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Atrial Fibrillation In Middle-Eastern Arabs And South Asians: Studies From A 20-Year National Registry In Qatar, Amar Mohammad Amin Farhan Salam

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice accounting for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances and is associated with increased risk for stroke, heart failure and death. The epidemiology and clinical features of AF have primarily been characterized in whites of European-descent. The world literature on the epidemiology of AF among different ethnicities is very limited with most of the published reports of AF in non-white ethnicities focusing mainly on black (African-American) patients. The current work represents structured and staged examination of AF in two ethnic groups where very limited literature is available …

Architectural Design For Dementia: Exploring Alternate Contemporary Cultures Of Residential Care Design, Ricky Burke

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

Architectural Design for Dementia: exploring alternate contemporary cultures of residential care design. The Alzheimer's Association (2018) projected the number of people living with a dementia diagnosis to surpass 2 million, reaching 1 in 37.5 of the population of the United Kingdom by 2051: up from 1 in 79 in 2015. This growth in rate and number coincides with an ageing population and a decline in the relative number of people able to care for the needs of people suffering difficulties associated with the symptoms of their diagnosis. The move to a residential care home is not only a viable but …

An Interdisciplinary Study Of An Aesthetic Particularism: The ‘Split Representation In The Art Of Asia And America’, Benjamin Pothier

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

An interdisciplinary study of an aesthetic particularism: the ‘Split representation in the Art of Asia and America’. This thesis consists of an interdisciplinary research on an aesthetic particularism mentioned by anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss as “The split representation in the Art of Asia and America” in his 1944 eponymous essay. Most researchers include in this group the Ainu and Jōmon People from Japan, tribes from the Amur Basin, Haida people from the Northern West Coast, Ancient China (Yangshao and Shang Dynasty), Māori People from New Zealand and Kadiweu people from Brazil. I conducted this inquiry through an online study of academic …

Predictive Effects Of Satisfaction With Life, Self-Esteem, And Loneliness On Alcohol Related Problems In College Students At A Minority-Serving Institution, Roy K. Chen, Wei-Mo Tu, Rebecca R. Sametz, Bryan S. Austin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Objective: Little research has focused on the drinking issues at minority serving institutions. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among personal psychological distress, mental well-being, self-esteem, and alcohol-related problems. Participants: 360 undergraduate students were recruited at a public university in the Southwest US. Methods: A cross-sectional design survey was conducted. One-way ANOVA and multiple regression analyses were utilized. Results: Male students experienced more alcohol-related problems than female students. Statistically significant correlations were found among life satisfaction and loneliness, life satisfaction and self-esteem, life satisfaction and alcohol-related problems, and self-esteem and loneliness. The predictor variables accounted for …

Molecular Control Of The Migratory Phase During Cutaneous Wound Healing, Chloe Elizabeth Bolton

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Superficial cutaneous injuries occur on a huge scale across the globe; while most will resolve without intervention or any lasting damage, many will experience complications that arise through delayed healing or as a consequence of the skins protective barrier being breached. The migration of cutaneous cells across a wound site is a crucial factor in establishing permanent restoration of the skins integrity. This study provides insight into molecular events that facilitate the migratory ability of cutaneous cells during this phase of the healing process. Through subcellular analysis, molecular manipulation and various imaging techniques of in vivo and in vitro wound …

Using Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds As Biomarkers Of Occupational Exposure To Mould: A Feasibility Study, Badr El Aroussi, Geneviève Marchand, Simon Aubin, Michèle Bouchard, Sami Haddad

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

La problématique de la qualité de l’air est un aspect important de la santé et de la sécurité au travail. Les moisissures et leurs composés sont des contaminants auxquels les travailleurs peuvent être exposés. Ces microorganismes sont responsables de nombreux problèmes de santé (maladies ou inconforts), incluant des allergies aiguës, de l’asthme, des sinusites/rhinites, des céphalées, de l’hypersensibilité environnementale, des irritations et des inflammations.

