Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Evidence-Based Diabetes And Chronic Disease Control Among Local Health Departments: A Multi-Phase Dissemination Study With A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial Component, Renee G. Parks, Rachel G. Tabak, Peg Allen, Elizabeth A. Baker, Katherine A. Stamatakis, Allison R. Poehler, Yan Yan, Marshall H. Chin, Jenine K. Harris, Maureen Dobbins, Ross C. Brownson

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Introduction To The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention And The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee Guideline For The Prevention Of Surgical Site Infections, Joseph S. Solomkin, John Mazuski, Joan C. Blanchard, Kamal M.F. Itani, Philip Ricks, E. Patchen Dellinger, George Allen, Rachel Kelz, Caroline E. Reinke, Sandra I. Berrios-Torres

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Changes Of Ovarian Microrna Profile In Long-Living Ames Dwarf Mice During Aging, Augusto Schneider, Scot J. Matkovich, Berta Victoria, Lina Spinel, Andrzsj Bartke, Pawel Golusinski, Michal M. Masternak

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Birdsfoot Trefoil On Exsheathment Of Haemonchus Contortus In Rumen Fistulated Sheep, Karalyn Lonngren

Open Access Master's Theses

This study has been developed to address the issue of small ruminant parasite resistance to commercial anthelmintics and to examine the possibility of controlling these parasites using feeds with condensed tannin containing plants. The goal of the research was to determine whether birdsfoot trefoil hay prevents the exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus and whether efficacy differs among birdsfoot trefoil cultivars.

During the first phase of research, a method for testing the exsheathment of H. contortus in vivo was developed. Various larvae containment capsules were tested to see whether the larvae could escape from the capsules. The most successful capsules were then …

Got Bacon?: The Use Of A Bioethics Advisory Board In Assessing The Future Of Transgenic Animal Technology, Heath R. Ingram

Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property

This article assesses the current state of the transgenic modification of animals and the law. It provides an introduction to the science behind transgenics as well as examples of transgenic livestock. This article discusses past federal level Ethics Advisory Boards, how these boards have impacted the development of controversial sciences, and how a new board can advance the use of transgenics. Bioethical arguments for and against the use of transgenics are evaluated. Finally, the article demonstrates how, if properly executed, an Ethics Advisory Board can help shape the national discourse on transgenics and provide a reasoned way forward for this …

Impact Of Aquaculture On The Livelihoods And Food Security Of Rural Communities, Rajee Olaganathan, Alicia Tang Kar Mun

Publications

Aquaculture production has prospered rapidly since the 1970s and is considered as a part of the rural development program in many countries. The impacts of aquaculture on the rural communities in terms of livelihood and food security are assessed in this paper. Aquaculture contributes to the livelihood of the poor through improved employment and income. Aquaculture creates job opportunities for rural communities, especially for illiterate women to earn side income for the household. With increased financial ability, household manage to reflect stronger purchasing power and have better access to the resources. However, there is a controversy among the researchers whether …

African American Child And Adolescent Obesity: The Parents Perspective, Alice Marie Austin

All ETDs from UAB

Nearly 36% of African American children ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity results in children with social and psychological disorders, chronic disease, and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Solutions have been offered but none have made a significant impact on African American children living in the Southern United States. Studies that implement life style change produce short-term reductions in African American children but few show life-long change. Parents are responsible for making lifestyle choices for children, it is imperative to understand parental perceptions of child and adolescent obesity and its relationship to lifestyle change. The …

Are Fair Weather Fans Affected By Weather? Rainfall, Habit Formation And Live Game Attendance, Qi Ge, Brad Humphreys, Kun Zhou

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

We analyze habit formation in sports attendance utilizing rainfall as an unexpected, transitory shock to attendance costs. Using attendance data from Major League Baseball (MLB) and NOAA weather data, we analyze the impact of variation in game day weather conditions on current and future MLB attendance. The empirical strategy permits identification of both the formation and persistence of habit from exogenous weather shocks. Past adverse weather shocks increase future attendance by about 200 fans per game. Our study contributes to the literature developing empirical evidence of habit formation in the field and provides policy implications for optimal ticket pricing strategies.

