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Rehabilitating incarcerated individuals has become a focal point within corrections, with a variety of programs being implemented within facilities to assist individuals as they return to society from incarceration. Programs such as prison-based animal programs (PAP) provide incarcerated individuals a number of benefits that range from learning an employable skill to psychosocial benefits, which stem from the human animal interactions. Importantly, the current study aims at expanding knowledge on the current, limited literature that exists on public perceptions and opinions towards PAP programs. The importance in measuring the level of support for programs of this nature lies in the role public opinion plays in criminal justice policymaking, being that the public has been reported as having a level of influence on policymaking. A sample of 230 Florida Atlantic University students were surveyed concerning their perceptions towards PAP programs, focusing on whether these programs are beneficial to incarcerated individuals. The focus of this thesis was to examine whether students support PAP programs within correctional facilities and to analyze the differences in perceptions based on multiple demographic characteristics. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Microencapsulation of stem cells in hydrogel for use in therapeutic applications has been shown to improve cell retention at the site of injuries due to their mechanical and immunoprotective properties. These microscale droplets (cocoons) can be produced at high throughputs within microfluidic channels. Currently, the ability for cells to egress hydrogel cocoons is under investigation. This egress can correlate with therapeutic efficacy, and so promoting or inhibiting the egress of cells can be a vital component of viable treatments. Previously, a second hydrogel layer was shown to reduce egress, but issues involving cell proliferation were unchanged. We propose a microfluidic process to encapsulate cells in two layers of thermoresponsive hydrogels, in which the inner core melts at physiological temperatures to form hollow cocoons that allow cells free motion inside the immunoprotective shell. We hypothesize that the open volume would increase cell viability and proliferation, without increasing cell egress due to the uninterrupted hydrogel shell. In this project the encapsulation of NIH 3T3 cells in hollow agarose cocoons was achieved. 3T3 cells were first encapsulated in thermoreversible gelatin which were then re-encapsulated in agarose through the use of a flow-focusing microfluidic channel with on-chip mixing of two inlet flows to produce hollow cocoons. The production of these cocoons showed the potential of high throughput, monodisperse samples with future investment. Preliminary investigation in the behavior of the encapsulated cells showed that the cells maintain high viability over the course of 48 hours. There are early indications that the hollow nature of correctly formed cocoons can limit cell egress, and may allow for proliferation in the cocoon.

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The nature of naval member’s job demands is that they experience high levels of stress. Stress is introduced in military training to familiarize sailors with real life stressors. This study is located in piloting and validity theory. It focuses explicitly on validating an existing tool, the Therapeutic Recreation Stress Leisure Appraisal Tool, to measure stress in the South African Navy. This study aimed to pilot and evaluate the validity and reliability of the developed tool in an African context in the South African Navy. A multi-stage procedure of instrument development using the instrument development model will be used, consisting of the following steps: 1) preliminary phase, 2) questionnaire development, 3) pilot testing, and 4) evaluation. The scope of this study, is only focused on stages three and four. The current study followed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design. In this study, the qualitative phase was done first, followed by the quantitative phase. The mixed-method design is used to build upon the same research questions. PHASE 1, the pilot-testing phase (qualitative, n=50), explored if the developed appraisal tool is interpreted correctly and contains the necessary applicable questions. This population and sample were purposefully selected from the navy. Data were collected in focus groups taking place at a naval base. Five focus groups of ten members each were completed using interview schedules. Recorded data was transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with data coding to extract themes. This study is an extension of from a masters study linked to the current study, which contributed towards the finalisation of the questionnaire. Iterative exploratory factor analyses were used at the item and scale levels to select and reassign the items and scales. PHASE 2, the evaluation phase (quantitative, n=1000), determined the validity and reliability of the refined, developed appraisal tool. The population (N=7000) and sample (n=1000) consisted of senior and junior ranks from the officer core, conveniently selected from a naval base. PHASE 1 informed PHASE 2, the evaluation phase.

