Neste estudo 60 cepas de Aeromonas, 15 A. hydrophila, 15 A. caviae, 15 A. sobria e 15 A. jandaei, isoladas de 5 diferentes pontos do reservatório de Guarapiranga, São Paulo, e previamente testada quanto à produção de fatores de virulência, acúmulo de fluído em alça ligada e hemólise em ágar sangue, foram submetidas a ribotipagem e a análise do perfil plasmidial. Cada cepa apresentou um perfil de ribotipagem diferente tendo-se observado para as espécies A. hydrophila e A. caviae a diferenciação em 3 agrupamentos, e A. sobria e A. jandaei dois agrupamentos cada. A análise do perfil plasmidial demonstrou que 13,4 por cento das A. hydrophila apresentaram um ou no máximo 2 plasmídios, enquanto 33,3 por cento das A. sobria e 53,3 por cento das A. jandaei apresentaram de 1 a 6 plasmídios para cada espécie; A. caviae não apresentou cepas contendo plasmídios. Não foi observada correlação entre a presença de plasmídios e a produção de fatores de virulência pelas cepas estudadas. A ribotipagem demonstrou haver um polimorfismo genômico dentro de uma mesma espécie de Aeromollas e, ainda, diferenciou cepas isoladas de um mesmo ponto de amostragem. Estas metodologias, ribotipagem e análise do perfil plasmidial, apresentam em geral características que são complementares, demonstrando ser ferramentas importantes a serem empregadas, tanto em estudos epidemiológicos como ecológicos. / In this work 60 Aeromonas strains, 15 A. hydrophila, 15 A. caviae, 15 A. sobria and 15 A. jandaei isolated from 5 different points of Guarapiranga Dam, São Paulo, and previously tested for virulence factors production (ileal loop assay and hemolysis on blood agar) were submitted to ribotyping and plasmidial profiles analysis. Each strain showed a different ribopattern and there were observed that for A. hydrophila and A. caviae each specie were grouped in 3 ribotypes, A. sobria and A. jandaei in 2 ribotype each. Plasmidial profiles analysis demonstrated that 13,4 per cent af A. hydrophila had at least one but no more than 2 plasmids, 33,3 per cent of A. sobria and 53,3 per cent af A. jandaei had from one to 6 plasmids each, and A. caviae didn\'t show to have any plasmids. There were not observed correlation between presence of plasmids and virulence factor production. Ribotyping showed that there are genomic polymorphism within the same Aeromonas specie and differentiate strains that were isolated from the same sample point, indicating that those methodologies have in general characteristics that are complementary and are important tools to be used either in epidemiological or ecological studies.

In this dissertation, we investigate four distinct and interrelated problems for high-dimensional inference of mean vectors in multi-groups. The first problem concerned is the profile analysis of high dimensional repeated measures. We introduce new test statistics and derive its asymptotic distribution under normality for equal as well as unequal covariance cases. Our derivations of the asymptotic distributions mimic that of Central Limit Theorem with some important peculiarities addressed with sufficient rigor. We also derive consistent and unbiased estimators of the asymptotic variances for equal and unequal covariance cases respectively. The second problem considered is the accurate inference for high-dimensional repeated measures in factorial designs as well as any comparisons among the cell means. We derive asymptotic expansion for the null distributions and the quantiles of a suitable test statistic under normality. We also derive the estimator of parameters contained in the approximate distribution with second-order consistency. The most important contribution is high accuracy of the methods, in the sense that p-values are accurate up to the second order in sample size as well as in dimension. The third problem pertains to the high-dimensional inference under non-normality. We relax the commonly imposed dependence conditions which has become a standard assumption in high dimensional inference. With the relaxed conditions, the scope of applicability of the results broadens. The fourth problem investigated pertains to a fully nonparametric rank-based comparison of high-dimensional populations. To develop the theory in this context, we prove a novel result for studying the asymptotic behavior of quadratic forms in ranks. The simulation studies provide evidence that our methods perform reasonably well in the high-dimensional situation. Real data from Electroencephalograph (EEG) study of alcoholic and control subjects is analyzed to illustrate the application of the results.

