Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Control Of Myosin Motor Activity And Actin Filament Translation By Alteration Of Assay Reducing Potential, Siva Krishna Nalabotu

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of biomolecular motors for nanotechnological applications has been impaired by an inability to control biomolecular motor activity in a temporal fashion. Previous data has suggested that myosin activity can be modulated by inducing changes in the degree of myosin oxidation. The hypothesis of this study is that myosin motor activity can be regulated by altering the amount of antioxidants and reducing agents present in assay solution. To test this hypothesis we systematically altered the concentration of reducing agents and examined the effects of these changes on myosin-dependent actin filament translation. Our findings indicate that myosin activity can be …

The Relationship Between Cardiovascular Fitness And Risk Factors Of Type 2 Diabetes In Adults, La Toshia Burrell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Obesity and overweight populations have increased dramatically in the last two decades in the United States causing a significant increase in the number of adults with type 2 diabetes. This alarming increase has become an important public health problem due to the associated diseases and health risks. As a result, there have been several programs developed specifically to help prevent or decrease the complications of type 2 diabetes. Physical fitness is an important component of many behavior modification programs. Research studies have conclusively shown beneficial effects of regular activity for disease risk reduction. However, many studies have examined associations between …

Examining The Intrinsic Motivational Level Of Task And Ego Goal Oriented Athletes In The Xl Sports Acceleration Program, Kira Melisa Werstein

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Acceleration programs are a new and popular tool used by youth athletes to prepare for upcoming sports seasons. Acceleration programs train athletes in the areas of speed, agility, power, coordination, and strength. Each of these aspects is important in the development of an athlete and effects athletic performance. It is important that acceleration programs also consider intrinsic motivation, because it will help advance the performance of each athlete. The purpose of this study is to examine motivational levels in task and ego goal oriented athletes over the length of a session at the XL Sports Acceleration Program. The Task and …

A Case Study Of Factors Influencing Health Benefit Offerings By Small Businesses, Richard J. Dahlkemper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

If the United States is turning to consumer-driven health plans to control costs and improve access, research is needed regarding the perception of such plans among small businesses. Nearly half of Americans are employed by small businesses where access to health insurance has declined most rapidly. Reviews of the literature revealed solid theoretical bases for high expectations regarding the diffusion of consumer-driven health plans among small businesses, but relatively little information was found regarding the attitudes of small businesses toward emerging health plan models. Qualitative case studies of 6 small employers in the Ogden, Utah, area were conducted to address …

Personality Traits, Self -Efficacy Of Job Performance, And Susceptibility To Stress As Predictors Of Academic Performance Of Nurse Education Programs, Nancy Wilson-Soga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses, and institutions of higher education are unable to graduate enough prepared nurses to reduce this employment shortage. A significant relationship between personality traits and academic performance has been found; however, how personality traits combine with students' self-efficacy of job performance and stress susceptibility to impact nursing students' academic performance has yet to be demonstrated. This study, grounded in the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits, self-efficacy, and stress theories, sought to determine whether self-assessments of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Nursing Practice Self-Efficacy survey, and the Susceptibility Under Stress Survey …

Intrapersonal And Community-Related Influences Of Rural Adolescent Pregnancy: A Mixed-Method Approach, Kimberly Becknel Brodie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The majority of data on adolescent pregnancy pertains to urban communities, therefore, the individual and social influences associated with adolescent pregnancy in rural communities have not been extensively explored. The pregnancy rate among adolescent women aged 15 to 19 in rural Vance County, North Carolina, is 113.7 per 1,000, nearly twice the state average. This sequential mixed-method study used the social ecological model to evaluate the intrapersonal and community-related factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in this rural area. A quantitative survey assessed intrapersonal factors, namely sexual health knowledge, sex-related attitudes, and self-esteem in pregnant or parenting and nonpregnant or nonparenting …

Personal And Professional Spirituality: Muslim Social Workers' Perspectives, Cheryl W. El-Amin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research in the area of religion and spirituality in social work practice is lacking minority practitioner representation. This phenomenological study explored the questions of how American Muslim social workers define and experience the religious/spiritual, and perceive the propriety of integrating either, in practice. Ibn Khaldun and Durkheim, early social theorists, suggested that group feeling and affiliation impact personal and professional perception and decision making. American societal views of Muslims are often negative and uninformed. A group of 15 Muslim practitioners with bachelor's or more advanced degrees in social work were recruited through a survey administered via an Internet survey site. …

