We hypothesized that temporal features of EEG are altered in sleep apnea subjects comparedto normal subjects. The initial aim was to develop a measure to discriminate sleep stages innormals. The longer-term goal was to apply these methods to identify differences in EEGactivity in sleep apnea subjects from normals. We analyzed the C3A2 EEG and anelectrooculogram (EOG) recorded from 9 normal adults awake and in rapid eye movement(REM) and non-REM sleep. The EEG signals were filtered to remove EOG contamination. Twomeasures of the irregularity of EEG signals, Sample Entropy (SpEn) and Tsallis Entropy, wereevaluated for their ability to discriminate sleep stages. SpEn changes with sleep state, beinglargest in Wake. Stage 3/4 had the smallest SpEn (0.57??0.11) normalized to Wake values,followed by Stage 2 (0.72??0.09), REM (0.75??0.1) and Stage 1 (0.89??0.05). This pattern wasconsistent in all the polysomnogram records analyzed. Similar pattern was observed in leadO1A2 as well. We conclude that SpEn may be useful as part of a montage for assessing sleepstate. We analyzed data from sleep apnea subjects having obstructive and central apnea eventsand have made some preliminary observations; the SpEn values were more similar across sleepstages and also high correlation with oxygen saturation was observed.

Several powdered food products were screened using repetitive element palindrome PCR (rep-PCR) for the presence of enterotoxin producing species of Bacillus. Samples from these products were screened by being placed into a tryptone-peptoneglucose-yeast enrichment medium (TPGY), heat-treated, and shake-incubated. DNA was extracted using a modification of established protocol, leading to the development of an optimized method for each food system. Purified DNA was amplified through rep-PCR using extragenic sequence-targeting primers and optimized for each food product. Amplified PCR products were analyzed electrophoretically and viewed using an ultraviolet photodocumentation system. Bacillus cereus positive control DNA fingerprints were compared to banding patterns from enriched food samples, revealing the presence of the typical diagnostic 1,230 bp band in non-fat dry milk (NFDM). Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) with Alu I restriction enzyme was performed on the 1230 bp diagnostic band from NFDM and displayed a profile consistent with Bacillus cereus positive control. RPLA (Reverse Passive Latex Agglutination) and BDE ELISA (Bacillus Diarrhoeal Enterotoxin Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay - Tecra Diagnostics) confirmed the presence of HBL and NHE enterotoxin production in NFDM, Coffee creamer, infant milk formula, and two lecithin samples. / Department of Biology

The risk of waterborne infections acquired from the consumption of contaminated water is related to changes in source water fecal contamination, which is often influenced by land-use and hydro-meteorological conditions in the surrounding watershed. The impact of land-use composition on surface water contamination was explored in order to determine the risk of surface water contamination associated with land-use change. Highest contamination was observed in watersheds characterized by more than 12.5% agricultural and more than 1.6% urban land (mean fecal coliform (FC) concentration of these 5 sites = 135 CFU 100ml-1 while the British Columbia (BC) raw water quality guideline = 100 CFU 100ml-1). Contamination increased exponentially, and violated BC raw water quality guidelines with greater frequency, in relation to greater agricultural land in the upstream watershed. Additional factors, such as sewage treatment plants, low dilution in smaller streams, and higher temperatures were also associated with greater contamination. These results indicate the high level of risk posed by agricultural and urban development and the need for source water protection. Fecal contamination levels in source water are also influenced by rainfall and snowmelt-induced surface runoff that transport diffuse fecal contaminants into surface water. Seasonal levels of fecal contamination in surface water was related to the watershed hydro-climatic regime for around half of the watersheds examined. Watersheds with snowmelt-dominant (SD) runoff regimes showed stronger evidence of hydro-meteorological variability driving seasonal contamination levels than those with rainfall and snowmelt-influenced (RSI) and rainfall-dominant (RD) runoff regimes, and thus are more prone to experiencing changes to seasonal variability resulting from climate change. Projected increases in mean annual temperatures of between 1.70C and 4.00C towards the end of the 21st century will alter existing runoff regimes within watersheds. For SD watersheds that remain below freezing and continue to accumulate snowpack during the cold season, transport of fecal contamination will likely occur earlier in the year with greater intensity. Fecal coliform transport in summer is likely to decrease, especially in SD watersheds in which fecal contamination is driven by summer rainfall events. Snowmelt-dominant watersheds transitioning toward a RD runoff regime will experience less contamination during spring but increased contamination during late fall and winter. The extent to which these changes in runoff regime will influence surface water fecal contamination will vary among watersheds. Further investigation is required to identify factors that enhance or mitigate the association of surface water fecal contamination with rainfall and snowmelt-induced runoff in order to identify specific site vulnerability to changing seasonal contamination levels. Total precipitation within BC is projected to increase by 20-30% towards the end of the 21st century. The association of annual FC variability with snowmelt and rainfall variability was examined in order to assess the capacity of such increases to raise the level of surface water fecal contamination. Greater total annual and seasonal rainfall and/or river discharge increased surface water fecal contamination for 58% (11/19) of the sites examined. Hydro-meteorological variability influenced FC concentration during winter, the season of greatest precipitation, and spring, the season of greatest snowmelt, but not during summer or fall. Reduced contamination levels during the El Niño event in 2002/03 were associated with a mean reduction in river discharge during spring and summer. These associations suggest that the risk of increased surface water fecal contamination in response to higher precipitation is likely to be greatest in winter for RD watersheds and spring for SD watersheds, although the magnitude of impact will vary among sites. Climate change and land-use activities within watersheds have the capacity to alter the timing and amount of surface water fecal contamination. These factors are likely to act synergistically by increasing the presence and transport of fecal contaminants within watersheds. Such relationships should be carefully considered to aid the assessment and mitigation of the risk of source water contamination associated with land-use and climate change. / Graduate

