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Full-Text Articles in Medical Humanities

Grave Robbing In Lexington And Elsewhere, Charles T. Ambrose Oct 2012

Grave Robbing In Lexington And Elsewhere, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Emmet F. Horine And Transylvania’S Special Collections, Charles T. Ambrose Jul 2012

Emmet F. Horine And Transylvania’S Special Collections, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


A Unique Treasure: Transylvania's 1,760 Medical Theses From The Early Nineteenth Century--11 On Yellow Fever, Charles T. Ambrose Apr 2012

A Unique Treasure: Transylvania's 1,760 Medical Theses From The Early Nineteenth Century--11 On Yellow Fever, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Are Enabling Services In Federally Qualified Health Centers Associated With Women Receiving Prenatal Care In The First Trimester?, Forrest A. Daniels Jan 2012

Are Enabling Services In Federally Qualified Health Centers Associated With Women Receiving Prenatal Care In The First Trimester?, Forrest A. Daniels

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to examine whether enabling services in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) were associated with women receiving prenatal care services in the first trimester. The population for this study included FQHCs providing prenatal care services for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Data for this study were derived from two sources: Uniform Data System (UDS) and the Area Resource File (ARF). This study adopted the Andersen's (1973) Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. The study consisted of longitudinal panel data analysis. Univariate and bivariate statistics were calculated using PASW/SPSS statistical software, version 18. For the …


Fat Distribution And Metabolic Health: The Effects Of Macronutrient Manipulation On Fat Distribution, Weight Loss, And Glucose Metabolism, Amy Miskimon Goss Jan 2012

Fat Distribution And Metabolic Health: The Effects Of Macronutrient Manipulation On Fat Distribution, Weight Loss, And Glucose Metabolism, Amy Miskimon Goss

All ETDs from UAB

Fat distribution pattern may contribute to risk of development of metabolic diseases such and type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the precise nature of the relationships between adipose tissue depots and metabolic health remains controversial. Additionally, further research is needed to identify optimal dietary approaches to reduce disease risk and visceral adiposity among overweight and obese individuals, who may already be on a trajectory for development of metabolic disease. Therefore, the goal of this project was to examine relationships of adipose tissue depots with insulin sensitivity, and then to determine if diets differing in CHO and fat content can …


Diagnostic Classifications For Bipedal Locomotion, Lois Deming Hedman Jan 2012

Diagnostic Classifications For Bipedal Locomotion, Lois Deming Hedman

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Analysis of and intervention for movement dysfunction, especially walking dysfunction, is the central expertise of physical therapists (PTs). PTs are called to establish a diagnosis prior to making patient management decisions yet no valid classification system for walking exists. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if locomotor experts could arrive at consensus on the validity, mutual exclusivity and understandability of diagnostic classifications for bipedal locomotion. Methods: An electronic mail Delphi survey methodology was utilized. Experts were recruited purposefully through research and clinical leaders in the PT profession. Identified experts were then asked for their recommendations in …


Examining Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury Using A Novel Robotic Assessment, Leslie R. Van Hiel Jan 2012

Examining Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury Using A Novel Robotic Assessment, Leslie R. Van Hiel

All ETDs from UAB

This study investigated a novel robotic assessment of spasticity resulting from a spinal cord injury (SCI). Torque data was analyzed to provide a single measure spasticity score. Three participants with motor incomplete SCI and resultant spasticity were compared to three non-injured participants (NI) using three different angular velocities of passive lower extremity movement in the Lokomat gait orthosis. The mean spasticity scores (NI vs. SCI) at120°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s were: 0.41 ± 0.30 vs. 3.70 ± 2.07; 0.65 ± 0.49 vs. 4.33 ± 3.57; and 1.55 ± 1.16 vs. 5.26 ± 3.99, respectively. Mean surface electrode electromyography measures (NI vs. …


Facilitating The Use Of Implicit Memory And Learning In The Physical Therapy Management Of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease; A Case Series., Laura White Jan 2012

