Digital Commons Network^™

Separate And Equal: Power Dynamics Between Women Sleeping With Women Partners, Helen Virginia Mays

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the power dynamics in relationships between women who sleep with women (WSW). Using private, semi-structured interviews, the areas of financial and sexual power were explored. A total of 10 participants were interviewed individually using a snowball sample. Previous literature has shown that WSW partners are egalitarian, meaning both partners share in the decision making, with respect to household chores and other decisions in the home (Blumstein & Shwartz, 1984; Kurdeck, 2006). Instead of WSW following gender scripts like some heterosexual partners, WSW couples decide roles by preference, choice and after discussing what …

Read-In Arts, An Liu

Theses and Dissertations

As interior designers, we strive to design everything for our clients, from complex environments to the joinery of a chair. We rarely consider inviting our clients or the users to join us in finishing the space.

Read-In workshop is not a school, but a kind of home, a home belonging to children, which provides the possibilities for children to play, to learn, to occupy, to personalize, and to share. An emotional space that will not limit the user, but keep inspiring them. It helps children notice, think, and grow.

Half of the interior space will be a fixed design, designed …

Comparison Of Intraoral And Extraoral Scanners On The Accuracy Of Digital Model Articulation, Jason L. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Orthodontists increasingly rely on digital models in clinical practice. The ability of modern scanners to articulate digital models must be scientifically evaluated. Methods:Twenty five digital articulated models were produced from four digital scanners in five experimental groups. The resulting inter-arch measurements were compared to the gold standard. An acceptable range of 0.5mm more or less than the gold standard was used for evaluation. Results: iTero® and iTero® Element yielded all acceptable inter-arch measurements. The 3M™ True Definition and Ortho Insight 3D® with Regisil® bite registration produced four of six acceptable inter-arch measurements. The Ortho Insight 3D® with Coprwax ™ …

Chemical Probes For Protein Α-N-Terminal Methylation, Brianna D. Mackie

Theses and Dissertations

While protein α-N-terminal methylation has been known for nearly four decades since it was first uncovered on bacteria ribosomal proteins L33, the function of this modification is still not entirely understood. Recent discoveries have demonstrated α-N-terminal methylation is essential to stabilize the interactions between regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) and chromatin during mitosis, to localize and enhance the interaction of centromere proteins (CENPs) with chromatin, and to facilitate the recruitment of DNA damage-binding protein 2 (DDB2) to DNA damage foci. Identification of N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) unveiled the eukaryotic methylation writer for protein α-N-termini. In addition, NTMT2 that shares …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Cope’S Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis) Across Habitat Scales And Life Stages, Logan Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Fire may alter both aquatic and terrestrial habitat used by all amphibian life stages, yet, our knowledge of its effects on amphibians is primarily limited to adult responses. I present an integrated approach to test the response of Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) to fire by examining responses in tadpole performance and survivorship, adult abundance, and oviposition. Tadpoles raised with burned leaf litter had similar survival, but total mass and total length were 440% and 170% greater, respectively, for tadpoles raised in unburned litter. I assessed terrestrial and aquatic oviposition cues by embedding burned and unburned litter treatments within burned …

Novel Orally Active Hydrogen Sulfide-Releasing Compound, Sg1002, Improves Left Ventricular Function And Survival In A Murine Model Of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Bharat Balan

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gasotransmitter that has shown cardioprotective effects in the setting of myocardial injury such as acute myocardial infarction (MI) and pressure overload-induced heart failure. However, there are shortcomings in precision and control release from the use of traditional formulations of H₂S in the form of inorganic salts. In this thesis, we sought to determine if the novel, orally active, slow-releasing H₂S-compound SG1002 plays a role in attenuating MI-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and adverse remodeling. We also evaluated the effect of SG1002 on changes in ECG parameters such as QT …