La surveillance classique de la présence fongique se base sur des méthodes d’évaluation directe de la flore mycologique ou sur l’exploitation de la méthode PCR quantitative. Ces approches requièrent néanmoins le recours à une procédure minutieuse …

Care Ethics Framework For Midwifery Practice: A Scoping Review, Kate Buchanan, Elizabeth Newnham, Deborah Ireson, Clare Davison, Sadie Geraghty

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: As a normative theory, care ethics has become widely theorized and accepted. However, there remains a lack of clarity in relation to its use in practice, and a care ethics framework for practice. Maternity care is fraught with ethical issues and care ethics may provide an avenue to enhance ethical sensitivity.

Aim: The purpose of this scoping review is to determine how care ethics is used amongst health professions, and to collate the information in data charts to create a care ethics framework and definition for midwifery practice.

Method: The scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting …

Navigating Midwifery Solidarity: A Feminist Participatory Action Research Framework, Kate Buchanan, Elizabeth Newnham, Sadie Geraghty, Lisa Whitehead

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: A core aspect of midwifery philosophy is the optimisation of normal physiology; however, this has been challenged as a radical idea in the medicalisation of birth. Research has demonstrated the benefits of midwifery in improving outcomes for both mothers and babies. The understanding of midwifery benefits fails to reach wider sociocultural contexts as births becomes more medicalised. Midwifery research requires an action arm, to help translate theory to practice and mobilise midwives in solidarity with women towards action and change.

Aim: The aim of this article is to describe a Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) by establishing the philosophical …

Exploring Barriers To Domestic Violence Screening Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse And Migrant Women In A Regional Midwifery Setting, Priscilla Peters, Catherine Harding, Sandra Forde, Narelle Heckendorf, Alexa Seal

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Women are at an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence (DV) from an intimate partner during the antenatal and post-partum period, contributing to poorer health outcomes for mother and baby. The antenatal period presents a critical window of opportunity for screening and intervention. In Australia, screening guidelines vary across state and territory health departments. NSW Health has introduced compulsory antenatal DV screening, however, screening appears to be more commonly deferred for women of CALD and non-English speaking backgrounds suggesting barriers to screening.

Aim: To identify barriers to undertaking DV screening of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and migrant women …

Ars Moriendi: An Overview Of Approaches To The Art Of Dying, Grief And Loss For Nurses Working In Mental Health, Meagan G.A. Dickerson, Darren Conlon, Toby Raeburn

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

This historical discussion paper is an overview for nurses working in mental health of medieval and Early Modern texts known as Ars Moriendi literature, which focuses on the art of dying, grief and loss. Primary and secondary historical documents are used to describe Ars Moriendi literature and how historical understandings of death and dying were shaped within a spiritual context. Ars Moriendi concepts are compared with modern Western secularised and medicalised notions to prompt reflection on historical versus modern approaches to dying, grief and loss.

Modernisation Des Parachutes De Transporteurs De Mines : Volet 3 : Perte De Contrôle De La Cage, Laurent Giraud, Bertrand Galy

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

Cette étude a été initiée par une lettre datée du 25 octobre 2013 et signée par un membre de la partie syndicale du sous-comité sur les machines d’extraction de la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) [1], demandant au sous-comité de mandater l’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) pour évaluer les systèmes d'arrêt d'urgence des transporteurs de mine en usage à travers le monde (parachutes et autres systèmes), dans le but de moderniser les parachutes exigés sur les transporteurs de mine au Québec. Un premier volet, déposé le …

Modernisation Des Parachutes De Transporteurs De Mines : Volet 2 : Cas De La Rupture Du Câble, Laurent Giraud, Bertrand Galy

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

Cette étude a été initiée par une lettre datée du 25 octobre 2013 et signée par un membre de la partie syndicale du sous-comité sur les machines d’extraction de la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST)[1]. Cette lettre demandait au sous-comité de mandater l’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) pour évaluer les systèmes d'arrêt d'urgence des transporteurs de mine en usage à travers le monde (parachutes et autres systèmes), dans le but de moderniser les parachutes exigés sur les transporteurs de mine au Québec. Un premier volet, …

État De L’Art Sur Les Technologies Actuelles Facilitant Une Gestion Thermique Intelligente Dans Les Équipements De Protection Individuels, Alireza Saidi, Chantal Gauvin

