Due to a proliferation of health and social advantages, the popularity of running among the more mature members of the female population is expanding steadily. However, with both age and gender acting as possible risk factors, the incidence of running related injuries and associated conditions is high among this group. With the predominance of debilitating conditions such as knee joint osteoarthritis acting at the knee joint, knowledge of lower limb biomechanics during running will provide insight into possible risk factors and potential management strategies. Three biomechanical and one magnetic resonance imaging study focussed on the specific running gait of mature females and the effect of footwear on lower limb joint kinematics and loading. The biomechanical studies used synchronised ground reaction force and lower extremity kinematic data to provide three dimensional running data and knee moments for each female. The long term study objectives were to 1) determine whether the running gait of mature females could be a predisposing factor to injuries and conditions at the knee joint, and 2) determine if changes in footwear could modify biomechanical variables associated with the development of injuries and overuse conditions among this group. In Study One, a direct comparison of mature and young female running gait was used to identify any biomechanical movement characteristics specific to the mature group that could predispose to injuries and debilitating conditions. It was found that rearfoot eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, knee internal rotation, and knee external adductor moment that are associated with increased loading of the lateral knee joint and possible medial knee joint osteoarthritis development, were significantly higher among the mature females compared to the younger group (p<0.05). A common management strategy for running related conditions is the adaption of footwear. Therefore Study Two investigated the effect of a motion control running shoe on the running gait of young and mature females, with a specific focus on the variables associated with knee joint injury and osteoarthritis development. The results showed a motion control shoe to reduce certain biomechanical variables (rearfoot eversion and knee internal rotation) associated with mature female runners. However, one variable (knee external adductor moment) commonly associated with increased medial knee loading and osteoarthritis development, remained high among the mature females. One specific method used to reduce the knee external adductor moment, is the implementation of a lateral wedge in running shoes. Therefore, Study Three assessed the singular effects of a medial wedge, a lateral wedge, and then the effect of an orthotic combining both interventions on the running gait of mature females. Results demonstrated non significant changes in any kinematic variable with the medial or lateral wedge, although the lateral wedge was shown to reduce the knee external adductor moment. The orthotic intervention however produced significant reductions in rearfoot eversion, knee internal rotation, and knee external adductor moment previously found to be high among mature female runners. Although all mature females studied had previously been characterised as free from symptoms of knee injury or osteoarthritis, a final investigation was undertaken to assess the condition of the knee joint (Study Four). Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the knee were taken for ten of the mature females. Results indicated that eight out of the ten females had early stage osteoarthritis present, with an average 79% of features presenting on the medial side of the knee joint. Additionally, there was a strong positive correlation between knee osteoarthritis and the knee external adductor moments measured in the ongoing biomechanical study (Study Three). These studies have shown that the running gait of mature females is significantly different to that of younger female runners, and could predispose the mature group to injury and knee osteoarthritis development. The trends in kinematic adaption to a motion control shoe have shown promising results, and indicated the potential for footwear to reduce rearfoot eversion and knee internal rotation among mature female runners. However, a specific orthotic, incorporating both medial and lateral support has been found to reduce biomechanical features of gait associated with overloading at both the medial and lateral knee joint. The positive correlation between the knee adductor moment and signs of osteoarthritis for an asymptomatic population suggests that the knee adductor moment may be a useful predictive tool for identifying female runners at risk of osteoarthritis development.

