Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Does Footfall Pattern In Forefoot Runners Change Over A Prolonged Run?, Carl W. Jewell

Masters Theses

There has been much debate on the benefits of a forefoot versus rearfoot strike pattern in distance running in terms of performance and injury prevalence. Shock attenuation occurs more prominently in soft tissues at impact in forefoot runners compared to the passive skeletal loading in rearfoot runners. Recent studies indicate that a forefoot strike pattern may not be maintainable over long distance efforts. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that habitual forefoot runners could not maintain their strike pattern throughout a prolonged, intensive run.

Fourteen forefoot runners ran to voluntary exhaustion on an instrumented force treadmill (average run duration: 15.4±2.2 …

Parents' Gender Ideology And Gendered Behavior As Predictors Of Children's Gender-Role Attitudes: A Longitudinal Exploration, Hillary Paul Halpern

Masters Theses

This longitudinal study examined the association between parents’ early and concurrent gender ideology and gendered behaviors and their children’s gender-role attitudes at age six. Specifically, parents' global beliefs about women's and men's "rightful" roles in society, as well as their work preferences for mothers, were considered in relation to the gender-role attitudes held by their first-graders. In addition, parents’ gendered behaviors, including their division of household and childcare tasks, division of paid work hours, and job traditionality were examined as predictors of children’s gender-role attitudes. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized parents’ early and concurrent behavior and ideology would …

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends: A Qualitative Study Of Nurse Close Work Friendship And Social Support, Jennifer Ptacek

Masters Theses

The nursing profession is laden with numerous job, emotional labor, and communication stressors, which come from both patients and healthcare organizations. These frequent and simultaneous pressures can result in nurse burnout and turnover (Tracy, 2009). Socially supportive workplace communication has been identified as a solution to reducing nurse stress, burnout, and turnover (Apker & Ray, 2003), but has not specifically considered social support in nurse work friendships. A mixed qualitative method study was conducted with five nurse best friend pairs, using job observations of participants’ work friendship communication and individual and joint interviews. Two major communication themes emerged from the …

Effects Of Fatty Acid Structure On Endothelial Cell Expression Of Connexin43, Albert E. Sowers Iii

Masters Theses

The epidemic of obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases is linked to elevated fatty acids (FA). Epidemiological data argue that trans FA contribute to the development and progression of these disease processes. Previous work suggests the similarity in structure between saturated and trans FA may stimulate inflammation through trans FA interactions with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). To evaluate the impact of trans FA on cardiovascular health, the response of endothelial cells to trans FA was evaluated. Specifically, responses to the 18-carbon trans FA elaidic acid (EA) were compared to the same length cis FA oleic acid (OA). Endothelial cells were exposed …

Differentiation Of Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Into Cells Of Neural Lineage And Their Application Into A Novel Model For Acute Peripheral Nerve Injury In The Horse, Claudia Cruz

Masters Theses

Studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into extra-mesodermal lineages, including neurons. Positive outcomes were obtained after transplantation of neurally-induced MSCs in rats, rabbits and guinea pigs after nerve injury, but the effect of these cells is unknown in horses. Our objective was to test the ability of equine mesenchymal stromal cells to differentiate into cells of neuronal lineage, and to assess differences, if any, in morphology and protein expression. Additionally, we wanted to investigate if horse age and cell passage number contributed to the ability to achieve neural differentiation.

The first part of this …

Attention, Hyperactivity, And Cognitive Performance In Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Brianna Elizabeth Pollock

Masters Theses

The extent to which Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) are associated with ADHD-related cognitive impairments has yet to be understood. This study sought to examine between-group differences in activity level, performance on a sustained attention task and objectively measured attention, while controlling for anxiety and depression severity in a sample of adults with and without ADHD (N = 26). High precision actigraphs and behavioral codes of visual attention to task were used to examine the extent to which activity level and visual attention to task are related to performance on a sustained attention task (i.e., Continuous Performance …

The Nutrient Intake Of Homeless Women Of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Emily D. Popma-Metsaars

