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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

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.

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No description available.

Even though it has been decades since antibiotics were put into widespread use, bacterial infections are a worsening source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This is partially due to the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are populations of microbial cells embedded in self-produced matrices and their formation can enhance survival of the pathogen in the host. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of acute and chronic infections and an excellent model for the study of opportunistic, biofilm-based infections. It produces a plethora of virulence factors and we do not fully understand how it harms the host. This thesis investigates the synthesis and characteristics of the Refractile-body (R-body), a newly identified P. aeruginosa virulence factor and potential roles of this virulence factor during host colonization. R-bodies are large proteinaceous polymers that are produced as a coiled ribbon but can extend to form a spear-like structure that is longer than a bacterial cell. Further, the R-body is produced stochastically and the producing minority is thought to contribute to success of the population through altruistic suicide. The purpose of this thesis is to characterize yet another virulence factor in the arsenal of the notorious pathogen P. aeruginosa. Further, the capacity for R-body production is present in diverse bacteria, and characterization of its function could be pertinent for our understanding of other bacteria with roles in medicine, agriculture, and industry. In Chapter 1, I introduce concepts from the fields of bacterial infectious disease, population biology and gene expression to provide context for my research findings on the R-body. In Chapter 2, I describe the discovery of R-body polymers in the P. aeruginosa PA14 biofilm. Using mass spectrometry analysis, I identified a novel P. aeruginosa R-body protein absent in the Caedibacter taeniospiralis and Azorhizobium caulinodans genomes, two bacteria for which R-body production had previously been described. Further, results in the chapter elucidate the role of R-bodies in P. aeruginosa PA14 colonization in the plant and virulence in the nematode hosts. The work described in Chapter 3 focuses on the transcription factor RcgA, which is required for R-body production. The gene encoding RcgA lies in a cluster and is co-expressed with R-body structural genes. Using established genetic tools, I asked the question, “what signal does RcgA sense?” I found that RcgA binding to a cyclic nucleotide is necessary for its function in turning on R-body genes. I present data in Chapter 3 and 4 that sheds light on the regulatory logic of R-body production in P. aeruginosa. Specifically, using single-cell resolution methods, I have been able to characterize the impact of various genes on stochasticity of R-body production in the population. Data presented in these chapters are another example of the importance of studying heterogeneity and stochasticity of virulence factor expression in the population. Taken together, the work in this thesis provides an expanded and multifaceted understanding of a fascinating virulence factor found across bacterial phylogeny. The R-body produced by P. aeruginosa, a notorious human pathogen, is unique in its makeup and should be further characterized. This work also underscores the necessity of studying bacterial pathogenicity in the context of the biofilm lifestyle.

This thesis describes experiments in creating derivatives of sulfonamide. The derivatives were then submitted for testing for anti-tubercular activity.

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

In this study the role played by metaphor in psychotherapy is investigated. Issues discussed, included the formulation of a definition of metaphor as well as an adequate theory of metaphor. The place metaphor holds in thought and learning; as well as how it has found its expression within some psychotherapeutic traditions are also discussed. The primary aim of the dissertation is to illustrate the versatility of metaphor, enabling it to be a significant and powerful tool in the hand of the psychotherapist. The application of various forms of metaphor is illustrated through case studies which offer a discussion of how the specific type of metaphor had been applied in psychotherapy. In conclusion, some recommendations are made with regard to further research within the fields of psychotherapy and neuropsychology. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / Introduction This dissertation entails a homoeopathic proving of ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) 30CH with a subsequent comparison to Lac Loxodonta africana. Objectives The primary objective of this proving was to determine the effects of homoeopathically prepared ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a 30CH dilution and was achieved by administering the remedy to a group of healthy individuals (provers) who will document all symptoms that arise as a result of taking the remedy. These symptoms will be used to identify the therapeutic indications of homoeopathic ivory. With these specific indications being documented the remedy can then be utilized in the sick individual, that present with similar symptoms, to induce a cure. A further objective of this proving is to report any variation that may exist in the comparison of two remedies, namely Lac Loxodonta africana (milk derived from the African elephant) and the remedy used in this proving, ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Methodology The substance was triturated up until the 3CH and subsequently converted into a liquid potency to be potentised up until the 30CH. Granules were then impregnated with the 30CH liquid potency. Ten impregnated granules were then placed in each individual ii lactose powder sachets. A total of six powders were dispensed to the proving participants. The proving was conducted as a double blind placebo controlled study with a total of twenty-six (26) provers that met the inclusion criteria (Appendix A). The group was made up of both homoeopathic students as well as the general public of varying ages, race and gender. The total group was randomly divided into two groups, twenty (20) of which received the homoeopathic remedy, the remainder (6) received placebo. A full case history of each prover was taken before commencing the proving as well as on completion of the study. Each individual prover kept a journal, starting a week before the proving, which was continued while taking the remedy and ceased when all symptoms had abated. Once all provers had completed the proving, the information received from the provers through the journals from both groups was collated, assessed and analyzed. A comparison was then made between this proving and Lac Loxodonta africana to assess whether any similarities or differences were evident. The comparison was made on symptom similarities and rubric analysis. Results The proving of ivory from the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) revealed a variety of symptoms. A total of 32 systems were affected in the twenty provers who received the remedy. 716 symptoms were recorded, 83 of which were new symptoms. The systems that were predominately affected were the mind, head and extremities. Many symptoms were confirmed to be similar to those identified in the proving of Lac Loxodonta africana, though differences were also acknowledged.