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Effects Of Cpla-2 On The Migration And Proliferation Of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells And The 2-D Migratory Patterns Of Tropomyosin In Femoral And Abdominal Aorta Tissue, Jaimeson Thomas Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract 1: Platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB) has an important influence on smooth muscle cell proliferation in restenosis and atherosclerosis. Our understanding of different signal transduction pathways involved in the response of smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB is potentially significant for understanding and manipulating these processes. Prior studies have demonstrated a crucial activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB with the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2. In these studies we investigated the role for another PLA2, calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in comparison to cPLA2 on smooth muscle cell migration and …

Bilan Des Connaissances Sur Les Facteurs De Risque De L’Arthrose Du Genou Et Sur Les Outils D’Évaluation Et Les Interventions En Matière De Soins Et Services, Nathaly Gaudreault, Marie-José Durand, Hélène Moffet, Luc Hébert, Nicola Hagemeister, Debbie Feldman, Michael Bernier, Karine Genest, Sylvain Laprise, Anne-Catherine Mayrand-Paquette

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

L’arthrose est une maladie chronique caractérisée par une dégénérescence progressive du cartilage et de l’os sous-chondral, entraînant de la douleur, des limitations fonctionnelles et des incapacités à long terme. Les articulations portantes sont particulièrement vulnérables au développement de la maladie, mais l’arthrose du genou (AG) est plus susceptible de causer des incapacités fonctionnelles. Bien que la maladie soit principalement présente chez les personnes âgées de plus de 65 ans, l'Agence de santé publique du Canada estime que la prévalence de l’AG chez les personnes âgées de 55 à 64 ans sera de 66 % en 2026. Cet accroissement anticipé de …

Méthodes De Simulation Temporelles Pour Résoudre Des Problématiques De Bruit Et Vibrations : Revue De La Littérature, Celse Kafui Amédin, Noureddine Atalla, Franck Sgard

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Le bruit et les vibrations affectent quotidiennement des centaines de milliers de travailleurs au Québec. L'exposition au bruit excessif contribue à l'isolement, réduit la coordination et la concentration et augmente donc le risque d'accident et de surdité. Les vibrations peuvent être transmises au corps humain par l'utilisation d'outils vibrants ou par la conduite de véhicules dans des conditions défavorables. Elles peuvent alors générer diverses pathologies qui handicapent la personne affectée. Le bruit et les vibrations constituent donc des nuisances qui peuvent altérer la santé des travailleurs, réduire leur productivité et générer de l'absentéisme. En d'autres termes, ces nuisances engendrent des …

Bodies And Borders In Francisco Delicado’S Retrato De La Lozana Andaluza, Israel Burshatin

Spanish Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Pressure Swing Adsorption Process For Co2 Capture From Flue Gas Using Solid Amine Sorbents, Anahita Abdollahi Govar

Theses and Dissertations

Solid amines are comprised of adsorbent materials, like silica gel, that contain amine based organic compounds, either physically or chemically, attached within their pores. The major characteristic of these sorbents that makes them interesting for CO₂ capture from flue gas is that unlike zeolites they are not negatively affected by the presence of water. The current work has been focusing on the development of a novel PSA cycle for CO₂ capture from flue gas using a solid-amine sorbent composed of PEI physically immobilized on a commercial silica substrate. The goal was to achieve > 90% recovery and > 95 vol. …

A Correlation Study Of Leadership Indicators And Literacy Outcomes: Examining A State Adopted Leadership Assessment Model, Abigail Deann Woods

Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to shed light on the possible impact certain leadership practices might have on student outcomes in literacy, this research considers the relationship of selected effective leadership traits and their impact on the implementation of a literacy intervention program. If it is true that all schools' have as their primary goal to prepare students for the rigorous learning, reading and analyzing required that is expected to be successful in the future, then examining the role that leadership might have on that goal remains important. Further, it is the hope that this analysis might further educators' understanding on the …

