A study was made to determine the reliability of Navajo Indian and American Caucasian subjects to air conducted pure tones. Audiograms were obtained on 30 Navajo and 27 Caucasian subjects as they responded to pure tones presented via a conventional audiometric technique and also via an automatic recording technique. One audiogram via conventional audiometry and one audiogram via automatic audiometry were obtained on the same day. Replications of the same tests were administered on the following day. Statistical analysis of the data was employed to determine the reliability of repeated test measurements. Mean threshold differences, standard deviations, Student's "t" test and analysis of variance were all utilized in making these determinations. The test results revealed the reliability to be beyond acceptable limits, according to previous research, under all test conditions except condition one. Statistical significance was demonstrated at all four conditions. Significant differences between performance of the two populations involved were not shown. However, differences due to changing conditions were demonstrated.

A metabolism trial was conducted to compare the nutritional value of: 1)"Quickstand" bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], 2)caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa caucasia (Trin.) C.E. Hubb], 3)tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and 4)orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). The warm-season grasses (bermudagrass and bluestem) were higher (P < .01) in fiber components than the cool-season grasses (tall fescue and orchardgrass). Bluestem was lower (P < .001) in CP, hemicellulose, and ash, and higher in NDF (P < .001), ADF (P < .001), cellulose (P < .001), and lignin (P < .01) than bermudagrass. The warm-season grasses were lower in the apparent digestibility of DM (P < .001), NDF (P < .01), ADF (P < .05), cellulose (P < .05), and hemicellulose (P < .01) than cool-season grasses. Apparent digestibility of NDF (P < .001), ADF (P < .001), cellulose (P < .01), and hemicellulose (P < .01) was higher for bluestem than bermudagrass. Fescue was higher (P < .001) in apparent digestibility of DM and CP and lower (P < .01) in apparent digestibility of NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose than orchardgrass. Lambs fed bluestem had lower (P < .05) N retention than those fed bermudagrass, when expressed as g/d. Lambs fed fescue had higher (P < .001) N retention, than those fed orchardgrass. When expressed as a percent of intake or absorption, N retention values were similar among treatments. The results of this study suggest that cool-season grasses are of higher nutritional value than warm-season grasses. / Master of Science

The purpose of this thesis was to examine adult attachment patterns and ethnic experience and the relationship on social competence. There are limited studies that have examined the differences among racially and ethnically diverse populations. A total of 60 university undergraduate students completed the Relationship Questionnaire, Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, Measure of Adolescent Hetersocial Competence, and the Scale of Ethnic Experience. Results showed that some differences existed between the two groups in terms of attachment patterns. Ethnic identity was related to social competence with both groups. It is suggested that ethnic experience may be useful for studying social competence.

No description available.

No description available.

The lack of consistent summer pasture supply is a major limitation to livestock production in the mid-Atlantic region. Perennial warm-season grasses might provide a solution if managed for high quality. Experiments were conducted on separate well-established stands of Caucasian bluestem and 'Cave-in-Rock' switchgrass at the Kentland Farm near Blacksburg, VA. Stages of grass maturity at harvest simulating pasture and hay systems were tested. Six interseeded legume species and two grass monoculture checks, one with 56 kg N/ha applied in spring and after each harvest, the other with no N, were imposed as sub-plots. Legume species included alfalfa, red clover, sericea lespedeza, annual lespedeza, Illinois bundleflower, and purple prairieclover. Inter-seeded legumes contributed a significant amount to yield and quality of perennial warm-season grasses in the legume-establishment year. In the year after establishment, grass mixtures with alfalfa, red clover, and, for switchgrass, sericea lespedeza yielded as much forage as N-fertilized grasses. Alfalfa and red clover altered the distribution of yield of the grasses, and may not be as compatible with perennial warm-season grasses as sericea lespedeza in the long-term. Interseeded legumes improved quality considerably in the second year. / Master of Science