Contribution Of A Class Ii Ribonucleotide Reductase To The Manganese Dependence Of Streptococcus Sanguinis, John L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Manganese-deficient Streptococcus sanguinis mutants exhibit a dramatic decrease in virulence for infective endocarditis and in aerobic growth in manganese-limited media. Loss of activity of a manganese-dependent, oxygen-dependent ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) could explain the decrease in virulence. When the genes encoding this RNR are deleted, there is no growth of the mutant in aerobic broth culture or in an animal model. Testing the contribution of the aerobic RNR to the phenotype of a manganese transporter mutant, a heterologous class II RNR from Lactobacillus leichmannii called NrdJ that requires B₁₂ rather than manganese as a cofactor was previously introduced into an …

The Development Of The Treatment Integrity - Efficient Scale For Cognitive Behavioral Treatment For Youth Anxiety (Ties-Cbt-Ya), Meghan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Brief, easy to use, psychometrically strong (i.e., pragmatic) instruments are needed to support implementation research; the current study assessed whether it was possible to develop a pragmatic observational treatment integrity instrument and reduce the amount of time coders spend making treatment integrity ratings (while maintaining score validity) of therapists delivering two protocols of individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (ICBT) for youth anxiety in research and practice settings. The 12-item instrument was derived from four observational treatment integrity instruments with promising score reliability and validity that assess adherence, competence, differentiation, and alliance. A sample of 106 youths (M age = 10.12, SD …

Deletion Of Cardiac Mir-17-92 Cluster Increases Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury Via Pten Upregulation, Meeta B. Prakash

Theses and Dissertations

The miR-17- 92 cluster is necessary for cell proliferation and development of the cardiovascular system. Deletion of this cluster leads to death in neonatal mice. The role of this cluster still needs to be defined following ischemia and reperfusion. Methods and Results: Adult male mice were injected with Tamoxifen- was to induce inducible cardiac-specific miR-17- 92-deficient (miR-17- 92-def: MCM:TG:miR-17- 92 flox/flox ) and wild type (WT: MCM:NTG:miR-17-92 flox/flox ) mice were subjected to 30 minutes of myocardial ischemia via left anterior descending coronary artery ligation followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. Post I/R survival (48%) and ejection fraction were reduced, …

Racial And Ethnic Differences In Receipt Of Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Do Hospital Characteristics Matter?, Jaya Shankar Khushalani

Theses and Dissertations

Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery (IBRS) is associated with better quality of life among women who undergo a mastectomy. Despite insurance coverage for IBRS, utilization of IBRS remains low. Data from publicly available sources for 2010-2012 are used to examine the association between hospital characteristics receipt of IBRS by patients. Minority-serving status, low bed size, for-profit ownership, non-teaching status, high competition, low density of plastic surgeons in the market and non-metropolitan location are associated with lower likelihood of receipt of IBRS.

Racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive IBRS. A mixed effects logistic regression model with interactions between Black/Hispanic …

Investigation Of Polymeric Composites For Controlled Drug Release, Hsi-Wei Yeh

Theses and Dissertations

The Electrospray (ES) technique is a promising particle generation method for drug delivery due to its capabilities of producing monodisperse PLGA composite particles with unique configurations and high drug encapsulation efficiency. In the dissertation work, the coaxial dual capillary ES was used to generate drug-loaded core-shell PLGA particles to study the effects of particle filling materials, drug loading locations and particle shell thicknesses on the resultant in vitro release behaviors of the hydrophilic and/ or hydrophobic model drugs. Through release profile characterization of drug-loaded PLGA particles (particle size: 400 nm and 1 μm), it was confirmed that the co-encapsulation of …

A Systems View Of Is Governance And It Governance: A Case Study Of The Virginia Department Of Transportation, Bernard Farkas

Theses and Dissertations

A review of the research related to Information Technology (IT) governance reveals that researchers have yet to use systems theory directly as a basis for understanding IT governance; however, analysis of these researchers’ various definitions of IT governance shows a concurrence between these definitions and the characteristics of a system. This case study research adopts a systems imagination to observe IS and IT governance in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), which has a budget of over $5 billion and over 7,500 employees and has recently conducted a strategic assessment of its IT organization - including IS and IT governance. …

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - January 2017, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Tennessee Farm Bureau News

No abstract provided.