The Impact Of Culture & Ethnicity On The Counseling Process: Perspectives Of Genetic Counselors From Minority Ethnic Groups, Brittanie Morris

Theses and Dissertations

In the genetic counseling profession, discussions about cross-cultural counseling and cultural competence emphasize the importance of patient culture as well as counselor culture in a counseling session. A culturally competent counselor should be aware of the influence of her own cultural values on interactions with patients and peers (Weil, 2000; & Uhlmann, Schuette, & Yashar, 2011). Focusing specifically on counselors from cultural/ethnic minorities, this mixed-methods study sought to empirically evaluate the influence of a counselor's cultural values and ethnic identity on the genetic counseling process. 162 genetic counselors, 58 of whom self-identified as being from an ethnic minority group, completed …

Parent And Staff Perceptions Of Family-Centered Care In Two Australian Children’S Hospitals, Fenella J. Gill, Elaine Pascoe, Leanne Monterosso, Jeanine Young, Charlotte Burr, Ann Tanner, Linda Shields

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Aim: This paper is a report of the comparison of perceptions of family-centred care by hospital staff (nurses, doctors and allied health staff) and parents of hospitalised children in two Australian tertiary paediatric hospitals.

Background: Family-centred care is an accepted approach to caring for children and their families in hospital. Previous publications have been inconsistent, ranging from promoting its benefits and integration into practice, reporting operational difficulties and proposing that family-centred care may not be working at all. An evaluation of the model of care is long overdue.

Method: A quantitative comparative cross-sectional survey was used to collect …

Identifying The Barriers And Enablers To Pallative Care Nurses' Recognition And Assessment Of Delirium Symptoms: A Qualitative Study, Annmarie Hosie, M Agar, Elizabeth A. Lobb, P M. Davidson, Jane Phillips

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Context: Delirium is under-recognised by nurses, including those working in palliative care settings where the syndrome occurs frequently. Identifying contextual factors that support and/or hinder palliative care nurses’ delirium recognition and assessment capabilities is crucial, to inform development of clinical practice and systems aimed at improving patients’ delirium outcomes.

Objective: To identify nurses’ perceptions of the barriers and enablers to recognising and assessing delirium symptoms in palliative care inpatient settings.

Methods: A series of semi-structured interviews, guided by critical incident technique, were conducted with nurses working in Australian palliative care inpatient settings. A hypoactive delirium vignette prompted participants’ recall of …

Do Palliative Care Health Professionals Settle For Low Level Evidence?, R J. Chan, Jane Phillips, D C. Currow

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

The Notion Of Ethnocultural Belonging In Rehabilitation Research And Intervention, Daniel Côté

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Au Canada, avec le vieillissement de la main-d’œuvre et le faible taux de natalité, l’État doit faire appel à l’immigration pour éviter une croissance négative de la population et pour combler les besoins de main-d’œuvre de l’industrie. Il est rapporté que les immigrants et les personnes issues des minorités ethnoculturelles présentent une vulnérabilité accrue face aux risques liés à la SST et à l’incapacité prolongée. Cependant, très peu de choses sont connues sur les dynamiques sous-jacentes à ces groupes plus vulnérables, sur l’évolution de leurs conditions de vie, leur état de santé et sur les difficultés auxquelles ils peuvent faire …

The Response Of Georgia Municipalities To Fiscal Distress Caused By The Great Recession, Josh Pearson

Georgia Municipal Association Practicum (2013-2022)

No abstract provided.

City Of Port Wentworth Historic Downtown Redevelopment Proposal, Nathan Griffin

Georgia Municipal Association Practicum (2013-2022)

No abstract provided.