Masters Theses

Background Homeless individuals comprise about 1% of the American population with 1/3 of this particular population being women. And despite the potential for hunger, the homeless population has a similar prevalence of overweight/obese as other Americans. The Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids is a very low-income area of the city, inhabited by the poor and homeless. The Food Access in Michigan Project is studying the relationship between food insecurity and food environments in Michigan.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the diet of homeless women in Heartside. This study examined the level of food …

Social Support In An Internet-Based Weight Loss Intervention Among College Students, Yijia Zhang

Masters Theses

Objective: To assess college students’ perceptions regarding online social support in an 8-week Internet-based weight loss intervention.

Participants: Participants were those randomized to the intervention group of an online weight loss intervention targeting overweight and obese college students.

Methods: Members of the intervention group had access to a private discussion forum and weekly live chat sessions, allowing for anonymous interactions. Following the 8-week intervention, intervention group members were invited to complete an online focus group, discussing these tools. The transcripts were directly copied from the live chat conversation history. Using thematic analysis, perceptions regarding online social support were identified, coded …

Effect Of A Core Conditioning Program On Lumbar Paraspinal Area, Asymmetry And Pain Score In Military Working Dogs With Lumbosacral Pain, Andrea Leigh Henderson

Masters Theses

Introduction: Lumbosacral pain and stenosis are common causes of retirement from duty for Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Working dogs that receive surgical management for this condition often have a poor prognosis for return to duty after recovery. Humans with chronic low back pain demonstrate paraspinal muscle asymmetry, pain and dysfunction that often improve in response to an exercise program. This study investigated whether dogs with mild lumbosacral pain have decreased lumbar paraspinal muscle area, symmetry, and density, as well as increased pain and dysfunction compared to control dogs. Additionally, response of pain and dysfunction to an exercise program was assessed. …

The Efficacy Of Music As A Non-Analgesic Method Of Reducing Pain Perception During Cold Pressor Trials, Amanda Lynn Ziemba

Masters Theses

The purpose of this project was to investigate the impact of differentiated onset of self-selected music on pain perception and pain tolerance during a cold pressor test. Subjects participated in four trials during which music was presented at different points of time in relation to their exposure to the cold pressor test. Results indicated that listening to music prior to and concurrently with the onset of the pain resulted in lower self-reported pain (F(3, 66) :3.25, p < .05). Behavioral results indicated that subjects were able to tolerate an average of 25s longer (F(2.04,44.81): I.56,p > .05.) when music was presented after the onset of painful stimuli. Both results have positive implications for the clinical use of music as …

Investigating Teenage Drivers' Driving Behavior Before And After Lag (Less Aggressive Goals) Training Program, Jingyi Zhang

Masters Theses

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death during adolescence, with the fatal crash rate per mile-driven for 16-19 years old drivers being nearly 3 times larger than the rate for drivers age 20 and older. High gravitational events among teenage drivers, such as quick starts, and hard stops, have been shown to be highly correlated with crash rates. The current younger driver training programs developed in the late 1990s, however, do not appear to be especially effective in regard to many skills which are critical to avoiding crashes. With this in mind, a simulator-based training program aimed at …

Effect Of Chemotherapeutic Treatment Schedule On A Tissue Transport Model, Dan E. Ganz

Masters Theses

Current chemotherapeutic treatment schedule prediction methods rely heavily on PK/PD-based models and overlook the important contribution of tissue-level transport and binding. Tissue-level transport and binding phenomena are essential to understanding drug delivery and efficacy in tumors. Drugs with desirable PK/PD properties often fail in vivo due to poor tissue-level transport. We developed an in silico method to predict the effect of treatment schedule on efficacy that couples PK/PD with tissue-level transport. Treatment schedules were implemented on theoretical drugs with different PK/PD and transport properties. For each drug with a given clearance rate, diffusivity, and binding, treatment schedules consisting of one …

Increased Body Weight In Adulthood Following A Peripubertal Stressor And Proposed Mechanism For Effects Of Increased Adiposity On Estrogen-Dependent Behaviors, Christina F. Gagliardi