Writing self-efficacy is a vital component to a students’ motivation and will to succeed towards writing. The measurement of writing self-efficacy over the past 40 years, despite its development, continues to largely be represented by Confirmatory Factor Analysis models that are limited due to their restricted item to factor constraints. These constraints, given prior literature and the theoretical understanding of self-efficacy, do not adequately model construct- relevant psychometric multidimensionality as a product of conceptual overlap or a hierarchical or general factor. Given this, the present study’s purpose was to examine the adapted Self-efficacy for Writing Scale (SEWS) for the presence of construct-relevant psychometric multidimensionality through a series of measurement model comparisons and person-centered approaches. Using a sample 1,466 8th, 9th, and 10th graders, a bifactor exploratory structural equation model was found to best represent the data and demonstrate that the SEWS exhibits both construct-relevant multidimensionality as a function of conceptual overlap and the presence of a hierarchical theme. Using factor scores derived from this model, latent profile analysis was conducted to further establish validity of the measurement model and examine how students disaggregate into groups based on their response trends of the SEWS. Three profiles emerged greatly differentiated by global writing self-efficacy, with obvious and substantively varying specific factor differences between profiles. Concurrent, divergent, and discriminant validity evidence was established through a series of analyses that assessed predictors and outcomes of the profiles (e.g. demographics, standardized writing assessments, grades). Theoretical and educator implications and avenues for future researcher were discussed.

Workplace incidents result in significant human and financial costs. Despite these costs, it is estimated that less than 1% of organisational research focuses on issues concerning occupational health and safety (Barling & Zacharatos, 2000; Reason, 1990). Safety research has begun however to focus increasing attention on understanding the role that the wider organisational context, and in particular the role that safety climate, plays in influencing safety (Barling, Kelloway, & Iverson, 2003; Clarke, 2006a; Cox & Cheyne, 2000; Parker, Axtell, & Turner, 2001; Zohar, 2000). Safety climate refers to safety related policies, procedures and practices that signal the concern for safety (Griffin & Neal, 2000). The aim of the current program of research was to further understanding of the structure, antecedents and cross-level effects of safety climate. Specifically, this research aimed to better understand how organisational factors, and more specifically culture, influence safety climate and safety incidents. This knowledge is important as it assists organisations to purposively engineer stronger climates for safety and in doing so assists them to reduce the number of workplace incidents and accidents. The current program of research consists of three field-based studies. An overview of each study is provided below: Overview Study 1 Study 1 aimed to identify the safety climate schema for a sample of individuals working within the rail industry and explore whether safety climate schemas differ across individuals with and without leadership responsibilities. A proportional number of upper managers (n = 6), supervisors (n = 7) and workers (n = 12) were purposively sampled and interviewed. Interview data was analysed using Leximancer – an advanced computer assisted data mining tool. Results identified 10 emergent themes underlying a safety climate schema – many of these themes aligned closely with common safety climate factors in the academic literature. Results also showed differences between the safety factors that were dominant in the safety climate schemas of upper managers, supervisors and workers: upper managers were more closely associated with themes relating to ‘culture,’ and ‘people’; supervisors were more closely associated with themes relating to ‘corporate values,’ ‘management practices,’ and ‘safety communication’; whereas workers were more closely associated with themes relating to ‘procedures,’ and ‘safety training’. Results are discussed in relation to safety climate theory and in relation to how managers can use this knowledge to better communicate to the specific safety needs of different sub-groups. Overview Study 2 Study 2 aimed to better understand how perceived cultural profiles are related to safety. The Competing Values Framework adopted in this study proposes that four cultural types exist in unison in any organisation. Depending on the demands that are placed on the organisation, each type will be more or less dominant and each organisation will have a specific ‘cultural profile’ reflecting the strengths of each type. A cross-section of individuals (N = 368) working in high risk industries were sampled to identify the relationship between perceived cultural profiles and (1) psychological safety climate and (2) individual safety incidents. Modal Profile Analysis (MPA) identified four commonly perceived cultural profiles across the sample. A one-way MANOVA indicated that individuals who perceived their organisation had a strong human relations profile, or a dual focused human relations-rational goal profile, reported higher safety climate perceptions and fewer safety incidents. Comparably, individuals who perceived their organisation had a strong internal process profile, or a dual focused internal process-rational goal profile, reported lower safety climate perceptions and more safety incidents. These findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical contribution to the safety climate literature, and in relation to the practical importance that culture plays in influencing safety. Overview Study 3 Study 3 aimed to better understand how the culture of an organisation influences safety, and to explore the levels of analysis that are involved in this relationship. Specifically, this study examined the role that an internal process culture played in influencing safety climate; and in turn the mediating role that two sources of safety climate – business-unit safety climate and perceived supervisory safety climate – played in explaining the relationship between culture and individual-level outcomes (incidents, satisfaction and turnover intentions). Results showed that business-unit culture was related to business-unit safety climate; and that business-unit safety climate and perceived supervisory safety climate mediated the relationship between business-unit culture and incidents, satisfaction and turnover intentions. This research adds to the safety climate literature by providing evidence for the multi-level nature of the relationship between culture, safety climate and outcomes.