How Does Climate Adaptation Affect Emergency Management?, Jonathan W. Gaddy, Elizabeth Clark, Jeffrey R. Ryan

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Recent reports from credible research groups suggest that climate change is a reality. The steady rise in extreme weather events over the past decade represents the leading edge of climate change. Climate-induced interactions within and between the natural environment and our human and constructed systems will not only exacerbate existing vulnerabilities but will create new ones. Emergency managers at all levels need to plan and prepare for climate adaptation challenges, which should enable communities to successfully weather the storm. The ability to adapt to the coming changes is dependent upon the actions we take today to create resilience and sustainability. …

Attractiveness Privilege : The Unearned Advantages Of Physical Attractivenesss, Kelsey P. Yonce

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this theoretical investigation, I explore level of physical attractiveness as a characteristic that privileges people who are more attractive and oppresses those who are less attractive. I discuss the concept of privilege, societal standards of physical attractiveness, and the ways in which people who are more physically attractive are treated and perceived more positively by others. To examine this phenomenon more deeply, I introduce the theoretical perspectives of intersectionality and conflict theory. Intersectionality refers to the idea that different areas of privilege and oppression interact with each other in ways that create unique experiences of privilege and oppression for …

Theorizing Anxiety : Psychodynamic Exploration Beyond The Medical Model, Daniel E. Weinbaum

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study explores the phenomenon of anxiety and how it has been understood, articulated and treated over time in psychoanalysis. Formulations of anxiety in classical theory, object relations, attachment, interpersonal, relational and trauma theory will be explored, offering a counterpoint to the current medical model in which anxiety is primarily understood as a symptom to be eradicated through medication and "evidence based" treatments. The study argues that anxiety only exists within a relational and systemic context, and that reducing anxiety to a set of discrete disorders requiring prescriptive treatment protocols often overlooks the complexity of individual experience and need …

An Evaluation Of Clinical Interventions And Client Satisfaction In A Mandated Massachusetts Driver Alcohol Education Program : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Spectrum Health Systems, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Adesholla L. Gionet

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of psycho-education as a clinical intervention with court-mandated, drunk, and under-the-influence (DUI) clients, as well as, those who operated a motor vehicle under-the-influence (OUI). Additionally, the study was designed to determine the extent of client-perceived satisfaction in a Massachusetts Alcohol Education program. Furthermore, the study intended to give clients a voice in expressing themselves about what elements of the program could benefit from improvement in order to assist in motivating court-mandated clients to make positive behavioral changes that will result in lower alcohol and substance-use related recidivism rates. A questionnaire was …

Youth Incarceration : Restorative Justice And Social Work Practice, Elissa N. Berlinger

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This project examined the problem of juvenile crime and incarceration. I explored how two Criminal Justice theories—Attribution theory and Deterrence theory—support and explain the problem, and how two Social Work theories—Social Justice theory and Responsive Regulation theory—offer an alternative view and solution to the problem. I explained the principles and program models of Restorative Justice and strived to understand why there are so few Social Workers involved in Restorative Justice programs. Through this work, I addressed the following questions: with Restorative Justice carrying similar values as the Social Work profession, why are Social Workers not involved in Restorative Justice programs? …

Aetiology Of Acute Febrile Episodes In Children Attending Korogwe District Hospital In North-Eastern Tanzania, C. Mahende, B. Ngasala, J. Lusingu, A. Butichi, P. Lushino, M. Lemnge, Zul Premji

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: Although the burden of malaria in many parts of Tanzania has declined, the proportion of children with fever has not changed. This situation underscores the need to explore the possible causes of febrile episodes in patients presenting with symptoms at the Korogwe District Hospital (KDH).

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at KDH, north-eastern Tanzania. Patients aged 2 to 59 months presenting at the outpatient department with an acute medical condition and fever (measured axillary temperature ≥37.5°C) were enrolled. Blood samples were examined for malaria parasites, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bacterial infections. A urine culture was …