Facilitating The Use Of Implicit Memory And Learning In The Physical Therapy Management Of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease; A Case Series., Laura White

All ETDs from UAB

Background and Purpose: Physical rehabilitation of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often complicated by impairments in explicit memory and learning. Rehabilitation strategies that facilitate use of the preserved implicit memory system may be effective in treating patients with AD. The purpose of this case series is to describe the application of these strategies, including high-repetition practice, errorless learning (EL), and spaced retrieval (SR), to the physical therapy management of individuals with moderate AD. Case Description: Three women aged 89 to 95 years old with moderate AD who resided in an assisted living facility participated in physical therapy to address …


Screening For Medical Referral: Determining Variables That Influence Accuracy, Heather Ellis Mount Jan 2012

Screening For Medical Referral: Determining Variables That Influence Accuracy, Heather Ellis Mount

All ETDs from UAB

SCREENING FOR MEDICAL REFERRAL: DETERMINING VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE ACCURACY HEATHER E. MOUNT DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY ABSTRACT Background: Screening for medical referral is essential to autonomous practice; however, no studies have examined the medical screening abilities of physical therapists in various settings. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if physical therapists in various practice settings could appropriately screen for medical referral, given brief clinical vignettes. Methods: A Delphi study was performed to enhance the content validity of the vignettes. After reviewing the vignettes, survey participants determined if they would provide intervention, provide intervention and refer, …


An Examination Of The Relationship Between The External Environment And Care Coordination, Olena Mazurenko Jan 2012

An Examination Of The Relationship Between The External Environment And Care Coordination, Olena Mazurenko

All ETDs from UAB

This study addressed a gap in the care coordination literature by exploring the factors predictive of care coordination, with particular attention to the external environment. The first paper of this dissertation conducted a systematic review of empirical studies that looked at the predictors of care coordination. Based on the 22 papers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, the evidence to support the relationships between care coordination and factors that are predictive of care coordination was shown to be weak to moderate depending on the types of factors you look at. This study has revealed a significant inconsistency in how predictors of …


The Effects Of Direct To Consumer Advertising On Healthcare Utilization Among Medicaid Children With Asthma, Luceta C. Mcroy Jan 2012

The Effects Of Direct To Consumer Advertising On Healthcare Utilization Among Medicaid Children With Asthma, Luceta C. Mcroy

All ETDs from UAB

National guidelines recommend treatment of asthma with preventive long term medication, but adherence remains low, resulting in high healthcare utilization among those affected by the chronic disease. The increase in DTCA since the easing of restrictions by the FDA in 1997 has prompted much debate on the effects of the DTCA, with critics arguing that it is harmful while proponents see many benefits such as increased medication adherence. This study examines the impact of DTCA on healthcare utilization and asthma medication use by combining Medicaid administrative data and a national advertising data set on asthma medication from 1999 to 2002. …


A Study Of Early Adopters Of Innovation, John B. Mcwhorter Jan 2012

A Study Of Early Adopters Of Innovation, John B. Mcwhorter

All ETDs from UAB

This research study focused on identification of environmental and organizational variables that influence the rate of adoption of administrative innovation in organizations, and specifically hospitals that have adopted nurse magnet programs. The study identified both organizational and environmental factors as statistically significant among early adopters of magnet programs in hospitals, with organizational influences stronger than environmental influences in determining the rate of adoption of innovation. Organizational complexity, size, control of domain, presence of a competitor, and available resources were the factors identified as influencing the early adoption of innovation among hospitals.


