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2016

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Cultural Competence Practices Implemented In Hospitals And Health Systems By Minority Executives On The Top Management Team, John H. Cunningham Jan 2016

Cultural Competence Practices Implemented In Hospitals And Health Systems By Minority Executives On The Top Management Team, John H. Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

The study examined whether hospital implementation of cultural competence practices was influenced by the racial/ethnic composition of top management. With one-third of the U.S. population identifying with a racial or ethnic group other than non-Hispanic White, and that population continuing to grow increasingly diverse, racial and ethnic minorities are increasingly accessing health care services. Yet they represent less than 1% of the top management teams (TMT) of health care organizations. The study sought to determine the extent to which health care organizations with TMTs that are representative of the racial and ethnic compositions of the communities in which they serve …

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Three-Dimensional Facial Morphological Changes From Adolescence To Adulthood In Caucasian And African American Populations, Matthew Davis Jan 2016

Three-Dimensional Facial Morphological Changes From Adolescence To Adulthood In Caucasian And African American Populations, Matthew Davis

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this cross sectional retrospective study was to use three dimensional surface imaging to determine gender dimorphism and facial morphological changes from adolescence to adulthood in African American and Caucasian populations. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional images were captured using a laser scanner (Minolta Vivid VI900) and a stereophotogrammatic camera system (3dMDfaceTM). The total sample size included 371 subjects, including the following: 107 African-American adolescents 10–13 years of age, 100 African-American adults 19–30 years of age, 64 Caucasian adolescents 10–13 years of age, and 100 Caucasian adults 18–30 years of age. All subjects had normal body mass index, no …

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Human Cytosolic Sulfotransferase (Sult) 1b1 Half-Site Reactivity And The Identification And Characterization Of A Novel Variant Sult1b1 Isoform (L145v), Zachary Evan Tibbs Jan 2016

Human Cytosolic Sulfotransferase (Sult) 1b1 Half-Site Reactivity And The Identification And Characterization Of A Novel Variant Sult1b1 Isoform (L145v), Zachary Evan Tibbs

All ETDs from UAB

The human cytosolic sulfotransferases (hSULTs) are a fourteen-member family of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a sulfonate moiety from 3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphosulfate (PAPS) to a recipient substrate. SULT-mediated sulfation serves to deactivate physiological hormones and detoxify xenobiotics. SULT1B1 is primarily resident to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and possibly peripheral white blood cells (WBCs), whereby it performs its supposed physiological role. The iso-form has the capacity to sulfate thyroid hormones, small phenols, and polyaromatic hy-drocarbons resulting in their inactivation, detoxification, and bioactivation/detoxification, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to show hSULT1B1 protein is present in periph-eral lymphocytes and neutrophils. Further, …

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Microglia Orchestrate The Inflammatory Response To Alpha-Synuclein In Parkinson Disease Models, Aaron Thome Jan 2016

Microglia Orchestrate The Inflammatory Response To Alpha-Synuclein In Parkinson Disease Models, Aaron Thome

All ETDs from UAB

Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and widespread aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn). Increasing evidence points to inflammation as a chief mediator of PD with many of the inflammatory manifestations of human PD cases recapitulated in animal models of PD. We began by examining the inflammatory potential of α-syn fibrils, a newly characterized α-syn conformation that is neurotoxic and prion-like in its endogenous α-syn recruitment and cellular transmission. Our studies provide evidence that the α-syn fibrils evoke a pro-inflammatory response …

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Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 And Heterochromatin Protein 1 Beta Regulate Neural And Neural Crest Development, Chih-Liang Tien Jan 2016

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 And Heterochromatin Protein 1 Beta Regulate Neural And Neural Crest Development, Chih-Liang Tien

All ETDs from UAB

Epigenetic factors control gene expression via modulating chromatin conformation. Current studies on epigenetics mainly focus on biochemical mechanisms or functions of epigenetic factors in cancer or neurobiology. The underlying mechanism for epigenetic regulation in early embryonic development, particularly neural and neural crest development, is not well understood. In this thesis, the model organism, Xenopus laevis, is used to study epigenetic factors – polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and heterochromatin protein 1 beta (HP1β) in neural and neural crest development. In chapter one, the processes of neural and neural crest development are described, and the concepts of epigenetic mechanisms, such as …

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Addressing School District Readiness For Elementary Health Education Using The Transtheoretical Model, Sarah Toth Jan 2016