The Experiences And Perceptions Of Behavioral Factors That Contribute To Successful Weight Loss In Male Bariatric Patients, Stephen P. Sowulewski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of behavioral factors that contribute to successful weight loss in male bariatric patients. By analyzing participant experiences and perceptions, this study contributes to a better understanding of which factors are most important in the postoperative phase of gastric bypass in males owing to successful weight loss. Although there is a tremendous amount of quantitative research within the bariatric population, there is a significant gap within the qualitative literature as it relates to male outcomes. As such, by conducting interviews with 10 postoperative male gastric bypass patients, this study …

Type 2 Immune Responses In The Context Of Helminth Infection, Asthma, Dendritic Cells, And Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cell Function, Sheela Ruby Damle

Theses and Dissertations

Type 2 (T_H2) immune responses evolved to respond to helminth parasite infections by the production of T_H2 cytokines, which stimulate anti-helminth immunity. Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is produced by many cell types. We demonstrate that mice deficient in MIF have enhanced clearance of a helminth parasite. MIF deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells was found to be the most important for mediating parasite clearance. We mimicked MIF deficiency by administering an inhibitor of the MIF tautomerase activity, sulforaphane, and this also increased parasite clearance (Section I).

T_H2 immune …

Predictors Of Barriers To Psychosocial Treatment For African American Families Of Children With Adhd, Stephanie A. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

African American families of youth with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traditionally have lower rates of ADHD treatment compared to nonminority groups. These treatment disparities underscore the importance of better understanding the barriers to treatment for these families. Therefore, in a sample of 67 African American caregivers of children with ADHD, the current study examined (1) factors that predict barriers to treatment for African American families of children with ADHD and (2) whether caregiver impairment mediates comorbid behavior problems and barriers to treatment for African American youth with ADHD. Analyses revealed that caregiver impairment predicted barriers to treatment and mediated the relationship …

Medical Humanities: Using Medhum To Promote The Goal Of Professional Identity In Ume, Michael P.H. Stanley

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Is Feedback To Medical Learners Associated With Characteristics Of Improved Patient Care?, Victoria Hayes, Robert Bing-You, Kalli Varaklis, Robert Trowbridge, Heather Kemp, Dina Mckelvy

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Our Research Question: "What is the association of medical learner feedback with characteristics of improved patient care?"

Sylvia K. Dreyfus Papers - Accession 1044, Sylvia Kohn Dreyfus

Manuscript Collection

The Sylvia K. Dreyfus Papers consists of material collected by former South Carolina State Representative Sylvia K. Dreyfus. Sylvia was an educator and a state legislator from Greenville, SC. She was one of the last Democratic candidates to represent District No. 22, Greenville County in the State House when she was elected to serve from 1976 through 1978. She was also involved in many social committees and organizations. The Sylvia K. Dreyfus Papers consist of records relating to her time in office including the bill to allow prayer in schools. Other material pertains to social and political organizations she was …

Intravenous Formulation Of Het0016 Decreased Human Glioblastoma Growth And Iimplicated Survival Benefit In Rat Xenograft Models, M Jain, N Gamage, M Alsulami, A Shankar, B Achyut, Austin Guo, A Arbab, A Arbab

NYMC Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a hypervascular primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. HET0016 is a selective CYP450 inhibitor, which has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth. Therefore, to explore novel treatments, we have generated an improved intravenous (IV) formulation of HET0016 with HPssCD and tested in animal models of human and syngeneic GBM. Administration of a single IV dose resulted in 7-fold higher levels of HET0016 in plasma and 3.6-fold higher levels in tumor at 60 min than that in IP route. IV treatment with HPssCD-HET0016 decreased tumor growth, and altered vascular kinetics in early and late treatment groups …

Cover, Editors And Editorial Board, Sponsors, Table Of Contents

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

No abstract provided.

