Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 3, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-57).

Resumé af ph.d afhandling, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed Mar. 3, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

This study seeks to expand the scope of assimilation theory by integrating it with elements of routine activities theory to better understand what influence assimilation has in regard to violent victimization. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to determine whether or not differences in victimization rates between foreign-born and native-born Hispanic youth are related to variations in emotional guardianship. Emotional guardianship refers to the aspect of relationships (i.e., affection and communication) between Hispanic youth and their parents that serve to protect the youth from being victimized. I hypothesize that foreign-born Hispanics have greater emotional guardianship than native-born Hispanics, and as a result foreign-born Hispanics have lower probabilities of victimization. To test this hypothesis and others, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) is utilized, as it provides data about the various aspects of assimilation (e.g., country of birth, language spoken at home), routine activities (e.g., sports, clubs, and family outings), and emotional guardianship (e.g., communication of problems, expectations, and satisfaction of parental bond), which are each believed to contribute to the likelihood of being victimized.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a probably efficacious, evidenced-based treatment, which has been proven to decrease problem behaviors of children, as well as improve parent-child interactions. The first phase is the Child-Directed Interaction (CDI), which allows the child to lead the play session, while parents are taught to interact without giving demands, asking questions, or providing criticism. According to the DSM-IV-TR, Reactive Attachment Disorder is a rare diagnosis. Many attachment therapists indicate that traditional approaches to treatment have not been demonstrated as being effective with these children. This study will examine the CDI phase of Parent- Child Interaction Therapy as a potential treatment option for children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Semi-crystalline polymers have shown increased crystalline order and size when confined in multilayered films by coextrusion1. The resulting large crystals lead to dramatic improvements in gas barrier properties. Ordered polymers whose characteristics are between that of the liquid phase and the crystalline phase are known as liquid crystalline polymers. The highly ordered mesogens in liquid crystalline polymers contribute to their exceptional bulk properties. In this research, side-chain liquid crystalline polymers were confined in multilayered films, made by either multilayer coextrusion or spin coating, with a non-liquid crystalline polymer in an attempt to improve the ordering of the liquid crystalline mesogens. The liquid crystalline behavior and morphology was studied to understand the correlation between the confinement size and the properties of the multilayer films. Commercial main chain liquid crystalline polymers and hydrogen bonded liquid crystalline polymers were also explored in this research for their use in multilayer coextrusion. / text

In the context of pharmaceutical development, it is abundantly clear that there is a need for greater understanding and control of crystalline phases. The field of crystal engineering is poised to address such issues and has matured into a paradigm for the supramolecular synthesis of new compounds with desired properties. Crystal structures are unpredictable by nature, however, the interactions that lead to crystal formation are becoming much more predictable. By means of model compound studies, the delineation of the hierarchy of hydrogen bonding between complementary functional groups or supramolecular heterosynthons can be accomplished. Competitive co-crystallization studies along with data extracted from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) can be utilized in understanding the reliability of supramolecular heterosynthons without the need for endless co-crystallization experiments. In effect, this ability to understand supramolecular heterosynthons can allow crystal engineers to rationally design co-crystals with a high rate of success. It has been suggested that pharmaceutical co-crystals could play a significant part in the future of API formulation since in principle they will outnumber pharmaceutical salts, polymorphs and solvates combined. The focus of this thesis is the understanding of the primary amide functional group and its hydrogen bonding capabilities; as well as the synthesis of model compounds in order to develop a blueprint for the design of pharmaceutical co-crystals using APIs that contain a primary amide functional group.

U.S. immunization and well child-care rates are below desired levels with lower income individuals being at higher risk for receiving inadequate care. To enhance the understanding of motivating factors to health care utilization, this study explored relationships between a mother's interaction style (secure, anxious, avoidant), her reported experiences with pediatric health care and her child's utilization of pediatric health care. Participants included 126 US-born, English-speaking women with an infant 12 to18 months of age. Linear regression analyses found no bivariate associations between maternal interaction style and reported experiences of care. Poisson regression analyses measured associations of maternal interaction style, reported experiences of care, and moderating variables with health care visits and immunizations received. Main effect models found no associations between maternal interaction style and reported experiences of care. Significant associations were identified between provider ratings and sick visits. There were no associations between provider office ratings and utilization rates. When interaction style and provider/provider office ratings were included in the model, high provider ratings (P<.05) and high anxious interaction scores (p<.0001) were associated with more sick visits while higher avoidant interaction style scores (p<.01) were associated with decreased use of sick visits. Multivariate modeling identified provider rating (p<.05) and anxious interaction score (p<.01) as main effects, child's health rating as a confounder, as well as target child being mother's first, WIC/Healthy Start participation, maternal bonding and feelings about going to the doctor acting as moderators to associations between interaction style and sick/follow-up visits. Secure interaction style scores were associated with increased use of emergency department visits, controlling for the confounding effects of maternal bonding and the moderating effects of child's health status and maternal age. Findings indicate that, in some cases, maternal interaction style is associated with how and when mothers access health care for their children. The confounders and moderators identified also highlight the need for more understanding regarding what motivates individuals. Finally, there were racial and ethnic differences including higher rates of avoidant interaction styles in Black, non-Hispanic mothers. Predicting health care utilization patterns will help better target the specific needs of mothers and ultimately improve health outcomes.

Not available / text

D. Tech. Polymer Technology. / Addresses the aim of generating new knowledge on: 1) the effect of supercritical CO2 on H-bond behaviour between polymers, and on 2) drug-loaded interpolymer complex preparation in supercritical CO2.