The Effects Of An Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative On The Behavior Of Providers In An Ob/Gyn Primary Care Clinic, Dean Moritz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The separation between behavioral services and traditional medicine is increasingly being seen as counterproductive on personal and societal levels. Despite this, there has been little research examining how integrated models blending mental and physical health services could be implemented. The literature revealed that behavioral interventions have been incorporated into traditional medical treatments, but this often has been piecemeal in nature and has yielded equivocal results. This study examined the assertion that effective integration between behavioral and medical services will increase the standard of care for the patient. Integration in this study was accomplished by colocating a psychologist on the primary …

Faces In The Mirror: Exploring Conflict Styles Of Adults In School Communities Using The Face -Negotiation Theory, Christine D. Gross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This correlation study focused on the lack of understanding of the relationship between social self-image "face" and conflict styles among adult employees on school campuses. An individual's social self-image may involve concerns for the social representation of oneself, another individual, or a relationship. Limited research pertaining to the degree face concerns affect conflict styles within school communities is a problem for school administrators because conflict styles can influence conflict outcomes and impact workplace quality on school campuses. This study relied on Ting-Toomey's face-negotiation theory, which proposes that individuals prefer conflict styles based upon face concerns. Research questions explored correlations between …

The Responses Of Bamenda Disability Organizations To Hiv And Aids: A Multiple Case Study, Lynn Cockburn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Cameroon, many disabled people (an estimated 10-20% of the population) have inadequate access to education and health care, and disabled people's organizations (DPOs) are advocating for social change. Yet, there is a scarcity of information regarding how African DPOs address HIV and AIDS. The purpose of this study was to assess how DPOs in Cameroon have responded to AIDS in the disabled population and to identify strategies to enable DPOs to manage AIDS issues. This study was guided by the complex adaptive systems theory as the theoretical framework. The research questions focused on what DPOs have done to develop …

Locus Of Control And Adjustment To Vision Loss Among People With Age Related Macular Degeneration, Delinda Stinnette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

People aged 65 and older account for 12.8% of the population and for 30% of all visually impaired individuals. Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) has been identified as a significant public health issue, with a potential 8 million Americans at risk. While the literature supports a connection between LOC and adaptation to ARMD, there is a gap in the current literature supporting this relationship even when other factors are controlled (i.e. age, sex, education, type of ARMD, when diagnosed, the use of medical treatments, the use of visual assistance devices, participant engagement in rehabilitation, and depression). The present survey study used …

Traumatic Stress As A Predictor Of Suicidality, Sherry Malana Todd

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Suicide is a deliberate act of annihilation against one's self due to a crisis of problem solving. Far too many youth are dying by their own hands resulting in suicide being the third leading cause of death for 10-19 year olds (CDC, 2005). Suicide is particularly problematic for adolescents due to the impulsivity inherent in adolescent development. Since 1980, the national suicide rate of African American youth has increased by 114 percent (CDC). Suicidality has been positively correlated with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Kessler et al., 1999). Suicidality is more prevalent when a person experiences a tragic or …

Organisational Effectiveness In Selected Grass Roots Sport Clubs In Western Australia, Elissa J. Burton

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Grass roots sport clubs are the foundation for sport in Australia, they cater for mass participation across all ages and are predominantly managed by volunteers. The benefits of being involved in sport and in particular a sport club, both from a health and social capital perspective are well documented (Houlihan & Green, 2006; Hoye & Nicholson, 2008; Stewart, Nicholson, Smith, & Westerbeek, 2004). Australian governments at every level, provide funding for sport to support these benefits and often directly to sport clubs. Yet there is little published research on what makes a grass roots sport club effective (Koski, 1995), particularly …

Effects Of Dietary And Exercise Interventions On The Incidence Of Metabolic Syndrome, Ricky Mccoy Kirby

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health problem in the United States. The presence of metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of developing type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease by producing a prothrombic state. The prothrombic state that results from the clustering of several independent cardiovascular risk factors within one individual increases the risk of micro and macro vascular changes and eventually to end organ damage.

There is considerable evidence to support the serious nature of this medical condition. Medications used to treat the hypertension, diabetic, and dyslipidemia components of metabolic syndrome can be a significant drain on the monthly budget …

Dietary Interventions To Reduce Metabolic Syndrome In An Uninsured Population: An Evidence-Based Approach, Michele Smith Bednarzyk

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies show that more than one-third of U.S. adults (over 72 million people) were obese in 2005–2006. This includes 33.3% of men and 35.3% of women. Obesity is a primary factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, a condition that places individuals at high absolute risk of mortality and morbidity. The use of a nutritionally balanced diet aimed at weight reduction has the potential to decrease the prevalence of obesity, therefore reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its consequences.