Addressing School District Readiness For Elementary Health Education Using The Transtheoretical Model, Sarah Toth

All ETDs from UAB

The elementary classroom offers a potentially favorable setting to impact student health. However, research indicates that elementary health education (EHE) is frequently omitted or haphazardly delivered. Traditional efforts in educational change have had limited success and lack a theoretical foundation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the organizational readiness of a public school district in Alabama for the delivery of 60 minutes of weekly EHE using constructs of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). This study was intended to identify the stage of readiness, decisional balance, self-efficacy, the extent to which the school district was engaging in behaviors that may …

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The Experience Of The Expectant Mother Follwing A Diagnosis Of A Fetal Anomaly, Janet Adams Tucker Jan 2016

The Experience Of The Expectant Mother Follwing A Diagnosis Of A Fetal Anomaly, Janet Adams Tucker

All ETDs from UAB

statistical analysis to estimate the parameters of a general linear model. Yet, when the

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Methods For Analysis Of Genetic Differences In Sex And Ethnicity For Complex Human Traits, Yogasudha Veturi Veturi Jan 2016

Methods For Analysis Of Genetic Differences In Sex And Ethnicity For Complex Human Traits, Yogasudha Veturi Veturi

All ETDs from UAB

In the last two decades, thousands of genome-wide association (GWA) analyses have been published. These studies have been primarily conducted using data from Caucasians and many of the reported findings have not been replicated in other populations, perhaps reflecting that the underlying architecture of effects may vary across ethnically diverse groups. Similarly, the possibility that the genetic architecture of traits may vary between males and females has also been overlooked. We propose a methodology for estimation and testing of effect heterogeneity between groups such as sex or ethnicity that involves modeling genotype-by-group random interactions. Using simulations, we show that the …

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Pay For Performance In Dentistry: Is It Worth It?, Andreea Voinea-Griffin Jan 2016

Pay For Performance In Dentistry: Is It Worth It?, Andreea Voinea-Griffin

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: The variability of dental care and the slow implementation of evidence-based dentistry point to the need for change. Pay for performance (P4P) programs may foster quality improvement if appropriately designed. This work demonstrates the use of modeling and simulation to evaluate such programs prior to deployment. An example is provided in the form of a P4P program for the treatment of occlusal early caries (EC) in permanent teeth. Research Design: The proposed P4P program evaluation consists of two steps. First step is to determine the optimal treatment. In this example, three non-invasive treatments (NTs), watchful-waiting (WW), sealants, and fluoride …

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Effect Of Margin Design On Fracture Strength Of Zirconia Crown, Eleni Voltidi Jan 2016

Effect Of Margin Design On Fracture Strength Of Zirconia Crown, Eleni Voltidi

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: To compare the fracture load of monolithic Zirconia crowns and E-max crowns with different margin designs and to create a guideline for margin design for monolithic Zirconia crowns. Methods: Digital design of prep maxillary molar tooth was performed with TOC 20 degrees and occlusal reduction 1 mm and axial reduction 1 mm and two different margin designs (group 1: Shoulder 0.8mm group 2: Light Chamfer 0.3mm). Dies were milled using Ultra Crystal material. Monolithic Zirconia crowns were milled (n=9 in group 1 and n=8 in group 2). Crowns were cemented with Rely X luting Plus. The specimens were stored …

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Germline Restriction Of B Cell Receptor Repertoire Influences Antigenic Epitope Recognition And Primary Antibody Deficiency Pathogenesis, Yuge Wang Jan 2016

Germline Restriction Of B Cell Receptor Repertoire Influences Antigenic Epitope Recognition And Primary Antibody Deficiency Pathogenesis, Yuge Wang

All ETDs from UAB

Part I. Mouse Studies Complementarity determining region 3 of the immunoglobulin (Ig) H chain (CDR-H3) lies at the center of the antigen binding site where it often plays a decisive role in antigen recognition and binding. Amino acids encoded by the diversity (DH) gene segment are the main component of CDR-H3. Each DH has the potential to rearrange into one of six DH reading frames (RFs), each of which exhibits a characteristic amino acid hydrophobicity signature that has been conserved among jawed vertebrates by natural selection. A preference for use of RF1 promotes the incorporation of tyrosine into CDR-H3 while …

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Cell Signaling Pathways As Targets For Precision Medicine In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Alice Weaver Jan 2016

Cell Signaling Pathways As Targets For Precision Medicine In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Alice Weaver