In this work, it is of interest to study the effects of thrombocytosis and microvascular anastomosis to that of vascular thrombosis. Here the splenectomy is used to the experimental subjects to have caused thrombocytosis first and later have the microvascular anastomsis on the divided vessel. Observations on different variables which may be related to vascular thrombosis are obtained during the three stages of the experiments, there are pre-splenectomy, post-splenectomy but before vascular division, and after the vascular anastomsis. These variables include platelet number, RBC count, Nitric oxide(nitrite and nitrate), femoral artery perfusion unit, hematocrit, reticulated-platelet number, and activated-platelets(p-selectin, CD62p). The experimental units are divided into thrombocysis group and control group. Basic statistical analysis are performed first to see the differences between the two groups for the above mentioned variables, and later try to use the profile analysis in multivariate analysis to understand the changes of these variables in different stages as well as their possible relationships with the cause of vascular thrombosis. Finally, classical regression and robust regression analysis for finding outliers are also used to see whether certain characteristics of those outliers have something to do with vascular thrombosis.

The ROx is a retinal oximeter under development with the purpose of non-invasively and accurately measuring oxygen saturation (SO₂) in vivo. It is novel in that it utilizes the blue-green oximetry technique with on-axis illumination. ROx calibration tests were performed by inducing hypoxia in live anesthetized swine and comparing ROx measurements to SO₂ values measured by a CO-Oximeter. Calibration was not achieved to the precision required for clinical use, but limiting factors were identified and improved. The ROx was used in a set of sepsis experiments on live pigs with the intention of tracking retinal SO₂ during the development of sepsis. Though conclusions are qualitative due to insufficient calibration of the device, retinal venous SO₂ is shown to trend generally with central venous SO₂ as sepsis develops. The novel sepsis model developed in these experiments is also described. The method of cecal ligation and perforation with additional soiling of the abdomen consistently produced controllable severe sepsis/septic shock in a matter of hours. In addition, the ROx was used to collect retinal images from a healthy human volunteer. These experiments served as a bench test for several of the additions/modifications made to the ROx. This set of experiments specifically served to illuminate problems with various light paths and image acquisition. The analysis procedure for the ROx is under development, particularly automating the process for consistency, accuracy, and time efficiency. The current stage of automation is explained, including data acquisition processes and the automated vessel fit routine. Suggestions for the next generation of device minimization are also described.