Abstract  The severe situation of female child soldiers worldwide continues, and the harsh reality they stand in front of once returning back to their communities is often concealed. By the time former female child soldiers begin their journey back to civilian life and a life of dignity, they face various difficulties. Females are often exposed to marginalisation, stigmatisation, discrimination and isolation, and their livelihood and safety tend to be jeopardised. Females are often disregarded and are desperately fighting a battle to become accepted and to receive needed assistance. Since gender roles and gender identities vary around the world and between regions, communities tend to treat females and males very differently. Expectations of females vary depending on structures in communities and therefore communities tend to treat females in a certain way. This study seeks to explore national reintegration strategies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and how the gap between these strategies and traditional cultural and social expectations of females affect reintegration processes in the country. The complex situation of female child soldiers in the DRC in terms of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), with particular focus on reintegration is addressed in this thesis. The objective of this study is to analyse to what extent national reintegration strategies in the DRC are adapted to meet the needs of females and their home community. The findings indicate that the national program of DDR in the DRC, the PNDDR, is not aligned with existing cultural and social expectations of females, which have major consequences in reintegration processes. The findings demonstrate that there are many systems which are vital and have to be considered for reintegration to be effective. These systems have to be considered by the PNDDR on a broader level since there are shortcomings in these systems. It is significant to have knowledge about females to be able to streamline DDR processes and once designing programs of DDR. If reintegration of females is unsuccessful, this has negative effects for peace. This study draws on qualitative approaches and a desk study is performed. A created analytical framework taking surrounding environments, child development and social and cultural components into account is used. Keywords: DDR, DRC, Females, Reintegration, Traditional Social Expectations, Traditional Cultural Expectations

Most scholarship regarding Shakespeare’s King Lear rests on the analysis of Lear and Cordelia, with the odd reference to the eldest daughter, Goneril, and brief homages to the Gloucester subplot. Lear’s middle daughter, Regan, is rarely mentioned at all, unless it is in conjunction with one of her more scholastically popular sisters. Within these marginalized moments of notice, Regan is routinely simplified as being just another sinful sister, fitting nicely into the accepted binaries of good and evil outlined within the play. Despite the fact that most binaries, like characters, are flawed, Regan has been given little to no chance to be absolved of her supposed offenses. By looking at Regan through the lenses of a theatrical character study and also as a subject of iconography within the realms of classical art, film, graphic novels, and the stage, I aim to prove that Regan, despite her consistent relegation to the shadows, is a three-dimensional character who has simply been dealt a difficult hand by her creator.

Abstract THE CARE FACTOR: THE IMPORTANCE OF USING DOMAIN IDENTIFICATION MEASURES TO IDENTIFY STEREOTYPE THREAT VULNERABILITY IN HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES. By Kimberly Y. Randolph, PhD A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016. Major Director: Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, PhD. Professor Department of Educational Leadership There is a gap that persists in math achievement between high school males and females. Although the NAEP 2015 longitudinal report shows a narrowing in math achievement between males and females there still remains a gap. More importantly, females are less likely to enter into math - related college programs. Those that do enter into math related college programs sometimes choose to drop out of these programs. The purpose of this study was to do an analysis of factors, along with stereotype threat (the fear of doing something that would inadvertently confirm that stereotype) that might affect math achievement in girls. The factors used were domain identification measure, motivational orientation, self-efficacy and cognitive interference. Girls who participated in the study attended private or public schools, are in the 9th through 12 grade and have taken algebra I and geometry. Thus, for the female students in this study, domain identification level did not predict math achievement, desire to learn did not predict math achievement, mastery of goals did not predict math achievement, competitive excellence did not predict math achievement, competition seeking predicted math achievement accounting for 25% of the variance in math scores, motivation anxiety worry did not predict math achievement, and motivation anxiety emotionality did not predict math achievement, threat condition did not affect self- efficacy, threat condition did not affect cognitive interference, threat is not related to desire to learn, threat has no effect on personal mastery, threat condition had no effect on competition seeking, threat condition had no effect on emotionality, threat condition did not have an effect on mathematics achievement. . Perhaps there have been changes in female student attitude toward mathematics. With the rise of (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) initiatives in schools across the country, females are encouraged to immerse themselves in domains that traditionally are dominated by males.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis delineates factors affecting the retention decisions of female Surface Warfare Officers. The data were obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with 12 female senior officers and 15 female junior officers. The transcripts from the interviews revealed 19 general themes. Based on the research, the data regarding the decisions that female officers make to either stay in the Navy or leave leads to four broad categories: economic factors, Navy taste factors., leadership factors, and family issues. The most common negative factors influencing female junior officers to leave the Navy are quality of life issues, lack of confidence in senior leadership, and family concerns. The main reasons the female senior officers stayed in the Navy were job satisfaction, their love for being out at sea and ship driving, and their commitment to taking advantage of the opportunities offered to them and forging a path for the women who followed. This thesis concludes with recommendations for further research and policy changes to assist personnel officials in understanding the retention decisions of female Surface Warfare Officers and potentially increasing the retention rate of the female officers. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-esteem and gang activity involvement and family involvement and gang activity involvement among adolescent females. Using non-probability sampling, fifty African American ninth-grade students who were enrolled at an Atlanta Public School were selected. An original questionnaire was administered to examine the participants' level of self-esteem, family involvement, and gang activity involvement. Findings indicated that self-esteem and family involvement were not correlated with gang activity involvement. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