All ETDs from UAB

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous disease with high rates of recurrence and mortality. Unlike other cancer types, genome sequencing studies have failed to produce clinically actionable targets to improve HNSCC management. Therefore, alternative methods are needed to study the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression and response to therapy. The focus of this research was to determine how dysregulation of cell signaling pathways affects outcomes in HNSCC. In HPV-positive HNSCCs, we hypothesized that HPV induces dysregulation of the DNA damage response which mediates differences in therapeutic sensitivity and survival. We identified a defect in DNA …

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Boundary Construction And Identity Maintenance In Institutionalized Versus Non-Institutionalized Women Methamphetamine Users, Megan Elisabeth Webb Jan 2016

Boundary Construction And Identity Maintenance In Institutionalized Versus Non-Institutionalized Women Methamphetamine Users, Megan Elisabeth Webb

All ETDs from UAB

Since the late 1990s there has been an increase in the use of methamphetamine (meth) across the United States. Concerns about the physical, mental, and societal effects of the drug have been fueled by the media and anti-drug campaigns and have contributed to the demonization of meth and its users. People who use meth construct symbolic boundaries in an attempt to navigate the stigma associated with their drug use and in an attempt to maintain a positive self-identity. Symbolic boundaries are the distinctions, or social categories, that individuals make in attempt to categorize certain people and behaviors. One way that …

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From The Mouths Of Mentors: A Qualitative Case Study Exploring The Perspectives Of African-American Men Who Mentor Secondary School-Aged African-American Males, Tonya Michelle Wheeler-Anthony Jan 2016

From The Mouths Of Mentors: A Qualitative Case Study Exploring The Perspectives Of African-American Men Who Mentor Secondary School-Aged African-American Males, Tonya Michelle Wheeler-Anthony

All ETDs from UAB

High profile deaths of unarmed African-American males caused much discourse in the years 2012 through 2015. Embedded in the news and on the minds of people of all ages were these deaths and the circumstances that surrounded them. Documentation of actions by some of the young males indicated that questionable behaviors existed prior to their demise. However, little documentation exists regarding attempts to assist these African-American male youths in changing these undesirable behaviors. One traditional approach to meeting the needs of African-American male students occurs through mentoring. Although, the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative launched by President Obama’s administration sparked an …

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Neural Network Associated With The Psychobiological Response To Stress, Muriah Wheelock Jan 2016

Neural Network Associated With The Psychobiological Response To Stress, Muriah Wheelock

All ETDs from UAB

The biobehavioral response to acute stress is an allostatic process. Dysregulation of the stress response has been implicated in allostatic load and the pathophysiology of a wide range of physical and psychological disorders. There have been considerable advances within the last two decades in the field’s understanding of allostatic load and a consistent finding across studies has been that individual differences are the norm rather than the exception. That is, exposure to stress seems to have minimal negative consequences for some, but substantial negative consequences for others. Determining the neural processes associated with individual differences in stress reactivity may advance …

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The Effect Of Data-Entry Template Design And Anesthesia Provider Workload On Documentation Quality, Documentation Efficiency, And User-Satisfaction, Bryan Anthony Wilbanks Jan 2016

The Effect Of Data-Entry Template Design And Anesthesia Provider Workload On Documentation Quality, Documentation Efficiency, And User-Satisfaction, Bryan Anthony Wilbanks

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between method of data entry into electronic health records and anesthesia provider workload on: (a) documentation efficiency, (b) intraoperative anesthesia documentation accuracy, and (c) user satisfaction. The study was separated into three papers. The first paper is an integrative literature review on how accuracy was defined in anesthesia information management systems. The second paper was a state-of-the-science literature review that presents evidence-based guidelines for interface design for data entry into electronic health records. The third paper was an empirical study to detect relationships among all of the concepts of interest …

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A Quantitative Study Of Job Satisfaction Of Assistant Principals In Alabama Public Schools, James Albert Rainey Jan 2016

A Quantitative Study Of Job Satisfaction Of Assistant Principals In Alabama Public Schools, James Albert Rainey

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if a relationship existed between job satisfaction levels and certain demographic characteristics among public school assistant principals in the State of Alabama. Research on assistant principals was limited but revealed assistant principals do not feel prepared for their role and responsibilities. Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory was used by combining the six facets of work on present job, supervision, people on your present job, job in general, opportunities for promotion, and pay to determine the overall level of job satisfaction for individual assistant principals. Public school assistant principals across the state of Alabama …