This thesis investigates how individuals perceive and describe the texture of solid foods. To date, minimal research has been done to investigate individual texture perception and the influence of oral physiological parameters. The current study is a three phase project. First, using Temporal Dominance of Sensation (TDS), the dynamic process of panellists’ texture perception was investigated. The results showed two very distinct groups of panellists who differed based on their texture perception response. The second phase attempted to understand these groups by testing oral physiological parameters surrounding the individuals and their bolus. Few significant results were found between the two groups indicating. The final phase of this project supported the hypothesis that vocabulary use was not a factor in the division of the two groups. To conclude, saliva, both in regard to the amount and composition, seems to have a large influence on how individuals perceive the texture of solid food. / New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) under contract C02X0807 (Food Structure Platform).

abstract: Both theoretical and empirical research has recognized the importance of contextual factors for Mexican-origin youths' educational outcomes. The roles of parents, teachers, and peers have been predictive of Mexican-origin youths' academic achievement, educational expectations, and decision to enroll in postsecondary education. However, few studies have examined the interdependence among sociocultural context characteristics in predicting Mexican-origin youths' educational outcomes. In this dissertation, two studies address this limitation by using a person-centered analytical approach. The first study identified profiles of Mexican-origin youth using culturally relevant family characteristics. The second study identified profiles of Mexican-origin youth using culturally relevant school characteristics. The links between profiles and youths' academic achievement, educational expectations, and postsecondary enrollment were examined in both studies. Overall, this dissertation contributes to the growing body of literature that aims to understand risk and protective processes related to Mexican-origin youths' academic achievement, educational expectations, and postsecondary enrollment. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Family and Human Development 2017

abstract: Despite the strong link between pain and depressive symptoms, the mechanisms by which they are connected in the everyday lives of individuals with chronic pain are not well understood. In addition, previous investigations have tended to ignore biopsychosocial individual difference factors, assuming that all individuals respond to pain-related experiences and affect in the same manner. The present study tried to address these gaps in the existing literature. Two hundred twenty individuals with Fibromyalgia completed daily diaries during the morning, afternoon, and evening for 21 days. Findings were generally consistent with the hypotheses. Multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that morning pain and positive and negative affect are uniquely associated with morning negative pain appraisal, which in turn, is positively related to pain’s activity interference in the afternoon. Pain’s activity interference was the strongest predictor of evening depressive symptoms. Latent profile analysis using biopsychosocial measures identified three theoretically and clinically important subgroups (i.e., Low Functioning, Normative, and High Functioning groups). Although the daily pain-depressive symptoms link was not significantly moderated by these subgroups, individuals in the High Functioning group reported the lowest levels of average morning pain, negative affect, negative pain appraisal, afternoon pain’s activity interference, and evening depressive symptoms, and the highest levels of average morning positive affect across 21 days relative to the other two groups. The Normative group fared better on all measures than did the Low Functioning group. The findings of the present study suggest the importance of promoting morning positive affect and decreasing negative affect in disconnecting the within-day pain-depressive symptoms link, as well as the potential value of tailoring chronic pain interventions to those individuals who are in the greatest need. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2018

Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Briana S. Goff / Human sex trafficking is a complex and unique phenomenon involving the commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of persons by means of force, fraud, or coercion. The purpose of this study was to investigate unique patterns of trauma exposure and biopsychosocial health among a sample of CSE survivors. Results from a latent profile analysis with 135 adults trafficked in the United States yielded three distinct survivor sub-groups: mildly distressed, moderately distressed, and severely distressed. The mildly distressed class (18.5%) was characterized by the lowest reports of trauma exposure and an absence of clinically significant psycho-social stress symptoms. The moderately distressed class (48.89%) endorsed comparatively medial levels of trauma exposure, as well as clinically significant disturbance in six domains of psycho-social health. The severely distressed class (32.59%) reported the highest degree of trauma exposure and exhibited clinically significant symptoms of pervasive psycho-social stress across all domains assessed. To better understand variation in CSE survivors’ engagement with formal support services, this study also examined differences in help-seeking attitudes and intentions between latent classes. Results indicated that compared to those in the mildly and moderately distressed classes, severely distressed survivors endorsed significantly more unfavorable attitudes toward seeking professional help, along with no intention to seek help from any source when facing a personal or emotional crisis. Findings from this study provide a snapshot of significant heterogeneity in trauma exposure and biopsychosocial health among CSE survivors, as well as associated differences in help-seeking attitudes and intentions. The identification of distinct survivor sub-groups in these and future analyses mark an important intermediate step toward developing empirically-testable support services that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of CSE survivors.