Environmental And Organizational Characteristics Associated With A Critical Access Hospital Being Contract Managed Or Becoming Acquired, Virginia Anne Razo Jan 2012

Environmental And Organizational Characteristics Associated With A Critical Access Hospital Being Contract Managed Or Becoming Acquired, Virginia Anne Razo

All ETDs from UAB

The focus of this research is the relationship between environmental and organizational characteristics and critical access hospitals (CAHs) being contract managed or acquired. The resource dependence theory guided the methodology. Based on this theory, organizations prefer to remain autonomous until key resources become scarce. The scarcity of resources combined with a dynamic external environment causes environmental uncertainty that requires organizations to consider a variety of strategic responses in order to survive. Given the results of this study, contract managed CAHs were associated with markets that were less munificent and more dynamic with older facilities, relative to independent hospitals. Due to …


Influences Of Habitual Diet, Ethnicity, And Age On Circulating Total Ghrelin, Amy Ellis Jan 2012

Influences Of Habitual Diet, Ethnicity, And Age On Circulating Total Ghrelin, Amy Ellis

All ETDs from UAB

Ghrelin is a hormone known to stimulate appetite and food intake. Although certain macronutrients differentially suppress ghrelin on an acute basis, it is unknown whether habitual macronutrient intake affects circulating ghrelin. Thus, the first experimental aim was to determine whether 8-week habituation to diets differing in carbohydrate or fat would affect fasting ghrelin or ghrelin response to a mixed meal. Recent reports also suggest that ghrelin regulation may relate to propensity for obesity. Obesity is more prevalent among AA compared to EA, with the highest rates among AA females. This disparity becomes apparent before puberty, and childhood obesity tends to …


Development And Content Validity Of The Military Concussion Readiness Inventory For Service Members, Michelle L. Gutierrez Jan 2012

Development And Content Validity Of The Military Concussion Readiness Inventory For Service Members, Michelle L. Gutierrez

All ETDs from UAB

The aim of this study was to develop and establish content validity of a new questionnaire entitled the Military Concussion Readiness Inventory (MCRI). The MCRI was designed to identify functional impairments and predict readiness for return-to-duty in service members (SM) who experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) due to a blast. The items on the MCRI were linked to the The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) classifications. Nineteen male SM participated in a nominal group technique process to generate items for the MCRI. The items were classified according to the ICF before sending items to the Delphi …


The Effect Of Liver X Receptor Α Deficiency In Skeletal Muscle On Lipid Content In Mice, Yishu Ding Jan 2012

The Effect Of Liver X Receptor Α Deficiency In Skeletal Muscle On Lipid Content In Mice, Yishu Ding

All ETDs from UAB

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are important regulators of cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucose homeostasis. Many researchs focus on the liver, but tissue-specific roles of LXRs in other tissues remain elusive. Based on in vitro studies on cultured cells, the roles of LXRs in skeletal muscle have been proposed. Nevertheless, the in vivo roles of LXRs in skeletal muscle remain lacking. Skeletal muscle is an important insulin targeting tissue, which plays a key role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Abnormal lipid metabolism and homeostasis have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. To …


A Pilot Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis As A Clinical Assessment Tool Of Nutrition Status In Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients (The Beam Study [Bia Effectiveness As Assessment Tool For Gbm Patients]), Rebecca V. Barnhill Jan 2012

A Pilot Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis As A Clinical Assessment Tool Of Nutrition Status In Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients (The Beam Study [Bia Effectiveness As Assessment Tool For Gbm Patients]), Rebecca V. Barnhill

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare brain tumor, yet accounts for 80% of malignant brain tumors and has a five-year survival rate of < 5%. Few studies have evaluated nutrition recommendations and outcomes of this disease, including caloric needs. The purpose of this study was to find the best predictive equation for resting energy expenditure (REE) for GBM patients and evaluate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a clinical tool for estimating REE and fat free mass (FFM) of GBM patients. REE was measured with indirect calorimetry. FFM was measured with DXA and estimated with BIA. Published predictive equations for REE were calculated to compare to measured REE. Six equations used variables easily attained in a clinical setting and three used FFM. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the strength of the relationships between measured and predicted REE. Agreement between methods on the group level was assessed by comparing the group means of measured and predicted REE with paired t-tests. The Bland-Altman approach was used to find agreement between the methods on the individual level. Analysis included fifteen newly diagnosed GBM patients (7 male and 8 female; mean age 57.1±11.6 years) to evaluate equations using clinical variables and a subsample of eight to evaluate predictive equations using FFM. All the predictive equations overestimated measured REE. The Mifflin-St Jeor was the only equation using clinical variables which was not significantly different from measured REE (p=0.054) and had the lowest bias (73 kcal/day) and narrowest limits of agreement. Likewise, Cunningham and Wang equations using FFM from DXA were not significantly different from measured (p=0.261 and p=0.072, respectively). BIA overestimated FFM compared to DXA, 54.1 kg and 49.2 kg, respectively (p<0.001). More visits with both DXA and BIA measurements available are needed before predictive equations with clinical variables and predictive equations with FFM can be compared. Due to the ease of obtaining clinical variables and the low bias and narrow limits of agreement found for the Mifflin equation, at this time it appears to be the best predictive equation for individuals with GBM.