Public Participation In Nonlegislative Rulemaking, Aram A. Gavoor, Daniel Miktus

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Reducing Acute Cardiovascular Hospitalizations With A Weight Management Program (Reach), Laura A. Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Reducing cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors such as obesity through lifestyle and behavioral interventions like weight management programs should result in better cardiovascular health. However, there is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing long-term CVD outcomes such as acute myocardial infarction or stroke. This reflects an important gap in our understanding about factors affecting recruitment and engagement in these programs and how these factors relate to improvement in long-term cardiovascular health. To address this gap, we will use a retrospective study with up to 11 years of follow up data from the nation’s largest health care system-associated …

The Effects Of 6 Weeks Of High Intensity Interval Training Vs. Moderate Intensity Training On Cardiometabolic Health Markers And Mitochondrial Function In Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury, Kyle Gary Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Individuals with SCI fail to meet the recommended exercise guidelines due to limited time, resources, and structural or architectural limitations (e.g., accessibility of facilities and knowledgeable instructors). Therefore, a time efficient and effective exercise program is needed to reverse chronic metabolic conditions and improve health quality in individuals with SCI. A growing body of evidence from our group and others has demonstrated the potential for low volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to provide comparable or superior improvements in cardiometabolic health outcomes in able-bodied individuals compared to continuous moderate intensity training (MIT) that requires 60-80% greater time commitment. Purpose: To …

Immunobiology Of The Mucosal Response To Helicobacter Pylori In Children, Kyle Brawner

All ETDs from UAB

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the stomach of approximately one half of the world’s population. However, the vast majority of infected persons remain asymptomatic. The degree of H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation depends on a complex interaction of several factors. In this dissertation, we focus on age as a determinant of gastritis severity. Children are known to respond to H. pylori infection with a stronger T regulatory cell profile compared with infected adults, yet the reason remains unknown. The influence of the microbiota on, and the communication among, cells of the innate immune system shape the nature of the adaptive immune response to …

Interplay Of The Circadian Clock And Growth Hormone Signaling In The Heart, Ryan Darrell Berry

All ETDs from UAB

Growth hormone (GH) signaling plays a critical role in postnatal development and the details of its release, regulation, and influence on the development of a number of organs has been well studied. GH is released from the anterior pituitary in a pulsatile fashion with pulse amplitude being greater at night than during the day in a number of species, including humans. Once in circulation, GH binds to the GH receptor (GHR) on target tissues throughout the body altering gene expression and stimulating the local production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 primarily acts in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. …

Increasing The Accessibility Of A Falls Prevention Intervention For Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Low Vision, Sarah Blaylock

All ETDs from UAB

Falls remain a costly problem as a leading cause of injuries and fatalities for individuals over the age of 65. Older adults with low vision, or non-correctable visual impairment, are estimated to be two times more likely to fall than those without vision loss. There appear to be limited falls prevention interventions available for older adults that have been tested on or designed specifically for individuals with visual impairment. The goals of this dissertation were to learn more about the availability of visually accessible falls prevention interventions and to develop an intervention that can be used with veterans receiving services …

Racial Disparities In The Maintenance Of Healthy Lifestyles And Their Effect On Cumulative Blood Pressure Burden And Left Ventricular Mass In African Americans And Whites: Data From The Coronary Artery Risk Development In Young Adults (Cardia) Study, John N. Booth

All ETDs from UAB

The prevalence of healthy behaviors associated with optimal blood pressure (BP) levels and reduced risk for target-organ damage and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is lower in blacks compared with whites. Randomized controlled trials provide evidence that if healthy behaviors are maintained over the lifespan, including normal body weight, moderate physical activity, limited alcohol intake, limited sodium intake, adequate potassium intake and a rich diet of fruits and vegetables and low in high-fat dairy and saturated and total fat, then high BP may be preventable. The goal of this dissertation was to assess racial differences in the maintenance of healthy behaviors and …

Effect Of Antihypertensive Drugs On Left Ventricular Traits In Africam American, Anh N. Do

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate the association of antihypertensive treatment as well genomic variants with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) -related traits among African Americans (AAs) in five cross-sectional epidemiology cohorts from the United States. AAs especially those with hypertension, are overburdened by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) compared to other ethnic groups. LVH is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Antihypertensive treatments have been found to improve LVH and related echocardiographic measures (i.e. LV traits) among hypertensive patients. However, the effect of antihypertensive treatments on LVH and related traits in AAs has not …

Diabetes Risk In Women: Pschosocial And Lifestyle Determinants, Sarah Katherine Sweatt