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Walter H. Fick / Kevin Price / Caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake] is a perennial, C4 warm-season bunchgrass that was first introduced in 1929 from Russia as a potential forage crop in the Great Plains. Due to its invasiveness and tolerance of drought and grazing pressure, Caucasian bluestem can out-compete native prairie species. Research has shown that this species, when compared to native tallgrass species in the Flint Hills of Kansas causes decreased cattle weight gains because of its poor forage quality relative to tallgrass prairie species. Traditional methods of plant data measurements and mapping are costly and time consuming. Use of remotely sensed data to map and monitor the distribution and spread of this plant would be most useful in the control of this aggressive invader. Spectroradiometer data were collected over the 2009 growing season to determine if and when Caucasian bluestem was spectrally unique from native tallgrass prairie species. Observations were made from June through September as the plants were going into a senescent state. Reflectance data were measured approximately every two weeks or when clear/near clear sky conditions prevailed. Statistical analyses for differences in spectral characteristics were conducted to determine the optimal spectral bands, indices and timing for discriminating Caucasian bluestem from native tallgrass species. Difference in reflectance for spectral reflectance of bands 760 nm, 940 nm, 1,070 nm, and 1,186 nm were found to be statistically significant on the June 17th and June 30th sampling dates. The following band ratios and indices were found to be significantly different between Caucasian bluestem and native range on the June 17th collection date: Simple Ratio, Modified Normalized Difference Index, Normalized Phaeophytinization Index, Plant Index 1, Normalized Water Difference Index, Water Band Index, Normalized Difference Nitrogen Index, and the Normalized Difference Lignin Index. Findings of this study suggest that Caucasian bluestem can be spectrally discriminated from native tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills in Kansas if the measurements are collected in mid to late June. Statistical analyses also showed differences between treatments for percent litter, grass, and forb basal cover.