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

Hormis les lésions dues à un contact direct avec des substances ou avec des objets chauds ou froids, l’exposition à des températures extrêmes dans les milieux de travail implique des dangers physiques pour les travailleurs. Un travailleur mal acclimaté peut avoir une performance et une vigilance amoindries ; il peut donc être plus vulnérable à des risques d’accidents et de blessures. En raison de l’incompatibilité des normes mises en place avec certains milieux de travail et des manques de thermorégulation dans beaucoup d’équipements de protection, les contraintes thermiques demeurent parmi les risques physiques les plus présents dans de nombreux secteurs …

Adaptation And Distribution Of A Complex Sensitivity-Training Program In The Eastern European Region, Katalin Orban-Sebestyen, Viktoria Pazmany, Zsuzsanna Saringerne Szilard, Judit Farkas, Csaba Okros, Glenn M. Roswal

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Research has shown that an inclusive way of thinking helps to promote social interactions on and off the sports field. The most important process of accepting differences is sensitization, which is to achieve the positive change of an understanding and accepting environment through purposeful effort and involvement. The role of teachers of people with disabilities is significant in this process. The KézenFogva Foundation has applied this to develop an inclusive pedagogical, theoretical, and practical pilot project, the “SHAPE Complex Sensitisation Programme”, an innovative special pedagogy infrastructure which highlighted all practices promoting the realization of inclusion. After their training, teachers (majority …

A Comparative Analysis Of Anti-Vax Discourse On Twitter Before And After Covid-19 Onset, Tareq Nasralah, Ahmed Elnoshokaty, Omar F. El-Gayar, Mohammad Al-Ramahi, Abdullah Wahbeh

Research & Publications

This study aimed to identify and assess the prevalence of vaccine-hesitancy-related topics on Twitter in the periods before and after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Using a search query, 272,780 tweets associated with anti-vaccine topics and posted between 1 January 2011, and 15 January 2021, were collected. The tweets were classified into a list of 11 topics and analyzed for trends during the periods before and after the onset of COVID-19. Since the beginning of COVID-19, the percentage of anti-vaccine tweets has increased for two topics, "government and politics" and "conspiracy theories," and decreased for "developmental disabilities." Compared to …

Abolition Is Not Abstract: Zines And The Transmission Of Revolutionary Cultural Capital, Austin Wonder

Master's Theses

Abolition as a theory and practice-whether in relation to the institution of the prison, systems of policing, or the carceral state as a whole-has received relatively little attention or serious appreciation within the discipline of Sociology. Calls for the abolition of policing and prisons are often taken for granted as naïve and radical demands, perceived as being disassociated from the material conditions of reality. Nonetheless, abolitionist analyses provide a unique and critical perspective from which to explore alternatives to addressing pervasive police violence and mass incarceration through strategies which do not rely upon, or increase the power of, the criminal …

The Role Of Ly49 Receptors In Maintaining Healthy Murine Pregnancy, Michelle Belmont

Master's Theses

Natural Killer (NK) cells are abundant in pregnancy and contribute to the health of the fetus. Uterine NK (uNK) cells provide less cytotoxic function than their conventional NK (cNK) cell counterparts. Various combinations of Killer Immunoglobulin Receptor (KIR)- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) on maternal NK and fetally derived cells, respectively, can have different effects on the health of pregnancy in humans. Murine NK cells contain Ly49 receptors, an equivalent to KIRs. Therefore, Ly49 receptor interactions with fetally-derived MHC-I molecules can be a valuable model for studying the role of NK cells in pregnancy. The process of spiral artery remodeling can …

Growth Of Condition-Related Knowledge Among Youth With Spina Bifida: Associations With Neurocognitive Functioning And Self-Management Skills, Olivia Emery Clark

Master's Theses

Spina bifida (SB) is a congenital birth defect that may involve physical, medical, and neuropsychological complications due to central nervous system malformation (Copp et al., 2015). Ambulation problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and hydrocephalus require daily medical management tasks, including catheterization, bowel program management, and skin checks to avoid secondary complications. While self-management skills are typically gained during adolescence, executive dysfunction in SB may complicate gains (Dennis et al., 2006; Greenley, 2010). Indeed, evidence in other chronic conditions suggests that adolescent executive dysfunction is linked to poorer medical self-management. Condition-related knowledge has been identified as an important basis of medical …