The Antecedents And Consequences Of Public Hospital Privatization, Zo Harivololona Ramamonjiarivelo Jan 2012

The Antecedents And Consequences Of Public Hospital Privatization, Zo Harivololona Ramamonjiarivelo

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the antecedents and consequences of public hospital privatization with special attention to financial distress and financial performance. A national sample of public hospitals using secondary longitudinal data from 1997 to 2009 was used in this study. Data set from the American Hospital Association, the Area Resource File, the Medicare Cost Report and the Local Area Unemployment Statistics were merged to test the hypotheses pertaining to each research question. Based on the resource dependence theory, both environmental variables and organizational variables were included in the analyses. This study adopted the Altman Z-score …


Soy And Breast Cancer, Mandeep K. Virk-Baker Jan 2012

Soy And Breast Cancer, Mandeep K. Virk-Baker

All ETDs from UAB

The incidence of breast cancer is lower in Asia as compared to Western countries. However, the breast cancer risk among Asian immigrants living in Western countries reaches nearly as high as the Western country, suggesting environmental factors (e.g. diet and lifestyle) may be important for this geographical disparity. One dietary change of Asian immigrants is a reduction in soy consumption. Soy is rich in isoflavones, which compete with estrogen for receptor (ER) binding, and may protect against breast cancer. S-(-)equol, a metabolite of the soy isoflavone daidzein (DZ) has a higher bioavailability and greater affinity for ER than DZ. The …


Career Satisfaction Of Physicians Employed By Health Systems, Edward L. Heath Jan 2012

Career Satisfaction Of Physicians Employed By Health Systems, Edward L. Heath

All ETDs from UAB

CAREER SATISFACTION OF PHYSICIANS EMPLOYED BY HEALTH SYSTEMS EDWARD L HEATH, JR ADMINISTRATION-HEALTH SERVICES ABSTRACT Background:Higher career satisfaction has been shown to result in better patient outcomes, higher patient satisfaction and less turnover among physicians. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physician employment and career satisfaction. Methods:Data from the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey was used in the study. The study is a cross sectional, quantitative study of the relationship between physician employment and career satisfaction. A total of 4,720 respondents responded to the survey, with a weighted …


The Relationship Between Hospitalists And Primary Care Physicians, James Robert Burkhart Jan 2012

The Relationship Between Hospitalists And Primary Care Physicians, James Robert Burkhart

All ETDs from UAB

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOSPITALISTS AND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS JAMES R. BURKHART EXECUTIVE DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN ADMINISTRATION-HEALTH SERVICES ABSTRACT A study of the relationship between primary care physicians (PCPs) and hospitalists was conducted by surveying the Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP) membership to determine whether they had an established relationship with a hospitalist or hospitalist group. The survey responses were then matched with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) administrative claims data to provide two groupings of study respondents with data regarding patients' average length-of-stay, average 30 day readmission rate, and average hospital claims payment. The survey …


Childhood Obesity: The Role Of Genetic Admixture, Parental Feeding Practices, And The School Food Environment, Michelle Cardel Jan 2012

Childhood Obesity: The Role Of Genetic Admixture, Parental Feeding Practices, And The School Food Environment, Michelle Cardel