One of the population groups most acutely infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are adolescent females. Coercive practices and gender inequalities have been cited as important determinants of women’s HIV risk. This research aims to explore adolescent girls’ understanding of their identity and heterosexual sexuality. In addition, this study intends to assess the implications that gendered powered relations held for understanding the risks and dilemmas that young women are confronted with in relation to HIV/AIDS contraction. This research presents the findings of a qualitative and quantitative study conducted using a self-constructed questionnaire that was administered to a purposive sample of adolescent girls aged 13-18. Content analysis is used to analyse the data, the aim being to extract themes as they emerged from the data. Some of the following themes were identified as significant in the girls’ responses: The physical changes that occur during adolescence were highlighted alongside the viewpoint that adolescence is a time of inconsistency and turmoil. Self-worth was closely linked and related to socially desirable characteristics, and in addition gendered behaviour was widely endorsed amongst these girls. Romantic relationships were an important component of these girls’ lives. However, many described their relationships as being less sexual and more emotional in nature. The awareness of sexual readiness and choice hold positive implications for HIV/AIDS. A common consensus existed regarding practicing safe sex and almost all respondents agreed that the onset of sexual intercourse should be postponed until the age of 18 years or older. It appeared that although adhering to feminine stereotyped behaviour could be protective in the sense that it may result in less risky sexual engagement, it however, was also apparent that it could render females less powerful within their heterosexual relationships, thereby increasing their vulnerability to HIV infection. Although only a small proportion of the respondents experienced being forced into a sexual encounter against their will, an underlying fear of sexual coercion or threat nevertheless, emerged. It is concluded that sex education should engage with gender-stereotyped behaviour especially during early and middle adolescence when identities are being formed and developed.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a soroprevalência da leptospirose bovina no Estado da Bahia, bem como identificar fatores de risco associados à infecção. A amostragem foi delineada para a determinação da prevalência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos para a leptospirose. O Estado foi dividido em quatro circuitos produtores, nos quais foram amostradas 10.823 fêmeas bovinas com idade ≥24 meses distribuídas em 1.414 propriedades. Na ocasião da colheita de sangue, foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico por propriedade e as coordenadas geográficas foram obtidas com um aparelho de GPS. A reação de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), empregando 24 sorovares de Leptospira spp. como antígenos, foi utilizada como teste diagnóstico. O rebanho foi considerado foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. As prevalências de foco e de animais soropositivos no Estado foram de 77,93% [75,73% 79.99%] e 45,42% [42,00% 48,88%], respectivamente. O sorovar mais freqüente foi o Hardjoprajitno, com 34,49% [31,93% 37,14%] de propriedades positivas e 14,95% [12,59% - 17,67%] de animais soropositivos. Nos circuitos produtores 1, 2, 3 e 4, as prevalências de focos foram de 62,40% [57,43% 67,13%], 88,10% [84,16% 91,15%], 77,47% [72,88% 81,49%] e 78,25% [73,47% 82,37%], e as prevalências de animais soropositivos foram de 42,52% [35,82% 49,51%], 48,60% [43,68% 53,56%], 47,72% [40,36% 55,18%] e 44,18% [38,13% 50,41%], respectivamente. A compra de reprodutores, presença de animais silvestres, utilização de pasto compartilhado, presença de eqüinos, cães e suínos, presença de cervídeos, abate de reprodutores nas fazendas, existência de áreas alagadiças, exploração de corte, aluguel de pasto e predominância de raças especializadas foram os principais fatores de risco identificados. A presença de gatos foi um fator de proteção contra a leptospirose. / The aim of this work was to determine the seroprevalence of bovine leptospirosis in Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors associated to infection. The sampling was delineated for the determination of the prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals for bovine leptospiroses. The State was divided into four productive circuits in which 10,823 bovine females aged ≥24 months allocated in 1,414 herds were sampled. On the occasion of the blood collection, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied in each herd and the geographical coordinates were obtained with a GPS. The Microscopic Agglutination Teste (MAT), using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens, was employed as diagnostic test. The herd was considered positive if at least one animal was seropositive. The prevalences of positive herds and seropositive animals in State were 77. 93% [75.73% 79.99%] and 45.42% [42.00% 48.88%], respectively. Serovar Hardjoprajitno was the most frequent, with 34.49% [31.93% 37.14%] of positive herds and 14.95% [12.59% - 17.67%] of seropositive animals. In the productive circuits 1, 2, 3 and 4, the prevalences of positive herds were 62.40% [57.43% 67.13%], 88.10% [84.16% 91.15%], 77.47% [72.88% 81.49%] and 78.25% [73.47% 82.37%], and the revalences of seropositive animals were 42.52% [35.82% 49.51%], 48.60% [43.68% 53.56%], 47.72% [40.36% 55.18%] and 44.18% [38.13% 50.41%], respectively. Purchase of reproducers, presence of wild animals, utilization of shared pasturage, presence of equine, dogs and swine, presence of cervides, slaughter of reproducers in the farms, existence of flooded areas, meat farm enterprise, rent of pasturage and predominance of specialized breeds were the main identified risk factors. Presence of cats was a protective factor against leptospirosis.