While the poisonous effects of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) have been recognized since antiquity, the overall actions and mechanisms of effects of BoNT have been elucidated primarily over the past several decades. The general utility of BoNT is described in the paper, but the focus is mainly on the approaches towards negating the toxic effects of BoNT, and on the projection of an engineered BoNT molecule serving as a Trojan Horse to deliver a therapeutic load for treatment of a host of medical disorders. The BoNT molecule is configured with a binding domain, a zinc-dependent protease with specificity primarily for vesicular proteins, and a translocation domain for delivery of the metalloprotease into the cytoplasm. The anti-toxin approaches for BoNT include the use of vaccines, antibodies, block of BoNT binding or translocation, inhibition of metalloprotease activity, impeded translocation of the protease/catalytic domain, and inhibition of the downstream Src signaling pathway. Projections of BoNT as a therapeutic include its targeting to non-cholinergic nerves, also targeting to non-neuronal cells for treatment of hypersecretory disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis), and treatment of hormonal disorders (e.g., acromegaly). Still in the exploratory phase, there is the expectation of major advances in BoNT neuroprotective strategies and burgeoning utility of engineered BoNTs as therapeutics.

Family therapy, similar to other mental health services, has focused on ways to make therapy brief or short term . One model of family therapy, the brief/solutions therapeutic orientation, claims that certain techniques can reduce the number of sessions. This therapeutic model focuses on the solutions clients bring with them to therapy. By focusing on clients' solutions and not their problems, the brief/solutions orientation claims that clients reach their goals more quickly, finish therapy more quickly, and are more satisfied with the services they receive . However, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims. This research specifically looked at the brief/solutions concept of pretreatment changes (changes clients make before the first therapy session) and the impact that noticing pretreatment changes as a therapeutic intervention had on therapeutic outcome variables of relationship functioning, goal attainment, problem solving, and communication. No evidence was found that noticing pretreatment changes influences therapeutic outcome. Evidence was found that pretreatment changes do not disappear when noticed. Ideas for future research are included.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is caused by three copies of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and results in phenotypes including intellectual disability. Ts65Dn mice, the most extensively studied DS model, have three copies of ~50% of the genes on Hsa21 and display many phenotypes associated with DS, including cognitive deficits. DYRK1A is a dosage-sensitive gene found in three copies in humans with Trisomy 21 and in Ts65Dn mice and is involved in CNS development. Overexpression of DYRK1A is hypothesized to cause many of the cognitive and developmental deficits observed in DS and has been touted as a target for drug development in DS. Definitive evidence that excessive expression/activity of Dyrk1a directly contributes to specific phenotypes in DS mouse models is limited, and there is no direct evidence that verified pharmacological inhibition of Dyrk1a in vivo causes enduring improvement in DS cognitive phenotypes. In part, this reflects the remarkably limited knowledge of the temporal regulation of Dyrk1a expression and activity in different brain regions across development in DS mouse models. To establish the therapeutic potential of Dyrk1a inhibitors, the first aim of this study was to determine when and in what brain regions excessive Dyrk1a is evident and to identify developmental periods when elevated expression of Dyrk1a may be contributing to enduring aberrant functional development. This aim provided systematic quantification of Dyrk1a protein level at key postnatal (P) ages (P12, P15, P18, P24 P30, P42) in Ts65Dn mice, at ages of translational relevance to clinical applications in humans (birth, early adolescence, late adolescence, young adult). Western blot analysis showed that significant elevation of Dyrk1a with the largest effect sizes occurred in trisomic mice on P15. The second aim of this study was to test whether treating Ts65Dn with a novel Dyrk1a inhibitor (CX-4945) during the time of Dyrk1a elevation would rescue the behavioral and structural abnormalities observed. From P14-P18, Ts65Dn and euploid mice were treated with 75mg/kg CX-4945 or DMSO (vehicle) and tested on a homing task and locomotor activity in a novel arena on P17-P18, counterbalanced for order. At the cessation of treatment, hippocampal cell proliferation was assessed. While there was a lack of statistically significant improvements with CX-4945 treatment, there were modest effect sizes. In addition, several of the behavioral studies were significantly underpowered, making it difficult to conclusively ascertain the efficacy of CX-4945 on specific phenotypes. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that Dyrk1a is dynamically expressed across development in mice, and suggests that consideration of the spatial and temporal expression of Dyrk1a may well be critical in the development of therapeutics for DS.