The purpose of this project was to investigate whether individual nutrition counseling would improve the outcomes of patients with …

Obstetrical Screening Practices Of Nurse-Midwives And Nurse Practitioners, Laura Ann Abney

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the continued growth in the numbers of nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives, more and more women will receive prenatal care from advanced practice nurses. The purpose of this research was to assess the routine screening practices of advance practice nurses providing prenatal care and to compare those practices with current guidelines. The study focused on five areas of prenatal screening: bacterial vaginosis, group B streptococcus, gestational diabetes, maternal serum markers, and fetal movement monitoring. The interaction model of client health behavior by Cheryl Cox, specifically professional-technical competencies, part of the client-professional element of the model, provided the theoretical framework …

The Effect Of Moral Distress On Nursing Retention In The Acute Care Setting, Cynthia L. Cummings

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study explored the relationship between moral distress, professional stress and intent to stay in the hospital setting. The study involved 234 nursing participants and was conducted via an online survey over a 90 day period. The survey tool consisted of 51 items taken from known moral distress, professional stress and intent to stay tools. The items were divided into frequency and intensity of occurrence. Various statistical measures were utilized to conclude that moral distress and professional stress factors were significant (p

Surgical Smoke Evacuation Guidelines: Compliance Among Perioperative Nurses, Kay A. Ball

Theses and Dissertations

Smoke (plume) is produced when tissue is cut or coagulated with lasers or electrosurgery devices during surgery. Research has documented that surgical smoke creates a serious workplace hazard for over 500,000 healthcare workers. Toxic gases create an offensive odor, small particulate matter causes respiratory complications, and pathogens may be transmitted within the surgical smoke to the surgical team. Previous research notes that smoke evacuation recommendations are not being consistently followed by perioperative nurses.

The purpose of this study is to determine key indicators that are associated with compliance with smoke evacuation recommendations by perioperative nurses. The Diffusion of Innovation theory …

Molecular Modeling Studies Of Heparin And Heparin Mimetics Binding To Coagulation Proteins, Chandravel Krishnasamy

Theses and Dissertations

Heparin, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), is a complex biopolymer of varying chain length and consisting of uronic acid and glucosamine residues, which are sulfated at various positions. The interaction of heparin with antithrombin is the basis for anticoagulation therapy. Heparin accelerates the antithrombin mediated inhibition of factor Xa and thrombin by a conformational activation mechansism and bridging mechanism, respectively. The sequence specific pentasaccharide DEFGH in full length heparin is the most important fragment for high affinity and activation of antithrombin, without which the heparin is incapable of binding to antithrombin. Although heparin is a commonly used anticoagulant, it suffers from serious …

Self-Determination Theory In Motivation To Adopt Physical Activity In Older Adults: A Community Based Approach, Alastair Stewart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Australia has an increasingly aging population with increasing levels of physical inactivity. The potential detrimental effects of these two factors on the health of the community highlight the need to investigate methods to increase physical activity in older Australian adults. The study reported in this thesis formed part of the PATH (Physical Activity Time for Health) Project, a community-based research trial that compared two strategies to increase physical activity in underactive, 60-80 year old men (n = 66) and women (n = 188). Twelve recreation centres were randomised to either a supervised group based walking intervention with behavioural change components, …

The Relationship Between Nonword Repetition Performance And Social Behaviors In 7- To 11-Year-Old Children With Language Impairment, Bethany Lynne Hillary

Theses and Dissertations

Recent literature has suggested a link between verbal working memory and language impairment (LI) in children. There is limited research, however, about the link between verbal working memory and social behaviors in children with LI. This study was designed to explore the relationship between social behaviors (measured by the Teacher Behavior Rating Scale; Hart & Robinson, 1996) and verbal working memory abilities (measured by a 3-, 4-, and 5-syllable nonword repetition task) in children with LI. Thirty-six children (18 with LI and 18 typically developing) aged 7 to 11 years participated in the study. Children with LI were rated by …

Synthesis Of Marine Chemicals And Derivatives As Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs., Laude Bannerman-Akwei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two natural marine compounds, 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 2 and 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 5 together with two novel derivatives, 3-bromo-5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde 3 and 1-bromo-2,3-dimethoxy-5-nitrooxy-methylbenzene 9, were synthesized. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 were evaluated for their biological activity towards the inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth using staurosporine a a positive control. All three compounds have shown significant inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth. Compound 9 is yet to be evaluated.