Orientador: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente / Coorientador: Maurício Veloso Brun / Banca: Giuliano Queiroz Mostachio / Banca: Maricy Apparício Ferreira / Banca: Leandro Zuccolotto Crivellenti / Resumo: Nos últimos anos a cirurgia minimamente invasiva vem ganhando cada vez mais adeptos por demonstrar vantagens inigualáveis em comparação à cirurgia convencional o que vem estimulando o desenvolvimento de instrumentais inovadores com potenciais aplicações na medicina veterinária. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a técnica de portal único (SILSTM) para ovário-histerectomia videoassistida em cadelas, comparando-a à técnica laparoscópica videoassistida por "single-port" via endoscópio com canal de trabalho e com a técnica por celiotomia, verificando a curva de aprendizado, resposta inflamatória e comportamental, complicações trans-cirúrgicas e a perda sanguínea dos animais submetidos a estas técnicas. Foram avaliadas 30 fêmeas caninas, alocadas em três grupos com 10 animais em cada: ovário-histerectomia convencional por celiotomia (GI), ovário-histerectomia laparoscópica videoassistida por um único portal utilizando endoscópio com canal de trabalho (GII) e ovário-histerectomia laparoscópica com uso do dispositivo SILSTM (GIII). Foram avaliados os tempos cirúrgicos médios, numero de complicações trans e pós-cirúrgicas nos diferentes grupos, a intensidade da dor pós-operatória mediante aplicação da escalas de dor de Universidade de Melbourne, Glasgow e Morton e os níveis séricos da proteína C reativa e Interleucina-6 durante as primeiras 72 horas após o término dos procedimentos. A media de tempo obtidos foram de 30,20±6,41min para o grupo GI, 60,30±19,15 min para o grupo GII e 1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Over the last few years, minimally invasive surgery is gaining more followers, by showing unparalleled advantages in front of conventional surgery. This fact has been stimulating the development of new instruments, potentially applicable on Veterinary Medicine. The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a single portal technique (SILSTM) to ovariohysterectomy video assisted in bitches, comparing it to a video assisted technique by single-port using an endoscopy with work channel, and with celiotomy, assessing the learning curve, inflammatory and behavioral response, surgical complications and blood loss from animals subjected to these techniques. Thirty female dogs were evaluated, divided into 3 groups with 10 animals each (n=10): ovariohysterectomy by celiotomy (GI), laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy video assisted through a single-port using an endoscope with working channel (GII), and laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy using the SILSTM device (GIII). Mean surgical time, number of complications during and after surgery, pain level after surgery, and serum levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP) an Interleucin-6 (IL-6), were evaluated. Mean surgical times plus/minus standard deviations (SD) in minutes were 30.20±6.41, 60.30±19.15, and 119.42±32.78 for GI, GII and GIII, respectively. On GII, were noted three complications that didn't need to be converted to celiotomy and one that needs, while GIII presented three complications that needed to be converted to celiotomy. Rega... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Thesis (MA. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The current study aimed at investigating the relationship between attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) and family structure and functioning, religiosity, and death anxiety. Participants of this study consisted of 330 school-going, adolescent, female participants aged 12 to 19 years. The results indicated that no relationship exists between attitudes towards TOP and the type of family structure from which an individual stems. The relationship between attitudes towards TOP and the Family Assessment Device (FAD) general family functioning scale did not reach statistical significance either. When attitudes towards TOP were correlated with the more specific family functioning subscales, the FAD problem-solving subscale was negatively associated with attitudes towards TOP. Additionally, the relationship between attitudes towards TOP and death anxiety was not statistically significant. However, analysis indicated that there is a statistically significant, negative relationship between attitudes towards TOP and intrinsic religiosity among school-going adolescents. Final analysis involved the regression of variables of FAD problem-solving and intrinsic religiosity on attitudes towards TOP. Both intrinsic religiosity and FAD problem-solving scores were predictors of attitudes towards TOP.