Using Verbal Autopsy To Measure Causes Of Death: The Comparative Performance Of Existing Methods, C.J.L. Mahende, R. Lozano, A.D. Flaxman, P. Serina, D. Phillips, A. Stewart, S.L. James, A. Vahdatpour, C. Atkinson, M.K. Freeman, S.L. Ohno, R. Black, S.M. Ali, A.H. Baqui, L. Dandona, E. Dantzer, G.L. Darmstadt, V. Das, U. Dhingra, A. Dutta, W. Fawzi, S. Gomez, B. Hernandez, R. Joshi, H.D. Kalter, A. Kumar, V. Kumar, M. Lucero, S. Mehta, Zul Premji, D. Ramirez-Villalobos, H. Remolador, I. Riley, M. Romero, M. Said, D. Sanvictores, S. Sazawal, V. Tallo, A. D. Lopez

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Monitoring progress with disease and injury reduction in many populations will require widespread use of verbal autopsy (VA). Multiple methods have been developed for assigning cause of death from a VA but their application is restricted by uncertainty about their reliability.

Methods: We investigated the validity of five automated VA methods for assigning cause of death: InterVA-4, Random Forest (RF), Simplified Symptom Pattern (SSP), Tariff method (Tariff), and King-Lu (KL), in addition to physician review of VA forms (PCVA), based on 12,535 cases from diverse populations for which the true cause of death had been reliably established. For adults, …

A Review Of 74 Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma At A Tertiary Referral Hospital In Nairobi, Kenya, G. Kiraka, Mbayah Etabale, Riyat Malkit

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: Multiple myeloma is a neoplastic disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells. We aimed to carry out a retrospective audit to describe clinical and laboratory features of patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Materials and Methods: Records of all patients initially diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the haematology clinic of Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2011 were reviewed. Diagnosis of multiple myeloma was based on (1) increased numbers of abnormal, atypical or immature plasma cells in a bone marrow aspirate or trephine, (2) presence of monoclonal protein or free light chains …

Applying Consensus Criteria To The Evaluation Of Patients With Suspected Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, E. Mulwa-Babu, Riyat Malkit, D. Parech

Pathology, East Africa

We describe a series of 5 patients in whom the application of consensus criteria for the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) led to a revised diagnosis. These patients had been recruited in a wider study describing the occurrence of CLL in Kenya. This case series highlights some of the pitfalls of making a diagnosis of CLL without incorporating all criteria.

Harnessing Microbiome And Probiotic Research In Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations From An African Workshop, Gregor Reid, Nicholas Nduti, Wilbert Sybesma, Remco Kort, Tobias R. Kollmann, Rodney Adam, Hamadi Boga, Eric M. Brown, Alexandra Einerhand, Hani El-Nezami, Gregory B. Gloor, Irene I. Kavere, Johanna Lindahl, Amee Manges, Wondu Mamo, Rocio Martin, Amy Mcmillan, Jael Obiero, Pamela A. Ochieng’, Arnold Onyango, Stephen Rulisa, Eeva Salminen, Seppo Salminen, Antony Sije, Jonathan R. Swann, William Van Treuren, Daniel Waweru, Steve J. Kemp

Pathology, East Africa

To augment capacity-building for microbiome and probiotic research in Africa, a workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, at which researchers discussed human, animal, insect, and agricultural microbiome and probiotics/prebiotics topics. Five recommendations were made to promote future basic and translational research that benefits Africans.

Functional Characterization Of A Novel Thioredoxin Domain-Containing Protein Of The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium, Rachel Kooistra

Master's Theses

A novel thioredoxin domain-containing protein of the malaria parasite Plasmodium was identified and found to be conserved among eukaryotes. This protein belongs to the phosducin-like family of proteins (PhLPs), and was therefore assigned the name PhLP1, since it is the first phosducin-like protein to be identified in Plasmodium. PhLPs have been found to have various roles in G-protein signaling, cell cycle progression, and protein folding. However, the biochemical mechanism by which PhLPs perform their function is unknown. Here is described the cloning and biochemical characterization of both PhLP1 and its human homolog TXNDC9. Both purified PhLP1 and TXNDC9 showed enzymatic …

High-Stakes Testing: The Student Voice, Julianna Marie Cechowski

Master's Theses

There has been an intense debate about standardized testing since they were first introduced into public schools in the nineteenth century. In this research, it is important to know why standardized tests were created and how they have been debated. Roy C. Owens said. "We cannot know where we're going if we don't know where we've come from." Past information is important in this research because it will show how far we have progressed since the start of the standardized testing movement.

