must be dynamically regulated. Epigenetic modulation of gene expression in response to experience and environment is reversible and dynamic. Epigenetic modulation by DNA methylation is associated with …

Graduate Catalog And Student Handbook 2013-2014 - Addendum, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Graduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Graduate Catalog And Student Handbook 2013-2014, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Graduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Chemistry Discipline Assessment Gened Report 2012/2013, Chemistry Discipline

Assessment of Student Learning Reports

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Symposia Abstract Papers

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Front Cover, Florida Field Naturalist

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Reddish Egret (Egretta Rufescens) Nesting In Clearwater Harbor And St. Joseph Sound, Pinellas County, And Crystal Bay, Citrus County, Florida From 1991 To 2011, Ann B. Hodgson, Ann F. Paul

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Front Cover, Florida Field Naturalist

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Trends In Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus) Nesting Populations On Lake Istokpoga, Florida, Michael A. Mcmillian

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus Atricilla) Appear To “Tread” For Tiny Crustaceans In Sargassuum Weed (Sargassum Sp.) Washed Ashore From The Gulf Of Mexico, Stephen Spotte

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.