Characterization Of Murine Cardiac Cholinergic Innervation And Its Remodeling In Type 1 Diabetes., Abigail Marie Mabe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Murine models have become increasingly popular to study various aspects of cardiovascular diseases due to their ease of genetic manipulation. Unfortunately, there has been little effort put into describing the distribution of autonomic nerves in the mouse heart, making it difficult to compare current findings from clinical and experimental models related to cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, determination of the requirements for the development of this system and its maintenance in adult mice remains largely unexplored. This study represents the first detailed mapping of cholinergic neuroanatomy of the mouse heart based on immunohistochemical staining using true cholinergic markers. We found cholinergic innervation …

Cytotoxic Effects Of Ruthenium Compounds On Human Cancer Cell Lines., Katie Beth Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment. Traditionally, platinum-based drugs are used in chemotherapy. More recently, researchers have focused on ruthenium based compounds as a substitute for the platinum compounds. Ruthenium-based compounds appear to be less toxic to healthy cells than traditional platinum-based compounds. In this study, 7 ruthenium-based compounds were tested on HT-29 (colon) and MCF-7 (breast) human cancer cell lines with the specific aim of determining whether or not any of the ruthenium-based compounds exhibited cytotoxic properties. In addition, levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production were tested in supernate from the cancer cells treated with various …

Elucidating The Role Of The Α7 Nicotinic Receptor In The Etiology Of Schizophrenia., Michelle Johnson Chandley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The α7 subunit of the nicotinic receptor, a ligand gated ion channel with an affinity for nicotine, has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia due to the extremely high rate of smoking within the patient population. However, the exact role of the receptor has never fully been determined. In the following studies, various functions the receptor may assume in disease state are evaluated. There is a strong relationship between the immune system and schizophrenia, with the α7 subunit possibly serving as the link between the two. One of the following studies looks at the possibility of the receptor …

Characterization Of The Genes Involved In Biosynthesis And Transport Of Schizokinen, A Siderophore Produced By Rhizobium Leguminosarum Iari 917., David Jack Hammond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Iron is the 4th most abundant metal on the earth's crust and is required by most organisms as a cofactor for many enzymes; however, at physiological pH and aerobic conditions iron forms insoluble ferric oxyhydroxide polymers. Siderophores are low molecular weight compounds that scavenge ferric ions, bind with high affinity, and transport it into the cell via multicomponent transport systems. Rhizobia are soil dwelling organisms that form symbiotic relationships with host plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen, while the bacteria receive nutrients. R. leguminosarum IARI 917 produces a siderophore characterized as 'schizokinen'. In the present study, we have characterized the binding …

Social Support, Weight Loss Attempts And Satisfaction, Allison Drew

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the presence of social support correlates with attempts at weight loss in the past 12 months, attempts not to gain weight in the past 12 months, and participants’ satisfaction with their weight status. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design using data collected by the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) (CDC). For this study we included males and females, of multiple ethnicities, and a range of ages from 40 to 70 + years. Participants with missing data on height and weight were …

Designing An International Friendship Model For Children, Charlotte Martins

Theses and Graduate Projects

In 2006 this writer traveled to Windhoek, Namibia to take the course Walking the Truth; Culture, Gender and HIV/AID,S in Sub-Saharan Africa. As part of that class each student was assigned to work with an organization or individual whose mission was working with HIV/AIDS patients or there families. It was from this experience that the project was born. The purpose of this project is to design a friendship model that links children of middle school age from different cultures and different nations together through letter writing.

Firearms And Children: A Public Health Issue, Janet M. Benz

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is the time for nurses as individuals and collectively as a profession to realize their obligation to society in regards to the injury and death caused by firearms. Not one population or single community is immune from gun violence in America; it is an epidemic that does not discriminate. There are monumental implications for both nurses in practice and leadership to make a difference when it comes to changing policy from a public health perspective to reduce gun violence and save lives. In this project, Margaret Newman's (1994) theory of Health as Expanding consciousness is applied to the role …

Supporting Charge Nurses In Their Leadership Development: A Framework For Education, Sonja Rivers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This project examines the complex and multifaceted role of the charge nurse in the acute care setting and compares the charge nurse's role to that of a front line leader. Charge nurse competencies are identified and leadership skills and behaviors necessary for the charge nurse to function effectively in the role are explored including those related to emotional intelligence. A conceptual framework for education is developed using Botatzis' Theory of Self-Directed Learning, and Swanson's middle range theory of caring, Nursing as Informed Caring for the Well-Being of others.