What started out as standardized testing later changed into high-stakes testing. The high-stakes were created by tying student …

Environmental Drivers Of Leaf Breakdown Rate In An Urban Watershed, Ashley Rachelle Cook

Master's Theses

Leaf litter breakdown is a critical ecosystem process in urban streams, but environmental conditions in urban streams may generate confounding effects on breakdown rates. Reduced abundance of macroinvertebrate shredders may slow breakdown, but rates may increase if high nutrient concentrations stimulate microbial decomposers and if flooding enhances leaf fragmentation. We used the litter bag technique to measure the relative importance of multiple environmental drivers on breakdown of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves at 5 sites throughout the North Branch of the Chicago River watershed. Sites spanned a gradient of urbanization, but no specialized macroinvertebrate shredders were present at any sites. …

Role Of The Intestinal Microbiota In Gut Barrier Dysfunction Following Burn Injury, Zachary Earley

Master's Theses

Burn injury represents a major medical problem with half a million cases requiring medical attention and 4,000 deaths reported annually. Sepsis and multiple organ failure remain the leading causes of death following injury, and may be brought on by bacterial infections or toxins. The gastrointestinal tract contains approx. 100 trillion microbes; therefore, the indigenous commensal microbiota may play a role in leading to these complications or infections in burn patients. The overall objective of this project is to identify a potential mechanism whereby changes in gut bacteria may lead to intestinal inflammation or bacterial translocation--key factors which may lead to …

The Effect Of Semantic Clustering On Idea Quality In Individual And Group Ideation, Amanda Christine Egan

Master's Theses

Rietzschel, Nijstad, and Stroebe (2007) have demonstrated the benefits of "deep exploration" on creative idea generation. The current study attempted to refine this understanding by differentiating whether this effect is due simply to the number of ideas generated within a specific semantic category (fluency) or the way in which semantic categories are explored (clustering). Four conditions compared maximum versus minimum clustering crossed with nominal and interacting groups, with total quantity and fluency held constant. The unique effects of these manipulations on the total number of high-quality ideas generated, as well as the specific number of highly original and highly feasible …

Identifying Oncogenic Drivers In Nsclc Cells Harboring Egfr Kinase Domain Mutation With Resistance To Egfr Tki And Mesenchymal Phenotype, Yandi Gao

Master's Theses

EGFR kinase domain mutant NSCLC cells are exquisitely dependent on mutant EGFR for cell survival and proliferation. Patients with mutant EGFR respond well to the EGFR inhibitors. However, acquired drug resistance greatly limits the efficacy of the treatment. About 15% of the resistant tumors present an evidence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We hypothesize that the induction of mesenchymal promotes aberrant upregulation of other oncogenic drivers to replace the oncogenic mutant EGFR.

We observed overexpression of CXCR7 in NSCLC models of acquired resistance to EGFR TKI with mesenchymal phenotype. Additionally, our studies demonstrate that ectopically overexpressing CXCR7 in EGFR …

Reconsidering The Model Of Trim5Α Assembly: The Role Of The Linker2 (L2) Region In Trim5Α Assembly, Laura Johnsen

Master's Theses

The TRIM5α protein from rhesus macaques (TRIM5αrh) exhibits a remarkable ability to potently inhibit infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1). Extensive studies have shown that TRIM5α is capable of self-associating at many levels, eventually leading to the formation of a hexameric assembly that can superimpose on the hexameric lattice of the HIV-1 capsid. The mechanism underlying the self-association of TRIM5α and the molecular determinants of self-association remain to be completely understood. In this study, we show that the Linker 2 (L2) region of TRIM5rh is important for dimerization and higher order self-association, both of which are independent processes. Additionally, …