The aim of this study was to explore, from different perspectives, whether obesity related variables are associated with facets of psychological well-being, with a vision to future enhancement of health and the quality of life of people in the African context. This study was undertaken from the perspective of positive psychology and focused on the metabolic syndrome and obesity as biological facets. This research was conducted as part of the multidisciplinary POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with Insulin Resistance Syndrome) project. African (n=102) and Caucasian (1 15) women took part in a cross-sectional design. The thesis consists of 3 articles: I) Childhood relationships and bio-psycho-.gocia1 well-being in African women, 2) Psychological well-being and rhe metabolic syndrome in African and Caucasian women, and 3) Psychological wellbeing and (the absence of obesity in African and Caucasian women. In this study psychological well-being was conceptualized and operationalized by means of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29); Affectometer 2 (AFM) (short form); Fortitude Questionnaire (FORQ); Cognitive Appraisa1 Questionnaire (CAQ); Psychological Well-being Scales (SPWB); Quality of Childhood Relationship Questionnaire (QCR); Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Jarel Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWS-H). These scales were chosen to include hedonic as well as eudaimonic psychological well-being facets, but also an index of psychological symptoms. As far as possible, scales with acceptable psychometric properties as described in international as well as South African context were selected. The first article focused on whether African women with a recalled higher level of quality of childhood relationships mould differ significantly with regard to biological, psychological and social well-being from women with a recalled lower level of quality of childhood relationships. Body mass index (BMI) was used as objective measure of obesity to operationalize physical health. Findings were that the recalled quality of childhood relationships is linked with obesity and psycho-social well-being in this group of African women. The second article focused on psychological well-being and (the absence of) the metabolic syndrome (MS). It explored the possible association between comprehensive psychological well-being and MS in different cultural contexts, and explored whether African and Caucasian women without MS markers and those with MS differ on specific indices of psychological well-being. The criteria of the NCEP ATPIII mere implemented to determine markers of MS, and the absence of markers of MS was used as measure of physical health. Findings were that an association is found in Caucasian women between comprehensive psychological well-being and the absence of the metabolic syndrome, but not in the case of African women. Caucasian women without metabolic syndrome markers had significantly higher levels of psycho-social wellbeing than uomen with the metabolic syndrome. but a less apparent pattern of differences emerged for African women. MS markers for African women should be further explored. The third article explored facets of psychological well-being as predictors for (the absence of) obesity (measured by BMI and WHR) in African and Caucasian women, and whether similar or different psychological well-being facets will emerge as predictors of obesity in different cultural contexts. Obesity was operationalized in terms of waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and body-mass-index (BMI). The finding was that clusters of psychological well-being facets are practical significant predictors of obesity (measured by BMI and WHR) and that these clusters differ in some respects for African and Caucasian women. It was concluded that, firstly. findings support holistic conceptualizations of health such as proposed by the WHO (1999). Secondly, it may be worthwhile to include facets of psychological well-being in already existing intervention programmes. The development of strengths that focus on life skills and behaviours related to positive interpersonal relationships, optimistic cognitive attributional styles, finding a sense of purpose and meaningfulness in life, may be particularly beneficial. Sensitivity for cultural contexts is indicated. In view of the increase in the occurrence of obesity in childhood and adolescence it is recommended that educational training programmes should be implemented early in life in order to facilitate protective strengths and to promote bio-psycho-social health in individuals and communities. Advocacy for more attention to psycho-social and protective factors in public health is needed. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MetS among different African populations using the new Joint Statement Criteria. Hereafter we aimed to determine whether waist or neck circumference is the best predictor of MetS risk after ethnic, gender and age-specific cut-points were developed. Lastly, we aimed to determine whether afore-mentioned cut-point can predict albumin:creatinine ratio as a marker of target organ damage. Methods: The study sample (N=409) comprised of urban African (men, N=101; women, N=99) and Caucasian (men, N=101; women, N=108) teachers from the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Education district in the North-West Province, South Africa. Participants were aged between 25 and 65 years. Anthropometric measurements, albumin:creatinine ratio and other markers of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) (systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP and DBP], glucose, triglycerides [TG] and high density lipoprotein [HDL]) were determined. Results: Africans (65 and 63 % for men and women) and Caucasian men (73%) showed high prevalence of MetS; ROC analysis determined neck circumference (NC) cut-points of 39 and 35 cm for young and older African men, 32 and 35 cm for young and older African women, 40 and 41 cm for Caucasian men and 34 and 33 cm for Caucasian women. This NC cut-point can be used to determine metabolic syndrome risk in all groups, except in African women; ROC developed waist circumference (WC) cut-points were 91 cm for all African male groups, 84, 81 and 84 cm for young, older and total group of African women. Suggested WC cut-points for Caucasian men were 93 cm for the young group and 97 cm for older as well as total Caucasian male groups, while cut-points for Caucasian women were 87 cm, 79 cm and 84 cm for young, older and total Caucasian women. These WC cut-points were good measures of metabolic syndrome risk in all groups; neither cut-point of WC nor NC could increase the risk of albumin:creatinine ratio. Conclusion: African women as a group present with few MetS risk factors and glucose is associated with renal function risk in Africans; NC cut-points may be used as an additional anthropometric marker to predict the metabolic syndrome in a South African cohort, but not in African women; WC cutpoints demonstrated to be good predictors of the metabolic syndrome in the same South African cohort, especially among men; WC would seem to be the best measure of MetS risk in all African populations, although NC can also be used for this purpose in all African populations, except in African women. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The prevalence of obesity has doubled over the past 25 years in the United States, particularly in North Carolina. Obesity is influenced by biological, social, and environmental factors; its prevalence has been found to be higher among African American women and other racial ethnic minorities. Guided by the social ecological model, the purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine the relationship of the psycho-social, psycho-behavioral factors, and body mass index levels (BMI) in African American women living in North Carolina versus their Hispanic American and European American counterparts. A logistic regression model using secondary data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System revealed a significant association in income levels, house hold size, dietary intake, physical activity, and increased BMI levels in African American women. African American women were significantly more likely to be obese (r = 0.93 p > 0.05) compared to European American and Hispanic American women. The association of each variable to BMI assessed for African American women was as follows: income (r = 0.46, p = 0.001), dietary intake (r = 0.-17, p = 0.04), household size (r = 0.57, p = 0.001), physical activity (r = -0.16, p = 0.05), depression (r = 0.37, p = 0.001), and alcohol consumption (r = 0.39, p = 0.001). A culturally sensitive weight loss model addressing the psycho-behavioral and psychosocial risk factors that negatively influence BMI and subsequently obesity is warranted for African American women living in North Carolina to promote social change and decrease the incidence of obesity in this ethnic group.