Lung cancer has a high incidence rate globally and the leading cause of cancer related mortalities. In 2018, lung cancer has been estimated to cause 1.76 million deaths worldwide (18.33% of total cancer mortalities). In Hong Kong lung cancer has been a leading cause of cancer related deaths, and in 2016 caused 3780 deaths (26.6% of total cancer mortalities). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major (~85%) lung cancer type, and five-year survival rate for lung cancer has estimated to be 18%. Thus, an efficient lung cancer treatment with lesser adverse effects is need of the hour. In this connection, active targeting of overexpressed receptors at lung tumor site with a ligand functionalized drug delivery system is the current approach, and pulmonary administration could augment chemotherapeutic effect of the drug through localized administration, minimizing the off-target effects by retention of the drug in lungs.Quercetin (QR), a natural flavonoid present in edible fruits and vegetables possess anticancer activity i.e. inhibits lung cancer growth. However, the application of QR in lung cancer therapy has been restricted by various factors i.e. low water solubility (2.15 µg/ml at room temperature), low bioavailability and rapid plasma clearance. To overcome the issues, we have formulated various QR-loaded liposomes surface functionalized with transferrin receptor (TFR) targeting peptides i.e. T7 (HAIYPRH) and T12 (THRPPMWSPVWP) in two research projects with active targeting ability, prolonged circulation time, and sustained release behavior for lung cancer specific QR delivery. In first research project, T7 targeted liposomes with different peptide densities i.e. 0.5%, 1% and 2% and QR-lip (non-targeted) were formulated. TFRs are over expressed (~100 folds) in various cancers including lung cancer and have low expression in most normal cells. T7 surface-functionalized liposomes (2% T7-QR-lip) demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxicity (~3-folds), cellular-uptake, S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 cells. However, in MRC-5 (normal-lung fibroblast) cells no significant difference was observed after treatment with T7-QR-lip and QR-lip in cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies. In tumor spheroid penetration and inhibition studies, T7 targeted liposomes showed deeper penetration and pronounced inhibition. In vivo biodistribution study via pulmonary administration of T7-DiR-lip has demonstrated liposomes accumulation in the lungs and sustained-release behavior upto 96h. Further, T7-QR-lip significantly enhanced anticancer activity of QR and life-span of orthotopic lung-tumor bearing mice (**p < 0.01, compared with control) via pulmonary administration. In second research project, T12 surface-functionalized liposomes with 0.5%, 1% and 2% T12 peptide densities and QR-lip have been formulated with ~95 % encapsulation efficiency. In vitro drug release study showed sustained release of QR from T12-QR-lip and QR-lip. In vitro experiments showed A549 cells treatment with 2% T12-QR-lip enhanced cellular-uptake, in vitro cytotoxicity, induced apoptosis and S-phase cell cycle arrest due to TFR mediated endocytosis. No significant variation has been observed in cellular-uptake and cytotoxicity after MRC-5 cells were treated with T12-QR-lip and QR-lip. Further, T12-Cou6-lip showed significantly deeper penetration i.e. 120 µm in 3D lung tumor-spheroids. Biodistribution study showed retention of T12-DiR-lip and DiR-lip mainly in the lungs upto 96h after pulmonary administration, as compared to free DiR. Pulmonary administration of T12-QR-lip showed the strongest tumor growth inhibition and survival time of orthotopic lung tumor implanted mice without any systemic toxicity as compared to QR-lip and free-QR. In summary, in vitro and in vivo results of the two research projects suggest that surface functionalization of the liposomes with TFR targeting peptides i.e. T7 and T12 is a promising approach for lung cancer therapy through active targeting and receptor mediated endocytosis of QR at lung tumor site. Moreover, T7 and T12 functionalized liposomes provides a potential drug delivery system for a range of anticancer drugs to enhance their therapeutic efficacy by localized i.e. pulmonary administration and targeted delivery.