Masters Theses

Exposure to certain stressors during a sensitive period around puberty can lead to enduring effects on an animal’s response to estradiol. In estradiol-influenced behaviors, such as sexual receptivity, hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, depression-like behavior, and anxiety-like behaviors, exposure to a peripubertal stressor such as shipping stress or an injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can eliminate or even reverse the normal response to estradiol. In addition to regulating these behaviors, estradiol play a role in the regulation of body weight. While some of the previous studies touched on short-term effects on body weight, no systemic long-term study of the effects of a …

The Association Between Urinary Bisphenol-A, Phthalate Metabolites And Body Fat Composition In Us Adults Using Nhanes, Iris E. Corbasson

Masters Theses

Due to the widespread use of the endocrine disruptors Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates in many plastic consumer goods, medical equipment, and personal care products, more than 95% of the US population show detectable levels of urinary BPA and phthalate metabolites. Both have been linked to increased body mass index (BMI in kg/m²), an inexpensive diagnostic tool for obesity, which may however not reflect body fatness. Since excess body fat is associated with cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type II diabetes, it is important to understand the relationship between body fat composition and exposure to BPA and phthalates, a relationship …

The Role Of Sleep Timing On Diet Quality And Physical Activity Among College-Aged Women Participating In The University Of Massachusetts Vitamin D Status Study, Deniz Azarmanesh

Masters Theses

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for various chronic diseases. Sleep has been associated with overweight and obesity. One potential mechanism by which sleep may lead to overweight and obesity is through positive energy balance (i.e. energy intake exceeding expenditure). There are few studies examining the impact of sleep timing (onset and wake time) on diet and exercise. In a cross sectional study, we examined associations between sleep timing and diet quality, and in separate models, between sleep timing and meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among the participants of the UMass Vitamin D Status Study. A total …

The Characterization Of Chitin Microparticle Preparations: Degree Of Acetylation And Its Effect On Immunologic Response, Julianne R. Zimmerman

Masters Theses

Studies examining the immune response upon exposure to chitin microparticles in living models have reached drastically differing conclusions, and the reason remains unclear. One notable issue between the experiments is that they have not characterized their chitin preparations for degree of acetylation. They all use different chitin processing methods prior to administration, which could potentially be the source of the variance between studies. Chitin and chitosan preparations specified in the literature and several novel preparations were analyzed for degree acetylation (DA) using High Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD). It was found that autoclaving and sonication processing steps …

The Politics Of Psychiatric Experience, Shuko Tamao

Masters Theses

This paper examines the correspondence, manuscripts, and speeches of ex-mental patient activists. I chronicle the activities of the emergent psychiatric survivors movement from its beginnings in the early 1970’s focusing on the work of the Boston based activist, Judi Chamberlin (1944-2010). This paper examines how mental patients in post-war America began to organize in order to have their voices included in the process of their own recovery. I present Chamberlin’s experience as a mental patient as being representative of the “rootlessness” that many post-war women experienced. Chamberlin’s work as an ex-patient activist presented one aspect of the overall struggle on …

Coffee And Tea Consumption And The Risk Of Lung Cancer In A Population Of Postmenopausal Women, Abigail Santos

Masters Theses

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death in women for
the past three decades. Although smoking is the most important risk
factor for lung cancer, not all lung cancer deaths in American women
are attributed to smoking and the role of dietary exposures remain
unclear.In particular, the effect of coffee consumption and tea
consumption on lung cancer risk remains inconclusive. Therefore we
assessed these associations prospectively in 83,777 women between the
ages of 50-79 who did not have a previous history of cancer. Daily
coffee and tea consumption (cups/d) were assessed via a baseline
questionnaire while the …