250th Annual Report Of The Selectmen And Other Town Officers Cornish, New Hampshire Year Ending December 31, 2016., Cornish Town Representatives

Cornish, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Mercury Bioaccumulation In Three Popular Subsistence And Recreational Estuarine Fishes From Southeastern U.S.A., Taylor Cannon

Theses and Dissertations

A rising concern in recent years has occurred over the presence of methylmercury in seafood, particularly fishes, and its impact on human health. However, fish also provide many health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and neurodevelopment. Because fishes are the main source of methylmercury exposure to humans, and are such an integral part of the human diet, understanding the risks versus the benefits of fish consumption is imperative in allowing the public to make healthy, educated choices. One way that state and federal governments attempt to do this is through issuing fish consumption advisories. Unfortunately, these advisories do not always …

The Addition Of A Concurrent Bimanual Task Influences Postural Sway And Walking Speed Performance And Prioritization Across All Ages, Derek Matthew Liuzzo

Theses and Dissertations

As individuals age, there is an increase in attentional demands, a heavier reliance on vision, reduction in efficiency of both tasks, and longer processing intervals causing greater dual task interference on postural sway and walking speed. While cognitive-motor interference has been investigated, the impact of adding a functional, manual task while balancing or during gait is poorly understood across all ages. The overall purpose was to examine the relationship between age and task automaticity in dual-task conditions with a functional bimanual task, and describe how age influences attentional prioritization strategies. Older adults demonstrated differences in single and dual task performance …

Losing Weight With Five A’S (5 A’S): Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange Framework And Motivational Interviewing (Mi) For Health Behavior Change Counseling, Jacqueline Baer

Theses and Dissertations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity has reached epidemic levels and has associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality rates. The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern. Researchers calculate that health care costs are 44% higher among moderately and severely obese older persons than for persons at normal weights. Seventy-five percent of African American (AA) women are overweight and obese according to data from the CDC and The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. Compared to any other racial ethnic group, AA women are more likely to …

Blind Change Point Detection And Regime Segmentation Using Gaussian Process Regression, Sourav Das

Theses and Dissertations

Time-series analysis is used heavily in modeling and forecasting weather, economics, medical data as well as in various other fields. Change point detection (CPD) means finding abrupt changes in the time-series when the statistical property of a certain part of it starts to differ. CPD has attracted a lot of attention in the artificial intelligence, machine learning and data mining communities. In this thesis, a novel CPD algorithm is introduced for segmenting multivariate time-series data. The proposed algorithm is a general pipeline to process any high dimensional multivariate time-series data using nonlinear non-parametric dynamic system. It consists of manifold learning …

Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure Through Rice Consumption In Rural China, Chuan Hong

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Methylmercury is one of the most toxic forms of mercury, which severely afflicts the developing fetus. Methylmercury exposure occurs not only through fish consumption but also through rice consumption. However, rice does not contain the same beneficial micronutrients that fish/shellfish has. Therefore, prenatal methylmercury exposure through maternal rice consumption may potentially increase adverse health effects on the developing fetus.

Objectives: The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the magnitude of prenatal methylmercury exposure through rice consumption and the relationship between maternal mercury biomarkers and birth outcomes.

Methods: A total of 398 pregnant women were recruited at parturition in …

Early Adoption, Early Abandonment: Parallel Problems In Promoting New Technology, Caitlin Bagley

Foley Library Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Regulating Human Germline Modification In Light Of Crispr, Sarah Ashley Barnett

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.

Finite Element Modeling Of The Plantar Fascia: A Viscohyperelastic Approach, Alexander Knapp

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present work details the creation and analysis of a finite element model of the foot, wherein the plantar fascia was modeled as a viscohyperelastic solid. The objective of this work was to develop a fully functional CAD and Finite Element Model of the foot and plantar fascia for analysis by examining the transient stresses on the plantar fascia through the use of a viscohyperelastic material model. The model’s geometry was developed through the use of image processing techniques with anatomical images provided by the National Institutes of Health. The finite element method was used to analyze the transient response …