A Study In The Effectivenss Of Factual Versus Emotional Interventions In Reducing Ambivalent Sexism In Hiring Decisions, Molly Jane Driscoll

Master's Theses

Ambivalent sexism – divided into the categories of benevolent sexism (BS) and hostile sexism (HS) – is imbedded in many parts of the workplace. This study aims to explore if ambivalent sexism influences hiring decisions and, if so, what can be done about it. After completing a series of surveys, participants were asked to read about an agentic female candidate who applied for a male-dominated position. Afterwards, participants went through either a factual or emotional intervention before reevaluating their decision. Major results showed that only the emotional intervention increased the likelihood of the candidate being hired but it is not …

Phenotypic Analysis Of Murine Gut Associated Lymphocytes, Madison Flood

Master's Theses

γδ T cells are important in the role of immune homeostasis, especially in relation to the gut. It has been shown that there is a higher proportion of γδ T cells in the intestines than in circulation. With this knowledge, our lab focused on understanding the mechanisms of these cells, specifically regarding immune tolerance. In our preliminary research, we identified a subset of γδ T cells that express Foxp3, a transcription factor essential for the functioning of regulatory T cells, in the neonatal (5 day old) intestine. We hypothesized that these Foxp3+ γδ T cells have immunosuppressive functions upon exposure …

Examining The Bidirectional Relations Between Psychological Functioning And Academic Outcomes Among College Students, Maya Hareli

Master's Theses

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period associated with a variety of transitions and changes, including rising rates of mental health concerns (Arnett, 2004, 2006; Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2020). The literature has established that both psychological and academic functioning are critical components of students’ lives, as mental health has been shown to interfere with students’ grades, graduation rates, and postgraduate employment (Hartley, 2010; Mojtabai et al., 2015), while poor achievement is associated with mental health challenges in college and beyond (Bruffaerts et al., 2018; Respondek et al., 2017). Additionally, women and men have been shown to experience these areas …

Bisacodyl Limits Chikungunya Virus In Vitro And Is Broadly Antiviral, Natalie June Lomascolo

Master's Theses

Identifying novel antivirals requires significant time and resource investment, and the continuous threat of viruses to human health necessitates commitment to antiviral identification and development. Developing antivirals requires years of research and validation, and recent outbreaks have highlighted the need for preparedness in counteracting pandemics. One way to facilitate development is to repurpose molecules already used clinically. By screening such compounds, we can accelerate antiviral development. Here, we screened compounds from the National Institutes of Health’s Developmental Therapeutic Program for activity against chikungunya virus, an alphavirus that is responsible for a significant outbreak in the Americas in 2013. Using this …

Influences Of Latino Caregivers’ Input And Acculturation On Children’S Bilingual Development: A Speech Sample Analysis, Jordan Sierra Perry

Master's Theses

Interactions with caregivers are important for children’s development. In particular, the language input that young dual language learners (DLLs) receive from their primary caregivers affects their cultural knowledge and their bilingual language outcomes. However, relatively little research has been conducted to investigate the cultural contexts that influence Latino caregivers’ bilingual language use at home, including their acculturation level. Thus, the present study examined the relation between caregivers’ acculturation and their children’s bilingual (Spanish and English) language use, and whether this relation varied as a function of caregivers’ bilingual language use. Parent-report measures of bilingual language use, in addition to video …

Investigating The Role Of Nagc Reveals It To Be A Global Regulator, Natasha Peterson

Master's Theses

Bacterial colonization of host surfaces can result in symbiotic or pathogenic associations.As bacteria becomes more resistant to antibiotics, pathogenic bacterial colonization poses an increasing risk to human health. Symbiotic associations that have beneficial outcomes for both the host and the microbe can serve as models to investigate how bacterial processes affect colonization of host surfaces. The symbiotic relationship between the Gram-negative, bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the Hawaiian bobtail squid is one such model (E. V. Stabb & Visick, 2013). The study of this exclusive relationship has developed in a way where in vitro phenotypes can predict the ability of …

Positive Affect Facilitates Reduction In Depression Symptoms During A Mobile Mindfulness-Based Intervention, Andrew Rauch

