A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. / Memory screening in the community promotes early detection of memory problems, as well as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related illnesses, and encourages appropriate intervention. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid and sensitive screening tool for cognitive impairment that can be readily employed at the clinical level, but little is known about its utility as a community screening tool. Also, little is known regarding the demographics of the population that presents for a community screen. The research aims to evaluate the demographics of the participants that attended community memory screens in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and to evaluate the prevalence of screen positives using the MoCA. It is hypothesized that cognitive impairment will be significantly prevalent in the screened population and that age and family history of dementia will correlate with the presence of cognitive impairment. The study methods involve descriptive analysis and application of statistical tests to evaluate for significant relationships between demographic variables and MoCA scores. The population (n=346) had a mean age of 72 (SD =10.7), was primarily female (70%), primarily Caucasian (68%) and 86% had greater than a high school education. A 58% prevalence of cognitive impairment was found in the population as defined by the MoCA. Increased age, male gender, and non‐Caucasian race correlated with lower MoCA scores. Lower education correlated with lower MoCA scores despite the inherent educational correction in the MoCA. Diabetes and a family history of AD were not significant factors. Although the number of true positives following methodical diagnosis is unknown, given the validity of the MoCA in discerning cognitive impairment, the screen was likely worthwhile and supports more routine use of community memory screens. Variables identified that were associated with increased cognitive impairment better describe the population at risk and can be utilized to focus future screening efforts.

With the global economy in a crisis, debt levels are at an all-time high. The United States of America’s national debt exceeds $14 trillion and the South African outstanding gross consumer credit book is at R1,39 trillion. This pattern of debt levels is seen worldwide, with various adverse effects on the debtors and the economy in general. Although debt is an important mechanism in the growth of an economy, the amount of debt must be managed. Unsecured debt is a higher risk loan offered to debtors who cannot support the debt through any form of security. Default on this type of debt leaves the creditor with only a few options to recover the debt. It is thus important to understand the reasons for these defaults in order to manage the debtor and the risk associated with these loans. This study investigates the default rate and demographics of unsecured debt defaulters. A large study population is analysed to determine the total default rate and demographics of the defaulting debtors. The aim is to get a better understanding of the risk involved in unsecured debt in order to manage the credit vetting process more efficiently. Factors including loan size, number of loans, geographic distribution, gender and the age of debtors are studied to determine the profile of a typical debt defaulter. This is then compared to the non-defaulting population. The research findings confirm that there are statistically significant correlations between loan size, number of loans, geographic distribution, gender and age and the number of defaults in the population. The practical significance is, however, weak. It further proves that the profile of a defaulting debtors’ book is the same as the initial debtors’ book. A further challenge will be to incorporate affordability and other relevant data to understand the defaulting population and the reasons for default better. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Evolutionary process can be inferred at three different levels: the species level, the population level and the molecular level. In this thesis, I applied approaches at these three levels and aimed to get a comprehensive picture of conifer evolution, from speciation and demography to geographic variation and local adaptation, and then to the molecular evolution of proteins and small regulatory RNAs. Spruce species have been observed to possess a large number of trans-species shared polymorphisms. Using an “Isolation with migration” model, we found that the large effective population size of spruce retained these shared polymorphisms, inheriting them from the common ancestor. Post-divergence gene flow only existed between Picea abies and P. glauca, and between P. wilsonii and P. schrenkiana. The combination of Tajima’s D and Fay & Wu’s H at most of loci suggested an ancient and severe bottleneck for most species except P. breweriana. Furthermore, I investigated the effect of local selection in two parallel clines, which is one of the major forces that can cause divergence or even speciation. The timing of bud set and growth cessation was found correlated with latitude in populations of P. abies and P. obovata. Using allele frequency spectrum analyses we identified three genes under local selection in both species including two circadian-clock genes GI and PRR7, and one photoperiodic gene FTL2. This indicated that parallel evolution could occur through groups of genes within related pathways. Clinal variation at expression level provided stronger evidence of selection in FTL2, which has previously been associated with bud set in P. abies. Finally we focused on the molecular evolution of mRNA and small regulatory RNAs in P. abies. With the help of Next-Generation sequencing, we have achieved in spruce the first de novel assembly of the needle transcriptome and a preliminary characterization of sRNA populations. Along with features common in plants, spruce also exhibited novelties in many aspects including lower substitution rate and protein evolutionary rate, dominance of 21-nt sRNA, and a large proportion of TIR-NBS-LRR genes as sRNA sources and targets.