Renata Rakštelytė Marinuotų paukštienos pusgaminių užkrėstumas kampilobakterijomis ir jų rūšinė įvairovė Baigiamasis magistro darbas Darbo vadovas: prof. dr. Mindaugas Malakauskas Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas Veterinarijos akademija Veterinarijos fakultetas Maisto saugos ir kokybės katedra Darbo apimtis 36 puslapiai, 4 lentelės, 9 paveikslai. Darbo tikslas buvo įvertinti Lietuvoje parduodamų marinuotų paukštienos pusgaminių užkrėstumą dažniausiai žmonių susirgimus sukeliančiomis kampilobakterijų rūšimis. Tyrimų metu buvo ištirti 67 marinuotos paukštienos pusgaminiai. Trijų skirtingų paukštienos gamybos įmonių pusgaminiai tyrimui buvo perkami mažmeninės prekybos įmonėse be išankstinio įspėjimo. Kampilobakterijos buvo išskiriamos tiesiogiai sėjant ant mCCDA agaro ir atlikus pagausinimą Bolton sultinyje. Kampilobakterijos buvo identifikuojamos iki rūšies naudojant šiek tiek pakeistą Wang ir kt. (2002) aprašytą PGR metodą ir pradmenis. Tyrimai parodė, kad 22 mėginiai (32,8%)iš 67 tirtų marinuotų paukštienos pusgaminių, buvo užkrėsti kampilobakterijomis. Dažniausiai marinuoti paukštienos pusgaminiai buvo užkrėsti C. jejuni rūšies bakterijomis (16 mėginių), tuo tarpu C.coli bakterijos buvo aptiktos tik 2 mėginiuose, o vienas mėginys buvo užkrėstas nenustatytos rūšies kampilobakterijomis. Dar dviejuose mėginiuose rastos tiek C.jejuni, tiek ir Campylobacter spp. bakterijos ir viename - C.coli ir nenustatytos rūšies kampilobakterijos. Tyrimų laikotarpiu iš viso buvo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Renata Rakštelytė CONTAMINATION OF MARINATED POULTRY MEAT WITH CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. AND THEIR SPECIES DIVERSITY Master thesis Thesis supervisor: prof. dr. Mindaugas Malakauskas Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Lithuanian Veterinary Academy Faculty of Veterinary medicine Departament of Food Safety and Quality Kaunas, 2014 m. The coverage of the work: 36 pages, 4 tables, 9 pictures. The aim of the study was to evaluate contamination of marinated poultry products with Campylobacter spp. sold at the retail level sale in Lithuania. It total 67 ready-to-cook marinated poultry products were examined. Detection of Campylobacter was carried out using direct plating on mCCDA agar and after enrichment in Bolton broth with further planting on mCCDA. Campylobacter species were identified by PCR method described by Wang et al. (2002 ) with minor changes. Only specific primers for identification of Campylobacter spp., C. jejuni and C. coli were used. The study showed that out of the 67 tested marinated poultry products 22 (32.8 %) were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Most often marinated poultry preparations were contaminated with C. jejuni (16 samples), while C.coli species were isolated only from 2 samples. Other Campylobacter species then C. jejuni or C. coliwas found in one sample, C.jejuni and Campylobacter spp.bacteria were found in two samples and C.coli and unidentified Campylobacter species in one sample, respectively. Eleven C.jejuni strains isolated from marinated... [to full text]