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Influence Of Maternal Age On The Effects Of Organic Selenium In The Animal Model Daphnia Pulex, Jordan E. Roberts Jan 2016

Influence Of Maternal Age On The Effects Of Organic Selenium In The Animal Model Daphnia Pulex, Jordan E. Roberts

All ETDs from UAB

As a necessary micronutrient, seleno-L-methionine (SeMet) exhibits a U-shaped dose-response with deficiency and toxicity leading to adverse health outcomes. Some studies suggest dietary selenium may offer protection against toxicity from other metals, but excessive dietary levels can also lead to toxicity. In addition, increased maternal age has been shown to increase the risk of adverse developmental outcomes. We hypothesize that older maternal age will increase susceptibility in offspring exposed to toxic concentrations of SeMet. The goal of this project was to evaluate the effects of SeMet treatment on lifespan and determine if the effects are altered by maternal age using …

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Mercy Otis Warren: A Woman In Motion, Victoria Courtney Roberts Jan 2016

Mercy Otis Warren: A Woman In Motion, Victoria Courtney Roberts

All ETDs from UAB

This thesis is an examination of the life of Mercy Otis Warren, who wrote the first history of the United States, was the first American woman to publish political literature under her own name, and was deeply involved in politics of the Early Republic. In the time leading up to the American Revolution, Mercy wrote many plays and poems that were circulated in an effort to convince colonists of the need to break away from the British government. Her writings and political thoughts had a great influence on the shaping of the United States, yet her name is rarely found …

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Cd4 Regulatory T Cells Augment Hiv-1 Expression Of Polarized M1 And M2 Monocyte Derived Macrophages, Tanya Robinson Jan 2016

Cd4 Regulatory T Cells Augment Hiv-1 Expression Of Polarized M1 And M2 Monocyte Derived Macrophages, Tanya Robinson

All ETDs from UAB

Polarization of macrophages is critical for an effective host immune response against invading pathogens. However, the HIV-1 virus can alter the cytokine/chemokine profile of polarized macrophages which may ultimately lead to their increased susceptibility to viral infection. M1 monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) have been shown to suppress CCR5-tropic HIV-1 replication, while M2 MDM promote it. We generated M1 (GM-CSF + IFN-γ + LPS) and M2 (M-CSF + IL-4) MDM with predicted phenotypes and exposed them to a CCR5 (R5) “highly macrophage-tropic” viral strain, HIV-1BaL. M2 MDM had notably higher levels of HIV-1 infection than M1 MDM. We also investigated R5 HIV-1 …

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Lgbt Campus Climate Analysis Of The University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Steven Romeo Jan 2016

Lgbt Campus Climate Analysis Of The University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Steven Romeo

All ETDs from UAB

problems. No cure exists so experts stress early practice of bone protective behaviors,

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Altering Metabolism In The Tumor Microenvironment To Enhance Anti-Tumor Immunity For Lung Cancer, Cara Schafer Jan 2016

Altering Metabolism In The Tumor Microenvironment To Enhance Anti-Tumor Immunity For Lung Cancer, Cara Schafer

All ETDs from UAB

Overcoming cancer cell immune escape represents a fundamental obstacle in the treatment of cancer. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known to induce oxidative stress and alter amino acid metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The tryptophan (Trp)-catabolizing action of IDO not only promotes T cell tolerance and evasion but is also associated with impaired quality of life in cancer patients. We have previously demonstrated that a novel combination therapy, consisting of MDSC-depleting gemcitabine and a superoxide dismutase mimetic, prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice by enhancing CD8+ memory T cell metabolism. We identify that combination therapy inhibits IDO …

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Context-Enhanced Mobile Device Authorization And Authentication, Babins Shrestha Jan 2016

Context-Enhanced Mobile Device Authorization And Authentication, Babins Shrestha

All ETDs from UAB

Mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets) are pervasive today, continuously opening up immense opportunities for everyday users. Their burgeoning popularity, however, brings forth various security and privacy threats. One well-established threat is of mobile malware (a form of insider attack) - malicious apps that may surreptitiously misuse the sensitive resources and services available on the device. Other threats relate to unauthorized access of the device (outsider attacks) by a malicious entity in close physical proximity to the device, or having (temporary or permanent) physical possession of the device. The traditional defensive mechanisms, such as existing anti-virus software, distance-bounding protocols or …

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16s Rrna Gene Sequencing To Evaluate The Effects Of Six Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics, Kendall Slaton Jan 2016