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The relationship between learning styles and achievement has been thoroughly studied by many researchers. However, the nursing assistant population is under represented in these studies. Hence, the purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between learning styles, demographics, and achievement of nursing assistant students in Illinois. The sample for the study consisted of 916 nursing assistant students' in Illinois. The VARK learning style inventory was used to measure the students' learning styles, and a demographic questionnaire was used to gather demographic data. The Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Test score was used to measure the achievement of students. The findings showed that there was a relationship between learning styles and achievement of nursing assistant students. Also, there was a relationship between demographics and learning styles. The dominant learning style was the multimodal all four (VARK) preference. Females were the highest representation in the sample and the majority of students were in age ranges 18-25.

O estudo busca identificar como a expansão do mercado de crédito brasileiro pode amenizar o problema de déficit habitacional no país através da criação de mais moradias. Entre 2000 e 2010, o país adotou novas regras institucionais que permitiram um aumento da oferta de crédito. Dentre elas podemos citar a lei de alienação fiduciária e mudanças na lei de direcionamento de crédito que expandiram o volume de financiamento habitacional. Comparando os dados do Censo 2000 com o Censo 2010, também é possível perceber que houve alguma melhora no problema de déficit habitacional, uma vez que houve redução do número médio de moradores por domicílio e por dormitório. Uma maneira de verificar como a expansão do mercado de crédito esteve relacionada a essa melhora, é identificar qual o impacto do financiamento na criação de moradias. Esse estudo utilizou dados dos municípios brasileiros nos anos de 2000 e 2010 para tentar responder essa questão empiricamente. Os resultados indicam que uma expansão de 100% do volume de financiamento aumenta em cerca de 10% o número de domicílios. Esse resultado foi obtido utilizando o método de variável instrumental, pois é possível que crédito seja uma variável endógena devido a uma características locais não observadas, como o preço dos imóveis. A variável instrumental proposta foi crédito para empresas, pois existem aspectos locais que devem expandir o crédito em diversas modalidades. Para embasar a análise empírica, foi desenvolvido um modelo teórico que destacou a importância de controlar por fatores como renda e demografia. Na análise empírica, a estrutura etária da população demonstrou ter um papel relevante na demanda por moradias. Por fim, esse resultado permaneceu robusto controlando por outras fontes de heterogeneidade local. / The study seeks to identify how the expansion in Brazilian credit market can relieve the problem of housing shortage by creating more housing. Between 2000 and 2010, the country adopted new institutional rules that allowed an increase in credit supply. Among them we can mention the fiduciary law and changes in non-earmarked credit regulation that expanded the volume of mortgage. Comparing the data from the 2000 census with the 2010 census, we can see that there was some improvement in the problem of housing shortage, since there was a reduction in the average number of residents per household and per bedroom. One way to verify how the credit market expansion was related to this improvement is to identify how mortgage impacts on household formation. This study used data from municipalities for the years 2000 and 2010 to try to answer this question empirically. The results indicate that an increase of 100% in credit volume increases by 10% the number of households. The results indicate that an increase of 100% in outstanding credit increases by about 10% the number of households. This result was obtained using an instrumental variable, since it is possible that credit is an endogenous due to unobserved local characteristics, such as real estate prices. Credit for legal entities was proposed as an instrumental variable, since there are local aspects that may expand credit in general. To support the empirical analysis, it was developed a theoretical model that emphasized the importance of controlling for factors such as income and demographics. In empirical analysis, age has shown to performance a decisive role for determining housing demand. Finally, this result remained robust after controlling for other kinds of local heterogeneity.