All ETDs from UAB

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health concern. Physical inactivity, poor diet, and psychosocial distress have emerged as factors contributing to T2D. Women may be uniquely affected by these factors as obesity, physical inactivity, and the prevalence of psychosocial distress are higher in women. Additionally, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women and increases the risk of both T2D and psychosocial distress. However, the relationship between physical activity (PA), psychosocial distress, and metabolic health is not fully understood, particularly in at risk populations such as minorities and women with PCOS. Therefore, the goal …

Effects Of A Cooking Program On Social Skills, Adaptive Functioning, And Dietary Behavior Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eva Phui Phui Trinh

All ETDs from UAB

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by two domains: 1) deficits in social interaction and communication, and, 2) restricted and repetitive behavior, interests, or activities. Poor adaptive functioning skills is an associated feature of ASD and leads to concerns for establishing independence as adolescents with ASD transition into adults. The dietary behavior of adolescents in the United States do not meet national standards for healthy eating, which could lead to poor health outcomes. Eating and feeding problems are more prevalent in children with ASD compared to their typically developing peers. Independent skills and health are a main source of stress …

Acute And Chronic Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function, Jonathan Lund Warren

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) represent a growing global burden on healthcare and financial resources. One hypothesis for the onset and exacerbation of these diseases is related to the role of mitochondria as the end users of products of the metabolism of the nutrients we consume and in mediating the oxidative state of the body through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In order to meet the demands of a metabolic challenge and prevent excessive ROS production, there appear to be adaptations to mitochondrial physiology and morphology that can occur and we hypothesize that the ability of the …

Alternative Methodological Approaches For Quantifying Dental Caries And Non-Water Beverage Consumptions For The Improvement Of Caries Risk Analyses In Children, Kelsey Harris Jordan

All ETDs from UAB

Researchers assume caries progress constantly, all crowned/extracted tooth surfaces are carious, and non-water beverage consumption (NWBC) habits are similar by relying on increments, dmfs scoring, and consumption frequencies, respectively. These assumptions are likely inaccurate. The purpose of this research was to evaluate and modify the use of 1) longitudinal caries disease assessment, 2) the dmfs score and 3) NWBC variables to more accurately estimate disease and identify risk factors. To investigate, young (8-18 months at baseline), healthy, poor, rural, African American, Alabamian children were observed annually for five years. Three calibrated dentists performed oral examinations (without radiographs), calculating the number …

Development Of A 3d Microphysiologic Liver For Drug Toxicity Testing, Maryrose Kammer

All ETDs from UAB

Development of almost all novel effective drug compounds is immensely expensive and time consuming. The process is slowed by the ineffectiveness of current toxicity testing methods, with 80% of drugs undergoing late-stage failure in clinical trials or post-market withdrawal. The leading cause of these failures and withdrawals is due to drug-induced liver injury. Much of drug metabolism occurs in the liver, but there are incredible differences among the metabolic pathways in humans, animal models, and two-dimensional testing platforms. Thus, the current methods are limited to accurately predict in vivo metabolic response of a novel compound. Three dimensional (3D) in vitro …

The Role Of Klotho In Adult Neurogenesis, Ann Laszczyk

All ETDs from UAB

Klotho is an anti-aging protein that when upregulated, extends lifespan and enhances cognition. Klotho knockout mice age prematurely and die by ~8 weeks of life after developing cognitive impairment. Klotho function outside of the brain is well established but the protein’s action within the brain remains unknown. As klotho regulates peripheral stem cell populations, I sought to determine whether klotho contributes to cognition through a role in the maintenance of the adult hippocampal neurogenic niche. I examined adult mouse neurogenesis using global klotho-deficiency or global klotho overexpression models. Klotho knockout brains show reduced progenitor proliferation and granule cell production while …

Circulating Mirnas And Human Insulin Resistance, Elizabeth Ma

All ETDs from UAB

Insulin resistance (IR) is central to the pathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms behind IR are not clear, but microRNA (miR; short, non-coding RNA strands that base-pair with mRNA to modify gene expression) have garnered interest as potential contributors. miRs have recently been shown to be detectable in the circulation, and can be taken up and regulate target genes within recipient cells. Our primary objective was to identify circulating miRs (c-miRs) that play a role in regulating systemic metabolism and participate in the pathophysiology of IR and cardiometabolic disease. Three …

A Multi-Modal Approach To Sulforaphane-Mediated Chemoprevention Using The Epigenetic Network, Samantha Martin