Kinetic Asymmetries During Submaximal And Maximal Speed Running, Devon H. Frayne

Masters Theses

An important issue for sports scientists, coaches and athletes is an understanding of the factors within a running stride that can enhance or limit maximal running speed. Previous research has identified many sprint-related parameters as potential kinetic limiters of maximal Center of Mass velocity (Chapman and Caldwell, 1983b; Weyand et al., 2001). Bilateral asymmetry is present for many of these parameters during running; however the degree to which such asymmetries change as running speed increases is unknown. It was hypothesized that asymmetries in key sprinting parameters would be larger at maximal speed than all other tested speeds. Kinematics and kinetics …

Rapid Method Of Processing Sperm For Nucleic Acid Extraction In Clinical Research, Matthew K. De Gannes

Masters Theses

Background: Sperm contain highly compact nuclei, inhibiting DNA extraction using traditional techniques. Current methods extracting sperm DNA involve lengthy lysis and no means of stabilizing DNA, hindering clinical research.

Objective: We sought to optimize an efficient method of extracting high quality human sperm DNA.

Methods: Sperm from three volunteers were isolated using PureCeption. We tested 1) proteinase K with DNA/RNA Shield, 2) DTT and TCEP as reducing agents, 3) QIAshredder homogenization, and 4) stability of sperm DNA fresh (baseline) or after 4 weeks of storage at 4^OC in DNA/RNA Shield using modified Quick-gDNA MiniPrep. DNA was PCR amplified …

Gpu-Accelerated Influenza Simulations For Operational Modeling, Peter Holvenstot

Masters Theses

Simulations of influenza spread are useful for decision-making during public-health emergencies. Policy-makers use models to predict disease spread and estimate the effects of various intervention strategies. Effective modeling of targeted intervention strategies requires accurate modeling of individual-level behavior and transmission. However, this greatly increases the computational costs of these agent-based models. In addition, if the models are used as an outbreak progresses, some operational decisions must occur rapidly in order to contain the spread of the disease.

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are a type of specialized processor used to drive graphical displays. Many recent devices also allow users to write …

College Environment Behavioral And Perceptions Survey (Cebps): Using In-Depth Interviews As A Validation Method For Survey Development, Mackenzie Rae Ruppert

Masters Theses

Background: Although there are some validation procedures based in qualitative approaches (e.g. asking what someone thinks about the structure of a survey question during face, content validation, or cognitive interviews), there are no approaches to validate a subject’s responses by a “gold standard assessment”. The purpose of this study was to use a mix-methodology approach to validate subjects’ perceptions, which used indepth interviews as a criterion-based validation method.

Methods: 30 participants (15 male and 15 female) completed the CEBPS survey and an indepth interview with questions mirroring those in the survey. A priori coding was used to develop …

Comparison Of Dual- And Tri-Axial Accelerometer Accuracy, Lindsay Powell Toth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the Omron HJ-720ITC and the Fitbit Zip activity monitors with regard to step count, energy expenditure, and distance traveled measurements. The importance of this research rests in the success rates of pedometer-based physical activity interventions which have been shown to increase physical activity while also enabling weight loss and lowering blood pressure in the adult population. Activity monitors available for retail sale must be found accurate for proper participation in exercise interventions especially low-cost devices as used in this study.

In order to test the accuracy of the Omron …

Effects Of Various Partial Body Cooling Techniques On Core Temperature During Recovery From Prolonged Cycling-Induced Heat Stress, Afton Danielle Seeley

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using an ice-vest and a palm cooling device on core and skin temperatures, heart rate, and perceived thermal comfort during a one hour recovery period following exercise in the heat. Ten recreationally active adults cycled for one hour at 50% V0₂ peak on a cycle ergometer while exposed to 36°C 45%relative humidity environmental conditions. Following exercise, each subjectwas exposed to an ice vest, a palm cooling device, or a non cooling control while seated in the environmental chamber for 60 more minutes. No significant differencewas found betweenany of …

The Energy Expenditure And Feasibility Of Two Prenatal Yoga Programs, Doree Lynn Gardner