All ETDs from UAB

Disentangling the etiology of pediatric obesity continues to challenge researchers due to the interconnecting of behavioral, physiological, environmental, and genetic factors. Studies have focused on the role of the obesogenic environment, characterized by excess energy intake and sedentary behavior, as it relates to weight and fat gain in children. Although these factors certainly have an impact on fat accumulation, increased energy intake and decreased physical activity do not solely account for the increasing trends in obesity prevalence. Less explored genetic and environmental factors may contribute independently and/or synergistically to the current obesity epidemic, and that, these factors could vary in …


Physical Activity Barriers Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cognitive Mapping Study, Anna De Joya Jan 2012

Physical Activity Barriers Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cognitive Mapping Study, Anna De Joya

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Despite the strong evidence indicating the benefits of regular physical activity (PA) for health and functioning, individuals with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) do not engage in PA at levels consistent with public health recommendations. To eliminate the health disparities and promote PA in this population, the barriers unique to individuals with TBI should be identified by different stakeholders to establish effective health promotion programs that have sustainable outcomes. There is limited evidence to guide the development and delivery of effective PA interventions in the TBI field. Objectives: The specific aims of this study are: 1) to identify the …


Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar Jan 2012

Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar

All ETDs from UAB

Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in United States. An ideal treatment for lipid-mediated inflammatory disorders would not only reduce plasma cholesterol dramatically but also improve high density lipoproteins (HDL) function. Apolipoprotein E (apo E), a protein component of HDL and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), is necessary for the receptor mediated hepatic uptake of apolipoprotein-B (apo B) containing remnant lipoproteins and also possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that a synthetic dual domain apo E mimetic peptide, Ac-hE18A-NH2 (a 28-residue peptide) containing receptor binding …


Contracted Hospitalists And Non-Contracted Hospitalists: Impact On Hospital Cost And Quality Care Outcomes, Kathleen L. Adams Jan 2012

Contracted Hospitalists And Non-Contracted Hospitalists: Impact On Hospital Cost And Quality Care Outcomes, Kathleen L. Adams

All ETDs from UAB

Background Changes in the health care delivery and policy environment are creating increased need for attention to health care costs and efficiency. Hospitals need to develop and implement oversight processes to effectively control costs and provide quality services. It is common for hospitals to contract with physician groups to staff various departments throughout the facility. Hospitalists are the most recent addition to hospital rosters. While some hospitals hire hospitalists directly as employees, others contract with physician groups to provide hospitalist services. The purpose of this study was to compare the potential benefits for hospitals that contracted with a hospitalist group …


Exploring Health Disparities For Children In The City Of Milwaukee, Mark Edwin Anderson Jan 2012

Exploring Health Disparities For Children In The City Of Milwaukee, Mark Edwin Anderson

All ETDs from UAB

This study investigated whether school-based oral health programs as a public policy intervention increased dental sealant applications among children from low-income families and minorities in public schools in inner city Milwaukee. By using a difference-in-differences analysis, we examined pre-post time frames, 2001-2003 and 2008-2009, to determine sealant application usage in public schools in nine inner city Milwaukee zip codes after the intervention of a public policy initiative to expand school-based oral health programs with the expressed intent of increasing placement of dental sealants in children at high risk for dental decay and disease. Results of a binary logistic regression revealed …


Self-Organizing Biopsychosocial Dynamics And The Patient-Healer Relationship, David Pincus Jan 2012

Self-Organizing Biopsychosocial Dynamics And The Patient-Healer Relationship, David Pincus

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The patient-healer relationship has an increasing area of interest for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) researchers. This focus on the interpersonal context of treatment is not surprising as dismantling studies, clinical trials and other linear research designs continually point toward the critical role of context and the broadband biopsychosocial nature of therapeutic responses to CAM. Unfortunately, the same traditional research models and methods that fail to find simple and specific treatment-outcome relations are similarly failing to find simple and specific mechanisms to explain how interpersonal processes influence patient outcomes. This paper presents an overview of some of the key models …


Segmented Life Of Cf, Anna Novak Jan 2012

Segmented Life Of Cf, Anna Novak

English Student Work

No abstract provided.