16s Rrna Gene Sequencing To Evaluate The Effects Of Six Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics, Kendall Slaton

All ETDs from UAB

16s rrna gene sequencing to evaluate the effects of six commonly prescribed antibiotics kendall slaton, dmd dentistry abstract introduction: the rapid antibiotic sensitivity test (rast) is a novel in-office culture and sensitivity system for endodontic infections. the purpose of this research was to validate the rast system as a viable, in-office alternative to antibiotic sensitivity testing using turbidity, to determine antibiotic sensitivities of endodontic infections. methods: aspirates were taken from the root canals of nine necrotic human teeth at the initiation of root canal therapy. these samples were cultured in the rast medium and antibiotic sensitivity to six antibiotics was …

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Environmental Science Applications With Rapid Integrated Mapping And Analysis System (Rims), Alexander I. Shiklomanov, Alexander A. Prusevich, E. Gordov, I. Okladnikov, A. Titov Jan 2016

Environmental Science Applications With Rapid Integrated Mapping And Analysis System (Rims), Alexander I. Shiklomanov, Alexander A. Prusevich, E. Gordov, I. Okladnikov, A. Titov

Faculty Publications

The Rapid Integrated Mapping and analysis System (RIMS) has been developed at the University of New Hampshire as an online instrument for multidisciplinary data visualization, analysis and manipulation with a focus on hydrological applications. Recently it was enriched with data and tools to allow more sophisticated analysis of interdisciplinary data. Three different examples of specific scientific applications with RIMS are demonstrated and discussed. Analysis of historical changes in major components of the Eurasian pan-Arctic water budget is based on historical discharge data, gridded observational meteorological fields, and remote sensing data for sea ice area. Express analysis of the extremely hot …

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Identity, Relationships, And Culture: A Constitutive Model Of Coming Out, Jimmie Manning Jan 2016

Identity, Relationships, And Culture: A Constitutive Model Of Coming Out, Jimmie Manning

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

For several decades, researchers across many disciplines have developed a large body of research exploring the topic of coming out. This research has provided many insights about what it means for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to acknowledge their sexualities and to share their sexual identities with others. As helpful as this research has been, little has been done to move scholarship toward a holistic theory of coming out. This chapter provides a step in that direction by offering a constitutive model of coming out. This three-level model proposes that culture informs a person’s viewpoints and personal acceptance regarding sexuality; …

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Density Functional Theory Calculations On The Doping Sequence Of Mnxfen(1-X)Ge, Jordan C. Ball Jan 2016

Density Functional Theory Calculations On The Doping Sequence Of Mnxfen(1-X)Ge, Jordan C. Ball

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

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Aconitic Acid, Glycerol And Cinnamic Acid Polyester Characterization For Bone Tissue Engineering, Katie Joanna Hogan Jan 2016

Aconitic Acid, Glycerol And Cinnamic Acid Polyester Characterization For Bone Tissue Engineering, Katie Joanna Hogan

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

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Increasing Accuracy Of Dietary Assessments By Regular-Shape Recognition And Photogrammetry, Ihsan K. Hakima Jan 2016

Increasing Accuracy Of Dietary Assessments By Regular-Shape Recognition And Photogrammetry, Ihsan K. Hakima

All ETDs from UAB

There is interest in determining the amount of food consumed during dietary studies using technology. Interviews of patients and/or participants can result in inaccuracies in reported food intake. Using food journals or diaries can be more accurate, but depends on participants' motivation to record food intake during meals. Technology can make it easier to record food intake. Previous work utilizing technology has included using single images and a virtual model for food estimation, projecting a circular light on the image to use as a reference, and using a device with a laser to determine distance. Another method uses a wearable …

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The Role Of Hydrogen Peroxide In The Modulation Of Capsule Biosynthesis In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, Jocelyn Renee Hauser Jan 2016

The Role Of Hydrogen Peroxide In The Modulation Of Capsule Biosynthesis In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, Jocelyn Renee Hauser

All ETDs from UAB

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen that causes diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia and middle ear infections. The major virulence factor of S. pneumoniae is its polysaccharide capsule. The capsule enables the organism to evade host defenses by providing protection against complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis in systemic sites and by allowing the organism to successfully colonize the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is the natural reservoir of S. pneumoniae. In the nasopharynx, S. pneumoniae is in a high oxygen (O2) environment, however when it has the opportunity to bypass host defenses and invade systemic sites, it reaches environments with low O2. Capsule …

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