Masters Theses

Purpose: To determine the energy expenditure and feasibility of two different DVD-­‐ based prenatal yoga programs (static yoga practice and vinyasa practice). Methods: Participants were 25 women in their second trimester (13-­‐28 weeks) who werescreened for pregnancy-­‐related risk factors. The two DVDs used were “Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea” (DVD A) which is a static yoga practice, and “Jennifer Wolfes Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga” (DVD B) which is a flow yoga practice. Both DVDs were approximately 50-­‐55 minutes, and included three phases (warm up, main, cool down). Each subject completed both prenatal DVD routines approximately two weeks apart. The …

Accuracy Of Sensewear Armband Mini-Fly For Estimating Energy Expenditure In Normal Weight, Overweight, And Obese Individuals, Bethany Maryalice Forseth

Masters Theses

Obesity has become one of the greatest public health issues in America. BodyMedia promotes their SenseWear Armband physical activity monitor as a way to help with weight management. Purpose: to assess the accuracy of the SenseWear Armband Mini-Fly (SWA-MF) in adults of different BMI categories during rest, recovery, and two walking speeds. Methods: Forty-six participants were assigned to one of three BMI classifications: normal weight (n =15; 18.5-24.9 kg^.m^-2 [kilograms per meter squared]), overweight (n=17; 25-29.9 kg^.m^-2), or obese (n= 14; ≥30 kg^.m^-2). Height and weight were measured. Participants …

Joint Reaction Force And Contributions Of Surrounding Muscles To Knee Joint Load During Stair Ascent In Total Knee Replacement Patients And Healthy Individuals, Robert Jacob Rasnick

Masters Theses

Total knee replacement (TKR) is commonly used to correct end stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint. Unfortunately, difficulty with stair climbing has been seen to exist, prolonging the challenges of TKR patents. Complete understanding of loading at the knee is of great interest in order to aid patient populations, implant manufacturers, rehabilitation, and future research. The outcome of a TKR is intended to reestablish normal motion and loading of the knee. Musculoskeletal modeling provides a means to accurately approximate joint loading and the corresponding muscle contributions during a movement.

The purpose of the present study was to examine …

Effects Of Cycling Workload And Cadence On Frontal Plane Knee Load, Ying Fang

Masters Theses

The effect of workload and cadence on sagittal plane knee biomechanics in cycling has been widely studied, however few studies have focused on the frontal plane. Frontal plane knee biomechanics, especially knee abduction moment, is closely related to the severity and progression of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different workloads and cadences on knee frontal plane kinematics and kinetics. Eighteen subjects participated in this study. A motion analysis system was used to collect five cycles of kinematics during two minutes of cycling in eight testing conditions, which included five workload conditions of …

Combined Effects Of Mdma And Ethanol On Locomotor Activity And Place Conditioning In Male And Female Adolescent Sprague-Dawley Rats, Keli A. Herr

Masters Theses

MDMA, ("Ecstasy") is commonly abused in combination with ethanol (EtOH). Relatively few preclinical studies have investigated sex differences in animal models of polysubstance use. The current study employed a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure to assess the behavioral effects of the co-administration ofMDMA /EtOH in 32 male and 32 female adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats. Following a 15 min habituation trial, eight 30-min conditioning trials were conducted in two- compartment chambers with different environmental cues. Before each drug conditioning trials, rats were administered intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MDMA(6.6 mg/kg), EtOH (1.5 g/kg), MDMA (6.6 mg/kg) and EtOH (1.5 g/kg), or saline. Prior …

Biological Variation Of Thromboelastography Variables In Ten Healthy Female Horses, Jennifer Lee Scruggs

Masters Theses

Biological variability (BV) has important applications in laboratory medicine. It can be a source of variation in measured analyte values and provide guidance on reference interval use. BV has three components: between-individual variation (CVg), caused by differences in mean values of a particular analyte among members of a group, within-individual variation (CVi), caused by fluctuations around an individual’s inherent homeostatic set point, and analytical variation (CVa). Thromboelastography (TEG), a type of viscoelastic coagulation analysis, is becoming increasingly common in veterinary referral centers. Despite increased popularity, the optimal method of results interpretation is not clear. While population-based reference intervals (PRI) are …