Purpose <br>The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the self-perceived physiological and psychosocial needs of persons living in communities which have been exposed to environmental contamination, and to provide an understanding of how forensic nurses can be utilized in these communities. <br>Background <br>This study was conducted to provide an opportunity for forensic nurses to advance their profession by finding ways that they can move beyond their traditional roles. Dixon and Dixon's Integrative Environmental Health Model was the theoretical framework. <br>Research Design <br>This cross-sectional triangulated study used quantitative and qualitative methods. The Community Environmental Health and Rights Assessment Tool (CEHRAT) was used to elicit quantifiable responses. One-on-one qualitative interviews were then conducted. <br>Participants and Data Collection and Analysis <br>Questionnaires were completed by 198 participants (109 from Ellenville, New York, and 89 from South Plainfield, New Jersey). For the qualitative phase, six residents were interviewed. <br>All persons who completed the questionnaire received a $5 gift card and an environmental resource pamphlet. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS. The qualitative data was managed with Weft QDA. <br>Results <br>The majority of participants in each community were `Somewhat satisfied' with the environmental information they receive (32.4% for Ellenville and 53.5% for South Plainfield). Two-thirds of the respondents in both communities said they know little or nothing about environmental contamination in their community. Over ninety-six percent of respondents indicated that they would trust nurses to provide environmental information if the nurses were experienced in such matters. Over ninety-eight percent of respondents stated they would trust forensic nurses. Eighty-five percent of respondents wanted educational information so they could protect themselves from contamination. The qualitative data revealed themes that buttressed the quantitative results: a lack of knowledge; the negative impact of politics, economics, and personal finances on remediating contamination; the need for outside help; and the belief that nurses can help affected communities by providing education, treatment, and investigation. <br>Conclusions <br>Forensic nurses can benefit communities that have been environmentally contaminated. In addition to advancing their profession, forensic nurses can be catalysts for change. / School of Nursing / Nursing / PhD / Dissertation

Drinking water distribution systems (WDSs) hold a particularly critical and strategic position in preserving public health and industrial growth. Despite the ubiquity of this infrastructure, its importance for public health, and increased risk of terrorism, several aspects of emergency management for WDSs remain at an undeveloped stage. A set of methods is developed to analyze the risk and consequences of WDS contamination events and develop emergency response support tools. Monte Carlo and optimization schemes are developed to evaluate contamination risk of WDSs for generation of critical contamination scenarios. A multicriteria optimization approach is proposed that treats likelihood and consequences as independent risk measures to find an ensemble of uniformly-distributed critical scenarios. This approach provides insight into system risk and potential mitigation options not available under maximum risk or maximum consequences analyses. Static multiobjective simulation-optimization schemes are developed for generation of optimal response mechanisms for contamination incidents with twoconflicting objectives of minimization of health consequences and impacts on non-consumptive water uses. Performance of contaminant flushing and containment are investigated. Pressure-driven hydraulic analysis is performed to simulate the complicated system hydraulics under pressure-deficit conditions. Performance of a novel preventive response action ? injection of food-grade dye directly into drinking water ? for mitigation of health impacts as a contamination threat unfolds is explored. The emergency response is formulated as a multiobjective optimization problem for the minimization of risks to life with minimum false warning and cost. A multiobjective optimization scheme is used for the management of contamination events for diverse contaminant agents without interruption of firefighting. A dynamic modeling scheme is developed that accounts for the time-varying behavior of the system during an emergency. Effects of actions taken by the managers and consumers as well as the changing perceived contaminant source attributes are included in the simulation model to provide a realistic picture of the dynamic environment. A dynamic optimization scheme is coupled with the simulation model to identify and update the optimal response recommendations during the emergency. Machine learning approaches are employed for real-time characterization of contaminant sources and identification of effective response strategies for a timely and effective response to contamination incidents and threats. In contrast to traditional approaches that perform whole analysis after a contamination event occurs, proposed machine learning methods gain system knowledge in advance and use this extracted information to identify contamination attributes after an incident occurs.

Current US government risk assessment and management regulations and policies are based on a position that views risk as an objective measure of a predictable physiological morbidity or mortality outcome that is not otherwise connected to social or cultural beliefs and values. Whereas human health risk assessments are meant to determine the probability of adverse impacts from particular hazards, the conventional risk assessment framework fails to consider Native American definitions of health and so risk. This study was conducted with the Coast Salish Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington State, where contamination of their aquatic natural resources has been found. By conducting two series of interviews with traditional high-use seafood consumers, experts and elders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and by averting use of what I describe herein as ‘conventional’ fish consumption survey, the study allowed interviewees to provide a more complex narrative set of details and information that bestowed a much more accurate picture of the reasoning behind seafood consumption habits within the community. Among the more salient points that emerged from the interviews was that seafood represents a symbolic, deeply meaningful food source that is linked to a multi-dimensional ‘Swinomish’ concept of health. Yet drastic changes in access, harvest and consumption have occurred over time, and continue to this day. A health evaluation tool was also devised using simple descriptive scaled rankings to elucidate non-physiological health risks and impacts in relation to contaminated seafood. Findings demonstrate that community cohesion, food security, ceremonial use and knowledge transmission all play primary roles as concerns the Swinomish notions of health, and that these indicators are regarded as equally important when juxtaposed to physical indicators of health. Thus, to eat less seafood—as prescribed by current policy and decision-making procedures when contamination is present—is actually detrimental to the multi-dimensional concept of health as defined by the Swinomish. The evaluation tool may be used in conjunction with the conventional risk assessment framework to more accurately and comprehensively deduce risks and impacts.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "May 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-87). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.