Master's Theses

Depression negatively impacts the lives of many, and the rates are continuing to rapidly increase. Identifying patterns of modifiable affective psychological mechanisms that contribute to reducing depression symptoms is critical to improve the effectiveness of wellbeing interventions for individuals with depressive disorders. Depression has been characterized by valanced patterns of low positive affect and high negative affect, yet the extent to which these relative patterns of affectivity change in response to intervention remains less clear. The present study evaluated affective patterns in college students (n = 127) with elevated depression symptoms who participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of …

The Role Of Identification In Black Individuals' Goals To Challenge Racism Through Confrontation And Collective Action, Efrata Sasahulih

Master's Theses

Anti-Black racism continues to harm Black individuals in the United States and throughout the world (e.g., police brutality, medical racism: Hoffman, Trawalter, Axt, & Oliver, 2016; Smiley & Fakunle, 2016; Stuber, Meyer, & Link, 2008). Psychological research has investigated the roots of prejudice and strategies to mitigate its negative consequences, including confrontation and collective action. However, research in this area has largely focused on ways that these strategies pose additional risk for targets of prejudice. This research determined if Black people who endorse individual-benefiting or group-benefiting goals following an instance of anti-Black racism use confrontation and collective action, respectively, to …

Delayed Testosterone Treatment In A Rodent Model Of Repeat Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Attenuates Mechanisms Of Cellular Death In The Vestibular Nucleus, Michael Volyanyuk

Master's Theses

A common complaint after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) is vestibular dysfunction, which can become persistent and decrease quality of life. Delayed testosterone treatment has been shown to reduce vestibular impairment and improve neuronal survival in the vestibular nucleus following rmTBI; however, the long-term molecular pathways associated with rmTBI and testosterone treatment remain widely unexplored. We utilized a 5-hit closed-head rodent rmTBI model and administered testosterone 35 days after injury (DPI). The vestibular nuclei were removed and prepared for RT-qPCR and western blotting. Gene expression and protein levels were elevated for markers of oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase 4) and …

Calcium-Mediated Induction Of Vibrio Fischeri Es114 Biofilms, Katia Elizabeth Semenchuk

Master's Theses

Vibrio fischeri bacteria form biofilms that facilitate symbiotic colonization of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes. These host-associated biofilms require production of the SYP polysaccharide. However, it has been difficult to observe robust biofilm formation in vitro in a laboratory setting using wild-type strain ES114; instead, most work investigating syp-dependent biofilm formation has relied on genetically altered strains. Guided by recent findings that increasing calcium induces c-di-GMP (Tischler et al., 2021), a molecule known in other systems to promote biofilm formation, the question was posed as to whether high levels of calcium alone could promote syp-dependent biofilm formation by ES114. …

Knowledge, Experiences And Perceptions Of Abagusii Community Of Kisii County, Kenya On The Health Consequences Of Female Genital Mutilation (Fgm), Roselyter Riang’A, Moses Mutiso

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Health education is among the prominent forms of interventions that are used to advocate for eradication of the practice of FGM. However, little is known on affected communities’ actual experiences, knowledge and perceptions on these health education messages hence need for this study.

Objective: To understand Abagusii people’s knowledge, experiences and perceptions on the health consequences of FGM.

Methods: Data was collected from Abagusii community of Kisii County in Kenya using interview schedules, focus group discussions, key informants and document analysis. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed using SPSS and MAXQDA programs

Results: …

Design And Synthesis Of Curcumin Analogs For Anticancer Activity And Discovery Of Novel Hit Molecules Targeting Cxcr4., Maryam Sadat Hosseini Zare

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Curcumin as a natural compound is made of various components including protein, carbohydrate, and curcuminoid. Curcuminoid is made of curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bis desmethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is used for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disorders, but it has some therapeutic problems like poor bioavailability, poor efficacy, and chemical instability. To overcome these problems, the objective of this study is (1) synthesis of pyrazole curcumin analogs, (2) synthesis of triazole curcumin analogs, and (3) in-vitro study of the anticancer activity of these curcumin analogs on head & neck, breast, pancreatic and glioblastoma cancer cells. During this part of my Ph.D. project, …