Following developments in technological advancement and the ability to automate jobs in the 21st Century, the quantity and variety of jobs impacted by computerization has increased. Using data from the 2013 American Community Survey (ACS), this paper explores how demographic characteristics influence the probability of job computerization. I perform a linear regression and find evidence that differences in race, education, and gender significantly impact the probability of an individual’s occupation to be computerized. Specifically, Hispanics are the most at risk racial/ethnic group followed in order by blacks, Asians, and whites; increased education is associated with lower probability of computerization; and men are more susceptible to facing job automation than women.

This thesis research analyzed the perceptions of local community residents in Puerto Morelos, Mx., and its affect on the National Marine Park. Social and economic factors affecting the level of support for the marine park were evaluated. Formal semi-structured written surveys were conducted with stakeholders in two major sub-regions affected by the protected zone. The survey allowed for comparison of stakeholders providing qualitative and quantitative information regarding attitudes, regulation awareness, and formation of the marine protected area. The results demonstrated a difference in knowledge level based on location in the community. Demographic indicators including education, nationality and community residency time are significant influences on the community perception of marine protection. There was a significant relationship between economic growth provided by the protected area and the level of support for protection resources. Further understanding of the relationship between social indicators and resource management is needed for conservation of important coastal resources.

Introduction: Knee flexion contractures have a negative impact on function for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Those with contracture treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have more post-operative pain and worse outcome. Little knowledge is available about patient demographic factors or gene expression in the knee joint capsule in the setting of contracture and severe OA. // Methods: Subjects with primary severe knee OA awaiting a TKA were recruited. We collected subject demographic factors that may be associated with preoperative knee contracture. Subjects’ posterior knee capsule was harvested intraoperatively. Capsule histological analysis was performed using light microscopy. Gene expression analysis was performed using whole genome microarray and immunohistochemistry was used for protein production analysis comparing those with contracture to those without. // Results: Twenty subjects were recruited for the demographics portion of the study (13 contractures and 7 controls), and capsules from 12 subjects (6 contractures, 6 controls) were used for histology, microarray, and IHC analyses. Contracture subjects had longer duration of OA, reduced extension in the contralateral knee, and showed a trend toward elevated body mass index. Tissue cross-sectional areas of adipose, non-adipose and synovial tissues were not statistically different histologically between the two groups. There was increased expression in the contracture group for the genes CHAD, Cyr61, and Sox9. There was a corresponding increase in protein production for CHAD and Sox9. // Conclusions: Screening for OA duration and bilateral knee range of motion (ROM) could be functionally beneficial. When a knee joint contracture is present, correcting for the resulting leg length discrepancy pre- and post-operatively could improve patient outcome. Gene protein products linking capsular cells to the ECM can influence capsular fibrosis and potentially impact ROM.

Recruiting and retaining top tier talent has increasingly become one of the few ways organisations can differentiate themselves from their competitors. In pursuit of the best talent for competitive advantage, an understanding of what job seekers want has become paramount to recruitment strategies. Given South Africa's heterogenous population make-up, the labour market consists of various groups of job seekers, each with unique characteristics that inform their organisational choices. To this end, the researcher sought to compare organisational choice decisions of different demographic groups of job seekers. Specifically, group comparisons in the consideration of ethical reputation as an organisational choice indicator, were made between job seekers of different genders, academic backgrounds and family income levels. Students registered at a metropolitan university in South Africa participated in a selfreport measurement instrument titled Organisational Choice Indicator (N = 330). Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a four-dimensional construct for organisational choices in South Africa. Independent t-tests showed that job seekers from higher family income levels consider ethical reputations of organisations when choosing employers, more than their counterparts from lower family income levels. However, the test also indicated no significant differences between male and female job seekers, in the consideration of this indicator. Analysis of variance with planned contrasts revealed that in their job search endeavors, individuals with Humanities backgrounds consider how ethically reputable an organisation is, more than those with Engineering and Commerce backgrounds. Implications of these findings are presented, as well as suggestions for future research.