All ETDs from UAB

Colon cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer in both women and men in the United States. It is reported that dietary factors are responsible for 70-90% of colon cancer cases. While some investigators have observed a direct correlation in high fat diets and cancer initiation, other studies have observed opposite effects mediated by fruit and vegetable consumption. Recently, studies have highlighted the importance of Epigenetics as it modifies gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Notably, several nutritive compounds have been reported to alter epigenetic profiles in many cancer forms. SFN, an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables such …

The Ecology And Evolution Of Invertebrate-Cyanobacterial Symbioses, Kenan Matterson

All ETDs from UAB

Intimate partnerships between marine invertebrates and microbial symbionts have garnered renewed interest, as advances in next generation sequencing have revealed substantial microbial diversity in tropical sponges and ascidians. These datasets have generated a suite of new questions concerning the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that structure these microbial partnerships. The research presented herein addresses such questions by integrating in situ ecological manipulations with modern molecular techniques to characterize the interactions between the host invertebrate and microbiome and its potential role in structuring marine communities. Implementing in situ manipulative shading experiments alongside replicated bacterial clone libraries, I documented significant variation in host …

Development Of A Psychometrically Sound Instrument To Assess Classroom Teachers' Beliefs About Movement Integration, Gina Moses

All ETDs from UAB

Children do not meet current physical activity (PA) guidelines. Movement integration (MI), which is defined as infusing PA into regularly scheduled classroom time, is an effective school-based strategy to increase children’s daily participation in PA while also supporting their academic performance. Classroom teachers (CTs) are the primary facilitators of MI. Thus, understanding CTs’ beliefs toward MI is vital to successful MI implementation. The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable measure of CTs’ MI beliefs from a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) perspective. The study used a cross-sectional design and encompassed three phases. Phase I elicited …

High Achievers Awards 2017 - Celebrating The Leaders Of Tomorrow, Aga Khan University Examination Board

The Aga Khan University Examination Board Archives

• About the Aga Khan University Examination Board
• Director’s Message
• Secondary School Certificate 201 7 High Achievers
• Secondary School Certificate 20 1 7 Results
• SSC Group and Subject-wise High Achievers
• Higher Secondary School Certificate 20 1 7 High Achievers
• Higher Secondary School Certificate 20 1 7 Results
• HSSC Group and Subject-wise High Achievers
• Bridge to a Better Future
• Prospects for Higher Education
• MU-EB Alumni Around the World

Aga Khan University, Report 2017, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Reports Archives

• Chancellor’s Message
• Chairman’s Message
• President’s Message
• Timeline of Highlights /By the Numbers
• Ready for the Rise of Non-communicable Diseases
• Building Better Education Systems
• Talking About Their Generation
• Setting the Agenda in Maternal and Child Health and Development
• Alumni Survey Demonstrates Impact
• Giving Nature a Voice
• Pluralism in Action
• Leading the Way in East African Nursing and Midwifery
• Virtual Reality, Real-World Results
• A New Hospital for Uganda
• Supporters & Partners
• Board of Trustees and Executive Team
• Financial Highlights
• The World of AKU

Effective Recruiting For Subgroups In The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (Sprint), Thomas Marshall Ramsey

All ETDs from UAB

EFFECTIVE RECRUITING FOR SUBGROUPS IN THE SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE INTERVENTION TRIAL (SPRINT) THOMAS MARSHALL RAMSEY HEALTH EDUCATION / HEALTH PROMOTION ABSTRACT Background: The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) recruitment focused on participants > 50 years old with systolic blood pressure of > 140 mm Hg (hypertension) with no evidence of diabetes or previous stroke. Priority participants were targeted in non-clinical subgroups (women and minorities) as well as three clinical subgroups (pre-existing cardiovascular disease, pre-existing chronic kidney disease, > 75 years old). Objective: The objective of this secondary analysis is to determine which of the five recruiting strategies was most effective? Which recruitment …

Pterostilbene Inhibits The Progression Of Breast Cancer Through The Down-Regulation Of The Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (Htert) And The Akt/Mtor/P70s6k Pathway, Michael Daniel

All ETDs from UAB

Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed and second most common cause of cancer related deaths among women in the United States. Although overall breast cancer death rates have dropped over the past decades, current chemotherapeutic methods often prove ineffective and result in off-target, cytotoxic effects. Recently, the use of natural, dietary compounds as agents of chemoprevention and therapy has become increasingly provocative. Pterostilbene (PT), a stilbenoid found largely in the blueberries, has been shown to exhibit both antioxidant and antiproliferative effects in a variety of cancer types. We observed that PT, at physiological concentrations, inhibits the proliferation, cell …