Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-119).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / Typescript. "Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Doctor of Philosophy in Biology (Ecology-Track)." Bibliography: leaves 108-126.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-151). Also available in print.

Honors Project--Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 07, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (July 14, 2006) Includes bibliographical references.

Theses (M.S.)--Marshall University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains vii, 73 p. including illustrations and maps. Bibliography: p. 25-28.

Thesis (MTech (Medical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 1998. / This study was undertaken to investigate resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics and the transfer of resistance in selected Gram negative bacilli in hospitals in the Greater Durban area in order to determine whether the development of resistance in this region was similar to that found in other countries and whether it was the same in the hospitals in the region. It was intended that the study might expose the existence of nosocomial pathogens of a particular strain or endemic plasmids responsible for aminoglycoside antibiotic resistance. Strains of Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Serratia species and Escherichia coli resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin or amikacin were obtained. Resistance of the isolates obtained to the above aminoglycoside antibiotics was confirmed using a disc diffusion technique. Resistance mechanisms were initially assigned on the basis of resistance to these four aminoglycoside antibiotics. In approximately 50% of the isolates, including donor isolates and their respective transconjugants, resistance mechanisms were confirmed or revised on the basis of a changed resistance profile to a range of 12 aminoglycoside antibiotics in conjunction with DNA/DNA hybridization tests. Bacterial conjugation studies were performed on selected isolates to investigate the transfer of aminoglycoside resistance from Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to recipient Escherichia coli. Plasmid profiles of all isolates and Escherichia colitransconjugants were compared to establish similarities. Isolates in three of the four genera of bacteria and all isolates collectively, demonstrated the greatest incidence of resistance to tobramycin. Amikacin resistance was, in all groups of isolates, the least frequently encountered. Collectively, the most frequent mechanisms of resistance were the AAC(3)-V and AAC(6')-1 enzymes One large hospital showed a high frequency of the AAC(3)-V modifying enzyme while in other hospitals a wider range of enzyme resistance mechanisms were evident. Plasmid profiles were generally dissimilar within and between different genera and the different hospitals. / Mangosuthu Technikon Research Fund

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: South Africa has one of the most severe HIV epidemics globally, with an estimated 737,000 AIDS related deaths annually and over a million children rendered orphans due to AIDS in 2006. However in 2007, the South African government made a giant commitment to dealing effectively with the AIDS epidemic by implementing a National Strategic Plan (NSP), which had as one of its principal objectives the provision of antiretroviral medications to 80% of all people in need of the treatment by 2011. By the end of June 2011, the rollout of antiretroviral therapy continued to be successful with 1.4 million persons started on antiretroviral therapy and treatment initiation rates reaching 30, 000 per month. Patients have to subject to an uncompromising adherence of taking at least 95% of antiretroviral medication as prescribed, because poor adherence to ART leads to treatment failure, viral mutations and the development of drug resistance. Of major concern to ART programmes are the current obstacles that patients’ face in lieu of treatment. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to adherence to antiretroviral treatment among patients in a public ART programme in Vredenburg, Western Cape. Methodology: An explorative qualitative study was conducted where data was collected through interviews with 18 patients receiving treatment from the Vredenburg hospital. Data was audio-tape recorded, transcribed in full and thematic content analysis done. Results: The study identified awareness of HIV status, disclosure, unemployment, lack of transport,insufficient feeding, disability grants, alcohol and alternative forms of therapy as well as stigma as major barriers to adherence. Whereas inadequate follow ups, recklessness in the way patients’ HIV results were handled, long waiting times and the fear of picking up other types of infections from other patients in the OPD also came under major criticisms from patients. Finally, the sharing of experiences at clinic visits, good healthcare provider’s patient relationships, believing in the treatment, good treatment literacy, being a parent and having children to take care of, the use of pill boxes, social and spiritual support from family members and friends were identified as factors that positively influenced adherence. Conclusion: HIV/AIDS has been a stigmatized illness since its onset in the early 1980s and, these results highlight that such stigma has yet to dissipate in Vredenburg. Therefore, stigma and disclosure must remain at the forefront of the ART programme implementation in Vredenburg; while long term projects that can support ART users economically should be created through partnerships with non-governmental organizations and the government of South Africa to optimize adherence in the community.